The Gang of New York

Here we go, the start of the season and another franchise breakdown. This year we start off with an esteemed member of the Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses. Possibly the best team ever from that division? Read on and find out.

Historical Record
If I told you that a team had only missed one playoff appearance in our long history, had four seasons of 9-4 records, two divisional titles, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship ring, wouldn't you call them the most consistently winning franchise in CTDB history (outside of the Chunky Monkeys)? The fact is that Greg's Gang Green -- formerly Green Team -- has quietly been a model of winning. Over the years, they've compiled a 60-44 record season record, and that's actually skewed because of two low mark seasons. In other words, Gang Green just wins baby.

The truly amazing thing is that the Greenies haven't had any top talent, like ever. We'll go into more detail further below but the most identifiable players for this franchise has been QB Brett Favre and WR Hines Ward. Hardly top five talent. Or even top ten. But GM Greg has kept his team well stocked with productive (but obscure) players through the waiver wire.

Looking back over Gang Green's history, they are a team of streaks. Nearly every year they start off white hot but then cool down -- or the other way around. They've almost never had up and down weeks, instead generally compiling at least a four game winning/losing streak somewhere in a season. What can account for this? A lapse in concentration when high on life? Motivational speeches when the chips are down? Whatever it is, other owners would do well to recognize and emulate Gang Green's consistently winning ways.

Core Roster
The faces of the franchise are WR Hines Ward and QB Brett Favre. Ward was acquired in the team's second season and has been the bedrock for the team. Of course, Hines has never been a top flight fantasy option, instead leading by example and always putting up consistent seasons. Favre was acquired in 2001 in a trade in exchange for WR Jimmy Smith and has usually ended up back on Gang Green even when not a keeper. Aside from those two guys, the roster history is littered with one year boomers and waiver wire wonders.

The crazy thing is that, generally speaking, GM Greg has been a terrible drafter. Check out this inaugural draft. QB Trent Green, RB Duce Staley, and RB Mike Anderson were their first three picks. Only Duce was a keeper the following year, mainly out of desperation. That first draft was rated a D+ by prognosticators. The Greenies haven't exactly done much better since either, mulching their way through studs like William Green, Anthony Thomas, Travis Henry, Kevan Barlow, Garrison Hearst, Cedric Benson, and Michael Pittman. The receivers acquired through the draft haven't been real talents either aside from Ward and TE Antonio Gates (traded away for WR Jerricho Cotchery recently). Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter didn't exactly work out eh?

Ah, but the magical Midas touch of Greg on the waiver wire. He's been able to pick up WRs like Marty Booker, Darrell Jackson, Troy Brown, Santana Moss, Bernard Berrian, and Laveranues Coles at all the right times. RB Reuben Droughns in 2004 was the FA pickup of the year. Lamont Jordan was great for one year too. Thomas Jones has been alternately great and terrible since his inclusion on the team in 2006 but seems to have found a groove recently.

The immediate future looks good for Gang Green too. A trade for Randy Moss propelled them to a championship recently and they've found a pounding ground game behind Giants RB Brandon Jacobs and Thomas Jones. Heck, Ronnie Brown might still be a potential star, although it's looking less likely with repeated injuries. Even though most of his keeper core is on the wrong side of 30, there's no doubt Greg can continue to win by mixing and matching spare pieces.

It's pretty much inevitable that Brett Favre will end up on this team, as he's worked hard to fight out challengers like Eli Manning and Philip Rivers over the years. Greg is delighted that Favre is back in the league so he can spend a late round pick on him. What Gang Green has proven is that you don't necessarily need stars to win at fantasy, as long as you're a savvy GM with quick and accurate waiver wire fingers. But man, it sure would be nice to have a few franchise talents wouldn't it? All joking aside, Gang Green has been a force to be reckoned with and will continue to be every year if their history is any indication.

Season Breakdowns
2008: 9-4; Stumbled coming out of the gate but went 8-1 (with a five game streak) to power into the playoffs, losing to eventual champions Battle Angel.
2007: 9-4; Started off 7-1 but went cold before pulling it all together for a dramatic playoff run and a tie with the Dirty Birds for the championship.
2006: 5-8; A promising beginning but then a six game losing streak left them short of the playoffs. All this despite playing easiest schedule in the league (also scored the same PF/PA at 1127.0)
2005: 9-4; Won division again but upset by Flaming Shrapnel, losing by five in a nail biter.
2004: 9-4; First divisional title also translated to an appearance in the Super Bowl, where they lost by two points to Buffy.
2003: 7-6; Started off 1-5 but lost just one game after that to get a home playoff game. Upset by Flaming Shrapnel in the first round.
2002: 7-6; Started off hot but faded down the stretch (four game losing streak), making it to the playoffs but losing in the first round.
2001: 5-8; Recovered from 3-5 start to sneak into the playoffs, although it wasn't exactly an achievement at three games under .500.

Stats
Highest Avg Game Score, Season: 104.38 (2005)
Most Points Scored, Game: 155 (2005)
Least Points Scored, Game: 46 (2001)
Best Margin of Victory, Game: 93 (2006)
Worst Margin of Defeat, Game: -114 (2004)
Longest Winning Streak, Season: 7 (2005)
Longest Losing Streak, Season: 6 (2006)