As we approach the beginning of a new spring season, teams that are either elite or bordering on elite status are looking to fortify their rosters through free agency. Although most offseason acquisitions result in marginal gains for teams, there are a select few that end up catapulting talented rosters into championship-caliber rosters. In no particular order here are a few free agents whose impact on their teams’ successes was invaluable.

• During the Summer 2011 season, there was a team called “THE U” that played with a tenacity on both sides of the ball that few teams in league history have been able to match. The star-studded roster included All-Stars Jeff Bollinger, Branden Ballard, Anthony Miller and Larry Thomas.

• While all of the aforementioned names deserve credit for their contributions to THE U’s dominance, free agent Wide Receiver Travis Ommert’s exceptional hands on offense and gritty presence in the secondary were key ingredients to an already formidable roster.

• That season Ommert finished third overall in receptions with 49 and first in receiving touchdowns with 23.

• As a result of his play, the star wideout earned him the SUMMER 2011 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD.

• Prior to the Summer 2015 season, Defensive Back Dane Williams had spent his entire career with MMG. As an MMG player Williams established himself as one of the top corners in our league. Whether he was summoned by his team to play DB or free safety, Williams excelled in man-to-man and zone coverages.

• Due to a “misunderstanding” between Williams and MMG, the All-Star DB found himself without a team right before the start of the Summer 2015 season. After meeting with Cornell Mack and the rest of VAPOR, both sides mutually agreed to add Williams to the team.

• During the Fall 2015 season, Williams often covered the opposing team’s best deep threat. In addition he added 23 receptions and five TDs. The offensive production from Williams was especially significant because he was able to develop a chemistry with Mack that he was never able to develop with MMG Quarterback Tony Battaglini due to his role as a one-way player.

• In the championship game against the VULTUREZ, Williams deflected multiple passes in the absences of DJ Douglas  and Ed Tozzi (who left the game due to injury).

• Through the years the VULTUREZ have been one of the league’s most consistently dominant teams. Unfortunately, they have not been able to reach the promised land in the form of a championship trophy despite their talented rosters.

• Once all-time great VULTURE Ray Toomey along with several other stars who left the team either because they retired from flag football or decided to play for a new squad, the VULTUREZ left the league for a couple of seasons.

• After a brief hiatus, Lance Brunsell reloaded the VULTUREZ mainly through free agency. The biggest free agent acquisition of the Fall 2015 season was rookie Zack Stewart.

• In his first season, Stewart caught 43 passes along with 10 touchdowns to spearhead the VULTUREZ high-powered offense.

• Defensively, Stewart registered 26 tackles along with a league-leading nine interceptions.

• His stellar performances on both sides of the ball resulted in IRON MAN OF THE YEAR honors.

• All-Star Wide Receiver Ray Toomey is one of the greatest players that the league has ever seen.

• He ranks 7th all time on the single-season receptions list with 68 catches in the Fall 2011 season.

• During the Fall 2011 season Toomey also won IRON MAN OF THE YEAR for his performance on offense and defense.

• Toomey’s career with the PFFL has been so stellar that the media bestowed upon him the ultimate honor by ranking him as #7 on the Top 50 Players of All-Time.

• Toomey’s skills on both sides of the ball helped the VULTUREZ to capture several divisional titles as well as multiple deep playoff runs that have led to championship game appearances.

• Prior to joining REIGN, the most dominant team in PFFL history, LaRoi “Franchise” Johnson was a talented player without team success in the postseason to compliment his talent. Standing at 6 foot 3, weighing in at 280, Johnson was an imposing figure for opposing DBs.  In addition, he had the softest hands that you’ll ever see on a football field.

• THEN IT HAPPENED! All-time great QB Mike Lucyk and Franchise had a conversation which led to the big man joining forces with the REIGN dynasty.

• During the Fall 2011 season, Franchise finished within among the league leaders in receivers with 45 receptions and nine TDs.

• Franchise’s contributions during the Fall 2011 playoff tournament helped REIGN win its third consecutive championship.

• In 2013, the PFFL media named Franchise as its 15th greatest player of all time.