CFFL 2016 Preview

The 32nd CFFL draft was held once again in the Bunker with the usual at the draft, but a bit of bizarro world going on.  The South division, typically sitting at the bar needed some new mojo and decided to sit at the round table typically reserved for the Eastern Bloc.  That move put the Eastern Bloc to the bar.  Will this turn the table on the league, making the South a division to reckon with and the East one to ridicule?  Nah...

Alex Animals:  After 4 straight years of making the playoffs the Animals reverted back to missing the playoffs.  For their efforts they got the Number one Pick and took Cam Newton, who last year had a career year throwing 35 TDs and running in 10 more!  How his Dragon Team last year didn't win it all last year is beyond me.  It will be hard to match those numbers again, but should still be hungry and should produce big numbers. As long as he keeps that towel off his head and doesn't pout.

Wah wah quit being a baby

He will need to be the running game too, as the Animals backs are suspect at best.  Doug Martin is tops in the stable and isn't a 10 TD back. He had only 1 year, his rookie year, where he had more than 10 TDs.  Outside of that it was 1, 2, and 7 last year. Ryan Mathews unfortunately is an every other year back, who seems to get injured in those other years. But when he is healthy he can score 6-8 times.

WRs on the other hand are strong once again in Animals camp.  Leading the way is saved player DeAndre Hopkins, who caught 11 TDs last year and should again be a 10+ TD WR.  Sammy Watkins joins him and is another threat for 10+ TDs.   A pair of solid TE fill out the WR corp, Fleener and Ebron.  With this crew I imagine the Animals could get 12 -18 points each week out of their WR/TEs.

10 Point Connections:  None, however they have the "stall" covered for Newton with Gano as the kicker.
Big Three: Newton, Hopkins, Watkins

Gurley looking good in Chisler blue

Cherry's Chislers:  Chislers were coming off their 5th Fantasy Bowl title but failed to make the playoffs after 7 straight postseason appearances.  They look to turn it around with possibly the most famous Chisler player in history, Philip "Jug Head" Rivers!  No matter how the Chargers play it seems Rivers is always a shoe in for 30 TD passes.  Rivers will be making those crazy faces once again as he tries to lead the Chislers back to the playoffs. 

Todd Gurley returns to the Chislers and with the chance to play a full season for the L.A. Rams should come close to 15 TDs or more and be the top back in the CFFL.  Little Danny Woodhead joins Gurley in the backfield and will likely get a lot of starts giving the Chislers that whacky sideways 10 point connection.

 Antonio Brown, last years top WR, joins the Chislers giving them a decent 1-2-3 punch at all positions.  Brown scored 10 TDs last year and 13 TDs the year before.  No reason he won't score in the 10+ TD range once again.  To go along with Brown is the typical North Counter in Crabtree as he had a great year last year scoring 9 TDs.  This was a counter to bitter North rival Crew who have Carr at QB.  Then it seemed like a decent idea to load up on second tier Lions' receivers, Marvin Jones and Anquan "He's still playing" Boldin.  Eh...What?

10 Point Connection:  Rivers to Woodhead (sideways) and Travis Benjamin. 
Big Three:  Gurley, Brown, Rivers

Fez's Ferrets:  The Ferrets are the defending North Division champs and Russell Wilson returns at the helm after beating out Brady late in the season last year, leading them to the playoffs.  He had his best year statistically in the CFFL throwing for 34 TDs and running one in. Having another year like that for the Ferrets and they may be back in the playoff hunt.

Starks and Lacy could both get the start

Also returning is Eddie Lacy, after a completely dismal season scoring only 5 TDs and constantly losing carries to Stark.  Well the Ferrets decided the hell with that, lets give him another chance, but bring Starks along too.  Might as well start both of them to avoid massive amounts of heart burn.  The jury is still out on Abdullah "oblongata" whether he will be a consistent threat.

Gary Barnidge is back too, who scored 9 TDs for the Ferrets last year.  Guess they figured they finished 9-5 last year, might as well try to draft as many players as they could from last year's roster.  Jody Nelson is coming off a season long knee injury and should be ready to go come week 1.  If he returns to his 2014 form, it gives the Ferrets a solid 10+ TD WR.  Tyler Locket gives them a potent 10 point connection as well.  Demaryius Thomas's good years were the result of the great Peyton Manning where he scored 14 and 11 TDs.  Last year only 6.  This year, who knows as the QB position will be dramatically different in Denver. 

10 Point Connection:  Wilson to Locket
Big Three:  Nelson (coming off Injury), Lacy (coming off awful season), Wilson

R.C. Wrecking Crew:  Crew are coming off a disappointing season, but saw some hope for the future in Derek Carr who threw for 32 TDs last year.  He's playing in an offense that wants to open it up and throw it down field.  The Crew hope that he can at least duplicate his efforts from the prior year.

Crew are hoping for an electric performance from AC/DC

The Crew took Amari Cooper with their first round pick.  Maybe a little early some say, but Crew didn't want to take any chances.  He is primed for a 10+ TD season and should give them a dangerous 10 point connection.  In additional to Cooper, the Crew took Mike Evans, who is has potential to score over 10 TDs, and Eric Decker, who last year scored 12 TDs. Double Decker has 3 10+ TDs in his 6 year career, not too bad.  As is North Division tradition, the Crew took two counters against the Ferrets and Chislers.  Doug Baldwin and Antonio Gates.  Baldwin scored 14 times last year.  This gives the Crew 4 WRs with the potential to score 10 + TDs.

As far as RBs go however, don't even bring them up.  The Crew likely have the worst RBs stable in the league with just Chris Ivory and Spencer Ware.  Ivory will be sharing with Yeldon, who looked better in preseason than Ivory, and Ware will play only when Charles gets injured.  Oh, well maybe Ware will play more than we think then...

10 Point Connection:  Carr to Cooper
Big Three:  Carr, Cooper, Decker

Outlook:  This division could return to power after only sending one team to the playoffs last year, after FOUR straight years of sending 3 out of 4 each year.  The Crew will need for all those WRs mentioned to be into he 10 TD range, because the RBs aren't going to help them much...Chilsers have potentially the top RB (Gurley) and top WR (Brown), in the league.  Can't argue that with those players as the Chislers may return to the playoffs... Ferrets have some questions bringing in players who were injured or had poor seasons last year.  But if these players return to form, they will be back at it as well...And the Animals have one of the top QB in Newton, who can win games completely on his own.
Division Winner:  Chislers
Playoff Teams:  Crew, Animals
On the Bubble:  Ferrets

Kretz's Krauts:  The Krauts are coming off a year winning the East and a return to dominance behind the Iron Curtain.  the past 2 years and anything short of a Fantasy Bowl Championship will mean the ovens for all of them.  The 4th Reich will be led by "Big Ben" Roethlisberger and maybe even Kirk Cousins "Keith".  Both are capable of throwing 29 TDs, but a healthy and full season of Big Ben would be the play here.

Jesse "Jane" James ready to catch a few lobs from Ben

The Running attack will be anchored by Jeremy Hill.  Last year he emerged as the main back in Cincy and scored 12 TDs.  He should come close to that once again.  Lamar Miller is another back that is likely to score over 10 TDs this year now playing for the Texans.  Not a bad 1-2 punch in the back field.

The Kraut wide outs are a pair of Allen, Allen Brothers so to speak of a different version.  Allen Hurns, one half of the original Allen Brothers from Jacksonville (Robinson and Hurns).  The other Kraut Allen is Keenan Allen.  Both are potential 10+TDs.  Hurns was the #2 in Jax and scored 10 TDs.  Will he repeat that performance this year?  He better for his sake, playing for the Krauts.  Coming off an injury season that saw him only play 8 games, Keenan could produce decent numbers.

10 point Connection:  Roethisberger to Jesse "Jane" James??
Big Three:  Roethisberger, Hill, Miller

Jake's Juggernauts:  The Juggs are coming off a Fantasy Bowl 31 loss to the Crush and desperately want to return to the Fantasy Bowl and win that title.  Last year they had all those draft picks and didn't get much respect for their efforts.  This year, their draft was more traditional but yet more effective..kind of....

Their future will depend on if Carson Palmer can reproduce his production from last year of throwing 35 TDs.  He's not getting any younger, but the Cardinals have a high powered offense and he should return to the 30 TD mark, baring any major injuries.  Not sure what the love affair between the Juggernauts and Le'Veon "Labia" Bell but they have faith in him to return to dominace like in 2014.  He is facing a 3 game suspension, but when he comes back expect close to 10+ TD year.

Marshall being asked how he likes playing in Italy

Brandon Marshall is now a Juggernaut and will be playing against his former team the Cocktails in the East.  He had a monster year last year scoring 14 TDs!  Not sure he will get to those numbers again, but close to 10 TD, if healthy and playing a full season, seems about right.  Brandin Cooks, who is emerging as a superstar WR, could be another 10+ TD WR for the Juggs. (Brandon Brothers?) And yet another potential 10 TD WR is Julian Edelman.  Maybe I am being a bit optimistic but in only 9 games last year he scored 7 times.  A Full season and he could be in the 10+ range...Right?


10 Point Connection:  Back up Fitzpatrick to Marshall (expect this if Palmer starts to falter)
Big Three:  Marshall, Bell, Palmer

Luck passing out his lucky beard to his teammates this year

Molotov Cocktails:  Bottoms up in Leningrad.  The Cocktails have quickly become a solid franchise with a big mouth.  Are they the new Crickets of old?  The Al Davis of the CFFL?  Well they are hoping that Andrew Luck"y Beard" will stay healthy and return to his MVP performance of 2014 where he threw for 40 TDs and ran in 3.  If he can at least come slightly close to those numbers I believe Mr. Lenin will be happy and not stick him on a train to Siberia.

At Running Back it will be which Devonta "Randy" Freeman will show up this year.  The one that for the first half of the season looked like the next Adrian Peterson, scoring 11 TDs in the first 9 games?  Or the second half Freeman, who scored 4 TDs in the next 7 games....Out side of Freeman not a ton of help in the backfield.  Latavius Murray might be a regular starter.  Last year he scored 6 TDs evenly  spread out throughout the year.  With him establishing himself as the main back in Oakland, or Las Vegas, he could get close to 10 TDs.  Injuries have bit their other backs, Dion Lewis is expected to miss 8-10 weeks and McFadden, in an already crowded Cowboy backfield may miss week 1.

Jeremy Maclin is the top wide out and scored 8 times last year.  Not likely to get much more than that playing for the Chiefs.  A pair of solid TE could easily get the start, Kyle Rudolph "Red Nose Reindeer" and Richard "Jolly" Rodgers, the MVP of Fantasy Bowl XXXI.

10 Point Connection:  None
Big Three:  Freeman, Maclin, Luck

Rodgers looks like he belongs in Russia

Russian Roulette:  After a disappointing 2015 campaign, the Roulette look to make a run at the Eastern Bloc title and the playoffs this year.   All chips on red 12! It is Aaron Rodgers team this year and not a bad player to put the team on the back of.  Even in an "off" year last year he had 31 TD passes and 1 TD run.  When fully healthy his stats read like this: 38-2, 39-2, 45-3.  So look for Rodgers to be in the 35 TD range again with a couple of runs winning several games for the Roulette on his own.


Can Jamaal Charles "In Charge" stay healthy?  That is the biggest question in Roulette camp this year.  If he does, for a full season, than you can count on 10+ TD easily.  If not, well time to turn to the back ups. At this time there is question he will even play week 1. You would think eventually he may get less touches just to keep him healthy through the year.  If he does go down the Roulette will turn to Carlos Hyde.  He looked like he might be the real deal out of the gates in the Golden Gate city, but an injury cut his season short.  Don't count on more than 8 TDs, but should be a solid compliment to Charles.

The Russian wide outs look interesting and perhaps could be stellar, or could be mediocre.  Davante Adams, last years sleeper pick, turned out to be just that, a sleeper scoring only 8 points.  So will he live up to expectations in year 2?  Kelvin "Private" Benjamin; a beast in 2014, injured all last year so can he come back to his 2014 status?  John Brown, 3rd WR in Arizona but solid 5-7 TD performer.  TEs Allen, Ertz, and Graham.  Seems like time has passed Graham already.  Allen could benefit from a healthy Luck.

10 Point Connection:  Rodgers to Adams
Big Three:  Rodgers, Charles, Benjamin 

Outlook...This division is slightly hard to figure out.  Maybe it was because they were drafting at a differently location than usual and some of the South mojo rubbed off on them up at the bar during the draft.  Krauts are always dangerous and should compete if both backs Miller and Hill hit paydirt...Cocktails have proven that they are a franchise to reckon with, whether you like it or not, and with a healthy Luck and a first half Freeman should make it deep in playoffs...The Juggs and Roulette are typically up and down year to year.  You have to think that the Roulette with Rodgers will be a force behind the Iron Curtain...

Division Winner:  Roulette
Playoff Teams:  Cocktails, Krauts
On the Bubble:  Juggernauts

 ...SOUTH

Killer Bees:  The Bees might have had one of the weakest drafts, but already have made moves to try to redeem themselves.  Drafting injured Romo who was expected to miss 6-10 weeks gave the Bees the Ricky Bell Award.  The Ricky Bell Award you ask? Yes, back in the early years of the CFFL, Kevin Clark, owner of the Clark's Crickets drafted Ricky Bell...after he was dead.  Yes, true story!

I will admit I am not that impressed with the QB situation in the Bees camp.  Osweiler was the saved player and while he is now in Houston and has Hopkins to throw to I don't see him throwing 30 TDs.  Trevor Siemian was picked up off waivers to replace Romo...Maybe you should have just kept Romo...

I play for the Bees...der...

In the Backfield, probably one of their best picks, is Adrian Peterson.    Truly a 10+ TD back and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down at 31.  But we all know what typically happens to backs as they enter their 30s.. But this guy is a freak.  Since 2007 this is his TD totals: 13, 10, 18, 13, 13, 13, 11, 11.  Now that is consistency.


The WRs are not a lot to write home about.  Jordan Reed is the biggest from last year scoring 11 TD, but does anyone think he is a consistent threat for 10 TD?  Nah.. Randal Cobb is good and even being in the Packer offense with Jordy Nelson out he still only caught 6 TDs and only once has he eclipsed the 10 TD mark.  Kamar Aiken "My Balls" and Vance "Finance" McDonald are average 4-5 TD wideouts at best.  Will "Robinson" Fuller might be the diamond in the rough for the Bees.  He has had a nice preseason, and while playing opposite of Hopkins in Houston, should draw single coverage and give the Bees a 2nd tier 10 point connection.  Maybe their best player next to Peterson is their kicker Gostkowski.  Don't mention kickers much but he's a guy that will give you more than 6 points a week and many times double digits.

10 Point Connection:  Osweiler to Fuller
Big Three:  Peterson, Reed, Cobb

Moley Mole telling South Mayhem will win 2nd in row.

Michigan Mayhem:  The Mayhem were the lone team from the South to make the playoffs and quickly exited in the first round.  This year Drew Brees will be leading the team.  He was benched last year by the Crew in favor of Carr despite throwing for 29 TDs, including 7 in one game!  Other than last year, he has thrown for more than 30 TDs in the past 8 years, including 2 years of 40+ TDs.  While father time may be catching up with moley mole, he should still produce close to the 30 TD mark once again.

As for the Running Backs, I'm sorry but don't see a lot of promise here.  C.J. Anderson, now playing in an offense where they will be stacking the front, won't get more than 7 TDs.  Chris Johnson is done, time has passed him by.  Langford for the Bears, who is suppose to father the load left by Forte (that sounded a tad sick) has a lot to prove.

The WRs seemed to be depending on only 3 guys maybe 4.  Larry Fitzgerald leads the way, but isn't getting any younger.  He did score 9 times last year but I think those 10+ TD years are long gone.  Maybe he gets 6 this year...Tevon Austin also had 9 TDs, 4 rushing actually, but come on.  Are defenses going to allow this to happen again this year while they pick apart Goff for the Rams?  Then there is Stefon Diggs "Digg Dug".  While I do like this guy, now that Bridgewater is done for the year certainly plummets Digg Dug's stock.

10 Point Connection:  Back ups Mariota to Walker
Big Three: Brees, Anderson, Fitzgerald (kinda lame)

Monclova Dragons:  Oh those pesky Dragons.  Always fired up.  They took Eli Manning in the first round which drew lots of critics saying that was way to early to draft Manning.  But the Dragons wanted a 10 point connection bad to go along with Beckham.  And that is one of the best 10 point connections you can come up with.  I say, "You draft who you want to draft, fuck em"  Eli should produce 30+TDs and if 10-15 of them go to Beckham, that could produce several wins.

Might be seeing a lot of this..

The Dragons have three backs in their cave.  2 I like.  One is lame.  Matt Forte now with the Jets, has always been a solid #2 back in the CFFL scoring close to 10 TDs, but never elite.  Now with the Jets and if they throw the ball like they did last year to Marshall and Decker, this might open it up for Forte.   Nobody knows about DeMarco Murray.  It appears he might have been just a product of the great O line in Dallas, because he wasn't the same back in Philly last year.  Now he is in Tennessee.  And he will be sharing the carries most likely with Rookie Henry and McCluster Fuck.  I don't expect much from Forsett either.


I mentioned Beckham earlier and is clearly the leagues premier WR and a threat to score 10-15 TDs.  But what did the Dragons draft to put around "Bend it like" Beckham?  Michael Floyd showed signs of eliteness scoring on a weekly basis for 4 weeks in a row but then cooled down.  He could eclipse the 10 TD mark.  Greg Olsen "Twins" is about a solid of a TE you can get outside of Gronk.  While he might not score 10+ TDs he should get you 6-7 and score about every other week.  Kenny Stills who looked great in preseason could be the dark horse of the wide outs, but only time will tell.

Kicking is Josh Brown "Eye" and Dan "If I was a" Carpenter "and you were a douche bag".  Just wanted to mention them for nickname sake...

10 Point Connection: Manning to Beckham
Big Three: Manning, Beckham, Murray

Toledo Titans:  For god sake can the Titans ever be competitive?  Since 2010 here are the Titans win totals: 4, 4, 5, 1, 3, 3.  Ugh.  You almost start to route for the guy.  Almost...

Clearly the best part of the Titans...Lauren Tannehill

The Titans once again are going to rely on the arm of Tannehill.  He has yet to throw for more than 30 TDs, but has shown signs of a consistent threat week to week.  In the Titan back field if you just looked at their names, maybe a few years ago it would sound great!  Arian Foster (13 TDs in 2014), Johnathan Stewart (11 TDs in 2009) and Alfred Morris (13 TDs in 2012).  But here is the reality.  Foster has been injury prone since 2013.  Stewart, even with Williams shipped off to Pittsburgh last year, managed only 7 TDs on the year as the feature back.  And Morris, will be regulated to backing up Ezekiel Elliot.  Actually T.J. Yeldon I believe will be the break out of this group, and sucks for me since I have Chris Ivory.  Yeldon has seen a lot of action in preseason as starter.

The Titans were looking for a big time WR and may have got one in Julio Jones.  However Julio Jones' name may be bigger than his actual stats.  While I think he is a solid WR and talented, he is second tier WR and not elite.  Only once has he been at the 10 TD mark.  (8,10,2,6,8).  So don't expect an every week TD threat but 6-8 TD on season.  TY Hilton always seems like the is going to be the next Reggie Wayne, but has yet to produce TDs.  He's actually closer to Al Toon.  Josh Gordon, who before his suspension, looked to be the real deal scoring 9 times in 2013 spent all last year suspended and then the first 4 games this year.  If he can clean his shit up he might be something special playing with RGIII.

10 Point Connection:  Tannehill to Foster (Sideways) plus Franks for the 11 point and stall.
Big Three:  Jones, Hilton, Tannehill

Outlook...Well I can't rip on them sitting at the bar watching youtube while drafting this year.  Instead they were at the round table, likely doing the same thing.  Did it change the outlook for the South?  Not bloody likely.  So which one team will come out of the South to make the playoffs (and likely lose in the first round).  I don't particularly like the Bees, but with Peterson, can't count out.  I don't really like the Mayhem at all.  Only aging Brees is the bright spot there...The Titans, well until you can prove you can win more than 3 games in a season, let me know...Dragons?  They might have what it takes if the Running game comes around.  They do have one of the most potent 10 point connections...but is that the kiss of death for the Dragons, being mentioned as the team to win the South?

Division Winner:  Dragons
On the Bubble:  Bees, Mayhem

Cabucki Crush:  The defending Fantasy Bowl Champions enter the new season with lots of questions on their roster.  Don't worry we will address those questions...

Let's start at QB.  Jameis Winston and Tyrod Taylor.  Can't have more questions at QB than having these guys.  Not saying they won't be good, but neither has proven, so a chance is taken here.  Winston will likely get start and is a 25 TD QB, but the advantage here is that he can run 5-7 TDs in with his feet.  That makes him valuable but will the sophomore jinx get him?  Taylor?  Well he's a poor mans Winston really.  Has shown signs of life having 4 games with 3 TD passes.  Need to do a touch better than that to be a full time starter in the CFFL.

A.J. eyeing Lauren..."Damn she fine!"

Questions at RB are will Williams really have the same year he had last year?  Only if Bell goes down with another season ending injury.  And whats up with the Crush sudden love for the high powered Bills offense drafting  both McCoy and Gillislee.  McCoy could be interesting and has potential to be in the 10 +TD area.  Gillislee really just backing him up.  Keep an eye on James White with the injury to Dion Lewis in New England...but yet another question.

WRs also have questions.  But one player there is no question and that is A.J. Green.  He is pretty much a 10+ TD threat.  Twice he scored 11 times and last year 10.  Look for more of the same from Green.  Questions are with another Bengal, TE Eifert.  He is expected to miss several weeks and return in Week 4-6.  He scored 13 TDs last year but you have to be cautious of TE that have a big year and its historically only their big year.  So will he come back and light it up.  Well forget about 13 TDs, but lets try for 6-7.  Michael Thomas a rookie from the Saints might become something special hooking up with Brees, but that will have to play out.

10 Point Connection: Sideways with back up QB Taylor to McCoy
Big Three:  A.J. Green, Winston, McCoy?


 Mark's Mafia:  The Mafia battled the Crush in the West and look to overthrow them as top of the West this year.  Let's see if they have the talent to do so.  First QB will be Stafford.  Stafford has no Megatron to throw to anymore.  Historically he hasn't been a huge CFFL QB throwing for only 30+ TDs twice in his career (32-2015 and 41 in 2011).

David Johnson, becoming top tier

David Johnson came on strong, penciling in his status as a top tier RB.  From week 11 he scored about every week, with one week getting 3 TDs.  He should continue that into 2016 and be a 12 TD back.  Blount, like James White, should benefit from the Lewis injury.  However with Belichick you never know from game to game who will get the carries.  Rawls who fell to the Mafia in the 5th round will be the starter in Seattle.  He looked to be the one to fill Lynch's shoes, but has struggled some preseason.  If he can live up to his expectation and score close to 10 TDs.

The Mafia WRs have taken a hit with the injury to Romo.  Dez Bryant, who when healthy and with a healthy Romo is a top tier WR that can score 10+ TDs.. Terrance Williams from Dallas is a nice compliment to Bryant, but without Romo both of their stock goes down.  Golden "Taint" Tate is a solid 10 point connection threat for Stafford.  Emmanuel Sanders is just a middle tier WR 5-6 TDs.  So had Romo not got hurt this group would have got a lot better grade.

10 Point Connection:  Stafford to Tate
Big Three: Bryant, Johnson, Rawls? Stafford?

Bacardi Bums:  The Bums look to turn things around after a disappointing 2015 season finishing 5-9.  They are turning to last year's sensational QB Blake Bortles, who threw for 35 TDs and led the Crush to the Fantasy Bowl last year,  in only his second year.  So the Bums are banking on him continuing this trend.  I suppose its worth the risk, although I don't believe he will match his numbers from last year.  If he is slow out of the gates, the Bums took another flyer with Dak Prescott which has been the darling of the preseason.

Gronk moved on from Bibi and on to Camille

At RB it will be the old and the new.  The old being Frank Gore"s Knee" still churning out solid seasons.  He may benefit from a healthy season from Luck, but he is 33 and has only had 1 double digit TD season in his career.  As far as the new goes, Ezekiel Elliott has the potential to be a rookie of the year.  However, with Romo out, teams will be stacking the box, despite how Prescott has played in the preseason.  But he will be playing for one of the best lines in the NFL, so he has the ability to be a 10+ TD back.

The WRs look like a pretty solid bunch, led by Gronkowski, who is shoe in for 10+TDs as long as he stays healthy.  Only 1 year he didn't reach double digit TDs and that was when he was injured in 2013.  The others are Garcon who can get you 5-6 TDs a year.  Then a pair of Dolphin WRs, oddly enough; Jarvis Landry, who caught a lot of balls last year, needs to step it up in the TD department and DeVante Parker, who many were high on this preseason.  So lots of questions for this relatively young, inexperienced team...

10 Point Connection:  Back up Prescott? to Witten and sideways to Elliott
Big Three:  Elliott, Gronkowski and Bortles.  

Brady and Gisele will be tailgating the first 4 games...

Stamm's Sinistars:  They were one game away from the Fantasy Bowl, but lost to their West rival Crush 48-28 in the semi finals.  Now they look to make it back and get to the Fantasy Bowl this year.  The QBs are interesting in their own right.  While we just mentioned the Bums taking flyers on Bortles and Prescott, the Bums went old broken down and suspended route with Brady and Romo.  They actually picked Romo up on waivers, I guess betting he will be back toward mid season to back up Brady.  So looks like Garoppolo will lead this team for the first 4 games as Brady serves his suspension.  But once Brady gets back, its at least a 2 TD a week pace.

The Sinibackfield  will be anchored by Mark Ingram, who could have a decent season with the Saints, but 10 TDs unlikely.  Okay, so let's go with a couple of unproven backs instead.  Derrick Henry for the Titans and Melvin Gordon for the Chargers.  Henry comes in and will be sharing time with DeMarco Murray.  He could start to get the bulk of the carries as the year goes by, if Murray begins to fade again.  Gordon could be special this year in SD.  While he didn't score any TDs last year, he has had a decent preseason and looks to be ready to break out. But that pesky Woodhead is always stealing touches from him.

Allen Robinson is back in a Sinistar uniform and ready to repeat on his 14 TD performance last year.  Let's not get carried away, but something in the 11-12 TD range is reasonable for one of the "Allen" Brothers of Jacksonville.  Donte Moncrief showed signs of something special scoring in the first 3 games of 2015 and 5 times in the first 7 weeks.  But we all know the wheels fell off of the Colts last year, and his production suffered as a result.  I expect him to return to form and could be a 10 TD guy.  Alshon "I WIN" Jeffery had an injury plagued season and is hoping to return for a full year and return to his 2014 numbers where he scored 10 TDs for the Bears.  Funchess "Fungi" had a decent rookie year last year scoring 5 TDs, but will the return of Benjamin hurt his future production?

10 Point Connection:  None
Big Three:  Brady, Robinson, Jeffery

Outlook...Not as impressed with this year's West as I was last year...Crush are attempting to repeat this year, but as noted have a lot of questions that will need to be answered as the season plays out.  Look for Winston and AJ Green to lead this team to another playoff run..Mafia will depend on the Stafford to Tate 10 point connection, not something you want to bank your future on...Bums will need another season like last year out of Bortles to make a run.  If he has another similar season and Elliott plays to expectations, they just might do that...Sinistars appear on paper to have the best out of the lot and Brady will help the Sinistars to make a late season run to win the Division. RUN COWARD!!

Division Winner:  Sinistars
Playoff Teams:  Crush
On the Bubble:  Bums

FANTASY BOWL XXXII

SINISTARS 38  AMIMALS 29

The Sinistars redeem their semifinal lose and make it to their first ever Fantasy Bowl on the shoulders and arm of Tom Brady.  They face another team that hasn't made it to the Fantasy Bowl, the Animals.  Between Newton and their WRs of Watkins and Hopkins they storm through the playoffs and into FB XXXIII.  However the Sinistars are too much for them in the Fantasy Bowl, as Allen Robinson, Moncrief, and Jeffery all have big games along with break out seasons for Gordon and Henry, who ends up taking most of the carries toward end of season and the TDs for the Titans.