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RAMPAGER Awards 1997-2004
To see the Prophet's Choice Awards, click here: PROPHET
2004 RAMPAGER awards!
New awards for this year:
1) Arthur Lee "seven and seven is" award: named for the leader of the obscure 60's rock band Love, this "career achievement" award goes out to one Greg Jaarsma, yes, Mr. Monday Night himself….is it just me, or does this guy finish 7-7 EVERY DAMN YEAR?!!! Again in 2004, it was 7-7 for MMN! And like Monday Night Football, the ratings just continue to decline, year after year…..
2) Slap the ruler on the desk and PAY ATTENTION award: What the frick is it with some QFFL owners continuing to start bye week or injured players week after week after week, year after year after year… Heuty, Gunners and Carlson were all guilty of this again this year…FOR SHAME, CHILDREN!
On to the regular yearly awards:
Art Modell "cheap" owner award: no shock here, the regulars are back - Mr. Monday Night. 16 stinkin’ bucks. Well, he did spend four more bucks than last year. Carl, also $16, result - worse record in league, need I say more?
Georgia Frontiere "Worst trade" award: This one was a no-brainer this year, Sabres gives up on LT just as he had regained his health, and he went on to lead Larceny to Fantasy Bowl glory with great late season run!
Brian Billick "shoulda made that trade" award: Rampage got an offer from Sabres for Fred Taylor about mid-season when we were both starting to struggle, and in retrospect I shoulda made that deal (all I remember was it involved Bruce and a QB).
Albert Connell "Highway Robbery" award: Larceny coming up with perfectly timed trade offer to Dehnke for LT, when Jim's frustration with LT's injuries were at their greatest. In fact, it may well have been Jim who initiated this deal, but Larceny wins the pick-pocket award nonetheless for gladly accepting this offer, as close as we got to a blockbuster this year!
Bud Adams "clueless owner" award: For the second year in a row, Heuty receives this award. Until he can explain to me why Patrick Hape was on his roster pretty much the whole damn year (he got his 7th CATCH of the year in NFL week 17…I know because I was watching the Denver game) Heuty will continue to merit this award! He also carried THREE D's for a while. Dishonorable mention to Gunners whose team needed early shakeup which never happened. Rook was never really able to compensate for loss of Moss, either. Plus, both these two were known to start bye week or injured players on a consistent basis!
Drew Rosenhaus "Barter and Swap" award: Not awarded this year - trading was really down again this year. Kind of sad, really, but it was a pretty tumultuous year at the Big Q. Snake had some kind of convoluted three way deal planned that he wasn't able to pull off…that's as good as it got. Prophet dealing CMART to FITS for Titans guys was a pretty big deal in retrospect…CMART would come back to haunt FITS in week 16.
Rams "comeback of the year" award: This was a close one between Larceny and Nefarious Nine, but I have to hand it to Scott because his club was headed in the wrong direction before the LT trade and he really took off after that. NN club was not somebody you wanted to play in the second half of the season, as he had some staggering numbers on his strong second half run fueled by re-emergence of Green and Gonzo and amazing season of Mushy Muhammed.
Ricky Williams "hard luck story of the year" award: Rampage. Watched in absolute disbelief as his once proud franchise disintegrated before his eyes from week seven on…..seemed like I always had my eye on the right guys, but was never in a position to obtain them on the waiver wire due to fast start and dealing with bye week problems or multiple injuries. Heartbreaking mid season loss to arch nemesis Nefarious Nine due to lack of a Monday Night starter was a sign of things to come, and all this while Carlson was up north on vacation, with his brother-in-law or somebody gradually turning his team around from "Curse of the Prophet" beginnings….oh the horror of it all!
Robert Irsay "Bad Decision" award: FITS, for starting CMART against Patriots D in week 16 instead of stud RB Tiki Barber…cost him the game and his season v. Larceny.
Mike Shanahan "Best draft pick" award: hands down, Prophet taking Antonio Gates very late, and being rewarded with record setting TD season for a TE, I believe Gates got 14 on the season. Truly amazing performance by a TE. Carlson getting Mushy Muhammed was a close second. Prophet also needs to be applauded for believing in CPEP and taking him at #11. FITS was confident in Barber and Dunn who rocked for him on a weekly basis early on, especially when Priest got hurt. Matson taking "iffy" QB Leftwich worked out.
Tyrone Braxton "best late round draft pick" award: see "best pick" above. Prophet taking Antonio Gates. Rook taking Drew Brees was also excellent pick….who knew?
Lawrence Philips "worst draft pick" award: Snake's drafting of Aaron Elling at the precise moment Tice was screaming at him for missing that chip shot FG in that exhibition game against the Niners on draft night. Best part was his "proudly announcing" during the pick how nicely Elling was gonna cover his playoff run in Weeks 15-17 and he didn't even survive after the next day!
Impact free agent pickups of the year: Xena is #1 for obtaining the services of Bills wide receiver Lee Evans (best rookie pick, too). Xena also got "better than expected" mileage out of one Nick Goings. FITS checked in with excellent pickup of Bucs receiver Michael Clayton (another great rookie pick). Larson picked up Volek at just the right time, too, as well as Reuben Droughns. Rook picking up Derrick Blaylock (where was this pick from FITS?) was also a good move.
The return of the "Annoy the Commissioners Office" award (more commonly known around the QFFL offices as the "FITS & Dehnke annual award": Everyone was too busy this year to really have time to annoy the commishes office again this year, although Gunners, other than a one week "I'm motivated and willing to deal" e-mail, was practically invisible, which DID annoy the commish office.
"Coach of the Year" Award: Xena. Saw something in ancient Emmitt Smith that nobody else did, knew the Pack's Ahman Green and Javon Walker would rock, her evil "bad boy" receiving corps led by ME-Shawn and Shockey came through for the most part (timely pickup of Lee Evans REALLY helped). Unlike other years, timely pickups of players at key positions were obtained when required. Did not panic when facing Prophet's scoring heavy squad and took him 2 out of 3 this year and when it really counted in week 16, and you KNOW it's your year when your kicker THROWS a score against arch rival Prophet! Downfall came in week 17 power outage similar to Rampage squad in 2003 championship game. Xena really paid attention this year and for this, is my obvious choice for "Coach of the Year". Xena was also very efficient, only spending $18 in the free agent/trade market, which speaks well for her draft. Honorable mention to Prophet squad who set a new single season scoring record in 2004 that may never be equalled.
"GM of the year": Scott Larson. Knew when to hold 'em and knew when to fold 'em, and was able to avenge earlier mid-season 70-37 drubbing at the hands of Xena in the championship game, 70-23! Great moves involving Horn and LT mid-season, squad that was consistent from week to week and did not depend too heavily on any one player. Very similar to Belicheck Patriots squad in the NFL of the last few years. Never panicked and ended up with both a division title and a Fantasy Bowl championship. A dream season that truly ended in dream like fashion for Larceny. Set new QFFL single game scoring record of 113 (with 8 guys no less, due to Bulger injury early on), as well.
Congrats to Mr. Larson, 2004 Fantasy Bowl Champion, for a great season!
Commish Matson (01/08/05)
2003 RAMPAGER awards!
Art Modell “cheap” owner award: Mr. Monday Night. 12 stinkin’ bucks, need I say more? Was lucky to make the playoffs! Dishonourable mention to Gunners, who, with a couple of moves, could have and SHOULD HAVE been in the playoffs considering the crappy division he was in!
Georgia Frontiere “Worst trade” award: This one was a no-brainer this year, Rampage trading Reggie Wayne to Jaarsma for Travis Taylor. Frankly I don’t remember what the logic was that I used to justify this trade (which I proposed, no less…….)!
Brian Billick “shoulda made
that trade” award: Xena, in retrospect, should
have accepted Prophet’s offer of Dom Davis for Joe
Horn. Might have helped her break her annual late season
losing streak!
Albert Connell “Highway
Robbery” award: Wasn’t a real unbalanced (read:
pickpocket, stealing from another in the best Connell
tradition) trade this year that I can think of, our
league franchises must be getting wise to the moves of
the Prophet and Sabres………!
Bud Adams “clueless owner”
award (SPECIAL EDITION): I feel that I must give this
special edition “lifetime achievement” award to
Heuty, who for the nth year in a row chose to pursue the
ill-fated “Air Heuty” draft strategy, which for
the nth year in a row landed him exactly where I expected
it to: The QFFL basement! Heuts, it’s time to draft
two running backs next year, look what it did for Carlson
and I! Dishonourable mention goes to Snake, who kept
injured players on his roster FAR too long this year,
crippling his ability to make the appropriate roster
moves. Too much partying in
Drew Rosenhaus “Barter and
Swap” award: Simply was not that much trading
this year, to be honest. Most were too damn busy here at
work. Guess I’ll give it to Prophet who was involved
in the only blockbuster trades this year, with the Fred
Taylor for TO deal and the Portis for Ricky Williams swap.
Had other impact deals on the table as well.
Rams “comeback of the year”
award: No doubt in my mind that this one belongs to
Sabres………had a terrible start (1-5) and
then team caught fire down the stretch thanks to good
trade with Prophet for Portis. Unfortunately for Jim,
team “caught fire” just one week too late!
Mike Ditka “Charity
Recipient” Award (SPECIAL EDITION): Is there any
doubt about this one? The Rook “powered”
himself to a “sub .500”
Ricky Williams “hard luck
story of the year” award: Prophet. Spent like $60
on free agent moves, traded like a madman, yet saw all
his management efforts cut short due to one Tim Brown
drop against the Purple, combined with the now famous and
ill-fated Thanksgiving turkey day debacle involving
nemesis Snake and his evil accomplice, one Chris Chambers
(does three Chambers TD’s and a 36-6 score ring any
bells, Jon)!? Lost tie-break to Jaarsma, still finished 7-7,
which was a half game better than non-deserving playoff
participant ROOK! That is what I call a true “hard
luck story”!
Robert Irsay “Bad Decision” award: FITS, for not drafting or obtaining a decent running back, all year……! ‘Nuff said……. Runner –up was Prophet for dropping Marcus Pollard too soon, struggled with TE’s all year (which is nothing new)!
Prophet “best rookie taken
in draft” award: Xena for Andre Johnson of the
Texans.
Mike Shanahan “Best draft
pick” award: tie between Nefarious Nine, who
drafted the stellar Lewis/Alexander combo which got him a
QFFL Championship title, and Rampage, who had a stellar
draft from top to bottom including Stephen Davis, Holt,
Moe Williams, Trent Green and Ravens D (#1 fantasy D).
Tyrone Braxton “best late round draft pick” award: Rampage drafted both Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss late (although I kept neither in a dumb coaching move), and both had excellent years.
Impact free agent pickups of the
year: Prophet had the biggest free agent acquisition
in getting stud RB Domanick Davis (the guy FITS should
have been keeping an eye on for his RB deficient team),
Gunners picked up stud rookie WR Anquan Boldin in week
two, and Rampage beefed up receiving corps with McCardell
and Warrick, and added a top 5 Defense with the Rams.
The return of the “Annoy the
Commissioners Office” award (more commonly known
around the QFFL offices as the “FITS & Dehnke
annual award”: Everyone was too busy this
year to really have time to annoy the commishes office,
although Dehnke went off on his annual “Team QB”
spiel and tried to form a new renegade league, the OLFFL
(old ladies fantasy football league) without success.
“Coach of the Year”
Award: FITS. Despite lack of running back production,
FITS has proven to be the only coach in QFFL history who
has attempted an “AIR” draft strategy and
actually managed to get the ensuing team deep into the
QFFL playoffs. His usual emphasis on special teams also
paid off handsomely this year. If he had only managed to
pick up a back like D. Davis off the wire, he might have
won the big show! Honourable mention goes to Nefarious
Nine, who, based on great Lewis/Alexander backfield and
classic “static ridden cell phone checking in from
the field” call from up north (while on annual fall
hunting and fishing trip), proved he was serious about
making the playoffs this year!
“GM of the year”:
gotta give this one to the Rampage this year. Matson
finished 13-3, which puts him in elite company in QFFL
history with Dehnke and Prophet in1999, who both finished
with that same W-L mark that year. Rampage is 12-0 in his
division in the last two years combined, now owns the
regular season winning percentage record, was this season’s
scoring title winner, swept two divisions worth of
opponents, had the “trifecta” against FITS, and
made playoffs a record seventh time in eight years. All
this was due to maybe my strongest draft in years, and
timely waiver wire acquistions and gutty starts like Brad
Johnson in week 16 instead of the more obvious Trent
Green. Only a week 17 collapse did in Rampage’s
perfect dream season (damn you Carlson and yes, my Rams,
who picked a terrible week to tank one)!
Congrats to Mr. Carlson, 2003
Fantasy Bowl Champion, for a great season!
Commish Matson
2002 RAMPAGER awards!
Art Modell "cheap" owner award: Vulcans. Had a typical Vulcans year - started out crummy, went on a winning streak to make it look respectable, and finished short of the playoffs once again! End of story. Maybe this CHEAPO should spend a little bit of that Vegas money and MAKE the playoffs for once! Heuts, the NFL is where it’s at, not the college game (heh heh)!
Georgia Frontiere "Worst trade" award: This one was a no-brainer this year, to Thompson Gunners for giving up the hottest runner in the game, Clinton Portis, for a broken down Marshall Faulk, and throwing in the best receiver in the game (Marvelous Marvin) to boot, just for good measure! Basically handed the Prophet the title!
Brian Billick "shoulda made that trade" award: Rampage for not giving up Tomlinson to Thompson for what would have essentially been the same package he offered Gilbertson (I suspect). I tried to get Portis from him earlier in the year but for whatever reason I just couldn’t make it happen.
Albert Connell "Highway Robbery" award: Prophet, see "Worst Trade" description above. The Prophet is a master at the art of the trade and I still can’t believe our league members CONTINUE to fall for his offers! They are always loaded in his favor! Well, not always (he did agree to take Morton off my hands this year), but most of the time! Close second is Sabres for taking "the Padre" from Jaarsma for injured David Boston and Travis Henry (who quietly had a nice season for Greg, but he wasn’t Priest)!
Bud Adams "clueless owner" award: For the second year in a row to Xena, who mistakenly trusted "The Grogan Boys" to be the GM for her team! The result: 7-7, a big losing streak at the end of the regular season, and a first round playoff exit, absolutely THUMPED by Prophet, who obtained his revenge for regular season loss to the warrior princess.
Drew Rosenhaus "Barter and Swap" award: Steve Thompson wins hands down this year, he had multiple trade offers on the table with a variety of owners every week, and he was a master at it, up until the "Albert Connell Highway Robbery" trade, that is…..
Rams "comeback of the year" award: Gotta give this one to the Grapes. Her team stunk initially thanks to Warner, but after infamous roster move problems mid-season, her team really picked it up and was a definite force down the stretch. Nobody wanted to play her team during the second half of the season! Rampage needed 95 point day to sweep her, thank god………really shoulda made the playoffs, but aforementioned lineup issues cost her bigtime in the end………
Mike Ditka "Charity Recipient" Award: Xena, just for making the playoffs in the midst of a long downward slide at the end of the season. For shame…………
Ricky Williams "hard luck story of the year" award: The Nefarious Nine grab this award – on the brink of his first QFFL playoff appearance, Carlson is gunned down by Thompson and a HUGE Monday night performance from Rasta Williams (appropriately enough, due to the name on this award).
Robert Irsay "Bad Decision" award: Snake wins this one hands down this year – seemed to start the wrong guys each and every week. Snake is like 6-22 over the last two years – what has happened to this once proud franchise?
Steve Matson "None that I would give you" award: FITS, Grapes, Larceny and even Snake were all pretty quiet on the trade front this year, so I’ll give ‘em all a piece of this award.
Prophet "best rookie taken in draft" award: Thompson should win this for Portis alone, but I am going to make him share this award with Prophet due to Dante Stallworth….I would never have predicted he would have that much success the first year at a notoriously tough position to learn and play in the NFL.
Mike Shanahan "Best draft pick" award: Another tie here. Jaarsma has to be given credit for taking Priest Holmes just at the right spot, and I have to give kudos to FITS for taking Terrell Owens at such a high spot, and also getting underappreciated Amani Toomer to bolster his receiving corps. Although TO took a while to get it going, when he did, he REALLY did! Fueled Rick’s playoff run, along with his "player of the week" guys (Shipp, Steve Smith, etc).
Tyrone Braxton "best late round draft pick" award: I’m giving this one to the Rampage, for taking both Todd Heap and David Akers real late, and they were both among the best at their respective positions this year.
Lawrence Philips "worst early round draft pick" award: Grapes, for taking a QB (Warner) that high, one that was due for a bad year after two big years for the Rams. There was simply bad karma for the Rams this year and Grapes, a notorious Rams-hater, should have sensed it coming…………..you can’t hate the Rams and expect Warner to produce!
Impact free agent pickups of the year: FITS checked in with Marcel Shipp and Steve Smith, both had HUGE days for him down the stretch. Also picked up Pennington mid season, and that pesky little Dennis Northcutt! Rampage picked up inconsistent but at times valuable receivers Quincy Morgan early on, and Chad Johnson for the stretch drive. Snake picked up McMichael, the ‘Fins TE who peaked early. Prophet made great pickup of Travis Taylor, who was an every week force down the stretch. I believe Larceny pickup up Koren Robinson along the way, and Jim had some success with Finneran.
The return of the "Annoy the Commissioners Office" award (more commonly known around the QFFL offices as the "FITS & Dehnke annual award": Named in honor of our two most frequent visitors to the commissioners office to register their complaints and dissatisfaction with the league office (not to mention suggestions for improving the league - some of which actually make sense on occasion.....). This year, a no-brainer. Grapes was basically invisible this year and caused league wide "concern" with her (non) handling of her starting lineups around mid-season. Absolutely no excuse for that (or for not participating), but offered up lame excuses anyway, like she was too busy……..
"Coach of the Year" Award: FITS. Somehow got that rambling wreck group of malcontents on his team into the playoffs, and into the title game, only to lose to Prophet due to a series of incredible "events" which had to happen………was pretty efficient at it too. Really knew what he had to do, when to make moves, and who to start. Great job Rick! Runner-up is Rampage, for second year in a row, rarely started the wrong guys and swept the Whine and Cheese division outright, only second team to sweep his division in league history. Team made playoffs for league record fifth time in seven years, only to watch his team implode just like last year……….heavy sigh.
"GM of the year": Once again, I don’t see how you can’t give this one to the Prophet. Team survived early troubles with George and Jamal Lewis, Prophet traded his way out of said turmoil (although trades came his way this year, unlike years past), relied on young receiving crew with Stallworth and Travis Taylor, was smart enough to accept the "Albert Connell" deal…….spent $54 making free agent pickups to manuever into the division title and QFFL playoffs. The man with the plan rocked again in 2002, winning his unprecedented THIRD QFFL FANTASY BOWL TITLE! A job well done. Thompson also did a great job of getting his team back to the fantasy round playoff semi-finals after winning the whole thing the year before, trading all year like a man possessed! The man is a trading DEMON!
Congrats to Mr. Gilbertson, 2002 Fantasy Bowl Champion, for a great season!
Commish Matson
2001 RAMPAGER awards!
Art Modell "cheap" owner award: Disciples. Had a typical Disciples year - started out crummy, went on a winning streak to get in (barely), and died quickly in the first round of the playoffs! End of story. Maybe this CHEAPO should spend a little bit and advance in the playoffs for once! Heuty was a close second, career .500 team needs to do SOMETHING now and then to keep his team fresh and still in it down the stretch!
Georgia Frontiere "Worst trade" award: This one goes to Xena, bless her heart, for basically giving me Torry Holt for a pile of crap! Although Holt underachieved slightly, it was a steal considering what I had to give up to get him! (Olandis Gary and a couple of other stiffs). Thank you, thank you, thank you (and may we do it again next year.....)
Brian Billick "shoulda made that trade" award: Grapes informed me she had an opportunity to get S. Alexander from Gunners, but decided against it as Watters injury hadn’t been diagnosed as "long term" yet. OUCH! Rampage also had opportunity to get Alexander before Prophet cheated Heuty out of him, but didn’t offer enough....DAMN!
Cowboys/Queens "best trade" award: I’ve
got to give this one to the Sabres for getting David
Boston from Jaarsma for Hearst (basically),
Bud Adams "clueless owner" award: this one is a tie between Xena, who was woefully unprepared for the draft (the woman is just too damn busy) and only came out of it decently after receiving help from Flatley the entire night (Flatley may not be invited back to MC this year Xena, so do your homework!). Then we have Mr. Thompson, who drafts "out for the year" Cat Morris from a two month old FF magazine, then attempts to pick up a kicker during the season who isn’t even active in the NFL, AND STILL WINS THE WHOLE THING! Go figure!
Drew Rosenhaus "Barter and Swap" award: Snake (the annual winner of this award) was pretty quiet this year after his team died early, so I will return this award to it’s rightful owner by default - one James "Sabre" Dehnke! Jim was probably the most active guy with trade offers this year, although not too many were closed. Steve Thompson was a close second....this previously quiet franchise went berserk when he realized his team was sinking, and dealt his way to a championship!
Rams "comeback of the year" award: Undoubtedly the Disciple, who, by some miracle we here in the QFFL call a "tie", was issued a pass into the playoff round when we all thought he was dead and gone! He is still thanking FITS and Sabres for saving his (regular) season!
Mike Ditka "Charity Recipient" Award: also Disciple, for reasons stated just above! Thought about Thompson, who could have been toast had Prophet stuck with his studs in the playoffs.......
Ricky Williams "hard luck story of the year" award: got to give this one to Grapes, who, with Faulk rocking to the tune of 32 points in the playoffs, still loses to overachieving Larceny team and is busted right out of the playoffs! To add insult to injury, she thought she had won the game coming into work on Monday morning, only to read the painful 74-71 truth once she logged into the QFFL scoring site thanks to a late lineup change on Sunday morning by Larceny! Prophet losing JAMAL early hurt bad, and Rick losing Edge when his team was rocking also busted his season.
Robert Irsay "Bad Decision" award: Have to give this one to the Prophet, who started the wrong receivers week after week after week.......oh to have TOO MUCH TALENT! Snake was a close second due to a particularly weak draft (for him, usually a pretty good judge of talent), and it just kind of snowballed and went downhill from there! I still think that job at the brewery did him in! Took two big risks with oft-injured F. Taylor and untested Michael Bennett, and neither paid off.
Steve Matson "None that I would give you" award: this one is tough because there wasn’t a whole lot of trading this year period, but it seems to me that our own beloved Coach K was pretty quiet over there......probably because he didn’t have a strong enough lineup to trade with! (in his own words......)
Prophet "best rookie taken in draft" award: Mr. Tomlinson rocked early and often for the Grapes of Wrath this year..........
Mike Shanahan "Best draft pick" award: I’m giving this one to the Grapes of Wrath for not overthinking this, and doing the logical thing by stealing Marshall Faulk with the #2 pick in the draft, after Coach K went with Edge James at #1. Combine this pick with the Tomlinson one (compare to Snake’s Fred Taylor and Michael Bennett), and she had a rocking backfield for the entire season! Rampage’s Gannon/Brown combo worked to perfection until he needed them most, imploding just in time for the playoffs. Larceny ended up with a great backfield of Ahman Green and Curtis Martin, who led his team all year.
Tyrone Braxton "best late round draft pick" award: I’m giving this one to the Rampage, for taking the Rams D, who finished in the top 6 fantasy D’s this year after an awful 2000. Worst fantasy D this year - Queens - was there ever any doubt?
Lawrence Philips "worst early round draft pick" award: The Sabres, for Lamar Smith, who proved that the end zone was on a different planet (for him) or something!
Impact free agent pickups of the year: Grapes acquisition of Marcus Pollard was clearly the best pickup that I can remember. Rampage getting Trung Canidate carried him for three games while Watters was out (still can’t believe he was there and pickup was worth it just to piss off Grapes, who wouldn’t even speak to me for like a day afterward). Larson getting Plaxico Burress was a good one, as he was crucial for Scott down the stretch. Prophet obtaining the A-Train on the free agent market damn near saved his season.......
"Thee most fruitless pickup of the year award": Nefarious Nine for his many questionable moves this year, better documented in this years "Prophet’s Choice" awards.......
The return of the "Annoy the Commissioners Office" award (more commonly known around the QFFL offices as the "FITS & Dehnke annual award": Named in honor of our two most frequent visitors to the commissioners office to register their complaints and dissatisfaction with the league office (not to mention suggestions for improving the league - some of which actually make sense on occasion.....). This year, neither FITS or Sabres proved annoying enough to earn their own award; instead, it was the Gunner boy, who did his best FITS imitation in registering complaints to the league office, and brought back memories for Jon and Steve of those FITS glory years back in the late nineties, when we’d see him on a weekly basis.........(actually Steve wasn’t that bad but somebody had to win this thing......)
"Coach of the Year" Award: Steve Thompson, for obtaining the guys he needed when he needed them, then knowing when to start ‘em. Did a fine job of coaching down the stretch, and it got him a title! Second is Rampage, who rarely played the wrong guys and left little on the bench....team simply imploded (this is getting old....) at the very worst time, thanks to Raiders and pathetic Aints.
"GM of the year": I’m going to give this to the Prophet, who could have folded up the tent early like Kevin Mann did that one year, yet perservered through thick and thin, and always had a plan in mind to survive ordeals like this. Survives early exit of JAMAL (although he still drafted him too high), then works deal with Thompson to get potent Garcia/Owens combo, then somehow quietly picks A-Train from the free agent wire which gives him the semblance of a legitimate backfield when combined with iffy Stephen Davis. The man with the plan rocked in 2001, going from 4-10 in 2000 to 8-6 and a division title in 2001, and a playoff semi-final appearance this year. A job well done. He can rest easy now.....Larceny also did great job getting back to the Fantasy Bowl for the second year in a row (no easy task in this league), and Grapes had a good year going from 3-11 in 2000 to 9-5 and a division title this year, although presence of Faulk always makes the job a little easier.
Congrats to Steve Thompson, 2001 Fantasy Bowl Champion, for a great season!
Commish Matson
2000 RAMPAGER AWARDS!
Art Modell "most efficient (cheap) owner award: Could it be anybody else other than our own Stephen Thompson? Eight frickin’ bucks got him exactly nowhere, earning him the nickname "the Carl Pohlad of the QFFL"!
Georgia Frontiere "Worst trade" award: Snake giving Prophet Randy Moss for a bunch of complete (and injured) stiffs. For once, the thief got his own pockets picked! This trade completely ruined a once promising season for Snake (as well as the injuries leading to his making this deal, of course). Grapes giving Warrick Dunn to Sabres turned out to be a terrible deal for her in retrospect.
Brian Billick "shoulda made that trade" award: Gotta give this one to the Rampage for not dealing Robert Smith for more receiver help in the latter portion of the season. Could have easily survived on a steady diet of Faulk and Jamal Lewis.
Cowboys/Queens "best trade" award: Rampage again, getting Jamal Lewis and Marcus Robinson for injury prone RB Tim Biakabutuka from desperate Prophet. Heuty getting Ricky Watters from Snake also turned out to be a great deal for him, as did Jim getting Warrick Dunn from Grapes.
Bud Adams "Clueless Owner" award: This one has to go to the infamous Grapes of Wrath, who drafted two injured players in the first three rounds, then went on to go 0-8 before finally winning a game, eventually plopping into the toilet bowl and losing that as well! Even attempting to set her weekly lineup proved to be an exceedingly laborious task for her, as evidenced by her weekly calls to a myriad of other QFFL owners! Prophet takes a close second here for mysterious drafting of his "savior" James Stewart with the #6 pick in the first round of the draft. Rampage is third for inability to make the fantasy round playoffs despite three of the top fantasy RB’s in the game on his roster.
Drew Rosenhaus Barter and Swap award: Snake wins this thing for the fourth year in a row, having multiple deals on the table with any given QFFL owner, in any given week of the fantasy football season!
Rams "Comeback of the Year" award: This one goes to Brent "Mr. Vulcan" Heutmaker, who everyone thought was dead and gone, yet emerged to make the fantasy round playoffs after what we all thought was awful Ricky Williams trade to Snake.
Mike Ditka "Charity Recipient" Award: Has to be the Grapes of Wrath, who only made it to toilet bowl as a result of awful, insane Rampage decision to go with Robert Smith instead of Marshall Faulk against her.
Ricky Williams "Hard luck story of the Year" award: Gotta give this one to Snake, who lost Ricky Williams and Blake in two successive weeks. BRUTAL! Absolutely killed his season.
Tyrone Braxton (NDSU/Broncos) "Best late round draft pick" award: wasn’t a clear cut winner here this year, but after consulting with Prophet we feel that the Grapes drafting of Tiki Barber applies, since no one could have predicted he’d have the kind of year he did (if only Grapes would have used him more initially).
Al Davis "Bait and Switch" Award: for an unprecedented fourth year in a row, the Sabre boy could be counted on for either clever deception or rampant paranoia in any trade offer made by him or others!
Robert Irsay "Bad Decision" Award: Hands down, Rampage decision to not pick up Gus Frerotte the week he played FITS the second time (FITS had McCaffrey as well), costing him the game and for all intensive purposes, the fantasy round playoffs.
Steve Matson "None that I would give you" award: Xena wins for the second year in a row - absolutely swore that she wouldn’t make a trade, and I don’t believe that she ever did!
Prophet Award, "Best Rookie taken in draft": For the second year in a row, the Prophet himself, who picked up stud RB Jamal Lewis (although later traded him to Rampage).
Mike Shanahan "Best draft pick" award: I’m giving this one to Jim Dehnke for the courage to take Eddie George with the first pick despite the laughs and gaffaws of one Bill Flatley! Look what it got him - a division championship, topped by a QFFL Fantasy Bowl title! Can’t argue with that! Jaarsma’s pick of Lamar Smith also turned out to be a high impact pick, as did FITS drafting Jeff Garcia. Thompson drafting Joe Horn was also an excellent pick. Matson moving up two spots to nab Marshall Faulk with the #2 pick was a good move as well.
Impact free agent pickups of the year: the best in my opinion was clearly FITS pickup of Ahman (Amen!) Green - nobody saw him coming except Rick. Mike Anderson was a must pickup as well this year. I also liked FITS pickup of Seahawks rookie receiver Darrell Jackson, who I had my eye on as well. Larceny getting Tony Richardson was also a great move - who woulda thunk? Grapes picking up Titans receiver/KR Derrick Mason also proved valuable for awhile.
"Thee Most Fruitless Pickup of the Year" award: This is a new category dedicated to toilet bowl champion Steve "Nefarious Nine" Carlson, for his unforgettable pickup of Herbert "Whisper" Goodman after hearing about this "hot pickup" on some backwoods Wisconsin radio station!
Here it is, GM of the year:
Have to give this one to Mr. Sabre himself, Jim Dehnke. Said all along his squad was built for the playoffs, and despite almost not getting there at 6-6-2, won his division and then went on a true rampage in the playoffs. Hats off to the new QFFL champion!
Commish Matson
1999 Rampager Awards:
Art Modell Award - Most Efficient (cheap) Owner: This one goes to Heuty, hands down. Did very little transaction work during the course of the season, yet somehow won his division going away! This would lead one to believe that Heuty is a skilled draftsman. This would be untrue. A classic case of dumb luck in its purest, simplest form!
Georgia Frontiere "Worst trade" award: Kervorkian. Ran into the Snake on a dark corner and had his pockets picked, pure and simple! Gave up Peyton for a bunch of stiffs. Ruined his entire season. Telltale sign: Kervorkian simply stopped calling in his lineup about three weeks after this trade was made! Last thing I heard from him all season was a loud moan when I mentioned this trade!
Brian Billick "shoulda made that trade" award: Rampage wins this one hands down. It came to me about 3:00 in the afternoon one day like a dream - "How about trading Dorsey and Marvin to the Prophet for the Edge and Isaac". Unfortunately, I got cold feet…and Prophet would have done the deal to boot! Probably cost me any shot at the championship. I also turned down a trade offer from FITS early in the season which would have given me Warner.
Bud Adams "Clueless Owner" award: This one goes to Mark "Mad Messiah" Bergerson, who walked into Prophet's cubicle the day after the draft and claimed his lineup was stellar from top to bottom. Unfortunately for the Messiah, his first win didn't come until week 10! A close second was Kevin Mann, who gave up the ghost the minute after the Terrell Davis injury was reported!
Drew Rosenhaus Barter and Swap Award: I think I'm just gonna rename this one "The Snakepit" award. Snake wins this thing every year!
Rams Comeback of the Year Award: Larsony. Was totally out of it early and finally kicked it into gear in time for a late run. Would have made the fantasy round if not for the infamous "Patrick Jeffers" decision.
Mike Ditka "Charity Recipient" Award (since Ditka was so charitable to others in the form of draft picks this year): FITS. Was dead and gone, yet somehow survived week after week as the beneficiary of some truly horrible coaching decisions from his opponents. Was subject of league investigation for alleged mafia connections; how else can you explain the "Steve Beurlein situation" or the "Patrick Jeffers case"?
Ricky Williams Hard Luck Story of the year Award: For the second year in a row, has to be Jaarsma. I don't know what it is about this guy. Always seems to field a decent team, yet goes out and gets clobbered week after week after week!
Tyrone Braxton "Best late round draft pick" Award: No brainer. Sabres picking up Stephen Davis in the 14th. Mr. Lucky is alive and well!
Al Davis "Bait and Switch" Award: for an unprecedented third year in a row, Sabre boy could be counted on to offer one thing to get interest, then come back with something completely different, always of inferior quality!
Robert Irsay "Bad Decision" Award - Heuty for "Steve Beurlein" decision. Cost him a run in the playoffs.
Steve Matson "None that I would give you" award: Xena, who proved to be as vengeful as her namesake! Downright nasty at times! Impossible to trade with.
"Prophet Award" - Best rookie taken in draft: The Prophet himself! He swore up and down he would take Edgerrin James if available, nobody believed him, and he DID. Got him a second straight championship. Can't get more prophetic than that!
Impact pickups made during the season: FITS - Warner and J. Stewart; SNAKE - Marcus Robinson, Rams D and Roland Williams; RAMPAGE - Albert Connell, Tim Dwight and Patrick Jeffers; SABRES - Olandis Gary
GM of the year: How can you not give it to the Prophet? Handled commissioner duties just as efficiently as he handled his own franchise. Put more time and thought into his decisions that everyone else combined. Combined with a little luck (which you almost HAVE to have to win it), I must admit he deserved second straight championship (God, it was tough to write that).
- Steve "Rampage" Matson
1998 Rampager awards:
Art Modell Award – Most efficient (Cheap) Owner: This one has to go to Kevin Mann, whose team made the playoffs despite very little transaction or trade activity from their owner.
Georgia Frontiere Award – worst trade: Mr. Mann again. Trading stud Ed McCaffrey to Prophet for iffy WR Keenan McCardell, and Dunn for oft-injured Jet RB Leon Johnson. Had this trade not been made, Mann would have gone farther in the playoffs.
Drew Rosenhaus Barter and Swap Award: for the second year in a row, to the Snake, who made weekly phone calls concerning potential deals to each and every QFFL team owner!
Bud Adams Clueless Owner Award – there really wasn’t an owner that was completely clueless this year, but I nominate Heutmaker for his strange receiver oriented draft strategy which provided him with a toilet like finish to his season! Visions of Herman Moore’s (lack of) production are still dancing in his head! Traded Moore to Gilbertson just when Moore started to heat up (for awful Courtney Hawkins no less). Xena would take second for her inability to get out of a real RB mess which screwed up her season. Third would be Mann, who went far too long with one RB. Last would be Dung in the Sun, for hanging on to lame receiving and RB corps all year long.
Comeback of the Year Award – Dr. Death. Hung around long enough in the weak WCW division to eventually snag the $62 for winning the division away from Xena and Messiah. Second would have to be Fun in the Sun, made a late season run despite under-performing roster thanks to Gary Brown pickup.
Hard Luck Story of the Year – Jaarsma, hands down. Good team, no results. Snake takes a close second.
Best Late round draft pick – I have to go with Rampage here. Picked up the Seattle Defense REAL late in the draft and they scored a TD damn near every week for me! (New NFL record for defensive TD’s).
Bait and Switch Award – for the second year in a row, Sabre Boy. This guy was a master at offering one thing, and as soon as some poor sucker was interested, offering somebody else (usually of inferior quality). For shame, Mr. Dehnke!
Robert Irsay Bad Decision Award – Oronde, Oronde, Oronde – why were you ridin’ the bench when I really needed you! – Rampage hands down for the second year in a row.
Best rookies taken in draft – Prophet proved prophetic with his pick of Randy Moss in the 5th, as did the Rampage with Robert Edwards in the 8th round and Jaarsma for picking up superstud rookie Fred Taylor.
GM of the Year: Why, Rampage of course. Survived the season long loss of two high draft picks in Brad Johnson and Isaac Bruce, yet lead the league in scoring in a landslide, and came oh so close to winning Fantasy Bowl. Receiving corps was riddled by injuries all year. Tight End production was non-existant. Pick-up of Vinnie Testaverde after Johnson went down, combined with brilliant Seattle D and Robert Edwards picks, along with always dependable Terrell Davis (an original Rampage team member in his rookie season when nobody knew who he was) were all masterful moves!
1997 Rampager Awards:
Art Modell Award - Most efficient (read CHEAP) owner: Coach K. You have to give him credit, he spent only $10.00 in free agent transactions yet his team was consistent all year and had the leagues best regular season record at 10-3.
Georgia Frontiere Award - Worst trade of the year: Wedgies without a doubt. Inexplicably trades one of her best players (and one of her beloved Packers to boot) in Antonio Freeman for Tim Brown and her team promptly sinks without a trace.
Robert Irsay Bad Decision Award - Most futile series of free agent transactions: Rampage drops Horace Copeland, then reacquires him, then drops him again! Total point production for the year: 0 (I was convinced this guy was going to emerge as a real NFL receiver).
Drew Rosenhaus Barter and Swap Award - Snakeman. This guy had a deal on the table every week!
Bud Adams Clueless Owner Award - PITA's. For a while, was reading results of games from Harley's other league (available in the Access database).
Comeback of the Year Award - (tie) PITA's - got this team into the Fantasy Round after a tough start and desertion of co-owner; PROPHETS - made a couple of deals and off he went!
Hard-luck story of the Year Award - has to be the James Stewart Fan Club, who missed the Fantasy Round by one (1) point, then sits and watches as Kordell goes nuts! (Not to mention the 5 TD James Stewart day).
One too Many Trades Award - the Prophet. Made a deal which turned his team around with their great late season run, but has to be wondering where he would have been with Bettis.
Who Were They? Award - for the mysterious Larceny franchise, who were not heard from often. Note: only team to go undefeated vs. Rampage (1-0).
Future Planning Award - Rampage - waits patiently for Levens, Bruce and McCardell to produce, and they FINALLY do down the stretch and into the playoffs, despite constant advice to trade or dump them. However, has anyone seen Adrian Murrell lately?
Barry Switzer Bad/Evil Advice Award - to the Doom, who were convinced that Levens would do nothing vs. Dallas and tried to get me to start Alstott instead. 25 points later, this game cemented the division title just in time to avoid the streaking Prophet.
Bait and Switch Award: to Sabres, who would advertise a great trade and then change his mind and come up with something different!
"Let's send the video into the league office and see what happens" Award: To Coach K, who was "pretty vocal" about league rules more than once!
AND LAST:
to Dr. Death, in the Satan of 98 Award, somehow convinces Krejcha to give up Antonio Freeman AND $7.00 for a total stiff in Tim Brown.