1997 FFL Post-Draft Newsletter
What’s inside:
1. Opening thoughts from the Commish
2. Reminders regarding weekly drop/adds, trades, starting lineups
3. The Swami’s pre-season prognostications
4. All-time league records, etc.
5. League dues
6. Initial team rosters
7. 1997 FFL draft board
Letter from the Commish:
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Congratulations! We’ve each gone and done it now. We’ve drafted our own personal blood, sweat and tears; the players we will live and die with for the next four months of our lives. Players we will come to love (or despise). Players as human as you and I, only with money to burn regardless whether they tank it or tuck it under their arms for another TD. Players on the up; players on the down. The sport is in the predicting. Actually, who’s kidding who? The sport is in the predicting and kicking our opponent’s butt by predicting right! Welcome to FFL ‘97.
First let me say that I believe I speak for each of you when I say that you all did an outstanding job on draft day of keeping things moving right along this year. Compared to past drafts, this was a sprint and I think we are all grateful. Most of you came ready with tools and gameplans. Of course, it wouldn’t be FFL without one of you crazy baldheads bringing....nothing! Ah, tradition!
Speaking of tradition, let it be noted the passing of the last remaining original team name left from the 1993 inaugural FFL season. L.A. Riots, rest in peace. Also, a hearty hand of recognition to those of us still pursuing the pot o’ gold at the end of this here rainbow for a fifth year running: Coach Eric Widtfeldt, Coach Mark Will, Coach Pete Pedersen, Coach Jeffery Erickson, and Coach Alex Wassem. Four year vets include Coach Young. Three year vets are Coach Johnson, Coaches Koll and Meyer, sophomore coaches include Coach Nerz, the high flying brother act of Coaches Kevin & Kyle Bernandt and incoming freshmen Coaches Schmitz and McCormick & Karstetter. If I’ve made an error in memory, please attribute it to my rapidly progressing senility and not to any direct intent at malice.
Although we were forced to draft earlier than usual, it least we knew about Mark Brunell going in. Let’s all cross our fingers as we hum Kumbaya and hope our first round picks come out of the pre-season alive. To avoid the trouble we had arranging this year’s draft (and, by the way, a thank you goes out to my main man, Easy E, for hosting this year’s event-love ya always and forever, and I won’t stop cause I can’t stop. May those endorphines keep pumping out that big love), I would like to propose (speculatively) that next year’s draft be held on Saturday August 22, 1998 to accommodate Kip returning from CA, lessen the impact of pre-season injuries and, yet, allow me that Sunday to prepare everything for opening day a week later. Next year’s draft should take place in Lincoln (as I’d like to see this become a rotating thing in fairness to all of us) if one of you Lincolnites will play host. Omaha will be considered only as a secondary option in the event no one is willing or able to donate his or her services.
I know that in past years you’ve come to know, anticipate and even occasionally enjoy my weekly caustic commentary. In keeping with a new team name and a bit lip through draft day, I will endeavor to modify my sarcasm (the kinder, gentler moi) this year although I must stop short of promising. Mama always told me never to make promises my body couldn’t keep and sticks and stones hurt worse than they used to. So, I guess we’ll all find out together.
With that said, go long. Let’s play ball!
Stop here for reminders:
If you remember nothing else from this letter, remember this:
Drop/Adds begin Wednesdays at 6:00pm this year.
Wednesdays from 6:00pm-10:00pm are reserved for pickups based on low season point total.
First come/first serve drop/adds begin Wednesdays at 10:00pm.
All transactions are to be called in to 402-392-9749 and left on my voice mail for date/time stamping. This will serve as the official arbitrator of any disputes that may occur.
All lineups will be called in to 402-392-9749 for the same reasons.
To find out what lineup your opponent is using, either: call your opponent directly (remember to notify me of your starting lineups in any event-see above) or call me at 402-341-2674 after kickoff of the first weekly game.
I realize some trades are made at the last minute but, whenever possible, please notify me of any trades ASAP after they are made by leaving a voice mail at 402-392-9749.
And now, once again, ladies and gentlemen, back by popular demand (seriously, believe or it not!) it’s time for the Swami’s......
Annual pre-season predictions
Now, I’m the first to admit that seldom, if ever, have I come close to accurately assessing how the league will fare. Hell, I generally can’t predict how my own team will fare. However, that’s never stopped me before and I seem to recall even coming vaguely close 3 or 4 years ago (2 B.F.-before fluke), although, as I mentioned earlier, my senility improves daily (mmm, senility!). So, if anyone takes offense at being labeled a cellar dweller, just remember the source as you pull out that yellow highlighter and mark down the Mystics’ own personal D-Day on the schedule. Without further adieu, the Swami’s thought on ‘97:
First, a look at the Larry Division. Two of the original five founding league members reside here in the Larry Division. Yet, for all that experience, the Swam doesn’t see anyone running away, geriatric or newborn.
The NFC Norris is pinning major hopes on the Tennessee Oiler offense in ‘97. Steve McNair has been brought aboard to right the ship that last year sank faster than the Titantic down the stretch. You may recall that the Norris slipped slightly from its fast 7-1 start, finishing at 7-8, alone in the cellar. Rocks can’t fall faster. McNair has sat the last two years learning the Oiler offense. McNair is unproven but possesses a world of talent. As he goes, so too will the Norris. At RB, Eddie George and Rickey Watters provide one of the strongest starting tandems in the league and Michael Jackson will stretch the defense. Questions abound regarding Andre Rison and learning a new system could reduce his effectiveness. Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer has never been known for airing it out. Ben Coates has been resigned for another year by Norris management. If McNair proves to be the real deal and a second receiver can emerge, the Norris could shake the effects of the ‘96 disaster.
Keys in ‘97: McNair, #2 wideout
Pick: First
The Palace of Swords snuck into the playoffs last season when Two Turntables & A Microphone coughed up a fur ball in Week 15 but were quietly eliminated by eventual champ Strange Highways in the semi-finals 24-21. But the Swords found an inner voice last season that found its way to its vocal chords. As a result, Coach Pedersen finds his team on several hit lists in ‘97. This team has an outstanding 1-2 punch in Jeff Blake and Curtis Martin. With Bruce Coslett running things in Cincy, the Swami looks for a huge season from Blake. Martin avoided the sophomore jinx but now must fit into Pete Carroll’s offense in New England. Jamal Anderson ran for 1,000 yards in ‘96, Robert Smith was running well before major knee surgery and Tim Biakabutuka was the starting RB in Carolina before getting hurt and giving way to eventual 1,000 runner Anthony Johnson. Johnny Morton finally gets the opportunity he’s longed for in Detroit and should improve on his numbers. Chris Sanders has averaged among the most yards per reception the past 2 seasons and, with McNair’s strong cannon arm, there’s no reason to think that’ll change. The question with Sanders is how many balls he’ll catch. Willie Green gets a chance to shine in Denver. The Swords are perhaps a bit heavy with Falcons and the Swami does not anticipate Atlanta scoring as it once did during the June Jones regime now that Dan Reeves has taken control.
Keys in ‘97: #2 RB (Anderson, Smith or Biakabutuka)
Pick: Second
The Pinheads (until or unless management changes team names) will live or die with its RBs. Chris Warren tailed off miserably last season and Rashaan Salaam never recovered enough from injuries to get into the scheme of things in Chi-town. They will need to rebound. Steve Young has begun to show the toll of many hits over the course of his career but could have one last hurrah left in him. Tony Martin will be hard pressed to repeat last year’s numbers but will continue to be the Chargers go-to guy and Jimmy Smith came on strong last season but now has to hope he sees the ball as often as last season when Mark Brunell was healthy. Michael Westbrook will be an interesting player to watch in ‘97. Injured much of his 1st two seasons, Westbrook is intent on proving his worth to the Redskins. David LeFleur will be a top notch TE one day but not yet in 1997. Look for Erik Bjornsen to still be the Cowboys TE on passing downs. Todd Peterson is a sleeper at K.
Keys in ‘97: Warren, Salaam and Young
Pick: Third
The L.A. Riots moved in the offseason to Kingston, Jamaica and have reinvented themselves as the Natural Mystics, stone chillin’ in effect. Coach Wassem was weary of the L.A. environment and made the decision to seek out the sunny sands and blue waves offered by the island paradise. Win or lose, the Mystics will go home happy in ‘97. The Mystics have a few parts to work with but, in light of past draft failures of proven players, the brain trust made the decision this year to gamble on youngster’s who are either unproven or come with a high upside. Examples of this would include reclamation project Gary Brown, rookies Rae Curruth and Joey Kent, and first time starters Rod Smith and Dorsey Levens. The Mystics surprised several FFL analysts by selecting Jeff George and Ironhead Heyward, both of whom failed in tryouts last year with the old Riots. Yet, both are with new NFL teams and could surprise. Because of the organizational move and the high number of high risk draft selections, the Mystics enter the season as the Swami’s cellar dweller in the Larry division.
Keys in ‘97: many (George, Levens, G Brown, Smith, etc.)
Pick: Fourth
In the Curly division, parity rules. However, one team does strike the Swami as perhaps edging out the rest. The Greenback Iguanas have the ground game to get consistent production throughout the season provided Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Natrone Means stay healthy. The Swami particularly likes Means in ‘97. As a result of Brunell’s injury, Mean will see the ball as often as the coaching staff can get it to him. Jabbar tailed off in the 2nd half of ‘96 but should have a better idea of what it takes to play in the NFL in, this, his second season. Thurman Thomas is on the downside of his career but could still put up some numbers and Mike Alstott cam on strong last season down the stretch. Jerry Rice and Keyshawn Johnson form a nice WR tandem and I look for Yancy Thigpen to rebound in ‘97 and also for Derrick Mayes to emerge as one of Brett Favre’s primary targets.
Keys in ‘97: a Testaverde repeat performance and career averages from the rest
Pick: First
PMS, the Swami feels, netted their best draft in 3 years of league membership. Start with Terry Allen to anchor the backfield with assistance from Napoleon Kaufman, flank them with Antonio Freeman, Jake Reed and Keenan McCardell (although McCardell’s numbers may drop slightly as a result of the Brunell injury), put 2nd year player Rickey Dudley at TE as a big secondary target for Jeff George and watch Jason Elam kick in the high altitude of Denver. Allen won’t reproduce his 1996 numbers but should still be worth a dozen TDs. Kaufman enters camp as the Raider’s starting tailback and averages well over four yards per carry. The key to PMS will be Brad Johnson who steps into the starter’s role in Minnesota, replacing the departed Warren Moon. Johnson to Reed has the potential of erasing deficits quickly. If Johnson plays as he did down the stretch last season, PMS could be in the mix until the very end.
Keys in ‘97: Brad Johnson, depth at RB
Pick: Second
The Crawling King Snakes have compiled a composite record of 21-8-1 over the past two seasons, best in the league. However, during the part of the year that counts most, the playoffs, the Snakes are a disappointing 0-2. The Snakes are back to try to change that. Start with Scott Mitchell. Last year, Mitchell was the bomb on draft day, taken with the 8th pick in round 2 by the NFC Norris. However, during the season, he simply bombed. The Norris also drafted Herman Moore in round 1 and started the season 7-1 before commencing with its disappearing act. The Snakes, too, drafted Herman Moore in the 1st round. Will history repeat itself? Mitchell must show his skeptics that 1996 was an aberration. If Mitchell to Moore connects 12 times, the Snakes will have a shot. But two players a team does not make. The Snakes drafted four RBs, Bam Morris, Rodney Hampton, James Stewart and Leeland McElroy. Morris is ineligible until week 5 and there’s the little matter of his breaking probation in the state of Texas by consuming alcohol. On the surface, this seems minor but, remember, we’re talking about Texas where it’s illegal to own a pickup without a gun rack. Stewart will not produce as last year so long as Natrone Means stays healthy. Hampton is in competition with Wheatley and rookie Tiki Barber for playing time and McElroy must show he was worth a 1st round selection by Arizona. All in all, not a group to instill fear. The wideouts are a different story. The problem here is that only three can play at a time. Choose your poison. You have the pick of the aforementioned Moore, Carl Pickens and Michael Irvin on the first tier. Trading one of them for a RB would even out the roster quite nicely and still leave the Snakes with extra WRs Charles Johnson (a possible sleeper for the aerial attacks of Kordell Stewart), J.J. Stokes, rookie Ike Hilliard, Andre Hastings and Quinn Early. TE is manned by dependable Troy Drayton and John Kasay is available for kicking chores.
Keys in ‘97: Mitchell and finding a running attack
Pick: Third
The second league newcomer (the first being the Pinheads) is the Beer Spillers. The Spillers employed the Crawling King Snakes strategy of 1995, drafting two outstanding QBs early in the draft. The King Snakes spent the better part of 1995 attempting to trade one of theirs, to no avail. The Spillers may need to do likewise to improve a potentially weak running game spearheaded by Larry Centers and Greg Hill. The WRs, however, are among the best in the league with Cris Carter and Eddie Kennison starting. Veteran Brent Jones is back in San Francisco for another season (though he may miss week 1 returning from arthroscopic knee surgery this past week). New Ram K Jeff Wilkins and Steve Christie anchor the kicking position. The Spillers were one of four teams to draft two defenses. All in all, this team has the look of a team learning the ropes in anticipation of a better 1998 team. Yet, the Swami has never been known for his clear crystal ball. A trade of either Bledsoe or Elway to one of the Moe division teams could be mutually beneficial.
Keys in ‘97: A QB for RB trade; Greg Hill really assuming Allen’s TDs.
Pick: Fourth
The Moe Division in ‘97 contains the champions from the past 4 years as well as three league runner ups. Only this season, they are all grouped together and will take turns throughout the season beating up on one another. In a strange twist, this division also scored the first four picks in this year’s draft. Those picks were Brett Favre, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Sanders and Terrell Davis, building blocks all. This division will definitely be the loudest.
The Bone Club comes off championships in 1994 and 1995 as well as a loss in last year’s finals. The 1996 version rebounded from a 1-5 start to string together 8 straight wins and back door into the playoffs week 15 when the Palace of Swords and Two Turntable & A Microphone each lost. The 1996 version of the Bone Club, despite its 9-6 record, was outscored 414-448, winning games 13-12, 25-18, 29-23, 25-23 and 25-24. Bottom line is that despite probably its worst roster in three years, the Club won. Can it duplicate its success in 1997?
For starters, the Bone Club has Barry Sanders. In Bobby Ross’s offense, Barry will be the featured entertainer. Underrated Adrian Murrell will complement Barry in the Bone Club’s backfield. Terry Glenn is a bona fide superstar at one wideout while Chris T. Jones, Eric Metcalf and Anthony Miller serve as decent number 2s. The Swami looks for big things out of Mark Chmura in ‘97 at the TE position. The key to this year’s team will be QB, much as it was last season when the offense sputtered under the direction of Steve Bono and Rick Mirer. The reins of the offense have been turned over to Kordell Stewart. Stewart has huge potential and I think we will all begin seeing some of it this season. For those reasons, the Bone Club will once again grace the field come week 16 in December.
Keys in ‘97: Kordell Stewart, #2 WR, RB depth
Pick: First
Last year’s champions, the Strange Highways, are back again in 1997 with another solid looking squad. Coach Widtfeldt likes the talent the organization has assembled for him on the field. The Highways have a long history of solid drafting, often hitting paydirt with sleeper picks and supplementing the talent with astute trading as necessary. The Highways have translated this into championships in 1993 and 1996 along with a runner up in 1994. This year’s edition comes replete with ex-roto God Emmitt Smith. Emmitt is flanked by ex-rookie sensation Marshall Faulk who, in 1997, will try to show he’s not a rookie fluke after 2 straight disappointing seasons. The wideouts are Isaac Bruce, Curtis Conway and Brett Perriman along with O.J. McDuffie who the Highways hope will team up with QB Dan Marino to give them yet another outstanding combo ala past dynamic Highway duos Hebert to Rison, Young to Rice and Blake to Pickens. The Swami doesn’t feel the fear in this year’s combo, however. Marino is playing in a Jimmy Johnson offense which means ball control. TE Wesley Walls had an outstanding year in 1996, proving to be one of Kerry Collins’ primary targets. Collins will miss the early part of the 1997 season but Walls should still fare fine.
Keys in ‘97: Marino, Faulk, #2 WR
Pick: Second
Notorious M.A.W. comes off two seasons with skeptics howling at the team’s drafts only to watch the team be among the highest scoring, most entertaining in the league. Despite leading the league in scoring two straight season (624 and 615 points respectively), the Biggie MAWs has no titles to show. The MAWs came closest in 1995, losing in the title game 46-40 while leaving its top place kicker on the bench with what would have been the difference in the game. Last season, after scoring a league single game record 86 points in week 14 against the Iguanas, the MAWs lost in week 15, 26-6, to former member North Dallas 40 knocking them from playoff contention. In ‘97, the Swami sees Brett Favre but little else. Start with the running backs. Anthony Johnson filled in for an injured Tim Biakabutuka and ran for 1,000 yards last season. With Biakabutuka healthy, it’s doubtful he’ll repeat those numbers. Ki-Jana Carter must show the league he’s the back Cincinnati drafted out of Penn St. three years ago before he loses his job to Cory Dillon. Warrick Dunn could be a sleeper in the Dorsey Levens mode of last year. Earnest Bynar will see some carries early on with Bam Morris suspended but, with the Ravens likely to be falling behind early, those carries may be limited to the first half of games. AT WR, Robert Brooks is coming back from a major knee surgery and has only this week begun to his playing time. The Swami likes Derrick Alexander much and sees some limited spot duty on the part of Brian Manning. Notorious drafted two top TE candidates in Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez. However, Gonzalez has no value to this team since Sharpe will start every week that he’s healthy and they share the same bye week. Brett Favre has supplanted Emmitt Smith as the current roto-god but even God took six days to create the world and Favre doesn’t possess those kind of skills. It’s possible that, if Favre is the only consistent scoring threat, the Notorious M.A.W. could slip to the cellar in ‘97.
Keys in ‘97: Running backs, Robert Brooks
Pick: Third
April’s Supercuts approached the draft in a manner similar to the Natural Mystics, selecting some players unproven at this point hoping for some big payoffs. The one lock on this roster is Terrell Davis, fast becoming one of the top 5 players in FFL. Joey Galloway is also outstanding at the WR position and Ken Dilger emerged as a top TE last season. Behind Davis at RB, rookie Troy Davis will try to wrestle the starter’s job away from Mario Bates in New Orleans after rushing for 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons at Iowa St. Lawrence Phillips should be improved in ‘97 but could be limited by a bum knee which has already been drained once in the pre-season. Cory Dillon could be a huge sleeper and Joe Aska is good for a few short yardage TDs this year. At WR, Marvin Harrison was a solid rookie in ‘96 and should be better with the year’s worth of experience gained. Swami likes Mushin Muhammad in ‘97. Jim Harbaugh must come to the table ready to put numbers up as last year’s QB, Brett Favre, has left Supercut land. The Supercuts are hoping that Harbaugh can stay on his feet long enough to spot Dilger and Harrison running free in the secondary. Mark Brunell’s injury is evidently not as serious as first thought. He may return mid season, rendering Coach Johnson’s 7th round draft pick a good one. Due to the question marks, it’s hard for the Swami to go out on a limb with this year’s edition of the Supercuts but let this be said, those players with the highest risks often also bring home the greatest rewards.
Keys in ‘97: Harbaugh until Brunell’s back, #2 RB, continued emergence of Harrison
Pick: Fourth
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If you have not paid your $65 dues, please do so as soon as possible. Paul Young is once the FFL Treasurer emeritas. He can be reached at 420-2808 in Lincoln or you can mail a check directly to him at 2830 Jameson N. #15, Lincoln NE 68516. Indicate FFL in the comments section so that there’s no conflict with other business interests. Please have this money to him by opening day. People who owe plus the amounts:
Eric Widtfeldt $30 Paul Nerz $65
Chris McCormick $30 Mark Will $65
Dave Schmitz $65
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Observations about the draft:
Players drafted by position:
QB- 24 (1 team drafted 3, 1 team drafted 1)
RB- 55 (6 teams drafted 4, 1 team drafted 6)
WR- 60 (1 team drafted 8, 2 teams drafted 4, 2 teams drafted 3)
TE- 19 (7 teams drafted 1, 2 teams drafted 3)
K- 18 (6 teams drafted 1)
D- 16 (8 teams drafted 1)
Transactions:
8/18 Strange Highways waive TE Kyle Brady; add WR Will Blackwell.
8/22 Strange Highways waive K Matt Stover; add WR Sean Dawkins.