Apparently, Chris Brockman is not a fan of this column. Neither is my girlfriend. That leaves only Parker. Who is my
opponent this week. I’m not sure what that means.

Quick non-ROFFL related notes:
  1. Welcome back Nick.
  2. Sad news for Jason Sherman. Danica Patrick got married over the weekend.
  3. I would love to be part of a league dodgeball team.
  4. How sick is Reggie Bush. I wonder how many fantasy points his 513 all-purpose yard, 2 TD day would have
    equaled.  
  5. Saw Harry Potter. Great movie. But they could never make Voldemort as scary or as evil as your imagination
    made him when you read the book. Some things are better left to the imagination.

The ROFFL curse:
With the “Madden curse” back in the news thanks to McNabb, I wanted to throw out something that I think is
happening within our own league. I call it the 3 year keeper curse.
Look at the names that were drafted in our inaugural live draft season, kept for 3 years, and will be available in next
years draft pool.

Terrell Owens
Deuce McAllister
Daunte Culpepper
Donovan McNabb
Ahman Green
Priest Holmes

All 6 are out for the season and dropped from their respective teams (why has Navid not dropped Priest).
Add to that:

Corey Dillon
Jamal Lewis
Joe Horn

Who have all been injured for several weeks or just flat-out sucked.

Clinton Portis has been in a steady decline. Torry Holt is still a stud, but he’s been hurt as well.

Basically only LDT, Shaun Alexander, and Peyton have performed at a high level for three years.

Sidenote: I believe the three year term for keepers is the right length of time. Whoever came up with that is a genius.

ROFFL related notes:
  1. Scott’s team gets knocked down a few rankings due to the huge loss of Marc Bulger. He’s still got a quality
    team, but it’s just not as scary. Poor planning not carrying a quality backup QB. But I have faith in Scotty
    Watts. Like Flip-Mode Squad, he’s still dangerous.
  2. Navid now looks like the #1 team. If he wins out and Scott loses once these last two weeks, he will jump up to
    the top spot thanks to points. History has not been on the side of the #1 team in the playoffs. Just ask Rich in
    2002. Josh in 2004. Jay in 2003 has been the exception. But a repeat title run looks pretty good for the future
    daddy (sidenote: Why has nobody answered Parker’s question? I’m curious as well, although, this does seem
    like something somewhat personal to Navid and maybe shouldn’t be broadcasted over the message board.)
  3. Brock was this close to having a WR core containing both T.O. and Torry Holt. Along with Shaun Alexander,
    that’s deadly. You only get that kind of lineup in 4 team leagues. Even I thought T.O. would win the arbitration
    hearing.
  4. Dave, tough loss last week. My team over performed, big time. But Dave has a team that is averaging over
    110 these past three weeks and his team is hitting on all cylinders at just the right time.
  5. Jarrett’s team is finally getting healthy. The WR core is in place. Steven Jackson should thank Marc Bulger for
    getting injured. Now, he’ll get his carries. Palmer is a fantasy MVP candidate. His team is balanced. But he
    seems to face competition that plays its best that week (myself in week 7, Brock last week).
  6. Gregg has won 2 in a row since getting married. Maybe he should consider renewing his vows every year. Not
    bad for a team that only has the 10th most points in the league, yet sits in 6th place. He better hope all this
    Favre getting benched talk doesn’t come true.
  7. Jay is in the opposite situation as Gregg. He has the 3rd most points, yet sits in 7th place. That’s good if he
    gets into a tiebreak situation, but it also means he has been very inconsistent. But I like the Braylon trade and
    any team with LDT in the playoffs is not a team I want to face.
  8. Tough loss for Josh on Monday night. Something that’s been lost this season has been the unusually poor
    season Josh has had. I think Josh is just as good as Jason in all things fantasy. He’s had two great years in a
    row and has the most victories of any ROFFL team owner. Consider it a down year. But he still can sneak into
    the playoffs. I am not looking forward to our showdown next week.
  9. I like the 3 free agent moves Parker made this week in preparation for our matchup. I wanted Joe Nedney. He’
    s having arguably the second best fantasy season of all kickers (next to Rackers). Roddy White could be a
    nice late season addition. And Minnesota is an opportunistic defense that I think will score one defensive TD
    this weekend against Cleveland. Suffice to say, I am scared of his team this week. Good luck my friend (?).
    BTW, Andre says hi.
  10. Rich is still fighting through and welcomes Cadillac back. Hopefully for him, he returns to his early season
    form. I think Rich put all his teams’ hopes on Eli and Cadillac one season too early. Just like in real life when
    you depend on a youngster. But next year, watch out for his team. Ladies look out too. The man has got
    sympathy stories to share.
  11. Nick, do we refer to you as a tourist now? Just kidding. I can’t figure out Nick’s team. I mean he has by far the
    lowest point total of any team. The only team yet to crack 1,000 points this season (and he may not do it this
    week). He had the lowest weekly point performance for any team (31 points in week nine?). But there he sits,
    4-7. Still in the playoff hunt. Give the man some credit. He wins when he has to.  He is one of three league
    champions after all. Plus, he writes the funniest smack talk in the league.
  12. You got to feel for Marc. He’s lost five straight after sitting at .500. After having a great team last year, he
    looks to be in a race with Jason for the toilet bowl award. And you know he doesn’t want his team name on
    that again. I think this is something Scott needs to track as well. Sure, we all want to read Playoff Preview. But
    what about Toilet Bowl Award Preview?
  13. Finally, give Jason some credit. He hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. He is fighting to the end and has now won 2
    in a row. What once seemed a lock for the LT prize now isn’t so sure. Peyton is returning to 2004 form at just
    the right time.

My predictions for 2nd half studs:
Just like Drew Bennett last year, these guys would be the ones to lead you to a title if you have them.

Larry Johnson – Nomads (was the best RB during the playoffs last year)
Reuben Droughns – NJ Jacobins (production increasing at the right time)
JJ Arrington – Colt 45’s (reminds me of Kevin and Julius Jones last year)
Braylon Edwards – 5SS (reminds me of Lee Evans last year)
Matt Jones – Shermtanks

Finally, I wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. And I leave you with things I am thankful for:

I’m thankful to know all of you.
I’m thankful to be in this league.
I’m thankful that you guys allow me to do something I love, which is to write for all of you.
I’m thankful to have met someone who is tolerant and understanding of me.

Good luck everyone this week!!!