Mojotronica
Expect Irony.
I love the Psycho Bunnies. This is my pick to win the CFFFL this season. I guess it's sort of an obvious pick since they are leading every other team in wins and points -- but there is a reason for it. It's the player's sanabas chose. Good lord, look at them:
QUARTERBACK
Drew Brees, NO (QB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 209
Born: Jan 15, 1979 - Austin, TX
College: Purdue
Draft: 2001 - 2nd round (1st pick) by the San Diego Chargers
sanabas took a chance on Drew Brees' surgically repaired shoulder and it paid off, and now New Orleans has a Quarterback consistent enough to take advantage of it's talent at wide receiver. New Orleans has been winning but depending on it's running game more than it's passing game which makes Brees a little more of a decoy than a point-scorer. But he's been performing nearly to optimistic expectations. Yahoo projection = 230 points, his actual production is on target to score 202 points by the end of the season. Going into the season Brees was a significant injury risk but that is becoming less of an issue as we see him in action.
Steve McNair, BAL (QB)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 230
Born: Feb 14, 1973 - Mt. Olive, MS
College: Alcorn State
Draft: 1995 - 1st round (3rd pick) by the Houston Oilers
McNair is a consistent vetaran and has had a serious upgrade behind Baltimore's o-line. He's been just slightly more productive than projected (206 points,) and is on-target to generate 213 points by the end of the season. His play hasn't been perfect -- you can count on him to generate positive points, but he makes mistakes. However McNair is old by football player standards and hasn't made it through a whole season uninjured for a few years now. At some point he'll sit out some games.
Jason Campbell, WAS (QB)
Height: 6-4 Weight: 230
Born: Dec 31, 1981 - Laurel, MS
College: Auburn
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (25th pick) by the Washington Redskins
A calculated gamble that looks like it won't pay off. Campbell is behind starter Mark Brunell on Washington's depth chart, and Brunell is old. If Brunell played badly or got injured, Campbell would have stepped in and taken over and maybe produced some points given Washington's array of offensive weapons. However despite the Redskins struggles Brunell has done okay and looks healthy. Campbell has been placed on the inactive list for now and may not get a chance to suit up this season.
RUNNING BACKS
Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 232
Born: Dec 12, 1981 - Rome, GA
College: Auburn
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (2nd pick) by the Miami Dolphins
Brown is young and ultra-talented but is limited by the lame performance of the Dolphins overall. So far he has stood out of the pack, on target to produce 277 points by season's end despite the expectation that he would only produce around 216. He's very young and therefore not at risk for injury. By the end of the season Brown will likely be carrying the Psycho Bunnies running game.
Brian Westbrook, PHI (RB)
Height: 5-8 Weight: 203
Born: Sep 2, 1979 - Washington, DC
College: Villanova
Draft: 2002 - 3rd round (26th pick) by the Philadelphia Eagles
So far Westbrook has been among the finest fantasy players in the NFL. He scores TDs and gets lots of points for receptions in leagues that award them. While he was projected to produce "only" 350 points this season he is actually on target to produce 450 points! But he is a serious risk for injury -- he has never made it through a full season without some down time. You can't expect him to play all 16 games, and when he does not the Psycho Bunnies will lose points. But for as long as Westbrook can stay in on the field sanabas has a super-star.
Frank Gore, SF (RB)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 215
Born: May 14, 1983 - Coral Gables, FL
College: Miami (FL)
Draft: 2005 - 3rd round (1st pick) by the San Francisco 49ers
Gore is a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners who were able to pick him up later in the draft because of the perception (and, well, truth) that San Francisco is a weak team in a rebuilding year. So far he's been outstanding -- now projected to generate 295 points by the end of season but in fact is on target to produce 341 points. However the word is his fumbling at the goal line will cost him TD carries, which will decrease his production in the coming weeks. He is very young and therefore not an injury risk.
Marion Barber III, DAL (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
Born: Jun 10, 1983 - Plymouth, MN
College: Minnesota
Draft: 2005 - 4th round (8th pick) by the Dallas Cowboys
Barber has a great shot at taking Julius Jones' spot as Dallas' number one Running Back, and if that happens his numbers will skyrocket. But for now they are sharing carries. Barber has been more productive than expected (projected = 110 points, so far on target to generate 144 points) which makes him a fine second back or flex guy, especially against a weak opponent.
Michael Bennett, KC (RB)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 207
Born: Aug 13, 1978 - Milwaukee, WI
College: Wisconsin
Draft: 2001 - 1st round (27th pick) by the Minnesota Vikings
This guy is purely a speculative pick in the unlikely event that Larry Johnson is injured. Kansas City is known for it's tough offense (haven't seen it yet this year though!) and has committed to focusing on the running game this season. Bennett is extremely fast and has not yet had the chance to fulfill his potential. It's not probably going to happen, but it could.
Cedric Houston, NYJ (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
Born: Jun 28, 1982 - Clarendon, AR
College: Tennessee
Draft: 2005 - 6th round (8th pick) by the New York Jets
Talented but low on the New York Jets depth chart. A real long shot pick in a weak system. He has managed to score a touchdown this season, however, which is one touchdown more than Reggie Bush has made.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Donte' Stallworth, PHI (WR) 235 - 45 (240)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 196
Born: Nov 10, 1980 - Sacramento, CA
College: Tennessee
Draft: 2002 - 1st round (13th pick) by the New Orleans Saints
Stallworth became a hot sleeper pick when he was traded from New Orleans (previously weak Aaron Brooks-led passing system) to Philadelphia's high-flying Donovan McNabb-led passing system. So far he's living up to the hype -- he's projected to generate 235 points this season and is on target to produce 240 points. However a hamstring injury last week led to a lot of zero-points in the primary wideout spot. Still how can you not start this guy?
Roy Williams, DET (WR) 200 - 47 (250)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 212
Born: Dec 20, 1981 - Odessa, TX
College: Texas
Draft: 2004 - 1st round (7th pick) by the Detroit Lions
Monster wideout is capable of being a primary receiver when he's healthy and active. When he plays and when Detroit can get it's passing game going he will produce a lot of points. He's an injury risk, however -- he missed several games last year due to injury -- and he's playing for Detroit, which is a weak team overall. And as Detroit's most obvious best player he's going to get a lot of coverage. Still, his projection is 200 points and so far he's exceeded it -- on target to produce 250 points.
Doug Gabriel, NE (WR) 105 - 19 (101)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 215
Born: Aug 27, 1980 - Miami, FL
College: UCF
Draft: 2003 - 5th round (32nd pick) by the Oakland Raiders
Events have conspired to turn lowly Doug Gabriel into a truly hot player this year. He got off the horrible Raiders and onto the still good Patriots, and with Deion Branch moving to Seattle Gabriel is in a position to get a ton of recptions this year. His size (6' 2", 215 lbs) means that he's got more potential than Branch ever had -- he could literally snatch the ball from over the hands of his coverage. Early in the season he had to deal with an injury and adjust to NE's system but in his first game he scored a TD. Great start.
Troy Williamson, MIN (WR) 150 - 36 (192)
Height: 6-1 Weight: 203
Born: Apr 30, 1983 - Jackson, SC
College: South Carolina
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (7th pick) by the Minnesota Vikings
Williamson benefitted from Korin Robinson's expulsion from the Vikes, as he got a promotion up the depth chart. He's been catching passes too, surpassing his projection of 150 points so far -- he's on target to generate 192 points. No touchdowns yet though. And Minnesota is sturdier than expected but not great.
TIGHT ENDS
Ben Watson, NE (TE) 137 - 25 (133)
Height: 6-3 Weight: 255
Born: Dec 18, 1980 - Norfolk, VA
College: Georgia
Draft: 2004 - 1st round (32nd pick) by the New England Patriots
Tom Brady has thrown more passes to his Tight Ends than he has thrown to his Wide Receivers so far this season, which has helped to push Watson into the league's elite at the position. He is an excellent Tight End and right on track to make his projected point total of 137 this year.
KICKERS
Stephen Gostkowski, NE (K) 88 - 10 (53)
Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Born: Jan 28, 1984 - Madison, MS
College: Memphis
Draft: 2006 - 4th round (21st pick) by the New England Patriots
Gostkowski is the weak link in the Psycho Bunnies chain of utter studliness. So far this rookie has had field goal attempts blocked in two straight games. That's not the quality of kicking NE got used to with Adam Vinatieri, so Gostkowski's job is definitely at risk. Expectations have been lowered and he's not even living up to those. Fortunately for sanabas kicker is the least important position in fantasy football.
DEFENSES
New York Jets (DEF) 124 - 32 (170)
The Jets Defense has over-achieved this season, making it impossible for me to totally make fun of sanabas for starting them. In fact they are now projected to score 124 points but are on track to score 170 points by the end of the season. One thing the Jets have going for them is being in a weak divsion, and one that looks weaker as the season has progressed. That's the kind of thing that benefits D. Good sneaky pick, or lucky break, whichever it is.
***
So much depth at every position that matters. sanabas may struggle with injuries this year -- at Quarter Back, at Running Back, even at Wide Receiver -- but so will most other teams. The Psycho Bunnies have enough depth to make it through the season and I like most of his speculative picks -- one or two of them could have much a better than expected season.
Wow, what a team.
QUARTERBACK
Drew Brees, NO (QB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 209
Born: Jan 15, 1979 - Austin, TX
College: Purdue
Draft: 2001 - 2nd round (1st pick) by the San Diego Chargers
sanabas took a chance on Drew Brees' surgically repaired shoulder and it paid off, and now New Orleans has a Quarterback consistent enough to take advantage of it's talent at wide receiver. New Orleans has been winning but depending on it's running game more than it's passing game which makes Brees a little more of a decoy than a point-scorer. But he's been performing nearly to optimistic expectations. Yahoo projection = 230 points, his actual production is on target to score 202 points by the end of the season. Going into the season Brees was a significant injury risk but that is becoming less of an issue as we see him in action.
Steve McNair, BAL (QB)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 230
Born: Feb 14, 1973 - Mt. Olive, MS
College: Alcorn State
Draft: 1995 - 1st round (3rd pick) by the Houston Oilers
McNair is a consistent vetaran and has had a serious upgrade behind Baltimore's o-line. He's been just slightly more productive than projected (206 points,) and is on-target to generate 213 points by the end of the season. His play hasn't been perfect -- you can count on him to generate positive points, but he makes mistakes. However McNair is old by football player standards and hasn't made it through a whole season uninjured for a few years now. At some point he'll sit out some games.
Jason Campbell, WAS (QB)
Height: 6-4 Weight: 230
Born: Dec 31, 1981 - Laurel, MS
College: Auburn
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (25th pick) by the Washington Redskins
A calculated gamble that looks like it won't pay off. Campbell is behind starter Mark Brunell on Washington's depth chart, and Brunell is old. If Brunell played badly or got injured, Campbell would have stepped in and taken over and maybe produced some points given Washington's array of offensive weapons. However despite the Redskins struggles Brunell has done okay and looks healthy. Campbell has been placed on the inactive list for now and may not get a chance to suit up this season.
RUNNING BACKS
Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 232
Born: Dec 12, 1981 - Rome, GA
College: Auburn
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (2nd pick) by the Miami Dolphins
Brown is young and ultra-talented but is limited by the lame performance of the Dolphins overall. So far he has stood out of the pack, on target to produce 277 points by season's end despite the expectation that he would only produce around 216. He's very young and therefore not at risk for injury. By the end of the season Brown will likely be carrying the Psycho Bunnies running game.
Brian Westbrook, PHI (RB)
Height: 5-8 Weight: 203
Born: Sep 2, 1979 - Washington, DC
College: Villanova
Draft: 2002 - 3rd round (26th pick) by the Philadelphia Eagles
So far Westbrook has been among the finest fantasy players in the NFL. He scores TDs and gets lots of points for receptions in leagues that award them. While he was projected to produce "only" 350 points this season he is actually on target to produce 450 points! But he is a serious risk for injury -- he has never made it through a full season without some down time. You can't expect him to play all 16 games, and when he does not the Psycho Bunnies will lose points. But for as long as Westbrook can stay in on the field sanabas has a super-star.
Frank Gore, SF (RB)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 215
Born: May 14, 1983 - Coral Gables, FL
College: Miami (FL)
Draft: 2005 - 3rd round (1st pick) by the San Francisco 49ers
Gore is a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners who were able to pick him up later in the draft because of the perception (and, well, truth) that San Francisco is a weak team in a rebuilding year. So far he's been outstanding -- now projected to generate 295 points by the end of season but in fact is on target to produce 341 points. However the word is his fumbling at the goal line will cost him TD carries, which will decrease his production in the coming weeks. He is very young and therefore not an injury risk.
Marion Barber III, DAL (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
Born: Jun 10, 1983 - Plymouth, MN
College: Minnesota
Draft: 2005 - 4th round (8th pick) by the Dallas Cowboys
Barber has a great shot at taking Julius Jones' spot as Dallas' number one Running Back, and if that happens his numbers will skyrocket. But for now they are sharing carries. Barber has been more productive than expected (projected = 110 points, so far on target to generate 144 points) which makes him a fine second back or flex guy, especially against a weak opponent.
Michael Bennett, KC (RB)
Height: 5-9 Weight: 207
Born: Aug 13, 1978 - Milwaukee, WI
College: Wisconsin
Draft: 2001 - 1st round (27th pick) by the Minnesota Vikings
This guy is purely a speculative pick in the unlikely event that Larry Johnson is injured. Kansas City is known for it's tough offense (haven't seen it yet this year though!) and has committed to focusing on the running game this season. Bennett is extremely fast and has not yet had the chance to fulfill his potential. It's not probably going to happen, but it could.
Cedric Houston, NYJ (RB)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
Born: Jun 28, 1982 - Clarendon, AR
College: Tennessee
Draft: 2005 - 6th round (8th pick) by the New York Jets
Talented but low on the New York Jets depth chart. A real long shot pick in a weak system. He has managed to score a touchdown this season, however, which is one touchdown more than Reggie Bush has made.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Donte' Stallworth, PHI (WR) 235 - 45 (240)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 196
Born: Nov 10, 1980 - Sacramento, CA
College: Tennessee
Draft: 2002 - 1st round (13th pick) by the New Orleans Saints
Stallworth became a hot sleeper pick when he was traded from New Orleans (previously weak Aaron Brooks-led passing system) to Philadelphia's high-flying Donovan McNabb-led passing system. So far he's living up to the hype -- he's projected to generate 235 points this season and is on target to produce 240 points. However a hamstring injury last week led to a lot of zero-points in the primary wideout spot. Still how can you not start this guy?
Roy Williams, DET (WR) 200 - 47 (250)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 212
Born: Dec 20, 1981 - Odessa, TX
College: Texas
Draft: 2004 - 1st round (7th pick) by the Detroit Lions
Monster wideout is capable of being a primary receiver when he's healthy and active. When he plays and when Detroit can get it's passing game going he will produce a lot of points. He's an injury risk, however -- he missed several games last year due to injury -- and he's playing for Detroit, which is a weak team overall. And as Detroit's most obvious best player he's going to get a lot of coverage. Still, his projection is 200 points and so far he's exceeded it -- on target to produce 250 points.
Doug Gabriel, NE (WR) 105 - 19 (101)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 215
Born: Aug 27, 1980 - Miami, FL
College: UCF
Draft: 2003 - 5th round (32nd pick) by the Oakland Raiders
Events have conspired to turn lowly Doug Gabriel into a truly hot player this year. He got off the horrible Raiders and onto the still good Patriots, and with Deion Branch moving to Seattle Gabriel is in a position to get a ton of recptions this year. His size (6' 2", 215 lbs) means that he's got more potential than Branch ever had -- he could literally snatch the ball from over the hands of his coverage. Early in the season he had to deal with an injury and adjust to NE's system but in his first game he scored a TD. Great start.
Troy Williamson, MIN (WR) 150 - 36 (192)
Height: 6-1 Weight: 203
Born: Apr 30, 1983 - Jackson, SC
College: South Carolina
Draft: 2005 - 1st round (7th pick) by the Minnesota Vikings
Williamson benefitted from Korin Robinson's expulsion from the Vikes, as he got a promotion up the depth chart. He's been catching passes too, surpassing his projection of 150 points so far -- he's on target to generate 192 points. No touchdowns yet though. And Minnesota is sturdier than expected but not great.
TIGHT ENDS
Ben Watson, NE (TE) 137 - 25 (133)
Height: 6-3 Weight: 255
Born: Dec 18, 1980 - Norfolk, VA
College: Georgia
Draft: 2004 - 1st round (32nd pick) by the New England Patriots
Tom Brady has thrown more passes to his Tight Ends than he has thrown to his Wide Receivers so far this season, which has helped to push Watson into the league's elite at the position. He is an excellent Tight End and right on track to make his projected point total of 137 this year.
KICKERS
Stephen Gostkowski, NE (K) 88 - 10 (53)
Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Born: Jan 28, 1984 - Madison, MS
College: Memphis
Draft: 2006 - 4th round (21st pick) by the New England Patriots
Gostkowski is the weak link in the Psycho Bunnies chain of utter studliness. So far this rookie has had field goal attempts blocked in two straight games. That's not the quality of kicking NE got used to with Adam Vinatieri, so Gostkowski's job is definitely at risk. Expectations have been lowered and he's not even living up to those. Fortunately for sanabas kicker is the least important position in fantasy football.
DEFENSES
New York Jets (DEF) 124 - 32 (170)
The Jets Defense has over-achieved this season, making it impossible for me to totally make fun of sanabas for starting them. In fact they are now projected to score 124 points but are on track to score 170 points by the end of the season. One thing the Jets have going for them is being in a weak divsion, and one that looks weaker as the season has progressed. That's the kind of thing that benefits D. Good sneaky pick, or lucky break, whichever it is.
***
So much depth at every position that matters. sanabas may struggle with injuries this year -- at Quarter Back, at Running Back, even at Wide Receiver -- but so will most other teams. The Psycho Bunnies have enough depth to make it through the season and I like most of his speculative picks -- one or two of them could have much a better than expected season.
Wow, what a team.
Thank you sir. These are the picks I'm happiest with, getting excellent value in rds 4, 5, and 7. I'm just disappointed I just missed Kitna.
