The Sanderson Gazette - 2010-10-14 - The Pullman Cometh
"Babel didn't deserve last week's 'Misplay of the Week' award" - Sanderson H. Cup
Week Five Recap
Dave def. Mike, 138.35-106.65:
Mike is one of two 100-point-scoring losers this week; teams that score as high as he did have won 85% of the time in Blingaleague history, so it's a tough break for Mike. Dave gets big weeks from his keepers, Philip Rivers (23.95 points) and Matt Forte (31.53), and his special teamers, Josh Scobee (22.00) and the Jets DST (17.00).
Pulley def. Pat, 118.12-103.41:
Blingaleague, take note: Adam Pulley has won three games in a row. If I know Pulley, which I unfortunately do, he's also delighted to deny another 100-point-scorer a win. Historically, Pat's points were good for a triumph 82% of the time. As expected, both teams got good contributions from nearly all starters, with Ray Rice's 28.77 pacing Pat's squad and Eli Manning's 23.75 leading the way for Pulley's.
Rob def. Kevin, 91.64-66.90:
Ah, the matchup we were all waiting for. Rob finally wins a game! And he only had one player (Mario Manningham) put up a big zero this week. The rest of his team didn't exactly light the world on fire, but it was enough to beat Kevin's pathetic bunch of players. Our lone winless friend had a scoreless WR of his own: Legedu Naanee.
Ed def. Matt, 149.15-76.32:
Matt led this matchup for a while, but it would not last. Both of Ed's RBs, Chris Johnson and Michael Bush, put up at least 20 points. Each of his four W/Ts (Roddy White, Roy Williams, Antonio Gates, and Marcedes Lewis) put up at least 17 points. And even Adam Vinatieri chipped in with 15.00 from the kicker slot. Mike may not have liked my bias in predicting a win, but Matt was indeed Anotonio'd.
Rabbit def. Derrek, 104.34-83.68:
Rabbit is the sixth and final 100-point-scorer this week, and it was enough to defeat D comfortably and move into first place. Brandon Lloyd's 30.00 points paced Mr. Warren's team, overcoming terrifying days from Mark Clayton (0.80 points before suffering a season-ending injury) and Arian Foster (2.77). Derrek's high scorer was Drew Brees, with a decent 15.15 points.
Babel def. Allen, 85.08-65.48:
These scores were low heading into Monday night, but figured to improve dramatically; that didn't happen. Among the five Vikings and Jets involved in this matchup, only two (Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson) scored more than seven points. Since they both play for Babel, he walks away with a much-needed win.
Current Standings
A new first-place team emerges, with Rabbit taking over via the points scored tiebreaker.
Rabbit, 4-1, 571.00
Ed, 4-1, 554.49
Derrek, 4-1, 488.38
Dave, 3-2, 582.85
Mike, 3-2, 498.76
Pulley, 3-2, 423.40
Allen, 3-2, 400.91
Matt, 2-3, 505.35
Babel, 2-3, 492.96
Pat, 1-4, 422.15
Rob, 1-4, 378.98
Kevin, 0-5, 399.50
Weekly Awards
Team Blangums: The 149.15 points scored by the Leavitt Langoliers are good for the eleventh-highest score in Blingaleague history.
Slapped Heartbeat: Dr. Optimus Prime has a rough week, scoring a mere 65.48 points.
Start of the Week: I hate giving myself this, but I used my near-the-end waiver claim on Michael Bush and was rewarded with 20.53 points.
Misplay of the Week: LeSean McCoy put up 21.33 points. That's 11.13 more than the RB Pat started in his place, Joseph Addai.
Week Five Preview
Game of the Blingaweek
Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 4-1, 1st) vs. Our Lil' Albondigas (Dave, 3-2, 4th):
Neither Rabbit nor Dave are strangers to this spot; Rabbit was here in weeks three and five, and Dave in week two. This week, they both find themselves in playoff position and as #1 and #2 in overall scoring.
While Rabbit demonstrated his fantasy competency by having the best record last year and finishing in second place, no one expected Dave to be anywhere near this good. How has he done it?
The simple answer? Keepers. Dave's been able to trot out Philip Rivers at QB for the third straight year, and his faith in Matt Forte's bounce-back ability has paid off. The addition of the solid-if-unspectacular Frank Gore in the first round of the draft pushed his team from curiosity to contender.
Rabbit's done well despite a disappointing start from his first-round-cost keeper, Maurice Jones-Drew. Recognizing Arian Foster's potential and shrewdly grabbing Peyton Manning in the second round have helped push him into the week-five lead.
So what about this week? I like Dave's matchups. Pick: Our Lil' Albondigas.
Other Blingamatches
Jackie Moon's Bounce (Mike, 3-2, 5th) vs. D's AutoPicks (Derrek, 4-1, 3rd):
In another matchup between current upper division teams, both Mike and D hope to bounce back from tough losses. Mid-round WRs Malcolm Floyd and Hakeem Nicks have been paying off handsomely for the collegian; meanwhile, our friend abroad has realized there are worse things than having Drew Brees autodrafted for you. Pick: Jackie Moon's Bounce.
Champaign Supernovas (Kevin, 0-5, 12th) vs. Optimus Prime (Allen, 3-2, 7th):
You'd like to think that both teams are having unexpected seasons, but that's only half-true. Yes, it's a bit of a shock to see Kevin, who's made the playoffs two years running, sitting winless after five weeks. However, while Allen's success may seem surprising, he's actually finished between fifth and seventh every single Blingaleague season. Pick: Champaign Supernovas.
Leavitt Langoliers (Ed, 4-1, 2nd) vs. Not You Fat Jesus (Pat, 1-4, 10th):
These two find themselves trending in opposite ways. Pat's dropped four straight after a promising week one, finding himself ahead of only the dubious duo, Rob and Kevin. Meanwhile, Ed is our most recent Team Blangums recipient. Pick: Leavitt Langoliers.
Location Nouns (Rob, 1-4, 11th) vs. Cuban Fumin' Humans (Babel, 2-3, 9th):
Only one team (Pat) comes between them in the standings, but there's a lot of difference in quality between Rob and Babel. Mainly, that comes from Babel's ability to start players that don't put up zero points. Pick: Cuban Fumin' Humans.
Harrison Hammers (Matt, 2-3, 8th) vs. Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 3-2, 6th):
Matt leads the league in tough losses; he's one of only four owners with more than 500 points, yet sits below .500. Will that change against the Blingaleague's hottest team? Pulley and a revitalized LaDanian Tomlinson say "no". Pick: Pullman's MondoSquad.
Closing Thoughts
I just hope all the teams have a fun time.
Love,
Edward