WEEK 13 RESULTS

I would need a miracle win.  And, if I wasn't mathematically eliminated already, about a half-dozen other miracles.

Player of the Week : 

Torrey Smith was the only player worth mentioning this week...

This team simply fell apart.

BIG THREE
WR	Torrey Smith	24.5
RB	Roy Helu	16.6
	P. Manning	14.5

Team THUNDER closes the season at 6 - 7.

WEEK 12 RESULTS

After losing Brandin Cooks for the season, the fun possibility of Mark Ingram versus Steve and Torrey Smith was irresistible -- and really my best option.

Player of the Week : 

But Ingram got stood up on a goal-line stand early in the game.  It became very clear at the half that Team THUNDER wasn't going to be able to overcome the 70-point deficit.

I guess if there's good news, it's my 94% efficiency rating.  

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	28.1
WR	Steve Smith	18.9
WR	T. Smith	14.8

At 6-6 I'm all but out of the race.  It would take a win an a few small miracles...

My glimmer of hope has faded.

Week 12 : Roster Moves : Kenny Britt

In this week's special edition of "Roster Moves" I decided that I couldn't, in good conscience, single out any moves I could feel good about.  Basically, I picked up players that are "trending" a little better than the ones I released -- minor mathematical upgrades.

Ben Tate was dropped by the Browns and picked up by the Vikings.  Hopefully he'll shut his big trap and start performing.  Not that he'll actually make it back into my starting lineup, even as bad as it is.

Obviously, the team is a mess.  When players like Kenny Britt and Roy Helu are upgrades, you know you have your work cut out for you.  If I manage to split the last two games and sneak into the playoffs, I'd be thrilled.

When Brandin Cooks went down I immediately inserted the struggling Steve Smith.  Really, he's as good an option as any.  And how fun will Monday Night be -- with Ingram on one side and the Smith Brothers on the other?!  Whether or not I can win, it is a fun idea!

WEEK 11 RESULTS

If my opponent was an absolute genius, he might have started this week's top scorer...

Player of the Week : 

Instead, he chose Tre Mason to replace the injured Arian Foster.  His tight end, Dwayne Allen, got injured.  This would keep me in the game, going into Sunday Night with a slim lead and Reggie Wayne going at his teammate, Andrew Luck.  On the very last drive Wayne would make a meaningless catch to seal the deal!

A one-point victory!  One might say the Dwayne Allen injury was lucky, but I'd counter by saying one of my starters was injured, as well -- Brandin Cooks.  A season-ending broken-thumb injury may have prevented him from having a big game.

I might also mention my 100% efficiency rating!  I believe that's my first perfect score ever.

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	19.5
RB	Mark Ingram	16.7
TE	L. Donnell	14.4

I'm barely back in the mix again at 6-5. 

And it's clearly an uphill battle.  As my team continues to fall apart, I get to take on Benchwarmers in Week 12 as a huge underdog. Brandin Cooks is just the tip of the iceberg.  I'll go into more specifics in my Roster Moves post as I'm cleaning house.

Only a glimmer of hope...back to the drawing board!

WEEK 10 RESULTS

Peyton Manning certainly did his job, as did the Saints duo of Mark Ingram and Brandin Cooks. Unfortunately, my opponent had the Player of the Week...

Player of the Week : 

It's difficult to overcome a performance like that.  Although it would have been nice to know everyone on my bench was going to score a touchdown...

Yup.  All five of my active bench players scored! I have to happy with Torrey Smith.  He'll probably make the lineup when he comes back from his bye.

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	33.6
WR	Brandin Cooks	20.0
WR	Torrey Smith	18.5

I'm really falling behind now
at 5-5.  

Winning 2 of the next 3 is a must if I'm going to have any chance of extending my season.

I don't have many moves at my disposal.  With the Smith Brothers on bye this week and Gio Bernard still injured I'll have to hope for a repeat performance from Frank Gore and a little magic from Reggie Wayne on Sunday Night.  

Week 10 : Roster Moves : Torrey Smith

My first move was to unload Louis Murphy and pick up Torrey Smith.  Despite getting shut out in Week 8, he managed to put up scores of 16+ points three of the last four weeks -- including 4 touchdowns!  That's good enough to sit on my bench one week.

I decided to unload Cecil Shorts.  My next selection is a receiver that's not having a great year but has posted around 12 points each of the last 3 games.  Dwayne Bowe is still the go-to guy in Kansas City. Perhaps he's getting ready to hit his stride.

Lorenzo Taliaferro has been inconsistent.  He also lost a fumble last week.  Hey you don't last long on Team THUNDER when you do shit like that.

My next pick is more of a curiosity more than anything.  Theo Riddick has averaged 20 points the last two games.  Yes, Reggie Bush is coming back.  But Riddick is strictly a receiving back, anyway! Isn't there a fair chance, that with his recent success, he'll continue to thrive?  There's a chance...

And, when you're a bottom-feeder with no money to spend on waivers, you simply can't wait until someone is a sure thing -- you have to make speculative guesses.

WEEK 9 RESULTS

Mark Ingram gets his first start this week.  I opted to start Bobby Rainey over Taliaferro...

Player of the Week : 

Ingram got things cranking with a 24-point performance on Thursday Night.  It would be a precarious lead, though.  My kicker and Brandin Cooks had mediocre performances.  Peyton Manning and the Miami Dolphins defense carried Team THUNDER on Sunday afternoon -- the Dolphins turning in 2 consecutive double-digit efforts!

I would take a 36-point lead into Monday Night.  I had Larry Donnell versus Odell Beckham and Eli Manning.  It's a decent lead, but I prepared for a nail-biter...

And was it ever a nail-biter!  Both Eli and Beckham had big nights during garbage-time.  I thought it would never end but, by the skin of my teeth, I came out a one-point victor.

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	25.8
RB	Mark Ingram	24.0
WR	Reggie Wayne	17.0

Team THUNDER remains in 3rd place but only 1 game behind both leaders.

Of course, I'm really shooting for a wildcard spot.

Currently, Goody Three Shoes is in the 6th playoff position.  With four regular-season games remaining I can realistically only hope to win two of them -- and then cross my fingers with a 7 - 6 record. I realize that doesn't sound optimistic but my mediocre team truly is a huge underdog Weeks 11 and 12.  I'm "optimistic" I may be able to win the other two and sneak into the playoffs.

Week 9 : Roster Moves : Lorenzo Taliaferro

Eddie Royal.  Two games and done.  Every year.  Adios!

I'm going to say farewell to Gavin Escobar, as well.  He wasn't targeted last week.

I picked up 2 running backs.  Bobby Rainey has been putting up solid numbers all year.  He looks like someone I can count on to average 10 points per game.

But Lorenzo Taliaferro might be my one-week play, pending the injury status of Justin Forsett.

I'm scrambling to find someone because Gio Bernard is banged up.  Even if he plays I can't see starting him, considering his recent struggles.  He has lost his "stud" status, and it seems Steve Smith is on his way.

I'm looking for a desperation win this week.

WEEK 8 RESULTS

The last-minute pick-up of the Miami Dolphins turned out to be a wise move.

But I pretty much did everything else wrong this week.  I was full of indecision and, at last-minute, inserted Eddie Royal into the Thursday Night lineup. My thinking was that Peyton was going to light up the Chargers and San Diego would have to throw a lot.

But even after Royal's no-show, it really looked like Team THUNDER was still in it!  After all, Captain Muff had started Ronnie Hillman and Demaryius Thomas -- and only led by five points.

But I made more mistakes...

Player of the Week : 

After Captain Muff's tight end, Gronkowski, had a monster game early Sunday -- I did a last-minute switch.  I replaced Mark Ingram and Gavin Escobar with Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron.  Another flop.  Cameron left the game with a concussion.  Ingram would go on to have the best game of his career!  I suck.

Not much of an improvement over last week except for two hopefuls.  It's my new "New Orleans Connection" of Brandin Cooks and Mark Ingram.  It's looking like a hope and a prayer that these guys will carry the team for the next two weeks as everyone else goes on a downswing.

BIG THREE
WR	Brandin Cooks	27.8
RB	Mark Ingram	24.5
QB	P. Manning	23.4

I drop again to 3rd place with a mediocre 4 - 4 record.

The great thing about having 6 playoff spots up for grabs is that a team like mine can still be in playoff position!  Incredibly, I am...

But Week Nine is an incredibly important game.  Division match-ups!  I need to improve my division record against the last-place team, 209, while Operation Domination takes on Benchwarmers.  If I can win this one I could probably even split my last four games and still have a shot...

Week 8 : Roster Moves : Gavin Escobar

It was my first week as a bottom-feeder.  The pickins were slim.  But with even more dead weight to unload, I had to find somebody!

For the second time this season I unloaded Andre Williams.  I selected Tampa Bay wide receiver Louis Murphy.  He's posted consistent fantasy numbers all season and gets a lot of targets each week.  I'd like to stash him on the bench one more week to see what he does.  But these are desperate times -- I might play him.

My other drop is Patriots running back, Brandon Bolden.  So much for the speculation he'd be the workhorse -- Vereen did just fine in that role.

I picked up Gavin Escobar, tight end for the Cowboys.  Think he can repeat last week's performance?

I sure hope so --  because I'm starting him!  I'm very uncertain about Jordan Cameron.  Larry Donnell is on bye. I like the idea of Escobar playing Monday Night and can envision an encore performance as the announcers praise him and begin labeling him as the next Jason Witten...

And, what the hell, I really have nothing to lose by rolling the dice with him.

The last I checked, the Miami Dolphins were a 31% add this week.  They're playing the Jaguars, and this seems to be the trend when someone plays Jacksonville.  What the Hell...

"What the Hell" is pretty much the theme this week.  With everyone dropping off or getting injured the past couple weeks, Peyton Manning seems to be a one-man team at the moment.  As soon as someone steps up and performs, I may be able to get things going in the right direction, again.

WEEK 7 RESULTS

Welcome to the "special edition" Week 7 Results.  Why is it special?  Because I'm speechless...

Player of the Week : 

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	28.6
TE	L. Donnell	16.0
WR	Steve Smith	09.7

Perplexed.

Week 7 : Roster Moves : Cecil Shorts

With Victor Cruz and Marvin Jones out for the season, it was time to make my last big waiver play of 2014.  With my $43 I went after Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes.  "Cat Daddy Dance" made a smart bid of $44, but I wasn't terribly disappointed with my alternate at the same price...

Cecil Shorts, welcome to Team THUNDER!

In his only other game when he was healthy he finished with 14 points and a touchdown on 10 targets.  What's not to love?  Oh yeah -- hamstring issues.

I'll take my chances!  He'll most likely start this week.

There was no reason not to pick someone up off free waivers.  I read some speculation that Brandon Bolden might be a better every-down back than Shane Vereen (in the absence of Ridley).  Somebody fire that writer!  Bolden turned out to be a complete non-factor on Thursday Night and probably will not get an opportunity to start for Team THUNDER.

WEEK 6 RESULTS

One thing I've learned over the past couple years is to not put too much emphasis on match-ups when it comes to your studs.  Admittedly, last week's decision to start Eli over Peyton was questionable in this regard.  But now it's back to business.

Player of the Week : 

When I set my lineup, there are players that are automatic starters when they meet simple criteria.  I call it "stud status."  In this league, I take the top three wide receiver/running backs that average over 17 points per game (and something similar with the QB/TE positions).  This season, it's been Gio Bernard and Steve Smith all year.  But as they started to plateau around that 17-point mark this week, I wondered if one of them would lose their "stud status."

As you can see, both Smith and Bernard would retain their stud statuses!

I won, BUT...

Victor Cruz tore up his knee and is out for the season.  In fact, they say this one could ruin his career.

Marvin Jones re-injured himself at practice and is out for the season.

Andre Williams, as a starter for the Giants, was a bust.  His second tenure with Team THUNDER may be short-lived.

Larry Donnell is shut down for the 2nd straight week.  I may be dismantling the entire Giant Connection as soon as the fun began!

BIG THREE
RB	Gio Bernard	25.7
WR	Steve Smith	22.0
QB	P. Manning	21.5

I'm still tied for first at 4 - 2.

My Browns Connection is gaining momentum!  Both Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron seem to be completely back from their injuries (just in the nick of time).  Additionally, Mark Ingram will be back from his injury -- I'll certainly be eager to see what he can do upon his return.

I was bragging a bit about how deep I was last week.  I certainly have a completely different outlook this week!  With 2 season-ending injuries and a couple duds, I'm all-of-a-sudden scrambling for players.  It's clear I'll have to go out and get the best player I can this week with my remaining $43. After that, I become a bottom-feeder off free waivers.

Week 6 : Roster Moves : Andre Williams

Farewell to Eli Manning.  There's no doubt in my mind he'll have a few huge games this year.  But with Peyton on my roster I simply can't justify using up the roster spot for Eli.

Antone Smith of the Falcons was a strong consideration.  He's been averaging over 15 yards per touch over the last two seasons!  And, while the coaching staff seems to be "talking" about giving him more carries, it sounds a bit "iffy."

Brian Tyms, wide receiver for the Patriots, just came back from suspension.  He was the pre-season star for the Patriots and is supposed to be an amazing athlete.  But, how soon is he involved in the game plan?  It's been a long, long time since Tom Brady favored anyone that wasn't a slot receiver or tight end.  I think I need to see quite a few targets before I go after this rookie.

My best bet?  A rookie running back I'd cut loose a few weeks ago, Andre Williams.  

With Rashad Jennings out for a few weeks, Williams became a lead back.  Peyton Hillis probably won't take away many carries, which makes him a very solid #1 right now.  Of course, it is a little frustrating having to spend nearly $100 on a player I've already owned this season.  But if Williams gets me a win or two, I won't complain.

WEEK 5 RESULTS

I did the unthinkable:  I started Eli Manning over Peyton.  Eli had a better game last week.  His PPG was nearly equal Peyton's.  His matchup was better.  And I had no reason to believe the Giants offense wouldn't keep rolling.  And when my opponent's Thursday Night players, Cordarrelle Patterson and Jordy Nelson combined for only 15 points, I really thought I had a lock...

Player of the Week : 

But Team THUNDER just sort of fell flat.  

I'll go ahead and drop Eli so I don't make this same mistake twice.

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	34.9
WR	B. Cooks	16.1
QB	Eli Manning	15.7

The good news is I'm still in first place at 3 - 2.  

Despite my off-week, I still feel very deep and at worst an 8 - 5 team when it's all done.  With players like Tate, Cameron, Ingram, and Marvin Jones all coming back from injuries the next few weeks I feel it's time to go ahead and make my last waiver moves -- and I probably only have 1 - 2 big ones left.  I'm due for a good play this week...

Week 5 Roster Moves : Eddie Royal

I've been down this road before.  But how, when the guy averages 24 points per week over the last two and has an overall average of 16, how can you ignore that?  Yes, Eddie Royal, it is with great hesitation that I bid 46 on you -- and I was actually sort of disappointed when I won -- sorry.  Did I immediately insert Mr. Royal into my lineup?  Of course not.

Farewell to Justin Hunter.  Now, what to do with Terrance West.  With Ben Tate returning, and Crowell really playing better than West, I had to consider unloading a healthy running back with a 13.3 average!  I cringe to think about that, but I just don't see how he'll ever get a start for Team THUNDER.  It was time to cut him loose.

I turned my attention to a couple guys on free waivers.

Marvin Jones is coming back from his leg injury.  This may be the guy that completes Cincinatti's offense as a red zone target.  His weak match-ups coincide nicely with my other wide receivers' tougher match-ups.  But just as I was debating if I was really ready to dump West, a news wire came out that Jones tweaked his ankle!  Perhaps that would buy me one week to look at my other prospect...

Brandon LaFell.  After his 24-point performance last week, he has averaged 6 targets per game. Before coming over to the Patriots, his numbers in Carolina improved every year.  The same trend seems to be occurring in New England, where he's pretty much getting more involved every game. These are the pickups I tend to do very well with -- the guys that sort of sneak onto the radar with consistent improvement and become big sleepers.  Welcome to the team...

I think LaFell looks like a great sleeper pick -- I really believe that.  Jones is a #2 that can always put up big numbers.  In the end, I just compared them side-by-side with my other wide receivers and determined that Jones had 3 more opportunities than LaFell to actually get in the lineup and help Team THUNDER.  And that's the most important thing.  What do I care if he's delayed one week with the new ankle injury...

Fact is, Jones may never crack my lineup.  Here I am, on the verge of going 4 - 1 with a skeleton crew. Until I picked up Eli last week I had just one available quarterback, tight end, kicker, and defense -- and just two running backs.

Now, in addition to my new recruits, I have injured players coming back : Jordan Cameron, Ben Tate, and Mark Ingram.  And not even these guys will get into the lineup for a couple weeks.  Heck, both Frank Gore and Eddie Royal scored over 24 points last week -- both of them on the bench this week.

Am I starting to sound cocky?

Things are really shaping up nicely.  Team THUNDER is deep!

WEEK 4 RESULTS

The Manning Brothers unite!  Part of the reason I liked picking up Eli is that the dismal Giants offense seems to be getting better every week -- I had a hunch they were on the verge of having a monster game.  And, with Victor Cruz getting his first start after a nice Week 3 performance, I just thought it would be fun to have a Manning-Cruz-Donnell trio on Thursday night...

Player of the Week : 

Sometimes fantasy football is more addictive than fun.  This week was FUN.  Larry Donnell caught 3 touchdown passes in the first half.  Victor Cruz had over 100 yards receiving.  And Eli Manning lit it up!  The dynamic trio gave me an 81 - 6 lead going into Sunday...

I'd done everything I could think of to find a replacement for Gore this week.  Between injuries and byes, I had 6 unavailable players, and Gore was my only running back.  In the end, I was forced to start him. But the 49ers surprised me and finally committed to the run -- and good ole Frank did his thing!

BIG THREE
QB	Eli Manning	34.1
WR	Steve Smith	32.9
TE	L. Donnell	30.4

Now THAT'S what a Big Three should look like -- 3 starters over 30 points!  It's pretty miraculous considering the fact I only had 10 available players.  All of a sudden, Team THUNDER is in 1st Place.

Here's a crazy thought.  After picking him up on a whim, I'm not only going to hang onto Eli for now -- I may actually start him over Peyton in Week 5!  I don't think this week's performance was a fluke, as I've watched him get more comfortable with the new offense every week.  Less than two points-per-game separate him and his brother.  AND he has way better matchup.  In fact, he has several favorable matchups in upcoming weeks.

Week 4 Roster Moves : Eli Manning

It's Week 4 : Five byes and several injuries.  Unless I gave up Gore, Tate, or Justin Hunter there's nobody I could really give up for Taliaferro, so "OG" would win the bid at $165.

So it would be Bortles or Eli Manning to replace Peyton.  With Victor Cruz getting the start this week, why not start 3 Giants and see if we can't have some fun.  Giants versus Redskins on a Thursday Night has potential, after all! I figure 50 points from the trio would give me at least a shot of beating a very good opponent.

Well, I certainly couldn't play my Redskins defense against my 3 offensive players -- that would seem like a contradictory effort.  I liked the Chargers match-up against the Jaguars.  Easy pickup.

WEEK 3 RESULTS

I just couldn't start Terrance West.  The Browns running back/handcuff situation seems to be on the verge of disaster.  With Crowell playing so well, he'll be cutting into both West's and Tate's carries. When Tate returns, how much value will he or West really have?

Feeling this was a must-win game, otherwise risking going 1 - 3 with an eminent Week 4 loss, I felt a tiny bit nervous about this one.  Team THUNDER was a clear favorite, but I'm always nervous when my opponent has Monday Night players when I don't.

I was looking for a 40-point lead.  It didn't appear I'd get there prior to the 4th quarter of the of the Broncos - Seahawks game.  Manning only had 5 points but lead a furious comeback and tie the game. Alshon Jeffery and Chris Johnson couldn't make up the difference on Monday night.

Victor Cruz rose from the dead!  With all my injuries and byes in Week Four, he may be due for a start.  Considering the circumstances, I have to be happy with my winning record!

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	22.0
WR	Victor Cruz	21.7
RB	Gio Bernard	18.4

2 - 1

I'm conceding a Week 4 loss -- I really am.  It looks like an absolute train wreck!  My only available running back?  Frank Gore.  Seriously.  I can certainly upgrade E.J. Manuel at no cost. I also see a good defensive matchup that might be worth a couple points.  But I really see no way to win unless I spend a few bucks picking up the new running back, Lorenzo Taliaferro and he has a monster game.

And there's the dilemma.  Is it worth it to spend $30-40 on a low-percentage play to produce one win?  Who would I give up?