The SFFL1999 Draft was held on Saturday, August 21st
at
Palatine Hills Golf Club, Palatine IL. We had eleven returning teams and
one rookie squad that replaced last year's doormats, the UnaBoners.
Follwing is the
draft by order of round and pick, with the usual impartial commissioner
comments added.
Round #1 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks RB Davis,Terrell Denver Broncos # 2:VEGA QB Favre,Brett Green Bay Packers # 3:Cyclones QB Cunningham,Randall Minnesota Vikings # 4:Assholes RB Taylor,Fred Jacksonville Jaguars # 5:Painful Rectal Itches RB Anderson,Jamal Atlanta Falcons # 6:Cheesy-Poofs RB Levens,Dorsey Green Bay Packers # 7:G-Men QB Young,Steve San Francisco 49ers # 8:Venwaz Balls WR Moss,Randy Minnesota Vikings # 9:Pull My Finger WR Freeman,Antonio Green Bay Packers #10:Ruffy QB Testaverde,Vinny New York Jets #11:Dukes QB Manning,Peyton Indianapolis Colts #12:Blind Squirrels QB Brunell,Mark Jacksonville Jaguars The Expected: Terrell Davis taken #1...even the Rednecks couldn't mess up this no-brainer. The Delay: Randy Moss falls to #8, when most leagues have been taking him in the top 5. Good for the 'Balls. The Gambles: Peyton Manning (Dukes) goes as #11...will his numbers be that good on a crappy team? Also, will Randall Cunningham (Cyclones) stay healthy or stay the starter long enough to make him a good pick? Sure Things: Brett Favre (VEGA), Fred Taylor (Assholes), Jamal Anderson (PRI), Dorsey Levens (Cheesy-Poofs) and Antonio Freeman (Pull My Finger) should provide many weeks of football joy for both real and fantasy teams. Good start out of the gate: The rookies, G-Men, get last years #1 point earner Steve Young. Round #2 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels RB George,Eddie Tennessee Titans # 2:Dukes RB Martin,Curtis New York Jets # 3:Ruffy RB James,Edgerrin Indianapolis Colts # 4:Pull My Finger RB Williams,Ricky New Orleans Saints # 5:Venwaz Balls RB Faulk,Marshall St. Louis Rams # 6:G-Men WR Owens,Terrell San Francisco 49ers # 7:Cheesy-Poofs QB Plummer,Jake Arizona Cardinals # 8:Painful Rectal Itches QB Bledsoe,Drew New England Patriots # 9:Assholes WR Johnson,Keyshawn New York Jets #10:Cyclones WR Harrison,Marvin Indianapolis Colts #11:VEGA RB Smith,Robert Minnesota Vikings #12:High Tech Rednecks RB Watters,Ricky Seattle Seahawks Youth over proven talent: Rookies Edgerrin James (Ruffy) and Ricky Williams (Pull My Finger) get the nod over some big-name backs on better teams. Will the unproven talents pay off? OUCH, that could hurt: VEGA takes often injured Robert Smith, Cheesy-Poofs take no-offensive-line-so-soon-to-be- injured Jake Plummer. There are no guarantees but they're bound to go down sometime this season. Halloween Horror: The G-Men, with Terrell Owens, will now be missing their top two picks in SF's bye week #8, 10/31. Overrated?: Eddie George as the #13th pick overall to the Blind Squirrels...not bad if he doesn't tank it for half a season as usual. Ricky Watters (HTR) is looking over his shoulder at younger talent on his own team. SOLID: Curtis Martin (Dukes), Marshall Faulk (Venwaz Balls) adn Keyshawn Johnson (Assholes) will all produce well. Round #3 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks QB Brister,Bubby Denver Broncos # 2:VEGA WR Smith,Jimmy Jacksonville Jaguars # 3:Cyclones RB Staley,Duce Philadelphia Eagles # 4:Assholes RB Smith,Emmitt Dallas Cowboys # 5:Painful Rectal Itches WR Carter,Cris Minnesota Vikings # 6:Cheesy-Poofs RB Bettis,Jerome Pittsburgh Steelers # 7:G-Men RB Means,Natrone San Diego Chargers # 8:Venwaz Balls RB Dillon,Corey Cincinnati Bengals # 9:Pull My Finger WR Moulds,Eric Buffalo Bills #10:Ruffy WR Brown,Tim Oakland Raiders #11:Dukes WR Galloway,Joey Seattle Seahawks #12:Blind Squirrels WR Rice,Jerry San Francisco 49ers Old Faces in Familiar Places: Duce Staley reunites with the Cyclones after almost helping them win the Superbowl last season. Emmit Smith returns to the Assholes after helping lead PRI to the Superbowl title last year. Thank You, Randy Moss: PRI gets the "other" Vikings Receiver, Cris Carter...solid pick and scores a bunch. UH...never mind: Anyone out there think Bubby Brister is the 25th best player in our draft. Well, the Rednecks do! Slowing Down: Jerome Bettis (Cheesy-Poofs) looks fat and old, and Corey Dillon (Venwaz Balls) just looks no-so-good. STEAL of the round: Blind Squirrels grab Jerry Rice, who looks healthy and is primed for a big year. The Early Round Oakland Factor - last year Ruffy drafted bust James Jett as thier #4 pick, this year they draft Tim Brown a round earlier as his potential bust replacement. Will he or Won't he?: The Dukes gambled with normally high-draft pick Joey Galloway, who is still holding out with contract issues and looks ready to sit out the entire season. If he does play, it's an excellent 3rd-round pick. Round #4 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels RB Murrell,Adrian Arizona Cardinals # 2:Dukes RB Hicks,Skip Washington Redskins # 3:Ruffy RB Morris,Bam Kansas City Chiefs # 4:Pull My Finger WR Mathis,Terance Atlanta Falcons # 5:Venwaz Balls WR Smith,Rod Denver Broncos # 6:G-Men WR Martin,Tony Miami Dolphins # 7:Cheesy-Poofs WR Moore,Herman Detroit Lions # 8:Painful Rectal Itches RB Smith,Antowain Buffalo Bills # 9:Assholes RB Collins,Cecil Miami Dolphins #10:Cyclones WR Moore,Rob Arizona Cardinals #11:VEGA RB Enis,Curtis Chicago Bears #12:High Tech Rednecks WR Chrebet,Wayne New York Jets Running Back Questions: Adrian Murrell (Blind Squirrels) has no offensive line, Bam Morris (Ruffy) is a short-yardage back only, Antowain Smith (PRI) has a nagging groin injury, Cecil Collins (Assholes) is a rookie on a team with a bunch of backs, and Curtis Enis (VEGA) plays for the Bears. #2 backs never looked so shaky. A couple lucky ones: Tony Martin (G-Men) beat the money laundering rap and will likely have a great year in Miami. Herman Moore (Cheesy-Poofs) has an up & coming QB throwing to him as the main target. Round #5 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks QB McNair,Steve Tennessee Titans # 2:VEGA WR Glenn,Terry New England Patriots # 3:Cyclones FB Alstott,Mike Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 4:Assholes QB Kitna,Jon Seattle Seahawks # 5:Painful Rectal ItchesDef Seattle Defense Seattle Seahawks # 6:Cheesy-Poofs RB Faulk,Kevin New England Patriots # 7:G-Men RB Dunn,Warrick Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 8:Venwaz Balls QB Green,Trent St. Louis Rams # 9:Pull My Finger RB Holmes,Priest Baltimore Ravens #10:Ruffy TE Coates,Ben New England Patriots #11:Dukes WR Conway,Curtis Chicago Bears #12:Blind Squirrels WR McCaffrey,Ed Denver Broncos Round #3 Rebound: HTR grabs Steve McNair who started for them last year and likely will replace Brister this year. Who would've thunk it: Trent Green (Venwaz Balls) looked poised for a great season but may have just ended his season with a pre-season game knee injury. This was the 'Balls #1 QB. Owwie. Could be a great one: John Kitna (Assholes) has the potential to light it up in Seattle, even without Galloway. If only he could play the Bengals every week: Pull My Finger grabs Priest Holmes, who may lose starts to Rhett. Laugh it up, funny boys: Never mind that in OUR league, defenses in '98 averaged just under 20 PPG, trailing only the QB category in overall performance. Never mind that Seattle's D was the #5 scorer in our whole league last season. Everyone thought it was funny that PRI grabbed 'em in the 5th round. We laugh at all of YOU. Round #6 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels RB Phillips,Lawrence San Francisco 49ers # 2:Dukes WR McDuffie,O.j. Miami Dolphins # 3:Ruffy WR Lewis,Jermaine Baltimore Ravens # 4:Pull My Finger QB Chandler,Chris Atlanta Falcons # 5:Venwaz Balls WR Sanders,Frank Arizona Cardinals # 6:G-Men WR Thigpen,Yancey Tennessee Titans # 7:Cheesy-Poofs WR McCardell,Keenan Jacksonville Jaguars # 8:Painful Rectal Itches TE Sharpe,Shannon Denver Broncos # 9:Assholes WR Toomer,Amani New York Giants #10:Cyclones K Anderson,Gary Minnesota Vikings #11:VEGA WR Scott,Darnay Cincinnati Bengals #12:High Tech Rednecks RB Brown,Gary New York Giants Crime May Pay: Blind Squirrels grab Lawrence Phillips, who is now the go-to guy on a powerful San Fran offense. Receivers Galore: 8 of the 12 picks this round were WR or TE, the best of which were Frank Sanders (Venwaz Balls), Shannon Sharpe (PRI) and "sleeper" Darnay Scott (Cincinnatti). Too early?: After league ridicule of a D pick in round #5, kicker Gary Anderson (Cyclones) goes in round #6 with nary a peep. Though he's an excellent K, this position is by far the lowest average PPG. Wake up, SFFL! Too late?: As their first QB - the most important position in SFFL - Pull My Finger waits 'till round 6 to take Chris Chandler. Will he have another year like '98? Unlikely. Round #7 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks WR Holt,Torry St. Louis Rams # 2:VEGA QB Flutie,Doug Buffalo Bills # 3:Cyclones WR Bruce,Isaac St. Louis Rams # 4:Assholes WR Alexander,Derrick Kansas City Chiefs # 5:Painful Rectal Itches QB Marino,Dan Miami Dolphins # 6:Cheesy-Poofs WR Westbrook,Michael Washington Redskins # 7:G-Men WR Boston,David Arizona Cardinals # 8:Venwaz Balls RB Biakabutuka,Tim Carolina Panthers # 9:Pull My Finger RB Kirby,Terry Cleveland Browns #10:Ruffy WR Irvin,Michael Dallas Cowboys #11:Dukes Def Ny Giants Defense New York Giants #12:Blind Squirrels WR Morton,Johnnie Detroit Lions Whatta backup: PRI grabs Dan Marino as the #77 pick overall and their #2 QB. He could start. Also, as the Favre backup, VEGA gets Doug Flutie (no QB controversy there). Whatta Homer: Not a big surprise that the Rednecks "had" to have a Rams player, so they take...Torry Holt?? Whatta Question: Is David Boston (G-Men) another Randy Moss or at best the #3 receiver on his own team? Whatta Hammy: The Cyclones gamble on potentially awesome Isaac Bruce...a player that has burned the Assholes and PRI the last couple seasons. Round #8 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels K Elam,Jason Denver Broncos # 2:Dukes K Hanson,Jason Detroit Lions # 3:Ruffy Def Miami Defense Miami Dolphins # 4:Pull My Finger WR Ismail,Raghib Dallas Cowboys # 5:Venwaz Balls WR Mayes,Derrick Green Bay Packers # 6:G-Men Def Minnesota Defense Minnesota Vikings # 7:Cheesy-Poofs QB Stewart,Kordell Pittsburgh Steelers # 8:Painful Rectal Itches WR Stokes,J.J. San Francisco 49ers # 9:Assholes Def New Orleans Defense New Orleans Saints #10:Cyclones Def Oakland Defense Oakland Raiders #11:VEGA Def Ny Jets Defense New York Jets #12:High Tech Rednecks Def Atlanta Defense Atlanta Falcons The Plan for the Rest of the League: Round #8 must be when everyone decided to start taking the D and K positions. Not a bad pick among the bunch, with Ruffy (Miami) and the G-Men (Minnesota) coming out on top. Primed for a Comeback?: How about last years #4 pick Kordell Stewart (Cheesy-Poofs) dropping to round #8? A good bargain pick who may see playing time soon. Potential: Rocket Ismail (Pull My Finger) could end up being the go-to guy in Dallas. J.J. Stokes (PRI) isn't too flashy but is a solid contributor for San Fran. Round #9 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks WR Pickens,Carl Cincinnati Bengals # 2:VEGA K Christie,Steve Buffalo Bills # 3:Cyclones RB Rivers,Ron Detroit Lions # 4:Assholes K Hollis,Mike Jacksonville Jaguars # 5:Painful Rectal Itches K Del greco,Al Tennessee Titans # 6:Cheesy-Poofs Def Green Bay Defense Green Bay Packers # 7:G-Men WR Rison,Andre Kansas City Chiefs # 8:Venwaz Balls QB Johnson,Brad Washington Redskins # 9:Pull My Finger RB Garner,Charlie San Francisco 49ers #10:Ruffy RB Kaufman,Napoleon Oakland Raiders #11:Dukes FB Way,Charles New York Giants #12:Blind Squirrels Def San Diego Defense San Diego Chargers Homer #2: Cheesy-Poofs pass on some good defenses and grab Green Bay. Hmmm... Good thing they got Torry Holt: the Rednecks continue to amuse as they grab Carl Pickens, who may never play this year. Just Like That, he's a Starter: The Venwaz Balls get to start their #9 pick Brad Johnson due to Trent Green's injury. It's going to be a long season... Some never learn: Ruffy decides Napoleon Kaufman is worth another gamble for the second straight year. Round #10 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels RB Hoard,Leroy Minnesota Vikings # 2:Dukes QB Dilfer,Trent Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 3:Ruffy K Cunningham,Richie Dallas Cowboys # 4:Pull My Finger QB Couch,Tim Cleveland Browns # 5:Venwaz Balls K Peterson,Todd Seattle Seahawks # 6:G-Men RB Johnson,James Miami Dolphins # 7:Cheesy-Poofs K Andersen,Morten Atlanta Falcons # 8:Painful Rectal Itches RB Irvin,Sedrick Detroit Lions # 9:Assholes QB Batch,Charlie Detroit Lions #10:Cyclones WR Johnson,Charles Philadelphia Eagles #11:VEGA TE Chmura,Mark Green Bay Packers #12:High Tech Rednecks K Longwell,Ryan Green Bay Packers Could be quite productive: Assholes pick Charlie Batch, who is definitely the #1 QB in Detroit. Pull My Finger takes a chance with rookie Tim Couch - perhaps he'll have a Peyton Manning type year? Dome Kickers RULE: kickers on high scoring teams AND in domes are great picks. 10th round choices Todd Peterson (Venwaz Balls) and Morten Anderson (Cheesy-Poofs) were good ones. Huh?: With quite a few good WRs left, why did VEGA grab washed up (and perpetually injured) TE Mark Chmura? Round #11 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks WR Calloway,Chris Atlanta Falcons # 2:VEGA Def Denver Defense Denver Broncos # 3:Cyclones QB McNown,Cade Chicago Bears # 4:Assholes WR Muhammad,Muhsin Carolina Panthers # 5:Painful Rectal Itches WR Dawkins,Sean Seattle Seahawks # 6:Cheesy-Poofs WR Hilliard,Ike New York Giants # 7:G-Men K Hall,John New York Jets # 8:Venwaz Balls RB Davis,Stephen Washington Redskins # 9:Pull My Finger K Vinatieri,Adam New England Patriots #10:Ruffy QB Aikman,Troy Dallas Cowboys #11:Dukes WR Shepherd,Leslie Cleveland Browns #12:Blind Squirrels QB Gannon,Rich Oakland Raiders Now You're Reaching: Cyclones now have Cade McNown as backup for Cunningham. Enough said. Good late round RB: Venwaz Balls get Stephen Davis, who may be better than many others picked much earlier. Good late round QB: Someone's gotta throw to all those receivers...Blind Squirrels grab Rich Gannon. Also, Ruffy takes steady but unspectacular Troy Aikman as a solid backup to erratic Testeverde. Round #12 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels WR Emanuel,Bert Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 2:Dukes RB Abdul-Jabbar,Karim Miami Dolphins # 3:Ruffy WR Dyson,Kevin Tennessee Titans # 4:Pull My Finger Def Tampa Bay Defense Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 5:Venwaz Balls Def San Fran Defense San Francisco 49ers # 6:G-Men QB Mitchell,Scott Baltimore Ravens # 7:Cheesy-Poofs FB Anders,Kimble Kansas City Chiefs # 8:Painful Rectal Itches WR Carruth,Rae Carolina Panthers # 9:Assholes RB Warren,Chris Dallas Cowboys #10:Cyclones WR Jett,James Oakland Raiders #11:VEGA RB Rhett,Errict Baltimore Ravens #12:High Tech Rednecks RB Lane,Fred Carolina Panthers Best #12 pick: Dukes get Karim Abdul-Jabbar. Say what you will, but he scores TDs and is a steal this late. Another go-round: Last year I said Errict Rhett (VEGA) was an excellent pick but ended up being a bust. VEGA had 'em and is hoping for better results this year. Could end up a starter: Fred Lane (High Tech Rednecks) was a heads-up draft pick for these guys. Why? Why? Why?: The Assholes take another Dallas RB, Chris Warren, who will play little if at all. Wasted draft pick. Round #13 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks WR Reed,Andre Buffalo Bills # 2:VEGA WR Engram,Bobby Chicago Bears # 3:Cyclones K Vanderjagt,Mike Indianapolis Colts # 4:Assholes WR Anthony,Reidel Tampa Bay Buccaneers # 5:Painful Rectal Itches RB Green,Ahman Seattle Seahawks # 6:Cheesy-Poofs WR Kennison,Eddie New Orleans Saints # 7:G-Men Def Baltimore Defense Baltimore Ravens # 8:Venwaz Balls WR Johnson,Kevin Cleveland Browns # 9:Pull My Finger K Gramatica,Martin Tampa Bay Buccaneers #10:Ruffy RB Allen,James Chicago Bears #11:Dukes WR Jefferson,Shawn New England Patriots #12:Blind Squirrels WR Reed,Jake Minnesota Vikings More Homer Picks: Two, count 'em, TWO Bears go in the same round. VEGA takes Bobby Engram and Ruffy grabs James Allen. Gee, you would've thought they'd still be there in round 15...and later. Reed or Reek: Andre (High Tech Rednecks) is old but should fare much better than Jake (Blind Squirrels). Really the best one left?: G-Men draft the Baltimore Defense. That is NOT a misprint. Round #14 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:Blind Squirrels K Mare,Olindo Miami Dolphins # 2:Dukes Def Arizona Defense Arizona Cardinals # 3:Ruffy Def New England Defense New England Patriots # 4:Pull My Finger WR Schroeder,Bill Green Bay Packers # 5:Venwaz Balls K Brien,Doug New Orleans Saints # 6:G-Men RB Hearst,Garrison San Francisco 49ers # 7:Cheesy-Poofs K Carney,John San Diego Chargers # 8:Painful Rectal Itches K Stoyanovich,Pete Kansas City Chiefs # 9:Assholes K Richey,Wade San Francisco 49ers #10:Cyclones Def Chicago Defense Chicago Bears #11:VEGA RB Fletcher,Terrell San Diego Chargers #12:High Tech Rednecks K Kasay,John Carolina Panthers Aiming for Distance: Kickers John Kasay (High Tech Rednecks), Pete Stoyanovich (PRI) and Doug Brien (Venwaz Balls) could all be good picks as they'll have many shots at long field goals. Smart: Pull My Finger grabs Bill Schroeder, who with Robert Brooks gone will get many Favre passes thrown his way. Dumb: Garrison Hearst (G-Men) will most likely miss the entire season. And y'all laughed when we picked Yatil Green in this round last year! Round #15 Picks ----------------------------------------------------------------------- # 1:High Tech Rednecks Def Kansas City Defense Kansas City Chiefs # 2:VEGA K Johnson,Norm Philadelphia Eagles # 3:Cyclones RB Jervey,Travis San Francisco 49ers # 4:Assholes Def Detroit Defense Detroit Lions # 5:Painful Rectal ItchesDef Pittsburgh Defense Pittsburgh Steelers # 6:Cheesy-Poofs Def St. Louis Defense St. Louis Rams # 7:G-Men K Stover,Matt Baltimore Ravens # 8:Venwaz Balls Def Cleveland Defense Cleveland Browns # 9:Pull My Finger Def Tennessee Defense Tennessee Titans #10:Ruffy K Pelfrey,Doug Cincinnati Bengals #11:Dukes K Wilkins,Jeff St. Louis Rams #12:Blind Squirrels Def Buffalo Defense Buffalo Bills **Gotta Love this round - play 'em or not, $$$ is on the line for the first week!** Best of the lot: Pittsburgh D (PRI) plays Cleveland in week 1, and they're not too bad anyway. Kansas City D (HTR) is also a decent pick, and they play the Bears in week 1. Uh, well, hmmm...: Cleveland Defense? CLEVELAND? Venwaz Balls, shame shame. NO chance at the week one dough: Cyclones take injured Travis Jervey. Mark down a big ZERO there. Fearless Predictions: Best of the Draft: From sheer talent perspectives, the nod has to go to the High Tech Rednecks, with the rookie squad G-Men close behind. What they do with the talent remains to be seen. Upper Level: VEGA looks good, especially if Enis lives up to the hype. PRI loads up again and was very aware of top players bye-week status. The Blind Squirrels AGAIN look like contenders, and the Dukes - IF they can get all their WRs in line - may round out the top teams. A step below: Pull My Finger may be better than I expect, but there are too many questions at RB and QB. The Cyclones appear to be do-or-die with Cunningham. Venwaz Balls appear loaded but without a decent QB they're not nearly as good. The Assholes have had better drafts and may finally miss the playoffs this year. Bottom of the Barrell: It probably comes as no surprise to see Ruffy down here, but what could be the biggest fall from grace is the Cheesy-Poofs, who ended '98 with the second best record. Definitely no repeat in '99. Though nowhere near as dominating as last year's cakewalk, expect PRI to win the sissy American Conference again, with the G-Men close behind. The High Tech Rednecks may finally have a winning season and a shot at the National Conference title, if VEGA doesn't win it. The Federal Conference may be the most balanced, with the Dukes & Blind Squirrels in a dogfight to the end, perhaps fending off PMF and the 'Clones. Without definitive conference separation in the playoffs it's hard to predict who will play who, but in the end it should be VEGA and PRI still standing. So, who will win it all? Let's just say...well, I think you know what I'll say. D-Y-N-A-S-T-Y. Best of luck to all! Bryan McGonigal, "The Commish"