Who'd a thunk? A year ago I was wrapping it up at a semi-successful fantasy football web site, now I am at another, rapidly growing enterprise known simply by its acronym... FFLW. I might have left the 'Chairman's Editorial' back there, but I am now reintroducing it as 'The Flog.' If you have not been nurtured by the Editorial, you will now get a brief history lesson into its origins.
Three years ago, 'Chairman's Editorial' started out as a weekly rant on the current events of the NFL. Marshall Faulk, Stephen Davis, and Deuce McAllister were some of the hot topics. It slowly evolved into an e-mail friendly column, similar to a 'mailbag,' where I discussed some of the readers questions. Back then, it was only getting around 200 hits a day. Fast forward to 2005, the Chairman's Editorial was receiving around 1,500 hits a day on average, thanks to advertisements, backlinks, and what not.
Now I am here, the Kobayashi of Fantasy Football, the Moose Knuckle of columns, the unperturbed of the perturbed fantasy geek rufflers. Now, without further adieu...
Let me reintroduce the Chairman's Editorial as The Flog.
Sound the trumpets. As we enter the 14th week of the season tonight, who would have thought that the Oakland Raiders would actually lead the league in something positive? The Raiders are leading the whole league in pass defense! On the flip side, Cincinnati is dead last in pass defense. Minnesota still is rocking the league as the top run defense in football, while Indianapolis is still wading at the bottom in run defense.
Now, I did say that I would give props in my Game Day Wonders week 14 edition, to anyone, anybody, that started Aaron Brooks against Houston week 13. Well, I only received one e-mail where someone stepped forward. Beni Guiterrez, from Houston, Texas, I salute you, but I haven't heard back from you since last Saturday, and after Brooks' performance, I hope you are live and well. Sorry I didn't put you in the Game Day Wonders, but you did make The Flog.
Now for more serious business, Chester Taylor failed to practice again today. His ribs have left his status in ruins, and he is officially listed as doubtful. Reports out of Minnesota claim that Ciatrick Fason and Artose Pinner have been handling the rock in the absence of Taylor. Can I refute this for one moment? What about Mewelde Moore? He did lead the Vikings in rushing last season, and has been a decent, third-down back, especially in the case of pressure on QB Johnson, where Moore has the most dependable hands on this Vikings roster. Yeah, Fason looked impressive last week in an expanded role against the overrated Bears defense. If anything, it should be a Fason and Moore show. Pinner has showed glimpses of hope in Detroit, but come on, this guy has only 9 carries on the season compared to Moore's significant role playing ability. Don't believe the Pinner report, it will be all about Fason and Moore, you can count on it.
Willis McGahee is another splendid play this week, but he has a "Q" annotated next to him on the injury report. He was walking around in a protective boot yesterday, but is optimistic about playing on Sunday as it was removed for rehab at practice today. Face it, this guy is like the miracle worker, he can overcome any injury and I do not expect an ankle injury will keep him out of a game versus the Jets, the same Jets that McGahee has owned since his rookie season. If he doesn't play, I do not expect Anthony Thomas to have the numbers McGahee would have. It is an enigmatic situation. If this is any reservation, USAToday thinks McGahee will be playing Sunday as well.
I already discussed Steve Smith and Chris Weinke in the Game Day Wonders. My point is loud and clear. It is not like Jake Delhomme was lighting up defenses or anything.
There is a major question mark concerning Donte Stallworth's contract status. If you didn't know, the NFL and the NFLPA does not put out player's contract and numbers out into the public, you would have to fight through the Freedom of Information Act to get the numbers. If you didn't know, Stallworth will be an unrestricted free agent, not bound to any team, come March 2007. He does not have one more year under contract, and he is supposedly not concerned about Reggie Brown's extension either. I repeat, other websites are misleading everyone, he does not have one more year left on his contract, this will be his last season unless the Eagles' extend him before March or sign him after March. Do not let me forget to tell you, Drew Rosenhaus is his agent.
Let me also suggest starting Willie Parker tonight. He is "money in the bank" when he rushes at home, but away from Heinz Field, he is like a bad car wreck, not going anywhere. At home, he averages 117 yards rushing per game. While traveling, he is only racking up 46 yards per game. Cleveland is allowing over 130 rushing yards a game.
Speaking of Cleveland, didn't Derek Anderson's performance look similar to Ryan Fitzpatrick's from 2005? Remember Fitzpatrick, the kid from Harvard, led St. Louis to a come from behind win last year. Don't get too acquainted with Derek Anderson, he isn't anything more than a back-up. Last week's comeback was a fluke against a horrible Kansas City defense. It is starting to look like Charlie Frye will not play tonight. Expect the Steelers' defense to eat Anderson alive. Will Ken Dorsey get to show face tonight? Maybe.
I really like Maurice Stovall this week (Silent but Deadly call). Besides him, you might wonder who else I may like this week, especially those flying under the radar. I think D.J. Hackett (Seattle) could surprise many. He has play making ability and the decent secondary from Arizona will have to focus in on Darrell Jackson and Deion Branch. Brandon Jones (Tennessee) should also reach the end zone this week. He is showing no real ill-effects from his injury last year and has scored in each game the last two weeks. Finally, Ronald Curry (Oakland) could do some damage this week. Cincinnati's defense is just awful, almost as awful as Oakland's offense. Of course, I challenge anyone to start any of my "Deep in Slumber" sleepers this week. If you do, e-mail me at pete_dymeck04@yahoo.com and you will get honored in the Flog next week.
Before I wrap this up, I want to remind everyone that today is a day that once lived in infamy. Today is the 65th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor where 2,390 Americans died in an apparent surprise attack from the imperial Japanese forces. We must honor anyone that has ever donned the uniform of this country.
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