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(Issue 1.01: 3/31/08)
- Intro – Welcome to the Ramblings
- Interesting FA Moves Under the Radar
- News You Might Have Missed #1
- Rookie Watch – A Small-school Sleeper
- What Have They Done to My Lions?
- News You Might Have Missed #2
Introduction – Welcome to the Ramblings!
This is the starting effort of what I hope will become a semi-regular offering here at the Whiz. In the past, I’ve devoted time to several in-depth articles covering Fantasy Football (FF) that tended to be quite long. This one won’t be.
Instead, this will be a series of quick-hit topics, thoughts, observations, and factoids mostly related to the hobby we all love. ‘Mostly,’ because I’ll also sprinkle in some off-the-wall, non-football tidbits that have caught my eye, to give you a chuckle. The goal is to provide you with a fun read, share some FF news and views, and hopefully leave you eager to come back. You may not always agree, and occasionally might even think I’ve completely lost touch with reality, but I always want you to be entertained.
Of course, I always welcome your thoughts, comments, and feedback. Feel free to visit our forum and chime in on anything you read here.
Interesting Free Agent Moves Under the Radar
I think most of us would agree that the biggest FA move so far this off-season from a FF view has been the signing of HB Michael Turner by Atlanta. Turner has been an intriguing HB prospect on the edge of the fantasy radar ever since joining the league in 2004 as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup in San Diego. He’s shown a lot of potential in the few times we’ve seen him, and everyone is eager to see how he responds now that he’s been given a fat contract and the starting role.
But there have also been some other FA moves that you might have glossed over that could still be worth keeping an eye on from a fantasy perspective (especially in dynasty leagues). Here is a couple that I’m intrigued by:
- HB Mewelde Moore signing with Pittsburgh: Moore was signed as a rookie at 4.23 by the Vikings in 2004 (the same year Turner was drafted at 5.22). He had a very productive career at Tulane, becoming only the 2nd player in NCAA history to rush for over 4,00 yards and have over 2,000 yards receiving. He’s shown many flashes for the Vikings as a rusher, receiver, and mainly as a return specialist. Many have wondered why he was never given a consistent opportunity, but instead the Vikings went with Chester Taylor and then drafted Adrian Peterson. With the Steelers, Moore is sure to be stuck behind Willie Parker, but will still have value as a third-down back and as a return-man. But… Odd things can happen in the NFL and if given a chance due to injury or whatever, Moore could easily step up and become a pleasant surprise.
- WR Ernest Wilford signing with Miami: Another member of the 2004 rookie draft, Wilford was selected by Jacksonville at 4.04. Wilford’s no burner, but at 6’04”, he’s got the size and reach to be a steady possession receiver and a nice red-zone target. Miami has a lot of questions, but Wilford may turn out to be a very nice pick-up, and is worth keeping an eye on.
News You Might Have Missed #1
Actual news story:
Man files suit, claims lap dance injury
NEW YORK (AP; Mar 17, 2008) -- A businessman claims in a lawsuit that he was injured when a stripper giving him a lap dance swiveled and smacked him in the face with the heel of her shoe.
Stephen Chang, a securities trader, said in court papers filed Friday that he was at the Hot Lap Dance Club near Madison Square Garden and was getting a paid lap dance when the accident occurred early Nov. 2, 2007.
According to the lawsuit, as the dancer swung around, the heel of her shoe hit him in the eye, causing him "serious injuries."
A man who identified himself as the manager of the Hot Lap Dance Club said he was unaware of the accident or the state Supreme Court lawsuit. The club's lawyer, Stephen Ateshoglou, did not immediately return a call.
On its Web site, the club describes itself as the "Playboy Mansion of Manhattan party lofts." The site says admission is $50 plus a one-time club membership fee of $10 for newcomers. Lap dances cost around $40, plus admission, according to the Web site.
LINK:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080318/ap_on_fe_st/lap_dance_injury;_ylt=A0WTcSEjM.FHZVoALhksQE4F
So I think we can pretty well assume that Stephan is either never-married or at least no longer in a committed relationship – Imagine how you would go about explaining it? “How did I get that gash by my eye? Uh… Hon, well, it was like this…”
Rookie Watch – A Small-school Sleeper
This time of year, we FF fans typically get swamped with tons of rookie info, projections, and draft rankings. Not that I’m complaining – being a dynasty league nut, I LOVE the rookie draft!
But amid all the news about Darren McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Matt Ryan, and other top-of-the draft guys, it’s easy to overlook those late-round gems that can sometimes pan out as steals of the draft. Finding these diamonds in the rough is so much fun that I like watching out for them as much as I do learning about the top guys like McFadden.
If you’ve been paying much attention to rookie draft info, or if you follow college football closely, you’ve probably already heard this name -- But here’s my favorite candidate for this year’s small-school sleeper: HB Archibong “Xavier” Omon, NW Missouri State.
In 2007, he scored 37 TDs and still managed a gaudy 6.3 yards per carry while cranking out 2,337 yards on the season. He was the first NCAA player at any level to rush for at least 1,500 yards in four consecutive seasons. At roughly 5-11 and 230, he’s a power runner who’s not going to juke and burn (only a 4.62 40-yard time at his recent pro day), but he is very tough inside. He’s proven himself as extremely durable, and can handle 30+ carries a game. Odds are he ends up as a very late pick, or as an un-drafted rookie free agent, but given the right opportunity; he’s worth a flyer in almost any dynasty draft’s later rounds.
What Have They Done To My Lions?
In the non-FF side of my NFL fandom, I’m a long-suffering Lions fan (hence the “Lions” in my board-name). I was a Bears fan as a kid in the 60’s and 70’s, but changes of geography coerced me to focus on the Lions while living throughout Michigan in the 80’s and 90’s. I was there for the Billy Simms years, but became a die-hard fan after first seeing Barry Sanders and his jaw-dropping moves.
I have come to accept that the odds of the Lions winning a Super Bowl are somewhere between slim and none, and I wince along with the rest of Motown Nation with each new Matt Millen move. But even I can’t help but scratch my head and wonder who’s driving this train-wreck as I watch their off-season moves so far.
It’s obvious that they’re focusing on improving their defense. OK, I can buy that – it’s needed. But I’m not convinced that turning Detroit into the place old Buccaneers go to die is the best way to do that. The Lions have added Dwight Smith, Brian Kelly, Chuck Darby, and Kalvin Pearson to go with Corey Smith who was re-signed after coming to the Lions from the Bucs previously. These guys are 28 – 32. Coach Marinelli knows them and says he can trust them, but I still wonder…
Also, is releasing Kevin Jones and letting T.J. Duckett sign with Seattle the best way to improve at running back? Are a re-signed Tatum Bell and Avion Cason to go with a post-injured Brian Calhoun REALLY the answer? I just don’t feel very good about those choices either…
History also shows that any hope the Lions have of improving through a Matt Millen draft is often misplaced. Mike Williams, Charles Rodgers, Teddy Lehman, Kevin Jones, Boss Bailey -- All former 1st and 2nd round players who are no longer on the team.
So I wait, wonder, and worry. Meanwhile, my concerns are shared among other Lions fans. This is from a recent Detroit Free Press “mock quiz”:
1. Considering recent moves, what exactly is the Lions' plan?
A) “Rod Marinelli's Friends and Family Plan”: Sign former Bucs to play and relatives to coach.
B) To sell more programs. How else can you figure out who the heck's on the roster anymore?
C) Go for broke. And they'll probably make it.
D) “Matt Millen's Blow Up the Roster and Rebuild Plan”: So far, he has gotten the first part of that down pat about four times.
2. So now what should the Lions do in the draft?
A) Take a running back.
B) Trade up.
C) Trade down.
D) Draft for need.
E) Take the biggest bust available.
F) Go ahead and release their third- and fifth-round picks now, preemptively.
News You Might Have Missed #2
Another actual news story:
Honey, will you marry... Oh. Never mind...
LONDON (Reuters, Mar 14, 2008) - It is the one moment every man wants to get right -- and which London floor-fitter Lefkos Hajji could hardly have got more wrong.
The luckless 28 year-old's dreams of giving his sweetheart, Leanne, 26, the ultimate proposal have literally vanished into thin air.
Hajji, of Hackney, east London, had concealed a $12,000 engagement ring inside a helium balloon. The idea was that she would pop the balloon as he popped the question.
But as he left the shop, a gust of wind pulled the balloon from his hand and he watched the ring -- and quite possibly the affections of his girlfriend -- sailing away over the rooftops.
"I couldn't believe it," he told The Sun newspaper. "I just watched as it went further and further into the air."
"I felt like such a plonker. It cost a fortune and I knew my girlfriend would kill me."
Hajji spent two hours in his car trying to chase and find the balloon, without success.
"I thought I would give Leanne a pin so I could literally pop the question," he said.
"But I had to tell her the story -- she went absolutely mad. Now she is refusing to speak to me until I get her a new ring."
He is hoping the ring will still turn up.
"It would be amazing if someone found it," he added.
LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080314/od_nm/engagement_dc;_ylt=A0WTcVFuROFHgH0BPhISH9EA
Doh!!! Oh well, she probably woulda left him after he came home with a gashed-up eye from a lap-dance, too. But one fun thing about the story -- Learning a new word: “Plonker.” I’ll have to file that one away for future use....
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