Football

The leaves are almost all done changing and that means one thing. Football season is now more than well under way and there's a lot to talk about.

Let's start out at the high school level. While I don't pretend to follow it, I just did a little reading up on my Brainerd Warriors. It's good to know that Ron is still getting it done. The boys in blue turned in an 8-0 regular season and play the winner of the Buffalo-Tech game in the section playoffs next week. It's also good to know that Ron is still calling about a 9:1 run:pass ratio.

Moving on to college, it's no surprise to see the Gophers sucking really, really hard this year. With Brewster's terrible playcalling and with just about all of Mason's last good recruits leaving after last year, there was never much hope to begin with. I for one believe it was the right move to fire Brewster. Some would tell you that firing him mid-season is a bad move for the players and for recruiting. I, however, believe that the reduction of booing by home fans can only improve player morale, and having more time to search for a "Tubby-esque" coach is a pretty good thing. As for things on the national level, we're seeing some relatively unfamiliar names occupying the top 5 after number 1 lost two weeks in a row. And when was the last time Michigan State led the big ten?

The NFL season has been kinda crazy so far. I don't think I've every seen so many injuries to start out a season, with head injuries bringing a lot of attention. One item arousing much controversy is the fining of Harrison, and Robinson for their hits last week. I'm sort of torn on the issue. On the one hand it seems wrong to try and change the way players play the game mid-season and issue huge fines without any prior warning. But on the other hand, like Herm Edwards said on ESPN, no one ever taught anyone to tackle with your head down and I think the mentality that a lot of defenders have needs to change. Every game, you see defenders flying horizontally at head level of a player who is either sliding or is already wrapped up with a knee down. There's a difference between that and gang tackling and there's a difference between putting a shoulder into a receiver's midsection and hitting a receiver in the process of catching the ball in the head or flipping them upside-down.

The Vikings have disappointed many with their slow start but I'm really not that surprised. Everyone knew Brett Favre was an interception machine and at 41, was going to have some health issues. Last year was possibly the best season that Brett ever had and to expect a repeat was naive. I expect to see the Vikes compete for a playoff spot and at best win a wildcard game but last year's magic is gone.

The teams that are good this year aren't too surprising. Most people probably expected to see the Steelers (fuck em) and the Jets of the league near the top but there are a few surprises (see: cowboys, vikings, chargers, 49ers) near the bottom.

And finally, let's talk fantasy.
Things three leagues have taught me this season:
1) Roddy White is a beast.
2)You should probably draft a running back before the 6th round. Having five of the top 16 WRs the top TE, and a QB who threw for4700 yds last year will leave you at 2-6
3)Speaking of, I hate Greg Jennings. I don't know how many times he's had less than 30 yards while Malcolm Floyd and/or Brandon Lloyd go off sitting on my bench.
4)14 team leagues are way more fun than 10 team leagues.
5)Try to have a commissioner and managers who can get the league set up in time for the draft. Drafting after week 1 sucks. Arian Foster was one of my favorite sleepers, and I had no shot at him after that insane week 1 performance.
6)Old running backs never accomplish anything unless they have some connection to the Jets.
7)Don't give up on the best running back of the last decade.
8)With a few exceptions, WR performance is unpredictable.
9)Don't discount the value of an elite QB.

Here's to another two months of America's favorite sport.