Week 4 Recap

The glorious return of Baron Brendel to VUFSA blogging has inspired me to pen a recap. Hopefully time for a Power Rankings later before the ulcer that will be October baseball sets in for most of the league, myself exceptionally included.

Baron Brendel continues to prove that he is for real, while Dave continues to own bitches. Three teams escape still unbeaten, while two powerhouse owners inexplicably continue to struggle. Let's review and look ahead now that 25% of the season is done.

Unending Hyperbole: 111.25
Champeons: 122.50

Two of the league's top three scoring teams put on a hell of a ballgame, separated by next to nothing for most of the weekend. Brendel had to have felt good going into Monday Night (good enough to write a game preview) before the man who coined the phrase "Monday Night Thunder" brought some noise of his own late in the game.

HYP (2-2): The stunningly quick demise of Carson Palmer continues, but luckily for Baron, Jason Campbell (21.o0) has ascended to a top-10 QB. The Skins QB is getting hot as his team does, and can be considered an every-week starter at this point. The MVP for Baron this week, however, is undoubtedly Loveyouranus Coles (27.00) who caught half of Brett Farve's TD passes this week, also topping 100 yards. Frank Gore (12.50 ) had a decent day, but probably left some points on the field since he was playing the Saints. Brandon Marshall had another great game, but lost four points from his total b/c of a fumble, and quirkily, -11 rush yards. Jared Allen with a stout point and a half.

What's next: No real reason to think the scoring onslaught will slow down, but Baron could use some good fortune going forward, with a couple of hard-luck losses. Will have some decisions to make at RB, with keeper LenDale White now a goal-line specialist, Deuce McAllister's resurrection and Darren McFadden's injury. Still a major contender.

CHM (4-0): Champ fell out of contention briefly, watching Coles' three second-quarter TDs, only to have his own Jet WR Jerricho Cotchery (17.00) roar back with two of his own later on that same game. With both of his keeper RBs (Addai, Westbrook) not in action this week, Whitlock's WRs stepped up and won this matchup. In addition to Cotchery, Terrell Owens (13.50) and Muhsin Muhammed (17.00) had enormous games. Drew Brees (28.25) gets MVP honors nonetheless, with a monster game.

What's next: A repeat title? Champ has everything going his way, winning a game with crippling byes. Is loaded.

G-Rock's Horse Roids: 129.50
Winslow's Warriors: 108.50

Another virtual thriller until very late, where newcomer Adam Welty continues his very strong showing in VUFSA football despite a historically inaccurate team name. VUFSA Historians will note that Winslow's proper name is "Tricycle Soldier." But that was back when people paid attention. To things other than Eli's smack talk.

ROCK (4-0): No shit Adrian Peterson (20.50) would find a way to pile up big points against (maybe) the league's best defense, but Edgerrin James (19.50) approaching 20 points after his team trailed by 35 at halftime came from nowhere. If that wasn't enough, you know things are going your way when Lee Evans (13.00) comes through in a game when you really need him to. Larry Fitzgerald (10.00) had another great game despite no TD, and is in line for an increase in his already stellar production if Anquan Boldin misses significant time. Lamarr Woodley's (19.75) 9 point play in the third quarter of MNF slammed the door in the face of Thunder.

What's next: Amazingly, Stem should march through most of the next 3/4s in playoff contention despite not really replacing Tom Brady. That QB spot may be what ultimately keeps him out of the playoffs, unless of course Stem moves on Kyle Orton.

WW (1-3): When it happened, I thought Dave made the best pick in the draft with Steve Slaton (not that he didn't- more on that later). After a quarter of the season, rookie Chris Johnson (19.00) may take that crown away. The young Titan basically matched Adrian Peterson and kept this team in the game. The entire KC-DEN game had to be disappointing for the Broncos, and Jay Cutler's (14.25) pair INTs and single TD kept him from what should have been a huge game. Eddie Royal (6.50) was the benefactor of a lot of Cutler's passing yards, but lost a fumble. Antonio Gates (10.50) did exactly what he should be doing every week, while Chad Johnson did exactly what he used to do every week. Earnest Graham (17.50) has to be mentioned.

What's next: Hard to say. This is undoubtedly one of the most consistent, talented, albeit suprising teams in the league, and has suffered some pretty awful luck to this point. The keeper situation is in very good shape, so there's no benefit to looking to 2009 yet. Still a lot of games to play.

Tom Waddle: 112.75 Sucky McSucks: 89.75

Andy Viano was decimated by bye weeks and injuries this week, yet put up a respectable point total. An injury to Willis McGahee and a Santonio Holmes TD put the game away on Monday night, after a strong 4p showing by Schill's RBs.

WAD (4-0): I am still aghast by Kurt Warner's turnover output, but can't really bitch too much about a 13 point day, all things considered. Steve Smith (13.00) had a very strong game as he works his way into the 2008 season. That's all fine and good, but it was an old formula that lead Edwin to a win this week: rely on two superhuman efforts from stud RBs. LaDanian Tomlinson (23.50) took his time, but eventually lit up the Raiders. Steven Jackson (22.50) finally hit the end zone, as the Rams offense "showed some life" as they rallied around a fierce hatred for their now-former coach.

What's next: Playoff contention, and if can get consistency out of the WR corps, will be very good down the stretch. Needs to make sure to get at least 14 games out of the fragile QB tandem that inhabits the roster at this point.

SMS (0-4): Missing Peyton Manning, Willie Parker, Julius Jones and Anthony Gonzalez, simply could not find enough replacements. Darren Sproles (3.50) was mostly invisible while LDT took over, and JT O'Sullivan (8.50) had some turnover problems of his own. Sidney Rice (0.50) almost didn't play, but did his job and matched Vernon Davis half-point for half-point. Greg Jennings (20.00) continues his awesome season, but has to be worried about Aaron Rodgers' shoulder. Jason Witten (13.50) also performed admirably.

What's Next: 2009. Possibly time to turn over aging keeper corps, though will be hard to deal stalwarts like Peyton and Waiver Wire Willie. With baseball season over, we may see a return to the Andy Viano who JR once described as "a shark" when it comes to transactions.

Stanton for Heisman!: 115.50
Phil Dawson's Dawgs: 91.25

Missing two good WRs and his starting TE, Dave finds a way to make quick work of a Drew Wolf team that had some momentum coming into this week. The most compelling battle of this game, oddly, was the dueling Texans- combining for 36 points.

SFH (3-1): The aforementioned Steve Slaton (17.00) came through big time this week, catching eight balls and a TD pass. Second-rounder Kevin Smith now sits behind Rudi Johnson on the depth chart, meaning Slaton's role for Dave's juggernaut will only increase. Probably a good thing Smith lost his job though, because the Lions are going to get sodomized next week. Tony Romo (28.00) was fantastic in his team's worst game of the year, piling up 300 yards and three scores to put space between Stanton! and the Dawgs. Jim Zorn's offense has been a boon to Tomke, with a rejuvanated Clinton Portis (13.00) and Santana Moss (11.00). Reggie Bush (5.50) sucks again, I guess.

What's next: WORLD FUCKING DOMINATION YOU COCKSUCKERS!!!!! I COULD START TONY ROMO'S TAINT SWEAT AT FLEX AND BEAT YOUR PEICE OF SHIT TEAMS BY 45 POINTS. Matt Millen got fired this week, so the Lions can be sweet again. Eat. Shit. I am so goddamn awesome.

DAWG (1-3): When Kevin Walter (19.00) is carrying your team, it's bad. When he's the only one in double digits, it's a disaster. Ryan Grant (0.00) continues to struggle after his foolish training camp holdout. That's what living in Green Bay will do to your brain. Philip Rivers (9.50) took a small step back this week, but had still had a decent game, minus the turnovers. Braylon Edwards (8.50) finally scored a touchdown, but that play was 1/3rd of his catch total on the day. He had 22 yards. Tony Gonzalez (9.50) continues to be a bright spot.

What's next: A late-season push. Drew has never been one to all-out rebuild, and I honestly thought this team turned a corner last week. There's still a lot of talent here, and you have to figure that Ryan Grant will get stronger as the season wears on. Has a budding star at QB, plus Marques Colston coming back in a few weeks. It won't be easy, but there's a lot to work with. His next two opponents have a combined zero wins. Stay tuned.

The 1976 Buccaneers: 108.25
Hurricane Zambrano: 72.25

I honestly can't decide which of the above numbers is more surprising. I am honestly befuddled.

76 (1-3): No Plax, no Wayne, and no alternative to Derek Anderson. It matters not, because Larry Johnson (31.00) played Sunday's game in 2006. Jamal Lewis (14.00) was very solid and Johnathan Stewart (11.00) won the battle of Carolina backs. Chanci Stuckey (1.00) was forced into action and somehow was the only Jet WR not to have an impact in that game. Antwaan Randle El (9.00) and even Reggie Brown (6.00) filled in admirably for the bye week studs. Reports are good on Anquan Boldin (13.50) which is very good because what happened to him was very scary.

What's next: The 2007 Miami Dolphins, probably. Or maybe the 1996 Jets. Or the 1989 Cowboys. Regardless, there's a glimmer of hope in the season now, especially with Larry Johnson back for now. Eli Manning may take over at QB, while the WRs remain very strong. Johnathan Stewart is emerging. It's far from impossible, however improbable.

Z (0-4): I find myself just wanting to apologize as I write this. I'll keep it brief. Chris Perry (2.00) needed to do more against a weak Browns team. Midget-Jones Drew needed to do more against a bad Texans team. Antonio Bryant (3.50)) went from 18 looks last week to four catches this week. Ronald Curry (0.50) could not fill in for either Roy Williams or Marvin Harrison. Donald Driver (0.50) was left out while Greg Jennings had a big game. On the plus side, Isaac Bruce continues to be a fantasy asset.

What's next: I'm guessing fire sale, if not now then sometime. It's a shame, but this season can't even be chalked up to bad luck in results, just good players underperforming.