Excellent write-ups - many thanks! Where do you get your league rankings for pass/rush off/def?

Need to spend some Lira

Probably from RZA stats that show you whenever you hover over a team name in the league menu. I'm pretty sure it just takes into account yards for and Yards against because my "6th best passing attack" also had the 4th most Interceptions thrown.

Total Yards

The St. Pauli Packers will face their major division rival in a double-header in the coming days. All of St. Pauli is buzzing with excitement for the two games. We took the opportunity to interview St. Pauli HC Abdul Forgách.

SDSC: Coach Abdul, Are the players fit enough for these two games?

AF: The schedule works in our favor. We're facing a bot-opponent in the Supercup tomorrow, so we can rest our best players. The same applies to next week's Supercup match. Fortunately, we have a bye week in the league on Tuesday.

SDSC: These are perfect starting conditions.

AF: Games against the Riga Smokers are never easy, but I think we can get three wins this season. If we win both games now, we'll have taken a big step towards the Supercup and League playoffs.

SDSC: Haven't you forgotten another major division rival? The Reapers lead the NC North.

AF: Yes, certainly, but they're new. They first need to make a name for themselves in this league before we include them in the NC North Trophy calculation.

SDSC: That's understandable. I wish you the best of luck in the two games against the Latvians.

AF: Thank you.

Three weeks into the new season the HAMBURG SEA LIONS reclaim the top spot of the NC North. They won the second game against a division opponent by beating the best branded newbie of the Sea Devils league, the Texas Reapers, 34:20 in their home stadium. Early in the season they may not have the best passing attack, also their passing defense seems to have lost some bite. Their rush defense is top notch already, though, as is their rush offense. And with newly acquired veteran RB Burt Cantwell still becoming acclimated with the team it’ll only get better in the second half of the season.

Sharing the load with starting RB Ferdi Ludwig currently is 25yo homegrown ballcarrier Zdravko Keller, and he’s been using the first three games this season to make a statement for himself: Not only did he rush for a team high 151 yards already, he also came up huge as a special teamer by gathering 229 return yards on only 4 attempts, picking up an average of 57.3 yards per try, and putting the cherry on top by returning a kick for 6 points in the game against the Texas Reapers.

After returning to Hamburg late on Saturday SDSC was able to chat a bit with the HAMBURG SEA LIONS Youth Academy alumni.

SDSC: Zdravko, congrats on the win against the Texas Reapers and, especially for you, the great play you were able to contribute. Breaking tackles, making peoples miss… what were your thoughts when there was only open field before you?

Keller: Thank you. It was crazy, man. I honestly just hoped to get to the end zone.

SDSC: It was a crucial play, since the Reapers seemed to have found their groove on the drive prior to your kick return TD.

Keller: Yes, it was very important to show them what they are dealing with in all phases of the game. And it is also important for us to continue to show confidence in ourselves. It’s a long season, and we try to stay openminded, even after losses like against the Packers on Thursday. We only win because we’re true to ourselves, and we believe.

SDSC: You’re making a strong case for keeping you as a primary rusher alongside Ferdi Ludwig. Do you fear your new teammate Burt Cantwell in any capacity?

Keller: Burt has been great since he came here. He is so experienced and shows moves that I haven’t seen before. He has played against us before, when he was with the Ukies and the Bluebacks… and he says it’s nice to not have to play against our defense anymore. He’ll be a great help down the stretch, but, to answer your question, no… nothing to fear with that.

SDSC: And what about Tuesday, your next encounter with the Packers?

Keller: The same answer applies.

SDSC: That’s some confiance. Thank you, Zdravko, and good luck.

Keller: Thanks, the same to you.

Really should probably complete the rest... kind of an early season review rather than pre season tho eh

In accordance with league rules that stipulate “All teams must make a representative available to the world press a minimum of twice/ season. The first press conference should happen before the team has played 8 games.” Most teams send their HC but The Gaylord Zaleaping have made their Public Relations Consultant, Ivana Seltikets, available today.

Ivana Seltikets: I am super happy to see all of you here today! While this is my first “presser” , Coach Blazer said that all I have to do is to sit back and answer questions that you may all have, so let's go!

Reporter 1: Chip Wood Terryfying Hamster Times, Ivana I understand that your are the first PR person ever hired by the franchise. How has the expereince been?

Ivana Seltikets: You are right Chip, it has been a ride. But, after the old owner rage quit the game last season, it was decided to take a new approach to just about everything here. New ownership brought me in and were very receptive to my ideas. The name change, the new uniforms, everything. There has been some resistance for sure. Like when all the coaches refused to wear their costumes on the sideline. But once I agreed to do this press conference, everyone joined in on the fun. I thought Coach Blazer as Buddy the Elf and Coach Itagaki dressed as Cindy Lou Who stole the show. Next question!

Reporter 2 Clavdivs Iportvs, Rome Centvrion Tribune, Ivana! My fashion people have widely panned the new uniforms and have said this rebrand was all a huge mistake. How do you handle such withering criticism from such fashion experts?

Ivana Seltikets: Look we are all here to just have some fun and we really went all out on the holiday theme. The old colors just couldn't keep up with the holiday events that we had planned. I think the team has looked really festive out there in the red and green tights. Ticket sales are up and the team store can barely keep some merchandise in stock. The Nine ladies dancing cheerleader calendar has been a solid performer but the special edition Eight Maids a Milking Calendar is in its 6th printing and we still can't get enough of them in the team store. So overall we are selling plenty of merch. Next question!

Reporter 3 J. Wellington Wimpy Hamburger Herald, Ivana! Is management doing anything to stop the current 3 game losing streak?

Ivana Seltikets: I'm glad you brought this up. I was very impressed when management had the foresight to build the pool during the preseason and then activated it 3 weeks ago when we needed it. The guys are having so much fun that Morale is at 99% despite the losing streak. Why I think the team would play Marco Polo all day in the pool if Coach Blazer would let them. Next question!

Reporter 4 Jolly Roger, Northern Lake Superior Pirate Log, Will the Zaleaping continue to deploy the 3-4 against Shotgun 4wr or will they be more aggressive in future games against teams located north of them?

Ivana Seltikets: Um. I really don't know how to answer that one Jolly. Those kind of questions can only really be answered by coach Blazer. Next question! Tall, mysterious guy in the back.

Reporter 5 Yex Ivana! Thanks for taking my question. G. Reaper , Texas Tattler. Unfortunately it appears that the IR is clear right now. What do you attribute this to?

Ivana Seltikets: Yes! In fact I was just discussing this very topic with our new team Physiotherapist Dr. Marcus Welby MD. Marcus is a level 20 like myself and was brought in to help the team in any way. We were hit with a raft of injuries early on but his care has cleared the IR and the team is now at full strength. I give him all the credit for that. Next!

Reporter 6 Hello Ivana! Joe Crann from the Sheffield Star. Ivana, As you know the Sheffield Wednesday team has gone by that moniker since 1867. I would like to ask if recent criticism of the Gaylord Zaleaping team name from my side of the pond has had any effect and do you see the Zaleaping team name continuing after this season?

Ivana Seltikets: Thanks for the question Joe. While I really shouldn't go too deep into our marketing plan, it does not make much sense having a Christmas theme during the Spring and summer of S64. So you can expect a change of some sort for S64. Gaylord OftheRings anybody? What about Gaylord OftheDance? Nothing? Next question!

Reporter 7 John Doe, Minnesota Twins TV. Ivana can you talk about your controversial first promotion of the year involving the Silver Foxes?

Ivana Seltikets: Are you talking about opening day when we gave away free seat covers for our fans? Nothing controversial there and the Silver Foxes weren't involved at all. Well... some Foxes were involved I guess Yes, the 14,300 VIP and Executive level ticketholders recieved real Silver fox hide seat covers. The other 130,000 were genuine Naugahyde made to look like Silver Fox. Look, it's not like Silver Foxes are endangered or anything and there a still plenty of little Naugas running around as well. This was a very succesful promotion and I received great feed back from those big dollar seat holders. Next!

Reporter 8 Mike Hogan TSN radio and Silverbacks beat reporter, Ivana, Can you go into how the team is feeling about having two, strong Canadien teams in the league?

Ivana: Thanks for the question Mike but I learned early on that there was only one Canadian team that mattered to this franchise. Besides I don't think the Cincinnati Bengals will be worth worrying about for some time. Thank you all, this has been fun!

Ivana Leaves the press room.