09-20-2020, 04:31 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-20-2020, 04:35 PM by ForSucksFake.)
Tier 1
The Minnesota Grey Ducks have had a long history of greatness and excellence. They stand out in the league as a franchise with back-to-back titles in two different cities. Before they relocated to Minnesota, they had a storied franchise history as the San Antonio Marshals. We will be looking at players that shaped the history of the franchise in both cities.
1. Fast Boija - RB (San Antonio)
Fast Boija is without a doubt the greatest player in Minnesota/San Antonio history. His accomplishments include most rushing yards in a DSFL season (2,570), fifth-most rushing touchdowns in a DSFL career (32), he has the second-most rushing touchdowns in a single season (19), was the DSFL MVP in S13, and holds many marks in the Minnesota/San Antonio record book. He is the franchise leader in all-time yards and rushing touchdowns. The one unfortunate aspect of Boija's career is much like Don Mattingly. He played in an era sandwiched by Ultiminis but never was able to win one. Boija made an immediate impact in the NSFL, being one of several running backs from the Marshals/Ducks organization to win Rookie of the Year. Other Marshals/Ducks with this achievement are Ruff Ruff, Marquise Brown, Ashley Owens, and Jamar Lackson.
2. Zack Vega - QB (Minnesota)
Very few lists of all-time great players in a football franchise's history are without a quarterback. Minnesota has had a few great quarterbacks over the years, but Vega stands above the rest. Vega has the numbers, the hardware, and most importantly, the rings. Zack Vega was the starting quarterback for the franchise's second back-to-back championship run. With an MVP and two DSFL rings, Vega's place amongst the Mount Rushmore of Minnesota/San Antonio players is secure.
3. Buck Thornton - S (Minnesota)
Buck Thornton represents the post-Vega era of the Minnesota Grey Ducks. He is one of the members of the Ducks' S22 draft class, a class that has seen many of its members hold front office positions. Paired with Dex Kennedy on defense, Buck was an awards show shoo-in. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, Defensive Back of the Year in S22, and Defensive Player of the Year in S23. He ended up being drafted in the first round of the NSFL Draft by Honolulu. The fact that the S22 Grey Ducks team with players like Buck Thornton, Jamar Lackson, Dex Kennedy, Tychondrius Hood, Daymond Brooks, and Mario Von Pebbles didn't win the Ultimini is one of the greatest tragedies in DSFL history. Buck Thornton was the anchor of a defense stacked with many awards show winners and finalists, and it wasn't even close.
4. Daymond Brooks - WR (Minnesota)
I was super reluctant to include my own player on this list, but at the suggestion of a former Minnesota GM, I will. I loved being a Duck so much I elected to stay for a third season. Because of this, I have my name in franchise career record rankings. Over the course of my career, I was twice a finalist for Wide Receiver of the Year, as well as a two-time Pro Bowler. I think why I feel comfortable putting myself on this list is the fact I was drafted 208 overall and was able to figure things out and become a premiere player for a team that had many great players. I think if we would have won the S22 Ultimus, nobody would have a problem with me being on this list.
I know there are only four heads on Mount Rushmore, but there are other players that I think have a great case for the fourth spot. This franchise has done a great job of evaluating talent over the years, and an even better job of developing it. When you look at DSFL teams that have prepared players for success in the ISFL, the Ducks/Marshals have to be close to the top of that list.
Bubba Thumper - DT (Minnesota)
Woelkers would kill me if he knew I included Bubba on this list, but what I really want to do is highlight my previous point. The S16 DSFL Draft was amazing for Minnesota. They drafted Ashley Owens first overall, picked Bubba in the third, and got one of the team's best QBs in franchise history after that with Jim McMahon. Bubba didn't enjoy a lot of success in the DSFL, but he will surely be a Hall of Famer after he retires. He's one of the greatest defensive tackles in league history and a champion. He's also a hell of a GM and a mentor.
Jamar Lackson - RB (Minnesota)
I think any time you can find your next GM with an 8th round pick, you're showing your ability to teach and develop talent. Jamar was the engine of the S22 Grey Ducks and has had an even better ISFL career, winning Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl nod in his first ISFL season.
Mathias Hanyadi - RB (San Antonio)
Another late-round pick turned GM, Mathias Hanyadi is going in the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest running backs of all time. His resume is already complete. He has an MVP, two OPotY awards, several Pro Bowls, several Best RB Awards, and a championship.
The Minnesota Grey Ducks have had a long history of greatness and excellence. They stand out in the league as a franchise with back-to-back titles in two different cities. Before they relocated to Minnesota, they had a storied franchise history as the San Antonio Marshals. We will be looking at players that shaped the history of the franchise in both cities.
1. Fast Boija - RB (San Antonio)
Fast Boija is without a doubt the greatest player in Minnesota/San Antonio history. His accomplishments include most rushing yards in a DSFL season (2,570), fifth-most rushing touchdowns in a DSFL career (32), he has the second-most rushing touchdowns in a single season (19), was the DSFL MVP in S13, and holds many marks in the Minnesota/San Antonio record book. He is the franchise leader in all-time yards and rushing touchdowns. The one unfortunate aspect of Boija's career is much like Don Mattingly. He played in an era sandwiched by Ultiminis but never was able to win one. Boija made an immediate impact in the NSFL, being one of several running backs from the Marshals/Ducks organization to win Rookie of the Year. Other Marshals/Ducks with this achievement are Ruff Ruff, Marquise Brown, Ashley Owens, and Jamar Lackson.
2. Zack Vega - QB (Minnesota)
Very few lists of all-time great players in a football franchise's history are without a quarterback. Minnesota has had a few great quarterbacks over the years, but Vega stands above the rest. Vega has the numbers, the hardware, and most importantly, the rings. Zack Vega was the starting quarterback for the franchise's second back-to-back championship run. With an MVP and two DSFL rings, Vega's place amongst the Mount Rushmore of Minnesota/San Antonio players is secure.
3. Buck Thornton - S (Minnesota)
Buck Thornton represents the post-Vega era of the Minnesota Grey Ducks. He is one of the members of the Ducks' S22 draft class, a class that has seen many of its members hold front office positions. Paired with Dex Kennedy on defense, Buck was an awards show shoo-in. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, Defensive Back of the Year in S22, and Defensive Player of the Year in S23. He ended up being drafted in the first round of the NSFL Draft by Honolulu. The fact that the S22 Grey Ducks team with players like Buck Thornton, Jamar Lackson, Dex Kennedy, Tychondrius Hood, Daymond Brooks, and Mario Von Pebbles didn't win the Ultimini is one of the greatest tragedies in DSFL history. Buck Thornton was the anchor of a defense stacked with many awards show winners and finalists, and it wasn't even close.
4. Daymond Brooks - WR (Minnesota)
I was super reluctant to include my own player on this list, but at the suggestion of a former Minnesota GM, I will. I loved being a Duck so much I elected to stay for a third season. Because of this, I have my name in franchise career record rankings. Over the course of my career, I was twice a finalist for Wide Receiver of the Year, as well as a two-time Pro Bowler. I think why I feel comfortable putting myself on this list is the fact I was drafted 208 overall and was able to figure things out and become a premiere player for a team that had many great players. I think if we would have won the S22 Ultimus, nobody would have a problem with me being on this list.
I know there are only four heads on Mount Rushmore, but there are other players that I think have a great case for the fourth spot. This franchise has done a great job of evaluating talent over the years, and an even better job of developing it. When you look at DSFL teams that have prepared players for success in the ISFL, the Ducks/Marshals have to be close to the top of that list.
Bubba Thumper - DT (Minnesota)
Woelkers would kill me if he knew I included Bubba on this list, but what I really want to do is highlight my previous point. The S16 DSFL Draft was amazing for Minnesota. They drafted Ashley Owens first overall, picked Bubba in the third, and got one of the team's best QBs in franchise history after that with Jim McMahon. Bubba didn't enjoy a lot of success in the DSFL, but he will surely be a Hall of Famer after he retires. He's one of the greatest defensive tackles in league history and a champion. He's also a hell of a GM and a mentor.
Jamar Lackson - RB (Minnesota)
I think any time you can find your next GM with an 8th round pick, you're showing your ability to teach and develop talent. Jamar was the engine of the S22 Grey Ducks and has had an even better ISFL career, winning Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl nod in his first ISFL season.
Mathias Hanyadi - RB (San Antonio)
Another late-round pick turned GM, Mathias Hanyadi is going in the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest running backs of all time. His resume is already complete. He has an MVP, two OPotY awards, several Pro Bowls, several Best RB Awards, and a championship.
Code:
870 Words