Week 2 Recap

The league average jumped 6 points this week- 101.50- and saw six teams go over 100 points- though no one over 120. With a low of 86.75, and the largest margin of victory at 15 points, it's clear we are in for a ton of close games. This year, we have had two consecutive weeks with one matchup decided by 0.75 points, the 2nd closest margin in VUFSA history.

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Madd Skillz: 116.75
The Nihilist Marmot: 105.00

Game Summary: Huge days from the SKL running backs trumped huge days from the TNM wide receivers. Darrell Jackson more than doubled his QB counterpart's point total. While the Chiefs lack of offense slowed Larry Johnson, it crippled Tony Gonzalez. Just two TNM TDs could not compete with 6 SKL scores.

Madd Skillz (2-0): Second straight high score week. Rudi Johnson (27) and LaDanian Tomlinson (24.50) are 2 of the three backs to amass 40+ point so far this season, and both were needed in this pretty close game. Chad Johnson (12) got on the board, but was murdered late in his game, and Terry Glenn's big Sunday Night game (13) was instrumental in holding off Ladell Betts' late charge. Larry Johnson (13.50) broke the 100 yard barrier, but fumbled inside the 5 yard line, a 9 point swing that would have given him a more studly 22.50 for the week. He did well without Trent Green, which is encouraging. Game-time add Joe Horn chipped in 6.50 and kept Lincoln off the list of undefeateds. More to come on that. Schillinger improves to 3-0 in Week 2s.

The Nihilist Marmot (1-1): To start at WR for JR Radcliffe, you must have this many yards: 127. Silly days abound for Darrell Jackson (15), Antonio Bryant (14), Marvin Harrison (9.50) and Reggie Wayne (9). Only the first two men reached the endzone, the only Marmots to do so. Cadillac Williams (3) is mired on a terrible Tampa Bay offense and is really off to a horrendous start. Tiki Barber (10.50) runs well, but is receiving even better. Robert Mathis tosses in a nice 11.50 point effort. Chad Pennington continues his astounding run of goodness, albeit on the bench.

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ChamPeons: 93.00
The Slumpbusters: 86.75

Game Summary: This matchup saw the two lowest scores of the week. Champ is sitting pretty after two weeks, but has done so recording the 6th and 9th highest scores in each respective week. Frank Gore and the NE backs were magnificent, but SLM getting just 2 TDs (both on the same play) is really what determined the outcome of this game.

ChamPeons (2-0): Starting two running backs from the same team is hardly a normal or popular strategy, but it couldn't have worked any better for Champ, as he got 26 points from Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney combined. Daunte Culpepper sucks, but 13.75 is a respectable score. The WR corps got a lift from Andre Johnson (10) but Lee Evans (1) and the now Injured Terrell Owens (1.50) put up stinkers. Julius Jones (6) had a nice day rushing, but fumbled and didn't get the goal line call for the Cowboys, so his value is supect. Joseph Addai is about to become an every week play.

The Slumpbusters (1-1): It seems like it's feast or famine for Eli. Week 2 has not been kind, being one of just two weeks in which his franchise averages under 90 points. These are also the only two weeks that they don't average at least 110 points. Having three Rams on a week when they score just 13 points against the 49ers is murderous. When Clinton Portis comes back (next week?) he'll make Tatum Bell a fine flex play. The WRs have been serviceable, but not great, and Jeremy Shockey needs more than 1 point from a game in which the Giants score 30. Michael Vick is a primetime fantasy QB all of a sudden and will probably get the start next week. One more kick in the crotch: dropped Amani Toomer from a starting spot as well as his team in general for Chris Henry. Point differential between the two: 16.50.

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Naj Davenport's Poop: 108.25
Tice's Partyboat: 98.50

Game Summary: 3 keys to this one; Peyton Manning killed the Texans, Drew Brees turned it over three times, Chris Brown failed to gain even 10 yards. If Brees is turnover free and Brown manages just one more yard, Wolf wins. Or, if Manning wasn't such a stat hungry asshole, Drew stands a chance. Still, a good overall score for Viano despite his #2 scorer being a defender.

Naj Davenport's Poop (1-1): Peyton Manning (32.50) regained his 2004 form, a great time to do so. The Colts did run the ball better, which is a little concerning, but not enough. Even though it was a 10 point win, it really should have been bigger. The Steelers' shutout on Monday Night handcuffed Hines Ward (2.50) and Willie Parker (3.50). Javon Walker's (7.50) knee cancer is healed, although Jake Plummer is poopy. Todd Heap (8.50) quietly had a good game.

Tice's Partyboat (0-2): Drew Wolf's record during weeks 1 through 3 is 1-7. He is again 0-2 despite some decent scoring weeks. Double digits from each RB spot, though Edgerrin James' 10.50 is a little disappointing. Warrick Dunn (13) will be a monster if he can ever get into the end zone. Same can be said for Donald Driver (12). Keyshawn Johnson (7.50) remained a really solid option this week, but if Steve Smith ever returns, the WR are in trouble with Randy Moss (2) struggling for air.

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Cellar Dwellers: 101.00
Father Abraham: 100.25

Game Summary: Little story about my past weekend and how it directly relates to this games. Before work on Saturday, I went to Target with Jamie to buy some new pants for work. Mine had a hole in the crotch. Jamie has taken a bit of interest in the league and I was discussing with her SKL's need for some WR depth. I told her we had identical offers on the table for two similar receivers: Muhsin Muhammed and Joe Horn. She watched the Bears game last Sunday and reported that Moose looked awesome and in tune with Rexy. After much deliberation, I weighed the Saints potential against that of the Bears, and factored in the Bears lack of a supporting cast. I decided Muhammed would be a more stable option. I proposed that trade to Dave, while keeping Lincoln's proposal open just in case. Saturday night came, and no word from Dave, though we had an IM agreement earlier in the week, and I had IM'd him and emailed him to tell him to accept the goddamn thing. Come Sunday morning at 10a- leaving for work in a half hour- I have no word from David. I call him. Twice. Dave decides that without Deion Branch playing he needs Muhammed this week and he's no where near a computer. (Was he in the fucking woods? How far can you be from a computer nowadays?) Shortly after, I talk myself into how good Joe Horn could be becuase Rex Grossman is always hurt and the Bears run too much and the Saints have a better QB and will trail more. Needing a better option than Brandon Lloyd against the Cowboys to beat JR, I pull the trigger and plug Joe Horn into the lineup sending away Brandon Lloyd and Samkon Gado in the league's first trade. I quickly email Lincoln apologizing for the delay in the acceptance, and hoping the email would remind him to set his lineup on time. I tinker with the idea of using my 'commissioner tools' power to fill in his blank spot since if he lost eligibility it would be my fault for giving him just 2.5 hours of prep time, but think that's probably unethical. I then realize that he actually has 9.5 hours to fill it in, as Brandon Lloyd doesn't play until 8p. I wash my hands of it and go to work. This morning I notice that Lincoln was a mere point from being 2-0, and I check my email to find out that Mr. Souzek would have rather used the 13 Joey Galloway points he had on the bench had he had the time. So, I feel pretty awful that I probably caused Lincoln a loss because I am a dick who accepted a trade on Sunday Morning. Sorry.

Cellar Dwellers (1-1): Shaun Alexander (14.50) didn't exactly 'carry' CD this week, but his performance was much needed. Donte Stallworth (12.50) continues his run at "steal of the draft" while Plaxico Burress (14) makes his keepage over Roy Williams brilliant. All that is nice, but 24.75 points from Julius Peppers and Adrian Wilson are what won the game for Stem. Tied Champs defeat of Viano last week for 2nd smallest margin of victory in league history.
Both trail JR's Week 14 defeat of Eli in 2004 (0.50).

Father Abraham (1-1): Donovan McNabb (28.75) is the league's top scorer by a lot and Fred Taylor (11.50) remains solid as an RB2. Adalius Thomas was a man against Oakland, punishing Andrew Walter and Co for 14.50 points. Again, Brandon Lloyd notched 0.50 points while Joey Galloway's 13 points would have given the Father a comfy win and dropped last year's runner up to 0-2. We may talk about this one as we get closer to the playoffs.

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Fresh Legs: 110.00
Who is Ron Mexico: 95.25

Game Summary: Very respectable for WIRM this week, notching the exact same score this week as he did in week 2 of last season. Meanwhile, Baron set a new franchise record for points in a single game, and continues a better than steady start, 3rd in total points so far. 5 FL double digit performances outlast a valiant effort from L'il Eli Manning.

Fresh Legs (1-1): Carson Palmer (19) is back and so is Deuce McAllister (17.50). Laverneus Coles (14) continues to be a tremendous WR2 play while Chris Chambers (10) got into the end zone. Ahman Green and Dominic Rhodes present a pleasant problem at Flex for Baron as both should continue to be solid. Thomas Jones (6.50) will get better from here once the Bears commit to running more. The win snaps a 6 game Brendel losing streak dating back to Week 10 of last season.

Who is Ron Mexico (0-2): Elisha Manning (29.75) shouldn't be benched again, and will put up better than solid numbers for Dave from here on out. Braylon Edwards (7) is shaping up to be a solid option in a suprisingly useful Cleveland passing offense. Chester Taylor was an accidental keeper (meaning that once the season ended, he was not considered one) but is turning into a damn fine runner for Dave. Marques Colston (10) is probably going to prove me wrong about not being worth Chris Cooley's benching. DeAngelo Williams is the man in Carolina now, and solidifies the WIRM lineup even further.