WEEK 7 RECAPS - PART 2 — Protector Of The League

The GOAT and His Kids: 4-3

The MVP: Le’Veon Bell has been an absolute beast this year. Through 7 weeks he’s RB6 in our scoring and that’s coming fresh off a bye. He’s scored 15 or more points in all but one game (9.7 cry me a river) and he’s got games of 34, 40 and 41 on his resume. Those are week winning scores. He’s got the 7th most rushing yards, 6th most rushes and OH WAIT. Le’Veon Bell is a selfish delusional fuck who hasn’t played a snap all year. Those are James Conner’s numbers. James Conner is Kev’s MVP.

The Bum: Le’Veon Bell. Sit out training camp, sit out the first week, the second week, hell even the first month. But how in the hell is Bell not back with the Steelers yet? Based on what I’ve read, he’s losing out on 850k every week he doesn’t show up. I’m not sure if players get checks during byes, so let’s say he’s missed 6 checks. That means he’s pissed away over 5 million dollars….. mainly out of principal. As of today, he still hasn’t reported which means he’s likely out for a 7th game. Grand total of almost 6 million down the drain. And I thought I was wasteful when I spent 75 dollars on a Game of Thrones Ned Stark Foam Replica sword (no ragrets). For shame Le’Veon Bell, for shame.

Second Half Breakout: Maybe I’m a homer, but I’m going to go with Dion Lewis. He came out hot to start the season with 22 points in Week 1, but he followed that up with 5 very quiet games (averaging 7.4 points per). That changed this week when the Titans decide to feature him and he got 21 fantasy points on 19 touches. It’s clear he’s the best RB in that backfield and I think they’ll lean on him down the stretch.

DeAngelo Vickers: 4-3

The MVP: Obligatory nod to the #1 pick - Todd Gurley. 1st in rushing yards, 1st in carries and has 14 touchdowns already. That would be a good number for 16 games, but Gurley has done it in 7. He’s on pace to score 32 touchdowns this year which would beat LaDainian Tomlinson’s record of 31 set back in 2006. Gurley has more fantasy points than any QB and 50 more fantasy points than any other RB.

The Bum: I could go with Gronk, but he’s going to have some big games. Let’s go with Allen Robinson instead: WR54 in our scoring. Through 6 games he’s scored just 53 fantasy points or an average of 8.8 per game. That’s pathetic. I could understand if the Bears offense sucked and he wasn’t producing, but it’s been the opposite. The Bears have scored 4 touchdowns or more in 3 straight games and Robinson still isn’t producing. Waste of a pick.

Second Half Breakout: He’s already begun to break out, but it’s Kerryon Johnson. The rookie ran for 160 yards this past week on his way to 26 fantasy points. LeGarrette Blount still vultures him like a motherfucker but Kerryon is for real.

Kens African Safari: 5-2

The MVP: Another easy one here – Adam Thielen. He’s the #1 WR with 160 fantasy points, which is an average of about 23 per game. He’s recorded 100 or more receiving yards in every game this season and leads in the NFL in catches and receiving yards. He’s going to win a lot of people fantasy titles.

The Bum: Evan Engram of the NY Giants. The draft price wasn’t too high (8th round), but Engram was expected to break out in his second year. Unfortunately for Ken he’s missed 3 of 7 games and has scored 3.8 or fewer fantasy points in THREE of the 4 games he’s played in. That adds up to be TE31 in our league and gets him a spot on Ken’s bench.

Second Half Breakout: While he’s been really good to start the year (WR8), I say Julio Jones. He has to score a touchdown at some point, right? The guy averages 7 catches for 113 yards per game and doesn’t have a TD. That can’t continue and I bet Julio scores at least 4-5 the rest of the way.

Thanos anal snap: 5-1

The MVP: I could say Melvin Gordon, but he missed last week’s game which was infuriating. Instead I’ll say Kareem Hunt, the RB4 in our scoring. He got off to a slow start and had 8 points in week 1, but Tieg’s been riding the gravy train ever since. In his last 6 games Hunt has scored 18, 20, 32, 20, 31 and 37 fantasy points. Lone RB on one of the best offenses in football – MVP.

The Bum: Little curveball here but let’s say Carlos Hyde. I guess it’s not his fault, but he’s absolutely fucked over all of his fantasy owners. He was a top 15 RB through the first 6 weeks and then….. traded to the Jags last Friday afternoon. He’s now buried in a sorry ass running-back-by-committee and has a tough matchup in Week 8 before a Week 9 bye. Leonard Fournette is supposed to come back in Week 10, so who knows if/when Hyde will get substantial work. He’s borderline droppable in our league.

Second Half Breakout: Another one who’s already broke out – James White. The Patriots backfield is in shambles and White has been the #1 beneficiary. He scored 28 fantasy points this past week and I think that’s just the beginning. 11 carries and 8 catches per game seems like a pretty reasonable expectation for him going forward – those are the total touches he had this week. When it’s all said and done, he might win the season long MVP for Tieg.

WEEK 7 INTERVIEW, FRADER:

This week we take a trip to “SF” (not to be confused with San Fran) and get some time with Jon Frader. Let’s see how he’s doing…

1. Hey Frader, how’s everything going for you out in San Francisco? Give the league an update on your life.

Well my life has pretty much been one long wedding season this past year - if you got married I probably attended your wedding (sorry Ken). Apart from that life has been pretty good, still working at Amazon, moved into my own apartment, and recently decided that I am going to try and do the B-school thing, so about to hibernate for a few months and study my ass off.

2. It was great to see you at DMO’s wedding last weekend? Care to give us some highlights from the weekend?

Well one of the funniest things about the wedding was the fact that DMO had been sick for the last week, so during the maid of honor (might have been an all-time worst speech) and best man toasts DMO was sweating his ass off and pounding water. It honestly looked like he was regretting the entire decision to get married but in reality it was the fact that his body was waging war against itself from the inside.

Besides that it was a very drunk wedding. No surprise since it was DMO, so most of the highlights are pretty foggy. I remember Keetz and I bonding over the greatness of the Juul, seeing all DMO and Karpel's high school buddies and not remembering a single one of their names, and having MOST of the crew back together again for one more run. It's always good when you see people commit to things and actually show up.

Editor’s Note: It WAS the worst wedding speech of all time - no “might have been”. Flat out was. I honestly couldn’t tell if Robby D was dying, plotting a murder, or plotting suicide here. (See bottom left for a shot of the toast masters.)

3. While we’re on the subject of weddings – who’s the next league member to get engaged?

It's gotta be Kev. Unless Kev is already engaged, I can't keep track.

We should start doing next league member to be a Dad, since that opens up the field more.

4. On to fantasy football – how many leagues are you in and how is it going for you this year?

I am absolutely dominating my work league this year. I' am 5-2 and have the most points for by a significant margin. In a 14 man league I managed to draft the #2 QB, #2 RB, #2 WR and #1 Def. Kudo's if you can figure out who those players are.

I am in another league with my SF friends and it's not going so well, 2-5. Think I am close to bowing out.

5. As for our league – what do you like about your team and what do you dislike?

My team died the day you wrote I would win the league. I thought that was an honor, now I realize it is a curse. I have no real explosive RBs, I keep playing the wrong QB, and I am seriously considering dropping the Jags D. I thought Sony Michel would heed the call and save my season, but alas he said “Give it a minute. He’s gonna be fine.” (curb reference)...I'm not fine.

6. Looking forward, who do you think are the top 3 contenders in the league this year?

In no particular order its: Commish, Tieg and Ken (reluctantly). I think Ken will most likely manage his way out of the top 3 spots and either Guy or Kev will shoot to the top. Anything can happen though, a lot of time left.

Editor’s Note: So it’s Tieg. Me and Ken ain’t winning this shit.

7. Non-football question: what’s it like being a transplant/out of place Boston fan the last few years? Boston sports have been on a tear since you moved out of the city (circa 2011) - does being so far away take some of the fun out of it? You can admit it....

Hmmm good question. In SF I hang out with a lot of Bostonians, so it hasn't changed too much. While we aren't Red Sox or Bruins fans, we still root hard for the Pats and Celtics. I am sure there is something that I am missing by not being in the heart of the city during these runs, you can still find a bar or a crew to watch a big game with, so all is not completely lost.

8. Any final words for the league? Any thoughts on how to make it more interesting or improve it?

While there has been a ton of parity this season, I do think we should consider growing to 12, in particular because we've been friends with DMO for so long and it would be great to include him into the league. Who that 12th person is cannot be taken lightly though, and I think we need to give it some real thought. I definitely think we should do another destination draft since it is the only way to get ALL of us together. I also think we should consider actually demanding last place have to commit to a punishment. Maybe we finalize it so that the 2019 season is when it goes into effect, but it is kind of lame that none of the sackos have actually sacked up (myself included).

You do a great job John, keep it up.