New Hurricane Michael Turner

Another BFFL week in the books and my predictions from the last week, couldn’t have been more spot on.  Game of the week gave what it promised as we watched Belonger Bowl IV, scratch that… Bologna Bowl I come down to the wire as younger Belonger Kyle took the newly coveted “Bologna Slice”.  Upset of the week went to Hurricane Ditka as they destroyed the Mob Squad after a week of hype and smack.

Although I forgot about it, Natey would also later bring to my attention that it was Champion vs. Champion in the MLSP vs. Blue Steelers matchup, and the Blue Steelers would prove they are a champs champ, taking in the high score of the week, and the win.  Magnum PI goes on to improve to 4-3 .  A new leader is atop of the BFFL ranks as the Warriors loss combined with the Wackers win, would push Durkee to the top for at least a week.  As per some requests, we will not have the weekly report this week, even with all the action that did take place.  Instead, you get the BFFL Midseason special report!  So lets dive right in.

Power Rankings: (Last Power rankings in parenthesis)

1)      (4) God’s Tallywackers 5-2 – Not only are they in first, they have beaten the top 4 teams in the BFFL for 5 of their wins.  (Warriors 2^nd, Clan 3^rd, Steelers 4^th, Mob Squad 5^th ) Probably should be 6-1 too and beat the next best team (PI 6^th) but the costly start of Bowe when he was notably reported injured way ahead of time still bites him in the behind.  None-the-less, they are in 1^st and have proven they can take out the best of the best… now, he is the best.

2)      (1) Gridiron Warriors 5-2 -  Miscues and a bye week from hell, the Warriors had to drop to 2^nd.  They still do lead the league in average points (85/game), so that has something to say. The bye weeks for the majority are over for the Warriors, and a favorable schedule for the next few weeks, the Warriors could be right back up to number one by the time the 3^rd quarter review comes out.

3)      (5) Blue Steelers 4-3 – The Steelers are moving up faster than The Jefferson’s.  Since my 1^st quarter review, the Steelers have yet to lose.  (*knocks on wood for Dave).  Not only are they winning they are doing it with big numbers, as the Blue Steel pulled off the BFFL’s first back to back 100+ point games this season.  They are also averaging 84.7 points/game, which is second best in the league.

4)      (2) Turducken Clan 4-3 – The Clan did just come off a major win vs. the top notch Gridiron Warriors, but it could have very easily went to the Warriors, if not for a foolish benching of Tony Romo, a pick for 6 by the Saints D at the end, or even a few more catches from Steve Smith.  Had that happened the Clan would have been in trouble dropping it’s 3^rd straight game, but as the commish says, “A win is a win”.  I’ll take it; the more important thing that everyone will have to keep an eye on now is the stability and health of Andre Johnson after the chest contusion.

5)      (3) Magnum PI 4-3 – How good is Christensen’s team? In an optimal line up as of right now, the lowest PRK is 12(Pittsburgh D). My views from Q1 remain the same into the midseason report. PI will be in the championship.

6)       (6) Kep’s Mob Squad 4-3 – For a team with 3 first round picks, this is a perfect example that an amazing draft doesn’t make for a championship team.  As much steam as Koeppen has been blowing about kicking everyone’s asses the second you glance at him wrong, the entire league is realizing that it’s a team with a TON of bark and no bite.  Mob Squad doesn’t have to worry quite yet, but with the next two weeks he faces some of the league’s tougher opponents The Blue Steelers (4-3) and the Gridiron Warriors (5-2), watch out, things could turn ugly fairly quickly.

7)      (9) MLSP 3-4 – I know, I can’t believe I didn’t put myself ahead of MLSP either! I am on a 3 game win streak and things are looking goooood. But, keep in mind before this loss, MLSP was a 3W streak team as well and with a higher point average than myself (78.3 vs. my 73.5) I couldn’t place myself ahead of Natey.  It’s no secret, that Portis is attempted to be shopped, but with a Redskin’s bye this week and the Skin’s having a less than par season, I can’t see him leaving the Pets.  Not to worry for MLSP fans though, Jacobs, Bradshaw, and LT make up for him and keep a team that prides itself on RB’s, still no pushover.

8)      (10) Hurricane Ditka 3-4 – I still suck, just not quite as much. As I said before, I am on a 3 game winning streak, which is fantastic.  Drew Brees is putting up stellar numbers once again, and newly acquired Michael Turner is a perfect leader for a very horrible RB core.  Although Turner isn’t going to be the savior and his numbers won’t come close to last years, it is nice to see a back on the team that can score over 5 points a game.  Problem for the Canes though, they still average the lowest amount of points in the league (73.5) and the upcoming schedule is tough. Could the face lift been for nothing?

9)      (7) Bry’s Gamers 2-5 – Poor Gamers. The team can’t even win when Tom Brady throws for 6 TD’s in one game.  Donald Driver is trying to do his part to, playing like he’s 24 and not his actual age of 78. The Eagles D is this years sleeper D that destroys. Yet, the Gamers have lost 4 straight.  If the RB core can ever come out of it’s funk, this team will still have a chance. Maybe it’s time we see Forte get shopped for some new talent.  You can only wait so long before its called the sophomore slump.

10)   (8) Seal Clubbers 1-6 – The Clubber’s have all but thrown in the towel and looked on to next season. Keeper Michael Turner has been shopped, draft picks and strategy have been coming in.  I still believe there is some fight left in this team. Rivers is still having a great year, Witten is still a top TE, Marshall is proving his worth to everyone. Give Slip one more win before the trade deadline, and I could see a ray of hope come back into this team.  Remember, this team still could go 7-6.

Marshall creating a stir for the Clubbers

Midseason Playoff Prediction:

1)      Blue Steelers

2)      Gridiron Warriors

3)      Magnum PI

4)      God’s Tallywackers

5)      MLSP

6)      Kep’s Mob Squad

Quarterfinals:

4) God’s Tallywackers over 5) MLSP

3) Magnum PI over 6) Kep’s Mob Squad

Semi-Finals:

1) Blue Steelers over 4) God’s Tally Wackers

3) Magnum PI over 2) Gridiron Warriors

Championship:

1) Blue Steelers over Magnum PI

Midseason Awards:

Best Manager: Kyle Belonger – Is this the same guy that had the now infamous Neil Rackers draft? Solid starts every week, and great waiver wire additions including Sims-Walker, the Saints D, and Sidney Rice.  Beating his brother in the Bologna Bowl for a 4^th straight time also helps.

Most Team Spirit: Dave Pleuss – Dave may be secretly in love with Steven Jackson and Carson Palmer… oh wait, its no secret. The difference this season is that both are rewarding Pleuss with high points this season for sticking with them through the good and bad times.

Injury Bug: No one. Although everyone has seem to have had their equal share of probable’s, questionables and doubtuls, no one really has had the swine flu of injury yet.  It will happen, it just hasn’t happened yet, which is impressive.

Best Free Agent Pick Up: Steve Smith (NYG) Gridiron Warriors – Picked up back in September, this was a brilliant pick up and immediately improved the WR core for the Warriors. An automatic starter every week as well, this isn’t an FA that just sits the bench.

Best Value Draft Pick: Ray Rice – Gridiron Warriors. Everyone assumed he would be the sleeper, and yet everyone held off on him until it was too late. The Warriors make us all pay as Rice is a top 5 back this year.

Smack Talk Award: Peter Koeppen. No surprise.

GOTW:

Blue Steelers vs. Keps MOB Squad

A-Pete and MJD meet for the first time since the monumental trade went down that sent each one to opposite teams.  Both teams are 4-3 and although they seem worlds apart, they really are technically both tied for 3^rd place.

Upset of the week:

Seal Clubbers over The Turducken Clan