An Outsiders Perspective: For What It's Worth

In a nutshell, I see some good teams out there.

But with the same caveats as my friend, Scott, here are a few observations.

Andre Johnson is a good, solid pick, if you ask me. Good things are coming from the Texans. Carr ain't no slouch (or Couch, if you will) either. I wouldn't misunderestimate the Texans.

Brett Favre was a bulwark for my championship team last year in my other keeper league. Yes, he's a bit older and not so flashy and maybe less exciting than thinking you're getting some younger guy. But hey, Brett and Jamal Lewis shouldered the burden for an otherwise mediocre team for me last year, and I won. In short, I like him and I'd take him again.

Derrick Mason is another one of those guys. Flashy, no. But he missed 100 hard games on numerous occasions last year by a yard or two. Solid stuff.

The biggest surprise to me was how far Stephen Davis fell. Why, b/c he's old?

I was also a little surprised that Jamal Lewis didn't go higher--but there is that little thing about the jail time (and Kanako's Randy Moss fetish).

This may come as a surprise to some, or many, but I really like the look of the Bobcats. Yes, there are some questions--you know, the jail time and all. But if things fall into place, this could be tough team to beat. Naturally, I fear for the effect on morale without Joe Jurevicious, but I suspect the Bobcats owner will find a way to bring Joe home before all is said and done.

I think Favre and Holmes could take the Steamrollers a long way, too.

Bulger, Tomlinson and Gonzo could be formidable, too, except that San Diego doesn't have an offensive line, so far as I've heard. But then, they never have, so far as I know, and Tomli is well...Tomli. Bulger seems to me to be sort of a crap shoot--but then, I don't like the Rams, so I may be biased.

The Sluts also strike me as pretty much all around tough. Though, I'm not completely sold on Bruce, either (I wouldn't pick him--except maybe at around #192)--and to some extent, Shockey. I think I have somewhat higher hopes for Vick than Scott does. I mean, hey, the raw talent has to go for something.

The Blackouts and Wild Things also certainly show very good potential. But I'll admit that I don't even know who Antonio Gates is. But then, if you don't have Gonzo at TE, it doesn't really matter. If I were so rash as to predict, I'd say they should be tough to beat.

Of course, it's really too early to tell, and I'd be hesitant to put my money anywhere, just yet. For example, another quick glance shows me the combo of Culpepper, Harrison, Heap and Driver. Yeah, Driver didn't do squat last year, and quite frankly, pissed me off. But you never know. He's decent and Favre is still there. Culpepper is as good a player as there is, and Harrison is gold. I'd be happy with that team even if I had actually picked them, and I'd definitely be happy with them as auto-draft picks. (As I'm sure a certain late-comer to the draft last year would have been...haha...)

Oh yeah, that Delhomme guy...didn't he almost win the Superbowl last year, or something like that?

Draft Recap 2004!

Montana Mile League 2004 Draft Recap and Analysis

Thanks to everyone who attended the draft. I think it was a pretty good turn of events, not too many surprises. I think the competition will be fierce this year! I’ll do round by round analysis and then I’ll do some team by team observations and grades. And remember, these are just my opinions – feel free to disagree – and for heaven’s sake, do not get upset if I insult you!

Round 1
Best Pick: Tie – #8 Deuce McCallister (Richmond Sluts) and #11 Jamal Lewis (Arcadia Bobcats). I think both these guys probably should have gone 6 and 7, not 8 and 11
Most Questionable Pick: #7 Matt Hasselbeck (The Specialists [aka the Special Olympians]). I think he would have been available in the 2nd or 3rd round. He’ll be a solid Fantasy QB, but not worthy of a 7th pick.
Natsukashi pick: #9 Randy Moss (Kanako) – what would our league be without Kanako having Randy Moss?

Round 2
Best Pick: No real standouts here – too early to really tell.
Biggest Gamble: #17 Michael Vick (Richmond Sluts). This could pay huge dividends if he can stay healthy for the entire year.
Most Questionable Pick: Tie - #23 Marc Bulger (Joe’s Mother Tuckers) and #24 Brett Favre (Bay City Steamrollers) – Personally I would have drafted McNair and Brooks ahead of both Bulger and Favre. Plus I think these guys would’ve been available in Round 4. I don’t really believe in drafting a QB early – but what the hell do I know, I have never won this damn thing.
Natsukashi pick: Tie - #16 Fred Taylor (Kanako) and #14 Chad Johnson (Arcadia Bobcats) – Pete has always sported wood towards Chad Johnson – and Kanako taking Fred Taylor is about as surprising as Kanako taking Randy Moss.

Round 3
Best Pick: #32 Stephen Davis (Richmond Sluts). I also liked the selection of Barlow at #29, but I felt Davis was higher on the depth chart and selected 3 spots lower.
Most Questionable Pick: #35 Travis Henry (Arcadia Bobcats). This guy hasn’t even been announced as the starter – he’s fighting for the job and plus he just injured his ribs in a Saturday pre-season game.
Risk is worth potential reward pick: #27 Marshall Faulk (Ocean Beach Surf Riders) – I wouldn’t have done it, but our defending champ thinks this Marshall still has some gas left in the tank. I learned that lesson 2 years in a row, that tank won’t be empty, but the wheels might be flat after 8 games.
Natsukashi pick: #35 Travis Henry (Arcadia Bobcats). Pete can’t resist any Buffalo Bill. He’d draft Jim Kelly if he were on an NFL Roster.

Round 4
Best Pick: #40 Steve McNair (Mission Manhandlers). This guy is a stud – Kanako gambled by taking Hines Ward in round 3 and that gamble will pay off all the way to 25 passing TD’s and 5 rushing TD’s.
Most Questionable Pick: #42 Andre Johnson (The Specialists). I only say this because I know precious little about this Houston Texan except for the fact that he’s on the Texans and therefore should not be drafted in the first 6 rounds (unless his last name is Davis). I might be eating crow at seasons end.
Hedging your bets pick: #38 Willis McGahee (Arcadia Bobcats). Basically Pete turned his #3 and #4 picks into one pick – the Buffalo Running Back. With any luck one of these guys might get 1,000 yards this year, but not both, and well, Pete used 2 precious picks to find out which. Now if either player gets traded to the Dolphins before game 1, Pete will have to get consideration for Executive of the year award. If not, he may find a few COTW’s in his lunchbox.
Natsukashi pick: Tied - #40 Steve McNair (Mission Manhandlers) and #45 Aaron Brooks (EC Chimps). Kanako and McNair are just like Kanako and Moss and just like Kanako and Fred Taylor. Aaron Brooks - I had this sucker 2 years ago and he caused me a lot of misery and joy. I had to revisit those feelings of yore!

Round 5
Best Pick: #60 Kevin Jones (Rolling Blackouts). Sure he’s a rookie, but I think I’d rather have him instead of Curtis Martin and Eddie George (both of whom were picked ahead of him). This is a sleeper pick and a risk that I think is worth taking.
Most Questionable Pick: #52 Keenan McCardell (EC Chimps). Ok – I didn’t know he wasn’t in camp and is demanding a trade or a release. I’m an idiot.
Pre-mature Pickulation: #55 Baltimore DST (The Specialists). Defense in round 5? Had it not been for my ignorance of McCardell, this would be listed above where it is now and below “Best Pick”.
Natsukashi pick: #51 Curtis Martin (OB Surf Riders). I think Glen had him last year, I could be mistaken and therefore this is null and void.

Round 6
Best Pick: #62 Tom Brady (Arcadia Bobcats). I’m surprised this puppy fell all the way to the 6th round. He’s the Super Bowl MVP for crying out loud. I also liked the selection of Jerry Porter at #64.
Most Questionable Pick: #63 Mike Vanderjagt (Rolling Rock Wild Things). Mr. Fred picks a kicker in round 6! Need I say more? See comment about “pre-mature” picks from round 5. Runner up goes to Sei for picking the always disappointing Quincy Morgan at #72 (dawg, be prepared for the Quincy Ulcer).
Risk/Reward Pick: #69 Quentin Griffin (EC Chimps) and #71 Lee Suggs (Joe’s Mother Tuckers). Neither player has been picked as the starter, but they both could have breakout season – definitely worth the middle round selections? Only time will tell!
Natsukashi pick: None

Round 7
Best Pick: #76 Jimmy Smith (EC Chimps). Sure he’s old, but I think he still has a lot to prove. He missed 4 games last year and still managed to compile over 800 yards receiving. He needs to stay healthy and continue building that rapport between Leftwich and the end zone.
Most Questionable Pick: #83 Andre Davis (Arcadia Bobcats) – I’m not sure that Andre will have that much of an impact this season – but I’ve been wrong before and I’m going out on the limb again and calling this a stinker.
Rookie Note: #79 Larry Fitzgerald (The Specialists). Will he be the next Anquan Boldin or the 2nd coming of Keyshawn Johnson?
Natsukashi pick: #77 Keyshawn Johnson (Bloodthirsty Scalping Savages). No one wanted him – there has got to be nostalgia involved in why that is so.

Round 8
Best Pick: #85 Jake Delhomme (Rolling Blackouts). This guy is due for a breakout year. I really like this selection in round 8.
Most Questionable Pick: #90 Rex Grossman (The Specialists). Picking a backup QB in round 8 is like picking a defense in round 5. Wait, the Specialists did both!
Best name: #87 Alge Crumpler (Rolling Rock Wild Things). Not quite as good as Chris Ma’afatu Ma’a’fala (or whatever it is).
Natsukashi pick: None

Ok – I won’t go into the 2nd half picks. I’ll make a few notes.

Injury pick: Round 10, #117 Anquan Boldin (EC Chimps). I had to do it. I might be releasing him by week 3, but I had to do it.
Starting Running Back not selected at all: The Ageless Emmitt Smith.
Natsukashi picks: #163 Dez White (Chicago Long Horned Beatles) – no longer a Bear, but once again a Beatle! #192 Joe Jurevicious (Bay City Steamrollers). In the immortal words of the wise Mr. Lee, “It had to be done.” I, for one, am most thankful!

Draft Grades and projected starting lineups

Arcadia Bobcats
Projected lineup: Tom Brady, Jamal Lewis, Henry/McGahee, Chad Johnson, Andre Davis, Kellen Winslow, Jason Elam, Buffalo DST
Starting lineup grade: B. Not sure about the Buffalo RB situation and the 2nd WR.
Bench grade: C-. Musa Smith? Jason Witten?

Bay City Steamrollers
Projected lineup: Brett Favre, Priest Holmes, Duce Staley, Laverneous Coles, Eric Moulds, Boo Williams, John Hall, Dallas DST
Starting lineup grade: B. I don’t like Duce Staley. Holmes is money and Sei is going to ride that gravy train for 14 weeks.
Bench grade: B. He’s got a few good reserves in there. David Carr at backup QB though is a big bye week risk!

Bloodthirsty Scalping Savages
Projected lineup: Chad Pennington, Kevan Barlow, Ahman Green, Torry Holt, Peerless Price, Randy McMichael, Adam Vinatieri, St. Louis DST
Starting lineup grade: A. Pretty solid front to back – only ? might be the St. Louis DST.
Bench grade: B. A few cast-offs mixed in with some diamonds in the rough. Not a bad bench but not exactly groundbreaking. I think Kevin did a nice job in the draft.

Chicago Long-Horned Beatles (auto-draft)
Projected lineup: Daunte Culpepper, Tiki Barber, Charlie Garner, Marvin Harrison, Donald Driver, Todd Heap, David Akers, Tampa Bay DST
Starting lineup grade: B. Not bad for an auto-draft team. Garner is a risk and Barber is always a risk (hold onto the damn ball!). The Culpepper and Harrison duo will be the bread and butter.
Bench grade: B+. Actually not a bad bench, a few old dogs (Jerry Rice and Vinny T) but they haven’t been in this league for that long without having produced results.

Emerald City Chimps
Projected lineup: Aaron Brooks, Rudi Johnson, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Jimmy Smith, Marcus Pollard, John Kasay, Tennessee DST.
Starting lineup grade: B+. A few risks but those running backs might run rough shod over everyone. I had been eyeing Portis since June!
Bench grade: D+. By my own admission, my bench needs some work. Griffin might prove to be invaluable, but my WR’s need some help.

Joe’s Mother Tuckers
Projected lineup: Marc Bulger, Ladanian Tomlinson, Lee Suggs, Chris Chambers, Darrell Jackson, Tony Gonzalez, Sebastian Janikowski, Miami DST
Starting lineup grade: B-. Not sure Suggs will get the majority of carries here, but he could be a sleeper. My big question for Chris Chambers is “how will you shake all the double teams”? Miami needs some serious help with Ricky Williams retirement. As a result also, their Defense will likely spend more time on the field than off of it. Hmm.
Bench grade: C+. Not sure it’s a good idea to carry 2 DST’s. He also hedged his bets by picking up the back up SD RB. He’s got some good trade bait in both Leftwich and Rattay.

Mission Manhandlers
Projected lineup: Steve McNair, Fred Taylor, Eddie George, Randy Moss, Hines Ward, Jim Kleinsasser, Joe Nedney, Carolina DST
Starting lineup grade: B+. Eddie George is old. Kleinsasser is a tad inconsistent. The Moss and Ward duo is remarkable and probably no one else has 2 WR’s of this quality. Is it enough?
Bench grade: A. I like Kanako’s bench – she’s knee deep in receivers and if George stalls she can insert Minor – provided he can retain the starting job in Miami. Porter on that bench could also see some time in her starting lineup if she chooses to go to the 3 WR set!

Ocean Beach Surf Riders
Projected lineup: Peyton Manning, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, Terrell Owens, Amani Toomer, Itula Mili, Jeff Wilkins, New England DST
Starting lineup grade: B-. This one could prove me wrong but I think this roster of aging has-beens might be the Fantasy Football equivalent of the 2004 Seattle Mariners.
Bench grade: B+. Bench ain’t bad actually.

Richmond Sluts
Projected lineup: Michael Vick, Deuce McAllister, Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, Isaac Bruce, Jeremy Shockey, Ryan Longwell, Philadelphia DST.
Starting lineup grade: A-. I’m not sold on Bruce being a starting WR. We’ll see
Bench grade: B. Some good (Duckett, Gardner, Galloway), some bad (Jesus and Eli).

Rolling Blackouts
Projected lineup: Trent Green, Shawn Alexander, Domanick Davis, Derrick Mason, Deion Branch, Antonio Gates, Josh Brown, Oakland DST
Starting lineup grade: B. I’m not sold on the receivers, but that backfield is TASTY.
Bench grade: A-. Delhomme and Kevin Jones make this the chocolate for his peanut butter.

Rolling Rock Wild Things
Projected lineup: Donovan McNabb, Edgerrin James, Brian Westbrook, Joe Horn, Plaxico Burress, Alge Crumpler, Mike Vanderjagt, Pittsburgh DST
Starting lineup grade: B+. Mr. Fred did a pretty good job!
Bench grade: C-. Mr. Fred did a pretty bad job!

The Specialists
Projected lineup: Matt Hasselbeck, Michael Bennett, Corey Dillon, Andre Johnson, Javon Walker, Ben Troupe, Matt Stover, Baltimore DST.
Starting lineup grade: C. If it looks like a rat and it smells like a rat, than by golly it must be . . .
Bench grade: B-. Larry Fitzgerald could be maximum bling for minimum bring.

That’s all for now!

BEWARE THE FOX VALLEY FLYERS

Oops...wrong sport...wrong league.

Hey, does all this football stuff mean nobody cares about baseball anymore?

Draft Recap TBD

Depending on how much time I have at work this week, I'll try to write a draft recap. I encourage others to take the initiative if I do not get to this.

I am dismayed that my 4th pick in the draft (Keenan McCardell) hasn't even reported to training camp due to salary disputes. It's going to be another long year for the Chimps!

Arcadia Bobcats prepare for move to new stadium

AP (Arcadia Terrace) The Arcadia Bobcats announced today that they are relocating from their current home, Consolidated Container Field in Arcadia Terrace, to a new stadium located in the city's West Town neighborhood.

"Pear Tree Center is ideal in many ways," says team owner, Peter Schoewe. "We'll own the stadium, rather than be on a year-to-year lease, and we'll be able to fill all the seats every weekend due to the more central location."

Schoewe says that the move to a new neighborhood will have no effect on the team's name. "The Arcadia Bobcats have such a great legacy of integrity, grit and sportsmanship. With the recent self-destruction of the Tundra Titans, we're the oldest team in the MML."

In other news, Schoewe noted that the team's draft plan is almost complete, and that the nuanced drafting strategy developed by the detailed analysis of hundreds of scouting reports should lead to the total dominance of the Bobcats in the '04 season.

When asked who his first draft pick will be, Schoewe only replied, "I can guarantee you it will be a surprise."

Draft Notes

I have already been notified that 2 teams are not going to be attending the draft - Bill's Beatles and Mr. Fred Rolling Rock Wild Things. If I can, I will try to expedite their picks if there is an auto choice in queue for them - if not, we'll have 2 minute pauses between their computer picks to ponder the events of the day.

Don't skip the draft if you can avoid it - it is CRUCIAL to your success!

Sweet Blog

Good idea, Scott. Awesome looking blog. Suits my taste, at any rate. And thanks again for keeping me in the loop. I hope I will not forever suffer from my self-imposed banishment.

From what I see, maybe I'll have to end up behind the Dukedom throne, pulling some strings, anyway. Haha...

Quite a fancy blog

... for the Montana Mile League.

Instructions

Once you "accept" the invite to the blog you should be able to post messages by clicking on the "CREATE NEW POST" link on the left hand side of the page.

Let the blogging begin!

The Montana Mile League Blog!

This is a place for all of you to post your thoughts and comments about our little Football league. I'll be posting whatever recaps I can in this blog and you should do as much trash talking as possible. Of course you are also free to use the league message boards, but I think you can get a more robust entry by using this blog.