Week 3

Week 4 is almos here and I haven't updated you on the proceedings of week 3. 

At first I was going to bitch and moan about my results, but there are more interesting things to talk about

FF strategy: as weeks go by, I realize that defenses are built from the front line to the back.  However, the first players you should choose are linebackers.  Linebackers are involved in all aspects of defense.  They tackle runners, they block passes, they intercept passes, and many times they are in the right place to pick up a loose ball.  For example, in my teams it is very clear that Scott Fujita and Lofa Tatupu week in and week out provide the most points for my respective franchises.  I'll keep that in mind for next season.

Liga descabellada: I am becoming more and more depressed with my results here.  I have lost 2 in a row and will most likely lose my third this week againts Papichulos.  After reading about TO's alleged suicide attempt, I am glad I let him go, even though I really have no place for a 4th QB.  Let's hope I can trade.

Public league 611710: I am starting to dislike this league very much.  It's not just the fact that I suck big time, but because I get very few points every week.  I lost last week and it looks like I will lose again.  For blogging purposes, I will call it from now on "Crapublic league"

Livingonpejetlan: I barely won my first, but I go against La Quinta del Buitre and I am very worried.  His players seem to perform beyond what is expected, so this will be a tough challenge.  On week 3, the sibling rivalry was won by Charly, who (in a very exciting game) managed to outplay Pablo and won by a score of 141.6 - 118.11.  This is going to be a very tough league.  Also, there was some dispute as to the scoring system.  This objection, of course, was voiced by Pablo and will probably be an ongoing issue throughout the season (the only way I would benefit from the scoring system would be if blocked passes were worth 10 points).  For next week, check out the action between Punishers and Linebackers.  I think that game will be decided on the last quarter of Monday Night.  This is my second favorite league

Golden-Nosed Pitbulls: This is only an experiment, but anyway I would like to keep a minimum of decorum after my humilliating 64-108 loss to Silver Mistake.  I hope I can win this week.  Hopefully Bernard Berrian will help me this time.

Industriales Reloaded

My favorite league.  I never expected to see this much enthusiasm about fantasy football.  My students (who are turning out to be much more savvy than I anticipated) are fine-tuning their teams day in and day out.  Here are some of the most remarkable results of week 3

Ravers @ Gunslingers: I managed to win barely because Ravers forgot to replace a player on Bye.  Not a very dignified way to win, but a win nonetheless.

Politros @ Obregón: Well, my man, you just have about the worst luck in the world.  And next week that you go against Chane things don't look any brighter.

Núñez @ Chane: Chane is one of 3 teams that is undeafeated.  This week his team was the highest scoring of all.  Mmmmm.... as a league manager I may have to do something about this.  hahahaha, just kidding my friend.

Magallanes @ Treviño: I thing Treviño needs to "get more into the game".  He has some very questionable choices on his starting lineup.  I think that with a little work he could have a very competitive team.

GAME OF THE WEEK Rincon @ ATAKK 05: This was the weirdest score in all of week 3.  Rincón managed to win with no less than TWO players in bye.  Well, so much for in-depth analysis and data mining, right?

TVAC J D O @ Mamayoyas: well I guess TVAC might actually kick my ass.    Owner Gerardo has been asking questions and making his homework, and this time Mamayoyas paid the price.  Mamayoyas faces the perspective of losing his second straight, since the Steelers have a bye week.

Raiders @ Camarillo: Raiders had a modest point score, but it was enough to win.  They are a very dangerous opponent and I think they will average 125-130 points during the season.

Warriors @ Dolphins: Dolphins are probably the most dangerous team after Chane.  Warrriors did not do the proper adjustments to bye players and thus had the lowest score of the week.

Garcia @ Arballo: This was the lowest scoring game of the week.  Both teams need to revamp their defenses.

Fayad @ Dragons: Dragons had his slowest week yet, as he only scored 89 points.  Still, he manages to win every week, so we can't assume he is slowing down.  Fayad neglected to make the adjustments necessary for bye players.  He does, however, have a fairly respectable team.

For next week, let's look forward to the sibling match between raiders and dolphins.  Also, can Politros break his unlucky streak againg division leader Chane?  Stay tuned...

In Between Days

Week 3 is not over yet and I already got my ass kicked in a massive way!  Wolves of the Calla lost 58-108!!!! I suffer.  At least I hope there's TMQ this week. I did, however, beat my feared rival Rhinelander Rover in Industriales Reloaded.  Let's see what gives.

Week 2

In week 2, there was a tremendous improvement in the passing dept.  As a matter of fact, that is exactly where most of fantasy games were decided, in my opinion.  Now, let's get on with some random notes on this week's events.

On Saturday, the draft for fantasy league Industriales Reloaded took place.  It was bedlam.  ESPN's fantasy doesn´t work like Yahoo's, so you had to be alert in order to make your pick.  In hindsight, this could have been for the better, as teams turned out to be evenly matched.

Now, for some thoughts and reflections on Fantasy Football in general:

I don't know what's come over me, but I've become addicted to this godforsaken game.  By midweek I had joined another league no less!  I have found out, however, that fantasy is so named because it deviates from what actually happens on the field

Fantasy Football places attention on individuals, not teams: I was more concerned about James Farrior's performance than about the fact the the Cowboys beat the hated Redskins.  This has the potential to reduce my overall enjoyment of the game.

Fantasy Football rewards certain statistics that do not tell the whole picture on a player's value: take the case of tight ends or cornerbacks.  Both positions are troublesome in FF.  Why? Because the job of these players goes beyond gaining receiving yards or making interceptions.  Tight Ends are very important blockers, both for QB's and RB's.  If all goes well, cornerbacks should never be making a tackle.  This would mean that a RB has gone beyond the line of scrimmage or that a receiver has made a catch.  The situation for CB's may improve marginally if pass deflections (their most important task) is rewarded more heavily.  It does seem, however, that some positions are not destined for fantasy greatness.

Numbers replace people: fantasy football can be played by neophites and football laypeople because the game is not so much about knowledge or joy for the game, but about numbers.  Stats may help you analyze a particular trend on which you can act immediately, unless your league has a salary cap or restrictions on trades or other moves.  Just look at the number of people that signed up Bernard Berrian (WR, Chicago) after Chi's 2 monstrous performances (I am one of those, ASAMOF)  Can you imagine if real teams let go players that way? 

There is no place in FF for personal feelings: OK, I'm going to let if off my chest.  I made what is probably the dumbest trade in the history of FF (or so it would seem).  I traded TO for Chad Pennington.  Reason? well, his broken finger certainly was the straw that broke the camel's back, but there was something else.  I never did like TO for Dallas.  I believe he is a loser, with the worst possible attitude for a pro player.  I still do not understand how a team that has had players like Antonio Bryant, Joey Galloway, and even Keyshawn Johnson would hire this prick.  The only reason I find is $$$$$$.  Besides, if the Cows don't have a good QB (and Drew Bledsoe is not one of them) there is little that TO will accomplish.  Other mistakes I apparently made were signing up Champ Bailey and Dwight Freeney, none of them FF darlings.  Why did I sign them? Because I have seen them play, and oh brother can they play!!!!

My new team is called Supermachos and oh boy, did I get a good team.  Finally I was able to have a decent draft.  I did however, kind of regret signing up Steve Smith.  I don't know, I am thinking "TO again".  Well, let's see how it goes. Ka!

Next week I face Ravens, Allende Rhino Zeros, I-don´t-know-who, and Tecolotes Vengadores.  My prediction? L-L-W-W

Bye Weeks

Week 3: Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego

Week 4: Denver, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay

Week 5: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, Seattle

Week 6: Cleveland, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England

Week 7: Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee

Week 8: Buffalo, Detroit, Miami, Washington

Week 9: Arizona, Carolina, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia

Week 1

Well, we finally get to our first report on NFL action. I have to admit I feel rather nervous to take on this momentous task considering the number of really good NFL columnists, but what the heck. Here goes nothing.


The first thing I noticed in this first week is how dominant defenses seem to be. Seattle, with its high voltage offense led by Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck couldn't score a single TD. Advice to Fantasy Players: build up your defense, offense takes some time to revv up. Cornerbacks rule!

Play of the week: gee, I'm going out on a limb here, but I would say it's got to be Heath Miller's stupendous 87 yard play. Man, can he run!!! This is a guy you gotta look out for on Sunday's draft.

Moronic comment of the week: "now, the Seahawks want to do better at Detroit" refering to their being back into Motown after losing the Super Bowl. Really, can't sportscasters come up with better remarks?

Lame feature of the week by TV Azteca: each week I will look for the worst things about TV Azteca's football broadcasts. After last season's mega-lame "super fan" halftime feature, the geniuses at TV Azteca now bring in some prepubescent kids to narrate games. Mmm... come to think of it, it might not be that lame. Enrique Garay, watch out!!!

Concern of the week: Televisa apparently negotiated with NFL a Sunday broadcast instead of Monday Night Football. God noooooo!!!!! Over the years MNF has cemented a reputation for showcasing some of the finest moments in football history. Who doesn't remember Emmit Smith's Monday escapades or those great games that were decided in the last seconds of the fourth quarter. Guys, don't let me down.

Results of Fantasy Football

Liga descabellada

Well, what can I say, I won my first game easily. I must admit however, that the other guy's team spent more time in rehab than on the field. Things do not look easy for Rough Trade next week, when I'm up against Football Gods, the strongest team in the league.
My good friend and fellow football enthusiast Andrés J. will also face his first real trial after easily coasting the first week. Papichulos, though they lost, are also among the strongest teams in the league. Good luck!

Industriales Reloaded

Kids, remember there will be a live draft on Sunday, September 17 at 10:00 AM (yes, you read it right, 10 AM). Do not be alarmed, leave that to me.



Don't forget to write all your comments and concerns to this ultra pretentious blog.

PS 4,500 more words and my post would be the same length as TMQ. Go baby!

Presentation

Ahhh, the sounds and sights of fall! The weather gets just slightly colder in the morning, the rain comes down unexpectedly, men in skintight uniforms hit each other with enough force to put a small horse out of comission... yes, football season is here.

As some of the people that know me and endure my excentricities, I just had to have another blog for my favorite sport. Since I guess that at least this blog ought to serve some useful purpose other than my own amusement, Lado N will deal with the current situation of Fantasy Football. Once more my good friend and partner in crime Driusha taught me the dark ways and now I'm hooked on FF. So, Lado N will come out every week, giving you everything you wanted to know on the NFL. That is, anything but information that could actually improve your knowledge of the sport.