Welcome to
Special Post Draft Edition The Fun Begins! |
Welcome to
Special Post Draft Edition The Fun Begins! |
Annual Draft Review
You can link to the draft page to review the proceedings. Here is the 2005 Edition. In keeping with tradition, I will revisit the analysis after week one with follow up comments. So, stay tuned.
This year's Jaco Award for the most redundant drafter goes to Larry Malmquist who demonstrated that when it comes to using eligible player lists, less is more.
Thanks to everyone for their preparedness, decisiveness and efficiency. Completion by 10:15 is a new record. Thanks again to Bocce Balls' Terry Gray for the projector.
This year's Nazi challenge: How many Seinfeld references be squeezed into one report? How many can you count? If you're keeping score at home, the number is 6
Football Nazi - the alter ego,
You suffer for your soup,
Nazi franchise name.
Male body part/Mulva,
Festivous,
"Not that there's anything wrong with that"
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Dreadlock Terry Gray, who appears to have overdid the beer and
pizza on draft night, is with his guy Ricky Williams.
Is that wig made of hemp?
Unlike the Saints and Dolphins, Ricky only cost the Bocce Balls a 10th round pick. |
Nazi Power Ratings are back for the fifth year. Starters at each position are rated along with depth and each owner's reputation for their ability to upgrade (Rep) through trades and claims. Attempting to put quantitative values on speculative and qualitative elements is a system that can have it's flaws. Look no further than Olympic judging of gymnastics and figure skating. That said, the NPR system usually nails at least 4 of our 6 playoff teams.
This year's division names are inspired by 2005's ushering in of the Cedric Benson era. The names were created before training camp began. They gain more irony with each passing day.
After week one, we have our most competitive league in recent memory. The lowest score was a respectable 53. Heck, the Poopy Pants' record is worse than the Striders who I had nearly written off.
I see two potentially dominant teams. And three potential contenders and one depth challenged competitor. Maybe the grass is always greener but I'd prefer a schedule with more Enis opponents. Easier competition in the Enis may doom the wild card chances of the Salaam also rans despite higher NPRs.
| Possible | 10 | 20 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 96 |
| Rasham Salaam Division | QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D | Depth | Rep | Power Rating |
| Initalone | 7.0 | 17.0 | 24.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 6.5 | 81.0 |
| Football Nazis | 7.5 | 16.5 | 24.5 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 7.0 | 81.0 |
| Chicago Gamblers | 10.0 | 14.5 | 20.0 | 7.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 73.5 |
| Loose Gooses | 7.5 | 16.5 | 22.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 72.5 |
| Commanders | 7.5 | 18.0 | 22.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 68.0 |
| Wheaton Striders | 8.5 | 14.0 | 18.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 65.5 |
| 72.7 | |||||||||
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Almost all the pieces are in place. This may be the highest NPR ever. I even love their D and K. The top 2 RBs are handcuffed. What's missing?
That's it. Scary.
The debut of the scary WRs was not so scary as Andre Johnson and Nate Burleson were victims of surprisingly disappointing QB performances. Pollard's five points was as good as it got for their receivers. Caught a big break with the Walker injury. |
Willis McGahee RB Tiki Barber RB Andre Johnson WR Nate Burleson WR Michael Clayton WR Fred Taylor RB Tom Brady QB Lee Evans WR Eric Johnson TE Jason Elam K Ravens D D Chad Pennington QB Brandon Jacobs RB Michael Jenkins WE Reggie Williams WR Marcus Pollard TE Arnaz Battle WR Joe Burns RB Lawrence Tynes K Justin Fargas RB |
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OK, Kevin Jones at #5. What? He was the #1 RB in the second half of 2004, out producing Tomlinson and the rest. That compromise landed Anquan Bolden in the swapping of picks. Combined with Tory Holt, Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch and young stud Antonio Gates, is there a stronger starting group of receivers? (A league-best 33 receiving pts. in week one, w/o Gates) You wonder how much C-Mart has left in his tank. But the Jets let Lamont Jordan go in his favor. They know something. Right? Thanks to Pennington and Fast Willie, Curtis may not be My Favorite Martin for long.
Carson, Carson he's our man. If he can't do it, David can. I can only hope. Taking Carr too soon may haunt me. Right the first time. Carr is seriously stalled.
Charles Rogers will likely break his collarbone again. Ronnie Brown has a crappy OL and Ricky lingering. But Travis Henry in the 11th should be a nice pick-up. And just for fun, there's Steeler RB Fast Willie Parker. Would have be even more more fun with those 20 points in the lineup. Will Roddy may be gone by the time you read this? Almost. Is Branch's mysterious knee hurt again? Not.
You suffer for your Stover. |
Kevin Jones RB |
 Chicago Gamblers
Some clever mid to late round drafting brought some nice value. Mike Anderson, Stallworth, Leftwich and the Bears D have nice potential for contributing. The issues:
I see Leftwich having nice potential trade value. There are a few minor annoyances. Chatman and Garner may not be on NFL rosters this season. Graham is hurting. (was hurting) Booker has David Boston breathing down his neck. How scary is that? Marty was running either scared or wild in week one building the Gamblers' bench stats along with top pick Portis. Time to lay off the Bears Kool-Aid and start the stars. |
Clinton Portis RB Payton Manning QB Tony Gonzales TE Laveraneus Coles WR Thomas Jones RB Jerry Porter WR Mike Anderson RB Brandon Stokely WR Keary Colbert WR Dante Stallworth WR Quentin Griffin RB Peerless Price WR Bears D Byron Leftwich QB Shayne Graham K Jesse Chattman RB Marty Booker WR Boo Williams TE Aaron Stecker RB Charlie Garner RB |
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A strong, if not spectacular roster with depth everywhere except at TE. In recent years, having a Cowboy or Bengal RB would be tenuous. This season should be different. Anthony Thomas could be a nice addition. Melwalde Moore could be the steal of this year's draft. McNair is potentially a formidable #2 QB option. A lot rides on the combination of Plummer to Lelie as a late season Denver snowstorm could dump on their hopes. First, they'll need to make the playoffs. Lelie didn't need a snowstorm in week one, just the heavy Miami air. Javon Walker's ACL injury may require major roster maneuvering. |
Julius Jones RB Rudi Johnson RB Javon Walker WR Reggie Wayne WR Ashley Lelie WR Jake Plummer QB Chris Brown RB Keyshawn Johnson WR Bubba Franks TE Justin McCareins WR Nate Kaeding K Melwalde Moore RB Bucs D Steve McNair QB Ladell Betts RB Chris Perry RB Daniel Graham TE Jerry Rice WR Ciatrick Fason RB Paul Edinger K |
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The Commanders will command respect when their first line draftees are in the lineup. They have a solid starting lineup especially at RB and WR. But key injuries to other than Priest or Collins make them vulnerable.
Their rookie status torpedoed their reputation rating. We don't know about their ability to maneuver a roster.
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Priest Holmes RB Brain Westbrook RB Marvin Harrison WR Kerry Collins QB Roy Williams WR Chris Chambers WR Larry Johnson RB Aaron Brooks QB Antwaan Randal-El WR Tyrone Calico WR LJ Smith TE LaBrandon Toefield RB Redskins D Jabar Gaffney WR Chester Taylor RB Josh Brown K Freddie Jones TE Jeff Reed K Mark Bradley WR Chris Wilson TE |
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Draft attendance isn't mandatory. But it helps. Last year's draft script delivered a championship that likely won't be repeated. LT is as close to a sure thing as there is. Tatum Bell is not and may not start for a while, if at all. Because drafting Mike Anderson for insurance was not in the script, the Striders may lack a serviceable #2 RB. This didn't prevent them from winning Fun Bowl XIXVII. I see it keeping them out of the playoffs. #1 WR Derrick Mason is a Raven now. Not a feel good scenario for me. TE Jeremy Stevens was a giant reach in the 6th round. But at 6'7" he does have a gigantic reach and the Hasselbeck seems to like him. But Stevens may be another casualty of scripted drafting without contingencies for unexpected turns in draft events. Curious roster moves continue with the dropping of Ducket while keeping the injured Jeff Garcia. Week one fortunes turned in their favor with Mike Anderson's injury and Fitzgerald's breakout week and the Gamblers curious lineup selections. |
LaDainian Tomlinson RB Trent Green QB Tatum Bell RB Derrick Mason WR Larry Fitzgerald WR Jeremy Stevens TE Braylon Edwards WR Drew Brees QB Marcus Robinson WR TJ Duckett RB Jermaine Wiggins TE Ryan Longwell K David Patten WR Dominick Rhodes RB Falcons-D D Anthony Thomas RB David Boston WR Jeff Garcia QB John Kasey K Justin Gage WR |
Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's that division that rhymes with a male body part. Isn't that right, Mulva? And how appropriate! We have Nickboy, Bocce Balls as members. And if the Bocce Balls merged with the Blue Dogs? Sorry.
On the basis of NPR, I see only two of the six members as picks to click. But as mentioned when viewing those Salaamies (sorry), the schedule may favor the Enises for playoff qualification.
| Possible | 10 | 20 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 96 |
| Curtis Enis Division | QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D | Depth | Rep | Power Rating |
| Poopy Pants | 6.5 | 17.5 | 23.5 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 78.0 |
| Bocce Balls | 8.5 | 16.5 | 22.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 76.5 |
| Young Guns | 8.0 | 14.5 | 24.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 72.0 |
| Schmued Potatoes | 9.0 | 14.5 | 20.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 70.5 |
| Nickboy | 8.5 | 15.0 | 21.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 63.5 |
| Blue Dogs | 8.0 | 15.0 | 20.5 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 63.0 |
| 70.6 | |||||||||
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Can you say Class of The Enis Division? I guess I just did.
For those discouraged with losing their backup RBs to Dr. Chuck, keep the faith. He typically turns over 40% of his roster by week four. I'm not sure if Housh will be a worthy #3 WR. If not, Rod Smith will. The Bus blew a tire about the time he was drafted. So he might want to engage in some voodoo to bring about a Westbrook, Barlow, Fred, or Ahman injury. Or just play the odds. Kurt Warner is their #1 QB. With a golden opportunity in AZ, some say he has Drew Bledsoe-itis: He holds on to the ball too long. As the main guy, he's a gamble. Maybe Delhomme and the Panthers will be so confused over which of their 5 RBs will play, they'll just start chucking it.
20% of the roster has turned before the season began. The strategy of not drafting a kicker is working as well as playing the QB matchups. |
Edgerrin James RB Lemont Jordon RB Chad Johnson WR Darrell Jackson WR Jason Whitten TE TJ Houshman WR Rod Smith WR Jerome Bettis RB Kurt Warner QB Amani Toomer WR Jake Delhomme QB Travis Taylor WR Ryan Moats RB Panthers D Frank Gore RB Alvin Pearman RB Ben Troupe TE Najeh Davenport RB Billy Volek QB Kelley Washington WR |
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Scarred by last season's injuries to Steven Davis and Priest Holmes, Terry went for RBs early and often. He might have reversed the order of Arrington and Jackson. The result is the same. With three solid starters, the Balls have RB injury insulation. Their WRs are long in the tooth. Does Isaac Bruce have one more great year with the greatest show on turf? Jimmy Smith is legally blind in one eye and is in his 14th season. (He's always stared despite his handicap) Eddie Kennsion has been let go by the Rams, Bears, Saints and Broncos but has found a happy home with Trent Green in KC. Mush is on a team that's seemingly clueless for getting a talented QB on the field. I actually like these guys, though his strategy cost him a strong #1 WR.
Landing Jeremy Shockey in the 9th round may prove to be their key. With one of the night's few successful RB handcuffs, the once great Marshall Faulk provides security and prestige.
Other than Tory Holt, the Bocce Balls drafted every other part of what they hope will again be the greatest show on turf. If the Rams will continue to play from behind, this is a formidable group that plays indoors. Bulger must stay healthy! |
Shaun Alexander RB JJ Arrington RB Steven Jackson RB Mark Bulger QB Issac Bruce WR Jimmy Smith WR Eddie Kennison WR Mushin Mohammed WR Jeremy Shockey TE Ricky Williams RB Jeff Wilkins K Marshall Faulk RB Pats D Kyle Boller QB Rod Gardner WR Eric Parker WR Giants-D D Jason Hanson K Desmond Clark TE Ike Hilliard WR |
 Young
Guns
The guns are loaded at WR. Moss and Steve Smith should be a deadly combination. (26 points in week one!) But will they be firing blanks with their #2 RB? The triumphant return of Steven Davis has cast a shadow of doubt over the value of Deshawn Foster. Will they be firing blanks with their #1 RB? The Texas early play is cause for concern with Dominick Davis. Steven Davis So Kevan Barlow may be needed sooner rather than later. Favre seems poised to make some things happen this season. Randy McMichael is suspended until week 5, so Billy needs to be a hero. Oops, he's not yet suspended. Billy is gone. Like the Poopy Pants, they have loaded up on back-up RBs. We'll see if that can work to their advantage. |
Dominick Davis RB Randy Moss WR Deshaun Foster RB Steve Smith WR Drew Bennett WR Brett Favre QB Kevan Barlow RB Brandon Lloyd WR Randy McMichael TE Sebastian Janikowski K Troy Williamson WR Eli Manning QB Eagles D Marcel Shipp RB Derrick Blaylock RB Todd Pinkston WR Antoine Smith RB Kevin Curtis WR Johnathan Wells RB Billy Miller TE |
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The Potatoes are seemingly stuffed with an abundance of talent at QB and TE. The starting RBs appear solid. (Deuce and Dunn dynamic) There's a few key unresolved issues. The first being: the Nazi isn't sold on their WRs. TO may be a time bomb. (temporarily detonated) Plax has a QB that has yet to come through. And Mini-Moss is now in Washington, the place that nearly destroyed the careers of Laverneous Coles and Rod Gardner. Wash looks like a nice fit for Moss.
Droughns is not in Denver (RB heaven) any more. Is this heaven? No, it's Cleveland. Olandis Gary he's not.
Dallas Clark was a steal and should provide trade bait as Crumpler looks to be the man for Mike Vick.
The stunning new question is about Cullpepper. Does he miss Moss more than most imagined? |
Deuce McAllister RB Dante Cullpepper QB Terell Owens WR Warrick Dunn RB Plaxico Burress WR Alge Crumpler TE Santana Moss WR Rueben Droughns RB David Givens WR David Akers K Brian Greise QB Dallas Clark TE Jaguars D Chris Cooley TE Matt Jones WR Todd Peterson K Bengals-D D Joey Harrington QB Moe Williams RB Dennis Northcutt WR |
 Nickboy
So instead of Culpepper, this year it's McNabb. Dante lost Randy. Donavan still has TO. We don't yet know if that's good or how good. Nickboy's NPR took some hits because of unanswered questions.
Some might question Jamal Lewis. I don't. I believe that Antonio Bryant will make Caldwell's situation moot. Cedric Wilson might also be a pleasant surprise. |
Jamel Lewis RB Donavan McNabb QB Carnell Williams RB Joe Horn WR Donald Driver WR Todd Heap TE Matt Hasselbeck QB Michael Bennett RB Reche Caldwell WR Mike Vanderjagt K Antonio Bryant WR Bills D Mike Williams WR Heath Miller TE Mark Clayton WR Eric Shelton RB Kevin Faulk RB Drew Bledsoe QB Cedric Wilson WR Doug Brien K |
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Ahman Green is playing behind his most questionable OL and seems to have a relapse of the fumble-itis that exiled him from Seattle. Other than that, I love this guy. I overstated the fumble stuff, but the line remains an issue.
I like Vick. In our system he's a 3rd RB and will single-handedly win some games for you. The next week, he'll disappear. It's a roller coaster ride. What he needs is to play on a team with a bad defense.
Eric Moulds has burned me and his QB is unproven. And Lee Evans may be the new favorite in BUF. Steven Davis, Suggs, Benson and Engram may provide nice depth Waiver wire inactivity drags down their ranking. These Dogs are much better than last year's with some potential for wheeling and dealing, if so inclined.
What will be done with the league's largest RB surplus? |
Ahman Green RB Corey Dillon RB Michael Vick QB Hines Ward WR Eric Moulds WR Cedric Benson RB Lee Suggs RB Keenan McArdell WR Adam Vinatieri K Joey Galloway WR Steven Davis RB Greg Lewis WR Doug Jolley TE Bobby Engram WR Jets D Michael Pittman RB Ben Roethlisberger QB Jim Kleinsasser TE Maurice Morris RB Ronald Curry WR |
Annual HO HO HO!
I've heard it said a fantasy football draft is like Christmas morning. Or Festivous for the rest of us. After much anticipation, making our lists, checking them twice, we finally get to open our presents, see what we got and play with our new toys.
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T'was the eve of the season and all through the league We look at our talent. We all have some needs. The rosters were posted to the website with care with hopes that from injuries we all will be spared.
The Nazi has added his annual wit Designed to give owners with some thoughts of OH S#@t! But we hear him exclaim with analysis past, Good luck to you all, before I kick you ass.
- FB Nazi |
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Other FFFL Links
Initalone 
Football Nazis
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Bocce Balls
Blue
Dogs