SB Nation User Blog: Tim Lynch

John and Friends Predict....Week 15 in the NFL

Tim Lynch — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:37:03 -0000

John and various members of the staff here are once again competing in the annual MHR Pick'em challenge. You will notice the Denver Broncos game is not included. We'll just say everyone roots for the Broncos each week! Guru's wife is a Patriots fan, so her pick will be of the Broncos game. Just so homerism doesn't affect the outcome again this year.

WEEK 15
-	John	Steve	Tim	Doug	Ted	Mdierk	Guru Wife
IND @ JAX	IND	IND	IND	IND	IND	IND	IND
DAL @ NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	DAL	NO	NO
CHI @ BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL
NE @ BUF	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	DEN
ARI @ DET	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI
CLE @ KC	CLE	KC	CLE	CLE	CLE	KC	KC
ATL @ NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ
SF @ PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI
GB @ PIT	PIT	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB
HOU @ STL	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU
MIA @ TEN	TEN	MIA	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN
CIN @ SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	CIN	SD	SD
TB @ SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA
MIN @ CAR	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN
NYG @ WAS	NYG	NYG	WAS	NYG	NYG	NYG	NYG
Last Week	6-9	12-3	7-8	10-5	9-6	9-6	10-5
Season Record	132-62	132-62	132-62	126-68	125-69	131-63	133-61

Welcome to the world, the newest lil Broncoette!

Tim Lynch — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:45:18 -0000

My wife gave birth to our daughter on December 16th, 2009. Little Sarah weighed in at 9 pound, 9 ounces and 22 and a half inches long. My wife is still resting after her heroic 29 hour ordeal, while I plan out my new daughters life - which includes her becoming an even bigger Broncomaniac than even myself!

Here are a few pictures. Been having issues embedding them, but I figure these are enough. ;-)

I am a little worse for wear. I was living on three hours sleep from 5am Tuesday to 2am Thursday. It was worth it though.

I now have two perfect baby girls. If need be, where's the nearest bus for me to step in front of for either one of them? :)

Having grown up in California all of my life, you can imagine where my family loyalties lie. Most are Dolt fans, but the one guy I am closest too happens to be a Raider fan. He has some delusional thoughts that Sarah will somehow become a Raider fan. I accepted his gift and it will quickly find its way into a poopy diaper. lol!

I'll be quite busy for a few weeks, but I will keep up on my normal MHR stuff - like the John and Friends weekly picks, but other than that. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!

John and Friends Predict....Week 14 in the NFL

Tim Lynch — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:23:38 -0000

WEEK 14
-	John	Steve	Tim	Doug	Ted	Mdierk	Guru Wife
PIT @ CLE	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT
NO @ ATL	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
SEA @ HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU	HOU
CAR @ NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	IND
BUF @ KC	KC	BUF	KC	BUF	BUF	BUF	KC
DET @ BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL
CIN @ MIN	CIN	MIN	CIN	MIN	CIN	CIN	MIN
MIA @ JAX	JAX	JAX	MIA	JAX	MIA	JAX	MIA
NYJ @ TB	TB	NYJ	TB	TB	TB	NYJ	NYJ
GB @ CHI	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB
WAS @ OAK	OAK	WAS	OAK	OAK	OAK	OAK	OAK
STL @ TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN	TEN
SD @ DAL	DAL	SD	DAL	SD	DAL	DAL	SD
PHI @ NYG	NYG	PHI	NYG	PHI	PHI	PHI	NYG
ARI @ SF	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI	ARI
Last Week	8-7	8-7	8-7	10-5	8-7	13-2	10-5
Season Record	126-53	120-59	125-54	116-63	116-63	122-57	123-56

The Lynch Perspective - Meandering

Tim Lynch — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:42:42 -0000

As I break from my first day back to work after two full snow days, I found myself missing the lifestyle I once had in the mountains of Colorado. Granted, I was only a child and the true inconvenience that massive amounts of snow can levy upon a person or town escapes me. However, as I drove out my home Monday, which sits in a valley at an elevation of 20 feet, seeing less than a half an inch of snow on my car I recalled thinking, "Man, I wish it had snowed more." I work about 50 miles away, going up into the Sierra-Nevada foothills and I saw on the news that the storm had dropped quite a bit more snow overnight in those parts. The phones were down, power was out and I had no way of finding out if my office was closed.

I called about two dozen times getting only an "all circuits are busy warning", then texted a co-workers work email and was finally able to leave a "not coming into work" message to my supervisor at around 1pm that afternoon. The next day, I got up and headed into work in my 2002 Toyota Corolla Sport. Not the brightest idea I've ever had, considering the overnight low was in the teens and black ice was rampant even on the main highway.

As I drove that long 50 mile trek, I was blessed to see the rustic hillsides turn into beautiful white rolling hills with the first glimpse of the morning sunlight hitting the landscape. I was quite impressed - since I've lived in temperate zones for the better part of 20 years now. Naturally, I have taken the family up into the mountains to sled and build snowmen, but I was hit with a different kind of feeling this week.

I came to realize that I have been living a lie. My lie is based on the fact that I lived in San Diego for many years and northern California for even longer. The heat, the sun, the...smog. I'm just tired of that. I desire the memories of my youth more and more. That short three year period I lived in Colorado back in the 1980's. Thus I have decided it's time to say goodbye to California.

Of course, I need a lot of things to happen first. I need to finish my trade school in the next 12-18 months. I need to save up enough money to make a move of that magnitude. I need to get my wife to have this baby already!(She is scheduled to be induced on Tuesday by the way) And I need to figure out the right tact to use on my wife to convince her that moving that far from her roots is a good thing. It's taken about 8 years, but she has finally begun to warm to the idea of leaving California for good.

I know this has nothing to do with football or the Denver Broncos, but in a way, this is how I am reaffirming to myself and all of you that my home is where the heart truly is - and that is not in the once great state of California.

I have two destinations in mind. The first of which is obviously Colorado. My training is in Network Administration, so obviously I will have to be near major tech hubs - so a mountain man I will not be. This option is the only one I have been able to really sell my wife on.

My second destination, and truly the one I desire the most, is Idaho. Of course, the only place my field is strong enough for me to get work in would be Boise, but to be in a state that carries an independent attitude that reflects my own would do well for my soul. However, Idaho has a negative image to the rest of the country thanks in large part to an over zealous media that always like to focus on the extremes of society. Thus my wife is not even remotely close to agreeing to that dream.

Which is fine, because the first damn thing I do when we make it to Colorado is to make that phone call and put my ass on the wait list for season tickets. If I can't have Idaho, then by God I'll have my Denver freaking Broncos!

Anyway, enough of my rant. Now I don't know if I have much to say today, but I've chatted about myself for long enough - let's get on with it!

Who Are The Denver Broncos?

What a tale of two teams we have this year. I really don't know which we actually have and my original thought of them being somewhere in the middle isn't sitting well with me anymore. It's all or nothing. Total domination or totally dominated. Not like the 2008 version of "all or nothing" though as I am convinced this team is far superior to the team fielded in 2008. Not just marginally superior either, this team executes consistently.

My only worry is that the playoffs will overwhelm our younger guys. Especially an away playoff game. This team will benefit much more in the long run if they get to host a playoff game. Even if the Broncos lost at home in the playoffs, at least the young guys on our roster who have never been the playoffs before will get to experience what a home game in January is truly like. It would give them something to desire and strive for in 2010.

A one and done on the road in the playoffs will not give our younger guys much to strive for as the energy and excitement just wasn't what one would think it would be. Which is why Josh McDaniels and company must win in the Wild Card playoffs if its a road game. More so than if its a home game. Yes yes, I know I am talking in circles because I don't accept any playoff losses well. Period. I am only saying that if in the grand scheme of things this team were to be one and done, I'd prefer to be one and done at home.

Of course, my opinion on how likely this team is to be one and done really hinges on this weekends game at the Indianapolis Colts.

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

There are two keys to this game for the Broncos in my mind. The first is red zone defense. Peyton Manning is going to move the football, make no mistake. What our defense needs to do is limit the damage to field goals. A big part of that is third down. The Dude laid some wood on me that I hadn't noticed about the Colts this year. Nearly FIFTY PERCENT conversion rates on third down....it's Week 14. WEEK 14! That's absurd to be sporting that kind of number this late in the season. I'm sure its been done, but my eyes bug out when I see teams in the low forty's. The reason being, its hard to convert on third down. Defenses tend to play harder on that down because they want off the damn field. If we fail in the red zone, we will lose this game.

The second key is time of possession. Now I know the Colts blew this mode of traditional thinking out of the water with their game against the Dolphins earlier in the year, but one game doesn't change an entire history of games. If the Colts have the ball for less than 15 minutes in a game again, they will lose. In fact, they will lose the next 10 times that happens. That Dolphins game was an aberration.

The Broncos need to pound the rock. They need to wear down the defense. Why? Because they will need to move the ball down the field in the fourth quarter, possibly even quickly. The best way to assure that can happen is to play against a tired and worn out defense. I have a feeling this game is going to come down to the wire and as much as Peyton Manning terrifies me, I have to believe that our offense will find a way to win without giving Manning a shot to come back on us.

My edge: Broncos 31, Colts 30

Teams That Piss Me Off

Tennessee Titans. Houston Texans. Buffalo Bills. Seattle Seahawks. Carolina Panthers. San Diego Chargers.

If you want to know why, just take a look at the last several weeks of my picks and the reason shall become clear. Except for the Chargers, I just hate them so they always piss me off.

Bold Super Bowl Prediction

New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots.

Yes, they are being written off but I have a feeling these Patriots are going to be a very angry football team in January. The Saints are going to destroy the Vikings and Favre will choke. I see the Patriots beating the Saints in the Super Bowl as a team always learns more about its opponent after a loss and revenge is a vastly under rated emotional aspect of a rematch. Especially when the rematch occurs in the playoffs!

Jay Cutler's Interception Prediction

I don't think he breaks the record. I think Cutler becomes so paranoid and self conscious about that all-important stat that he will become Kyle Orton in the final four games(except for the winning part). I think he finishes with 22-23 interceptions. And the Bears will finish the year 5-11. Boy, who do we draft next year?!?! Giggity giggity. Already Patriot-like when it comes to draft positioning!

GO BRONCOS!

Poll

Fork-O-Meter

John and Friends Predict....Week 13 in the NFL

Tim Lynch — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:46:58 -0000

Happy belated birthday, Mdierk!!

WEEK 13
-	John	Steve	Tim	Doug	Ted	Mdierk	Guru Wife
NYJ @ BUF	BUF	NYJ	BUF	NYJ	BUF	NYJ	BUF
PHI @ ATL	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI
TB @ CAR	TB	CAR	TB	CAR	TB	CAR	CAR
STL @ CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI	CHI
DET @ CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN
TEN @ IND	IND	IND	TEN	IND	TEN	IND	IND
HOU @ JAX	JAX	HOU	JAX	HOU	HOU	JAX	HOU
OAK @ PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT	PIT
NE @ MIA	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	DEN
NO @ WAS	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
SD @ CLE	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD
DAL @ NYG	DAL	DAL	NYG	DAL	NYG	NYG	NYG
SF @ SEA	SF	SF	SF	SEA	SF	SEA	SF
MIN @ ARI	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	ARI	ARI	MIN
BAL @ GB	GB	BAL	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB
Last Week	13-1	11-3	11-3	9-5	11-3	10-4	11-3
Season Record	118-46	112-52	117-47	106-58	108-56	109-55	113-51

Vagabond

Tim Lynch — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:34:49 -0000

Continued from...

The Empire crumbled to dust. Bloodletting. Suffering. Sorrow. Thus began a decade of nomadic wandering.

No leader emerged, traitorous souls grew bold. The Master of Minds worked tirelessly to rebuild, to no avail. A new rival arose, a great figure who rode upon a colt - destroyer of orangemen.

The rider of colts squelched the hopes of the Master of Minds everywhere he went. Desire waned, complacency spawned.

Languishing as a pawn to other greater nations, a Lynch mob formed - led by a bearded plumber and a great Champion of the people. Together they would rebuild.

Seven long years past Imperial glory, the armies of orange won many key victories, spearheaded by the big Ahl warrior, over all rivals. Even the magnificent Bray-dee, and his compatriots, could not overcome the orange onslaught. Empire feared.

Total victory at hand, the armies were utterly destroyed by a goliath of a man they called Bus. Trampled under his massive stride, a great many slaughtered. Retreat became one's desire.

The great bearded plumber returned the following year and led his army to many great early victories, but there was an usurper within the ranks. The Master of Minds conspired against the great Empire to install this usurper to the head of the army.

The heroic warrior, Ahl, slain.

The bearded one fell from grace to the mutiny, destroying any chance for Imperial glory. Thus began the spiralling decent of the Empire into debauchery and destitution. A vagabond through sin and self indulgence.

A once great dynasty fell into disrepair, giving way to a new rival empire. A foe Charged into the homeland to bring pestilence and death. The bolted armor of the enemy flowed like rivers through the ranks of the once great orange army. Defeat was certain, the usurper shrugs.

The bastard usurper imbued upon himself all the rights and privileges of a King - claiming divinity through every victory, shifting blame to goats after every defeat. The army lamented, falling into its own selfish arrogance.

For two and a half years, decadence and complacency ruled the hearts of the orangemen. The Great King became weary...impatient; The Master of Minds blinded by his own arrogant genius would foolishly insult his Lord.

The Great King, with aged wisdom, gathered up his allies to depose the all-too-powerful Master of Minds. A great purging was nigh.

To be continued...

The Lynch Perspective - unForked

Tim Lynch — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:17:23 -0000

Well, another week in the books and I am once again left befuddled by our beloved Denver Broncos. There comes a time when you stick a well sharpened fork into a tender piece of meat and find that it is indeed NOT done.

That is what I discovered 3 short days after a 32-3 embarrassing home loss to the divisional rival San Diego Chargers. My fork was misplaced and hopefully will continue to be misplaced for the remainder of the season.

With just five games left, there is much to talk about - so let's get on with it!

New York Giants @ Denver Broncos

After nearly a perfect game against the floundering New York Giants, the nasty taste in my mouth left over from the Charger's game was washed away. I recall feeling apprehensive early in the game when the offense committed three procedure penalties in the red zone and ended with yet another field goal. I recall thinking, "Great here we go again!"

Thankfully, Josh McDaniels tore some new one's and the offense finally responded. I'm still worried about our red zone efficiency, two touchdowns and four field goals just isn't getting it done down there. This team needs to come out next week and dominate in a stadium where the Broncos have rarely dominated in December.

Overall, I was wholly pleased with our effort in all three phases of the game. The defense played inspired and I hope they can keep up that level of intensity for the final five games of the season.

The Future

Though I have removed the fork from the "not yet done" Denver Broncos, I need a few more performances like Thursday's to get me back in the saddle completely. Next week will be yet another huge test for our football team. A big win over Kansas City will got a long ways. Arrowhead Stadium in December is a House of Horrors for the Broncos over the last 40+ years.

You would have to be quite blind not to see that next week is no "gimmie". Just take a look at this graphic of our all-time W/L record at the Chiefs. My hope is that the Broncos defense will crush the Chiefs offense enough to keep the game close. I think we pull away in the fourth quarter for a respectable 20-10 win. Setting up the game of the year.

I am hoping that Indianapolis carries the streak for one more week. They will be 12-0. at home and facing the mounting pressures of the vaunted undefeated season. I think we match up well against them as it is, but I have no qualms looking for whatever edge there is and being undefeated puts undue pressure on a team. Even Peyton Manning can succumb to that kind of pressure. Besides, we badly need a few more conference wins. If Baltimore and Pittsburgh both surge late in the season, we're screwed if we lose even just one game.

Referees

Here is a touchy subject for many. Some think referees are above reproach, while others would love to have a few choice words with them that would end in a fist fight. Personally, I think refs are human and have all the same positive and negative attributes as the rest of us.

I'm also a Sacramento Kings fan and I know for a fact that refs are as capable of cheating for personal gain as anyone on the planet. I stopped caring about basketball after the 2002 Western Conference finals when the refs helped the Lakers win game 6, screwing Sacramento out of a chance of going to the NBA Finals. The ref admitted to it and the NBA denies it - I am no long an NBA fan. Plain and simple.

That said, the NFL needs to make absolutely sure there is no fixing going on in the game. Every questionable call needs to be scrutinized and the ref put on a watch list for any future questionable calls. Don't allow the game to be ruined by a few bad apples.

Now, I'm not saying that a certain referee who threw a flag on a phantom pass interference on a Houston Texan defender with the Texans up 20-7 over the Colts an example of cheating, but the NFL needs to ensure that the level of toleration for these kinds of mistakes needs to be very low.

The problem I am seeing is that the NFL goes out of its way to defend every single call made and to promote the fiction that referees are above reproach. That's a recipe for future disaster.

Ed Hochuli should have been put on a "watch list" last year after the blown call in the Charger-Bronco game as should the guy who called the PI in the Texan game. Those kinds of calls change momentum, change the course of the game and ultimately help determine the winner.

Football is all about momentum and it sickens me when momentum is given or taken by the drop of a yellow hankie - especially when the call is not even close to being right. Otherwise, the NFL might go the way of the NBA.

My Final 12

With five games to go in the regular season, here are my final 12. First up, the AFC:

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-2): The Colts drop one against the Broncos and another, but finish firmly in control of the top seed. The road to the Super Bowl will go through Manning.

2. New England Patriots(12-4): Early on, the MSM counted them out. I never did, the Patriots are the only true dynasty of this decade and have proved it again this year.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): So this is how this team plays. Two mediocre years in between great ones. I don't think they will get past the Divisional Round however.

4. San Diego Chargers (11-5): I hate predicting this.

5. Denver Broncos (11-5): A critical win over the Colts helped propel us to tie the Chargers, somehow we lose the tiebreaker with Ba Dolts.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers(10-6): The Steelers surge to secure the final playoff spot and figure to be a major factor in the hunt for the Super Bowl.

Now the NFC:

1. Minnesota Vikings(14-2): I hate this, but I don't see the Vikings stumbling more than once more down the stretch. The Vikings always find a way to choke in the playoffs though, as does Favre!

2. New Orleans Saints (13-3): I believe the Saints will reach the Super Bowl this year, but they will have a 1997-Bronco-like stumble in the final five games this year. Starting with the New England Patriots.

3. Dallas Cowboys(12-4): Apparently, losing to the Broncos was just what the doctor ordered for this team. Only one loss since that Week 4 matchup.

4. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): All these guys need to do is get hot in the playoffs.

5. Green Bay Packers(11-5): How sweet would it be for the Packers to beat Favre on their way to the NFC Championship game?

6. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The Eagles have the best down the field offense in the league this year, although, too much reliance on that could cost them in the playoffs.

Poll

Where is your fork now?

Still stuck

3 votes

Unstuck, but sharpening it

25 votes

Stopped sharpening and put it away

16 votes

Still shoved up your hiney!

9 votes

Using my fork to stir the kool aid baby!

61 votes

114 votes | Poll has closed

John and Friends Predict....Week 12 in the NFL

Tim Lynch — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:17:25 -0000

WEEK 12
-	John	Steve	Tim	Doug	Ted	Mdierk	Guru Wife
GB @ DET	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB	GB
OAK @ DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL	DAL
MIA @ BUF	MIA	MIA	MIA	MIA	MIA	MIA	MIA
WAS @ PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI	PHI
TB @ ATL	ATL	ATL	ATL	ATL	ATL	ATL	ATL
SEA @ STL	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	SEA	STL	SEA
CAR @ NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	NYJ	CAR	CAR	CAR	NYJ
CLE @ CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN	CIN
IND @ HOU	IND	IND	HOU	IND	IND	IND	IND
KC @ SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD	SD
JAX @ SF	SF	JAX	SF	JAX	SF	SF	SF
CHI @ MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN	MIN
ARI @ TEN	TEN	ARI	TEN	ARI	TEN	ARI	ARI
PIT @ BAL	PIT	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL	BAL
NE @ NO	NO	NO	NE	NE	NE	NO	NYG
Last Week	11-4	10-5	12-3	11-4	9-6	10-5	11-4
Season Record	105-45	101-49	106-44	97-53	97-53	99-51	102-48

Apex

Tim Lynch — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:34:01 -0000

Continued from...

A new army, so stout and voracious, emerged. The Duke, the leader at it's core; Tee-dee, the horse that tramples - leaders of the pack.

Together with a great sage whose Sharp speech incited rage and foolishness in enemy hearts; an assassin whose blade became nightmare's for many, including those hailing from the Kingdom of Niger; and an aging mercenary from the land of Chieftains, whose spiked mace cut through even the strongest of defenses.

Never had such an army been put forth onto the battlefield - vengeance and redemption were within the clutches of this mighty imperial force. Through the first many months of campaign, no evildoer could stand in the way of this awesome show of strength of will.

The spoils of war were not without stumbles, first the hated Chieftain tribe, led by the infamous Mar-tee, exacted an embarrassing defeat to The Master of Minds and his mythical God-like army of heroes. Then the City of Steel levied another crushing blow to the pride of the Orangemen. Yet, all was not lost. The Duke assembled the troops.

Il Duca, displaying his wisdom and stoic pride, delivered a tantalizing oratory to the masses - inspiring them to achieve incredible accomplishments.

Regrouped, reorganized and refocused to the task, the great heroic army marched forth against the hated left-handed demon whose pet wildcat once ravaged their sacred lands. The destruction was so massive, so complete, that no stone was left unturned, no blade of grass left unburned. Never again would the left-handed devil threaten the supremacy of the great Orange Dynasty.

Emboldened by the route, The Duke marched upon the great chieftain village and the once lame Mar-tee - the battle would become a bloody draw, until the magnificent Tee-dee charged forward to destroy the defensive lines of the natives. A late counter-offensive would be thwarted by the Empires trusty Assassin and the Mercenary.

With vengeance again filling the hearts of the righteous, the great army marched upon the City of Steel. The battle, fought too and fro; victory near, the great sage hoisted a beacon of light above the enemy - all perished.

Fate sealed, one final adversary standing in the way of the mighty armies of Orange. An enemy, whose sacred writ ordained the God-like figure of the Fav-rey. A cheesy worship of a man who preferred fame to ultimate glory.

The Duke, blundered; Tee-dee, a hero's embrace. The assassin, assassinates - the Fav-rey capitulated.

Thirty-eight glorious years of history and in the fourteenth year of the Great King's reign, the Imperial Kingdom achieved total victory. Vengeance attained, redemption secured. The armies descended upon all the lands, exacting tribute and receiving gifts of earth and water. All adversaries humbled by the sheer strength of the new dynasty.

A Golden Age ensued, the first full year without war the world had ever known. Little did anyone know, an old friend/foe was about to rise from the ashes in rebellion.

The ole General, exiled to the ends of the earth, gathered up an army of crows; hungry for the pure blood of righteousness. The rebellion, true and mighty, descended upon the sacred homeland. The Duke, trusting of the Rod, repelled the skies of those demonic creatures. The corpses of the dirty birds littered the battlefield; the ole General castigated.

Another year of peace reigned supreme across the lands of Orange.

The grand Duke retired into obscurity and into Imperial lore. No hero before or after measured up to the ultimate deity of one man. Legends were made.

Unbeknownst to the righteous King and the purity of the heroic men of the Empire, a diabolic plan was being hatched by evil ones that would ultimately bring the great Empire to its knees.

The departure of the grand Duke left a void in leadership, which ultimately enabled the evildoers to unleash their wretched plan, striking down the great warrior Tee-dee from behind. The army quickly disintegrated, the empire collapsed - fear and desolation filled the hearts of its citizens.

Retreat was the Empire's only recourse, the Master of Minds bided his time.

To be continued...

Upheaval

Tim Lynch — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:55:02 -0000

Continued from...

Civil War averted by the Great King through a brokered truce between The Duke and the wily ole General. The façade would prove to be short lived, but for a time there would be successes within the realm.

The precarious truce morphed into a battle of ego and subversion.

To be broken at last by the ole General when he attempted to install an usurper to The Duke. The usurper, a pawn - innocent, but it mattered not. The army split, two factions had formed - war imminent.

The ole General, though cunning and secretive, was arrested by the bold King and his royal guard. Before the ole Generals allies could react, he was exiled from the lands of Orange.

Justice fell swiftly upon the kingdom - none guilty spared. War decisively precluded, the Duke's preeminence reinforced.

The most high King anointed a portly fellow, a son of a Bum, to General. Though command was ultimately bestowed upon The great Duke - a wild run, without a strategic objective ensued. Great victories, crushing defeats.

The Duke heroic and great in his own right, without ultimate victory.

Bum's son, ineffectual; supplanted by a wizard of sorts. A Master of Minds, who would bring forth the greatest warriors the Kingdom of Orange ever beheld, would become the supreme leader of the armies of righteousness.

A dynasty was born, The Duke's power ceded to the great Master of Minds.

One magnificent warrior, whom they called Tee-dee, was the greatest of all the Master of Minds brought forth. The ultimate hero, legs as thick as the largest tree trunks, arms so massive that beasts of burden were no match in strength, and wits that gave even the greatest Generals pause.

Tee-dee's gallop towards the enemy shook the very walls of Hades. All foes fell before his onslaught. His cry struck fear into the hearts of many; his bludgeon's reverberated throughout the enemy lines - crumbling them.

The trembling bones of the opposition emboldened the armies of orange with courage they once found wanting.

Poised for greatness, the armies of Orange burst outward from their protective barricades, advancing in all directions; a horde unlike any the known world have ever seen. For months, no foe could muster the courage or fortitude to withstand the orangemen's military juggernaut.

On the cusp of world domination, a young upstart republic and their left-handed peasant hero beguiled and bewildered the armies of the Master - defeat was dealt severely upon The Duke.

The disaster was so disparaging that the once great Duke nearly hung up his broadsword to retire into obscurity and shame.

He and the armies of Orange persevered; with vengeance on their minds and a thirst for redemption in their hearts, the armies resurrected their pride and marched forward - leaving only despair and destruction in their wake.

To be continued...