Monday, August 31, 2009

Premier League - Draft Recap

Welcome to the first edition of the draft recap - a round by round analysis of the draft. I'll comment on something I liked, something I didn't, and the logic behind my picks.

Round 1:
1. Kellan - Adrian Peterson, RB
2. Jamie - Michael Turner, RB
3. Chad - LaDanian Tomlinson, RB
4. Shaun - Maurice Jones-Drew, RB
5. Eric - DeAngelo Williams, RB
6. Chris - Steven Jackson, RB
7. Bryan - Frank Gore, RB
8. Alan - Larry Fitzgerald, WR
9. Jon - Clinton Portis, RB
10. Jeff - Brandon Jacobs, RB

What I Liked: Pretty much everything - no obvious reaches to be had here.
What I Didn't: Nothing - no one screwed up their first pick as far as I can tell.
My Pick: I was targeting Jacobs here, and was worried that Jon would get him in front of me. If he had taken Jacobs, I would've taken Portis, so it's not like his pick was a reach.

Round 2:
11. Jeff - Randy Moss, WR
12. Jon - Brian Westbrook, RB
13. Alan - Andre Johnson, WR
14. Jeff (via Bryan) - Steve Smith, WR (CAR)
15. Chris - Ryan Grant, RB
16. Eric - Pierre Thomas, RB
17. Shaun - Tom Brady, QB
18. Chad - Greg Jennings, WR
19. Jamie - Marion Barber, RB
20. Kellan - Darren McFadden, RB

What I Liked: Chad taking Greg Jennings - get that top 9 WR when the RB talent starts to thin out
What I Didn't: Again, no major reaches - most people have the same list for the first 25 players or so
My Picks: I was ecstatic being able to land 2 top 5 WRs in Round 2. It cost me Drew Brees, but it was worth it to me. Alan snagged Andre Johnson right in front of me, but I'm happy with Steve Smith.

Round 3:
21. Kellan - Calvin Johnson, WR (keeper)
22. Jamie - Reggie Wayne, WR
23. Chad - Marques Colston, WR
24. Shaun - Thomas Jones, RB
25. Eric - Dwayne Bowe, WR
26. Chris - Terrell Owens, WR
27. Bryan - TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR
28. Alan - Peyton Manning, QB
29. Jon - Wes Welker, WR
30. Bryan (via Jeff) - Drew Brees, QB (keeper)

What I Liked: Jamie grabbing the last of the top 9 WRs at pick 22.
What I Didn't: Dwayne Bowe as WR11 makes me a little nervous - he has all the talent, but his situation isn't ideal, as he'll be double teamed as soon as he gets off the bus.
My Pick: None this round

Round 4:

31. Jeff - Marshawn Lynch, RB
32. Jon - Roy Williams, WR
33. Alan - Ronnie Brown, RB
34. Bryan - Anquan Boldin, WR (keeper)
35. Chris - Chad Ochocinco, WR
36. Eric - Kevin Smith, RB (keeper)
37. Shaun - Knowshon Moreno, RB
38. Chad - Jonathan Stewart, RB (keeper)
39. Jamie - Antonio Gates, TE
40. Kellan - Larry Johnson, RB

What I Liked: I think Ochocinco is the WR most likely to crack the top 10 from those who weren't drafted that way.
What I Didn't: J Mo called this pick in via cell phone, and nearly blew his arm out reaching for Roy Williams. He's shaking off an injury, and underwhelmed last year. Probably could've been had two rounds later.
My Pick: Marshawn Lynch is more a pick for next year, since he's suspended the first 3 games. He was a 1st round pick last year, so I'm hoping he will get back to form. Ronnie Brown was my other option.

Round 5:

41. Kellan - Roddy White, WR (keeper)
42. Jamie - Willie Parker, RB
43. Bryan (via Chad) - Ray Rice, RB
44. Shaun - Bernard Berrian, WR
45. Eric - Brandon Marshall, WR
46. Chris - Donald Brown, RB
47. Chris (via Bryan) - Chris Wells, RB
48. Alan - Derrick Ward, RB
49. Jon - Eddie Royal, WR
50. Jeff - Matt Forte, RB (keeper)

What I Liked: Ray Rice might've been a bit of a reach, but I'm officially reaching man crush status with him. Good things just seem to happen when he gets the ball.
What I Didn't: Derrick Ward may be the starter, but Raheem Morris recently said he expects Ward to get roughly 40% of the carries - not what you want in a RB2.
My Pick: Keeping Matt Forte in the 5th was lucky last year - he was pretty much my last pick of the rookie RBs last year.

Round 6:
51. Jeff - Braylon Edwards, WR
52. Jeff (via Jon) - Joseph Addai, RB
53. Alan - LenDale White, RB
54. Bryan - Jason Witten, TE
55. Chris - Lee Evans, WR
56. Eric - Reggie Bush, RB
57. Shaun - Antonio Bryant, WR
58. Chad - Jamal Lewis, RB
59. Jamie - Santana Moss, WR
60. Bryan (via Jeff from Kellan) - Kevin Walter, WR

What I Liked: I personally think Reggie Bush is getting seriously undervalued in drafts. I know his knees are questionable, but if all things are equal I think Bush scores more fantasy points this year. Pairing the two means that if one gets hurt, Eric is still set.
What I Didn't: Pairing two WRs from the same team seems like a good idea when it's New England or Arizona, but Buffalo? Chris was at a distinct disadvantage drafting from a lab in Drexel's med school, but this has brainfart written all over it.
My Picks: I went safer here, taking Braylon Edwards with my WR3, who I think will be solid, and Addai as my RB4. I would've liked to take more of a chance instead of Addai, but with Lynch out 3 weeks, I needed to land a player who would definitely get carries early in the season.

Round 7:

61. Kellan - Matt Ryan, QB
62. Jamie - Santonio Holmes, WR
63. Chad - Torry Holt, WR
64. Shaun - Felix Jones, RB
65. Eric - Lance Moore, WR
66. Chris - Carson Palmer, QB
67. Jeff (via Bryan) - Donnie Avery, WR
68. Alan - LeSean McCoy, RB
69. Jon - Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
70. Jeff - Cedric Benson, RB

What I Liked: My mancrush on Felix Jones isn't as strong as it is on Ray Rice, but the upside in Round 7 is great. Not many RBs available that can put up big numbers like Jones can every time he touches the ball.
What I Didn't: A bit nitpicky, but I think Kellan could've waited until the turn at Rounds 8 and 9 to get Matt Ryan, with as deep as QB is this year.
My Picks: Avery was an upside play at WR, and once again Alan took my pick before I could get him in McCoy. In hindsight I should've gone McCoy, then Avery, instead of Avery then Benson.

Round 8:

71. Jon (via Jeff) - Tony Gonzalez, TE
72. Jon - Darren Sproles, RB
73. Alan - Hines Ward, WR
74. Bryan - Julius Jones, RB
75. Chris - Dallas Clark, TE
76. Eric - Greg Olsen, TE
77. Shaun - Anthony Gonzalez, WR (keeper)
78. Chad - Tony Romo, QB
79. Jamie - Donald Driver, WR
80. Kellan - Chris Cooley, TE

What I Liked: Tony Gonzalez is a top 3 TE, and getting him 3 and a half rounds after Gates is fantastic value.
What I Didn't: I can't find a reason to get excited about Julius Jones - he smokes cigarettes, he hasn't been relevant since I was in college, Seattle just signed Edge to compete with him. Reasonable value, but I would cringe every time I put him in the lineup and hit submit. Kinda like I will when I start Cedric Benson.
My Picks: None this round

Rounds 9 and 10:
81. Kellan - Devin Hester, WR
82. Jamie - Tim Hightower, RB
83. Chad - Shonn Greene, RB
84. Shaun - Steve Breaston, WR
85. Eric - Ted Ginn, WR
86. Chris - Chris Johnson, RB (keeper)
87. Chris (via Bryan) - Jerricho Cotchery, WR
88. Alan - Laveranues Coles, WR
89. Jon - Baltimore, DEF
90. Chris (via Jeff) - DeSean Jackson, WR (keeper)

91. Jeff - Chris Henry, WR
92. Jon - Jay Cutler, QB (keeper)
93. Alan - Eli Manning, QB (keeper)
94. Bryan - Percy Harvin, WR
95. Chris - Ricky Williams, RB
96. Eric - Derrick Mason, WR
97. Shaun - Rashard Mendenhall, RB
98. Chad - Michael Crabtree, WR
99. Jamie - Earl Bennett, WR
100. Kellan - Kurt Warner, QB

What I Liked: Kellan landing the 4th QB on my board at 100 overall is a crime. Great QB to pair with Matt Ryan.
What I Didn't: I'd be willing to get that Chad could've taken Warner in Round 10, then waited on Crabtree until Round 11, giving him a better QB and a later keeper in Crabtree.
My Pick: Chris Henry is a pick for next year - he'll be a free agent, and he'd be a WR2 on most teams. If he can use his great size to his advantage and stay out of trouble, he could be a top 20-30 WR next season.

Rounds 11 and 12:
101. Kellan - Josh Morgan, WR
102. Jamie - Aaron Rodgers, QB (keeper)
103. Chad - Matt Schaub, QB
104. Shaun - Correll Buckhalter, RB
105. Eric - Patrick Crayton, WR
106. Chris - Pittsburgh, DEF
107. Bryan - Leon Washington, RB
108. Alan - Fred Jackson, RB
109. Jon - Domenik Hixon, WR
110. Jeff - Donovan McNabb, QB

111. Kellan (via Jeff) - Earnest Graham, RB
112. Jon - Chester Taylor, RB
113. Alan - NY Giants, DEF
114. Bryan - Nate Washington, WR
115. Bryan (via Chris) - Minnesota, DEF
116. Eric - Philip Rivers, QB (keeper)
117. Shaun - Brett Favre, QB (keeper)
118. Chad - Michael Bush, RB
119. Jamie - Chris Chambers, WR
120. Kellan - Le'Ron McClain, RB

What I Liked: Alan has been getting my praise all article long thanks to stealing my players from under my nose all afternoon, but you have to like it when you can land a starter in Round 11, even if it's just for a few weeks while other rushing situations settle themselves out.
What I Didn't: I don't see Chris Chambers contributing anything of value this season - he'll cede playing time to up and comer Malcolm Floyd. Even if he continues to be the WR2 in San Diego, it means he's the 4th option behind Jackson, Gates, and Tomlinson. I also have a hard time thinking Favre was worth keeping with a 12th round pick. I'm not sure he would've been drafted otherwise. It may have been worth it just to toss him back into the draft pool and see what happened.
My Pick: Donovan McNabb was the best QB left on my board - I was hoping to land Schaub, who as we speak is limping around the sideline during the MNF preseason game.

Rounds 13-16:

121. Kellan - Jeremy Maclin, WR
122. Jamie - Jamaal Charles, RB
123. Chad - Visanthe Shiancoe, TE
124. Shaun - Miles Austin, WR
125. Eric - James Davis, RB
126. Chris - Matt Hasselbeck, QB
127. Bryan - Glen Coffee, RB
128. Alan - Zach Miller, TE
129. Jon - Nate Burleson, WR
130. Jeff - Stephen Gostkowski, K

131. Jeff - Owen Daniels, TE
132. Jon - Joe Flacco, QB
133. Alan - Sidney Rice, WR
134. Bryan - Fred Taylor, RB
135. Jeff (via Chris) - Bernard Scott, RB
136. Eric - NY Jets, DEF
137. Shaun - Brent Celek, TE
138. Chad - Tennessee, DEF
139. Jamie - Sammy Morris, RB (keeper)
140. Kellan - New England, DEF

141. Kellan - Jerious Norwood, RB
142. Jamie - Green Bay, DEF
143. Chad - Hakeem Nicks, WR
144. Bryan (via Shaun) - Nate Kaeding, K
145. Eric - David Akers, K
146. Chris - Kenny Britt, WR
147. Bryan - Steve Slaton, RB (keeper)
148. Alan - Ryan Longwell, K
149. Jon - Laurence Maroney, RB
150. Jeff - San Diego, DEF

151. Jeff - Chaz Schilens, WR
152. Jon - Mason Crosby, K (keeper)
153. Alan - Vincent Jackson, WR (keeper)
154. Shaun (via Bryan) - Rob Bironas, K
155. Chris - Jordy Nelson, WR
156. Eric - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
157. Shaun - Austin Collie, WR
158. Chad - Robbie Gould, K
159. Jamie - Neil Rackers, K
160. Kellan - Matthew Stafford, QB

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Championship League Fixtures

Week 1: Sept 10 - 14
Novices @ Off Constantly
BuckNastyLlamas @ Lunatic Lunchables
What's in a name? @ Screamin' Weasels
The Brunells @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
skinsrule @ girls gone wildcat

Week 2: Sept 15 - 21
Novices @ BuckNastyLlamas
Lunatic Lunchables @ girls gone wildcat
What's in a name? @ Off Constantly
The Brunells @ Screamin' Weasels
skinsrule @ Crazy Flying Monkeys

Week 3: Sept 22 - 28
Lunatic Lunchables @ Novices
BuckNastyLlamas @ What's in a name?
The Brunells @ Off Constantly
skinsrule @ Screamin' Weasels
girls gone wildcat @ Crazy Flying Monkeys

Week 4: Sept 29 - Oct 5
Novices @ girls gone wildcat
BuckNastyLlamas @ The Brunells
Lunatic Lunchables @ What's in a name?
Off Constantly @ skinsrule
Crazy Flying Monkeys @ Screamin' Weasels

Week 5: Oct 6 - 12
Novices @ What's in a name?
BuckNastyLlamas @ skinsrule
Lunatic Lunchables @ The Brunells
Crazy Flying Monkeys @ Off Constantly
Screamin' Weasels @ girls gone wildcat

Week 6: Oct 13 - 19
Novices @ The Brunells
BuckNastyLlamas @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
Lunatic Lunchables @ skinsrule
What's in a name? @ girls gone wildcat
Screamin' Weasels @ Off Constantly

Week 7: Oct 20 - 26
Novices @ skinsrule
BuckNastyLlamas @ Screamin' Weasels
Lunatic Lunchables @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
What's in a name? @ The Brunells
Off Constantly @ girls gone wildcat

Week 8: Oct 27 - Nov 2
Novices @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
BuckNastyLlamas @ Off Constantly
Lunatic Lunchables @ Screamin' Weasels
What's in a name? @ skinsrule
The Brunells @ girls gone wildcat

Week 9: Nov 3 - 9
Novices @ Screamin' Weasels
BuckNastyLlamas @ girls gone wildcat
Lunatic Lunchables @ Off Constantly
What's in a name? @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
The Brunells @ skinsrule

Week 10: Nov 10 - 16
Novices @ Off Constantly
BuckNastyLlamas @ Lunatic Lunchables
What's in a name? @ Screamin' Weasels
The Brunells @ Crazy Flying Monkeys
skinsrule @ girls gone wildcat

Week 11: Nov 17 - 23
Novices @ BuckNastyLlamas
Lunatic Lunchables @ girls gone wildcat
What's in a name? @ Off Constantly
The Brunells @ Screamin' Weasels
skinsrule @ Crazy Flying Monkeys

Week 12: Nov 24 - 30
Lunatic Lunchables @ Novices
BuckNastyLlamas @ What's in a name?
The Brunells @ Off Constantly
skinsrule @ Screamin' Weasels
girls gone wildcat @ Crazy Flying Monkeys

Week 13: Dec 1 - 7
Novices @ girls gone wildcat
BuckNastyLlamas @ The Brunells
Lunatic Lunchables @ What's in a name?
Off Constantly @ skinsrule
Crazy Flying Monkeys @ Screamin' Weasels

Week 14: Dec 8 - 14
Novices @ What's in a name?
BuckNastyLlamas @ skinsrule
Lunatic Lunchables @ The Brunells
Crazy Flying Monkeys @ Off Constantly
Screamin' Weasels @ girls gone wildcat

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Premier League Fixtures

Week 1: Sept 10 - Sept 14
Ruining Football @ Owning the Bills
ERock @ theTOshow
Bodymore Murdaland @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
The Blaugrana @ Help!
ObamanationWOOT @ The New Yorker

Week 2: Sept 15 - Sept 21
The New Yorker @ Ruining Football
ERock @ Bodymore Murdaland
theTOshow @ Owning the Bills
The Blaugrana @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
ObamanationWOOT @ Help!

Week 3: Sept 22 - Sept 28
Help! @ Ruining Football
ERock @ The Blaugrana
theTOshow @ Bodymore Murdaland
ObamanationWOOT @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
The New Yorker @ Owning The Bills

Week 4: Sept 29 - Oct 5
TalentedMr.Gnomo @ Ruining Football
ERock @ ObamanationWOOT
theTOshow @ The Blaugrana
Bodymore Murdaland @ Owning The Bills
The New Yorker @ Help!

Week 5: Oct 6 - Oct 12
Ruining Football @ ERock
theTOshow @ ObamanationWOOT
Bodymore Murdaland @ The Blaugrana
The New Yorker @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
Help! @ Owning the Bills

Week 6: Oct 13 - Oct 19
Ruining Football @ theTOshow
ERock @ The New Yorker
ObamanationWOOT @ Bodymore Murdaland
The Blaugrana @ Owning the Bills
Help! @ TalentedMr.Gnomo

Week 7: Oct 20 - Oct 26
Ruining Football @ Bodymore Murdaland
ERock @ Help!
theTOshow @ The New Yorker
The Blaugrana @ ObamanationWOOT
TalentedMr.Gnomo @ Owning the Bills

Week 8: Oct 26 - Nov 2
The Blaugrana @ Ruining Football
ERock @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
theTOshow @ Help!
Bodymore Murdaland @ The New Yorker
ObamanationWOOT @ Owning the Bills

Week 9: Nov 3 - Nov 9
Ruining Football @ ObamanationWOOT
ERock @ Owning the Bills
theTOshow @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
Bodymore Murdaland @ Help!
The Blaugrana @ The New Yorker

Week 10: Nov 10 - Nov 16
Owning the Bills @ Ruining Football
ERock @ theTOshow
Bodymore Murdaland @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
The Blaugrana @ Help!
ObamanationWOOT @ The New Yorker

Week 11: Nov 17 - Nov 23
Ruining Football @ The New Yorker
ERock @ Bodymore Murdaland
theTOshow @ Owning the Bills
The Blaugrana @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
Help! @ ObamanationWOOT

Week 12: Nov 24 - Nov 30
Ruining Football @ Help!
ERock @ The Blaugrana
theTOshow @ Bodymore Murdaland
ObamanationWOOT @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
The New Yorker @ Owning the Bills
Week 13: Dec 1 - Dec 7
Ruining Football @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
ERock @ ObamanationWOOT
theTOshow @ The Blaugrana
Bodymore Murdaland @ Owning the Bills
The New Yorker @ Help!

Week 14: Dec 8 - Dec 14
Ruining Football @ ERock
theTOshow @ ObamanationWOOT
Bodymore Murdaland @ The Blaugrana
The New Yorker @ TalentedMr.Gnomo
Help! @ Owning the Bills

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Championship League Roll Call

Our Championship League recently expanded from 8 to 10 teams - meet all 10 managers below:

Erin O'Brien (Crazy Flying Monkeys) - Erin is one of two females in our league, and is one confused football fan. She can't decide whether she likes the Ravens or Giants. She may be silly, but she's ours, and we root for her - when we're not rooting for another team.

Josh Conner (Screamin' Weasels) - Josh is the manager with the most children (4!) and hosted our draft last year. He had a rough go of it last year, but has high hopes for this year.

Matt Berbert (BuckNastyLlamas) - Berb is the only manager to join the league, leave the league, then come crawling back the following year. He enjoys full length documentaries, hat tricks, and surf ninjas. He'll write one of our weekly articles this season.

Jen Smithson (Lunatic Lunchables) - Jen is the second of our two ladies. She was relegated last year, a result of being distracted by her pregnancy. Now that she's birthed the little bugger, she'll be more focused and ready for the season.

Jim Hill (Novices) - Jim is the second manager who was a member of the Premier League last year. He went from the playoffs two years ago to relegation last year, thanks to Bernard Pollard and his season ending hit on Tom Brady. We'll see if his luck is any better this year.

Ryan Hossick (Off Constantly) - Ryan is one of the younger managers we have in either league. Don't be fooled by his youth, this Hokie is an experienced fantasy football player, and one to watch this season.

Cameron Butcher (girls gone wildcat) - The winner of the award for cleverest team name, this Dolphins fan will hopefully be one of our regular contributors on this blog. He snuck into the playoffs last year, and I'm sure he hopes to do the same this year.

Aaron Moore (skinsrule) - Aaron is one of the brand new managers to our league this year. A multitalented individual (and obvious skins fan), he's looking to make an impact on our league in year one.

Scott Moran (The Brunells) - Scotty is the youngest member of our leagues, a strapping junior in college at Grove City. He'll spend all season in Spain, where he may be at a disadvantage as the only football on his television will be Sevilla matches.

Ryan Bulger (What's in a name?) - Ryan is our second of the two brand new managers who took part in our expansion draft. He's played in a few leagues before, so we fully expect him to fit right in. A former semi-pro skateboarder, Ryan is one of several managers who spend last winter in New Orleans.

That about wraps it up for our Championship League Roll Call. We may or may not have more posts before the draft, but our next series will be a Draft Recap, followed by Draft Grades for both leagues. Bookmark this site to follow the action all season.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Premier League Roll Call

Our Premier League consists of 10 teams - meet them below:

Shaun Smithson (Help!) - Shaun is our resident pastor (every fantasy league needs one) - he has 3 young children, 2 crazy dogs, and 1 fun wife who is in our Championship League.

Bryan Grose (StraightCashGnomies) - Bryan has been playing fantasy football longer than most, and is the only manager in our league from West Virginia. Recently engaged, he has been in the playoffs the past two years.

Kellan Dickens (Owning The Bills) - Kellan is one of two of the new teams in our league this year. Kellan takes over the Novices after sweeping the silverware in last year's Championship League.

Alan Krill (The New Yorker) - Alan made the playoffs for the first time last year. A world traveler, Alan is moving to New York in just a few short weeks to start grad school, and will be drafting via Skype, a first for our league.

Chris Elder (Bodymore Murdaland) - Chris is my brother-in-law, and another fantasy football veteran. He recently started med school, and a is a rabid Bengals fan. His sister is critiquing my English as I write this.

Jon Moynihan (The Blaugrana) - J Mo won the Premier League championship last year, and looks to do the same this year. He is moving to Orlando this week to work for Cru, and is a huge Spanish footy fan.

Chad Brown (ObamanationWOOT) - The guy who got me into my first fantasy football league, Chad is a Salisburian and a huge Tar Heel fan. He recently started a new job in consulting.

Eric Grabau (ERock) - Eric was a fantasy football rookie just two years ago, and went from the bottom of the league to the middle of the pack last year. Recently he married the lovely Lauren Barkley (now Grabau).

Jamie Schad (Jamie) - Jamie is the 2nd team to join us this season, finishing 2nd in the Championship League. Jamie was married just two days ago to the equally lovely Heather Overall (now Schad).

Jeff Hill (Ruining Football) - This is the third year we've had the league in this format, and it's continued to grow. I'm the commissioner, work for a defense contractor, and am married to the loveliest Meghan Hill.

That's our Premier League - tomorrow I'll preview our Championship League

Welcome!

Welcome to Afternoon Sack, a new blog dedicated to our fantasy football league, and the NFL in general. There will be more information to come as I learn how to operate this website.

~Jeff