Letter From The Commish

With one week left, the Greenback Iguanas have clinched the league's best record and the #1 seed in this year's playoffs. They will play either Grande To The Party or the Natural Mystics in the 1st round. The Party will get the wildcard with a Week 15 victory over the Palace of Swords. For the Mystics to backdoor their way in, they must stop the bleeding of a three game losing streak against the Stanley Steamers and cross their fingers that the Party loses. By the way, a Party victory would be their first in the month of December since 1997. They flamed out last season by going 0-4-1 down the stretch after an 8-2 start. However, the Mystics, usually one of the league's best December teams, has been lit up for 127 points the past three weeks. And even if the Party finds their way to the playoffs, well, we all know how well they play in the big contests!!

The Retreads claimed the Howe division title in Week 14 and have nothing to play for in Week 15 other than bragging rights against the Strange Highways. That in itself should prove to be more than enough motivation for Coach Detwiler. One possibly good piece of news also came out of Week 14 for the Retreads. Fred Taylor appeared healthier than he's been since first injuring himself at the start of the season. Simultaneous to that, James Stewart sprained a foot Monday night against the Broncos. It's too early to say what the impact of all this may be but the outcome could be huge for both the Retreads and Iguanas. In any event, the Retreads will play the winner of the Week 15 (playoff) game between the Bearded Clams and the NFC Norris. While the Clams have had their ups and downs, largely caused by a myriad of injuries, the Norris has just plain been awful at times. Yet, despite being 11th in scoring, 10th in the power rankings and winning 18-16 in Week 14 over the only team in the entire league they would have beaten on that day, they still somehow find themselves needing but one victory to receive their invitation to the dance--a first ever invite in fact, in this, their 4th year in the league.

Well, it only took 14 weeks but the Commish finally utilized a vacation day this week from his (full time) job (you mean this isn't?) and ordered up the long discussed, much coveted league trophy. It was designed by yours truly and will be ready to pick up no later than next Wednesday. Since everyone agreed back on draft day that they'd be willing to share in the cost of the trophy, I now come calling. The trophy will include each of the past six champions engraved on it. There is room on the front side for a total of 16 champions (the past six, this year's and nine more champions through 2008. If the league is still alive and kicking at that time, there's room on the back side for another 16 champions. All in all, if the trophy is kept good care of, we can use it through as late as 2024 (assuming I've done my math correctly--which does seem to have been a bit of a challenge this year, huh?). The total cost, which I will pay up front upon receipt of the trophy, will be approximately $90. I'm asking each team to toss me a bone of $8 apiece to cover the cost to date. Moving forward, I've been told it costs @ $3-$4 to add each yearly engraving so I will cover that cost myself each season, including the one that will be added in three weeks.. Please send me a check so I don't have to cover the whole cost myself. My address is 9230 Burt St. #109, Omaha, NE 68114. Also, the last I heard, Treasurer Lisa Meyer had sent a bulletin board posting stating that she still had no received $75 from either Coach Widtfeldt or Coach Unger (if memory serves). If you still owe money, please bite the bullet and get in touch with Lisa to pay your debt. In years past, we've allowed teams to slide until late on the honor system due to the fact we have pretty stable ownership. However, please don't be the first team to make this a headache. Thanks.

We have Saturday games this week so all lineups must be submitted by gametime of the first Saturday game which I see listed as 11:40am (Pittsburgh at KC). The Week 15 bye is the Bengals so no Cory Dillon, Darnay Scott, Carl Pickens or Jeff Blake this week. For those of you who will be playoff bound, Week 16 includes a game on Friday December 24 (Christmas Eve) between Dallas and New Orleans.

Early feedback is that everyone in the league (at least that I've spoken with) intends to be back for the inaugural Y2K OFFL season next fall, including the 2-12 King of Dogs (the Commish always worries a little more about the league's doormats-did I just say doormats?). The Bearded Clams have even taken to calling the Commish the past several Monday mornings for scoring updates so the Commish knows "OFFL fever, they've caught it." I have not heard from Coach Stamer of the Steamers, but then who has? After having absolutely no rule changes this season (a league first), several items have already been added to the ballot for next draft day. If anyone has any others that they wish to see on the ballot, please bring them to my attention and I'll see to it that we include them for a vote. As always, if we do have any league openings, it appears we've already got a short list of individuals interested. I believe I've heard from Coach Gill and Coach Will about possibles. Also, there are rumblings that Coach Young may be interested in returning with his Bone Club to the OFFL fold in 2000. Stay tuned as developments occur.

Good luck to everyone in Week 15. For those of you who will not be in the playoffs, this year has once again flown incredibly fast. It seems like it barey began and it's now winding down. Next week, look for all the normal stuff on the website. I will also be spending time updating the league record book. Almost everybody makes it on at least one list or another. Be looking for that. Until then...

Go deep, I'll throw it!

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