Time For a New Season
We're back and bigger than ever, as the PPFFL will consist of seven teams in 2008. The draft, which was almost televised by ESPN (negotiations broke down at the last minute over some issues involving Stuart Scott...namely, our league commissioner was afraid Stu would have been physically harmed had he entered our draft room), is complete. The team rosters are listed below, once again with expert commentary by draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr.
Before we get to that, however, how about some huge props to ESPN for the new live SportsCenters every morning. Being home sick for a couple of days, The Commish got to see the new product featuring Hannah Storm and Josh Elliott. Man, are they better at narrating recycled sports highlights than reruns of Neil Everett and Steve Levy, or what? Honestly, from hour to hour, the only thing that reminds you it's live and not a repeat is the way they make Ms. Storm get up and walk to different parts of the set.
Now, without further ado, here are the 2008 draft results for the PPFFL (overall pick in parenthesees):
The Maestro
1. (5) Peyton Manning - QB Indianapolis
2. (10) Wes Welker - WR New England
3. (19) Devin Hester - WR Chicago
4. (24) Willie Parker - RB Pittsburgh
5. (33) Ronnie Brown - RB Miami
6. (38) Jason Witten - TE Dallas
7. (47) Laveranues Coles - WR New York Jets
8. (52) Carson Palmer - QB Cincinnati
9. (61) Steve Smith - WR Carolina
10. (66) Sebastian Janikowski - K Oakland
11. (75) LenDale White - RB Tennessee
12. (80) Fred Taylor - RB Jacksonville
13. (89) Donald Lee - TE Green Bay
14. (94) Pittsburgh - D
Kiper Says:
I expected more out of last season's league champ....weak group of wide receivers, outside of Welker....taking a big risk on Hester (lack of a QB), Brown (injury risk), Smith (potential to join Rae Carruth on NC death row), and White (issues with resembling a blimp)....passed on Terrell Owens to draft both Welker and Hester....Palmer could be the steal of the draft in the 8th round, especially if Manning's knee is an issue....free agent pick-ups could be the key to this team's success in the early going.
The Dragons
1. (6) Brian Westbrook - RB Philadelphia
2. (9) Randy Moss - WR New England
3. (20) Marshawn Lynch - RB Buffalo
4. (23) Terrell Owens - WR Dallas
5. (34) Larry Johnson - RB Kansas City
6. (37) Derek Anderson - QB Cleveland
7. (48) Reggie Bush - RB New Orleans
8. (51) Kellen Winslow - TE Cleveland
9. (62) Andre Johnson - WR Houston
10. (65) Deion Branch - WR Seattle
11. (76) Vernon Davis - TE San Francisco
12. (79) Cleveland - D
13. (90) Nate Kaeding - K San Diego
14. (93) Kurt Warner - QB Arizona
Kiper Says:
Pretty solid draft, although there is some concern at RB....Can Westbrook continue to be the whole show in Philly at his size? Can Lynch find someone to drive him to and from the clubs? Can Bush do enough on the field to get more money from the Saints than he did from USC boosters and wannabe sports agents? And, most importantly, is Larry Johnson still alive? QB situation could be tenuous if Anderson was a 2007 flash in the pan....Warner was the best QB over the age of 60 on the board in the last round....we're all surprised, and a little disappointed, that Dunnavunn McNabb's name wasn't called, instead....credit this team for drafting the only Texan in the PPFFL....this team relies on a lot of players from mediocre teams, meaning nothing would be a surprise.
Team STY
1. (7) Tony Romo - QB Dallas
2. (8) Marion Barber - RB Dallas
3. (21) Braylon Edwards - WR Cleveland
4. (22) Steven Jackson - RB St. Louis
5. (35) Reggie Wayne - WR Indianapolis
6. (36) Antonio Gates - TE San Diego
7. (49) Selvin Young - RB Denver
8. (50) Plaxico Burress - WR New York Giants
9. (63) Willis McGahee - RB Baltimore
10. (64) Nick Folk - K Dallas
11. (77) Eli Manning - QB New York Giants
12. (78) San Diego - D
13. (91) Tony Scheffler - TE Denver
14. (92) Chris Chambers - WR San Diego
Kiper Says:
What a great draft for picking last in Round 1....almost thought Jerry Jones was the GM of this team....was able to draft elite QB, star in the making RB, and 2 star WRs in the first 5 rounds, which is rare for this league....these guys aren't buying into the perceived fall of the Broncos....Are we sure Jerry Jones isn't involved with this team somehow?...QB situation will be fun to watch all year, as Romo is the only person in America more airheaded than his girlfriend, and Eli is still a mediocre QB....Look for these guys to be around the top of the league all season.
Cyclones
1. (1) LaDainian Tomlinson - RB San Diego
2. (14) Drew Brees - QB New Orleans
3. (15) JaMarcus Russell - QB Oakland
4. (28) Larry Fitzgerald - WR Arizona
5. (29) Frank Gore - RB San Francisco
6. (42) Darren McFadden - RB Oakland
7. (43) Dallas Clark - TE Indianapolis
8. (56) Baltimore - D
9. (57) Calvin Johnson - WR Detroit
10. (70) Adam Vinatieri - K Indianapolis
11. (71) Dwayne Bowe - WR Kansas City
12. (84) Hines Ward - WR Pittsburgh
13. (85) Todd Heap - TE Baltimore
14. (98) Chester Taylor - RB Minnesota
Kiper Says:
Can't go wrong when taking Tomlinson with top pick....might have focused too much on the Bay Area teams in early rounds....Do these guys know the Raiders and 'Niners combined for fewer than 10 wins in 2007? No real ridiculous choices made here, rare for a team run by kids under the age of 10....nice symmetry to the draft, taking a RB 1st overall and a RB last overall....in island countries south of the Equator and west of the Tropic of Cancer, such symmetry in considered good luck and is rewarded with either athletic success, or a bountiful banana harvest....so, these guys have that going for them, which is nice.
Gnomies
1. (2) Adrian Peterson - RB Minnesota
2. (13) Maurice Jones-Drew - RB Jacksonville
3. (16) David Garrard - QB Jacksonville
4. (27) Greg Jennings - WR Green Bay
5. (30) Brett Favre - QB New York Jets
6. (41) Chad Johnson - WR Cincinnati
7. (44) New England - D
8. (55) Heath Miller - TE Pittsburgh
9. (58) T.J. Houshmandzadeh - WR Cincinnati
10. (69) Edgerrin James - RB Arizona
11. (72) Matt Jones - WR Jacksonville
12. (83) Mason Crosby - K Green Bay
13. (86) Deuce McAllister - RB New Orleans
14. (97) L.J. Smith - TE Philadelphia
Kiper Says:
These guys aren't afraid of karma or jinxes....Peterson (sophomore slump), Favre (Madden Jinx), New England (Football gods out for vengeance), and Garrard (fat QB with a bad arm) are all up against mythical odds this season....I remember a guy named Edgerrin James who played for the Colts a few years ago....He was a stud who regularly ran for over 1,200 yards, caught the ball out of the backfield, and scored about 15 TDs a season....Does anyone know if he's related to the guy from Arizona?...Iffy pick of Matt Jones, as he may be staying at the Cro-bar Motel when the season starts....Overall, this could be the wackiest draft.
The Outlaws
1. (3) Tom Brady - QB New England
2. (12) Ryan Grant - RB Green Bay
3. (17) Aaron Rodgers - QB Green Bay
4. (26) Brandon Jacobs - RB New York Giants
5. (31) Chris Johnson - RB Tennessee
6. (40) Anthony Gonzalez - WR Indianapolis
7. (45) Isaac Bruce - WR San Francisco
8. (54) Michael Turner - RB Atlanta
9. (59) Justin Fargas - RB Oakland
10. (68) Brandon Marshall - WR Denver
11. (73) Alge Crumpler - TE Tennessee
12. (82) Chris Cooley - TE Washington
13. (87) Joe Nedney - K San Francisco
14. (96) New York - D
Kiper Says:
How does Brady last until the third pick in a league where QBs dominate?....lots of speed RBs, but not many who will be out there on every down....Did Isaac Bruce's walker come with this pick?....Interesting decision to pick another QB right after taking the guy who set every single fantasy football scoring record last season....Just like everyone else, I'm wondering which of these guys will have his own seat on Bob's Waiver Express....Big concerns about this group of WRs....This team may need to do some work in the free agent market.
The Dominator
1. (4) Joseph Addai - RB Indianapolis
2. (11) Clinton Portis - RB Washington
3. (18) Laurence Maroney - RB New England
4. (25) Marques Colston - WR New Orleans
5. (32) Matt Hasselbeck - QB Seattle
6. (39) Tony Gonzalez - TE Kansas City
7. (46) Jamal Lewis - RB Cleveland
8. (53) Marc Bulger - QB St. Louis
9. (60) Anquan Boldin - WR Arizona
10. (67) Jeremy Shockey - TE New Orleans
11. (74) Shayne Graham - K Cincinnati
12. (81) Minnesota - D
13. (88) Santana Moss - WR New York Jets
14. (95) James Jones - WR Green Bay
Kiper Says:
The love affair with Clinton Portis continues....I must have the wrong list because there's no Matt Leinart on it....maybe The Dominator is taking a stand against blockheaded deadbeat dads who spend too much time in hot tubs with high school girls and have weaker arms than Kip Dynamite....In all honesty, this is a pretty solid group, especially if Hasselbeck plays like he did in 2006....Shockey is going to be flat out scary in New Orleans....seriously, don't cut him off on Bourbon street, because he's not afraid to get liquored up and duke it out.
Well, there you go, another draft in the books, expertly analyzed by the greatest mind in football, Mr. Mel Kiper, Jr. We appreciate your annual appearances in this space, Mr. Kiper, and look forward to hearing from you next year. May you have nothing but the best of luck while analyzing backup interior lineman from the MAC and Sun Belt Conference.
For those of you running teams in this league, we are now at the point where it's all business; where we have to put on our game faces and look toward the ultimate goal in fake football....winning the PPFFL. May all of you have the best of luck and remember, don't take any wooden nickels.
The Commish
We're back and bigger than ever, as the PPFFL will consist of seven teams in 2008. The draft, which was almost televised by ESPN (negotiations broke down at the last minute over some issues involving Stuart Scott...namely, our league commissioner was afraid Stu would have been physically harmed had he entered our draft room), is complete. The team rosters are listed below, once again with expert commentary by draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr.
Before we get to that, however, how about some huge props to ESPN for the new live SportsCenters every morning. Being home sick for a couple of days, The Commish got to see the new product featuring Hannah Storm and Josh Elliott. Man, are they better at narrating recycled sports highlights than reruns of Neil Everett and Steve Levy, or what? Honestly, from hour to hour, the only thing that reminds you it's live and not a repeat is the way they make Ms. Storm get up and walk to different parts of the set.
Now, without further ado, here are the 2008 draft results for the PPFFL (overall pick in parenthesees):
The Maestro
1. (5) Peyton Manning - QB Indianapolis
2. (10) Wes Welker - WR New England
3. (19) Devin Hester - WR Chicago
4. (24) Willie Parker - RB Pittsburgh
5. (33) Ronnie Brown - RB Miami
6. (38) Jason Witten - TE Dallas
7. (47) Laveranues Coles - WR New York Jets
8. (52) Carson Palmer - QB Cincinnati
9. (61) Steve Smith - WR Carolina
10. (66) Sebastian Janikowski - K Oakland
11. (75) LenDale White - RB Tennessee
12. (80) Fred Taylor - RB Jacksonville
13. (89) Donald Lee - TE Green Bay
14. (94) Pittsburgh - D
Kiper Says:
I expected more out of last season's league champ....weak group of wide receivers, outside of Welker....taking a big risk on Hester (lack of a QB), Brown (injury risk), Smith (potential to join Rae Carruth on NC death row), and White (issues with resembling a blimp)....passed on Terrell Owens to draft both Welker and Hester....Palmer could be the steal of the draft in the 8th round, especially if Manning's knee is an issue....free agent pick-ups could be the key to this team's success in the early going.
The Dragons
1. (6) Brian Westbrook - RB Philadelphia
2. (9) Randy Moss - WR New England
3. (20) Marshawn Lynch - RB Buffalo
4. (23) Terrell Owens - WR Dallas
5. (34) Larry Johnson - RB Kansas City
6. (37) Derek Anderson - QB Cleveland
7. (48) Reggie Bush - RB New Orleans
8. (51) Kellen Winslow - TE Cleveland
9. (62) Andre Johnson - WR Houston
10. (65) Deion Branch - WR Seattle
11. (76) Vernon Davis - TE San Francisco
12. (79) Cleveland - D
13. (90) Nate Kaeding - K San Diego
14. (93) Kurt Warner - QB Arizona
Kiper Says:
Pretty solid draft, although there is some concern at RB....Can Westbrook continue to be the whole show in Philly at his size? Can Lynch find someone to drive him to and from the clubs? Can Bush do enough on the field to get more money from the Saints than he did from USC boosters and wannabe sports agents? And, most importantly, is Larry Johnson still alive? QB situation could be tenuous if Anderson was a 2007 flash in the pan....Warner was the best QB over the age of 60 on the board in the last round....we're all surprised, and a little disappointed, that Dunnavunn McNabb's name wasn't called, instead....credit this team for drafting the only Texan in the PPFFL....this team relies on a lot of players from mediocre teams, meaning nothing would be a surprise.
Team STY
1. (7) Tony Romo - QB Dallas
2. (8) Marion Barber - RB Dallas
3. (21) Braylon Edwards - WR Cleveland
4. (22) Steven Jackson - RB St. Louis
5. (35) Reggie Wayne - WR Indianapolis
6. (36) Antonio Gates - TE San Diego
7. (49) Selvin Young - RB Denver
8. (50) Plaxico Burress - WR New York Giants
9. (63) Willis McGahee - RB Baltimore
10. (64) Nick Folk - K Dallas
11. (77) Eli Manning - QB New York Giants
12. (78) San Diego - D
13. (91) Tony Scheffler - TE Denver
14. (92) Chris Chambers - WR San Diego
Kiper Says:
What a great draft for picking last in Round 1....almost thought Jerry Jones was the GM of this team....was able to draft elite QB, star in the making RB, and 2 star WRs in the first 5 rounds, which is rare for this league....these guys aren't buying into the perceived fall of the Broncos....Are we sure Jerry Jones isn't involved with this team somehow?...QB situation will be fun to watch all year, as Romo is the only person in America more airheaded than his girlfriend, and Eli is still a mediocre QB....Look for these guys to be around the top of the league all season.
Cyclones
1. (1) LaDainian Tomlinson - RB San Diego
2. (14) Drew Brees - QB New Orleans
3. (15) JaMarcus Russell - QB Oakland
4. (28) Larry Fitzgerald - WR Arizona
5. (29) Frank Gore - RB San Francisco
6. (42) Darren McFadden - RB Oakland
7. (43) Dallas Clark - TE Indianapolis
8. (56) Baltimore - D
9. (57) Calvin Johnson - WR Detroit
10. (70) Adam Vinatieri - K Indianapolis
11. (71) Dwayne Bowe - WR Kansas City
12. (84) Hines Ward - WR Pittsburgh
13. (85) Todd Heap - TE Baltimore
14. (98) Chester Taylor - RB Minnesota
Kiper Says:
Can't go wrong when taking Tomlinson with top pick....might have focused too much on the Bay Area teams in early rounds....Do these guys know the Raiders and 'Niners combined for fewer than 10 wins in 2007? No real ridiculous choices made here, rare for a team run by kids under the age of 10....nice symmetry to the draft, taking a RB 1st overall and a RB last overall....in island countries south of the Equator and west of the Tropic of Cancer, such symmetry in considered good luck and is rewarded with either athletic success, or a bountiful banana harvest....so, these guys have that going for them, which is nice.
Gnomies
1. (2) Adrian Peterson - RB Minnesota
2. (13) Maurice Jones-Drew - RB Jacksonville
3. (16) David Garrard - QB Jacksonville
4. (27) Greg Jennings - WR Green Bay
5. (30) Brett Favre - QB New York Jets
6. (41) Chad Johnson - WR Cincinnati
7. (44) New England - D
8. (55) Heath Miller - TE Pittsburgh
9. (58) T.J. Houshmandzadeh - WR Cincinnati
10. (69) Edgerrin James - RB Arizona
11. (72) Matt Jones - WR Jacksonville
12. (83) Mason Crosby - K Green Bay
13. (86) Deuce McAllister - RB New Orleans
14. (97) L.J. Smith - TE Philadelphia
Kiper Says:
These guys aren't afraid of karma or jinxes....Peterson (sophomore slump), Favre (Madden Jinx), New England (Football gods out for vengeance), and Garrard (fat QB with a bad arm) are all up against mythical odds this season....I remember a guy named Edgerrin James who played for the Colts a few years ago....He was a stud who regularly ran for over 1,200 yards, caught the ball out of the backfield, and scored about 15 TDs a season....Does anyone know if he's related to the guy from Arizona?...Iffy pick of Matt Jones, as he may be staying at the Cro-bar Motel when the season starts....Overall, this could be the wackiest draft.
The Outlaws
1. (3) Tom Brady - QB New England
2. (12) Ryan Grant - RB Green Bay
3. (17) Aaron Rodgers - QB Green Bay
4. (26) Brandon Jacobs - RB New York Giants
5. (31) Chris Johnson - RB Tennessee
6. (40) Anthony Gonzalez - WR Indianapolis
7. (45) Isaac Bruce - WR San Francisco
8. (54) Michael Turner - RB Atlanta
9. (59) Justin Fargas - RB Oakland
10. (68) Brandon Marshall - WR Denver
11. (73) Alge Crumpler - TE Tennessee
12. (82) Chris Cooley - TE Washington
13. (87) Joe Nedney - K San Francisco
14. (96) New York - D
Kiper Says:
How does Brady last until the third pick in a league where QBs dominate?....lots of speed RBs, but not many who will be out there on every down....Did Isaac Bruce's walker come with this pick?....Interesting decision to pick another QB right after taking the guy who set every single fantasy football scoring record last season....Just like everyone else, I'm wondering which of these guys will have his own seat on Bob's Waiver Express....Big concerns about this group of WRs....This team may need to do some work in the free agent market.
The Dominator
1. (4) Joseph Addai - RB Indianapolis
2. (11) Clinton Portis - RB Washington
3. (18) Laurence Maroney - RB New England
4. (25) Marques Colston - WR New Orleans
5. (32) Matt Hasselbeck - QB Seattle
6. (39) Tony Gonzalez - TE Kansas City
7. (46) Jamal Lewis - RB Cleveland
8. (53) Marc Bulger - QB St. Louis
9. (60) Anquan Boldin - WR Arizona
10. (67) Jeremy Shockey - TE New Orleans
11. (74) Shayne Graham - K Cincinnati
12. (81) Minnesota - D
13. (88) Santana Moss - WR New York Jets
14. (95) James Jones - WR Green Bay
Kiper Says:
The love affair with Clinton Portis continues....I must have the wrong list because there's no Matt Leinart on it....maybe The Dominator is taking a stand against blockheaded deadbeat dads who spend too much time in hot tubs with high school girls and have weaker arms than Kip Dynamite....In all honesty, this is a pretty solid group, especially if Hasselbeck plays like he did in 2006....Shockey is going to be flat out scary in New Orleans....seriously, don't cut him off on Bourbon street, because he's not afraid to get liquored up and duke it out.
Well, there you go, another draft in the books, expertly analyzed by the greatest mind in football, Mr. Mel Kiper, Jr. We appreciate your annual appearances in this space, Mr. Kiper, and look forward to hearing from you next year. May you have nothing but the best of luck while analyzing backup interior lineman from the MAC and Sun Belt Conference.
For those of you running teams in this league, we are now at the point where it's all business; where we have to put on our game faces and look toward the ultimate goal in fake football....winning the PPFFL. May all of you have the best of luck and remember, don't take any wooden nickels.
The Commish
posted by Patrick Zalasky at 11:05 AM
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