This week I have received more email questions than ever before and a couple of topics seemed to emerge aside from the customary "Who is the better match up?" type of questions.
Readers wanted to know my perspective on the Randy Moss Debacle - Part II, so my take on it is Randy did what several of us would like to have done in the past. He basically told the big boss (Vikings owner Zygi Wilf) that his boss (coach Brad Childress) should be fired because Phineas and Ferb know more about football than him.
Okay, he didn't put it that way exactly, but the same point was made. The difference between me, you and Randy Moss is we just think it, then we consider the consequences of our actions. Moss does not care about what others think and never considers the consequences of his own actions.
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Rob Stewart is... The Fantasy Oracle
Plus, who would berate a local mom and pop shop caterer saying their food is (paraphrased) "bad" and then brag they have money and don't have to eat like this anymore. Who you may ask? Well, of course, it is none other than Moss, once again. As a human, Moss rates a little above the salmonella bacteria, but as a football player he is exceptionally skilled and makes those around him better. Isn't that right, Percy Harvin?
Tennessee took the gamble because Kenny Britt is out for at least six weeks and they needed to spread the field to allow Chris Johnson room to run. Moss will still command double teams and that factor makes Johnson, Vince Young, Bo Scaife and even Nate Washington better players. It is ironic that Washington will benefit from this as he was the most vocal Titan against it. All I can assume is he felt he was a legitimate No. 1 receiver, which is absurd.
Another question I was asked is, "What strategy did I employ to pick last in a 14-team and manage to work my way to the top?"
Fact Box
Last Weeks Results:
Rob Stewart 86.08, Jon Sitler 64.50;
Mike Campbell 103.50, Jon Myler 102.22;
Paul Mangione 107.70, Bob Patchen 61.90;
Dave Hishman 96.22, Dean Wells 79.72;
Allen Seybert 94.88, Derek Farr 40.74;
Frank Galeazzo 104.50, Joe Mangione 63.44;
Brian Ferry 112.32, Cody Elms 61.70.
WTO LBL Standings (points)
(divisions champs and next best three make Week 14 playoffs; ties are first broken by head-to-head matchups)
Eastern Division
1. Rob Stewart 7-1 (808.08)
4. Jon Myler 6-2 (820.72)
7. Jon Sitler 4-4 (763.16)
9. Dave Hishman 4-4 (701.22)
12. Bob Patchen 2-6 (622.58)
Central Division
2. Frank Galeazzo 6-2 (848.64)
5. Allen Seybert 6-2 (761.24)
6. Brian Ferry 5-3 (764.92)
10. Mike Campbell 3-5 (823.86)
11. Dean Wells 3-5 (663.20)
Western Division
3. Paul Mangione 4-4 (720.04)
8. Joe Mangione 4-4 (736.54)
13. Cody Elms 1-7 (653.22)
14. Derek Farr 1-7 (619.08)
As readers may remember, drafting last almost always guarantees an inferior team, according to statistics. My strategy was to trade two good players for one great player, which I achieved in getting Andre Johnson (a top six player in most drafts).
I am a firm believer that without a superstar it is impossible to win a championship.
I also traded my backup quarterback for running back depth in the event of injury and was very active on the waiver wire. It also helps when your team keeps meeting teams with their star players on bye weeks!
This week I play Allen Seybert (6-2) in my bid for my eighth win in a row and, just like clockwork, his star player, Chris Johnson, is on a bye. My Oracles are without Ryan Torain, Joseph Addai and DeAngelo Williams this week and have to resort to starting Brandon Jackson at RB2. It should be real close game.
In other feature WTO Laid Back League games, Jon Myler (6-2) battles Brian Ferry (5-3) and, in a battle of 4-4 teams, Jon Sitler plays Joe Mangione. Central division-leading Frank Galeazzo (6-2) battles Bob Patchen (2-6), while Western division-leading Paul Mangione takes on the high scoring Mike Campbell (3-5) team.
Bye Week Teams: Denver, Jacksonville, St. Louis, San Francisco, Tennessee and Washington
TOLD YA SO: Matthew Stafford, LaGarrette Blount, Anthony Gonzalez and Jacob Tamme were all solid plays, as was my recommendation to start Calvin Johnson at flex.
DID I REALLY SAY THAT: The Denver defense was about as effective as trying to catch a pheasant with your bare hands. I missed on Drew Brees as he threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns in their win over the Steelers Monday night.
FEMALE FANTASY PERSPECTIVE OF THE WEEK: Our female correspondent says to, "Emphasize the KISS model (Keep It Simple Stupid) and just play Peyton Manning."
FOOTBALL JOKE OF THE WEEK: The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl. Somehow I think Dave Morrison may still be waiting there.
CUTLER CORNER: Jay and the Bears battle Buffalo in a game played in Canada that could turn into an old-fashioned shootout. I expect 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
FREE AGENTS TO TARGET: Sidney Rice (week 10 comeback?), Tashard Choice, Keiland Williams, Tim Hightower, San Diego starting wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (could be in for a big game against the Texans worst-ranked pass defense), Jacob Tamme, and Matthew Stafford, if he is still available.
INJURIES: The following players all appear out this week: Matt Hasselbeck, Joseph Addai, Mike Hart, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Earnest Graham, Fred Taylor, DeAngelo Williams, Louis Murphy, Buster Davis (IR), Mike Williams (SEA), Anthony Gonzalez, Malcolm Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Zach Miller, Antonio Gates and Nate Kaeding. Deion Branch, Dexter McCluster and Owen Daniels do not appear to be suiting up this week, either. Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and Austin Collie return this week.
ULTIMATE LINEUP: Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Andre Johnson, Tony Gonzalez, Sebastian Janikowski and the Steelers defense. Flex play will be Darren McFadden.
FANTASY BUST OF THE WEEK (7-1): Miles Austin. The Packers defense must be salivating at the thought of Pick Six Heaven Quarterback Jon Kitna this week. Austin will be lucky to go for 70 yards.