NFL Showdown
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NFL Showdown is a card-based football game using a barcode reader and players from the 2001-2003 seasons. While it has been out of print since 2003, it is still a complex game of logic and play-calling, but at the same time it is a game of fun and excitement. This site is dedicated to the card game, but specifically the Yorktown High School, in Arlington, Virginia, NFL Showdown League. Well-known players such as Marshall Faulk, Daunte Culpepper, and Ray Lewis are joined by small-time backups like David Dunn, Darrick Vaughn, and Dave Brown. A well-balanced team consists of both types of players, with each playing an integral part in the success of any coach.
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[edit] League History
The YHS NFL Showdown League was established in late 2003, with five original teams, the Orlando Bloom, Westminster Bitches, Houston Houstons, Washington Wizard, and Arlington Injuns. It began with a four game season, each coach playing the other four, and for statistical purposes, this season length was kept. Now in its 7th season, the league has broken many barriers, including male and female coaches, teacher and student coaches, and coaches of diverse cultural backgrounds. After two seasons, the Westminster Bitches and the Houston Houstons closed down, opening the way for the Monrovia Mashers and the Vancouver Vandals, both of which were the first teams based outside of the United States. Following the break, the Houstons and Bitches started up their franchises again, marking the only teams to become defunct at any point in the league, despite their eventual reformations. The following year, three more teams joined the league, the Kiev Cannibals, the Paris Germans, and the San Francisco Girl-Getters. In the sixth season, the first female coach joined the league, with the formation of the Havana Hitchikers, along with the Tijuana Hot-Sauce, the first team from Mexico.
[edit] League Rules
Article 1: Rules are the same as they appear in the Official NFL Showdown Rule Book unless otherwise stated.
Article 2: Each team is to consist of 18 players.
Article 3: The 18 players consist of - 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 2 OLs, 2 DLs, 2 LBs, 2 CBs, 2 SFs, and 1 K/P.
Article 4: At no point is a team allowed to exceed the 6,000 point salary cap.
Article 5: Any QB valued at or under 100 points is free when used as the backup QB.
Article 6: All K/P are free, no matter the value, without a penalty to the salary cap.
Article 7: No player may be duplicated on one or more teams.
Article 8: Three strategy cards are drawn at the start of each half, with the receiving coach drawing first.
Article 9: One strategy card is drawn with each first down or change of possession, with the offensive coach drawing first.
Article 10: No coach is to knowingly cheat or act in a way that would unfairly influence the outcome of the game, such as fixing the strategy card deck in their favor, looking at the plays called by the opposing coach, or exceeding the salary cap.
Article 11: All "unsigned" free agents are able to be drafted during the rookie/veteran Snake-Style Draft.
Article 12: All games consist of four quarters, with one drive per team each quarter, plus a 15-play "two minute warning" at the end of each half.
Article 13: All seasons are to consist of four games.
Article 14: In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, sudden death overtime is played until there is a victor.
Article 15: Any disputes about the rules or interpretation of a strategy card are differed first to the Official NFL Showdown Rule Book.
Article 16: Any such disputes, if not solved by the book, are then voted upon and decided by a majority of "elgible and knowledgable voters."
Article 17: An "Eligible and Knowledgeable Voter" is any coach or officially approved voter.
Article 18: All changes to rules are to be decided by a simple majority by the coaches.
1-5=4 1+5=6
[edit] Season Recaps
Pre-League Tournament
Before the league was ever established, the original five coaches played in a tournament to decide the order of the first ever league draft. Each coach built a team, but with so few players, coaches found gaps in their teams unable to be filled. The tournament began with Seed 5 playing Seed 4 in a play-in game. This game featured Houston versus Campanella, who was lacking a cornerback. Despite this defensive oversight, Campanella won the game, and Houston secured the #1 draft pick. Seed 4 played Seed 1, Hitchcock, with Hitchcock edging Campanella out after an exploitation of his the latter's cornerback problems. Seed 3, Obetts, played Seed 2, Wrobel, resulting in a Wrobel victory, and a matchup of Hitchcock versus Wrobel in the Championship Game. Campanella was given the #2 pick, and Obetts the #3 pick, because of point-margin differentials. In the Championship, two confident coaches played to an 8-8 tie after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Hitchcock engineered a drive to the endzone, concluding with a two-point conversion to give him an eight point lead. Facing elimination, Wrobel began the last drive of the game deep in his own territoty. His methodical play-calling scored him a touchdown, but the Hitchcock defense held strong when it mattered most, denying Wrobel of the two-pointer. In the end, Wrobel was granted the #4 pick, and Hitchcock the #5 pick. This gave Hitchcock both the 5th and 6th picks because of the draft style, the prize for his victory.
Pre-Season Draft
The first draft kicked off with the drafting of Eddie George by the Houston Houstons, followed by Daunte Culpepper of the Washington Wizard. Marshall Faulk of the Orlando Bloom was the third pick, and Ray Buchanan by the Arlington Injuns. Finally, the Westminster Bitches finished the fabled first round with Dexter McCleon. These five players were to be the basis of their respective teams, leading some to glory, and some to another early pick.
Season 1
[edit] Conclusion
The YHS NFL Showdown League has been an attraction for many people, regularly drawing crowds in the upwards of two and three people. All spectators enjoy the "thrill of the swipe" and the ability to play sideline coach. Everybody has the ability to become a coach, and the league is ever-expanding.
