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30 Ballers Signed Up & Ready To Rumble
With less than a
month away the hype for the PSX National Championship of John Madden
Football is beginning to intensify. Now with heavy hitters The Creator,
P.C., T- Philly White, GIG, and Winky White signed up and confirmed,
this years tournament already boast a deeper talent pool than last.
In addition, the expected entry of Jason Lewis (MFLA), the brash confident
Pasadena Soldier and other strong leagues participants such as the DCFL,
and BDFL,further solidifies this years playing field as one much stronger
than last year. Lets take a look at the field, by leagues and free agents.
The
BDFL -
Based In Syracuse, NY - Calls themselves the Beat Down Football League
because the competition experiences the serious "beat down."
Lead by Papo Swing, they boast the deepest league in the nation, League
depth not tested yet as this is their first national tournament. Very
innovative ballers that can block EP's/Punts and perform onside kicks.
Papo guarantees that the national field will see some things never witnessed
before by Madden Ballers.
Ballers at
Nationals:
Tabasco Cat - Not much known about the skill level of the
BDFL. But they talk a strong game. Tabasco Cat has already developed
a rival in Mad Guru, as they have enjoyed several heated AIF exchanges
on Forum. Claims he posses mad skills, but still an untested baller.
Papo Swing - One of the leaders of the BDFL. Considers himself
a strong baller, but not one of the top ballers in the BDFL. Very
confident about depth of league and how well it will fair in DC.
Gary Murray - Another one of the BDFL ballers we don't know
much about, but will be in attendance.
The
BFL -
Based In Atlanta, GA - Robbie D. - Commissioner. Known as one of the
strongest leagues in the nation. Well represented in national tournament
last year. All BFL participants made it to the single elimination round
of the tournament last year. In addition, 5 of the 8 quarterfinal ballers
were from the BFL as well as 3 of the final 4.
Ballers at
Nationals:
X - New to the BFL in 2000. Recognized as a top newcomer
to the Atlanta based league. Faired decent vs. DCFL in recent visit,
but DCFL got the best of the series. Rolls with the Falcons, deadly
with Tim Dwight & Jamal Anderson.
D. Rob - Participated in national games last year. Made it
to the single elimination round before losing to the Terminator
42-38. Sound player with above average skills. Rolls with the Packers.
Very effective in the passing game,but can run effective also. Mixes
up his scheme very well to keep the defense guessing.
Lonnie "Ace" Hill - Solid "traditional"
baller in every sense of the word. Serious Madden player. Loves
the X's & O's of the game. Beware of this brother scouting your
game during the tournament, for he will have YOUR game plan mapped
out better than you. Ace made it to the final four before losing
to fellow league member Winky White in the semifinals.
Winky White - The top baller in the BFL, and perhaps one
of the best in the nation. Has won 5 straight BFL Crowns. National
Games runner up last year, lost to the Creator in the finals. White,
posses expert skills and outstanding stick control. Very flamboyant
and colorful baller who considers himself to be the Jordan of Madden
Football. White will be a force to be reckoned with this year. Notice
he has not made many post of the Forum.....this is not a good sign
for 2000 contestants. After making such brash predictions last year
and falling short in the finals, know that White is on a serious
mission.
Ron Wilborn - Played in the tourney last year. Slightly above
average skills, not one of the top ballers in the BFL, but don't
let that fool you, the BFL is a talent rich league. Reached the
single elimination tourney last season before being lambasted by
the Creator 52-28 in the first round. Moved out of the round robin
with a 2-1 record based on tie break.
The
DCFL -
Hosting Nationals - Based In Washington DC - Spokesperson - Magnetron
Ballers at
Nationals:
Mad Guru - One of the top ballers in the DCFL, has won/placed
several DCFL sponsored events. Rolls with the Cowboys.
Magnetron - Spokesperson for the DCFL, and one of the top ballers
in the DC area. Rolls with the Jags. Host the DCFL web site and sponsors
several DCFL tournaments through out the year.
The
Firm $F$
- Based In New York City, NY - GIG, main spokesperson, but other strong
ballers include Big Will and Weapon X. Traditional League much in the
same manner of a BFL. Very vocal on opinions of game play. Plays tournaments
year round rather than league based schedule.
Ballers at
Nationals:
Red Rza - Hard-core New Yorker in every sense of the word.
Loves the NY Jets. Plays a traditional smashmouth style, non custom,
solid skills. The only baller to defeat the national champ The Creator
at last year's nationals, but he failed to advance out of the round
robin. Lost a tough game to Bulldog, 24-3, and 38-35 to D. Rob.
In a tough bracket with D. Rob, Terminator and Bulldog last year,
in addition going to kickoff after an 18 hour drive. Look for the
Rizza, to be well rested this go round.
Grid Iron Ghost - One of the biggest names in Madden Balling
in the nation. Anyone that is on the net, that knows Madden Football,
knows the Ghost. Host his own web site and is a mastermind for developing
and collecting Custom Plays. Although a strong advocate against
custom plays at nationals, Grid has develop some stellar defenses,
such as the Blood, and others custom designed to defeat AI busters.
Ballers all over the nation call on Grid for tips and hints to improve
their Madden game. Grid, along with fellow Firm members Red Rza,
and Weapon X, were recognized as some of the top ballers in the
nation in the days of Sega X Band.
The
MFLA -
Based In Los Angeles, CA - Demarrio Gray - Commissioner. Premier west
coast league started by Air Attack in 1998. P.C. joined the the league
in 2000 adding credibility, expansion, and an exciting web site. Excellent
ballers in Jason Lewis, Kevin Ham, P.C. and Air Attack.
Ballers at
Nationals:
P.C. - Besides being a well skilled ballers, P.C. has been
the master mind behind the merging of the Madden Community into one
big family to develop the Madden Syndicate, or United Federation Of
Madden Ballers. Although not tested at the national scene, P.C. credentials
are well established. In a league that features Air Attack, who has
matched wits among some of the best in Teddy Brown, Big Dose, and
T Philly White to name a few, P.C. made it to the MFLA final four
before bowing out to the Superbowl runner up Kevin Ham. In addition
he has hosted several large tournaments in the Los Angeles area in
which he has finished at the top of the field. P.C. has also been
known to mix it up and hold his own with actor Morris Chestnut, who
owns a couple of Madden Bowl titles himself. Look for P.C. to make
a strong showing at nationals.
New
Orleans Ballers
- Based In New Orleans, LA - William Mitchell (Da Blister), Commissioner.
Represented by Darth Moulie at nationals last year. Darth made it to
the quarterfinals before falling to Ace Hill in a close thriller. League
loves to smack talk. Straight up southern balling.
Ballers at
Nationals:
DA Blister & Trigger Fat- Not much known about the skill
level of the New Orleans Ballers outside of Darth Moulie. One thing
we do know is that the New Orleans League gets the best Ballers Names
Award. All of their Ballers have unique nick names. The "Nawlins"
Ballers will be looking to use this tournament to make a statement
and a name for the quality and depth of their league. If these two
ball at the level of Darth Moulie, they will represent themselves
and the N. O. Ballers well.
The
PFL -
Based In Ft. Lauderdale, FL - The Swammi, , Commissioner. Perhaps the
first online PSX in the nation and one of the oldest. PFL roots go back
to 1991 with the first edition of Madden for Sega. Been online since
1997, and boast one of the most comprehensive website/league on the
net. Top ballers include reigning PFL champion James Brooks, defending
Madden Games Champ The Creator, Teddy Brown, Tom Poon, Kevin Fox, Joe
Hilton, Kwan Drake and Wayne Allen.
Ballers at
Nationals:
The Creator - Defending Madden Games champion and two time
PFL Champ. Number one in the nation until he is knocked off, and probably
the most marked man in the tournament field. Everyone wants a piece
of this guy not only because of his balling skills, but more so because
of his often controversial conversation pieces. While he didn't three-peat
in the PFL, and many considered him to have a less than stellar season,
you best not count this guy out. He didn't beat out the field last
year by luck, he can ball.......with or without custom plays.
James Brooks - Current PFL Champ, finished 15-1 in the regular
season and rolls with the Vikings. Eliminated in the round robin last
season with a 28-7 loss to Radio Man and a 35-16 loss to Winky White.
Nevertheless, Brooks retooled his game on the offseason and is playing
strong ball with the Vikings.
Teddy Brown - PFL Superbowl runner up, played at nationals
last year making it to the single elimination before being crushed
by Darth Moulie 73-19. Brown returns to the tourney this year with
Doug Flutie at the helm. Excellent defensive skills and a high power
offense is why Teddy B. should fare better this year at nationals.
The Swammi - Everyone probably wonders if The Swammi has game.
Finished 10-6 in the PFL this season, lost in the first round of the
playoffs to Tom Poon. But if last year is an indication as to whether
or not he has skillz, the answer is no. The Swamm was eliminated in
the round robin after being whitewashed by Action Jackson 17-0, and
then losing a heartbreaker to Darth Moulie 44-42. In between administrating
the the tourney and devising his game plan, The Swam hopes to surprise
a few this year. As he likes to say, "don't let the smooth taste
fool you." You figure it out.
Free
Agents/Indy's
-These ballers are from all over the nation. And while they may not
represent any particular league, most of them posses well above skills
on the sticks.
Ballers at
Nationals:
Bulldog- Lives just outside of New Orleans. One of the nicest
bro's you'll meet at the tourney. Didn't make it out of the round
robin last year, but don't let that fool you. Bulldog was competitive
in each of his games,topping Red Rza 24-3, but falling to The Creator
29-18, and D. Rob 10-3. So as you can see, The Dawg, can't be taken
lightly.
Matt P - Lives in DC, and writes and and does game reviews
for online gaming magazines. Matt has been a special correspondent
for the PFL in his visits to E-3, bringing us the first glimpse and
early previews of what the new edition of Madden will be like. Matt
speaks modestly of his game skills, saying that he does expect to
be competitive but is not sure that he can match some of the top ballers
in the nation. You have to watch out for ballers like that.......those
are the ones that surprise you!
2 Bold (Vern Taylor) - Lives in Orlando, ,and rolls with the
Cowboys. Don't be surprised to see him roll with Seattle as well.
Excellent skills, participated in nationals last year. Failed to advance
to thesingle elimination based on fluke tie rule. Three teams tied
in round robin at 2-1 and Vern loss on points. That means this year
he will be out to make sure he makes if to the big dance.
Pasadena Soldier - Lives in Vancouver, WA, and rolls with the
Cardinals. Self proclaimed top baller, but not yet tested. Looks to
make nationals a platform for his display of skills. Vows to annihilate
the competition. Very sound and fundamental ideas, uses a variety
of methods that most players are unaware of. Solid defensive strategies
using perhaps the best defensive line on the game. Aneas Williams
is another Deion at the corner. Can be lethal with David Boston, Rob
Moore and Frank Sanders. Talks a very strong game, it will be interesting
to see if his bark is as big as his bite.
The Terminator - Lives in Hattiesburg Miss., and rolls with
the Vikings. Solid Baller. Defeated D. Rob in first round of tourney
last year but lambasted in the quarter finals by Winky White. Played
in a tough division with Fox, and Fruitman. Has won several tournaments
held in the south.
The Candy Man - Lives in Houston, TX., and rolls with the Jaguars.
Another brash young gun that has declared he will win the entire tournament.
After sending an offensive e-mail to most of the field calling his
own shot to win, Candy Man took his trash talking on the road to New
Orleans to challenge the Madden Ballers of "Nawlins." He
impressed DaBlister so much with his skills, he may fall into nationals
under the umbrella of the N. O. Ballers. Apparently, The Candy Man
stroked a few of the N.O. Ballers best. Will said of his skills, "Coach
Kyle showed a mastery of his playbook that is surely to catch some
attention at nationals."
T Philly White - In the words of former EA Sports Madden Producer
Rob Jones, T Philly White is a "big time Madden Baller from New
York City." Word has it that White holds so much clout as a baller
that EA sends him demo's of the game before they released it to get
his thoughts and views on the game. Although not an official member
of The Firm $F$, White mixes it up with guys like Red Rza occasionally,
and according to guys in the NY area, brings a strong game. No question
he will be a player to watch.
Guys
We Don't Know Much About
Artist T. Young
- From Gulfport Miss, rolls with the Cardinals. Must be pretty good
if coming to nationals and playing with the Cards. Haven't heard much
from Young since he registered. Not sure whether or not he will be
in attendance.
Flex Griffin - From Montezuma, GA (where the hell is that),
and rolls with the Falcons. Says he is a member of the unheard of
Farm Boy League? Sounds a little strange to me but nevertheless, another
baller registered but not confirmed.
The Beast - From the DC area, rolls with the Dolphins. If I'm
not mistaken, The Beast has mixed it up on occasion with the DCFL.
No comments have been made on The Beast skill level, so we have no
info on him. Haven't heard or seen of him much at the forum either.
But since the tourney is in his backyard, he more than likely will
be in attendance.
The Director - New to the Madden scene, and another baller
that may not show. Rolls with the Steelers and is from Clarion, PA,
but has not confirmed his registration.
Big C - He and Wes How roll together. Planned to come to the
tourney last year, but had a change of plans at the last minute. Talked
a strong game last year but hasn't said much about his game this year.
Wanted to use updated rosters off the Dex drive, and everyone in the
field laughed at him. May not participate because of that.
Neo-Jedi Knight - From Wilson, NC, unheard of baller, but he
certainly makes the all name team. Registered as an Indy, not confirmed
but recently registered.
Brad Underwood - Just recently registered as well under the
obscure XMFL league. From Timpton, MI and maybe affiliated with Peter
Arena's league out of Michigan, but that's not certain. No indication
as to whether or not he will make the trip.
© 2000, PFL Enterprises, L.P. PFL and the
PFL shield design are registered trademarks of the Playstation Football League.
The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams
indicated.
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