The Sanderson Gazette - 2011-10-06 - Quarterly Report
I'll get this out of the way now: 2011 week four was the third-highest-scoring Blingaweek ever (not counting 2007).
Week Four Recap
Rabbit def. Dave, 119.40-114.74:
All the makings of a blowout, I said. So of course, this was the only game that was remotely close. Arian Foster returned with a bang for Rabs, scoring 22.97 points in his first complete week. Cam Newton's 36.20 was not enough to offset Dave's weak links, Brent Celek (0.27) and Tim Hightower (2.93).
Rob def. Pat, 165.61-102.38:
The Roundhouse Train keeps rolling. Rob got 48.00 (unofficially, the second-highest single-game total ever) from Aaron Rodgers, and 20-plus point weeks from DeSean Jackson (22.80), Wes Welker (27.07), and LeGarrette Blount (20.57). Pat had two 30-point scorers, Beanie Wells (31.80) and the Ravens defense (32.00), but there was no beating Rob on this day.
Ed def. Kevin, 115.80-90.08:
Matt Forte continues his excellent campaign, almost scoring 30 himself (29.57) for yours truly. Add in solid weeks from Vincent Jackson (20.40) and Ryan Mathews (17.17) and it was enough for me to take care of business. Kevin's lone 20-point player was Dwayne Bowe (20.27).
Babel def. Derrek, 121.00-96.21:
Babel was in control all weekend long, starting off with Michael Vick's 32.30 points. No poor performances, combined with Derrek getting a couple sub-standard ones from his Steelers (Mendenhall, 8.50; defense, 1.00), was enough for Mark to log a win from the City of Angels.
Allen def. Pulley, 122.44-76.34:
Allen has been fortunate with his opponents, as his points against is much, much less than the next lowest. He didn't really need it this week though, as, like Babel, he put up solid points across the board. Pulley, meanwhile, got very little outside of Matt Ryan's 21.15.
Matt def. Mike, 112.60-82.65:
Matt logs a much-needed win, pushing Mike to 1-3 in the process. This was Mike's first deserved loss, though, thanks to -3.75 from Mark Sanchez and 0.00 from Devery Henderson. Jimmy Graham has proved to be a great draft pick for Matt, putting up 23.60 points of his own.
Current Standings
Rob, 3-1, 522.33
Ed, 3-1, 455.54
Allen, 3-1, 429.63
Rabbit, 2-2, 437.40
Babel, 2-2, 422.46
Pat, 2-2, 420.23
Derrek, 2-2, 407.68
Kevin, 2-2, 403.91
Matt, 2-2, 402.86
Mike, 1-3, 443.26
Dave, 1-3, 405.38
Pulley, 1-3, 363.07
"200 Points, Bitches"
The Steelers defense does not look like it has the past few years. Bad for Derrek.
Steelers defense:
Week Four: 1.00
Season-To-Date: 23.00
Points To Goal: 177.00
Weekly Awards
Team Blangums: Rob's 165.61 is the fifth-highest score ever. Third-highest if you throw out 2007.
Slapped Heartbeat: Pulley had a rough week, scoring only 76.34 points. This continued the season-long trend of Allen playing in the game with the Slapped Heartbeat.
Start of the Week: Rabs played James Starks (11.37) over Mark Ingram (5.90). That was good for a 5.47-point swing, which wound up being greater than his margin of victory over Dave.
Misplay of the Week: This is one of the more obvious awards I've had to give: Dave played Tim Hightower and his 2.93 points in his flex spot. Ahmad Bradshaw (9.37), Brandon Jacobs (7.80), or Ryan Torain (19.50), all toiling on his bench, would have pushed him to victory.
Week Five Preview
Game of the Blingaweek
Location Nouns (Rob, 3-1, 1st) vs. Optimus Prime (Allen, 3-1, 3rd):
Rob's situation: Through four weeks, I don't believe we've had a more successful team in Blingaleague history. Rob has been strong across the board; Aaron Rodgers, Wes Welker, and Rob Gronkowski are all among the top scorers at their positions. DeSean Jackson and LeGarrette Blount have provided strength, as well. Barring disaster, Rob has to be considered the favorite to win the Sanderson Cup come December.
Outlook: A shot at Sandy.
Allen's situation: At first glance, it would appear Allen's 3-1 record is due to a favorable schedule. However, that's not really the case. He's fifth in points, not far behind the fourth-place level. Drew Brees has been Drew Brees, and the Jets defense has been as good as expected. And Steve Smith (Carolina version) has been huge.
Outlook: A playoff contender, but will need some good fortune to bring home the Cup.
This week? Allen's hit with the bye monster (Jason Witten) and the Patriots offense monster (Jets defense). And Rob's team is just sick.
Pick: Location Nouns.
Other Blingamatches
St. Olaf Real Stuff (Ed, 3-1, 2nd) vs. Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 2-2, 4th):
Ed's situation: Quietly, I'm putting together another strong season. I'd put my WRs against anyone else's moving forward, with Roddy White and Vincent Jackson looking like they once again will both be top-ten pass catchers. Matt Forte is a possible Blingaleague MVP right now, and Ryan Mathews has been a huge boon to me. If only Matt Schaub and my TE position could produce consistently.
Outlook: A second-straight runner-up finish wouldn't be surprising.
Rabbit's situation: After an Arian-Foster-less 0-2 start, Rab's team has rebounded with a vengeance. Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings have been their usual selves, and Tom Brady has been outstanding. Until Foster's huge week four, though, Rabbit's RBs have been a bit shaky. He'll need James Starks to nail down the role of primary back on the Packers to approach his overall level of dominance from last year.
Outlook: A definite contender.
This week? It looks to be close, but I foresee the same outcome as the last time we played. Pick: Pralines & Dick.
Harrison Hammers (Matt, 2-2, 9th) vs. The Chocolate Donuts (Kevin, 2-2, 8th):
Matt's situation: It looked a little bleak for Matt, but then Matthew Stafford finally had a huge game. A look at his roster doesn't hold a lot of promise, though. MJD and Best are nice RBs to have, but don't really strike fear in anyone. Jimmy Graham is arguably Matt's biggest threat.
Outlook: Will have to fight tooth-and-nail for a playoff spot.
Kevin's situation: His team, on paper, looks a lot better than it has been. LeSean McCoy and Chris Johnson should be the best RB corps in the league; McCoy has deliver, but CJ has not. Vernon Davis and Dwayne Bowe have been disappointments. Eli Manning, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Sam Bradford can be difficult to trust.
Outlook: The playoffs are a real possibility.
This week? Despite their close proximity in the standings, Kevin has the better team. Pick: The Chocolate Donuts.
Camp Hope (Pat, 2-2, 6th) vs. Goulden Pink OBGYN's (Babel, 2-2, 5th):
Pat's situation: Ouch. Peyton Manning has been out. Now Chad Henne will join him. Ray Rice and Beanie Wells have been pretty good, though, as has Dustin Keller. Andre Johnson has been his usual self, but now is hurt, too.
Outlook: Without some slick wheeling and dealing, Pat's season is likely to crumble.
Babel's situation: All hail Calvin Johnson; four games, eight touchdowns. Michael Vick has been excellent, too. Both those studs have had to carry a less-than-ideal RB corps, and Deion Branch, who lately resembles a corpse. Percy Harvin has been a solid play, and more consistent than I would have thought.
Outlook: Will be in the hunt all year.
This week? Pat's team is hurt and on bye. Pick: Goulden Pink OBGYN's.
Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 1-3, 12th) vs. Oedipus Rex Ryan (Mike, 1-3, 10th):
Pulley's situation: Jamaal Charles's injury was devastating. His Falcon combo (Matt Ryan and Julio Jones) have made up for it a little, and Jermichael Finley had one great week. Otherwise, it's been a season to forget for Pulley, who seems to alternate very good years with poor ones.
Outlook: At least he's suffered fewer injuries than Pat.
Mike's situation: A tough-luck 1-3 team, Mike could turn it around. Hakeem Nicks has been quite good. Adrian Peterson has been consistent, but a little disappointing on the whole. Fred Jackson has been a great asset. Mike just needs his QBs to play more consistently.
Outlook: Should bounce back and contend for the playoffs.
This week? Rarely do two 1-3 teams have such different outlooks. Pick: Oedipus Rex Ryan.
D's AutoPicks (Derrek, 2-2, 6th) vs. The Yips (Dave, 1-3, 11th):
Derrek's situation: Our 200-point watch aside, D has yet again put together a quality squad. Darren McFadden has been awesome. Sidney Rice has been a lot better than anyone predicted. Rashard Mendenhall has been a touch disappointing, but not really a bust.
Outlook: A third-straight third-place finish? Not probable, but definitely possible.
Dave's situation: Cam Newton has been ridiculous, and really the clear choice so far as best draft value. Michael Turner and Darren Sproles have been great, also. Jeremy Maclin has had some really good weeks. But I'm not sure why Dave's team isn't better. Some tough losses, yes; but is his heart still in it?
Outlook: If Dave gets in a groove, he could bounce back and end his legen- wait for it -dary playoff drought.
This week? D's team looks better on paper, but I'm going to call an upset. Pick: The Yips.
Closing Thoughts
Let's all wish Matt luck with his upcoming nuptuals on Saturday. Should be an awesome time.
Eddo