An uneasy excitement has flooded the streets of Dublin. While there are still some murmurs about the decision to send K-Dubs to the Broncos, a rookie season by Chester Allen that included over 4000 yards passing and 38 TD passes has largely quieted those fears. Matthew Ioannidis, K-Dubs and “Tiny” Turner O’Connell are no longer the faces of the beleaguered Franchise. They have been replaced by the likes of Oliver Boatman, Chester Allen and Jamal Bacon. Ashley Waddell and Elijah Beck now star in the roles once filled by Steven Sims and Diontae Johnson. CJ Henderson, Ronald Darby and Kendall Fuller are but distant memories replaced by Anthony Morris, Azaveus Frampton, Terrence Ford and rookie Cordaveus Campbell.
These moves have largely come one at a time but the effect is all the same. This Shamrocks team has changed, the entire culture has changed. Dublin had the highest retention rate in the league for almost a decade but even that seems to have changed. It feels weird saying this after an 8-7-1 season, but Owner Matt is clearly no longer going to tolerate average. So while fans may be sad that their favorite players have moved on, they also seem excited about just what that change could bring.
It was that message of what’s next that Owner Matt truly honed in on during the teams kickoff dinner before opening week. This year the dinner was hosted on 3rd Year Superstar Oliver Boatman’s houseboat. After having been hosted by Tiny and his pop star Husband for years, the much more bachelor pad aesthetic of the new locale was jarring to many but it sent a message. The days of contentment were over, average is no longer acceptable. This Dublin Shamrocks team looks different and they act different but the goal hasn’t changed. Win a Super Bowl or get replaced like the rest of the greats, Cut Day is a mantra.
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This is seriously a hell of a lineup coming in y’all! This team is young, young and yet edges out any other for our highest rated ever coming into the season. Archibald is a bit of a placeholder for us but at a 79 is still a solid starter. Hurst is a rookie with a hidden dev rating and 70 OVR so we debate starting him but the gap is simply far too big. After the show Allen put on last year I feel very good about this team. Please let the days of average be behind us.
We also have Bacon, Mann, Morris and Hoskins all with their contracts running out. This is gonna be a big year.
The chat redeemed a reward to have me rant at myself so enjoy.
Week 1 @ Atlanta
The Falcons are a powerhouse in this universe led by stud QB Kevin Mann. We also get terrible news right before the game as we learn that Steve Bonner is out for 43 weeks with a broken leg. Derek Devoe, who was drafted to be the DT of the future, has been buried his whole career but now gets his chance to help anchor the defense. Lord help us
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Better start than last year I suppose. Allen has two INTs but plays well other wise. Both Bacon and Beck have solid games but nothing to write home about. This loss stings but comes against one of the best teams in the NFL. On to the Eagles.
Week 2 @ Philadelphia
You can watch the division opener here
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Bacon and McLaurin both go off as we pull off the win against our division rivals. Allen looked solid if not spectacular as we rise to 1-1 on the season.
Week 3 vs Chicago
Week 4 vs Eagles
Week 5 @ Green Bay
Well that’s a lot better. Allen throws for 300 yards and 3 TDs in each of the two blow outs and then Bacon puts the team on his back against the Packers. Boatman and Young both start racking up sacks and Beck begins to lead the charge at receiver.
We also manage to lock up Morris, Bacon and Hoskins all on long terms deals. We still have to work on Mann and a few others but things are certainly looking up for the now 4-1 Dublin Shamrocks.
Week 6 @ Cowboys
You can watch the game here.
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The 5-1 Shamrocks are not to be trifled with. Ezekiel Elliot is now the All-Time leading rusher but we are unfazed. Allen throws for 275 Yards and 3 TDs and Bacon chips in 95 yards on the ground. Boatman adds 2 sacks and Murray forces 2 fumbles on the day. This was a complete performance by the boys from Dublin.
We also lock up the Mann and Warrick extensions. It has been a much better year for us in terms of resigning veterans.
Week 7 vs Rams
Week 8 @ Ravens
Week 9 @ Vikings
The Shamrocks are 8-1 and Dublin is a ‘rockin. Chester Allen is leading the MVP race all the award races as a whole are littered with Dublin players. We lock up both Mann and Warrick long-term and things are looking up.
Well, mostly. Chase Young is out pretty much unless we go the Super Bowl and Hoskins is out until week 13 or so. This Shamrocks team is battling the injury bug like they never have before but they continue to overcome. Having your 2nd year QB throw for 14 TDs to 2 INTs over a three game span certainly helps those efforts. The Allen haters certainly seem quiet these days.
Week 11 vs Bengals
Week 12 vs Steelers
Week 13 @ Cleveland
Well, shit. This is not what you want to see. We fall from 8-1 to 8-4 just like that as we lose three games in a row we have no business losing. The Bengals are bad bad yet still manage to beat us 41-6. Allen’s prior TO struggles reappear and I begin to feel nervous.
Week 14 @ Giants
Week 15 vs Lions
These are two huge wins against two teams we are competing for the playoffs with. At 10-4 the Giants are right on our heels in the division race. None of our offensive guys really shine but our defense does what it takes despite all of the injuries they’ve endured. A win next week likely clinches a playoff spot.
Week 16 vs Cowboys
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Allen, Bacon, Waddell and Morris all have monster days. We not only clinch the playoffs we also clinch the division as the Giants lose. Boatman and Marquel Dixon combine for 3 sacks on the day and damn does this ‘Rocks team look special. We play for seeding next week as the Giants try to keep their wild card hopes alive.
Week 17 vs New York
You can watch the game here.
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Tough OT loss but we still finish 11-5 with a playoff birth McLaurin and Waddell both go for over 100 receiving yards on the day but we don’t do enough to pull of the win. The Giants don’t get lucky though and still miss the playoffs at 10-6. Dublin is back in the Playoffs in Chester Allen’s second season, I’m ecstatic y’all.
Recap
WE’RE BACK BABY! We’ll do the final stats wrap up at the end of the next newsletter but damn has this been a great year for our ‘Rocks so far. Allen’s numbers fall off towards the end likely dropping him from the MVP but he still passed for 4256 yards and 34 TDs to 14 INTs. Bacon has 1900 total Yards and 11 TDs on the season and McLaurin breaks the 1000 yard mark in what might be the 32 year old’s last season in Dublin. The phenom Oliver Boatman gains 15 sacks from the DT position and enters the upper 90s rating wise. Boatman is the best player on our team and officially the best DT in the league in his 3rd season.
I also want to give a special highlight to the rookie Reggie Hurst. Hurst came in during the second half of the season due to the Young injury and put up 6 sacks in the 8 games he started. He jumps up to a 76 OVR and will no doubt take over for Archibald next season. The other rookie Cordaveus Campbell didn’t put up major numbers but was solid all year as our Nickelback. This team is special and the NFL should be terrified.
The next newsletter should be out real soon as Dublin tries to finally reach the promised land!