Dell Barton Rank: # 14 League: The PFL - Ft. Lauderdale, FL Nationals Record: 5-1
Barton:Two years, two trips to the conference finals.
PAST NATIONALS RECORDS TEAM SEASON RECORD DNP 1999 - DNP 2000 - Lions 2001 5-1 Total Wins .833 5-1 Dell Barton Facts - Nationals Win%. - .833 - 8th Nationals Wins - 5 - 27th Championship Appearances - 0 Championship Wins - 0 2001 PFL AFC Championship runner up

Close is only good when playing horseshoes is how the old saying goes. And maybe Barton wishes he was playing Collins in horseshoes rather than Madden. Because Barton has been able to come close to defeating Collins when it counts, but he continues to come up short.

Early in the season, Barton had his shot to defeat Collins in week 6. But Ryan escaped with the narrow 40-35 win. That loss sent Barton on a three game losing streak. Sunday was the same type of exciting game, with Barton falling short 16-14. That loss ended Barton's season.

It was by far the best defensive game Barton has played this season. He mixed his blitzes with solid zone coverage's, using excellent stick control to stymie the Saint offense. Collins trailed 7-0 for most of the first half, before scoring twice inside the two minute warning to go up 14-7. It looked as though Collins would blow the gamein the second half But Barton's great defensive play extended into the second half.

Just when it looked as though an upset was in the making, with the Saints up 16-14, Barton forced the ball into double coverage, and Collins picked it off, to foil Barton's upset hopes. The play called for Barton to hit Sloan on the TE corner route. With the TE covered underneath, Barton went to his second option, Moore on the deep square out. Collins jumped the route and intercepted the ball with just under 2:30 to play in the game. Collins milked the clock before going on to win 16-14.

It was another close call for Collins, and another valiant effort for Barton who seems to be unable to get past Brooks or either Collins to advance to the big dance. It was Barton's second trip to the conference championship game in as many years. Last years loss was to Brooks, this year to Collins.

For Barton, Its All About R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Dell Barton has let it be known that he has no respect what so ever for Teddy B! and the Chargers. "Yea, I know he won the division and all, I give him his props," Barton exclaimed, "but he can't beat me!"

To say that Barton has been dominant over Brown this season is an under statement. The Lions have racked up the Chargers to the tune of 90-54 in the two regular season meetings. In each of those games, Barton has put Teddy B! away early.

But Barton is out to prove a point. The #14 ranked baller in the nation by the MWS is not excited about losing to Brown last season, and was not particularly pleased to find Brown announcing he won the NFC Madden division. So he has made it known that he will attempt to score 100 points on the Brown.

Of course that won't happen, Brown will certainly play smart playoff ball. But keep in mind, the quarters are extended to 8 minutes, and the scores can get high.

But with all of that confidence Barton exudes, could he become guilty of looking past Brown? He fully expects Collins to dismantle Hilton in the later game, and feeling as though he will pummel the Chargers, could Barton be looking ahead to a possible NFC championship game with Collins?

For Barton, it has been hard for him to get respect from the top ballers in his own league. Meanwhile, he has traveled across the country earning the respect of other ballers in other leagues, with most recognizing him as one of the top ballers in the nation. Don't ask Collins if he respects Barton's game. "Who Dell? He sucks, I'll mutt him!" Collins quips emphatically.

Barton's next two games will be about respect. For if he loses to Teddy B!, most ballers won't give Brown his props for playing a stellar game. Instead they will lambaste Dell for losing. However, if he wins, he will have a chance to silence Collins, providing they meet in the NFC title game. Because if Barton prevents Collins from going to Superbowl VI, it may be his biggest win ever. Even bigger than his win over Winky White at Nationals III. Then and only then will Barton be able to demand his RESPECT from Collins.

Dell Barton is hungry. And he is breathing down Teddy B!'s neck, so furious, that Brown can probably feel it in his sleep. Barton just finished a quick tour around the country where he stopped in Atlanta, Dallas, and Detroit. He returns back to S. Florida feeling rather confident after posting wins over all of his opponents (except for #9 ranked D.C.) hoping to unleash the same offensive fury he dominated with while on the road.

Barton enters week 13 looking to run the PFL table and capture a second seed in the NFC. To do that he must first dispense of Steve Stewart on Sunday and hope James Brooks takes care of Teddy B!. The ball is certainly in Barton's court as he controls his own destiny.

A Teddy B! loss should guarantee Barton the division title, provided he tops Stewart's Bears. This won't be a cakewalk for Barton as he a Stewart exchange grid iron blows before the season break. Both ballers spilt with each other making Sunday's contest an even one.

If Barton can get past Stewart he may face a cakewalk in the playoffs. Of Barton's four losses, three have come at the hands of the AFC in Swammi, Rod Lucas and Brooks. Only Collins from the NFC has been able to slow down the motor city maniac.

Barton closes out with Brian Cook (twice), the Bears, the 49ers, and Colts. With that kind of schedule, Barton should finish at no less than 11-5. Question is, will that be good enough to overtake the surprising Teddy B!

Two Losses Cost Barton Division Lead

Barton went into his week 7-8 games knowing that he needed at least a split to stay ahead of Teddy B! in the Madden Division standings. What more than likely did not play a part in Barton's scenario was losing both games, falling to 4-4, and being two games behind the front running Teddy B! and the Chargers.

Barton schedule last week was a tough one. First he had to face the tough James Brooks and the now 7-1 Vikings. He then followed with Rod Lucas and the stubborn Jets, who refused to lose.

In both of his games Barton lead comfortably at the half, only to come apart later in the game. The Lions were up 28-18 over the Vikings at the half before Brooks scored 14 unanswered in the second half to steal a 32-28 win.

Against the Jets, Barton took a 20-14 lead into the final period, before Lucas came alive and outscored Barton 29-14 in the fourth quarter to win.

Next week Barton should recover. He has the struggling Eagles (1-4) and a rematch with Teddy B!, whom he spanked two weeks ago 41-27. Barton will need two wins to pull at least one game behind Teddy B!. The Chargers take on St. Louis in the early game. Two weeks ago, Brown pimp slapped Cook's Rams 21-0.

Final		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	T
	Vikings (Brooks)	6	12	7	7	32
	Detroit (Barton)	7	21	0	0	28

Final		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	T
	Jets (Rod)	7	7	0	29	43
	Detroit (Barton)	14	6	0	12	32

Dell Barton Stats after 6 games

Quarterback Att Cm Yds Int TD Pct Avg Rtg Pts Charlie Batch 443 236 5594 18 64 53.3 23.7 121.2 384			Lions Gamebook
Rushing Rsh Yds Avg TD Pts James Stewart 142 514 3.6 10 60 Sedrick Irvin 10 42 4.2 4 24
Receiving Rec Yds TD Avg Pts Herman Moore 55 1834 16 33.3 96 David Sloan 55 845 9 15.4 54 Germain Crowell 51 1296 17 25.4 102 Johnny Morton 40 1017 11 25.4 66 James Stewart 27 430 6 15.9 36	Sacks Sk Tracy Scroggins 10 Luther Ellis 9 James Jones 8 Robert Porcher 7 Chris Claiborne 3 Todd Lyght 3 Robert Bailey 2 Allen Aldrige 2	Interceptions Int Kurt Schultz 11 Terry Fair 5 Bryant Westbrook 5 Robert Bailey 3 Ron Rice 3 Todd Lyght 2 Allen Aldridge 2 Chris Claiborne 1

Barton's Best Still Not Enough

from week 5-6 (3/3/02)

Sometimes the best you have is just not enough. That is what Dell Barton experienced Sunday after his thrilling 40-35 loss to Ryan Collins.

"I played the best game I could have played," the #14 ranked Barton explained after the game. "The guy is just red hot right now."

After falling 21-6 in the second quarter, Barton stormed back to take a 28-21 lead going into the 4th quarter, lead by 441 yards passing yards from Charlie Batch, Barton.

However, the relentless Collins came right back midway through the 4th quarter to tie the game at 28. After a costly Batch interception, Collins cashed in late in the final period to go up 34-28. And after a high snap on 4th down forced another Lions turnover, the Saints stretched the lead to 40-28. The Lions made one last run closing the gap to 40-35, but it was then too little too late.

Final		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	T
	Collins (Saints)	7	14	12	7	40
	Detroit (Barton)	6	8	14	7	35

Final		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	T
	Lions (Barton)	13	0	7	21	41
	Chargers (Teddy B!)	7	0	14	6	27

After Dell Barton's strong showing at Nationals III, the Michigan native now looks to establish himself as one of the known top ballers in the PFL. When ballers in the community talked of the top ballers in the PFL, the names Collins and Brooks came to mind. Barton says its time for the other two PFL heavy hitters to share the spotlight.

But if Barton is going to gain that type of notoriety, he will have to take care of business at home. The Lions went 1-1 in ther falling to The Swammi 17-14, before coming alive and hammering the Ed Hayward's Ravens 49-7.

The Swammi pounded Barton with Emmit Smith to the tune of 20 carries for 110 yards. The Cowboys dominated the time of possession playing keep away from the explosive Lion offense 15:57 to the Lions 8:03.

In the second game, the Lions passing attack came to life. Batch went 15-26 for 375 yards. Add 5 td's and only one interception, and the Lions are now picking up where they left off last season.

Next week Barton faces Allen's 0-1 49ers and A.B.'s 2-0 Raiders. The Raiders are coming off two impressive come from behind wins in the PFLr. Last season the Raiders fell to Barton twice, including a wild card round blow out loss.

How Dell Barton faired at Nationals III

Game 1 - defeated Johnny Z (DFL) 22-10
Game 2 - defeated E-Lai (ISUX) (MHOB) 28-14
Game 3 - defeated 3rd & Long (The BFL) 33-15
Game 4 - defeated Winky White (The BFL) 57-50 - Round 1 Of Survivor Sunday
Game 5 - defeated Playmaker (BAMA) 37-23 - Round 2 Of Survivor Sunday
Game 6 - loss to Will Turner (DFL) 54-6 - Quarterfinals

More On Dell Barton

Dell Barton emerged as one of the surprise stories of Nationals III. Make no mistake about it, Barton has game. But when you looked at the PFL favorites, Brooks and Ryan Collins are the names most spoken of. But on this day in July in New Orleans, Dell Barton would elevate his Nationals stock by knocking off an impressive list of ballers.

In his rookie season in the PFL, Barton advanced to the AFC championship before falling to Brooks. Nationals however, would be an entirely different experience for the newcomer. Nevertheless, the way Barton rolled through the tourney, you would think that he had been there all three years.

After a 3-0 mark in his round robin, Barton stepped into the Nationals spotlight with his upset of two time Nationals runner up Winky White. This along with the Paul D's upset of Pasadena Soldier were the two biggest shockers of the tourney.

White fell behind late in the third quarter, and despite a furious rally late in the game, Barton held on to secure the win. The buzz throughout the room became....who is Dell Barton.

Barton went on to defeat Playmaker before falling to Will Turner in the quarters.

Barton now preps for his second season in the PFL where he expects to be one of the favorites to make a serious run for the title.