Swammi's Top 10

1	LT/NOMB - The only man that could have beaten LT in my mind was Ice - Ellis. Despite losing to Ice twice this season, I give LT the slight edge because he is more of a tournament tested warrior. Because of his clutch wins in so many tournaments this year, and his hand down domination in Nationals IV, LT stays atop my top 10 for 2002.
2	Ice Ellis/NOMB - Some may ask, how can the champ be #2? No disrespect to Ice, because he definitely deserves to be the champion, I gave LT the slight edge for the above reasons. However, without question, Ice has the most prolific scoring machine in the nation. Although he did not dominate the tourney in the manner of LT, all he did was win it all baby.....Thats why he is our new Champ!
3	TrapJaw/HMFL - TrapJaw showed at Nationals IV why he is considered one of the best in the nation. The Trap has simply dominated in every tournament appearance he has made this season. His 70-0 defeat of Juice in the 2nd round is a Natioals record for a shut out. After topping 504 Will ni the final 8, Trap fell just 6 points of upsetting the former champ LT.
4	Curly Top/BMBT - He is by far the funniest brother in the Madden Community, but his game is no joke. Also known as 504 Top, this brother can flat out ball. Although he lost to 504 Will in the 2nd round, C-Top is another touney tested veteran that has several tourney championship wins under his belt. There are two things Tops opponents must know when playing him. He is unblitzable - And he dives!
5	504 Wil/NOMB - Although he pulled a drammatic come from behind win over C-Top, because he got off to a late start, 504 Will lands in the #5 spot in my top 10. Will really came on strong late in the season tailoring his game for a strong Nationals run. Because of his late start, Will didn't play in very many tourneys or the NOMB league. But his late push showed why he is considered one of the best in the nation.
6	Reality/MPL - Reality had his weight up at the right time...Nationals IV. Reality earned the respect of the community with his solid and consistent tournament play. After topping solid ballers such as Jigg, Morpheaus and Pasadena Soldier in route to his final four appearance, Reality came within 7 points of a trip to the championship game before losing to the eventual champion.
7	Headbuster/BABC - Headbuster had a solid tourney showing proving his west coast dominance was no fluke. If nothing else, Headbuster provided us with the most quoted line of the tournament..."I aint caught a pass all weekend." Although Headbuster celebrates the fact he solicits the assistance of the cpu when catching, he rode what he did best all the way to a final 8 finish before losing to the eventual champ Ice Ellis in a 63-56 shoot out.
8	DC/BFL - DC is the only baller to make The Swammi's top 10 three straight years. Despite losing in the second round of the tourney, DC racked up a #1 seed in the tourney with a +58 point differential, 3rd highest ever. Although his game is solid and he is arguably one of the best in the country, DC has to get the monkey off his back and win the big game. His regular season performances, and early tournament round performances are solid. A league or tourney championship is the only thing missing from his resume.
9	Pasadena Solider/FA - After contemplating not coming to Nationals IV, Soldier made the best decision of his season by making the journey to LA and proceeding to have a excellent tourney showing. Soldier has shown that he is arguably one of the best cluch moment performers, winning in drammatic fashion time and time again. His drammatic wins over E* and Collins in 2002 adds to classic Soldier moments such as Isux in 2000 and Che' and The Director in 2001.
10	Ryan Collins/PFL - After taking it on the chin in a couple of side games before the tourney started, RC refocused and had a solid showing advancing to the sweet 16 for the second straight year. Collins also provided us with the biggest come from behind win in Nationals history. Trailing Powder 44-12 at the half, Collins stormed back to win 45-44, to advance to Survivor Sunday with a 3-0 record.

Honorable Mention

Sam Ski - When I watched Sam Ski play in a side game, I knew right off the bat he had some strong game and would make a strong showing in the tourney. Look for Sam Ski to make a solid showing in Miami next year.

Slave/BABC - Slave had a solid tourney which included a close yet impressive win over a solid MoNutt. Slave's only two losses came at the hands of C-Top in the RR and LT in the elite 8, two of the best in the nation.

CDam/HOB - Knocking off the #1 seed in the tourney certainly deserves notice. After going 2-1 in the RR, CDam's upset of DC propelled him into the Sweet 16 where he lost to Headbuster.

Zulu - Upsetting the #3 seed also deserves note. After barely making the tourney at a 18 seed in region 3, Zulu went all the way to the sweet 16 before he ran out of steam facing 504 Will. His upset of Dru in the first round is one of the biggest upsets in Nationals history.

Dru/BFL - Without question Dru is a top baller. However, Dru needs the mental toughness, and big game decsion making skills to go along with his excellent schemes and stick control to get him into the class of the elite.