Week 9

Gents:

Its starting to get busy out there on the transaction wire:

• PADNOS!!!! made their first trade in NFFL history by unloading Tony Gonzalez in favor of the Eagles Defense from PSC Metals.
• Smelters entered into a daring and complete roster overhaul by first sending malcontent wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Brandon Marshall to PKay for LaDanian Tomlinson, and then swapping disappointments (Steve Slaton for Steve Smith) with Sims. So in the end, Smelters added two of the greatest fantasy studs of the last five years to his squad....we'll see if they can emerge from their season-long malaise to help out the owner of the worlds greatest ingot maker.
• In addition, their was the normal orgy of waiver wire acquisitions and add/drops. Ryan Moats inevitably attracted a lot of attention as teams chased his 3 TD's in week 8. Moats ended up on Smelters in favor of Larry Johnson, who then went to Thalheimer...

'Round and 'round we go....

Week 8 featured many key moments:

• The Rail won against SAR to edge off the bottom of the power rankings.
• Smelters hung a week-leading 108 pts on Buffalo and won the Battle of Lake Erie.
• Thalheimer won despite a paltry 63 points against PKay.
• Solomon nicked a win against DMS on the back of an awesome second half by Aaron Rodgers.
• Carolina won against PSC in a game Carolina won on Monday Night on the back of Roddy White.
• Padnos kept the good times alive with a win over Sims.
• Dos beat Ansam despite Ansam putting up their 2nd highest point total of the year.

So going into Week 9, we are rounding into form. If the playoffs started this week, the participants for the Cathode Cup would be as follows:

1. Padnos (Div Winner)
2. Thalheimer (Div Winner)
3. Federal Metal Dos (Div Winner)
4. Carolina (At Large #1)
5. Metalico Buffalo (At Large #2)
6. Dynamic (At Large #3)

Solomon and PSC are 1 game out of the hunt, and SAR, Ansam, and Sims sit two games back. Its going to be a hectic race to the playoffs over the next couple weeks and this week has some key matchups with massive playoff implications:

Dynamic v. PSC

A win for PSC is essential to keep them in the hunt for the last playoff spot, whereas Dynamic can stay in line in their brutal division by winning at home. CBS predicts a massive outcome for PSC with a 11o pt outburst versus 96 for Dynamic.

Solomon v. Dos

Division rivals square off in Cleveland in a game Solomon is predicted to win by 16. Your Commish can go a long way to locking up the Brass Division by beating Solomon - but will need a complete attack from the roster to do it. Solomon is healthy again, so beware...

Padnos v. Carolina

This one features two teams cruising to the playoffs, but has implications for Division Leader and #1 overall. CBS currently predicts a blowout for Carolina - but Padnos still has to field their newly acquired defense and a kicker. If this were broadcast on national TV - it would be on Monday Night.

SAR v Buffalo

SAR NEEDS to win this game to stay apace in the Brass Division and maintain any hope of the playoffs. Buffalo lacks that desperation, but given their subordination to Thalheimer in the Bronze Division, could really use a victory as well. Buffalo is at home, and good-weather teams like SAR always struggle in Buffalo headed into winter...CBS predicts a decisive victory for Metalico.

In the balance of the week's matchups , the playoffs are less relevant and wins are all anyone wants:

The Rail v Ansam

The record is a combined 5-11 and Rod Bironas is back active for The Rail. I just don't know what to say here...The Rail is traveling to Florida with Mrs. Rail and baby, and I hope Ben Zager is traveling to parents weekend at the University of Vermont so that neither have to endure following this one. CBS is predicting a 30 point win for Ansam.

PKay v Sims

Thanks to their respective trades with Smelters, both enter this game with revamped lineups and renewed sense of hope. It guarantee Spencer and Justin will be watching and pulling for two teams that simply do not give up...CBS predicts a 5 point win for PKay which is probably means its to too close to call.

Thalheimer v Smelters

Smelters completely rebuilt his team this week in preparation for this game against the East Coast legend. Thal needs to win to stay in front of Buffalo in the Bronze Division and CBS predicts it will happen...

So thats all we have gentlemen, enjoy Week 9.

As always,

Your Commish

Solomon vs. Dos

Padnos vs. Carolina

The Week that Was ... Let the Wild Rumpus Begin ... Week 8

NFFLers:

Good morning gentlemen and Happy Halloween. The festivities of the weekend - including a marathon for Mrs. Commish - means todays post will be a bit sorter than normal. You've been spared. I would be remiss, however, if I did not take a moment to celebrate some of the performances from last weekend:

• PKay Metals won 92-90 over the #1 team in the league - Padnos. Its a HUGE boost for the hardest working GM in California and even though CBS predicted this outcome - it had to be a surprise for both Spencer and Heitmeier.
• Ansam won the Cupro Nickel Bowl over Thalheimer 89-66 as another of the top teams went down. It was Ansam's best game of the year and Thal's worst. Probably just a blip - a scoring anomaly if you will - but a win over Thalheimer for Ansam means bragging rights for 365 days for Ben Zager. Congrats.
• Sims Adams won the Dienst Bowl over Sims Metal Management 77-69 to get the three-fold spread in the FY2009 Annual Report. A balanced attack by SAR was enough to get past the aerial attack of Sims in a game that CBS also predicted accurately.

In all, Week 7 meant extending winning streaks for Buffalo and Carolina (now at 4 on the bounce), an extension of the leagues longest losing streak for The Rail (now at 5) and a return to parity as 10! teams sit within 2.5 games of Buffalo's lead leading record of 5-1-1.

No lets let the wild rumpus begin in week 8. In reverse order of the power rankings:

#7 SAR v #14 Progress Rail

The Rail looks to bounce back from his 5 game skid against 3-4 SAR. Its a tall order for The Rail as bye weeks mean SAR doesn't have a choice as to whom to start. With the leagues worst coaches ranking, this is a real benefit to Keizler, who as mentioned in earlier posts, inherited a pretty good team from brother Larry. Last week, though, he left Vernon Davis and his 27 fantasy points on the bench - which is a mistake he cannot repeat in Week 8. Its unlikely to matter as The Rail is currently looking at his roster, scratching his head and asking himself "Who are you people anyway?"

#3(t) Dos v #13 Ansam

Dos has some pretty serious Bye week issues so this game against Ansam comes at a decent time. CBS is predicting a 20 point win for your Commish but may be underestimating the impact of Ansam's recent waiver wire addition Shonn 'War Machine' Greene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yPN0Oa2YqM&feature=related

#3 (t) Buffalo v #12 Smelters

The Battle for Lake Erie starts off this week with a game Smelters is predicted to win. With all world Roethlisberger on the bench for Buffalo in favor of Alex Smith, the team sheet is nowhere near as pretty. Smelters, on the other hand, finally benefits from being able to bench Larry Johnson in favor of someone who is actually playing. Smelters is looking to play spoiler....at this point the game means more to Buffalo than Smelters, but never underestimate the will of the owner of the Worlds Greatest Ingot Maker.

#11 PKay v #5 Thalheimer

Can the magic continue for Spencer and Larry in Southern California? They've had the toughest schedule so far, and it continues this week against the East Coast Legend; CBS thinks Thal has the slight edge. Thalheimer has a bunch of key players active in the grudge match between the Giants and the Eagles, while PKay has guys active for the Chargers against Oakland. You've heard it before - it all comes down to matchups.

#10 Solomon v #6 Dynamic

There is no overstating the importance of this game for Solomon. Once one of the top teams in the league - injuries to key players Frank Gore and Reggie Wayne have slowed the Highway 1 Express. A loss here for Solomon and they're looking at 3-5. Dynamic traded their best offensive threat - Cedric Benson - for Peyton Manning. It was a bold move for DMS, and one CBS predicts will lead to victory and a 6-2 record.

#9 Sims v #1 Padnos

Like the previous game, this is another matchup of 3-4 v 5-2. Its a huge game for Sims and unfortunately he's reliant on Houston (Schaub and Johnson) on the road at Buffalo. Buffalo in November can mean swirling winds and impossible passing conditions which could submarine the efforts of Sims this week. Padnos has been reliant on Drew Brees all season, and while his good games are usually great for Fantasy, he's had some real dogs (not of the Bernese Mountain variety). In fact, Brees is only averaging 16 pts a game in his last 4. CBS is boldly predicting good weather in Buffalo and good results for Sims. Can Padnos loose twice in a row????

#8 PSC v #2 Carolina

Carolina is hotter than Georgia asphalt right now and CBS is predicting a 117 outburst against PSC. PSC has the only antidote for Adrian Peterson in the form of Maurice Jones Drew. Neither player has a great matchup, but there is little doubt the result of this week will flow through those two stud RB's.

Thats all we have for Week 8. Wish Mrs. Commish a good 26.2 and stay away from the candy.

As always,

Your Commish

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin…Week 7.

Almost halfway through the season and the NFFL is beginning to take on the desperate feel of a high school dance when you know the time is short and you still haven’t stepped onto the floor. There are the class jocks –Buffalo, Padnos, Carolina, and Thalheimer - lording over the festivities with the quiet confidence that the world revolves around them. There is the class clown – Dynamic - whose timing and obliviousness spells good fortune – at least for now. There are the good, well intentioned kids whose considerable efforts will eventually payoff but probably not at this dance - Solomon, PSC, SAR, Dos, and Sims. There is the attendee who shows up in a cowboy hat and spurs prepared for the western theme when it was actually a semiformal - PKay. And of course, there are those that skipped the dance altogether to stay home and watch reruns of Monty Python’s Flying Circus - The Rail, Ansam, and Smelters. Regardless, the DJ has dimmed the lights and put “Forever Young” on the turntable. Get off the bleachers, walk across the gym floor, and ask…what’s the worst thing that can happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4WadNAo7CI

Week 7 is here!

The week’s matchups are as follows:

#1 Padnos v #12 PKay

CBS is predicting a 101-92 win for PKay, a result that would have pretty obvious repercussions at the top of the league. PKay has a terrific matchup with Tomlinson and Sproles on the road at Kansas City while Padnos stud Drew Brees is on the road at Miami – not an easy task. CBS is interpreting this to predict the planetary realigning result above. We’ll see. PKay deserves a break this week.

#13 Ansam v #2 Thalheimer

The Second Annual Cupro Nickel Bowl kicks off in Philadelphia this weekend in a tilt between east coast powers on different ends of the rankings. Ansam fresh off a shocking win last week despite 11 interceptions by Mark Sanchez is not favored this week. Thalheimer is favored by almost thirty and with McNabb at Washington, you have to think the spread is justified. ISRI regulations prevent me from speculating on whats at stake in this gameJ

#3 Buffalo v #10 Solomon

CBS predicts the highest production to come from this game in a 115 – 104 win for Buffalo. There is no overstating the importance of this matchup to both squads: Buffalo is tied with Thalheimer for first in the Bronze Division and is trying to fend off PSC, and; Solomon is tied with your commish at 3-3 atop the Brass Division. While the season is too young to declare any loss for a division leading team a disaster, a loss would certainly be ill timed.

#11 Smelters v #4 Carolina

The owner of the World’s Greatest Ingot Maker is indeed down on his luck. Literally. Last weeks post showed that Smelters has had the worst luck in the league. Carolina, on the other hand, has been one of the luckier teams in the league. This week Carolina’s bellcow Adrian Peterson is at Pittsburgh which could create problems for Carolina. Your Commish is going out on a limb to predict a Smelter victory in week 7 – even though CBS says 113 – 80 Carolina.

#5 Sims v #8 SAR

This, the Second Annual Dienst Bowl, is predicted to be the tightest game of the week. SAR is 2-4 and Sims is 3-3 and both squads are looking to break out of their funk after loses in Week 6. CBS predicts 93-91 SAR, but Sims picked up someone named BenJarvus Green Ellis – the first 4-named player I have seen in the NFL. That alone should push Sims over the top for a special mention in the FY2009 Sims Metal Management Annual Report.

#6 Dos v #7 PSC

A rivalry game if there ever was one. Former coworkers – PSC-owner Savena taught your Commish how to sort brass at the Worlds Greatest Ingot Maker – then joined PSC to sell said brass items back to your Commish. In addition, PSC and Dos will be watching the Browns/Packers Game together in the friendly environs of Browns Stadium. Thank goodness we’ll have our children if one of us gets ahead in this matchup. Your Commish is favored 102-89 and really needs a win. PSC – at 4-2 – needs the victory to stay apace of Thalheimer and Buffalo.

#9 Dynamic v #14 The Rail

The Cubs traded Lew Brock to the Cardinals. The Astros traded Curt Shilling to the Phillies, and the Red Sox once traded a certain pitcher/hitter to the Yankees. This week The Rail traded Peyton Manning to Dynamic. Cedric Benson is a decent player, but Peyton Manning is, well, Peyton Manning. Last year The Rail had a good year despite such personnel decisions (see Bironas, Rod) and Dynamic won the Nancy Reagan Award for “Just Saying No” to all trade offers. The Rail will take it on the chin this week as CBS is likely correct in their prediction of a 111-79 Dynamic win.

So that’s all we have for the week.

Good Luck on the Dance Floor,

As Always,

Your Comish