The Sports Page        

Volume 10, Issue 20

The On-Line Newsletter of the Erie Fantasy Football League

Jan. 13, 2003
League History  

League Standings

Cash doled out on awards night

Fantasy season is celebrated; Paul Tanski takes home big money

Six owners, five wives and a son attended the seventh annual Erie League Awards Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003 at Twin City Pub and Grille in Twinsburg.

The big winner, at least when you look at the cold hard cash, was first-year owner Paul Tanski, GM of the Erie League Champion Horn-Headed Degenerates. After factoring in money for the overall championship, the Browns Conference title, a playoff appearance and the best record over the first six games, Tanski and his wife Andrea (pictured right with commissioner Kirk Pavelich) walked away with a check for $644.

Other big winners included: LTP GM Don Jones ($279 for the All-American Conference championship) and Team Bud owner Jody Barth ($197 for All-American Second Place and Best Record over the first six games).

Midnight Vigilantes GM Kirk Pavelich received recognition as the General Manager of the Year in the All-American Conference, while Psychedelic B's owner Bryan Vince (pictured left with Pavelich) took home the award for Coach of the Year. Pavelich's margin of victory in the GM of the Year balloting was 62-40 over runner-up Vince, while Vince (40 points) squeaked by Pavelich (36 points) and Barth (30 points) for the Coach of the Year. The award was Pavelich's third time as GM of the Year while Vince's COY recognition was the first of his career. Click here to see past General Managers of the Year.

In the Browns Conference, Paul Labonte received the GM of the Year and the Coach of the Year for his record-setting Shadow Bandits. For GM of the Year, Labonte's 52 points placed him well ahead of Godfather GM Doug Frank (40 points). The margin was much closer in the Coach of the Year race, as Labonte (30 points) held off Paul Tanski (24 points), Dave Bell (22 points) and Doug Frank (22 points). Both recognitions were first time awards for Labonte. Click here to see past Coaches of the Year.

Chiefs running back Priest Holmes won his first Erie League Most Valuable Player award, both as a player for the All-American Conference's Dayton Penatrators and the Browns Conference's Shadow Bandits. In the All-American Conference, Holmes earned 52 total points (6 first place, 3 second place, 2 third place). In the Browns Conference, Holmes earned 72 total points as all 12 owners gave him a first place vote. Click here to see past Regular Season MVP's.

Broncos running back Clinton Portis became the ninth straight back to win Rookie of the Year honors, as he accomplished the feat in each conference. In the All-American Conference, Portis earned 62 total points (10 first place, 1 third place). In the Browns Conference, Portis earned 72 total points as all 12 owners gave him a first place vote. Click here to see past Rookies of the Year.

Colts QB Peyton Manning was named the Most Valuable Player for the Playoffs for scoring a team high 79 points during the post-season for the champion Horn-Headed Degenerates. Manning, who scored just 12 in the first round of the playoffs, finished strong with 18 points, 21 points and then 28 points in the Fantasy Bowl. Click here to see past Post-Season MVP's.

In the Rules Discussion portion of the evening, the most notable change that was approved for the 2003 season involved the use of the decimal scoring system. For the first time next season, points will be awarded as follows: RUSHING: .1 pt/1 yd, 6 pts/TD, 2 pts/Conv., RECEIVING: .1 pt/1 yd, 6 pts/TD, 2 pts/Conv., PASSING: .05 pt/1 yd, 3 pts/TD, 1 pt/Conv.

In addition, trades will now be permitted on a 2 for 3 basis, to go along with the standard 1 for 1, 1 for 2 and 2 for 2 deals. Click here to see a complete breakdown of the rules for 2003.

With the season now officially over, the following 2002 franchise players are now eligible to be selected by any owner at the 2003 auction. In the All-American Conference, newly declared free agents include: RB Shaun Alexander (LTP), RB Mike Alstott (Titlebound Two), QB Aaron Brooks (Captain Tripps), RB Marshall Faulk (Black Diamond), RB Ahman Green (Midnight Vigilantes), RB Priest Holmes (Dayton Penatrators), QB Steve McNair (Hostile Omish), WR Randy Moss (Masons), RB Anthony Thomas (Atomic Punks) and QB Michael Vick (Team Bud). Browns Conference free agents include: RB Shaun Alexander (Cosmic Monsters), QB Jeff Garcia (King Salmons), RB Ahman Green (HowAboutALilBitAThat), RB Priest Holmes (Shadow Bandits), RB Deuce McAllister (Long Shots), QB Donovan McNabb (Intimidators) and QB Michael Vick (Cosmic Monsters). CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF POTENTIAL FRANCHISE PLAYERS.

Beginning with the off-season following the 2002 campaign, all owners will have the option of designating TWO franchise players. The first player, which will cost $20 (payable to the league's general fund), may be any drafted player on the roster, provided they have not been protected the previous season. Free agent acquisitions made during the regular season are not eligible to be protected as a franchise player. Drafted players who are dropped and added by another owner are eligible to be protected as a franchise player. The second player, which will cost $10 (payable to the league's general fund), must have cost between 1 (one) and 5 (five) units at the previous year's auction.

Any player on the roster may be traded during the off-season. Trades may be made on a one-for-one, two-for-one, or two-for-two basis. Before trades are approved, both owners participating must make a $50 entry fee down payment to ensure that they will return for the upcoming season. Teams are only permitted to trade with each other once during the off-season and once during the regular season. To encourage off-season activity, trades made during this time period will be free of charge.

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