Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
An unrelenting hope. It is the heartbeat of an embattled dreamer and the catalyst force for the perpetual resolve that defines him. A hope, previously unvalidated, never wavering, now immortal. Hope, once the only hanging branch of support and purpose, now strong and deep rooted by glorious accomplishment. Hope, never dead, may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of golden trumpets.
TPD's coronation from a 2016 championship set into motion a gold etched validation of hope, that forever upheld the right to reach towards the heavens of the kings of old. Standing on such a foundation led to a vision of what was to be TPD, it's full effect and wonderment stretching to the very edges of imagination and unlimited potential. The hall of fame story, many pages yet written, fortified with a prelude, cast in gold.
The 2017 story of TPD began unprecedentedly with four wins in five tries; the best start to a season in franchise history. This, after so many slow starts to a season, would be the foreshadowing of triumph's to come, but not before the emergence of demons of old, which set to derail sights on the horizon. Through week's six and nine TPD failed to score over 120 points, and a week 8 tie, in which his opponent's kicker nailed three 40+ yard field goals in the final minutes of the 4th quarter, put into doubt TPD's playoffs aspirations.
In 2015 TPD squandered a playoff chance in the league's first and only playoff play-in game, and last season brought about similar circumstances. After the mid season lull TPD needed to win each of his final two regular season games in order to make the playoffs, and as fate would have it, week 13 granted an exquisite opportunity, a rematch against the very team that put TPD's dreams into question in the week 8 tie. Unlike 2015, TPD did not fumble this chance for playoff splendor, and he beasted in each final match-up, scoring 150 points in both and rolling into the playoffs on a wave of splintered enemy carnage.
Once in the playoffs, TPD was adorned with a chance at immortality, with the opportunity to become the first back to back champion in league history. Standing in his way was a 2017 record setter in their own right, The Glorious Morgans. TGM broke TPD's win streak record of 8 games in 2017, with an incredible 9 game stretch without a defeat or tie. They were the top team in the league, and had amassed over 300 points against TPD in their two demolishings of him in the regular season. Leading up to the game TPD was faced with an unbelievably difficult decision, as two of his star WRs faced the toughest WR match-ups in Jalen Ramsey and Xavier Rhodes. Fate seemingly ironic, gave him a chance to prove his mastery and skill developed through years of playoff heartache. Based on all that he had learned TPD did what no other manager could do. He benched Hopkins and Green, in favor of a player, who until that point had never even been rostered by an MFFL team, Marquise Goodwin. It was a titanic move, one that would further cast in gold TPD's immortality as a manager, or one that would leave yet another battle scar to his soul.
The 1st round match-up was one of the most anticipated playoff match-ups of all time, and the blood sweat and tears left on the field that day left no doubt as to this game's significance in MFFL history. The back and forth affair was truly a sight to behold, with each team landing multiple haymakers to their opponents jaw, perhaps none bigger than The Morgans tying the contest late in the 4:00 games with a 50 yard field goal, a 50 yarder made such by to a holding penalty on the previous play, sending this unforgettable battle into what looked like an inevitable draw. But it was not to be, for another haymaker was made. With only seconds left in the 49ers contest, on the final drive, Marquise Goodwin made a 14 yard catch, his 10th of the day, sealing a two point lead, and a masterful TPD victory 124-122. It was the ultimate validation for a team hardened by the scars of their past, and a statement etched in stone defining TPD's expertise as a manager. The unquestioned greatest managerial move in playoff history made Goodwin a franchise legend, and allowed TPD to move forward with a chance at history.
Waiting for him was a team, whom above all else would love to prevent TPD from achieving such a glorious feat. A feat that would cast shade on this manager's previous accomplishments, the two time champion, The Real McCoy. With everything on the line TPD reached his hand towards glory filled skies once more, grasping hold of a 30 point victory, MFFL immortality, and lifting the trophy for a back to back time.
Now, with so much majesty adorned in the last two seasons, it is difficult to not look back on the setting horizon. Such glory was foretold in the undying hope of a battle scared manager, but even with the hope validated, it is hard to grasp the weight of such success. TPD, ever filled with reverence and nostalgia even before golden coronation, is compounded. The championship weight strengthening his resolve and hope, even more ever ready. A mirrored result to 2016's weighted consequences, which yielded another championship in 2017, and who's full effect has yet to be revealed. A Power too great and terrible to imagine now wielded by hope, reverence, nostalgia, and glory, upheld by a golden foundation.
Sound in the deep TPD horns of 2018. Set the tune for the forthcoming wave of TPD NASTY, carried by the weight of immortality, only strengthening the hope of an embattled dreamer. Set forth towards the horizon and extend a hand once more to the glory rich blinding skies. What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.
Welcome to TPD 2018.
