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.