Can you believe that the 2011 fantasy season is already over? I certainly can’t. What’s even harder to believe is that Derek reigns as the champion once again. I can honestly say that once the playoffs started, he was my personal favorite to win, but let’s take a look back to the original statements that I made after the Man League draft:

The first glance of Derek’s team I thought, holy crap, this team sucks. Then I looked at it again. Unfortunately my mind wasn’t changed. Don’t get me wrong, Drew Brees and Chris Johnson are tremendous fantasy stars, but I have a lot of doubts down the rest of the lineup. Mike Wallace is Big Ben Rapelesburger’s top target (wait he’s married now? did I just lose the best running AFC North joke?) and Austin Collie is okay, but I’m not convinced the Manning to Collie connection will be as strong this year. I definitely think that Garcon will see less targets, but I guess there is a lot of potential in other guys on this team. I’m not sure that the 3 RB look will stand, or if it’s even legal, but with Jahvid Best and the combination of Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas, that’s a LOT of receptions between those three guys. I’m still not a fan of Ryan Matthews… the kid has yet to prove anything in the NFL, and I wouldn’t be able to trust that. Zach Miller at tight end is not bad, but here’s the issue… Jason Campbell. With a terrible QB, I can’t imagine Miller having great numbers. Oh, and the Falcons defense will have a good year, I love what they’ve done to improve on an already good squad. Oh wait, I guess there’s one major caveat in the whole system here… Will C.J. even play this year? I guess if the most money ever offered to a running back isn’t enough it might take a miracle, but it should work out in the end.

Okay, before the sharks come out and attack me, take a second look at whom Derek had on this roster. Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon as starting WRs… I’m allowed to say that the team would be awful. Zach Miller had a horrible year out in Seattle. Derek deserves an award for best upgrades to his team throughout the course of the year. Of course, Foster ramped his team from a 1-4 start to a playoff squad, as did Kyler, but those guys didn’t win the Yoder.

Though it’s safe to say that Ed also made his share of fantasy moves that took his team to championship caliber, he lost, so I won’t waste the Internet space it’d take to rehash what I had originally said about the elder statesman’s team.

Going forth into the offseason, I want to give some advice out to the rest of the Man League (because obviously, as back-to-back Champ, Derek needs none):

Andrew: regular season means $$$. Championship means Yoder. Yoder > $$$.

Bubby: stay golden poneyboy.

Butch: next year’s goal – less detailed facebook updates, more detailed team plan  

Cayle: even though you made a run to the playoffs, I wouldn’t go back with the 3 WR in the first 3 rounds again. If you take 2 WR and a QB, you have a better run.

Chett: not bad for your return to fantasy football after your hiatus.

Cody: you are a disgrace to the game. If your commissioner had any respect to fantasy football, he’d deny your application for next season. Sidney Rice? Seriously?

Ed: what was it like to watch my cousin Johnny Unitas play? (Good season old man)

Foster: Great campaign in your inaugural season. Your cousin Arian saved your ass.

Jay: Bird was not the word this season. Your constant name changes and 90’s Nickelodeon references were more entertaining than any of your games.

Kyler: How about drafting a good team next year instead of trade raping your Commissioner?

Max: Tough luck getting knocked out of the playoffs by Jay and P. Rivers, will there be enough time in your schedule after graduation to devote to the league?

2011 was terrific as far as football goes as well, but I know we are all waiting on pins and needles for this Sunday. The Bengals “Win and In” scenario is more than anyone could have or would have dreamed of back in September. A long conversation I had with Commissioner Grogean (and numerous preseason podcasts, if my memory serves me right) were devoted to the Bengals “Suck for Luck” campaign, but now I don’t think anyone would trade the Red Rifle for Andrew Luck or any young QB for that matter. Oh, and congratulations to AJ Green on his Pro Bowl selection. He could make Derek Francis into a franchise QB.

Thank you all for your avid readership throughout the season. I’m going to work on my sarcasm and abusive language throughout the course of the offseason so maybe some more people will email me next year. Granted, I haven’t been able to check my email in 6 weeks because I forgot my password, but that’s another story. I’ll check in from time to time, and look forward to a post-Windsor podcast.

Great year Man League!