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Best GM Awards

Andrew: As our 50th season celebration draws to a close, let me first congratulate Jean Lefebvre and his Tennessee Titans for winning the Super Bowl over the Dallas Cowboys. Jean is a wonderful example of what makes the USAFL stand alone. Jean never played Front Page Sports Football. Yet, because of the GM-Only system we use, someone can join the league and participate on a highly competitive level among guys you have played the game. As a rule, I never release the software's league files - so as to keep everyone on common ground. 

It took the USAFL nearly five years to reach it's 50th season, from the fall of 1997 to the summer of 2002. The league shut down several times during that stretch. Now with no fear of the league shutting down anymore, we should reach the 100th season by March of 2005!

I would like to close by saying, "Thank you" to every GM who has participated in the USAFL. The success of this league does not solely rest on my shoulders. I just had a great idea. Tons of people have great ideas. Each of you who joined, played, and helped maintain the league is where the success lies. Especially now in this current version. It is a well known fact that this league would not be running today if it weren't for Garritt, Mike, Todd, and Flip - the Commissioners. Each of them share the burden of operating this league. Their attitudes and work ethic has brought tremendous honor to our league. Gentlemen, I thank you.

Now - the final installment of our 50th celebration. The Best GM Awards ....................... 

Best GM to win a championship: Todd Ricotta. You can argue Tim Arkwright, but that era was so defensive minded. Ricotta winning in this current offensive era is impressive. Especially because he regularly changes his schemes, just to prove that talent still wins championships. Not the scheme.

Best GM that never won a championship: Garritt Grandberg & Mike Manuel. Easy. They've both been in the league forty-two seasons. They've each been to a few Super Bowls, but have yet to take home the Cup. You have to admire their spirit, coming back year after year, hoping this year things will be different. They both are superb GMs.

Best GM on Draft Night: Tim Arkwright. It's not just making the right pick each time, it's finding the studs in the later rounds that makes a great GM on Draft Night. Yes, we all have heard it over and over by this time, "Sure Tim was great way back when, but what has he done lately?"

Best GM in Trade negotiations: Ben Breeden. His sheer volume of trades is a wonder to behold. With Ricotta only updating rosters at the end of each off-season, it's a wonder Ben can keep track of who is exactly on his roster during the off-season!

Bill:
Best GM to win a championship: Todd Ricotta
Best GM that never won a championship: Joe Malloy (ED NOTE - Joe won two in previous version of USAFL)
Best GM on Draft Night: Tim Arkwright
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Fred Hurtubise, damnit :)

Todd: 
Best GM to win a championship: Andrew Lewis
Best GM that never won a championship: Mike Manuel (current Era)
Best GM on Draft Night: Ben Breeden
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Ben Breeden

Fred:
Best GM to win a championship: Todd, then me.
Best GM that never won a championship: Garritt. By far.
Best GM on Draft Night: Ben. It's easier when you have tons of picks though.
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Ben, Flip. By best, I mean the ones I have the most trouble with.

Ben:
Best GM to win a championship: Tim
Best GM that never won a championship: are there any?
Best GM on Draft Night: Tim
Best GM in Trade negotiations: I'll have to go with myself on this one, just because of the quantity of trades, but Todd gets some damn "good" trades that should have never happened :)


Tom:
Best GM to win a championship: Well, me, of course.
Best GM that never won a championship: Mike Manuel. Sorry, Garritt. God, I'd just love to see the two of them in a Super Bowl. Would anyone win?
Best GM on Draft Night: I'd love to say me, because I think I'm a hell of a drafter, but if I can't say me, then I'll go with Mike Breeden. It didn't matter where he drafted. Bastard never made a bad pick. Don't come back, Mike.
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Mike Manuel. Hey, I consider myself a bastard to trade with, and I've never had a long trade session with Mike that's wasted our time. Mike cuts the bull, says what he'd like, and makes an offer, which I usually take. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

Joe:
Best GM to win a championship: Tie between Tim and Todd
Best GM that never won a championship: Mike Manuel
Best GM on Draft Night: Tie between Tim and Todd
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Flip.

Jean:
Best GM to win a championship: Todd Ricotta
Best GM that never won a championship: Tim Arkwright (ED NOTE - Tim won 9 championships in previous USAFL, including a record 4 in a row)
Best GM on Draft Night: Todd Ricotta
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Fred Hurtubise

Flip: 
Best GM to win a championship: Mike Breeden
Best GM that never won a championship: Martin Lemay
Best GM on Draft Night: Todd
Best GM in Trade negotiations: NONE!!!

Mike:
Best GM to win a championship: Tim Arkwright
Best GM that never won a championship: Garritt Grandberg
Best GM on Draft Night: tie Ben and Todd
Best GM in Trade negotiations: Ben

For even more historical data, visit the USAFL History Page to view tons of stats from earlier versions of the USAFL. This page can always be accessed through the USAFL FAQ.