This is the first part of a 2 articles series I’ll do for celebrate my 10th season here; the other part will be on Titans team news. The goal of this article is to dedicate some words to each gm, about our relationship in and outside the league. Big part of being here is the feeling of a community so is hard to recap the time spent here, without the interactions with other GM’s. Is inevitable that some GM will receive more words as interact more with them, but that doesn’t mean I dislike those receive less, on the contrary, always open to a good chat. This also an excellent opportunity to make clear the difference between the GM and the person, as someone that has written a lot of league articles, nature of any league is having some teams up and other downs, so hopefully no one have ever felt a personal attack if have criticized a team at one of my articles. With those things clear, let’s start. The order of GM’s will be alphabetical and will include retired GM too.
For the exercise, I’m not editing or going back at any moment, the first things comes to my mind are the ones that will be post.
Anthony Cepparulo
“When is the draft class” is the first thing comes to my mind when think on AC, the way I perceive him as GM is interesting, I don’t see him so obsessed with his team management (That is healthy and something would like to do myself, but I can’t) but he’s competitive, when it comes to rivalry games, or important matchups he’s there ready for strike. I think his brewery is really cool, and even if I don’t drink or interested on beer, the process and mainly the way of running a business are topics I’m heavily interested, so happy about his success on the gofundme he did months ago, and I genuinely wish his brand to keep growing, would love if he shares more about it with league. Tradetalks always been easy with AC as he knows what he wants and throw fair offers, finally appreciate his interest on scrims and tournament, been one of the persons have showed more participation.
Anthony Fernandez
ChampaTampa have become one of my best friends on the league, when he joined, we started talking very fast, we have many things in common and truly happy he cameback from retirement. We both love trading, so each season we make at least 1 trade and I’m sure that’ll streak will continue even if we need to swap 7ths or maybe he can just trade me Glennon and save him from a career ending injury next time play Titans. PTI articles are some I really enjoy writing, and the format he does is amazing, I’ve said it many times most of the work on those are done by him. I’m in love with his mancave, he had built a great combination of sports and videogames. We also like pokemon even if he has run away from the challenge I made to him, at least I hope he follows my idea and we start our business selling Magikarp Submarines. The one thing I dislike about him is that his league articles and power rankings are getting too creative, so he’ll force me to enable creativity and write more original articles. This is a war declaration AF, watch your back.
Bill Ryan
Bill was a person that wasn’t around much of the time, but when he was always was kind. He understood very well what the league is about, have a good time. He struggled with the game, but never let that to ruin his experience. His podcast was top notch, he used to throw good jokes with great humor and his voice is at level of radio locutors. I wish Bill is doing great on his life and if he ever comeback that’ll be great.
Brad Barber
Brad is one of the closest persons during my 10 seasons here, a very good friend. When it comes to Madden my experience here wouldn’t be the same without Barber, we talk a lot about the game, almost always complaining about our disgrace, that is not such small thing as our CB always get roasted or we lose in mysterious ways, but honesty I really appreciate one and each talk I have with him. As mentioned on the past, Brad offered his help while I was new and since that moment we started talking. Also, I might be mistaken but I’m sure we’ve made at least 1 trade each season, when I was about to quit the league few seasons ago, talking with Brad made me reconsider it. When my team-building style have raised criticism that have been many times, Brad been there for give support, we often keep talks on Madden, except the cards collection he does that is a topic that interest me and he teach me, or I teach him about soccer. He’s one of the persons that makes the league experience unique for me.
Brady Tinnin
This is not the intent, but I hate the way Brady talks about himself, I know is part of his life and I admire him a lot for how open he is to talk about his depression or his downs, it takes a lot of strength to be that open, but I say I hate it because he doesn’t realize he’s a very cool guy. An example of this, while we were doing meet the GM, honesty and without take away credit to the other GM’s have participated, I had the most fun and the most direct talk when did Brady one, but he kept saying that he was spending my time. That article was just 2 friends talking, I even listened to Taylor Swift albums and we shared a good time. The same happens with Madden, imo he’s one of the best draft GM’s he doesn’t spend lot of time managing his team but still have been very successful. Brady is an amazing human being and I think we all see it but him.
Brandon Lindgren
Brandon is often busy with his daily life, but he manages to be active, and somehow, we interact a lot when it comes to team management, almost every off-season we’re on big talks. We’re very different on the way we team-build, he’s very explosive and have an inner fire and I’m patient and cold when do trades. So that creates interesting talks.I’ve ended winning some of our deals, but I have the feeling a new Brandon is coming up after this season and I’m very excited to see it. Is very possible that we end sharing division and waiting for that new rivalry if happens. Also, I have this fun story with him and DE Knighton, I tried so many times, more than for any player to try and get him, but Brandon always said no, and like 7 seasons later when we finally had a deal, it was veto cause Bills made too many moves, it’ll be there as a fun anecdote. Brandon gives me the vibe to be the kind of social person you want in a party.
Brent LaChapelle
I don’t talk much with Brent, but the times have done always been respectful talks. As a madden GM I often try to keep an eye on Bears, I think they’re a well-managed team and mostly I try to learn from Brent draft and progression strategy. I consider his skills can be very useful at the moment of build a team so learning from him is good.
Briston Redford
We don’t interact a lot, but each time we’ve talked he have been friendly and Briston gives me the vibe of being a very trustworthy person. We’ve made multiple trades and wish we keep doing them, always reply fast to trade offers and it’s transparent. I think he has been unlucky with Madden lately, ironically, I’ve broadcasted many Patriots games in last seasons so I’ve seen his team and he’s doing a tremendous job, Carr will be great, but I like how he jokes about a negative situation on gen chat, making it a fun thing. Definitely Briston is a very cool GM
Bryan Mellon
Bryan is Bryan, he’s part of the heart of this league and I was very sad when he was considering retirement, it’s clear his glory days are past behind him, but the league wouldn’t be the same without him. For a person like me that loves joking about everything and do memes, Bryan is a gold mine, from his ultra very competitive teams demolishing Dallas (Cook) to the big sexy shirtless man. Mellon has been a good friend since day one, and I appreciate all the talks we’ve had, Madden and personal. One of the things admire most about him is the great parent he is, Phill and his sister are very lucky to have him. Madden wise, I think everybody (me included, of course) have looked at Bryan’s teams and ask how he do it, and try to learn something from him. Each time have to play him is a bonus, and I feel very proud of being 3-2 on regular season vs him, 0-1 on playoffs but that’s because he injured my QB, always playing dirty.
Daren Roberts
Daren is a GM I admire on his team building, during my first articles on the league can read it, something on my gut told me his team was going to be great and it happened his Dolphins became a dynasty I learned a lot watching him form the distance, we don’t talk a lot, but whenever we do he acts as a complete gentleman, always have been easy to tradetalk with him, as he’s direct and he don’t use tricks, he sets a price or throw an offer and know there’s no hidden tricks, and that’s something to be appreciated. On the recent era, the admiration as GM became into a friendly competition and he owe me a revenge from our last conference game matchup. Having GM’s as Daren is a big motivation.
Darryl Breckheimer
My rival and friend. Moving into AFC South with Breck has been an incredible experience, only having him on division automatically push me to be better, the man is a legend and a flawless GM. Not a surprise he has the best record while managing 3 different teams, we’re very similar in many aspects and very different in others, he loves the ready players and I love the projects. Losing to him division 3 times in a rough was hard, but was able to get back at him with the same medicine. The fun aspect about our rivalry is that we don’t disrespect or trash talk each other, (Something barely happens on this league with so many gentleman), but on the contrary we always talking well about opponent. I also love talking about music with him, he has an amazing taste. The only thing I dislike about him, are his post on Kitchen channel, he shouldn’t be cruel and show off.
Felipe Santos
I come from play leagues, and as I’ve been sharing on the past the atmosphere there is very toxic, even myself have to act very different there (Evil Apolo). I had the luck to met Felipe there, and the fact invited him here, just tell you how much I trust him. Felipe is very young but he’s the kind of people the future needs, is very mature for his age and very fun. My partner on Pokemon, and very friendly. The fact he has adapted so well to the league, and people been able to met him better makes me very happy. I’m uncertain of how his madden career will go, personally I like many of the moves he have done but also this league is so competitive that is more important to have fun. I will never let him forget Jolteon and Kingdra
Garth Pearce
My experience with Garth is very peculiar, he isn’t around discord much, and I’m very active there, so for communicate we use forums dm, so is like really fun has those kinds of communications cause I feel like sending secret messages and then we have the fact we live at the other side of the world so it add some special element. Everybody has always told me how good Garth is managing his teams, so of course do my homework requires to track his moves and try to learn from him. I don’t have access to his direct works, so anytime that he makes a team news article I rush to read and trying to decipher him. The words from his brother, just add more intrigue, he told me Garth is a very tryhard player on the things he does, so that just increase my desire to know better how he plan and what secrets the mastermind is hiding.
Gary Cohen
The most loved man in Tennessee, Gary and me get into big tradetalks each off-season, as we both love splash moves, he’s now following the blueprints of 1st round picks, so I’m watching at the distance wishing his team to become a juggernaut, he always been a good friend and we’ve been sharing messages since joined the league. I was happy when he joined Cardinals as we agreed cause wanted the team to end in good hands. He taking some time off was a sad new, but extremely good news when he cameback. When I had a hard moment and left league (And he rejoined) he made all he could for convince me to stay, and even agreed to give me back my team, he showed how good of human being he is on his messages and I’m thankful with him.
Gary Hickman
Gary come home! Gary is a grandpa but he gives me the vibes of a young kid, in the positive sense of the term, he’s very kind and to chat with him always a nice experience. Somehow, a Canadian and a Mexican thought was a good idea to cheer for Cardinals, so starting from there something not right with us. He’s soon to become the only Cardinals fan on the league, sorry Gary but we only live 1 life and Arizona seems to be a sad way. I appreciate a lot the efforts he does running survivor and fantasy league, he’s the guru on those topics and give us a way to enjoy it.
Ian Coyle
Ian is another of the GM I would like to know better and haven’t had the chance to do it, but always reply to my trade offers, and it’s very educated. I missed his glory days with Colts, and he has been on rebuild process so was happy to see him making playoffs this season. One of the main interactions was our final on the fantasy league, he ended beating me while I had Allen on that sadly NFL game between Bills and Bengals, we will never know who would’ve won, but was a very fun experience ignoring of course the tragedy. So for me he’s a rival on fantasy and wish our dynasty rivalry to grow.
Justin Herr
I can’t count how many stupid talks and discussion have had with this man, it’s hilarious. We’re like 2 old men when discussing, one time we spent like 2 hours talking about how unplayed games count as .5 on standings. His Detroit maths are not ready for my Mexican maths, we invented the 0. Sometimes our chats have gotten to a point we want to fight with each other, I’ve never lost a fight on my life but he’s so high that thinks he stand a chance vs me. He was very lucky I couldn’t attend the meetup, but your time will come up eventually Justin, if you want to test me, come to Mexico. He also kept spamming me about trade him Baldwin and now he traded him? I’m disappointed, but again, nothing that a beat up can’t fix.
Justin Walstead
My former nemesis and rival, those games Arizona and Rams helped me to learn a lot and grow as GM. Justin and me lives on opposite extremes of the teambuild scale, we follow very different strategies, so our chats tend to be very interesting. He has a personality that sometimes cause him problems, but as I’ve told him, I’m always up for a debate and exchange of opinions. Is a GM I respect a lot, and appreciate all our conversations. The Radio show he organize is great and glad he brought it back with him, the league is better with a competitive GM like him.
Kevin Mullendore
I’ve acquired a like for talk about being maddened with Kevin, hey I’m not saying that we are a couple of negatives persons, but hey it’s very fun to laugh on awful scenarios, who’s better at that than mr #7 seed. Kevin has a great sense of humor and I enjoy our chats. As a note Kevin always will have the title of being the first GM that trade with trade addict Apolo. It was a WR for a 2nd if I remember well. I learned more about Kevin on our meet the GM article, and he’s the kind of friends I’m looking to have on my life. Madden wise, he’s one of the GM’s I’ve taken as role model and always trying to learn from him
Leonard Henry
I have no idea how he is doing, but I wish he’s doing great. Leo was very special because he knew how to enjoy the game, he wasn’t the most competitive GM, but he was wise enough for understand this is for fun. Benching lynch and all his plans or movements are things I remember with a smile.
Nathan Jones
Sadly another GM I have to add to the list of we barely talk, but I really admire his teambuilding skills. At the distance I am a Nate Jones fan, and I’m trying to learn from his strategy. Every draft he manages to get good players no matter which spot he has, I’m calling it now. Saints will be back in a SB as soon as they fill QB position. Can’t wait to see what Nate does with 1.2. Somebody is watching you Nate, and that somebody is me
Neal Wintermute
Neal is playing 3d chess while the rest of us play checkers, he’s an excellent GM and it’s very complicated to find a bad move on his record. He’s very disciplined with his team management and also have found ways to gameplan using multiple playbooks and obtaining great results. It’s incredible he haven’t win a SB yet (Probably take this season one home) but at the end most of the game depends on luck. On team building we carry a rivalry as Neal not a fan of ultra aggressive trade mode, but we respect each other and kept it just on the game. I enjoy talking about soccer with Neal, and I’m happy for him finally watching Man City winning a UCL.
Nic St.Marie
Nic didn’t leave league on best terms, but I used to talk a lot with him about the game, and had many productive chats with him. Personally, I never had a problem with him and wish him the best. He was facing some problems in his day to day, and that probably made him act that way, I would like to see him returning eventually.
Norbert Huszti
I Hate to play him, whenever see Ravens on schedule is a nightmare, he have beaten me even with backups QB, don’t matter what I do, things always goes south when play him, my record is 1-5. Leaving that aside, Norb is a wonderful GM, he’s very patient and enjoy drafting, he barely trades so we don’t interact a lot there, but is always interesting to track his team management and learn how he drafts. Most of our interactions are related to broadcast team, but every single time have talked with him, he has been kind and nice. Haven’t had the chance to know him better on his day to day, but something tells me he’s an interesting person with great histories and experiences to share.
Olivier Ratajczak
Mi buen amigo Oli, the multi-cultural GM, Oli comunicates great in spanish, he married a beautiful Latina wife from Chile, and he also know “El Chavo del Ocho”. Is something more cool with that? Probably the fact he’s a chef despite try to hide it or play humble. He cook things I wouldn’t be able to, most of the food he post on kitchen looks delicious. I don’t understand his rule of not trading with divisional rivals, but I respect it, and wish he breaks it eventually. He has been rebuilding his Jaguars for some seasons, so we haven’t been able to compete directly, but that rebuild process is paying off and next season we should have an interesting race.
Peter Fenger
Radio show man! Peter is the MVP when it comes to radio shows, even if he enjoys jinxing people, it was very cruel to congratulate Breck on last show. Sharing division with him was a great experience, he always was a gentleman in and outside the field, Peter was my first opponent on this league, he beat me, but then I was able to strike back and got revenge. He’s an example of persevere, he never gave up, despite having bad luck with injuries, an extremely difficult division, or struggling with hot seat, he kept doing his part and last season he managed to win a SB, so his story help us all to keep trying and try our best. He’s a Jets fan, as I was during my first seasons watching NFL, maybe he wants to bribe me into coming back with a signed revis jersey.
Phillip Mellon
Part of the new generation of GM’s, he has been able to add his own style to the game, focusing on the trenches. He’s a giant, former OL and future HC. I wouldn’t be able to push him even an inch, but he has a big heart too so luckily I wouldn’t have too. Phill is young so he doesn’t always has the time to be around, but when he does always happy to talk with him, he doesn’t love trading with me, but I’m convinced to change that and make some deals with Panthers this off-season. Phill using the 1% of his power have already outplayed his dad. The future is now
Rock Hewko
Rock is unique, he can show 1 day each season and yet being a rock star. The man is a legend, he’s almost never around but is impossible to ignore him when he is. His crazy draft strategies, his sense of humor, and many other things make him special. Madden wise I haven’t try to understand his style, genius are hard to read so better not complicating there. Sharing division with him was very fun. Seahawks 0 – Cowboyz 20 – FUCK! Is the best article ever written.
Rodany Mendez
Oh Rod, I love this man. He was an impressive addition to the league, we’ve developed an interesting “trashtalk” rivalry, I can’t remember how it started but he’s the only GM I feel comfortable doing it, and Titans – Chiefs might be my favorite game right now, he’s out there renaming his 5th round players to legends or even trying to have Henry II. We have his number, 3-0 and counting. It took me few days and see some of his moves to know he was a veteran, I remember asking Will, rod isn’t new right? And he confirmed it. Rodany will be a menace on the AFC, but still has to beat Titans. The sad part is that even he having my gameplan, he just can’t. His frustration have pushed to limits of treat me with injure my players using Pablo E influences, that isn’t fair play.
Romeo Mendez
I’m 100% sure that Romeo dream was to become a sports insider, and he does a fantastic job at it, as soon as he post something my brain tells me: That ain’t true. He’s very fun and doesn’t care about take a laugh of himself or his giants, lives in a delusional world where Danny Dimes is an elite QB, but he doesn’t care about criticism he just lives his life. Ro have been fired like 2 times from Giants, had ended with 1st overall pick I think twice, and then suddenly see him on playoffs and fighting for a title, he’s arguably the most roller coaster GM. I won’t be surprised if he wins his division and makes a playoffs run next season. Ro is always friendly and a ray of light for league
Scott Gardiner
One of the friendliest persons I’ve met, talking with Scott is always a nice experience, no matter the topic, he always offers something positive. We’ve managed to do multiple blockbusters, and hopefully we’ll keep doing them. He struggled a lot on his Lions rebuild but then managed to win a SB with Cardinals, I’m happy he added another trophy to the nest. I’m happy to see him as Cardinals GM and having fun with it. Appreciate how open he was to share details about his life on meet the GM article. Whenever there’s UCL, I know he’ll be there for provide a good commentary, and league wise, he has always taken the time to comment league articles. I’ve always appreciate that from him.
Tim Miller
Looks like Tim is back on the server and those are great news. Definitely a GM should be on the league. It took me like 1 season of spamming him and sending 1.1 for Sabby Piscitielly but I appreciate he considered my offer. After that we kept doing more trades, and overall having a good relationship. The day he comebacks he’ll have to overpay for Kansas State guys I might draft.
Tom Collins
Tom is a person I just can’t read, a GM I admire but at same time one I have rivalry with. One of my biggest achievements setting gameplans always going to be on my first game vs Tom. He’s like a rude guy character but that truly is a kind guy, in the past he had complained about my team build style, but tbh I’ve never felt we’ve had problems. And we often have good talks, not much recently as he disappeared from discord. Tom might be #1 GM when it comes to game planning and maximizing roster impact, and I have no idea how he do it, and I guess a magician doesn’t reveal his tricks. Also he recommended Cobra Kai, a series I enjoyed and since that moment I visualize him as Jhonny Lawrence.
Tyler Richardson
I’m fabulous
Wade Pearce
Writing this knowing Wade is leaving the division to face new challenges, I’ll miss him as divisional rival but wish him the best of lucks, the most memorable moment we’ve shared so far is the creation of a unique valuation system for complete our trade including CB Rhodes and many other top players. Originally we were going to do it on a deal for Baldwin, but we changed it and was back and forth, out talks lasted multiple weeks, and we kept trying was to make it work till we finally found the point of balance. Without doubt one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in team management. Wade have saved this league multiple times with his tech so we probably wouldn’t be here without him. I had a very good time on the meet GM article and knew better this marvelous person.
Will Cook
The legend, very hard to describe someone we all love and that makes possible this league to exist, Will is the best Commish I’ve ever known, he’s a trustworthy person in all aspects. If had to describe him on 1 word, I would use friend. Because that’s what he has been during these 10 seasons. I’m thankful with him for gave me the opportunity to join league and i appreciate every single of our chats and wish we can keep in contact for multiple years.
And with that I finish the first part of this article, second part will be a recap of my madden adventures, currently crossing even foot fingers for finally make a SB. But wishing the best of lucks to Brady, and on the other side of bracket to Rock, Neal and ChampaTampa.
I didn’t edit the article, so just started writing, so probably forgot many things and will find a lot of grammar mistakes, taking English classes for improve my language skills on the list of things to do.
Thanks for read, overall have been 10 very fun seasons.
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