2016 Introductory Post - Season 6: The Great Chase

WE'RE BACK BABAY! After another successful (and time efficient) Slushie Sundays draft, there is not any time to waste before the start of the season. Knowing me, I'll probably post this Friday afternoon out of laziness so I'm assuming the Panthers have taken care of the Broncos in Thursday's opening game. Besides the point. I just want to say welcome back to all of my dear league mates who I've missed competing against for the better part of 9 months. As we commence our 6th season, I would like to look back at last season and the road that got us to this present time.

Gurley 2016: Can Todd and Co. propel Dave to a repeat?

Although the trophy is not physically in his possession, incumbent champion David Troiano has been on cloud nine since taking home his first title last Winter. With a bevy of young talent, he is poised to defend his throne once again in 2016. Brian, resistant to give up the trophy (literally and figuratively) is hot on his heels with a dynamite trio of keepers of his own. Can he get back to the Super Bowl for an unprecedented 4th season in a row?

Don't let these two paragraphs fool you, there are 10 other strapping young men coveting the ultimate prize in fantasy sports. Of those 10, only two have ever held the trophy on their own (technically, just Nick since Josh never got a chance to hold it during his reign as champion) and with a rags to riches success story of Taco Corp fresh in everyone's minds, is it time for another changing of the guard from the Hateful (Spiteful, Vengeful, etc.) Eight? This band of unlikely heroes have flirted with glory in the past and are cautiously optimistic about their team's potential regarding their chances. Trades have been made this offseason to align teams in better position for this season and it is a trend I hope continues for the rest of the season.

I was fortunate enough to speak with a few of these owners and let's just say they didn't hold back when referring to their title aspirations and desire for Slushie Sunday immortality.

Ben Fontana, a main-stay in the SSFL playoffs in his career, experienced a major setback in 2015 after his franchise player, Peyton Manning decided to hang up his cleats. Unfortunately for Ben, he physically checked out in Week 5 and the Cookie Man could not recover. Now after staring two straight playoff-less seasons in the face after a critically panned draft, improvement and hard work has been the motto he has instilled on his team.

"I feel like Jeff Fisher going into this season. Mediocrity is almost a foregone conclusion for Start The Carr. The goal, as always, is to scrap through the regular season and make the playoffs. I'm desperate for a Slushie Sundays FFL title, but taking it one goal at a time this season." 

 From one team uncharacteristically missing the playoffs to another team finally getting over the hump, Dom Caputo finally got to the promised land in 2015 after three long years without a playoff berth. Unfortunately, the passports were seized upon arrival as he fell victim to a shocking upset from Vinnie Crocitto, ending his dream season after winning his respective division. This season, he boasts one of the strongest groups of keepers and hopes to recapture the magic of the 2015 season like his franchise QB, Cam Newton. Dom could not be reached for comment at this point but hopefully more quotes from him this season.

The final owner I touched base with was Mr. Joey Begami, a seasoned veteran in the league who has dealt with more heartache from fantasy than any other owner. Consistently, Bergami puts out an impressive product each season and has yet to taste the glory of a title. In fact, he's never made a Super Bowl appearance after years of get drafting and team management. Perhaps this is the year? When asked about his chances, as usual, Joe did not mince words regarding his team's outlook:

"Slushie Sunday 2017 champion. That's what we're all fighting for this year. I have made these god damn playoffs EVERY YEAR (along with my brother in crime) but still nothing to show for it. I was very confident in my teams the past 2 years and failed to come up with a ring. What's even worse is I never made it to a championship match. Cockiness is definitely lower this year but hard work, dedication and lots of prayer to the big man upstairs will hopefully be enough to push us to the ship. A new game plan and attitude calls for a change in name. RUTHLESS"

Although I was only able to speak with a few owners, I would be damned if the rest of the league didn't possess the same passion and optimism as Joe this season. Of course, this was a short article compared to the future weekly write-ups and you can bet they will be filled with insight, comedy, electric quotes and analysis. The season has officially begun and on behalf of the commissioner's office, I would like to wish every one of you the best of luck this season. A league this entertaining cannot survive without each member and as usual, I would like to thank you all for making this league so great each season. I can honestly say this is the one thing I look forward to each week during football season to take my mind off the work grind and the Raiders attempts to slowly kill me. Let's have another exciting year and maybe we'll have someone else in the league pop their trophy-possessing cherry again come Winter.

God Bless,
Nicholas J. Caputo
President/CEO Slushie Sunday Fantasy Football Incorporated