FF Week 7

[Detritus]

I'm in Pasadena, but will be coming home later tonight. I'll post a spotlight matchup tonight if I have the energy for it when I get back.

I will say, the WCT are whopping 41-point favorites over Fallen Angels right now, which is what happens when there's a 9-on-6 imbalance in the starting lineups. :satanlook:

[Kalzazz]

Joseph Addai is listed as Doubhtful, so the Tribbles will be sending forth Rudi Johnson

[Detritus]

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 0.0
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 0.0

Neanderthals (4-2) - 0.0
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 0.0

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 0.0
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 0.0

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 0.0
Demolition (3-3) - 0.0

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 0.0
Tribbles (2-4) - 0.0

Spotlight Matchup - Fighting Friars vs. Demolition
The regular season for the GE&R Bragging Rights League will be halfway completed at the end of this week's games. The featured game in Week 7 is the clash between Fighting Friars, the only team to top 100 points four times in the first six weeks, and Demolition, the team with the highest single-game point total this year. The game is loaded with playoff implications.

The outcome of the game may well pivot around the fortunes of the two Steelers WRs, Hines Ward (Friars) and Santonio Holmes (Demolition). Ward is the possession guy and top red zone threat in Pittsburgh's passing game. Holmes is the deep threat off to a disappointing start. Ward has owned Cincinnati in recent years, and another big game would help offset Demolition QB Ben Roethlisberger's contribution to their final score.

Both sides are missing key players due to byes. Michael Turner has the week off for the Friars, and Brian Westbrook/Correll Buckhalter and Anquan Boldin are off for Demolition. The performance of their fill-ins is another important component in this matchup. We also note that the Friars have (as of this writing) chosen Justin Fargas at the flex over the high-risk, high-reward Lee Evans. It will be interesting to see if Evans can shake free deep the way Randy Moss did vs. San Diego last week. Trent Edwards won't underthrow Evans, nor will he miss by 15 yards should his deep threat break loose in the end zone the way Matt Cassel did with Moss.

The rest of the slate...
Neanderthals and SnakeBitten square off in another 4-2 vs. 3-3 contest. Yahoo rates the game as a pick-em, but we find it hard to believe their projection of 0.92 points for Roy Williams. LaDainian Tomlinson showed signs of life in Week 4 before aggravating his toe injury, but he claims that the toe is feeling is good as it's felt all year. Does that herald an explosion from the #1 overall draft pick?

Zohan's Posse takes on 2nd helping skillets in a battle of .500 teams. Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Andre Johnson and Randy Moss all have pretty sweet matchups, and that portends a big week for the Posse. The once-potent WR trio of Brandon Marshall, Santana Moss, and TJ Houshmandzadeh have fallen on hard times recently, and they will have to reclaim their earlier form to help lift the Skillets to victory along with the rejuvenated Peyton Manning.

The loser of the Tribbles-Trifecta Wookies game will fall to 2-5. There will definitely be at least four teams at 4-3 or better after this week, and if there end up being only four teams with winning records, then the top three teams in the league will have at least five wins. That is a hole that will be tough to climb out of. The Wookies welcome back Marques Colston after a lengthy absence, and Tribbles have had to scramble to replace the nicked-up Joseph Addai. It also remains to be seen what impact Tony Romo's pinky injury and the arrival of WR Roy Williams from Detroit will have have on TO's performance.

Finally, Fallen Angels look to knock Wily Corn Trolls off their perch atop the league standings. WCT had been looking forward to the return of Willie Parker just in time for a cream puff matchup vs. the porous Bengals run D, but a practice-field sprinkler head hole took care of that. Will they plug in the right players to replace Parker and Larry Fitzgerald? The Angels can roll out the formidable WR trio of Greg Jennings, Plaxico Burress, and Torry Holt, but they have QB issues between Donovan McNabb's bye and Jon Kitna's trip to the injured reserve list. Will they divine in the best waiver wire replacement?

Stay tuned....

[Brother Brian]

In late breaking news, the Friars announced Evans will be starting at the flex position after all. Evans is coming off two good weeks before the bye, and could be a game breaker. Fargas isn't any more guaranteed to hit his 7 point expectation than Evans is, and team manager BB thinks San Diego is vulnerable deep.

Also of note, the Friars earlier this week moved against their trend, and cut the New England Defense, which has been exposed by SD and Miami, and has picked up Denver, who should be good for points this week against the anemic Patriot's Offense.

A team that drafted 4 New England players now has only 1, alleviating fears (and hopes) that the owner would "homer" his team into mediocrity.

Team owner BB stated "When Brady went down we had a choice. We could start Matt Cassell, and pretty much write off the season, or we could make the deals necessary to win.

[Detritus]

The lineup switch paid off for you. That was quite a TD grab by Evans at the sideline and about 8 yards deep in the end zone.

[Brother Brian]

Yeah, it was nice of him to make it look smart.

I need NO and Carolina to step up their running games a bit.

[Kalzazz]

So, how are the games going?

[Detritus]

1135 am update, as of halftime of the Steelers-Bengals games:

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 33.8 (Peterson, Chris Johnson, Olsen, Kaeding, Pitt D/ST)
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 17.6 (K. Collins, Burress, Gore, Fasano, Carney, Dallas D/ST)

Neanderthals (4-2) - 37.9 (Brees, SJax, Roy Williams, Gould, Tennessee D/ST)
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 45.7 (Rivers, Tomlinson, Sproles, Stevonne Smith, D. Hester, Longwell, Baltimore D/ST)

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 24.6 (Barber, Jacobs)
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 14.4 (Lynch, Housh, Folk, Minnesota D/ST)

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 17.2 (Bush, DeAngelo Williams, H. Ward, Evans)
Demolition (3-3) - 31.7 (Roethlisberger, Holmes, Berrian, Witten, NYG D/ST)

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 29.8 (Orton, LenDale, Colston, Bowe, Gates)
Tribbles (2-4) - 29.0 (Delhomme, TO, Vincent Jackson, C. Cinco, Bironas, SDC D/ST)

[Detritus]

Got some Revenge of the RBs going on in the early games. LenDale and SJax both have hat tricks including a long TD run. Peterson has two scores including a long one. Jacobs has two scores, although he's been kind of quiet in the second half. Mewelde Moore is having a big game on the waiver wire. Almost picked him up instead of Rhodes, but I guess my choice is set there.

EDIT -- Chris Johnson just took one 66 yards to the house for the Titans, and Moore just joined the hat trick club this week. Tennessee has 323 rushing yards vs. KC.

[Brother Brian]

Williams stepped up for me with Bush out in the first half. I was worried about Bush's knee. Oh well, Turner's back next week.

Ward get's a late TD catch...from LEFTWICH! Sweet! Garbage time points help!

I need a big game from Reggie Wayne tonight, to keep it to 20-25 points going into tomorrow, with 3 players on my team including my QB going on Monday night. Against the anemic Patriots offense, I think Denver's D can come up big, and even 40 points won't be impossible.

[Detritus]

105 pm update -- There are still a few games going on, but I'm getting this update in before any of the late games start:

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 72.0 (Peterson, Chris Johnson, Olsen, Kaeding, Pitt D/ST)
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 40.3 (K. Collins, Burress, Gore, Fasano, Carney, Dallas D/ST)

Neanderthals (4-2) - 56.0 (Brees, SJax, Roy Williams, Gould, Tennessee D/ST)
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 77.6 (Rivers, Tomlinson, Sproles, Stevonne Smith, D. Hester, Longwell, Baltimore D/ST)

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 30.5 (Barber, Jacobs)
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 30.9 (Lynch, Housh, Folk, Minnesota D/ST)

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 39.7 (Bush, DeAngelo Williams, H. Ward, Evans)
Demolition (3-3) - 64.7 (Roethlisberger, Holmes, Berrian, Witten, NYG D/ST)

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 58.2 (Orton, LenDale, Colston, Bowe, Gates)
Tribbles (2-4) - 66.2 (Delhomme, TO, Vincent Jackson, C. Cinco, Bironas, SDC D/ST)

[Kalzazz]

So Im currently ahead by a bit, but also used up one more guy?

[Detritus]

So Im currently ahead by a bit, but also used up one more guy?
You could say that, yes.

[Detritus]

235 pm update, all afternoon games at halftime:

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 96.6 (Rodgers, Rhodes, Braylon, Cotchery)
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 42.6 (Jennings, Kevin Smith)

Neanderthals (4-2) - 82.1 (Slaton, T. Jones, Harrison, O. Daniels)
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 89.0 (Grant)

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 58.0 (Favre, Andre Johnson, Coles, Dallas Clark, Crosby, NYJ D/ST)
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 37.5 (Peyton, S. Moss, Cooley)

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 48.2 (Wayne, Donald Lee)
Demolition (3-3) - 73.9 (J. Lewis, L. Washington, K. Walter, Kris Brown)

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 63.8 (Portis)
Tribbles (2-4) - 74.7 (Ahman Green, Rudi Johnson)

It's looking an awful lot like we're about to see the first team get to 6 wins, and the first to 6 losses, this season. Fallen Angels have Pittman going during MNF, but they're in a pretty steep hole, and their most explosive player, Greg Jennings, would happen to have his output basically canceled by Aaron Rodgers.

[Paulypalooza]

I really screwed up I meant to put Jamal lewis on the bench (currently 2.10 points) in favor of of Leon Washington (who currently has -.90 points) but by mistake cost myself 11.20 by benching Jonathan Stewart. That could cost me the game.

[carmachu]

If my WR dont preform, I wont win. Its really what it comes down to. Minn def has already let me down....

[Detritus]

I really screwed up I meant to put Jamal lewis on the bench (currently 2.10 points) in favor of of Leon Washington (who currently has -.90 points) but by mistake cost myself 11.20 by benching Jonathan Stewart. That could cost me the game.
Li'l Leon just snapped off an 11-yard TD run.

[Detritus]

If my WR dont preform, I wont win. Its really what it comes down to. Minn def has already let me down....
Peyton hasn't helped your cause, either. He just through another pick-six, and this one was at the goal line. Ouch.

[carmachu]

Peyton hasn't helped your cause, either. He just through another pick-six, and this one was at the goal line. Ouch.

Its going to be a loss week I think. My two top performers arent and doesnt look good on the WR front.

edit: ok I lie, Moss put up decent numnbers, but everyone else on the roster just isnt this week. From Peyton to Def...I needed Moss's numbers LAST week.

[Detritus]

Its going to be a loss week I think. My two top performers arent and doesnt look good on the WR front.

edit: ok I lie, Moss put up decent numnbers, but everyone else on the roster just isnt this week. From Peyton to Def...I needed Moss's numbers LAST week.
BTW, Peyton just had two different TD passes overruled by replay on the most recent Colts' drive, and then Rhodes got a 1-yard TD run. I guess you're the team having one of those weeks this week.

[Brother Brian]

So I need 41.8 points from Cutler, Denver's D, and Stephen Gotowski, after Reggie Wayne forgot to show up today.

If all three play up to what they have averaged this season, I have 40.9. However, Denver is going against the Matt Cassel led Patriots, and I think their D could do well.

It's going to be a nail biter.

[Detritus]

440 pm update, after Janikowski's 57-yard FG lifted the Raiders to a 16-13 OT victory over the Jets:

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 116.3
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 53.3 (Pittman/MNF)

Neanderthals (4-2) - 100.1
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 94.7 (John Carlson)

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 70.2 (R. Moss/MNF)
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 46.0 (Graham, B. Marshall/MNF)

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 49.7 (Cutler/MNF, Gostkowski/MNF, Denver D/ST/MNF)
Demolition (3-3) - 91.5

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 76.0 (Dunn, Prater/MNF, TBB D/ST))
Tribbles (2-4) - 77.7

I've switched to players left to play tonight or tomorrow night in parentheses. It'll probably come down to whether John Carlson sneaks into the end zone to decide the Neanderthals-SnakeBitten matchup. The Friars have a deep hole to climb out of, but still have a QB, PK, and D/ST to play on MNF. Too close to call for the spotlight matchup. The Skillets need big games out of Earnest Graham and Brandon Marshall and a quiet game from Randy Moss in order to sneak out the W in their game with the Posse.

[voodazel]

Well, I'm just mad at myself that I didn't start Chicago's Def.....or Eli.

Either way looks like I may have dodged a bullet.

[Kalzazz]

I seem to be toast

Wonder if I left any heroes on the bench or if I just didnt have any heroes period

[Detritus]

I seem to be toast

Wonder if I left any heroes on the bench or if I just didnt have any heroes period
Everyone on your bench was either inactive or on bye, with the exception of Marc Bulger, and Delhomme outscored him pretty easily.

[Detritus]

Reggie Bush will have arthroscopic surgery after damaging the meniscus in his left knee. He's expected to be out 3-4 weeks:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80bbed10&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

If he comes back fast, he might only miss one game (Saints have a Week 9 bye), but my guess is he's out for the Saints' next two games.

[Wook]

Garbage time TD for Carlson.

[Detritus]

Garbage time TD for Carlson.
Indeed so, and that (unofficially) lifts SnakeBitten over Neanderthals. If Demolition holds on to their lead, there will be a five-way tie for second place at 4-3. Here are the scores after SNF:

Wily Corn Trolls (5-1) - 116.3
Fallen Angels (1-5) - 53.3 (Pittman/MNF)

Neanderthals (4-2) - 100.1
SnakeBitten (3-3) - 102.2 (John Carlson) Final (unofficial)

Zohan's Posse (3-3) - 70.2 (R. Moss/MNF)
2nd helping skillets (3-3) - 57.3 (Graham, B. Marshall/MNF)

Fighting Friars (4-2) - 49.7 (Cutler/MNF, Gostkowski/MNF, Denver D/ST/MNF)
Demolition (3-3) - 91.5

Trifecta Wookies (2-4) - 89.3 (Dunn, Prater/MNF, TBB D/ST))
Tribbles (2-4) - 77.7

WCT and the Wookies have their games locked up. Neither Demolition nor the Posse is out of the woods yet.

Posse-Skillets: I could see Marshall outscoring Moss by the tune of something like 17-4. Moss can get open deep, the question will be whether Cassel can get the ball to him. He failed miserably at that task last week in what could have been a multi-TD game for Moss. The Patriots secondary made Vincent Jackson look like an all-Pro, and Marshall really is a receiver of that caliber, so the sky's the limit with him this week. 25 points (something like a 10-120-2 game) is not out of the question for Marshall, although Yahoo is only projecting a bit over 8 points for him tomorrow night. I'd bet the over on that one.

Demolition-Friars: 40 points from the Denver D/ST alone is pie in the sky (for example, the Bears D had *three* defensive TDs and five turnovers and ended up with "only" 34 points, the Saints D "only" scored 30 the week Bush ran back two punt returns for TDs, and that was with three bills' worth of return yards), but a combined 40 out of Cutler and and Denver D/ST is within reach more or less independent of whatever Gostkowski does tomorrow night. The Pats' secondary is really bad right now, and Marshall and Royal should have a field day against them. Cutler might get 25-30 on his own tomorrow night.

[Paulypalooza]

I really screwed up I meant to put Jamal lewis on the bench (currently 2.10 points) in favor of of Leon Washington (who currently has -.90 points) but by mistake cost myself 11.20 by benching Jonathan Stewart. That could cost me the game.Li'l Leon just snapped off an 11-yard TD run.

You missunderstood. I had meant to put Washington in (although at the time of that post I was kicking myself for second guessing myself at the last minute). But I wanted to sub him in for Lewis not Stewart. That mistake coste me 4.80 points and possibly the game.

[Detritus]

In completely different news, it looks to me like individual players are getting credited with points for return yards. My understanding is that it's supposed to be the D/ST that gets the points for return yards.

This has a direct impact on the Neanderthals-SnakeBitten game, because 4 of Darren Sproles' 4.6 points are coming from the 85 return yards he had in yesterday's game. Leon Washington and Santonio Holmes are getting a few points between them in the Demolition-Friars matchup, and Reggie Bush got big return yardage points in Week 5, although no credit for the two TDs he scored on those punt returns.

This needs to be resolved. I've dropped Parz a PM and posted a message on the league page message board.

EDIT -- Yeah, there's a return yards column for individual players if you look at team stats, or stats for free agents, and I see I've got two guys on my own squad (Cotchery and Chester Taylor) that look like they've gotten points for return yards. This really shouldn't be happening, according to my understanding, and the way we've done it the last three years.

[Detritus]

Cutler might get 25-30 on his own tomorrow night.
Hmm, or Cutler could smack his finger on a helmet on his first pass and Denver could run the ball all night...

[Brother Brian]

Hmm, or Cutler could smack his finger on a helmet on his first pass and Denver could run the ball all night...

Yeah...or that. :censored:

But I am getting points with Gotowski, and the return yards through the D/ST, so...

[carmachu]

.1 pts? 1/10th of a point from peyton? Chad put up 15pts for christ sakes....

I give up here....WTF?

[Detritus]

The TD to Moss pretty much puts the game away for Zohan's Posse. We could be seeing a new #2 emerge in the Power Rankings...

[Brother Brian]

Today proves that there is a Football God, and he is vengeful.

I turned my back on my beloved hometown team, and they are kicking my ass for it.

I must do penance, two Our Coaches and one Hail Bruschi.

Glory be to the Seymor, the Moss, and Belechick, now and forever.

Amen.

(BTW, I may be setting the record for QB's lost in a season. Do you think they'll pay me not to pick them up?)

[Brother Brian]

I'm hoping for a couple Garbage Time TD's, and maybe a FG or two by NE.

[Detritus]

Friars are within 12 after Cutler's TD pass to Graham. There's still time...

[Brother Brian]

Looks like I'm going to fall 13 points short.

The NE D outscored the Denver D by 13.

F@#!ing shame on me.

[Detritus]

Double-plus unofficial final scores and record updates:

Wily Corn Trolls (6-1) - 116.3
Fallen Angels (1-6) - 57.3

Neanderthals (4-3) - 100.1
SnakeBitten (4-3) - 102.2

Zohan's Posse (4-3) - 87.7
2nd helping skillets (3-4) - 63.4

Fighting Friars (4-3) - 78.0
Demolition (4-3) - 91.5

Trifecta Wookies (3-4) - 90.3
Tribbles (2-5) - 77.7

SnakeBitten would have only had 98.2 using the scoring rules for return yardage from the past three years. Of course, he might not have started Sproles over either McGahee or Forte (?!) if he knew that return yards didn't count for individual players. Controversy!!11!1!!!

[Brother Brian]

Double-plus unofficial final scores and record updates:

Wily Corn Trolls (6-1) - 116.3
Fallen Angels (1-6) - 57.3

Neanderthals (4-3) - 100.1
SnakeBitten (4-3) - 102.2

Zohan's Posse (4-3) - 87.7
2nd helping skillets (3-4) - 63.4

Fighting Friars (4-3) - 78.0
Demolition (4-3) - 91.5

Trifecta Wookies (3-4) - 90.3
Tribbles (2-5) - 77.7

SnakeBitten would have only had 98.2 using the scoring rules for return yardage from the past three years. Of course, he might not have started Sproles over either McGahee or Forte (?!) if he knew that return yards didn't count for individual players. Controversy!!11!1!!!

Are you sure about that? I've played in various Yahoo leagues over the years, and even been commissioner of one, and I never saw a way to turn off "miscellaneous points", that is points out of position. It never even occurred to me that Special Teams points wouldn't count for Reggie Bush, and it was a big reason I drafted him.

[Detritus]

Are you sure about that? I've played in various Yahoo leagues over the years, and even been commissioner of one, and I never saw a way to turn off "miscellaneous points", that is points out of position. It never even occurred to me that Special Teams points wouldn't count for Reggie Bush, and it was a big reason I drafted him.
Pretty sure. I was commissioner two years ago in this league, using Yahoo, and we didn't count return yards for individual players.

You should also check your Week 5 scores. Bush didn't get the 12 points for the actual TDs he scored on punt returns vs. Minnesota. Why would we count return yards but not return scores for a player? Something is glitching one way or the other.

I guess it doesn't matter either way as long as it's consistent, but I'm certain that return yards didn't count for individual players in '05 or '06 when we used Yahoo for this league (We used MSNBC last year. Do not recommend.).

[Paulypalooza]

In completely different news, it looks to me like individual players are getting credited with points for return yards. My understanding is that it's supposed to be the D/ST that gets the points for return yards.

This has a direct impact on the Neanderthals-SnakeBitten game, because 4 of Darren Sproles' 4.6 points are coming from the 85 return yards he had in yesterday's game. Leon Washington and Santonio Holmes are getting a few points between them in the Demolition-Friars matchup, and Reggie Bush got big return yardage points in Week 5, although no credit for the two TDs he scored on those punt returns.

This needs to be resolved. I've dropped Parz a PM and posted a message on the league page message board.

EDIT -- Yeah, there's a return yards column for individual players if you look at team stats, or stats for free agents, and I see I've got two guys on my own squad (Cotchery and Chester Taylor) that look like they've gotten points for return yards. This really shouldn't be happening, according to my understanding, and the way we've done it the last three years.

I had noticed this with Jonathan Stewart about two weeks ago but figured that we were working with different rules this year.