College Fantasy Football Preview-- The Mouth posted by Chad

Give a man a gun and a badge and the next thing you know, he thinks he's the sheriff.  That's how I feel about the Mouth aka Cherns.  The Mouth of the South.  By the way, how racist is the end of the video?  Wow, nice job, WWF.  You let a guy do the spreadsheet for the entire league, and a great spreadsheet it is.. and the next thing you know he's trying to power himself into position to run the entire league.  He's not shy about calling out opponents or telling the league how busy he is.. no matter what the topic, he's got an opinion.  He's our Lane Kiffin, good or bad.. we love the guy.  Sometimes.

QB:  A solid monopoly of Texas Tech and Florida's QB's.  I think Brantley starts the majority of the year here, and frankly, who can complain with the success Urban Meyer has had with QB's at the schools he's been at.  They can play, run and pass.  Brantley is no different and will be the face of the franchise for the next few seasons.  Oh, and Texas Tech's QB's can put up some numbers as well.

RB:  Daniel Thomas is really a train.  I'm not even joking.  Kendall " Big Game" Hunter is an animal.  (If you click any link, click the "Big Game" one, absolutely hilarious.  Brent Petway.  HAHAHA)  LaMichael James can score at will in Oregon's spread attack and Jeff Demps is going to get a lot of Tim Tebow's carries.  Monte Ball is potentially the future at Wisconsin and that's a good thing for any RB.

WR:  Hubert Something or another at Oklahoma State, Donovan Varner is a sleeper in Duke, Uzoma Nwachuku has serious skills.  This position is a tad thin for my liking but they can produce and that's all you need.

College Fantasy Football Preview-- The Great Unknown posted by Chad

Along with a senior citizen in our league we also have the great unknown from Minnesota.. I think.  Allegedly, he's a lawyer and that's all I know about him.  Only one other league member has ever met the guy, but I know for a fact.. A FACT that the spreadsheet master happens to not like the guy.  Despite, the fact, we don't even know if he exists.  Could this be him?  How do I know this?  Because one time the Great Unkown scored some silly amount of points in a week and declared himself #1 in the league despite being like 1-3 at the time.  This got a few other league members riled up and ever since that time.. there has been some tension. 

QB:  Jake Locker, the potential #1 NFL pick, despite being errant with the football leads the squad.  He grabbed an underrated QB in the recent draft in Michigan State's Kirk Cousins.  Illinois is starting Nathan Scheelhaase who could be a 4 year starter, and therefore, a point monger in the near future.  The position has potential but consistency will be a problem with this group of QB's.

RB:  Shaun Draughn at UNC where the defense is worlds beyond the offense.. quite the opposite of their basketball program, Derrick Locke at Kentucky and Alexander Robinson who played well against NIU last night are a veteran group of RB's.  Youth will be served with Lache Seastruck, David Wilson and Andre Ellington.  And don't forget about Baron Batch at Texas Tech who recently proclaimed he's going to reach 1000 yards rushing.

WR:  Michael Floyd.  Period.  Best WR in the game of football, no doubt about it.  He leads the way and there is a good mix behind him with Jon Baldwin, who might actually be taller than Gheorge Muresan.  Davier Posey is exciting at Ohio State, Russell Sheppard is an athlete and a half at LSU and Connor Varner plays for that pesky Duke squad that can move the ball through the air.  Of course, if the Pitt QB is a JV all star all year, Baldwin will be negated forcing Posey to step up.

College Fantasy Football Preview -- The Senior Citizen posted by Chad

We do have a senior citizen in the football league; he's well into his 30's.. been married for years.  Even has himself a couple of children and chronic back problems.  That's what happens when you get old.  Years ago, he used to be a one man band, but he's developed a sense of team over the last season.  He was 6-7 last year, but he was knocking on the door to a much bigger season.

QB:  All 3 QB's belong to Big 12 rosters.  Landry Jones, Blaine Gabbert and Garrett Gilbert.  They are all in very good situations with Landry and Blaine being the big 2 this season and Gilbert learning the ropes and leaning on an all american defense and a stable of running backs until he's ready for bigger action.  Landry has more weapons than these guys.  Blaine can also put some puntos on the board in the right matchups.. including one against pitiful Illinois.

RB:  Apparently, this is RB U.  John Clay, Nic Grigsby, Keola Antonin, Ryan Williams, Jermie Calhoun, Larry Caper and super freshman Marcus Lattimore.  Clay is getting Heisman type talk, remember the last back from Wisconsin that was in Heisman contention.  He just happened to win it and do things like this to people.  Grigsby and Antonin are Thunder and Lightning in Arizona, Williams is a mean beast at Virginia Tech and Calhoun has one more year to learn behind Demarco Murray before it's his show in Oklahoma.  Lattimore started as a true freshman already at South Carolina.  Plenty of backs, plenty of potential.. and already plenty of production.

Bears Still In Hibernation posted by richard Kagan

The Chicago Bears are 0-3 this pre-season.  Not that a record in pre-season means the regular season, but since they have not played well in the pre-season, one can make some assumptions:  The Bears will likely have a sub.500 season.

They won't make the playoffs.  That likely means say goodbye to Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo.  The Bears need a Bill Cowher type coach to turn this team around.  I don't know if he is a screamer.  But they need someone to put some life in them.  Not fear.  They need a coach who sees what potential is not being utilized.  The seaon hasn't started yet but I will say it, The Bears are already underperforming.  They get this promising QB with a Jim Thorpe type arm, a guy who can zip the ball.  Elway had a great arm.  It is wierd that Cutler, who was to be the next Elway in Denver, can't bring out what he has in him.  I think it is a confidence factor and he doesn't seem suited for this team.

Cutler is not the kind of QB who can weather a bad offensive line, a screwy offensive system, and running backs, who either can't run or aren't big enough.  Now, you ask what QB could deal with that?  No one.  How about Brad Pitt in Troy?

He had amazing abilities.  He could escape any tough situation.  Heck he killed a giant in a duel.  You will have a game where it will be tied late 3rd quarter and the Bears need 40 yards to score a TD.  It is 25 degrees out, cloudy with a little bit of wind.  That is Bear weather but not Jay Cutler weather.  Jay Cutler weather is 60 degrees and calm.  Then he can play.  I think as the season goes on, we will see that although he is talented, he doesn't have a Bear (Jim McMahon) quality.  Now, there was a heck of a Bear QB.  He was tough.  He could throw the ball.  He wasn't pretty at times, but he was a leader and winner.  He found a way to win a game.  Jay Cutler doesn't have that mentality.  Not in the stadium by the lake.

Big Daddy Appreciates Roster Depth posted by Les Leonard

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     Saints reserves flexed their muscles down the stretch Friday night, obvious bench-strength improvements on defense and running back certainly complement the NFL’s most prolific offense looking toward the upcoming 2010 campaign. Leigh Torrence’s and Chris Ivory’s fourth quarter fireworks shattered the Chargers’ dreams of a happy Big Easy ending. That won’t be the case for the thousands of black leather clad visitors (accented by purple and powder blue feathers) prancing through the Vieux Carre this Labor Day weekend. Enterprising Marigny and Bywater lads who took advantage shake-weight TV offers will see the Fruits of Labor come to fruition during the annual Southern Decadence extravaganza. In this week’s edition the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy celebrates Ben Sherman’s 40th Birthday, second lines at Parasol’s, reports from Section 645, recaps the San Diego game, remembers Hurricane Katrina, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

     Renowned Kingpin owner and $ Thousand Car bassist icon, Steve Watson organized a surprise 40th Birthday Bash for Ben Sherman (his Kingpin partner-in-crime) on Saturday. Ben’s chest grab and the shocked look on his face when he entered the Martinque Bistro reminded Big Daddy of Fred Sanford proclaiming: “Elizabeth I’m coming to join you honey!” The Kingpin all-star lineup began a memorable day with a special “Sherm” Martinque lunch menu. Legendary chefs Eric LaBouchere and Nat Carrier redefined the term “fine dining experience.” The food was so awesome, it would have had Emeril Lagasse wondering how to duplicate such perfection. Thank you so much guys. Unfortunately, Mother Nature washed out our Lakewood golf outing, and there was no availability at any area bowling alleys— so did what we do best, bar hopped across Uptown (courtesy of our wonderful chauffeur, Tamme), finally settling in at Parasol’s to waste away the afternoon. The Kingpin became the medicated delegation’s last destination, where Ben delivered a endearing speech thanking his Mom, Steve, the Kingpin staff, and all of his friends for helping him turn 40 like a champion.

College Fantasy Football Preview -- The Defending Champ posted by Chad

Last year saw the defending champ put together one of the most impressive seasons we've seen in the history of our young league, 12-2 and the title belt.  He wasn't shy about the title either bantering all year long, running his mouth like his lips don't fit.  He wasn't any different this offseason getting more outspoken in emails and trying to stall the league draft for days.  Why?  Because he's the defending league champion and some owners are quietly talking behind his back about how it's quickly gone to his head.  Others outside the league have also noticed the change and have started calling him Lane Kifflin.  Regardless of how others feel about him, he is the champion until January this year and has a chance to repeat.. maybe.

QB:  He's got bodies galore at this position with 5 on the roster, only 3, however, could help his team this year.  Masoli, as we've all heard, happened to plead guilty to theft AND then they found marijuana on him a few months later.  Awesome.  Cincy's Zach Callaros played well for Tony Pike last year, but it'll be interesting to see if he is the same without Brian Kelly and Mardy Gilyard.  Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden takes over a high powered offense for Zac Robinson.  Don't forget, however, they lost all world WR Dez Bryant and one of their RB's from last year. 

RB:  Question marks surround the league's returning Heisman winner, Mark Ingram.  Is he out or isn't he?  We know he's gone for the season opener, but ESPN originally reported he was out for the year.  Then it was just the opener.  Then he might be out up to 4 weeks.  Then Saban said they are taking it week to week.  With Trent Richardson and that defense, Ingram might take awhile to get back to game shape.  Jamie Harper could be a stud for Clemson and this is his year to shine.  Stepfan Taylor takes over for the battering ram at Stanford.  Rodney Stewart is best known for this.

College Fantasy Preview-- T-Raz posted by Chad

T-Razzie Dazzie had a chance years back to field a monster line up, but for whatever reason.. he just can't keep his team healthy and focused.  Sometimes, they're a tad soft.. sometimes a bit unlucky and at other times.. T-Raz can't put his foot down and control the locker room, apparently, they don't listen to him as well as his girlfriend does; he's having a hard time handling that.  8-6 was the record last year, but it was a disappointing season considering he had Sam Bradford and ended the season with Tim Tebow.  Could this year.. finally be the year he puts it all together?

QB:  Jacory "Pinball" Harris leads the squad.. I'm not calling him a armed robber or arsonist; I'm just saying he reminds me of Pinball Parker.  That's a good thing, folks.  He also has Russell Wilson, an underrated QB at NC State.  T-Raz has solid players at the QB position where he can pick up 250+ yard games and a few TD's each week with the right start.  

RB:  Lots of bodies at RB led by "The First" Noel Devine, one of the most exciting RB's in college football.  If WVU feeds him early and often he should put up 1500+ yards and at least 12 scores this season.. this guy is electric.  Armando Allen is a teasing talent in ND as are Vic Anderson and Darrell Scott.  Derrick "I'm no George" Washington just got himself arrested showing that T-Raz may not have that great of locker room control this season and is suspended for at least one game.  Deleone Carter has talent in Syracuse but their offensive line hasn't blocked since Donovan McNabb was QB.. including Brian White's reign as OC.

College Fantasy Football Preview-- The New Guy posted by Chad

Scuba takes over for a depleted roster inherited from the Big Mattbowski.  Mattbowski didn't leave much in the will, in fact, some people think that it's like having a long lost relative die and hoping there is something for you in the will.. only to find out that you're left with debt.  Scuba's roster is coming off a 4-9 season including a beat down loss in their bowl game.  Not shockingly, Scuba's roster is full of Michigan players whom The Big Mattbowski loved... perhaps, that's why they were so bad last year.

QB:  Ryan Mallett is clearly the most talented player on the team and the only shot week in and week out that Scuba has to win.  The rest of his QB's appear to be non-factors like Tate Forcier and Tajih Boyd.  Neither appears to be a starter for their teams and Blake Bell certainly won't start down in Oklahoma. 

RB:  This position is slightly better than the QB in terms of depth.  Roy Helu Jr can score some points for a pounding Nebraska ground game and Scuba grabbed Anthony Allen early in the draft.  Yes, that same Anthony Allen that the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles dropped after he went from Louisville to become the Ramblin Wreck From Georgia Tech.  Isaiah Pead figures to get some touches up in Cincy and Montell Harris can run the ball albeit with a poor offense in Boston College.  

WR:  Another position without many stars or depth saw Scuba take 2 of them early in the draft:  Jermaine Kearse and Ashlon Jeffrey.  I really like both of them; they are big targets and the main guy at each school.  Jeffrey is at SC where Air Spurrier hasn't done what they thought he'd do offensively and Kearse is Jake Locker's main target in Washington.  Ronald Johnson plays at U$C, which is supposed to be a big deal and Leonard Hankerson is a senior down at Thug U.  Nukeese Richardson spent more time committing crimes than practicing and is now no longer a member of Division 1 football.  Frankly, I see this position going Ted Ginn Jr. this season.  

Big Daddy Measures Saints’ Fans Preparedness posted by Les Leonard

     Big Daddy noticed that Superdome seats were filled nearly to capacity Saturday night for the preseason home opener against our closest NFL neighbor, Houston. If you have been following the 2010 NFL preseason like Big Daddy, you have observed half-empty stadiums all around the league, demonstrating how football fans in other NFL cities believe glorified practices are not worth their time. Do you know why Big Daddy loves the Big Easy so much? Besides the music, food, culture, and laid back lifestyle, evidently, we’ re the only Americans who understand that football at half-speed, beats the crap out of anything else. Sort of like the scientific theory stating: “ Warm beer is way better than no beer.” Hmmm; didn’t Einstein write that theory? In this edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat, Big Daddy reviews “If God Is Willing And Da Creek Don’t Rise,” tours Champions Square, reports from Section 645, recaps the Houston game, collects some sentimental Parasol’s memorabilia, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information. 

     As Hurricane Katrina’s 5th anniversary quickly approaches, how many of you saw “If God Is Willing And The Creek Don’t Rise?” Spike Lee’ s HBO sequel to “When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.” Despite Lee’s usual slanted race card tactics, intended to incite anger African Americans and lay harder guilt-trips on Whitey than any organized religion, Spike’s sometimes hard- to-watch emotional film is well done. Opening scenes show the Saints wining the Super Bowl, the ensuing Bourbon Street celebration, the Saints victory parade, plus clips of Zulu on Mardi Gras Day. Of course, Rex was excluded. Lee delves into the Charity Hospital debacle, exposes the city’s severe lack of mental care facilities, lets former FEMA Director Michael Brown recount his actions, highlights Brad Pitt’s 9th ward neighborhood rebuilding philanthropy, and champions Sean Penn’s humanitarian efforts. Familiar faces like Phyllis Montana LeBlanc, Wendell Pierce, Douglas Brinkley, Shelton “Shakespeare” Alexander, and Garland Robinette also return to continue telling their stories to regain normalcy in their post-Katrina lives. If you call New Orleans home, watch it! This documentary punches viewers in the gut almost harder than Lee’s original Crescent City work. However, Big Daddy wonders how many folks even get HBO. Considering these tough economic times, HBO subscribers are harder to find than bailed out Wall Street Banking Executives that declined their “well deserved” bonuses.

Big Daddy Prepares For 2010, Doin 12oz. Curls posted by Les Leonard

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     Big Daddy has been training rigorously over the past two weeks, getting ready for opening day, which is now only 20 days away. After a grueling off-season enduring the NBA Playoffs, World Cup Soccer, Major League Baseball, and the Chocolate City’ s unbearably hot, sticky Summer, lifting frosty cold longnecks gets easier every August. Both of Big Daddy’ s arms were in mid-season form before halftime of the New England preseason opener. In this week’s edition of the Section 645 Saints Beat: Big Daddy gives news from around NFL, grades the 2010 draft class, points out free agent rookies to keep an eye on this preseason, delivers a Kingpin update, recaps the New England game, remembers Dave Dixon, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.

        As the ominous 2011 collective bargaining agreement drapes a dark cloud over the NFL looking toward next year, teams and agents seemed less eager to make personnel changes this past off-season than a Capital Hill Republican that says yes. Almost every contract Big Daddy heard about were all one year deals. Owners, general managers, agents, and players are waiting for the dust to settle before agreeing to any more long term deals for high-priced players. Therefore, the reigning Super Bowl champs’ roster remains virtually in tact from 2009, with Scott Fujita, Charles Grant, Jamal Brown, and Mike Bell being the notable exceptions. That should bode well for the Black ‘n’ Gold in 2010.

Toronto FC-Fire Preview (AP)

Neither the Chicago Fire nor Toronto FC are in position to make the playoffs now, and time is running short for both. The Eastern Conference rivals meet Wednesday night at Toyota Park, with Chicago winless in three MLS matches and Toronto winless in four. Toronto (7-9-6) has 27 points and Chicago (6-7-7) has 25 for fourth and fifth place, respectively, in the conference. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jets re-sign veteran FB Richardson (AP)

Tony Richardson is back paving the way for the New York Jets' running game. The veteran fullback was re-signed Tuesday, two days after he was cut. Richardson practiced and will play in the season opener against Baltimore on Monday night at the New Meadowlands Stadium. "I actually called down to Miami and I talked to D-Wade and LeBron to see if they needed help down there," Richardson... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Report: Bush to be stripped of Heisman (AP)

Yahoo! sports is reporting that 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush is expected to be stripped of the award by the end of the month. The former Southern Cal running back would become the first player in the 75-year history of the award to have the Heisman Trophy taken away. The report also says the award would be left vacant for '05. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

RB Newton takes over as starter at Texas (AP)

Texas took only one game to make a change at running back. Tre' Newton will get the start for the No. 5 Longhorns this week against Wyoming after scoring three touchdowns in Texas' 34-17 season-opening win at Rice. Newton led the Longhorns with 61 yards on the ground. Cody Johnson, who had earned the starting job after an impressive training camp, ran for 59 yards against Rice but was... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jaguars' Jones-Drew returns to practice (AP)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is back at practice. Jones-Drew, who missed most of the last two weeks of work amid reports he was dealing with a knee injury, returned to practice Monday and expects to ready for Sunday's season opener against Denver. He says his knee is "a non-issue." He says there are a lot of "false reports" out there. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports