Getting Over The Hump

When it comes to consistency in the PFL Online, no one has demonstrated it better than T.O. The BAMA (Bay Area Madden Ballers) member came into the PFL Online in its inaugural season two years ago. After losing his first four games, T.O. reeled off 10 in a row and has yet to look back.

Year one for T.O. was an uphill battle. Getting one of the lowest picks in the draft, T.O. was forced to take the lowly Bengals. But it didn't take him long to prove that old adage true that "its not the team, its the scheme." After reeling off 10 in a row, T.O. took control of the AFC North and played his way to the AFC Championship Game. But as the playoffs unfolded, it was noticed that the Colts, who T.O. was preparing to play for the title game, win-loss record was incorrect. And after research it was found that the Colts should have never made the playoffs. An official protest was filed by one of the teams that lost to the Colts, resulting in those games being forfeited. That threw off the seeding in the AFC, which meant, the games had to be replayed. Instead of playing the AFC championship, T.O. found himself having to face Mike Dixon in the divisional round. Unfortunately for T.O., Dixon upset T.O.'s Bengals, knocking him out of not only the playoffs, but the AFC title game.

T.O. to the Jags? 3rd & Long has the Jags #1 in the AFC South on his board.

"What impressed me about T.O. is that he showed class and sportsmanship through that whole ordeal," stated PFL Online Commissioner The Swammi. "He could have protested after he loss, or refused to the play the game, but he understood the circumstance, and never once whinced. That shows not only the caliber of baller he is but the quality person. We are proud to have him in the league."

After that disappointing set back, T.O. regrouped for the 2003 season. This time, there was no slow start. As a matter of fact, T.O. went through the entire PFL Online season undefeated. It was a dominating performance for T.O. and his Broncos. Clinton Portis ran roughshod through the league capturing the rushing title, while T.O. totally outplayed and outclassed the rest of the division.

In his second year, he was back in the conference championship game. This time, there would be no slips ups. And the underdog T.O. would slide past the favorite Jay Kearney and into the Superbowl to take on undefeated Lou Tillery.

The two played a fabulous championship game, nip and tuck until late in the 3rd when Tillery broke the game wide open and went on to win.

For T.O. he was that much closer. 2003 was the year he would have to settle for bridesmaid ....runner up.

What will 2004 bring? At 17, there are some teams out there that T.O. can do some damage with. Teams such as Bengals, Bills, Dolphins, Jags, Broncos
or Bucs are likely to be around at 17. With a wide variety of teams available, T.O. has the flexibility to survey what division he may want to get in as well as select a team that can play to his strengths. And each of the aforementioned teams with the exception of the Bucs can all run the football, which was T.O.'s specialty last season. There were some games last season where the AFC Champion passed for no more than 7-9 attempts.

The question this year for the defending conference champ is, will this be the year he makes it over the hump? Can he not only make it to the big dance, but bring home the prettiest girl?

The answers begin Tuesday ....I can't wait!