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.
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