The All State

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

The All State fantasy football league just finished week five of the 13-week regular season. Although the season is still a long way from being done, enough has happened to distinguish the six players from top to bottom. It is a FFJ season four mid-term. Check out which managers are excelling and which ones are failing.

The Pack Leaders

After a loss in week one to Scherer, “TheRook”, Shingler has earned his nickname “The Lucky One” with three straight wins. His highest score was 164. 10 points in week two against Robinson’s The G.O.O.D team. Shingler’s third round pick, Packer’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been his best producer. Combined with Viking’s running back Adrian Peterson and Colt’s wide receiver Reggie Wayne, it’s a wonder he even lost the one game.

It is a wonder until you see the lineup for the team he lost to in week one. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, Titan’s running back Chris Johnson and Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss were just three of the players TheRook had in his week one lineup. Obviously, having first pick in the draft has its advantages. However, the advantage has not been enough for Scherer to stay on top. Scherer’s top score was 160.72 when he beat Shingler. He then lost to Davenport in week two, his only loss so far.

The Bottom Feeders

Joe Mills has had some bad luck. his team decimated by injuries and what seemed to be perfectly logical choices has produced very little points. Mills has been the victim of the top three teams in the league. The good news is Mills has won at least one game. His highest point total, 152.78 points, came when he defeated the team currently in last place.

Ironically, the owner with the biggest ego has the last place team. On paper, Scott’s FoolKillers look formidable. But besides the win in week one, the FoolKillers have been everything but formidable. Scott’s highest total has only been 116. 08 points, generated in his week one win against Davenport. Since then, all his waiver moves and decisions have led to astonishing thorough beat downs and Scott does not take losing well.

The Draft

Based on which players are producing and who has left fantasy managers cussing every weekend, it is now possible to judge how everyone drafted. Who were the gurus? Who needs to be mocked mercilessly?

Everyone took a running back in round one. However, only one of those picked is one of the top five running back fantasy point producers, Adrian Peterson. Shingler picked him up with the second overall pick and now he leads the league. Coincidence?

Scott drafted Arian Foster in round eight, arguably the best steal of the draft. He also drafted the first quarterback in round two, Drew Brees. But Brees did not make the top five in fantasy points. The next two quarterbacks drafted in round three did. Shingler drafted Aaron Rodgers and Robinson drafted Peyton Manning. Phillip Rivers did not get drafted until the tenth round after Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady and Kevin Kolb.

TheRook autopicked Rashard Mendenhall on to his team, proving he had some good karma coming his way. The same good karma is what is keeping him in second place.

Robinson only picked up Manning because he was late, the computer autopicked for him. But he does get credit for drafting Anquan Boldin in the fifth round and Antonio Gates in the sixth. Robinson had one of the best drafts of the league, second only to Shingler.

Adrian Peterson, Reggie Wayne and Aaron Rodgers, were Shingler’s first three picks. Afterwards, he drafts Dallas Clark in the sixth round and the top scoring defense, the Steelers, in the ninth.

Although it would be easy to say Shingler is on top because of his draft, winning fantasy football is not just about drafting the top producers for a roster. It is also about having the knowledge (and luck) to play them. Ask Scott about leaving points on the bench. However, make sure you are out of arms reach when you ask. TAS

The Winner’s Box
Quote: “Considering I left 30 plus points on the bench this week, I’m happy to get my third consecutive win.”

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

One brief moment of happiness.

After all my switches to compensate for the first bye week, all the tweeks due to injury and all the trash talking because I was facing TheRook for the first time, I had one brief moment of happiness regarding my fantasy team this week.

As of press time, Monday, Oct. 4, I am ahead of theRook by 3.1 points (86.9-83.8). His team jumped out to a 30 point lead early and stayed ahead until Sunday, Oct. 3. When I passed him I raised my hands and victory and screamed, “yes.” That was my brief moment of happiness.

Then, I looked closer at the score board. All my players had already played and scored. However, two of TheRook’s team had yet to play, Tom Brady and Randy Moss. I can’t calculate the odds of Brady and Moss not scoring more than three points. I can, however, imagine theRook smiling for the last 24 hours and counting.

My only comfort is Devon Robinson, and his The G.O.O.D team, lost too. The still lucky Shingler got the top score of the week. Both of them are still at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, I continue to descend into obscurity. I can not believe I have lost three in a row. This calls for drastic measures. Although, the thought makes my ego scream in outrage, I may have to make a trade. I am heavy on running backs and have a great back up quarterback. The question is do I keep Brees? He has the most trade value but I don’t want to him to end up being the missing piece to someone else’s perfect team. Winners don’t have to consider these kinds of choices. I hate losing. I really hate losing to theRook and hearing about it afterwards. Most of all I hate looking at the top of the rankings and seeing Robinson’s name. I swear by Arian Foster’s feet, I won’t be at the bottom much longer. Everyone has been warned. TAS

The Winner’s Box
Quote: “Peyton Manning. The name should be pretty familiar to a few people. Namely, my good friend
and co-worker, Marlon Scott. He should actually cringe when he hears this name because not once, not
twice, but I have defeated him three times with that very quarterback. I should just rename my squad to,
Manning and the High Level Associates. You see, I don’t smack talk very often, but Scott knows he hold a
special place in my heart. It’s a tiny place, but oh, it’s there. When opportunity arises for me to look at
Scott from the top, I jump on it like moths to a flame. I like to win two games in fantasy, both against
him.”

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

Week three is done.

We all have an idea of the players we are glad to have, wish we had and can not believe they are playing so bad. We hope all the significant injuries are done as well as major depth chart changes (sorry Kevin Kolb).

We even have a feel for the other managers in our league: their strengths, weaknesses and trash talking ability.

Just like breaking in a new fitted cap, everything seems comfortable.

Then, the bye weeks start. Key players are about to take a vacation and they have to be replaced. We either have depth to still win or start shopping on the waiver wire. What are we willing to cut just to have a full roster?

The game just changed from checkers to chess. Now we have to think three steps ahead.

But, before we look ahead with both hope and fear, lets look back.

The nice guy is all smiles because his “G.O.O.D team” has racked up enough points to be number one in the league. If that was not bad enough, as of press time, his team was also the overall winner for week three.

I was already nauseous when I saw I was ranked five out of six after two weeks. Losing to my arch nemesis in week three was more than my system could take. Now I need a breath mint and some better strategy for the future. Luckily, this is not a sprint but a test of endurance. TAS

Anthony Shingler is second on the chart with 267.12 points.

Scott loses a consecutive match against arch rival Devon Robinson.

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

The Winner

Quote: “This victory is a crucial win to come closer to repeating as champion. This
coming week I will face a formidable opponent with a lot of talent, but my
knowledge and great picks should guide me to another victory. But in the mean time
this was a great win because I defeated Devon and I get to dog him for the weeks to
come until our re-match in week seven. But in the mean time, I will sacrifice to the
fantasy gods and hope my key players stay healthy and provide me with victories
until then.”

One week you’re up. The next week you’re down. Everyone who won in week one got beat down in week two. The fantasy football higher powers are laughing uncontrollably right now.

While I take great pleasure in watching the rookie fall from his great height, it would feel much better if I was not free falling at the same time.

I can not believe the Patriots defense not only let the Jets score 28 points, they also lost the game. The Titans game was a blast to watch. The turnovers, the hits and the fighting were all pure entertainment. Unfortunately, my wide receiver Hines Ward did more scrapping than catching.

I thought I was making up ground with Arian Foster and Carolina’s Steve Smith. Then, I looked at my opponent’s line up and see Matt Schaub’s point title light up like a casino slot machine.

Everyone is now tied with one loss and one win. Apparently no one is going undefeated this season. I know we will separate the men from the boys when the first bye week gets here. TAS

Joe Mills enjoys the fruits of his victory at Marlon Scott’s expense.

Scott can not believe he already lost his first game this season

By MARLON SCOTT

Senior Staff Writer

The one thing fantasy football team owners have in common with players and coaches before the first games of the season starts is hope.

The draft is over and we have adjusted our line ups due to injury and last minute trades. We hope we have started the best team possible and at the same time hope our opponent has made a fatal error.

As the first day of the NFL progresses we all cheer our brilliance one minute and curse our stupidity the next. I have written before how fantasy football is not for the timid. Winners are forged in the flames of skill and a little luck while losers burn like charcoal into the ashes of regret.

In week one of The All State league, arch nemesis’ enjoy his fruits of victory.

Name: Marlon Scott

Team: FoolKillers

QB                  Drew Brees

WR                  Steve Smith

WR                  Hines Ward

WR                  Chad Ochocinco

RB                  Ray Rice

RB                  Pierre Thomas

TE                  Jason Witten

K                    Nate Kaeding

DEF                  Miami

Quote: “I love starting of the season with a win. I think it gives everyone else a clear indicator of what to expect. Some might hesitate to brag about winning before all the scores are tallied. However, I have such a healthy lead with two players yet to play, it would take a miracle for Davenport’s mediocre squad to catch me.

“Honestly, I would be surprised if anyone looked at our two teams and really expected me to lose. Last but not least, I should congratulate Robinson for what appears to be a week one win. However, I think I will pass.

“The Rookie better enjoy his brief stay at the top.”

Name: Devon Robinson

Team: The G.O.O.D team

QB                  Peyton Manning

WR                  Andre Johnson

WR                  Anquan Boldin

WR                  Wes Welker

RB                  Michael Turner

RB                  Steven Jackson

TE                  Antonio Gates

K                    Mason Crosby

DEF                  Baltimore

Quote: “I feel pretty bad for our director of Housing/Residence Life, Joe Mills. Kevin Kolb was a great pick for a starting quarterback.

“OK, I can’t lie. I don’t feel bad at all. I was jumping with joy when I realized that Kolb couldn’t play against my team. Mills was winning the entire day up until the late afternoon games.

“I posted a low winning score because my some of my top players didn’t show up to their games. I was so disappointed in the performance of Michael Turner and Andre Johnson. On the positive side, while losing Peyton Manning looked amazing against the Houston Texans. My next victim should prepare for that.”

Name: David Scherer

Team: TheRook

QB                  Tom Brady

WR                  Randy Moss

WR                  Roddy White

WR                  Miles Austin

RB                  Chris Johnson

RB                  Rashard Mendenhall

TE                  Vernon Davis

K                     Stephen Jackson

DEF               New York Jets

Quote: “As the ultimate winner this week, I’m going to take the high road and say beginner’s luck I’m really looking forward to this week and my matchup with The One, The Only, The David Davenport.”

By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Staff Writer

We all play to win the game. Specifically, we play to become the champion of our fantasy league. While defeating strangers is still sweet, there is nothing sweeter than beating people you know.

Anyone who says defeating your friends and family is not the best part of fantasy football is lying (or a loser).

That is why this season of the FFJ is going to be special. It is an all APSU league.

In addition to The All State sports team, the director of Housing/Resident Life and Dining Services, Joe Mills, and the director of University Recreation, David Davenport, have joined the competition.

To make it even more interesting, it is only a six-team league. This means we play each other multiple times. It also leaves plenty of good players on the waiver wire to adjust during the season.

No excuses, no doubt who is the best in the end and no mercy.

The fun began with a live draft Wednesday, Sept. 1.

The Draft

As the new guy, David “The Rookie” Scherer, was charged with the duty of setting up the league. Conveniently (or suspiciously), he ended up with the first pick.

However, he did not show up for the live draft and his team was autopicked. Not a great way to endear himself early. Thus The Rookie was not allowed to speak this week.
Manager: David Scherer (The Rookie)
Team name: TheRook
First two picks: (1) Chris Johnson; (12) Randy Moss

Manager: Anthony Shingler (The Lucky One)
Team name: Falconcoach1
First two picks: (2) Adrian Petersen; (11) Reggie Wayne
Quote: “I felt I took the top two players available who are expected to put up big fantasy numbers. I feel my team as a whole can produce the numbers I need to win our league as long as the injury bug stays away.”

Manager: David Davenport
Team name: Hut One Hut Two!
First two picks: (3) Maurice Jones-Drew; (10) Ryan Matthews

Manager: Marlon Scott (The Creator)
Team name: The FoolKillers
First two picks: (4) Ray Rice; (9) Drew Brees
Quote: “I picked Rice because he was the best running back on the board and only idiots don’t draft running backs first. Brees was a change for me this year. I normally do running backs for at least first three picks. But, this season I wanted to make sure I had at least one of the top five rated quarterbacks. Now I do and enough running back depth for trades when one of these less skilled managers comes begging for some help.”

Manager: Joe Mills
Team name: The Mills Effect
First two picks: (6) Frank Gore; (7) Shonn Greene

Manager: Devon Robinson (The Good Guy)
Team name: The G.O.O.D. team
First two picks: (5) Michael Turner; (8) Andre Johnson
Quote: “Turner and Johnson are those intangible pick-ups. They will produce big numbers unless injured. They are high on most draft lists for a good reason. I have a lot of faith in these two.”

The draft left everyone hungry for week one, ready to compete head to head. The gloves, if ever they were on, are definitely coming off.
Mills summed up the event best. “Let the smack talk begin.” TAS