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FANTASY VS. REALITY 2007: MIDWAY POINT
Nose (4-2) – Indianapolis (5-0)
The “angriest man in the league” has the most points in the league and is riding a high-powered offense to the top of
the rankings, just like Indianapolis. Both are having difficulties with the running game, but the QB (or 3 in Jarrett’s
case) and the WR’s are always scary.
Baltimore Tools (4-2) – Chicago (6-0)
The Commish is riding the best defense in fantasy to the top, and what a coincidence, it’s the Bears. Both came back
on Monday night thanks to their defense. But the offense is surprising this year. Surprising QB play (Pennington and
Grossman), with the exception of one bad week, and the WR’s are coming up with big games week in and week out.
Canton FC (4-2) – New Orleans (5-1)
Both teams were arguably one year away after last year’s tough season and this year’s draft. But both have proved
that they are the real deal thanks to a rookie RB (or two in Josh’s case) and a surprising defense (admit it, nobody
expected this much out of Baltimore). However, the star WR (Horn and Mason) has been disappointing so far.
Nomads In The Deep (4-2) – Carolina (4-2)
The majority of experts picked these two teams to contend for the championship this year. However, both started off
slowly thanks to some key injuries (specifically to their star WR). But as soon as that star receiver stepped back onto
the field, both teams have been on nice winning streaks and look to fulfill those pre-season expectations.
Brock’s Bandits (4-2) – New England (4-1)
Who else would there be to compare Brock to? Both have had their struggles, but just keep managing to win the close
ones (See New England over Buffalo, Miami, and NYJ and Brock over Canton FC, Inching Worms, and Nomad).
Despite the close victories, they both also have one blow out victory (NE over Cincy and BB over labor power).
Shermtanks (3-3) – San Diego (4-1)
A sleeper pick by some after a poor 2005 showing. Both have bounced back and spent a brief time at the top (San
Diego was undefeated until it played Baltimore) thanks to a star RB, a new QB (no more Peyton for Shermtanks, no
more Brees for San Diego), and some nice leftover talent (admit it. Sherman had two very good keepers for a last
place team).
New Jersey Jacobins (3-3) – Seattle (4-1)
Both were runners-ups last year and came into this year with a lot of doubt on whether or not they could repeat that
performance. The addition of a new WR has helped (Johnson via the draft for NJJ and Branch via trade for Seattle),
but the team is going to live and die by the play of their all-pro QB.
Five Second Stare (4-2) – New York Jets (3-3)
Listen, considering where these teams started, it’s amazing that they are this competitive. (btw, I am going to try and
use that phrase in every column). In all seriousness, thanks to some surprising play from their WR’s (c’mon who could
have expected this from Cotchery and Coles and Braylon has been a nice surprise coming off the injury), some great
play from their QB’s, and a mix-mash of RB’s (I think the Jets are playing 7 RB’s a game and Jay is still trying to get
Reuben Droughns and Cedric Benson into the mix). Both teams have the potential to be a playoff team this year. A lot
of it has to do with both teams fiery, young leaders (Mangini and Cantor. Yes, Jay is “fiery”.)
OC Beach Ballers (3-3) – New York Giants (3-2)
Both teams were coming off great regular seasons, but disappointing post-seasons. The question was how would they
respond? So far, there have been ups and downs, but there is still reason to believe playoffs are in the future. As long
as the worst case scenario doesn’t happen (Coughlin loses the teams’ respect and Westbrook misses more games)
then look for both teams to be dangerous the rest of the season. Also, both are extremely dependent on their do it all
RB (Barber and Westbrook).
Born To Run My Mouth (2-4) – Washington (2-4)
Both teams had high expectations after an active offseason (Washington brought in every WR under 5 feet and Born
drafted Shaun). Unfortunately, neither has quite lived up to expectations. There have been the good weeks (Such as
Washington putting up 36 on a good Jacksonville defense and Born beating all odds and taking down Nomads in week
two), but the bad weeks have far outweighed the good (Do you know how many people across the country picked
Washington to beat Tennessee last week in survival pools?). Even worse is the lack of press conferences coming from
both team leaders (Portis has yet to put on his costumes and Rich has yet to hold a press conference). C’mon Rich,
we need a press conference. Chant it with me people. “WE NEED A PRESS CONFERENCE.”
Inching Worms (2-4) – Cincinnati (3-2)
Two teams with high-powered offenses and high expectations, but disappointing results so far. Cincy hasn’t been the
same since being blown-out by New England and Parker hasn’t been the same since the days of Travis Henry and
Stephen Davis. There is still reason for the rest of the league to be afraid, but if the two coaches (Deay and Lewis)
don’t get their QB’s straightened out and find a way to get their star WR’s in the end zone (Harrison and Chad only
have 1), then it may be another disappointing year for both teams.
Fighting Blue Crab (2-4) – Arizona (1-5)
Everyone’s favorite sleeper/sexy pick (every year), always seems to disappoint. Greg had a big game last week and
wants you all to know how he feels about you (it rhymes with “duck you”) and Arizona almost had it’s own big week
over Chicago (and Dennis Green has a few words for you if you ask him about it). The talent is there on both teams;
they just have to figure out how to put it all together.
labor power (1-5) – Detroit (1-5)
Both teams are probably better than the records show. Their offenses are starting to figure it out, but it may be too
late to make up for lost ground especially with tough games still on the schedule (Detroit still has Chicago and Nick still
has the top two teams – Nose and Tools). The problem is that their first round draft picks have been huge busts
(Rodgers and Williams for Detroit and Davis for labor power).
FANTASY FOOTBALL THOUGHTS: (In order of rankings)
(Since my thoughts on each team are generally boring or a repeat of what someone else writes. These will just pose
questions for each team. You could call this section “Things everyone already knows”.)
Jarrett Blass – Three top QB’s. Leinart looks like a keeper. Time to put Palmer on the block?
Marc Epstein – Can you ride Pennington and/or Trent Green to the championship?
Josh Lukin – Can you depend on Wes Welker to continue to be your best WR?
Navid Sadri – To three-peat, is it best to ride it out with your squad or make a move?
Chris Brockman – Will Drew Bennett have value the rest of the season?
Jason Sherman – Rivers or Bledsoe? They don’t get to play San Francisco every week.
Dave Allocco – After the bye week, what to do with the two star TE’s?
Jay Cantor – Will you trade Wilkens and a player to be named later for Robbie Gould?
(Also, for those of you wondering “Does Jay take requests for his movie reviews?” The answer so far is “NO”. You don’
t know how many times I’ve asked Jay to go watch “The Marine”. In all seriousness, “Borat” should be the next two.
Otherwise, we are no longer friends.)
Scott Watson – What to do with Culpepper?
(Good luck this week buddy)
Rich Kiss – Will Shaun Alexander return to 2005 form?
Parker Deay – With six WR worthy starters, which three will you play every week?
Gregg Moore – Can you ride J. Lewis and/or Barber/DeAngelo to the playoffs?
Nick Serrano – Do you have one more epic comeback in you?
And finally, a new prediction for the championship game - Nomads Vs. Tools. Sorry Bandits. Looks like third place for
you again.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE……TILL NEXT WEEK!!!
Nose (4-2) – Indianapolis (5-0)
The “angriest man in the league” has the most points in the league and is riding a high-powered offense to the top of
the rankings, just like Indianapolis. Both are having difficulties with the running game, but the QB (or 3 in Jarrett’s
case) and the WR’s are always scary.
Baltimore Tools (4-2) – Chicago (6-0)
The Commish is riding the best defense in fantasy to the top, and what a coincidence, it’s the Bears. Both came back
on Monday night thanks to their defense. But the offense is surprising this year. Surprising QB play (Pennington and
Grossman), with the exception of one bad week, and the WR’s are coming up with big games week in and week out.
Canton FC (4-2) – New Orleans (5-1)
Both teams were arguably one year away after last year’s tough season and this year’s draft. But both have proved
that they are the real deal thanks to a rookie RB (or two in Josh’s case) and a surprising defense (admit it, nobody
expected this much out of Baltimore). However, the star WR (Horn and Mason) has been disappointing so far.
Nomads In The Deep (4-2) – Carolina (4-2)
The majority of experts picked these two teams to contend for the championship this year. However, both started off
slowly thanks to some key injuries (specifically to their star WR). But as soon as that star receiver stepped back onto
the field, both teams have been on nice winning streaks and look to fulfill those pre-season expectations.
Brock’s Bandits (4-2) – New England (4-1)
Who else would there be to compare Brock to? Both have had their struggles, but just keep managing to win the close
ones (See New England over Buffalo, Miami, and NYJ and Brock over Canton FC, Inching Worms, and Nomad).
Despite the close victories, they both also have one blow out victory (NE over Cincy and BB over labor power).
Shermtanks (3-3) – San Diego (4-1)
A sleeper pick by some after a poor 2005 showing. Both have bounced back and spent a brief time at the top (San
Diego was undefeated until it played Baltimore) thanks to a star RB, a new QB (no more Peyton for Shermtanks, no
more Brees for San Diego), and some nice leftover talent (admit it. Sherman had two very good keepers for a last
place team).
New Jersey Jacobins (3-3) – Seattle (4-1)
Both were runners-ups last year and came into this year with a lot of doubt on whether or not they could repeat that
performance. The addition of a new WR has helped (Johnson via the draft for NJJ and Branch via trade for Seattle),
but the team is going to live and die by the play of their all-pro QB.
Five Second Stare (4-2) – New York Jets (3-3)
Listen, considering where these teams started, it’s amazing that they are this competitive. (btw, I am going to try and
use that phrase in every column). In all seriousness, thanks to some surprising play from their WR’s (c’mon who could
have expected this from Cotchery and Coles and Braylon has been a nice surprise coming off the injury), some great
play from their QB’s, and a mix-mash of RB’s (I think the Jets are playing 7 RB’s a game and Jay is still trying to get
Reuben Droughns and Cedric Benson into the mix). Both teams have the potential to be a playoff team this year. A lot
of it has to do with both teams fiery, young leaders (Mangini and Cantor. Yes, Jay is “fiery”.)
OC Beach Ballers (3-3) – New York Giants (3-2)
Both teams were coming off great regular seasons, but disappointing post-seasons. The question was how would they
respond? So far, there have been ups and downs, but there is still reason to believe playoffs are in the future. As long
as the worst case scenario doesn’t happen (Coughlin loses the teams’ respect and Westbrook misses more games)
then look for both teams to be dangerous the rest of the season. Also, both are extremely dependent on their do it all
RB (Barber and Westbrook).
Born To Run My Mouth (2-4) – Washington (2-4)
Both teams had high expectations after an active offseason (Washington brought in every WR under 5 feet and Born
drafted Shaun). Unfortunately, neither has quite lived up to expectations. There have been the good weeks (Such as
Washington putting up 36 on a good Jacksonville defense and Born beating all odds and taking down Nomads in week
two), but the bad weeks have far outweighed the good (Do you know how many people across the country picked
Washington to beat Tennessee last week in survival pools?). Even worse is the lack of press conferences coming from
both team leaders (Portis has yet to put on his costumes and Rich has yet to hold a press conference). C’mon Rich,
we need a press conference. Chant it with me people. “WE NEED A PRESS CONFERENCE.”
Inching Worms (2-4) – Cincinnati (3-2)
Two teams with high-powered offenses and high expectations, but disappointing results so far. Cincy hasn’t been the
same since being blown-out by New England and Parker hasn’t been the same since the days of Travis Henry and
Stephen Davis. There is still reason for the rest of the league to be afraid, but if the two coaches (Deay and Lewis)
don’t get their QB’s straightened out and find a way to get their star WR’s in the end zone (Harrison and Chad only
have 1), then it may be another disappointing year for both teams.
Fighting Blue Crab (2-4) – Arizona (1-5)
Everyone’s favorite sleeper/sexy pick (every year), always seems to disappoint. Greg had a big game last week and
wants you all to know how he feels about you (it rhymes with “duck you”) and Arizona almost had it’s own big week
over Chicago (and Dennis Green has a few words for you if you ask him about it). The talent is there on both teams;
they just have to figure out how to put it all together.
labor power (1-5) – Detroit (1-5)
Both teams are probably better than the records show. Their offenses are starting to figure it out, but it may be too
late to make up for lost ground especially with tough games still on the schedule (Detroit still has Chicago and Nick still
has the top two teams – Nose and Tools). The problem is that their first round draft picks have been huge busts
(Rodgers and Williams for Detroit and Davis for labor power).
FANTASY FOOTBALL THOUGHTS: (In order of rankings)
(Since my thoughts on each team are generally boring or a repeat of what someone else writes. These will just pose
questions for each team. You could call this section “Things everyone already knows”.)
Jarrett Blass – Three top QB’s. Leinart looks like a keeper. Time to put Palmer on the block?
Marc Epstein – Can you ride Pennington and/or Trent Green to the championship?
Josh Lukin – Can you depend on Wes Welker to continue to be your best WR?
Navid Sadri – To three-peat, is it best to ride it out with your squad or make a move?
Chris Brockman – Will Drew Bennett have value the rest of the season?
Jason Sherman – Rivers or Bledsoe? They don’t get to play San Francisco every week.
Dave Allocco – After the bye week, what to do with the two star TE’s?
Jay Cantor – Will you trade Wilkens and a player to be named later for Robbie Gould?
(Also, for those of you wondering “Does Jay take requests for his movie reviews?” The answer so far is “NO”. You don’
t know how many times I’ve asked Jay to go watch “The Marine”. In all seriousness, “Borat” should be the next two.
Otherwise, we are no longer friends.)
Scott Watson – What to do with Culpepper?
(Good luck this week buddy)
Rich Kiss – Will Shaun Alexander return to 2005 form?
Parker Deay – With six WR worthy starters, which three will you play every week?
Gregg Moore – Can you ride J. Lewis and/or Barber/DeAngelo to the playoffs?
Nick Serrano – Do you have one more epic comeback in you?
And finally, a new prediction for the championship game - Nomads Vs. Tools. Sorry Bandits. Looks like third place for
you again.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE……TILL NEXT WEEK!!!