Quote:7. Write 600 words or more on something about anything in the league that interests you. It could be related to statistics, a league issue that you take seriously, or a niche part of history that doesn’t fit neatly into either of the above categories. This must be directly related to the league, so don’t wax 600 words about your team’s participation on a Werewolf server or something. +10 TPEMy first season in the league was S15. It was a really strong draft, and there were a lot of fantastic players in it, and I'd like to take you through the best ones, and have a little career retrospective of those great players.
15. Dan Wright - QB/TE - San Jose - Highest TPE: 1073
Am I starting with my own guy as a shameless bit of self-promotion or because he just happened to be 15th in Max TPE? The world may never know. Dan Wright was a solid player. He didn't see the starting position at tight end, as he was constantly behind Cameron Olsen in the depth chart, and then he moved to QB after the retirement of Joliet L. Christ, and saw some modest success in the five seasons he played there, especially his final season, where he had fringe MVP buzz. For a late-third round pick, that's not bad at all.
14. AJ Lattimer - DT/CB - Orange County - Highest TPE: 1101
AJ Lattimer started off his career in rather unspectacular fashion, putting up some modest stats at DT that weren't lighting the world on fire. Little did we know he was planning a radical move to corner while training under veteran cornerback Jonathan Rice. When Rice left for Chicago in S18, Lattimer moved to corner and was terrific there, leading the league in both interceptions and deflections in S22.
13. Lucas Knight - CB - Arizona/Sarasota - Highest TPE: 1120
Lucas Knight came to the Outlaws at the perfect time. Coming off a terrible 2-12 record in S14, and with holes all over, Knight was a third-round pick for them, and was asked to start instantly. Knight ended up being a consistent starter over the next seven seasons spent in the desert, and helped Sarasota get off to a terrific start in their first three seasons of existence.
12. Lightsout Lewis - S - Chicago/Yellowknife - Highest TPE: 1124
The candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long. It's honestly astounding that Lightsout gained as much TPE did in just a five year career, before settling into early retirement to become a cheese connoisseur. He had multiple seasons with nine sacks, and was one of the hardest hitters out there, who unfortunately retired a bit before his time.
11. Lanzer Grievous - LB - Orange County - Highest TPE: 1141
Grievous may be best remembered for holding the record for most tackles in a season in DSFL history with 199, but he was a beast in the pros as well, compiling double digit sacks in four different seasons, including 14 in his rookie season, and was Co-Defensive Rookie of the Year with Johnny Slothface. A consistent presence for Orange County's dynasty in the late teens.
10. Richard D’Attoria V - S - Philadelphia - Highest TPE: 1181
Richard D'Attoria was someone who could do it all. Name me someone else who could be top ten in sacks one season, and then lead the league in picks the next, like he did in S18 and 19. Top 20 all time in interceptions and Defensive Player of the Year in S19, he was a menace in the center of the backfield, and nearly did the impossible in getting Philly to the doorstep of an Ultimus in S16.
9. Fatih Terim - S - Baltimore - Highest TPE: 1199
Another player who left the league way too soon. Only six seasons for Terim, which is a shame because it felt like he was just beginning to hit his stride as a player, leading the league in deflections in his final season. Not to mention someone who did a ton of stuff for the league. I know real life comes first, it's just rough sometimes.
8. Ryan Leaf Jr. - DT/RB - Yellowknife/Chicago/Austin - Highest TPE: 1220
Oy this guy. You certainly couldn't say Ryan Leaf Jr. was boring. Leaf never did anything by the book, and it made for one of the most exciting careers in the league's history. He spent six seasons as dependable DT who constantly filled up the statline in ways that most DTs couldn't. And then in his last two seasons, he unbelievably became the best all-purpose offensive weapon in the league. He still holds the all-time record for kick return touchdowns in a season with three. A fittingly wild career.
7. Quenton Bode - LB - New Orleans - Highest TPE: 1257
Quenton Bode played for eons. It's not a stretch to say that he might be the best Second Linesman of all time. A consistent tackling machine, he holds the all-time record for most tackles in a career, and the wild thing is that even as a veteran, he was never afraid to try new things. In his 12th season, he suddenly doubled his career high in deflections, because NO needed him more in coverage. A stalwart pro.
6. Forrest Gump - RB - New Orleans - Highest TPE: 1336
Maybe Gump and Bode were trying to outlast each other, and ultimately rode off into the sunset together after S27, Gump is also in the running to be the best Second Linesman ever, and that case could probably have been made easier if he didn't have to split reps with Marcella Toriki for the majority of his prime, since he was the best RB in the league in S18.
5. Mo Berry - LB - Colorado - Highest TPE: 1344
One of the greatest sack artists of his era, Berry made offensive linemen suffer in his prime, recording five double-digit sack seasons, including back-to-back seasons where he led the league in that category (20 and 21). And he wasn't just all power, he was one of the best coverage linebackers of all time. A total, complete package that 100% deserved his back-to-back-to back Defensive Player of the Year awards.
4. Walt Green - S - Baltimore - Highest TPE: 1355
I remember back in S15, people thought it was so weird that the Hawks took two safeties with their first two picks, both in the second round. Green and Terim proved the doubters wrong by helping Baltimore to an Ultimus in their first season and taking them to another two years later. A consistent pro who just did everything very, very well.
3. Nacho Varga - WR - Philadelphia - Highest TPE: 1360
Nacho doesn't get the credit he deserves for being one of the most active receivers of his era. Philly was mostly a running team in this era with Marquise Brown and then Sam Torenson in the backfield for them. However, he could stretch the field like crazy, top 30 all-time in yards per reception. Definitely deserves more recognition.
2. Franklin Armstrong - QB - Orange County - Highest TPE: 1387
One of only three players to win three MVPs. Armstrong's pro career only lasted eight seasons, but he was the best QB of his era, with only Cooter Bigsby (the man who bookended Armstrongs MVP trilogy with two of his own) being in the same galaxy as him. His S21 season is up there for best QB seasons of all time. Legend.
1. Nero Alexander - DE - Yellowknife - Highest TPE: 1426
The highest earner in the class is another player who deserved his first ballot Hall of Fame status. A two-time DL/DE of the Year, who won his awards eight years apart, and didn't see a drop in his production the entire time. The all-time leader in tackles for a loss, he might just be one of the best at his position to ever play.