The Sanderson Gazette - 2013-10-02 - Known/Unknown

Poor, poor Babel...

Week Four Recap

Dave def. Babel, 118.62-112.11:

Babel was leading this one until Monday night, and had a somewhat-comfortable 21-point cushion. Then, Darren Sproles happened. The Saints RB scored 28.00 for Dave, giving the Fultz Brothers their second straight victory. Babel got a stellar 31.87 from Tony Gonzalez in the loss.

Matt def. Pat, 107.96-99.01:

This one was also not settled until Monday night. Pat got a huge game from Drew Brees (34.85), but unfortunately for him, Jimmy Graham (25.33) got enough of that production to give Matt the victory.

Mike R. def. Derrek, 107.02-90.42:

The Denver Broncos were very good to Bernie this week, with Demaryius Thomas scoring 23.47 and their defense scoring 18.00. Derrek didn't have a particularly poor week, but got disappointing games from Sidney Rice (1.47) and Darren McFadden (2.90).

Richie def. Pulley, 132.84-95.66:

Break up DICK ARMOUR! Richie had a very strong, very balanced week. His leading scorer was Alshon Jefferey (24.97), and only his kicker (Zuerlein, 4.00) had less than 9.67. Pulley's undefeated run ends thanks to poor showings from Rashard Mendenhall (1.83) and Zach Miller (0.93).

Rob def. Rabbit, 79.51-71.70:

Rob didn't so much win this one as Rabs lost it. Every single one of his players underperformed his Yahoo projection. Rob did get 31.35 from the demigod known as Peyton Manning, which offset his 1.70 from Ray Rice and -2.00 from the Jets defense.

Ed def. Allen, 137.68-61.78:

Allen had one of the worst all-around outings I can recall. His fourth-highest scorer had 3.60 points (Vincent Jackson). He had two zeroes (Michael Bush and Brandon Myers) and a 0.93 (Rueben Randle). Only Philip Rivers's 29.05 kept this from being an all-time horror show. Meanwhile, only Jason Snelling (3.67) scored less than ten points for me.

Kevin def. Schertz, 132.67-88.64:

A lineup snafu (always check that your changes take effect, guys!) kept Kevin from getting the Team Blangums payout this week, as he played Daryl Richardson (2.67) over Reggie Bush (24.43) despite not meaning to. As it is, he'll take the win. Schertz could have used better WR production, as Hakeem Nicks (4.40), Cecil Shorts (8.13), and DeAndre Hopkins (3.60) all disappointed.

Current Standings

  1. Matt, 3-1, 510.32

  2. Pulley, 3-1, 480.59

  3. Ed, 3-1, 457.70

  4. Richie, 385.52

  5. Dave, 2-2, 428.26

  6. Schertz, 2-2, 415.38

  7. Mike R., 2-2, 403.73

  8. Derrek, 2-2, 385.40

  9. Allen, 2-2, 365.62

  10. Rob, 2-2, 365.52

  11. Pat, 2-2, 358.93

  12. Kevin, 1-3, 449.35

  13. Rabbit, 1-3, 366.33

  14. Babel, 0-4, 368.20

Weekly Awards

Team Blangums: Yours truly takes this one home with 137.68, narrowly defeating Richie and Kevin.

Slapped Heartbeat: Allen, 61.78.

Start of the Week: Rob played Kendall Hunter, whose 12.10 provided the winning margin against Rabbit.

Misplay of the Week: It's deja vu here, as Babel once again sat Antonio Gates (24.13) in favor of Tavon Austin (0.80).

Week Five Preview

Game of the Blingaweek

Pullman's MondoSquad (Pulley, 3-1, 2nd) vs. Harrison Hammers (Matt, 3-1, 1st):

Pulley leads all-time series, 3-2.

What do we know about Pulley's team? That his draft strategy worked. Waiting on a QB (and still getting Andrew Luck (vs. SEA)) enabled him to load up on WRs, adding Andre Johnson (@SF) and Wes Welker (@DAL) to keeper Julio Jones (vs. NYJ).

What don't we know? If his total lack of RB2 production will bite him in the ass. So far, only LeSean McCoy (@NYG) has done jack for Pulley. Keeper Rashard Mendenhall (vs. CAR) has been a major disappointment.

What do we know about Matt's team? Jimmy Graham (@CHI) heals a lot of wounds. A TE that produces like a WR is a useful piece.

What don't we know? Will the Redskins remain bad enough for RGIII (bye) to keep putting up big numbers playing from behind? And is Danny Woodhead (@OAK) actually going to be a valuable RB2?

Pick: Pullman's MondoSquad.

Other Blingamatches

Coach Bombay's DD (Dave, 2-2, 5th) vs. THRILLHO (Rob, 2-2, 10th):

Dave leads all-time series, 4-2.

What do we know about Dave's team? He actually improved it via trade for once! Giovani Bernard (vs. NE) gave him a nice starter (and potential keeper) at the expense of some depth. But will he have reliable WRs all year? Josh Gordon (vs. BUF) doesn't have a track record, and Roddy White (vs. NYJ) still isn't healthy.

What do we know about Rob's team? Peyton Manning (@DAL) is freaking awesome. But will his RBs - C.J. Spiller (@CLE) and Ray Rice (@MIA) - start producing like the first-round talent they are?

Pick: Coach Bombay's DD.

The Chocolate Donuts (Kevin, 1-3, 12th) vs. DICK ARMOUR (Richie, 3-1, 4th):

Kevin leads all-time series, 1-0.

What do we know about Kevin's team? He knows what he's doing on the RB front, as Marshawn Lynch (@IND) and Reggie Bush (@GB) have been great so far. But will his extremely bad luck start prevent him from making the playoffs?

What do we know about Richie's team? He's acquitted himself nicely after last year's debacle, thanks to a very nice draft. But can he keep his turnaround going and actually contend for a playoff spot?

Pick: DICK ARMOUR.

Half of a Horse (Ed, 3-1, 3rd) vs. schertzopotamus (Schertz, 2-2, 6th):

Ed leads all-time series, 1-0.

What do we know about Ed's team? It's been surprisingly consistent. I'm the only one to break 100 all four weeks so far. But can I keep getting top-tier TE production from Jordan Cameron (vs. BUF) and solid RB numbers from Knowshon Moreno (@DAL) and Fred Jackson (@CLE), or I am just a paper tiger?

What do we know about Schertz's team? Without Danny Amendola, his WRs are absolute crap. Hakeem Nicks (vs. PHI) is the main culprit, being caught in the Giants horrible ball of suck. But will the Seahawks defense keep on rolling, and be the key to a playoff run?

Pick: Half of a Horse.

Limited Characters (Babel, 0-4, 14th) vs. D's Nuts (Derrek, 2-2, 8th):

Babel leads all-time series, 3-2.

What do we know about Babel's team? It's been quite bad so far. While his past two losses have been irritatingly close, he's definitely earned the 0-4 record. But can his double-TE combo of Tony Gonzalez (vs. NYJ) and Antonio Gates (@OAK) lead him to respectability again?

What do we know about Derrek's team? Adrian Peterson (bye) is still a beast. And Eric Decker (@DAL) loves catching passes from Peyton Manning. But can Colin Kapernick (vs. HOU) start putting up big numbers week to week?

Pick: Limited Characters.

San Jose Sharknados (Mike R., 2-2, 7th) vs. Pralines & Dick (Rabbit, 1-3, 13th):

Rabbit leads all-time series, 4-2.

What do we know about Mike R.'s team? Banking on the Broncos is a smart move. Demaryius Thomas (@DAL) and the Denver defense (@DAL) have both been great so far. But is Mike ever going have good RBs on his roster?

What do we know about Rabbit's team? It could really use Rob Gronkowski (@CIN), because it's got possibly the two most disappointing RBs (Stevan Ridley, @CIN; Chris Johnson, vs. KC) in the league. But will Gronk actually stay healthy?

Pick: Pralines & Dick.

Vinegar Strokes (Pat, 2-2, 11th) vs. Optimus Prime (Allen, 2-2, 9th):

Allen leads all-time series, 4-1.

What do we know about Pat's team? Arian Foster (@SF) hasn't lost it yet. While he might not be the real-life stud he used to be, he still puts up good fantasy numbers. But will a frigtening lack of depth torpedo Pat's season?

What do we know about Allen's team? His RBs need improvement. Montee Ball (@DAL) hasn't gotten as many carries as expected, DeAngelo Williams (@ARI) has been only OK, and Ahmad Bradshaw (vs. SEA) finds himself now #2 on the depth chart (and hurt). But can Aaron Rodgers (vs. DET) overcome all that on his own?

Pick: Vinegar Strokes.

League Dues

Yet another reminder - for those of you who haven't paid me, please send $40 to 3514 N. Leavitt, Chicago, IL 60618 as soon as you can.

(Thank you to Mike R. this week.)

Closing Thoughts

This past week was the thirteenth-highest scoring in history.

Eddo