2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
Rank | Team | Total Pts | Back |
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Horny Hippy |
|
0000 |
|
PackerPuke |
|
03378 |
|
Gravediggers |
|
06104 |
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Covington Cripplers |
|
06614 |
|
Golden Gophers |
|
06804 |
|
The Endzone |
|
06958 |
|
Naked Toddler's |
|
07584 |
|
Denver Broncos |
|
13257 |
Team |
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Horny Hippy |
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PackerPuke |
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Horny Hippy -
1332
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PackerPuke
- 1171
|
Horny Hippy - The opening strategy for the Horny Hippy was to avoid the byes, build a lead, then use the #1 seeding to pick well in the supplemental draft rounds and hold on. When asked about the upcoming playoffs, HHHIC (Head Horny Hippy In Charge) Joe Hutchison was quoted as saying, "This thing might be tight."Round #1 - Review:
PackerPuke - The PackerPuke didn't go with as strong a Packer flavor as they did for the preseason draft. Notably they avoiding the injured Donald Driver, and bypassed on any possible Packer replacement for Driver, and also passed on Bubba Franks. Equally surprising, they were willing to let Brett Favre slip away not taking him until the 32nd selection (next to last pick). Nevertheless, the PackerPuke still field Favre with teammate Ahman Green (a still all-time undefeated home playoff team), warrior Steve McNair, the NFL's #2 WR Terrell Owens, the NFL's #1 Defense (Tampa Bay), and the NFL's most accurate kicker this year. They don't seem skeeeered to me.
...The opening weekend of the playoffs bring one word to mind - meltdown. Tony Dungy was brought in to Indianapolis to improve the woeful Colt defense, and it appeared - statistically - he had done so. The Jets proved otherwise. Even more miserably, Dungy-led playoff teams have failed to score an offensive touchdown in 4 straight games. Can you say conservative to a fault? The Packers fared little better. Their head coach bungled when he quit on his team with 14:53 left in a game that meant home field throughout the playoffs. A wise man (I think it was me) once said that quitting is infectious. His team learned well, laying down in front of Atlanta once they trailed the Falcons 14-0. But the NY Giants head fossil would not be outdone. In a cripplingly conservative offensive scheme, he was forced to open up the offensive spicket to avoid missing the playoffs. For a while the Giant offensive juggernaught (did I really say that?) was on fire, scoring 44 points against the Colts in week 16, racing up and down the field on the vaulted Eagle defense in the final week, then racking up 38 points against the 49ers in 3 1/2 quarters and building a 38-14 lead. But Head Coach Fossil reverted to his old ways and turned off the spicket. Bad move against an average defense backed by a great offense - and one he will have a long time to think about. Goodbye Giants.
...It was also a weekend of firsts. First time Tampa Bay won a game below 40 degrees (hello John Gruden). First time the Packers ever (that's EVER) lost a home playoff game (did you notice their fans gave them a standing ovation at game's end - what fans!). First time I ever called a Giant offense a juggernaught. First time the Jets have been alive this late in the season since - jeeze, since Joe Namath. And it was the first time ever - even for one week - I had Peyton Manning on one of my fantasy teams (hey Peyton, thanks for the 17 points).
Horny Hippy -
1319
|
PackerPuke
- 1920
|
A blown call by three officials (so deemed by the NFL) AND the replay booth official meant I lost three roster spots last week. So three picks were needed to somewhat replenish my roster. Still, I fill 9 of 11 spots this week. The PackerPuke field 10 and hang on to 5 picks.Round #2 - Review
PS: No, I don't believe in Eddie George. I wanted to pick Amos Zereoue. But I didn't for the same reason I passed on Tommy Maddox - I didn't want 2 Steelers since I believe they will lose to Tennessee - the same reason I picked up George. So now I still have what I didn't want - three players from the same team. John Gruden, you better not let me down . . .
The PackerPuke took over the lead by virtue of my regular season warrior (Steve McNair), and their regular season Defense (Tampa Bay). But a funny thing happened. The PackerPuke now have zero running backs. And half their players are Titans, which might not work well at Oakland next week. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do at the RB position. I, on the other hand, retain all 3 RBs, but crave one good WR for next week. I only trail by 360 points and if the home teams win next week, I will score with AND retain a starting QB, a starting WR, and 2 starting RBs. Fill in a defense and I should be set. I ain't skeeeered.
Horny Hippy -
1454
|
PackerPuke
- 1874
|
The draft for this round went totally against all my guesswork. Austin Powers is no longer the International Man of Mystery. He has been replaced by the Cheesehead. I expected them to save 2 picks for the super bowl, but they choose to leave themselves only one. Of course, if the Raiders win they are definitely looking good. Personally, I was too scared of Steve McNair to over-commit to the Raiders just yet. As a result I was certain I would lose any hopes of snagging "the other Jerry" Porter. But the PackerPuke showed no such fear and banked heavily on the Black and Silver. Personally I think the best part of the Raiders is now the coach of the Bucs, but am pleased as punch to have the Porter option next week should the Raiders win. The PackerPuke field 9 players to my 8 this round, but I hope my drafting advantage next week combined with my roster diversity will keep me within striking distance for the Big Show - regardless of how the games go this weekend. As I look at the PackerPuke current roster, I get less and less skeeeered. He has the QBs for sure, but his WRs are hit and miss and his RBs leave much to be desired. He needs another strong showing from the Buc defense (which I believe he will get), and a Raider win (which I believe he will get). He better.Round #3 - Review
Go Bucs (offense only, lol). Go Raiders. Go Horny Hippy! I still say this thing is going to be tight . . .
...They say hindsight is 20-20, but it has to be better than that. Last week I told a friend this was the time of the year when one had to pick a team (or teams) to win, and go with players from those teams. Then, as if I didn't hear myself speaking, did just the opposite. When the PackerPuke mysteriously picked James Thrash last week and left Rich Gannon dangling on the wire, I had a choice to make - Gannon or McNabb. Afraid to over-commit to the Raiders and/or Bucs, I choose McNabb for 'diversity's sake.' Duh! Had I followed my own advice and grabbed Gannon it would have meant almost 500 more points for me, AND almost 500 fewer points for the PackerPuke. Translated, that's a 900-plus point swing, meaning I would be in the lead by more than 100 points, instead of in the deep hole I now find myself in. I outcoached myself.
...On to next week. I will field seven and the PackerPuke six. And I like my seven much more than I like his six. The one exception? -yep, Gannon. So what strategy do I employ for the final week? Better question - will I take it? First, make a prediction. Ok, Raiders. Second, pick Raider players. Ok, Jerry Porter. Why? He's the only player on the wire that has the potential for a big week. That will also put pressure on the Cheesehead. Does he spend his last pick and add a second WR? - probably a Buc? Or does he opt for Alstott predicting a Buc win and go with just one WR? Regardless, who do I spend my last pick on? Do I 'go with' the Raiders, predicting they will win and pick up their Defense? Or do I opt for a second RB (especially if he passes on Alstott)? Or do I try to monopolize (and double-ize) off Gannon adding Doug Jolley?
Decisions, decisions . . . I'm getting a headache. I think I'll sleep on it . . .
Horny Hippy -
1160
|
PackerPuke
- 1062
|
The draft for this round was short and sweet. Basically, I had to decide which team would win the John Gruden Bowl - the team he built into a powerhouse so strong it made it to the Gruden Bowl without him, or his new team that is yet incomplete. Which is more impressive? His old team that still has his fingerprints all over it, or his new team that is still a work in progress? Most would agree that based on the course of the season the Raiders appear to be the better team. But that really doesn't matter on the upcoming given sunday. Sure the Bucs are 27th rushing the ball, but they have been much better down the stretch - ask Philly. And QB Brad Johnson is taking on all the appearances of a successful work in progress - much like Gannon emerged from the blahs under Gruden. Almost overnight Tampa Bay has an offense - a passing offense (did I say that out loud?) that can score. That in itself is a major accomplishment attributable to Gruden. And he did it without disassembling that famous Buc defense. For the Bucs to win they will need to continue to run the ball well. If they do, this will be a very competitive Gruden Bowl. If not, the Raiders will pull away at the end. And the latter is what I'm banking on . . .Round #4 - Review
For the Horny Hippy to win the league championship, Gannon will have to feature Rice and Porter more than Brown (conceivable), and Garner will have to have some Gannon-less points (rushing yards and TDs). More importantly, the Raider defense needs to score well without completely shutting down Brad Johnson (doable). In short, I don't think Gannon will beat me. He may get his, but I should share (even double) in some of the wealth. The barometer for me is the Oakland defense and Garners rushing totals. I like my chances . . .
...Indulge me for just one moment. I have to play one round of what if . . . Had I followed my own advice (see last week's comments) and committed to the Raiders, and selected Gannon instead of McNabb, it would have meant a 900 point swing last week. Translated, that means I would have entered the final round ahead by some 100 or so points instead of trailing by nearly 800. But what would the PackerPuke have done with that left-over pick? Would they have selected McNabb, or opted for Alstott, McCardell, Jolley? Those 3 scored between 120 and 180 this week. Plus they had points last week. Would those totals have been enough to overtake my slim lead? Who knows. The only thing certain is that the final score would have been much closer than it was. A little more interesting perhaps. And what if Goldie hadn't bailed? There is no doubt the lack of a third player hurt me strategy-wise, but it was not the deciding factor in our league championship. Nor did it hurt me more so that the PackerPuke. On to reality . . .Playoffs - The Instructions
Last week I noted I needed three things to happen in order to win. (1) I needed Gannon to have an average week (check) where he featured Rice and Porter more than Brown (check). I also needed (2) a score by the Oakland defense (check), and (3) Gannon-less yards from Garner (7 rushes, 10 yards) - opps - no check. Two out of three doesn't win championships. Picking up the Oakland defense didn't exactly help either. My bad. Had I picked Tampa to win I would have passed on the Oakland D and picked up Alstott or McCardell.
The PackerPuke won the league championship because despite what many contemporary fans think, defense still wins championships, and they had the Tampa Bay defense. Interesting to note (as made public by John Madden) that this was the tenth time the Super Bowl matched a top three offense against a top three defense. This was the ninth time the defense prevailed. The PackerPuke won because they selected good players, and took advantage of situations when they were made available, just as champions tend to do. My only consolation is that John Gruden won the John Gruden Bowl. He took his incomplete team and whipped his completed yet abandoned team. Yes Virginia, defense still wins championships, and great coaches still beat lesser ones.Congratulations to Manager Quiter and his PackerPuke on winning the inaugural GridIron Gurus Fantasy Football League Championship. Enjoy my crown, for now, for I shall return . . .
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