Coach Of the Year for Season IX goes to...

There haven't been many newcomers that have made as much of an impact on the MPL as our Coach of the Year. Readywhenever (Travis) was called out for being overrated in an early edition of the Hotseat. He took that slight and used it as motivation to play his way to a perfect 12-0 record with his beloved Cowboys. Though Ready was knocked out of the playoffs by eventual MPL champion Wade, who is ALSO our Season IX Coach of the Year. Wade started the season hot as he always does. He slipped a bit towards the end of the season and it cost him the division. But that only allowed him to play the underdog role and he caught people offguard in the playoffs...beating the undefeated Cowboys then the red hot Steelers in the MPL Bowl. Readywhenever and Wade both had fantastic seasons and each earned the right to be named "Coach of the Year" by their MPL peers.

The best coach is usually going to be the one at the helm of the best team and that is no different for Season IX. Readywhenever came into the MPL like a ball of fire and used every one of many weapons that Dallas has on its roster. Not only were the Cowboys MPL's highest scoring team, but they allowed the fewest points per game in the league. This star studded team ripped through the MPL and flexed their muscle along the way. Dallas really proved to everyone that they were Season IX's "Best Team."

This team boasts the talents of Tony Romo at QB, a two headed monster at the running back position, Jason Witten at tight end and none other than the infamous TO at wide receiver. The skill positions are enough to make a coach's mouth water but added on to all that is a monsterous offensive line that gives the precision passing Tony Romo the time to make the perfect read. Readywhenever didnt just manage an offense with all of these weapons. He used each one of them to hammer his opponents on his way to becoming the MPL's highest scoring team. There is no other team that is more deserving of the title of Season IX's "Best Offense."

How many big time awards can one rookie rack up??? Well this time he had to share the award with Jim's Panthers squad. Ready displayed a remarkable ability to frustrate his opposition's offense and just shut them right down. The defensive line and their linebackers were something to behold as they led their team to giving up the fewest points per game during Season IX. Jim's Panthers squad was carried by their defense. They gave up the second fewest points in the league and held 2 of the league's highest scoring offenses (Dallas and Indy) 2 touchdowns below their season averages. The hard work and tenacity of both the Cowboys and Panthers earned them the title of Season IX's "Best Defense."

There were few teams that started out as bad as Jim's Panthers. Sitting at 1-3 the coach was at a loss as to how to turn his season around. After asking around for tips and plugging away during practice, he found a groove and rattled off 8 straight wins that eventually resulted in winning his division. Most years this award goes to an owner that turned it around from the previous season. But in Season IX, the MPL owners awarded Jim with this award for his remarkable turnaround in season. Jim certainly worked hard to become Season IX's "Most Improved."

There seemed to be a void on the forum since the transition to the PS3 platform. Gone were the likes of Rashad, Runtherock, Ducati and Moneyball. Trash talking seemed to be a thing of the past...until Houtz decided to change things up. His constant berating and questioning of people's words and actions as well as talent helped him become Season IX's "Best Trash Talker."

This is an award that is shared between a rookie and a once perennial doormat. Readywhenever came in and took the league by storm. No one figured he would do as well as he did, especially to go undefeated. KevMack had a career record well under .500 in the MPL and decided to draft the 49ers. To everyone's amazement, Kev led the lowly Niners to a 7-5 record and just missed out on the playoffs. These two were definitely Season IX's "Most Surprising."

Things just don't seem to go smoothly on the internets. The MPL made a tough decision to transition from a PS2 league to a dual league format that supports both the PS2 and PS3. While the transition was not popular with man veterans, the move was made. After a full season on the new console, it was apparent that the move was in the best interests of the league. New members joined and have made great contributions. For his time and effort, Jim gets Season IX's "Most Dedicated" award.

Regardless of whether or not he agrees with the majority, Travis always handles himself and others in a respectful and classy manner. He doesnt talk down to anyone and doesn't make things personal. Travis is an example of the type of demeanor that is desired of all in the MPL community. BigBoss definately deserves the title of Season IX's "Most Classy."

The team that scored the most points was the team that snagged the most votes for this award. What else can be said that hasn't already in the other twenty five awards he's won? lol... Congrats to Readywhenver's Cowboys on being named Season IX's "Most Exciting Team."

Old School is defined as "a slang term referring to old ways of thinking or acting, and to old objects in general, within the context of newer, more modern times..." or "They just don't make 'em like this anymore." How much more old school can you get when your name has OLD in it? Oldnslofly plays the kind of game that invokes memories of those tough nosed teams from back in the day. Congrats goes to Mark for being named Season IX's "Most Old School."

Superpunk's quips and barbs have drawn many chuckles throughout the forums. His quit wit adds amusement to his informational posts. Adding to his commentary are his hysterical signatures...but more on those later. Congrats Superpunk on being named Season IX's "Most Creative Poster."

This one was pretty easy. Considering he's one every other major award, why wouldn't the rookie also walk away with Season IX's best newcomer...congrats Readywhenever on being Season IX's "Best Newcomer."

It seems like it's been ages since Shady made his trip the MPL Bowl. Shady was one of the biggest backers behind the movement towards the PS3 platform. With his enthusiasm and past skill on the sticks, he seemed ready to go in Season IX. On top of his enthusiasm, he was dealt a gift by landing the Patriots in the draft. It all seemed to be in line that Shady would be poised for another run at the MPL bowl title. But things went downhill as the season progressed and Shady not only missed the playoffs but finished with a meager 4-8 record. Season IX was truly a disappointment for Shady.

The Eagles seemed to be a team that nobody wanted to keep ahold of in Season IX. The original owner was gone after just a couple of weeks and the new owner managed to get just a few games played before personal issues prevented him from getting on the sticks. But regardless of circumstances, a team that ends up winless is bound to get the most votes for Season IX's "1976 Bucs Award."

Though they didnt contain the hilarious sarcasm of last year's recipient, Ethan always provided detailed accounts of his games in his recaps. They were informative and quality reads for those that took the time to read them. Ethan always wrote about the game the way that it really happened and the recaps were always consistent. For his dedicated and quality accounts of his game, Ethan wins Season IX's award for "Best Post Game Recaps."

Houtz gets his second award of Season IX and for the second time, it has to do with his talking. Houtz is a first time winner of this award and he certainly earned it. He did a great job of commenting on many threads and topics that were posted throughout the season...adding his 2 cents and knocking people down a peg or two along the way. Houtz was a big influence in getting more people to post and he had a way of flaring up some controversy along the way. The acvtivity shown by Houtz on the boards helped sustain Season IX as a whole and it is greatly appreciated. Nice job on earning this award Houtz!

Superpunk didnt have a team in the MPL for Season IX but he was always a presence on the boards and in that presence, his creative sigs were always around. Each time he would change his sig it drew a laugh and a few comments by members. Not to be outdone, BigBoss brought out some great sigs as well this season. A big reason he was a co-winner of this award is because of the bet he lost to Readywhenever. BigBoss's sig bet was certainly amusing but left some wondering what side of the fence he was really painting...;-) Congrats on the great sigs fellas!

Season IX saw a streak come to an end. Though he still garnered a few votes, Jim was not able to hang on to his title of "Best Sigmaker." That award now belongs to Superpunk. His creativity and willingness to make sigs for members has earned him the right to be called Season IX's "Best Sig Maker."

• By Popular demand, BigBoss's post regarding his ROMO bet: 'That's not a problem. Who isn't a Romosexual?' , Houtz's "unfortunate sports pictures" were voted as the Best Posts of Season IX.
  
  

• By Popular demand, Five Weeks Into the Season...Best Division in the League?,Cowboys vs Packers, Who will be 11-1 were voted as the Best Topic of Season IX.
  
  

• By Popular demand, Wade upsetting Ready in the conference championship, Houtz defeating Superpunk after months of trash talking, Finding Life Besides Madden with COD4...Lots of MPL Players getting together for games was voted as the Fondest Memories of Season IX.
  
  

• By Popular demand, the MPL Bowl, the amazing degree of parity...ANYONE could beat ANYONE, All the owners that stuck around, MPL Worked, the coming together of new and old members were voted as the Best of MPL Season IX.
  
  

• The worst of MPL Season IX was voted as the many owners that never played, Occasional lack of interest...features, forum activity etc., games on time, OPL Didn't Work, the constant ragging on this edition of Madden
  
  

** Game Recap As Written By Wade34Fly **