Classic Hubris

It took awhile to track down the Sarcone/Gambino tandem.  But spotted across the lot was a personalized Eagles jersey with "Sarcone 3" on the back.  There we were... face to face.  The scene was near a port o potty on the outskirts of the Linc.  Nick and I both were wearing white Mike Vick jerseys.  He couldn't stop talking about how awesome his 2-7 team was... How he was going to come all the way back to make the playoffs.  How it would be the most talked about season in EFFL history.  There was only one problem.  His team was not 2-7.  After a huge Monday night comeback, the Masons downed FDS and pushed him to the brink with a record of 1-8.  5-8 surely will not be good enough to get into the playoffs, but FDS is not mathematically eliminated yet.  That should happen this week.  Both of you were talking all kinds of shit through me, which I thought was hilarious.

As we all are well aware, Chris Fusco missed a golden opportunity, and I can't say I'm all that surprised.  The King was a heavy, heavy favorite coming into the game and nothing happened to sway the result.  A Vincent Jackson explosion set the tone.  Also, a huge comeback from TPG to take down the Stanky Monkeys.  Monkeys kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 27 yard field goal, which had he made it, would have given Lou a 1 point victory.  Heartbreaking.

A couple points of note:

- Blogger has notified me that the EFFL blog now has over 1400 page hits.  Whoever uses Google Chrome, you're on the blog an extraordinarily large number of times.  I'm glad you enjoy my writing.

- We have our first (really second) Thursday night game this week.  From now til the end of the season there are Thursday night games every week.  Obviously, if you want to use a player in that game he must be in your lineup at that time.  The deadline remains the same as it is every week to add/drop players... Sunday 1 PM.  Just something to keep an eye out for.

Norv of the Week: Andy Reid

Yes, we have a repeat offender.  Nominations came in for Shanahan again, but he could not take down the fat man.  A week after looking like a genius against the lowly Cowboys, Andy was back to his old tricks.  Eagles down 3, 10 minutes left in the game, facing a 4th and 6 from the Bears 40, a tough decision was in his hands.  Do you A, punt and play the field position game knowing you're only down a field goal, or do you B, go for it and risk giving them the ball with a short field?  If you guessed answer C, fake punt with Chaz Henry attempting to throw to Colt Anderson you'd be correct.

What the fuck Andy?  Of all the times to reach into your goody bag for a snack, this was not the right call.  I don't care what newspaper guru or incessant blogger will disagree, this was an ass-face call.  If you want to take a shot, bring Vick onto the field.  I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever seen a fake punt from the opponent's side of the 50.  The defense is playing for a fair catch.  They won't be running full speed away from the snap.  It's just an awful, awful time to try a fake because there's simply not enough room.  I didn't see post game because I was stuck in the parking lot til 1 AM, but I guarantee when reporters asked Andy why he chose that call there, his response was "I thought we could make it".  Asshole.


This is the last week of strictly power rankings.  Next week will start with the playoff preview, but I will still include a power ranking for your pleasure.

Power rankings after week 9:

1. The Stone Masons (6-3) - Last week: 1

The Masons stay atop the rankings with a huge come from behind victory over the league scrub.  At 6-3, looking very good to make the playoffs, and is back in position for a 1st round bye.  No Tron, No Lions D, no problem.  I was looking at the Masons lineup today and noticed that the starters are averaging 150 fantasy points per week.  That's damn good.  This still is the team to beat in my mind.

2. Tequila Party Gnomes (7-2) - Last week: 2

TPG is on a roll baby.  That's 5 wins in a row and now in sole possession of first place in the EFFL.  Looking very tough right now after a huge win without Peterson.  This team is positioned nicely to finish strong.  2 games against cupcakes in the next two weeks means TPG is on the verge of locking up a playoff spot.  Can actually clinch this week with a win, Woody loss, and Fusco loss.  Chugging a celebratory vanilla stout after the Gnomes and Pylons both officially with W5 was the highlight of my weekend.

3. Dueling Pylons (5-4) - Last week: 4

I went back and forth with whether the Pylons or Janky Spanky should be here, but facts are facts.  The Pylons just defeated Janky Spanky despite being a 45 point underdog according to some all-knowing fantasy sites.  The Pylons have now won 5 straight games, which ties for the best in the league.  So why not?  This team is playing as good as any right now.  Vick/Foster/Sproles is getting it done week in and week out.

4. Coach Janky Spanky (6-3) - Last week: 3

Lost the head to head matchup with the Pylons so dropped a spot in the rankings.  Seems fair.  ESPN had this team projected to score 191 points in week 9.  Seriously.  Everyone scored in double digits, but nobody really had a big game.  Narrowly avoided being embarrassed even more by the Pylons due to some bogus penalty calls.  I think at this time, #4 is probably appropriate for this team, and has a huge matchup in week 10 against a hungry Woody squad.

5. The King's Crusaders (4-5) - Last week: 8

I'll admit, last week's ranking was a little bogus.  I was all fired up after an Eagles win and saw this team being pushed to the brink and I wanted to rattle him a little bit.  I even considered ranking this team below Jimish just to light a fire, but I couldn't justify it.  If you think Woody is serious about fantasy football, you haven't seen anything yet.  I set a line with Matt of how many times "King moved" would appear on the transaction log.  The over/under was 50.  I kid you not.  Here is a screenshot:

If you took the under, you won... Barely.  Conflicting reports were emerging from ESPN Insider and Rotoworld which complicated things slightly.  Antonio Brown also threatened to file a grievance with the NFLPA after being benched so many times without probable cause.  Still managed to pull out a win, and I'm still a little skeptical, but nobody below is playing any better right now.

6. Tweeting In The Trenches (4-5) - Last week: 5

Damn son.  I'm disappointed in you.  Not like you really had any chance at all this week, but at least thought you would put up a bigger fight.  This team is not playing well at all, and if the season ended today would be on the outside looking in for the third straight season.  I really thought this team had more to give, but it's a totally different story.  It's a lot more difficult to win when Wes Welker isn't scoring 50 points.  I actually did some analysis on the great start Welker had.  If Welker stopped playing after Week 4, he'd currently be the 5th highest scoring WR.  Remarkable.  As Welker goes, so does TITTY.  It's not a smart move to hang your hat on.

7. Stanky Monkeys (3-6) - Last week: 7

Could have really used a win over TPG last week and now at 3-6 has some serious work to do to get back into it.  Having the Pylons on the schedule at this point in the season is not a welcome sight.  I must say that despite playing Fusco, the King had all kinds of smack to talk about classic rival "Stanky Panthers" as he put it.  He went on to say how terrible this team was and how he couldn't believe this team had 3 wins after drafting Hillis and Burleson.  I personally think this team could cause some damage, but I sure would like at this point for a response.  Things are getting a bit chippy on the blog.  This team's top 3 draft picks are all injured and the 4th was Nate Burleson.

8. Animals With Eyepatches (3-6) - Last week: 9

Got a big win over Lady Luck and stayed alive in the hunt.  Only a game back with 4 games to play, so this team definitely still has a shot and gets FDS in week 10.  The running back play, however, has been severely disappointing.  I was shocked to see today just how bad Rashard Mendenhall has been this year.  He's probably a bigger bust than anyone.  The Bowe/Jennings combo is real nice, and with some help from the surrounding pieces, might be able to overcome the deficit.  Also, a personal apology to Jimish for not making your show Saturday night.  I had planned on it all week and at the last minute couldn't make it.  Hope you guys are back up in the NY area again soon.

9. Lady Luck (6-3) - Last week: 6

Don't let the record fool you.  This team is garbage.  Has the luck finally run out for the "lady?"  I just can't believe that this team somehow started off 6-0.  A 3 game losing streak has quickly brought this team back to earth, and without a win soon, what once looked like a playoff lock could be on shaky ground.  Another injury to Miles Austin certainly isn't helping things.  Facing red hot TPG may cause some serious concern.  Please, do not cave and trade with your brother at the trading deadline.  I don't care how much turkey he offers you.

10. First Down Syndrome (1-8) - Last week: 10

9 weeks through the season, and this team has been in last place in the rankings all 9 weeks.  Seemed so certain Monday night that he would take down powerhouse BG, but it wasn't meant to be.  I really don't see any way this team would be able to make the playoffs at 5-8, but I guess there's a small, small chance somewhere.  Will officially be eliminated with a loss and either Fusco or Woody win.  Facing a hungry Jimish team, this is very likely in week 10.  The offers will be flooding in for Larry Fitzgerald no doubt.


Week 10 matchups:

First Down Syndrome (1-8) v Animals With Eyepatches (3-6)
Tweeting in the Trenches (4-5) v The Stone Masons (6-3)
Tequila Party Gnomes (7-2) v Lady Luck (6-3)
Dueling Pylons (5-4) v Stanky Monkeys (3-6)... This game barely lost out on game of the week

and the game of the week...

The King's Crusaders (4-5) v Coach Janky Spanky (6-3)

A true match of wits.  I was notified today that despite ESPN standard projecting Janky Spanky to score over 170 this week, ESPN insider gave the King a 92.6% chance to win.  Hilariousness on all counts.  I know that these two have a serious rivalry, and this matchup could not come at a more critical time.  Both of these teams want to win this game bad, and despite being in a much better position this week, a loss for King could be a serious blow.  This is going to be the highest scoring game of the week I believe, and I sadly hope that EEB is the victor.  It's the first time I think I've ever said that.  This is going to be a good one, and I look forward to the trash talk that will fly this week.


I'm glad to be your outlet for trash talk, and I thoroughly enjoy passing along every piece of it through a public forum.  The standings are so close right now that I'm all fired up about this league.  Andy got me off the Eagles short bus real quick.  It's all about the EFFL.  Good luck in week 10.