Big Mock #1: Playmakers

The first mock draft is offense only, twelve rounds, offense only. Each team drafted only one quarterback, at least one tight end, at least three running backs, and at least four wide receivers. Past those parameters this mock utilizes Yahoo!'s current projected draft value rather than point projections. I plan to do an expanded mock draft once NFL training camps have started that utilize point projections and defensive players.

1. HCM LEAD FARMERS

2. PHILADELPHIA RUM HAM

3. MAR-A-LAGO GRABBERS

4. SAVANNAH PETES

5. SOUTH PARK COWS

6. TORONTO LTP

7. NEW YORK'S FINEST

8. OAKWOOD DRIVERS

9. DEPUTY VAN HALENS

10. BINGHAMTON SNIPERS

11. MANITOBA MOOSECREW

12. PAWNEE PRIDE

13. PHOENIX UPRISING

14. HILL VALLEY McFLYS

What do you think about your team's mock?
Would you be pleased to start with these dozen playmakers?

2017 Draft Order

Now that the dust has settled on fresh starts and relocations, we can put the 2017 draft order to print: The draft is scheduled for Sunday August 27th at 7:00pm.

Warm Impermanence

The Ninth Season of Larkspur Bowl action sees the customary array of changes, including:

-The 33rd distinct franchise in league history has been born: the BINGHAMTON SNIPERS. Mark Serokosz joins the league with fanfare as the first brand new owner since Marty Sheehy took over the Moosecrew in week 3 of the 2014 season. 

-The OAKWOOD DRIVERS, owners of a moribund 17-35 record through four seasons, have been rebranded with a new color scheme. After so many years of STOP SIGN RED, the GREEN AND GOLD look should have Tom Acquisto's team going for first place in their fifth year.

-Vince Milillo's nomad franchise takes its eighth logo in eight years, heading to Palm Beach to become the MAR-A-LAGO GRABBERS. The Presidential moniker could be the key to an uncanny rise to the top for a team that's been out of the race for half a decade now.

-Already announced, but the Saskakatoon Sasquatch/Atlanta Rage squad helmed by Kevin Stabe have transitioned to become the PHILADELPHIA RUM HAM, hoping to get away from their own playoff drought which has reached four seasons. 

-In addition to helmets and third jerseys for each of the ten teams that retained their 2016 details, the MANITOBA MOOSECREW and HCM CITY LEAD FARMERS have had their kits updated for the coming season, with the Moosecrew going away from their red accents and sporting more neutral toned blues, while the Lead Farmers maximize the black in their new duds while embracing a crisp modernized typeface that relegates the gunmetal gray.

-The rest of the league stands pat: the defending champion HILL VALLEY McFLYS, consummate medalist PHOENIX UPRISING, the PAWNEE PRIDE who sport the best regular season record over the past two years (18-8), the DEPUTY VAN HALENS fresh off a legitimate show of force in 2016, the due for some good luck SAVANNAH PETES, the 2015 champions SOUTH PARK COWS, TORONTO LTP who just missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, and the 2014 champion NEW YORK'S FINEST.   

Franchise on Hiatus: Revis Islanders

The 2012 LBIV Champion Revis Islanders are going on hiatus, joining the 2009 LBI Champion Orgrimmar Horde as retired masters that tasted the Larkspur Bowl's silver chalice in their first attempt.

The Islanders were a playoff team in four of five campaigns. Their half decade of competition never matched that inaugural season, which was the year JJ Watt evolved into a dominant force the likes of which the league had never seen. Tom Brady and Brandon Marshall dominated the offense, while Lawrence Timmons and Lance Briggs helped complete a special (title winning) defense. They defeated the Atlanta Rage, Mt Tucky Pilots, and Hill Valley McFlys to climb from the 4 seed to the title. Although they went 7-6 in the regular season, they did lead the league in overall scoring, removing any potential doubts about the legitimacy of their victory.

Their title defense in 2013 was one of three playoff trips that would all see the team (sometimes called the California Swag) go down in the first round. 2014 was the team's only year under .500% as they struggled to a 5-8 record. The past two years were matching 8-5 campaigns with top five point totals but first round exits.

Jay Kalmer leaves the Larkspur Bowl a legend. Thirty-two competitors have sought to win the Larkspur Bowl, but only six of them have, and Jay is one of those elite few. Along with Orgrimmar and Phoenix, he's also one of only three teams to spend at least half a decade in the league and reach the playoffs in at least 80% of seasons. These are marks that last forever. The Islanders will go off the grid for now, but should the opportunity present itself, perhaps they'll return someday in the future.

Team Owner: Jason Kalmer

Hometown: Revis Island, California

Overall Record: (5 years) 35-30 .538%

Playoff Record: (4 appearances) 3-3

Championships: One 

LBIV: 2012

Yearly Standing:

• 2016: 6th place 8-5; 2650.42 pts (3rd overall)
• 2015: 6th place 8-5; 2385.57 pts (5th overall)
• 2014: 11th place 5-8; 2113.05 pts (12th overall)
• 2013: 5th place 7-6; 1838.33 pts (11th overall)
• 2012: 1st place 7-6; 2239.08 pts (1st overall)

First Round Picks:

• 2016: Ezekiel Elliot (10th) GRADE: C
• 2015: Marshawn Lynch (5th) GRADE: B
• 2014: Jimmy Graham (9th) GRADE: B+
• 2013: Steven Jackson (14th) GRADE: B-
• 2012: Tom Brady (6th)

AKA:California Swag ('14)/California Swag('13)

Helmets

The League Goes to the Jersey Shore

We've got our first relocation of 2017! After three years in the Canadian wilderness, the Saskatoon Sasquatch will be returning to the United States and taking refuge in South Philly under the PHILADELPHIA RUM HAM banner:

Along with the new team name and logo, the Rum Ham have a new color scheme, which includes primary uniforms as well as a third alternate jersey, a new feature for all of the teams (that have confirmed their current location) listed on their pages in an effort to more comprehensively brand each team's unique identity.