Power Rankings

Hi all,

Special theme this year- I'll give everyone a chance to figure it out.  Housekeeping...

Auction and rookie draft review next week.  That's it.

Enjoy:

10. Brett

Team Motto: ‘Who do they think they are, the New York Jets?’

Brett continues a rebuilding project launched in earnest two years ago and culminating, it seems, this year in acquiring Andrew Luck.  The youth on the squad is encouraging and this team looks a real force for 2013 but it does create an interesting look to this year’s team.  However, outlandish auction spending- to be covered in detail next week- is reminiscent of the wild splashes made in the NFL edition by the Jets without being entirely convincing of significantly improving the squad.

QB is my biggest question in a fading Schaub and young but unproved Bradford-Luck combination.  In my opinion, the Schaub acquisition purchase could really make the difference between playoffs and lottery as he may be the QB3, right now, but was acquired with starter resources.  You have to like the odds with two #1 picks on the roster that at least one can contribute at a top-15 level this year but to expect both may be a stretch.  And, as we have seen, poor QB play can ultimately prove very costly.

The group at RB looks like a strength of this team with Johnson and Murray likely to be strong producers and Stewart a decent enough flex.  The question is whether any of the young backs, including Murray, can make the step from ‘flashes’ to consistent but I like the chances that we see strong games from one of Ingram, Green, Rodgers, or Jones.  It is a similar story at WR, a pair of veterans in Austin and CJ allowing younger options such as Brown, Moore, and Amendola the room to be inconsistent. 

TE is a question- literally.  No one as of this moment…

There is enough talent here to hint at a possible playoff run with timely breakouts but ultimately the play at QB could sink Brett into the muddled middle of the league standings.  I could see breakouts coming from the young QB tandem that could take this team to an elite level but for now the conservative guess is playoff contention with a shot to make some noise late.

9. Thompson

Team Motto: ‘You better make yourself comfortable down there. Real comfortable.’

A recent champion, Thompson fell off dramatically in his title defense and lost several keepers to expiring contracts to create the feeling of a rebuilding year.  With some young talent here the process is underway but could make for a tricky 2012 campaign if playoff goals are to be achieved. 

The QB duo of Cutler and Fitzpatrick, backed by Locker, has some promise but I would be concerned about health.  Both Cutler and Fitz have had issues in the past and the situation bears watching.  What may be more relevant is that, even if fully healthy, these two are not necessarily top-ten guys and will put Thompson on the back foot to start each week.

The RB stable is going to be interesting with gambles made on shaky ACLs.  Both Charles and AP have their fans and Thompson is among them but my recommendation is to avoid those coming off such injuries and wait for year two.  Gerhart is a good handcuff but Charles is unprotected, so to speak, and could cause problems.  Sproles had a great 2011 but it feels fluky with the volume of quality runners in New Orleans- a drop in workload could drop him to flex-player levels when he may need to be closer to a RB2 for this team.

The WR group has some sleeper potential in Jackson and Blackmon.  However, the lack of a true elite QB throwing to these WRs makes for some likely inconsistency.  The group is also fairly unexplosive, a quality that applied to TE Pettigrew that may be needed to squeeze out wins past teams with better QBs.

Thompson fields a balanced squad with designs on breaking the hints made by his own team name but for now it appears that a lack of explosiveness will really limit him from week to week.  A brutally honest assessment is that a team with below average QBs, recovering RBs, and unproven receiving talent is likely to be hanging out in the lower regions of the league standings.

 

8. Nemo

Team Motto: ‘Sometimes, you just gotta cut a man loose.’

First, it was one of my draft highlights to see Nemo back up and ready to go after a very difficult year health-wise.  Here is to a year of improvement in both health- and the league standings!

I toss the motto in here as many tough decisions were made.  First, despite significant investment, a tough call to let Calvin Johnson walk away was made in the auction.  This followed a pre-season period where Nemo logged a league-low four keepers, a gutsy move that signaled the start of a rebuilding project as dead wood was moved out in a bid to bring in fresh talent.

In looking over the lineup, the balance of the team is the first to jump out.  Ryan and Dalton are solid producers with the former Eagle soaring up draft boards as a possible Eli Manning type breakout candidate.  Rice and MJD, an auction gamble, are a dynamic duo at RB with the young Martin heavily hyped to join them as a similar type of all-purpose back.  Johnson and Johnson maybe sound better at WR than they perform but both are accomplished at the pro level and will not hurt this team week-to-week.  Finley is a bit of a tease at TE but will provide average production with occasional big games.

However, it becomes an issue of depth here and that explains a lower ranking for a team with one of the league’s better lineups.  James Jones is not likely to start more than two games in this league season yet checks in for now at WR3.  Backups Little, Cobb, and Williams are popular sleepers but very unproven.  RB is thin, too, with no established starter among the reserves, and there is the same issue at QB. 

The lineup this year is balanced, for sure, lacking the inconsistency issues that plagued past editions of this franchise.  Health throughout the year, particularly at RB, could make this team a dangerous one late on.  However, the lack of depth is alarming and moves will need to be made to shore it up before this team can be considered a true season-long threat.

7. Malinn

Team Motto: ‘TEAM? WHAT TEAM?’

A perennial money-tosser and deal-spinner, Malinn opted for a split approach that left him balanced but unexciting entering the season.  His moves netted enough depth at all positions to ensure a steady presence in mid-table but could see him looking to make a big move or two to acquire a difference maker that can elevate him into the upper echelon of the NFFL.

The QB duo of Big Ben and Freeman, backed by Flacco and Kevon Skeltolb, look to be the definition of mean, median, and mode.  A similar story could be written at RB with the unsure Bush, unproven Richardson, and uninspiring BGE- the latter pair facing stiff competition in the AFC North.  Malinn has a lot of cards in the Jets and Lions RB lotteries and I liked the Donald Brown pickup but it is hard to see how these two positions will be above league average early on.

The receiver and tight end positions are the team strengths but come in a year where the position overall is deep.  A trio of Marshall, Cruz, and Lloyd could really be among the top three and reserves Smith and Jackson will be reliable replacements.  The key man is Graham, the Saints TE being a true edge over the competition at his position and likely to win Malinn any game he can keep close through the other positions.

After a solid auction showing, Malinn faces the challenge of assembling his strong pieces to fit a fantasy lineup.  As of this moment, leaving Torrey Smith and DeSean Jackson on the bench seems a waste of resources rather than excellent depth given a lack of a difference maker at QB and RB.  Graham will be key early on to carry his team to some wins while the health of Richardson could force him to the trade desk early in the season.

6. Curran

Team Motto: ‘You make sure they REMEMBER the night they played the Titans!’

In honor of the man who has attempted to acquire everyone playing this week against the Titans…Curran has returned to the well, re-signing several key Patriots to make another run at improvement in the NFFL.  Brady leads the bunch while Welker and GRONK should prove to be big performers.  Are the

The questions come in at RB.  Turner, Gore, and Benson may be past their prime and risking the position on all three seems a bit risky.  The odds that one goes down seem high and I would not bet against losing two to either injury or ineffectiveness.  Certainly, the plodding Benson and Turner may find opportunities restricted in pass-first offenses.  It should be noted that there is little depth here, perhaps the worst in the league.

There is some solid talent at WR but ultimately Garcon and Wayne will need to outplay their auction billing to keep this group above the bottom of the league.  Garcon is risky, in my opinion, as the rookie Griffin takes the reins while Wayne is a strong bounce-back guy and a likely bargain pickup.  Again, there is little depth but more so than exists at RB.  Of course, GRONK will provide plenty of touchdown-related excitement and Gresham is a nice TE2.

Strength at QB, ultimately, places Curran above the bottom of the barrel for 2012.  The veterans will need to hold up at RB and this could prove to be problematic if the injury bug bites.  But, as usual, it seems, Curran will go as the Pats go and with a soft playoff schedule Curran could make noise if he sneaks into the playoffs.

5. TMac

Team Motto: ‘The running back…THE, running back, y’all’

A tough squad to figure out here, TMac was out in front of the NFFL with his keeper list but was unable to add any true difference makers in open auction to maintain that early edge.  Questions abound at RB- there is, by my count, ONE running back, y’all- and WR, but there is enough star power and QB ability to make this team a dangerous playoff threat.

The Stafford-Rivers duo should be as good as any the league can offer.  Stafford has a reputation for injury prone but I suspect this is a bit exaggerated- some of his injuries take on more ‘bad-luck’ nature than bad preparation or structure.  Alex Smith returns for another season of outstanding clipboard holding and and dependable ten point bye week fill ins.

The RB group is led by Foster, a true star player, and Bush, a RB3 deputizing at RB2.  Vereen and Helu have potential to step up into bigger roles but as of now it looks like a true problem position for the Mac Attack.

The questions continue at WR, a seemingly strong trio of Colston-Wallace-Maclin that is backed up by the high Santonio Holmes.  Simpson, Moore, Sanu, and Hankerson are all solid sleepers, in my opinion, and this group could work itself out, but for now starting a pair of TEs is a sure sign of weakness.

To be fair, the TEs are not all bad- Davis is a strong player and Gonzalez should be good for some red zone looks.  But this team should not be starting both of them.    TMac is off to a solid start with his foundation at QB and WR but will surely be in the market for RB help as the season moves on.  Until that move is made, it looks like a middle of the pack year is in store..

4. Lee

Team Motto: ‘Well, you can close your eyes for 2 weeks for all I care.’

A perennially outrageous entry, Lee earns his motto with a ridiculous defense of his current starting lineup.  Let’s get some particulars, shall we, while Lee finds a pair of glasses to re-examine his squad…

Lee clings to his fortunate ‘no depth, no problem’ strategy that is sure to backfire in the 2012 season.  Rodgers headlines this squad, pairing with Eli Manning to form one of the league’s elite QB combos.  Gabbert should be solid enough as a bye-week play in year two.  RB and WR feature elite talent in McCoy, Nicks, and Bryant and a likely contributor in Lynch (though some have questions and drafted his backups accordingly).

The head scratching begans quickly after- and no, my head did not itch.  Who is that man at WR3? Oh, it is a tight end, one Greg Olsen, who scored exactly eighty-one points last season, a staggering five point per game clip.  His RB flex at the moment is Stevan Ridley, over-drafted and now over-played for a Patriots team that defines roulette at RB.  There is, as per OTBYD policy, no depth, backups including the petulant Blount, unproved Wright-Rice WR combo, and the spleen-less Jason Witten.  According to Lee, this cast of role players would justify a #1 ranking.

Lee is already in the injury game, losing promising second-year man Vincent Brown, and unlike last year’s squad this team does not boast the same star power to the point where it could be said that a clean bill of health equals a trip to the super bowl.  We will see, we always do with Mr. Lee, but this team looks poised for an inconsistent year that ends somewhere in the middle of the league.

3. DFlam

Team Motto: ‘Why the clouds, Sunshine?’

The defending champ edges Lee once more as a minor disadvantage at QB looks to be overcome with solid support across all starting positions.  It starts under center with Cam Newton looking to add to stellar first year numbers while Manning looks to bounce back.  The RB trio of Jackson, McGahee, and DeAngelo are solid but unspectacular while White, Jennings, and Bowe will be among the better WR trios in the league.  Hernandez is anything but a TE in helmet football but for this edition he slots in nicely as a sleeper for a top-2 spot by year’s end.

Why not higher, then?  For one, the depth is not there at QB and I have my doubts on Manning stepping outdoors and Newton matching his numbers with a likely drop in rushing.  A key to last year’s squad was the emergence of Tebow late on and Kaepernick could recreate that magic but for now the Niners should be sticking to a conservative plan for another year. 

Another concern I have is age at RB.  All three starters are moving towards swan songs and questions must be asked about the ability to both take on a large workload while almost maintaining health.  We will see but usually hitting on all three backs from such a point in their careers is a long shot.

We will also see how WR shakes out.  DFlam could be forced to go 4-WR at some point and the depth is questionable.  Meachem, Baldwin, and Floyd all seem fashionable sleepers but to me are unproven and unlikely to break out. 

The final problem I have is a little too much linking with QB-RB in Denver and Carolina players.  Not based on anything data-wise but my gut call is that this will not end well in terms of team balance.  There is not much to get excited about on the bench here so DFlam will need good luck with injuries and perhaps a move to the top-5 for Manning to truly challenge for a repeat title.

P.S. Why the clouds?  It is a direct reference to letting TEBOW WALK AWAY…FOR TWO BUCKS!!! Oh, this is trouble.  Who is to say that Tebow, once already a savior from the backup ranks, was not ready to repeat that experience?  Cannot wait to mail DFlam a Jets TEBOW jersey next February.

2. Concannon

From Lee:

‘QB: About as good as it gets for the quarterback position, but then again, hard to fuck that up when you’re spending 61 bucks. Brees and Romo are 2 QBs in the top tier, and Ponder and Sanchez should do just fine filling in during bye week. It’ll be interesting to see what role Tebow plays in the fantasy world, but I can definitely see a lot of value in that pick. Roster spots are big in this league, and I think Timmy might have to cut his losses on Mallet and add some depth to his other positions.

WR: Could very well be the best in the league. AJ Green and Nelson are in the top 10, and the addition of Eric Decker in the draft solidifies the WR corp. Best part is the cost of only 6 bucks. After many years of shitty WRs, Timmy could finally be on to something here.

RB: Looks like a rotating group of injury prone backs. Jackson, Bradshaw, and Wells to start the season, with Ryan Mathews, Jennings & Redman jumping in here and there. This group looks like a headache in my opinion, trying to figure out who’s gonna be hot or not, but could very well be effective. Pead and Turbin are also two quality handcuffs that could provide some valuable starts later in the season.

TE: Nothing to write about here. Lance Kendricks? Really? Nuff said. ‘

Team Motto: ‘Well I'm very happy to have the approval of a 5 year old.’

Ho ho ho!

Thank you, Mr. Lee.  I would like to chip in that my draft strategy was, as usual, a combination of buying at QB and trying to continue to find cheap talent in volume at RB and WR.  Do we start a TE?  I may have forgot.  The Decker trade was a big moment for me and allowed me to move sideways to add Tebow/Sanchez for potential keeper value over adding a plodding veteran TE.  I agree with Lee that there is enough depth across the board to keep me afloat while exploring options at TE and perhaps RB and due to the lack of some other questions seen by opponents such as DFlam I feel #2 is appropriate, for now.

#1 Tighe

Team Motto: ‘Gerry, just keep your mouth shut and get back on that field!’

On the surface, it appears that Tighe has assembled an almost ideal team in this league format.  Star power at all positions is balanced with solid veteran contributors and promising young backups.  It could, certainly, be the start of an extended run of playoff appearances for Sammy Knight.

The team will be led by a dynamic RB duo of McFadden and Forte.  The two backs should shoulder most of the load between the twenties and a few touchdowns from each will make this backfield among the league’s best.  Vick is a dynamic playmaker while Harvin and Jones look poised to join the elite at WR.  Gates, finally, is healthy, and should return to top three form.  Griffin and Wilson lead a young, promising bench that includes potential stars Williams, Thomas, and Spiller at RB and Thomas at WR.

Of course, questions do exist and could serve to derail another promising Labor Day roster.  Or, maybe, just question- INJURY.  His quarterbacking is a major injury risk, Vick a historically poor player health-wise and the rookie tandem likely to be in danger if they run as much as expected.  The same is to be said at RB, McFadden and Forte headlining both scoring totals and injury lists in 2011.  Hillis could be a tough play at RB3 and the backups, though promising, are unproven.  Steve Smith, though a proven player, is aging, and the same is to be noted for Gates.  Both have spent time recovering from their injuries, as well.

So, as it almost always seems, Tighe has opted to take on additional injury risk for star talent.  Lee made this formula work last year and Tighe’s team, to me, is deeper.  For now, we will hand the Deputy Commissioner the benefit of the doubt and slot him at the top for 2012.

GOOD LUCK IN WEEK 1.

Tim

Deleted scenes…rejected mottos

Concannon: ‘We will be perfect in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and i will break my foot off in your John Brown hind parts and then you will run a mile. Perfection. Let's go to work.’

Ha, not yet…but I like the look of my team.  One year, I hope, we see a perfect season from someone in this league, though.

Tighe: ‘Petey, how many feet are in a mile? How many feet are in a mile…5,280 feet! You pick this ball up and run every one of 'em! You're killing me, Petey! You're killing me!’

I guess it is a little much to make a team ‘motto’ out of one play but…WILSON! YOU ARE KILLING ME!

Lee: ‘Attitude reflects leadership, captain.’

Total lawlessness over there with that team but rejected due to the ‘one motto per team’ rule.

Curran: ‘We run six plays…’

Play one- buy Patriot QB.  Play two- buy Patriot RB.  Play three…

Lee: ‘You abandoned your team in their moment of need…’

Thanks, AP.  Signed, Jay.  Jay???

Tighe: ‘What is wrong with you? Why are you fumbling my football???’

Sorry.  Could not resist…

Malinn: ‘Did I ask for your excuses?  You want to act like a star, you better give me a star effort, do you hear me?  FORGET ABOUT HIM!’

Tony, come back! Romo! ROMOOOO!!!! I didn’t mean what I said!!!