And so it came to pass that after 13 weeks of hard-hitting action, one team has secured a playoff berth. The rest of us win this week or go home early.
It’s been an amazing season. This is the last Power Ranking column for this year, so it seems reasonable to go all the way back to the beginning and look at each team’s best draft pick for 2008. You have to remember that these picks were made in early September, before anyone knew that Matt Cassell would emerge as a fantasy over-performer or Marion Barber would be seriously diminished by an injury to Tony Romo.
This week’s rankings…
1. Dangerous Minds – They are having a season for the ages. I do not recall any other team winning 12 games or more in my time in the league, and I’ve been burning my Labor Day gasoline in New Jersey since 1994. (Note to Tom – I went 1-13 my first year, so a tip of the cap to you, my friend.) Mike’s best draft pick this season is a no-brainer: Drew Brees (round 3) has been absolutely spectacular. But the guy that really turned this club into a monster was Thomas Jones (round 5), who is second among running backs in scoring.
2. Northboro – Last week, there was no beating Tony as his Iggles ran roughshod over the sorry Arizona defense. Here’s hoping SJax does the same thing to them this week. Best Draft Pick: Calvin Johnson (round 7) was a terrific upside pick that paid off huge.
3. Georgia Satellites – They go nose-to-nose with Northboro. The winner does not make the playoffs despite the fact that every metric says they these are the #2 and #3 teams in the Nelson this year. Best pick: Roddy White in the tenth round was a spectacular pick. John gambled that the rookie QB wouldn’t stop White from emerging and got an every-week starter out of it.
4. Midwest – They continue to rack up points, and they have a tough matchup against a rallying Spies squad for this week. If they win, they will be a handful in the playoffs. Their best pick was Matt Forte in round 9, who has been terrific all year. Honorable mention goes to Duane Bowe, who they snagged in round 11.
5. Rocky Brook – Tom had a good week but fell short against the suddenly imposing Northern Spies. The Oilers have a good matchup against a swooning Gangster squad this week. The rookie made some nice picks in his first draft, none better than Chris Johnson, who he picked up in round 11.
6. Phight-in Camels – They kicked my butt twice, but their reward is a must-win game against the Commish. Good luck with that. Looking over Tony’s draft, you’ve got to love Anquan Boldin in round 6, but how about Justin Fargas in round 14?
7. Northern Spies – Rich has had a brutal year on a number of levels, but he’s ending this season with a flourish. His win over Rocky Brook last week put a real dent in Tom’s playoff hopes, and he can ruin a miracle comeback by beating Midwest this week. Rich had one draft pick that stands out like a clown on a beach: DeAngello Williams in round 13. Williams is getting some buzz for NFL MVP after last week’s 4 touchdown effort.
8. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rich has had a miserable year, with teams going off on him almost every week. He leading the league in Points Against – teams are scoring 65 points per game against this guy. Back in the golden days of early autumn, Rich had a number of terrific draft picks. The Pick of the Year goes to Mr. Garvey for his selection of Phillip Rivers in round 14 of this year’s draft. He is fifth in the League in scoring at 150, and he’s off to a great start in week 14.
In closing, I hope everyone enjoyed the column. Hopefully, it's been as fun to read as it has been to write. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 13
A few things got sorted out in week 12. The team most likely to make the playoffs based on current position and recent performance is Northboro. Northboro snapped a four game losing streak with a vengeance against Rocky Brook, scoring 91 points and piling up 90 more from the bench. The underlying story, though, is that the Steroids are starting to find fillers for the holes in their lineup. Stephen Jackson may get better some day. Larry Johnson has emerged as a decent option, although he has yet to score a touchdown. Darren McFadden scored two touchdowns last week. Week 12 waiver guy Patrick Hillis scored a touchdown and got yards against a weak Oakland club. Northboro is now second in the Nelson in Game Points, which is the playoff tie-breaker. The Steroids need one win to get in. Unfortunately, they are trailing Tony by 53 points after Thankgiving.
The next two teams on the Most Likely to succeed list are Georgia and Rocky Brook. Both these teams have six wins. If either wins another game, two teams from the 5-7 group would have to win both their remaining games and beat them in Game Points. John is third in the league in Game Points, but he faces Dangerous Minds this week. Assuming Mr. Rabbit’s Foot does his usual thing, John has one game left, against Northboro. That game could be for a playoff berth.
Rocky Brook has six wins, and got a gigantic first half from Chris Johnson against the hapless Lions to open Week 13. They are sixth in the league in Game Points, though, so they are vulnerable to a tie-break hosing.
Midwest lost to Dangerous Minds last week, but scored 70 points in the effort – the third week in a row that they have met or surpassed that impressive total. Midwest has games left against the Gangsters and the Northern Spies. With five wins, they have to win both of those games to have a chance. They got off to a good start – Rod Bironas posted 21 points on Turkey Day.
This week’s ranking…
1. Dangerous Minds – They are #1 until they actually lose a game. In Rice Bowl II, John started off beautifully with 33 points from Kurt Warner and Lendale (whine and ye shall prosper) White. Mike got 34 from Marion Barber, Nick Folk and Larry Fitzgerald, who was the beneficiary of several Anquan Boldin drops in the end zone.
2. Northboro – The 91 points last week were a league high. It may not matter – I picked the wrong dang week to play Tony and his Eagles.
3. Georgia Satellites – Starting to get his swerve on, and not a moment too soon. If Northboro and Georgia both lose this week, the head to head next week probably is for a playoff spot.
4. Midwest – They’ve been marvelous for a month, but last week’s loss to the Minds really hurt. They can still get in with two wins, and they are certainly playing well enough to get it done.
5. Rocky Brook – They have six wins, and that means a lot. They are ice cold right now – dead last in the league in scoring over the last month. Tom may have saved his season with a ballsy call on Thursday – he played Donnie McNabb despite watching him get benched last week against Baltimore. Twenty-two points later, Tom is sitting pretty.
6. Phight-in Camels – They look like the ‘72 Dolphins to me. Philly played an Arizona team that stared in wonder as Brian Westbrook ran all over the field and scored four touchdowns. The dagger, though, was the fourth quarter TD pass to Deshean Jackson – only his second of the year.
7. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rich scored 25 last week, which just ain’t gonna get it done. They’re in trouble against Midwest, who got 10 from TO and 21 from the aforementioned Baronas. A loss here, and Rich can call it a year.
8. Northern Spies – They’re tough now that they’re healthy, but they may have caught Rocky Brook on one of their big weeks. Eighteen from Romo falls short of McNabb’s total. Not a good start.
The next two teams on the Most Likely to succeed list are Georgia and Rocky Brook. Both these teams have six wins. If either wins another game, two teams from the 5-7 group would have to win both their remaining games and beat them in Game Points. John is third in the league in Game Points, but he faces Dangerous Minds this week. Assuming Mr. Rabbit’s Foot does his usual thing, John has one game left, against Northboro. That game could be for a playoff berth.
Rocky Brook has six wins, and got a gigantic first half from Chris Johnson against the hapless Lions to open Week 13. They are sixth in the league in Game Points, though, so they are vulnerable to a tie-break hosing.
Midwest lost to Dangerous Minds last week, but scored 70 points in the effort – the third week in a row that they have met or surpassed that impressive total. Midwest has games left against the Gangsters and the Northern Spies. With five wins, they have to win both of those games to have a chance. They got off to a good start – Rod Bironas posted 21 points on Turkey Day.
This week’s ranking…
1. Dangerous Minds – They are #1 until they actually lose a game. In Rice Bowl II, John started off beautifully with 33 points from Kurt Warner and Lendale (whine and ye shall prosper) White. Mike got 34 from Marion Barber, Nick Folk and Larry Fitzgerald, who was the beneficiary of several Anquan Boldin drops in the end zone.
2. Northboro – The 91 points last week were a league high. It may not matter – I picked the wrong dang week to play Tony and his Eagles.
3. Georgia Satellites – Starting to get his swerve on, and not a moment too soon. If Northboro and Georgia both lose this week, the head to head next week probably is for a playoff spot.
4. Midwest – They’ve been marvelous for a month, but last week’s loss to the Minds really hurt. They can still get in with two wins, and they are certainly playing well enough to get it done.
5. Rocky Brook – They have six wins, and that means a lot. They are ice cold right now – dead last in the league in scoring over the last month. Tom may have saved his season with a ballsy call on Thursday – he played Donnie McNabb despite watching him get benched last week against Baltimore. Twenty-two points later, Tom is sitting pretty.
6. Phight-in Camels – They look like the ‘72 Dolphins to me. Philly played an Arizona team that stared in wonder as Brian Westbrook ran all over the field and scored four touchdowns. The dagger, though, was the fourth quarter TD pass to Deshean Jackson – only his second of the year.
7. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rich scored 25 last week, which just ain’t gonna get it done. They’re in trouble against Midwest, who got 10 from TO and 21 from the aforementioned Baronas. A loss here, and Rich can call it a year.
8. Northern Spies – They’re tough now that they’re healthy, but they may have caught Rocky Brook on one of their big weeks. Eighteen from Romo falls short of McNabb’s total. Not a good start.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 12
The Nelson has always been competitive – we have a gaggle of serious football fans each with forty plus years of goggle-eyed obsession with this amazing sport. Our league is shallow enough that you really can’t outwork the other owners. Frequently, like football itself, it all comes down to injuries and strange bounces.
But this year, we have taken the parity thing to a whole new level. Check out the Average Game Points so far this year:
Team AGP
Dangerous 63.91
Satellites 58.27
Northboro 57.45
Gangsters 57.27
Camels 56.55
Marauders 55.00
Rocky Brook 54.55
Spies 51.82
The difference between the #2 team and the #7 team is less than 4 points per week – an amazing statistic. I’ve been slicing and dicing numbers for two months, and I’ve come to this conclusion: after Dangerous Minds, we pretty much have a seven way tie for second place.
This week, though, everyone had better bring their A game. We have 5 teams at 5-6. If you lose this week, jumping back into the playoff picture is going to be almost impossible.
Here’s this week’s rankings…
1. Dangerous Minds – Now with a record of 10-1. They have averaged 53 points per game in the last five weeks, and are 5-0. Northboro has averaged 58.4 points per game in the time, and they are 1-4. Waiter, I’ll have what he’s having…
2. Midwest Marauders – I didn’t want to play them last week, and I’m glad I don’t have to play them again this year. They have finished #1 in the league in Game Points three weeks in a row.
3. Phight-in Camels – Since week 2, they have averaged 69 points in even weeks, and 43 points per week in odd weeks. This is an even week – bad news for the Northern Spies.
4. Northboro – Losers of 4 straight, but all the losses have been by less than 10 points. This is a good club, but it’s very difficult to win in this very competitive league without your #1 draft pick. This week, we play Rocky Brook, who is struggling. Will we be the Cure for All Ills once again?
5. Rocky Brook – They have the clearest view of the playoffs from their seat in second place, but in the last three weeks they are dead last in Game Points. Teams have been loading up the box on Tennessee to try and contain Chris Johnson, and they’ve had some success. The Jets are not a great defensive team. This may be a better week for the Oiler running game.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters – They have the best backfield in the league with Portis healthy, but the Clintonian is questionable and a game time decision. The Garv has struggled with rotten luck all year, but has put together consecutive 60 point weeks. He’s still a tough team to face when you need a win…and John really needs a win here.
7. Georgia Satellites – They won their first game in a month, and the closest game of the year against the Northern Spies. The Satellites need a win against a tough Gangster club here – and they didn’t exactly start of like a house afire with nine points from 3 positions on Thursday night.
8. Northern Spies – They are playing better, and they face Tony in a week where Westbrook is hurt and playing Baltimore. With games remaining against the Camels, Rocky Brook and Midwest, the Spies will have plenty of say about who makes the playoffs this year.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 11
Tom and Mike have taken off over the hill, leaving the rest of us to work out the details on who gets the third and fourth playoff spots. There are six teams within two games of each other among the league’s also-rans. The last four weeks will be wild.
The big news this week comes from this month’s City of Winners – Chicago, Illinois. While Barack Obama is measuring the drapes – for real this time – Hugh McCaffrey is in the process of pulling off an almost impossible feat – making the playoffs after an 0-5 start. Earnest Graham might not go this Sunday, but Jonathan Stewart (vs. Detroit) and Mo Jones-Drew are ready to rock. LT and Matt Forte are cemented into the lineup at the top RB slots.
Tony Romo, whose injury has sent ripples of anguish all over this league, may be back for Dallas, meaning that Terrell Owens becomes scary again. Duane Bowe (against New Orleans) and Donnie Avery (against San Francisco) have nice matchups. This is not a team you want to play this week.
And what unfortunate couch jockey gets to match wits and lineups against this newly minted juggernaut? Why, that would be the Northboro Steroids, of course. Fresh from a fine Sunday when they got spanked by the league’s last place team on the strength of a 65-yard carom and scamper by Reggie Wayne, the Steroids have lost three straight since moving to 5-2 and losing Stephen Jackson in week 7.
The fantasy loss sent me to bed grumpy, but it was my wife’s spill on the stairs and subsequent broken ankle that really ruined my night. Surgery is in our future to tack the ankle back together again. Keep a good thought out there…
This week’s rankings…
1. Dangerous Minds – They’re still sort of backing their way into the playoffs, but they have won six in a row, which almost never happens in this league. Last week, Drew Brees (16) and Thomas Jones (25) went bonkers against Garvey. Mike’s idea of yard work is to put an empty barrel in the middle of his yard and let the wind blow all the leaves into it. Honestly, man, buy some lottery tickets or something. They’ve lost one game so far, to the…
2. Rocky Brook Oilers –The Greasers slipped and went splat against Tony’s Camels last week, but they are sitting pretty with 6 wins and full compliment of weapons available for their second matchup with the first place Commish. Santana Moss was missed last week, but he’s back to face Dallas. Steve Smith got erased by Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha, who might be the best cornerback in football right now. This week, a rather pissed off Smith faces the ladies in Detroit. Mike will need to score like a 9-1 team to win this week.
3. Phight-in Camels – Tony won last week against an excellent Rocky Brook club despite getting only 2 points from Brian Westbrook. Peyton Manning is now sixth in the league in points scored among quarterbacks after a slow start. The star of this club, though, is Anquan Boldin, who leads all wide receivers with 89 points. Northboro’s Calvin Johnson is second with 72 points.
4. Midwest Marauders – As mentioned earlier, you don’t want to play this club right now. The one ray of light for Northboro is that LT is facing the Steelers in Pittsburgh – not a favorable matchup to say the least. Matt Forte is the sleeper pick of the year.
5. Northboro – The ‘Roids picked up Larry Johnson from waivers this week. This might not make much of a difference to other clubs, but Northboro has been sucking wind at the RB3 slot all season. If SJax is healthy, this could be a team to watch at the end – there is certainly nothing wrong with their receivers, and Cutler has been special all year.
6. Georgia Satellites – John’s had no luck whatsoever since Reggie Bush got hurt. He is now leading the league in Points Against – clubs have scored 661 points in 10 weeks against the Space Shots. By contract, Mike has ‘allowed’ only 496 points. Defense wins championships.
7. Garvey’s Gangsters – They sit here because they have had atrocious luck all season. Despite being second in the league in Game Points (595), they keep inventing methods of losing. Last week, they were victimized by the bye – Portis sat down, and it turns out he’s hurt anyway. This is what happens to teams when the Minds come to town. Oh – if Rich had tied the game at 63, Rich would have lost on bench points 24-23.
8. Northern Spies – They showed some spunk and some depth in beating up on the luckless Steroids. They had five players on their bench score at least nine points. This week, Romo may be back, and the Spies will try to extend John’s losing streak to 6.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 10
This week’s edition of who’s Hot and who’s Not.
1. Rock Brook Oilers (Hot) – They keep getting better. They’ve score 55 points or better four straight weeks, and they have perhaps the two best running backs in football –Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson - anchoring their attack. Tom is thinking on his feet, too. It looks like he’s playing Delhomme against Oakland this week over Donny McNabb against the Giants. Delhomme to Steve Smith is a dagger for Tony this week.
2. Dangerous Minds (Hot) – Mike’s drops out of the #1 slot because he’s been doing it with mirrors the last three weeks – he’s 7th in the league in Game Points over that period. But five straight wins is five straight wins, man. This week, almost half his team is on the bye, including Marion Barber. Hightower got a full time gig just in time. It’s been that kind of year.
3. Georgia Satellites (Not) – I keep waiting for John to drop in the ratings, but after 4 straight losses he’s still clinging to third. He’s still second in the league in Game Points, and his team hasn’t played badly in the last three weeks – he scored 68 in week 7 and 73 in week 8 and came up empty. The champ is doing this without Reggie Bush, who won’t be back until week 11.
4. Phight-in Camels (Not) – Tony is in the dead center of the league in almost every category. He rises and falls with the fortunes of his beloved Eagles. Last week, the Eagles scored two TDs and four field goals. Akers went nuts – 16 points – but Westbrook and Deshean Jackson came up empty. This week, they play red hot Rocky Brook.
5. Northboro Steroids (Not) – Last week, a 77-yard Brandon Marshall touchdown from Jay Cutler was called back on a ticky-tac penalty, costing me the game against Garvey. Jackson’s injury, which he described as ‘nothing’ will keep him out for the third straight week this week. If I make the playoffs, I’ll be a handful because the matchups are beautiful. IF I make the playoffs.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters (Hot) – They finally are getting some traction, having won 2 straight to vault back into the playoff chase. Unfortunately, this week they’re playing Mike, which by definition means that they have to sit their best player – Portis is on the bye. They have Gore, Slaton and Brandon Jacobs, though. This is a dangerous club.
7. Midwest Marauders (Hot) – Hugh has caught a tail wind, and Tomlinson is now back and healthy. The second half of the season has to be better than the first half. This week, Mo Drew is running against spineless Detroit, and LT is matched up against the Pop Warner team in Kansas City.
8. Northern Spies (Not) – Our prayers are with Rich and his family this week, as Rich’s mother is very ill. The club is just not performing on any level. They are playing Northboro, though, and Stephen Jackson is out again.
1. Rock Brook Oilers (Hot) – They keep getting better. They’ve score 55 points or better four straight weeks, and they have perhaps the two best running backs in football –Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson - anchoring their attack. Tom is thinking on his feet, too. It looks like he’s playing Delhomme against Oakland this week over Donny McNabb against the Giants. Delhomme to Steve Smith is a dagger for Tony this week.
2. Dangerous Minds (Hot) – Mike’s drops out of the #1 slot because he’s been doing it with mirrors the last three weeks – he’s 7th in the league in Game Points over that period. But five straight wins is five straight wins, man. This week, almost half his team is on the bye, including Marion Barber. Hightower got a full time gig just in time. It’s been that kind of year.
3. Georgia Satellites (Not) – I keep waiting for John to drop in the ratings, but after 4 straight losses he’s still clinging to third. He’s still second in the league in Game Points, and his team hasn’t played badly in the last three weeks – he scored 68 in week 7 and 73 in week 8 and came up empty. The champ is doing this without Reggie Bush, who won’t be back until week 11.
4. Phight-in Camels (Not) – Tony is in the dead center of the league in almost every category. He rises and falls with the fortunes of his beloved Eagles. Last week, the Eagles scored two TDs and four field goals. Akers went nuts – 16 points – but Westbrook and Deshean Jackson came up empty. This week, they play red hot Rocky Brook.
5. Northboro Steroids (Not) – Last week, a 77-yard Brandon Marshall touchdown from Jay Cutler was called back on a ticky-tac penalty, costing me the game against Garvey. Jackson’s injury, which he described as ‘nothing’ will keep him out for the third straight week this week. If I make the playoffs, I’ll be a handful because the matchups are beautiful. IF I make the playoffs.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters (Hot) – They finally are getting some traction, having won 2 straight to vault back into the playoff chase. Unfortunately, this week they’re playing Mike, which by definition means that they have to sit their best player – Portis is on the bye. They have Gore, Slaton and Brandon Jacobs, though. This is a dangerous club.
7. Midwest Marauders (Hot) – Hugh has caught a tail wind, and Tomlinson is now back and healthy. The second half of the season has to be better than the first half. This week, Mo Drew is running against spineless Detroit, and LT is matched up against the Pop Warner team in Kansas City.
8. Northern Spies (Not) – Our prayers are with Rich and his family this week, as Rich’s mother is very ill. The club is just not performing on any level. They are playing Northboro, though, and Stephen Jackson is out again.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings - Week 9
This week, we take a quick look at the top 10 point scorers at each position in the Nelson League. There are plenty of surprises as we head into the second half. First, the running backs…
Clinton Portis (Gangsters) 86
Marion Barber (Minds) 81
Reggie Bush (Satellites) 75
Lendale White (Satellites) 73
Frank Gore (Gangsters) 71
Brian Westbrook (Camels) 69
Ronnie Brown (Spies) 67
Michael Turner (Steroids) 66
Matt Forte (Marauders) 66
Adrian Peterson (Oilers) 64
Ladanian Tomlinson is 11th - Matt Forte is leading the Marauders running backs in scoring so far. We all saw that coming, right? Rich Garvey’s team looks like a wrecking crew on these lists. Check out the QBs:
Phillip Rivers (Gangsters) 118
Drew Brees (Minds) 107
Aaron Rogers (Camels) 99
Kurt Warner (Satellites) 94
Jay Cutler (Steroids) 90
Tony Romo (Spies) 88
Brett Favre (Spies) 87
Matt Schaub (Spies) 83
Peyton Manning (Camels) 78
Donovan McNabb (Oilers) 73
The wideouts:
Santana Moss (Oilers) 67
Anquan Boldin (Camels) 63
Larry Fitzgerald (Dangerous) 59
Roddy White (Satellites) 59
Calvin Johnson (Steroids) 58
Greg Jennings (Dangerous) 55
Steve Smith (Oilers) 51
Lee Evans (Dangerous) 50
Laveraneus Coles (Garvey) 49
Vincenr Jackson (Steroids) 48
Santana Moss – not Randy Moss – has been amazing this year. The Redskins have the top running back and the top wideout. Mike has three of the top 8 receivers in the league so far. Vincent Jackson has outscored Brandon Marshall – who knew?
Kickers:
John Carnay (Satellites) 76
John Casey (Oilers) 75
Joe Nedney (Camels) 75
Jason Elam (Spies) 72
Shaun Suisham (FA) 71
Ryan Longwell (Satellites) 70
Matt Bryant (FA) 70
Nate Kaeding (Spies) 70
Stephen Gostkowski (Steroids) 69
Rian Lindell (FA) 68
Three of the top 10 kickers are free agents. The distance between #1 and #10 is a point per week. Matt Prater, who has been terrific for Rich Garvey, is 12th.
This week’s rankings:
1. Dangerous Minds – It was pretty much a walk-over last week against Northboro, with Stephen Jackson a last-minute scratch. Sixty-one points is pretty solid for an off week. They face a stiffer test this week, with Brees on the bye and Barber facing the Giants in New Jersey. On the other hand, they have outscored the Northern Spies every week of this season.
2. Northboro Steroids – We did what we could last week, plugging in Kevin Faulk and Chad Pennington, and we made a game out of it. Braylon Edwards has been very disappointing. If Stephen Jackson is OK this week, we have some good matchups against Rich Garvey. If not, we’re dusting off Faulk for another week. The lack of depth at running back is a serious problem for Northboro.
3. Rocky Brook Oilers – The hottest club in the league, they have outscored every team in the Nelson over the last three weeks. They have an extinction caliber event against the Satellites this week.
4. Georgia Satellites – Lendale White is leading all running backs in touchdowns with 8. I swear, if John plugged in Becky as a game time decision, she’d hammer one in somehow.
5. Phight-in Camels – My favorite metric is the matchup rating, which gives each team a record for each week as if they played every team in the league. So, if you outscore every team in the league, you go 7-0 on the week. If you score the fewest points, you go 0-7 that week. Mike is first with a record of 42-15. Tony is third at 33-23. This has been one of Tony’s most consistent seasons.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters – With a full compliment of players, Rich would be trouble for Northboro this week. But I’m catching Garvey’s crew in a week when Phillip Rivers, Frank Gore and Antonio Gates are all on the bye. The wild card in this game is Stephen Jackson’s leg injury. He’s probably going to be questionable on Sunday.
7. Northern Spies – Rich has made two excellent waiver picks in the last two weeks, adding Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Last week, they combined for twenty four points. They need to get Reggie Wayne and Marques Colston healthy. Frosty Bedsheets Bowl II against the first place commish this week.
8. Midwest Marauders – Kyle Orton and Matt Forte against Detroit…MJD against Cincinatti...Earnest Graham against Kansas City…Hugh is a dangerous opponent this week because of these delicious matchups. He gets a solid Camels outfit with Westbrook back in the fold and running well. This should be a good one.
Clinton Portis (Gangsters) 86
Marion Barber (Minds) 81
Reggie Bush (Satellites) 75
Lendale White (Satellites) 73
Frank Gore (Gangsters) 71
Brian Westbrook (Camels) 69
Ronnie Brown (Spies) 67
Michael Turner (Steroids) 66
Matt Forte (Marauders) 66
Adrian Peterson (Oilers) 64
Ladanian Tomlinson is 11th - Matt Forte is leading the Marauders running backs in scoring so far. We all saw that coming, right? Rich Garvey’s team looks like a wrecking crew on these lists. Check out the QBs:
Phillip Rivers (Gangsters) 118
Drew Brees (Minds) 107
Aaron Rogers (Camels) 99
Kurt Warner (Satellites) 94
Jay Cutler (Steroids) 90
Tony Romo (Spies) 88
Brett Favre (Spies) 87
Matt Schaub (Spies) 83
Peyton Manning (Camels) 78
Donovan McNabb (Oilers) 73
The wideouts:
Santana Moss (Oilers) 67
Anquan Boldin (Camels) 63
Larry Fitzgerald (Dangerous) 59
Roddy White (Satellites) 59
Calvin Johnson (Steroids) 58
Greg Jennings (Dangerous) 55
Steve Smith (Oilers) 51
Lee Evans (Dangerous) 50
Laveraneus Coles (Garvey) 49
Vincenr Jackson (Steroids) 48
Santana Moss – not Randy Moss – has been amazing this year. The Redskins have the top running back and the top wideout. Mike has three of the top 8 receivers in the league so far. Vincent Jackson has outscored Brandon Marshall – who knew?
Kickers:
John Carnay (Satellites) 76
John Casey (Oilers) 75
Joe Nedney (Camels) 75
Jason Elam (Spies) 72
Shaun Suisham (FA) 71
Ryan Longwell (Satellites) 70
Matt Bryant (FA) 70
Nate Kaeding (Spies) 70
Stephen Gostkowski (Steroids) 69
Rian Lindell (FA) 68
Three of the top 10 kickers are free agents. The distance between #1 and #10 is a point per week. Matt Prater, who has been terrific for Rich Garvey, is 12th.
This week’s rankings:
1. Dangerous Minds – It was pretty much a walk-over last week against Northboro, with Stephen Jackson a last-minute scratch. Sixty-one points is pretty solid for an off week. They face a stiffer test this week, with Brees on the bye and Barber facing the Giants in New Jersey. On the other hand, they have outscored the Northern Spies every week of this season.
2. Northboro Steroids – We did what we could last week, plugging in Kevin Faulk and Chad Pennington, and we made a game out of it. Braylon Edwards has been very disappointing. If Stephen Jackson is OK this week, we have some good matchups against Rich Garvey. If not, we’re dusting off Faulk for another week. The lack of depth at running back is a serious problem for Northboro.
3. Rocky Brook Oilers – The hottest club in the league, they have outscored every team in the Nelson over the last three weeks. They have an extinction caliber event against the Satellites this week.
4. Georgia Satellites – Lendale White is leading all running backs in touchdowns with 8. I swear, if John plugged in Becky as a game time decision, she’d hammer one in somehow.
5. Phight-in Camels – My favorite metric is the matchup rating, which gives each team a record for each week as if they played every team in the league. So, if you outscore every team in the league, you go 7-0 on the week. If you score the fewest points, you go 0-7 that week. Mike is first with a record of 42-15. Tony is third at 33-23. This has been one of Tony’s most consistent seasons.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters – With a full compliment of players, Rich would be trouble for Northboro this week. But I’m catching Garvey’s crew in a week when Phillip Rivers, Frank Gore and Antonio Gates are all on the bye. The wild card in this game is Stephen Jackson’s leg injury. He’s probably going to be questionable on Sunday.
7. Northern Spies – Rich has made two excellent waiver picks in the last two weeks, adding Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Last week, they combined for twenty four points. They need to get Reggie Wayne and Marques Colston healthy. Frosty Bedsheets Bowl II against the first place commish this week.
8. Midwest Marauders – Kyle Orton and Matt Forte against Detroit…MJD against Cincinatti...Earnest Graham against Kansas City…Hugh is a dangerous opponent this week because of these delicious matchups. He gets a solid Camels outfit with Westbrook back in the fold and running well. This should be a good one.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 8
John and I have amazing games. This week, the defending champ was missing his #1 draft pick, as Joseph Addai was declared out early in the week. John had Dominick Rhodes thanks to some clever drafting, so he slid the Indy backup tailback into his RB3 slot. Edgerrin James was on the bye. Lendale White slid into the RB2 slot, with a delicious matchup against hapless Kansas City.
I had everyone going and healthy except Michael Turner. I picked up Warrick Dunn on waivers hoping his freaky 22 carries and 115 yards in week 6, which happened only because Earnest Graham was forced into the fullback slot by an injury, would hold for one more week. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were going against a horrid New England secondary. I was banking on big numbers there.
John started fast. Lendale White scored two lightening quick touchdowns, and Dominick Rhodes punched one in. Reggie Bush ripped off 55 yards on 9 carries. Then, I caught a break. Reggie Bush blew a meniscus, and he was shelved for the rest of the day – and for the next three weeks. Meanwhile, my only 1:00 player, Mr. Stephen Jackson, was showing why my very savvy son wanted so badly for me to draft him. Jackson ran over, around and through the flailing Dallas defense. He finished the day with 26 gigantic points.
Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell Lendale White that he was a backup. White matched Jackson’s heroic effort with 25 points of his own, including an unlikely 80 yard rumble that probably took five minutes to complete. Indianapolis played like a Pop Warner team against Green Bay, but the ole’ Nelson magic was in full bloom. Rhodes scored both Indianapolis touchdowns, including a 3-yard dive in garbage time. So, Rhodes and White combined for 42 points, and I spent the rest of the weekend playing catch up.
The biggest play of the weekend came when I rolled out to get some Kung Pau Chicken from my favorite Chinese joint. Just as I was about to get out of the car, the report came through that Calvin Johnson had scored a 96-yard touchdown. This was a huge play. I was now at 50 points, 18 points back heading into Monday.
I had 3 players in the Monday night game – Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Stephen Gostkowski. The kicker got me seven quick points in the first quarter, but Cutler whacked his throwing hand on an onrushing lineman and was on the sidelines in a stocking cap wrapping his throwing hand in an ice bag. I was going nuts. My wife, looking at the scoreboard where the Pats were cruising, thought I had lost my mind when Cutler threw a second half interception that caused the biggest snap of my fantasy season. The yards were piling up, though, and Gostkoski delivered 12 clutch points. Finally, Cutler heaved a touchdown pass to former Patriot Daniel Graham for the score that pushed me over 70 points, and gathered me an exhausting fifth win of this season.
This week’s Rankings…
1. Dangerous Minds – Mike dodged a bullet as his team’s collective vacation came in a week that he was facing Tony with the Eagles on the bye. Still leading the league in practically everything – I use five different metrics to generate the ratings and Mike is #1 in all of them. The commish has already spent some time looking at weeks 15 and 16, I guarantee it.
2. Northboro Steroids – With Stephen Jackson running wild and Calvin Johnson averaging 77 yards per catch last week, the Steroids have proven themselves to be tough when they’re right. The week 8 bye takes away Jay Cutler, and they have no backup quarterback, so it’s pretty obvious where the waiver pick is going this week. Stephen Gostkowski has won two games for this team this season.
3. Georgia Satellites – There isn’t a dime of difference between Georgia and Northboro statistically right now, but John has injury issues after last week’s bruising loss. Reggie Bush is out, and he joins Joseph Addai on the pine for the next few weeks. John gets Edgerrin James back, though. Tony will be playing with his whole team intact. Westbrook may return.
4. Rocky Brook – They set the league high with 88 points against Rich Garvey last week, who seems to be the cure for every fantasy football problem. Tom now owns both the highest point total and the lowest point total (21) for this season.
5. Phight-in Camels – Tony ran out of guys to play last week, but he’s getting healthier. He faces a Satellites club that is banged up and unlikely to get another 25 points out of Lendale White. John’s loss (Reggie Bush) is Tony’s gain – he has Deuce McCallister.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rich is favored against the Spies, but he’s been playing well all season to no avail. Perhaps this will all turn around in the second half, but a 2-5 record at this point means the Garv is positioning himself to be a spoiler. This week, Michael Pittman is on the bye and Willie Parker is banged up, but Rich will run out Portis, Gore and Steve Slaton. How many teams have that kind of depth?
7. Northern Spies – They avoid the basement only because Midwest has had such a rotten year. Last week’s 29-point stinker had only one silver lining – Ryan Grant finally had a good week. With Romo out, they may shuffle in Matt Schaub in the QB slot, since Favre looks awful.
8. Midwest Marauders – They almost hammer their way out of the basement with a nice win against the Spies, but they are last in Game Points, and last in points over the last three weeks. Tomlinson’s inability to break long runs is killing this club.
I had everyone going and healthy except Michael Turner. I picked up Warrick Dunn on waivers hoping his freaky 22 carries and 115 yards in week 6, which happened only because Earnest Graham was forced into the fullback slot by an injury, would hold for one more week. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were going against a horrid New England secondary. I was banking on big numbers there.
John started fast. Lendale White scored two lightening quick touchdowns, and Dominick Rhodes punched one in. Reggie Bush ripped off 55 yards on 9 carries. Then, I caught a break. Reggie Bush blew a meniscus, and he was shelved for the rest of the day – and for the next three weeks. Meanwhile, my only 1:00 player, Mr. Stephen Jackson, was showing why my very savvy son wanted so badly for me to draft him. Jackson ran over, around and through the flailing Dallas defense. He finished the day with 26 gigantic points.
Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell Lendale White that he was a backup. White matched Jackson’s heroic effort with 25 points of his own, including an unlikely 80 yard rumble that probably took five minutes to complete. Indianapolis played like a Pop Warner team against Green Bay, but the ole’ Nelson magic was in full bloom. Rhodes scored both Indianapolis touchdowns, including a 3-yard dive in garbage time. So, Rhodes and White combined for 42 points, and I spent the rest of the weekend playing catch up.
The biggest play of the weekend came when I rolled out to get some Kung Pau Chicken from my favorite Chinese joint. Just as I was about to get out of the car, the report came through that Calvin Johnson had scored a 96-yard touchdown. This was a huge play. I was now at 50 points, 18 points back heading into Monday.
I had 3 players in the Monday night game – Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Stephen Gostkowski. The kicker got me seven quick points in the first quarter, but Cutler whacked his throwing hand on an onrushing lineman and was on the sidelines in a stocking cap wrapping his throwing hand in an ice bag. I was going nuts. My wife, looking at the scoreboard where the Pats were cruising, thought I had lost my mind when Cutler threw a second half interception that caused the biggest snap of my fantasy season. The yards were piling up, though, and Gostkoski delivered 12 clutch points. Finally, Cutler heaved a touchdown pass to former Patriot Daniel Graham for the score that pushed me over 70 points, and gathered me an exhausting fifth win of this season.
This week’s Rankings…
1. Dangerous Minds – Mike dodged a bullet as his team’s collective vacation came in a week that he was facing Tony with the Eagles on the bye. Still leading the league in practically everything – I use five different metrics to generate the ratings and Mike is #1 in all of them. The commish has already spent some time looking at weeks 15 and 16, I guarantee it.
2. Northboro Steroids – With Stephen Jackson running wild and Calvin Johnson averaging 77 yards per catch last week, the Steroids have proven themselves to be tough when they’re right. The week 8 bye takes away Jay Cutler, and they have no backup quarterback, so it’s pretty obvious where the waiver pick is going this week. Stephen Gostkowski has won two games for this team this season.
3. Georgia Satellites – There isn’t a dime of difference between Georgia and Northboro statistically right now, but John has injury issues after last week’s bruising loss. Reggie Bush is out, and he joins Joseph Addai on the pine for the next few weeks. John gets Edgerrin James back, though. Tony will be playing with his whole team intact. Westbrook may return.
4. Rocky Brook – They set the league high with 88 points against Rich Garvey last week, who seems to be the cure for every fantasy football problem. Tom now owns both the highest point total and the lowest point total (21) for this season.
5. Phight-in Camels – Tony ran out of guys to play last week, but he’s getting healthier. He faces a Satellites club that is banged up and unlikely to get another 25 points out of Lendale White. John’s loss (Reggie Bush) is Tony’s gain – he has Deuce McCallister.
6. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rich is favored against the Spies, but he’s been playing well all season to no avail. Perhaps this will all turn around in the second half, but a 2-5 record at this point means the Garv is positioning himself to be a spoiler. This week, Michael Pittman is on the bye and Willie Parker is banged up, but Rich will run out Portis, Gore and Steve Slaton. How many teams have that kind of depth?
7. Northern Spies – They avoid the basement only because Midwest has had such a rotten year. Last week’s 29-point stinker had only one silver lining – Ryan Grant finally had a good week. With Romo out, they may shuffle in Matt Schaub in the QB slot, since Favre looks awful.
8. Midwest Marauders – They almost hammer their way out of the basement with a nice win against the Spies, but they are last in Game Points, and last in points over the last three weeks. Tomlinson’s inability to break long runs is killing this club.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 7
So the last shall be first, and the first last
(Matthew 20:16)
Bye weeks and injuries change the chemistry of clubs as they roll through the season. A couple of weeks ago, Northboro looked like one of the league’s strongest teams. The bye weeks, bad matchups and injuries have changed the fortunes of the Steroids. Similarly, The Northern Spies are on a roll after stinking out the joint in the month of September.
The Nelson League is always full of twists and turns, and last week was a towering testament to this. In three of the games, the team with the lesser win total won, and several teams in our fine league are suddenly off the mat and looking spunky after slow starts.
This week’s rankings –
1. Dangerous Minds – John came into last week’s matchup with the Commish with plenty of momentum. He was sent back to Georgia with his butt in a bag after getting hosed by 46 points. Mike had 4 guys in double figures, including 21 points from Thomas Jones. The printing presses are cranking out playoff tickets after standing silent last year.
2. Georgia Satellites – Still hanging on to second place in the rankings despite being pounded like a nerd at Fight Club. This week’s opponent is Northboro. Both Georgia and Northboro lost week 1, won 4 straight, then lost week 6. Their mirror-image seasons end this week.
3. Phight-in Camels – Ok. Allright. They can win without Brian Westbrook. Put the billy club down and stop beating on my head…
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rated way higher than their 2-4 record would suggest because they are a good team that is finding all sorts of fascinating ways to lose. Last week, they had to have Eli Manning poop his drawers to avoid ringing up their third win. Sure enough, Manning had his worst game of the year by far and Garvey lost by 1 to Midwest. Note to the audience – if you have receivers or quarterbacks facing New England, play them. The Patriots are helpless against the pass.
5. Northern Spies – They have scored more points in the last three weeks that every team except the Dangerous Minds. Last week, they had six players score in double figures. On the bad side, Romo’s injured pinky shelves one of the league’s best QBs for a few weeks – or does it? Jessica’s boyfriend says he wants to play. This week, they face Midwest as they try to make it three straight.
6. Northboro Steroids – Last week, we had ugly matchups and Tony’s Eagles went bonkers. This week, no Michael Turner. Next week, no Cutler or Marshall. We could be 4-4 very shortly. Braylon Edwards looks like he’s back healthy and Roy Williams departure means Calvin Johnson will be among the league leaders in targets as long as he can stay conscious. The matchup with John should be a beauty.
7. Rocky Brook Oilers – Tom needs a win, but he’s catching no love from the scheduling Gods this week. Adrian Peterson is facing the Bears. Julius Jones is facing Tampa Bay – two ugly matchups. The good news is that Rocky Brook is facing Rich Garvey, who is to Fantasy Football what I am to Acey Deucey. Can this one end in a scoreless tie?
8. Midwest Marauders – One more win may get them out of the cellar. The one point win against Garvey last week was a bit lucky – if the Giants had done anything except throw interceptions, they could be 0-6. This week, the red hot Spies roll into town and Maurice Jones Drew has the week off.
(Matthew 20:16)
Bye weeks and injuries change the chemistry of clubs as they roll through the season. A couple of weeks ago, Northboro looked like one of the league’s strongest teams. The bye weeks, bad matchups and injuries have changed the fortunes of the Steroids. Similarly, The Northern Spies are on a roll after stinking out the joint in the month of September.
The Nelson League is always full of twists and turns, and last week was a towering testament to this. In three of the games, the team with the lesser win total won, and several teams in our fine league are suddenly off the mat and looking spunky after slow starts.
This week’s rankings –
1. Dangerous Minds – John came into last week’s matchup with the Commish with plenty of momentum. He was sent back to Georgia with his butt in a bag after getting hosed by 46 points. Mike had 4 guys in double figures, including 21 points from Thomas Jones. The printing presses are cranking out playoff tickets after standing silent last year.
2. Georgia Satellites – Still hanging on to second place in the rankings despite being pounded like a nerd at Fight Club. This week’s opponent is Northboro. Both Georgia and Northboro lost week 1, won 4 straight, then lost week 6. Their mirror-image seasons end this week.
3. Phight-in Camels – Ok. Allright. They can win without Brian Westbrook. Put the billy club down and stop beating on my head…
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – Rated way higher than their 2-4 record would suggest because they are a good team that is finding all sorts of fascinating ways to lose. Last week, they had to have Eli Manning poop his drawers to avoid ringing up their third win. Sure enough, Manning had his worst game of the year by far and Garvey lost by 1 to Midwest. Note to the audience – if you have receivers or quarterbacks facing New England, play them. The Patriots are helpless against the pass.
5. Northern Spies – They have scored more points in the last three weeks that every team except the Dangerous Minds. Last week, they had six players score in double figures. On the bad side, Romo’s injured pinky shelves one of the league’s best QBs for a few weeks – or does it? Jessica’s boyfriend says he wants to play. This week, they face Midwest as they try to make it three straight.
6. Northboro Steroids – Last week, we had ugly matchups and Tony’s Eagles went bonkers. This week, no Michael Turner. Next week, no Cutler or Marshall. We could be 4-4 very shortly. Braylon Edwards looks like he’s back healthy and Roy Williams departure means Calvin Johnson will be among the league leaders in targets as long as he can stay conscious. The matchup with John should be a beauty.
7. Rocky Brook Oilers – Tom needs a win, but he’s catching no love from the scheduling Gods this week. Adrian Peterson is facing the Bears. Julius Jones is facing Tampa Bay – two ugly matchups. The good news is that Rocky Brook is facing Rich Garvey, who is to Fantasy Football what I am to Acey Deucey. Can this one end in a scoreless tie?
8. Midwest Marauders – One more win may get them out of the cellar. The one point win against Garvey last week was a bit lucky – if the Giants had done anything except throw interceptions, they could be 0-6. This week, the red hot Spies roll into town and Maurice Jones Drew has the week off.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 6
The haves and the have-nots have shaken themselves out over the last couple of weeks. We head into week 6 with an uncharacteristically clear view of several teams –one of which is already girding themselves to be a spoiler and two that are staring right at each other as the season nears its midpoint.
A few notes jump out as you study the numbers from the first five weeks:
Adrian Peterson and Ladanian Tomlinson are ninth and tenth in the league in scoring among running backs. The Midwest Marauders and the Rocky Brook Oilers picked 1 and 2 in our league draft, and are now last and next-to-last in the league in Game Points. Perhaps folks should not be chubbin’ over drafting early – it does not always make your drafting easier.
Points Allowed is something that no one in fantasy football can control, but it goes a long way toward determining whether you make the playoffs or not. Rich Garvey may be lucky at cards, but he’s more than making up for it on the fantasy gridiron – his opponents have scored an almost unimaginable 352 point through the first five weeks. The next team down the list is Midwest at 308.
Teams that score 80 points or more this year are 2-0. If they score between 70 and 79 points, they are 7-1. If they score between 60 and 69 points, they are 4-3. If they score between 50 and 59 points, they are 4-5. If they score between 40 and 49 points, they are 3-7. If they score less than 40, they are 0-4.
This week’s rankings:
1. Dangerous Minds – Still leading the league in Game Points by a comfortable margin (354). The Minds have had one minor bump in the road against the upstart Oilers, but otherwise have been sailing along like a Herreshoff yacht. (Google that one, boys!) They have performed with breathtaking consistency, scoring between 67 and 78 points every week.
2. Georgia Satellites – John piled up 87 points last week against poor Rich Garvey, which was a league high in Game Points so far this year. John has been getting phat on Reggie Bush’s punt returns, which have inflated Bush’s value to both New Orleans and the Satellites. Bush is now the #2 running back in the league in under our point system.
3. Northboro Steroids – The #1 running back in the league is Northboro’s Michael Turner, who had a nice week last week with 12 points. The hero against Tom, though, was Stephen Gostkoski, who picked a heck of a week to score 14. Storm signals are up for Northboro, though – the league has scored only 239 point against them through 5 weeks – the lowest total in the league. Sitting on your couch praying that the other guy doesn’t score is not a path to Nelson Bowl glory.
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – Still underachieving at 2-3, this team has been running into a headwind of wretched luck. In the three games they’ve lost, their opponents are averaging 78 points per game. This cannot continue, and they are getting terrific performances from everyone on the team. Matt Prater has turned out to be the kicker we all wanted.
5. Phight-in Camels – As Westbrook goes, so go the Camels, and that’s not a good thing right now. BW has two broken ribs, and is probably a game time decision. Tony may have saved his playoff chances by picking up Aaron Rogers, who is now this league’s top scoring quarterback. Plaxico Burress, well rested after his ‘personal bye,’ will be a welcome addition against the 4-1 Steroids.
6. Rocky Brook – The Oilers are coming off an ugly week when nothing went right (21 points). Tom looks to bounce back with Adrian Petersen against the awful Lions. This week will test Rocky Brooks’ depth – they have Chris Johnson and Larry Johnson on the bye.
7. Northern Spies – Right now, the Spies bench is outscoring its starting lineup. Last week’s pine bomb was DeAngelo Williams, who ran wild for 25 points. Rich is happy to have escaped the basement. They enter week 6 with no one on the bye unlike their opponents – Rocky Brook.
8. Midwest Marauders – Luckless, Wretched, and beleaguered, Hugh has got to be working hard on the Rosary beads, trying to get LT back to 100%. Turf toe injuries are the kiss of death for a running back. It seems like they just never heal. Terrell Owens and the rejuvenated Isaac Bruce will take some of the sting away for Midwest. I honestly can’t remember a team ever going 0-5 in our league before.
A few notes jump out as you study the numbers from the first five weeks:
Adrian Peterson and Ladanian Tomlinson are ninth and tenth in the league in scoring among running backs. The Midwest Marauders and the Rocky Brook Oilers picked 1 and 2 in our league draft, and are now last and next-to-last in the league in Game Points. Perhaps folks should not be chubbin’ over drafting early – it does not always make your drafting easier.
Points Allowed is something that no one in fantasy football can control, but it goes a long way toward determining whether you make the playoffs or not. Rich Garvey may be lucky at cards, but he’s more than making up for it on the fantasy gridiron – his opponents have scored an almost unimaginable 352 point through the first five weeks. The next team down the list is Midwest at 308.
Teams that score 80 points or more this year are 2-0. If they score between 70 and 79 points, they are 7-1. If they score between 60 and 69 points, they are 4-3. If they score between 50 and 59 points, they are 4-5. If they score between 40 and 49 points, they are 3-7. If they score less than 40, they are 0-4.
This week’s rankings:
1. Dangerous Minds – Still leading the league in Game Points by a comfortable margin (354). The Minds have had one minor bump in the road against the upstart Oilers, but otherwise have been sailing along like a Herreshoff yacht. (Google that one, boys!) They have performed with breathtaking consistency, scoring between 67 and 78 points every week.
2. Georgia Satellites – John piled up 87 points last week against poor Rich Garvey, which was a league high in Game Points so far this year. John has been getting phat on Reggie Bush’s punt returns, which have inflated Bush’s value to both New Orleans and the Satellites. Bush is now the #2 running back in the league in under our point system.
3. Northboro Steroids – The #1 running back in the league is Northboro’s Michael Turner, who had a nice week last week with 12 points. The hero against Tom, though, was Stephen Gostkoski, who picked a heck of a week to score 14. Storm signals are up for Northboro, though – the league has scored only 239 point against them through 5 weeks – the lowest total in the league. Sitting on your couch praying that the other guy doesn’t score is not a path to Nelson Bowl glory.
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – Still underachieving at 2-3, this team has been running into a headwind of wretched luck. In the three games they’ve lost, their opponents are averaging 78 points per game. This cannot continue, and they are getting terrific performances from everyone on the team. Matt Prater has turned out to be the kicker we all wanted.
5. Phight-in Camels – As Westbrook goes, so go the Camels, and that’s not a good thing right now. BW has two broken ribs, and is probably a game time decision. Tony may have saved his playoff chances by picking up Aaron Rogers, who is now this league’s top scoring quarterback. Plaxico Burress, well rested after his ‘personal bye,’ will be a welcome addition against the 4-1 Steroids.
6. Rocky Brook – The Oilers are coming off an ugly week when nothing went right (21 points). Tom looks to bounce back with Adrian Petersen against the awful Lions. This week will test Rocky Brooks’ depth – they have Chris Johnson and Larry Johnson on the bye.
7. Northern Spies – Right now, the Spies bench is outscoring its starting lineup. Last week’s pine bomb was DeAngelo Williams, who ran wild for 25 points. Rich is happy to have escaped the basement. They enter week 6 with no one on the bye unlike their opponents – Rocky Brook.
8. Midwest Marauders – Luckless, Wretched, and beleaguered, Hugh has got to be working hard on the Rosary beads, trying to get LT back to 100%. Turf toe injuries are the kiss of death for a running back. It seems like they just never heal. Terrell Owens and the rejuvenated Isaac Bruce will take some of the sting away for Midwest. I honestly can’t remember a team ever going 0-5 in our league before.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 5
Before the pixels were completely dry on my last post, Rocky Brook took the Commish’s best shot and plowed their way to a win over the previously undefeated Minds. We are 4 weeks in, half the league is tied for first, and the momentum has shifted to a couple of clubs who haven’t gotten a lot of love from the Rankings so far.
1. Rocky Brook Oilers – They killed the king, they get the crown. Tom has had quite a start in his first year, piling up wins by gathering just enough points each week. They are now six deep at running back with the addition of Le’ron McClain last week. The running game is a beautiful mix of old Warhorses (Larry Johnson), crispy new things (Chris Johnson), and super-stud Adrian Peterson. This team is built to win in the bye weeks.
2. Dangerous Minds – The Commish’s idea of an off week is to rack up 67 points despite coming up empty with Marion Barber. That won’t happen very often. Still leading the league in Game Points (282). The 67 points last week was their lowest total to date. Despite the hiccup last week, the Minds are dangerous indeed.
3. Northboro Steroids – Winners of 3 straight after surviving a scare against the old roommate, the Steroids head into the matchup against Rocky Brook without their #1 draft pick – Mr. Stephen Jackson who is on the bye this week. Despite being second in the league in Game Points (252), Northboro doesn’t seem to be as well structured for the bye weeks as other teams. After running out Ricky Williams this week for lack of alternatives, the Northboro contingent is facing an ugly week 8, when Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall take a seat. My week 8 opponent: The Dangerous Minds.
4. Georgia Satellites – John is hot, and he’s getting production from players you might not expect like Reggie Bush and Edgerrin James. The QB situation is improved with Warner and Jason Campbell in the fold. Excluding Week 1, John is third in the league in Game Points behind the Commish and Northboro. The best game in the Nelson this week is Satellites-Gangsters.
5. Garvey’s Gangsters – They led the league in points last week, and they’ve been piling up points all year. After Dangerous Minds, this is the team with the strongest roster top to bottom. They will be in the playoffs, and they will be a dangerous playoff opponent. They need to win some close games, starting this week.
6. Phight-in Camels – Brian Westbrook is down, but Tony cranked out a very impressive 69 points without him last week. He was ahead of us all on Deshaun Jackson, and Aaron Rogers looks good, if Green Bay can keep him stitched together. Peyton Manning is going to win some games for this club before it’s over. This is a team that’s hard to read.
7. Midwest Marauders – This is too good a team to be 0-4, and some unlucky club is going to pay a price for the Marauders’ ill luck to date. Jones-Drew has been disappointing, but Hugh has Earnest Graham and Jonathan Stewart on the bench. They have been caught by the poor performance of Cincinatti (Chad Ocho Cinco) and Cleveland (Kellen Winslow). They face the remorseless Minds this week.
8. Northern Spies – Two straight weeks looking up at the rest of the league. The Spies have had a strange season. The two top individual point totals so far this season are Ronnie Brown’s 33 points week 3, and Brett Favre’s 29 points week 4. Both of those gentlemen were burning up the pine for the Spies. We’ll see if they can get off the shnide against the Camels this week.
1. Rocky Brook Oilers – They killed the king, they get the crown. Tom has had quite a start in his first year, piling up wins by gathering just enough points each week. They are now six deep at running back with the addition of Le’ron McClain last week. The running game is a beautiful mix of old Warhorses (Larry Johnson), crispy new things (Chris Johnson), and super-stud Adrian Peterson. This team is built to win in the bye weeks.
2. Dangerous Minds – The Commish’s idea of an off week is to rack up 67 points despite coming up empty with Marion Barber. That won’t happen very often. Still leading the league in Game Points (282). The 67 points last week was their lowest total to date. Despite the hiccup last week, the Minds are dangerous indeed.
3. Northboro Steroids – Winners of 3 straight after surviving a scare against the old roommate, the Steroids head into the matchup against Rocky Brook without their #1 draft pick – Mr. Stephen Jackson who is on the bye this week. Despite being second in the league in Game Points (252), Northboro doesn’t seem to be as well structured for the bye weeks as other teams. After running out Ricky Williams this week for lack of alternatives, the Northboro contingent is facing an ugly week 8, when Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall take a seat. My week 8 opponent: The Dangerous Minds.
4. Georgia Satellites – John is hot, and he’s getting production from players you might not expect like Reggie Bush and Edgerrin James. The QB situation is improved with Warner and Jason Campbell in the fold. Excluding Week 1, John is third in the league in Game Points behind the Commish and Northboro. The best game in the Nelson this week is Satellites-Gangsters.
5. Garvey’s Gangsters – They led the league in points last week, and they’ve been piling up points all year. After Dangerous Minds, this is the team with the strongest roster top to bottom. They will be in the playoffs, and they will be a dangerous playoff opponent. They need to win some close games, starting this week.
6. Phight-in Camels – Brian Westbrook is down, but Tony cranked out a very impressive 69 points without him last week. He was ahead of us all on Deshaun Jackson, and Aaron Rogers looks good, if Green Bay can keep him stitched together. Peyton Manning is going to win some games for this club before it’s over. This is a team that’s hard to read.
7. Midwest Marauders – This is too good a team to be 0-4, and some unlucky club is going to pay a price for the Marauders’ ill luck to date. Jones-Drew has been disappointing, but Hugh has Earnest Graham and Jonathan Stewart on the bench. They have been caught by the poor performance of Cincinatti (Chad Ocho Cinco) and Cleveland (Kellen Winslow). They face the remorseless Minds this week.
8. Northern Spies – Two straight weeks looking up at the rest of the league. The Spies have had a strange season. The two top individual point totals so far this season are Ronnie Brown’s 33 points week 3, and Brett Favre’s 29 points week 4. Both of those gentlemen were burning up the pine for the Spies. We’ll see if they can get off the shnide against the Camels this week.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jordan's Power Rankings - Week 4
Around week 3 of last year, the questions began: Can they run the table? They’re good. They’re very, very good. Who can beat them?
Thirteen weeks later, the questions were answered – at least for the regular season. The playoffs? Well… we all know the playoff are a different story. You can ask the 2007 Northboro Steroids, who led our excellent league in wins and scoring only to get spanked by the Girls (and not in a good way) in the first round of the 2007 playoffs.
The Commish had been wailing on his unfortunate opponents for the first three weeks –average margin on victory is a stout 20 points. He is the only undefeated team left in the Nelson this season. Will the magic last through the bye weeks? The byes change the formula by erasing perfectly good players from your lineup. All of a sudden, great teams become beatable, and teams that are struggling are a lucky bounce away from a big upset. Any Given Sunday, baby…
1. Dangerous Minds – Undefeated, first in the league in Game Points (215), second in Total Points (321), Mike is stashing away Tim Hightower on his bench, who is creeping up on a regular job, and will be a red zone stud eventually. Rocky Brook gets their crack at the Big Guy this week.
2. Northboro – The Steroids are shooting up as a group – back-to-back seventy plus point weeks. This week, three of their starters get to take a seat, but there are decent alternatives on the bench. The key is to get something from Braylon Edwards who has a nice matchup against Cincinatti.
3. Georgia Satellites – Their Game Point totals – 38, 62, 72 – and their Total Points 53, 81, 117 – all point to a team getting its feet after a slow start. What a difference a week makes – all of a sudden, Lorenzo White looks like a guy we’d like to have, instead of just Chris Johnson’s blocking back.
4. Phight-in Camels – How hurt is Westbrook? This team couldn’t beat themselves in an intra-squad without the Philly Phenom scampering all over the place. Looks like he’ll play at this point, and Tony has a nice matchup against a gutted Gangster outfit.
5. Garvey’s Gangsters – They continue to score well overall, but they are now fifth in the league in Game Points – those are the ones that count. They have a whopping seven players on the bye this week. The matchup with the Camels should be a good one.
6. Rocky Brook – Just win, baby! Tom is 2-1, and came within a Deshaun Jackson brain fart of going 3-0. Sure, we can point out the fact that they’re tied for sixth in the league in Game points, and dead last in total points, but they can leap up the rankings by knocking off the high-flying minds this week.
7. Midwest Marauders – I guess the kiss of death was me complementing this team a couple of weeks ago and saying they were a threat the win the Nelson Bowl. They are five deep at running back. I’ve got a feeling they may make some noise as the weather gets colder.
8. Northern Spies – Nowhere to go but up for the Franklin contingent. They lost by 37 points last week and they face the suddenly scalding Satellites this weekend. Chris Henry’s days as a “pine bomb” are over – looks like Kevin Smith’s bye and a nice matchup against Cleveland pushes him into the starting lineup.
Thirteen weeks later, the questions were answered – at least for the regular season. The playoffs? Well… we all know the playoff are a different story. You can ask the 2007 Northboro Steroids, who led our excellent league in wins and scoring only to get spanked by the Girls (and not in a good way) in the first round of the 2007 playoffs.
The Commish had been wailing on his unfortunate opponents for the first three weeks –average margin on victory is a stout 20 points. He is the only undefeated team left in the Nelson this season. Will the magic last through the bye weeks? The byes change the formula by erasing perfectly good players from your lineup. All of a sudden, great teams become beatable, and teams that are struggling are a lucky bounce away from a big upset. Any Given Sunday, baby…
1. Dangerous Minds – Undefeated, first in the league in Game Points (215), second in Total Points (321), Mike is stashing away Tim Hightower on his bench, who is creeping up on a regular job, and will be a red zone stud eventually. Rocky Brook gets their crack at the Big Guy this week.
2. Northboro – The Steroids are shooting up as a group – back-to-back seventy plus point weeks. This week, three of their starters get to take a seat, but there are decent alternatives on the bench. The key is to get something from Braylon Edwards who has a nice matchup against Cincinatti.
3. Georgia Satellites – Their Game Point totals – 38, 62, 72 – and their Total Points 53, 81, 117 – all point to a team getting its feet after a slow start. What a difference a week makes – all of a sudden, Lorenzo White looks like a guy we’d like to have, instead of just Chris Johnson’s blocking back.
4. Phight-in Camels – How hurt is Westbrook? This team couldn’t beat themselves in an intra-squad without the Philly Phenom scampering all over the place. Looks like he’ll play at this point, and Tony has a nice matchup against a gutted Gangster outfit.
5. Garvey’s Gangsters – They continue to score well overall, but they are now fifth in the league in Game Points – those are the ones that count. They have a whopping seven players on the bye this week. The matchup with the Camels should be a good one.
6. Rocky Brook – Just win, baby! Tom is 2-1, and came within a Deshaun Jackson brain fart of going 3-0. Sure, we can point out the fact that they’re tied for sixth in the league in Game points, and dead last in total points, but they can leap up the rankings by knocking off the high-flying minds this week.
7. Midwest Marauders – I guess the kiss of death was me complementing this team a couple of weeks ago and saying they were a threat the win the Nelson Bowl. They are five deep at running back. I’ve got a feeling they may make some noise as the weather gets colder.
8. Northern Spies – Nowhere to go but up for the Franklin contingent. They lost by 37 points last week and they face the suddenly scalding Satellites this weekend. Chris Henry’s days as a “pine bomb” are over – looks like Kevin Smith’s bye and a nice matchup against Cleveland pushes him into the starting lineup.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Jordan’s Power Rankings – Week 3
An irreverent, and perhaps irrelevant look at the Nelson League 2008.
What a remarkable Monday Night game that was – nine players in our league were active, and the scoring was hot and heavy all night, with three games hanging in the balance. John, ever the lucky lad, won his game when Deshean Jackson spiked the ball a tad early on a sure touchdown, costing Tom The New Guy 4 desperately-needed points. This came in a week that John also got 19 point from his kicker and a punt return for a touchdown from Reggie Bush.
Luck has a lot to do with Fantasy Football, as our newest league member will be the first to tell you. A few years ago, I lost an amazing amount of money in a game of acey-deucy, which set me down as a carrier of leprotic luck for all eternity. I have become convinced in my soul that luck is a zero-sum game. My bad luck, endured with as much grace as I can muster, is offset by someone else’s good luck. As a Christian, I can live with that. As a competitor, it sucks like a black hole.
My view of this was sharpened after a conversation with a co-worker, recently returned from Vegas. He told me he was hanging around the slot machines waiting for some friends to show up. Having little to do, he decided to play the one armed bandits to pass the time.
“On my third quarter, I won $400.00!,” he said.
“Wow…that’s awesome, Matt!”
“Yeah,” he said, not pausing for effect, “same thing happened to me last year…”
This weeks ratings…
1. Dangerous Minds – First in Game Points (145), tied for first in Total Points (223), undefeated at 2-0. It’s a little tough to pick anyone else for the #1 slot. Mike won Frosty Bedsheets Bowl I by 7 points over the struggling Northern Spies.
2. Phight-in Camels – Tony has cleared the very respectable 60 point mark two straight weeks, and heads to week 3 with 2 wins safely tucked away. Westbrook is out of control – that was a pretty good defense he shredded for 22 points. Deshean Jackson looks like the real deal, and Tony won despite making what could have been a real boner – sitting Anquan Boldin (25 points) who had a sweet matchup against pathetic Miami. Winning ends all second guessing.
3. Northboro Steroids – There isn’t a dime’s worth of difference statistically between Northboro and Mr. Garvey’s Gangsters right now, but Northboro is 1-0 against the Gang thanks to last week’s fine 78-point performance. Jay Cutler scored an extra 8 points while Ed Hercules was striking poses for the national viewing audience. No complaints from this seat. The Steroids would like to welcome back Brandon Marshall from his suspension. The offer to pay bail is open-ended brother…just call us.
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – The Garv is tied for the league lead in total points (223) with the Commish, and scored 58 points with Clinton Portis (16) sitting on the bench. The bye weeks will make this deep team a dangerous opponent.
5. Rocky Brook – Tom caught a brutal break that kept him from moving to 2-0. The Oilers are sixth in game points and seventh in total points after two weeks – perhaps a harbinger of trouble ahead. Next Up: the Fight-in Camels.
6. Midwest Marauders – John’s lucky run may include next week’s match against Midwest, which may be playing without LT. Hugh has Jonathan Stewart (77 yds 2 TDs, 15 points) sitting on the bench waiting for a chance. The Marauders have scored more Total Points (188) than the Phight-in Camels (180).
7. Northern Spies – The Spies have been luckless so far, but there are issues here. The running game scored 6 total points against Mike, costing them dearly. Chris Henry might help, but he is at the New York Giants this week. It’ll be interesting to see how Rich works the problems here.
8. Georgia Satellites – John is 1-1, which should push them up the stack. But they are last in Game Points (100), last in Total Points (134) and they should, if there were any justice in this universe, be 0-2. John needs a Lazerus act here. Don’t put it past him.
What a remarkable Monday Night game that was – nine players in our league were active, and the scoring was hot and heavy all night, with three games hanging in the balance. John, ever the lucky lad, won his game when Deshean Jackson spiked the ball a tad early on a sure touchdown, costing Tom The New Guy 4 desperately-needed points. This came in a week that John also got 19 point from his kicker and a punt return for a touchdown from Reggie Bush.
Luck has a lot to do with Fantasy Football, as our newest league member will be the first to tell you. A few years ago, I lost an amazing amount of money in a game of acey-deucy, which set me down as a carrier of leprotic luck for all eternity. I have become convinced in my soul that luck is a zero-sum game. My bad luck, endured with as much grace as I can muster, is offset by someone else’s good luck. As a Christian, I can live with that. As a competitor, it sucks like a black hole.
My view of this was sharpened after a conversation with a co-worker, recently returned from Vegas. He told me he was hanging around the slot machines waiting for some friends to show up. Having little to do, he decided to play the one armed bandits to pass the time.
“On my third quarter, I won $400.00!,” he said.
“Wow…that’s awesome, Matt!”
“Yeah,” he said, not pausing for effect, “same thing happened to me last year…”
This weeks ratings…
1. Dangerous Minds – First in Game Points (145), tied for first in Total Points (223), undefeated at 2-0. It’s a little tough to pick anyone else for the #1 slot. Mike won Frosty Bedsheets Bowl I by 7 points over the struggling Northern Spies.
2. Phight-in Camels – Tony has cleared the very respectable 60 point mark two straight weeks, and heads to week 3 with 2 wins safely tucked away. Westbrook is out of control – that was a pretty good defense he shredded for 22 points. Deshean Jackson looks like the real deal, and Tony won despite making what could have been a real boner – sitting Anquan Boldin (25 points) who had a sweet matchup against pathetic Miami. Winning ends all second guessing.
3. Northboro Steroids – There isn’t a dime’s worth of difference statistically between Northboro and Mr. Garvey’s Gangsters right now, but Northboro is 1-0 against the Gang thanks to last week’s fine 78-point performance. Jay Cutler scored an extra 8 points while Ed Hercules was striking poses for the national viewing audience. No complaints from this seat. The Steroids would like to welcome back Brandon Marshall from his suspension. The offer to pay bail is open-ended brother…just call us.
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – The Garv is tied for the league lead in total points (223) with the Commish, and scored 58 points with Clinton Portis (16) sitting on the bench. The bye weeks will make this deep team a dangerous opponent.
5. Rocky Brook – Tom caught a brutal break that kept him from moving to 2-0. The Oilers are sixth in game points and seventh in total points after two weeks – perhaps a harbinger of trouble ahead. Next Up: the Fight-in Camels.
6. Midwest Marauders – John’s lucky run may include next week’s match against Midwest, which may be playing without LT. Hugh has Jonathan Stewart (77 yds 2 TDs, 15 points) sitting on the bench waiting for a chance. The Marauders have scored more Total Points (188) than the Phight-in Camels (180).
7. Northern Spies – The Spies have been luckless so far, but there are issues here. The running game scored 6 total points against Mike, costing them dearly. Chris Henry might help, but he is at the New York Giants this week. It’ll be interesting to see how Rich works the problems here.
8. Georgia Satellites – John is 1-1, which should push them up the stack. But they are last in Game Points (100), last in Total Points (134) and they should, if there were any justice in this universe, be 0-2. John needs a Lazerus act here. Don’t put it past him.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Jordan's Nelson League Power Ranking - 2008
Jordan's Power Rankings for Week 2
An irreverent and perhaps irrelevant look at the Nelson League, 2008.
Hello Leaguemates! This year, I’ll be publishing weekly Power Rankings as the season moves along. The rankings below are based on five or six metrics that I made up off the top of my head. (There’s nothing else up there, so there’s plenty of room.) This is one man’s opinion, for entertainment purposes only and all the usual disclaimers apply.
1. Dangerous Minds – The Commish fired on all cylinders out of the gate, crushing Northboro by 28 points. I knew it was over when Thomas Jones scampered in for a score – if he’s scoring touchdowns, Mike will be a handful all year.
2. Garvey's Gangsters – Rich was apparently not amused by his receipt of the Stephen Award, and he showed his displeasure by spanking Team Deslauriers by ten points. More interesting, though, is that he did this without Willie Parker, who ran like a scalded dog all day and scored three touchdowns for Pittsburgh. In fact, Rich led the league in total points for the week with 116 – perhaps an indication that The Garv has some depth for the upcoming bye weeks.
3. Fight-in Camels – Tony’s going without Donovan McNabb, who got scooped by Rocky Brook, but Brian Westbrook owners are sleeping well and smiling wide these days. In week 1, Tony was the happy beneficiary of Tom Brady’s injury – only Eric Mangini was laughing harder. The savvy head Camel got 62 points from a team that scored 80 total points on the week – impressive efficiency.
4. Rocky Brook - Tom won a tight one against a very good Marauders club. There may be better weeks to come, too, as The New Guy has caught lightening in a bottle in the form of Tennessee bullet Chris Johnson. Add in Steve Smith – a recent graduate of the Milton Bradley school of Anger Management – and you have yourself a team to watch.
5. Northboro – This was not the week to play the Commissioner, but the Steroids really didn’t have too bad a week. Jay Cutler looked like a solution for the QB spot, which generated all of 1 point with Carson Palmer out there. Randy Moss lost half his value when Brady’s knee went all Dr. Seuss, but Calvin Johnson looks like a stud, and Brandon Marshall is back next week. If Michael Turner stays healthy, he may lead the NFL in rushing. With that team, he may have to.
6. Northern Spies – Ryan Grant and Marques Colston both got hurt, which killed the Spies in the game against Mr. Garvey. Grant looks like he’ll be fine, but Colston is gone for the next six weeks with a thumb injury. The depth at wideout is not there, so the Spies will have some work to do. Kevin Smith looks like an excellent pick, and Romo may now be the best QB in the game.
7. Marauders – I love this club, and I think they are a real threat to win the whole enchilada. Week 1 was more like a boot with cheese on it, though, as Hugh had a field goal blocked late and ended up losing to Tom. This team will be dangerous after some jiggering – Matt Forte had a great week on the bench and Duane Bowe dropped what would have been a second TD in the waning seconds of the game at New England.
8. Satellites - The Guy Who Always Wins has tried many different paths to victory over the years, but losing your #2 draft pick, and potentially your top scorer, in week 1 is taking it to a whole new level. Take this to the bank: with no arm waiting on the bench, John will be picking a QB on waivers this week.
An irreverent and perhaps irrelevant look at the Nelson League, 2008.
Hello Leaguemates! This year, I’ll be publishing weekly Power Rankings as the season moves along. The rankings below are based on five or six metrics that I made up off the top of my head. (There’s nothing else up there, so there’s plenty of room.) This is one man’s opinion, for entertainment purposes only and all the usual disclaimers apply.
1. Dangerous Minds – The Commish fired on all cylinders out of the gate, crushing Northboro by 28 points. I knew it was over when Thomas Jones scampered in for a score – if he’s scoring touchdowns, Mike will be a handful all year.
2. Garvey's Gangsters – Rich was apparently not amused by his receipt of the Stephen Award, and he showed his displeasure by spanking Team Deslauriers by ten points. More interesting, though, is that he did this without Willie Parker, who ran like a scalded dog all day and scored three touchdowns for Pittsburgh. In fact, Rich led the league in total points for the week with 116 – perhaps an indication that The Garv has some depth for the upcoming bye weeks.
3. Fight-in Camels – Tony’s going without Donovan McNabb, who got scooped by Rocky Brook, but Brian Westbrook owners are sleeping well and smiling wide these days. In week 1, Tony was the happy beneficiary of Tom Brady’s injury – only Eric Mangini was laughing harder. The savvy head Camel got 62 points from a team that scored 80 total points on the week – impressive efficiency.
4. Rocky Brook - Tom won a tight one against a very good Marauders club. There may be better weeks to come, too, as The New Guy has caught lightening in a bottle in the form of Tennessee bullet Chris Johnson. Add in Steve Smith – a recent graduate of the Milton Bradley school of Anger Management – and you have yourself a team to watch.
5. Northboro – This was not the week to play the Commissioner, but the Steroids really didn’t have too bad a week. Jay Cutler looked like a solution for the QB spot, which generated all of 1 point with Carson Palmer out there. Randy Moss lost half his value when Brady’s knee went all Dr. Seuss, but Calvin Johnson looks like a stud, and Brandon Marshall is back next week. If Michael Turner stays healthy, he may lead the NFL in rushing. With that team, he may have to.
6. Northern Spies – Ryan Grant and Marques Colston both got hurt, which killed the Spies in the game against Mr. Garvey. Grant looks like he’ll be fine, but Colston is gone for the next six weeks with a thumb injury. The depth at wideout is not there, so the Spies will have some work to do. Kevin Smith looks like an excellent pick, and Romo may now be the best QB in the game.
7. Marauders – I love this club, and I think they are a real threat to win the whole enchilada. Week 1 was more like a boot with cheese on it, though, as Hugh had a field goal blocked late and ended up losing to Tom. This team will be dangerous after some jiggering – Matt Forte had a great week on the bench and Duane Bowe dropped what would have been a second TD in the waning seconds of the game at New England.
8. Satellites - The Guy Who Always Wins has tried many different paths to victory over the years, but losing your #2 draft pick, and potentially your top scorer, in week 1 is taking it to a whole new level. Take this to the bank: with no arm waiting on the bench, John will be picking a QB on waivers this week.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Welcome to Phoenix Rising!
This blog is a compendium of my thoughts, musings, and ill-considered opinions on all things political, recreational and personal. Drop me a line if you see something that amuses or infuriates - and thanks for reading.
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