WEEK 2 PREVIEW

San Diego at Carson City
Starting out 0-2 in the division is not the best way to start a season, but unfortunately for one of these teams it may become a reality. The defending Western conference champs need to find some hope after an abysmal week 1 performance. It was a whole team effort last week that resulted in the least points in the league and getting blown out by 54. Only Payton Manning scored in double digits, and Urlacher was hurt for the year. The Bunnies are looking for a spark to get their once high flying offense back off the ground. As for the Heat, they have their own injury issues with Anthony Gonzalez and Troy Palomalu going out with extended injuries in week 1. This puts them thin at safety and a bit iffy at WR until their returns and they only have 1 year left to work with under the cap. The Heat weren’t awful in their loss last week, and as long as their RB tandem of D. Williams and Westbrook continue to produce they should be fine, but they are one more significant injury away from major problems. I look to Carson City’s offense to turn it up this week and show that week 1 was a fluke.
Bunnies by 5
Boston at Las Vegas
The Beavers head west to the desert to take on Las Vegas, where they won last year 102-96. A year ago, the Nuggets defense was their weak spot, recording only 24pts that week. This year their defense is improved, but it was their top ranked offense that carried them in week 1 behind the rejuvenated arm of Tony Romo. Their WR’s are by far the best in the league so far, with all three totaling double digits last week. The running back situation has been a concern, and the team has decided to give one of their rookie RB’s, LeSean McCoy, a starting shot this week. The Beavers had a habit a year ago of pulling out the close games. However, week 1 was not so kind to them, losing in the closest game of the week by 12 points. With the way the Eastern Conference was last year, and the way it’s shaping this year, they cannot afford to drop to 0-2. Matt Forte and Philip Rivers both draw tough defenses in week 2, so they may need others to step up and fill the hole. Last year it was Boston with the golden horseshoe in close games, while Vegas ended up with the shaft in just about all their games decided by 5pts or less. I see the close game law of averages kicking in and a reversal of fortune this year for both teams.
Nuggets by 2

Portland at Compton
Think Predator 2 only in LA. The new Portland owner will be taking his team down the coast for the first road game of the young franchise. He will need all the weapons he can carry to take on the #1 ranked Burger Kings in the ghetto. Compton slaughtered the Bunnies in week 1, scoring a league best 64 defensive points. This could be a dangerous game for the Kings, since they are already looking past this game and preparing for a tough week 3 opponent, the Toast. They look to be without their star rookie RB James Davis for the game, so finding enough offense to win without him may be difficult. The Predators are still looking for their first win after their 30 point blowout to the Sasquatch in week 1. Special teams was their strong suit last week, both their kicker and punter scored in double digits, but they hope to get the rest of their team involved in week 2. Both Aaron Rogers and Chris Johnson are going against easier defenses than they did last week, but injuries to a few key starters could spell trouble. I expect this game to be closer than it would appear and Portland to put up a valiant effort, but come up just short of a victory.
Burger Kings by 6

Jacksonville at Mount Savage
The Meth Addicts go into the forest to hunt Bigfoot in this matchup. Of course you can’t believe a methhead when he says he swears he saw a big hairy creature out of the corner of his eye walking between the trees in the distance, right before he passes out. After a loss in week 1, Jacksonville hopes to stay awake long enough to take down the champ, who hasn’t lost a game since week 13 last year. The Meth put up a solid effort in week 1, scoring over 100pts in a loss, with more than 50pts scored on both offense and defense. They also managed to make it through week 1 with no significant injuries, and if Steven Jackson ever gets back on track, they could be a dangerous team. The Sasquatch picked right up where they left off last year, demolishing their week 1 opponent behind the arm of Drew Brees. Their running game could be cause for concern with MJD nursing an injury and Slaton’s disappointing week 1 performance, but as long as Brees continues his 6TD’s per game average and the D line scores a TD every week, they will be unstoppable again this year. Jacksonville is a dangerous team that could break out and any time, and Mount Savage is due for a loss, but I just don’t see this as the week it happens.
Sasquatch by 10

Birmingham at Champaign
The Monkey Butt franchise has moved a bit farther south this season so it is no longer a downstate rivalry, however, after the Baconators’ week 1 performance, both teams appear to be contenders in the Eastern Conference. Behind the performance of Adrian Peterson last week, who justified his #1 fantasy pick status, and Jeremy Shocky’s return from obscurity, the Baconators put up the 2nd most points in the league. They still have some issues at QB and WR, but their defense was solid, scoring the 3rd most points in the league. Andy Lee also stepped up from a completely awful 2008 season to score double digits for the Bacon in week 1. For the Toast, week 2 of 2009 is a much happier place than week 2 of 2008. Tom Brady made it through his opening game without injury, and in fact, no starters from last week have been put on IR yet. For a team that was #1 in the Power rankings last year despite their franchise QB going down in week 1, this could spell trouble for the rest of the league. The team put in a workman-like performance in week 1, with most starters scoring their expected weekly averages. There are some concerns on the WR and DL fronts, but as long as the team as a whole stays consistent, the Toast should be able to keep up with the Eastern Conference big dogs this year. Birmingham had a few eye opening performances in week 1, so it’s expected to see them come down to earth a bit in week 2. This will probably be a close game, possibly with home field advantage even becoming a factor.
Toast by 1

WEEK 1 MATCHUPS

WEEK 1 MATCHUPS

Compton Burger Kings @ Carson City Bunnies

This will be a close battle between two rivals. On paper it appears the Bunnies would have the edge on offense with Peyton Manning, Michael Turner and Andre Johnson leading the way. On defense it appears the teams are closely matched up with the Burger Kings getting a slight edge. The X Factor will be in the swing positions for both teams. Felix Jones is coming off an injury from last year and will be sharing carries with Marion Barber who is still the starter. The Burger Kings need LenDale White to continue his 15 touchdown performance last year with his limited carries. Another question mark is the Burger Kings defensive line. This could come down to the wire giving the Bunnies the edge with home field advantage.

Bunnies win by 5


San Diego Heat @ Las Vegas Nuggets

Both teams have loaded up their rosters with new players and are ready to do battle in Las Vegas. Donovan McNabb and Larry Fitzgerald lead the way for the Las Vegas Nuggets offense, which appears to be evenly matched with the Heats offense. Kurt Warner and DeAngelo Williams lead the way for the Heat’s offense. Both teams have question marks at some key areas on offense. The Nuggets are depending on Willie Parker to return from injury and the Heat are depending on Hines Ward to handle the #1 Wide Receiver spot on an offense that isn’t known for passing. The team that gets the edge on defense will win the game.

Heat win by 2


Mount Savage Sasquatch @ Portland Predators

This game could also be a close matchup with the Maurice Jones Drews injury. If Jones-Drew bounces back strong than the Sasquatch will get the win. The Sasquatch also has a strong defense. The Portland Predators have done a nice job building an expansion franchise, but are no match for the Sasquatch. Aaron Rodgers is probably the most underrated QB in the league, however Drew Brees is the best. The X Factor will probably be Maurice Jones-Drew. If Maurice Jones-Drew cannot bounce back from his injury then the Predators could have a chance. The Sasquatch may have a slight edge on defense so the Predators need Jones-Drew to have a bad day.

Sasquatch win by 5


Jacksonville Meth Addicts @ Birmingham Baconators

Two new FFLA Franchise Owners will face off on opening day in Birmingham. The Baconators have some major concerns at Quarterback and Wide Receiver, but he’s got Adrian Peterson who is the best and most dependable running back in the league. He’s also got a solid Swing Position Running back with Marion Barber. The Meth Addicts have the senior citizen quarterback Brett Farve with Ronnie Brown and Stephen Jackson for his running backs. The Meth Addicts have a big advantage at wide receiver with Terrell Owens. The X Factor will be if the Meth Addicts defense can keep up with the Baconators defense which could be the best in the league. Also, Brett Favre could hurt the Meth Addicts with his tendency for throwing interceptions.

Baconators win by 4


Champaign Toast @ Boston Beavers

This will be a down to the wire game. The Beavers have a solid team on offense with Matt Forte who in my opinion could be the best running back in 2009. He arguable has the best wide receiver with Randy Moss. The Toast beat him in Quarterback and defense, but has a big hole at the running back and swing positions. The X Factor could be Clinton Portis at the swing position for the Beavers. The Beavers need Clinton Portis to even the playing field. If Clinton Portis has a bad day, the Toast defense will shut him down.

Toast win by 3

Free Agency Analysis

The 2009 Free Agency Period opened up with a flood of free agent bids. A total of 79 free agent bids were submitted between Saturday and Thursday for the 1st week.

It's a bidding war and it's tempting some teams to offer higher contracts than they originally wanted to. Big contracts are being awarded to lower than average players, players coming off injuries or positions that don't contribute a lot of points to your team. Defensive Ends for example are getting a lot of 4 year contracts when they are considered one of the lowest scoring positions in our league. However, Quarterback which was the highest scoring position last year did not receive any 4 year contracts as of yet. A lot of Bears players are getting contract offers who didn't even play last year. Brandon Marshall got 4 years and he's just coming off hip surgery, has a bad quarterback throwing to him and has a bad attitude. Who the hell is Thomas Davis? I know James Davis, but not Thomas Davis. I love Mayo but dont' think Jerod Mayo deserves 4 years. Shane Lechlar 4 years because he was the best punter 1 year in a row I guess. After it's all said and done, nobody really knows the future of 2009. At some point you have to sign some players and hope for the best.

Here are the total 4 and 3 year contracts awarded in week 1 of free agency:
9 - 4 year contracts were submitted
19 - 3 year contracts were submitted

The western conference is loading up on players, with the exception of the Compton Burger Kings who has 17 years remaining. Most Eastern Conference franchises are using the sit back and wait strategy, with the exception of the Sasquatch who has 14 years remaining with 5 more contract years open for this week.

Up to this point here are the cap years remaining for each team

Western Conference
Bunnies 10 (1 contract year pending)
Burger Kings 17
Heat 7 (4 contract years pending)
Nuggets 2
Predators 9 (1 contract year pending)

Eastern Conference
Sasquatch 14 (5 contract years pending)
Beavers 21
Toast 15
Baconators 32
Meth Addicts 25