Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 2)

All Drew Brees did last weekend was raise his hands in the air... six times. Kickery's offense looked stellar, but can it keep up the pace over the entire season?







Goal Line Stand (Week 2)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette



Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. In 2008, I never looked back on the prior week's picks or stats. This season, I thought I'd start things off by analyzing early situations and trends.


Best Offense: Arizona-Kickery
Surprise surprise, the Kickers racked up the most points in the conference during week one. QB Drew Brees had a lot to do with it, but got big numbers out of WRs Greg Jennings and Patrick Crayton. Don't expect much from that offense (aside from the guy throwing all those touchdowns) from here on out, but for one week they were tops in the FAC-10.

Biggest Disappointment: Willie Parker, Stardust
If SUCH had lost this matchup to last-ranked Weymouth, it would have been even more devastating, but this was still a washup. RB Willie Parker had solidified his spot in the starting role, earned the confidence of his coach, and prepared him self for a long, injury-riddled season. Unfortunately, nobody told him that, and he rushed for 19 yards on just 13 carries.

Top Rookie: Mark Sanchez, Mexico
While Donovan McNabb was running for TDs and bruising ribs, backup Mark Sanchez had 272 and a score. With McNabb doubtful for this weekend's matchup with Arizona-Kickery, Sanchez gets the starting gig and will hope for a repeat performance.

Upset Central: Athol A&M over Twin City Tech
Nobody expected TCT QB Tom Brady to return to 2007 form right away, yet there he was looking like old with 378 yards and 2 TDs. It was the rest of the Red Raider offense that failed to come through, with just 1 other player (RB Frank Gore) scoring over 10 points. It was actually the A&M defense that pushed them over the edge, recording 5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and a TD.

Give Up Award: Rakeville Offense
WRs Bernard Berrian and Jeremy Maclin caught 0 passes combined in week 1, the backfield had 42 rushing yards combined, and they still have JaMarcus Russell on the roster. This team needs a shakeup, especially if their team refuses to even catch any balls.

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Week 2 Matchups
(1) Arizona-Kickery over (4) Mexico
(2) Athol A&M over (6) Stardust
(5) Gillespie State over (11) Bud Heavy
(9) Dublin over (12) Weymouth
(8) Busch over (10) Rakeville
(7) Twin City Tech over (3) Golden

Last Week: 2-4
Season: 2-4

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Week 2 Power Rankings
1. Golden ( - )
2. Arizona-Kickery (+6)
3. Athol A&M (+6)
4. Mexico (+2)
5. Twin City Tech (-3)
6. Busch (-1)
7. Gillespie State ( - )
8. Bud Heavy (-5)
9. Dublin (-5)
10. Stardust (+1)
11. Rakeville (-1)
12. Weymouth ( - )

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League Notes
- Rakeville rookie WR Michael Crabtree still goes unsigned, and experts predict he will sit out the entire season. Apparently Crabtree doesn't take Honey Buns as compensation.

- Stardust signed 37 year old Isaac Bruce this week, proving once again that old people love gambling.

- The FAC-10 has set its trade deadline to November 20th, which means Athol A&M still has about 2 months to send away their stud receivers for 2nd round picks.

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Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 1)

Darren McFadden and Weymouth both had a rough first season in the FAC-10. Can the youngest backfield in the league lift their team out of the FBCS cellar and into the playoffs, or are the Islanders destined for another miserable season?




Goal Line Stand (Week 1)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette



Six teams finished the 2008 FBCS regular season with a record of 6-7. Two of those teams made the playoffs. One won the championship.

In a league where Twin City Tech consistently puts up 80 PPG, it's been the Goldens (6-7 in 2008) and Mexicos (6-5 in 2007) winning the title. Of course, to win a championship you have to first get INTO the playoffs, but who will those teams be in 2009?

Segue...


6. Stardust University (6-7) - While the new Flex position will help other teams, it should hurt the Crazy Horses the most. SUCH has no 3rd running back to help LenDale White and Willie Parker, and Jerricho Cotchery is hardly a stud #3 receiver. They'll need a big year from "superstar" Eli Manning if they want to sneak into the playoffs, otherwise they'll be done early for the third straight year since winning it all in 2006.

5. Athol A&M (7-6) - The Alchys are one running back away from elite status, but until that happens they are the best bubble team in the league. With 2 young receivers to compliment their 3 star ones, this team is a threat every week, and will be the most prepared come playoff time.

4. University of Mexico (8-5)- The Wildcats missed the playoffs for the first time in school history last season, and they battled for it until the very end of the season. Mexico missed the postseason on a tiebreaker by 3 points, but with healthy receivers and a backfield ready to break out, UM will be back in the postseason.

3. Busch University (10-3) - You can only ride one player for so long, and Busch is going to do that with RB Adrian Peterson as long as possible. If Brandon Marshall gets his act together, the passing game will be a nice compliment as well, but it's the running game that will push BU into the playoffs, and possible their 2nd championship game in 3 years.

2. Twin City Tech (10-3)- Kurt Warner was fantastic filling in last season, but QB Tom Brady is back and ready to lead the top offense in the FAC-10. The receivers are 3 of the top 5 or 6 in the league, and the running backs take care of business. The biggest test will be Week 8 when Brady, Randy Moss, and Clinton Portis get their scheduled week off and a dangerous Athol A&M team comes to town.

1. Dublin University of Brewery Arts (11-2) - The 3-man backfield of the Oktoberfests hit snags every week, as head coach Brad Bodell continuously chose the wrong guy to bench. This season, the league instilled a Flex position, giving Bodell a free pass and allowing DUBA to put up huge numbers on the ground. If QB Tony Romo can find SOMEONE to pass to, this team will end Twin City's reign of terror and grab the #1 seed.

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Week 1 Matchups
(6) Dublin over (1) Golden
(2) Twin City Tech over (11) Athol A&M
(5) Arizona-Kickery over (3) Bud Heavy
(4) Busch over (7) Mexico
(8) Gillespie State over (10) Rakeville
(12) Weymouth over (9) Stardust

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2008 Final Power Rankings (2008 Record)
1. Golden (6-7)
2. Twin City Tech (9-4)
3. Bud Heavy (8-5)
4. Dublin (8-5)
5. Busch (8-5)
6. Mexico (6-7)
7. Gillespie State (6-7)
8. Arizona-Kickery (6-7)
9. Athol A&M (5-8)
10. Rakeville (6-7)
11. Stardust (6-7)
12. Weymouth (4-9)

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League Notes
- #1 overall pick Beanie Wells told the Lakeview Times that he is uncertain if Weymouth is the right fit for him. "I don't even own a canoe," said the Ohio native.

- An unidentified Golden front office member was using the restroom at the team's practice facility and left his 2008 championship ring on the sink. When he returned shortly after to retrieve it, it was gone and in its place were taco crumbs.

- Nick Folk is still the worst kicker in the conference.

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The Chaser

A look at last year's Draft, plus news and notes from around the league



2008 Entry Draft:

WEY - Laurence Maroney - Complete bust, big things were expected, but ended up with 93 yards after 3 games and a shoulder injury ended his season

AZK - Laveraneus Coles - Pulled the silent treatment when they brought Farve in and jetted his good buddy Chad, but he had a decent season. Fewest catches in 8 years (minus an injury plagued 07-08), did tie career high for TDs with 7 (20th in FP amongst wideouts)

AAM - Matt Forte - Exploded onto the scene as a rookie, easily becoming one of the best player taken in the draft. Finished as the 4th best RB is FPs, was a dual threat on the ground and in the air

RU - Kevin Smith - Finished his season as a solid option as a RB2 option, finishing just under 1000 yards on the ground and 8 TDs (2st in FP among backs)

UM - Thomas Jones - While not much was expected from Jones with the arrival of Farve and his "Im gonna air it out so someone can go get it, I dont care which team" style, he quietly produced a spectacular season with over 1500 combined yards and 15 TDs (3rd in FP among backs)

DUBA - Julius Jones - Had a mediocre year, ended up splitting carries, and not getting any of the goal line work. Finished with just 750 combined yards and 2 TDs

BHU - Vincent Jackson - Jackson finally had that breakout season people have been waiting for the last 3 years. Finished with almost 1100 rec yards and 7 TDs, and its not unreal to expect an increase (12th in FP among wideouts)

BHU - Reggie Brown - Another major bust, he appeared in only 10 games, pitching in a measly 18 catches for 252 yards and a score

GS - Roddy White - By far the best wideout in the draft, period. He finished just shy of 1400 yards with 7 scores and a rookie QB. If these two can grow together, he will be on the same level as the elite WRs (8th is FPs among wideouts)

TCT - Ted Ginn Jr - A purely upside pick who didnt quite work out. He joined a team with two feature backs and a QB not known for slinging it around, yet still managed 750 all purpose yards, and 2 TDs in the air and 2 on the ground

BU - De'Angelo Williams - Another monster out of the first round, he had the best season statistically of any back in football. Many thought his numbers would diminish with the drafting of Stewart, but even with him pitching in 800 yards and 10 TDs, Williams was the man, with 1650 combined yards, and 20 combined scores (he was the only back to finish with over 200 FP)

SU - Eli Manning - A boring, safe pick, Eli was expected to be a solid contributor. He was, finishing 12th in FPs, however the two players above him were Pennington and Thigpen, while thee two below were Farve and Garrard. All could have been had much later in the draft or as free agents, so for a first rounder, a complete waste

Later Round steals:

R3P10 - Felix Jones - While not considered a steal for the past season since he managed only 6 games due to injuries, when he got the ball he knew what to do with it. On 30 rushes, he was averaging 8.9 a carry with 2 scores. He is expected to share the load this season and should be a very viable RB2 option

R4P3 - Matt Ryan - With Romo in town, DUBA took Matt Ryan as Jessica Simpson insurance. After a slow start to the season and being arrested for being to sober to be driving, he was cut. He finished the season with Kickery, and after throwing only 2 TDs and 2 picks in his first 4 games, he became one of the more dangerous QBs, compiling 14 TDs and 9 picks in his next 12

R4P7 - Philip Rivers - While much had always been expected of Rivers, he didnt live up to the hype his first 2 years as a full time starter after two years under Brees. Well in the 08-09 season, he realized that potential, becoming the 2nd best QB with and eye popping 34 TDs and only 11 INTs (he had 21-15 the year before)

R7P2 - Owen Daniels - He put in a very productive year, especially for a 7th round pick. He finished in the top ten for TEs, and only improved as the season went on. He is only expected to get better

R7P4 - Chris Johnson - This is by far the best value pick in the draft, getting one of the top 5 players of the entire draft in the 7th round. While splitting carries with White, he still amasses 1200 plus yards on the ground, as well as 260 in the air. He managed 10 TDs, even though all goal line carries went to White (15 TDs, almost 1/2 the yards)

R7P11 - DeSean Jackson - While he made some silly mistakes in his rookie campaign, he showed promise that he could be a very strong wideout option. He was light on TDs (2 receiving, 1 rushing), but still amassed 1000 total yards, even in the doghouse at times. He should show major improvement this season after an already quality rookie campaign out of the 7th round

*people in Mexico keep claiming that they win the title every other year, and are guaranteeing victory this year solely based on that assumption. When it was purposed that the team might struggle since they will be relying heavily on an aging star who many feel is on the decline (LT) and an aging QB (McNabb), who played 16 games for the first time since 2003 last year, the Wildcat fans began to riot. When the police were brought into disperse the rioting mob, they were pelted with empty bottles of tequila. One older gentleman, fully nude, was running right at the police barricade, throwing Dos Equis bottles screaming "Im the most interesting man in the world, mother f@ckers!"

*Many local pundits think the defending champs Golden didnt appear to do much to help defend their title. The only picks that have any upside are James Davis and Hakeem Nicks. Palmer is great Manning insurance, but losing Peyton can be detrimental no matter who your back up is, unless he is named Brady or Brees. However, many people in this area are still bitter over the first round loss in the playoffs last year. Going into the monday night game, DUBA had a strong lead with Golden only having Bryant left to play. He proceeded to have a career game, and his only game that season with 2 TDs and only game with over 138 yards; he finished with 200. Many refer to him in these parts as Antonio "F@cking" Bryant

*The first round was delayed nearly 6 minutes between the 3rd and the 4th pick since the Stardust AD could not be found. While the Commish would not comment on his where abouts when he made the pick for SUCH, judging by the pick (Cotchery, in the first, really?), which seemed rushed, rumors started swirling. It was circulating that Howe was in court over allegations that he had attempted to get every single cheerleader pregnant to start his own cult. When first reached, the AD's office declined to comment, further breeding speculation. After a day of more rumors, SUCH released a statement stating that "While we wont deny that Mr. Howe was predisposed in court, we assure the campus and public that it is by no means school related." We are just going to have to wait to see how this plays out.

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