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7) Awards season is a big part of the offseason festivities. Take the stand, in 400 words or more, for one or more players that are not your own, and argue why they should receive awards glory. They can be your teammates or anyone in the league. How did their stats and on the field contribution contribute to their case this year?
I have two players who I think deserve a word or two about getting awards. I'm going to start with the one I am the most passionate about, because he won't win, he didn't spoilers. I think that Mako Mendonca deserves to win Offensive Player of the Year. Quick note, he doesn't deserve to win Running Back of the Year, but he does 100% deserve Offensive Player of the Year. He had a good season as a rusher, able to get over 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns. His longest rush, wasn't super impressive this season, but were he lacks as a top 5 running back in terms of yards, he makes up for in total yards. Mendonca was able to excel in the passing game, this is why I think he deserves the consideration for the Offensive Player of the Year. Mendonca was able to attain another 762 yards as a running back in the receiving game. This is incredible and 200 yard more than the next running back in this category. Mako was able to be a threat all over the field and it's honestly incredible that he isn't getting credit for it. I think it hurts him that Austin was not very good, but I feel like that shouldn't over shadow what a silly good season he had.
Another player who deserves and award for his play is Dermott Lavelle Jr. Now, he is one of the best Corner Backs to ever play the position, but more on that in a bit, but he is also one of the best returners. This season he had a performance for the ages. In week 8 against the Yellowknife Wraiths Lavelle was the best player on the field and it wasn't even close. His day started with just a measly little 83 yard punt return for a touchdown. He then racked up 4 total tackles, 2 interceptions and a interception for a 96 yard touchdown. So all in all in this ONE game Dermo was able to take complete control and win the game for Austin. He was the biggest offensive threat from a defensive position. This is incredible and he should win Defensive Performance of the Year. If this doesn't win its a sin and tragedy. We should also talk about having a Special Teams Perfomance of the Year, because this in my opinion would also be it. Dermott Lavelle is one of the greatest to ever lace them up and to do it this late in his career is impressive.
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9) Pick any position, and determine who in your view is the greatest player to ever suit up at that position. Why do you view them as the GOAT? What achievements, records, accolades, or statistics do they hold? How do they stack up against the other legends in their position, and why does your chosen candidate come out on top?
One of the greatest players to ever lace up his cleats at the Corner Back Position would be none other than Dermott Lavelle. He was the first overall selection in the season 2 or 2017 National Simulation Football League draft. Where he was taken by the Yellowknife Wraiths. He would play his entire career and retire as a Wraith. While he was on Yellowknife they were a perennial contender, but fell short a bunch of times. This did not make Lavelles career any less impressive as he was still able to rack up gaudy numbers. Lavelle was able to win one title in Yellowknife and a ton of awards. He was one of the only Cornerbacks to win Defensive Player of the Year. Which he did in season 9 or 2024. He was also able to win defensive back of the year that year. Now is where things get stupid and impressive. Lavelle leads the record books in interceptions, pass deflections, defensive touchdowns, punt return yards, punt return touchdowns, kick return yards, kick return touchdowns, all for career numbers. He also holds the single season record for punt return touchdowns and the single game record for punt return yards and punt return touchdowns.
The closest next person to him would be Antione Delacour, who also had a stellar career. One of the others to win defensive player of the year from a defensive back. Also, with just one Ultimus cup. Where Dermott Lavelle separates himself is when you start looking at the career numbers. Dermott has a career of 57 interceptions to Delacours 35. Delacour has the 3rd most passes deflected at 176 to 249 for Lavelle.
These numbers make it really hard to argue for anyone besides Dermott Lavelle for the greatest of all time to play the cornerback position. I might go so far to say that he is the greatest defensive back ever. His numbers are just so far and away insane, that I'm not sure anyone else is ever going to touch them. It's crazy to think of this in context of the best defensive backs now. His son, Jr, only has 20 interceptions for a career, with half as many passes deflected. So if you compare them to one of the best in the game now, Seniors numbers are still so good.
It will be interesting to see if anyone can ever chip into any of these numbers or if the game has changed too much. Hopefully we can see a game breaking defensive back again.