2. Draft Class Retrospective
As a fresh recreate, I could easily use this Ultimus Week opportunity to write about the high hopes I have for my new classmates from S31; however, with Bubba Thumper playing his final game this Monday, it feels a bit more fitting for this Ultimus Week task to look back at my history in this league, and in particular my classmates from S17. S17 was a small class, just shy of 50 members, with high hopes for itself from the very beginning. Of course, as with all classes, the lofty goals of most members were not meant to be, as many slipped into inactivity and several more fell short of the marks they wished to hit. However, some members of the class managed to shine bright, diamonds in the rough of a class that generally speaking had a bit of a rough go of it. Here, I will cover five specific players who seem to fit the bill in one respect or another in turn.
First on the agenda: Dexter Banks II (@TropicaliaCC). Beginning his career as a wide receiver, Banks left something to be desired, recording only a lackluster 3,726 yards and 26 TDs on 259 career receptions. However, after his selection by the newly-founded Sarasota Sailfish, Banks converted to quarterback, and although his name might not find itself among the all-time greats at the position, this was a career renaissance for Banks. Banks threw for 13,285 yards and 86 TDs in his time at the helm for the Sailfish, tossing only 42 interceptions for a career passer rating of 87.2. Banks also added 1,368 yards and 10 TDs on the ground from under center, proving that despite not firing on all cylinders at wide receiver, he still had some mobility to work with. Banks may not be headed for the Hall of Fame, but the Sailfish should remember his legacy proudly.
Second on my list: Tyron Brackenridge (@Lowlycrib). Brackenridge entered the league as a hard-hitting safety, something teams quickly recognized made him a valuable piece to fill in at linebacker. Eventually, Brackenridge would transition to the linebacker position, and he did not miss even a single step in that transition. Brackenridge is one of few players in league history to record more than 1,000 tackles, with 1,016 in his career. Brackenridge added to those tackles 86 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, 102 pass defenses and 13 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, and even 2 safeties and 1 touchdown. Brackenridge spent his entire career with the San Jose Sabercats, and even if he misses the Hall of Fame, he will be remembered by the green and gold for seasons to come.
Third: Saba Donut (@SabaDonutMan). Donut, a career Arizona Outlaw, proved me wrong. I once called his abilities into question, and he decided to take that and run with it, recording over 10,000 career receiving yards (10,302 for those keeping score at home) and 77 TDs on 624 career receptions. Although he is most notable for being the premier wide receiver of the class, Donut also showed flashes of brilliance in the return game, with 6,814 yards and 3 TDs on 268 kick returns. Donut, you truly showed me; I hope to see you in the Hall someday, old friend, and may Arizona sing your praises forever.
Fourth: Mervin Leonard (@hihihi_62). Leonard was quietly the class’s one elite CB, despite what people might tell you about Julian McMorris (yes I'm specifically attacking you here @TubbyTim69). The Wraith great spent his entire career in Yellowknife, recording 594 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 169 pass defenses, 22 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 touchdowns. Leonard also recorded 3,018 yards on 119 kick returns and 176 yards on 21 punt returns. While these numbers are perhaps not Hall of Fame numbers, he will be remembered by the Wraiths organization with great fondness.
Finally: Ashley Owens (@run_CMC). Owens bounced around the league a bit, spending a couple seasons with the Austin Copperheads before moving for the bulk of his career to the Colorado Yeti, and then finishing his run with the New York Silverbacks. Owens’ time in this league will not soon be forgotten; in the league’s history, no player has recorded more all-purpose yards than Owens’ 25,119, and with the closest active player, Chizuru Ichinose, at only 20,273, that record looks as if it may stand for some time. Owens also recorded 104 all-purpose touchdowns in his time in the league, more than leaving his mark on the history books. Perhaps no player from S17 deserves to see the Hall of Fame more than Owens, a legend for at least two if not all three of his teams, and I look forward to the day we will finally see him enshrined. I pray he will be the first of the bunch, although hopefully not the last.
As a fresh recreate, I could easily use this Ultimus Week opportunity to write about the high hopes I have for my new classmates from S31; however, with Bubba Thumper playing his final game this Monday, it feels a bit more fitting for this Ultimus Week task to look back at my history in this league, and in particular my classmates from S17. S17 was a small class, just shy of 50 members, with high hopes for itself from the very beginning. Of course, as with all classes, the lofty goals of most members were not meant to be, as many slipped into inactivity and several more fell short of the marks they wished to hit. However, some members of the class managed to shine bright, diamonds in the rough of a class that generally speaking had a bit of a rough go of it. Here, I will cover five specific players who seem to fit the bill in one respect or another in turn.
First on the agenda: Dexter Banks II (@TropicaliaCC). Beginning his career as a wide receiver, Banks left something to be desired, recording only a lackluster 3,726 yards and 26 TDs on 259 career receptions. However, after his selection by the newly-founded Sarasota Sailfish, Banks converted to quarterback, and although his name might not find itself among the all-time greats at the position, this was a career renaissance for Banks. Banks threw for 13,285 yards and 86 TDs in his time at the helm for the Sailfish, tossing only 42 interceptions for a career passer rating of 87.2. Banks also added 1,368 yards and 10 TDs on the ground from under center, proving that despite not firing on all cylinders at wide receiver, he still had some mobility to work with. Banks may not be headed for the Hall of Fame, but the Sailfish should remember his legacy proudly.
Second on my list: Tyron Brackenridge (@Lowlycrib). Brackenridge entered the league as a hard-hitting safety, something teams quickly recognized made him a valuable piece to fill in at linebacker. Eventually, Brackenridge would transition to the linebacker position, and he did not miss even a single step in that transition. Brackenridge is one of few players in league history to record more than 1,000 tackles, with 1,016 in his career. Brackenridge added to those tackles 86 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, 102 pass defenses and 13 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, and even 2 safeties and 1 touchdown. Brackenridge spent his entire career with the San Jose Sabercats, and even if he misses the Hall of Fame, he will be remembered by the green and gold for seasons to come.
Third: Saba Donut (@SabaDonutMan). Donut, a career Arizona Outlaw, proved me wrong. I once called his abilities into question, and he decided to take that and run with it, recording over 10,000 career receiving yards (10,302 for those keeping score at home) and 77 TDs on 624 career receptions. Although he is most notable for being the premier wide receiver of the class, Donut also showed flashes of brilliance in the return game, with 6,814 yards and 3 TDs on 268 kick returns. Donut, you truly showed me; I hope to see you in the Hall someday, old friend, and may Arizona sing your praises forever.
Fourth: Mervin Leonard (@hihihi_62). Leonard was quietly the class’s one elite CB, despite what people might tell you about Julian McMorris (yes I'm specifically attacking you here @TubbyTim69). The Wraith great spent his entire career in Yellowknife, recording 594 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 169 pass defenses, 22 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 touchdowns. Leonard also recorded 3,018 yards on 119 kick returns and 176 yards on 21 punt returns. While these numbers are perhaps not Hall of Fame numbers, he will be remembered by the Wraiths organization with great fondness.
Finally: Ashley Owens (@run_CMC). Owens bounced around the league a bit, spending a couple seasons with the Austin Copperheads before moving for the bulk of his career to the Colorado Yeti, and then finishing his run with the New York Silverbacks. Owens’ time in this league will not soon be forgotten; in the league’s history, no player has recorded more all-purpose yards than Owens’ 25,119, and with the closest active player, Chizuru Ichinose, at only 20,273, that record looks as if it may stand for some time. Owens also recorded 104 all-purpose touchdowns in his time in the league, more than leaving his mark on the history books. Perhaps no player from S17 deserves to see the Hall of Fame more than Owens, a legend for at least two if not all three of his teams, and I look forward to the day we will finally see him enshrined. I pray he will be the first of the bunch, although hopefully not the last.
