Get Your Phreak On

Our favorite world traveler is finally back in the Bay and rumors have it that his new pad is decked out with multiple televisions and the NFL Sunday package. We'll send in a league spy to check the place out, on Sundays of course. The Philadelphia Phreaks have had quite the roller coaster history with CTDB. A few ups, a few downs -- a lot of downs -- but always a consistent voice and writer of awesome articles. Let's take a look shall we?

Historical Record
It hasn't been easy for the Phreaks. Just two winning records in nine years, a pair of 2-11 seasons, injuries, injuries, and more injuries. In fact, the injury bug that hits this team has often been so bad that our league has the "Phreak Curse," which is like Murphy's Law that demands "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Despite all this, the Phreaks have been to the playoffs four times and almost made the Super Bowl on two separate occasions (2002 and 2006). Through it all, the Phreaks have always been gritty, active, and full of fight.

In general, Ping's teams have generally been middle of the pack, with some epic tailspins -- eleven losses in a row in 2003 -- but also with some accompanying fireworks too. For example, in 2004, they set a then record for most points scored in a game. One year prior, they set the record for highest individual fantasy performance, 57 points by RB Clinton Portis. Most years, the Phreaks will have a few weeks of absolute blazing performances followed by an injury (or two) and then a disappointing end to the season. The only year that the Phreaks ended the regular season on an upswing was 2004, when they won three in a row but finished short of the playoffs.

Is this franchise snake bitten? Hard to say. Karma demands that what comes around goes around but the loyal Phreaks fan base have been waiting for almost a decade and they're eager for a championship. Luckily, through a fantastic 2009 draft and another well assembled running game, GM Ping is looking to give them just that this year. Let's toast to the Phreaks future success and for the many awesome articles to come from this venerable franchise.

Core Roster
No team is more aptly named than the Philadelphia Phreaks. With the name "Philadelphia" in the name, the Phreaks have declared their allegiance to the City of Brotherly Love and have had Eagles players littering the roster every year. Generally speaking, this isn't a great idea, to have every player from one franchise. In terms of the Eagles, it tends to mirror their up and down seasons. I mean, QB Donovan McNabb is one of the finest fantasy QBs in recent memory but he's also hurt quite a bit.

The true stalwarts on this roster have been Eagles Defense and David Akers. Both of these slots are always steady. The Eagles field good defenses and always have good kicking production. GM Ping often gets enamored with any young Eagles receiver and that hasn't panned out like ever. Remember Freddie Mitchell? Where's James Thrash? Donte Stallworth was okay. Kevin Curtis had two nice games. Hank Baskett is less famous than his fiance right now. In fact, the Eagles down the field passing game has always been a work in progress, and same with the Phreaks. Despite many familiar names that have come through over the years (Isaac Bruce, Keyshawn Johnson, Plaxico Burress, Santana Moss, Javon Walker, Jerry Porter, Chris Chambers, Roy Williams), the only franchise worthy WR this team has produced is TJ Houshmanzadeh, whose best years are already behind him as he was just released. The supplemental pickup of Terrell Owens this year keeps with the trend of taking veteran receivers who might be slightly past their prime.

But while the receiving corps have been mostly undistinguished, the Phreaks have been fantastic on the ground. In their inaugural season, they had Emmitt Smith and Stephen Davis past their primes but still very effective. In 2002, they hit the jackpot by drafting Jamal Lewis and trading for Clinton Portis. With these two as franchise cornerstones, the Phreaks could churn out the yards. And often did, until one or the other got hurt. Or went to jail. After those two, there was a series of swing for the fences young RB picks like Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, DeShaun Foster, and Tatum Bell before finding that little wrecking ball, Maurice Jones-Drew in 2006 and promising workhorse Marshawn Lynch in 2007. That was followed up by the selection of Darren McFadden last year and so the table is set for the Phreaks to run wild again.

The formula for the Phreaks has never changed. Have a grinding ground game, draft some Eagles receivers (this year it's DeSean Jackson), and put it all on Donovan's arm -- and health. While this hasn't always produced consistent results, it has given the Phreak fans something to cheer about and nobody has more loyalty and hope than those fans in Philly.

Season Breakdowns
2008: 6-7; Finished in fourth place despite a strong start at 4-3.
2007: 2-11; Lost seven in a row and finished with the worst record in the league.
2006: 7-6; Started out 6-1 and went to the playoffs but updended by the Fat Jubas. Donovan McNabb and Clinton Portis both went down.
2005: 5-8; Despite a losing record, made the playoffs and put up quite the fight versus eventual champ Flaming Shrapnel (lost by 4) in the first round.
2004: 6-7; Started off 3-1, lost six in a row, and then won last three games to barely miss the playoffs.
2003: 2-11; Held water at 1-1 until losing eleven games in a row. Ouch.
2002: 7-6; A series of trades dramatically reshaped the roster and the Phreaks were rolling until McNabb went down in November.
2001: 5-7; Originally named TAGHeuer, they made the first round of the playoffs despite a losing record and were promptly bounced.

Stats
Highest Avg Game Score, Season: 111.43 (2002)
Most Points Scored, Game: 174 (2004)
Least Points Scored, Game: 38 (2006)
Best Margin of Victory, Game: 114 (2004)
Worst Margin of Defeat, Game: -77 (2001)
Longest Winning Streak, Season: 5 (2006)
Longest Losing Streak, Season: 11 (2003)