Is Curly, Top Dog?
By The Swammi, special to thePFL.com

A dream weekend for Curly Top would be winning the Baltimore tournament and its 3 G's, while defeating Lou Tillery in convincing fashion. Tillery, the National Madden Champion, and currently #1 ranked baller in the world, topped "The Top" 15-13 in a game that said to be an instant classic just over a month ago in Philadelphia. Now the two are poised to meet again, this time on Top's home court in the Baltimore Tournament Finale on Saturday.

Curly Top and the Baltimore crew arrived on the MWS scene in the late fall, and they have been clammoring for respect and notoriety. What in turn has happened is the influx of a whole new group of ballers, brand new to the MWS community. The initial welcoming of this brash and vocal group of Maddenites was lukewarm at best. Some may even consider un-hospitable. Never the less, the one thing that could not be denied about our new guest, is that they shared the same passion for the game that we all share. They are venemous competitors, as we are. And they can talk with the best of them.

The ring leader of talk has been Curly Top. The comical, colorful and witty competitor has slowly become a favorite on the message board. While he may be best known for his hilarious post, he is earning his respect in the community as a top baller. Top, as he is sometimes referred to, has already won 4 tournaments on the east coast, while placing in numerous others. Oddly enough, he may have gained most of his respect via a loss. For Top to play Lou Tillery to a 15-13 game was impressive to many in the community.

For the past few weeks the message board has been "Top-less," leaving many to believe Curly Top is deep in the lab conjuring up some offense for Loru Tillery's tenacious defense in the event they meet again. "I've never seen a blitz, like Lou Tillery blitz," Top remarked on the latest edition of The Swammi Show.

For as mouthy as C-Top has been regarding his self proclaimed greatness, he has been extremely impressive in showing his class in defeat. This may have been what has been most impressive about C-Top and the entire east coast group of ballers. After literally questioning Lou Tillery's credentials as champion, and doubting his playing ability, Top showed he is a true class act by not making excuses, and showed class and sportsmanship in defeat. That is a trait that is rare in the Madden community.

All of that is good, but Top is as fierce a competitor as they come. So everyone should expect him to have an excellent showing this weekend. But if he is going to bring home the top prize, he will have to roll through some serious competition. Not only is LT going to be in town, but Candyman, Winky White, and D.C. are expected to be in attendance. Put that together with some of the other big names coming out of the north east such as Bote, Cocky Lou, Tough Tim, and Mad Guru, among others, and this should turn out to be a real hum dinger of a show down.

The showdown this weekend should should set the stage for Nationals, the Grand Daddy of them all.

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