Jammed Up

Switching divisions again, here's another look at a franchise, the venerable Tiiite End Jammers!

Historical Record
For most of the early years of CTDB, the Tiiight End Jammers were one of the scariest teams on the planet. In fact, the Jammers are like the Bears of the NFL, glorious champions that once dominated the landscape with fantasy MVP's like Kurt Warner and Priest Holmes but are now looking for answers. In 2001, as the newest owner on the block, Lei showed everyone how to play this game by leading off with three straight playoff appearances that culminated in a sterling 11-2 Super Bowl winning campaign in 2003. Even before that they were a force to be reckoned with and responsible for knocking out the high powered Chunky Monkeys two consecutive times -- creating quite the rivalry in the process.

Since that glory year however, the Jammers have been hobbled by slow starts and despite one more playoff appearance in 2006, they've been only mediocre. The worst season for them turned out be 2005 when they had to rebuild wholesale and try to get over the ineffectiveness of their once legendary running game. Even still, the Jammers have to be considered one of the premier franchises around. Four playoff seasons, one championship, and only finishing more than one game out of the post-season race once. That's a high standard for success.

The Jammers have proven to be resilient and with GM Pan at the controls, they're already showing their ability to fight back. Now that all their veterans have left the team -- one sits in jail -- new stars like Tony Romo and Joseph Addai are ready to step up and lead the Jammers back to glory.

Core Roster
Any discussion of the Jammers has to begin with their running attack. While other teams have had stellar running back duos, it's arguable that none have had greater success than the pairings of Priest Holmes and Ricky Williams (2001/2002) and Priest Holmes and Ahman Green / Tiki Barber (2003/2004). Lei got all four players while they had their best statistical seasons and used them to bludgeon opponents. In Year One, QB Kurt Warner and RB Priest Holmes shared Co-MVP honors as they both tore the roof off the fantasy world. Keep in mind, Priest was the very last pick in the draft that year. THE VERY LAST PICK. James Stewart was supposed to be the Jammer's number two back. Not so much.

For the first few two years, it was the Kurt, Priest, and Ricky show as the best receivers on staff were Easy Ed McCaffrey, Jerry Rice, Keenan McCardell, and a whole succession of flameouts. The primetime trio was enough to keep things very competitive but when Warner's game slid, the passing attack fell too and the Jammers needed help, something QB replacements like Brian Griese and Drew Bledsoe couldn't quite provide. Luckily, things wouldn't stay static for long.


The identifying trait of Lei's team has always been his willingness to wheel and deal. In fact, he was part of the first trade ever in CTDB history, acquiring RB Terrell Davis for WRs Johnnie Morton and Keenan McCardell. His biggest coup came in 2003 as he moved Ricky Williams, Joe Horn, Charles Rogers, and Drew Bledsoe for Michael Vick, Marvin Harrison, and Ahman Green. Vick and Green had stellar seasons (as Ricky began his slide into a weed haze) and the Jammers had a championship. Much forgotten in that tale is how sixth months before, GM Pan had the foresight to move David Boston for Joe Horn, also creating a hugely favorable trade for himself.

After that dream season, the Jammers suffered the traditional CTDB Champion's Curse despite getting a Top Five back for free through the draft (Tiki Barber, waived by the Dirty Birds) and finding Jimmy Smith and Plaxico Burress to pair with Marvin Harrison for a stellar passing attack. As the Jammers struggled with Priest, Ahman, and Vick all slowing down the next season, their fortunes turned. By 2005, they had fully tanked to a 3-10 record. But champions don't stay down for long.

The drafting of RB Joseph Addai in 2006 was a sign of hope and the new WR receiver trio of Marvin Harrison, Darrell Jackson, and Javon Walker looked very promising. Even without another stud back to pair with the young Addai, the Jammers were on their way back up. The traditional running attack was changing into something more orientated to the forward pass as Tony Romo came on to finally give the Jammers some stability after some difficult years with the run-first Vick. The addition of the still effective Clinton Portis in 2007 was also a step forward.

It's sometimes overlooked in a division of champions how dominant the Jammers were in CTDB's early history. They continue to be defined by the success of their earlier teams even as they've quickly retooled for a bright future and another championship run. The Jammers have been a proud franchise for many years and continue to excel with their intelligence and passion for the game.

Season Breakdowns
2007: 5-8; Started 1-7 but finished one game out of the playoffs while facing the toughest schedule in the league.
2006: 7-6; Beat out Ante Up for a playoff spot but got beat down in round one by Buffy (140-71).
2005: 3-10; Second to worst record in the league, worst offensive team of the year. Seven straight losses.
2004: 5-8; Went 1-5 to start off title defense and then fell one game short of scratching their way into the playoffs.
2003: 11-2; Super Bowl winner and dominant for the entire season with a ten game winning streak, setting multiple franchise records.
2002: 7-6; Playoff team upset the Chunky Monkeys before eventually losing in the divisional championships.
2001: 8-5; Started off 5-0. A strong playoff campaign and also GM of the Year Runner Up as a rookie owner.

Stats
Highest Avg Game Score, Season: 113.20 (2003)
Most Points Scored, Game: 151 (2002)
Least Points Scored, Game: 47 (2007)
Best Margin of Victory, Game: 68 (2001)
Worst Margin of Defeat, Game: -90 (2004)
Longest Winning Streak, Season: 10 (2003)
Longest Losing Streak, Season: 7 (2005)