2017: Award Nominees Part 2

For most of us, the season is over, and the lucky few are pressing on with their playoff dreams. We still have the forfeit playoffs, but our chances of winning the title are zilch. But, you can still win something, as we have the annual LOC awards!!

Awards and Nominees

Coach of the Year: The coach that was astounding in a variety of areas throughout the season. A master at picking the right players, managing the roster, and above all winning games

1. Dave Stubbs: Now it might surprise you to see Coach Stubbs Sr nominated for this, but it's easy to forget how good his team was at the start of the season. Yeah, they lost Rodgers in the middle which scuppered things, but they also had more injuries and recovered from it all to nearly sneak a playoff spot. A fine coaching effort. 

2. Pat Allen: What can you say about Coach Allen? Well, for the second year in the row his side has been one of the best in the league. They've been pretty good at picking the right side all year long, and have had a number of great performances. 

3. Ben Sherwood: Everything I said about Coach Allen, applies here as well. Except Coach Sherwood has staved off a Corona Bowl hangover to have another strong season. What's more, they've scarcely made a waiver move all year, making team selection that much more important. 

4. Chris Leach: Two years ago if we told Chris he was in contention for Coach of the Year he'd probably say we were dreaming, but here we are. And it's a thoroughly deserved nomination. They've arguably been the best team this year, posting great scores week in week out, and achieved double digit wins. Hats off to Chris. 

General Manager of the Year: The GM that had a great draft, executed good trades, and was consistently playing the waiver wire and free agents to field a team

1. Naithan Stubbs: An award Coach Stubbs Jr is no stranger to winning, and this has been another fine season. They came out of the draft with a very strong team, but suffered countless injuries in the first month of the season, including losing 5 players to IR. Through a series of short term trades and expert waiver adds, the team had enough talent to achieve a winning season. 

2. Ollie Burdett: Much like Bear Necessities, it's easy to forget just how good Burdettinators were early in the seasons. They didn't get the wins, but this was a combo of leaving points on the bench and being outscored - not the GMs fault. The team has definitely been better than the record indicates. 

3. Phil Merritt: We said it early on, and it held true. This is probably the best team Coach Merritt has ever drafted. The lineup is just filled with studs, and they've been able to add a few pieces along the way to bolster this. They've been scored on a ton this year which has hit them in the win column, but the team itself has been strong.
4. Chris Leach: A deserving coach, but also a deserving GM. Coach Leach has had his fair share of gaffes in years past (Toby Gerhart anyone?), but they silenced the critics this year with a great draft, highlighted by 3 RB1s. They've picked up a number of contributors along the way as well, leading to a very deep roster.  

League Commissioner's Award: The Commissioner's personal award to individuals who show great sportsmanship, good efforts outside of the league, and provide contribution to the league off the field

1. Chris Leach: The co-host himself, we've grown accustomed to Chris's colour commentary on the podcast for many years, and this year was no different. Giving up many of his Thursday evenings to host the podcast, his contribution to the show has been invaluable and makes it a lot more watchable. 

2. Tom Barnes: No season in the LOC is without it's controversies and challenges, and while the commissioner is the face of the league, make no mistake the EDOTLOCCA does a lot behind the scenes to help. Not only this, we had a record number of articles this season.

3. Viv Nathwani: When no one else would, Viv put his hand up for the League Ombudsman role and was elected unanimously. While we haven't seen any articles, he has provided support to the league office with various challenges and decisions over the season. 

4. Ollie Burdett: Ollie has stepped in on the podcast a number of times this season when the co-host couldn't make it. What Ollie brings to the podcast is a less colourful style, but definitely a more analytical one, and his insights on the show make it a good change up from the colour commentary of the co-host.  

2017: Award Nominees Part 1

For most of us, the season is over, and the lucky few are pressing on with their playoff dreams. We still have the forfeit playoffs, but our chances of winning the title are zilch. But, you can still win something, as we have the annual LOC awards!!

Awards and Nominees

Comeback Award: An award for a team that had a great comeback, either from a year or multiple years of bad seasons, or who had an impressive in season turnaround

1. Chris Leach: Yes, Chris did win the award last year. But, he gets another nomination for his continued recovery from what can only be known as "the dark years". Last year he was 6-8, so this year is still a continued improvement, and certainly deserving of a nomination.

2. Naithan Stubbs: Leaving the draft Gridiron Gang had swathes of optimism. That was subdued pretty much from the word go, as they went on to suffer a number of injuries over the start of the season, 5 players to IR to be exact, as well as an 0-2 record. But they steadied the ship, and achieved a winning record.

3. Dave Stubbs: Much the same as above. Bear Necessities were steaming it the first few weeks of the season, but then Rodgers went down and it fell apart. Other players got injured too. But despite all of that, and a bad few weeks, Coach Stubbs Sr got the team back on the horse and they had a very strong finish to the season.

4. Nigel Wells: Some of you might be confused by this one, but here's the deal. Coach Wells had an auto drafted team. Granted, probably the best there has ever been, but it's hard to pick up an auto drafted team and roll with it. Not to mention they were coming off a Corona Bowl loss AND contemplated retirement. Yet they have a winning record. That's a comeback story if I've ever heard one.

Overachiever Award: For the team that defied all expectations to achieve what they did in the season

1. Ollie Gardner: Coach Gardner won this one last year, but arguably deserves it again. It wasn't until Pat's 3rd season when he learnt the ropes and became competitive. Coach Gardner's only had 2, but was reasonably close to playoffs each year. This year team selection let them down leading the league in points left on the bench, but they've showed continue growth.

2. Naithan Stubbs: I hate to copy and paste, but the above rings true here. The amount of injuries this team suffered right at the start of the year should have crippled this team. They've over performed given the players they lost, and they've also benefited from conceding the least amount of points.

3. Nigel Wells: Ok so copy and pasting isn't so bad. I'll say it again. Coach Wells had an auto drafted team. Last time that happened to ADRZ they had an abysmal year. But that didn't stop Coach Wells, and ADRZ went on to have a winning season and another playoff berth.

4. Ross Nunn: Now you might be confused to see a team with a deserved losing record in the overachiever award category. But, just remember that early injuries sapped this team AND they've scarcely added a waiver player. The RBs have been unequivocally the worst group in the league this year. And yet, they've been competitive near every week of the season. We were talking about this team potentially losing the most games in history at one point, but they've definitely been a far better than that.  

Luck Award: For a team that did well but ultimately had a bit of luck swing their way, either engineered by them or the fantasy gods themselves

1. Naithan Stubbs: No surprises for this nomination. Gridiron Gang have conceded the lowest amount of points this year - albeit not substantially. If you look at their schedule, they've had barely any gypsy wins, but not conceding a lot does help the cause.

2. Ollie Gardner: Much of the season narrative of this team is "they're getting wins despite not topping 100 points". They only topped 90 points 4 times, yet for much of the season had a winning record. They got some gypsy wins.

3. Nigel Wells: I am starting to question whether ADRZ is getting lucky, or there genuinely is some fear factor going on. Because for the 3rd year in a row they find themselves with a far lower points conceded than most other teams. Now they've also been the highest scorer this year, but the low points do help.

4: Ross Nunn: Again, you may be confused here, but let me explain. Coach Nunn has started Jamaal Charles, Jacquizz Rodgers, Matt Forte, Paul Perkins, D'Onta Foreman, Theo Riddick and J.D. McKissic at RB this year. Despite that horror show, they've been competitive in a lot of games this year, and had some really nice scores. Sure, there's an element of skill, but there's also an element of luck.

2017: Power Rankings Week 14

And here we are, it had to come to an end eventually. For some, this is a welcome end to a disappointing year. For others, it is a nail biting finish to a long season. We have 4 teams vying for 3 playoff spots. After that, we all wait with excitement to see who the new champion will be.

Power Rankings

1. Forge Flyers, 10-3 (1): The league's best is staying strong, and despite a dropped game in between they've rebounded with a nice win against another potential playoff team. While QB is a bit of a spotty issue for the side, there's no doubt the rest of the lineup is strong (well, maybe except for TE, but they're hardly alone there). Coach Leach is putting his game plan together for the playoffs after reaching double digit wins.

2. ADRZ, 8-5 (2): Despite losing a crucial divisional game against IKSAN in Week 12, Coach Wells' has rallied and got a win, and with IKSAN's loss they've reclaimed the lead in the division. While not infallible, this is a very good side. They're hitting on all cylinders, and key players continue to shine. Given their points advantage, a win might not be necessary to make playoffs, but it would secure a berth for them.

3. IKSAN, 8-5 (3): After winning a crucial divisional game against ADRZ, Coach Sherwood lost in the friendship bowl to league leading Forge Flyers, and now find themselves in a fight for the playoffs. But they're sitting pretty right now, and were ultimately unfortunate to not win last week. Once again we could see the acronyms in the playoffs, and they're a contender once again.

4. Patistan, 8-5 (4): Another convincing win for Patistan, maintaining their hold on the division for at least one more week. And they'll be ecstatic with the result, as they won in the biggest rivalry in the LOC, securing bragging rights over Coach Merritt for another year. This team is stacked top to bottom, and although all the players don't tend to come together on a given week, they've got enough stars to make up for it.

5. Gridiron Gang, 8-5 (6): Coach Stubbs Jr has coaxed a consistent team out of a bunch of rag tag players, and finds themselves in the hunt for the playoffs again. Will this be the year they finally break through? They face a tough test against Coach Merritt in the final week of the season, and may not have the firepower needed to beat him. But, they're in with a good chance.

6. Bear Necessities, 7-6 (12, FORKED): From when I last checked in with this article Coach Stubbs Sr has really turned his team's season around. It looked very doom and gloom at one point, perhaps Tank Bowl bad, but in the last 3 weeks they've been very good and nearly pulled off a late playoff charge. They'll look to finish the season strong in what could have been a disaster of a season.

7. The Southampton Narhwals, 4-9 (9, FORKED): Speaking of disasters, Coach Nunn's team are a bit hard done by by their 4-9 record. This team hasn't been a superstar, but they've been very consistent all season long. Alas, they will almost certainly be in the Tank Bowl, but have a good shot of winning it. Maybe if Coach Nunn has learnt from the waiver moves of other teams this season they'll come roaring back next year.

8. Tanky McTankface, 5-8 (7, FORKED): It's been a tough old season for Coach Merritt. We like to rag on him, but he has pointed out he's been hard done by with the amount of points he's conceded. Though in the same breadth, they've not exactly been lighting up the scoreboard either. Still, they've been a very good team this year, and despite the early forking they are arguably a playoff calibre team.

9. Cash4Gould, 6-7 (8): This team was given a life line last week when Gridiron Gang lost and kept the division open to them, but Coach Gardner could not capitalise. And unfortunately that's really been the story all season long. This team has been punching above it's weight, but much like Southampton Narhwals, they've at the very least been reasonably consistent. Coach Allen saw his leap in the third year, and Coach Gardner certainly has the lookings of being able to accomplish the same. For now though, stick a fork in 'em, THEY DONE.

10. Burdettinators, 5-8 (5): Coach Burdett will be one of the coaches who is happy to see this season end, as it has really been a case of what could have been for them. Starting the season on fire, they only picked up 1 win in their first 5, and despite rattling off a few wins in the middle, injuries and other oddities scuppered their season and the rest is history. They can certainly finish on a high, but for now stick a fork in 'em, THEY DONE.

11. Tom's Tyrants, 5-8 (11, FORKED): Ever the volatile team, the MIA EDOTLOCCA has done just enough to avoid the dreaded Tank Bowl. An extremely slow start to the season saw them on the outside looking in early, but they've been better down the stretch, including a great last few weeks. Alas, the 2 time champ probably isn't beating himself up too much with his two trophies, and thinking about a 3rd for next year.

12. The Dream Team, 4-9 (10, FORKED): I personally want to apologise to Coach Nathwani when I said at the start of the season A) his window was closing, and B) this would be his year. I jynxed the latter, and expedited the former. But this is truly a season we're not used to seeing from The Dream Team. Almost certainly competing in the Tank Bowl, they'll look to finish the season on a positive note at least.