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Old 04-03-2019, 11:09 AM   #101
MIJB#19
Coordinator
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
General Manager Notes: How about that, Three and Oh Yeah!
After an off-season that fed the pessimism, the first games of the regular season have turned the tide into cautious optimism. For the first time since the 2071 season, we've managed a 3-0 start to the season. The road victory at Bordeaux was somewhat lucky, the home victory over the Red Menace should have been a blowout and week 3 was an old fashioned near-choke against the Atlanta Vipers.

So, three and oh, what's that worth?
We've been here 12 times before, so it's far from unique.
First time around, we finished the 2007 season with an 13-3 record, our first division title, first playoff victory and first trip to the AOC Championship game. In 2011 and 2012 we reached the playoffs. In 2023 we had that outstanding offense, yet were only fourth seeds with a 12-4 record and lost a nailbiter to the Tucker Tigers. In 2035, we won the division. In 2040 we wasted a bye in the playoffs with a humiliating 24-0 loss at home, In 2041 we were the top wild card and lost by a missed field goal. In 2049 we actually failed to make the playoffs, finishing 8-8 far behind the three division rivals that all did make the playoffs with 11-5 and better records. In 2058 we choked in the playoffs, in 2059 we had the super choke, despite being 15-1 juggernauts. In 2062 we missed the playoffs at 10-6 and in 2071 we choked once again in the playoffs. That's a lot of choking.

So, where to go from here, with that 3-0 start? Well, for at least another week we'll be the division leaders, because our way too early bye week is here once again and the Paris Musketeers today lost 33-30 at the Tucker Tigers.

Division standings:
1. Maassluis 3-0
2. Paris 2-1
3. Bordeaux 2-1
4. Gothenburg 0-3

The Giants defense with Antonio Battle and Amari Lavelli as regular starters is struggling, heavily. The Vineyards and Musketeers are playing well, very well even. We should not get carried away here, we might still be the worst team in the division. Well, "still", we were in my opinion one of the best last season, we were supposed to bounce back, no?

Anyway, 3-0, apparently we can win close games again, but all in all, we're probably worse than we were last season. We'll continue to play ball, take effort, do our best. C'mon Merchantmen!
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* 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen
* Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail
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