Week 3 Preview and other thoughts...

Blockbuster trade alert!

The first big trade of the season. Chris procures the #3 pick in the draft and pairs it in his backfield with the #5 (who should have been #4 if Mario was alive during the draft) and can now safely enter into league's best team discussions in spite of his modest 1-1 record, especially after the beating he was handed by big underdog Z. Onto the week 3 preview...

Papa Bravo vs. Pork Fried Rice

0-2 Albert's knee-jerk reaction to his 0-2 start is sure to haunt him throughout the season as LJ gets into shape after the training camp holdout and the Chiefs' brutal schedule relinquishes a bit. By Week 9, LJ will be averaging 120 yds and 2 touchdowns per game as Chris' Brady-lead aerial attack slices and dices enemies and LJ-Gore two-headed backfield monster plow through opponents and leave a bloody mess in its wake. Forgotten in all this is Jeff's big 2-0 start after a turbulent offseason . Albert 's new arrival MJD should make some noise this week after being quiet for the first two weeks, but probably just a TD. Nothing major. The horrendous WR corps will finally get a decent option in Anquan Boldin, but Boldin is a WR2 at best. Good job trading away Joey Galloway. Great trade for Albert all around. DeAngelo Williams, who can't even beat out Deshaun Foster will probably be thrust into WR/RB duty for the week and any positive yardage will be a step up from what he has been doing. I see this matchup being a blowout in Jeff's favor.
Prediction: Papa Bravo 103.6 - 61.87 Pork Fried Rice

Leaguechampyear2 vs. Bastards

Just like the previous game, this too will be an absolute whuppin'. Mario made it close last week against me, but I happened to have an exceptionally poor week and if not for that defensive struggle that was the Cincy-Cleveland game and Chad Johnson's 30 pts, I would have lost easily. Mike had a huge lead on Eric last week and hung on Sunday night while Gates got a late touchdown to make it close. He won't have to wait til Sunday night to put Mario away this week.
Prediction: Leaguechampyear2 98.78 - 54.21 Bastards

pacman jones vs. J.Jones

Gary had what could likely be the highest scoring weekend of the year last week and it's probably not likely that it will happen again although the Cin D is horrible so you never know. As dumb as Andy Reid is, he can't possibly be dumb enough to not keep giving Brian Westbrook the ball. Westbrook is awesome. Lee Evans can't possibly suck any more. We're seeing Peerless Price in Atlanta numbers here. If Gary can score 130+ pts with Evans sucking and SD Def coming up with 1.00 pts then oh boy are we in for a long season. Of course, common sense tells us that some of the prime beneficiaries of the fantasy gift that was the Cincinnati-Cleveland shootout: Jamal Lewis and Carson Palmer, wouldn't continue doing what they did. This one will go down to the wire and Eric will come from behind...only to fall short again.
Prediction: J.Jones 100.19-91.00 pacman jones

The Michael Bethanys vs. Moss...Zefross Moss

Z destroyed Chris last week after a solid effort from throughout his team especially Andre Johnson. However, Johnson is a no-go for Sunday against the Colts, meaning Z will start 4 Patriots, after acquiring Donte Stallworth and Julius Jones from me earlier this week in exchange for DeShawn Wynn and Mark Clayton. Chirag's fast start has been one of the lead storylines of this early season. At 2-0 and having scored 220 pts, good for a close 2nd in the league, Chirag would like to keep his fast start going and with a WR corps as good as that, he will put forth another strong outing. Reggie Bush has frustrated his owners again this season after limping out of the gates like he did last season. For a 1st round pick, he's been a bust so far. This matchup will likely turn into a shootout akin to last week's.
Prediction: Moss...Zefross Moss 112.79-104.67 The Michael Bethanys

Akon vs. T-Pain

I'm probably sneaking into the last week before LJ rounds into form and starts hurting NFL defenses so the hope here is that Minny D can hold LJ close to what they held Tatum Bell the puss to (14 yds). This might be the game of the week especially with the star QBs Manning and Brady now having equal firepower. The big X-Factor is DeShawn Wynn in this game. If he gets 10-15 meaningful carries including some goal line action, this game would turn in my favor, but if he ends up more a Wali Lundy than Maurice Jones Drew then I'm in trouble.
Prediction: T-Pain 89.97-83.81 Akon

Ice Man vs. Maverick

The Iceman has yet to cometh into the Winners' Circle this season however his opponent faces a similar disposition. Jack wanted to avoid having to repeat what he did to make the playoffs after a dismal 1-5 start last season, but he is faced with a similar situation after a quick 0-2 start in which he is less than a point away from having the lowest point scored total. Steven Jackson just hasn't looked sharp in that offense and the defense is abysmal yet again creating ample passing opportunities for Bulger at the expense of Jackson and Jackson has yet to get involved significantly in the passing game. One must start wondering whether we were too quick to crown Steven Jackson. Kent's team will finally wake up from its slumber and explode this week while Jack's team continues to dig itself a deeper ditch to climb out of.
Prediction: Ice Man 116.01 - 72.77 Maverick

As always, have a great FF Sunday!

Week 2 Preview

Bastards vs. Playoffs or Bust

It's too early to call this a must-win game for me but if I intend to make the playoffs this year, I have got to win this game. Starting 0-2 in this league will be a big hole. Mario's Jacobs, Cadillac, and Glenn are banged up already and may not see any action. It's up to Alexander, Brees, and crew to help Mario get on the winning track. Brees won't stink it up again this week. Meanwhile, I have to rely heavily on Peyton Manning and Chad Johnson to put some points on the board for me. The X Factor this week will be Tatum Bell against a a robust Minny front 7. If Bell can accumulate some yardage and get in for a score, I might have a shot at pulling this one off. This game will be a lot closer than people think. It might go down to the Monday night game as Antwaan Randle-The and Larry Johnson Smith face off against David "Green" Akers. I hate Chris Berman.

Edgeyear2 vs. I WIN

Eric exploded last week to the tune of 114 pts after his T.O woke up in the 2nd half against the Giants. I don't think that explosion was a mirage, but more so a glimpse of things to come from this well-drafted, well-run organization. Some people cringed when Tony Gates was taken in the 3rd, but he is likely to post monster numbers in that Norv Turner offense (reminiscent of Jay Novacek with the cowboys only Gates is more talented and his supporting cast is weaker.) Meanwhile Mike was no slouch himself as he racked up a solid win against the overmatched Alberts. Eric's decision to start Deion Branch is curious this week given that Branch had 0 catches in the previous game. Granted a receiver as good as Branch won't go back to back games without a catch, but I'd still take my chances with Jerry Norwood. Look for Kellen Winslow to have a huge game in a shootout with Cincy. Jon Kitna will be forced to throw 30-35 times against the Vikes and that might create a lot of touches for Calvin Johnson. I think Chester Taylor is a decoy right now and will be replaced by Cal Johnson by game time. This, too, will be a tight game decided by the K and DEF as botth Denver D and Pittsburgh D have solid matchups.

Roll Out vs. Moss...Zefross Moss

Rager the Engager started the season on a winning note for a 2nd straight year and he's hoping that his team doesn't devolve into the disaster from last year. After getting a fantastic game from Randy Moss last week, look for Rager to rely heavily on his WR corps for points. Steve Smith has a tough matchup going against Dunta Robinson this week, but Smith is one of the best in the game for a reason. Jack's Steven Jackson and Deuce will bounce back to have big games. Expect at least a score for each of them and Jackson may even go for two. Santana Moss will be a big beneficiary of Jason Campbell's cannon arm especially as Campbell gets more comfortable running the offense. This game will be decided by the QB play and I full expect Rivers to play well against the Patriots (unless the Pats find some way to steal signals again..hehe) but I expect Hasselbeck to struggle against Arizona to the tune for less than 200 yds passing and a couple of picks.

Military Police vs. J.Jones

Another battle of the 0-1 squads. Larry Johnson has a tough matchup at Chicago and Gary got a 'gimme' starting RB out of Derrick Ward who looked strong after he replaced Jacobs against the Cowboys. Gary's WRs don't inspire too much confidence at this point in the season and Nate Burleson just isn't a viable fantasy option until he can show that he is consistent. Marshawn Lynch was surprisingly good against Denver as the Bills' offseason O line revamping looks to have done its job. I expect Albert to win this matchup unless his weak WR corps struggles badly and Gary's wideouts can put last week's mess behind them and have a big game this week.

Textual Intercourse vs. Dynasty

Kent has won the title. The title for stupid team names in which he narrowly edged out Eric. Anyway, Matt Leinart looked horrible on Monday Night against a suddenly solid 49ers secondary, but should find some success against an overrated Seahawks D. Holt and Wayne are a deadly 1-2 punch for any offense especially when in the same fantasy lineup as LaTom. Tomlinson will be bitchslapped by the Patriots after the way he's been running his mouth since SD choked away the playoff game last yr. I don't see the Chargers being able to contain the Patriots especially considering how motivated the Pats will be after this very very embarrassing episode . Tony Romo was a fantasy god last week, but he is still Tony Romo and should not be counted on to put up those kinds of numbers on a regular basis. Without High Octane Romo, Jeff's team will rely on a solid WR crew to score a couple of TDs and gain lots of yardage to make this one a thriller. Look for Jacksonville Defense to be exposed yet again, but this time Joey Harrington will do the honors of bringing Jack Of the River one step closer to being fired.

Akon vs. The Billy Kinghams

Stick a fork in this one. Akon will destroy the Rapists on the strength of a monster Brady game. Larry Maroney just didn't look like a first rounder last week and I'm not sold on him being a fantasy franchise back. Travis Henry and Andre Johnson will continue being studly, but the rest of the cast doesn't have the right matchups this week to pull off an upset. Kent's Bulger will struggle against a feisty 49ers Defense and Wes Welker will be frustratingly inconsistent as the loose slot with Moss and Stallworth also pining for Brady's attention. If Baltimore defense rapes Pennington/Clemens then all bets are off, but I see the Jets moving the ball well and not giving Baltimore too much to chomp on.

Good Luck to all the teams this week, except Mario. Cheers!

Game 1 Thoughts

The season got off to a great start last night (at least for me and Kent) as the Colts banged the Saints 41-10. Brees looked pretty horrific, but I think it was an aberration more so than the beginning of a trend. Bush and McAllister looked overwhelmed as well, but again, I don't think this is something that will be on display throughout the season. Week 1 is always the most unpredictable week there is because our projections for the upcoming season are always unfounded and inaccurate and because there is a lot of rust still being worked off by the teams. Not until Week 4 can you really get an idea of how a team is going to perform for the remainder of the season and even then, it's still too early to get a good read on things.

I am reluctant to start trading this early into the season because of the likelihood of that one early trade affecting the outcome of your entire season (obviously, if it's stars you're trading and not scrubs like Matt Jones for Iqbal Johnson). Consider my 2004 trade of #1 overall Priest Holmes for Edgerrin James and Tony Gonzalez minutes after the draft. Holmes' season ended after week 8 (what I had feared all along and that's why traded him away so swiftly) so I may have lucked out there, however, in those 8 games, he managed to pretty much outdo what Edge and Gonzo took the whole season to do. In Edge's defense, that was Manning's historic 49 TD season, and he still managed to get 12 Tds out of it. Anyway, if I had waited til week 3-4 and then traded Holmes while he was putting up nutty numbers, not only would I have successfully moved my injury proned TD monster, but I would have been able to garner higher returns than the Edge-Gonzo twosome. The lesson as always: Fantasy is unpredictable and that's why we love it.