First Time Fantasy Leaguer

Friends have been trying for years to get me into fantasy football and I've been resistant until this weekend. This past Friday, I joined my first ever fantasy football league and experienced my first live draft. I have to admit it felt pretty awesome.
I was able to get some premier players in the early rounds, Drew Brees for example. And in the later rounds I was able to get some solid help, like Kevin Boss, Joe Flacco and Mushin Muhammad. I was also able to take a few calculated chances. For example I picked up LeSean McCoy the Eagles rookie who figures to get some good reps behind Brian Westbrook. I also took a chance and picked up Mike Vick in round 15 instead of picking a backup kicker. Its possible that might haunt me later, but with Vick's talent I figured I could always trade for a kicker later in the year if I really need to. The possibility of getting a potential touchdown machine like Vick in round 15 was too good to pass up.
I'm pretty happy with my fantasy team. I'll post updates on how my team is doing throughout the season. Even though your first year is supposed to be just getting acquainted with the process, I'm planning to take out the other guys in my league. Watch out.

Plaxico Burress - Fair or Foul?

So another career goes up in smoke, gunsmoke if you will. Plaxico was a player with great potential who probably was just starting to consistently live up to some of that potential with the Giants. I could write a thousand articles on players who I feel, like Burress, have the greatest potential but for whatever reason (entitlement issues, coaching, personality, the system) can't consistently maximize that potential. But with the Giants, Plax was a playmaker and a big contributor to their Super Bowl run.

Now for the tough part. Was Plax treated fairly or not? I did a similar article about Goodell's punishment for Mike Vick. The big difference here, though, is that Vick's punishment from the NFL does allow him to play while Plax's punsiment from the judicial system could effectively end his career. By the time his 2 year sentence is served he'll be 34.

I've heard so many debates about this and the chasm between schools of thought on this is vast and surprisingly does not lie along racial lines. At least not solely. On the one hand you have Vick who killed dogs and Stallworth who killed a man. Meawhile, Plax shoots himself and gets 2 years!

On the other hand, if you're a resident of New York you know how tough the gun laws are and how important it is to have a valid registration, not to mention the potential for someone getting hurt.

Here's my take on this, and perhaps it is a harsh stand. But I can't feel too sorry for Plax. I feel bad for him as a person because I don't want the primadona rich men in prison, I want the hardcore thugs who are committing real crimes in prison. But it comes down to this. He knew the laws and he chose to break this one. Although he ended up hurting himself, he could have very easily shot someone else by accident. Also, I can't help but feel a little resentment when I see men who are making millions of dollars from playing sports but can't seem to keep their nose clean. If I were making millions of dollars as an athlete, I would be making sure that I protected that at all cost. Among other things, that means that if I think I will need a gun if I go to a certain club...I won't go that club. Or at the very least I will make sure that my gun is registered...and that the safety is on.

That being said, I do think 2 years under the circumstances is a little much. And considering that he had to plea guilty to get 2 years tells me that he felt he would definitely get more than that in trial. If they're going to make an example out of Plaxico, then they'd better go after the club management because somebody let him in with full knowledge that he had a gun. And if someone at the hospital did not initially report the shooting to the police as has been rumored, then somebody better go after the hospital. I've never subscribed to the theory of administering harsher punishment than usual on someone just to make an example of them. So if they are making an example of Plax, it means nothing if they don't also go after the enablers.

Oh, Brett Favre's back? Ho hum...

So what can you say? You can't say you're surprised that he's back because he's played this game of 'I will, no I won't, yes I will' for the last couple of years. You can't say you wish he would've stayed retired (unless you're a Packers fan) because he's a future hall of famer, one of the best ever to put on a helmet...and hey, if the guy wants to play then let him play. So what can you say? Perhaps you can say what I did - whatever.

I'm so tired of Brett Favre stories I really don't care anymore. And I wasn't surprised that the Vikings made this move despite the denials by coach Childress, mainly because they passed on Vick when they didn't really have a solid option at Quarterback. I feel like the Vikings and Favre led us on a wild goose chase during the whole summer and finally ended up doing the exact opposite of what they said they would do just in time for Favre to miss enough of training camp to rest his body (quite convenient). But then again, I'm numb to the whole thing and don't care anymore. Let's just get the season started.

Are the Vikings better with Favre? Absolutely. Can they do some damage in the playoffs? Definitely. Will they win a SuperBowl? I can't see that happening. The talent pool in the NFC is deep and I expect that Brett will start to wane toward the end of the season again just like last year. And though he signed a 2 year contract, I think its pretty much this season or bust as far as any hope to win a championship.

So what can you expect from the Vikings and Favre? Big plays, an even more potent running attack from Adrian Peterson now that there is a legit deep threat, and for you fantasy leaguers...expect Bernard Berrian to have a really good year. His numbers last year were pretty impressive without a solid QB in the huddle. This year Favre should be dialing up the deep ball plenty.

I'm not going to write a whole lot on this topic right now. Instead I will reserve judgement. Partly because the season hasn't started yet and there's a lot of football to be played. Partly because I know I will end up writing ten thousand articles about Brett before the season is over. But mostly because I'm pretty apathetic to the whole Brett Favre saga right now. In a few weeks when football is coursing strong through my veins and we've had a chance to actually see him play, perhaps I will start caring.

Michael Vick Joins the Eagles - Did Anyone See That Coming?

I'm glad Vick is back in the NFL. That being said, I'm a little disappointed that he's with the Eagles. The first and foremost reason is because I'm a Cowboys fan. But that aside, there were other teams that could've really used a franchise talent QB (Minnesota for example).

The Eagles with a healthy McNabb and Westbrook and the threat of a fully re-acclimated Vick is a nightmare for coaches. From what I hear, DeSean Jackson is ready to have a break-out year. The Defense is usually a nightmare for coaches anyway. If this works out, Philly could go really far...this year.

I applaud Philly for being willing to take such a bold move. I never even figured them to be in the hunt for Vick's services. I would like to take the opportunity to boo the Washington Redskins for even considering it (c'mon, do they dislike Jason Campbell that much?) I would also like to boo the Carolina Panthers for not at least trying to do something...you're telling me its ok to backup a top caliber QB like McNabb but you don't need a backup to Delhomme? Finally, jeers and rotten tomatoes to the Minnesota Vikings. Not only could they have had Vick with AP, but they don't even have a starting caliber quarterback...Vick couldn't back up Rosenfels? (I'm assuming this means that they will be making another run at Favre before the end of the season)

With all the applause for Vick's signing this year comes this. I don't get a good feeling about what happens next year. If Vick is really good, do the Eagles end up trying to dump McNabb?...it's not like they really have been a pillar of support to him in recent years. If he's bad do they use him as a scapegoat for the team's failures?

Either way, this is a win-win for Vick. He's back in the NFL, playing for a playoff-caliber team, playing with one of the better quarterback's in the league, with minimal pressure. When I say minimal pressure I'm referring to the pressure of being expected to carry a team. He'll have plenty of pressure no matter where he plays but at least he doesn't have to be some team's savior. Still, this works out great for Vick. I get an uneasy feeling about what this could potentially mean for McNabb, even though Donovan seems to be the one who clamored for Vick's signing.

If Mike Vick can get himself back into NFL form, and learn from the McNabb and Andy Reid, he can easily be one of the best QB's in the game. Not to long ago he was the highest paid, most electrifying and most talented player in the NFL. Imagine if this year's mentoring and his life experiences shaped him into a better decision-maker and passer! Then the question would not be whether he would be a franchise QB again, it would be whether he would become Philly's franchise QB. For Vick's sake, I hope he is able to put the past behind him and truly live up to his off the charts potential. For Donovan's sake and the Cowboy's sake I hope he reaches that potential with some other team.

The NFL is Back!! Finally!!

I don't know about you, but the months between April and August are torture for me. Don't get me wrong, things are great when you can watch College Football, then NBA Basketball, the MLB Pennant race and World Series, maybe even a little NHL here and there. But once the NBA Finals are over and the only thing on ESPN is baseball and poker...uggghh.

Finally training camp and pre-season football. Something to whet the appetite for all the upcoming Sunday afternoons and Monday nights!

Let's list all the great reasons to watch the NFL instead of reality TV this fall: Mike Vick, TO, Buffalo Bills with TO, Dallas Cowboys without TO, Jay Cutler, Brett Favre (couldn't resist, sorry), Matt Cassell, Plaxico Burress, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Tony Gonzalez, Tom Brady's return.....need I go on? What reality show could even compare to these storylines?

I don't think there's any question that football (or American Football for those that insist on the distinction) reigns supreme in the United States. At least it does in this house. Now is the time for all the Fantasy Leaguers to make up their draft boards. Now is the time for overweight guys to dust off their favorite jerseys and make a beer run. Now is the time for all the Cowboy haters to start hoping for Tony and Jessica to get back together. Now is the time for Football!

Lakers vs Celtics in 2010 Finals?

The Lakers sign Ron Artest, the Celtics sign Rasheed Wallace - chess anyone? Its far too early in the season, considering that the season hasn't started yet, to anoint an NBA Champion for 2010. But is there anyone that doesn't see these two meeting in next year's finals as a foregone conclusion? (Other than Cleveland fans who hope that Shaq will be enough to help LeBron or Orlando fans who for some reason think that they're better with Vince Carter than they were with Turkoglu)

Look at the landscape in the Western Conference. San Antonio's probably the biggest threat after signing Richard Jefferson. But they gave up some key defenders/role players and I still don't think they're better than the lakers. Next up the Denver Nuggets, a great team but other than a little increased chemistry with Chauncey Billups, they probably won't be much better than last year. Houston is pretty much out of the picture seeing that Yao is out for the season and no guarantees with the oft-injured McGrady. Who's left? Portland? They are a good team and, make no mistake, in another 3 years they will probably own the Western Conference. But they're still too young.

Now look at the landscape of the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is probably the biggest threat to Boston with the addition of the mighty Shaq-Diesel. I predict that Cleveland will be very scary early in the season with this combination, but in the playoffs I don't think they could take Boston in 7 (assuming all the Celtics are healthy). By default, next up is Orlando. They had a great season and they will be tough but I don't think that pick and roll will work as well with Carter as it did with the extremely versatile Turkoglu. I actually think Detroit will make some noise in the East this year having added Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Chris Wilcox. But still...they won't touch the Celtics.

Of the two, it looks like the Lakers would have the easiest march to the Finals. 2 years ago the Celtics embarrassed the Lakers in the Finals. (I can say this because I'm actually a Lakers fan) But there is every reason to believe that if the Celtics and Lakers do meet again, the outcome will be quite different.

First of all, the Lakers lost because they were not tough on the interior. That has changed with Bynum being healthy again. Also, Odom disappeared during the playoffs and Gasol disappeared during the finals that year. In last year's playoffs both Odom and Gasol were great in almost every game. Even though the Lakers lost Ariza, they gained one of the best enigmas in the game. Ron Artest is tough mentally and physically, he defends, he rebounds and he scores. Imagine this line-up: Fish, Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Bynum. Perhaps the greatest move off season was the re-signing of Odom. A 6-10 forward who can play the 3 or the 4 and handle the ball. And with him coming off the bench (his best role if you ask me...which I will probably discuss in a later post) it creates a nightmare for the opposing coach. Have I mentioned Kobe yet, who is playing like a man possessed?

Granted, the signing of Sheed is huge. I could hear all the Celtics fans spilling their clam chowder as they shouted in triumph when the signing was announced...one of them actually called me. Rasheed, similar to Odom, is a versatile big man who can shoot. But when it comes down to it, an old team just got older. And what about their young guys? Leon Powe, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, even the swirl of trade rumors around Rajon Rondo. A lot of questions out there. Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Perce, Sheed and Garnett are definitely a formidable five, although I don't necessarily think that Rasheed will start. But what's happening with their depth?

I will stick by my Lakers vs Celtics prediction and I'll make another one. The Lakers in 7. How bold is that? I'm sure I will hear from some Celtics fans so let me end with this rarely mentioned stat; Phil usually wins titles in 3's.

Big Expectations for TO in Buffalo - And More Popcorn!

So the TO show hits the air this season. I guess technically it hit the air already with his narcissistic TV program, but I'm actually referring to his upcoming season with the Buffalo Bills. I thought this was a great move by Buffalo and a perfect fit for Owens. I'm probably most surprised that TO was willing to go to the Bills than anything else.

That being said, let's examine the facts. Buffalo is a some-what mediocre team in a small market that has been on the verge of being good for a few years now. TO immediately makes the team better and just as immediately makes their market seem larger. Just wait and see how many more fans actually claim the Bills this year. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure the Bills make the playoffs this year. TO is that good.

Of course, I recognize that problem will come somewhere around week 7 or so. Sharing the ball with Lee Evans. Controversy with the QB as usual. But overall they should benefit a great deal this season.

Buyer beware for season 2, however. This is usually when things fall apart with Terrell (see Garcia, McNabb, Romo for details). If the Bills are smart, they'll use TO to increase revenue and possibly make the playoffs this season...and then refuse to continue the relationship thereafter. One thing is for sure, there will be plenty of popcorn in Buffalo this year.

If any of you watch the TO show on VH1, you probably saw the multitude of fans reacting positively to his arrival. Completely warranted. What's not warranted is the show itself. I mean, c'mon, all the guy does is walk around with his shirt off and flirt with women the entire show. Even the serious, "dramatic" moments seem scripted. Is this supposed to repair his image? His body is ripped and he's smooth with the ladies...I get it. He's got to wonder the same thing I'm wondering about his career in Buffalo - will there be a season 2?