Round Two is up!

2.01 Brain (LJ - round one)

Wow, can you get any luckier than having two-time champion, LJ, in the 10 spot? Four words - It only gets better - Give the Brain TO because there's nothing like lookin' at a physical specimen so completely opposite of one's self.

2.02 DNice (Tom Brady - round one)

DNice is getting a visit from someone I haven't met in about a decade - Barber. Book him and his guaranteed double-digit TDs as the #1 rb on what could be the league's most dynamic offense.

2.03 Ninja (Randy Moss - round one)

Inwardly pissed at not taking our advice, you desperately grab Reggie Wayne (luckily) and hope he can put up what Randy won't considering the new contract he got in the offseason...hmmm, something doesn't feel right and it's only round two!

2.04 Big Dan (Portis - round one)

Big Dan is like Costco - monster space with tons of value - knowing the WR run is happening you grab Braylon Edwards because you believe he is the next great WR in the historically weak, secondary of the AFC North.

2.05 D&D (Whatcha talkin' bout, Willis - round one)

To keep or not to keep - that is YOUR question despite even Brain knowing the answer...Your a Fitz guy because you love knowing he's not only high target but has your past heartthrob tossin' the pill.

2.06 Juice (Questionable - round one)

"I love injuries and LOVE to gamble - Andre Johnson. Book him!"

2.07 Flava (Daddy's worst nightmare, Mr. Jackson - round one)

TJH is the right call but you don't go for guys with last names longer than your's so you choose Steve Smith cause something tells you that Matt Moore will be a household name in 2008.

2.08 UCB (Addai - round one)

Third offensive keeper - stud QB perhaps...

2.09 Schoolgirls (LT - round one)

Who's Freddy gonna pull at the turn? Traditional owner that Fred is, you know Marshawn is targeted so you smartly grab him first and wait for Ocho Stinko at 22...

2.10 Freddy Part Duex (All Day - round one)

You've always been fond of wearing a blouse, who better to grab than Laurence Maroney - 1st team all red jersey wearer in 2007!

Mock Me Amadeus...

Corny title but the best I can do on the day the realization that your watching Kyle Boller for 8 games this year comes to fruition...What the Flacco!

1.01 Dead in Depends - Freddy Kramer

Adrian Peterson (bum shoulder and all...)

1.02 Schoolgirls

I've always wondered who would look better -those Catholic school mutts in Philly or LT in plaid - guess we'll find out!

1.03 UCB

No brainer. The safest player on the board - Joseph Addai

1.04 Ricky B.

Angry Mr. Jackson but I have a sneaky suspicion that Richard might buck up and take the player he really wants, Southeast Jerome with #4 (and if you didn't think it before - consider yourself informed - your welcome)

1.05 Juice

Livin' on the IR again but I expect nothing less from the man who doubled down on Ray Ray at Oakland

1.06 Willi...I mean, D&D

LT made Cam Cameron - not the other way around, Willis...

1.07 Oh Danny Boy

Old mister tight lips can't hide is admiration for Dolla Bill...gotta wonder about that sweet restructuring of his contract in March...his play might not be worth 50 cent!

1.08 Ninja Mafia (care of Brain's first trade of the year)

You have two backs coming in, a fondness for studly WRs, and a man crush on Tom Brady. Will the MVP of your team last season come back for more - only if you grab him here because DNice has had enough of sucky QBs and LOVES MR. Brady. You have too much pride to go too early in your mind so you grab his favorite target (minus Wesley Welker), Randy Moss...hope the money doesn't go to his head.

1.09 DNice

Tom Brady.

1.10 Brain

Larry "f_ckin'" Johnson is still there - book him!

Care to pick it up, Juice?

FPT Draft Weekend - 2008 edition

With the draft order looming (be available tomorrow to make your selection when your time comes!), our focus shifts to our draft over Labor Day weekend. As of now, here's what we're looking at...

Draft Date: 8/29

Draft Time: 6:30 sharp

Draft Location: Vogel's finished basement (hopefully!)

National's Game vs. Braves:

Option 1: Saturday night following a tailgate (first row Braves Bullpen)

Option 2: Sunday early afternoon following Kegs and Eggs (front row Braves Bullpen)

To be clear - we are securing seats by next week so we are looking for your commitments. We are expecting Big Dan, Juiceman, Ricky B?, D&D, DNice, and UCB...if others can make it in, icing on the cake.

For those in attendance, you might receive a commemorative shirt with everyone's favorite Brave - John Rocker - bound to get some some laughs from the Vistor's Pen!

Like a Proud Father.........

I feel that I needed to take a moment to recognize how proud I am of D & D today! Just over 4 years ago Kevin Conley thought LT stood for "Ladien Tommelson" ---- a lot of growth for a guy like that!

Look at where he is now ... able to forsee and predict that a guy like Jones has value in the Seattle system and eloquently explains his rationale! Well said my young Jedi ... WELL SAID!!!!!!

I said it before and I'll say it again.....D&D is slowly working his way to a championship and JJ looks to be the building block he's been waiting for!!!

Proud of Conley...feel like a proud father watching his son excel in something - WHAT A MOMENT!!!!

Hey Schoolgirls - better buy your own stash!

That's right, FPTers - Drury's team is on life support this offseason. Thankfully, he is our resident medical salesman so we expect him to "remedy" a dire situation...

For those uncommitted owners allow me to fill you in -

Schoolgirls roster is uglier than those mutts in Philly! Have a look...

RBs: Maurice Morris, Michael Bennett, Kevin Faulk, Patrick Cobbs, Lorenzo Booker, Justin Fargas, Jesse Chatman, and Thomas Jones.

Before you scream, "Wait! What about Justin Fargas?" let the 4th pick happen in the draft and ask yourself if this 2-time runner-up in the Heisman race the last two seasons, McFadden, may cut into the perennial scatback benchwarmer's time? BUT, let's not forget about the great Michael Bush lurking in the shadows...who happens to be available for your last pick and a bowl of soup.

WRs: Braylon Edwards, Bobby Engram, Larry Fitzgerald, and Kevin Curtis.

Bobby Engram actually looks like a fantastic pick - dare I say "Welker-esque". No more Cousin Hackett to steal targets, not to mention an underachieving running back who hasn't played on 3rd down in three years - oh yeah, 8-catch kickers galore!

Kicker: Gostkowski

Are you really gonna keep a kicker? I can see why but it's merely because of a lack of options!

Better call the Hospice, Drury! Unless you have a mulligan somewhere in that brief case...

DUMB and dangerous - absolutely!

According to D&D -

"Analysis: Fantasy owners must forget about what they saw from Jones over the past two seasons and recognize that he plays in a high-octane offense (ranked 20th in rushing yards per game in 2007) that needs a quality running back. Jones is it. He's got a real shot at not just 1,000 yards, but perhaps 1,500 total yards (bold prediction for a career 3.9 yards per rush and 8.8 yards per catch - put them together and what do ya' get? not enough....) with plenty of touchdowns (How many rushing TDs for the Seahawks in 2007? 9 oh, and how many does Julius have in his ENTIRE CAREER? 18). It only helps Jones' case that he hasn't been used as an every-down back over the last two seasons (for a reason I suspect...). Expect Jones to be a No. 2 Fantasy RB in 2008, well worth a pick between late Round 2 and the end of Round 3. "

In hindsight, I may have misspoke last week - Michael Turner isn't the most overrated RB this offseason...

Tom Brady - MVP, Daddy, 1st rounder???

Key Losses: Donte Stallworth

That's it? Now throw in a healthy Maroney...hmmmm

How bout the numbers last year -

8 games of 25+ completions

12 games with 3+ TDs

8 games 300+ passing yards

8 ints.

Four words: 3 spot - Book him!

APRIL 26th is a GREAT DAY!!!

Not only do we get to witness the first couple rounds of the '08 NFL Draft --- we more importantly officially open the 2008 Frederick Pain Train season!!! We will follow the first 10 picks with a selection from the hat to determine who in our league will choose his draft position first!!

As tradition has it, we would like to invite you to the Senuta house between 2 and 3 for the 4th annual NFL Draft/FPT Draft determination party! This year we are extending it to the entire families...nothing like having your wife and kids running around adding to the already exciting, yet stressful moment - you know what I mean Vogel!!!!

Please talk it over with the wives and find a way to make it happen. Without giving my "important to connect" speech let me just say I look forward to seeing you if you can make it and for those of you in the Chicago area and VA (no, not you Ricky!)....you'll be missed!

Remember, we will need you to have access to your Blackberry/IPhone/PDA in order to stay connected with the process. We will send out the names drawn and the position chosen by that owner! Looking forward to seeing it all unfold!

"I can play as long as I want. I really believe that." - Fred Taylor, STARTING Jaguars running back

Wow! What did Ninja do to bring these bad vibes...first the bad Turner analysis and now this.

Straight from http://www.jaguars.com/

“I’m going to have a better season. I’m on a mission. I’m just trying to catch Jim Brown and then we’ll close the curtains,” Taylor told jaguars.com during a visit to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Wednesday.

Taylor has rushed for 10,715 yards in his 10-year career. Brown rushed for 12,312 in nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Taylor, therefore, needs 1,598 yards to move past Brown and into eighth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

“My admiration for what he did; it’s within reach,” Taylor said of Brown and his rushing total, which stood for nearly 20 years as the figure all running backs were chasing. “He’s a guy I respect; to do what he did statistically and the way he put fear in defenses, and he did all of that in nine years,” Taylor added.

Taylor said he recently “bumped” into Brown in Miami’s South Beach. “I said hello. He said, ‘The way you run the ball, keep it up.’”
The 2007 season was one of Taylor’s best. From a standpoint of personal fulfillment and acclaim, it was without a doubt his best. He became one of the league’s most beloved and celebrated players and he capped the season with his first-ever appearance in the Pro Bowl.

“Last year was the most fun I had in football. Just everything; the guys, the team. I was like, please, don’t break this up. It took us back to 1998, ’99. You talk about bringing attention to a city?” Taylor said.

Taylor has three years remaining on his contract, but if he’s serious about closing the “curtains” after he passes Brown, Taylor could bow out a year prior to playing out his current deal.

Do you expect to continue to share carries with Jones-Drew?
“It works. He’s a blessing in disguise. The pounding? I don’t have to deal with the wear and tear. With Mo, I have all the faith in the world the offense won’t miss a beat and he’ll get the job done,” Taylor said.

Will Jones-Drew remain content to share carries?
“I know right now he is, but you’re going to come to a point that he’s going to want his due. He’s going to come to contract time. In my eyes, I want to be the man. He’s going to feel like it’s time to take the training wheels off. I love Mo. Honestly, I do. We talk all the time,” Taylor said.

So, where does this put the once vaunted Ninja squad? Right where it was last year my friends...Overrated running back (Henry vs. Turner) and MJD (same situation - year later). But don't assume the Fantasy Godz are gonna shine bright on you like they did in 2007, my friend. Hope you enjoyed your freakish run because 2008's chances are fading faster than the Falcons running game the past 2 years...yikes!

Warning: "The Burner's" flame is burning out? Read at your own peril, Ninja...

Is Michael Turner a viable No. 2 Fantasy RB?

Jamey Eisenberg

"I wish Turner had gone anywhere other than the Falcons. I know he got paid and now has an opportunity to start, but his Fantasy value will be limited in 2008 since Atlanta will be rebuilding. I would consider Turner a solid No. 3 Fantasy option and a good flex player. But I would not draft Turner as a starter. The Falcons don't have a proven quarterback, need work on the offensive line and you can count on Turner sharing carries to some degree with Jerious Norwood. When Dave and I discussed this topic, I told him I'd find 24 running backs I'd take ahead of Turner. Well, here goes: LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Joseph Addai, Clinton Portis, Ryan Grant, Larry Johnson, Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, Willie Parker, Marion Barber, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew, Earnest Graham, Brandon Jacobs, Laurence Maroney, LenDale White, Travis Henry, Edgerrin James, Reggie Bush, Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis and DeAngelo Williams. I like Williams as a better breakout candidate than Turner. And if Ronnie Brown (knee) is healthy to start the season, he makes this list also."

You're on the clock,boys...

Too late to take your own advice Ricky...or should I say, Luke

Nothing like showin' your hand, Flava...You're up my son!



Let's take sometime, actually, this should be quick...quick enough for Senuta to read the Blackberry while counseling some remorseful kid who didn't know that Mad Dog has a bit of a bite.

The Flava squad looks oddly like the ones from years' past - low performing, sexy, and ripe for trades when the flag is waved. With that said, let's look at the potential keepers...

QB: Jason Campbell, David Garrard, Tavaris Jackson

If you trust a coach who just arrived from the Holmgren coaching tree - and with him comes yet another system and playbook that requires quick reads, accurate throws, and good decisions...then Campbell is your guy.

Mr. Garrard is your classic example of an outstanding game manager but will put up numbers like Trent Dilfer in 2000. Unless handing the ball off 40 times a game gets bonus points this year, I suggest looking somewhere else...



Tavaris Jackson - Vikings QB - enough said.



RB: Sammy Morris, Brandon Jackson, Edgerrin James, Laurence Maroney, Adrian Peterson, Willis McGahee



Edge, Peterson, and Willis can't be kept. And unless you get both Maroney and Morris in the 3rd - it looks like you're out of luck, my friend.

BUT - Brandon Jackson could pan out in the long run...Will Ryan Grant really get it done without a threat under center? Afterall, the Giant staff clearly knows a thing or two about quality RBs - Barber, Jacobs, even Bradshaw...why would they let a potential stud go?



WR: Joey Galloway, Reggie Wayne, Justin Gage, Kevin Walter



Galloway and Wayne aren't kept. Justin Gage? Kevin Walter? I think not, but I sure hope so...

TE: Chris Cooley and Donald Lee

Cooley isn't a keep but Donald Lee could be cursed again in 2008. Talk about a lack of options...

K: Rob Bironas

No comment.

In the end, you're keeping Campbell and Justin Gage.

Now that you know what you're doing, we'll start looking at who you can draft this year to help our teams down the road...like Colston. Any requests out there?

Teacher's?

Beware of the wolf. The preseason/predraft propaganda campaign is in effect for the 2008 Fantasy Football Season! I love the dedication and mind games the Co-Commishes play this time of the year. Don't let them plant any seeds in your head my fellow Pain Trainers!!

With the 1st pick in the 2008 FPT draft the ...........

Who will be picking first in the '08 FPT Draft? Who picks 2nd.....3rd.....10th????

The answer comes in less than 2 weeks when the first name is drawn from the hat as the Big Tuna makes his first selection.

Aside from the obvious logistical questions we are faced with in 2008 .... who fills the shoes of Shadow???......who in the league will keep a 3rd offensive or defensive keeper(besides Vogel)............who makes the first off-season trade???.............you get my point!

The more important questions are:

1. Who is the 1st selection in this year's draft? Is LT still the favorite...or is there a new #1????

2. Is 5 the magic #??? In other words, does the first receiver come off the board after the 5 stud backs or do other backs get in the mix prior to WR1????

3. Where does an inconsistent Gates go???

4. Who reaches on Brady this year.....anyone remember Manning the "next year"????

5. Bush, Maroney, Parker, McGahee, Lynch, Portis, Barber.........you rank 'em?

6. How many students at West Frederick will actually graduate high school.......got to run again!!!!!!!

I'll be back for more later....................

Goal Line Stand - Me?

RB rankings straight from CBS...

Top Tier:

1. Tomlinson
2. Westbrook
3. Jackson
4. Peterson
5. Addai
6. Portis
Gore (Kept)
7. LJ
Grant (Kept)
8. McGahee
9. Lynch
10. Barber

Can anyone argue that these backs won't be gone by the 15th pick? That leaves 5 WR off the board (Moss, Owens, Wayne, Braylon, Fitz...?).

Next Tier:

MJD (Kept)
Earnest Graham (Kept?)
11. Parker (Chum)
12. Lewis
13. Rudi
Jacobs (Kept)
14. Maroney (2nd round)
15. Julius Jones
16. LenDale the Hut
17. Edge
18. Bush (2nd round)
Turner (Kept)
19. Brown (2nd round)
20. Henry

Clearly Maroney, Brown, and Bush are going earlier than this so consider 13 RBs taken in the first 20. And, since the 3rd round is chockful of "Best Player Available" mentalities, Parker, Rudi, LenDale are probably gone by 30. Throw in Brady, Manning, and the standard TE (Gates/Gonzo/Winslow), this brings our total to the following:

16 Running Backs
11 Wide Receivers
2 Quarter Backs
1 Tight End

Forgive me for my "Fred Moment" but - if you're me (lucky you?), do you crave a top 5 pick and go stud RB or 8-10 and grab the first WR? Based on the numbers, I'm certain...but I'll leave the rest to the "experts" like our forgotten commish, Juicy...

The life of an educator...

Since the weather is near 80 with clear skies on this glorious afternoon, I thought I take sometime out of my "busy" schedule and update everyone on life in the DES War Room.

This afternoon the legendary D&D provided some of what I like to call, "the common man insight" into the top 30 picks in 2008. Well, I am happy to say that he learned something today - and since the rest of you are "common" too, here's your daily dose...

Consider these patterns of players -

Picks 1-5: Tomlinson, Jackson, Peterson, Westbrook, and Addai

Picks 6-8: Lynch, McGahee, and Larry Johnson

Picks 9-14: Moss, Wayne, Owens, Andre Johnson, Ocho Stinko, and Houshmandzadeh

Picks 15-21: Portis, Barber, Maroney, Ronnie Brown, Fast Willie, Bush

Picks 22-30: Fitz, Boldin, Roy Williams, Plax, Braylon, Holt, Brady, Manning, Gates/Gonzo/Winslow

So this begs the question - If you're keeping 3 stud WRs by giving up your 2nd, do you really need to grab an RB in the 1st or can you take your pick of Rudi, Edge, LenDale, McFadden, the Texan's RB on the 3/4 turn?

Colston, Marshall, Santonio, and Reggie Wayne sounds awfully good to me...I'm not as dumb as I look.

Maybe we should be called "The Lazy Train"

That's right, boys - lazy. It is no longer acceptable to point the fingers at the compulsion of our sick commishes - point it at yourself and ram it in your eye!

We have made some changes so that every time there is a post made on our FPT blog it will be sent to everyone on the sportsline list. We recognize that it can be infrequent at times so hopefully this will keep everyone engaged as frequently as our posts...fair enough?

Too good to be true...probably.

The guys at the Denver Post must be on to something...too bad it's 6 months after the UCB (again). Did I ever mention how Travis Henry wouldn't be worthy of his unrealistic, lofty predraft hype about the Bronco running system - I did, but if you missed it read it here - August 7th Mock Draft

According to the Denver Post -

"If Jay Cutler is the heart of the Broncos" offense, then Marshall is its soul. Gone are the days when the Broncos could dominate teams on the ground. Their running game still is solid, at times very good, but when times are tough, a pass to No. 15 is the Broncos" best option.

Let's not forget what the Broncos have in this kid. Marshall is the best fourth-round draft choice in the league in the 21st century. Two seasons into his career, he has established himself as one of the game's greatest players.

You want production? Try 102 catches. You want yards after the catch? I've been covering this NFL rodeo for almost 30 years and have never seen another wideout who can break tackles like Marshall does every Sunday."

On a side, do yourself a favor and read our posts from last summer if you want some good laughs...or, just look at Ricky B's roster - you pick!

Keeper Dilemma? I think not.

One may ask, "Is it smart to give up a fulltime back who has proved to be a workhorse in the Steel City?" Usually not - but when you have his speedy complement in the flank http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80798ada , some guy named Brandon Marshall who this year will be playing with a bionic arm, and this no name "kid" (although seems to have the body of a senior citizen) out of Hofstra named Colston - even the UCB can look like a genius. I guess all those years in elementary school are paying off! And I thought snow days and 8 week summers was where it began and ended...

Draft Day Times TWO!

Is there anything better than FPT Draft Night? Stupid question for any number of reasons - fresh start on your road to 2nd place, time with the guys, too much beer and greasy food, and for some of us, the long overdue break from our other half!

Well, lucky for us, we have what amounts to a bonus holiday - NFL Draft. Important for our planning going into next year? Sure. Vital for determining when and where you draft in 2008? Absolutely! This year we will be drawing names out of a hat with each pick during the first 10 in the NFL draft - simply put, once a team goes on the clock, so does one of ours...

However, this year we created a twist - as the names get drawn from the hat, that owner selects which draft position he wants. Maybe you're loving the top end...want the first shot at the best non-RB on the board... or love to let the value fall to you at the first turn. In the case of those keeping a 3rd and thus forfeiting your 2nd round pick, your draft position becomes even more critical...

With this new selection process it is ultra important that you are either available during the first 2 hours of the NFL draft on April 26th by phone/email/text OR experience the event as it happens with some of the East Coasters. The bottomline - don't be the guy who gets picked and we don't know your preferred slot! You're name goes back in the hat at the end of 10 minutes if you fit the bill... No slackers, my friends.

Got it? If not, speak up...

Issue Two:

Since this seems to be an off year in terms of getting everyone together, we have kicked around the idea of what to do in it's place...

• One thought is to actually hold the draft on the normal Friday night in Pittsburgh. Catch a game the next day like we normally would do...Pittsburgh may/may not afford a MidWesterner to slide over...wasn't sure.
• For those on the East Coast, we could get together at a house, spend the night, catch a Nats game the next day with a full tailgate.
• If the 2 day commitment isn't flying this year, some of us have an interest in picking a game at another time and getting together then...

Thoughts?