This week saw the end to another 64/60 baseball regular season. Twenty-one weeks of Head to Head action is now in the books and for six worthy teams a place among the 64/60 Elite is merely a month away. This season wasn't the best the 64/60 has ever been. Parity certainly wasn't part of the script as only 7 of the 12 teams contended into late July. Three teams didn't even contend past June and struggled with active ownership nearly all season. As is a staple with the 64/60 we once again had roster control issues that easily could have adversely effected multiple owners had it played out differently. Though 2011 won't be remebered for it's league balance it wasn't void of it's moments. The Bear Creek FP Factory went the entire season and had only 4 straight up losses. I did not research this total to see where it ranks but my gut feeling tells me it is the best Head to Head record in a given season. The season remained in doubt into the final weeks. The scheduling gods were kind to us with the Militia going head to head with Tom Emanski's Deathsquad for the sixth and final playoff spot. There was plenty of moves to disect on a week to week basis and for the first time not one controversial trade that comes to mind. Without a doubt I feel the most active owners were certainly the most competitive throughout the season. Though I feel Emanski's Deathsquad may have the better team no one can doubt that not a sole in this league has put in more time to this pursuit of 64/60 glory than one, Ev Lemaster. Lemaster has spent countless hours and many of nights posted up in front of his computer screen with Stattracker launched and watching AB after AB along with IP after IP with a ice cold Bud Light the beverage of choice. So with the end of the regular season comes the roller coaster of luck called the playoffs where one bad week or often times one bad matchup brings the season to a screeching halt. I find it only fitting that the two most dominate teams all year ended up one and two in the end. So for the Stars and BCFP no fear of a first round goose egg and both are merely one game away from the two week championship which more often than not provides us with the most deserving winner. In the opening week the Militia go head to head with the Coalton Country Lads while the Argumentative 9irons go head to head vs. Walls Of Jericho.
Pickup Of The Week
Bear Creek FP Factory- Sergio Santos. I still cannot figure out why the Country Lads cut a 30SV closer who despite a rocky week still has the closers job and figures to have it from this point forward outside of some lefty situational work from Sale or Thorton. Santos could still get 8-10 SV's from this point forward and for a rotation in need of some arms for the stretch run Santos fits the bill perfectly.
Head Scrathcher Of The Week
Coalton Country Lads- Felipe Paulino. The destinction of this honor despite what you may think, has nothing to do with Jesus Montero's two HR's earlier in the week. I've not been high on Montero so I can't slam anyone for tossing him to the side in the event you are adding value to your team. Problem with the move from my standpoint is the addition of Paulino to anyones rotation for a playoff contest. Sure Paulino is a two start option this week problem is it's still Paulino. His track record is that of a pitcher who will pile on the K's however his rate of WHIP and ERA is enough to mask any type of value gained from the K potential. Even if the "mathcup" seems to be favorable Paulino is simply one inning away from a 5 run outburst.
64/60 Football
With the Football season merely a day away it's time we give a small overview of each of the 12 teams within the 64/60 along with there perceived strengths and weaknesses as well as the best and worst pickups from post draft thru today.
Bear Creek FP Factory- Love the depth at the flex position with all the starting RB. Although they arent' elite options they should be steady performers from week to week. QB play should be solid as well as RB position. Biggest question mark without a doubt is WR. I love the big season potential of Dez Bryant but Bolden will need a bounce back season while Harvin will need to remain on the field more often in 2011 for this unit to excel.
Barboursville Stars- Stayed up well past his bedtime that night and the lack of a late round potential stud is evident. Starting RB duo is solid as well as his WR unit. E. Manning/Sanchez duo at QB is less than spectacular as both are better real options than fantasy. The Flex position seems to lack any reliable week to week threat at this point.
Marshall Maniac- First 64/60 football season and let's hope for the Junior McClung's sake it goes much better than his dismal performance in the Baseball Auction League. Like the depth at RB however the position is loaded with situational options rather than more majority of the rotation guys. Drew Brees is a nice QB option however with Cam Newton as the second QB Brees will have to be at a MVP level every week for to have a advantage over the opposition. WR group lacks a splash outside of Bowe.
Three Penis Wine- Absolutely loaded at the WR position and it would be hard pressed for anyone in the league to consistently outperform his top three options. Stafford and Fitzpatrick are two options I like however both are easily considered roles of the dice. MJD and Ingram are a solid RB duo however given their current situations neither should be considered locks to be Top 10 at the position.
Sons Of Jim Mora- The Word SOLID was thrown around often on the night of the draft. Seemingly every time Bill Fenney made a selection SOLID PICK was heard somewhere in the room. After the dust settled the best way to describe this squad would be solid. QB duo has the chance to put up very productive numbers assuming Orton remains the man in Denver. The WR corps has depth along with a handful of really good options. RB could be the isssue with Steven Jackson being a solid option but Ryan Matthews still having yet proved anything as the number two back could me inconsistent play from a very important position.
Seneca Wallace- It's alarming how closely this Barker and Bowe selected team mirrors their baseball counterpart. So many high upside players yet so few absolute answers in terms of production. Another Ricky Bobby inspired teams with the mantra: "If you ain't first your last.". RB should be solid with Foster assuming good health. The QB success and failure will depend on both Freeman and Kolb to players with little track record. WR will likely be hit and miss from week to week as S. Moss will be the only reliable option. All the questions marks in baseball have provided positive gains which leads me to question can these two continue to be so fortunate.
12th Round Kicker- Last years Champ is looking to go back to back and they appear to have the pieces in place to once again contend. The WR corp could be filled with three Top 15 WR's or better at years end. The QB position should be solid and should Henne emerge this unit could be good. The only question would be a RB where McFadden lacks a track record while Moreno and Brown don't figure to offer a consistent second option. With the depth a WR look for Hobson to work the phone lines at some point to get more depth at RB.
Busy Beavers- Ryan and Bradford is a solid QB duo while Peterson and Grant form a formidable 1-2 punch at RB. These are the things to hang your hat on if your Mr. Davidson. Now for the negatives. DeSean Jackson could be the most electric player in the NFL however you don't get bonus points in fantasy for the thrill factor. He won't be a 8 catch per week guy that you can bank on double digit points each and every week. Garcon and Collie's value is likely tied directly to #18 and his return. Daniel Thomas and perhaps Ben Tate appear to be the only back end roster options that could produce solid value.
BC Fightin Amish- Winner of the Best Draft Award according to most projected value from Yahoo. For the prize Chris gets to stroke his ego for the two weeks leading up to when it really matters. Not a Vick guy but if he is merely 75% of the player from last year it's hard to argue with the position. Should Manning return with good health the Amish could have the best duo in the league. I have high expectations for Felix Jones therefore the questionable RB situation looks a little more appealing to me than perhaps someone else. WR appears to be very very strong and among the leagues best. As much as it pains me to say it appears that Chrissy Poohs playoff streak should continue into the Football season.
Chump Slayers- Like the QB situation for former champ James Hardy. Forte isn't spectacular but given his skill set he should be a very reliable option week in and week out. Shonn Greene will need to be the 25+ carry option most expected for this unit to be above average. Like Jennings and Johnson as a nice 1-2 combo however the remaining WR options figure to provide little consistency. Jamison may very well run the Patriots offense with 4TE's as Hardy has the market cornered on TE's with four on the roster.
The Thomas R. Browns- The Catlettsburg Duo of Gilbert and Lemaster have combined forces to bring Fantasy Glory to the streets of the Gate City. From a name standpoint this squad will likely avoid any type of fantasy greatness however if a few things work out this team could easily push for a playoff berth. Schaub and Cutler is a above average QB tandem. Charles could easily be a Top 5 player overall at seasons end. Vincent Jackson could easily become a elite WR option. Should all those things iron themselves out then the Browns will only need a Burress, Bush, or Jones to become a Top 50 player for this team to contend for a playoff spot.
Argumentative 9irons- It appears as though GRC3 is prepared to go into the season with 5 K's on the roster. Is this a boycott of are Sophmoric behavior at the draft or is this just another example on how Rich + Misty may have bettered his life but ruined his 64/60 stock. Despite the heavy load of K's the 9irons have the building blocks needed to contend. Top 5 QB, check, Phillip Rivers. Top 5 RB, check, Chris Johnson. Top of the Line WR, check, Miles Austin. Outside of Brandon Lloyd however I don't see a mark it down performer in the bunch. In order for the 9irons to compete the aforementioned trio will need to miss miniml time and a Top 30 talent will need to emerge most likely Jahvid Best, Jermichael Finley, or Michael Crabtree.
Pickup Of The Week
Argumentative 9irons- Jordan Shipley. Sure they had to part with a beloved Kicker but Shipley could be the go to guy for Dalton in the early going. I could easily see Shipley being a 70 Rec./1K WR over the course of the 2011 season.
Head Scratcher Of The Week
BCFP- David Buehler. I understand the reasoning behind the move however if I was looking at a random Transaction journal it was the only move this week that would have a "What the Hell." attached.
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