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