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After taking a week off, I thought it would be best to see how other people are seeing the league this year. In the following article, I pick the mind of
one of the greatest in our league. And let me tell you... this guy is Smoooooth....
Commish: Hi Brian. I’m the Commissioner of the Retired Orangemen Fantasy Football League. Every week I write a barley read column
for our league called Commish Recap.
Headed into your final game of the year, do you mind if I ask you some questions (to be published in my next edition)?
Brian: Who is this? Just kidding. Go for it. And please stop using my 'barely read' line. I trademarked that.
C: Thanks. Let’s start with the season: What do you think? It seemed tougher than usual, no?
B: This season has been crazy. First off, injuries killed the lottery teams. Dave lost Andre Johnson. Nick lost 27 running backs (although he did pick up
every single backup). Marc lost Deuce. Scott lost Jake Delhomme. And we all know what happened to my team. Basically, if you had two consistent
studs on your team, both of whom managed to stay healthy, then you were in good shape to make the playoffs (For example, Brock had Moss and
Brady, Rich had Romo and Housh, which explains why they have been at the top the whole season). The one thing to note is that the parity in the
league seems to have disappeared. There were an obvious top three teams, then a middle six, and a bottom five. Although some weeks the middle six
fluctuated, the bottom five has stayed the same for the most part.
A few quick highlights to the unusual season.
1. Vince Young being dropped and picked up by half the league.
2. All the crazy games that were won and lost on Monday Night.
3. The lack of talk over the message board.
4. The switching of articles by the columnists.
5. Three trades. Could have been four…sorry, Marc.
C: Can you talk a little more about the trades. There seemed to be a lot of controversy this year regarding them.
B: Well the first trade was the questionable trade between the Commissioner and the defending champion. The Stare was unhappy with Randy
McMichael and was looking to make an upgrade. He got it with Tony G. and all he had to do was swap TE’s with the Tools and throw in a RB he wasn’t
very happy with (Cedric Benson). The trade worked out well for 5SS, but not so much for BT. While many thought the trade was one-sided, Marc did
the best he could to get a RB after the season ending injury to Deuce. It was the best offer he got, so you can’t blame him. But if we did veto trades,
this could have been one of them.
The second trade occurred near the deadline as two borderline playoff teams, Hungry Horses and Nomads, made moves to secure team weaknesses.
This trade caused the most controversy as Hungry Horses received top 10 player: Ben Roethlisberger, for Deion Branch, a WR who was just coming
off an injury and may not even be the Seahawks #1 receiver anymore. A lot of talk was made over the message boards. Obscenities were tossed
around. Friendships were destroyed. All in a days work. But again, the trade benefited both teams. Nomads had a QB to give up (he had 3 quality QB’
s on his team) and had been trying to make a trade for weeks. It was the best offer he could get.
Lastly, a trade occurred right before the deadline when yours truly acquired future potential keeper, Michael Turner, from Hungry Horses for Chris
Chambers. There was some talk about this being unfair (playing for next year and all), but it largely went unnoticed as people were still debating the
Roethlisberger for Branch trade.
In the end, the trades happened. The Commish was diplomatic. What remains to be seen is how the trades play out the rest of the year as 5SS,
Hungry Horses, and Nomads look headed for the playoffs.
C: Our league likes the drama. In fact, I can’t remember one year where there wasn’t a little bit of bitching and screaming. Do you think
this is something specific to our league, our ages or fantasy football? And what do you feel are the lasting effects – in 10 years will we
all not be talking to one another?
B: Bitching and screaming are just as much a part of this league as draft book, smack talk, and gay references. I mean take a look at who is in this
league. You have yours truly, the biggest complainer and whiner in the tri-state area. You have Jason Sherman, the runner-up. You have Chris
Brockman who never met an argument he didn’t like. You have Marc Epstein who pretends to be a democracy, but is in fact a ruthless, cold-hearted
dictator. You have Josh Lukin and Nick Serrano who are so good at bitching and complaining, that you don’t even know they are doing it. Unless the
league members change drastically, I do not forsee an end to the bitching and screaming. As a matter of fact, I think we should rename the toilet bowl,
the bitching and screaming award. Because whoever gets that bad boy will have most certainly done a lot of bitching and complaining about his team.
In 10 years, the only thing that will change is each of us and our lifestyles. Some of us will lose hair. Others will gain weight. Some will have children,
either legitimate or illegitimate. And some of us will be married, some opposite sex and some same sex. But people will continue to miss the draft.
People will continue to move all around this country. And people will definitely still bitch and complain just as much as we do now. But it will be a good
way. A productive way. So no, we won’t stop talking to another. As a matter of fact, we will talk to one another more frequently. Really, the only thing
that will change is who does the bitching and complaining. In other words, if you are having a good year…you won’t be doing either. But if you have a
bad year; beset by injuries, close loses, and other personal slights…then look out message board, because you will be reading some obscenity laced
and pitiful posts. And that person may not talk to you that year. He’ll be taking the year off from ROFFL events and get-togethers. This reminds me…I
can’t make New Years Eve, Whitewater Rafting, AC, or any of your birthdays this year. I’m busy.
C: Boy, you really called out some people. I'm sure you'll be taking some heat for that. Good thing we all know it's meant in good fun.
But let's move on and talk about your team, Random Thoughts: A win over Shermtanks last week puts you at 4-8, and it looks like you'll
miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. That's the bad news. The good news: You're almost guaranteed not to become the first
back-to-back Toilet Bowl winner. Your thoughts on your teams performance this year and perhaps what 2008 has in store for the team
formerly known as Dorfman, B. Smooth, Shade, and Blade Brown?
B:Your right, Marc. I did go a little overboard with the last one. I was trying to be funny. You know what they say, when you try to be funny, you aren't.
Hope nobody takes offense.
My team...oh, the potential. Ronnie B. was going to finish the season as the #1 ranked fantasy running back. It was his time to shine. But now, who
knows if he'll recover from his ACL injury and return to the player he was. Steven Jackson is a second half player, which does me no good, since I was
already out of it by then. He's no longer the #2 fantasy RB. But in the end my RB's didn't kill me. I was fortunate enough to pick up Selvin Young and
Kolby Smith early and hold on to them. What hurt me in the end was my inconsistent QB and WR play. Philip Rivers is the most frustrating player in the
world. As a matter of fact, I think we should change the toilet bowl to the Philip Rivers Award. Calvin Johnson is further proof, don't waste a high draft
pick on a rookie receiver. And Reggie Brown is no #1 receiver.
What is most disappointing is that my team could have been dangerous. Three of my four wins have come against playoff teams, including handing
Brock his only true defeat (my one proud moment in an otherwise depressing year). And even though I am relieved not to win the toilet bowl again,
because nobody wants that once, let alone twice in a row, I am upset that I won't be making the playoffs for a second year and that I haven't had a
record over .500 since 2002. That's right, since the start of live drafts. My reputation is taking a nose dive. I'm embarrassed to look at my career
record.
2008 hopefully will be a bounce back year for me. With the win over Shermtanks, I think I may have just blew a chance at a top 2 pick. I have some
decent options as keepers, but you know me. I like to keep you all guessing until the very end. So I'm going to keep Philip Rivers and Reggie Brown.
That's right, 2008 will be my time to
shine...
C: Clearly 2008 can't come to soon for some. But let's stay in 2007 for now: How do you think the playoffs will play out? Brock clearly has
to be the favorite, but Nomads have the momentum going into the big dance. And we know what he has done in the past once he gets
into the brackets...
The playoffs will be a crapshoot.
Chris is the clear favorite. But last week's subpar outing by Moss and Brady (they still did well, but not their best games), shows that Chris can be beat
if the Pats don't put up 50+. Plus with Santonio Holmes out, who was arguably Chris's 3rd best player, you see a glimmer of hope in taking down the
regular season champ.
I'm not sure if Nomads has the most momentum going into the playoffs, that is debatable. But it looks like he may have traded Big Ben at just the right
time. Funny how trades work sometimes. You think it's totally one-sided, but it turns out it's the other way around. Seattle throws a lot and DJ Hackett's
injury means Deion Branch is back to being the team's #1 WR.
You have to watch out for the defending champ, especially with Adrian Peterson (MIN) returning just in time. He has a complete team and is getting
some stellar QB play right now. 5SS has the experience and the history to pull out another impressive playoff run.
You also have to keep an eye on those who have been here before. Shermtanks has made it to the finals twice. He's got the weapons to make another
return trip to the finals. LDT can lead his team to the title alone. He's capable of an amazing three week run.
BM07 has the best regular season record in ROFFL history, so he's been to the playoffs many times. But he's never gotten over the hump and made it
to the champtionship game. We'll see if his luck turns this year. Good thing Baltimore plays NE this week and not during the playoff rounds.
Fighting Blue Crabs have made it to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. He hasn't made it out of the first round too many times, but Chad came
back with a big game last week. And you always have to be concerned about his big two (Peyton and T.O.)
But in my opinion, the teams to keep an eye on are the two who have not been in the playoffs for a couple of years. Of course, this is given Parker
winning this week (or winning out in points over Jarrett). Not a given, but it at least makes things interesting for the final week. But Rich's team has
been at the top the entire year. And the best thing to happen to him may have been Shaun Alexander getting injured. Maurice Morris has played much
better and has definitely solidified Rich's team. My prediction. Look out for the 6-7 team that squeaks into the playoffs.
Other thoughts: My team and Nick's team would have been dangerous if we had made the playoffs. But too many injuries to overcome for both of us. If
you don't believe me, take a look at last week scores.
C: Clearly we had some late surges. Wish it had happened to me.
What about the league as an entity in 2007? Strengths, weaknesses?
B: The commish's team did make a late surge. They won two Monday Nighters in a row to put themselves in contention, but a crucial loss against
Jason's team ended his playoff hopes. In the end, Deuce injury was the beginning of the end for the commish's team.
As for the state of the league in 2007, it is still good. Nothing can be done to ruin this great league. It's in great shape, and if people never did anything
else differently for the rest of their lives, it'd still be a great league. But, I think there was some coasting this year. The message board was quiet. The
website was relatively quiet (minus the usual contributors). In the end, I'm starting to see some complacency. I know people are busy and others don't
have access to computer 24 hours a day, but it just seemed like people started to log on and check their teams, make a transaction or two, then log
off. Not that there is anything wrong with it. I'm just saying.
Strengths: Great commissioner. Outstanding writers who contribute content to the website.14 guys who take the league seriously and know a lot about
football, thus making every week competitive. No easy victories.
Weaknesses: Some minor rule changes will need to be made (For Example:kicker should lose points for missed FG's, there should be a lock on free
agent picksup after the draft, etc.). But I think the biggest weakness is that not everyone is vocal - I bet there were others who had issues with the
trades or just didn't bother to comment. We can't have only 4-5 guys who comment on every issue. But that seems to be the case.
C: Final question Brian: Since we are combining our two articles for the first time ever, do you have any random thoughts for us on you,
the league, life, etc?
B: I just read Chris's post 'I should be in bed right now', and he said about half the things I said in this column. I just want it to be known that I am not
copying off him. Just another example of two brilliant minds thinking alike.
Random Thoughts? Well, I'll probably still write my column this week. Just so I can say I wrote each week this year.
But let me just say this was a great idea. Although my answers were not particularly funny, which I thought was supposed to be the point of this
collaboration. Oh well. This just saves me from having to write these complaints and suggestions up during the offseason. Oh, you knew it was coming.
A few last thoughts on you all.
Rich...you had to ruin a good thing. Don't even look at me next year.
Chris...I still believe that Matt Holliday will hit two home runs in game 3 of the world series. I wasn't specifying this particular world series. And he did
one.
Marc...where is my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh?
Parker...Dragon
Navid...I like how you scream my name out when you're drunk. Now if only you were a hot chick.
Scott...I forgive you for poisioning my ribs. I don't forgive you for beating my by 40 points.
Jason...I'll always like your brother better. Brian's got to stick together.
Jay...Your still my favorite character, although Hollis is a close second.
Dave...dinner - you and me. Sometime this decade?
Gregg...I miss you. Heck, we all miss you.
Jarrett...Still want Steven Jackson?
Josh...BushMaroney'08?
Nick...Good luck this week. There is nobody else I'd rather play to end the season.
C: Thanks Brian. In a way, I feel like you have written my article for me... again.
Good luck to everyone this week, and especially Jarrett and Parker.
one of the greatest in our league. And let me tell you... this guy is Smoooooth....
Commish: Hi Brian. I’m the Commissioner of the Retired Orangemen Fantasy Football League. Every week I write a barley read column
for our league called Commish Recap.
Headed into your final game of the year, do you mind if I ask you some questions (to be published in my next edition)?
Brian: Who is this? Just kidding. Go for it. And please stop using my 'barely read' line. I trademarked that.
C: Thanks. Let’s start with the season: What do you think? It seemed tougher than usual, no?
B: This season has been crazy. First off, injuries killed the lottery teams. Dave lost Andre Johnson. Nick lost 27 running backs (although he did pick up
every single backup). Marc lost Deuce. Scott lost Jake Delhomme. And we all know what happened to my team. Basically, if you had two consistent
studs on your team, both of whom managed to stay healthy, then you were in good shape to make the playoffs (For example, Brock had Moss and
Brady, Rich had Romo and Housh, which explains why they have been at the top the whole season). The one thing to note is that the parity in the
league seems to have disappeared. There were an obvious top three teams, then a middle six, and a bottom five. Although some weeks the middle six
fluctuated, the bottom five has stayed the same for the most part.
A few quick highlights to the unusual season.
1. Vince Young being dropped and picked up by half the league.
2. All the crazy games that were won and lost on Monday Night.
3. The lack of talk over the message board.
4. The switching of articles by the columnists.
5. Three trades. Could have been four…sorry, Marc.
C: Can you talk a little more about the trades. There seemed to be a lot of controversy this year regarding them.
B: Well the first trade was the questionable trade between the Commissioner and the defending champion. The Stare was unhappy with Randy
McMichael and was looking to make an upgrade. He got it with Tony G. and all he had to do was swap TE’s with the Tools and throw in a RB he wasn’t
very happy with (Cedric Benson). The trade worked out well for 5SS, but not so much for BT. While many thought the trade was one-sided, Marc did
the best he could to get a RB after the season ending injury to Deuce. It was the best offer he got, so you can’t blame him. But if we did veto trades,
this could have been one of them.
The second trade occurred near the deadline as two borderline playoff teams, Hungry Horses and Nomads, made moves to secure team weaknesses.
This trade caused the most controversy as Hungry Horses received top 10 player: Ben Roethlisberger, for Deion Branch, a WR who was just coming
off an injury and may not even be the Seahawks #1 receiver anymore. A lot of talk was made over the message boards. Obscenities were tossed
around. Friendships were destroyed. All in a days work. But again, the trade benefited both teams. Nomads had a QB to give up (he had 3 quality QB’
s on his team) and had been trying to make a trade for weeks. It was the best offer he could get.
Lastly, a trade occurred right before the deadline when yours truly acquired future potential keeper, Michael Turner, from Hungry Horses for Chris
Chambers. There was some talk about this being unfair (playing for next year and all), but it largely went unnoticed as people were still debating the
Roethlisberger for Branch trade.
In the end, the trades happened. The Commish was diplomatic. What remains to be seen is how the trades play out the rest of the year as 5SS,
Hungry Horses, and Nomads look headed for the playoffs.
C: Our league likes the drama. In fact, I can’t remember one year where there wasn’t a little bit of bitching and screaming. Do you think
this is something specific to our league, our ages or fantasy football? And what do you feel are the lasting effects – in 10 years will we
all not be talking to one another?
B: Bitching and screaming are just as much a part of this league as draft book, smack talk, and gay references. I mean take a look at who is in this
league. You have yours truly, the biggest complainer and whiner in the tri-state area. You have Jason Sherman, the runner-up. You have Chris
Brockman who never met an argument he didn’t like. You have Marc Epstein who pretends to be a democracy, but is in fact a ruthless, cold-hearted
dictator. You have Josh Lukin and Nick Serrano who are so good at bitching and complaining, that you don’t even know they are doing it. Unless the
league members change drastically, I do not forsee an end to the bitching and screaming. As a matter of fact, I think we should rename the toilet bowl,
the bitching and screaming award. Because whoever gets that bad boy will have most certainly done a lot of bitching and complaining about his team.
In 10 years, the only thing that will change is each of us and our lifestyles. Some of us will lose hair. Others will gain weight. Some will have children,
either legitimate or illegitimate. And some of us will be married, some opposite sex and some same sex. But people will continue to miss the draft.
People will continue to move all around this country. And people will definitely still bitch and complain just as much as we do now. But it will be a good
way. A productive way. So no, we won’t stop talking to another. As a matter of fact, we will talk to one another more frequently. Really, the only thing
that will change is who does the bitching and complaining. In other words, if you are having a good year…you won’t be doing either. But if you have a
bad year; beset by injuries, close loses, and other personal slights…then look out message board, because you will be reading some obscenity laced
and pitiful posts. And that person may not talk to you that year. He’ll be taking the year off from ROFFL events and get-togethers. This reminds me…I
can’t make New Years Eve, Whitewater Rafting, AC, or any of your birthdays this year. I’m busy.
C: Boy, you really called out some people. I'm sure you'll be taking some heat for that. Good thing we all know it's meant in good fun.
But let's move on and talk about your team, Random Thoughts: A win over Shermtanks last week puts you at 4-8, and it looks like you'll
miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. That's the bad news. The good news: You're almost guaranteed not to become the first
back-to-back Toilet Bowl winner. Your thoughts on your teams performance this year and perhaps what 2008 has in store for the team
formerly known as Dorfman, B. Smooth, Shade, and Blade Brown?
B:Your right, Marc. I did go a little overboard with the last one. I was trying to be funny. You know what they say, when you try to be funny, you aren't.
Hope nobody takes offense.
My team...oh, the potential. Ronnie B. was going to finish the season as the #1 ranked fantasy running back. It was his time to shine. But now, who
knows if he'll recover from his ACL injury and return to the player he was. Steven Jackson is a second half player, which does me no good, since I was
already out of it by then. He's no longer the #2 fantasy RB. But in the end my RB's didn't kill me. I was fortunate enough to pick up Selvin Young and
Kolby Smith early and hold on to them. What hurt me in the end was my inconsistent QB and WR play. Philip Rivers is the most frustrating player in the
world. As a matter of fact, I think we should change the toilet bowl to the Philip Rivers Award. Calvin Johnson is further proof, don't waste a high draft
pick on a rookie receiver. And Reggie Brown is no #1 receiver.
What is most disappointing is that my team could have been dangerous. Three of my four wins have come against playoff teams, including handing
Brock his only true defeat (my one proud moment in an otherwise depressing year). And even though I am relieved not to win the toilet bowl again,
because nobody wants that once, let alone twice in a row, I am upset that I won't be making the playoffs for a second year and that I haven't had a
record over .500 since 2002. That's right, since the start of live drafts. My reputation is taking a nose dive. I'm embarrassed to look at my career
record.
2008 hopefully will be a bounce back year for me. With the win over Shermtanks, I think I may have just blew a chance at a top 2 pick. I have some
decent options as keepers, but you know me. I like to keep you all guessing until the very end. So I'm going to keep Philip Rivers and Reggie Brown.
That's right, 2008 will be my time to
shine...
C: Clearly 2008 can't come to soon for some. But let's stay in 2007 for now: How do you think the playoffs will play out? Brock clearly has
to be the favorite, but Nomads have the momentum going into the big dance. And we know what he has done in the past once he gets
into the brackets...
The playoffs will be a crapshoot.
Chris is the clear favorite. But last week's subpar outing by Moss and Brady (they still did well, but not their best games), shows that Chris can be beat
if the Pats don't put up 50+. Plus with Santonio Holmes out, who was arguably Chris's 3rd best player, you see a glimmer of hope in taking down the
regular season champ.
I'm not sure if Nomads has the most momentum going into the playoffs, that is debatable. But it looks like he may have traded Big Ben at just the right
time. Funny how trades work sometimes. You think it's totally one-sided, but it turns out it's the other way around. Seattle throws a lot and DJ Hackett's
injury means Deion Branch is back to being the team's #1 WR.
You have to watch out for the defending champ, especially with Adrian Peterson (MIN) returning just in time. He has a complete team and is getting
some stellar QB play right now. 5SS has the experience and the history to pull out another impressive playoff run.
You also have to keep an eye on those who have been here before. Shermtanks has made it to the finals twice. He's got the weapons to make another
return trip to the finals. LDT can lead his team to the title alone. He's capable of an amazing three week run.
BM07 has the best regular season record in ROFFL history, so he's been to the playoffs many times. But he's never gotten over the hump and made it
to the champtionship game. We'll see if his luck turns this year. Good thing Baltimore plays NE this week and not during the playoff rounds.
Fighting Blue Crabs have made it to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. He hasn't made it out of the first round too many times, but Chad came
back with a big game last week. And you always have to be concerned about his big two (Peyton and T.O.)
But in my opinion, the teams to keep an eye on are the two who have not been in the playoffs for a couple of years. Of course, this is given Parker
winning this week (or winning out in points over Jarrett). Not a given, but it at least makes things interesting for the final week. But Rich's team has
been at the top the entire year. And the best thing to happen to him may have been Shaun Alexander getting injured. Maurice Morris has played much
better and has definitely solidified Rich's team. My prediction. Look out for the 6-7 team that squeaks into the playoffs.
Other thoughts: My team and Nick's team would have been dangerous if we had made the playoffs. But too many injuries to overcome for both of us. If
you don't believe me, take a look at last week scores.
C: Clearly we had some late surges. Wish it had happened to me.
What about the league as an entity in 2007? Strengths, weaknesses?
B: The commish's team did make a late surge. They won two Monday Nighters in a row to put themselves in contention, but a crucial loss against
Jason's team ended his playoff hopes. In the end, Deuce injury was the beginning of the end for the commish's team.
As for the state of the league in 2007, it is still good. Nothing can be done to ruin this great league. It's in great shape, and if people never did anything
else differently for the rest of their lives, it'd still be a great league. But, I think there was some coasting this year. The message board was quiet. The
website was relatively quiet (minus the usual contributors). In the end, I'm starting to see some complacency. I know people are busy and others don't
have access to computer 24 hours a day, but it just seemed like people started to log on and check their teams, make a transaction or two, then log
off. Not that there is anything wrong with it. I'm just saying.
Strengths: Great commissioner. Outstanding writers who contribute content to the website.14 guys who take the league seriously and know a lot about
football, thus making every week competitive. No easy victories.
Weaknesses: Some minor rule changes will need to be made (For Example:kicker should lose points for missed FG's, there should be a lock on free
agent picksup after the draft, etc.). But I think the biggest weakness is that not everyone is vocal - I bet there were others who had issues with the
trades or just didn't bother to comment. We can't have only 4-5 guys who comment on every issue. But that seems to be the case.
C: Final question Brian: Since we are combining our two articles for the first time ever, do you have any random thoughts for us on you,
the league, life, etc?
B: I just read Chris's post 'I should be in bed right now', and he said about half the things I said in this column. I just want it to be known that I am not
copying off him. Just another example of two brilliant minds thinking alike.
Random Thoughts? Well, I'll probably still write my column this week. Just so I can say I wrote each week this year.
But let me just say this was a great idea. Although my answers were not particularly funny, which I thought was supposed to be the point of this
collaboration. Oh well. This just saves me from having to write these complaints and suggestions up during the offseason. Oh, you knew it was coming.
A few last thoughts on you all.
Rich...you had to ruin a good thing. Don't even look at me next year.
Chris...I still believe that Matt Holliday will hit two home runs in game 3 of the world series. I wasn't specifying this particular world series. And he did
one.
Marc...where is my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh?
Parker...Dragon
Navid...I like how you scream my name out when you're drunk. Now if only you were a hot chick.
Scott...I forgive you for poisioning my ribs. I don't forgive you for beating my by 40 points.
Jason...I'll always like your brother better. Brian's got to stick together.
Jay...Your still my favorite character, although Hollis is a close second.
Dave...dinner - you and me. Sometime this decade?
Gregg...I miss you. Heck, we all miss you.
Jarrett...Still want Steven Jackson?
Josh...BushMaroney'08?
Nick...Good luck this week. There is nobody else I'd rather play to end the season.
C: Thanks Brian. In a way, I feel like you have written my article for me... again.
Good luck to everyone this week, and especially Jarrett and Parker.