Song of the Buccaneer King

(From Vol. 12, No. 8 of The EGL Insider)

Matzeliger - In week three, we lamented the "passing" of
Lawrence Mandeville "Charlie" Baggett III, the Old Sea Dog,
Hisself, as he went whereever old quarterbacks go to die.
Actually, he didn't go anywhere as the rumor is Baggett will

succeed Jacque Romar as coach of the Purvis Sackers at the
end of the season.  It is alleged that this was the "sweetheart"
deal that convinced Baggett to step aside so his young apprentice,
Laurens de Graff, could take the helm of the Purvis pirate
galleon.

Let the Insider state here, without equivocation, that 
de Graff is the best quarterback never coached by Ezzrett
Anderson.  Although, by all rights, he should have been.

The problem is, when de Graff graduated from high school
with the gaudiest school boy resume since Charlie Compass,

Anderson already had a stud-in-waiting at quarterback -

the incomparable James "Shack" Harris, a sophomore
who would lead the Cadets to two College World Champion-
ships.  Anderson thought so much of Harris that when Harris

moved to the EGL, Anderson packed his bag and went with
him.

So, unable to continue the tradition of great quarterbacks 
at the Military Academy of Eroica, de Graff decided to start

a new tradition.  The story is de Graff wanted to go to the
Academy because his idol, Charlie Compass, martriculated 

there.  The story continues that he chose to suit up for tiny

Jacquelado University in Jacquelado, Eroica, because Compass'

first coach, his father, coached there.  Jacquelado's wide-open,
free wheeling offense was tailor made for the man who would
be King.

It was Sam Lacey, Editor Emeritus of the Ammar Age sports
page, who described de Graff as "a born leader of men, fearless -

a great and mischievous pirate - a one time Buccaneer King"
after watching de Graff almost singlehandedly "steal" a game
from the heavily favored College of the Magi.  

The Legend of the Buccaneer King grew by leaps and bounds

and largely by word-of-mouth as none of the Checkers' games
were televised.  This was to de Graff's advantage as sports

scribes had a field day trying to describe his exploits on the 
field.

Such was de Graff's renown that the ol' Pirate Hisself, Lomas
Brand, owner of the Purvis Sackers gridball team, had to 
come and see with his own eyes.  Duly impressed, Brand
moved heaven, earth and a fair amount of booty to sign de
Graff.  Thus far, since taking over from Charlie Baggett in
week four, Graff has managed only one win, but it was a
stunner.

The once and future Buccaneer King threw three touchdowns
in a 21-14 victory over his idol Charlie Compass in his 
quarterbacking debut.  Losses in weeks 5-7 ensued.  Two
of thoses losses came on the road.  The Sackers are back 
home at Pirates' Cove this week, so I am predicting de
Graff will shock and amaze once again by derailing a mighty

railroad in week eight.

 

One Charlie Out

(From Vol. 12, No. 4 of The EGL Insider)

Matzeliger - At one time, it seemed every other signal caller in 
the EGL was named "Charlie."  There was Charlie "Choo Choo"
Brackens of the Beardsford Couplers; Charlie Blackener of the 
Morgan Smokers and, arguably, the most famous "Charlie" of
them all, Charlie Compass of the Forten Sailors.  

Well, now there's one less "Charlie" in the fraternity as Charlie
Baggett, long time signal caller of the Purvis Sackers, has 
surrendered his command - perhaps just steps ahead of being
forced to walk the plank.  After two disasterous seasons, the
Sacker brain trust, led by the Ol' Pirate Hisself, Lomas Brand,
has decided to go with strong-arm rookie Laurens "the Buccaneer
King" DeGraff as their quarterback.  

The change of guard was inevitable, perhaps, given the Pirates'
fallen fortunes, but if any member of the Sackers could be 
absolved of responsibility for Purvis' freefall, it would be Baggett.

Fact is, Lawrence Mandeville "Charlie" Baggett III was often
valiant in defeat, putting up respectable numbers and giving
his team a chance to win - a chance his once stout defense would,
more often than not, squander.  

Still, with all the weapons at his disposal - running back 
Lancelot Fury and wideouts Devon Dagger and David Harrow,
Baggett was expected to find a way to win.  So, what is the 
legacy of a salty seadog who won twice as many games as he
lost, four "Battle of the Blacklands," advanced his team to the 
EGL Championship Game four times, but never won one?

Well, in the opinion of the Insider, this Charlie may be out as
the Pirates' signal caller, but he is a shoo-in for the Gridiron
Hall of Fame.