11) History is not always kind to the losers. Tell the story of a team who you view as an all-time great but who did not win the title game. Why was that team so dominant? What were the major focal points of their offense and defense, and who were the star players? What makes them so special? What was the reason that they ultimately fell short of immortal greatness?
Ok, so I know that this might not be that controversial, but its relatively recent and easy to write about, so I'm going to argue that the S24 Colorado Yeti were an all time great team that doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Like I said, no one really denies that that Colorado Yeti are a force to be reckoned with in the league right now (even to the point where some FAs have said they don't want to do there due to stacking it too much in favor of the team), but I think the S25 success of the yeti (first in the league and locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs) really speaks to how great of a team they were just the season prior. But, we should start at the beginning. The beginning of S24 actually saw the expansion of the league to include two more teams. The Colorado Yeti, in fact, lost of one of GMs. So there is an argument to be made that the Yeti would be particularly hurt by expansion. Moreover, they should have been hurt by the fact that they just had better players to lose than other teams did. Yet, the yeti decided to play hardball and even traded away one of their expansion protection slots to the Colorado Butchers. Luckily for the Colorado Yeti, they didn't seem to miss a beat when it came to their performance on the field. They cruised to a 14-2 record which ended up being the best in the team history up to that point (and still is). The Yeti had the best scoring offense in the league and the second best defense in the league. Not only that, only one other team had more than 9 wins on the entire season (conference opponents, sarasota sailfish). Because this locked in home field advantage through every playoff game, only a fool would have bet against the yeti to win it all last season. This would have given the Yeti their second Ultimus in three seasons, but you already know the result. The yeti cruised their way into the big game, but the yeti just couldn't get it done. The san Jose Sabercats held the Colorado yeti to only 12 points, just their second lowest point total in a game all season. It was truly a shocking win as pregame test sims had the colorado yeti winning the Ultimus more than 80% of the time. Needless to say, the Yeti had this one stolen from them and they're back this season to take what is rightfully theirs.
16) Create an argument for your own player, or for someone else on your team, as to why they should be nominated for awards. Lay out their stats or compare them to other contenders. Make a convincing case.
Immanuel Blackstone should absolutely be nominated for DEotY again this season. I know that the voters may be tired of seeing his name on the ballot at this point because I believe that this would be the 5 season in a row that he will appear there (that's every season he's been in the league). I will go through his stats and compare them to others, but I'll admit that although I think he performed well enough to be nominated, I don't think he should DEotY for the fourth season in a row. Basically, the first think I look to is the bread and butter of defensive ends: TFLs. Blackstone churned out 17 TFLs this season which is very respectable and the third most. Notably, Nero Alexander had a monster season, netting 23 TFLs which is second best all time for a DE in one season. That also puts Nero Alexander as the all time career TFL leader. No doubt Alexander is nominated, and I think this alone should win the award for Alexander. Next, we turn to regular tackles. Blackstone got himself 64, which was second most in the league. But the best again? Alexander with 68. Then sacks. Blackstone did just ok there with 5. There are other more luck-based stats too that you can look at like blocked P/XP/FG or safeties. Notably, of the top Defensive ends this season, Blackstone is the only one to get one of those specialty stats with a blocked punt. I think this also helps Blackstone to get the nomination, but ultimately Nero Alexander should get this DEotY.
21) Create a billboard, magazine cover, unique trading card, or video game cover depicting a superstar of the league. Graphics only.
@shadyshoelace
Ok, so I know that this might not be that controversial, but its relatively recent and easy to write about, so I'm going to argue that the S24 Colorado Yeti were an all time great team that doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Like I said, no one really denies that that Colorado Yeti are a force to be reckoned with in the league right now (even to the point where some FAs have said they don't want to do there due to stacking it too much in favor of the team), but I think the S25 success of the yeti (first in the league and locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs) really speaks to how great of a team they were just the season prior. But, we should start at the beginning. The beginning of S24 actually saw the expansion of the league to include two more teams. The Colorado Yeti, in fact, lost of one of GMs. So there is an argument to be made that the Yeti would be particularly hurt by expansion. Moreover, they should have been hurt by the fact that they just had better players to lose than other teams did. Yet, the yeti decided to play hardball and even traded away one of their expansion protection slots to the Colorado Butchers. Luckily for the Colorado Yeti, they didn't seem to miss a beat when it came to their performance on the field. They cruised to a 14-2 record which ended up being the best in the team history up to that point (and still is). The Yeti had the best scoring offense in the league and the second best defense in the league. Not only that, only one other team had more than 9 wins on the entire season (conference opponents, sarasota sailfish). Because this locked in home field advantage through every playoff game, only a fool would have bet against the yeti to win it all last season. This would have given the Yeti their second Ultimus in three seasons, but you already know the result. The yeti cruised their way into the big game, but the yeti just couldn't get it done. The san Jose Sabercats held the Colorado yeti to only 12 points, just their second lowest point total in a game all season. It was truly a shocking win as pregame test sims had the colorado yeti winning the Ultimus more than 80% of the time. Needless to say, the Yeti had this one stolen from them and they're back this season to take what is rightfully theirs.
16) Create an argument for your own player, or for someone else on your team, as to why they should be nominated for awards. Lay out their stats or compare them to other contenders. Make a convincing case.
Immanuel Blackstone should absolutely be nominated for DEotY again this season. I know that the voters may be tired of seeing his name on the ballot at this point because I believe that this would be the 5 season in a row that he will appear there (that's every season he's been in the league). I will go through his stats and compare them to others, but I'll admit that although I think he performed well enough to be nominated, I don't think he should DEotY for the fourth season in a row. Basically, the first think I look to is the bread and butter of defensive ends: TFLs. Blackstone churned out 17 TFLs this season which is very respectable and the third most. Notably, Nero Alexander had a monster season, netting 23 TFLs which is second best all time for a DE in one season. That also puts Nero Alexander as the all time career TFL leader. No doubt Alexander is nominated, and I think this alone should win the award for Alexander. Next, we turn to regular tackles. Blackstone got himself 64, which was second most in the league. But the best again? Alexander with 68. Then sacks. Blackstone did just ok there with 5. There are other more luck-based stats too that you can look at like blocked P/XP/FG or safeties. Notably, of the top Defensive ends this season, Blackstone is the only one to get one of those specialty stats with a blocked punt. I think this also helps Blackstone to get the nomination, but ultimately Nero Alexander should get this DEotY.
21) Create a billboard, magazine cover, unique trading card, or video game cover depicting a superstar of the league. Graphics only.
@shadyshoelace