The All State

Dear diary,

I took a long hard road to get here, but it finally happened.

All the research, drafting, screaming and bragging paid off, because my name now sits on top of not just one, but three fantasy football league lists next to the words “league champion.” I cannot help but grin evilly every time I think about it.

My original goal was to win one championship and officially earn my “guru” status. To earn the title over my peers at The All State and APSU (and write about it in the newspaper) was just a perk to sweeten the deal. The fact I have ended this fantasy football season with three titles astounds even my considerable ego.

As a champion, I now have two choices. I can either graciously accept my victories, humbly thank those who played and walk away at the top of my game, or I can take this opportunity to say “I told you so” and mercilessly mock the unfortunate opponents who had the misfortune to challenge me and lose.

Is anyone really surprised I chose the second option?

First, some music to establish the mood: start James Brown’s “I Got the Feeling” here.

I got the feeling,

Baby, baby, I got the feeling.

Now, as I look down the long list of losers who no doubt have tears in their eyes wondering what happened, I want to pay special tribute to the members of The All State league.

First, the guy who made it to the finals with me, Joe Mills, you made some brilliant moves to make it to the championship game. The only real flaw in your strategy was not understanding when you ultimately faced me in the championship game, you could not possibly win. Enjoy second place. It was the natural conclusion of your season.

Next “TheRook” David Scherer, you amused me with your enthusiastic bragging after an impressive start. However, it turned out you did not even have the skill to make it to the championship game. You probably think third place is still a good finish. Like so many things this season, you are wrong.

Anthony Shingler, David Davenport and Devon Robinson all finished in the bottom half of the league. As a result, I can barely remember them enough to spare a few words.

“The lucky one” Shingler, this is further proof last season was luck. Too bad it did not last this season. Maybe you should have carried a rabbit’s foot.

Davenport, I consider you collateral damage. However, I did enjoy how you owned Scherer.

Last and certainly least, my arch nemesis, good guy Robinson, I can barely express how awesome it is you finished last when I finished first. It reinforces my perspective of the universe. It would be cruel to mention as a member of the other league I also earned first place in, technically I beat you twice.

It’s good to be the king.

Doing another victory dance,

Marlon Scott

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer
With only one week remaining before the playoffs in The All State fantasy football league, the reigning king has been dethroned and the epic battle for the two bye week spots has gotten even tighter.

Although having the bye in the first round of the playoffs gives a distinct advantage, no one is eliminated from the playoffs and everyone has prove they can be beaten.

Pride and bragging rights are on the line. Who is going to step up and become the new Fantasy king for this season?

Standings

Coming into week 12, David Scherer and his renamed team, JoeMills=GoofyOldMan, held a one game lead (7-4) over both Anthony Shingler and Marlon Scott, who were tied at 6-5.

Only two games behind, Devon Robinson and Joe Mills had the fourth and fifth spots at 5-6. After losing three in a row,

David Davenport and his team, Hut One Hut Two, is sitting at the bottom, one of three teams below .500 at 4-7.

Match ups

For the third time, Scherer faced off against Davenport. The two had split the previous two games, winning one a piece. This one not only would decide who owned who but also had the potential to knock Scherer out of the number one spot he has held for most of the season.

As of press time, Monday, Nov. 29, Davenport made Scherer cry with a 106.48-70.74 lead. Scherer got no help from running back Chris Johnson or wide receiver Dez Bryant. His only hope is the tight end Vernon Davis to score over 30 points.

Unlike Scherer, thanks to massive points generated by wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and running back Arian Foster, Scott took down Mills for his fourth win in a row. Scott warned Mills in advance about the outcome.

“Don’t take this beating personally, Joe. It’s just business,” Scott said.

“I got your business. Bring it, Koolfillers,” Mills said.

The victory over Mills will be even sweeter with Scherer’s loss because the two will be tied.

However, they won’t be the only ones at 7-5, since Shingler handled his business and beat Robinson’s The G.O.O.D. team for the second time this season. Running back Peyton Hillis made the difference for Shingler’s team.

The loss keeps Robinson and Mills in their same spots, tied at 5-7.

Meanwhile, the only thing separating the top three teams at 7-5 is point totals. With one week left, Shingler will have the top spot, Scherer at number two and Scott at number three.

A loss in the last week by any of the top three teams will determine who gets the first round playoff bye weeks. Neither Scherer, Shingler nor Scott will face each other in week 13.

It’s up to the three teams below .500 to play spoiler and maybe gain some momentum heading into the playoffs where the eliminations begin. TAS

By MARLON SCOTT | Staff Writer
The intensity continues to build in The All State fantasy league as another week passes and the playoffs loom on the horizon. All the bye weeks are done and the trade deadline has passed. Injuries at this point will make or break a team. Everyone is watching the waiver wire for last second steals and second-guessing starting rosters.
Clearly, some of the managers are handling the pressure better than others.

Standings

Coming into week 11, David Scherer had won his last matchup and was still the leader at 7-3, two games ahead of the pack.
Following Scherer was Anthony Shingler, Marlon Scott and Joe Mills sitting in the 2, 3 and 4 spots respectively. All three were tied at 5-5.
Meanwhile Robinson Robinson and David Davenport rounded out the bottom, both at 4-6.

Week 11 match ups

Because of Mills’ choice not to start quarterback Michael Vick in his week 11 match up against Robinson, Scherer changed his team name to, “Joe Mills= Goofy Old Man.”

“How can you not start Michael Vick? I predict a loss for you this week sir,” Scherer said.

“I just didn’t like the match up. Rolling the dice baby,” Mills said.

Unfortunately, Mills’ dice came up snake eyes. As of press time, Monday, Nov. 22, Robinson had a four-point lead with one player yet to play in the Monday game, while Mills’ last player was still playing Sunday, Nov. 21.

“Too much Peyton and Turner at the end of the game. See you in the playoffs,” Mills said.

It appeared Scott was going to win his third game in a row against Davenport in a close game.

In addition, Scott was rubbing his hands together greedily because Shingler and Scherer, the two guys ahead of him had to play each other this week.

“The two chumps ahead of me are battling this week. Whoever loses gets me closer to the top,” Scott said. “It’s a win-win situation for me since I will be taking down Davenport for my third win in a row. You were all warned it was only a matter of time before I rose to the top. Bear witness and feel free to applaud.”

Shingler scored a monstrous 169.04 points, the most in the league so far this season, easily defeating Scherer.

The win brings both Shingler and Scott within one game of the top spot.

Will Scherer hold on to the number one slot and earn a bye in the first week of the playoffs? If so, who will earn the other bye at number two, Shingler or Scott?

Everyone still has a shot at the championship. TAS

Only three weeks remain in the regular season of The All State fantasy league and the fight for the top spot is building in intensity. Only two games separate the top team from the bottom. In addition, four of the six teams were tied going into week 10. Everyone sees the finish line ahead and is feeling the pressure to win.

“The margin for errors is closing fast. This could get ugly. I love ugly,” Marlon Scott said. “By the way, Rook, I beat you so bad last week Rodney King said ‘Damn!’”

“I must say you absolutely bludgeoned me this week. It wasn’t even a contest. My team sucked worse than I could have ever imagined,” David Scherer said. “But, I would like to refer to you as LeBron James my friend. Because all that you’re going to do is win in the regular season. I’m like K.G. and my Celtics. I’m going to make it count come postseason!”

Week 10 Matchups

The rest of the league has thoroughly enjoyed Scherer, TheRook, losing the last two weeks. However, the losing streak did not extend to three in a row. Scherer took down Devon’s The G.O.O.D. Team 147.72-102.5 and improved to 7-3.

Anthony Shingler was in second place with a chance to take the lead if Scherer loses this week. Instead, Scherer won and Shingler may pick up the loss. As of press time, Shingler’s team, Falconcoach1, trailed Scott’s Foolkillers 128.38-94.4. Shingler still has a chance with two players left to play while Scott only has one remaining. However, Scott is confident he is getting the win this week.

“Sorry coach, your about to get treated like a water boy. Go get me some Gatorade,” Scott said.

This week marked the third time David Davenport and Joe Mills faced each other. They had beaten each other once and this was the tiebreaker. Mills needs a lot of points from his last three players to catch up with Davenport. Davenport is sitting comfortably with an 85-point lead.

Standings

Scherer’s win keeps him at number one for another week. If Scott and Davenport win, they will be in a three-way tie with Shingler at 5-5, two games behind Scherer. Shingler could earn the second spot with the highest point total of the three. Losses by Robinson and Mills will put them at the bottom with matching 4-6 records. Ironically, Robinson could end up in fifth place, one step up above last place, despite earning the most points in the league.

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

Upsets and key players with bye weeks have some members of the league making hard choices.

“The scramble begins. Do you drop someone of importance for a one week fling? Nah, hang on to them like a good girlfriend,” said Joe Mills, owner of The Mills Effect. “This should shake up the league a little.”

Meanwhile, the landscape of the NFL appears to change week to week, making consistent producers to valuable to trade and a constant search for the sleeper who will score 30 points. Which quarterback is going to start in Phillidelphia and Tennessee? What is wrong with the Cowboys and the Bengals? How did the Oakland Raiders get to 4-4? These are just a few of the questions driving fantasy players crazy, including members of The All State league. As of press time, Monday, Nov. 1, only five weeks remain to figure out some answers and make a move to get momentum for the playoffs.

Week 8 Results

Still sitting at the top after seven weeks, David Scherer, theRook, made sure everyone knew he was planning to stay there.

“I am really hoping to have some sort of a competition this week. Shingler is the only one, besides a fluke effort by Mr.D in week 2, to come anywhere near me. The view from the top of the mountain is a sweet one, and I can’t wait to ascend even higher,” Scherer said.

“Senor Mills is going be T-O-A-S-T! And then, the matchup of the year: TheRook vs. The FoolKillers. Who am I kidding? It’s going be yet another shellacking at my hands. Good luck.”

For once, Scherer may have spoken to soon. As the Monday, Nov. 1, night game approached Scherer led by less than 10 points with all of his players finished playing.

Meanwhile, The Mills Effect still had Houston quarterback Matt Schaub yet to play who is projected to earn over 16 fantasy points against the Indianapolis Colts. TheRook may get just his second loss of the season.

Conversely, it is clear after a two week winning streak Marlon Scott and his FoolKillers were thoroughly beaten by Devon Robinson’s G.O.O.D team. It is the second time this season Robinson has laid out Scott like Mike Tyson in his prime.

“I am not sure which is worse, losing to TheRook or Robinson? All I know is that every time they beat me a little piece of my faith in the universe dies. The fabric of reality can only take so much before it tears irreparably,” Scott said.

In the last matchup of the week, David Davenport’s Hut One Hut Two! had a slight lead over Anthony Shingler’s Falconcoach1. However, Davenport will lose for the second week in the row if the Colt’s wide receiver, Reggie Wayne has a big night.

If Shingler wins and TheRook loses, Shingler will gain some ground and be only one game behind. Then, Robinson would end up right behind Shingler and only two games back. Meanwhile, a Mills win with both Scott and Davenport losing will leave all three of them tied at 3-5 on the bottom half of the league.

Bragging Rights

Although it only takes one win to earn the right to smash an opponent’s ego in fantasy football, one of the unique features of TAS league is it only has six members. As a result, each member faces each other head-to-head multiple times. Thus, clear dominance and rivalries can be established. As of week seven, here are the numbers that prove who should be mocking others with impunity and who should be bowing in supplication.

Scherer has defeated everyone at least once. He has played both Shingler and Davenport twice. Davenport is the only league member to beat him so far. Shingler loss to Scherer both times.

Ruling: Scherer has earned the right to talk as much trash as he wants to everyone in the league, especially Shingler, who he could make wear a dress.

Shingler has defeated Davenport, Mills and Scott. He is tied with Robinson 1-1, but has loss twice to Scherer.

Ruling: Shingler can not make direct eye contact with Scherer. He would have to flip a coin with Robinson for the right to the first piece of a cake, but could easily take the largest piece of the cake from Davenport, Mills and Scott.

Robinson has defeated Mills and split (1-1) with both Shingler and Scott. He has loss to both Davenport and Scherer.

Ruling: If Robinson said jump only Mills would have to ask how high. He, Shingler and Scott can sit at the same table for lunch, but if Davenport or Scherer come by looking for lunch money he would have to give it up.

Davenport has defeated Robinson and split (1-1) with Mills and Scherer. He has loss both Shingler and Scott.

Ruling: Davenport could charge everyone a dollar just because he is the only person to beat theRook. However, he would have to pay Shingler and Scott back.

Mills has been a victim to everyone in the league at least once. He has bounced back against Davenport and Scott.

Ruling: Mills should be carrying everyone’s luggage and only Davenport and Scott are obligated to tip him.

Scott has defeated Davenport and split (1-1) with Mills and Robinson. He has loss to both TheRook and Shingler

Ruling: Scott has tickets to the game and can sit club level with Robinson and Mills. Davenport would buy Scott some popcorn.
Scott can’t visit the VIP area with Scherer and Shingler. TAS

By MARLON SCOTT
Senior Staff Writer

As of press time, Monday, Oct. 25, week seven is about to draw to a close, half the season is over. It has been seven weeks of shuffling, winning, losing, cheering, cussing and one of the key ingredients to fantasy football: smack talking.

The only thing better than making the right decisions to get the win is making fun of losers and reminding them of every mistake they made. As the weeks progress and the winners separate themselves more and more from the “less fortunate,” smack talk escalates. Anyone who accepts winning graciously and respectfully thanks his defeated peers for playing should not be allowed to play fantasy football. It is true for all leagues including The All State.

Week 1

Joe Mills-“Nice way to start season. Concussion with Kolb. It was the throwback helmet.”
“TheRook”-“POW! Now that’s how I like to start a season. Mr. D. is going down next.”

Week 3

Joe Mills-“The Mills Effect had no wind in its sails today. The Rook posted 9 TD’s against me. Brady/Moss/Johnson combine for 7 TD’s/71 pts. They had a great day.”
“My running backs DeAngelo Williams and Frank Gore were kept out of the end zone. It was a tough day.”
“I bow to greatness of the Rook. Next time little man.”
“TheRook”-“All I’m gonna say is … Yaaaaawn. Gotta love Joe Mills though, he put up a great fight. This week is the week of reckoning though … the Rook versus Mr. T. It’s going down!”

Week 4

Marlon Scott-“Damn, Damn, Damn.”
Joe Mills-“I am bringing LaDanian out of retirement against FalconCoach. Watch out … he is carrying his AARP card.”
“Vick goes down with injury. What else?”
“TheRook”-“As I bask in the glory of victory, I cannot help but wonder how defeat must taste. Poor Scott has been shellacked 4 weeks in a row, and there is no end in sight. The Rook reigns supreme, and all of you will bask in my glory.”

Week 5

Marlon Scott-“I’ve been whooped every way conceivable so far and my ego can take no more! Rook, Shingler, all of you, I am going for blood. Keep in mind we all make the playoffs. Top two just get bye weeks. Regardless of the road, I will not only make it to the finals, but will lay waste to whomever has the bad luck to have to face me there.
1. Dramatic speech. Check.
2. New game face. Check.
3. Start winning.

“TheRook”-“The season is lost my friend. Not just for you Marlon, but for everyone in our league. I am simply unstoppable. I have the single best, deepest, most potent lineup in the history of fantasy football. I look forward to the posts of misery that everyone will continue to be posting at my expense.”
Joe Mills-“Don’t smack talk too early. It is a long way before we get to the end of the season and playoffs.”
“I am thinking you just jinxed yourself.”

Week 6

“TheRook” -“CJ officially sealed the deal for me tonight. I am invincible. Mwahahahaha! And my archnemesis Davenport is next.”
“Get ready Scott, the beatdown train is going to be rolling into your neighborhood soon enough.”
“And for the Mills Effect, when I win the league this year I shall claim your pretty new Residence hall as my domain.”
Anthony Shingler-“OK, David, you might have beat me twice but I will find a way to beat you.”
“I made a couple mental notes. Start Peyton Hillis and do not listen to Matthew Berry of ESPN. Again I lose by 1 point.” TAS