2020 Hall of Fame Nominations: U R Gould "The Kicking Carousel"

Team: U R Gould

Nomination: "The Kicking Carousel" a new kicker and a new name (nearly) every week

Changing team names seems to be the new trend in the LOC. After years of no team name changes, followed by a 1 year stint change as a result of forfeit playoffs, and the slight modification of a coach who discovered he does actually know something about the league, changing your team name on a weekly basis is the new rage.

Enter Coach Gardner. While Coach Nunn was gleefully renaming his team each week based on miscellaneous movies on random players, Coach Gardner felt a higher calling beckoning him. He had already dabbled in naming his team after kickers for his first two years in the league, Cash 4 Gould after Bears kicker (at the time) Robbie Gould, and Carolina kicker Graham Gano (Obi Wan Ganobi). But 2019 called for a bigger challenge - changing team name AND kicker (nearly) every week!

To save everyone time, and as much as I'd love to wax lyrically about each team name, I'll let you appreciate them all in their magnificent glory in list form:

1. Vinatieri you a new one (Adam Vinatieri)
2. Prater God I do better (Matt Prater)
3. The Book of Elliot (Jake Elliot)
4. Gayme on (Matt Gay)
5. The Stone Rosas (Aldrick Rosas)
6. Ellotta Points This Week (Jake Elliot...again)
7. Hausch-Kan kick a ball (Stephen Hauschka)
8. The Wizard of Boz (Chris Boswell)
9. Folk You (Nick Folk)
10. Fairbairn dance (Ka'imi Fairbairn)
11. I know I don't play Badgley (Mike Badgley)
12. U R Gould (Robbie Gould)

I have to say - given the small pool of names he had to work with (and a few I don't believe he actually had the kicker for, but I think we can let that slide), the amount of actually good names he was able to come up with was mightily impressive. 

Coach Gardner may have possibly hoped he spent a bit more time on his fantasy team, as he slipped to a career worst 5-9 record...but there is no denying the team names were magnificent, and we certainly enjoyed seeing the team names drop each week. It is up to you to decide if the names are hall of fame worthy. 

2020: The "Undraftables", Buccing The Trend HOF nomination

Welcome back, you're all used to this by now, the waters warm and the beer is flowing. Commissioner Stubbs and co-host Chris Leach are here to talk to you today about a debut nomination for the LOC's newest head coach, Mike Taylor, and his nomination of "The Undraftables".

https://locreport.blogspot.com/2020/06/2020-hall-of-fame-nomiations-buccing.html

2020 Hall of Fame Nomiations: Buccing The Trend "The Undraftables"

Team: Buccing The Trend

Nomination: "The Undraftables" drafting and holding onto Antonio Brown, A.J. Green and Melvin Gordon for the duration of the 2019 season

Coach Taylor is the newest member of the LOC. So new in fact, that he had been in the league mere minutes prior to beginning his first LOC Draft. As such, one can absolutely forgive Coach Taylor for any short comings that may have come from the Draft, but all in all he had an ok haul and went on to finish at 7-7 at the end of the year. We won't delve into how fortunate he may or may not have been to get to that record...but, that's not why we are here! Because Coach Taylor has nominated the undraftables.

Picture this - you're dropped into an unfamiliar situation, with many people in the room you don't even know. Some weird dude is playing a 15 minute video he's made about some guy that won a fantasy title, handing out pennants and trophies, then starts to get up and down announcing random people's names. It is now your turn to pick a random name. You have a sheet in front of you with a lot of random names, ranked by position. Good luck.

That's a pretty accurate (and if you're reading this Mike, in no way did I write this to be condescending if that's how this came across...) description of Coach Taylor's first draft, and indeed his first experience, in the LOC. With his first pick, he selected Alvin Kamara (at the time a perfectly justifiable pick, albeit one that fell short of expectations), and with his second Adam Thielen, who aside from missing a few games due to injury had a good season. But that's when things started going down hill...as things usually do in the hindsight world of an LOC draft.

With his third round pick, Coach Taylor selected one Antonio Brown, at the time of the Oakland Raiders. Brown went on to play a grand total of 1 game, scoring 12.1 meaningless points in a Week 2 loss for Buccing The Trend. The less said about this the better, as we all know what happened next...(and before, which caused him to have a round 3 grade in the first place).

The next pick did fare better. Coach Taylor selected Melvin Gordon with his late 4th round pick. At the time, Melvin Gordon was poised for a lengthy holdout, but luckily for Buccing The Trend he decided to end this holdout in Week 5. Unluckily for Buccing The Trend, as is usually the case with players who holdout, Melvin Gordon did have a rather slow start to his season - one which Coach Taylor had to suffer through with Gordon in his starting lineup, as he wouldn't score double digit points until Week 9. But, in fairness to Coach Taylor, after that point he was pretty solid.

The final of the holy trinity picks came in Round 7, where in any other year an absolute steal would have been had by drafting A.J. Green. But 2019 was not one of those years, where a preseason foot injury cost him his entire 2019, despite various reports saying he would play at some point in 2019. To make matters worse, Coach Taylor held A.J. Green for the entire season.

All in all, I shudder to think the amount of games Coach Taylor held players who were not actually playing and the amount of games they missed together - not to mention 2 completely wasted draft picks. But, we do have to give him some credit, despite drafting 3 undraftable players, he did drag the roster to a 7-7 record. Is that hall of fame worthy? That's for you to decide.

2020: "The Stream", Forge Flyers HOF nomination

We're reaching the midpoint of the Offseason series, and amidst the tide of other sports returning you can always rely on the LOC to be here! Today Commissioner Stubbs and Co Host Chris Leach discuss a nomination close to the Co-Host's heart, his own epic stream of Breshad Perriman in the semi finals in 2019.

https://locreport.blogspot.com/2020/06/2020-hall-of-fame-nomination-forge.html

2020 Hall of Fame Nomination: Forge Flyers "The Stream"

Team: Forge Flyers

Nomination: "The Stream" - stream of Breshad Perriman in the semi finals, sending Forge Flyers to Corona Bowl XI

Coming off of his second title in 3 years, Coach Leach is already in a dream land. He's also in a fever dream - because the decision to start Breshad Perriman in the semi finals of the LOC is nothing short of a divine intervention via a crazy dream. But the metal to actually stick with it and go through with it, that's all Chris.

To provide some context before we get to that point though, Coach Leach had another really good season, to add to the line of increasingly positive seasons in recent memory. Finishing with a 9-5 record, a good roster, and an experienced coach filled with confidence, Forge Flyers faced regular season powerhouse (well, for the first 3 quarters anyway) Tuckfards, in their first Playoff appearance since 2014.

Coming into this game, Coach Merritt brought all the years of pain and suffering on his shoulders, finally hoping this would be his chance at redemption, and to perhaps ride off into the sunset with a Corona Bowl title. And indeed it looked like that might happen, as he carried a 20 point lead into the Sunday night game. But as we now know the rest is history, and this was erased en course to a second Forge Flyers title.

This story could have been so different - indeed if Coach Merritt had played literally any other player on his bench over a couple of starters. But he didn't, and that gave Coach Leach the chance he needed, and all he needed was a chance. Earlier that week, Forge Flyers added Breshad Perriman to the roster for a grand total of $1. Perriman had only 2 weeks of more than 10 fantasy points in the entire season before Week 15 - 1 of which was Week 14 with 13 points. The week before that he scored 8.7. But this was enough for Coach Leach to cast him into the starting lineup in a pinch, and he was handsomely rewarded as he would be the highest scorer on his team with 29.60 points, and crucial to his victory.

There have been many a good stream in the LOC through the years (and Perriman is assuredly going to be promptly inducted into the Forge Flyers ring of honour with Rashad Mendenhall, Chris Johnson, Antonio Gates and Danny Woodhead), but when the chips are down and the game is on the line, to come up with a move like that to eek you to victory is nothing short of extraordinary. But, what you have to decide esteemed members of the LOC, is if it is Hall of Fame worthy or not?

2020: "The One That Mattered", Burdettinator's HOF nomination

Come on in, the waters warm as we discuss another LOC Hall of Fame nomination! This time round it's Burdettinators nomination for their Corona Bowl V victory Vs The Tuckfards, "The One That Mattered", as it was the first time they would defeat The Tuckfards in the LOC! Co-host Chris Leach and Commissioner Stubbs discuss.

https://locreport.blogspot.com/2020/05/2020-hall-of-fame-nomination.html

2020 Hall of Fame Nomination: Burdettinators "The One That Mattered"

Team: Burdettinators

Nomination: "The One That Mattered" Corona Bowl V victory vs The Tuckfards, the first victory vs Coach Merritt in Coach Burdett's career

There have been many a great team in the LOC through the years, ones that easily spring to mind are Bear Necessities 2009 team, Tom's Tyrant's 2012 team, but Burdettinators 2013 team is certainly in the same conversation, and can be argued that it should even be above them. With the changes in the league through the years and the expansion to 12 teams since, Burdettinator's 2013 all time high season total of 1729.50 points isn't likely to be bested any time soon - perhaps even ever. And rightly so - as this team was damn near unstoppable at their peak, and if we had the points left on the bench data from that season this would have also I'm sure been a high figure. But this nomination isn't about that season, as great as it was. No - this nomination is for the final chapter in that story - Corona Bowl V.

Coach Burdett and Coach Merritt's rivalry is an age old tale that appears throughout history. David and Goliath would certainly be a suitable tale to compare it too, as Coach Merritt dominated this fixture for the first few years of the league. Before Corona Bowl V, Coach Burdett had never beaten Coach Merritt. The on the field rivalry was as compelling as the off the field rivalry, as the heat exchanged between these two is a great spectacle to behold. Since, Coach Merritt has turned his focus to a bigger foe that was not present at the time, Coach Allen, but Burdettinators vs The Tuckfards will forever be a classic and one that is circled on every LOC schedule reveal.

Burdettinator's 2013 season was truly spectacular - amassing eye watering point totals, they cast their opponents aside en route to an 11-3 record and a regular season title. They bested ADRZ in the first round of the playoffs 138-110 where they would face the #2 seed Tuckfards in Corona Bowl V - one of the few 1 v 2 seed games to happen in the LOC. Entering this game, Burdettinators had never beaten The Tuckfards, and even notched a week 3 loss against them earlier that season.

The start of Corona Bowl V appeared to be history repeating itself. How could Coach Burdett possibly overcome a Coach that just has his number? The Tuckfards sprung out to a 25 - 10 lead early on in Corona Bowl V courtesy of superstar Jamaal Charles. But that would be the end of The Tuckfards domination of Burdettinators, as they not only went on to erode this lead, they launched the monkey that had been on their shoulder off the edge of a cliff, reaching 100 points at the start of the 9pm games vs 74 for The Tuckfards.

At that point, Burdettinators would not turn back, as they amassed an additional 60 points through to the conclusion of the game, whilst The Tuckfards only managed an additional 23, leaving the final score as an eye watering (and the highest score and widest point disparity in a Corona Bowl) 162-98. They had finally done it, with a 40 point performance from Peyton Manning, 28 and 21 points for LeSeaon McCoy and Eddie Lacy respecitvely - they had defeated their white whale in The Tuckfards, not only beating them for the first time, but claiming their first Corona Bowl victory in the process.

Imagine the mental difficulty, the pressure of facing an opponent you'd never beaten before, when you are trying to win a title. It was a momentous end to a momentous season - and one that now you, the voter, must decide if it deserves to be enshrined in the hall of fame.

2020: "Head of Marketing", Bear Necessities HOF nomination

Welcome to the 2nd episode in our Hall of Fame nomination offseason series! Today, Commissioner Stubbs and co-host Chris Leach will be talking about a rather ersatz Bear Necessities nomination for "head of marketing", all the costumes created for the NFL International Series games. Don't forget to check out last weeks nomination from IKSAN!

Link to Bear Necessities nomination article: https://locreport.blogspot.com/2020/06/2020-hall-of-fame-nomination-bear.html

2020 Hall of Fame Nomination: Bear Necessities "Head of Marketing"

Team: Bear Necessities

Nomination: "Head of Marketing" Costume design + TV coverage for NFL games in London

Already reading the nomination, you as a hall of fame voter will probably already be asking "wow - those costumes were great, and its amazing how much coverage you got" but your mind will naturally be wondering "but what's that got to do with the LOC?" Well - strictly, you would be right in thinking that. But in Coach Stubbs Sr's own words, he (rightfully) points out that these are essentially league events as nearly all of us have been to the NFL games together, and we at LOC Network of course love a Wembley Bowl. So - now that the link has been made, it is up to you whether you think this warrants consideration of your hall of fame votes.

But - for the nomination itself. It all started at the 3rd NFL game in London, the Patriots Vs the Buccaneers, where a "flying elvis" head piece was made to support the Patriots. This was curious, and did get some photos (and of course the infamous BRAAAAADY video, as well as a snip in the Patriots season recap highlights), but otherwise quaint. The Broncos headpiece the year after was also good, but did not receive any pop. But that's where the lack of pop begins and ends.

Brady video: https://www.facebook.com/naithan.stubbs/videos/499616454256/

2011 saw the beginning of the golden age: the Chicago Bears costumes. These costumers garnered TV coverage, a shout out during the game from some confused commentators, as well as many a photo from fan and media professional alike. 

This was followed up in 2012 with the Patriots vs Rams, where the "minute men" costumes appeared and garnered yet another TV interview.

But the peak of the outfits would come in 2013, when the Vikings came to town. A viking costume was a given, but the idea of a longboat from Coach Stubbs Jr would be a game changer. Not only did the boat that Coach Stubbs Sr devise look awesome, but it was made better by doubling as a shield - so we could walk around as independent vikings and assemble to create a longboat. We could barely walk 2 feet without being stopped for a photo, of course received much coverage, and are frequently used in every NFL london games pre-game warm up videos on the big screens.

Whilst at the peak, the very next year yielded another insane return, receiving much photos, TV coverage with yet more confused commentators - but one of the personal highlights of this authors life, when hall of fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, whilst on the stage at the pregame rally with Neil Renyolds, saw us in the crowd, proceeded to call us out as he was talking about how great NFL fans are, and got the entire crowd (including himself) to applaud us. Truly amazing. Years later, at an NFL UK roadshow, whilst sat in the crowd Neil also mentioned one of the highlights of his time covering the NFL was seeing full grown men dressed as cows at a game. Luckily, I was able to get up on stage to let him know we were there. 

2015 would not see a costume as the games at hand did not lend themselves to do so, but in 2016 they came roaring back with Bengals costumes.

2017 saw the Vikings costumes return to a lesser extent than before, whilst 2019 saw the Bengals costumes reappear. 

Through the years, these costumes were a smash hit, and the design is all down to Coach Stubbs Sr (though the production was mostly courtesy of Coach Stubbs Sr's mother, who deserves much credit for bringing the designs to realisation). Whilst not anything to do with fantasy in and of themselves, as you can see in the photos many a league member appeared wearing them. It is for you dear hall of fame voter, to decide if it qualifies and is worthy for the LOC Hall of Fame.