CFFL Week 3 Review

I know its a little late for last weeks review, so this will be brief and I will return to the full review next week (been out of town).

Game of the Week:  Ferrets defeat Sinistars 44-35 after big late game come back with Gostkowski kicking 12 points late in the game.  Now let me say a few things about this game and the Ferrets.  With the Sinistars up early in the game and the Ferrets offense frustrated and not scoring, the owner of the Ferrets, Tim Wening, was ready to give up, with a record of 1-1, and was heard saying he was ready to trade all his players.  One day later he is ready to make a run for his first ever Fantasy Bowl after 28 years and looking to trade picks to improve his team!  What if he loses next two games and goes to 2-3?  Will he throw in the towel again? 

Ferrets have proven some good waiver moves this year helped them to victory with Andrew "Stephen" Hawkins and Dennis Pitta "Bread" snagged form the waiver wire and both scored this week.  With a very powerful back field with Manning, Foster and McGahee they pose a big threat to the North.

Player of the Week: "Big" Ben Roethlisberger won Player of The Week honors as he lead the Crush over the Dragons with 16 big points.  In fact he could have beat the Dragons by himself (score was 34-8). 



Krauts remain the only undefeated team in the CFFL as they dispensed the pitiful Wrecking Crew to the showers. Krauts were lead by Matt Ryan and Kyle Rudolph "the red nose reindeer" both scoring 12 points each.  The Krauts with their color sheets at draft and misinformation propaganda continue to dominate the East.  The Crew are an embarrassment and this once proud franchise steep with tradition has now the worst offense in the league.  Did you see their running backs?  In fact the owner was so disgusted with them he cut everyone of them and signed three new stiffs!

Match up of Week 4: Roulette at Ferrets
This should be a fun game to watch with all the offensive talent on the field.  Manning, McGahee and Foster for the Ferrets.  RGIII, BJGE, AJ, and DB for the Roulette (whats up with this initial only team?).  Should be the highest scoring game of the week.  And now that I have jinxed them, and it will be like 17-10.

NFL Week 3 Review

This was one wild week in the NFL with many overtime games, last second victories and the final death blow to the replacement refs....

The week started out with a ho hum start as the Giants completely dominated the Panthers on Thursday night 36-7.  Why were we surprised at all?  Giants are the world champs and the Panthers were a sub .500 team last year.  Cam Newton will certainly continue to feel growing pains in his sophomore year...

Ram Talk.  Not much fun to talk Rams this week as they had to travel to Chicago to play a very pissed off Bear.  However, the Rams defense played hard and kept the Rams in it to the very end and while the score was 23-6, the game was much closer then the score indicated.  Rookie kicker Greg "The Leg"  Zuerlein for the Rams kicked a 56 and 46 yard FGs and, however sad it is, is the Rams best offensive weapon thus far.  He is money though.  The Score was 10-6 after 3 quarters and the Rams were still in it until Major Wright picked off Bradford and returned it 45 yards for a TD.  Until the Rams offense can get it in gear, the Defense can only take them so far.  Fisher has made a big difference on the D side though this year, a positive sign moving forward.

Now some of the thrillers....

What a wild game in Tennessee as the Titans outlasted the Lions 44-41.  I mean how wild can one game get?  Titans get 3 TDs from special teams and defense.  Lions score on a hail Mary pass to tie the game after getting an onside kick recovered.  And if that wasn't enough, the Lions with the ball on the 7 with a chance to continue OT with a chip shot field goal, they go for it on 4th down and get stuffed.  Bizarre.  Typical Lions though...on the road woes.  Both teams combined for a 46 point fourth quarter too!

In Miami the Jets get a second chance to beat the Dolphins 23-20 with a Folk FG in OT.  This field goal was a second chance kick after his first was blocked but the Dolphins called a time out!  A time out to "ice" the kicker.  Can some one get me some stats on if this really works.  I am thinking it really doesn't make that big of a difference.  I mean for you golfers out there, why when you hit a second drive its usually much better then the first?  Why do we say "2 of the first"?  Can coaches please stop this irritating practice please!?

And how bad are the Saints?  In a game they should have most certainly won, they allow Jamal Charles to rush for 233 yards!!  Then they give up the game to the Chiefs with allowing them to score 11 points in the 4th then kick the game winning FG in OT.  Saints are now 0-3 and can we agree that the off season distractions that have spilled over to the regular season has had an affect.  Apparently head coaches are pretty important, but the Saints defense is terrible.

Words on some AFC late match ups...First the Steelers vs Raiders game felt like an old fashion 1970s match up in Oakland didn't it?    Steelers had this game won after 3 quarters up 31-21 but Carson Palmer lead the Raiders back to a 13 point 4th quarter as "Fat Kicker" Janikowski hits a 43 yarder FG with no time left, just off the infield dirt. Que the Raider NFL Films song....

What a game then on Sunday Night with the Ravens and Patriots going back and forth all game long. It started out with Patriots dominating the 1st quarter and taking a 13-0 lead.  But Ravens stormed back in the 2nd to take lead 14-13 only to have Brady take the lead at the half 20-14.  Back and forth the game went as the teams traded TDs like heavy weights trading blows in a title bout.  In the end the Ravens delivered the knock out blow as Tucker hit a 27 yard FG with no time left to give the Ravens a little revenge from last years AFC Championship Game.

Monday Night?     Brutal game.  Not going to say much more that hasn't been said endlessly on talk radio and ESPN, but Seahawks played a great defensive game...Replacement Refs signed their own death certificate at this game with a total botched call at the end where the hail mary pass was clearly a pick and not a TD.

Will week 4 bring that much excitement?  Well looking at the slate of games there doesn't seem to be too many intriguing match ups.  Big AFC West games, Chargers at Chiefs and Raiders at Broncos.  Saints at Packers a year ago would have been the talk of the week, but with a combined record of 1-5 and both teams struggling has less of a story line.   All signs point to a Packer blow out in that one.  Also look for the Dolphins to upset the Cardinals and bring them down to earth and end their tiny undefeated run.

CFFL Week 2

Yet another bunch of Fantastic Finishes...this blog presented by Alcoa....

The Ferrets were down 33-24 going into Monday Night Football to the Animals.  Last week they had a big lead over the Chislers and the Chislers came back and won in MNF.  This week would it be the Ferrets turn?  Well the answer was yes...but it wasn't easy and looked hopeless for them as the game began with Manning looking terrible.  However Manning was able to collect himself and he and "Bleeding Eye" McGahee managed to score 16 points to give the Ferrets a 40-33 win over the Animals, putting the Animals to 0-2.

With a Hitler vs Stalin like match up, the Roulette lead the Krauts 33-26 going into MNF.  Krauts' Matt Ryan was able to get 2 TDs and led the Krauts to a 34-33 victory, despite RGIII's 16 points.  It would appear after two weeks that RGIII is already a top fantasy point producer.  This also earned him Player of The Week Status.  "Much rather get the win," said RGIII after the game.

And then the battle of the week between the Crush and the Twins who combined for a total of 92 points.  This game was back and forth all day long and came down to the Monday Night game. Crush were down 43-37 and tied the game when Demaryius Thomas scored a TD.  But the Twins came back and won the game with a TD pass to Roddy Roddy White.  Final Score Twins 49 Crush 43.  Twins got production out of every player except one RB and Defense. Impressive...

In other games...Crew stink it up with pitiful performance vs long time rival Chislers, even though the game came down to the kickers at MNF, Chislers win 21-13...Juggs dominated the Sinistars 29-10 as the highly touted Sinistars went flat...Mayhem beat the Dragons 35-19, embarassing...Mafia improve to 2-0 dispensing the Bums 31-12

The Standings look pretty familiar too.  Chislers on top of the North at 2-0 with the Animals at the bottom at 0-2...Krauts on top of the East 2-0...Mayhem, after beating his friend the Dragons who drafted his damn team, are a top of the South at 2-0 and the Titans per usual are at the bottom at 0-2...And the beloved Crush at the bottom of the West at 0-2.  Pretty much business as usual in the CFFL!

NFL Week 2 Review

Week 2 is in the book and what an interesting week it was proving yet once again why in the NFL "Any given Sunday" is oh so true!

The week kicked off with a classic battle on Thursday night between the Bears and Packers.  It didn't really live up to the hype and the Bears looked pathetic and set the talk radio theme for the rest of the week, weekend and into the next week with everyone banging on Jay Cutler after his shove of his lineman.  Enough!  Lay off the guy (he is my fantasy QB)....Rodgers didn't look that great either throwing for only 219 yards and only 1 TD as the won 23-10

Now lets have some RAM TALK!  How 'bout those Rams!?  This was a wild one and it became clear too that the replacement refs were over their head.  The Rams spotted the damn Redgriffins a 7 point lead when they fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and eventually was down 21-6.  Rams secret weapon is Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein who was perfect (although he missed one after a time out at the end of the half).  And don't give me that "groin" business about Steven Jackson.  He was clearly benched after his tantrum in the end zone spiking the ball in frustration at the refs.  But I tell you what, that Daryl Richardson looked real good in his place rushing for 83 yards.  Rams were able to cut the lead to 21-16 by halftime.

In the second half they took the lead but then gave it back as Griffin ran one in.  Ultimately after a 1 yard TD pass to Mulligan they would hold on as the Ram Defense came up big again the freak Griffin in the fourth quarter.  Hats off to Bradford, who after throwing that INT in the end zone had Ram fans (at least my brother and I) thinking he was just not that good, he lead the team back to 2 second half TDs and finished with a rating of 117.6.

And what about that Giant Game!!?? Giants come back and win 41-34 with a 25 point fourth quarter!  I will spare you talk about the final play of the game (tune into ESPN to hear that for the 100th time).  But Eli tossing for 510 yards?  Wow!  What happened to the Bucs defense there?

Were the Patriots looking ahead to the Raven game this week?  Maybe, because who in the world would think that Arizona would travel all the way back east and beat the Pats in Foxboro 20-18?  Not me!  (although I enjoyed it, eh eh eh).  Kolb beats Brady and the luck of the Patriots has worn out missing a FG at the end of the game that would have won it?  Whats this world coming to?

Despite the loss, The Browns might have found a great RB in Trent Richardson.  He looked like the real deal ripping the Bengals for 109 yards on only 19 carries and a TD.  But the Bengals prevailed in Round 1 of the battle of Ohio. 

Dolphins surprised me kicking the Raiders butt 35-13!  Damn did Reggie Bush look good in that game going for a combined 197 yards and 2 TDs.  Just not too sure about those Raiders.  A season that had some promise is quickly in trouble as they fall to 0-2.  Palmer most likely not the answer. 






Do I really need to talk about the 49ers again?  Sunday night was a bit of a disappointment as far as the hype of the game between the 49ers and Lions.  The Lions, well looked like the same old Lions going on the road and not really putting up much of a fight.  The 49ers on the other hand continue to impress and seem so well coached and execute every play so well.  (ugh, hate that!)

Monday night was a bit of a disappointment too as Manning tosses 3 INT in the first QUARTER!!  But if you thought he was washed up, you were wrong! The Broncos stayed the course and came back to make it a game in the 4th quarter again the Falcons who really should have took more advantage of the 4 turnovers in the 1st quarter.  But Denver came up short in the end and couldn't get one more stop to get the ball back to Manning with 2 minutes left, as the Falcons prevail 27-21

Whew what a week.  And one more note about the replacement refs.  Last week I was commending them, this week not so much, but not sure its all their faults.  I have never seen so many coaches just completely lambaste these guys and I feel they are doing it because they are replacements.  STOP IT and let these guys ref the games.  It might be time to strike a deal with the old refs soon....

GO RAMS!!!!

My Led Zeppelin Ranks 21-30

30. Your Time Is Gonna Come - LZ1 - Jonesy opening this song up with a solo on the organ is chilling.  "Lying, cheating, hurting, that's all you seem to do".  What a great line by Plant, tell me that doesn't resonate a moment in every man's life? Great acoustic mix by Pagey and then he also gets that slide guitar in there.  A classic (hell they are all classics!)

29. I'm Gonna Crawl - In Through the Out Door - Just knowing that this is the last song on the very last album they recorded before John Bonham's death gives me chills every time I hear it.  Truly a perfect ending to their career as they get back to the blues on this one.  Page nails one more bluesy guitar riff.  Plant at the end, screaming out...wow!

28. Custard Pie - Physical Graffiti - What do you think this song is really about??  "your custard pie...so sweet and nice"  Some how coming from this band its not about a desert.  This song really sets the ton for the first Album of Physical Graffiti, pure rock and roll. Jonesy a unique sound playing the electric clavinet.

27. When The Levee Breaks - LZ4 - Heads up as the beginning of this song features Bonham mashing his drums!  Great sound as his drums were recorded in a stairwell with the mics 3 stories up, giving the echoing feeling.  This song is just one big crazy mix that comes together masterfully thanks to the wizardry mixing of one Jimmy Page. 

26. Trampled Under Foot - Physical Graffiti - Powerful song about comparing making love to the parts of an automobile.  Plant in full throat on this one while Jonesy again hits the organ.  Bonzo hammering his drums once again for a great foot tapping beat. 

25. Dazed And Confused - LZ1 - The unmistakable opening bass notes by Jonesy begins the journey of a dark and demented song with some of the most amazing guitar riffs and solos.  Plant has that deep scream going on this one.  While only 6:28 long on the album, this song was clearly the marathon live reaching up to 30 minutes long.  Pagey bringing out the bow to create some of the most creepy sounds to ever come out of a guitar. 

24. In The Light - Physical Graffiti - Amazing intro to this song with John Paul Jones on the synthesizer, very erry.  Then Plant comes in almost chanting the words.  When the it finally takes off into the song, Bonzo plays hard, methodical and deliberate.  "In the light..everyone needs a light"  Truly a beautiful song.

23. Down By The Seaside - Physical Graffiti - The second album of Graffiti certainly had a different feel with some acoustic jams.  This one is perfect for being on the water with fine libation and cigar.  Has somewhat of a country feel with that slide guitar Jimmy plays, but overall just a completely relaxing song. Not surprising this was written at Bron-yr-Aur but never made it to release until 5 years later on Graffiti

22. Going To California - LZ4 - How I have this song so low is beyond me!  Truly a theme song of mine for a very long time with many trips west.  Just a great piece with Page and Jones on the acoustic guitars and mandolins.  Plant is flawless.  This song was also showcased in their acoustic sets live.  I can't even highlight my favorite line in the song...then entire set of lyrics is amazing.

21. Bron-Yr-Aur - Physical Graffiti - Just a short song of Jimmy's mixed acoustic guitar playing.  But there is something about it that touches me.  Jimmy Page was a master on the guitar and you can just hear it on this piece.  Plus those of you familiar with the movie Song Remains The Same you know this song in the beginning as they are being driven to the the stadium as Plant squints as the sun light hits his face through the limo. 

CFFL Week 1

Week 1 done in the CFFL and what is happening?  Well some of the usual, such as Chisler luck continues.  Lets take a look at that game.  The Ferrets were up by 23 points going into the Monday night games, of which the Chislers had 6 players playing.  The end result....Chislers win 44-39 on a 10 point connection of Rivers to Floyd.  But what was really the difference was the INT by the Ravens in which "old man" Reed returned for a TD.

In another comeback of biblical proportions, the Krauts came back with 16 points from Kaeding and beat the Juggernauts with only three players (Kaeding, Garcon, and Ryan).  Matt Ryan for the Krauts was the Player of the Week tallying 18 points as he threw for 3 and ran one in.  Could this be an MVP year for Ryan?  He has the weapons to do so that's for sure!

Sinistars, the preseason number one team, survived against the Roulette 39-34, thanks to two Special Team / Defense scores by the Jets.  The real story with this game was the Roulette's bench who scored 44 points!!  On the bench was Peterson (12), Bush (12), and Randy Moss (6), all I expect to start next week!

Mafia and Crush were tied at 24 going into the final minutes of the game...Boldin catches a game winning TD for the Mafia to put the Crush out of their misery.  Oh and on a side note the score between Crush's Jordy Nelson and the Crew's Randall Cobb is Cobb 1 Nelson 0.  It was guaranteed by the Crew owner that Cobb would out score Nelson this year!  Go Cobb!

And one final note...the Dragons debunked the Preseason Wise Guys prediction that their team was weak scoring the second most points at 39.  While Rodgers scored 9 points for them, the story was Kevin Smith getting 2 TDs, an unexpected scoring machine.  BREAK UP THE DRAGONS!!

Each week expect more.  But don't expect every team to be mentioned...just the highlights. 

NFL Week 1 Review

Well  it was so good to have the NFL finally kick off their season and start playing some games that were meaningful!  Here are some of my thoughts on Week 1 games....

Opening night on a Wednesday??  Hell why not!  Giants and Cowboys.  A bit of a surprise as the Cowboys significantly improved their secondary.  Giants in trouble?  No way.  They were 9-7 last year and won the Super Bowl....

Lets first talk about the Rams (yes I am a fan so bare with me).  They certainly played the Lions a lot tougher than I was expecting.  While their offense was, well, offensive, the Rams' D really held the potent Lions offense in check most of the game.  Of course until it matter.  Last two drives of the Lions:  5 plays 80 yards in 2:26 = TD, 9 plays 80 yards in 1:45 for game winning TD. Brutal.  Is there any hope for the Rams?  We will see, but they took two big loses already on the line with the Center Scott Wells out with broken foot and Rodger Saffold the LT out at least a week or more.  Look for Bradford to be running for his life once again!

How good do the Bears look?  That offense with Cutler and Marshall could be scary.  Those doubters who said they would finish behind the Lions and Packers you better check yourself!  After Week 1 Bears clearly the better team (Lions struggle vs Rams and Packers lose at home).

Speaking of Packers, they got punched right in the mouth by the 49ers.  And it pains me to admit this (being a Ram fan and all), but the 49ers looked good.  Strong in all aspects of the game, running, passing, defense, special teams (Akers a 63 yard FG).  Damn them 49ers!

Can we all admit Michael Vick is just not that good?  4 INTs?  QB rating of 51.0? Terrible!!  But do you know whats worse??  Who he played against...Weeden's rating was 5.1!!  That is laughable!  Browns could be the Ziggy of the NFL.  Oh Ziggy, will you ever win?

Buccaneers opened the season in impressive fashion shutting down the Panthers, a great defensive game for the Bucs and Doug Martin truly a star rookie already! (24 carries for 95 yards).  He just looked real good.

Monday night brought a double header....and well as much as the Raven's may be aging on defense, I still wouldn't want to face them.  Good God can they hit the snot of you.  Dalton will be feeling that game for weeks!  And now their offense is clicking too.  Ravens vs 49ers in a Harbaugh bowl (lets all hope  not)

I will spare you with talk about Manning, the Jets and the Patriots since you get that non stop on ESPN.

And a word about the replacement refs.  I think they are just fine!  A couple of blown calls?  Sure but nothing that affected a game and how many times did these overpaid regular refs blow calls?  The one thing I love about the replacements is that they are quick to call TDs man.  Anywhere near that goal line...arms up...TOUCHDOWN! 

GO RAMS, please make it respectable this year...See you next week!

My Led Zeppelin Ranks 31-40

40. Communication Breakdown - LZ1 - Could be the song that gave Zeppelin the tag of "Heavy Metal".  Truly had a rhythmic heavy metal feel with the guitars and the pounding drums.  Plant truly light years ahead over others with the way he can scream those notes.

39. Over the Hills and Far Away - Houses of the Holy - A very well put together song...something that LZ has done in several songs with the acoustic feel in the beginning and then rocking out hard!  Jimmy leads off with brilliant guitar play, then leads into the Bonzo and Jonsey rocking out and Plant belting out the lyrics. 

38. Boogie with Stu - Physical Graffiti - A very unique tune with Ian Stewart on the piano who was the Stones road manager and piano player (thus Stu was Stewart), Jimmy played mandolin while Plant chimed in with some amazing lyrics.  Just a fun song. 

37. Rock and Roll - LZ4 - Since its release in 1971 Bonzo's opening drums has become one of the most popular openings of any rock song of all time.  And since its release tours that followed traditionally opened with this song.  Just gets you moving between Bonzo's beat, Jonsey's bass slapping and Pagey's dancing guitar notes.  Plant again amazes as well..."Been a long time since I rock and rolled!"

36. Gallows Pole - LZ3 - Along the theme of LZ3, acoustic play around a fire, this one is a entertaining and rather dark song.  A song about keeping someone from the gallows pole (where they used to hang people from).  Pagey and Jonsey compliment each other great with guitar, mandolin and bass all mixed together.  Bonzo kicks in to get it all going....but nothing to keep that man from the gallows pole, no silver, gold, or sisters!

35. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - LZ1 - Zeppelin's musical influences were deep in the roots of the blues.  And this song truly was a classic. Just a great song of guitar mixes and just raw folk and blues notes. I can just see Jimmy's fingers flying on that guitar.  And Plant singing "Don't you hearing it calling me the way it use to do?"

34. Ramble On - LZ2 - Lots of us can relate to this and it has so many great lyrics in it.  If not to just say you have to ramble on with your life, go around the world , gotta find my girl.  You can really hear Jones play the bass in this one.  And shows the bands influence of the Lord of the Rings books. My favorite line: "And tho' our health we drank a thousand times...It's time to ramble on"

33. Heartbreaker - LZ2 - Great guitar riff on this one by Pagey.  Great words written by Plant too.  "Heartbreaker you time has come!"  Everyone rocks out this tune.  Bonzo is crisp and Jones is a master on the bass.  Pagey on the solo is amazing as always.  Truly one of the heaviest songs they ever put out. 

32. Bron-y-aur Stomp - LZ3 - A fun song which is actually about a dog (blue eyed merle, similar to a boarder collie).  This song was played a lot live in the bands acoustic sets they did after LZ3 was released.  Bron-y-aur was a cottage in the Wales country side where Plant and Page wrote most of LZ3, which would explain the heavy acoustic feel of LZ3.

31. Bring it on Home - LZ2 - What a bluesy beginning to this hit with Plant on the harmonics and Jonesy laying down a mean bass line.  Then get out of the way!  Pagey kills it on the guitar and Bonzo bashes his way through the song, until it ends like it began.