The Somewhat Irreverent Musings of a Fantasy Football Addict - Week 8

By: Brian Waterkotte

Week 8

Hello, Im Brian, I’m 40 years old, and I’m an addict.  It’s Week 6 of the 2011-12 NFL season.

The scene:  I’m in my basement, I have three TVs on (AFC game on the right, NFC on the left, and the Red Zone in the middle).  I’ve got my laptop on my desk with the dual monitor going so I have all 4 fantasy games at a glance.  I’ve got my ice cold Heineken bottle on my right, and my cheese dip to my left.  I’m ready baby!  LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Each week, I’ll watch all the games and hopefully have an interesting take on the things going on.  I’ll let you be the judge of that.  And I’m going to try to keep it to 1200 words.  Without further ado...

With no Bears game this week, I feel like I can really focus on the other teams.  And so far, I’m extremely impressed with the Rams.  I thought this was going to be a murderous blowout this week, but it’s midway through the second quarter and the Saints haven’t scored.  Wow, as I’m tyiing this Brees was sacked by their first round pick Robert Quinn.

Now I’m also watching the Baltimore / Arizona game, and I’m completely unimpressed with Joe Flacco.  At the beginning of the season, this offense was poised to be one of the elite.  With Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Flacco....great offensive line...This may be one of the most disappointing offenses of this season.

Looking up again, it’s now 17 - 0 Rams! 

If the Giants lose this game, it would be the definition of “looking past an opponent”.  The Giants next four out of five games are ruthless:  NE, Philly, NO, San Fran and Green Bay.  And San Fran is 5-1.  So they’re no joke either.  Good luck Giants fans.

How solid is Adrian Peterson?  Every time, win or lose, he’s good for 100+ yards and at least one TD.  I’ve never had him on my team.  I feel like i’m missing an era.

Maybe Reggie Bush can be a every down back?  He’s got 119 yards in the 3rd.  Maybe all he needs is the carries?

I’ll tell you what, Ray Rice owes Anquan Boldin a steak dinner after this game.  Rice has three one-yard TDs today b/c Boldin has three pass interference penalties against him in the end zone.

#91 Justin Tuck

Well, the Giants Def finally arrived to the party.  They logged five sacks in the fourth quarter to shut down the Fins. 

What the hell happened to the Saints?  The Winless Rams are winless no more.  I only got to see bits and pieces of that game, but apparently Brees forgot his Wheaties this morning, b/c he looked like hot mess on a platter.  Picked off, sacked, hurried...not New Orleans’ day.

Baltimore pulled it out.  Saving Joe Flacco for another week.  He’s gotta be close to losing his gig.

Cam Newton is an angry man today.  They were looking at overtime with a 28 yard FG by Olindo Mare, but instead, they take another loss. Speaking of Cam Newton, I got a call from his fantasy owner today asking about the keeper league rules.  He’s already a keeper and it’s only week 8!

I may have to go back on my Stillers comments.  At the half, Stillers beating NE.  I’m not convinced the Stillers can hang on, but so far, they look great. 

I can’t imagine a less interesting game than the Seahawks and the Bengals.  I’m trying to be interested in it, but I just can’t.

At 20-0 Buffalo over Washington, it may be time for Sexy Rexy again.  I’m so not impressed with John Beck.   

I was looking at the Madden cover this morning....and wouldn’t you know it, Peyton Hillis is on the cover.  Another example of the Madden curse.  Thank God I didn’t

San Fran ends up 6-1.  I can’t say enough about Jim Harbaugh.  He has these guys believing.  I’m shocked.  I’m guessing Mike Singletary is shocked too.

Did Cincinnati get another garbage time TD?  Unreal. 

If I were a Tim Tebow fan, I’d be questioning my allegiance at this point.  Rumor has it, the Lions were bored containing him.  How does anyone think this guy is going to be a successful NFL QB?  I just don't see it.

I’m wondering if Phillip Rivers is really Joe Flacco in disguise.  Joe Flacco and Phillip Rivers are both surrounded by extreme talent and neither one can seem to someplace a damn TD pass.  I was looking at Phillip Rivers’s stats yesterday b/c someone offered me a trade for him, and after Monday night’s game, I don’t like the trend.  22, 21, 14, 11...GB is in tap next, and their DBs are suspect.  If he struggles again, consider pinning him.

Crown Le-Wade with Championship; Story Already Written?

As the Bulls and Heat prepare to tipoff the Eastern Conference Finals, some in Chicago think about what could have been. An article on ESPN Chicago talks about how Dwayne Wade and LeBron James both thought they'd be Bulls at one point during free agency (story). Apparently they didn't think about it too long, because they chose to team-up with Chris "Don't Call me Soft" Bosh, in a threesome that isn't nearly as world-beating as would have been the case with Wade, James and Derrick Rose.

But ... everything happens for a reason, right?

I believe that if James and Wade had taken "their services" to the Windy City, Rose wouldn't be the MVP, wouldn't have showed his unstoppable thirst for greatness - which won't be quenched until he receives a different trophy from Commissioner David Stern - the Championship Trophy.

The addition of Carlos Boozer instead of "Le-Wade" has created more of a team mentality, an "us against the world" approach that the Heat like to talk about. But the Bulls have it. They are the underdogs. The Bulls have the working-man's MVP. Despite wearing the Red, White and Black, the Bulls are a Blue Collar team. Rose has been the perfect role model - hard working, devoted, loyal and always positive about his teammates, yet demanding of himself. A world of difference from "The Decision" and the rally the Heat had before any of the Three Stooges had stepped on a court together wearing Miami jerseys.

Say what you want. History may show that the Heat win more championships with James, Wade and Bosh, but I'll take Derrick Rose and the elevation we've witnessed this season. We'll see if all of that work - both mentally and physically - will result in a 7th World Championship for the Bulls.

Jock Strap? Check. Other Support? Missing.

Could someone please put out an APB on Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver … quickly! Derrick Rose and the Bulls were spanked on Sunday night in Atlanta, as the Hawks evened their best-of-seven series at 2-games apiece. Rose, whose only support came from his athletic gear, was forced – and I don't use that word lightly – forced to take 30+ shots on a night when he didn't have his jumper.

Rose may be the meat in the Bulls sandwich (forgive the analogy, but it's lunchtime and I'm hungry!), but Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are the bread that keeps this team going – the intensity, the energy the Bulls so desperately need if they're going to revive their playoff lives and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Deng and Noah have to provide the spark - Deng by slashing to the bucket and creating space, and Noah by banging the boards and being a general nuisance.

And don't get me started on Korver! If you're a "shooter" - but you're missing your shots – and you don't play much defense – what's the point? Exactly! It's the lack of points that’s killing this team.

Atlanta has new confidence after a beat-down on Friday night. Josh Smith has discovered that if you don't heave-up bad shot after bad shot, and instead attack the rim, you will have success – and he did against the Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls are a couple of Jamal Crawford hot-streaks from going home and wondering how the hell they blew a shot at the Conference Finals to the Atlanta Hawks!

Why Wake a Sleeping Giant?

There were 3 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in an amazingly boring playoff game. The #8th seeded Pacers have just extended a lead they've held since the opening tip to 95-88. The advantage was stretched to 7 on a face-up jumper from the left side by Tyler Hansbrough over Carlos Boozer - who should have been playing much tighter defense!

That was the story for the Bulls most of the afternoon, trading buckets with a significantly less talented Indiana squad - and playing uninterested on the defensive end. Seriously, how the hell does this Indiana squad shoot over 50% for most of the game? Danny Granger (24 points) and Hansbrough (22 points) were killing the Bulls - often times with open shots!

But at 3:48 remaining, Hansbrough hit that jumper over Boozer and turned into a bird, flapping his arms like a parrot - bumping chests with teammates and mocking the crowd. Hansbrough was also mocking Luol Deng, who just a few minutes prior waved his hands to get the crowd moving, following an emotional play in which Derrick Rose was hacked - again.

It was almost as if the Bulls weren't awake - that this Noon start didn't give them enough time to shake the cowbwebs. But once things got emotional - with Deng leading the way, and then Hansbrough fanning the flames - the Bulls were back to looking like the team that won 62 regular season games.

Following Hansbrough's jumper - the Bulls went on a 16-1 run, including 10-0 to close the game! I never understand why - on the road - you'd give the home squad and their fans ANYTHING to get excited about. Wait until the game's over. It reminds me of Reggie Bush taunting Brian Urlacher in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field in January 2007 (http://bit.ly/gPDFVk).

Derrick Rose - unquestionably the league's best player this year - led all scorers with 39, scoring at will. He added 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks and a steal. Deng had 18, Kyle Korver 13 and Boozer 12.

If the Bulls want to avoid being only the second #1 seed to lose to an 8-seed, they'd better bottle up some of that emotion and BRING IT for the rest of this postseason.

Derrick Rose Named MVP !!!

For awhile there, Derrick Rose was everyone's pick for Most Valuable Player. Then the media - and some players - started to shift towards LeBron James and Dwight Howard. Cases can be made for all of them, granted, but I'm not sure anyone can move Rose from the top spot.

His numbers are ridiculous. He's a great leader. He demands respect. He schools defenders regularly. His scoring and shooting have improved by leaps and bounds. And, if that weren't enough, he's led the Bulls to 60 wins - the first time that's happened post-Jordan.

ESPN.com gave out their awards today - and #1 from the Bulls is #1 in MVP voting. Do you agree? Does Rose add MVP to his Rookie of the Year? Does LBJ repeat? Or someone else?

Vote in the poll (to the left) and then comment below!

ESPN Article: http://es.pn/fijb8D

Bulls Celebrate 1st of 6 NBA Championships

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a special time for a kid growing up in Chicago. The only championship season I’d experienced came in the ’85-’86 NFL season when the Bears dominated all and took no prisoners. It wasn’t quite that easy for the Bulls, but the ride was a great one!

Who will ever forget Michael Jordan’s layup against the Lakers in the Finals – when he drove down the lane, put the ball up to the right – and then swooped back to the left – all while in mid-air. Classic!



The 20th anniversary of the Chicago Bulls 1st title will be celebrated this weekend at the United Center. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and the crew will be on-hand. Three key pieces will be absent; Phil Jackson will be coaching the Lakers, Bill Cartwright is an assistant with the Suns - and oddly enough, but not surprising, Jerry Krause will miss the event. Krause is busy scouting baseball.

Chicago Tribune's coverage of Saturday's celebration:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-10/sports/ct-spt-0311-bulls-91-champs-chicago--20110310_1_trust-factor-phil-jackson-bulls

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE 1991 SEASON?