It's that time of year again! The 41st season of the Cherry Fantasy Football League is set to kick off. Congratulations to the Krauts on their 4th title as was correctly predicted by me last year. In fact that is two champions in a row I got correct in my yearly preview! Can I make 3 in a row?
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Commish presents the CFFL Fantasy Bowl
trophy to the Krauts |
This year we are seeing some changes. One of our oldest franchises, Cabucki Crush, have decided to pack it in and fold. The joined the league in 1986 as one of the many optometry teams that joined that year. They went to 4 Fantasy Bowls, winning two of them, beating the Crew 41-37 in FBXXII and defeating the Juggernauts 28-26 in FBXXXI. Despite their success in the Fantasy Bowl, they posted only the 12 best all-time record among the active franchises in 2024.
And we lose the Toledo Titans. With a record of 85-158 they were always good to have on your schedule. They joined in 2007 and made the playoffs only 4 times. It was time to close the stadium doors on this one.
So enter two new teams, well, one new and one that was in the league back in the beginning. Dave's Dominators are back for the 4th time. They were one of the original teams in 1985 as Dave's Derelicts. Then folded only to come back in 1988 as Page's Potatoes, only to fold again the next year. Then in 1993 the returned once again as the Dominators, and only lasted till 1995. But now they are back...but for how long? The other team entering it's first year is the Large Mouth Lunatics, joining his brother, the Iron Legion in the West.
Let the predictions begin. Enjoy, mock them, rip on them, but remember I am on a prediction streak...
GREAT WHITE NORTH
Alex Animals
Big 3: Jackson, St. Brown, Walker
10 point connection: Jackson to Hopkins
QB Grade A- Lamar Jackson nearly outscored last year's MVP Josh Allen. He is a big threat to score either through the air or on the ground. No signs of him slowing down.
RB Grade B+ The Animals are only rolling out with 3 RBs, so a little thin here. However having Aaron Jones and Kenneth Walker III as starters is pretty darn good, specially if Walker can stay healthy.
WR Grade B Protected player Amon-Ra "Flying" St. Brown heads up a pretty decent WR group. Hopkins might be at the tail end of his career, but provides a nice 10 point connection. Two Chief WRs in Worthy and Rice could provide major points.
ST/DEF: Fairbairn from Houston should continue to score consistently. Cowboy D nothing to write home about.
Path to Greatness: Walker is healthy all year, Jackson to Hopkins really clicks and the Rice/Worthy duo team up for 20 TDs!
Cherry's Chislers
Big 3: Allen, Jeanty(R), Andrews
10 point connection: Allen to Ray Rice (back up sideways connection...wait what?)
QB Grade A+ Josh Allen, the reining MVP, returns for the Chislers. This man scored 191 points last year, including a 30 point game against the Ferrets, tying for most points by a QB in a regular season game (Mark "Cornholio" Rypien did it in 1991 for the Jewels).
RB Grade B While the Animals only have 3 on their roster, the Chislers make up the difference carrying 5 on theirs, including three rookies. So there are a lot of question marks with this backfield. Will Jeanty of the Raiders live up to expectations? Can Henderson of the Patriots be the cow bell back? After one Monday Night preseason performance, is Jacory Merritt-Croskey really going to play much??
WR Grade C This group really doesn't scare me much. Jordan Addison "Not Mattison" is suspended for the first 3 games of the season. Jalen McMillian "and Wife" had a nice season last year, but the third or fourth option in TB. Mark Andrews did score 11 TDs last year, but was the most he has ever had by far.
ST/DEF: Not sure if he goes with McManus or Jason "Michael" Myers. Having the Rams as a homer D always a plus.
Path to Greatness: Josh Allen repeats as MVP and the rookie RBs shine
Fez's Ferrets
Big 3: Gibbs, Chase, Prescott?
10 point connection: None
QB Grade C+ It seems like the Ferrets could have done better than Dak Prescott. However when he is healthy for a full year, he can toss over 30 TDs. So guess we will see.
RB Grade B+ The Ferrets will likely go with a lot of single back sets with Gibbs and that is really all you need. This guy can score from anywhere on the field. I don't see a lot of the other backs seeing playing time, barring injuries or bye weeks. McNichols was picked up after the Robinson trade rumors.
WR Grade B+ Ja'Marr Chase fell right in the Ferrets lap after for some strange reason, the Warbirds, who have Burrow, passed on Chase in the first round! Marvin Harrison Jr should provide some significant scoring. But after those two its a bit of a drop off. Shakir is a counter to Chisler's Allen. McBride tricked the Ferrets into thinking he scored 12 times last year (only scored twice).
ST/DEF: Aubrey can make FGs from anywhere and provides a nice consolation when Dak stalls.
Path to Greatness: Dak actually stays healthy and throws for 35 TDs and Terry McBride actually does score 12 TDs like the Ferrets thought he did last year...
R.C. Wrecking Crew
Big 3: Mayfield, Irving, London
10 point connection: Mayfield to Irving sideways connection
QB Grade B+ Mayfield had an incredible season last year scoring 41 TDs. Not sure he will do that again, but with the weapons the Buccaneers have, he should have another big year. Penix Jr. was added late and could provide another 10 point connection with Drake "Joker Face" London if Mayfield
struggles.
RB Grade B The duo of Pacheco "Peak at my butthole" and Bucky "Buckees" Irving could provide quite a punch. If Pacheco can stay healthy, should produce over 10 TDs and Irving could do the same. backing them up is Charbonnet "I like Charbonnet", and Mostert "No Start". Charbonnet is just waiting for Walker to get hurt again...
WR Grade C+ Drake "Joker Face" London headlines this squad. He is capable of eclipsing 10 TDs and developed good rapport with Penix. DK Metcalf is looking to make a big splash in Pittsburgh playing with Rodgers. Zach Ertz is a big red zone target for Daniels in DC.
ST/DEF: Will "Lug nut" Lutz will have plenty of opportunity in Denver with Loopity Loop backing him up.
Path to Greatness: Mayfield has another monster year, Pacheco is healthy all year and DK has big year playing with Rodgers.
Division Winner: Animals
Playoffs: Chislers
On the Bubble: Ferrets and Crew
SAD SACK SOUTH
Weilands Warbirds
Big 3: Burrow, Robinson, Sutton
10 point connection: None (could have had Chase!)
QB Grade A Joe "Cool" Burrow is about as good as it gets and is in the same class as Allen and Jackson. He had 184 points last year. Just staying healthy the only concern here. His back up is Justin Herbert, which is a great back up. Funny how Herbert, once a perennial starter, is now a back up.
RB Grade A- Bijan Robinson is a stud capable of 15 or more scores! So maybe they knew what they were doing passing on Chase for Robinson...maybe...He should be paired with Breece Hall who had 8 TDs and if plays entire year, could score more than that.
WR Grade C+ Courtland Sutton is a solid player and is benefiting from Sean Peyton and Bo Nix. George Pickens is now in Dallas. This could prove beneficial for him, but still yet to be seen. Travis Kelce's best days are behind him. Jakobi Meyers wants out of Las Vegas.
ST/DEF: Boswell or McPherson of the Bengals. McPherson would be nice for the stall factor. No Defense at press time...
Path to greatness: Burrow and Hall stay healthy all year, Robinson repeats last year's performance and Pickens lights it up in Big D
Killer Bees
Big 3: Nix, Cook, Achane
10 point connection: None
QB Grade B+ Bo Nix threw for 29 TDs in his rookie season last year. He should eclipse that this year. Plus he is a threat to score on the ground, he had 4 rushing TDs.
RB Grade A- The Bees will be going with James Cook and De'Von Achane who had 12 TDs last year. James Cook is another 15 TD back, however Allen takes some goal line TDs away from him. Achane is starting the year banged up.
WR Grade C The Bees have a lot of WRs on their roster, but all pretty much mediocre. Jameson Williams might be the stand out on this team, and has the skills to become an elite weapon. Brock Bowers is a stand out TE, but how many TDs will he really score in LV? Egbuka will be interesting to watch and see how well he develops. Could be special.
ST/DEF: Cameron Dicker will handle kicking duties and the Bees actually weren't the first team to take a Kicker this time. Ferrets one pick ahead of them took Aubrey...
Path to greatness: Achane injury not a concern and Egbuka is offensive rookie of the year
Monclova Dragons
Big 3: K. Williams, Etienne, Higgins
10 point connection: Tua to Westbrook- Ikhine and Malik Washington
QB Grade D Talk about a homer pick in the first round...Tua Tagovailoa was drafted by the Dragons with the 15th pick of the draft. I would be surprised if he plays entire season and isn't knocked out by mid year. To back him up is Old Man Rodgers trying to resurrect what might be his final year of his career.
RB Grade B+ Kyren Williams is a goal line machine, scoring all 14 of his rushing TDs in the red zone. Clearly if he stays out of McVay's dog house he will match that again this year. Etienne is a nice counterpart to Williams. Two years ago, when he played entire year, he scored 11 TDs. Last year he was hurt, but he looks to start this year healthy.
WR Grade B Tee "Mrs. Sue" Higgins snagged 10 TD catches last year. He is a force in the red zone and should have another big year. DeVonta Smith should line up on the other side and has potential to score up to 10 TDs as well as long as he is healthy. Westbrook-Ikhine and Sam LaPorta could provide much needed points.
ST/DEF: Jake Elliot is always a solid point producer. Ravens D not the scoring machine they once were.
Path to greatness: Etienne stays healthy the entire year and Rodgers takes over the starting job and captures some of that old Rodgers magic
Dave's Dominators
Big 3: Lamb, G. Wilson, Nacua
10 point connection: Joe Flacco to Jerry Jeudy...lol
QB Grade D- The Dominators draft was a disaster. The preset order didn't work right and he drafted WRs in the first 7 rounds, and ended with no QB. Hitting the waiver wire they managed to pick up Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson. Neither player is expected to do too much and may not even finish the year as a starter.
RB Grade D- Tony Pollard will likely get the bulk of the carries in Tennessee, but that team will be bad. Javonte Williams might be a surprise back in Dallas, something to keep an eye on, but as of now, not expecting much. Rachaad White has succumb to Bucky Irving in TB.
WR Grade C CeeDee Lamb clearly the class of this group. He has a chance to rack up double digit TDs, but only if Dak stays healthy. Garrett Wilson has high expectations that he has yet to meet. So Fields is the answer to get him the ball in the end zone? I think not. Pucka "Tuukka" Nacua is a stud, but hasn't translated to a lot of scoring. Maybe Romeo Doubs "Doubs is that you?" will break out. He did have 8 TDs in 2023.
ST/DEF: Joey Slye "and the Family Stone" is average on a poor team. Seahawks did score 32 points last season.
Path to greatness: I'm not sure I even see a path. Maybe the Cowboy offense is electric and Lamb and Williams combine for 30 TDs...
Division Winner: Warbirds
Playoffs: Killer Bees
On the bubble: Dragons
Staying home: Dominators
EASTERN BLOC
Kretz Krauts
Big 3: Henry, McCaffrey, Thomas
10 point connection: None
QB Grade C+ The Krauts actually took their kicker before he took a QB. That had to be a first in the 41 year history of the draft! So he ends up with Stroud and Stafford. Stroud likely to get the start with Stafford having some back issues but neither QB is a 30 plus TD thrower anymore.
RB Grade A I give them a cautious A here. Lots of tread on those tires for the two starting backs; Henry and McCaffrey. Both are stud RBs. Henry has had 7 straight seasons with double digit TDs, but a lot of carries. McCaffrey when plays the whole year, is one of the best scoring backs in the league, but his health cannot be counted on.
WR Grade B- Brian Thomas Jr. came on last year as a rookie scoring 10 TDs and quickly becoming a top tier WR in the CFFL. He has the potential to score more than 10 TDs this year. There is quite a bit of hype on rookie Tetairoa "territory" McMillian. Tyreek Hill just seems to be going the opposite direction and is more of a distraction. A healthy TJ Hockenson will go a long way in helping the Krauts to a 5th title.
ST/DEF: Joshua Karty for the Rams proved he was pretty good last year and then the Krauts went homer with "Jean-Luc" Reichard and the Viking D.
Path to greatness: The tread on the tires of Henry and McCaffrey hold up all year and Tyreek Hill also gets back to his cheetah days.
Molotov Cocktails
Big 3: Daniels, Hubbard, Samuel
10 point connection: Daniels to Samuel and Ekeler
QB Grade B In the surprise move of the draft that blew up every mock draft, the Cocktails, having Jordan Love already on his roster, drafted Jayden Daniels third overall! We will see if this pays off. Could have taken Josh Jacobs to go along with Love, or Bijian Robinson, or Ja'Marr Chase. But Daniels is certainly an up and coming star in the CFFL and could prove to be in that top tier.
RB Grade C+ Hubbard appears to be the best in the stable and the Cocktails will likely go single back. This after the shocking trade of Brian Robinson to the 49ers which he will now play behind McCaffrey (until he gets hurt). They have Ekeler and Rodriguez from Washington, but that team looks like it is going to be a very large committee in the backfield.
WR Grade C- Will probably roll out with Kirk, Kupp, Diggs "Dig Dug", and Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel. Samuel could prove to be a nice 10 point connection. Kupp's days are behind him as is Diggs it appears. But maybe he ends up developing a connection with Drake Maye in NE.
ST/DEF: Jake "Master" Bates was a top kicker last year and the Cocktails continue the Washington theme with their defense.
Path to greatness: Cocktails land a big trade for Love and the Samuel/Daniels connections hits paydirt!
Stamm's Sinistars
Big 3: Mahomes, Mixon, Taylor
10 point connection: None
QB Grade B- Mahomes is still a dangerous QB in the CFFL, but as of the past 2 seasons he hasn't thrown over 30 TD passes. Can he return to the 35-40 range once again? Not sure that is the KC game plan anymore.
RB Grade B- This grade got downgraded from a B+ to a B- based on the news that Mixon will miss at least 4 games due to injury/rehab. Mixon when healthy is a top tier back and proved it last year with 12 TDs. Jonathan Taylor will have to carry the load with Mixon out. When he is healthy (seems to be the theme lately) he is a double digit back. He scored 12, 20, and 12 TDs in years he played every game. RJ Harvey will be interesting to watch to see if he develops into a surprise back this year.
WR Grade C+ Nico Collins can light up a score board from time to time. Davante Adams is looking to give Stafford a big target in the red zone which could result in several TDs. A pair of rookies in Matthew Golden and Jayden Higgins have yet to prove themselves.
ST/DEF: Tyler Bass a proven high end kicker with the high flying Bills. Browns D a homer pick.
Path to greatness: Rookies Golden and Higgins shine while Adams is a red zone monster for Stafford (assuming his back holds up). Jonathan Taylor plays entire year racking up 15 TDs
Jakes' Juggernauts
Big 3: Jacobs, Purdy, Kittle
10 point connection: Purdy to Kittle and Pearsall
QB Grade C+ Purdy did throw for 30 TDs two years ago, but then only 20 last year. If the team stays healthy he could put up decent numbers. Don't count on Fields other than a bye week play.
RB Grade A- Josh Jacobs "Jingleheimerschmidt" scored 16 TDs in his first year behind a decent O-line in GB. Expect more of the same this year. The wild card could be Omarion Hampton for the Chargers. He is the talk of the preseason as a rookie.
WR Grade D Nothing special here. The most intriguing is the Kittle and Pearsall picks to go along with Purdy. This could be really good with multiple 10 point connections. Their protected player was Malik Nabers. Josh Downs and Rome Odunze round out a pretty mediocre WR group.
ST/DEF: Younghoe Koo "Cream on Sum Yong Guy" is solid. Bills will be the D.
Path to greatness: Hampton becomes a RB stud as a rookie and Purdy connects on several 10 point connections with Kittle and Pearsall
Division winner: Krauts
Playoffs: Cocktails and Sinistars
On the Bubble: Juggernauts
WILD WILD WEST
Monterey Bay Whales
Big 3: Hurts, C.Brown, AJ Brown
10 point connection: Hurts to AJ Brown
QB Grade A+ Hurts had 14 rushing TDs last year. So Hurts has the ability to put up some major points week to week. He had several double digit weeks.
RB Grade B+ Chase Brown emerged as a really good fantasy back scoring 11 times. It would appear that he will be on track to score something similar this year. D'Andre Swift could be the Montgomery or Gibbs for the Bears this year. Keep an eye on that.
WR Grade C+ AJ Brown is a solid WR and gives the Whales a decent 10 point connection. Is it time for Jaxson Smith-Njigba to really break out now that Locket and Metcalf are gone, or will the defenses focus on him too much. Then there is Travis Hunter. Planning to play both ways, will he last all season?
ST/DEF: They grabbed Chase Mclaughlin from the Bucs. With the way the Buccaneers offense played last year, he should get plenty of chances for points.
Path to greatness: Ben Johnson uses Swift like Gibbs/Montgomery in the red zone and Hunter lives up to the hype.
Iron Legion
Big 3: Barkley, Conner, Jefferson
10 point connection: JJ to JJ
QB Grade C+ Will it be Geno Smith or JJ McCarthy to start Week 1? Geno is now in Vegas but McCarthy is supposed to be really good in Minnesota. I just can't grade this group higher without seeing what McCarthy can do. If he is as good as people hope the Legion have a very potent 10 connection.
RB Grade A The Legion have one of the best RB duos in the league. Saquon Barkley clearly is one of the best backs in all of the league and James Conner just continues to score TDs.
WR Grade B+ Justin Jefferson is clearly an upper tier WRs with the ability to score 10+ TDs a year. That's a lot of 10 point connections if Legion go with McCarthy. McConkey emerged as a pretty good WR as a rookie last year. Evan Engram now in Denver could be a favorite red zone target for Nix. Lots of options here at WR for the Legioin
ST/DEF: Not sure about these kickers... Folk from the Jets and Cam Little from the Jags. Brutal.
Path to greatness: JJ McCarthy lives up to expectations while Barkley has another monster year
Cam's Killers
Big 3: Evans, McLaurin, Goff
10 point connection: Goff to TeSlaa?
QB Grade B The Killers hope they don't get Goffed. Past two seasons he's thrown 30 and 37 TDs. Clearly he can rack up some points, but undoubtedly you will get Goffed a game or two.
RB Grade C Look up "old and banged up" and you will find the Killer backfield. J.K. Dobbins and Nick Chubb "Chubb, chubb, chubb" got major knee issues. Alvin Kamara's double digit TD years are long gone and now the Saints might be the worse team in the league.
WR Grade B+ Now that McLaurin signed, they have two top tier WRs in McLaurin and Evans. Evans has had double digit TDs in 4 of his last 5 seasons. He is getting a little long in the tooth however. McLaurin "Midichlorian" had his break out season catching 13 TDs last season with Daniels. I don't see why he doesn't have the same production this year. Jayden Reed and Chris Godwin are no slouches either.
ST/DEF: Daniel Carlson from the Raiders will be kicking for the Killers and a good ole homer defense in the Buccaneers.
Largemouth Lunatics
Big 3: Montgomery, Hunt, Murray
10 point connection: None
QB Grade C- Kyler Murray is coming off one of his best seasons since 2021. The question is can he maintain this performance and stay healthy? Richardson not even starting for the Colts.
RB Grade B Montgomery is certainly a beast on the goal line. This trend should continue. Kareem Hunt usually benefits from a Pacheco injury (so I am hoping that's not the case), but he could still see plenty of action around the red zone.
WR Grade D A lot of unproven threats at wide out for the Lunatics. Aiyuk will start the season on the PUP list. Bateman did score 9 TDs last season, so can he do it again this year? Jonnu Smith is intriguing here. He had a pretty good year last year, and now with the Steelers could be a good target for Rodgers.
ST/DEF: Butker certainly can kick a lot of points and is typically over 100 points each season. Atlanta D scored 26 points last season.
Path to greatness: Aiyuk come back and has a big year, Pacheco goes down again and Hunt assumes starting roll in KC.
Division Winner: Whales
Playoffs: Iron Legion
On the Bubble: Killers and Lunatics
So there we have it.
Division Winners: Animals, Warbirds, Krauts, Whales
Playoff Teams: Chislers, Cocktails, Sinistars, Wrecking Crew
How will the season really play out? In the North the Animals really appear to be the team to beat with slick pick ups of two high end Chief WRs...You can just never count out the Chislers, specially with Josh Allen...Ferrets and Crew will battle for a final playoff spot. Can the Ferrets overcome the 40 year curse and finally win a title?
In the South it appears a third year in a row of a Warbird division title. Will the move to pass on Chase come back to haunt them?...Killer Bees have the players to make a run in the playoffs with Nix and Cook...Dragons will hate that if that happens, but with QBs Tua and Rodgers, things not looking all that great for the Dragons...Back are the Dominators, and it will take an actual draft he participates in to make him competitive...
The East (along with the North) continues to be one of the the toughest divisions in the CFFL. So why do we add expansion teams to the two weakest divisions...anyway, a target will be on the Krauts and it will be seen if waiting to draft a QB after a kicker will spell doom for the goose stepping Krauts...Cocktails forever hungry for a Fantasy Bowl title, shook things up on day one at the draft...Sinistars drafting QBs early now might pay off but will need Mixon to get back...Juggernauts suffer again from the propaganda falling from the skies from the Krauts...
And how will the West be won? Hurts and the Whales are clearly the class of this weak division. Expansion Lunatics not sure what they are doing...Iron Legion could make some noise with the backfield of Barkley and Conners...The Killers didn't know what to do when Mayfield went off the board, but drafted Buccaneer WRs anyway...
FANTASY BOWL XLI
ANIMALS 42 COCKTAILS 37
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