Wednesday, 28 August 2019
2019: The Mock Draft
In the final episode before the 2019 LOC Draft, what else would we have for you other than the annual mock draft! Tune in to find out who Commissioner Stubbs and Co Host Chris Leach have chosen for your team. Will they correct? Probably not. Will they get any right? ...again, probably not.
Monday, 26 August 2019
2019 - Division Alignment Recap, Divisions Review, & Schedule Reveal
We have a bumper episode for you today good folk of LOC fandom - for Commissioner Stubbs will be joined by none other than current Champion Coach Burdett to cover the division aligning event of his own creation, review the divisions that were hence spawned from it, and reveal the all important schedule for 2019. We can't wait to find out what the best match ups of 2019 will be. Apologies if this is a long one....
Sunday, 18 August 2019
2019: AGM Recap & 2018 Season Review
For the last time this year, Commissioner Stubbs, Co Host Chris Leach and guest Coach Merritt take a look back at the 2018 season with the season review. We will then fully turn our eyes forward to 2019, starting in the second part of today's episode with the 2019 AGM recap.
Tuesday, 6 August 2019
2019: Best and worst draft picks of 2018
The draft reveal may have been our first episode of the season, but this is the first episode for the rest of the season! Yep, we're back now every week until the end of December. So we're kicking off with a banger - in the spirit of our Fantasy Premier League draft, we'll be looking at the best and worst draft picks of the 2018 season
Thursday, 27 June 2019
2019 Hall of Fame Nominations: Obi Wan Ganobi
Obi Wan Ganobi: "A team has no name" Forfeit playoff loss and subsequent nameless season
Coach Gardner holds the title of the most recent newcomer to the LOC - but this isn't the only unique title he holds. More on that in a bit - but after joining an experienced league in 2016, he hit the ground running with an 8-6 season in his first year, and a 6-8 season in his sophomore year. He was somewhat fortunate to hit those milestones, but to compete in the LOC at such an early stage is a feat in itself.
Also in 2016 - the league made the decision to once again re-purpose weeks 15 and 16 for non playoff teams - this time taking Coach Burdett's suggestion of having a "forfeit playoffs", where coaches face off against one another, and the loser must do a forfeit of some kind. As fate would have it, the Ollie's would clash in the forfeit playoffs in 2017. This clash would see the two face off over a 2 week stretch - with Burdettinators ultimately easily claiming victory with a 30 point winning margin in both weeks.
And this is where Coach Gardner's second unique title comes in - his forfeit was that he lost all rights to be called Ollie. As this was the Ollie bowl after all, they were competing to keep their name - and the loser was to be known as the nameless one for the next season.
So - for the 2018 season, Coach Gardner was not to be named by team or otherwise. And you know what? It didn't turn out too bad for him. He went 7-7, narrowly missing out on the playoffs, but had another strong year. Unfortunately for Ollie, Coach Burdett once again outshone him by winning the Corona Bowl, but....you know, you try not having a name for a year and see how you cope.
Before you ask - yep, that's it. That's all I was given to work with. If you want it in the Hall of Fame, well then that's your choice to make...it is the only nameless team and coach in LOC history after all.
Coach Gardner holds the title of the most recent newcomer to the LOC - but this isn't the only unique title he holds. More on that in a bit - but after joining an experienced league in 2016, he hit the ground running with an 8-6 season in his first year, and a 6-8 season in his sophomore year. He was somewhat fortunate to hit those milestones, but to compete in the LOC at such an early stage is a feat in itself.
Also in 2016 - the league made the decision to once again re-purpose weeks 15 and 16 for non playoff teams - this time taking Coach Burdett's suggestion of having a "forfeit playoffs", where coaches face off against one another, and the loser must do a forfeit of some kind. As fate would have it, the Ollie's would clash in the forfeit playoffs in 2017. This clash would see the two face off over a 2 week stretch - with Burdettinators ultimately easily claiming victory with a 30 point winning margin in both weeks.
And this is where Coach Gardner's second unique title comes in - his forfeit was that he lost all rights to be called Ollie. As this was the Ollie bowl after all, they were competing to keep their name - and the loser was to be known as the nameless one for the next season.
So - for the 2018 season, Coach Gardner was not to be named by team or otherwise. And you know what? It didn't turn out too bad for him. He went 7-7, narrowly missing out on the playoffs, but had another strong year. Unfortunately for Ollie, Coach Burdett once again outshone him by winning the Corona Bowl, but....you know, you try not having a name for a year and see how you cope.
Before you ask - yep, that's it. That's all I was given to work with. If you want it in the Hall of Fame, well then that's your choice to make...it is the only nameless team and coach in LOC history after all.
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
2019 Hall of Fame Nominations: Forge Flyers
Forge Flyers - "The 10 year Titans" Tennessee Titans RBs for Forge Flyers 2009-2019
Now this is quite a unique nomination - the first of it's kind - which is exciting to write (but also at the exact same time a complete headache to write), so here we go....This year, Coach Leach is nominating every Tennessee Titans running back to play for Forge Flyers from 2009 to 2019. So I'm gonna take this year by year and see where we end up.
2009 is easy - we don't know sadly, as all history from this year is not available. But Coach Leach did not make playoffs, and likely didn't have a Titans player (I think Chris Johnson may have been on Bear Necessities that year). So to 2010 we go. A couple of Titans were drafted by Forge Flyers this season (Vince Young and Kenny Britt), but no RBs - and as far as I can tell Chris made only 1 roster addition that year (spoilers, it wasn't a Titans RB). No trades either, before you ask. 2011, Coach Leach still didn't draft a Titans RB, nor add one (though he had 4 roster additions that year, way to go Chris!), but no trades either.
2012 was the year however, as Coach Leach selected Chris Johnson in the first round with the 8th overall pick. And what a year it was as he rolled for 175 fantasy points. Sadly it wasn't an overly triumphant year for Forge Flyers as they went 6-8 - but Chris Johnson was a large part of that record not being worse. But fear not - for 2013 saw Chris Johnson star for the Forge Flyers again, after being made the 4th overall pick in the draft. And he saw an even better return, netting 198 points over the season and leading Forge Flyers to a 8-6 record. Agonisingly, Chris fell just short of the playoffs holding the 5th seed in 2013, but Chris Johnson's impact could certainly be felt.
Coach Leach did not draft Chris Johnson in 2014, but he did add Bishop Sankey to his team in Week 10 - and he would stick until the end of the season. Despite only scoring 78 points total on the year, he started straight away in week 10 scoring 7.4 points in a 103-90 point loss - but did enough to keep the job in Week 11 and scored 10.5 points...in a 108-100 point loss. Hoping to hit the well third time lucky, he scored 3.1 points in week 12 in another loss. A benching in a Week 13 loss gave Sankey a lot to think about - but he clearly didn't think about the right thing as he scored 2.7 points in another loss. Sankey may have had a lot to do with Chris's poor 2-12 season...
Moving swiftly on to 2015, Chris did not feature a Titans RB (perhaps a good thing after the Sankey season), but still sputtered to a 3-11 record. The only logical conclusion in 2016 was to draft DeMarco Murray - who had performed very well for the Cowboys in recent seasons. And it paid off - bringing Chris back up the ranks with a 6-8 record, with a very heavy reliance on DeMarco's 243 fantasy points for the year. He also added Derrick Henry in week 10 who finished the seasons with 93 points total - but was only there as insurance for DeMarco Murray and did not make a start.
In 2017 Coach Leach didn't attempt the double dip like before with CJ2K, nor did he add or trade for a Titan's RB throughout the season. In a hilarious twist of fate - Chris went 11-3 and won his first Corona Bowl in 2017 - go figure? His second best season in 2011 he also went 10-4 and made the playoffs - without a Titans RB. I hate to say it Chris, but I think you might possibly be better off without them...
Coming off his momentous title season in 2018, Chris apparently made the same realisation I just did and did not draft a Titans RB. He did add Derrick Henry for $27 in Week 13 though, a somewhat surprising name on the free agency pool as he finished the year with 186 points. He started in Week 13 for Chris, scoring 10.5 points in a win - but Chris probably wishes he started him again, as he scored 47.8 points on his bench in a 90-81 point loss...leaving Forge Flyers at 7-7 for the year.
So - there you have it - the esteemed tenure of every Tennessee Titans running back to ever feature for Forge Flyers. Perhaps they didn't always yield the desired results or seasons - but Coach Leach sure did hit on a few of them, and they have been foundation players for multiple Forge Flyers teams. Do they deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? You tell me when you vote.
Now this is quite a unique nomination - the first of it's kind - which is exciting to write (but also at the exact same time a complete headache to write), so here we go....This year, Coach Leach is nominating every Tennessee Titans running back to play for Forge Flyers from 2009 to 2019. So I'm gonna take this year by year and see where we end up.
2009 is easy - we don't know sadly, as all history from this year is not available. But Coach Leach did not make playoffs, and likely didn't have a Titans player (I think Chris Johnson may have been on Bear Necessities that year). So to 2010 we go. A couple of Titans were drafted by Forge Flyers this season (Vince Young and Kenny Britt), but no RBs - and as far as I can tell Chris made only 1 roster addition that year (spoilers, it wasn't a Titans RB). No trades either, before you ask. 2011, Coach Leach still didn't draft a Titans RB, nor add one (though he had 4 roster additions that year, way to go Chris!), but no trades either.
2012 was the year however, as Coach Leach selected Chris Johnson in the first round with the 8th overall pick. And what a year it was as he rolled for 175 fantasy points. Sadly it wasn't an overly triumphant year for Forge Flyers as they went 6-8 - but Chris Johnson was a large part of that record not being worse. But fear not - for 2013 saw Chris Johnson star for the Forge Flyers again, after being made the 4th overall pick in the draft. And he saw an even better return, netting 198 points over the season and leading Forge Flyers to a 8-6 record. Agonisingly, Chris fell just short of the playoffs holding the 5th seed in 2013, but Chris Johnson's impact could certainly be felt.
Coach Leach did not draft Chris Johnson in 2014, but he did add Bishop Sankey to his team in Week 10 - and he would stick until the end of the season. Despite only scoring 78 points total on the year, he started straight away in week 10 scoring 7.4 points in a 103-90 point loss - but did enough to keep the job in Week 11 and scored 10.5 points...in a 108-100 point loss. Hoping to hit the well third time lucky, he scored 3.1 points in week 12 in another loss. A benching in a Week 13 loss gave Sankey a lot to think about - but he clearly didn't think about the right thing as he scored 2.7 points in another loss. Sankey may have had a lot to do with Chris's poor 2-12 season...
Moving swiftly on to 2015, Chris did not feature a Titans RB (perhaps a good thing after the Sankey season), but still sputtered to a 3-11 record. The only logical conclusion in 2016 was to draft DeMarco Murray - who had performed very well for the Cowboys in recent seasons. And it paid off - bringing Chris back up the ranks with a 6-8 record, with a very heavy reliance on DeMarco's 243 fantasy points for the year. He also added Derrick Henry in week 10 who finished the seasons with 93 points total - but was only there as insurance for DeMarco Murray and did not make a start.
In 2017 Coach Leach didn't attempt the double dip like before with CJ2K, nor did he add or trade for a Titan's RB throughout the season. In a hilarious twist of fate - Chris went 11-3 and won his first Corona Bowl in 2017 - go figure? His second best season in 2011 he also went 10-4 and made the playoffs - without a Titans RB. I hate to say it Chris, but I think you might possibly be better off without them...
Coming off his momentous title season in 2018, Chris apparently made the same realisation I just did and did not draft a Titans RB. He did add Derrick Henry for $27 in Week 13 though, a somewhat surprising name on the free agency pool as he finished the year with 186 points. He started in Week 13 for Chris, scoring 10.5 points in a win - but Chris probably wishes he started him again, as he scored 47.8 points on his bench in a 90-81 point loss...leaving Forge Flyers at 7-7 for the year.
So - there you have it - the esteemed tenure of every Tennessee Titans running back to ever feature for Forge Flyers. Perhaps they didn't always yield the desired results or seasons - but Coach Leach sure did hit on a few of them, and they have been foundation players for multiple Forge Flyers teams. Do they deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? You tell me when you vote.
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
2019 Hall of Fame Nomination: Tom's Tyrants
Tom's Tyrants: "The Merger" - The first team from the Rookie Division to reach and win the Corona Bowl
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.
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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