Some last minute suggestions for those of you out there who are on the fence about players in week 1. Also, my week 1 predictions, for all you degenerate gamblers out there who have been waiting 9 months to get your fix. Happy betting!!
-Start Antonio Bryant. You may be saying-‘Who?’ But take heed. Bryant is starting opposite Joey Galloway for the Buccaneers. When he’s had a real quarterback, Bryant has been pretty good. Jeff Garcia borders on real quarterback. And he’ll be matched up with Jason David. He’s a no good.
-Don’t start Jake Delhomme. No Steve Smith means I don’t want to see you near my active roster.
-Start Matt Ryan. If you are in a 2 QB league. That’s very important to remember! Only in 2 QB leagues. You might not get many more opportunities to play him. The Lions stink.
-Don’t start Ryan Grant. Jared Allen is going to eat him with a nice slice of camembert. I also don’t like the fact that the Packers coaches are saying they want to limit Grant to 20 carries per game. What is this, JV?
-Start Dwayne Bowe. If there is anything that stinks about the Patriots, it’s their secondary. Ellis Hobbs? Seriously? The Chiefs are going to be down big and that means lots of passing.
Don’t start Edgerin James. It looks like a nice matchup, but I have a feeling Tim Hightower will be making more of an impact than most people are expecting. Edge’s 3 yards per carry is getting old.
Start Nate Burleson. Only because the Seattle WR corps is decimated. This week, they brought in John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner for tryouts. If the Seahawks win 2 road games this year, it will be a miracle. The division is there for the Cardinals to take.
Don’t start Reggie Brown or Williams. Bad week to be named Reggie.
Start Patrick Crayton at Cleveland. I guarantee you a touchdown…here it comes…get ready…IT’S IN THE BAG!!
Start Robert Meacham vs. TB. In the immortal words of Cletus of the Simpsons: “It’s my time to shine.”
Start Kevin Walter at Pittsburgh. While the Steelers blanket Andre Johnson with 5 guys, Walter will sneak in a garbage time score.
Start Anthony Fasano vs the Jets. Perfect for Pennington’s shortcomings.
Start Todd Heap vs. the Bengals. You don’t get many weeks where Heap is actually going to play. He’s listed as probable, so you should be safe. When he plays, he’s good…and the Bengals have Dhani Jones starting at linebacker. Good times.
Don’t start the Cowboys defense at Cleveland. Shootout on the horizon.
Start the Raiders defense vs. Denver. No Brandon Marshall. Plus, the Raiders D is much improved and could be this year’s surprise.
NFL Predictions
Detroit -4 at Atlanta
Buffalo Even vs. Seattle
Miami +4.5 vs. NY Jets
New England -13.5 vs. KC
New Orleans -4 vs. TB
Philadelphia -7 vs. St. Louis
Pittsburgh -7.5 vs. Houston
Tennessee +3.5 vs. Jacksonville
Baltimore +2.5 vs. Cincinnati
San Diego -6.5 vs. Carolina
Arizona -1 at San Francisco
Cleveland +6 vs. Dallas
Indianapolis -8 vs. Chicago
Oakland +1 vs. Denver
Minnesota Even at Green Bay
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
3 HOURS, LOADS OF INFO
On a glorious, 95 degree Autumn day, the NFL returned to us in all it’s splendor. I can only wonder how squishy the field at Giants Stadium was following the game, thanks to the 250 gallons of sweat that was poured onto it.
In just 3 short hours, we learned a lot, whether you think you did or not.
-Did you ever think you would see anything other than an act of God bring a pro football game to us at 7:00? Just goes to show what a Metrodome full of old, rich white guys can do.
-Also, why did the Twins have to go on a 2 week, 14 game road trip to accommodate a 4 day convention?
-The Redskins seriously need to rethink this whole Jason Campbell thing. Remember heading into the 2007 season when everyone had Campbell as their fantasy sleeper? Well, he keeps on hitting the snooze button. Despite a very strong supporting cast. A top notch backfield. A Pro-Bowl tight end. Two above average, veteran receivers. The weak link is obviously at QB. Campbell looked horrible last night.
-Not to kick a guy when he’s down, but the Redskins made the playoffs last year because of Todd Collins, not Campbell. The Skins were dead in the water 5-7 when Campbell got hurt. Collins won the final four games and drove them into the postseason. This past off-season, everyone hemmed and hawed about the Vikings, saying they would be a Super Bowl contender with a better QB. Well, how about the Redskins? Their next four games are home against New Orleans, home against the Cardinals, then at Dallas and at Philadelphia. 1-4 is realistic.
-Ahmad Bradshaw will be one of the most highly dropped players heading into week 2. Bradshaw was drafted in every league I am in. Derrick Ward was drafted in none. If Jacobs gets hurt, Bradshaw might turn into the number one guy. But until then, he’s Terry Bradshaw’s illegitimate love child returning kicks.
-When you are down two scores with two minutes left and you call a play that’s a bomb to James Thrash, you’re in deep doo-doo. Seriously, Santana Moss is 5’10 and ridiculously listed as 200 pounds. (must have been with pads and helmet on) He’s the fastest guy on the field. Just keep sending him deep!
-Before the year is out, Brandon Jacobs is going to hit somebody so hard that they mess their pants.
-Jim Zorn has obviously never been a head coach before--at any level. Maybe he’ll do better during day games when he can use the sun for clock management.
-Have you ever tried to explain fantasy football to your son or daughter? I was trying to tell my daughter how it’s okay for Brandon Jacobs to get lots of rushing yards, but at the same time, have the rest of the Giants dislocate their kneecaps.
“But daddy, you said the Giants are evil.”
“Yes, sweetie. I’m glad you were listening. They are all evil except for that guy. He needs to rush for 200 yards and score 3 times.”
Puzzled look ensues.
By the time she is 12, she’ll be the Doogie Howser of fantasy sports. I wonder if she can get a scholarship for that?
-I know the Giants won, but if you are a fan, you couldn’t have really liked what you saw out of Eli. He looked less like the guy who won the Super Bowl and more like the guy who has a career passer rating of 73.4 in the regular season.
-Plaxico went a lot lower in drafts than he should have, thus proving the old Allen Iverson adage, ‘Practice?’ Plax is a top 10 receiver and if you got him lower than that in your draft, consider yourself lucky.
-Can Ladell Betts file a grievance for lack of use? Derrick Ward 11 touches, Betts 2. What’s wrong with this picture?
-While we’re at it, Chris Cooley might want to start lobbying for Todd Collins….or else he can say bye-bye to that free trip to Hawaii in February.
In just 3 short hours, we learned a lot, whether you think you did or not.
-Did you ever think you would see anything other than an act of God bring a pro football game to us at 7:00? Just goes to show what a Metrodome full of old, rich white guys can do.
-Also, why did the Twins have to go on a 2 week, 14 game road trip to accommodate a 4 day convention?
-The Redskins seriously need to rethink this whole Jason Campbell thing. Remember heading into the 2007 season when everyone had Campbell as their fantasy sleeper? Well, he keeps on hitting the snooze button. Despite a very strong supporting cast. A top notch backfield. A Pro-Bowl tight end. Two above average, veteran receivers. The weak link is obviously at QB. Campbell looked horrible last night.
-Not to kick a guy when he’s down, but the Redskins made the playoffs last year because of Todd Collins, not Campbell. The Skins were dead in the water 5-7 when Campbell got hurt. Collins won the final four games and drove them into the postseason. This past off-season, everyone hemmed and hawed about the Vikings, saying they would be a Super Bowl contender with a better QB. Well, how about the Redskins? Their next four games are home against New Orleans, home against the Cardinals, then at Dallas and at Philadelphia. 1-4 is realistic.
-Ahmad Bradshaw will be one of the most highly dropped players heading into week 2. Bradshaw was drafted in every league I am in. Derrick Ward was drafted in none. If Jacobs gets hurt, Bradshaw might turn into the number one guy. But until then, he’s Terry Bradshaw’s illegitimate love child returning kicks.
-When you are down two scores with two minutes left and you call a play that’s a bomb to James Thrash, you’re in deep doo-doo. Seriously, Santana Moss is 5’10 and ridiculously listed as 200 pounds. (must have been with pads and helmet on) He’s the fastest guy on the field. Just keep sending him deep!
-Before the year is out, Brandon Jacobs is going to hit somebody so hard that they mess their pants.
-Jim Zorn has obviously never been a head coach before--at any level. Maybe he’ll do better during day games when he can use the sun for clock management.
-Have you ever tried to explain fantasy football to your son or daughter? I was trying to tell my daughter how it’s okay for Brandon Jacobs to get lots of rushing yards, but at the same time, have the rest of the Giants dislocate their kneecaps.
“But daddy, you said the Giants are evil.”
“Yes, sweetie. I’m glad you were listening. They are all evil except for that guy. He needs to rush for 200 yards and score 3 times.”
Puzzled look ensues.
By the time she is 12, she’ll be the Doogie Howser of fantasy sports. I wonder if she can get a scholarship for that?
-I know the Giants won, but if you are a fan, you couldn’t have really liked what you saw out of Eli. He looked less like the guy who won the Super Bowl and more like the guy who has a career passer rating of 73.4 in the regular season.
-Plaxico went a lot lower in drafts than he should have, thus proving the old Allen Iverson adage, ‘Practice?’ Plax is a top 10 receiver and if you got him lower than that in your draft, consider yourself lucky.
-Can Ladell Betts file a grievance for lack of use? Derrick Ward 11 touches, Betts 2. What’s wrong with this picture?
-While we’re at it, Chris Cooley might want to start lobbying for Todd Collins….or else he can say bye-bye to that free trip to Hawaii in February.
Friday, August 29, 2008
ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO
I fool myself every year heading into fantasy football drafts. While baseball drafts can be fairly predictable, football drafts always go screwy.
Read all the publications you want. Follow all the mock drafts you want. Compile a list based on ADP (Average Draft Position). No matter what, things will end up going haywire.
I took part in my first money draft this past weekend. As the reigning champ, I had bragging rights over everyone in the room, though based on the outcome of the draft, I don’t expect to make it two in a row.
Like almost all other nowadays, this was a keeper league, with owners allowed to protect two players from their previous year’s lineup. We are also allowed to trade future draft picks. That being the case, I didn’t have a first round pick this year, since I traded it late last season for Brian Westbrook.
The results and my spin on things: (each team’s keepers are listed in parentheses)
Round 1
1-Ziliani-(Marshawn Lynch, Jason Witten)-LaDanian Tomlinson
2-Olivo-(Fred Taylor, Tony Gonzalez)-Brian Westbrook
3-Gray-(David Garrard, Stephen Gostkowski?!?)-Tom Brady
4-Layton-(Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Grant)-Joseph Addai
5-Gartner-(Adrian Peterson, Braylon Edwards)-Tony Romo
6-Blum-(Michael Turner, Wes Welker)-Clinton Portis
7-Swartz-(Phillip Rivers, Shaun McDonald)-Steven Jackson
8-Babrisky-(Eli Manning, Jamal Lewis)-Randy Moss
9-Gartner-Maurice Jones Drew
10-Blum-Terrell Owens
As you can see, right out of the shoot, craziness ensued. Gray kept hollering that he didn’t want to take Addai at 3, but nobody believed him. He shocked the world and took Brady, making his keeper Garrard completely useless. I can’t even comment on the fact that he protected a kicker….it would be too easy.
Romo at 5 was another shock, considering a pairing of S-Jax and Peterson (the good one) would have been amazing. Also, Romo could have been had with his second first round pick at number 9, considering teams 7 and 8 already had quarterbacks protected. You need to look at these things Tom!
Portis going before Jackson was another surprise. I was afraid I would be stuck taking Portis with my first pick at 12…luckily, that didn’t come to be. Did I mention I hate Clinton Portis?
And then there is MJD. The touchdowns are nice, but taking a timeshare RB with the 9th overall pick…I just can’t give it my stamp of approval.
Round 2
11-Ziliani-Reggie Wayne
12-Me-(Matt Hasselback, Jeremy Shockey)-Marion Barber
13-Babrisky-Frank Gore
14-Swartz-Peyton Manning
15-Gartner-Larry Fitzgerald
16-Blum-Drew Brees
17-Layton-Marques Colston
18-Gray-Willis McGahee
19-Olivo-Andre Johnson
20-Ziliani-Chad Johnson
I’ll start with my pick….I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found I had a choice of Marion Barber or Frank Gore with the 12th overall pick!!! I end up choosing Barber only because the Dallas offense is SO much better than the Niners. The Boys are going to run Barber into the ground this year…and no, I’m not worried about Felix Jones. Barber is THE MAN and should have gone in the first round.
I worry about Fitzgerald, only because Matt Leinart stinks. When word broke that Kurt Warner was going to be the starter, I thought it was a good pick. Then word came that he’s not starting and that being the case, I would have taken Andre Johnson ahead of Fitz.
Bad news out of Cincy, as Ocho has a worse injury than originally thought. The Ziliani curse rears its ugly head. If you haven’t drafted yet, you might want to stay away from Tomlinson and Reggie Wayne as well. And anybody else listed under Ziliani throughout the rest of this draft. They are doomed.
Round 3
21-Ziliani-Carson Palmer
22-Olivo-TJ Houshmanzadeh
23-Gray-Willie Parker (oy)
24-Layton-Santonio Holmes
25-Blum-Anquan Boldin
26-Gartner-Larry Johnson
27-Blum-Thomas Jones
28-Gray-Plaxico Burress
29-Me-Brandon Jacobs
30-Worek-(Earnest Graham, Roddy White)-Laurence Maroney
Let’s start with Willie Parker….I think he’s a good guy to take a chance on. But with the 23rd overall pick, you shouldn’t be taking chances, you should be taking sure things.
Holmes is shooting up draft boards and so is Thomas Jones. Holmes I’m cool with, but Jones is a 30 year old RB who scored 2 total touchdowns last year. I know the Jets are better, but WOW. Even money says Leon Washington outperforms Jones this season.
Burress scares me because I could see the Super Bowl hangover really effecting him this season.
I’ve always been a sucker for Brandon Jacobs, mainly because he runs people over instead of running around them and I dig that. Him and I have close to the same dimensions, but I don’t fumble as much. Looking back, I should have gone WR, but I panicked. Still, a RB combo of Jacobs and Barber is alright with me.
Round 4
31-Worek-Torry Holt
32-Olivo-Marvin Harrison
33-Babrisky-Steve Smith
34-Swartz-Selvin Young
35-Gartner-Calvin Johnson
36-Blum-Roy Williams
37-Layton-Lavarneus Coles
38-Gray-Darren McFadden
39-Olivo-Donovan McNabb
40-Ziliani-Edgerrin James
The pizza has arrived and it’s the greasiest stuff I’ve ever seen. Does that stop me from scarfing down 4 slices?
I’d like to call this the round of guys I wouldn’t want anyway. It’s always nice when guys go off the board that you had no intention of going near. 8 of the ten in this round fall into that category.
Holt, Harrison and Smith were top 5 receivers last year and now here they are. Hanging with the Lavarneus Coles’ of the world. Depressing.
If you draft a Denver RB, you are a masochist. Seriously, is there ever a week where you are going to start Selvin Young and feel happy about it?
McFadden and McNabb are the two picks I liked….in fact, I was hoping McNabb would last until my next pick, but no such luck.
Justin Fargas signed a fat extension with the Raiders this offseason and then Al Davis goes and drafts McFadden. Any NFL team looking for a RB will be able to have Fargas in ’09, because he won’t be needed in Oaktown. McFadden is for real. But he still will be sharing categories at the outset, which stinks. Plus, I’ve heard he isn’t as good as people thought anyway. Shhhh.
Round 5
41-Ziliani-Jerricho Cotchery
42-Olivo-Derek Anderson
43-Gray-Anthony Gonzalez
44-Layton-Kevin Smith
45-Blum-Brandon Marshall
46-Blum-Antonio Gates
47-Swartz-Kellen Winslow
48-Babrisky-Matt Forte
49-Me-Greg Jennings
50-Worek-Jonathan Stewart
While round 4 was old guys, round 5 went young.
Ziliani is buying way too much into the Favre hype and reached for Cotchery.
Olivo drafted McNabb at 39 and then turns to Derek Anderson 3 picks later. Confusing.
Gates will finish the season closer to being the 10th best tight end than the 1st. You know what they say about the big toe.
Anthony Gonzalez shouldn’t have even sniffed the 5th round, but when Randy wants somebody, he goes after him. Too many number one receivers still out there to be taking a number 3.
Marshall might end up being the top receiver in the league this year. He’ll triple Gonzalez’s numbers, despite the suspension, which has been reduced to just one game.
I was desparate for a WR and Jennings was the best available. I know his success came with Favre…but he’s a third year receiver who’s improved each of his first two seasons. I can’t see him matching 12 TD’s, but I think he’ll see a bump in yardage.
I’d rather have Kevin Jones than Matt Forte.
Round 6
51-Worek-Jay Cutler
52-Me-Hines Ward
53-Babrisky-Reggie Bush
54-Swartz-Lee Evans
55-Gartner-Dwayne Bowe
56-Blum-Chris Cooley
57-Layton-Dallas Clark
58-Gray-Santana Moss
59-Olivo-Rudi Johnson
60-Ziliani-Nate Burleson
I’m disgusted with myself for taking Hines Ward. Let me just say that off the bat. But Pittsburgh is going to throw a lot….and Ward had 71 catches last year despite missing 3 and a half games. (I’m trying to convince myself it was a good pick)
Then comes Evans and Bowe. At least Hines has a real QB throwing him the ball.
The guy I should have taken was Santana Moss, who is going to be playing in a perfect scheme for his skill set.
The last two picks of the round don’t even warrant a comment.
Round 7
61-Ziliani-Brett Favre
62-Olivo-Chris Chambers
63-Gray-Joey Galloway
64-Layton-Bernard Berrian
65-Blum-Vikings D/ST
66-Gartner-Cowboys D/ST
67-Swartz-Reggie Brown
68-Babrisky-Ted Ginn
69-Me-Patrick Crayton
70-Worek-Lendale White
It was about the time of the Nate Burleson pick last round that I had to pay the piper for those four slices of pizza and five cups of coke. Needless to say, the bathroom at the Hamilton PBA Hall will never be the same again.
Here’s the funny thing. On the clock was Ziliani, in his newly minted, ‘hey look at me, I’m a frontrunner’, Brett Favre NY Jets jersey. It still smelled like Walmart. When I went into the men’s room, he was on the clock. When I came out, 10 minutes later, he was finally making his choice……Favre!!
If it takes you ten minutes to decide whether or not to draft the guy whose jersey you are wearing, something is amiss.
Round 7 should be called the round of average receivers. Chambers, Galloway, Berrian, Brown….they are all guys who end up starting for you, but you aren’t happy about it.
Maybe I was brainwashed by Hard Knocks, but I think Crayton makes the leap this year. His final numbers will be a lot closer to TO’s than people expect. You’ve been warned!
I liked Lendale White better when he was on ‘The Wire.’
Round 8
71-Worek-Heath Miller
72-Me-Ronnie Brown
73-Babrisky-Vernon Davis
74-Swartz-Reggie Williams
75-Gartner-DeAngelo Williams
76-Blum-Aaron Rodgers
77-Layton-Chris Johnson
78-Gray-Tony Scheffler
79-Olivo-Ahmad Bradshaw
80-Ziliani-Derrick Mason
I’ve got to be happy swiping Ronnie Brown in the 8th round, right?
This is about the time for you to be taking some chances and some owners did. Chris Johnson looks good in Tennessee.
Olivo is a Giants fan and he scared me when he took Bradshaw this early. Considering I have Jacobs, I’m hoping Bradshaw is an afterthought. Does the G-Men fan know something I don’t or is he just sickened by the fact that he owns both McNabb and Westbrook? Let’s hope he just felt the need to get some Big Blue blood on his squad.
I would also like to start a drive to ban Derrick Mason from all future fantasy football drafts….I hate him that much. At least he’s on the team of a guy in my division.
Round 9
81-Ziliani-Rashard Mendenhall
82-Olivo-Donte Stallworth
83-Gray-Jake Delhomme
84-Layton-Jason Campbell
85-Blum-Matt Leinart
86-Gartner-Matt Schaub
87-Swartz-Dominic Rhodes
88-Babrisky-Donald Driver
89-Me-Marc Bulger
90-Worek-Vincent Jackson
It’s the attack of the mediocre to below average quarterbacks!!
Gray was actually giddy when Delhomme ‘fell’ to him. Seriously….Jake has had reconstructive elbow surgery and he’s throwing to Muhshin Muhammed. Steve Smith is overrated.
Donald Driver was ‘that’ guy. All the rankings had him going much higher, but he just kept on falling. Like that last guy in the green room at the NFL draft. I started to feel sad for him.
Vincent Jackson….breakout candidate or perennial tease? You decide.
Round 10
91-Worek-Seahawks
92-Me-Kurt Warner
93-Babrisky-Chris Perry
94-Swartz-Jerry Porter
95-Gartner-Owen Daniels
96-Blum-Jaquars
97-Layton-Packers
98-Gray-Kevin Curtis
99-Olivo-Chargers
100-Ziliani-Patriots
News broke seconds before my selection that Warner would be the starter in Arizona. Sometimes, the internet is a bad thing.
Chris Perry is a tremendous pick in round 10, since he’ll be starting as long as he is healthy and Cincy always seems to supply it’s RB’s with scoring opportunities.
I heard Worek say the Seahawks, but I didn’t really believe it….until he put the sticker on the board. If you are missing picks in rounds 1 and 2, you can’t be taking a mediocre defense in round 10.
Pick 100 and I finally like a selection from Ziliani. The Pats schedule is cake and their defense gives you a ton of big plays. I’d definitely take them over GB, Seattle and the Cowboys.
Round 11
101-Ziliani-Jon Kitna
102-Olivo-Jeff Garcia
103-Gray-Deuce McAllister
104-Layton-Ben Utecht
105-Blum-Rob Bironas
106-Gartner-Jamarcus Russell
107-Swartz-Leon Washington
108-Babrisky-Justin Gage
109-Me-DJ Hackett
110-Worek-Nick Folk
Look at this motley crew of draft picks. Tell me one guy out of this 10 that you would come away saying you were excited to have on your team.
For some reason the Justin Gage selection resounded in a chorus of ‘ooh, nice pick.’ And they sounded serious.
With his 9th selection Worek takes a kicker to go along with his lousy D/ST.
DJ Hackett has had the label of breakout guy since I was in grade school. Maybe this year. Yeah, maybe this year.
Jamarcus Russell can throw a football 50 yards from his knees. He can also eat 50 yards worth of Italian hoagie in 10 minutes flat.
Round 12
111-Worek-Robert Meacham
112-Me-Bears
113-Babrisky-Kyle Orton
114-Swartz-Randy McMichael
115-Gartner-Adam Vinatieri
116-Gartner-LJ Smith
117-Layton-James Hardy
118-Gray-Donald Lee
119-Olivo-Todd Heap
120-Ziliani-Zach Miller
Hate to pick on Worek, but his last three picks have been Seattle, Nick Folk and Robert Meacham.
Remember the last two year, when people were selecting the Bears D/ST in like the 4th round? Now, suddenly, they are the 8th best? Last time I checked, Devin Hester was still on the team. As was Brian Urlacher.
Now James Hardy….that’s the kind of pick I like to see. Not some old retread who really has no chance of doing anything out of the ordinary (see DJ Hackett), but a young guy who might go for 1000 yards. He might also go for 250 yards on 12 catches. But I like the forward thinking. Nick pick Layton.
That’s a whole lot of lousy TE going in round 12. Sandwiched around the worst beard in the NFL, Kyle Orton. Moving on.
Round 13
121-Ziliani-Nate Kaeding
122-Olivo-Mason Crosby
123-Gray-Colts
124-Layton-Robbie Gould
125-Blum-Shayne Graham
126-Gartner-Eagles
127-Swartz-Ravens
128-Babrisky-Vince Young
129-Me-Antonio Bryant
130-Worek-Devin Hester
Back to back QB picks by Babrisky. Kyle Orton followed by Vince Young. Anybody with a QB to spare, I’ve got Babrisky’s number for you.
Kicker run!!!! Never a good time.
I love me some Antonio Bryant. Think Reggie Wayne, with not as good hands, a gay quarterback, and a big mouth. Which kind of makes them a match made in heaven. Seriously, Bryant can have a big year.
Round 14
131-Worek-Trent Edwards
132-Me-Josh Brown
133-Babrisky-Neil Rackers
134-Swartz-Ryan Longwell
135-Gartner-Sidney Rice
136-Layton-Chad Pennington
137-Gray-David Akers
138-Olivo-Giants
139-Ziliani-Josh Scobee
Before you persecute me, I took a kicker before my last RB because I was the only team left who needed an RB, thus I knew I had my choice later on.
Remember how many points Jeff Wilkins used to put up? Well, Josh Brown is a lot better than him and that was while kicking in Sasquatch Territory.
The Sidney Rice pick drew some ooh’s, but I’ve got better hands than him.
David Akers was 1-10 on FG’s over 40 yards last year. I love the guy, but he’s cooked. Shouldn’t even be drafted.
Round 15
140-Ziliani-Bills
141-Olivo-Kris Brown
142-Gray-Buccaneers
143-Layton-Steelers
144-Gartner-Mike Nugent
145-Swartz-Jim Sorgi
146-Babrisky-Kevin Boss
147-Me-Alge Crumpler
148-Worek-Troy Smith
Get your QB’s early or else you’ll be stuck with the Troy Smith’s and Kyle Orton’s of the world. Just a warning.
Alge Crumpler, if he can stay on the field, will have a top 10 year. The system in Nashville floods the tight end with balls and Alge can catch. He just can’t run that much anymore.
Round 16
149-Worek-Greg Olsen
150-Me-Raiders
151-Babrisky-Texans
152-Swartz-Jason Hanson
153-Layton-Phil Dawson
Round 17
154-Layton-Phil Dawson
155-Swartz-Titans
156-Babrisky-Cardinals
157-Me-Brandon Coutu
158-Worek-Jeff Reed
Round 18
159-Worek-Panthers
160-Me-Felix Jones
161-Babrisky-Matt Stover
Very few players of consequence these last three rounds. I saved Felix Jones for last, even though there were a lot of RB’s still around. Call it my MB3 insurance.
Also, if looking for a sleeper defense, check out the Raiders. They were pretty good already last year and then they added Gibril Wilson and DeAngelo Hall this offseason. You could do a lot worse as many of these draftees have pointed out.
In the end, my roster looks like this:
QB1-Matt Hasselback
QB2-Marc Bulger
QB3-Kurt Warner
RB1-Marion Barber III
RB2-Brandon Jacobs
RB3-Ronnie Brown
RB4-Felix Jones
WR1-Greg Jennings
WR2-Hines Ward
WR3-Patrick Crayton
WR4-DJ Hackett
WR5-Antonio Bryant
TE1-Jeremy Shockey
TE2-Alge Crumpler
K1-Josh Brown
K2-Brandon Coutou
D1-Bears
D2-Raiders
Yeah, it stinks, I know. But who won it all last year? That’s what I thought.
Read all the publications you want. Follow all the mock drafts you want. Compile a list based on ADP (Average Draft Position). No matter what, things will end up going haywire.
I took part in my first money draft this past weekend. As the reigning champ, I had bragging rights over everyone in the room, though based on the outcome of the draft, I don’t expect to make it two in a row.
Like almost all other nowadays, this was a keeper league, with owners allowed to protect two players from their previous year’s lineup. We are also allowed to trade future draft picks. That being the case, I didn’t have a first round pick this year, since I traded it late last season for Brian Westbrook.
The results and my spin on things: (each team’s keepers are listed in parentheses)
Round 1
1-Ziliani-(Marshawn Lynch, Jason Witten)-LaDanian Tomlinson
2-Olivo-(Fred Taylor, Tony Gonzalez)-Brian Westbrook
3-Gray-(David Garrard, Stephen Gostkowski?!?)-Tom Brady
4-Layton-(Ben Roethlisberger, Ryan Grant)-Joseph Addai
5-Gartner-(Adrian Peterson, Braylon Edwards)-Tony Romo
6-Blum-(Michael Turner, Wes Welker)-Clinton Portis
7-Swartz-(Phillip Rivers, Shaun McDonald)-Steven Jackson
8-Babrisky-(Eli Manning, Jamal Lewis)-Randy Moss
9-Gartner-Maurice Jones Drew
10-Blum-Terrell Owens
As you can see, right out of the shoot, craziness ensued. Gray kept hollering that he didn’t want to take Addai at 3, but nobody believed him. He shocked the world and took Brady, making his keeper Garrard completely useless. I can’t even comment on the fact that he protected a kicker….it would be too easy.
Romo at 5 was another shock, considering a pairing of S-Jax and Peterson (the good one) would have been amazing. Also, Romo could have been had with his second first round pick at number 9, considering teams 7 and 8 already had quarterbacks protected. You need to look at these things Tom!
Portis going before Jackson was another surprise. I was afraid I would be stuck taking Portis with my first pick at 12…luckily, that didn’t come to be. Did I mention I hate Clinton Portis?
And then there is MJD. The touchdowns are nice, but taking a timeshare RB with the 9th overall pick…I just can’t give it my stamp of approval.
Round 2
11-Ziliani-Reggie Wayne
12-Me-(Matt Hasselback, Jeremy Shockey)-Marion Barber
13-Babrisky-Frank Gore
14-Swartz-Peyton Manning
15-Gartner-Larry Fitzgerald
16-Blum-Drew Brees
17-Layton-Marques Colston
18-Gray-Willis McGahee
19-Olivo-Andre Johnson
20-Ziliani-Chad Johnson
I’ll start with my pick….I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found I had a choice of Marion Barber or Frank Gore with the 12th overall pick!!! I end up choosing Barber only because the Dallas offense is SO much better than the Niners. The Boys are going to run Barber into the ground this year…and no, I’m not worried about Felix Jones. Barber is THE MAN and should have gone in the first round.
I worry about Fitzgerald, only because Matt Leinart stinks. When word broke that Kurt Warner was going to be the starter, I thought it was a good pick. Then word came that he’s not starting and that being the case, I would have taken Andre Johnson ahead of Fitz.
Bad news out of Cincy, as Ocho has a worse injury than originally thought. The Ziliani curse rears its ugly head. If you haven’t drafted yet, you might want to stay away from Tomlinson and Reggie Wayne as well. And anybody else listed under Ziliani throughout the rest of this draft. They are doomed.
Round 3
21-Ziliani-Carson Palmer
22-Olivo-TJ Houshmanzadeh
23-Gray-Willie Parker (oy)
24-Layton-Santonio Holmes
25-Blum-Anquan Boldin
26-Gartner-Larry Johnson
27-Blum-Thomas Jones
28-Gray-Plaxico Burress
29-Me-Brandon Jacobs
30-Worek-(Earnest Graham, Roddy White)-Laurence Maroney
Let’s start with Willie Parker….I think he’s a good guy to take a chance on. But with the 23rd overall pick, you shouldn’t be taking chances, you should be taking sure things.
Holmes is shooting up draft boards and so is Thomas Jones. Holmes I’m cool with, but Jones is a 30 year old RB who scored 2 total touchdowns last year. I know the Jets are better, but WOW. Even money says Leon Washington outperforms Jones this season.
Burress scares me because I could see the Super Bowl hangover really effecting him this season.
I’ve always been a sucker for Brandon Jacobs, mainly because he runs people over instead of running around them and I dig that. Him and I have close to the same dimensions, but I don’t fumble as much. Looking back, I should have gone WR, but I panicked. Still, a RB combo of Jacobs and Barber is alright with me.
Round 4
31-Worek-Torry Holt
32-Olivo-Marvin Harrison
33-Babrisky-Steve Smith
34-Swartz-Selvin Young
35-Gartner-Calvin Johnson
36-Blum-Roy Williams
37-Layton-Lavarneus Coles
38-Gray-Darren McFadden
39-Olivo-Donovan McNabb
40-Ziliani-Edgerrin James
The pizza has arrived and it’s the greasiest stuff I’ve ever seen. Does that stop me from scarfing down 4 slices?
I’d like to call this the round of guys I wouldn’t want anyway. It’s always nice when guys go off the board that you had no intention of going near. 8 of the ten in this round fall into that category.
Holt, Harrison and Smith were top 5 receivers last year and now here they are. Hanging with the Lavarneus Coles’ of the world. Depressing.
If you draft a Denver RB, you are a masochist. Seriously, is there ever a week where you are going to start Selvin Young and feel happy about it?
McFadden and McNabb are the two picks I liked….in fact, I was hoping McNabb would last until my next pick, but no such luck.
Justin Fargas signed a fat extension with the Raiders this offseason and then Al Davis goes and drafts McFadden. Any NFL team looking for a RB will be able to have Fargas in ’09, because he won’t be needed in Oaktown. McFadden is for real. But he still will be sharing categories at the outset, which stinks. Plus, I’ve heard he isn’t as good as people thought anyway. Shhhh.
Round 5
41-Ziliani-Jerricho Cotchery
42-Olivo-Derek Anderson
43-Gray-Anthony Gonzalez
44-Layton-Kevin Smith
45-Blum-Brandon Marshall
46-Blum-Antonio Gates
47-Swartz-Kellen Winslow
48-Babrisky-Matt Forte
49-Me-Greg Jennings
50-Worek-Jonathan Stewart
While round 4 was old guys, round 5 went young.
Ziliani is buying way too much into the Favre hype and reached for Cotchery.
Olivo drafted McNabb at 39 and then turns to Derek Anderson 3 picks later. Confusing.
Gates will finish the season closer to being the 10th best tight end than the 1st. You know what they say about the big toe.
Anthony Gonzalez shouldn’t have even sniffed the 5th round, but when Randy wants somebody, he goes after him. Too many number one receivers still out there to be taking a number 3.
Marshall might end up being the top receiver in the league this year. He’ll triple Gonzalez’s numbers, despite the suspension, which has been reduced to just one game.
I was desparate for a WR and Jennings was the best available. I know his success came with Favre…but he’s a third year receiver who’s improved each of his first two seasons. I can’t see him matching 12 TD’s, but I think he’ll see a bump in yardage.
I’d rather have Kevin Jones than Matt Forte.
Round 6
51-Worek-Jay Cutler
52-Me-Hines Ward
53-Babrisky-Reggie Bush
54-Swartz-Lee Evans
55-Gartner-Dwayne Bowe
56-Blum-Chris Cooley
57-Layton-Dallas Clark
58-Gray-Santana Moss
59-Olivo-Rudi Johnson
60-Ziliani-Nate Burleson
I’m disgusted with myself for taking Hines Ward. Let me just say that off the bat. But Pittsburgh is going to throw a lot….and Ward had 71 catches last year despite missing 3 and a half games. (I’m trying to convince myself it was a good pick)
Then comes Evans and Bowe. At least Hines has a real QB throwing him the ball.
The guy I should have taken was Santana Moss, who is going to be playing in a perfect scheme for his skill set.
The last two picks of the round don’t even warrant a comment.
Round 7
61-Ziliani-Brett Favre
62-Olivo-Chris Chambers
63-Gray-Joey Galloway
64-Layton-Bernard Berrian
65-Blum-Vikings D/ST
66-Gartner-Cowboys D/ST
67-Swartz-Reggie Brown
68-Babrisky-Ted Ginn
69-Me-Patrick Crayton
70-Worek-Lendale White
It was about the time of the Nate Burleson pick last round that I had to pay the piper for those four slices of pizza and five cups of coke. Needless to say, the bathroom at the Hamilton PBA Hall will never be the same again.
Here’s the funny thing. On the clock was Ziliani, in his newly minted, ‘hey look at me, I’m a frontrunner’, Brett Favre NY Jets jersey. It still smelled like Walmart. When I went into the men’s room, he was on the clock. When I came out, 10 minutes later, he was finally making his choice……Favre!!
If it takes you ten minutes to decide whether or not to draft the guy whose jersey you are wearing, something is amiss.
Round 7 should be called the round of average receivers. Chambers, Galloway, Berrian, Brown….they are all guys who end up starting for you, but you aren’t happy about it.
Maybe I was brainwashed by Hard Knocks, but I think Crayton makes the leap this year. His final numbers will be a lot closer to TO’s than people expect. You’ve been warned!
I liked Lendale White better when he was on ‘The Wire.’
Round 8
71-Worek-Heath Miller
72-Me-Ronnie Brown
73-Babrisky-Vernon Davis
74-Swartz-Reggie Williams
75-Gartner-DeAngelo Williams
76-Blum-Aaron Rodgers
77-Layton-Chris Johnson
78-Gray-Tony Scheffler
79-Olivo-Ahmad Bradshaw
80-Ziliani-Derrick Mason
I’ve got to be happy swiping Ronnie Brown in the 8th round, right?
This is about the time for you to be taking some chances and some owners did. Chris Johnson looks good in Tennessee.
Olivo is a Giants fan and he scared me when he took Bradshaw this early. Considering I have Jacobs, I’m hoping Bradshaw is an afterthought. Does the G-Men fan know something I don’t or is he just sickened by the fact that he owns both McNabb and Westbrook? Let’s hope he just felt the need to get some Big Blue blood on his squad.
I would also like to start a drive to ban Derrick Mason from all future fantasy football drafts….I hate him that much. At least he’s on the team of a guy in my division.
Round 9
81-Ziliani-Rashard Mendenhall
82-Olivo-Donte Stallworth
83-Gray-Jake Delhomme
84-Layton-Jason Campbell
85-Blum-Matt Leinart
86-Gartner-Matt Schaub
87-Swartz-Dominic Rhodes
88-Babrisky-Donald Driver
89-Me-Marc Bulger
90-Worek-Vincent Jackson
It’s the attack of the mediocre to below average quarterbacks!!
Gray was actually giddy when Delhomme ‘fell’ to him. Seriously….Jake has had reconstructive elbow surgery and he’s throwing to Muhshin Muhammed. Steve Smith is overrated.
Donald Driver was ‘that’ guy. All the rankings had him going much higher, but he just kept on falling. Like that last guy in the green room at the NFL draft. I started to feel sad for him.
Vincent Jackson….breakout candidate or perennial tease? You decide.
Round 10
91-Worek-Seahawks
92-Me-Kurt Warner
93-Babrisky-Chris Perry
94-Swartz-Jerry Porter
95-Gartner-Owen Daniels
96-Blum-Jaquars
97-Layton-Packers
98-Gray-Kevin Curtis
99-Olivo-Chargers
100-Ziliani-Patriots
News broke seconds before my selection that Warner would be the starter in Arizona. Sometimes, the internet is a bad thing.
Chris Perry is a tremendous pick in round 10, since he’ll be starting as long as he is healthy and Cincy always seems to supply it’s RB’s with scoring opportunities.
I heard Worek say the Seahawks, but I didn’t really believe it….until he put the sticker on the board. If you are missing picks in rounds 1 and 2, you can’t be taking a mediocre defense in round 10.
Pick 100 and I finally like a selection from Ziliani. The Pats schedule is cake and their defense gives you a ton of big plays. I’d definitely take them over GB, Seattle and the Cowboys.
Round 11
101-Ziliani-Jon Kitna
102-Olivo-Jeff Garcia
103-Gray-Deuce McAllister
104-Layton-Ben Utecht
105-Blum-Rob Bironas
106-Gartner-Jamarcus Russell
107-Swartz-Leon Washington
108-Babrisky-Justin Gage
109-Me-DJ Hackett
110-Worek-Nick Folk
Look at this motley crew of draft picks. Tell me one guy out of this 10 that you would come away saying you were excited to have on your team.
For some reason the Justin Gage selection resounded in a chorus of ‘ooh, nice pick.’ And they sounded serious.
With his 9th selection Worek takes a kicker to go along with his lousy D/ST.
DJ Hackett has had the label of breakout guy since I was in grade school. Maybe this year. Yeah, maybe this year.
Jamarcus Russell can throw a football 50 yards from his knees. He can also eat 50 yards worth of Italian hoagie in 10 minutes flat.
Round 12
111-Worek-Robert Meacham
112-Me-Bears
113-Babrisky-Kyle Orton
114-Swartz-Randy McMichael
115-Gartner-Adam Vinatieri
116-Gartner-LJ Smith
117-Layton-James Hardy
118-Gray-Donald Lee
119-Olivo-Todd Heap
120-Ziliani-Zach Miller
Hate to pick on Worek, but his last three picks have been Seattle, Nick Folk and Robert Meacham.
Remember the last two year, when people were selecting the Bears D/ST in like the 4th round? Now, suddenly, they are the 8th best? Last time I checked, Devin Hester was still on the team. As was Brian Urlacher.
Now James Hardy….that’s the kind of pick I like to see. Not some old retread who really has no chance of doing anything out of the ordinary (see DJ Hackett), but a young guy who might go for 1000 yards. He might also go for 250 yards on 12 catches. But I like the forward thinking. Nick pick Layton.
That’s a whole lot of lousy TE going in round 12. Sandwiched around the worst beard in the NFL, Kyle Orton. Moving on.
Round 13
121-Ziliani-Nate Kaeding
122-Olivo-Mason Crosby
123-Gray-Colts
124-Layton-Robbie Gould
125-Blum-Shayne Graham
126-Gartner-Eagles
127-Swartz-Ravens
128-Babrisky-Vince Young
129-Me-Antonio Bryant
130-Worek-Devin Hester
Back to back QB picks by Babrisky. Kyle Orton followed by Vince Young. Anybody with a QB to spare, I’ve got Babrisky’s number for you.
Kicker run!!!! Never a good time.
I love me some Antonio Bryant. Think Reggie Wayne, with not as good hands, a gay quarterback, and a big mouth. Which kind of makes them a match made in heaven. Seriously, Bryant can have a big year.
Round 14
131-Worek-Trent Edwards
132-Me-Josh Brown
133-Babrisky-Neil Rackers
134-Swartz-Ryan Longwell
135-Gartner-Sidney Rice
136-Layton-Chad Pennington
137-Gray-David Akers
138-Olivo-Giants
139-Ziliani-Josh Scobee
Before you persecute me, I took a kicker before my last RB because I was the only team left who needed an RB, thus I knew I had my choice later on.
Remember how many points Jeff Wilkins used to put up? Well, Josh Brown is a lot better than him and that was while kicking in Sasquatch Territory.
The Sidney Rice pick drew some ooh’s, but I’ve got better hands than him.
David Akers was 1-10 on FG’s over 40 yards last year. I love the guy, but he’s cooked. Shouldn’t even be drafted.
Round 15
140-Ziliani-Bills
141-Olivo-Kris Brown
142-Gray-Buccaneers
143-Layton-Steelers
144-Gartner-Mike Nugent
145-Swartz-Jim Sorgi
146-Babrisky-Kevin Boss
147-Me-Alge Crumpler
148-Worek-Troy Smith
Get your QB’s early or else you’ll be stuck with the Troy Smith’s and Kyle Orton’s of the world. Just a warning.
Alge Crumpler, if he can stay on the field, will have a top 10 year. The system in Nashville floods the tight end with balls and Alge can catch. He just can’t run that much anymore.
Round 16
149-Worek-Greg Olsen
150-Me-Raiders
151-Babrisky-Texans
152-Swartz-Jason Hanson
153-Layton-Phil Dawson
Round 17
154-Layton-Phil Dawson
155-Swartz-Titans
156-Babrisky-Cardinals
157-Me-Brandon Coutu
158-Worek-Jeff Reed
Round 18
159-Worek-Panthers
160-Me-Felix Jones
161-Babrisky-Matt Stover
Very few players of consequence these last three rounds. I saved Felix Jones for last, even though there were a lot of RB’s still around. Call it my MB3 insurance.
Also, if looking for a sleeper defense, check out the Raiders. They were pretty good already last year and then they added Gibril Wilson and DeAngelo Hall this offseason. You could do a lot worse as many of these draftees have pointed out.
In the end, my roster looks like this:
QB1-Matt Hasselback
QB2-Marc Bulger
QB3-Kurt Warner
RB1-Marion Barber III
RB2-Brandon Jacobs
RB3-Ronnie Brown
RB4-Felix Jones
WR1-Greg Jennings
WR2-Hines Ward
WR3-Patrick Crayton
WR4-DJ Hackett
WR5-Antonio Bryant
TE1-Jeremy Shockey
TE2-Alge Crumpler
K1-Josh Brown
K2-Brandon Coutou
D1-Bears
D2-Raiders
Yeah, it stinks, I know. But who won it all last year? That’s what I thought.
Friday, August 22, 2008
YEA OR NAY FOR AUGUST 22ND
I’ve always had a hard time preparing for fantasy football drafts, thanks in part to fantasy baseball.
After working and slaving over your baseball rosters for nearly five months, I’m always blown away by how many people simply drop out to focus on football. I love the NFL as much as anyone, but I can’t let that hard work go to waste…and my football teams are the ones who suffer for it.
But this year, I’m rededicating myself. My baseball squads are in pretty good order, all three in money contention. So I’ve been putting a little extra time into football, trying to come out ahead, instead of having to play from behind.
This week’s yea or nay will include words of wisdom from both baseball and football...remember, if you’re going to watch any preseason football, do it this weekend, when you’ll get the most bang for your buck. There are a ton of position battles still to be determined and this will likely be the weekend guys separate themselves.
YEA: Let’s start with last night’s Bears-49ers game. Yea to Kevin Jones. I know Matt Forte got the bulk of carries (11-4), but I believe Jones will be the guy, as long as he proves to be healthy. The fact that he is back in the lineup and broke a 34 yarder last night makes me take him before I would Forte. Forte might open the year as the starter, but Jones will end up with better numbers.
YEA: To Michael Bradley. I think he’ll step in and put up similar numbers to what Bernard Berrian did in his last two years in Chicago. Despite all the criticism, Kyle Orton wins games and Bradley will be his go to guy.
NAY: To Frank Gore. The truth of the matter is, Mike Martz cannot make every running back he coaches Marshall Faulk. His track record over the past couple years proves that. I like the fact that Gore is ‘THE MAN’ in the Niners running game, but I would still take Marshawn Lynch, Marion Barber and Clinton Portis before him.
NAY: To Vernon Davis. His one catch last night should have been overturned, since he didn’t have both feet in AND he didn’t have control of the ball. We haven’t seen the breakout yet and I doubt we will this season either.
YEA: To Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer in the world.
NAY: To Michael Phelps, the worlds greatest athlete. That’s just stupid, people. He’s a swimmer. If my 7 year old daughter can do it, than you can’t be called the best athlete in the world.
YEA: To Carl Pavano. Despite all his best efforts, the Yankees are tossing him out there tomorrow against the Orioles. He’s got one month left on his 4 year, 40 million dollar contract and this will be just his 21st start. What makes me smile even more is picturing him signing a one year contract with the Red Sox and then winning 18 games for them next year.
NAY: To an MLB postseason without either the Sox or the Yanks. THAT HASN’T HAPPENED SINCE 1993!!!!
YEA: To Brett Myers. I’m as amazed as anyone that he was able to figure things out, but he has. But I still don’t think the Phils will catch the Mets, unfortunately.
NAY: To the Nationals. I watched this team play three straight nights this week and I feel dirty for doing so. This might be the most boring, impotent team ever created. Ryan Zimmerman hasn’t hit a home run since May. Jesus Flores leads the team with (get ready for this)…..54 RBI. As a team, they’ve stolen 56 bases…or 3 less than Willy Tavares. They actually have Aaron Boone as a contributing player. AARON BOONE!!! And their pitching is no better. If there is one team in all of baseball that is years away from competing, this is it.
YEA: To Matt Schaub finishing the season as a top 10 fantasy QB.
NAY: To the Browns finishing with more than 5 wins. The 2007 Browns were the biggest mirage since Johnny Cueto. My case in point: take a look at their 2007 schedule, where they finished 10-6, just barely missing the playoffs.
Wins: Cincinnati, Baltimore (twice), Miami, St. Louis, Seattle, Houston, NYJets, San Francisco.
Losses: Pittsburgh (twice), Oakland, New England, Arizona, Cincinnati
Of their 10 wins, just one came against a playoff team (Seattle) and the Seahawks are always lousy on the road (3-5 last year). The rest of the wins came against the dregs of the league. The saying goes, to be a high caliber team, you have to win the games that you are supposed to and then win some that you aren’t. The Browns didn’t do that last year…now look at this year’s schedule.
Outside of the six division games (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore)….Dallas, NY Giants, Washington, Jacksonville, Denver, Buffalo, Houston, Indy, Tennessee, Philadelphia.
You find me six wins.
YEA: To the Buffalo Bills. This will be the 2008 version of the last year’s Browns. 10 wins, mark it down.
YEA: To Thomas Jones. He’s going way too late in everybody’s draft, which is a mistake. He’s got no competition, an improved offensive line and an improved quarterback. He should be going before a lot of the guys who are in timeshares (Selvin Young and Earnest Graham, I’m talking to you).
NAY: To Carson Palmer going as the 5th or 6th quarterback off most draft boards. He was super average last year, minus that big game versus Cleveland. I’d take Schaub, McNabb, Garrard and Favre before Palmer.
YEA: To not taking a running back in the first two rounds. If you don’t pick in the top five, I would definitely consider it. What sounds better: a combo of Brady and Wayne or a combo of Portis and Lewis? If there was ever a year to sit back and wait on RB’s, this is it.
NAY: To Larry Fitzgerald. If Matt Leinart is the starter, I think Fitz’s numbers take a dive. Fitz had just 2 touchdowns in the first 8 games last year, which included two starts by Leinart and another two where Kurt Warner started, but couldn’t finish. Once Warner got his feet under him, Larry took off. I just worry, that’s all.
YEA: To Willie Parker on my team. He’s another guy going way too low. Talk up last year’s two touchdowns and then steal Fast Willie in the 4th round.
NAY: To the Mets for bringing Ryan Church back this season, despite the fact he thinks he still plays for the Nationals. Once a guy gets a concussion, it’s like they become magnets for more and you know Church will either run into a wall or get beaned or crash into the catcher on a play at home. Let the guy sit and clear his head until spring.
NAY: To my NL only waiver claim on Casey Kotchman. I could have had Casey Blake, but I opted for Kotchman, who has since gone 0 for Atlanta.
YEA: To Pablo Sandoval. If you are in an NL only league, grab Sandoval now! The crop of catchers is pretty awful, but Sandoval qualifies and he knows how to hit. Would you rather have Nick Hundley?
NAY: To drafting the Chargers as the number one ST/D. Hard to believe one player could make a difference, but if anyone can, it’s Shawn Merriman. If he can’t play, drop the Chargers down a peg.
YEA: To Livan Hernandez. Still pitching, still awful. Hard to believe he’s gotten worse since leaving Minnesota, but so far in Colorado: 2 starts, 8.2 IP, 15 ER, 2 K’s. I know that I am truly horrible, but isn’t it possible I could do better than this?
For those with drafts this weekend, my revised top 20:
1. LaDanian Tomlinson
2. Brian Westbrook
3. Joseph Addai
4. Steven Jackson
5. Adrian Peterson
6. Tom Brady
7. Marshawn Lynch
8. Marion Barber
9. Randy Moss
10. Clinton Portis
11. Tony Romo
12. Terrell Owens
13. Frank Gore
14. Ryan Grant
15. Reggie Wayne
16. Peyton Manning
17. Willis McGahee
18. Andre Johnson
19. Larry Johnson
20. Maurice Jones-Drew
After working and slaving over your baseball rosters for nearly five months, I’m always blown away by how many people simply drop out to focus on football. I love the NFL as much as anyone, but I can’t let that hard work go to waste…and my football teams are the ones who suffer for it.
But this year, I’m rededicating myself. My baseball squads are in pretty good order, all three in money contention. So I’ve been putting a little extra time into football, trying to come out ahead, instead of having to play from behind.
This week’s yea or nay will include words of wisdom from both baseball and football...remember, if you’re going to watch any preseason football, do it this weekend, when you’ll get the most bang for your buck. There are a ton of position battles still to be determined and this will likely be the weekend guys separate themselves.
YEA: Let’s start with last night’s Bears-49ers game. Yea to Kevin Jones. I know Matt Forte got the bulk of carries (11-4), but I believe Jones will be the guy, as long as he proves to be healthy. The fact that he is back in the lineup and broke a 34 yarder last night makes me take him before I would Forte. Forte might open the year as the starter, but Jones will end up with better numbers.
YEA: To Michael Bradley. I think he’ll step in and put up similar numbers to what Bernard Berrian did in his last two years in Chicago. Despite all the criticism, Kyle Orton wins games and Bradley will be his go to guy.
NAY: To Frank Gore. The truth of the matter is, Mike Martz cannot make every running back he coaches Marshall Faulk. His track record over the past couple years proves that. I like the fact that Gore is ‘THE MAN’ in the Niners running game, but I would still take Marshawn Lynch, Marion Barber and Clinton Portis before him.
NAY: To Vernon Davis. His one catch last night should have been overturned, since he didn’t have both feet in AND he didn’t have control of the ball. We haven’t seen the breakout yet and I doubt we will this season either.
YEA: To Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer in the world.
NAY: To Michael Phelps, the worlds greatest athlete. That’s just stupid, people. He’s a swimmer. If my 7 year old daughter can do it, than you can’t be called the best athlete in the world.
YEA: To Carl Pavano. Despite all his best efforts, the Yankees are tossing him out there tomorrow against the Orioles. He’s got one month left on his 4 year, 40 million dollar contract and this will be just his 21st start. What makes me smile even more is picturing him signing a one year contract with the Red Sox and then winning 18 games for them next year.
NAY: To an MLB postseason without either the Sox or the Yanks. THAT HASN’T HAPPENED SINCE 1993!!!!
YEA: To Brett Myers. I’m as amazed as anyone that he was able to figure things out, but he has. But I still don’t think the Phils will catch the Mets, unfortunately.
NAY: To the Nationals. I watched this team play three straight nights this week and I feel dirty for doing so. This might be the most boring, impotent team ever created. Ryan Zimmerman hasn’t hit a home run since May. Jesus Flores leads the team with (get ready for this)…..54 RBI. As a team, they’ve stolen 56 bases…or 3 less than Willy Tavares. They actually have Aaron Boone as a contributing player. AARON BOONE!!! And their pitching is no better. If there is one team in all of baseball that is years away from competing, this is it.
YEA: To Matt Schaub finishing the season as a top 10 fantasy QB.
NAY: To the Browns finishing with more than 5 wins. The 2007 Browns were the biggest mirage since Johnny Cueto. My case in point: take a look at their 2007 schedule, where they finished 10-6, just barely missing the playoffs.
Wins: Cincinnati, Baltimore (twice), Miami, St. Louis, Seattle, Houston, NYJets, San Francisco.
Losses: Pittsburgh (twice), Oakland, New England, Arizona, Cincinnati
Of their 10 wins, just one came against a playoff team (Seattle) and the Seahawks are always lousy on the road (3-5 last year). The rest of the wins came against the dregs of the league. The saying goes, to be a high caliber team, you have to win the games that you are supposed to and then win some that you aren’t. The Browns didn’t do that last year…now look at this year’s schedule.
Outside of the six division games (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore)….Dallas, NY Giants, Washington, Jacksonville, Denver, Buffalo, Houston, Indy, Tennessee, Philadelphia.
You find me six wins.
YEA: To the Buffalo Bills. This will be the 2008 version of the last year’s Browns. 10 wins, mark it down.
YEA: To Thomas Jones. He’s going way too late in everybody’s draft, which is a mistake. He’s got no competition, an improved offensive line and an improved quarterback. He should be going before a lot of the guys who are in timeshares (Selvin Young and Earnest Graham, I’m talking to you).
NAY: To Carson Palmer going as the 5th or 6th quarterback off most draft boards. He was super average last year, minus that big game versus Cleveland. I’d take Schaub, McNabb, Garrard and Favre before Palmer.
YEA: To not taking a running back in the first two rounds. If you don’t pick in the top five, I would definitely consider it. What sounds better: a combo of Brady and Wayne or a combo of Portis and Lewis? If there was ever a year to sit back and wait on RB’s, this is it.
NAY: To Larry Fitzgerald. If Matt Leinart is the starter, I think Fitz’s numbers take a dive. Fitz had just 2 touchdowns in the first 8 games last year, which included two starts by Leinart and another two where Kurt Warner started, but couldn’t finish. Once Warner got his feet under him, Larry took off. I just worry, that’s all.
YEA: To Willie Parker on my team. He’s another guy going way too low. Talk up last year’s two touchdowns and then steal Fast Willie in the 4th round.
NAY: To the Mets for bringing Ryan Church back this season, despite the fact he thinks he still plays for the Nationals. Once a guy gets a concussion, it’s like they become magnets for more and you know Church will either run into a wall or get beaned or crash into the catcher on a play at home. Let the guy sit and clear his head until spring.
NAY: To my NL only waiver claim on Casey Kotchman. I could have had Casey Blake, but I opted for Kotchman, who has since gone 0 for Atlanta.
YEA: To Pablo Sandoval. If you are in an NL only league, grab Sandoval now! The crop of catchers is pretty awful, but Sandoval qualifies and he knows how to hit. Would you rather have Nick Hundley?
NAY: To drafting the Chargers as the number one ST/D. Hard to believe one player could make a difference, but if anyone can, it’s Shawn Merriman. If he can’t play, drop the Chargers down a peg.
YEA: To Livan Hernandez. Still pitching, still awful. Hard to believe he’s gotten worse since leaving Minnesota, but so far in Colorado: 2 starts, 8.2 IP, 15 ER, 2 K’s. I know that I am truly horrible, but isn’t it possible I could do better than this?
For those with drafts this weekend, my revised top 20:
1. LaDanian Tomlinson
2. Brian Westbrook
3. Joseph Addai
4. Steven Jackson
5. Adrian Peterson
6. Tom Brady
7. Marshawn Lynch
8. Marion Barber
9. Randy Moss
10. Clinton Portis
11. Tony Romo
12. Terrell Owens
13. Frank Gore
14. Ryan Grant
15. Reggie Wayne
16. Peyton Manning
17. Willis McGahee
18. Andre Johnson
19. Larry Johnson
20. Maurice Jones-Drew
Monday, August 18, 2008
BACK FROM THE DEAD
When the summer started, I thought to myself ‘The kids will play outside all day and I’ll be able to write something for the blog 3 or 4 times per week.’
I can’t exactly pinpoint where things went wrong, but since my daughter got off that school bus on the last day of school back in June, I’ve had exactly 27 minutes total to myself. Trust me, I’ve been counting.
In these past two months, I’ve seen my 7 year old daughter begin to show signs of what it will be like when she is a teenager and I’m scared out of my wits. If she can act like this now, I should probably just lock myself in the bathroom the day she turns 13.
My 4 year old son has turned from a tyke into a boy, as he has gone from Thomas the Tank Engine and Diego to Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It’s nice watching Empire over the Wonderpets, but today marked the 23rd viewing and Yoda is starting to get on my nerves.
It’s nice to see all the old Star Wars toys coming back into vogue, though. On our last visit to Toys R Us I came across the most recent incarnation of the Millenium Falcon. It’s a lot more fancy than that plastic piece of junk I used to have, but for 160 dollars it had better be. (no, I didn’t buy it…..but I wanted to)
There are about six weeks left in the baseball regular season, so you should definitely know by now if you’ve got a shot to come in the money. If you play head to head, most playoffs begin in a week or two, so get those pitching staffs lined up.
I was going over some stats yesterday and I realized that there are just some ridiculously fluky numbers out there that nobody is mentioning. Just going to show you that nobody can predict nothing.
-Josh Beckett: A top 10 starter coming into the season, Beckett has just 11 wins and an ERA of 4.34. He’s continuing a trend of up in odd number years, down in even numbered. But if he was pitching like he’s capable, the Sox wouldn’t be looking up at the Rays, they’d be looking down.
-BJ Upton and Alex Rios-Last year, these two combined to hit 48 homers. This year, they’ve only got 17 between them. Both were concensus first round picks in AL only and both are stealing bases like crazy. But the bombs just around there like they were expected.
-Justin Verlander-So much for all those predictions of this guy making ‘the leap’. He’s been a nightmare, with an ERA over 4.60 and even a drop in strikeouts. And things don’t seem to be improving, having given up 25 earned runs over his last 5 starts.
-The Twins-I have to put this whole team in this category, because with the trade of Johan Santana, the Twinks were supposed to be rebuilding. Instead, they’ve got a better record than both the Yankees and the Mets, the two teams that led the charge in the Johan sweepstakes. The Mets can’t be disappointed in what their end, because Johan has been as advertised, especially recently. But the fact that the Twins continue to win with their minimal payroll is an amazing testament to their organization. Throw in the fact that they were able to withstand the toilet arm that is Livan Hernandez for 4 months and their current spot atop the AL Central is all the more amazing.
-Jason Kendall-I know the guy stinks at the plate (1 home run in 393 at-bats), but Kendall is an iron man in a league proliferated with candyasses (Milton Bradley, I’m calling you out). Kendall has caught 113 of the Brewers 125 games. Since July, Kendall has missed just two games. He’s a guy who wants to compete and win and a guy everybody should want on their team.
-Brian Giles-And onto the polar opposite of Kendall. Since the league cracked down on steroids and other goodies, Giles has evaporated, in both stats and stature. San Diego tried to move Giles after the waiver deadline and had a deal in place with Boston, but Giles refused to go. Thank god for that, because the last thing the Sox needed was a 37 year old lead footed lefty with no power left to speak of. Plus, it speaks volumes when a guy refuses to move to a squad for two months, when he’s got a chance of getting a World Series ring. I still remember when Rafael Palmeiro refused to leave Texas for the Cubs a few years back. I know you guys love your families and all, but it’s TWO MONTHS! The drive to win is just not with these guys and they deserve to play in places like San Diego and Arlington.
-Melky Cabrera-I’ve been saying for two years now that Cabrera is a waste of space and my Yankee friends have been calling me a bitter Sox fan. Now, Cabrera is in the minors and I am proven right once again. So, you want Johan for Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy? When Twins GM Bill Smith hung up the phone after that conversation, how hard do you think he laughed?
-Randy Johnson-I admit, I gave up on the Unit in my mixed league back in June after he gave up 14 earned runs in a week. But it turns out my original hunch was correct. When he’s healthy, like he is now, he’s a top pitcher in the game. Still, at the age of 44. Since the All-Star break, Johnson is 4-2 with an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP under 1.00. He doesn’t strike out 10 guys a game like he used to, but you can’t complain about the other numbers.
-Ian Stewart-The last time we spoke I mentioned Stewart, who had just been handed the starting third base job. Hopefully you listened, because Stewart is already up to 8-32-.285, in just 147 at bats. Throw in that second base eligibility and you’ve got yourself a strong middle infielder, even in mixed leagues.
-Jensen Lewis-It’s no fun being an Indians fan this year, but they are still worth paying attention to. The closer situation seems like it might have finally found a solution, with hardthrowing Jensen Lewis, who has gotten the last three saves for the Tribe. After a massive rough patch in July, Lewis has gone 8 straight outings without giving up a run and seems to have earned the confidence of manager Eric Wedge. Saves are saves, even in Ohio.
-Trevor Hoffman-And since we are on the topic of saves, the all time saves leader is showing he still has what it takes. Hoffman stunk in the early going, helping to bury the Padres in the NL West. But after having an ERA above 6 back in May, the Hoff is down close to 4 now and the saves are now up to 26. Hoff has more saves than K-Rod in August.
-Wily Tavares-Did you know Wily leads the majors in steals with 58? Me neither. And it’s not even close.
-Jacoby Ellsbury-And on the topic of steals, remember when Ellsbury had 34 steals back in June and he looked like the Native American version of Vince Coleman? I do, because I played against Ellsbury the week he stole 9 bases. Anyway, over the past two months, Ellsbury has stolen a grand total of 4 bags. So much for that.
-Carlos Quentin-He leads the majors in home runs. I’m not kidding. Not bad for a guy who went undrafted in most leagues. If you took a flier on him, chances are you are going to win some money.
-Dan Uggla-He had 23 home runs heading into the break. He’s had just 3 since, including ZERO in all of August. And it’s not just homers that are vanishing. Uggla has driven in just 3 runs this month (all on 8/10) and scored just 6 runs.
-Carlos Silva and Miguel Batista-Looking back, the Erik Bedard trade was bad. The signing of Richie Sexson was terrible. The mega contract given to singles hitter Ichiro was bordering on asinine. But the signing of Carlos Silva might have been the worst move ever made by the old regime in Seattle. 4 years/48 million dollars. For a guy who’s season high for strikeouts was 89 in 202 IP. For a guy who in four years as a starter was 2 games over .500 and had an ERA of 4.42. For a guy who has given up an average of 235 hits per year over the past four years! Year one of that golden parachute has produced a 4-14 record, 6.36 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 59 K’s and 191 hits allowed in just 140 IP. That’s 3 million dollars for each win this season and $203,000 for each guy he struck out.
And let’s not forget about Miguel Batista, who, paired with Silva, could possibly form the worst pair of starters in HISTORY. Batista has somehow been actually worse than Silva. Both have 4 wins and Silva leads in the loss category 14 to 12. But Batista outdoes his mate in ERA and WHIP, with a 6.63 and a 1.92!!! Amazingly, it has taken Batista less than 100 IP to put up these gaudy numbers. Now you know exactly why the M’s sent Brandon Morrow back to the minors to learn how to be a starter.
-Roy Hallday-I admit, I was among the ones who thought Halladay might be on his way out of the elite pitching ranks. After seeing his ERA and WHIP rise significantly the last two years, I thought Doc’s best days might have been behind him. But he’s back this year with a vengeance and he’s a Cliff Lee relapse away from being the Cy Young favorite. 2.64 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 14 wins and 8 complete games. Even the K’s are back up, on pace to crack 200 for just the second time in his career. For those of us who took Bedard and Verlander ahead of Roy are pretty bummed out.
-Jimmy Rollins-We knew it would be impossible to duplicate 2007, but this is getting so out of hand. Even factoring in the lost three weeks due to a sprained ankle, the numbers are worrisome. 30 home runs down to 8. .296 average down to .266. 94 RBI down to 42. And the most amazing: 139 runs down to 56! The steals are still there, 41 down to 31, but it’s the runs scored which made me do a double take. Reyes and Ramirez are holding up their ends of the bargain, but J-Roll seems like he just can’t keep up with the young guys.
-Matt Cain-Hasn’t given up a home run since June 4th. That’s 13 starts. If the Giants could get a lick of hitting and not thrown money down the toilet on guys like Aaron Rowand, they could ride Cain and Tim Lincecum to the top of the NL West. Either way, these two guys are both very young and very phenomenal.
-Randy Winn-Mr. Irrelevant, because nobody ever seems to want him on their squad. But over his last 21 games, Winn is hitting .434, with 13 RBI, 15 runs and 3 SB.
I’ve got to go. Luke just got his hand cut off by Vader. Maybe I can convince him to watch Jedi for a change. Check back later this week for some free fantasy football rankings.
I can’t exactly pinpoint where things went wrong, but since my daughter got off that school bus on the last day of school back in June, I’ve had exactly 27 minutes total to myself. Trust me, I’ve been counting.
In these past two months, I’ve seen my 7 year old daughter begin to show signs of what it will be like when she is a teenager and I’m scared out of my wits. If she can act like this now, I should probably just lock myself in the bathroom the day she turns 13.
My 4 year old son has turned from a tyke into a boy, as he has gone from Thomas the Tank Engine and Diego to Star Wars and Indiana Jones. It’s nice watching Empire over the Wonderpets, but today marked the 23rd viewing and Yoda is starting to get on my nerves.
It’s nice to see all the old Star Wars toys coming back into vogue, though. On our last visit to Toys R Us I came across the most recent incarnation of the Millenium Falcon. It’s a lot more fancy than that plastic piece of junk I used to have, but for 160 dollars it had better be. (no, I didn’t buy it…..but I wanted to)
There are about six weeks left in the baseball regular season, so you should definitely know by now if you’ve got a shot to come in the money. If you play head to head, most playoffs begin in a week or two, so get those pitching staffs lined up.
I was going over some stats yesterday and I realized that there are just some ridiculously fluky numbers out there that nobody is mentioning. Just going to show you that nobody can predict nothing.
-Josh Beckett: A top 10 starter coming into the season, Beckett has just 11 wins and an ERA of 4.34. He’s continuing a trend of up in odd number years, down in even numbered. But if he was pitching like he’s capable, the Sox wouldn’t be looking up at the Rays, they’d be looking down.
-BJ Upton and Alex Rios-Last year, these two combined to hit 48 homers. This year, they’ve only got 17 between them. Both were concensus first round picks in AL only and both are stealing bases like crazy. But the bombs just around there like they were expected.
-Justin Verlander-So much for all those predictions of this guy making ‘the leap’. He’s been a nightmare, with an ERA over 4.60 and even a drop in strikeouts. And things don’t seem to be improving, having given up 25 earned runs over his last 5 starts.
-The Twins-I have to put this whole team in this category, because with the trade of Johan Santana, the Twinks were supposed to be rebuilding. Instead, they’ve got a better record than both the Yankees and the Mets, the two teams that led the charge in the Johan sweepstakes. The Mets can’t be disappointed in what their end, because Johan has been as advertised, especially recently. But the fact that the Twins continue to win with their minimal payroll is an amazing testament to their organization. Throw in the fact that they were able to withstand the toilet arm that is Livan Hernandez for 4 months and their current spot atop the AL Central is all the more amazing.
-Jason Kendall-I know the guy stinks at the plate (1 home run in 393 at-bats), but Kendall is an iron man in a league proliferated with candyasses (Milton Bradley, I’m calling you out). Kendall has caught 113 of the Brewers 125 games. Since July, Kendall has missed just two games. He’s a guy who wants to compete and win and a guy everybody should want on their team.
-Brian Giles-And onto the polar opposite of Kendall. Since the league cracked down on steroids and other goodies, Giles has evaporated, in both stats and stature. San Diego tried to move Giles after the waiver deadline and had a deal in place with Boston, but Giles refused to go. Thank god for that, because the last thing the Sox needed was a 37 year old lead footed lefty with no power left to speak of. Plus, it speaks volumes when a guy refuses to move to a squad for two months, when he’s got a chance of getting a World Series ring. I still remember when Rafael Palmeiro refused to leave Texas for the Cubs a few years back. I know you guys love your families and all, but it’s TWO MONTHS! The drive to win is just not with these guys and they deserve to play in places like San Diego and Arlington.
-Melky Cabrera-I’ve been saying for two years now that Cabrera is a waste of space and my Yankee friends have been calling me a bitter Sox fan. Now, Cabrera is in the minors and I am proven right once again. So, you want Johan for Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy? When Twins GM Bill Smith hung up the phone after that conversation, how hard do you think he laughed?
-Randy Johnson-I admit, I gave up on the Unit in my mixed league back in June after he gave up 14 earned runs in a week. But it turns out my original hunch was correct. When he’s healthy, like he is now, he’s a top pitcher in the game. Still, at the age of 44. Since the All-Star break, Johnson is 4-2 with an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP under 1.00. He doesn’t strike out 10 guys a game like he used to, but you can’t complain about the other numbers.
-Ian Stewart-The last time we spoke I mentioned Stewart, who had just been handed the starting third base job. Hopefully you listened, because Stewart is already up to 8-32-.285, in just 147 at bats. Throw in that second base eligibility and you’ve got yourself a strong middle infielder, even in mixed leagues.
-Jensen Lewis-It’s no fun being an Indians fan this year, but they are still worth paying attention to. The closer situation seems like it might have finally found a solution, with hardthrowing Jensen Lewis, who has gotten the last three saves for the Tribe. After a massive rough patch in July, Lewis has gone 8 straight outings without giving up a run and seems to have earned the confidence of manager Eric Wedge. Saves are saves, even in Ohio.
-Trevor Hoffman-And since we are on the topic of saves, the all time saves leader is showing he still has what it takes. Hoffman stunk in the early going, helping to bury the Padres in the NL West. But after having an ERA above 6 back in May, the Hoff is down close to 4 now and the saves are now up to 26. Hoff has more saves than K-Rod in August.
-Wily Tavares-Did you know Wily leads the majors in steals with 58? Me neither. And it’s not even close.
-Jacoby Ellsbury-And on the topic of steals, remember when Ellsbury had 34 steals back in June and he looked like the Native American version of Vince Coleman? I do, because I played against Ellsbury the week he stole 9 bases. Anyway, over the past two months, Ellsbury has stolen a grand total of 4 bags. So much for that.
-Carlos Quentin-He leads the majors in home runs. I’m not kidding. Not bad for a guy who went undrafted in most leagues. If you took a flier on him, chances are you are going to win some money.
-Dan Uggla-He had 23 home runs heading into the break. He’s had just 3 since, including ZERO in all of August. And it’s not just homers that are vanishing. Uggla has driven in just 3 runs this month (all on 8/10) and scored just 6 runs.
-Carlos Silva and Miguel Batista-Looking back, the Erik Bedard trade was bad. The signing of Richie Sexson was terrible. The mega contract given to singles hitter Ichiro was bordering on asinine. But the signing of Carlos Silva might have been the worst move ever made by the old regime in Seattle. 4 years/48 million dollars. For a guy who’s season high for strikeouts was 89 in 202 IP. For a guy who in four years as a starter was 2 games over .500 and had an ERA of 4.42. For a guy who has given up an average of 235 hits per year over the past four years! Year one of that golden parachute has produced a 4-14 record, 6.36 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 59 K’s and 191 hits allowed in just 140 IP. That’s 3 million dollars for each win this season and $203,000 for each guy he struck out.
And let’s not forget about Miguel Batista, who, paired with Silva, could possibly form the worst pair of starters in HISTORY. Batista has somehow been actually worse than Silva. Both have 4 wins and Silva leads in the loss category 14 to 12. But Batista outdoes his mate in ERA and WHIP, with a 6.63 and a 1.92!!! Amazingly, it has taken Batista less than 100 IP to put up these gaudy numbers. Now you know exactly why the M’s sent Brandon Morrow back to the minors to learn how to be a starter.
-Roy Hallday-I admit, I was among the ones who thought Halladay might be on his way out of the elite pitching ranks. After seeing his ERA and WHIP rise significantly the last two years, I thought Doc’s best days might have been behind him. But he’s back this year with a vengeance and he’s a Cliff Lee relapse away from being the Cy Young favorite. 2.64 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 14 wins and 8 complete games. Even the K’s are back up, on pace to crack 200 for just the second time in his career. For those of us who took Bedard and Verlander ahead of Roy are pretty bummed out.
-Jimmy Rollins-We knew it would be impossible to duplicate 2007, but this is getting so out of hand. Even factoring in the lost three weeks due to a sprained ankle, the numbers are worrisome. 30 home runs down to 8. .296 average down to .266. 94 RBI down to 42. And the most amazing: 139 runs down to 56! The steals are still there, 41 down to 31, but it’s the runs scored which made me do a double take. Reyes and Ramirez are holding up their ends of the bargain, but J-Roll seems like he just can’t keep up with the young guys.
-Matt Cain-Hasn’t given up a home run since June 4th. That’s 13 starts. If the Giants could get a lick of hitting and not thrown money down the toilet on guys like Aaron Rowand, they could ride Cain and Tim Lincecum to the top of the NL West. Either way, these two guys are both very young and very phenomenal.
-Randy Winn-Mr. Irrelevant, because nobody ever seems to want him on their squad. But over his last 21 games, Winn is hitting .434, with 13 RBI, 15 runs and 3 SB.
I’ve got to go. Luke just got his hand cut off by Vader. Maybe I can convince him to watch Jedi for a change. Check back later this week for some free fantasy football rankings.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
YEA OR NAY FOR JULY 24TH
I know this might come across wrong since it is being written by someone who despises the New York Yankees, but can the media please drop all this final year of Yankee Stadium hullabaloo?
It’s nothing but another baseball stadium and the fact that I have to hear about it every single night while watching ESPN makes me sick.
So it’s got a cemetery in centerfield…BIG DEAL. I’ve been to Yankee Stadium and there really isn’t anything special about it.
I can understand Yankee fans wanting all this coverage, but isn’t that what YES is for?
Where’s all the coverage on the last season at Shea? Don’t Mets fans watch ESPN too?
There is still three months worth of baseball to be played in the old house in the Bronx. You want to talk about it over the last couple of weeks? Fine with me.
But it’s only JULY! I may have to chop off my own ears by the time September rolls around if they keep going at their current rate of discussion.
I can see the Sporscenter lead on September 17th….’Who was the greatest groundskeeper in Yankee Stadium history? The PTI guys will debate that in just a few minutes.’
Get over yourselves, Yankee fans. If your stadium was so great, why are they tearing it down?
It reminds me of the old adage…if enough people say something is true, than it must be. There are more Yankee fans than any other team and they are all saying how stupefying this place is. So then everybody else seems to think that must be true and so on.
Well, I’m here to tell you it ain’t. Deal with it.
YEA: To the fact that we can legitimately start to talk football once again. Hallelujah!
YEA: To NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. I know Pete Rozelle was the guy who made the league what it is today, but Goodell is easily the best current commissioner in all the four major sports. He’s tough, decisive, and won’t take any bull. Goodell knows that this whole Brett Favre fiasco needs to be taken care of immediately, so he told the Packers to somehow, make it right, thus leading the Pack to start pursuing trades. Goodell pushes all the right buttons and will only make the NFL better.
NAY: To the NL West. Remember how terrible the Rockies were earlier this year? Well, they are still in it, thanks to the D-Backs and Dodgers sucking the life out of the sport.
NAY: To the revolting slob that is Andruw Jones. A lot of his struggles were blamed on a bum wheel, which landed him on the DL for a month and a half. July saw his return to action and voila! He still blows: 7 for 42, 0 homers, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 19 punch-outs.
YEA: From the in case you missed it file…The Rockies have recalled prospect Ian Stewart and have given him the full time gig at third base. And so far, he’s rocking it. Throw in the fact that in many leagues he also qualifies at second base and you’ve got a jewel in the making. Get on board.
YEA: To Robinson Cano. We’ve waited and waited and it seems the All-Star break might have woken his ass up: 12 for 23 since with five straight multi-hit games and two homers. Welcome.
NAY: To the Joe Blanton trade. I know Adrian Cardenas was never going to play in Philly thanks to Chase Utley blocking his way, but how was Blanton the best they could come up with? Is he that much better than JA Happ? Not from the looks of his first start in the NL. It’s nice to see them making an effort to win, but just once, I’d like to see them try to land the real big fish.
YEA: To the Rangers for making the wise decision and not benching rookie Chris Davis. Hank Blalock’s return meant the Rangers had to do something and instead of shipping Davis back to AAA, they told Blalock that he is going to play third base and like it. Davis already has 8 bombs and now knows it’s his job to lose.
YEA: On selling high on Chris Davis; just my opinion.
YEA: To Willie Bloomquist. Every year, Willie plays well in a part time role, never getting a shot to start. By the time the year is up, he ends up stealing a dozen bases, scoring a decent number of runs, based on his limited at-bats. Well, Seattle has decided to start Willie and he’s rewarding fantasy owners. Check this out: since he started playing regularly on June 15th, Willie is 28 for 82 (.341), with 6 steals and 15 runs scored. Sure he doesn’t drive in any runs, but the bonus is he is eligible at 2nd, 3rd, SS and OF. It’s guys like these that help you win in the end.
NAY: To Gary Matthews Jr. Another example of money not well spent. The Angels are stuck with him for a couple more years, but that doesn’t mean they are making the same mistake the Dodgers are with Andruw. Matthews is benched and won’t be starting anytime soon.
YEA: To Juan Rivera, the guy who has taken Matthews’ job. Rivera has always hit when healthy, so he’s worth a look in AL only for sure.
NAY: To Jon Rauch. There has been a lot of talk of current closers who might get traded, but Rauch wasn’t one of them. Surprise! Rauch is pretty much a waste right now, back to being a setup man, unless the wheels come off of Brandon Lyon. Joel Hanrahan has been named Rauch’s replacement in DC, but he has never closed before and he’s on a terrible team. Saves are saves, but caution: flammable.
YEA: To Blue Jays outfielder Adam Lind. He’s been on the radar for a long time now. He tears up AAA and then flames out in the majors. He’s been given another chance and this time he might actually stick. He’s 22 for 58 (.379) in July with 3 homers and 17 RBI.
NAY: While the entire world was out seeing The Dark Knight this past weekend, I was taking in Space Chimps. Kids suck.
YEA: To the WNBA. Did you know that there is a professional basketball league made up entirely of ‘women’? A one on one catfight is awesome. A five on five catfight would be a ratings bonanza. I think the Palace at Auburn Hills must have been built on an ancient Indian burial ground, because it brings out the worst in people.
NAY: To Jose Reyes. The dude is a scumbag and one day, somebody will have the balls to drill him in the head. When it happens, I will be happy.
YEA: To Jorge Posada putting off surgery and coming back to the Yankees. Because god knows, what the Yankees need right now is a beat up, broken down catcher who can only DH and when he does, won’t produce anyway. Good use of a roster spot.
YEA: To those of you who like independent films, check out one called ‘George Washington’. Made in 2000, it has nothing to do with our first President. Airing on IFC this month.
NAY: To draft day dilemmas. I’ll never understand how people can have problems with scheduling when it comes to drafts. It’s three hours of your life, yet it always causes drama. Mainly because guys don’t have the guts to stand up to their wives and tell them they won’t be home to watch the ‘Scrubs’ marathon.
With that being said, my first round of my fantasy football draft would look like this:
1. LaDanian Tomlinson
2. Joseph Addai
3. Brian Westbrook
4. Steven Jackson
5. Tom Brady
6. Adrian Peterson
7. Marion Barber III
8. Randy Moss
9. Ryan Grant
10. Marshawn Lynch
It’s nothing but another baseball stadium and the fact that I have to hear about it every single night while watching ESPN makes me sick.
So it’s got a cemetery in centerfield…BIG DEAL. I’ve been to Yankee Stadium and there really isn’t anything special about it.
I can understand Yankee fans wanting all this coverage, but isn’t that what YES is for?
Where’s all the coverage on the last season at Shea? Don’t Mets fans watch ESPN too?
There is still three months worth of baseball to be played in the old house in the Bronx. You want to talk about it over the last couple of weeks? Fine with me.
But it’s only JULY! I may have to chop off my own ears by the time September rolls around if they keep going at their current rate of discussion.
I can see the Sporscenter lead on September 17th….’Who was the greatest groundskeeper in Yankee Stadium history? The PTI guys will debate that in just a few minutes.’
Get over yourselves, Yankee fans. If your stadium was so great, why are they tearing it down?
It reminds me of the old adage…if enough people say something is true, than it must be. There are more Yankee fans than any other team and they are all saying how stupefying this place is. So then everybody else seems to think that must be true and so on.
Well, I’m here to tell you it ain’t. Deal with it.
YEA: To the fact that we can legitimately start to talk football once again. Hallelujah!
YEA: To NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. I know Pete Rozelle was the guy who made the league what it is today, but Goodell is easily the best current commissioner in all the four major sports. He’s tough, decisive, and won’t take any bull. Goodell knows that this whole Brett Favre fiasco needs to be taken care of immediately, so he told the Packers to somehow, make it right, thus leading the Pack to start pursuing trades. Goodell pushes all the right buttons and will only make the NFL better.
NAY: To the NL West. Remember how terrible the Rockies were earlier this year? Well, they are still in it, thanks to the D-Backs and Dodgers sucking the life out of the sport.
NAY: To the revolting slob that is Andruw Jones. A lot of his struggles were blamed on a bum wheel, which landed him on the DL for a month and a half. July saw his return to action and voila! He still blows: 7 for 42, 0 homers, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 19 punch-outs.
YEA: From the in case you missed it file…The Rockies have recalled prospect Ian Stewart and have given him the full time gig at third base. And so far, he’s rocking it. Throw in the fact that in many leagues he also qualifies at second base and you’ve got a jewel in the making. Get on board.
YEA: To Robinson Cano. We’ve waited and waited and it seems the All-Star break might have woken his ass up: 12 for 23 since with five straight multi-hit games and two homers. Welcome.
NAY: To the Joe Blanton trade. I know Adrian Cardenas was never going to play in Philly thanks to Chase Utley blocking his way, but how was Blanton the best they could come up with? Is he that much better than JA Happ? Not from the looks of his first start in the NL. It’s nice to see them making an effort to win, but just once, I’d like to see them try to land the real big fish.
YEA: To the Rangers for making the wise decision and not benching rookie Chris Davis. Hank Blalock’s return meant the Rangers had to do something and instead of shipping Davis back to AAA, they told Blalock that he is going to play third base and like it. Davis already has 8 bombs and now knows it’s his job to lose.
YEA: On selling high on Chris Davis; just my opinion.
YEA: To Willie Bloomquist. Every year, Willie plays well in a part time role, never getting a shot to start. By the time the year is up, he ends up stealing a dozen bases, scoring a decent number of runs, based on his limited at-bats. Well, Seattle has decided to start Willie and he’s rewarding fantasy owners. Check this out: since he started playing regularly on June 15th, Willie is 28 for 82 (.341), with 6 steals and 15 runs scored. Sure he doesn’t drive in any runs, but the bonus is he is eligible at 2nd, 3rd, SS and OF. It’s guys like these that help you win in the end.
NAY: To Gary Matthews Jr. Another example of money not well spent. The Angels are stuck with him for a couple more years, but that doesn’t mean they are making the same mistake the Dodgers are with Andruw. Matthews is benched and won’t be starting anytime soon.
YEA: To Juan Rivera, the guy who has taken Matthews’ job. Rivera has always hit when healthy, so he’s worth a look in AL only for sure.
NAY: To Jon Rauch. There has been a lot of talk of current closers who might get traded, but Rauch wasn’t one of them. Surprise! Rauch is pretty much a waste right now, back to being a setup man, unless the wheels come off of Brandon Lyon. Joel Hanrahan has been named Rauch’s replacement in DC, but he has never closed before and he’s on a terrible team. Saves are saves, but caution: flammable.
YEA: To Blue Jays outfielder Adam Lind. He’s been on the radar for a long time now. He tears up AAA and then flames out in the majors. He’s been given another chance and this time he might actually stick. He’s 22 for 58 (.379) in July with 3 homers and 17 RBI.
NAY: While the entire world was out seeing The Dark Knight this past weekend, I was taking in Space Chimps. Kids suck.
YEA: To the WNBA. Did you know that there is a professional basketball league made up entirely of ‘women’? A one on one catfight is awesome. A five on five catfight would be a ratings bonanza. I think the Palace at Auburn Hills must have been built on an ancient Indian burial ground, because it brings out the worst in people.
NAY: To Jose Reyes. The dude is a scumbag and one day, somebody will have the balls to drill him in the head. When it happens, I will be happy.
YEA: To Jorge Posada putting off surgery and coming back to the Yankees. Because god knows, what the Yankees need right now is a beat up, broken down catcher who can only DH and when he does, won’t produce anyway. Good use of a roster spot.
YEA: To those of you who like independent films, check out one called ‘George Washington’. Made in 2000, it has nothing to do with our first President. Airing on IFC this month.
NAY: To draft day dilemmas. I’ll never understand how people can have problems with scheduling when it comes to drafts. It’s three hours of your life, yet it always causes drama. Mainly because guys don’t have the guts to stand up to their wives and tell them they won’t be home to watch the ‘Scrubs’ marathon.
With that being said, my first round of my fantasy football draft would look like this:
1. LaDanian Tomlinson
2. Joseph Addai
3. Brian Westbrook
4. Steven Jackson
5. Tom Brady
6. Adrian Peterson
7. Marion Barber III
8. Randy Moss
9. Ryan Grant
10. Marshawn Lynch
Friday, July 11, 2008
YEA OR NAY FOR JULY 11TH
Oh my god, where has the time gone?!?! It’s been two weeks since I submitted an entry to the blogosphere and I really don’t know what happened.
I thought life would get easier once school was over and the kids were home. No more homework or T-Ball or Brownies.
Good lord was I wrong. It’s not that I don’t have the time, it’s that I don’t have the quiet that I require to write. It’s kind of hard formulating opinions and putting them on paper with two kids screaming at each other 90 percent of the day.
Who knew that two kids could fight for 4 days over a toy that came in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. 4 DAYS. I kid you not.
The odds of them both making it back to school in the fall are diminishing day by day. I just haven’t yet decided who will be the unlucky one. Give me time.
Anyway, we are just days from the All-Star Break, so I figured I would come up with some second half rankings. These are based on what guys will do from July 17th on. Wipe out what happened these first three months.
I’ve sorted them by position, but if you need to know, my number one guy to get for the second half is Jimmy Rollins. He’s basically done nothing but steal bases so far and I think he’ll have a massive second half. The power numbers will be there by the end, so buy in now if you can.
Catchers
1. Russell Martin
2. Brian McCann
3. Dioner Navarro
4. Geovany Soto
5. Victor Martinez
6. Chris Ianetta
7. Kurt Suzuki
8. Matt Clement
9. Joe Mauer
10. Bengie Molina
11. Yadier Molina
12. Ivan Rodriguez
13. Jorge Posada
14. Ramon Hernandez
15. Jarrod Salatalamacchia
16. Ryan Doumit
17. Jason Varitek
18. Miguel Olivo
19. David Ross
20. Jesus Flores
It’s a sad state when a guy who is still going to miss another month (V-Mart) ranks in the top five at his position. But catchers are terrible, especially in the AL. I-Rod, in case you missed, recently woke up and remembered it was a contract year. So if someone in your league tossed him, he’s worth picking up. And Kurt Suzuki is batting as well as Ichiro, over the past month.
I’ve always thought Joe Mauer is overrated. 4 home runs and 38 RBI from the 3 hole don’t impress me. Plus, he’s an injury risk. The way catchers wear down over the season, it’s always a good bet to take a chance on guys who haven’t played that much in the first half. Clement, Ianetta and Salty are prime examples.
I liked Chris Snyder a lot until he fractured a testicle. Good luck with that, Chris.
First Base
1. Albert Pujols
2. Mark Teixeira
3. Ryan Howard
4. Miguel Cabrera
5. Lance Berkman
6. David Ortiz
7. Prince Fielder
8. Derrek Lee
9. Justin Morneau
10. Mike Jacobs
11. Adrian Gonzalez
12. Carlos Pena
13. Conor Jackson
14. Paul Konerko
15. Adam LaRoche
16. Joey Votto
17. James Loney
18. Aubrey Huff
19. Kevin Youkilis
20. Casey Kotchman
In case you missed it, Cabrera and Howard have already turned it on in the past week. Too late to buy low on those studs.
It would be hard for Berkman to put up the same numbers in the second half, though he should come close. But .347-22-70 might be out of reach.
Konerko is traditionally a second half bomber, as is LaRoche and Teixeira.
Second Base
1. Robinson Cano
2. Chase Utley
3. Brandon Phillips
4. Ian Kinsler
5. Brian Roberts
6. Dan Uggla
7. Kelly Johnson
8. Placido Polanco
9. Dustin Pedroia
10. Rickie Weeks
11. Jeff Kent
12. Mark Ellis
13. Mark DeRosa
14. Chone Figgins
15. Alexi Ramirez
16. Howie Kendrick
17. Jose Lopez
18. Alexi Casilla
19. Orlando Hudson
20. Freddy Sanchez
I know guys like BJ Upton and Ryan Theriot qualify at 2B in most leagues, but I’m basing my rankings on primary positions. Like it or not, it’s my blog.
Anyway, I love Cano and Phillips. I also really think Kelly Johnson will have a strong second half as the air heats up in Atlanta.
I think Uggla and Kinsler will simmer down a bit….not enough to bottom out, but just not producing like they did early on. Two amazing stats from Kinsler: 81 runs scored (!) and 23 steals and only 1 caught stealing. Texas can mash, but…..
Third Base
1. Alex Rodriguez
2. Aramis Ramirez
3. David Wright
4. Carlos Guillen
5. Garrett Atkins
6. Adrian Beltre
7. Alex Gordon
8. Evan Longoria
9. Mike Lowell
10. Edwin Encarnacion
11. Chipper Jones
12. Kevin Kouzmanoff
13. Scott Rolen
14. Pedro Feliz
15. Troy Glaus
16. Casey Blake
17. Ryan Zimmerman
18. Jorge Cantu
19. Joe Crede
20. Mark Reynolds
Beltre, Kouzmanoff and Atkins have strong second half track records. If Beltre gets dealt to a more hitter friendly park, the boost could be even more signifigant.
Chipper will spend half the second half on the DL. Jorge Cantu will be on the waiver wire of most leagues come September.
Shortstop
1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Hanley Ramirez
3. Michael Young
4. Jose Reyes
5. Stephen Drew
6. Derek Jeter
7. Jhonny Peralta
8. Orlando Cabrera
9. Edgar Renteria
10. Yunel Escobar
11. JJ Hardy
12. Miguel Tejada
13. Ryan Theriot
14. Julio Lugo
15. Troy Tulowitzki
16. Khalil Greene
17. Yuniesky Betancourt
18. Bobby Crosby
19. Cristian Guzman
20. Jeff Keppinger
Boy, there sure are some awful starting shortstops in the majors. Injuries have hit this position particularly hard this year: Tulo, Furcal, Rollins, Jolbert Cabrera.
But I love Rollins, Young and Renteria going forward. Reyes is up and down and his whole season depends on whether the Mets ship sinks or swims. Hardy is on fire right now, but you know that won’t continue through October. Greene and Lugo have both been major busts. Hopefully, you’ve got one of the top guys. Otherwise, you are just out of luck.
Outfield
1. Carl Crawford
2. Ryan Braun
3. Matt Holliday
4. Grady Sizemore
5. Nick Markakis
6. BJ Upton
7. Carlos Beltran
8. Corey Hart
9. Curtis Granderson
10. Bobby Abreu
11. Josh Hamilton
12. Alex Rios
13. Carlos Lee
14. Manny Ramirez
15. Ichiro Suzuki
16. Alfonso Soriano
17. Pat Burrell
18. Jason Bay
19. Jose Guillen
20. Vlad Guerrero
21. Chris Young
22. Brad Hawpe
23. Carlos Quentin
24. Aaron Rowand
25. Magglio Ordonez
26. Adam Dunn
27. Torii Hunter
28. Hunter Pence
29. Jeff Francoeur
30. Carlos Gomez
31. Raul Ibanez
32. Jeremy Hermida
33. Chase Headley
34. Shane Victorino
35. Adam Jones
36. Delmon Young
37. Jermaine Dye
38. Nick Swisher
39. Josh Willingham
40. Ryan Ludwick
41. Milton Bradley
42. Mike Cameron
43. Kosuke Fukudome
44. David DeJesus
45. Jacoby Ellsbury
46. Matt Kemp
47. Rick Ankiel
48. Juan Pierre
49. JD Drew
50. Andruw Jones
Burrell, Francoeur, Markakis and Young have all been perennial second half mashers. I really think Delmon Young will figure it out and that Ordonez will come back strong.
Starting Pitchers
1. Johan Santana
2. CC Sabathia
3. John Lackey
4. Justin Verlander
5. Brandon Webb
6. Jake Peavy
7. Ben Sheets
8. Cole Hamels
9. Chad Billingsley
10. Matt Cain
11. Josh Beckett
12. Roy Halladay
13. Scott Kazmir
14. Tim Lincecum
15. Rich Harden
16. Dan Haren
17. Roy Oswalt
18. Tim Hudson
19. Edinson Volquez
20. Jeff Saunders
21. Carlos Zambrano
22. Felix Hernandez
23. Aaron Harang
24. James Shields
25. Shawn Marcum
26. Cliff Lee
27. Erik Bedard
28. AJ Burnett
29. Mark Buehrle
30. Ted Lilly
31. Javier Vazquez
32. John Danks
33. Adam Wainwright
34. Gil Meche
35. Chris Young
36. Derek Lowe
37. Daisuke Matsuzaka
38. Ervin Santana
39. Joba Chamberlain
40. Francisco Liriano
41. Zach Greinke
42. Jonathan Sanchez
43. Matt Garza
44. Clay Buchholz
45. Scott Olsen
46. Jared Weaver
47. Andy Pettitte
48. Kyle Lohse
49. Brett Myers
50. Ricky Nolasco
The injuries to Harang and Bedard make me hesitant, but if they just need rest and come back full bore, then they should be able to produce. Stick with them, for now.
I think Brett Myers will have a nice second half. It couldn’t be much worse. But you need to be patient. There is nothing physically wrong with him. Let him work out this stuff in the minors, then be rewarded.
And just like the All-Star team, no Mike Mussina and justifiably so.
Relief Pitchers
1. Brad Lidge
2. Jonathon Papelbon
3. Takashi Saito
4. Mariano Rivera
5. Joe Nathan
6. Billy Wagner
7. Frankie Rodriguez
8. BJ Ryan
9. Jose Valverde
10. Bobby Jenks
11. Joakim Soria
12. Kerry Wood
13. Jose Valverde
14. Trevor Hoffman
15. Francisco Cordero
16. Kevin Gregg
17. Huston Street
18. Jon Rauch
19. Jason Isringhausen
20. Brandon Lyon
21. Brian Wilson
22. Mike Gonzalez
23. CJ Wilson
24. Todd Jones
25. Solomon Torres
26. Damaso Marte
27. Brandon Morrow
28. George Sherrill
29. Taylor Buchholz
30. Masahide Kobayashi
31. Troy Percival
Easily the hardest position to grade, only because there are so many bullpens in flux right now.
Don’t expect Matt Capps back this year. And don’t expect JJ Putz to be closing much the last three months, either.
Tampa is playing great, but is Percival really going to hold up? While healthy, he’s the guy. But how about the other half of the time? Grant Balfour? Dan Wheeler? Too much anxiety for me.
Can you believe Todd Jones has 12 strikeouts…ON THE SEASON! Can you really rule out Rodney or Zumaya stepping in?
The shine was worn off of George Sherrill. Count me among the ones who waited too long to deal him away. He’s given up runs in 4 of his last 5 appearances and if anybody needs a few days off for the AS Break, it’s him.
With that taken care of, let’s get to this week’s Yea or Nay!
YEA: To Joba Chamberlain doing Dunkin Donuts commercials on the radio. That ranks up there with the great ad campaigns of all-time: Mickey Mantle for O’Douls, Steve Howe for DARE and Ricky Williams for Doritos.
NAY: To Dodgers hitters. You might want to sell now, because Donnie Baseball is back in town, ready to ruin another crop of young bats.
YEA: To Hiroki Kuroda. I picked him up as a flyer in my mixed league, based on two home starts this week. He rewards with a one hitter Monday night….encore on Saturday night? I say yes please.
NAY: To Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I actually liked the storyline…it was Indy I didn’t like. It took me all of five seconds to realize he was just too old for this movie. It made me weepy, thinking back to when he was a badass in Raiders. I don’t want to see my hero’s old and gray. It just makes me feel old and gray.
YEA: To Yankees announcer John Sterling, for reportedly scooping ice cream out of the container with his hand inside the press dining hall. ‘Now batting…first baseman….ooohh, is that rocky road?’(slurps fingers greedily). And I thought Suzyn Waldman was the biggest pig in the booth.
NAY: To this guy, for having a car full of porn. Who knew that was a crime? Randy, time to clean out your trunk.
YEA: To the fact Moises Alou’s latest injury might end his career. Mets fans finally have something to cheer about.
NAY: To any of you cromagnons who still say Scarlett Johansson is not the hottest thing on the face of the earth. I’ve been to CVS about 27 times this week and each time, I have to stare at this picture when I’m in line. I can’t even begin to tell you the thoughts that go through my head.
YEA: To my Edinson Volquez prediction. In his last three starts, his numbers add up to thus: 15.6 IP, 18 hits, 9 walks, 11 ER and most frightening of all, only 6 strikeouts.
Have a terrific weekend. Hopefully, none of your players will be participating in next week’s home run derby. And don’t get too caught up in all the media hype about the ‘holy shrine’ Yankee Stadium. I’ve been there. It’s a toilet.
I thought life would get easier once school was over and the kids were home. No more homework or T-Ball or Brownies.
Good lord was I wrong. It’s not that I don’t have the time, it’s that I don’t have the quiet that I require to write. It’s kind of hard formulating opinions and putting them on paper with two kids screaming at each other 90 percent of the day.
Who knew that two kids could fight for 4 days over a toy that came in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. 4 DAYS. I kid you not.
The odds of them both making it back to school in the fall are diminishing day by day. I just haven’t yet decided who will be the unlucky one. Give me time.
Anyway, we are just days from the All-Star Break, so I figured I would come up with some second half rankings. These are based on what guys will do from July 17th on. Wipe out what happened these first three months.
I’ve sorted them by position, but if you need to know, my number one guy to get for the second half is Jimmy Rollins. He’s basically done nothing but steal bases so far and I think he’ll have a massive second half. The power numbers will be there by the end, so buy in now if you can.
Catchers
1. Russell Martin
2. Brian McCann
3. Dioner Navarro
4. Geovany Soto
5. Victor Martinez
6. Chris Ianetta
7. Kurt Suzuki
8. Matt Clement
9. Joe Mauer
10. Bengie Molina
11. Yadier Molina
12. Ivan Rodriguez
13. Jorge Posada
14. Ramon Hernandez
15. Jarrod Salatalamacchia
16. Ryan Doumit
17. Jason Varitek
18. Miguel Olivo
19. David Ross
20. Jesus Flores
It’s a sad state when a guy who is still going to miss another month (V-Mart) ranks in the top five at his position. But catchers are terrible, especially in the AL. I-Rod, in case you missed, recently woke up and remembered it was a contract year. So if someone in your league tossed him, he’s worth picking up. And Kurt Suzuki is batting as well as Ichiro, over the past month.
I’ve always thought Joe Mauer is overrated. 4 home runs and 38 RBI from the 3 hole don’t impress me. Plus, he’s an injury risk. The way catchers wear down over the season, it’s always a good bet to take a chance on guys who haven’t played that much in the first half. Clement, Ianetta and Salty are prime examples.
I liked Chris Snyder a lot until he fractured a testicle. Good luck with that, Chris.
First Base
1. Albert Pujols
2. Mark Teixeira
3. Ryan Howard
4. Miguel Cabrera
5. Lance Berkman
6. David Ortiz
7. Prince Fielder
8. Derrek Lee
9. Justin Morneau
10. Mike Jacobs
11. Adrian Gonzalez
12. Carlos Pena
13. Conor Jackson
14. Paul Konerko
15. Adam LaRoche
16. Joey Votto
17. James Loney
18. Aubrey Huff
19. Kevin Youkilis
20. Casey Kotchman
In case you missed it, Cabrera and Howard have already turned it on in the past week. Too late to buy low on those studs.
It would be hard for Berkman to put up the same numbers in the second half, though he should come close. But .347-22-70 might be out of reach.
Konerko is traditionally a second half bomber, as is LaRoche and Teixeira.
Second Base
1. Robinson Cano
2. Chase Utley
3. Brandon Phillips
4. Ian Kinsler
5. Brian Roberts
6. Dan Uggla
7. Kelly Johnson
8. Placido Polanco
9. Dustin Pedroia
10. Rickie Weeks
11. Jeff Kent
12. Mark Ellis
13. Mark DeRosa
14. Chone Figgins
15. Alexi Ramirez
16. Howie Kendrick
17. Jose Lopez
18. Alexi Casilla
19. Orlando Hudson
20. Freddy Sanchez
I know guys like BJ Upton and Ryan Theriot qualify at 2B in most leagues, but I’m basing my rankings on primary positions. Like it or not, it’s my blog.
Anyway, I love Cano and Phillips. I also really think Kelly Johnson will have a strong second half as the air heats up in Atlanta.
I think Uggla and Kinsler will simmer down a bit….not enough to bottom out, but just not producing like they did early on. Two amazing stats from Kinsler: 81 runs scored (!) and 23 steals and only 1 caught stealing. Texas can mash, but…..
Third Base
1. Alex Rodriguez
2. Aramis Ramirez
3. David Wright
4. Carlos Guillen
5. Garrett Atkins
6. Adrian Beltre
7. Alex Gordon
8. Evan Longoria
9. Mike Lowell
10. Edwin Encarnacion
11. Chipper Jones
12. Kevin Kouzmanoff
13. Scott Rolen
14. Pedro Feliz
15. Troy Glaus
16. Casey Blake
17. Ryan Zimmerman
18. Jorge Cantu
19. Joe Crede
20. Mark Reynolds
Beltre, Kouzmanoff and Atkins have strong second half track records. If Beltre gets dealt to a more hitter friendly park, the boost could be even more signifigant.
Chipper will spend half the second half on the DL. Jorge Cantu will be on the waiver wire of most leagues come September.
Shortstop
1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Hanley Ramirez
3. Michael Young
4. Jose Reyes
5. Stephen Drew
6. Derek Jeter
7. Jhonny Peralta
8. Orlando Cabrera
9. Edgar Renteria
10. Yunel Escobar
11. JJ Hardy
12. Miguel Tejada
13. Ryan Theriot
14. Julio Lugo
15. Troy Tulowitzki
16. Khalil Greene
17. Yuniesky Betancourt
18. Bobby Crosby
19. Cristian Guzman
20. Jeff Keppinger
Boy, there sure are some awful starting shortstops in the majors. Injuries have hit this position particularly hard this year: Tulo, Furcal, Rollins, Jolbert Cabrera.
But I love Rollins, Young and Renteria going forward. Reyes is up and down and his whole season depends on whether the Mets ship sinks or swims. Hardy is on fire right now, but you know that won’t continue through October. Greene and Lugo have both been major busts. Hopefully, you’ve got one of the top guys. Otherwise, you are just out of luck.
Outfield
1. Carl Crawford
2. Ryan Braun
3. Matt Holliday
4. Grady Sizemore
5. Nick Markakis
6. BJ Upton
7. Carlos Beltran
8. Corey Hart
9. Curtis Granderson
10. Bobby Abreu
11. Josh Hamilton
12. Alex Rios
13. Carlos Lee
14. Manny Ramirez
15. Ichiro Suzuki
16. Alfonso Soriano
17. Pat Burrell
18. Jason Bay
19. Jose Guillen
20. Vlad Guerrero
21. Chris Young
22. Brad Hawpe
23. Carlos Quentin
24. Aaron Rowand
25. Magglio Ordonez
26. Adam Dunn
27. Torii Hunter
28. Hunter Pence
29. Jeff Francoeur
30. Carlos Gomez
31. Raul Ibanez
32. Jeremy Hermida
33. Chase Headley
34. Shane Victorino
35. Adam Jones
36. Delmon Young
37. Jermaine Dye
38. Nick Swisher
39. Josh Willingham
40. Ryan Ludwick
41. Milton Bradley
42. Mike Cameron
43. Kosuke Fukudome
44. David DeJesus
45. Jacoby Ellsbury
46. Matt Kemp
47. Rick Ankiel
48. Juan Pierre
49. JD Drew
50. Andruw Jones
Burrell, Francoeur, Markakis and Young have all been perennial second half mashers. I really think Delmon Young will figure it out and that Ordonez will come back strong.
Starting Pitchers
1. Johan Santana
2. CC Sabathia
3. John Lackey
4. Justin Verlander
5. Brandon Webb
6. Jake Peavy
7. Ben Sheets
8. Cole Hamels
9. Chad Billingsley
10. Matt Cain
11. Josh Beckett
12. Roy Halladay
13. Scott Kazmir
14. Tim Lincecum
15. Rich Harden
16. Dan Haren
17. Roy Oswalt
18. Tim Hudson
19. Edinson Volquez
20. Jeff Saunders
21. Carlos Zambrano
22. Felix Hernandez
23. Aaron Harang
24. James Shields
25. Shawn Marcum
26. Cliff Lee
27. Erik Bedard
28. AJ Burnett
29. Mark Buehrle
30. Ted Lilly
31. Javier Vazquez
32. John Danks
33. Adam Wainwright
34. Gil Meche
35. Chris Young
36. Derek Lowe
37. Daisuke Matsuzaka
38. Ervin Santana
39. Joba Chamberlain
40. Francisco Liriano
41. Zach Greinke
42. Jonathan Sanchez
43. Matt Garza
44. Clay Buchholz
45. Scott Olsen
46. Jared Weaver
47. Andy Pettitte
48. Kyle Lohse
49. Brett Myers
50. Ricky Nolasco
The injuries to Harang and Bedard make me hesitant, but if they just need rest and come back full bore, then they should be able to produce. Stick with them, for now.
I think Brett Myers will have a nice second half. It couldn’t be much worse. But you need to be patient. There is nothing physically wrong with him. Let him work out this stuff in the minors, then be rewarded.
And just like the All-Star team, no Mike Mussina and justifiably so.
Relief Pitchers
1. Brad Lidge
2. Jonathon Papelbon
3. Takashi Saito
4. Mariano Rivera
5. Joe Nathan
6. Billy Wagner
7. Frankie Rodriguez
8. BJ Ryan
9. Jose Valverde
10. Bobby Jenks
11. Joakim Soria
12. Kerry Wood
13. Jose Valverde
14. Trevor Hoffman
15. Francisco Cordero
16. Kevin Gregg
17. Huston Street
18. Jon Rauch
19. Jason Isringhausen
20. Brandon Lyon
21. Brian Wilson
22. Mike Gonzalez
23. CJ Wilson
24. Todd Jones
25. Solomon Torres
26. Damaso Marte
27. Brandon Morrow
28. George Sherrill
29. Taylor Buchholz
30. Masahide Kobayashi
31. Troy Percival
Easily the hardest position to grade, only because there are so many bullpens in flux right now.
Don’t expect Matt Capps back this year. And don’t expect JJ Putz to be closing much the last three months, either.
Tampa is playing great, but is Percival really going to hold up? While healthy, he’s the guy. But how about the other half of the time? Grant Balfour? Dan Wheeler? Too much anxiety for me.
Can you believe Todd Jones has 12 strikeouts…ON THE SEASON! Can you really rule out Rodney or Zumaya stepping in?
The shine was worn off of George Sherrill. Count me among the ones who waited too long to deal him away. He’s given up runs in 4 of his last 5 appearances and if anybody needs a few days off for the AS Break, it’s him.
With that taken care of, let’s get to this week’s Yea or Nay!
YEA: To Joba Chamberlain doing Dunkin Donuts commercials on the radio. That ranks up there with the great ad campaigns of all-time: Mickey Mantle for O’Douls, Steve Howe for DARE and Ricky Williams for Doritos.
NAY: To Dodgers hitters. You might want to sell now, because Donnie Baseball is back in town, ready to ruin another crop of young bats.
YEA: To Hiroki Kuroda. I picked him up as a flyer in my mixed league, based on two home starts this week. He rewards with a one hitter Monday night….encore on Saturday night? I say yes please.
NAY: To Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I actually liked the storyline…it was Indy I didn’t like. It took me all of five seconds to realize he was just too old for this movie. It made me weepy, thinking back to when he was a badass in Raiders. I don’t want to see my hero’s old and gray. It just makes me feel old and gray.
YEA: To Yankees announcer John Sterling, for reportedly scooping ice cream out of the container with his hand inside the press dining hall. ‘Now batting…first baseman….ooohh, is that rocky road?’(slurps fingers greedily). And I thought Suzyn Waldman was the biggest pig in the booth.
NAY: To this guy, for having a car full of porn. Who knew that was a crime? Randy, time to clean out your trunk.
YEA: To the fact Moises Alou’s latest injury might end his career. Mets fans finally have something to cheer about.
NAY: To any of you cromagnons who still say Scarlett Johansson is not the hottest thing on the face of the earth. I’ve been to CVS about 27 times this week and each time, I have to stare at this picture when I’m in line. I can’t even begin to tell you the thoughts that go through my head.
YEA: To my Edinson Volquez prediction. In his last three starts, his numbers add up to thus: 15.6 IP, 18 hits, 9 walks, 11 ER and most frightening of all, only 6 strikeouts.
Have a terrific weekend. Hopefully, none of your players will be participating in next week’s home run derby. And don’t get too caught up in all the media hype about the ‘holy shrine’ Yankee Stadium. I’ve been there. It’s a toilet.
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