We are a quarter of the way through the season with the conclusion of week 4 of the European League of Football. Today we are going to look at the “If the season ended today” concept with some of the individual awards that the league gives out at the end of the regular season, as well as some made-up ideas that aren’t officially part of the awards, but have been added to give certain positions and players their flowers. Let’s get into it.
Most Valuable Player
Jadrian Clark – Rhein Fire
Photo: Justin Derondeau
The most passing touchdowns, and passing yards, in the top six for completion % for QBs who have had at least three games, a top-three QBR on the season with limited interceptions, and a convincing unbeaten team are good ways to earn an MVP. In terms of what might hinder this, Glen Toonga’s return might see his usage decrease but so far, Clark’s got the best MVP front-runner odds.
In the discussion:
Matthew Vitale – Wroclaw Panthers
Conor Miller – Barcelona Dragons
Tony Tate – Wroclaw Panthers
Offensive Player of the Year
Tony Tate – Wroclaw Panthers
Photo: Łukasz Skwiot Fotografia Sportowa
It’s Tate. There isn’t a question on this one, he’s the leading receiver in the league and overall, for skill positional players in yards and touchdowns so it’s not a surprise to have him win this award. A total of 533 yards and 10 touchdowns, 61 yards and 2 scores on the ground. He and QB Matt Vitale are the surprise team of the year and Tate is the deserving winner given his massive usage in this team’s system.
In the discussion:
Dawid Brzozowski – Wroclaw Panthers
Steve Mcshane – Leipzig Kings
Markell Castle – Munich Ravens
Jarvis Mcclam – Raiders Tirol
Rookie of the Year / Offensive Rookie of the Year
Juan Flores-Calderon – Milano Seamen
Photo: Cubo Photo
It’s another one that people are pretty set on right now. He’s been another surprise star of the year and has established himself as a deep-threat option on the Milano offense. A total of 366 yards and 4 touchdowns in 3 games. His catch rate is lower than others but the 19-year-old has been a big part of the offense. With Constant and Seck taking up attention from defenses he has been able to flourish.
Defensive Player of the Year
Kyle Kitchens – Berlin Thunder
Photo: Eric Muehle
Kitchens might just still be on course for three-peating the Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.He’s the joint leader in sacks with 6.5 and is second in the league in tackles for loss with 9.5. He has slowed down a bit in the last few games and this selection is probably the one that will be flipping over between contenders until either the end of the season or until someone pulls away. However, for now, Kyle Kitchens takes it home.
In the discussion:
Niklas Gustav – Raiders Tirol
Deion Harris – Hamburg Sea Devils
Omari Williams – Rhein Fire
Zachary Blair – Cologne Centurions
Adrian Wentland – Leipzig Kings
Offensive Line of the Year
Barcelona Dragons
Photo: Barcelona Dragons
This isn’t an official ELF award but it’s necessary to acknowledge the players that keep offense alive. It’s clear to everyone who has watched so far that the teams that have the best offensive lines look levels above those who don’t. This one was a surprise considering the history of the team, but the Barcelona Dragons have only allowed two single sacks this season. They went a good few weeks without allowing any at all. They aren’t much of a rushing team at all but that could be down to the playbooks. It could be argued that considering they pass so much and run so little, they should be allowing more sacks. This one is another tough one that we could see change week by week with the dominance of some of the top teams.
In the discussion:
Wroclaw Panthers
Vienna Vikings
Rhein Fire
Hamburg Sea devils
Special Teams Player of the Year
Devan Burrell – Leipzig Kings
@_artifex.photo
Burrell is the only player in the league with both a punt and kick return touchdown this season. He leads in punt return yards and is third in kick return yards which means that he is leading in combined yardage. He also holds the third-longest kick return this season, and the longest punt return this season. This one isn’t too much of a debate. I think it’s clear that he’s been a spark plug on special teams for the Kings.
In the Discussion:
Zack Blair – Cologne Centurions
Jay Griffin – Fehervar Enthroners
Exavier Edwards – Vienna Vikings
Specialist of the Year
Jakub Ałdaś – Wroclaw Panthers
Wroclaw K Jakub Ałdaś Photo: Łukasz Skwiot Fotografia Sportowa
Jakub is tied first in points with two other players and is joint highest with Vienna Vikings kicker Dennis Tasic over the PAT % for players who have attempted more than 5 PATs. The edge that Jakub has is that he also does the kick-offs for the team. It’s a very close battle for this award and the kick-off has been the only separation between them.
In the Discussion:
Dennis Tasic – Vienna Vikings
Niklas Sanin – Raiders Tirol
Coach of the Year
Dave Christensen – Wroclaw Panthers
Wroclaw HC Dave Christensen Photo: Łukasz Skwiot Fotografia Sportowa
Not very many people had the Panthers coming into this season as a contender. Then when they released their two American offensive players, people – including this writer – hand them tumbling down the power rankings. Their multiple-player inclusions in this list are a testament to the hard work of all the coaches and Christensen. The Panthers are the number one rushing offense in the league and although their defense hasn’t been excellent, they’ve beaten the two-time contender Sea Devils and have managed to get to 3-1 through a quarter of the season.
In the discussion:
Jim Tomsula – Rhein Fire
Jordan Neumann – Stuttgart Surge
Chris Calaycay – Vienna Vikings
With the amount of season left, it’s impossible to accurately predict these outcomes with certainty. The league has seen a lot of injuries and future doubts about its longevity. Let’s hope we can see these players, coaches and teams fulfil the predictions. Maybe more players will rise through in the next stage of the season and come out on top when it’s all said and done.
Until next time.