Fantasy Journal - Pre Draft Jitters

Manager's log - Entry 1 - Pre-draft for ESPN League
Team: Nerf Herders

(you can't say that that's our word!)

I am sitting here, mere hours away from my first fantasy draft with pre-draft jitters. Who will I take? Where will I be drafting? Will my head explode?

The answer to those questions will be answered tonight. As far as who to draft? Now that my daughter has gone down for her nap the research/panic can begin. Overthinking it can begin. Honestly I won't know the draft order until 7:30pm EST. I will know what position I will be looking at but come on. My competitor's might read this! Don't wanna give too much away.

Those who know me know my fantasy football drafting beliefs and probably know what I am going after. I have a strong no QB policy in the first round. Don't know why, I just do. Perhaps it is my lack of a man crush on Peyton Manning who usually is the first QB to go. Maybe it is my many man crushes on other position players. Little of both I suppose. Truth is most leagues use 1 QB. I need more good position players than QBs. Not that Manning isn't great. Just that there are others that are good that put up similar if not better numbers than him.

This is my ESPN league which is with mostly people who don't know me. If they remember me from last season they will know that I drafted 5 RBs total for 14 roster spots. This is a league with 1 RB spot and a RB/WR flex spot to start. Very heavy WR based league. My RBs last season, in order of drafting, were Deangelo Williams, Frank Gore, Ray Rice, Jonathan Stewart and Lesean McCoy. I highly doubt I will get Rice as late as I did last season (unless I am in the top 5 to draft) which was a late round reach then. Now, not so much. Deangelo Williams is officially black listed from my fantasy team, he is on the banned list (read one of my previous posts from last season). Too many injuries and not enough performance after a stellar 2008. Possibly a later reach, highly unlikely though. I am hoping for a similar receiving core like I had last season.

As I said, heavy based WR league. With 3 possible spots last season (this season the roster looks to be 2 RB, 2 WR and a TE). In order of draft spot, last season I had T. J. Houschmandzadeh(hooshmazilli, championship!), Vincent Jackson, Desean Jackson (no relation and with my very next pick!) and honestly I don't remember who else. It says something that I remember all of my drafted RBs and not WRs aye? None of them matter to me this season except for D Jax. Vincent is out for the first few games(might hold out for all of them) and Hoosh is not who me or Denny Green thought he was. I pretty much filled in Hoosh's roster spot with randoms throughout the season. Same with my TE spot. Mostly filled last season by Brent Celek. The team got me the king of the loser's title. Which is not what anyone wants. All my big players got hurt in the last week of the regular season (for fantasy) and I needed a win to get into the championship round. Which looking back on it, I would have won had my players not gotten hurt. But if coulda/woulda/buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry fantasy season wouldn't we?

Truth is I just wanted to jot down my thoughts which I will probably doing throughout the season. Stay tuned to find out what my roster looks like in all of my leagues. Or don't. Ya jerk!

NFL Power Rankings - Week 11

Everyone ready? I said, 'get ready!' Are you ready for some rankings! A Tuesday tradition. We got Brandan Spiegel and no one famous, here to get this thing started. Get the big dome crashin' under Baltimore's lights. Cause all 12 of my readers are here on Tuesday niiiiiiiiiiiight. Well probably not 12. It's like the millions and millions of my fans. Combined with my dozens and dozens of readers. Hank Williams love, anyone? Anyone? Let's see what the week has given us in rankings this week.

NFL Power Rankings

1. Indianapolis Colts (2, 9-0)


I take back what I said last week. This was definitely nailbiter of the year. They were an eyelash from losing to the Pats. Brady went crazy against their dismantled defense but a crazy gamble late cost them the game. With all of these close games eventually they aren't going to have enough to win. Hopefully that begins this week against Baltimore.




2. New Orleans Saints (1, 9-0)

Win you barely beat the Rams, on the road or not, I can't keep you as the most elite team in the league. The D clearly can't stop the run as they were abused by Steven Jackson. Also a lack of a TD for the first time in a long time was a shock considering their opponent. Brees didn't throw for multiple TDs so it has me wondering how long they will remain undefeated. My guess is maybe two more weeks before a loss. Don't be shocked if an upstart Bucs team pulls one off.




3. Cincinnati Bengals (5, 7-2)

Why does Merril Hoge have to be right? This team is completely legit and playing complete team football. The defense is looking like a creation of Marvin Lewis as opposed to previous years. While the offense is running the ball consistently. Benson came up lame early in the game so that could be a problem going into later weeks. Keep an eye on that fantasy owners!



4. Minnesota Vikings (4, 8-1)


Bye week again, well not really. Although playing the Lions might as well be. Peterson abused them and they won. Not really much of an accomplishment like, oh I don't know, beating the defending Super Bowl champs twice!



5. New England Patriots (3, 6-3)

How do you go for it with little time left, in a tight game against the Colts, in Indy, on your side of the field? Even in Madden I would have punted that. Have a little faith in your defense Bill. These teams will meet again come playoff time.



6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5, 6-3)

I don't think it matters who this team faces or what their record is, they will always be favored. Especially at home. Losing a game the way they did to the Bengals, who played classic Steeler style football, hurts a little. Even Merril Hoge didn't predict they would sweep the Steelers. Polamalu being hurt again also isn't a good sign.



7. Arizona Cardinals (8, 6-3)

Warner and Hasselback put on a show. However, Warner is a pro at a show(I mean he was a part of the greatest show on turf) which is probably why his team won. Add to the fact that Seattle has been up and down this season and the Cards were at home...wait what? They won a game they should have at home? Good for them.




8. San Diego Chargers (13, 6-3)


LT got a gift from his wife before the game. A positive pregnancy test. So the future new dad looked like a blast from the past when he dominated the Eagles. Broncos are on the decline while this team keeps getting better and better.




9. Dallas Cowboys (6, 6-3)

They looked AWFUL against the Packers. Being shut out for most of the game when the defense they were facing was less than impressive against the Bucs. I said it wouldn't last long. I don't see them losing against the Skins but I wouldn't have picked them to beat the Broncos either. One of the best rivalries in the NFL.



10. Philadelphia Eagles (7, 5-4)

They apparently can't travel to the west coast and leave with a W. At least this time it was to a more worthy opponent. McNabb went crazy with over 350 yards and they still lost. Add that to the fact Brian Westbrook has another concussion. Doesn't look good for the Eagles.



11. Houston Texans (11, 5-4)


Bye week this past week. Will the running back committee continue? I would like to know (fannnnnnnnnnnnntasyyyyyyyyy).



12. Baltimore Ravens (12, 5-4)

That game hurt to watch. Both teams looked poor. However it was the Browns offense that looked worse. Antoine Pollard said it best, "I feel dumber for watching that game." Well hopefully we will be more offensive against the Colts.

13. Atlanta Falcons (10, 5-4)

Losing Michael Turner is going to hurt this team. Evident in the fact that they lost to the Panthers who are really rolling now. If the Falcons keep playing like this they could lose a playoff spot to the Panthers.

14. New York Giants (14, 5-4)

Bye week...not much to say. At least the Eagles and Cowboys lost this week!

15. San Francisco 49ers (15, 4-5)

That was an ugly, ugly win. Atrocious would describe that win. Gore was able to move the ball but that was it. The defense looked good or was it Cutler that looked that bad.

16. Miami Dolphins (16, 4-5)

Well at least they didn't blow that game to the Bucs. Henne did look pedestrian at times but they need to Jets and Pats to kill each other this weekend to give them a chance in the division.

17. Green Bay Packers (18, 5-4)

How do you go from losing to the Bucs to beating the Cowboys? I don't know but I like it! Pretty dominant at home not allowing the Boys to score until late in the fourth quarter when it didn't matter.

18. Denver Broncos (9, 6-3)

They lost to the Redskins, probably due to Orton being injured when they needed him late. If he is hurt for an extended period of time, this team could miss the playoffs.

19. Carolina Panthers (21, 4-5)

What a turnaround. Next to the Titans this might be the scariest under .500 in the league. With Atlanta faltering and having injury issues with Turner, who knows what can happen with a wild card spot.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (23, 5-4)

Why MJD didn't just punch it in for the win I have no idea. I mean, doesn't he know people could have used that TD in fantasy! Del Rio will have hate mail from about 60 million fantasy owners this week, he won't care since his team won.

21. Tennessee Titans (22, 3-6)

Chris Johnson beast mode activated. Can they win 10 in a row and possibly make the playoffs? Possibly, with Johnson running the ball so dominantly anything is possible.

22. New York Jets (17, 4-5)

MJD owns everyone. He even felt sorry for them, so he took a knee at the 1. I have no idea why but whatever. Jets loss and now the Pats are coming to town. My how the tides have turned.



23. Chicago Bears (19, 4-5)

Hey Jay over here I'm open, whoops. Another interception. This is going to be an ugly rest of the season if he doesn't stop turning the ball over. A lot of folks were saying all of those INTs were not his fault. Okay well 3 of them were, especially the one that lost the game. The defense finally turns it around and this happens. Da Bears are Da Turnova Kings.


24. Seattle Seahawks (20, 3-6)

Hasselback lost a tough battle against Warner. He did get a rapport going with Houschmandzadeh and at least Forsett looks good considering Orange Julius Jones got hurt.


25. Buffalo Bills (24, 3-6)

Chris Johnson nearly had 300 yards from the line of scrimmage this week. I remember when I thought the Bills might be decent. That was before the injuries, the letdowns and the preseason.


26. Washington Redskins (30, 3-6)

I'm sorry they did what? They beat the Broncos? No way. Betts ran all over them? Wow. Will I be the only one who won't be shocked if Betts stays as the starting back even if Portis comes back healthy?


27. Kansas City Chiefs (25, 2-7)

So in the game of the weak they took out the Raiders. It was kind of a gift the Raiders gave them. At this point, would anyone be shocked if they beat the Broncos?


28. Oakland Raiders (27, 2-7)

Same score but in reverse against the Chiefs this week. Watching Heyward-Bey drop two balls that cost his team the game has to hurt Al Davis. Especially while watching Michael Crabtree lighting up in San Fran.


29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29, 1-8)

They look like they are going to shock some more teams before the year is out. I honestly won't be totally surprised when the Cadillac runs ALL OVER the Saints this week. I also won't be surprised if Freeman throws a pick 6 or two.


30. Detroit Lions (28, 1-8)

Maybe the highlight of the season will be that they actually got a win. I don't know if they win again with the defense they are playing now.


31. St. Louis Rams (31, 1-8)

They actually stood a chance against the second best team in the league. The fact that they have Steven Jackson sure helped them exploit the Saints biggest weakness. They are going to string together some wins. Not starting this week.


32. Cleveland Browns (32, 1-8)

They are awful, so bad that they made the Ravens look just as bad. No one has the heart or drive on offense. They need diverse play calling to get the ball into the hands of Cribbs and Massaquoi. At least the defense didn't get completely abused.



Dare to compare mine to those at ESPN. We differ on our opinions but hey, at least you know I'm not one to plagiarize! Check it out and I will see you here next week!http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings

NFL Power Rankings - Week 9

Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween! The same can't be said for some NFL teams. Maybe this will help me get over that horrible Yankees victory I saw Wednesday night. Sorry Yankee fan but I just can't be happy for you. It's the Baltimore in me. Speaking of Baltimore, they assisted in demolishing one/removing a team from the unbeaten leaving the NFL with two. Now this has everyone predicting a Saints and Colts Super Bowl. Well, let me do my best Samuel L. MFin Jackson when I say, "Not me!" Why am I yelling? It's just how I talk, now let's get to the rankings.

NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints (1, 7-0)

Still undefeated, not even close at home. Brees still looks great, the defense can be run on but still create turnovers with points at the end of them. As long as they stay healthy I am not sure that they can be stopped. Not going to go undefeated but will not be beat at home.


2. Indianapolis Colts (2, 7-0)

I can't move them up for almost losing to the Niners at home. Can't move them down either. Still undefeated and facing a team this week that they are 13-1 against. Also losing Bob Sanders for the season after just playing in 2 games not a positive in my mind.


3. New England Patriots (4, 5-2)

Bye week this past week. Tough division game against the Dolphins. Those games are always interesting.


4. Minnesota Vikings (5, 7-1)

Smashing Green Bay twice has to make an old man feel good. Being in first place going into the bye with only one loss is also pretty good.



5. Cincinnati Bengals (6, 5-2)


They destroyed the Bears. Yes, I know I said that last week but it was their bye. What should I say? Ochocinco is a jokester, sending the Ravens D sticks of deodorant. Odoriferous, offalactigil, emanations.





6. Denver Broncos (3, 6-1)



What a difference ownage makes. They were destroyed by Baltimore this week. So the question remains since it took so long for people to FINALLY jump their bandwagon. Which team will show up this week? The great team that we all saw before the Ravens game or the team that got demolished in Baltimore? Time will tell.





7. Pittsburgh Steelers (9, 5-2)



Bye week so...why move them up?




8. Baltimore Ravens (11, 4-3)



Beatdown week. Ownage of an unbeaten team hasn't been done like that in a long time. It feels sweet to end a losing streak now, let's not start a new one against Cincy!






9. Philadelphia Eagles (12, 5-2)



For dismantling the Giants you get to be in the top 10. Now just do the same thing to the Cowboys and you can stay. As long as Desean Jackson keeps dominating everyone I don't see how they can be stopped. Should be a great show in Dallas this week.








10. Arizona Cardinals (8, 4-3)





DON'T Believe in the Cardinals. I don't think anyone saw that one coming. A loss to the Panthers at home, really? They got ran all over by Williams and Stewart, something they were number one in before last week. That could have just been a fluke by the Panthers but Warner looked horrible, turning the ball over 6 times is not going to win football games.








11. Atlanta Falcons (10, 4-3)





Can't drop them too far for not getting completely owned by the Saints. Can anyone beat them at home this year? I don't think so. Ryan is looking very sophomoric lately. Hope that turns around soon as he is going to need to get going for them to be successful.








12. Houston Texans (13, 5-3)



Steve Slaton BENCHING. No matter the RB the offense is still a beast. Beating the Bills is not as big of a feat as taking out the Niners. However keep winning Texans if you want to head for the playoffs.








13. Dallas Cowboys (17, 5-2)



I can't move them up too much even though they thumped my compMANions in Seattle. They play the Eagles this week for number 1 in the NFC East. Isn't it nice to have three decent teams in a division?








14. Green Bay Packers (14, 4-3)



Losing to the Vikings isn't totally a loss. How bout them Packers fans huh? Booing Favre is a little ridiculous. It did make me feel good deep down inside (read below if you don't understand why).








15. San Francisco 49ers (15, 3-4)



This is another team that I just can't quit. Probably my childhood infatuation with them. They almost stole win from the Colts and looked like they might actually do it, for a half at least. Alex Smith is proving he is better then the last QB Smith (Akili) taken in the first round a few years back. Vernon Davis sighting!!!!






16. New York Giants (9, 5-3)





They hit the trifecta. Their defense doesn't look like they can stop a peewee team, Eli playing hurt is not looking good and they are no longer in first in the division. Now they have to face the pass happy Chargers. Don't make it 4 in a row or do, it makes me feel good to drop a New York team after the Yanks victory.








17. Chicago Bears (18, 4-3)



I feel like there should be a stipulation for power rankings when you beat the Browns. It should be, you beat the Browns, what did you prove? Beat the Cards and we'll talk about moving up more then one spot.








18. Miami Dolphins (20, 3-4)



So they have won 3 out of their last 4. The one loss was to the Saints. This could still be a playoff team if their team keeps it up. They may give the Pats a scare. That's a big may.








19. San Diego Chargers (19, 4-3)





While I love me some Rivers to Jackson (fantasy ownage), I am not sold on this team. Merriman FINALLY getting a couple of sacks is great but the defense has still looked terrible against decent offenses. I mean they gave up 17 to the Raiders, that's like 75 to the Saints.








20. New York Jets (16, 4-4)





Rex is going to eat his special teams players and coaches. Chew them up and spit them out, he was not in the mood for Ginn and juice at all! This is another one of these two sided teams that you never know which one you are going to get from week to week.






21. Seattle Seahawks (22, 2-5)



I can't quit this team. Even after a Cowboy thumping, I moved them up. They are playing a cupcake this week in the Lions. Not another tough game until the following week against the Cards.




22. Carolina Panthers (24, 3-4)



This is what the team should have been doing all year. They completely owned the Cards, surprisingly they beat them at home. Deangelo Williams proved that you could actually run on the Cards and it was Warner doing his best Delhomme impression turning the ball over 6 times. That will do it. No way they beat the Saints at home.






23. Jacksonville Jaguars (21, 3-4)





While MJD is owning everyone, his team is not. The defense is falling apart and can't even stop Vince Young after being on the shelf for nearly 2 years.








24. Buffalo Bills (23, 2-4)





The mini winning streak is over. They were destroyed by Houston this week. Ryan Moats ran all over them. Still having a lot of troubles getting the offense going.








25. Kansas City Chiefs (25, 1-6)



The bye week can get Cassel ready for a team that he should be foaming at the mouth over. Playing a poor Jag defense that is near the bottom of the league against the pass could help him pull the season together. LJ is not going to play so pick up Jamaal Charles if you need a reach in fantasy.




26. Tennessee Titans (28, 1-6)



Let's not get too happy people. Your rushing defense was awful, MJD ran all over you. Young looked decent against a horrible pass defense missing their best corner and a pass rush. One thing is for sure, Chris Johnson is an absolute monster.








27. Oakland Raiders (26, 2-6)





Well at least they didn't get stomped by San Diego. Still yet another loss, lackluster performance by Russell but their rushing D was decent. They held LT to only 56 yards, biggest problem was in the red zone. San Diego has been terrible this season but scored on 3 out of 4 tries last Sunday. Add to the fact that Cable may be run out for beating his former spouse and girlfriends, just keeps stacking up on the Raiders.








28. Detroit Lions (27, 1-6)





When you can't even beat the Rams maybe you should drop more. Well they would drop if the loss would have been with their best player, Calvin Johnson, actually in the lineup.








29. Washington Redskins (29, 2-5)



Even a bye week didn't help the Redskin offense. Honestly do we think any of their players were able to score during a bye week?






30. Cleveland Browns (30, 1-7)



They are awful, so bad that their GM got fired. Mangini is...not...next? So says the owner, he will not be fired during the team's bye week this week. At least the Dawg Pound is going to get involved, they were interviewed by the owner to see if there are any moves that they should make. Play in the UFL?








31. St. Louis Rams (32, 1-7)



So they beat the Lions. Great job men, you did something that only the Redskins could NOT do. Also wasting Gatorade/water on your coach for the team's first win, possibly only win, just seems like a waste of liquid. Hooray, we may not get the number one draft pick!






32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (31, 0-7)





Even a bye week couldn't save them from dropping. At least the Rams beat someone. I don't know if the Bucs can pull off an upset in the battle of the bays.








Dare to compare mine to those at ESPN. We differ on our opinions but hey, at least you know I'm not one to plagiarize! Check it out and I will see you here next week!http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings

Why Does Merril Hoge Hate Baltimore?

So I'm sitting on my big comfy brown couch engaging in my normal everyday morning ritual of watching Sportscenter when what do I see on the helpful sidebar index of the show? AFC playoff picks with Merril Hoge. In the segment Hoge is going to go over last year's playoff teams and "predict" who will make the playoffs. Of those teams that don't make it he will go over who will make it instead. A light bulb goes off in my head to do the same thing until I actually watched his analysis.

Readers in case you have forgotten who those playoff teams were last year from the AFC here is some help. The division winners were Miami Dolphins (East), Pittsburgh Steelers (North), Tennessee Titans (South) and the San Diego Chargers (West). Wild card teams were the Indianapolis Colts and, a team close to this writer's heart and home, the Baltimore Ravens.

By the title of the article you may have guessed which team Hoge decided would not make the playoffs. Along with the Miami Dolphins, who Hoge said is a good team but would not be able to do what they did last season in their division, he chose Baltimore to be hanging at home come January. This doesn't bother me until he gets to who will replace these teams. New England (duh!) is who he expects to take the East over the Dolphins and to take the other wild card spot, drum roll please, the pride of Ohio (not Ohio State but that team is honestly better then...), the Cincinnati Bengals.

WHAT?!? I mean Hoge has a pair to actually pick them but his analysis as to why the Ravens wouldn't make it was that our defense is getting old (Ray Lewis and Trevor Pryce are but we still have the Suggernaut and someone who can Reed a QB's eyes very well) and how much he likes Joe Flacco. Then he goes and picks the Bungles? Is it because they have their own show on HBO? Vinny Chase and the boys from Entourage are going to take the West? Well Hoge if you watched HBO previously you would know that The Wire is real!

Hoge likes the Bengals because they finished strong after starting the season 1-11-1 winning their final 3 games. I'm quoting Woody Paige when I say, "look at the schedule!" In their final 3 weeks the Bengals (without Palmer) played the Redskins, Browns and Chiefs. By my recollection those teams were awful last year. 8-8, 4-12 and 2-14 (all last place in their divisions) with the best team being beaten in Cincinnati. Their best offensive weapon in the games, ironically enough that was Cedric Benson, was playing against terrible rushing defenses and their best receiving weapon is on another coast in Seattle. I would say that Hoge is bleeding Steelers black and gold but he still went in the division. Whatever, hater in the house!

So I can't really mock the guy if I don't man up and make my own predictions. Like Hoge I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers do repeat as champs. If they did we would have yet another dynasty for this millennium(3 titles in 4 years). So here goes, New England will win the East(as long as Brady doesn't get hurt again), Baltimore will split the season series with the Steelers and take the division(then probably lose to them in the playoffs), San Diego (will have the best record since they play 3 JV teams in their own division) will win the West and the Titans will take the South. Pittsburgh and Houston will be your wild card teams. Houston can be a playoff team as long as they get consistency, not injury, from Matt Schaub. The team went 8-8 however they finished 5-1 beating a playoff team in Tennessee, not just crappy teams. They have enough young talent, Slaton ran all over the Colts and Jags last season, and Andre Johnson entered beast mode last year leading the league in receiving yards. Excellent compliments in Kevin Walter(WR) and Owen Daniels (TE) assist in Johnson getting a lot of those yards. The team has an up and coming defense with Mario Williams, obviously not a bust, owning offensive tackles on a regular.

So short list for you all, opening playoff weekend expect the Steelers @ Ravens and Texans @ Titans with the Chargers and Patriots with the bye. Think you are better then me? Go ahead and take a guess, man/woman up! Join me in the hate of Hoge Baltimoreans! Or just join me in the confusion of him picking the Bengals to make it to the playoffs. Since hate is such a strong word.