The Commish 2009 Mock Draft

Wouldn’t fantasy football be easier if all RBs could run like Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl? Um, yes.

The Commish returns with his version of the mock draft. This year I mock draft the first two rounds with insight on each player selected. Enjoy or hate, either way just read.

ROUND ONE

#1 – Adrian Peterson: It is a no brainer, I don’t care that QBs score more points, RBs are hard to come by that is why they continue to dominate the first few rounds. Sure you get Brees or Brady in the first two rounds, but are the Rodgers and Mannings that far off from them in overall points? Bottom line if you don’t go All Day #1 your smoking something…

#2 – Maurice Jones-Drew: Add in receptions and the argument could be made possibly for #1 in the draft.

#3 – Matt Forte: Listen, I hate the Bears, despise them, and all the fans in this league of the Bears know I am Packer fan, but the bottom line is with Jay Cutler in tow, that takes some pressure off of a lot of front 8s being thrown at Forte, and he will have more room to maneuver this year…

#4 – LaDainian Tomlinson: Call him dead, call him over the hill, whatever. He still had a good year by any means last year and I think he has a bit of chip on his shoulder this year to prove he ain’t dead yet, so ride LDT one more year into the sunset, next year don’t ask him to your Prom, because he will be too used by 2010.

#5 – Michaeld Turner: Listen, I am sick of hearing “The Curse of 370″ with this guy. Tired of it. He is young, it was his first year as a featured back, and Tony Gonzalez is in town, this guy could potentially go as high as #1, does he break down? No, but I think somewhere less than last year is probably likely.

#6 – DeAngelo Williams: This guy had a huge impact on a lot of fantasy leagues last year. He was unreal the last few weeks. Now everyone thinks Jonathon Stewart is going to steal some thunder. Really? Jake Delhomme stinks, so the Panthers are going to run all day long, and Mr. Williams will benefit.

#7 – Frank Gore: I know people think I am crazy for placing him this high, but Mike Singletary is the new coach in San Fran, and Mike Martz is gone as offensive coordinator, that means the 49ers are going to run, run, run….did you really think Shaun “of the dead” Hill was going to pass for 3,000 yards?

#8 – Steven Jackson: Should be higher, but no one knows what to expect from him and the Rams. He is such an injury risk, and the Rams might stink. But he runs a lot and catches a lot so he could end the season as the #1 RB.

ROUND TWO

#9 – Larry Fitzgerald: At some point you have to think the best player in football right now is going to be picked. With the Cardinals trying to emulate the 2000 Rams, and receptions being worth 0.75 this year, Fitzgerald is ready to explode.

#10 – Chris Johnson: This guy is a super-duper stud, stealing Dicky V’s thunder. His QB stinks, he is young and fast, and the only guy challenging him (LenDale White) has bragged about how he stopped drinking Tequila, whats not to like?

#11 – Randy Moss: Tom Brady is back. Receptions are worth 0.75, Gas prices continue to rise. It is 2007 all over again. Enjoy it.

#12 - Drew Brees: Ahh, a QB is drafted. If Brees can emulate 2008 he deserves to go this high. Other QBs were on his heels last year in our fantasy league, but he is capable of big numbers with the weapons in his offense.

#13 – Steve Slaton: The dude is getting a lot of press this off season, and he deserves it. He catches, he runs, and the Texans are actually a high-octane offense. He could be a little underrated heading into draft night.

#14 – Andre Johnson: Mr. Slaton’s partner in crime is next, and really the argument with our leagues stats are is, he could go higher. He was the best WR last year, and he had a bad start. BUT he plays for the Texans so he gets a little less press.

#15 – Brandon Jacobs: Lets see here, Plaxico is in jail, Derrick Ward is in Tampa, and Tom Coughlin likes to run in the red zone. This all means that Brandon Jacobs rules!

#16 – Calvin Johnson: I don’t know if most people would take him this high in an 8-team conference, but I think Calvin Johnson is ready to get better this year IF the Lions can figure out their QB situation and they let Kevin Smith loose to open up the passing game. Either way Calvin Johnson is the best news for Lions fans since Herman Moore.

So go ahead take my players, take my sleepers, just remember I have never won the UPFL and have never been to the UPFL title game. So take my advice with a grain of salt. Now excuse me as I go train my two-year old to use the potty and he pees all over me.

UPBA SUPER FOUR – WEEK 12

#1 – peace.love.afros (11-1): The trading continues in Afros land.

#2 – Oslo Warrior (11-1): They continue their amazing streak of dominance even with a few injuries.

#3 – Deering Tornadoes (5-7): Record means nothing as this team finds itself in the upper tier of teams capable of winning it all.

#4 – Break Away (8-4): The return of Monta Ellis could spur this team even higher.

Player of the Week: Andre Iguodala – Deering Tornadoes

Bum of the Week: Caron Butler – Whoomp There It Is

UPBA SUPER FOUR – WEEK TEN

#1 – peace.love.afros (9-1): GM keeps trading, and that may not be a good thing.

#2 – Oslo Warrior (9-1): The hottest team in the league keeps it that way

#3 – Break Away (7-3): Big trade brings in Antawn Jamison that puts this team in the elite group of teams.

#4 – Whoomp There It Is (7-3): The Camby-Man keeps this team afloat.

Player of the Week: Marcus Camby, Whoomp There It Is

Bum of the Week: Emeka Okafor, Shakers Pizz Plan

UPBA SUPER FOUR: WEEK NINE

#1 – peace.love.afros (8-1): Restructering of the No.1 team continues as Carmelo Anthony leaves town.

#2 – Oslo Warrior (8-1): They pull out a close one this week behind the surprise play of Derek Fisher on Sunday night.

#3 – Break Away (6-3): Break Away inches closer back to the #1 spot as Rodney Stuckey continues his strong play of late.

#4 – Cobblestone Pez (6-3): The Pez appears back in the Super Four this week as they give their owner an early honeymoon gift.

RED ALERT: Knight School (2-7), Wolfman (3-6), The Untouchables (4-5), AquaSplash (1-8)

Player of the Week: Tony Parker, Deering Tornadoes

Bum of the Week: John Salmons, Wolfman

UPBA SUPER FOUR – WEEK EIGHT

#1 – peace.love.afros (7-1): The Afros gain the upper hand in the race for the Naismith Division title with a victory over Whoomp There It Is.

#2 – Oslo Warrior (7-1): Hottest team in the UPBA the past few weeks, with Steve Blake and Jameer Nelson turning into fantasy studs.

#3 – Whoomp There It Is (6-2): Still one of the best teams in the league and a very legit title contender.

#4 – Break Away (5-3): They join the crop of four teams that are right now in the upper tier of the UPBA.

RED ALERT: AquaSplash (0-8)

Player of the Week: Rajon Rondo – Shakers Pizz Plan

Bum of the Week: Samuel Dalembert – Mayn Event

UPFL Season Seven Final

YOOPER BOWL VII

The Fighting Manx (10-5) (GM Griffin Lawson)

 vs.

75 Years of Rebuilding (10-5) (GM Jeff Jacobson)

After four months of fantasy football it’s down to two teams, with 28 other teams looking on. At stake: $500, and the right to say you bested 29 other GMs in the ultimate fantasy football league.

This game has a lot of interesting details surrounding it, but I think the most important one is the fact that as of this preview each team had four players starting that are similar. (Dallas Cowboys D/ST, Marques Colston, Steve Smith, and Dallas Clark) What this means it is now a 5 vs. 5 battle, which of course changes everything.

The Fighting Manx are starting Tyler Thigpen, Kevin Smith and Steve Slaton at QB, RB and RB. While 75 Years will start Kurt Warner, Brian Westrbook and MarShawn Lynch at QB, RB and RB. Who would you rather have? Looking at these match-ups and the teams each is playing I tend to lean towards 75 years with the advantage. Kurt Warner has New England’s D to deal with but this is not the New England D of yesteryear, this D is not very good and Warner should be able to pick it apart, he is after all the 2008 UPFL MVP. Tyler Thigpen takes on an improved Dolphins D/ST and as good as Thigpen has been he will need to be spectacular to lead the Manx to the title, if he does that you can place him immediately  into the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame. The RBs in this battle boil down to veterans vs. rookies. As Steve Slaton and Kevin Smith are rookies and Brian Westbrook and MarShawn Lynch are the veterans. With that being said I always roll with the veterans at this point in the season, but I could be wrong, I just feel the vets will pull this one out for 75 years.

The other match-up worth noting is Brandon Marshall vs. Anquan Boldin. Boldin has been a machine this year while Marshall has started to cool since a hot start. With Warner already in place at QB for 75 years, give them the advantage with this match-up also.

Kudos to both teams for making it this far, GM Griffin Lawson is appearing in his third YOOPER BOWL, which is simply amazing giving the size of our league. Is he happy with just being here? I doubt it, and I am sure he would like to win a YOOPER BOWL finally, but this will not be the year for the Buffalo Bills of the UPFL. Look for 75 Years to notch its first ever UPFL Championship, which would cap off an impressive comeback on the season for 75 years as they started the year off 1-4.

Good luck to both teams and I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming Holiday season, and let’s give a shout out to every GM who makes the UPFL, I think, one of the best Fantasy Football leagues around.

The Fighting Manx: 97 ** 75 Years of Rebuilding: 121

UPBA SUPER FOUR – WEEK SEVEN

#1 – peace.love.afros (6-1): The Afros get a big 2-game week from Carmelo Anthony to sustain the top spot.

#2 – Whoomp There It Is (6-1): They are gearing up for a #1 vs. #2 showdown this week with PLA, winner takes the top spot next week.

#3 – Oslo Warrior (6-1): After dismantling the Smith Division Oslo Warrior gets ready for three key division match-ups.

#4 – Cobblestone Pez (5-2): The two-time champs make their first appearance this year in the Super Four as they win this week behind the super-duper performances of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

RED ALERT: Team Beauchamp (0-7), AquaSplash (0-7)

Player of the Week: Kevin Durant – Cobblestone Pez

Bum of the Week: Rasheed Wallace – Knight School

UPFL: FINAL FOUR PREVIEW

Four teams left, only one team takes home $500. In addition we have the possibility of a repeat champion, which is just as hard to as go undefeated. Lets get to the previews:

The Sean Taylor Experience vs. 75 Years of Rebuilding

Both have been spurred on by Brian Westbrook. With both having him you need to take him out of the equation, and now it becomes an 8 vs. 8 battle. TSTE will need another big game from Philip Rivers to pull off the upset, in addition they need Reggie Wayne to return to form this week against the Lions. 75 Years will look for the continued strong play from Kurt Warner, and will need his WRs to step as three of them will be starting.

The Sean Taylor Experience: 127 *** 75 Years of Rebuilding: 117

The Fighting Manx vs. Blumkins

The defending champions rolled in a huge week of points last week as Wes Welker and Brandon Marshall lit up the scoreboard. Brandon Marshall is on both teams so he needs to be taken out of the equation in this match-up. Blumkins will rely on Drew Brees to do the scoring along with his partner in crime Reggie Bush. Blumkins will also need a healthy Marion Barber to keep the repeat hopes alive.

GM Griffin Lawson is known as the Buffalo Bills of the UPFL with their back-to-back Yooper Bowl losses a few years ago, will that unfortunate luck continue? Tyler Thigpen has been a pleasant surprise for the Manx, and he will nee to lead the Manx once again. GM Lawson will have his eyes focused on the box score from the Titans/Texans game as both Steve Slaton and Chris Johnson will need to produce for his team to knock off the defending champs.

The Fighting Manx: 136 *** Blumkins: 124

UPBA SUPER FOUR – WEEK SIX

#1 – peace.love.afros (5-1): They trade one of their studs in Kobe Bryant as they get ready for two marquee match-ups in the next two weeks.

#2 – Whoomp There It Is (5-1): Marcus Camby has drank the fountain of youth since Chris Kaman when down with an injury, he has played very well.

#3 – Oslo Warrior (5-1): Very quietly this team has taken control of their divsion with solid play from Mehmet Okur and Chris Bosh.

#4 – The Untouchables (4-2): Tough loss to Whoomp knocks the previous #1 off their perch.

RED ALERT: Team Beauchamp (0-6):  Still has Danilo Gallinari on their roster, do they know him personally? AquaSplash (0-6): Just bad luck the past two weeks as they lose two close ones.

Player of the Week: Marcus Camby – Whoomp There It Is

Bum of the Week: Mike Miller – The Untouchables

UPFL Super 8 Preview

After a wild week of Playoff action the UPFL has found itself with four double digit seeds alive in the second round of the playoffs. So Cinderella is very much alive. Onto the game previews:

Matt Millen (7-6) vs. 75 years of Rebuilding (8-5)

Matt Millen knocked out the top seed last week in Brain Trust, again showing it is near impossible to go undefeated in fantasy football. Can Team Millen pull of another upset this week? They will have their hands full with 75 years who has Kurt Warner in a juicy match-up against the St. Louis Rams. Without question for Millen to have any chance this week, L.Tomlinson will need to run wild. 75 years has now become one of the favorites to win it all with Brain Trust and Desert Dogs knocked out.

Matt Millen: 115 *** 75 Years of Rebuilding: 138

The Sean Taylor Experience (7-6) vs. Statutory Defendants (9-4)

TSTE pulled off the upset over Benson’s Boys last week due to the re-emergence of Brian Westrbook, another performance like that will be needed by Westbrook to continue TSTE’s run to glory. The Defendants had to wait until Monday night to find out if they would advance and thanks to the amazing game of Steve Slaton they continue their march toward a second UPFL title. A lot will ride on the play of the RBs in this game and I like the Defendants backs a little better.

The Sean Taylor Experience: 109 *** Statutory Defendants: 126

The Foonta Banfooks (6-7)  vs. Blumkins (9-4)

Can the Banfooks continue their Cinderella or will the defending champs continue to quietly march forward and complete what no one has ever done in the UPFL, and that is repeat as champs.

The Banfooks will need a much better game from Peyton Manning to expect any possible upset, another zero point game and the Banfooks should be done for the year.

The Blumkins will look to their two-headed monster at RB in Marion Barber and Reggie Bush for points, each is a bit of an injury risk but with their NFL teams fighting for playoff life, expect these two to produce this week.

The Foonta Banfooks: 115 *** Blumkins: 130

The Fighting Manx (8-5) vs. Double Lung (10-3)

The Manx rode the Steve Slaton show to victory last week and will once again look to him and the unlikely fantasy hall of famer Tyler Thigpen. It will be a tough task to take out the favorite but The Fighting Manx have the players to do it.

Double Lung enters this week as the unquestioned favorite for the remainder fo these playoffs. Solid everywhere and with Matt Cassel in a easy match-up this week solid at QB also.

The Fighting Manx: 109 *** Double Lung: 145