Nebraska Blizzards 2024: The Long Road Home

[Grid Iron]

Dynasty Overview

The purpose of the Nebraska Blizzards Dynasty is to tell a compelling and intriguing story using FOF2 as the backdrop.

The Story So Far (Updated 3/30/03!!!)

It all began in January 2000. That year, Anthony Coriolanus, President and CEO of AgroGlobal Corporation, and a man known only as "The Executioner" agreed to a join forces in a business venture expected to generate billions of dollars. Using Coriolanus’ connections with the National Football League Commissioner’s Office, the two men set out to purchase an expansion franchise to generate large amounts of cash separate and apart from their own personal income. Then, using Executioner’s connections to the infamous Mexican Zopepe Drug Cartel, the money made by the team would be invested into drug trafficking to generate incredible profits. Since they decided that the team’s name would be the Nebraska Blizzards, it seemed appropriate that their criminal venture should be code-named Operation Snow Blind.

Their plan began with Coriolanus bribing NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and other league executives to obtain enough votes to win the bid for an expansion franchise in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Executioner, meanwhile, assassinated the most prominent competitors for the expansion franchise team, as well as those opposed to construction of the Blizzards’ stadium.

After Coriolanus was awarded the NFL's latest expansion franchise, he set out to hire the best General Manager in the league—Jack “Grid” Iron. Since Grid was under contract with the San Diego Chargers, Coriolanus framed Iron by paying a notorious bookie, Heather Diamond, to accuse the GM of gambling on NFL games. After Iron was fired by the Chargers due to the criminal charges, Coriolanus befriended him, and even paid for his lawyer throughout the ensuing jury trial. Iron was later acquitted after Diamond surprised prosecutors by testifying that she made up the accusations only to gain notoriety. Since Coriolanus had supported Grid Iron throughout the entire ordeal, Iron’s decision to be the Blizzards’ GM was an easy one.

After securing the franchise, stadium and general manager, Coriolanus and the Executioner began investing the team’s profits into the drug trade. Over several years, Coriolanus donated millions of dollars generated by the Blizzards to sham charities in South America and Mexico. These charities then laundered the money by transferring it to the cartel, where it was used to fund the drug smuggling operations. The drug profits were then deposited into several off-shore bank accounts, set up by the Executioner.

The enterprise was wildly successful, as both men made over one billion dollars within 10 years. Coriolanus was content to bask in the glory of his vast, new wealth. The Executioner, however, had different plans for his share of the profits.

Working with CIA Director Archie Bitzer, also known as “Silencer,” the Executioner used the money earned from the cartel’s drug activities to genetically engineer a virus that would kill anyone of Arab ancestry. In 2015, the virus was released into a small village in Saudi Arabia, and it spread quickly across the entire region, gaining its nickname, the “Arabian Flu.” By the end of 2016, it had reached every country in the Middle East and killed over 500,000 people. By 2017, the disease appeared for the first time in the United States when a businessman from Yemen died shortly after arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2018, the first case in the continental U.S. occurred when a Saudi immigrant, who had not been to the Middle East in several years, died in a Bronx, New York, hospital.

In 2019, Bitzer urged the Executioner to begin what is known only as “Phase 2,” which involved distributing a vaccine for the Arabian Flu. The Executioner refused, telling Bitzer that he could not provide him a vaccine because none existed - he had lied about it merely to secure Bitzer’s help. Wracked with guilt, Bitzer later took his own life. FBI Agent Alex Goldstein, however, discovered the Executioner’s plot while reviewing Bitzer’s computer files.

Also in 2019, the countries of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia began deploying large numbers of troops and missiles (suspected of carrying chemical weapons) to their borders with Israel, which they blamed for the disease. In response, Israel detonated a tactical nuclear device in an uninhabited area to deter any military attack by the Arabs.

The escalating violence in the Middle East convinced Goldstein to suggest to his superiors that the U.S. take responsibility for its role in creating the virus. The President of the United States ordered a cover-up of the incident. Goldstein, however, saved the computer records and planned to go public with the information.

Unfortunately, the National Security Agency caught wind of Goldstein’s plan and had him arrested to face charges of treason before a military tribunal. He is currently being held at a secret military base outside of the continental United States.

As for Coriolanus, he fled the U.S. in 2014 following an attempt on his life by one of the Executioner’s assassins and his indictment for drug trafficking. He re-appeared in 2016, however, in Germany. Holed up with a large cache of firearms in a small apartment in suburban Hamburg, Coriolanus told Interpol authorities that he killed his own wife and children mercifully because he feared that they would have suffered horrific and painful deaths if the Executioner got to them first. After several hours of negotiation, Coriolanus agreed to surrender and the authorities all about Operation Snow Blind. Unfortunately, as Coriolanus walked out of the apartment and towards the waiting police, he was shot and killed by an unknown assassin.

To date, the Arabian Flu has killed over three million people. Further, the Executioner’s purpose in creating the virus and releasing it upon the Middle East is currently unknown.

In addition, over the last decade several South Pacific villages, and all of their inhabitants, have been completely destroyed by missiles from Russian Mako helicopters. The Russian government has denied any involvement. The CIA believes that several Mako helicopters that vanished on a training mission in 2003 in Siberia were actually stolen by the squadron commander, Vladimir Maritczak, and his men. A worldwide search has begun for Maritczak, who was an outspoken Ukrainian and considered to be sympathetic toward the United States and NATO. Any connection between the Mako helicopters and Operation Snow Blind, if there is one, is unknown at this time.

On December 31, 2019, NORAD detected the launch of 35 missiles from various Arab nations directed at Israel. Shortly thereafter, Israel launched a counter-strike of 65 rockets, which satellites showed to be armed with nuclear warheads. The capitals of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria are among the cities targeted.

In 2020, the world learned of the horrifying destruction across the Middle East from the Arab-Israeli missile attacks. Millions died and cities were left in ruin. The U.N. sent peacekeepers to the area to maintain stability, but they weren't enough. U.N. Secretary General Jean-Paul Petain was removed from office when the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Jamir Al Sabah, called for his impeachment after his father was killed by a suicide bomber. Al Sabah, the newly crowned King of Kuwait, was elected to replace Petain, and has vowed to increase the U.N.'s military presence in the Middle East to eradicate the many terrorist groups attempting to seize power in the shattered land.

Also in 2020, Grid Iron received a cryptic e-mail from someone purporting to be Anthony Coriolanus. Coriolanus was believed to have been killed by an assassin in 2016 before he could reveal the secret of Operation Snow Blind to the authorities.

In 2021, Grid Iron learned that the e-mail was really an automated message written by Coriolanus several years ago before his death. Coriolanus instructed Grid Iron to access the AgroGlobal computer system in Kuala Lumpur for information that would unveil a horrifying conspiracy. In Kuala Lumpur, Coriolanus left a message for Grid saying the information had to be copied to a keychain hard drive and that it would be slipped to him by a guest at Le Petit Zinc, a restaurant in Paris, on New Year's Eve 2022.

Also in 2021, Anthony Angelino gave up his stake in the Melbourne, Florida, Eagles to become the majority owner of the Nebraska Blizzards. The President of New York-based BuildCo Enterprises, Angelino announced shortly after buying the team that he would move it unless the public paid for a new $1 billion stadium.

At the close of 2021, King Jamir Al Sabah of Kuwait announced that doctors in his country discovered a cure for the Arabian Flu and would begin distributing it immediately.

In 2022, the U.S. government provided U.N. peacekeepers in the Middle East with 1,000 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, the most advanced military plane in the world. The planes were provided at the request of King Sabah, who pointed out the need to deter terrorist cells and rival governments from interfering with the rebuilding process.

Also in 2022, Grid Iron obtained the hard drive Anthony Coriolanus left for him in Paris. In it, Coriolanus included information from AgroGlobal's computer database which described a secret research facility in Paraguay. According to the disk, the place was created by the U.S. government to circumvent the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention of 1975 and was responsible for creating the Arabian Flu. The disk also stated that it was the CIA that released the virus in the Middle East. The facility is hidden in the jungle and has gone undetected by local law enforcement for decades. Coriolanus did, however, give Grid Iron the GPS coordinates.

In 2023, Grid Iron traveled to Paraguay to find the AgroGlobal research facility that manufactured the Arabian Flu. After he arrived, however, several unidentfied helicopters showed up and began firing missiles at Grid and the research facility. There is no word as to whether Grid Iron survived.

Also in 2023, Lincoln Police Officer Michael Phillips obtained a wiretap authorization to monitor the phone calls of a local drug dealer, Chu Nguyen. During on intercepted phone conversation, Nguyen explains to an associate that a new dealer named "Vinny" has opened shop in town and is significantly cutting into his business. Nguyen explained, however, that there was little he could do about Vinny since it is believed he is associated with organized crime ("OC").

To catch up on all the details of the story from 2000 - 2019, go to the following link at the old FOF Central Pub:

Nebraska Blizzards Decade Review: 2010-2019

Here are the most recent chapters located at the new FOF Central pub:

Nebraska Blizzards 2020: A Ghost From the Past
Nebraska Blizzards 2021: The Plot Thickens
Nebraska Blizzards 2022: A Secret Revealed
Nebraska Blizzards 2023: The Heart of Darkness

House Rules (Updated 3/5/03!)

I employ a fairly standard set of "house rules" (empty cupboard, no franchise tag, must maintain a 53-man roster, no renegotiating, can't make trade proposals, trades must pass "fairness test", no current NFL players, auto-sign rookies). During the 20-step free agent period, I may negotiate with any player who was on my team the previous season without restriction. As for free agents who did not play on my team the previous season, I may sign up to three of them during the 20-step process, but I may only bid on one player at a time and I cannot modify my original offer. After the 20-step free agency period, I can only sign undrafted rookie free agents and players who were on my roster the previous season. All contracts signed outside of the 20-step process must be for exactly what the player asks, or for one year. I have decided to allow renegotiating with “classy veterans" who have a loyalty of "high" or above.

[Grid Iron]

Entry from Grid Iron's Journal

April 10, 2024


They're all dead. I don't know why, or how, but I made it.

After the helicopters attacked, I dove for cover in a hollowed-out tree. The entire research facility went up in flames, and the the jungle around me burned everywhere.

I crawled out of the log dazed and confused about 24 hours after the attack. The whole place was destroyed. Except for one thing. The fire apparently burned away vegetation that was covering a metal hatch we hadn't previously seen. I managed to break the lock after a few days with several large rocks and climbed down a long ladder to a small room that had several laptop computers, firearms, and survival packs. Apparently, I had found the research facility's escape route.

I found that there was a door in the room that opened into the main lab, but it was concealed on the other side. That explains why we didn't find this area when we went through the main entrance of the place.

The laptops are password protected, so I don't know if they contain anything I could use as evidence, but I took two just in case.

I knew I couldn't go back to Asuncion, since whoever destroyed the lab might still be looking for me. I decided to stay away from towns and villages which might have been alerted to my presence and began hiking north.

After several weeks of crawling through the jungle, I arrived at what I think was the Monte Lindo River. I followed the river for over a month to the Paraguay-Argentina border and continued north into Bolivia.

Now, I'm going to make my way west into Chile. There, I can hopefully get passage on a boat back to the United States where someone can unlock the computers I took from the lab. . .

[illinifan999]

More. I need more.

[Grid Iron]

2024 Preview

The Blizzards have high expectations in 2024, as the team will be going for a unprecedented sixth Super Bowl championship.

Ticket Prices

The team’s new $1 billion stadium, BuildCo Field, is scheduled to open in September 2024 with a 75,000 fan capacity, including 250 luxury boxes, and 10,000 club seats. A state-of-the-art facility, the field is made of real grass and the park is open to the bitter cold of December, giving the home team a distinct advantage during the playoffs. The team’s owner, Anthony Angelino, is President of New York-based BuildCo Enterprises, which paid the City of Lincoln $25 million for naming rights to the stadium.

After winning an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl, ticket prices rose between 10-20% for regular seats and just 8-12% for club seats and luxury boxes. The seat prices are identical to those of the Omaha Raptors, whose new stadium also opens this year.

Scouts/Coaches

There were no coach or scout changes for 2024, however, Assistant GM Leland Bronson will handle the general manager duties during Grid Iron’s absence. Bronson, the Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick (23rd overall) in 2002 out of Holy Cross, played tight end for Nebraska from 2005 until his retirement in 2015.

Retirements

No Blizzards retired in 2024.

Trades

Interim GM Leland Bronson traded WR Myron Woodard to Buffalo for the first overall pick of the third round. Last year, Myron had 41 catches for 560 yards and four touchdowns for the Blizzards. A second round pick in 2015 by the Greenville Bobcats out of Arizona State, he joined Nebraska as a free agent in 2019. The trade should help both teams by filling Buffalo’s greatest need at wide receiver and saving Nebraska about $7.5 million in cap space.

Free Agency

The Blizzards went into the free agency period $78.9 million under the $220.9 million salary cap.

Key Players Re-Signed

• RB Jerome Sweeney signed a three-year $32.85 million contract to continue playing with his brother, Blizzards QB Moran Sweeney. Nebraska’s second-round pick out of Air Force in 2017, Jerome has been named Offensive Player of the Year and All-League First Team three times, league MVP once, as well as MVP of the 2023 Super Bowl.
  
• C Julio Moore, the Blizzards’ first-round pick (28th overall) out of Texas A&M in 2016, signed a three-year $31.74 million contract to stay with Nebraska. Moore was named All-League First Team in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
  

Key Players Lost

• S Jerametrius Midget, Nebraska’s first-round pick (18th overall) in 2018, left the team after signing a four-year $37.92 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Midget played on four Blizzards Super Bowl teams.
  
• FB Carlisle, Nebraska’s second-round pick out of Southern Illinois in 2020, signed a three-year $14.32 million contract with the Denver Broncos. He was named All-League First Team in both 2022 and 2023.
  

Key Players Gained

• WR Herb Zeigler signed a three-year $22.47 million contract and is expected to be the team’s second wide receiver. Zeigler, the Steelers’ second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2020, has amassed 1,252 receiving yards and six touchdowns in four professional seasons.
  

Amateur Draft

Interim GM Leland Bronson’s first NFL draft was one to remember as he got both of the players he set his sights on. S Britt O’Neil was selected with the team’s first pick (36th overall) out of Indiana to replace S Jerametrius Midget who departed via free agency. Then, in the second round, Bronson chose FB Shaun Reid out of Central Indiana. “I was shocked both of those players were still available so late in the draft,” said Bronson. Here are all of the team’s selections:

Rnd 1 - Britt O'Neil, S, Indiana
Rnd 2 - Shaun Reid, FB, Central (Ia.)
Rnd 3 - Jay Parker, G, New Haven (from Buffalo)
Rnd 3 - Bennie Villarreal, LB, Louisiana State
Rnd 4 - Harold Shaw, LB, Virginia
Rnd 5 - Bucky Gutsche, CB, Auburn
Rnd 6 - Richard Franz, WR, Minnesota
Rnd 7 - Moe Burks, TE, Western Carolina

Training Camp/Exhibition Season

Training camp began with Bronson cutting two starters in CB Bryce Joyner, the Blizzards’ 2021 Super Bowl MVP, and DE Lester Van Pelt for cap reasons. “We wanted to keep both of them, but we couldn’t afford it,” said Bronson.

The team was clobbered in the exhibition season, losing three of four. Nonetheless, the team completely sold out all 75,000 seats for every home game in new BuildCo Field.

The team’s second-round pick in 2024, FB Shaun Reid, was the only rookie to win a starting job.

Schedule

The Blizzards have an average schedule this year, playing only six games against teams that qualified for the playoffs in 2023. Nevertheless, the AFC West is always a challenging division, so no season is ever a cakewalk. In Week 4, Nebraska travels to New York in a re-match of last year’s AFC Conference Championship against the Jets.

Week 1    Denver Broncos                    
Week 2    OAKLAND RAIDERS                   
Week 3    San Diego Chargers                
Week 4    New Jersey Jets                
Week 5    OPEN                              
Week 6    San Francisco Niners                
Week 7    SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                  
Week 8    SAN DIEGO CHARGERS                
Week 9    GREENVILLE (SC) BOBCATS
Week 10   Oakland Raiders                   
Week 11   New Orleans Saints                
Week 12   DENVER BRONCOS                    
Week 13   Seattle Seahawks                  
Week 14   KANSAS CITY CHIEFS                
Week 15   PITTSBURGH STEELERS               
Week 16   ATLANTA FALCONS                   
Week 17   Kansas City Chiefs

Bold = team made playoffs in 2023

[Grid Iron]

2024 Roster Summary

Here is the 2024 Nebraska Blizzards Roster:

  
  Name                  #  Pos HT    WT    Exp Stat  College
Sweeney, Moran *        15 QB  6-4   238   8   ----- Southwest Louisiana       
Sheen, Luther           10 QB  5-10  185   4   ----- Elon College              
Barraza, Zach           1  QB  6-4   211   3   ----- East Carolina             

QB Moran Sweeney looks to have a break out year as the team switches to a more wide-open passing game.

Sweeney, Jerome         43 RB  5-11  205   8   ----- Air Force                 
Godwin, Stan            25 RB  6-1   214   3   ----- Indiana                   
Woodard, Donny          49 RB  5-7   193   3   ----- Virginia                  
Woodard, Fred           35 FB  6-0   246   2   ----- Wisconsin                 
Reid, Shaun             45 FB  5-10  237   R   ----- Central (Ia.)             

RB Jerome Sweeney is going for his fourth Offensive Player of the Year award in 2024.

Donovan, Courtney       80 TE  6-2   261   11  ----- Rice                      
Fryar, Kenny            89 TE  6-1   244   5   ----- Boston College            
Clinton, Vince          83 WR  5-10  207   7   ----- Colorado State            
Zeigler, Herb           86 WR  6-1   218   5   ----- Oklahoma                  
Thomason, Buddy         88 WR  5-10  214   3   ----- Washington                
Terrell, Spencer        82 WR  5-11  182   3   ----- Georgia Tech              
Clemons, Morion         81 WR  6-1   181   3   ----- Purdue                    
Franz, Richard          85 WR  6-0   193   R   ----- Minnesota                 

The Blizzards have one of the best receiving corps in the league.

Moore, Julio            67 C   6-2   288   9   ----- Texas A&M                 
McCarthy, Ken-Yon       51 C   6-4   298   5   ----- Texas Tech                
Villanueva, Daniel      54 C   6-2   265   4   ----- Northern Illinois         
Windsor, Lamont         76 G   6-3   309   6   ----- Arkansas                  
Jefferson, Hardy        69 G   6-7   330   2   ----- Wisconsin                 
Shell, Tracy            79 G   6-7   301   1   ----- Florida State             
Parker, Jay             78 G   6-6   322   R   ----- New Haven                 
Thacker, Ainsley        64 T   6-5   277   11  ----- SE Missouri St.           
Hanson, Mauigaula       68 T   6-2   297   7   ----- North Carolina            
Grembowski, Josh        62 T   6-5   295   3   ----- California                
Coyle, Leon             77 T   6-8   294   1   ----- Kansas                    

C Julio Moore won his third All-League award last year.

Bunyan, Kenny           12 P   6-1   204   4   ----- Florida                   
Rhodes, Eugene          8  K   5-9   209   2   ----- South Dakota State        

K Eugene Rhodes made 31 of 34 field goals in 2023.

Norris, Willie          94 DE  6-0   255   2   ----- Grambling                 
Phipps, Phillip         93 DE  5-11  243   2   ----- Northeast Louisiana       
Rooks, Jermain          98 DE  6-2   271   2   ----- Wayne State (Mich.)       
Ervin, D.J.             99 DE  5-10  259   1   ----- Ohio State                
Page, Earl              75 DT  6-4   284   8   ----- Wisconsin - Stout         
Yiu, Nate               90 DT  6-3   289   6   ----- Iowa State                
Brenner, Morion +       91 DT  6-2   319   3   ----- Washington                
Shea, Kris              97 DT  6-6   291   2   ----- Iowa State                

Second-year DE Phillip Phipps led the team with 11.0 sacks last season.

Schwartz, Kyle          95 LB  6-4   218   9   ----- Michigan State            
Thelwell, Tevita        55 LB  6-3   219   4   ----- Temple                    
Dishman, Dominic        50 LB  5-11  230   3   ----- Michigan State            
Toledo, Xavier          57 LB  6-0   219   2   ----- Michigan State            
Shaw, Harold            58 LB  6-4   273   R   ----- Virginia                  
Villarreal, Bennie      59 LB  6-1   257   R   ----- Louisiana State           

Kyle Schwartz led the league in solo tackles last season.

Long, Travis            42 CB  5-10  181   8   ----- Nebraska                  
Blackwood, Everett      37 CB  5-7   165   4   ----- Arizona                   
Francis, Mark           33 CB  5-11  177   2   ----- Purdue                    
Osborne, Colin          34 CB  5-10  184   2   ----- California                
Gutsche, Bucky          47 CB  6-1   214   R   ----- Auburn                    
Neujahr, Roman          41 CB  6-2   192   1   ----- Cal. - Northridge         
Mangum, Charles         27 S   6-0   191   11  ----- Portland State            
Butler, Riall           29 S   5-10  210   5   ----- Notre Dame                
Johnstone, Toby         44 S   6-0   206   1   ----- Tulsa                     
O'Neil, Britt           46 S   5-9   196   R   ----- Indiana                   
  
The Blizzards secondary is the best in the league and the key to the team's "Snow Storm Defense."


Key: Pos - Position, HT - Height, WT - Weight,
OnTm - When joined team, Ctrc - Last year of contract,
(UFA - free agent, ---- - no contract), Exp - Experience,
Stat - Status (InjR - injured reserve, Inact - Inactive)
  
Salary Cap: $220.9 million  
Room Under Cap: $2,620,000

[Grid Iron]

Transcript of intercepted radio transmission

July 18, 2024


MAKO-1: Shark’s Den, this is Mako-1.

SHARK’S DEN: Shark’s Den, here. Go ahead Mako-1.

MAKO-1: Our information was correct. Grid Iron survived our attack on the lab.

SHARK’S DEN: What’s your status?

MAKO-1: We just lifted off from a small village in east Chile.

SHARK’S DEN: And?

MAKO-1: The inhabitants say a white man matching his description passed through three weeks ago.

SHARK’S DEN: Where was he going?

MAKO-1: The villagers say he was going to catch a boat to the north. Iquique is the closest port city.

SHARK’S DEN: So?! Go stop him!

MAKO-1: There’s something else . . .

SHARK’S DEN: Yes?!?!

MAKO-1: One of the little boys looked inside Iron’s backpack. . .

SHARK’S DEN:What did he see?

MAKO-1: Two laptops. . . From the description, it sounds like they were from the lab.

SHARK’S DEN: Damn! We can’t let those laptops fall into the hands of law enforcement.

MAKO-1: What are your orders?

SHARK’S DEN: Find Iron, kill him, and destroy those computers!

MAKO-1: Understood. What about the villagers?

SHARK’S DEN: Kill them all.

MAKO-1: Affirmative. Mako squadron, you may fire when ready. . .

[Sound of heavy machine gun fire]

End of transmission.

[Grid Iron]

Week 1: Blizzards (0-0) at Broncos (0-0)

QB Moran Sweeney was 18 of 30 for 239 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions as the Blizzards beat the Broncos 17-3.

Week 2: Blizzards (1-0) vs. Raiders (1-0)

Nebraska RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns and his brother QB Moran Sweeney was 20 of 30 for 232 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, as the Blizzards won this shootout with the Raiders by a score of 42-37.

Week 3: Blizzards (2-0) at Chargers (1-1)

Nebraska QB Moran Sweeney was 26 of 36 for 411 yards, five touchdowns and one interception to win Offensive Player of the Week honors, as the Blizzards crushed the Chargers 38-19. CB Colin Osborne was named Defensive Player of the Week for his 10 tackles and interception.

Week 4: Blizzards (3-0) at Jets (2-0)

CB Everett Blackwood was named Defensive Player of the Week after making three interceptions and returning one for a touchdown in the Blizzards’ 35-17 victory over the Jets.

1/4 Season Review

At 4-0, the Blizzards are alone in first place atop the AFC West, one game ahead of Kansas City (3-1).

QB Moran Sweeney leads the league with 1,124 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and a 111.9 rating. He has thrown just six interceptions. Moran’s brother, RB Jerome Sweeney, is fifth in the league with 382 rushing yards and has scored two touchdowns. WR Vince Clinton leads the NFL with five touchdown receptions and is third with 340 receiving yards.

[Grid Iron]

Entry from Grid Iron's Journal

August 18, 2024


I've signed on with a Mexican fishing boat. The Campana Del Mar ("Bell of the Sea") is based out of Ensenada and comes all the way down to South America in August, then fishes its way back to Mexico over the next few months.

I agreed to work on the boat in exchange for passage to Ensenada. It will be hard work, but I need to keep a low profile now, and when I get there, I'll be only 150 miles or so from the U.S. border.

I joined the boat in the town of Pisco, about 200 miles south of Lima, Peru. I was going to look for a ship in Iquique, Chile, but I thought if I was being followed that's where someone would look for me, being the closest port to the now-destroyed AgroGlobal research lab. So, I hiked along the coast up to Pisco.

I wish I could tell my wife that I'm alright, but that would just endanger her and me.

[Grid Iron]

Week 5: OPEN

The Blizzards used Week 5 to rest several injured players, including starting S Charles Mangum.

Week 6: Blizzards (4-0) at 49ers (1-3)

The Blizzards allowed the 49ers to rush for 258 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run with 1:47 left in the game, and convert 50 percent of the time on third down in a 31-26 loss. QB Moran Sweeney was 16 of 38 for 266 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Week 7: Blizzards (4-1) vs. Seahawks (3-3)

DE Phillip Phipps had three sacks and RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 126 yards as the Blizzards beat the Seahawks 20-11.

Week 8: Blizzards (5-1) vs. Chargers (2-5)

QB Moran Sweeney has three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush) and was 16 of 26 for 194 yards with no interceptions as Nebraska beat San Diego 31-6.

Week 9: Blizzards (6-1) vs. Bobcats (5-2)

DE Phillip Phipps was named Defensive Player of the Week after recording four sacks and scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery as the Blizzards beat the Bobcats 28-23. RB Jerome Sweeney scored the decisive touchdown on an 80-yard run with 9:39 left in the fourth quarter.

1/2 Season Review

At 7-1, Nebraska is in first place with a two-game lead over Kansas City (5-3). The Blizzards have a 1/2 game lead over the Titans (7-2) for the best record in the NFL.

QB Moran Sweeney is still among the best in the league with 1,964 yards passing (2nd), 24 touchdowns (1st), 8 interceptions, and a 104.0 rating (1st). RB Jerome Sweeney has 880 rushing yards (2nd) and three touchdowns. Second-year DE Phillip Phipps, Nebraska’s first-round pick (36th overall) in 2023 out of Northeast Louisiana, is fourth in the NFL and second in the AFC with 8.5 sacks.

[Grid Iron]

Entry from Grid Iron's Journal

September 29, 2024


We've fished our way up to Panama City, and it's been more work than I ever imagined. We took on a lot of water last week during a storm, but we've made all the necessary repairs and leave tonight.

We'll be fishing for a few weeks near Costa Rica, and then a few weeks off the coast of El Salvador. After that, on to Mexico, where we'll hit Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada within four weeks.

[Grid Iron]

Week 10: Blizzards (7-1) at Raiders (3-5)

The Nebraska defense recorded five interceptions, five sacks, one fumble recovery, and allowed just 75 yards passing as the Blizzards prevailed 30-7 over the Raiders.

Week 11: Blizzards (8-1) at Saints (7-2)

Nebraska RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 109 yards and the Blizzards scored 17 unanswered points in the final 4:41 to steal a 24-13 victory from the New Orleans Saints.

Week 12: Blizzards (9-1) vs. Broncos (4-6)

QB Moran Sweeney was 24 of 41 for 334 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions as the Blizzards beat the Broncos 37-20.

Week 13: Blizzards (10-1) at Seahawks (5-6)

RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 97 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Blizzards cruised to a 34-7 victory over the Seahawks.

3/4 Season Review

At 11-1, Nebraska is in first place in the AFC West, three games ahead of Kansas City (8-4), and owns the best record in the NFL. With a victory over the Chiefs next week, the Blizzards will clinch the division.

QB Moran Sweeney leads the league in touchdowns (33) and quarterback rating (95.9), and is third with 2,758 passing yards. RB Jerome Sweeney is second in the league with 1,264 rushing yards. DE Phillip Phipps is second in AFC with 12.0 sacks. Unfortunately WR Vince Clinton, who leads the league with 9 touchdown receptions, will miss the next 3-5 weeks due to shoulder tendonitis.

[Grid Iron]

Transcript of intercepted radio transmission

November 1, 2024


MAKO-1: Shark’s Den, this is Mako-1.

SHARK’S DEN: Shark’s Den, here. Go ahead Mako-1.

MAKO-1: We’ve finally tracked down Iron.

SHARK’S DEN: Where is he?

MAKO-1: On board a fishing boat called the “Campana Del Mar.”

SHARK’S DEN: Go on.

MAKO-1: He picked up the boat Peru and the ship is fishing its way back to Ensenada, Mexico.

SHARK’S DEN: Can you find him?

MAKO-1: With all of the fishing boats up and down the coast, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

SHARK’S DEN: So what are we going to do?

MAKO-1: The boat is expected back into Ensenada in about four weeks. We’re going to wait for the boat to come to us.

SHARK’S DEN: Advise me when you’ve located the boat and Iron.

MAKO-1: Affirmative. Over and out.

End of transmission.

[Grid Iron]

Week 14: Blizzards (11-1) vs. Chiefs (8-4)

CB Everett Blackwood had two interceptions and RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 197 yards as the Blizzards clinched the AFC West with a 10-7 nail biter over Chiefs.

Nebraska can clinch the best record in the AFC with a victory over Pittsburgh next week and home field throughout with a victory combined with an Arizona (10-3) loss at New Orleans (7-6).

Week 15: Blizzards (12-1) vs. Steelers (7-6)

S Riall Butler won Defensive Player of the Week honors after returning all three of his interceptions for touchdowns in Nebraska’s 34-27 win over Pittsburgh.

The victory, coupled with Arizona’s 41-17 loss to New Orleans, assured Nebraska of the best record in the NFL and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Week 16: Blizzards (13-1) vs. Falcons (9-5)

QB Moran Sweeney completed 19 of 31 for 242 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions as the Blizzards crushed the Falcons 34-6.

Week 17: Blizzards (14-1) at Chiefs (9-6)

QB Moran Sweeney was named Offensive Player of the Week after completing 20 of 31 for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Blizzards finished their second consecutive 15-1 season with a 24-14 comeback victory over the Chiefs.

Full Season Review

The Blizzards finished the regular season with an NFL-best 15-1 record for the second year in a row. The team had the league’s best offense and defense, scoring an average of 29.0 points per game, while allowing only 15.5 per contest.

QB Moran Sweeney led the league with 41 touchdown passes and a 94.5 quarterback rating. He also threw for 3,549 yards and 17 interceptions. RB Jerome Sweeney led the league with 1,841 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns. He has rushed for over 1,800 yards four times in the last five seasons. WR Buddy Thomason, Nebraska’s first-round pick (36th overall) in 2022 out of Washington, finished the year tied for the league lead with 10 touchdown receptions.

K Eugene Rhodes finished the season making 20 of his 21 field goal attempts. He has missed only four field goals in his two-year career since being drafted in the third round out of South Dakota State for a 92.7% average.

CB Everett Blackwood led the AFC with 10 interceptions and scored two touchdowns. DE Phillip Phipps was seventh in the NFL and second in the AFC with 14.5 sacks.

[Grid Iron]

Transcript of intercepted radio transmission

December 1, 2024


MAKO-1: Shark’s Den, this is Mako-1.

SHARK’S DEN: Shark’s Den, here. Go ahead Mako-1.

MAKO-1: I have visual contact with Grid Iron’s boat.

SHARK’S DEN: Where?

MAKO-1: It’s northbound, approximately 200 nautical miles south of Ensenada.

SHARK’S DEN: Lock on target.

MAKO-1: Roger that.

[Sound of missile lock alert]

MAKO-1: I’ve got tone.

SHARK’S DEN: You are clear to open fire.

MAKO-1: Goodbye, Mr. Iron.

[Sound of missile launch]

MAKO-1: Missiles away.

[Sound of massive explosion]

MAKO-1: Direct hit!

SHARK’S DEN: Excellent.

MAKO-1: I’m going to swing around to check for survivors.

SHARK’S DEN: Status?

MAKO-1: Negative on survivors.

SHARK’S DEN: Well done, Mako-1. Come on home.

MAKO-1: This is Mako-1 and I am outta here. . .

End of transmission.

[Grid Iron]

Wild Card Playoffs

In an effort to allow FOFCers to follow their favorite teams through the playoffs, I will be posting short summaries of each game.

Game 1: Atlanta Falcons (9-7) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

The Falcons could only manage two touchdowns off of interceptions, falling to the Vikings by a score of 17-14.

Game 2: Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)

The Dolphins had three interceptions on the day and returned one for a touchdown in a 28-20 victory over the Bengals.

Game 3: Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) at Tennessee Titans (11-5)

Tennesee S Ben Delrio had 13 tackles (10 solos, 3 assist) and two interceptions, one of which was returned 60 yards for a touchdown, as Tennessee held on to beat Kansas City 24-23.

Game 4: New Orleans Saints (9-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

New Orleans K Ian Skerritt nailed a 21-yard field goal with 12 seconds on the clock to lift the Saints over the Bucs by a score of 17-15.

[Grid Iron]

Divisional Playoffs

In an effort to allow FOFCers to follow their favorite teams through the playoffs, I will be posting short summaries of each game.

Game 1: Minnesota Vikings (11-6) at Arizona Cardinals (10-6)

The Vikings rallied for 24 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Cardinals 34-27.

Game 2: New Orleans Saints (10-7) at San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

The San Francisco defense had four interceptions and QB Martin Cunningham had another great game (18 of 30 for 192 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) as the 49ers beat the Saints 24-8.

Game 3: Tennessee Titans (12-5) at New York Jets (12-4)

The New Jersey DE Bryan Joseph had three sacks and the Titans’ quarterback was intercepted three times as the Jets prevailed 16-6.

Game 4: Miami Dolphins (12-5) at Nebraska Blizzards (15-1)

The game is coming up!

[Grid Iron]

Blizzards win OT thriller 16-13!

Nebraska advances to fourth consecutive AFC Championship

December 14, 2024


Lincoln, Nebraska (Ticker) – Nebraska K Eugene Rhodes tied the game on a 38-yard field goal as time expired in regulation and then nailed the game-winner from 24 yards out with 5:08 left in overtime as the Blizzards survived the Miami Dolphins by a score of 16-13.

“That was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever played,” said DE Willie Norris whose 22 tackles set a new NFL playoff record. “You can never count us out, even when things look hopeless.”

Things certainly did look hopeless for the Blizzards late in the game. The Nebraska offense struggled throughout the day after starting QB Moran Sweeney left the game early in the first quarter due to injury, but the Blizzards were clinging to a 10-6 lead with just 2:20 left in the game. Unfortunately, the Nebraska defense faltered, allowing the Dolphins to drive 71 yards for a touchdown in just 1:49 to take a 13-10 lead with only 31 seconds on the clock. After a 42-yard kickoff return, however, the Blizzards went 32-yards in just 15 seconds, keyed by a 23-yard pass from backup QB Luther Sheen to WR Buddy Thomason, to set up Rhodes’ 38-yard field goal with six seconds on the clock and send the game to overtime.

In the extra session, disaster struck immediately when Luther Sheen fumbled after being sacked, giving Miami a first-down at the Nebraska 31. Incredibly, however, the Dolphins chose to throw the ball on the very next play and CB Everett Blackwood intercepted it at the Nebraska 18.

The teams exchanged punts on their next two possessions, but Nebraska finally broke through on a 25-yard pass from Luther Sheen to WR Morion Clemons, seven rushes by RB Jerome Sweeney for 28 yards, and a five-yard illegal use of the hands penalty, to allow Eugene Rhodes to kick his 24-yard game-winning field goal with 5:14 on the clock.

Box Score: Miami Dolphins at Nebraska Blizzards.  
  
Attendance: 75,000 (75,000), No-Shows: 0.  
  
Weather: 18 degrees, fair.  
  
1Q: 07:11 MIA - Chris Estevez 32 field goal.  
3Q: 02:50 MIA - Chris Estevez 50 field goal.  
4Q: 09:19 NEB - Morion Clemons 6 pass from Luther Sheen.  
4Q: 09:19 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
4Q: 02:20 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 18 field goal.  
4Q: 00:31 MIA - Thabiti Mattos 5 pass from Tracy Kelly.  
4Q: 00:31 MIA - Chris Estevez extra point.  
4Q: 00:00 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 38 field goal.  
OT: 05:08 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 24 field goal.  
  
Game MVP: NEB 94 Willie Norris  
  
Miami             3      0      3      7      0      -      13  
Nebraska          0      0      0      13     3      -      16  
  
Team Statistics          MIA           NEB  
  
First Downs              18            25  
  
Rushes                   33            42  
Rushing Yards            147           199  
Yards Per Carry          4.4           4.7  
  
Pass Attempts            31            30  
Completions              17            17  
Passing Yards            158           272  
Yards Per Attempt        5.0           9.0  
Sacked                   2             2  
Yards Lost               12            14  
Net Passing Yards        146           258  
  
Interceptions            1             0  
Fumbles/Lost             0/0           1/1  
  
Total Plays              66            74  
Total Yards              293           457  
Yards Per Play           4.4           6.1  
  
3rd Down Plays           3/14          3/13  
  
Penalties                5             10  
Penalty Yards            30            104  
  
Time Of Possession       32:05         37:47  
  
Miami Dolphins Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
22 Poole                 29     119    4.1    14     0  
33 Craig                 2      13     6.5    12     0  
13 Kelly                 1      8      8.0    8      0  
86 Mattos                1      7      7.0    7      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
13 Kelly                 31     17     158    5.0    40     1      1  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
80 Jenkins               3      18     6.0    6      0  
88 Diaz                  3      18     6.0    7      0  
86 Mattos                3      28     9.3    16     1  
33 Craig                 2      7      3.5    6      0  
89 Long                  2      20     10.0   13     0  
22 Poole                 2      13     6.5    7      0  
85 Filer                 2      54     27.0   40     0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
36 Blades                2      10     5.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
36 Blades                1      34     34.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
19 Wilkins               7      288    41.1   51     3  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
9 Estevez                2      3      50     1      1  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
46 Terrell               13     1      0.0    0      0      0  
50 Kohler                9      5      0.0    0      0      0  
56 McCreary              7      1      0.0    0      0      0  
98 Compton               6      1      2.0    0      0      0  
92 Poole                 4      2      0.0    0      0      0  
34 Blake                 4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
99 Halas                 3      5      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Fitzgerald            3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
40 Towne                 3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
94 Witte                 3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
52 Harmon                2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
28 Burroughs             2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
76 Crane                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
49 Irwin                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
88 Diaz                  1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
57 Stubbs                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
86 Mattos                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
96 Malone                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
39 Zaccardelli           1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
57 Stubbs                0      0      0      1      1  
72 Stultz                0      0      0      3      1  
63 Strong                0      0      0      2      0  
89 Long                  0      0      0      2      0  
74 Maldonado             0      0      0      2      0  
76 Crane                 0      0      0      2      0  
33 Craig                 0      0      0      1      0  
99 Halas                 0      1      0      0      0  
  
Nebraska Blizzards Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
43 Sweeney               30     165    5.5    24     0  
10 Sheen                 7      34     4.8    8      0  
45 Reid                  5      0      0.0    10     0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
10 Sheen                 29     16     256    8.8    28     1      0  
15 Sweeney               1      1      16     16.0   16     0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
88 Thomason              6      110    18.3   28     0  
80 Donovan               3      37     12.3   18     0  
81 Clemons               3      42     14.0   25     1  
86 Zeigler               2      32     16.0   16     0  
83 Clinton               1      26     26.0   26     0  
45 Reid                  1      8      8.0    8      0  
85 Franz                 1      17     17.0   17     0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Franz                 3      12     4.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Franz                 3      87     29.0   0  
27 Mangum                2      21     10.5   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
12 Bunyan                8      335    41.8   50     2  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
8 Rhodes                 3      3      38     1      1  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
94 Norris                22     0      0.0    0      0      0  
55 Thelwell              12     1      0.0    0      0      0  
34 Osborne               4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
37 Blackwood             3      2      0.0    1      0      0  
42 Long                  3      2      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Brenner               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
50 Dishman               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Phipps                1      0      2.0    0      0      0  
27 Mangum                1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
69 Jefferson             1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Reid                  1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
46 O'Neil                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Butler                0      3      0.0    0      0      0  
33 Francis               0      2      0.0    0      0      0  
95 Schwartz              0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
69 Jefferson             0      0      0      1      1  
76 Windsor               0      0      0      3      1  
80 Donovan               0      0      0      2      0  
67 Moore                 0      0      0      2      0  
68 Hanson                0      0      0      2      0  
62 Grembowski            0      0      0      2      0  
10 Sheen                 1      0      0      0      0

[Marmel]

Boooo!

What happened? Where there crawfish with lasers instead of claws on the boat?


oops, wrong dynasty.

[Grid Iron]

Entry from Grid Iron's Journal

December 15, 2024


Well, I'm back in the United States on a Greyhound bus to Lincoln. This ride is much nicer than the one I took in Mexico. I was going to take the fishing boat to Ensenada, but I came down with a severe flu while we were stopped in Cabo San Lucas. I was too sick to go back out to sea, so I stayed while the boat headed north to Ensenada.

I traveled for several days on buses and hoped to meet the crew when they arrived in Ensenada, but the boat never came into port. They must have found some good fishing out there and didn't want to come in yet.

After two days in Ensenada, I took another bus to the border, where I crossed without anyone noticing me. I picked up the Greyhound in San Diego.

I've been riding on this bus for three days so far, and I'll be back in Lincoln tomorrow!

[Grid Iron]

Originally posted by Marmel
Boooo!

What happened? Where there crawfish with lasers instead of claws on the boat?

LOL!

[Grid Iron]

Conference Championships

In an effort to allow FOFCers to follow their favorite teams through the playoffs, I will be posting short summaries of each game.

NFC Championship: Minnesota Vikings (12-6) at San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

San Francisco QB Martin Cunningham was 21 of 29 for 196 yards, four touchdowns and one interception as the 49ers clinched the NFC Championship 36-21.

AFC Championship: New York Jets (13-4) at Nebraska Blizzards (16-1)

The New York Jets face the Blizzards in the AFC Championship for the second consecutive year. The game is coming up, so stay tuned!

[Grid Iron]

Blizzards ground Jets 27-7!

Nebraska will play in fourth consecutive Super Bowl

December 21, 2024


Lincoln, Nebraska (Ticker) – RB Jerome Sweeney rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns and the Nebraska defense allowed just 171 total yards as the Blizzards cruised to a 27-7 AFC Championship victory over the Jets.

“We’re going for the four-peat plain and simple,” said Jerome, who was named the AFC Championship MVP for the third consecutive year. “When we get on a roll, we’re unstoppable.”

The game was close at first with Nebraska holding on to a 3-0 lead at halftime, the home team’s only points coming on a 26-yard field goal late in the second quarter. After the intermission, however, the Blizzards scored two touchdowns to take a 17-0 lead. The Jets pulled to within 10 points at 17-7 with 10:54 left in the game, but the Blizzards extinguished any chance of a comeback by responding with a touchdown and a field goal to clinch the victory.

Box Score: New Jersey Jets at Nebraska Blizzards.  
  
Attendance: 75,000 (75,000), No-Shows: 0.  

Weather: 21 degrees, fair.  
  
2Q: 06:41 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 26 field goal.  
3Q: 07:09 NEB - Jerome Sweeney 3 run.  
3Q: 07:09 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
4Q: 14:51 NEB - Courtney Donovan 15 pass from Moran Sweeney.  
4Q: 14:51 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
4Q: 10:54 NJY - Claude Tavares 5 pass from Nick Tubbs.  
4Q: 10:54 NJY - Lance Dunlap extra point.  
4Q: 02:42 NEB - Jerome Sweeney 16 run.  
4Q: 02:42 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
4Q: 00:11 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 36 field goal.  
  
Game MVP: NEB 43 Jerome Sweeney  
  
New Jersey        0      0      0      7      -      7  
Nebraska          0      3      7      17     -      27  
  
Team Statistics          NJY           NEB  
  
First Downs              9             19  
  
Rushes                   20            38  
Rushing Yards            29            196  
Yards Per Carry          1.4           5.1  
  
Pass Attempts            32            27  
Completions              13            20  
Passing Yards            154           210  
Yards Per Attempt        4.8           7.7  
Sacked                   2             3  
Yards Lost               12            17  
Net Passing Yards        142           193  
  
Interceptions            1             0  
Fumbles/Lost             1/1           0/0  
  
Total Plays              54            68  
Total Yards              171           389  
Yards Per Play           3.1           5.7  
  
3rd Down Plays           3/14          5/15  
  
Penalties                4             9  
Penalty Yards            20            65  
  
Time Of Possession       21:34         38:26  
  
New Jersey Jets Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
21 Dunaway               13     13     1.0    10     0  
25 Morse                 3      1      0.3    7      0  
3 Tubbs                  2      4      2.0    2      0  
28 Douglas               1      5      5.0    5      0  
32 Maloney               1      6      6.0    6      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
3 Tubbs                  31     13     154    4.9    64     1      1  
7 Yepremian              1      0      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
82 Sawyer                4      33     8.2    9      0  
89 Olivarez              3      25     8.3    9      0  
87 Offutt                2      10     5.0    8      0  
80 Tavares               2      20     10.0   15     1  
21 Dunaway               1      2      2.0    2      0  
85 Novotny               1      64     64.0   64     0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Novotny               3      23     7.6    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
20 Rohde                 4      76     19.0   0  
85 Novotny               1      24     24.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
14 Lay                   8      349    43.6   52     3  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
6 Dunlap                 0      0      0      1      1  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
50 Abbey                 8      2      1.0    0      0      0  
44 Maloney               7      2      0.0    0      0      0  
23 Platt                 6      2      0.0    0      0      0  
20 Rohde                 6      0      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Snell                 4      0      1.0    0      0      0  
54 Norgard               4      2      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Joseph                3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
51 Benedict              3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
96 Robbins               3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
99 Joseph                3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
97 Lynch                 2      1      1.0    0      0      0  
95 Freeman               2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
42 Lamb                  2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
58 Palutke               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Estep                 1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
32 Maloney               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
48 Berlin                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
64 Hitchcock             1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
57 Westbrook             1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
63 Douglas               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
80 Tavares               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
38 Willis                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Bailey                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
70 Alderman              0      0      0      1      1  
53 McDaniels             0      0      0      0      1  
87 Offutt                0      0      0      1      0  
32 Maloney               1      0      0      0      0  
72 Schneider             0      0      0      1      0  
  
Nebraska Blizzards Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
43 Sweeney               25     136    5.4    31     2  
15 Sweeney               6      34     5.6    9      0  
49 Woodard               4      13     3.2    9      0  
83 Clinton               1      8      8.0    8      0  
25 Godwin                1      1      1.0    1      0  
35 Woodard               1      4      4.0    4      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
15 Sweeney               27     20     210    7.7    27     1      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
83 Clinton               7      64     9.1    17     0  
80 Donovan               5      42     8.4    16     1  
88 Thomason              5      75     15.0   27     0  
35 Woodard               2      20     10.0   11     0  
81 Clemons               1      9      9.0    9      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Franz                 4      45     11.2   0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
27 Mangum                1      12     12.0   0  
85 Franz                 1      24     24.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
12 Bunyan                7      243    34.7   44     1  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
8 Rhodes                 2      3      36     3      3  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
94 Norris                10     0      1.0    0      0      0  
55 Thelwell              4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
42 Long                  4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Mangum                3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Butler                2      2      0.0    1      4      0  
34 Osborne               2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Brenner               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
97 Shea                  2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
58 Shaw                  2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Phipps                1      1      1.0    0      0      0  
95 Schwartz              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
25 Godwin                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
81 Clemons               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
62 Grembowski            1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
35 Woodard               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
57 Toledo                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
45 Reid                  1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
90 Yiu                   0      2      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
35 Woodard               0      0      0      0      1  
62 Grembowski            0      0      0      4      1  
76 Windsor               0      0      0      6      0  
67 Moore                 0      0      0      1      1  
27 Mangum                0      1      0      0      0  
68 Hanson                0      0      0      1      0  
69 Jefferson             0      0      0      1      0

[Grid Iron]

Grid Iron is back!

Blizzards GM awakes from coma

December 22, 2024


Lincoln, Neb. (AP) -- Grid Iron, General Manager of the Nebraska Blizzards, awoke from a year-long coma, his wife announced today at their home in Lincoln. "I'm just happy to have him home," she said as tears rolled down her face. "I thought I'd never get him back."

"It was an incredible ordeal," Iron said. He declined to give details on what he felt or experienced during the coma. "I'm just glad to be back."

[Grid Iron]

To: [email protected]
Subject: Grid Iron
Date: December 23, 2024
From: [email protected]

It appears your aerial strike destroyed the boat, but missed the target. He must have jumped ship at an earlier port.

This is very, very bad. However, I have an idea of how to get those computers back . . .

[Grid Iron]

Super Four-peat!

Blizzards crush 49ers 48-7 in NFL Championship

December 28, 2024


Lincoln, NE (Ticker) – Nebraska QB Moran Sweeney was 22 of 34 for 308 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Blizzards crushed the San Francisco 49ers to win their fourth consecutive Super Bowl by a score of 48-7.

“I guess I picked the right day to have one of my best games of the year,” said Moran Sweeney, who won his second career Super Bowl MVP award and won his fifth NFL Championship. “We’re 13-0 in the playoffs with four Super Bowl rings over the last four seasons, what more can I say?”

The scoring began with a one-yard touchdown run by RB Jerome Sweeney in the first quarter. Moran Sweeney, not to be outdone by his brother, followed that up with a touchdown pass early in the second quarter to make the score 14-0. CB Everett Blackwood then picked off San Francisco QB Martin Cunningham and took it 40 yards for a score, putting Nebraska up 21-0. The 49ers responded with a touchdown drive of their own, but Jerome Sweeney ran seven yards off right tackle with 50 seconds left in the half to give Nebraska a 28-7 at the intermission.

The massacre continued in the second half as Moran Sweeney threw two more touchdowns and K Eugene Rhodes added two field goals to finish the scoring. The defense played incredibly well by holding the 49ers to a single touchdown and recording three interceptions and five sacks on the day.

Box Score: San Francisco Niners at Nebraska Blizzards.  
  
Attendance: 75,000 (75,000), No-Shows: 0.  
  
Weather: 24 degrees, fair.  
  
1Q: 05:56 NEB - Jerome Sweeney 1 run.  
1Q: 05:56 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
2Q: 14:04 NEB - Jerome Sweeney 5 pass from Moran Sweeney.  
2Q: 14:04 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
2Q: 07:27 NEB - Everett Blackwood 40 interception return.  
2Q: 07:27 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
2Q: 04:04 SFO - Karon Applewhite 25 pass from Martin Cunningham.  
2Q: 04:04 SFO - Sam Brewer extra point.  
2Q: 00:41 NEB - Jerome Sweeney 7 run.  
2Q: 00:41 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
3Q: 11:47 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 29 field goal.  
3Q: 08:01 NEB - Buddy Thomason 10 pass from Moran Sweeney.  
3Q: 08:01 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
3Q: 04:52 NEB - Fred Woodard 5 pass from Moran Sweeney.  
3Q: 04:52 NEB - Eugene Rhodes extra point.  
4Q: 04:02 NEB - Eugene Rhodes 42 field goal.  
  
Game MVP: NEB 15 Moran Sweeney  
  
San Francisco     0      7      0      0      -      7  
Nebraska          7      21     17     3      -      48  
  
Team Statistics          SFO           NEB  
  
First Downs              13            29  
  
Rushes                   16            30  
Rushing Yards            81            135  
Yards Per Carry          5.0           4.5  
  
Pass Attempts            37            40  
Completions              21            26  
Passing Yards            236           363  
Yards Per Attempt        6.3           9.0  
Sacked                   5             3  
Yards Lost               29            19  
Net Passing Yards        207           344  
  
Interceptions            3             0  
Fumbles/Lost             1/1           2/1  
  
Total Plays              58            73  
Total Yards              288           479  
Yards Per Play           4.9           6.5  
  
3rd Down Plays           3/12          4/11  
  
Penalties                10            5  
Penalty Yards            70            43  
  
Time Of Possession       27:03         32:57  
  
San Francisco Niners Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
27 Peters                8      69     8.6    21     0  
36 Lewis                 4      1      0.2    3      0  
15 Cunningham            2      8      4.0    5      0  
41 Reese                 2      3      1.5    3      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
15 Cunningham            24     13     183    7.6    55     1      2  
2 Ingram                 8      4      28     3.5    8      0      1  
6 Harding                5      4      25     5.0    7      0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
80 Bradford              10     85     8.5    17     0  
84 Applewhite            3      89     29.6   55     1  
83 McPhee                2      17     8.5    10     0  
85 Elliott               2      14     7.0    8      0  
27 Peters                2      14     7.0    8      0  
36 Lewis                 1      10     10.0   10     0  
82 Jeffries              1      7      7.0    7      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
82 Jeffries              1      8      8.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
36 Lewis                 3      63     21.0   0  
82 Jeffries              3      72     24.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
9 Morrison               7      312    44.5   56     2  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
7 Brewer                 0      0      0      1      1  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
56 Dominquez             12     2      0.0    0      0      0  
54 Houston               6      2      0.0    0      0      0  
37 Zelenka               5      2      0.0    0      0      0  
55 Newhart               4      2      0.0    0      0      0  
35 Summers               4      1      0.0    0      0      0  
32 Moseley               4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
90 McNeil                3      0      2.0    0      0      0  
49 Abernathy             3      1      0.0    0      0      0  
92 Kitchens              3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
46 Tylski                2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
21 Stavros               2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
65 Rubisch               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Fletcher              2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
41 Reese                 2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Sanders               1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
83 McPhee                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
73 Henson                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
82 Jeffries              1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
67 Lyons                 1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
95 Shea                  1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
94 McIntyre              0      0      1.0    0      0      0  
51 Barton                0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
39 Couch                 0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
67 Lyons                 0      0      0      0      1  
69 Shelton               0      0      0      0      1  
73 Henson                0      0      0      0      2  
59 Banks                 0      0      0      2      0  
65 Rubisch               0      0      0      0      1  
52 Watson                0      0      0      1      0  
63 Schultz               0      0      0      1      0  
93 Fletcher              0      1      0      0      0  
36 Lewis                 1      0      0      0      0  
78 Cuomo                 0      0      0      1      0  
  
Nebraska Blizzards Individual Statistics  
  
Rushing                  Att    Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
43 Sweeney               13     27     2.0    12     2  
49 Woodard               8      63     7.8    26     0  
15 Sweeney               6      38     6.3    8      0  
25 Godwin                3      7      2.3    4      0  
  
Passing                  Att    Comp   Yards  Yd/Att Long   TD     Int  
15 Sweeney               34     22     308    9.0    48     3      0  
10 Sheen                 6      4      55     9.1    29     0      0  
  
Receiving                Catch  Yards  Avg    Long   TD  
83 Clinton               5      68     13.6   25     0  
88 Thomason              5      86     17.2   29     1  
80 Donovan               4      66     16.5   20     0  
35 Woodard               4      43     10.7   13     1  
81 Clemons               3      74     24.6   48     0  
43 Sweeney               2      6      3.0    5      1  
26 McMahan               2      13     6.5    11     0  
89 Fryar                 1      7      7.0    7      0  
  
Punt Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
85 Franz                 4      32     8.0    0  
  
Kick Returns             Att    Yards  Avg    TD  
27 Mangum                1      14     14.0   0  
85 Franz                 1      22     22.0   0  
  
Punting                  Punts  Yards  Avg    Long   In20  
12 Bunyan                3      133    44.3   49     1  
  
Kicking                  FG     FGA    Long   PAT    Att  
8 Rhodes                 2      3      42     6      6  
  
Defense                  Tackle Assist Sack   Int    IntYds IntTD  
58 Shaw                  6      0      0.0    0      0      0  
27 Mangum                4      2      0.0    2      15     0  
55 Thelwell              4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
97 Shea                  4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
46 O'Neil                4      0      0.0    0      0      0  
81 Clemons               3      0      0.0    0      0      0  
93 Phipps                2      0      2.5    0      0      0  
95 Schwartz              2      2      0.0    0      0      0  
33 Francis               2      1      0.0    0      0      0  
42 Long                  2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
34 Osborne               2      0      0.0    0      0      0  
94 Norris                1      0      1.0    0      0      0  
37 Blackwood             1      0      0.0    1      40     1  
50 Dishman               1      1      0.0    0      0      0  
29 Butler                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
25 Godwin                1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
49 Woodard               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
91 Brenner               1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
69 Jefferson             1      0      0.0    0      0      0  
99 Ervin                 0      0      1.0    0      0      0  
90 Yiu                   0      0      0.5    0      0      0  
57 Toledo                0      1      0.0    0      0      0  
  
Miscellaneous            Fumb   Recov  MiscTD KeyRBlk SckAlwd  
77 Coyle                 0      0      0      1      1  
69 Jefferson             0      0      0      1      2  
67 Moore                 0      0      0      3      0  
76 Windsor               0      0      0      3      0  
68 Hanson                0      0      0      1      0  
10 Sheen                 1      0      0      0      0  
55 Thelwell              0      1      0      0      0  
94 Norris                0      1      0      0      0  
85 Franz                 1      0      0      0      0

[Grid Iron]

Jets’ Dunaway wins MVP award!

December 29, 2024


New York Jets RB Archie Dunaway won league MVP honors for the third consecutive year after rushing for 1,563 yards (2nd) and 14 touchdowns (T-1st). He also caught 31 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Dunaway, the Seattle Seahawks’ first-round pick (4th overall) in 2014 out of Kentucky, is sixth on the all-time rushing list with 15,548 yards.

[Grid Iron]

2024 Season Review

2024 was another awesome season for the Blizzards as the team won a fourth consecutive Super Bowl. Nebraska quarterback Moran Sweeney set a franchise record with 41 touchdown passes and won his second Super Bowl MVP award. Moran's brother, running back Jerome Sweeney, rushed for 1,841 yards to win his fourth Offensive Player of the Year Award in five years.

Final Division Standings

                        W   L   T   Pct   PF    PA    Div     Conf   
Nebraska                15  1   0   .938  464   248   10-0-0  13-0-0    
Kansas City             9   7   0   .563  370   286   5-5-0   7-6-0     
Seattle                 7   9   0   .438  261   333   7-3-0   7-6-0     
Oakland                 6   10  0   .375  336   397   2-8-0   4-9-0     
Denver                  5   11  0   .313  275   316   4-6-0   5-8-0     
San Diego               5   11  0   .313  282   379   2-8-0   3-10-0                  
  
Schedule

Week      Opponent                        Result    Attend    No-Shows
Week 1    Denver Broncos                  W, 17-3   93,600    1,900       
Week 2    OAKLAND RAIDERS                 W, 42-37  75,000    1,500       
Week 3    San Diego Chargers              W, 38-19  50,200    6,400       
Week 4    New Jersey Jets                 W, 35-17  89,900    0           
Week 5    OPEN                              
Week 6    San Francisco Niners            L, 26-31  56,800    6,500       
Week 7    SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                W, 20-11  75,000    1,500       
Week 8    SAN DIEGO CHARGERS              W, 31-6   75,000    0           
Week 9    GREENVILLE (SC) BOBCATS         W, 28-23  75,000    1,500       
Week 10   Oakland Raiders                 W, 30-7   54,500    3,400       
Week 11   New Orleans Saints              W, 24-13  75,700    4,200       
Week 12   DENVER BRONCOS                  W, 37-20  75,000    700         
Week 13   Seattle Seahawks                W, 34-7   54,300    1,000       
Week 14   KANSAS CITY CHIEFS              W, 10-7   75,000    0           
Week 15   PITTSBURGH STEELERS             W, 34-27  75,000    3,700       
Week 16   ATLANTA FALCONS                 W, 34-6   75,000    0           
Week 17   Kansas City Chiefs              W, 24-14  63,900    4,500
Division  MIAMI DOLPHINS                  W, 16-13  75,000    0           
Conf.     NEW JERSEY JETS                 W, 27-7   75,000    0           
S. Bowl   SAN FRANCISCO NINERS            W, 48-7   75,000    0 

Avg. Home Attendance: 75,000 of 75,000 (100.0%)

Team Stats
  
Record: 15-1-0
Winning Pct.: .938
   
Offensive Totals        Stat    Rank
Rushes                  597     1
Rushing Yards           2676    1         
Yards Per Carry         4.4     4 (T)     
Pass Attempts           484     24     
Completions             281     16(T)       
Passing Yards           3549    15        
Yards Per Attempt       7.3     10(T)         
3rd Down Conversion %   42.0    2
Points For              29.0    1
Giveaways               26      29
Turnover Margin         +12     3
   
Defensive Totals        Stat    Rank 
Rushes                  428     2 
Rushing Yards           2057    29      
Yards Per Carry         4.8     35(T) 
Pass Attempts           514     27(T)  
Completions             235     1
Passing Yards           2773    1   
Yards Per Attempt       5.3     1        
3rd Down Conversion %   30.5    5
Points Against          15.5    1
Takeaways               38      2

Statistical Leaders

Passing               GP  GS  Pos  Att  Cmp  Yds  TD  Int  Rate
Sweeney, Moran        16  16  QB   484  281  3549 41  17   94.5

Rushing               GP  GS  Pos  Att  Yds  Avg  Lg  TD  
Sweeney, Jerome       16  16  RB   368  1841 5.0  80  8
   
Receiving             GP  GS  Pos  Ctch Yds  Avg  Lg  TD
Zeigler, Herb         14  12  WR   51   759  14.8 75  5
Thomason, Buddy       16  8   WR   50   714  14.2 43  10
Clinton, Vince        12  12  WR   55   690  12.5 23  9
Donovan, Courtney     15  15  TE   56   688  12.5 23  9
 
Punt Returns          GP  GS  Pos  PR   Yds  Avg  TD
Franz, Richards*      16  0   WR   23   173  7.5  0

Kick Returns          GP  GS  Pos  KR   Yds  Avg  TD
Franz, Richard*       16  0   WR   23   565  24.5 0

Punting               GP  GS  Pos  Punt Yds  Avg  Lg  In20
Bunyan, Kenny         16  0   P    80   3302 41.2 64  27

Kicking               GP  GS  Pos  FG   FGA  Long PAT Att
Rhodes, Eugene        16  0   K    20   21   46   54  56

Defense               GP  GS  Pos  Tckl Asst Sack Int IRYd TD 
Thelwell, Tevita      16  16  LB   94   24   0.5  1   16   0
Norris, Willie        13  13  DE   76   6    5.5  0   0    0
Phipps, Phillip       16  16  DE   49   11   14.5 0   0    0
Mangum, Charles       14  14  S    45   10   0.0  5   54   0
Blackwood, Everett    16  0   CB   41   15   0.0  10  318  2
Riall, Butler         13  13  S    28   7    0.0  5   171  3

Blocking              GP  GS  Pos  KRB  KRO  BPct SkA
Moore, Julio          16  16  C    44   133  33.0 10
Windsor, Lamont       16  16  G    44   112  39.2 3

* = Rookie

Awards

QB Moran Sweeney (Super Bowl MVP, First Team)
RB Jerome Sweeney (Offesive Player of the Year, First Team)
TE Courtney Donovan (First Team)
C Julio Moore (First Team)
G Lamont Windsor (First Team)
DE Phillip Phipps (Second Team)
CB Everett Blackwood (First Team)

Finances

                 2023       2024     Chng
Revenue         $372.3M    $615.3M  + 65%
Cost            $302.3M    $336.5M  + 11%
Profit          $ 70.1M    $279.8M  +298%

[Grid Iron]

Transcript of 911 Call

December 31, 2024


GRID IRON: Hello, this is Jack Iron.

DISPATCH: What’s your address, Mr. Iron?

GRID IRON: 742 Evergreen Terrace.

DISPATCH: What’s your emergency?

GRID IRON: My son is missing.

DISPATCH: Please describe him.

GRID IRON: 13 years old, about 5’3”, 120 pounds.

DISPATCH: How do you know he’s missing?

GRID IRON: I went into his room tonight . . .

DISPATCH: Go on . . .

GRID IRON: And his window was open and he was gone.

DISPATCH: Are you sure he didn’t leave on his own?

GRID IRON: I doubt it, he had a very bad cold . . .

DISPATCH: I’ll put out a bulletin for him and send an officer to your home to take a report.

GRID IRON: Thank you very much, my wife and I are so worried.

DISPATCH: No problem. I’m sure he’s fine, sir.

GRID IRON: Thank you.

End of call.

[Grid Iron]

To: [email protected]
Subject: Our mutual interests
Date: December 31, 2024
From: [email protected]

Mr. Iron, we have never met but I think we should meet.

You see, you have something I want very, very much.

And, as luck would have it, I have something that I am sure you want back very, very soon . . .

[StanGunner]

bad..bad..very bad...

[Grid Iron]

Stay tuned for 2025 . . . Coming up in a few days!

[Marmel]

bump. It has been a month, that is not nice.

[Grid Iron]

Sorry about the delay. My work schedule is packed for the next two months. So, the Blizzards dynasty is going on an extended hiatus. Hopefully, I'll start up again early June.

[Marmel]

No problem, as long as this cliff-hanger has an ending.

[Kodos]

Originally posted by Grid Iron
Sorry about the delay. My work schedule is packed for the next two months. So, the Blizzards dynasty is going on an extended hiatus. Hopefully, I'll start up again early June.

I hate extended hiati...

[Marmel]

bump.

Your fans have not forgotten Mr. Grid Iron.

[Grid Iron]

Wow! It's been so long since my last entry. Thanks for the interest!

I've been working alot and just got back from a three-week vacation. If I'm not in trial next week, I should be able to post one or two seasons.

[StanGunner]

We await your return!!