I know that there’s talk of a playoff system that won’t happen in the foreseeable future, though I never thought that a black man would be President while I lived either. Why isn’t there much discussion about why teams are ranked prior to the season starting? No offense to Sho and the Geyters but aren’t the Canes victories more impressive? Why can’t we start looking at ranking teams after 4 or 6 weeks? Where is the money that’s being generated to keep ranking teams so early?
It was a somewhat disappointing week of college football in general. Florida loses the moral battle to the Vols. A win is a win is a win but if UCLA can soundly beat the Vols at the checkerboard, then shouldn’t the Gaters stomp a mud hole in them at home? The assumption is that F-UCLA sucks,, but I think it’s more fact than fiction when it comes to foozeball. Once again, Tebow will only contribute in the NFL if he’s in the right scheme. The best player on the field was the Vols cornerback, Erick Berry. I was also disappointed by Texas. They should have beaten the Red Raiders at home by halftime. I think that even Bridgette would agree. USC lost because they don’t have a passing game. I’m sorry Kras but it condemns the Buckeyes even more. Cal will lose in a classic trap game against the Ducks. I’m sorry that your Spartans lost the game, VDW. I read about the horrible decision to float a pass in the end zone off the back foot when a chip shot field goal was already in hand to put the game in over time. It was against the Irish of all people too. Think of your football team as the yin to Izzo’s yang. We all can’t have incredible runs like the Donovan/Meyer runs at Florida. Happy, Sho? Here’s a question for you Sho; when was the last solid NFL player to come from a Meyer led program? Harvin “might” me it but it’s too early to say. Alex Smith, Reggie Nelson, and Derrick Harvey have all been disappointments. You can say what you want about Louis Murphy too but Chaz is the wide receiver in Oaktown. Harvard also lost to Holy Cross. I wonder what they would have done against the unholy or just plain old cross. I’m sorry that I jinxed your Yellow Jackets last week, Tim. This time I’ll say that we should be watching the fun in Lawrence.
Game of the week honors goes to the vaunted Bears/Huskers game.
I can see Cliffy screaming at the TV as Clark and Ginn take him down on Monday night. I hope that Erin was able to stay up late enough to see it. As previously mentioned, I’m sure all parties were surprised to see Towns pull off the 4th quarter comeback especially w/ disappointing games from Westbrook and Forte. Speaking of Westbrook, he’s apparently injured the same leg that required off season surgery. He “hopes” to be able to play next week. Good luck w/ those weekly hopes for the rest of the season, Big E. I don’t know what Cliffy was thinking by pulling any starting Saint. It looks like it’s the Drew Brees show each week and I’m sure that none of us are looking forward to facing Cliffy just because of him. VDW, you get the bye week so that’s something for you to be happy about. Cliffy, the Chargers defense is an auto drop now that Jamal Williams is out for the year. Merriman sans the roids is not looking like a dominant force unless it’s against an overly boobed out asian “bisexual.”
I h8 Peyton versus Peyton save my season
This match up also came down to Monday night’s game. I’m sure that Krotchua was in pain to see the Fins double Wayne and go Wildcat on the Colts defense. I’m still surprised that Mojo didn’t do this to them last week. At least S Jax made it to double digits for him this week. Unfortunately, Julius Jones had a poor game against the 49ers and there is talk of ex Cal Bear, Justin Forsett, taking over. Speaking of ex Cal Bears, Aaron Rodgers survived another pounding as his offensive line continues to do their best impersonation of a hologram. I wonder what porous defense Josh will take this week? He should hope that the JETS will fall to him on the waiver wire. Ash gets the win so he should be happy. I wouldn’t be too happy though because you can’t play Krouche each week. The Vikings look like they are going to play it conservatively so Berrian isn’t going to get too many deep balls. And you better hope that Mason’s poor numbers when the Ravens have been scoring for the last 2 weeks is just an anomaly. You also better hope that Bryant’s injury doesn’t cost him the season. If the Bucs continue their horrible ways on defense and Leftwich is forced to throw it each week, it’s double sided. If Bryant is healthy, he has to get a lot of action. Unless it’s a limping Leftwich going no huddle w/ the Thundering Herd around him, I’m not too confident in his arm. If the Bucs keep losing behind his slow as molasses wind up, I can see Bryant getting shut down for the rest of the season. stanford vs. cal part 1
cal gets the better of stanfurd in this early meeting. Who would have thought that tom Brady and the pats offense would look so unlike last year's version? Oh well. I figured that one of my 2 first picks would be a bust. I’d rather it not be gore and it be the much disliked belicheats. But maybe it's the jets defense that shut down the Texans offense the previous week as well. I like how the asholes dropped them last week. They should be a waiver wire pick up until someone scores 2 td's on them. The before mentioned gore goes off on the injured run defense of the hawks and secures the win for the temple. Unfortunately, sho is my bane this week and possibly year. Don’t listen to sho when it comes to the gators covering spreads. Sho also takes the prize o' da week by a measly 3 yards. Sho also has Mcgahee whose taken ray rice's goal line carries first and then his carries. Geeeezzz!!! Thanks sho. I can also blame the packers defense for giving up so many points to the bungles at home. Speaking of the bungles, Shen is the big beneficiary if palmer can stay healthy. Jennings won't have a repeat barring an injury. If Welker can come back, Shen will be solid from week to week. Speaking of Welker, Shen should drop josh Morgan and pick up Welker part deux as insurance.
I feel the Pain goes down to the Lub.
Initially, I was making fun of Bish for sitting Schaub and Sproles. After reviewing the numbers, I have to take it back because his team sucks so much that it would take 2 Schaubs to give him a chance. Slaton is looking like the biggest healthy bust of the 1st round so far. Too many fumbles and a poor showing for 2 weeks in a row has coach Kubiak lamenting about not being able to sign Cedric Benson in the off season. That can’t be a good thing for Vishnal’s heart. Sproles had a big day but it was through the air which is where the Ravens can be beaten. I don’t think that you could have seen that. Benny gets the win w/ a solid outing. The Steelers don’t have a run game so that means it’s a lot of passes for Big Ben, who’s an injury waiting to happen. He takes way too many hits. If he wasn’t built like a big linebacker he would have gone down to injury last year. It’s a matter of time. Freddy J continues to do well in place of the Lynch Mob. Ben made a great call in sitting Kev Jones in favor for him. It’s early but it sure looks like the Bucs Defense is a cure for your offensive woes. Someone go out and get Eli. VDW, that should be more good news for you and Jacobs.
Do You Really Want to Pronounce Love for Gilbert vs Will I Really Go 0-6 Again?
Poor is the plumber who blames his tools. Gilbert is apparently in the best shape that he’s been in since before his first big knee injury. He’s blaming the Wizards for letting him have too much authority regarding his health and rehabilitation. Timmy blames Peyton for last year’s poor start. (someone start playing the original MJ’s man in the mirror song right now.) I could have also started off by saying that Chris Johnson is still running against the poor Texans defense. 4 less yards and I would have taken the weekly prize. Once again all good things from H town stopped after Hakeem left. Sho is still riding Favre’s conservative approach. I wonder what will happen when he has to throw to win. You can’t face Detroit and Cleveland every week. I can’t be in charge of basketball this season because I have to start planning things for my move. It’s also a big tell for anyone who will be in the league this year. Take Gilbert and ransom him off to Sho. T squared had a good week but it wasn’t good enough, especially against the weekly winner. You look to have 2 good QB’s, Thomas. You will need to make a move earlier than last year in order to get some more talent for your squad. There is no consistent passing attack in SF. Start Ward every week. Santonio has passed him but he’ll still get his in a weekly Steeler passing show. Galloway is another name from the past that you’re clinging to. Bench him until the Pats can get the aerial attack back. Pray that LDT can come back. Hopefully, you won’t have to pray too hard. You need a RB regardless. Drop Macklin and Jenkins. The Philly offense will spread the ball to the open man. Macklin will be the 4th option when Westbrook, Desean, and Celek aren’t open. Jenkins is also the 4th option on offense behind Turner, White, and Gonzo. Gonzo has taken all of his touches from last year. Pick up Tashard Choice and hope that MB3 is out for a game or two or has a lingering injury that makes Choice the starting choice for the Boys.
It’s Kras Time vs Football h8s Me This Year
Kras has another impressive week with a ton of points to spare on the bench. Awesome pick up in Steve Smith, Kras. I don’t think that he’ll keep putting up ridiculous numbers but I can see him being the most consistent receiver for the G Men. Even w/ a potential 1-2 week injury to Barber, Kras has Cedric Benson. I still don’t believe in him but no one cares about what I think. I do think that he won’t do much against the Steeler D this week. All you can do is hope to play Kras when the Cards and Vikings are their bye weeks. VDW is lamenting about the curse put upon him by the football gods. Maybe you should join Fitz’s brother in his tweets against the old man playing QB. He’s the best player on that team and you’d have to think that they’d make a concerted effort to get the ball to him each week. I predict a big week for him and a win for you against me. Romo is going against the piss poor Panthers as you foresaw. Jacobs will get the ball a ton against the hapless Bucs. The Ravens defense is weak against the pass and the Browns are no threat by land, air, or sea. I’m also seriously contemplating a benching for Tommy B. Maybe I’ve gone wacko for Flacco but the Pats haven’t shown me any consistency.
It's good to be back in the states where I think I know how much I'm buying things for and what is being said around me. It's too late to do a recap of all of the weekend's events. I'll do my best to touch on all of the things that I've heard/read about while I've been out of town. As usual, I'll ramble on about things as they pop up into my ADD mind. Check out the the column to vote on who gets more drunk.
I was glad to see that Notre Dame lost. I'm sure that neither Kras nor VDW are happy to see that it was at the hands of a Rich Rodriguez led looking like it's fully functional spread attack in Michigan. I'm also sure that the losses by the Buckeyes and Spartans already spoiled the weekend for both of our boys. I wonder which loss was more bitter for them. USC still has a strong defense but you'd have to think that Kras was hopeful that the 2nd year for Pryor was the best shot for them to win against a true freshman starting for the Trojans. On the other side of the fence, VDW was wondering how the Spartans lost to Central Michigan at home. Apparently, the QB is going to get drafted in the early middle rounds next year. I don't like F-UCLA but it was a good conference win versus the Vols. It will be a very big weekend for both the Big 10 and Pac 10 for out of conference games. Arizona vs. Iowa and Cal vs. Minnesota could push the Big 10 down and push the Pac 10 up if the Bears and Wildcats win as discussed by Stewart Mandel. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/09/16/cfb.mailbag/index.html?eref=T1I was stunned to see the Cowboys lose to the Cougars though. At least it's an early loss for what was supposed to be a top team in the country from the Big 12. If the Cowboys can regroup and/or the Cougars look less like an "underdog," than teams not named the Longhorns in the Big 12 will still have some BCS love. Georgia Tech looks like one of the most entertaining teams in the very early season from both a good and bad point of view.
Now it's time to over react after week 1 of the National Football League. Congrats to Cliffy for drafting Brees and therefore having the high score of the week and getting 10 bones back. If Gore wasn't available at the end of Round 1, I was going to go Brees and Moss. I didn't go Brees and Gore because I was certain that the Patriots and Saints would be among the better offensive teams this season and I wanted to take 1 of their main stalwarts. I correctly guessed that Colston would still be there at the start of round 3 for me but I couldn't justify taking Welker that early in a non PPR league. I'm just trying to make myself feel better.
I think that the Shenanigans score was the biggest anomaly. You don't play the turnover machine that is Jake Delhomme each week so the Eagles D/ST will come no where close to posting that many points again. I'd say that they're going to fall somewhere in the lower teens on average at best for the rest of the season. I'm also trying to make myself feel better b/c I'm playing Shen this week.
Wow!!! LDT is hurt and Sproles ending up getting the work and doing well at crunch time. T squared doesn't pay attention to my ramblings, nor should he. Why any of you are still reading is still a mystery to me and Leslie. But I don't like any old (30 year old or older) RB who has gotten as many touches as he has over the last few years w/ declining numbers to show. I still say that Bishnal should have taken LDT as a karma builder in Sunny D. Unfortunately, there aren't too many RB's out there for Murmurs R Us. You could try and pick up James Davis and hope that he eventually becomes the starter in Cleveland. McNabb's injury and Orton's inability to function smoothly in McDaniel's system forced me to find another WR and drop James Davis.
I was shocked to see Favre stick to a conservative approach on offense. It's the smart thing to do when you have All Day waiting to break off a long one w/ each carry. I still doubt that Favre can stay w/ this game plan when the Vikings play a real football team. I was also surprised to see how poorly the Texcants played at home versus the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!!! I'm no where near as disheartened as Vish and Cliffy are. Perhaps Rex Ryan didn't just have Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis, Terell Suggs, and Ed Reed. Maybe he can "coach up" a team as well. Looking at how the Ravens defense gave up that many points to KC, you might start believing it. It will be very interesting to see how much trash talking goes on before, during, and after the Patriots game. Speaking of the Patriots, they lucked into a win versus the Bills on MNF. I'm not saying that I would have vandalized McKelvin's lawn, but I probably would have cheered on from next door. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4478575 He actually has very good return skills minus the decision making. I'd have to ask Sho about how poorly Haynesworth played. I have read reports of him looking tired and out of shape. At least he's not crying about how the team should have held him back for his own good. I told you that Arenas was a huge diva. Talk about horrible investments in D.C. It's almost Barry Zitoish. I was glad to see that the waiver wire pick ups jived w/ most of the activity on the internet. I like the Michael Clayton pick up but he has stay healthy and the Ravens must continue to let Flacco throw. The other Clayton in Tampa is another player to keep an eye on if Antonio Bryant's knee limits him for the season. It was a no brainer that Sho would go for ex Gator Louis Murphy. I was glad to see that the Raiders had some fight in them. I still have heavy doubts in Jamarcus. Speaking of the Raiders, coach Tom Cable has said that the other back not named McFadden to get the ball each week would be between Bush and Fargas. It's something that Shen should monitor. If the Texans can correct themselves and I think that they will, Cliffy will have made a mistake in dropping Chris Brown for pot head and Ash will be wondering WTF after Kevin Walter starts wreaking havoc over the middle. Patience. It's tough to have but important. I'll start working on my Italy visit soon for no one to be interested in.
So Sho to the Mizzo is the happiest man in the land as Tebow's march to being the greatest college player ever begins. You would have got 2 to 1 odds in Vegas on the Gators a few weeks ago. So I don't know what the injury is, but I'm going to speculate that it's a clavicle fracture/shoulder separation and the Sooners chances of a National Championship this year. I wonder if he's wondering what $50 million and a Lions uniform would feel like right about now. I found a website where they analyze your team. It's Footballguys.com . They analyze your team after you put in the players and scoring system for your league. I couldn't get the defense/special team scoring system to match ours but it's close. It also assume a 3 wr as starters too.
Unfounded predictions: 1) Warner will eventually go down and the hopes of the Cards will lie in Leinart's left arm. Sho should grab him. 2) A few years ago, I had the greatest late pick ever in FWP. Ben saw the Bus relegated to the bench. FWP, meet James Davis. Ben has Jamal Lewis. Kras, testify. 3) The preseason top RB's have a tendency to disappoint greatly. Either All Day, Mojo, Forte, or Turner will fail miserably. In fact, more than one of them could fail. From what I've seen, I see Mojo and then Turner to be the likeliest to disappoint greatly. Turner will get his but he won't be a top 5 RB. 4) I predict that Ray Rice, Sproles, Felix Jones, and Leon Washington will be the surprise middle round picks to join the top 13 RB's by the end of the season.
In addition, here's a youtube clip that I fully expect VDW and Kras to better. I'm off to eat expensive gellato. I'll be back in about 2 weeks. Ciao beeeeatches.
VDW and Shen have the most pressure on them to succeed with a 65% and 52% of making the playoffs w/ "average" inseason management.
Sho, T Squared and Big E have the most work to do or have the suckiest teams w/ only a 50%, 55% and 55% chance of making the playoffs w/ "great" inseason management.
Temple o' Poon
Overview:
This team is built around strong quarterback play. But it has some issues post-draft. Your only real core strength is at quarterback, yet that's often the easiest position to fill during the season. Your relative lack of strength at running back and receiver have the potential to make things challenging for you.
To turn this team into a top contender, you might need to be an active player on the waiver wire and in league trade talks. Last year running backs like Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, Le'Ron McClain and Derrick Ward all could be had dirt cheap at the draft. Additionally, wide receivers like Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn and Mark Clayton were available after a lot of the drafts. You would benefit from landing some of this year's top waiver plays, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.
Players we particularly like on this team include Tom Brady, Leon Washington, Joe Flacco, Eddie Royal, and James Davis. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 25 percent chance of making the playoffs
Kouche
Overview:
We think you're looking good at quarterback and running back. The receiver corps is a concern though.
The good news is that, of all of the weaknesses to have, this one is usually the most survivable. At receiver, it's often relatively easy to find fill-in guys on a weekly basis until a better player emerges during the season.
Last year wide receivers like Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn and Mark Clayton largely went undrafted. But all these guys likely helped the fantasy teams that landed them in 2008. Stay atop the news and watch the target report to find the break out players weeks before the rest of the world wants them and you'll be in the mix.
Players we particularly like on this team include Steven Jackson and Braylon Edwards. We have both these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 33 percent chance of making the playoffs.
VDW Nation
Overview:
We'll start by complimenting you on your strength at quarterback and receiver. As you know, it's very difficult in a competitive league to assemble a team that is strong at QB, RB, and WR, so just about every team will have a weakness. As you probably suspect, we perceive yours to be at running back.
In 2009, that's not an instant fantasy team killer like it might have been five years ago. And in this particular case, we absolutely think you're strong enough elsewhere to overcome it. You've definitely got a good team here, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to keeping an eye out for the 2009 version of 2008's Steve Slaton, Le'Ron McClain, or Derrick Ward.
Players we particularly like on this team include David Garrard, Dwayne Bowe, Anthony Gonzalez, Jerious Norwood, Earnest Graham, and Chris Wells. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Lauren's Leemia
Overview:
Congratulations! You seem to have grabbed quality players at every turn of this draft. It's rare indeed to be better than the average team at the three core positions (quarterback, running back and receiver), but we think this team is.
You must be among the favorites in this league and have positioned yourself to grab one of the playoff spots. But before you start engraving the trophy, realize that the draft is not the end of the story. Things can and do go wrong, so you need to remain diligent throughout the year to ensure you remain strong until the playoffs.
Players we particularly like on this team include Steve Smith, Donnie Avery, Ben Roethlisberger, Earl Bennett, and Kevin Smith. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 46 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Ash Holes
Overview:
This team is built around strong quarterback play. Despite not being strong at running back and receiver, we think this team should be among the top teams in the league.
Nevertheless, we feel compelled to mention that the RB and WR positions make us a bit nervious and are likely to require some attention throughout the year. We'd feel much better if we knew you were committed to scooping up 2009's breakout players at RB and WR. Getting one or more of these would take this team to the next level.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs
Navy Almost Did What?
Overview:
Old school!
We like your overall strength at the traditionally less important positions, but make no mistake about it: this team is about strength at the running back position. And we think it will be among the top teams in the league. Somewhere Marshall Faulk is smiling.
Nonetheless, we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention the relative lack of strength at quarterback and receiver. These are usually survivable weaknesses, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to zealously scouring the waiver wire for this year's emergent players at QB and WR. Getting a breakout player at one or both of those positions would take your already-good team to the next level.
Players we particularly like on this team include Cedric Benson and Chris Henry. We have both these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 42 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Shen's Tahitian Village Boys
Overview:
In a competitive league, almost every team has a weakness. It's almost impossible to build a team that is strong at all three core positions (quarterback, running back and wide receiver). As you probably suspect, we perceive your weakness to be at the quarterback position. Of all the deficiencies to have though, this is usually the easiest one to mask.
Footballguys owner David Dodds even recommends you go into your draft with the goal of landing the top RBs and WRs while waiting to grab QBs late. Value-Based Drafting principles also suggest that teams constructed in this manner end up being strong. But for this team to reach it's full potential, you might need to have a quick trigger finger at the QB position and stay on the look out for good quarterback help. Last year guys like Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco likely went undrafted. Even Kurt Warner wasn't drafted in early leagues.
So although this team isn't perfect (few are), it should still be a strong contender.
Players we particularly like on this team include Chad Ochocinco, Josh Morgan, Ronnie Brown, and the Eagles defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 52 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Where's Tebow?
Overview:
Your starting lineup is respectable, but the lack of depth is a serious problem. If you're lucky enough to avoid the injury bug, you might be OK. But that's a tough thing to have to count on.
To make this team into a serious contender, you are going to need to be extremely active in trades and on the waiver wire. You esentially need to turn over significant parts of this roster. Last year running backs like Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, Le'Ron McClain and Derrick Ward all could be had dirt cheap at the draft. Additionally, wide receivers like Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn and Mark Clayton were available after a lot of the drafts. Quarterbacks like Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco also went undrafted in many leagues in 2008. You are likely going to need to land many of this year's top waiver plays to make any significant noise, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc. Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 35 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 16 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Cliff loves Robert Griffin
Overview:
We'll start by complimenting you on your strength at quarterback and receiver. As you know, it's very difficult in a competitive league to assemble a team that is strong at QB, RB, and WR, so just about every team will have a weakness. As you probably suspect, we perceive yours to be at running back.
In 2009, that's not an instant fantasy team killer like it might have been five years ago. And in this particular case, we absolutely think you're strong enough elsewhere to overcome it. You've definitely got a good team here, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to keeping an eye out for the 2009 version of 2008's Steve Slaton, Le'Ron McClain, or Derrick Ward.
Players we particularly like on this team include Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, and the Chargers defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 36 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Thomas Goes Way Old School
Sometimes the website will bring up a great week that your players had in the past. Note that the week that they mention is from 2005. Most of the other times it was in the last 2 years.
Overview:
We think you're looking good at quarterback and running back, and tight end is a plus for this team as well. The receiver corps is a concern though.
The good news is that, of all of the weaknesses to have, this one is usually the most survivable. At receiver, it's often relatively easy to find fill-in guys on a weekly basis until a better player emerges during the season.
Last year wide receivers like Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn and Mark Clayton largely went undrafted. But all these guys likely helped the fantasy teams that landed them in 2008. Stay atop the news and watch the target report to find the break out players weeks before the rest of the world wants them and you'll be in the mix. Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 35 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 18 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 3 of 2005:
LaDainian Tomlinson vs. NYG: 220 combined yards, 4 TD Hines Ward vs. NE: 110 receiving yards, 2 TD Torry Holt vs. TEN: 163 receiving yards, 1 TD Joey Galloway vs. GB: 53 receiving yards, 2 TD
Vishnal
Overview:
Your receivers are the strongest part of this team and you look good at tight end as well. While no team can be expected to be above average at all three core positions (QB/RB/WR), you are in the precarious position of being a bit weak at two of them.
Although you should not be counted out yet, you may need to be active on both the waiver wire and in trades to turn this team into a legitimate contender. The best way to achieve that might be to sacrifice some of your wide receiver strength to gain multiple players than can help your roster now. It's generally easier finding quarterbacks and wide receivers on the waiver wire than quality running backs.
For instance, last year, useful quarterbacks like Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco likely went undrafted. Even Kurt Warner wasn't drafted in early leagues. Likewise, running backs like Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, Le'Ron McClain, Derrick Ward all could be had dirt cheap at the draft or shortly after. You are likely going to need to land some of this year's top waiver plays, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.
Players we particularly like on this team include Randy Moss, Greg Olsen, Nate Burleson, Domenik Hixon, and Muhsin Muhammad. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 27 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Big E Clowns
Overview:
Let's start by remarking that we appreciate your old-school leanings: you have a team marked by strength at the running back position. Because the position is so sought after, a team constructed like this usually has a chance to make the playoffs. Your strength at tight end is also a plus, but with the quarterback and wide receiver both being less strong, you may need to do something to change the outlook of this team. Your deficiencies are likely to show themselves through the bye weeks, so try to manuever early in improving the quarterback and/or receiver positions before week four.
Last year, quarterbacks like Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco likely went undrafted. Even Kurt Warner wasn't drafted in early leagues. Similarly, wide receivers like Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn and Mark Clayton were available after a lot of the drafts. Landing some of this year's top waiver players would be a huge help, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.
Players we particularly like on this team include Matt Forte, Darren McFadden, and Nate Kaeding. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 40 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 19 percent chance of making the playoffs.
