Week 6 Preview

Game of the Week

Madd Skillz vs. The Slumpbusters (+1.5)

The two highest scoring teams in VUFSA history square off, with SLM looking to hand SKL their first loss of the season...Teams were 1 and 2 in the preaseason poll...Both teams have performed well in Week 6s- each averaging over 122 pts in this frame...Schillinger took the first three meetings between the franchises before Gieryna got his first win in Week 10 of 2005.

News and Notes, SKL

Larry Johnson is the primary concern for the club right now, and the good news is that he looks like he's going to play on Sunday. How effective he'll be against a defense like Pittsburgh, however, is up in the air...Has two great opponents on the slate- with both LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates playing the Niners, while Terry Glenn and possibly Drew Bledsoe playing the Texans D...Chad Johnson needs to get things going- he's been overlooked in the Bengals offense so far...Key Byes: Chester Taylor...Key Injuries: Larry Johnson (Probable)

News and Notes, SLM

Gets a double dip on the Tennesee defense this week, sending studs Clinton Portis and Santana Moss out against the weakling Titans...Two more RBs with nice matchups- Tatum Bell vs. Oak should get big time yardage and Willis McGahee vs. Det should manage a score on the ground...The determining factor in this game will be just how good the Seahawk defense is. The Seahawks have been assumed to be a strong defensive team based on their past few years. However, they've been torched by both the Giant and Bear offenses their last two times out. Plus, Marc Bulger is usually very good against the divisional foe. I don't actually know whether or not this is a good or bad matchup going in, but even an average game (like 17-21 points) would benefit SLM immensely...Key Byes: Ben Watson...Key Injuries: Jeremy Shockey (Probable), Roy Williams (Probable)

On Deck

Fresh Legs vs. Cellar Dwellers (+11.5)

The two biggest MASH units in the league dual in this one- Baron dealing with owies to Ahman Green, Brian Westbrook and Laverneus Coles, while Stem deals with Shaun Alexander, Larry Fitzgerald and Donte Stallworth...Just 2.25 points and one win separate these two teams overall, and while it will be hard to distinguish one's self from the pack this week- a win over such a close competitor would be a big deal...Stem has beaten Baron both times they have played.

News and Notes, FL

The ongoing injury status of Brian Westbrook is positive this week- but it has been before. The Eagles stud back has been practicing, and should have a decent day against the Saints if he goes...Carson Palmer is done missing games for the year, and it's really time for him to turn it up for Baron. Palmer is ranked 24th among all QBs in the league- just 1.50 points more than the recently benched Daunte Culpepper, and 5.50 fewer than the legendary Damon Huard...Laverneus Coles' injury news is not as bright as Westbrooks, and despite a his fair share of byes, Baron'll have a decent longshot in Patrick Crayton to replace him, if necessary...Thomas Jones is just starting to get hot, and when he's playing well, Baron's top3 runners are scary...Key Byes: Ahman Green, Dominic Rhodes, Doug Gabriel, Dallas Clark...Key Injuries: Brian Westbrook (Questionable), Laverneus Coles (Questionable)

News and Notes, CD

It's a bad time for Stem to put forth his worst starting lineup of the year, so far. Subbing Jon Kitna for Tom Brady, Keenan McCardell for Larry Fitzgerald and Verron Haynes for Shaun Alexander represents three tremendous drops in production...LaMont Jordan has been beyond disappointing, and things don't look much brighter against a stellar Denver defense this week...Concussed Kevin Jones is too inconsistent to be relied on, although the Bears ran on the Bills last week...1 out of every 6 catches Plaxico Burress makes is in the end zone...In order for Stem to be successful, he'll need more than a standard game from Derrick Mason- he'll need him to get into the end zone...Key Byes: Tom Brady...Key Injuries: Shaun Alexander (Out), Larry Fitzgerald (Doubtful), Donte Stallworth (Doubtful)

The 3 Spot

Father Abraham vs. Naj Davenport's Poop (-13)

It's a little odd to see these two teams just one win from one another in the standings...This has been the 2nd worst week, statistically, for Viano- garnering just 84.88 points in week 6s, well below his career average of 109.01...This has been a pretty lopsided rivalry so far, Viano is 3-1 vs. Souzek lifetime.

News and Notes, FA

Leon Washington is coming on at a great time for Souzek- and although he may not be a long-term answer at RB, he has a nice outlook for the rest of this season...LenDale White has a ton of potential, but I can't shake the feeling that he just doesn't have the mental fortitude to be successful. He's questionable for this week, and can't surpass Travis Henry on the Titan depth chart. Tennessee has nothing to play for but next season, and the rookie has only managed 26 rushes so far this season. The Titans let the partially retarded play QB for them, but White as a backup? I have a bad feeling about him right now...Joey Galloway has been very strong the last three games, and he can be used as a nice trade chip down the road, or even as a potential keeper for next season- all pending Bruce Gradkowski's development, of course...Key Byes: Fred Taylor, Troy Williamson...Key Injuries: LenDale White (Questionable), Drew Bennett (Questionable), Leon Washington (Probable), Desmond Clark (Probable), Domanick Davis (IR)

News and Notes, NDP

It appears as if Peyton Manning picked an acceptable week to sit out. Philip Rivers fills in for Peyton, and has a nice matchup against San Fransico, and is finally being allowed to do something with his arm- 37 pass attempts last week (a career high)...Despite the fact that the RB corps is just brimming with potential- two starters this week are crapshoots. Jerious Norwood was sensational in his last game because of a 78 yard TD run (almost half his fantasy points this year came on that one run) but oustide of that he only got 5 carries. Marion Barber has scored in his last three games, but is not a guarantee from week-to-week. If both can do the most with their limited opportunities, there's no reason to worry, but if not...Will actually miss Greg Jennings this week, what a tremendous draft sleeper that guy was...Key Byes: Peyton Manning, Greg Jennings, Matt Jones...Key Injuries: Todd Heap (Questionable), Jerious Norwood (Questionable), Bobby Engram (Questionable)

Batting Cleanup

The Nihilist Marmot vs. Who is Ron Mexico (+8)

No love lost here...For all the grief we give JR, Week 6 is the only week where his teams average less than 90 points (86.75)...Week 6 and 7, JR is a combined 0-4, while going 12-2 from week 8 forward...JR has won the only matchup between these two franchises.

News and Notes, TNM

Mr. Radcliffe has been fond of his WRs all season, and is missing his two best ones this week. He has enough depth to cover them adequately, but I find it interesting that this is the week where his WRs cease to be his greatest strength...The running game for JR has never been better- and I mean for the past three years. Though two of the RBs he starts this week are far from superstars, both are capable of double digit weeks to complement his existing stud backs...Will there come a time when Tony Gonzalez gets replaced? Damon Huard's shocking competency and Trent Green's impending return mean that there is still hope for Tony G, but he had just one catch last week and hasn't hit the end zone since week 1...Corell Buckhalter is a nice player to have on your bench right now, in case Travis Henry or DeShaun Foster fall off and Brian Westbrook's injury gets worse...Key Byes: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brett Farve...Key Injuries: Chad Pennington (Probable)

News and Notes, WIRM

I say with 90% confidence that this is the best lineup Dave has ever fielded...Reggie Bush gets more productive every week, and this will be Warrick Dunn's first action in the Mexican backfield. As long as Ron Dayne gets the ball and Kevan Barlow handles the goal line, Dave's in good shape...Michael Robinson was supposed to be a viable back in goal line situations- but failed in those circumstances 3x last week. If he's not getting the ball within the 5 yard line, he's not getting it at all and his value is nil...Hank Baskett was a nice pickup, even if he is #6 on the WR depth chart for Dave...Jeff Wilkins is a Robbie Gould-esque stud right now; great pickup...Key Byes: Braylon Edwards...Key Injuries: Kevan Barlow (Probable)

The 5 Hole

Tice's Partyboat vs. ChamPeons (-16.5)

This matchup probably sets a VUFSA record with 2.5 white receivers taking the field...Wolfman has never lost a Week 6 game before...Champ's best football team ever can win it's 4th game this year, leaving them 8 games to win the minimum 4 more games they would need to have a shot at the playoffs- although with parity playing out the way it is, we may see a team sneak in with 7...Did you know that if SKL, TPB, TNM, FA and FL win this week (somewhat conceivable) we could have eight 3-3 teams in the league?...Drew is 2-1 vs. Champ all-time.

News and Notes, TPB

Capt. Wolf claims that this is his worst lineup ever, but I feel Week 8 of last season (also against Champ) in which Warrick Dunn and Edgerrin James were replaced by negative RB scores is in the running...Wes Welker is actually a pretty good start this week. Marty Booker is out for a while and the Jets have shown little interest in stopping teams. Then again, Joey Harrington. (For the record, when I woke up on Sunday, Jamie came to me and said "I picked someone up for the team, but I don't think it was a good idea." And that's how the Joey Harrington era on SKL was born)...Though he wasn't playing particularly well, the DeAngelo Williams injury may just be the nail in the coffin for TPB, as Stephen Davis now has a roster spot in our league...Key Byes: Ruben Droughns, Maurice Jones-Drew, Donald Driver...Key Injuries: DeAngelo Williams (Out)

News and Notes, CHM

This appears to be David Carr's team for the rest of the season- as the only other QBs on the roster are named Daunte Culpepper and Damon Huard. Carr's had a very good season, and may end up being a very good fantasy QB, but it's tough to rely on a guy without a strong track record...Terrell Owens has to be on the verge of a breakout, doesn't he? There's no way he's over the hill already...Eric Parker is a good pickup to make up for the bye weeks of Maroney/Addai...Frank Gore has a real tough matchup against SD this week, but he didn't fumble last week, and should get more goal line looks since Michael Robinson stinks...Julius Jones has looked awesome the last two weeks; expect another big game against Houston...Key Byes: Joseph Addai, Laurence Maroney, Corey Dillon...Key Injuries: Randy McMichael (Probable), Daunte Culpepper? (Doubtful)

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I'll close with a brief story Champ has relayed to me showcasing his extreme WVUR Pride. He'll make a lot of friends in Richmond.

"Morning DJ: Brent, what are you going to be doing this weekend?
Champ: Well, I am going to be headed up to Valparaiso for the weekend, and I was planning on seeing my girlfriend and some friends from college.
Morning DJ: Oh, well that's nice.
Mid-day female DJ: Wait...you graduated from where again?
Champ: Valparaiso University.
Mid-day female DJ: With a degree in what now?
Champ: Sports Broadcasting.
Mid-day female DJ: Reeeally...well I graduated from Ball State, Brent. A public school...not one of those private schools that you went to...Did you know that Ball State is number three in the nation in terms of communications?..Number three in the nation, Brent!
Champ: That's interesting. Did you know that WVUR Valparaiso University's College Radio Station and my college radio station, was voted Indiana Radio School of the Year last year by the Indiana Association of Student Broadcasters...And I'm trying to think of who was number two, but I'm having a tough time remembering...
Morning DJ: Whoa. Look out!
Mid-day female DJ: Well, do you know who was number one when I was going to school there, college boy?..yeah, I think we were.
Champ: Whatever you say...number two.
(3 seconds of some funky techno bed music passes)
Mid-day female DJ: Why you little!..
Morning DJ: Let's get the forecast from Storm Kennedy!

...He got the forecast from Storm Kennedy.

VUR Pride."