1991 Season

Bell steps down as commish, Kuratko takes over

Mike Bell stepped down as commissioner during the summer of 1991 and turned over the duties to 1990 champion Keith Kuratko (pictured). Kuratko immediately changed the scoring system from basic to performance, a move that dropped touchdowns from the statistics and switched the focus to yardage production. The new commissioner also announced a modified playoff system that would award the two division champions with first round byes.

In addition, Kuratko developed the idea of an injured-reserve list, which enabled owners to place any player on IR if he had also been placed on the NFL's injured-reserve or inactive list. A final change the new commissioner made was to prohibit carry-over points of a player's previous week's stats when that player would be off due to the bye week.

Comings and goings

Kuratko awarded expansion franchises to his brother (Mike Kuratko - Hostile Omish) and his uncle (Mike Kuzniakowski - Budbombers). He also recruited Dominic Reto (Brown Bombers) and Dave Kastellic (Daks) to help offset the folding of four franchises - the Arabian Knights, Kim's Krunchers, the Fornicators, and the Cruisers.

The 1991 Draft

The draft took place in late August 1991, with Marci's Team selecting QB Randall Cunningham with the first overall selection. Other first round picks included: QB Warren Moon (#2 - Hostile Omish), QB Jim Everett (#3 - Budbombers), QB Dan Marino (#4 - Brown Bombers), RB Barry Sanders (#5 - Bonecrushers), QB Jim Kelly (#6 - Daks), RB Thurman Thomas (#7 - King Salmons), QB Boomer Esiason (#8 - Bastards), WR Jerry Rice (#9 - Club Fugazi), RB Neal Anderson (#10 - Punishers), QB John Elway (#11 - Blue Streaks), and WR Andre Rison (#12 - Brews Brothers).

The first week of action with the new scoring system took place on Sunday, Sept. 1, 1991 with the following results: Hostile Omish 42, Marci's Team 21; Daks 33, Bonecrushers 16; Club Fugazi 28, Punishers 27; Budbombers 53, Brown Bombers 52; King Salmons 60, Bastards 52; and Brews Brothers 58, Blue Streaks 35.

In Week 3, Club Fugazi defeated the Blue Streaks 48-35 in the league's first overtime game. The King Salmons became the first team in league history to break the 70 point barrier when they defeat Club Fugazi 71-51 in Week 11.

Division Champs

The Hostile Omish (11-3) won the American Division, while the Punishers (9-5) captured the National  Division title. Both teams received first round byes. Click here to see the rest of the 1991 standings. The  Omish won the regular season points championship with 663 points (47.4 per game) but would later become the second straight number one seed to drop their opening round playoff game, losing 49-48 to the Brown Bombers.

Fantasy Bowl 2

Reto's Brown Bombers (left) won Fantasy Bowl 2 over Keith Kuratko's Punishers by a score of 68-37. PK Chip Lohmiller is named the game's most valuable player for his five field goal, 16 point performance. WR Michael Irvin chipped in 16 points with a 169 yard receiving effort while QB Dan Marino contributed 14 points by throwing for 282 yards. For his victory, Reto received a check for $220.