Now that ESPN has gotten it's act together and finally put up the projected points for the first week, what better use for them is there than harshly judging them without any rhyme or reason?
1) This will be the year we take down Fever/Baker and take the league back for the little people
Maybe this is just wishful thinking. But I take a look at Scott's big 5 (starting RB x2, WR x2, and QB), and see a whole lot of Detroit Lions (Calvin Johnson, maybe, but Matt Stafford?!), and a whole lot of rookies (Ryan Mathews and CJ Spiller). Throw in past-his-prime Brandon Marshall and it looks to me like Scott's team is totally reliant on these average players blowing up. I can't say my team is any different, but geez, at least I've got some players who aren't the hot-possible-breakout-star.
Jason's team, meanwhile, is having it's dick sucked by the ESPN predictors because not one of his starting players is expected to have less than 11 points, including such "huh?" players as Devin Aromashadu (gesuntheit). Luckily his D/ST is expected to pull a big fat 0 this coming week. As another player going for "breakout potential" over "proven quality," I'd say there's no chance BOTH of these teams strike lightning and make a run for the money.
So I'm saying there's a chance...
2) Peter: still going to be in last place
I honestly wanted to say otherwise, but I can't justify it. Peter = the unluckiest man in the world. Vincent Jackson is suspended for up to 6 games, Sidney Rice is plain out, Knowshon has this "hamstring injury..." doesn't this sound like the desperation we run into around week ten? Peter's already there. Plus, when all else fails, never underestimate Peter's ability to lose by a single point.
3) Ryan Good with sit at about .500 for the entire season.
Talk about feast or famine! He's projected for 127 point this week, mostly on the strength of his big 3's 68 points. His bench is projected for 15 points. If his entire team stays healthy, I still can't see a team being able to win every week on the strength of three players. I expect plenty of 140 point weeks and plenty of 40 point weeks for Senor Good.
4) Speaking of famine...
Kim's team? Needs help. What's with all the TEs, anyway?
5) Could be a contender: Travis
Thought not for team name originality. "My Team?" I guess it's funny in a lethargic, lassez-faire type of way. Regardless, he's fielding a team of pretty agreeable starters this week, and has enough depth to keep it interesting. Could be interesting...
6) WTF scheduling?
Obviously, there are more weeks than teams, so we're going to have to play a few people twice. How did the computer decide to make that happen? Why, by doing something totally freaking random. I would think that my playing Jason the first week would mean I'd play him again in the eleventh week or so. Instead, I play Peter, Scott, and Kyle twice (my games # 2,3,4 and 11,12,13). Also, Play Ryan Good twice before I ever play Travis. At least I get to play Peter twice...I need those wins!
7) Interesting alternative rules I've heard...
...all of which involve money. I'm not saying we do these this year, I'm just throwing them out there. I know of one league where there's a $2 fee for every agent picked up off the waiver wire (this league has a $150 buy in, so the $2 seems less significant in the face of that). Imagine how much money would be in the pot after Jason picked up 80+ people during the season!
There's also a triple crown rule in that league, as well. On top of the $150, there's a $25 triple crown jackpot that everyone throws into every year that goes into a separate pot. If the same team accomplishes the triple crown (most wins, most total points scored, plus winning the league championship), that person gets that pot as well. Otherwise it sits over until next year waiting for it to happen. If we had done that 4 years ago we'd have over $1000 in there, since I don't think we've had anyone go all the way like that yet.
Finally, I heard of another league where, to stop people who's teams suck from just giving up mid-season, they charge $5 to the lowest overall point scorer each week. Yeeps. I would have shelled out like $15 last year, but I like this concept.
8) Predicted number of Jason waiver wire transactions this year?
Over/Under is as 70. Remember, he already has 2 before the season even started.
9) D Money = resistant to change
Not only is Donel the only one in our league who doesn't change his team name season to season (or week to week, like me when I get bored), but his team also looks the most like a "classic team," that is playable any season. Rivers, Jackson, Roddy White, Chris Johnson, Chris Cooley? What is this, 2007? If it weren't for Jahvid Best I'd have thought Donel just imported his team from last year.
10) Fearless playoff predictions
I wish I had saved my predictions last year to see how totally wrong I was.
1) Travis
2) Donel
I'm giving a spot to both Travis and Donel for their consistent-looking if not trendy teams. I can't predict if, say, Shonn Greene is going to blow up and get 50 points a game, but I can say that Chris Johnson is going to score some points this season. Go consistency!
3) Jason
I know, I just railed on Jason's team as risky, but I figure either him or Scott will end up with a pretty good team from all of their research. I like Jason's chances better; he's got the eye of the jew.
4) Drew
Sort of a variant on the theme of Travis/Donel, only I think their players are a little better. That doesn't mean he's not going to stomp all over some of our little shifty teams.
5) Me!
I'm just throwing myself in to make myself feel better. I think my team totally fits the Jason/Scott "I'm going to save my money that pick up all the unproven middle-ground RBs and home one turns into a stud" mold, so if you want, you can substitute in Scott for this position. It's all unknown at this point.
6) Ryan Good
7) Kyle
These teams are both so goddamn top heavy it's ridiculous. I think they'll win some games by 60+ points but during bye weeks they're fucked. It's a coinflip as to who will come out on the top end of the card, and I choose Ryan, because I like Drew Brees.
8) Scott
I think I just don't want Scott to win again. Wishful thinking?
9) Kim
10) Peter
Feel free to prove me wrong, guys. I just calls 'em like I sees 'em. Which is poorly.
11) Also...trophy's are back online!
I will continue to dole them out subjectively to whomever I want. I reserve the right to make up special awards for special situations. And I will continue to call out those who really excelled (or, preferably, those who blew big fat chunks).
No comments:
Post a Comment