Friday, September 19, 2008

I'm back! (Sort of...)

Who knew it would take so damn long to get the "internets" out here? Anyway, starting Monday, I'll be back with regular posts. Until then, I thought I'd pass this along.




P.S. It's sunny and 80 everyday...

All Aboard the GUS BUS!


This is the state of the NFL in 2008. The San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Minnesota Vikings are 0-2. The Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and Arizona Cardinals are 2-0. The Seahawks have lost so many WRs they just signed/traded for Koren Robinson and Keary Colbert. Tom Brady is gone, Peyton Manning has played one quarter of effective football, Kyle Orton is a starting quarterback, and a team with Super Bowl aspirations just put Gus Frerotte in the starting lineup. I'm having fun, how about you?

Let me just say I actually support the Gus Bus. He's not great, but he's also not going to cost them games like Tavarius already has. He'll hold down the fort and let that running game and defense do their thing. I know this analogy is overused, but he'll be like Trent Dilfer for that Ravens team in 2000 or Brad Johnson for the Bucs in '02. Speaking of which, why didn't they just keep Brad Johnson? Anyway... here's this week's picks.

Cheifs @ Falcons (-4.5)
Tyler Thigpen, that's all I need to say. Must be odd for Atlanta to play a game where their QB is CLEARLY better.
Prediction: Falcons, 24-10
Fantasy Love: The Burner, Dwayne Bowe, Roddy White
Fantasy Hate: Larry Johnson, either QB

Raiders @ Bills (-7.5)
The Raiders are garbage and Trent Edwards is hitting his stride. The Bills D-Line should cause troubles for the Raider passing game, as if they needed any help. In Buffalo, this should be an easy one.
Prediction: Bills, 27-14
Fantasy Love: Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, Run DMC
Fantasy Hate: Jamarcus Russel, Ronald Curry

Bucs @ Bears (-3)
It's weird... I really like the concept of Tampa Bay this year, but whenever I look at their individual players, I am wholly uninspired. Whatever, I still think they're better than the Chicago, and will win this one in a close, low scoring game.
Prediction: Tampa Bay, 14-13
Fantasy Love: Earnest Graham, Matt Forte
Fantasy Hate: Kyle Orton, Brian Greise

Panthers @ Vikings (EVEN)
Carolina is 2-0, Minny is 0-2... I feel like each team is going to play closer to their true nature today and the Gus Bus will right the Vikings' ship. Look for Big Purple's running game to keep the Panters pass rush on their heels, and for Delhomme to have his worst game so far this year.
Prediction: Minnesota, 21-17
Fantasy Love: Purple Jesus, Bernard Berrian, DeAngelo Williams, Steve Smith
Fantasy Hate: Jake Delhomme, Sidney Rice

Dolphins @ Patriots (-10.5)
There are a lot of great matchups this week. Unfortunately I won't see many of them because I'll be at this game. It's pretty bad when Brady's out and you're still a double-digit underdog to the Pats. I agree with Kate that they'll let Cassel air it out this week and see what he can do. Fantasy owners of Randy Moss... hold your breath...
Predition: Patriots win, 23-10
Fantasy Love: Sammy Morris, Wes Welker, Matt Cassel
Fantasy Hate: Ricky Brown, Ronnie Williams, anybody in teal

Bengals @ Giants (-11)
Wow, I know this was obvious a while ago, but both defending Conference Champions couldn't have asked for an easier first 3 weeks to open the year. Carson Palmer's knees + Giants defensive front = not good for business. What's sad is we're going to have to wait until Week 8 until the Giants play a defense that can make Eli Manning look bad.
Prediction: Giants win, 34-20
Fantasy Love: Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Jacobs, Housh
Fantasy Hate: Carson Palmer, Chris Perry, Amani Toomer

Texans @ Titans (-4.5)
I think Tennessee is the better team, but the Texans are fresh from an unexpected week off and have the kind of defensive front that will leave less running lanes open for Chris Johnson and get in the face of the immobile Kerry Collins. Matt Schaub will have to work the deep ball to stretch the defense out, but I'd suggest he stays away from Cortland Finnegan, who already has 3 picks and 4 passes defended.
Prediction: Houston, 21-17
Fantasy Love: Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, Chris Johnson
Fantasy Hate: Kerry Collins, Justin McCareins, Lendale White, Ahman Green

Cardinals @ Redskins (-1)
You know what? Screw it, I'm going to go with the Cards here. Kurt Warner is playing like he has an HGH feeding tube, and although they're not quite as bad, it's not like Warshington (as McCain would say) is a huge step up in difficulty from the 49ers and Dolphins. It's hard to find a road team to like this week, so I'm going to back a road team I'm not necessarily in love with. Also, Jason Campbell... I'm not sold.
Prediction: Arizona, 28-17
Fantasy Love: Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Clinton Portis
Fantasy Hate: Jason Campbell, Edgerrin James, Antwan Randel-El

Lions @ 49ers (-3)
Oh god, Oh god, who really cares about Mike Martz anymore. He isn't relevant, please stop talking about him. Stop saying that because he coached in Detroit last year that he understands their defense at all. Mike Martz doesn't believe in defense so he wasn't in on those meetings. Also, both of these teams suck. Count me out for watching this one.
Prediction: Hell, I dunno, San Fran? Let's say, 31-21? Whatever
Fantasy Love: Frank Gore, I guess? Maybe Bryant Johnson?
Fantasy Hate: Kevin Smith, Arnaz Battle (sorry Kate)

Rams @ Seahawks (-6.5)
Seriously, we have not had a single road favorite so far. Anyway, after last week where I didn't even know Seattle lost until like Wednesday, it's safe to say I'm not watching the NFC West closely. Still, I don't see them going 0-2 in the division. Plus the Rams are horrible. Old friend come new again Koren Robinson (henceforth known as Ko-Rob) will surely lead my fantasy team the Seahawks to a righteous victory.
Prediction: Seattle, 31-13
Fantasy Love: Koren Robinson, Matt Hasselbeck, Orange Julius, Torry Holt
Fantasy Hate: Stephen Jackson, Dane Looker, Keary Colbert

Saints @ Broncos (-6)
Another game where I'm kind of going against my gut to even out my home/road picks. Also, I don't think the Broncos are as good as they've looked so far. Their passing game will still do work, but the Saints will light them up.
Prediction: Saints, 34-27
Fantasy Love: Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Devery Henderson, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall
Fantasy Hate: David Patten, Any single Broncos RB

Steelers @ Eagles (EVEN)
Here's one of the juiciest games of the week... the battle for Pennsylvania. Now usually my AFC-bias would make me go for the boys in yellow here, but the Eagles actually look kind of scary-good. It's not a confident pick, but I think McNabb continues to play out of his mind and Westbrook busts loose again, while Willie Parker has a hard time and the Big Ben doesn't quite keep up. I expect a game just as exciting as last Monday Night.
Prediction: Eagles win, 37-34
Fantasy Love: McNabb, Westbrook, Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, DeSean Jackson
Fantasy Hate: Willie Parker, Hank Baskett, Santonio Holmes

Jaguars @ Colts (-4)
This was supposed to be a wrestle for power in the AFC South, but instead is a matchup of one team that's reeling and another who's lucky to be 1-1. I told you before the season that Garrard would struggle, and he's complied with 3 picks and 8 sacks in his first 2 games. I really don't see why people think Jerry Porter will help right the ship, but MJD and Fred Taylor should see more running lanes in this game than they've had so far. Still, I think Peyton will carry over from his strong second half last week while playing at home.
Prediction: Colts win, 27-17
Fantasy Love: Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, MJD
Fantasy Hate: David Garrard, Jerry Porter, Joseph Addai

Browns @ Ravens (+1.5)
Finally! Our first road favorite! I actually think they'll represent it well, too. I'll agree with Kate that they're way overhyped compared to their output, but I still think this will be a good week for them.
Prediction: Browns win, 24-13
Fantasy Love: Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow
Fantasy Hate: Willis McGahee, Jamal Lewis

Cowboys @ Packers (+1.5)
The Cowboys are arguably the best team in the NFL, and the Packers are arguably one of the most pleasant surprises. The Cheesheads are starting to realize their team wasn't just good because of #4, they're actually very explosive on offense without him. Speaking of explosive, have you seen Terrell Owens yet this year? Both of these teams can light it up, and I expect nothing less under the bright lights this week.
Prediction: Cowboys win, 34-31
Fantasy Love: Romo, Owens, MBIII, Witten, Rodgers, Jennings, Driver, Grant... should I go on?
Fantasy Hate: Brandon Jackson (not yet), Donald Lee

Jets @ Chargers (-5.5)
I think something is wrong with the Chargers. They've lost two wacky games after leading in the final minute, I think there might be a curse. There's only one solution, hype this song up way more. Play it after the coin toss. After every first down. Play it during all TV timeouts. It's your only hope. Oh, or play the Jets (who stink). We are about to see the rule of Favre being good on Monday Night broken.
Prediction: Chargers take it, 24-20 (with Bretty throwing a last second INT in the endzone).
Fantasy Love: Ladanian Tomlinson (duh), Phil Rivers, Chris Chambers, Thomas Jones
Fantasy Hate: Brett Favre, Girl Parts, Vincent Jackson

Good luck to all, and remember... I suck at this!
Last Week: 10-5
Season: 17-14

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Black Thursday

Lots of sad news to report:

Item 1: Chicks league team is now a disappointing 0-2.. 11th of 12 overall. Things are not going well, so shakeups have to be made, which leads me to..

Item 2: Goodbye, Kenny Watson. I expected so much from you! What happened!? Chris Perry was supposed to be injured by now, allowing you to step in and save the Bengals season! Instead we had a pretty uneventful run in which you scored three total fantasy points, so your time with Team Katerade is over. Hopefully some other chick picks you up so you can go get your fantasy luggage stolen by her old running back.

Item 3: I am not at all proud of this, but desperate times... I entered the Battle Zone. The 49ers are up against the Lions this week, so I think he'll get lots of looks from O'CasualDiningRestaurant.

Item 4: Legit QB controversy this week, as I have Rodgers vs. Dallas or Roethlisberger vs. Philly. Right now I am leaning toward Big Ben because I am concerned Rodgers will not excel against an actual defense, but still on the fence. Input much appreciated!