Now we've given you a blast from the past on some nominations before - but this one's really taking us back - all the way back to 2011 no less. For some of you, I'm going to have to explain how things were back then as you won't even know.
So, to paint a picture from 2009....The league started as 10 teams, 4 of which were managed by Coach Stubbs and Coach Burdett. There were two divisions of 5 teams (the "Veterans" division and the "Rookies" division), with the two division winners advancing to playoffs and 2 wildcard teams with the next best record. There was also a promotion/relegation aspect between the Veteran and Rookie division. We also had 3 wide receiver spots instead of two, plus an ADDITIONAL WR/TE flex. The formative years of any league are certainly experimental, and the LOC was no different.
But that doesn't take away from the competition - the early days still saw close playoff races and competitive games...but like the early days of the NFL and the AFL, most of the winning and competition came from the Veterans division, with the first two Corona Bowls only featuring Veterans division teams. That was until 2011.
Coach Barnes had a humbling start to his fantasy career (one that you would look back at and not match to the recent achievements of Coach Barnes). But, this was early days - he was learning the ropes of the NFL, let alone NFL fantasy. After going 5-9 and 6-8 in their first two years, Tom's Tyrants were firmly a Rookie Division team. But - as is the case in the minor leagues, there is always opportunity to spring forward (in part because those around you may also not be quite as good as divisions above). Coach Barnes shared a division with three newcomers in 2011, Coach Nathwani, Coach Fugard, and Coach Wells. Coach Burdett was the other in the division, having been a founding team like Tom's Tyrants - except they were coming off a relegation in 2010.
With a few years under his belt, Coach Barnes was ready to step up. A stellar draft that consisted of Chris Johnson, Tom Brady, Jeremy Maclin, Jermichael Finley and Ahmad Bradshaw was further bolstered throughout the year with the additions of DeAngelo Williams, Nate Burleson, and Victor Cruz. This group would propel Coach Barnes to a 9-5 record, his first winning season, division title, and playoff appearance - and a Coach of the Year award.
In the first round of the playoffs Tom's Tyrants faced The Tuckfards - a team that was no stranger to success in their first couple of years, having made playoffs in 2010. Remember this was also a time where the dye was not cast on the chances of The Tuckfards in the playoffs, so there was a lot at stake. But Tom's Tyrants did come out triumphant, having brushed aside the Veteran Division team 106-92. This game marked the first time a Rookie Division team had won in the playoffs. Tom Brady lead the charge (31 points), with a solid supporting cast behind him.
Week 16, Corona Bowl III, marked the first ever appearance in a Corona Bowl for a Rookie Division team. On the face of it, it would not be an easy game, as Tom's Tyrants faced the current champion Gridiron Gang. It was a case of experience versus fresh ideas - and as is usually the case, the new overcame the old. Tom's Tyrants were not daunted by being a Rookie Division team, and thumped Gridiron Gang 141-92, a record amount of points at the time in the Corona Bowl, for not only Coach Barnes first Stubbs trophy, but for the first ever Stubbs trophy to be hoisted by a Rookie Division team. This was on the back of Brady scoring another 32 points, Bradshaw 18, Williams 20, Maclin 13, and perhaps most important of all - Victor Cruz with a 99 yard touchdown and a total of 22 points.
Little did we know at the time - but Coach Barnes would actually be a trend setter. The next 2 Corona Bowls saw Rookie Division teams hoisting the Stubbs trophy. One could say that he blazed the path for those that followed. And indeed, after that the promotion/relegation system was removed from the league as the competition and talent had narrowed. I don't think it's out of the realm to say Tom's Tyrants were a large part of that shift - and it's for you to decide whether this pivotal moment in history should be enshrined in the LOC Hall of Fame.
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