The 2009 Season- My Masterpiece
Having won four LFFL Championships now, I feel pretty confident in saying that the 2009 season was my finest hour. Having overcome adversity with brilliant pick ups, a savvy trade, and expert line up management, the Iron Men have won their hardest, and most rewarding championship.
The season started well enough on draft day, with the first pick overall and the landing of All-World Adrian Peterson joining the Iron Men. However, there were some misses on draft day too. Round five was a major bust with running back Darren McFadden who failed to produce numbers suitable for even a third string running back. Round six pick wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez was penciled in as the Iron Men's second wide receiver, but was injured in week one without contact, without having recorded a catch, never to see action again. The wide receiver busts kept on coming, eight round pick Lee Evans was a failure, and eleventh round pick Chris Henry ended the season dead and buried six feet under. All told, of Allentown's sixteen picks in the draft, only seven players lasted until the final roster on Championship Sunday.
The Iron Men started 0-3, and in week one, quarterback Donovan McNabb suffered a rib injury that would keep him sidelined until week five. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco took the reigns of the team, guiding Allentown to its first win in week four. After three losses to start the year, Allentown won three straight to climb to .500.
The league's lone trade of the year involved the Iron Men and Pioneers on October 8th, when Allentown sent Joe Flacco, Greg Olsen and the Jets Defense to Prospect for Roddy White, Kevin Smith, Jason Witten and the Indianapolis Defense. This trade would be considered a stroke of genius, as White served to reinforce a depleted Iron Men receiving corps, and Kevin Smith was a warm body to fill in during running back bye weeks.
Who was not needed was tight end Jason Witten, as October 13 free agent pick up Visanthe Shiancoe proved to be a steal, as he ended the season the sixth tight end in football, with 9 more touchdowns than Witten.
In weeks 10-13 the Iron Men turned it on, winning four straight, despite spotty performances from Marion Barber. In week 14 Allentown played Laurel in the regular season finale, and was beaten badly, with only McNabb and Peterson in double digits, and running back Kevin Smith receiving a season ending knee injury.
However, Allentown still had the league's second best record and backed into the playoffs with the fourth seed. In round one it would be a rematch against Landry Division winner Laurel, with a David vs. Goliath matchup. Laurel was statistically the best team in the LFFL, far and away, with the deadly combo of Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald. However, Allentown rallied for a win by getting big performances from McNabb, Peterson, and Marion Barber's best day in recent memory. Last minute free agent pick up Houston Defense even joined in, as Laurel sputtered with Brees and Fitzgerald combining for less than Barber's production alone.
In Leight Bowl VII, the Iron Men would not be denied with their fourth championship in sight. The top five skill positions were all in double digits, including last minute free agent pick up Robert Meachem who subbed for Reggie Wayne, who I anticipated would be both shutdown and benched. Despite the valiant effort by Youngstown and the three touchdown day from their own Randy Moss, it wasn't enough to overcome Allentown's second largest point total of the year, 107.64 points.
In the end, Allentown hoisted their fourth LFFL championship, despite long odds. Through injury, tragedy, and adversity somehow they found a way to win. From the forth seed, the Iron Men slayed both division champs on their way to the title, and did so by way of preparation, skill and determination.
Truly this was my finest hour, taking a team that was certainly not the best ever fielded, and guiding them to the promise land so that they might stand atop the mountain of champions once again.
To all those standing in my wake, I say this: your efforts were appreciated and brave, but sometimes history and fate cannot be denied. One day, your grandchildren will ask if you were present when the dynasty that was the Allentown Iron Men was born, and you'll proudly tell them that not only were you there, but you were fertilizer for the growth of the greatest fantasy franchise ever established. Kudos to you, LFFL. Kudos to us all.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2009 Round One Playoff Recap
The LFFL Playoffs began in earnest this week, as the regular season came down to the wire. In week 14 both Youngstown and Indiana lost, meaning Youngstown won the Stram Division and second seed by way of points tiebreaker as both teams finished at .500 at 7-7. In the Landry Division, Laurel beat Allentown to both win the division and the number one seed. Pottsville beat a demoralized Prospect team to move to 8-6, where they took the three seed due to points tie breaker over Allentown, who finished with the forth seed.
This lead to a playoff rematch between #1 Laurel and #4 Allentown. Having beaten Allentown in week one by 11.63 points and again in week 14 by 30.92, Laurel was the heavy playoff favourite, not just to beat the Iron Men, but to win it all, as they had the best regular season record in the league and outscored the field by nearly 150 points. However, three time LFFL champion Allentown would not go quietly into that good night. The Iron Men refused to bow down to the Skullets, getting a big performances from running back Marion Barber (who had been very quiet up until the playoffs) and last minute free agent Houston defense. As Skullet quarterback Drew Brees struggled to gain more than six points, it became too much for Laurel to overcome. All-pro Adrian Peterson's SNF performance sealed the deal and slayed the giant, as Allentown defeated Laurel 82.72 - 66.26
Meanwhile, #2 Youngstown met #3 Pottsville. In week seven, Youngstown lost to Pottsville 107.28 - 74.37. The difference between the regular season and the playoff meeting between these two teams was one man: Maurice Jones-Drew. In week seven, Jones-Drew had a bye for the Zoes. In the playoff opener, Jones-Drew strapped it on, and toted the rock for 20.25 points. It would be the deciding factor in this match up (though Dallas Clark's 18 points didn't hurt either), as Youngstown left little doubt about their right to be the Stram Division's lone representative in the playoffs. Pottsville was clearly hurt by the in game injury of DeAngelo Williams, who only gained a point before he left the contest. The final was known by Sunday night, as Youngstown won 90.56 - 74.54.
This all sets up Leight Bowl VII, where three time champion Allentown Iron Men will face second year franchise Youngstown Zoes. A championship preview will follow later this week.
P.S. In the consolation bracket, fifth seed Indiana beat eighth seed Beechview, and seventh seed Chewton defeated sixth seeded Akron. This sets up Indiana vs. Chewton in the game for fifth place, and Akron and Beechview will play for seventh place.
Prospect and Ellwood did not qualify for any postseason play, as they were just plain terrible and embarrassing this year, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
This lead to a playoff rematch between #1 Laurel and #4 Allentown. Having beaten Allentown in week one by 11.63 points and again in week 14 by 30.92, Laurel was the heavy playoff favourite, not just to beat the Iron Men, but to win it all, as they had the best regular season record in the league and outscored the field by nearly 150 points. However, three time LFFL champion Allentown would not go quietly into that good night. The Iron Men refused to bow down to the Skullets, getting a big performances from running back Marion Barber (who had been very quiet up until the playoffs) and last minute free agent Houston defense. As Skullet quarterback Drew Brees struggled to gain more than six points, it became too much for Laurel to overcome. All-pro Adrian Peterson's SNF performance sealed the deal and slayed the giant, as Allentown defeated Laurel 82.72 - 66.26
Meanwhile, #2 Youngstown met #3 Pottsville. In week seven, Youngstown lost to Pottsville 107.28 - 74.37. The difference between the regular season and the playoff meeting between these two teams was one man: Maurice Jones-Drew. In week seven, Jones-Drew had a bye for the Zoes. In the playoff opener, Jones-Drew strapped it on, and toted the rock for 20.25 points. It would be the deciding factor in this match up (though Dallas Clark's 18 points didn't hurt either), as Youngstown left little doubt about their right to be the Stram Division's lone representative in the playoffs. Pottsville was clearly hurt by the in game injury of DeAngelo Williams, who only gained a point before he left the contest. The final was known by Sunday night, as Youngstown won 90.56 - 74.54.
This all sets up Leight Bowl VII, where three time champion Allentown Iron Men will face second year franchise Youngstown Zoes. A championship preview will follow later this week.
P.S. In the consolation bracket, fifth seed Indiana beat eighth seed Beechview, and seventh seed Chewton defeated sixth seeded Akron. This sets up Indiana vs. Chewton in the game for fifth place, and Akron and Beechview will play for seventh place.
Prospect and Ellwood did not qualify for any postseason play, as they were just plain terrible and embarrassing this year, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
2009 LFFL Playoff Picture
Here's what needs to happen today to set up next week's playoffs.
Laurel- Playoff spot clinched. Allentown loss gives them the Landry Division and #1 seed. An Allentown win would mean Laurel would need to maintain their hefty points lead to win the division.
Youngstown- Win and they're in with #2 seed and Stram Division as long as they maintain points lead on Indiana if Indiana were to win. Lose, and they need Indiana to lose too for the division. If Indiana wins, Youngstown needs a Pottsville loss and a pts lead.
Indiana- A win coupled with Youngstown loss gives the Ignition the Stram Division. A loss means Indiana needs a Pottsville loss and to overtake them in the points somehow.
Pottsville- A win and coupled with maintain pts lead are in. If Pottsville loses, needs a loss by either Youngstown or Indiana.
Allentown- Win gives Allentown #3 seed. With a loss, they'll need a loss by either Pottsville, or either Youngstown or Indiana.
Akron, Chewton and Prospect are still mathematically in it. To make the playoffs, they need to win and somehow score enough points to leapfrog any other 7-7 team that has a chance. Not likely, but still within the realm of possibility.
Ellwood and Beechview- Mathematically eliminated from playoff qualification.
Laurel- Playoff spot clinched. Allentown loss gives them the Landry Division and #1 seed. An Allentown win would mean Laurel would need to maintain their hefty points lead to win the division.
Youngstown- Win and they're in with #2 seed and Stram Division as long as they maintain points lead on Indiana if Indiana were to win. Lose, and they need Indiana to lose too for the division. If Indiana wins, Youngstown needs a Pottsville loss and a pts lead.
Indiana- A win coupled with Youngstown loss gives the Ignition the Stram Division. A loss means Indiana needs a Pottsville loss and to overtake them in the points somehow.
Pottsville- A win and coupled with maintain pts lead are in. If Pottsville loses, needs a loss by either Youngstown or Indiana.
Allentown- Win gives Allentown #3 seed. With a loss, they'll need a loss by either Pottsville, or either Youngstown or Indiana.
Akron, Chewton and Prospect are still mathematically in it. To make the playoffs, they need to win and somehow score enough points to leapfrog any other 7-7 team that has a chance. Not likely, but still within the realm of possibility.
Ellwood and Beechview- Mathematically eliminated from playoff qualification.
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