This blog has just turned into me profusely apologizing for
not blogging. I’ll do it again. I am sorry. I’ve heard from several people, and
frankly the comments are not appreciated. Everyone that’s 3-0 wants to immediately
know where the blog is so I can prop them up. “Are you not blogging until you
win a game”? My team sucks. Let me heal!
I also want to make everyone aware of the mediums of communication
we’ll be using this year. I’ll post on the blog and will email and GroupMe
everyone the links. You won’t see tons of GIFs and funny things in the blog
this year. My apologies. It takes a tremendous amount of time to track all that
stuff down and embed it. If you see someone go through a flaming table, post it
in the GroupMe. Let’s make that more active. It’s much easier.
It’s been an interesting start to the NFL season. I don’t
think we’ve really seen many guys have a breakout start that was unexpected.
Maybe Mike Williams? Look at the leading rushers and receivers so far. Are
there any names that really surprise you? Are there any teams that really surprise
you? The whole preseason change I feel has really changed the dynamic. Teams
aren’t taking shots on young guys like they used to. Most players I remember
seeing doing well in preseason just aren’t on rosters. I’m still waiting for
something unexpected to happen.
The one positive change has been the Manning Monday night
broadcast. These guys are remarkably more likable when not playing football.
Eli is funny. Peyton is smarter than the coaches. I want Peyton to be the next
Eagles coach today. I was a bit hesitant to give it a try given the long
history of hatred, but it was highly enjoyable. The Steve Levy broadcast is
unwatchable. I don’t know if ESPN has released ratings on each broadcast, but
it won’t be long before the Manning broadcast has far more viewers. Anyone that
is still on the other broadcast… you’re missing out.
Beef of the Week: A “passing league”
You’ve heard the term. You’ve heard the commentary. The NFL
is a passing league! And it is. That’s certainly true. But things have gotten
out of control. I’m going to give you a simple analogy for what the problem is.
It’s straightforward.
The NBA has become so much about the 3. It’s math! When you
have guys that shoot 40% from 3 (1.2 expected points per shot), they’d need to
shoot 60% from 2 to make it equitable. And guys don’t shoot that well. So, the
3 has become king. You must be able to shoot well from 3 in today’s game. But
you don’t shoot a 3 every single trip down the floor. Why? Because if you do,
you won’t shoot 40%. The defense will know what’s coming and adjust accordingly
so you’re not better off. You need to mix it up so it’s effective.
That’s what has happened with football. Why would I run the
ball for 4 yards when I average 7 yards per pass attempt? Teams know this. Completion
percentages have gone up because teams want those 7 yards. Passer ratings have
gone up because it’s a function of completion percentage (more math!). But just
like the 3, you’re not going to see that level of performance if you do it
every single time. Any defensive line that’s halfway decent can get some pressure
rushing 4, and then it’s just a numbers game. You have 7 guys sitting back
trying to cover at most 5 receivers.
I know the analytics nerds love to roast coaches that say we
win when we run the ball. There’s a cause and effect there, sure. But the
reality is very, very rarely do you see any team come out, throw the ball every
single down in the first half, and win a game. It just doesn’t happen. Anyway,
4 paragraphs to say fuck Nick Sirianni.
Power Rankings
As I said about the power rankings after the first week… don’t
trust them. If you draft from their list, they rank you high. If you don’t,
they rank you low. The one thing they were right about was that the Pylons
stink. Championship game last year. 0-3 this year. Things have not gone well.
14. Dueling Pylons (0-3) – Last week: 13
Will this team win a game? We may never know. The roster is
seemingly OK, but the results are not. No real go-to superstar, and AJ Brown
has been a bust so far. Maybe the reality of this ranking will wake the team
up.
13. Tequila Party Gnomes (0-3) – Last week: 14
Down in the dumps with the Pylons. TPG had a huge week 1 in
a losing effort, but the last two weeks have been rough. Bobby Trees has been
disappointing while EEB does Peloton with Cooper Kupp for 30 points every week.
Sad!
12. Geno 911 (2-1) – Last week: 12
I can’t believe I lost to this team. As usual, Gambino has
the team that would’ve been a contender 2-3 years ago. There actually are good players
on this roster and a 2-1 start is not horrible.
11. The King’s Crusaders (1-2) – Last week: 6
There’s a real possibility this team deserves to be ranked
lower. CMC now hurt. Allen Robinson’s QB stinks. All he has is Dak/Cooper as a
Giants fan. Can’t be enjoyable.
10. Stanky Monkeys (0-3) – Last week: 3
I don’t know what the rankings saw to put this team at 3.
They’ve struggled all year. Waiting until round 45 to draft QB/TE may not have
been the best approach. Needs a shot in the arm to get things going.
9. Tree Party CuttyBill$ (2-1) – Last week: 9
This team is not bad, honestly. Burrow has been OK and the
rest of the roster has been scoring points. I think the arrow is pointing up
here. With a 2-1 start, I would not be surprised to see this team moving up the
rankings.
8. Pork Chop Express (3-0) – Last week: 4
GASP! A 3-0 team at #8? That’s correct. When you’re starting
James Conner and Jaylen Waddle, this is what happens. This team also has zero
depth. I’m not expecting an undefeated run much longer, but the 3 WR horses
should carry you to the playoffs at least.
7. Tweeting in the Trenches (0-3) – Last week: 1
Has scored more points than 0-3 PCE. You just can’t play
defense in fantasy. Tannehill at QB is holding this team back from being a
serious contender, but the roster is strong. I’d expect wins soon.
6. The Old Ball Sack (2-1) – Last week: 5
Look, I get it. This is somehow currently the highest
scoring team in the league. I’m not buying it. Brandin Cooks, Logan Thomas,
Chase Edmonds, and Jalen Hurts throwing 50 times. I can’t see the continued
success. Certainly, has done well, getting off to a hot start. But I think this
is more mirage than reality.
5. Street Pigeons (3-0) – Last week: 7
Much, much better team this year. A 3-0 start is huge and
now welcomes 0-3 Dueling Pylons. Can really drive a wedge between those teams. I’m
a little worried with the injuries thus far. If this team stays healthy, I’m
expecting it to be very competitive.
4. Coach Janky Spanky (2-1) – Last week: 2
It feels a bit weird to put a team that just set a league
record with 219 points (HOLY SHIT) this low. But I’m sticking with this for now.
All in on Rams/Steelers. It seems like an OK strategy. I’m still stunned at
what you did to Woody. I knew you were rivals, but you ain’t have to go that
hard on him.
3. Philly Peppers (2-1) – Last week: 10
WR was the biggest question mark heading into the season,
and so far, Chase and Williams have answered the call. Derek Carr also has been
way better than expected, and the Carr-Waller hookup is nice. Another team I question
the longevity but for now, looking good.
2. Cash Me Out Wide (2-1) – Last week: 11
Maybe I’m just reeling from the beating I took. Brady has
been on fire. Not getting the big contributions from the other pieces yet, but
that’s alright. Just imagine if you would’ve drafted usable players instead of
Rodgers and Ryan. You’d clearly be #1.
1. Team BG (2-1) – Last week: 8
So close to a 3-0 start. DeVonta Smith just couldn’t get it
done Monday night. And imagine if Hollywood hadn’t dropped 3 TDs. Just needed
one of them to get a victory. This team went heavy on speed WRs this year, and I
think it was the right year to do that. I think this team may not fade from a
hot start like every other year.
See you all in the GroupMe.
