NDHFFL Week 8 Preview

It's time for Da Schwam to take a look at the Week 8 matchups in the NDHFFL ...

Da Gun (2-5) vs. Snapp Attack (4-3) -- In what is a "must win" game for my squad, I actually like how things are shaping up ... QBs - I definitely have the edge here (with Brees & Matty Ice) , especially with Palmer on a Bye for Snapp. This forces Snapper to start Henne in Carson's stead (along with Flacco) ... WRs - I think Snapp has a slight advantage here, since he has a true elite WR starting this week (Colston, Braylon, & Knox) with my WR1, "Esteban 85", playing golf this weekend (thus, forcing me to start Boldin, Burleson, & Breaston this week) ... RBs - I'll call this one a draw with a lot of unresolved questions - Is MB3 full strength? Is the TEN D gonna be back in form after a Bye? Will Frenchy be the feature back this weekend? Will S-Jax actually score a TD this week? ... SpT - I have the advantage here with Gates (v. OAK), Prater, & PHI D (v. NYG) over Snapp's starting trio of V-Diddy (@ IND), Crosby, & NYJ D (v. MIA) ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> "OUTLOOK NOT SO CLEAR"!!!

J$ (3-4) vs. Phockers (3-4) -- In what should be a very competitive matchup with playoff implications, I actually like the Phockers this weekend ... QBs - Advantage Phockers! I'll take
Schaub & Rivers over (Jilbert's) Cutler & Alex Smith anyday ... WRs - Edge J$! Felicia is kinda scraping the bottom of the barrel by starting Cotchery, Housh, & Scheffler (W/T Flex). As for Jilbert, he is starting Roddy, Jennings, & Walter ... RBs - I will give Jilbert the edge here, as well, but it is very close, imho. I think AP vs. Ronnie Brown is about equal, in my mind, so it comes down to CJ vs. LT. I'm just not a believer in LT anymore (as he is quickly disproving that "30 is the new 25") ... SpT - Assuming that Felicia picks up a K for this weekend, I would give her the edge here with Shockey & SD D (v. OAK) over Keller, Folk, BAL D ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> PHOCKERS!!!

Mad Dog (4-3) vs. Raiders (6-1) -- This is not a weekend that Murphy can afford to not start 2QBs as he faces the league leader ... QBs - Whoever Murphy ends up starting at QB2 (alongside Garrard), Wes still has the advantage here, starting Peyton & McNabb ... WRs - I give Murph the edge on the outside by starting DeSean, Austin, & Rice. Wes's starters have really cooled off in recent weeks (Manningham, Hester, & Visanthe) ... RBs - While I don't really like either starting backfield (since all of them have tough matchups this weekend), if I had to pick one side, I would pick Mad Dog's backs (Jacobs & Turner) over Wes's (DeAngelo & Grant). Mad Dog has the more talented backfield ... SpT - This matchup (Dallas Clark, Longwell, NO D vs. Owen Daniels, K. Brown, & MIN D) is pretty even, across the board ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> RAMSHAFT RAIDERS!!!

Strikers (4-3) vs. Burtonics (1-6) -- Can you say blowout? That's what I see as Burtonics takes the field this weekend, and not in a good way for them ... QBs - Strikers here ... Check! Warner & Eli is better than Romo & whichever QB2 Burton starts ... WRs - Strikers here ... Check! Even starting the "Southern" Steve Smith (along with V. Jackson & Mason), is more than enough to matchup with whichever 3WRs Burton ends up starting (I would assume that he is not starting Crabtree & Bruce, but it is Burton so ...) ... RBs - Starting Hightower & Ricky will not win you very many weekends in fantasy, but it is better than whoever Burton ends up starting (Portis is on a Bye and Westbrook is gonna be out with a concussion, which leaves McGahee & Fred Jackson) ... SpT - Again, nothing spectacular in Chad's starters (Gonzo, Kaeding SF D), but better than whoever Burton can field (Cooley is out, Feely, & NYG D) ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> SoCAL STRIKERS!!! (in Schwamz Lock of the Week)

"Fantasy Team formerly known as Gold Club" (4-3) vs. Demmelitions (4-3) -- This matchup is shaping up to be the fantasy match of the weekend ... QBs - Who's betting against Favre (@ GB) this weekend ... Not me! I give Gellis the edge here (with Favre & Hasselbeck) over Demmel's starters (Rodgers & "Dirty" ... I like that nickname better than "San-chise") ... WRs - If AJ plays, I would give the nod to Demmel (who is also starting Wayne & Driver), but if he doesn't, I give the matchup on the outside to Gellis (starting Fitzy, "Big City" Steve Smith, & MSW) ... RBs - Gotta go with the hothand here with the Demmelitions' backfield (Thomas Jones & K. Smith) over SS (Steve Slaton) & RR (Ray Rice) for Gellis's club ... SpT - Edge to Gellis with Witten, Tynes, & ARZ D over Carlson, Carney, & IND D for Demmel ... SCHWAMI SAYZ -->
("The Fantasy Team formerly known as Gold Club")!!!

That's all I got for now ... Please take a look at this weekend's matchups and make your Yahoo! Fantasy Picks ...

Tha Commish

League Outlook at Da Turn ...

Lets take a moment to look at each team's outlook with half of the season now completed ...

Raiders (6-1) -- Looking good with a 2-game lead in the standings and a very favorable schedule left.

Strikers (4-3) -- Currently leading a pack of 5 teams at 4-3 with a very tough road ahead will make things interesting as the division championship race begins to heat up.

Demmelitions (4-3) -- Points Leader (894pts) with a 1-3 division record will keep Demmel in the playoff hunt.

"FFL franchise formerly known as Gold Club" (4-3) -- 3rd in Points (821pts) with a 2-1 division record will make things interesting in both the division race & playoff hunt.

Mad Dog (4-3) -- Murph's "Front-7" schedule is definitely much easier than his "Back-6" ... Will he make a run at things or fall back into his old fantasy self?

Snapp Attack (4-3) -- Expect Snapp to be fighting for a playoff spot for the rest of the season.

Phockers (3-4) -- Look for the "La Chica Campeon" to be chasing & fighting for one of the last playoff spots during the "Back-6".

J$ (3-4) -- Jilbert's squad is looking to be heading in the wrong direction after 2 straight defeats. However, he does have 2 matches vs. Burton left on his schedule, which definitely qualifies his "Back-6" as favorable.

Da Gun (2-5) -- It's do or die time for me! And with all my remaining games against playoff teams! UGGGHHHH! I'm calling "Bad Beat" for my boyz thus far ... I am 2nd in Overall Points (872pts) and 1st in Points Against (845pts). By comparison, Wes has had the easiest time with a mere 705pts Scored Against (which is ~20pts. a week).

Burtonics (1-6) -- "And with the #1 Pick in the 2010 NDHFFL Draft, Burton selects ..." :P

That's all the time I got for now ...

Tha Commish

NDHFFL Week 7 - In Review

Da Schwam went a very impressive 3-1 this past weekend (16-12 in 2009) ... Even picking the "Upset Special" of the weekend of the Phockers over the SoCal Strikers. I am still alive in my Eliminator league (I picked the Pats in Week 7 & am looking at either Indy or Arizona for Week 8) and I am now 65-38 in my Pick 'Em league (against the spread & I am in the 99th percentile) ...

Raiders cruise past struggling Gun (145-122) ... Hey! At least I made the match respectable.

Snapp biatch-slaps Gellis (133-92) ... Talk about laying an egg in Week 7! Gellis looked like the fantasy equivalent of STL (Stud RB with no help).

Demmel crushes J$ (144-79) ... If Gellis is the fantasy equivalent of the Rams, then Jilbert looked like the Skins (Got some talent in an otherwise inept franchise).

Mad Dog defeats Burtonics (109-62) ... I guess someone had to win this matchup. It's not that Murphy looked good, but how bad Burton looked. Burtonics looked about as organized as the Raiders did this past weekend.

Phockers upset Strikers (126-91) ... Thank you Felicia, for keeping me in the race in the 'Southside Division'!!!

This weekend (the inaugural Inter-Division Week) ended up 3-2 in favor of the 'Northend Division'.

That's all I got for now ...

Tha Commish

Looking back at Week 7 'N Da Hood ...

With only MNF left to play, lets take a look at how the Week 7 matchups shook out ...

Raiders cruising past Da Gun (134-87) -- Led by some strong Sunday morning performances, Wes is looking to maintain his stranglehold on 1st place in the league as "Da Turn" is being made. I need to make-up 47pts. tonight (I have Akers & PHI D YTP, while Wes has McNabb playing tonight) ... The "W" doesn't seem likely to me, but I think the score will end up respectable.

Snapp crushed Gellis (133-92) -- Led by Palmer (circa 2005) & Vernon Davis (circa 1980's Niners), Snapp absolutely crushed Gellis this weekend. "Da Jew" only had two starters in double-digits and now falls back into that dogfight in D-II for a playoff spot.

Demmelitions demolish J$ (147-72) -- Even though Jilbert has Santana Moss yet to play tonight, he has all but lost this weekend already ... Not picking up a RB flier for Week 7, and now J$'s QB troubles continue (with a possible QB controversy in SF). Meanwhile, Demmel is heading in the opposite direction as "Our Brown Friend" with his third straight victory. He had 8 (of 10) players in double-digits and looking to make a run at the division title.

Mad Dog limping past Burtonics (85-55) -- This matchup is the fantasy equivalent of the WAS v. STL game in Week 2 (which ended in an uninspiring 9-7 victory for WAS) ... Murphy benched Miles Austin (30pts. this weekend) and didn't pickup a QB2 for this weekend. Luckily, he is facing Burton, who actually still has a chance to win this weekend, with Vick, Westbrook, Portis, & Cooley yet to play ... BTW, I am square on my JaMarcus prediction thus far (+9pts in Week 6 and -4pts. in Week 7)

Strikers continue downard slide with loss to the Phockers (126-91) -- After a fast start to the fantasy season, Chad is handed his 3rd straight loss and now playoff qualification in D-II is an absolute mess (with a possible 4 teams heading out of "Da Turn" at 4-3).

Here is how Da Schwam sees the League Table after "Da Turn" ...

1. Ramshafts Raiders (6-1) -- 2 games up on the rest of the league
2. SoCal Strikers (4-3) -- 1/2 game lead in a very contentious division
3. V-Egret (4-3) -- 1/2 game back on the division lead but has a comfortable pts. lead
4. Demmelitions (4-3) -- 2 full games back in the division, but with near 900pts overall
5. Snapp Attack (4-3) -- Earns the 5th spot with ~740pts overall
6. Mad Dog (4-3) -- Slides to the 6th spot, trailing Snapp by ~15pts
7. Phockers (3-4) -- Felicia & Jilbert may flip spots, depending on the tiebreakers rules
8. J$ Kickers (3-4) -- "Ditto" ...
9. Tokz Gun (2-5) -- Now firmly in the chase pack ...
10. Burtonics (1-6) -- And with the #1 Pick in the 2010 FFL Draft ...

I will comment further tomorrow ...

Tha Commish

Da Schwamz Week 7 Preview

Before I begin, I would like to hear from our resident MLB expert about some crazy happenings over the last couple of days ... Check these stories out ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Jamie-McCourt-wants-to-take-over-Dodgers?urn=mlb,197811

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/steve-phillips-brooke-hun_n_328518.html

So what say you Gellis? ...

Now, lets take a look at the action at "Da Turn" ... It's time for inter-division play and team is matched up against a team from the other side of the tracks.

At "Da Turn", Da Schwam is 13-11 for the season, so lets take a look at Da Schwamz Pix for Week 7 ...

Raiders (5-1) vs. Da Gun (2-4) -- Dudes (and Mommies)! It's like a flashback to 1997! 1252 Foothill Blvd ... Apt. 12 vs. Apt. 14 (is that the right apartment numbers?!?) ... Anyways, this game should be a lot closer than the records would indicate ... QBs - This matchup should be fun to watch this weekend with the Raiders' Peyton & McNabb facing-off against my boyz Brees & Ryan. I'm not even going to compare them because both sides are of just such high quality ... WRs - I would give a slight advantage to the Raiders at receiver this weekend, expecially with injury concerns to Boldin. While I think my receiving trio (Esteban 85, Breaston, & Boldin) has more upside, I think Wes's play is the safe one (starting Manningham, Bowe, & Hester) ... RBs - I gotta give the edge to Wes here with DeAngelo & Grant starting. Both S-Jax & Frenchie have questionable matchups this weekend ... SpT - I think my boyz are set-up best here. I like Gates (@KC) over Daniels (vSF) this weekend, as well as the Philly D (@WAS after that loss last weekend) over MIN D (@PIT) ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> NO PICK!

V-Egret (4-2) vs. Snapp (3-3) -- In the other matchup of the Pike-house "Presidents' Corners", we have Gellis vs. Snapp ... I think this matchup will be very close, as both squads have to deal with with some of their superstars on Byes this weekend ... QBs - I give V-Egret the slightest of advantages here, based purely on the mojo of Favre in big-games. I don't like either Henne nor Fitzpatrick this weekend, and I think Palmer will do OK on Sunday. For Gellis, Favre will either throw the gamewinner or he will end up the GOAT (with something like 3 Picks) ... WRs - I would give the edge to Gellis here, but if he starts Finley at the flex, I think this matchup becomes a push. I think Adam's "Northern" Steve Smith & Fitzgerald is better than Snapp's starters of Braylon (on a Jets squad that may not have Cotchery, which means Nnamdi gets Edwards) & Colston. But at the flex, Santonio has so much more potential than Finley (who has really only had 1 good game this season) ... RBs - I think whichever RB-duo Gellis starts (2 out of Benson, Slaton, Gore) is better than Snapp's starting backfield of Beastmode & the Barbarian. Mendenhall is an interesting play here now that he has been annointed RB1 by Tomlin ... SpT - I give V-Egret the edge here with NE D in Wembley (UK) this weekend. I have a feeling Belichick is gonna wanna put on a show in front of the Queen ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> V-EGRET!!!

J$ (3-3) vs. Demmelitions (3-3) -- North vs. South (Californian) ... East vs. West (White Boys vs. Towelheads) ... I think matchup will show the respective quality in each division ... QBs -- Demmel has Brady & Rodgers (over Jilbert's Cutler & Hill) ... Nuf said! ... WRs - I take Demmel's receivers (Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, & Driver), but it is closer that it would appear at first glance. J$ is starting Roddy (... Stud!), Jennings (who has had trouble so far this season), & Santana (an all or nothing play) ... RBs - While I do think AP is a fantasy stud! I don't think I can rank him over the duo of Thomas Jones & Addai ... SpT - Pretty even matchup here! J$ has Gostkowski (who I think is gonna have a huge outing this weekend), but Demmel has 2 great options at D (GB D @ CLE and IND D @ STL) ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> DEMMELITIONS!!!

Mad Dog (3-3) vs. Burtonics (1-5) -- This may be the most pathetic fantasy matchup this weekend, as both squads will have an issue fielding complete lineups come Sunday ... QBs - I'll give the edge to Burton here with Romo playing at home & coming off a Bye. Mad Dog only has Cassel. That makes JaMarcus simply gravy for Burton this weekend (as of this moment) ... WRs - Advantage Mad Dog! It doesn't matter which 3 (of 5 - Moss, DeSean, Rice, Austin, TO) he starts. Just take a look at Burton's available options (Berrian, Crabtree, Bruce). Two receivers on a run-first team and Berrian, uuggghhh! ... RBs - I think its close, but I think Portis/Westbrook (Burtonics) is just better than a struggling Jacobs/Turner (Mad Dog) ... SpT - Advantage Murphy! He's got Dallas Clark (@STL), a Kicker who actually on the gridiron on Sunday, and I think the NO D is a nice pickup ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> MAD DOG!!!

SoCal Strikers (4-2) vs. Phockers (2-4) -- I see more trouble on the horizon for the Strikers this weekend. Felicia's squad has finally come to life ... QBs - This is a very even matchup. Felicia (Schaub/Rivers) has the matchups, but Chad (Big Ben/Warner) has the overall quality ... WRs - I give the Phockers the edge here with her receiving trio (War, Welker, & Cotchery) as Chad is forced to start Watson this weekend alongside his 2 primary receivers ("Southern" Steve Smith & VJ) ... RBs - This group is a hard one to judge. Currently, I give the Phockers a slight advantage, based on the current expected starting lineups, but Chad has so many options (Forte, Hightower, Jon Stewart, Ricky Williams, & Sproles) that its hard to make a clear comparison ... SpT - I'll give the edge to Chad here with Gonzo & SF D ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> PHOCKERS!!!

That's all I got for now ...

Tha Commish

Looking at Da Hood at Da Turn ...

So lets take a look at the league as we are at the halfway point of the regular season ...

Ramshaft Raiders (5-1) - It's only fair that the Raiders most aptly compare to the Colts, thus far this fantasy season ... Led by Peyton Manning, Wes's squad is 5-1 and has a good full game lead from the next contender ... The team's RBs (DeAngelo & Ryan Grant) are starting to hit their stride and he's got 2 great TEs (Owens & Visanthe).

SoCal Strikers (4-2) - I would compare Chad's team to the G-Men ... Serviceable QBs (Big Ben & Warner); RB1 (Forte) has been disappointing, while RB2 (Hightower, Sproles, or Ricky) has been a saving grace ... Steve Smith has been a total bust thus far, while Gonzo hasn't lost a step with Matty Ice throwing him the ball.

Victorious Egret (4-2) - Gellis's squad is the fantasy equivalent of the Vikes ... Led by Brett Favre with stud RBs (Benson, Rice, Slaton, and Gore) ... I also like Gellis's pick-ups of MSW and the "Big City" Steve Smith. They will be useable all season (barring injury, of course).

Demmelitions (3-3) - Demmel's boyz are the Pats ... Stud QBs (Brady & Rodgers) and WRs (Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, and Donald Driver) with a hodgepodge of RBs (Jones, Addai, & "Not the Clerks" Kevin Smith).

J$ Ass Kickers (3-3) - I think Jilbert's team is like the Chargers ... A talented squad limited by their head coach! ;) ... I think Cutler is the new fantasy Favre (you just gotta live with the good & the bad) and Shaun Hill is serviceable ... AP is stud, but Chris Johnson worries me. He only has 2 double-digit performances in 6 games ... Roddy is starting to turn it on and Greg Jennings better start turning it on soon.

Mad Dog (3-3) - Murphy is like the Niners ... Serviceable QBs (Garrard & Cassel) with stud RBs (Jacobs & Turner). Mike's WR core (Moss, DeSean, Sidney Rice, & Miles Austin) is also starting to take shape.

Snapp Attack (3-3) - Snapp is the fantasy Bengals ... Led by big-time QBs (Palmer & Flacco) with a surprisingly good Defense (NYJ) ... I think Snapp's RBs (MJD, MB3, Lynch, Caddy, & JJ) have actually been kind of a disappointment thus far. MJD is all or nothing. MB3 has a nagging injury. Lynch was suspended ... On the flip side, I really like his WRs (Colston, Braylon, Santonio, Knox, and MoMa).

Tokubo Shogunate (2-4) - I think thru the first half of this season, I have been like the Cowboys ... Talented team that just hasn't produced at the end of the day for whatever reason.

Phockers (2-4) - This squad looks like the Texans ... Near-elite QBs (Schaub & Rivers) and WRs (Welker, Ward, & Housh) with some inconsistent fantasy RBs (LT, Ronnie Brown, Jamal, & Reggie).

Burtonics (1-5) - After last weekend's performance, Burton is the fantasy Redskins ... A club that is going in the wrong direction! ... Orton has done better than I expected, which wasn't that much; Romo has been an absolute mess; Calvin Johnson is like S-Jax, the only useable fantasy option on a very bad team; Brandon Marshall has been serviceable, but not nearly as dangerous with Orton; And your RBs are kind of a mess (Portis, Westbrook, & McGahee).

Just a lil' fun fantasy analysis for everyone as we approach "Da Turn" ...

Tha Commish

NDHFFL Week 6 - In Review

I have some mixed feelings as Week 6 in FFL comes to a close ... Da Schwam went 4-0 this weekend (and is now, finally above the Pick 'Em Mendoza Line for the season at 13-11), I am still in my Eliminator Game (after over a quarter of the participants lost in picking the Eagles this weekend ... I went with the Jags at home in Week 6), and I went 9-5 in my Pick 'Em League (against the spread & now am in the 99th percentile) ... But on the flip-side, I fell to a struggling Phockers team, who didn't seem to struggling this weekend after scoring 145pts (after not scoring over 113pts. in the previous 5 weeks) ...

Anywho, lets take a look back at the Week 6 Fantasy Matchups ...

Phockers crush Da Gun (145-119) -- The Phockers pretty much sealed the "W" with Welkers' performance on Sunday afternoon. At that point, with only Ryan & Gates left to play, while Felicia still had Rivers & LT left, I needed a huge game from Ryan ... Didn't happen!!! That left Gates to make-up 10pts. with 2 teammates on the opposing fantasy team. Pretty much impossible to do, especially when one of the opposing players is the QB throwing to my TE ... Next up for both franchises, the division leaders.

Snapp Attack cruise past stumbling Strikers (145-103) -- Snapp rebounds from a horrendous Week 5 performance to crush the D2 leader, thereby making the D2 standings a complete scramble. As for Chad, the "Southern" Steve Smith & Forte are absolutely killing you! 3pts. combined from 2 of your top 3 draft picks just ain't cutting it!

V-Egret embarrasses J$ (141-96) -- Despite Hasselbeck's -1pt performance (supposedly, Matt Hasselbeck is 12-0 when Mama Hasselbeck is in Seattle ... Well, so much for trends mentioned on ESPN's Fantasy Football Now), V-Egret was on fire this weekend with 7 players in double-digits. I will now concede that Ray Rice is now the real deal! Also, how about the Kerry Collins!?!

Demmelitions play the Pats to Mad Dog's Titans (181-119) -- First off, 181pts!!!! WOW!!! 7 players in double-digits! 4 players with 20+pts! ... Actually, Murphy's team played pretty OK. Nothing special, but not Tennessee-type of giving up.

Raiders take a nap on Sunday afternoon and still earn "W" over Burtonics (116-48) -- In actuality, Burton's squad was more Tennessee-esque and that pretty much gave Wes the "W" ... I mean Burton had like what, 24pts. going into MNF. Burton started Vick over JaMarcus Russell (which really shows how much you trust JaMarcus), Calvin Johnson (who was inactive on Sunday), and McGahee over Westbrook (REALLY?!?! REALLY?!?!?) ... It doesn't get any better for Burton in Week 7, as he will be dealing with 5 regular starters on Byes. Wes's squad was steady, yet again, this weekend and did not need McNabb to score big on Sunday. Actually, I'm kinda scared of McNabb in Week 7 (@ WAS). On the other hand, Philly has a win so maybe the Redskins will win this one ... ;P

In terms of the upcoming schedule ... Week 7 is the weekend for "Inter-division Play" (think MLB inter-league play) ... All 5 matches are inter-division matchups. This weekend is also the "Turn", as it marks the halfway point of the regular season. Week 10 is "Rivalry Week" (think College Football).

That's all I got for today ... I'll take a look back at the first-half of the fantasy season & preview the remaining Week 7 in the next couple days.

Tha Commish

Da Hood 'N Real Time - Sunday Supper

A little Sunday dinner reading ...

- So I think my fantasy fate this weekend will come down to the golden right arm of Matty Ice ... I am 24pts down with Ryan & Gates YTP. Meanwhile, Felicia still has Rivers & LT playing on MNF.

- Snapps looking pretty good, but 76pts. is possible with Chad having 4 players YTP ... I mean Demmel got 80pts with a mere 2 players

- At least Demmel is in a better position to comeback than Jilbert, who needs to make up 78pts. between Cutler & Roddy.

- I will retract my criticism of Gellis ... I mean Ray Rice getting 31pts. WOW!!! ... And with Trent Edwards starting job in jeopardy after the game, maybe Gellis was just prescient in hoarding all the available QBs.

- WOW, Demmel!!! I keep saying you have one of the more talented teams in fantasy ... 181pts ... Nuf Said!!!

- Oh Burton!!! (shaking head in disapproval) ... 10pts. is your high scorer thus far and you have four starters scoring NOTHING! I mean one of those starters was Inactive for Sunday.

- Wes - Nice, easy W! You didn't even need Philly to do anything in Oakland this afternoon.

- Speaking of Oakland ... What happened there this afternoon? Damn NFL Blackout!

Tha Commish

Da Hood 'N Real Time - Sunday Morning Aftermath

Just a few thoughts I had after watching the Sunday morning games ...

- I am in an absolute dogfight with Felicia, whose team is absolutely on fire!

- Da Schwam is surprised that Snapp decided to start Lynch over Cadillac ... Did you not see the CLE/BUF lowlights from last week?

- The "Confederate" Steve Smith has 1 catch for 4yds with 2min. left in the game ... WHHAAATT?!?!?

- Gellis may have outsmarted himself with this weekend's lineup ... Cockblocking FAs , picking up Finley as a 1wk flier, & sitting Slaton in lieu of Ray Rice.

- I am surprised that Demmel started Carney (over Rackers) ... Carney is limited to about FGs of 35yds or less.

- I may just call the Raiders vs. Burtonics after this morning's set of games ... Burton starts McGahee over Westbrook!?!? And now, your hopes for a comeback are dependent on OAK sucking so bad that Vick will see some extensive time in Oaktown this afternoon.

I'm off to lunch now ... Good luck to everyone this afternoon!

Tha Commish

Da Schwam's Week 6 Preview

After a very lackluster start to the 2009 FFL season (7-9 overall), Da Schwam is looking to get back on track and pick some winners in Week 6 ...

(NOTE: All analysis is based on the projected starting lineups on Sunday ... i.e. Trades between Snapp & Murphy and Me & Jilbert have be approved and implemented)

(2nd NOTE: Today is the last day to get trades agreed to & completed prior to Week 6 games)

Da Gun (2-3) vs. Phockers (1-4) -- With Cotchery out this weekend and Ronnie & DAL D on Byes, the Phockers face this season's points leader with a less than full-strength squad ... QB -- Talk about a great QB matchup here with Da Gun's Brees/Matty Ice vs. the Phockers' Schaub/Rivers. Lets just call this one even and enjoy the matchup! ... WR -- Another very even matchup with my trio of Boldin/Esteban 85/Burleson vs. Felicia's starting trio of Houshmandzadeh/Welker/Ward. I think both sides get their targets, but the deciding factor will be who scores TDs this weekend ... RB -- Advantage Me! With the Phockers not having any favorable starting options, I like whichever 2 RBs I start on Sunday ... SpT -- I think I have the advantage here with an Elite TE and the Philly D @ OAK this weekend ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> NO PICK!

SoCal Strikers (4-1) vs. Snapp Attack (2-3) -- How will the Strikers rebound after their 1st loss of the fantasy season? Everyone will find out as Chad faces-off against a rejuvinated Snapp ... QB -- An owner cannot really go wrong in choosing one's starting QBs from Big Ben, Eli, and/or Warner. Advantage Chad, here! However, I do think Snapp keeps things closer than expected here with Carson (v. HOU at home) & Flacco ... WR -- I think Snapp's acquisition of Colston this week makes things pretty even at receiver. The Strikers have multiple options to choose from this weekend with no clear-cut standout ... RB -- Who does Chad start at RB2 this weekend? Hightower (@SEA) or Stewart (@TB)? I guess it doesn't really matter with Snapp's MJD favorable matchup on Sunday (v. STL at home). Advantage Snapp! ... SpT -- I'll give the edge to Snapp here with his Crosby pickup. I still cannot believe you cherry-picked my K ... Isn't that bad fantasy etiquette?!? Kinda like cock-blocking 1-week fliers ... ;P ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> SNAPP ATTACK in a close one!

J$ (3-2) vs. V-Egret (3-2) -- I give Jilbert a fighting chance this weekend, but he has got some tough matchups this weekend ... QB -- I'll take Gellis's Favre/Hasselbeck over J$'s Cutler/Collins any day, any matchup ... WR -- I give the slightest of advantages to Gellis here with "Big City" Steve Smith/MSW/Fitzgerald. I think Jilbert's starting trio of Roddy/Jennings/Santana is good, but they V-Egrets receivers just have more upside ... RB -- I will call this one an even match this weekend. I do not like AP this weekend (facing a very tough & angry BAL D), while CJ does not inspire confidence against a good D (his only double-digit score this season came against HOU in Week 2). On the other side of the fantasy pigskin, I really like Benson (v. HOU at home) this weekend and I think Ray Rice will get 100yds combined ... SpT - I will give Jilbert this one, since he has a TE playing this week ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> V-EGRET!!!

Mad Dog (3-2) vs. Demmelitions (2-3) -- Will Mad Dog's mid-week trade prove to be his ticket to "Wins-ville" ... Not likely! ... QB -- Demmel's Brady/Rodgers duo should be better than whichever 2 QBs Murphy can start ... WR -- I think both sides are equally bad! Mad Dog will have to trot out TO or Sidney Rice in his flex spot. Demmel's options are just as bad with Indy on a Bye this weekend. That would make Driver his WR2 this weekend and then Demmel would have to start one of his TEs in the flex ... RB -- Mad Dog gets Schwamz vote here with Jacobs/Turner. I like them much better than 2 middle-of-the-pack RBs facing middle-of-the-pack Ds ... SpT -- Very close call here, but I will give the edge to Demmel with the GB D! ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> DEMMELITIONS!

Ramshafts Raiders (4-1) vs. Burtonics (1-4) -- Oh, this will be a fun match to watch! Will Burton start JaMarcus Russell this weekend. Based on past performances (8, 3, 0, 2, -3pts), I give Burton about a 50/50 shot that Russell ends Sunday with a positive score ... I'm down for a sidebet here, anyone?!?! ... QB -- McNabb/Johnson are way better than Orton/Russell, but is Orton (alone) better than Orton/Russell?!? ... WR -- I would call it even at receiver, if Burton is able to pick-up a decent receiver (W/T) prior to Sunday. Wes's starting trio of Manningham/Bowe/Hester is not anything spectacular, and I really like the upside of Marshall & Berrian ... RB -- Even matchup in the backfield with Wes starting DeAngelo/Grant, while Burton has will probably start 2 out of Westbrook, McGahee, Portis, & Wells ... SpT -- Pretty even here! ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --> RAMSHAFTS RAIDERS!!

That's all for me ... Good Luck in Week 6!

Tha Commish

FFL Week 5 in Review

Da Schwam continues to struggle to break the Pick 'Em Mendoza Line this season, going 2-2 yet again this past weekend (9-11 overall) ... At least I am still in my Eliminator League (my strategy is to pick whoever is playing OAK, STL, or DET, in that order) and I am above the 95th percentile in my picks this season (48-28) against the spread.

Now onto "10 Things that made me HURM" after this past weekend's actions ...

1) I CAN'T PICK KICKERS IN FFL! ... This is the 2nd time in recent memory that I have picked up a Bye Week K, only to see him score a big goose-egg! UGGGHHHH! At least, I can take comfort in the fact that I just had a bad week, as I couldn't have beat J$ this weekend, even with an optimal lineup.

2) Jilbert is in 2nd place in a very week division ... I'm gonna have to bring this up at the next NDHFFL Competition Committee. Also, nice pick-up of Boller :P ... He did better than Anderson & Collins. However, did you see which STL QB threw for a TD?

3) Talk about a tough week for Snapp ... 50pts!?!?! Mad Dog beat you with Henne & Austin! HENNE & AUSTIN!!!

4) Did Murphy pick-up Miles Austin (DAL WR) simply for his name? ... Anyways, great final draft pick (who may just end up being the most valuable Cowboys' FFL WR).

5) The Douwes Derby was an exciting match all the way thru MNF ... Ronnie Brown almost brought the Phockers back, but in the end, the quality of Peyton, McNabb, & MIN D won out!

6) What has happened to the Phockers after her Championship Run? ... 1-4 and currently 9th in the league.

7) For that matter, what has happened to both Burtonics & the Phockers? ... These were the 2 teams in the Phat Bowl last season. Now, both are 1-4 and at the bottom of the league table.

8) POP!!! I had called this one earlier in the week ... Gellis had a stacked lineup this weekend and it played out that way with 6 players in double-digits, led by Hasselbeck coming back from injury to post 34pts.

9) I think I called the Burtonics vs. Demmelitions match my "Game of the Week" and it lived up to that billing ... Even more amazing is if you look at the box score ... Burtonics had 3 players score "0" (Megatron, McGahee, & Cooley), yet still managed to post a score of 114pts. Meanwhile, the Demmelitions had 7 players score double-digits and yet he eeeked out a mere 1pt. "W" ... Crazy crazy crazy game!

10) Why is Burton talkin sh*&?!? He is 1-4 and in last place ... Thanks for your donation, Mr. Fish!

Tha Commish

Da Schwam's Week 5 Preview

As NFL Sunday approaches, Da Schwam looks to rebound from a horrendous 1-3 record (Now, 7-9 Overall) from last week ... Lets take a look at the matchups in the NDHFFL this weekend ...

Da Gun (2-2) vs. J$ (2-2) -- This matchup is shaping-up to be quite a good match this weekend ... QB - Maybe I'm a bit bias, but I think I have the advantage here (despite what the Yahoo! projections say) with Matty Ice & DA. I think Ryan will match Hill in production this Sunday, while I like Anderson's upside over Boller (vs. MIN) ... WR - This matchup is pretty even with Boldin/Esteban-85/Burleson (Da Gun) vs. Walter/Roddy/Santana (J$) ... RB - I will give Jilbert this one with AP & CJ (over my duo of Mendenhall & S-Jax), but I think CJ's Yahoo! projection of 18pts. is a bit high. I think Indy's defensive gameplan will be to stop CJ and force Collins to beat you with the pass ... SpT - I give the edge to me here. The D & K are equal, but I think Celek is better than whichever TE Jilbert decides to start this weekend ... SCHWAMI SAYS --- OUTLOOK NOT SO CLEAR! NO PICK!

Snapp Attack (2-2) vs. Mad Dog (2-2) -- I predicted this matchup to be a close one from the start ... QB - Edge to Snapp with Palmer & Flacco. Ya know a fantasy owner is scraping the bottom of the barrel when he is forced to start Chad Henne ... WR - Advantage Mad Dog here! Snapp has too many questionable players starting this weekend - An over-the-hill TO; A 1-week filler in Massaquoi; And Santonio Holmes. Meanwhile, Murphy's starting trio of Randy Moss, DeSean, and whoever his 3rd starter is (Austin or Rice), is better than whatever receivers Snapp starts on Sunday ... RB - I think Snapp has a slightest of edges here with both of his starters (MJD & MB3) facing favorable Rush Ds this weekend. I am also unsure of Murphy's current plan to start Moreno (vs. NE at home) over Turner (@ SF). I know that Turner has the tougher of the matchups this weekend, but he was your #1 Pick this year. I'm a believer in playing your studs, all else being equal ... SpT - I think this matchup is pretty-much equal. Murphy has the better TE, but I like Snapp's D this weekend more than Murph's ... SCHWAMI SAYS --- SNAPP ATTACK (In a match that will be decided on MNF)!

Phockers (1-3) vs. Raiders (3-1) -- So I've been thinking this week about what to call this matchup and I think I got it ... The "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" Derby! Think you can do better? Than how about letting me know by responding in this blog's comments ... But onto this matchup for Thatch's love ... QB - Peyton & McNabb have too good of matchups here to not give this one to Wes, but I think Felicia is a lot closer (with Schaub & Campbell starting) than it would first appear. Schaub could be in a shootout this weekend (@ ARZ) and this weekend is one of the few weekends that Campbell is actually start-able ... WR - Neither corp really looks that good of a play this weekend, but I will give the edge to La Chica here. I like her matchups this weekend (Housh vs. JAX, Ward @ DET, & Cotchery @ MIA) way more than Wes's starters. I especially do not like the play of starting Shiancoe this weekend. I think there are WRs available this weekend that are better plays ... RB - I will give the advantage to Wes here. I like DeAngelo this weekend more than Ronnie, and I really don't like LJ or Jamal starting this weekend, so that bad vs. bad cancels one another out ... SpT - Edge Raiders, since I like Owens & MIN D this weekend, over the Phockers' Mercedes Lewis & DAL D ... SCHWAMI SAYZ --- RAMSHAFT RAIDERS!

Strikers (4-0) vs. V-Egret (1-3) -- I think this is the weekend for the Strikers' hot start to end ... QB - Edge to Chad here with Big Ben & Warner expecting big games. Favre & Edwards are OK to start, but I just don't see the upside that Chad's starters have ... WR - Talk about exciting! Steve Smith vs. Steve Smith this weekend for the fantasy title of the "The Steve Smith". I gotta give the edge to V-Egret here with MSW/"Northern" Steve Smith/Fitzy over Mason/"Southern" Steve Smith/Gonzo ... RB - Advantage Gellis, again! Slaton & Rice are better than whatever 2 RBs Chad decides to start (he just picked-up Ricky Williams, and is currently starting Hightower & Stewart) ... SpT - Vote V-Egret here, yet again. Witten is better than any TE option Chad has available ... SCHWAMI SAYS --- V-EGRET!

Burtonics (1-3) vs. Demmelitions (1-3) -- Da Schwam likes Burtonics this weekend in this matchup ... QB - Advantage Burton with Romo & Orton. Demmel having to start Sanchez this weekend (with Rodgers on a Bye) gives Burton the edge here ... WR - I'll take Demmel here. The quality at receiver of Wayne & AJ makes the Demmelitions a better corp this weekend, no matter who the #3 starter is. Plus, Burton's Megatron & Marshall are facing tough Ds this weekend. On top of that, I also think Berrian is a gamble this weekend ... RB - I've been giving Burton crap this season about who he's been starting in his backfield, but this weekend, I'll give him the edge regardless. I'd start any of Burton's RBs (Westbrook, Portis, McGahee, F-Jax) over any of Demmel's choices (T. Jones, L. Washington, Addai, K. Smith) ... SpT - Advantage Burton here. NYG D! Say hello to JaMarcus Russell! ... SCHWAMI SAYS --- BURTONICS!

That's all I got for you ...

Tha Commish

Week 5 Projections

So I think I'm gonna start doing some early analysis for the upcoming NFL Weekend on Wednesdays (once initial FFL projections & injury reports have been published) this season ... I'm gonna push my FFL Picks & Analysis to later on in the week.

Now onto my initial analysis of the Week 5 Fantasy Matchups ...

Da Gun (2-2) vs. J$ (2-2) -- My team goes into this weekend filled with questions as to who to start at QB, WR, and RB ... At least, Jilbert's squad is not going to be at full-strength this weekend with Cutler & Jennings on Byes. It looks like J$ is projected to score right around 100pts this weekend, and with my squad starting some 1-week fliers, this looks to be shaping up to be quite a close matchup.

Snapp Attack (2-2) vs. Mad Dog (2-2) -- Snapp may want to pick-up a WR who is actually playing this weekend (Knox is on a Bye), especially with Braylon now heading to NYJ. I don't like Snapp's QB matchups this weekend and I think TO is absolute garbage (but since Snapp drafted him in the 5th round and he cannot get market value for him in a trade, so I understand the start), but I do like the rest of his lineup (MJD @ SEA, MB3 @ KC, PIT @ DET) ... Meanwhile, Murphy looks to be set to start a full-strength lineup.

Ramshafts Raiders (3-1) vs. Phockers (1-3) -- So what do we call this matchup? "The Douwes Derby"? "The Thatcher Fox Derby"? "Orange Army vs. El Tri"? ... Please let me know if anyone has a good name for this fantasy matchup ... It does not look good for a Phockers squad that has to manage 6 players on Byes this weekend ... On the other side of the fantasy pigskin, Wes's squad is near full strength. I'm not quite sold on the LJ start and I would go pickup a WR for this weekend, but that's just me.

SoCal Strikers (4-0-0) vs. V-Egret (2-2) -- Is this the week we "pop the champagne"? It may be with the Strikers having 4 regular starters on Byes (Both RBs & 2 WRs) ... Gellis will be starting a full-strength squad with some really favorable matchups.

Burtonics (1-3) vs. Demmelitions (1-3) -- Burtonics is the early favorite, simply from the fact that he has no Byes to workaround this weekend ... Demmel has 2 regular starters (Rodgers/Driver) on Byes this weekend and I am not very high on their likely replacements (Sanchez/Heath Miller). Plus, I do not like his RB matchups for Week 5 (T. Jones/L. Washington @ MIA & K. Smith v. PIT).

Shoot me back by commenting on this blog post ...

Tha Commish

NDHFFL Trade Props for Week 5

So I'm looking to trade the SF DEF for a 1-week filler this weekend (QB, RB, or WR) ...

In an effort to get things going, I have come up with a couple props (all of which are totally negotiable) ...

Felicia - How about the SF DEF for Jamal Lewis or J. Cotchery?

Wes - SF DEF/Collins for Delhomme?

Demmel - SF DEF for any one of your RBs?

Just a starting point ... Lets talk

Ebo

FFL Week 4 in Review

Da Schwam ended up a very poor 1-3 this weekend (7-9 in 2009 ... UUUGGGHHH) ... I went 7-7 in my Weekly Pick 'Em game (which I am playing "against the spread" & am still in the 96th percentile) ... I also went "All-in" on the Niners this weekend ... Picked up & started Coffee & SF D; Picked them to cover in my Pick 'Em game; And SF (over STL) was my Eliminator Pick this weekend.

And now, onto "10 Things that made me go HURM" ...

1) It appears that I cannot win a fantasy match unless I am the weekend's high-score ... Who can I blame for my ridiculous FFL schedule?!?! ;)

2) Some good news for Burton ... Crabtree is in the Bay for contract talks! Here's hoping!

3) WHAT A DERBY MATCH!!!! Talk about exciting until the end! The Raiders pull-out the "W" on GB's final drive last night ... Braylon & JJ killed Snapp this weekend. Wes was able to survive this battle of attrition to remain atop his division.

4) Chad's SoCal Strikers remain undefeated & now hold a 2-game lead in his division ... Forte is finally rounding into form and if this squad gets a viable RB2, this squad is gonna be scary come playoff time.

5) J$, on the other hand, seems to be heading in the opposite direction ... Get ready for a beatdown in Week 5!

6) "Pop the champagne!" ... Finally, a win for Felicia and her "mutha" Phockers!

7) Meanwhile, Mad Dog returns to his fantasy ways with a crushing loss to an 0-3 franchise ... Building your fantasy team around Henne & Quinn! AWESOME!!! :P

8) I will give props to Gellis for the pickups of MSW & "the other, but playing well enough to be the original" Steve Smith.

9) OK, so I think I need to re-adjust my FFL Power Rankings ... I don't think I can justify that Demmel has the strongest fantasy squad, when the Demmelitions are 1-3 and in last place.

10) As far as I can tell, one's division record does not mean anything ... Overall Pts is the first tiebreaker (both inter & intra-division)

That's all I got to say for now ...

Tha Commish