New expansion team Iron Legion enter the league with a rookie QB Joe Burrow. Not sure I would pin my hopes on a rookie QB in the CFFL. But then his other option is Dwayne Haskings.. What is going on here?
We thought we had seen everything after 35 years of Fantasy Football. But as we enter the 2020 season, this will be a completely different year and we all are keeping our figures crossed that the season can be completed. Why you ask...well the Chinese Communist Party Wuhan Virus, that's why!!
When the CCP Wuhan Virus hit back in March and major sports began to cancel it became a concern there may be no football. In fact the end of the CFHL had to be cancelled never to be resumed. A lost fantasy season.
Then college football began to waiver. MAC was first, then the Big 10! How can it be? But the NFL marched on, thank god.
So this year's draft was a little different. No longer was the Bunker filled to the brim with CFFL owners. Instead only 6 of the 16 franchises were present and the rest via Zoom, which has become the norm for most meetings, poker games or drafts in 2020.
Despite all that, Stamm's Sinistars was in the Bunker to accept his first ever Fantasy Bowl Trophy. Congratulations Nate!
What will the CFFL 2020 season hold?ill t Whey be able to play all the games? Will there be a player that gets the CCPWV and be out for 2 weeks? Will a team have to shut down due to infections? Or will teams boycott game in protest over social injustices? This season will be filled with many questions for sure.
So here is this year's CFFL Preview. Enjoy! (for entertainment purposes only...)
NORTH
Cherry's Chislers
Top Player: Derrick Henry
Big 3: Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Josh Allen
10 Point Connection: Allen to Diggs and Beasley - Grade A-
There is one thing the Chisler's like and that is team identity. Josh Allen returns as the main man now for the Chislers, playing last year for them in mostly a back up role. Where Allen has great value is his running ability. He scored 8 TDs on the ground in 2018 and 9 last year!
The running game is where the Chislers are the strongest. Having Dalvin Cook to begin with they would draft one of the top RB in this year's draft; Derrick Henry. He scored 18 TDs last year and had double digit TDs in 5 of the final 7 games of the season. Cook should eclipse the 10 TD mark as long as he remains healthy.
Chislers wide outs aren't too shabby either. Stefon Diggs " Dig Dug" is the perfect compliment to Allen. Added to that is Tyler Locket and A.J. Brown, both who scored 8 TDs last year. A.J. Brown really found his stride at the end of the year scoring at least one TD 5 out of the final 6 games. Beasley maybe an occasional starter during other's bye weeks.
Zane Gonzalez is a counter kicker to the Crew's QB, while the Chiefs are always a threat to score a return TD.
Fez's Ferrets
Top Player: Lamar Jackson
Big 3: Jackson, DeAndre Hopkins, Mark Andrews
10 Point Connection: Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews and Miles Boykin (thanks Chislers!)
The Ferrets start their 36th year in the league, still on the never ending quest for the CFFL Trophy. They have one of the best QB to lead them there in Lamar Jackson, who last year actually battle starting at QB with Cousins early in the year. Go figure. The Ferrets were quick to realize that Jackson was their man as he scored 36 TD plus 7 on the ground. He is poised to have another monster year.
Running Back are light. Only three of them. But two should be solid starters. Ronald Jones had a strong year last year, and now with Brady in TB, could have a 10+ TD year (plus he has the handcuff McCoy). David Montgomery is a solid back, but is facing a bit of an injury that might keep him out of the first week or 2. If he comes back fine should be a good producer of 8-9 TDs.
There are a lot of question marks for the Ferrets WRs. DeAndre Hopkins only question is will he be as productive in Arizona as he was in Houston? Will the rookies of Pittman "eh?" and Ruggs emerge as studs this year? Will T.Y. Hilton benefit now that Rivers in is Indy? Or will he struggle because of it? No question about Mark Andrews, who scored 9 times last year and is a great 10 connection with Lamar.
Will Lutz has been a consistent top Kicker past 4 seasons kicking over 130 points each year.
R.C. Wrecking Crew
Top Player: Christian McCaffrey
Big 3: McCaffrey, Edwards-Helarie, Kyler Murray
10 Point Connection: None
Crew took a different approach this year than in the past, going for the young and unproven rookies to lead their team this year (after being burned by Luck retiring last year). Kyler Murray will be under center for the Crew and they are hoping he has a break out season. He came on strong at the end of the year and with the addition of Hopkins in Arizona, he could throw 25-30 TDs plus add a few on the ground.
Christian McCaffrey is coming off a career year scoring 19 TDs. He is a stud. Will he get close to 20 TDs again? I doubt it, but 15 TDs is not out of the question. To pair with McCaffrey the Crew selected rookie Clyde Edwards "Scissor Hands" Helarie. Unproven, but with the opt out of Williams in KC, CEH will be the main back in a very prolific Chief offense.
More chances taken at the wide out positions for the Crew. D.K. Metcalf might be the strongest of the group but really is the 2nd option in Seattle even though he scored 7 times. In only his second year it is yet to be seen if he has a break out season. Another second year player, Mecole Hardman has potential to strike at any time. Jared Cook should have a decent year, after posting 9 scores last year playing with Brees. However this group is an unproven group and only time will tell. Also returning is Deebo "Dabo Swinney" Samuel.
Crew didn't waste anytime grabbing a kicker and snatched Justin "Mother" Tucker, who is one of the top scorers in the league and a nice "stall" counter to the Ferrets.
Alex's Animals
Top Player: Kenyan Drake
Big 3: Drake, Nick Chubb, Carson Wentz
10 point connection: None
A fantasy owner's nightmare: Having two QBs that are basically identical in statistics....who to start each week?? Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo had identical TDs last year (27 pass, 1 run) and seems like this is a match up nightmare. Each week the Animals will have to gamble on picking the right one. Leave one in for a couple weeks, then the other QB starts to outscore the starter, switch them the next week and the opposite happens...yeah no thanks...
At least the RBs should be a no brainier. Start Chubb "Chubb, chubb, chubb" and "Love the" Drake. Both backs should eclipse the 10 TD mark this year. Very solid duo. Zack Moss, a rookie playing in Buffalo was a nice homer pick that could steal some carries from Singletary.
Here is where the Animals seemed to lose focus. Allen Robinson as the top WR? No one knows who is throwing in Chicago (Foles will make Robinson much more valuable). Julio "Al Toon" Jones? Jones is bound to score a bunch of TDs considering all those catches. Meh, not really. Best he has done was 8 TD in 2018 rest of 3-6 TD years. Curtis Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders are also interesting, but just not sure what kind of TD production they will produce. But then again, I have been known to be wrong...from time to time....dear oh dear.
Jake Elliot is a nice compliment to Carson Wentz, when Wentz is starting instead of Jimmy G that is.
Division Winner: Chislers
On the Bubble: Ferrets and Crew
Outside looking in: Animals
EAST
Molotov Cocktails
Top Player: Melvin Gordon
Big Three: Gordon, Tyreek Hill, Kelce
10 Point Connection: Tannehill to Corey "Dog" Davis - Grade B-
This team is loaded with rookies, 2 at RB and 2 at WR. But the key to this team will be who will emerge as the primary starter at QB. Tannehill or Roethlisberger? Can Big Ben recover from last years surgery and get back to that 30+ TD performance of 2018? Tannehill had a great second half of the season and the Cocktails are looking for that to carry over into 2020. Its going to be a juggling act.
Melvin Gordon should anchor the running backs for the Cocktails. While he is a 10+ TD back, the
backfield in Denver is a crowded one. He is flanked by 2 rookie RB. Jonathan Taylor and A.J. Dillon. Taylor could be a beast in Indy, but like Gordon, will likely share the load with Mack. A.J. Dillon might see some nice production later in the year, spelling Jones. Overall average group at best.
Not wowed here with the WRs either. Hill is a burner for sure and could put up some big numbers. Kelce can score 8 TDs, but without Mahomes in a Cocktail uniform, it just won't be the same. Another pair of rookies here in Cee Dee Lamb (Cowboys) and Jerry "Judge" Jeudy (Broncos). Both have potential, but don't expect more that 5-6 TDs from those clowns.
Kickers are meh. Seibert from the Browns or newly acquired Nick Folk for the Pats.
Jakes' Juggernauts
Top Player: Ezekiel Elliott
Big Three: Elliott, Sanders, Ridley
10 point connection: Stafford to Marvin Jones - Grade B
The Juggs have put together an interesting team and have the potential to make some noise in the East and quit playing second and now third fiddle to the Krauts and Cocktails. Stafford will be the starter and was having a great year until his injury with 19 TD passes in 9 games! I wouldn't see Minshew "the Magic Mustache" getting much action unless there is an injury to Stafford.
The RBs are solid. Drafting one to the top backs in Elliott to go along with protected player Miles Sanders. Elliott can score 15 TDs easily as he has before and scored 14 times last year. Miles Sanders was a pleasant surprise last year for the Eagles, but will need to up his TD production from last year's 6 to make a difference. Helping that will be that Horward is now a Dolphin. Kareem Hunt will be an interesting development as the season progresses...
The Juggs have two pretty solid WRs in Marvin Jones and Calvin Ridley. Both are 10+ TD potential WR. Look for Ridley to have a big year this year, while Jones is a solid 10 point connection. OBJ is a great talent but has trouble finding the end zone since his 10 TD performance in 2016. Reagor, the rookie WR in Philly could shine, but sustained an injury in training camp and could be day to day, seeing a slow development.
Your guess is as good as mine with Kickers Koo in Atlanta and McLaughlin in Indy...
Kretz's Krauts
Top Player: Michael Thomas
Big Three: Rodgers, Davante Adams, Michel Thomas
10 Point Connection: Rodgers to Adams and Valdes-Scantling - Grade B+
Aaron Rodgers is not the QB he once was but he can still be dangerous. He did score 27 TDs in consecutive seasons and had a 6 TD game last year in Week 7. He returns to command the Krauts, a task he did back in 2015 leading them to the playoffs. Kirk Cousins will be waiting in the wings if he falters and Kraut owner will have no problem getting Cousins in the starting line up. (read Viking fan)
Krauts have 3 viable RBs that could put up points, but can only start 2,,, (no wishbone here). Todd Gurley who has a new look in Atlanta, scored 14 times last year and people were bitching...What's up with that? Jordan "Curly Joe" Howard is now a Dolphin and looks to be the main producer there. He hasn't eclipsed the 10 TD threshold but this could be the year. If it wasn't for Taylor being drafted by Indy, Marlon Mack would have a chance to reach double digit TDs, but not likely now.
WRs are a pretty solid group anchored by two big names. Davante Adams and Michael Thomas. Thomas is just a stud who catches anything thrown at him. A consistent 9 TDs a year. Adams had scored 12, 10 and 13 before last years disappointing 5. If he gets back to that double digit TD range, and with Rodgers on the squad, look out East.
It will be a kicker battle between Jason "Michael" Myers and Greg "the Leg" Zuerlein.
Stamm's Sinistars
Top Player: Russell Wilson
Big Three: Wilson, Ingram, Jacobs
10 point Connection: none unless on bye week you count Mayfield to Hooper
Boy the commish sure doesn't like the East much does he? Historically one of the toughest divisions as all the Eastern Bloc teams beat on each other, they add the defending champ Sinistars to the division!
Russell Wilson returns to try to repeat as CFFL champions. He is clearly one of the top QBs in the league right up there with Mahomes and Jackson. No way you say? He has scored over 30 TDs past three season in a row. Try to name a QB that has done that over the past three years...there is none, just Wilson!
What kind of running game will he have behind him? A pretty decent one I believe. Mark Ingram is a double digit TD and short yardage back playing for one of the top teams in the NFL. Only down side to him is giving touches away to rookie J.K. Dobbins. Josh Jacobs "Jingleheimer Schmidt" had a productive rookie year so look for an improvement over his numbers from last year.
Here is where things get dicey. Three of their top WRs are playing for possibly the three worst teams in the NFL (Jags, Bengals, Washington). D.J. Chark "Not sure if he's a Cherry or a Clark" for the Jags (maybe the worst team) scored over 8 times last year, but is that going to continue? (secretly I like him so yes). Tyler Boyd for the Bengals, is Burrow really going to have that big of year as a rookie? And McLaurin for the Redskins, oh wait I mean Washington Football Team, or the Washington Swamp Rats. That team is not great either and what QB is poised to get him the ball?
Kicker Boswell for Pittsburgh should benefit with Big Ben being back and the Rams are always a threat to score a few.
Division Winner: Juggernauts
Playoff Teams: Krauts and Sinistars
On the Bubble: Cocktails
SOUTH
Michigan Mayhem
Top Player: Drew Brees
Big Three: Brees, Golladay, James Conner
10 Point Connection: None
The Mayhem will rely on the old arm of Drew Brees who never seems to age. Play for a full season and he can throw for 30 or more TDs. I mean he threw for 27 in just 11 games! And the final 4 games he went 6, 4, 3,3 TDs.
Could be a revolving door at RB this year for the Mayhem. Sony Michel returns, but you never know about those Patriot RBs. James Conner will likely find a full time spot in the back field. Then you got Cohen and Hyde, both could see playing time.
They have some big names at wide out. Biggest and best of the group is Kenny Golladay who broke through last year and is quickly becoming a stud WR. Keenan Allen, while is a nice WR, not great in fantasy football. Adam Thielen was on pace for 16 TDs, scoring 7 in first 7 weeks before his injury. Darren Fells "Come and knock on my door" scored a sneaky 6 times last year.
Dan Bailey is solid kicker and will make those Thielen TDs worth 7 points.
Georgia Killer Bees
Top Player: Aaron Jones
Big Three: Jones, Mixon, Dak Prescott
10 point connection: Prescott to Jarwin "Binks"
Dak Prescott returns for the Bees to try to lead them to a division title in the highly contested South Division, otherwise known as the Sad Sack South (appropriately named). He had a career year last year throwing for 30 TDs, after two years only throwing low 20s in TDs. Was last year an anomaly? Bees hope not!
Running backs for the Bees are real solid and the strength of this team. Aaron Jones should easily score well over 10 TDs this year after he scored 19 TDs last season. However, word out of Packer camp is A.J. Dillion is going to vulture some touches from Jones. Joe Mixon is the other back and now that his contract is done, should be strong. Hell, he scored 8 times last year playing for the worst team in the league. Bengals will likely improve and so will his stats.
Bees WRs are a bunch of average clowns. "Aunt" JuJu Smith-Schuster should see his production go up with Big Ben back. He can score 8 TDs easily. Chris Conley and Courtland Sutton will likely be the other wide outs. Nothing threatening there. Then there is Blake "Jar" Jarwin "Binks" who may get some starts for a 10 point connection.
Harrison "Buttkicker" Butker is clealy one of the top 4 kickers in the league.
Monclova Dragons
Top Player: Deshaun Watson
Big Thee: Watson, Mostert and Parker?
10 point connection: Watson to Fuller
Dragons will take the field with one of the top QBs in the league in Deshaun Watson. He is a fantasy stud that can put up multiple TDs each week. He also ran in 7 times. Will Hopkins exit affect his numbers? I am thinking not. They have enough weapons that should keep those numbers up.
How did Mostert score 10 TDs last year? He definitely emerged as the favorite back in San Francisco. However that is a very crowded backfield and I am not seeing a repeat performance this year. DeAndre Swift could be a star in Detroit, but he will be playing and sharing with Kerryon Johnson. So overall, meh.
Now let's take a look at their WRs. Its a bunch of average to decent dudes to chose from. DeVante Parker, while might be a homer pick, is a pretty good wide out that should post near or over 10 TDs. Jamison "Boyd" Crowder is a solid 6 or 7 TDs. He quickly became a favorite target of Darnold. Maybe he looks a little like a ghost...Will Fuller is a good 10 point connection, but that guy never stays healthy for a full year. Expect him to miss at least 6 games. Willie Snead and Zack Ertz both should provide some nice scoring opportunities.
Fairbarin is a nice compliment to Watson, giving them points regardless what happens in the red zone. Looks like Randy will be a closet Texans fan...
Toledo Titans
Top Player: Saquon Barkley
Big three: Barkley, Cooper, Kupp (Amari and Cooper...lots of Coopers)
10 point connection: Goff to Kupp, Reynolds, Higbee
Speaking of closet fans, looks like Colin will be a closet Ram fan. But I guess when you are Dolphin fans (Randy and Colin) you need another team to route for. But I digress. Titans are trying to put together a Chisler team as they have Jared Goff as QB, plus they land Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, not to mention TE Tyler Higbee. Kupp is a top WR that should provide many 10 point connections. Not sure about the other two, but you almost have to start them regardless. Oh and he grabs an ex-Ram in Brandin Cooks, a nice counter to division rival Dragons.
The Titans will incorporate the single back offense with Saquon Barkely. He should return to double digit TDs this year, baring any injuries. The Giants and Danny Dimes are getting better which should mean an increase in production for Barkley. J.K. Dobbins might end up in the backfield too later in the year as he progresses in his rookie year.
Kicker Robbie Gould likely will be the starter. Fuck him...
Division Winner: Michigan Mayhem
On the bubble: Titans, Bees, Dragons
WEST
One old dude and three young bucks...
Monterey Bay Whales
Top Player: Patrick Mahomes
Big Three: Mahomes, Chris Carson, Kittle
10 point connection: None
The Whales are entering their first season in the CFFL and was able to get the number one pick in the draft and with it they selected Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is clearly one of the top QBs in the league and in 2018 threw for 50 TDs. 35-40 TDs shouldn't be a problem for Mahomes.
Chris Carson should be the main back for the Whales. He is a solid player and 8-10 TDs is likely, however he may have to share some carries with Carlos Hyde. Le'veon "labia" Bell needs to improve on his production from last year to make a difference. He only scored 4 TDs last year. With some improvement of the Jets O-line maybe he can recapture his glory years. If he does the Whales will have a pretty solid backfield.
WR could be good or just meh. Darius Slayton actually scored 8 TDs as a rookie last year and might still be developing along with Danny Dimes. If he continues to produce I am sure he will get to 10 TDs. Robert Woods is a good WR but hasn't really scored a lot. Most he has scored was 6 TDs in 2018. T.J. Hockenson might be a sleeper. George Ki "TTBoy"le is a big name at TE but hasn't scored more than 5 TDs yet.
Badgley and Ficken are the kickers, guess they will go with the hot hand, or foot in this case.
Cam's Killers
Top Player: Tom Brady
Big Three: Brady, Fournette and Hollywood Brown.
10 point connections: Brady to Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and now sideways to Fournette!
This team is practically all Bucs! They took Tom Brady with their very first pick of the draft. Could they have got him later, probably, but hey, get who you want to get and move on. To go along with Brady they grabbed Gronkowski and the later O.J. Howard. I mean why not? Then to add to it, they draft the Buccaneers Kicker Matt GAY! But wait, Gay gets cut and so they pick up Ryan Succop. Again, I mean why not.
And get this, they draft Leonard Fournette, at the time the Jags RB. Jags cut him. What team picks them up but the Buccaneers! So add one more Buc to the Killers line up.
Outside of Buccaneers, Devin Singletary for the Bills is poised for a break out season. Robby Anderson could be the top WR in Carolina and score quite a few TDs. And protected player "Downtown Hollywood" Brown was a stand out WR last year. Expect more to come from him this year.
Oh, and defense is, of course, the Buccaneers. So as long as Tampa Bay plays well and scores a lot, the Killers should do well.
Cabucki's Crush
Top Player: Mike Evans
Big Three: Ekeler, Evans and Matt Ryan
10 point connection: None
Matt Ryan looks to lead the Crush this year and certainly is possible of putting up big numbers. He scored 38 TDs in 2018 and took a step back last year, but should be close to 30 once again.
Austin Ekeler became a formidable RB last year scoring 11 TDs. He clearly will be the main back for Chargers. He may not be able to handle the full load that a Melvin Gordon had and his durability could be a question. Cam Akers, rookie RB for the Rams, is expected to make a big impact.
At WR the Crush are completely countering their West Division rivals Killers with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Both are top WRs and capable of 10+ TDs each. Godwin had 9 and Evans had 8 last year. Kyle Rudolph is a decent TE with potential to score 5-7 TDs. Overall a decent group that will lean heavily on the Buccaneers passing game.
Iron Legion
Top Player: Alvin Kamara
Big Three: David Johnson, Kamara, A.J. Green
10 point connection: Burrow to Green
RBs are a bit more stronger. Alvin Kamara and David Johnson. Both have scored double digit TDs in their careers. Last year was a down year for Kamara after scoring 18 and 13 TDs prior two years. He has had some contract issues but seemed to have them resolved. David Johnson scored 20 TDs in 2016 but has been all down hill from there. He hopes a new environment in Houston will rejuvenate his career.
A.J. Green is back after missing last year with an injury. In the past he has been a top 5 WR. Can he build chemistry with Burrow. If so there is a nice 10 point connection. Outside of that the WRs are average to weak. D.J. Moore, Hunter Henry don't exactly strike fear in opposing teams.
Division Winner: Crush (Time for the old dude to teach these young bucks some lessons)
On the bubble: Whales and Killers
Not a chance: Iron Legion
Fantasy Bowl XXXVI
Jakes' Juggernauts 38 Cabucki's Crush 27
Juggernauts World Champs
There you go. Take it for what its worth. Let's just hope we have a full season and see some good football. One thing is for sure...at this time in the season, all 16 teams have a chance. Could the Chislers get their 7th title? Will the Ferrets every win one? Can the Cocktails return for a third time in a row and lose again? Will the upstart Whales, who have been waiting over 15 years to get in the CFFL make a run? Week one is only days away and we will get to see the Whales QB open the season!
Good Luck everyone and Go Crew!!!
