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