I think a lot of people don't "get it" when it comes to movies that are based on comic books. Maybe I just hold them a little too close because I used to read them a lot. But either way, the last few years have been really exciting. I should back up a little bit to explain why.
I first started reading comic books right around JR High. I was never really into the Superman and Batman type DC stuff. I was into Marvel from the get go. I gravitated towards the X-Men and Wolverine, Spiderman and once the Image company started I followed most of the first characters(Spawn, Wild Cats). Seams weird to say but these types of characters felt more "real", a lot of the problems they faced were real life, mixed in with the super villains of course. There was a time when the supposed villains had heroic traits, creating a few characters that became known as "anti-heros". Or heroes that had major flaws in their character.
I don't think anyone would have known the type of reaction the first few movies would have brought. There have been a couple of hits on the radar a few years ago, like, Blade, but once the big boys hit with X-Men and Spiderman, the flood gates opened up. Many of them following a predictable formula of the first movie starting with the origin and a "classic" villain before moving into a lot of action with the second movie. There have been a lot of really good movies and a lot of almost as good movies, but nothing has really failed until recently with the release of DC's Green Lantern. But with so many characters and stories, there would have to be a few bombs sooner or later. Hopefully the filmmakers will focus more on story and characters rather then trying to sell the latest CGI graphics and 3-D gimmicks.
There is a weird line drawn when it comes to certain characters and movie studios that not a lot of people know about. Marvel Comics created characters like Spiderman, X-Men and The Fantastic Four but they do not own the movie rights to these characters. Once Marvel started making their own movies, there was a sense of really bringing the comic books to life rather then just having a story very loosely based on it. Compare The Fantastic Four movie with Ironman. Most people like Ironman better and mostly because it was the better made movie. This was Marvel taking care of their character and their story. Not a movie studio not caring what they cut of change to get a movie made.
Don't get me wrong, some of those movies created by other movie studios have been great. But I feel Marvel would have done a better job over all, especially when the sequels started adding up. Can you imagine Spiderman 3 and X-Men 3 being as bland if Marvel was doing them? Those were OK movies, but they had potential to be great. Tell a bigger story and flesh out the characters more, rather then putting together a pale clone with often very little in common with their comic book counterpart. Take the last scene in X-men origins Wolverine. Why create a whole new and different character instead of bringing to life the character that everyone knows should have been there? Was it money? Was it the costume? Was it they thought we needed to be amazed at something new and different but went against what we all knew?
Spiderman 1 and 2, along with the first 2 X-Men movies were some of the best, but when number 3 hit, they both took a step backwards. I can totally understand taking liberties with certain characters and story lines so to an extent I'm OK with it. What I don't understand is when they take a well known character and totally change them so they are almost unrecognizable. Do they so this just so they can say, "Hey look, I've put So and So in my new movie, come see it."
One of the best characters to come along in the last 20 years or so got treated like a second rate cameo. Granted, in order to do the character justice they would have had to make the story a whole separate movie, which they should have done, instead they quickly put together a story with totally different origins, gave him about 7 minutes total screen time in a 2 and a half hour movie and they (spoiler alert) killed him at the end. Just like that, in this movie universe, that character is done with. Of course, we all know that most characters never stay dead, but still, it makes it harder to come up with a reason why he came back from the dead later on.
I'll have to come back to this subject later. There is a lot that can be said. I would like some input from readers if there are any! What do you feel about all these movies coming out?
MikeTheTripp
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Transformers
Went and watched the new Transformers movie today. I have to say that I liked it. I've liked all of them so far. I have heard so many complaints about all of them, enough that it kind of bugs me a little. I've heard or read complaints ranging from poor character development to weak story lines. Maybe there is one thing that those people seam to forget when they watch these movies. They are based on a cartoon from the early '80's and the sole purpose of that cartoon was to sell the toys. No matter how much money they throw at the screen for us to take in, no matter how many sequels or what dimension we see it in. Its based on a toy.
Now, I grew up watching those cartoons and yes, I had many of those toys (that I would LOVE to have today). It was fun. It was classic Good Guys VS Bad Guys but with giant robots. What was there for a kid not to like? Poor character development? HA! When the first Tramsformers movie was released, a lot of old school fans immediately complained that the movie robots looked nothing like the original cartoons. Seriously? Do people realize how goofy and in some cases, down right stupid some things would look if they were translated directly to the big screen? Looking back on those cartoons, yeah, there are a few things I would like to see on the big screen. But once in a while, when the Good Guys would win, the robots would celebrate and dance. NOW, would those same people that were complaining about the looks be happy with dancing robots at the end?
The whole 3-D fad may come and go, but I believe it works best for movies like this. The Summer Blockbuster. Some have said movies like this are a, "check your brain at the door" type. How can you go into a movie about giant robots fighting and expect an Oscar winner? Not to say you should have no expectations, but c'mon, you paid to see a movie about giant robots and you want to complain about how believable it is?
I remember back when the very first Transformers movie came out, the animated one. It was great. We got the video and watched I probably 3 times in one night. I do realize they started that movie where the cartoon left off, which I was watching all the time anyways, so they could jump right into the action without having to come up with some kind of origin story for the masses to except. But in less then an hour and a half, they were able to cram in a ton of action, a cool story and one of the greatest bad guys ever. That is one story I would love to see translated to the big screen. Unicron. Cmon, do it!
Now that they have 3 movies about fighting on Earth, I think its time to take this fight to space. Do something on the Transformers home planet of Cybertron. Plus they have killed Megatron twice, the next logical step would be to have him go through the transformation into Galvatron. Optimus Prime, while I have enjoyed watching him kick butt for 3 movies now, I think its time to introduce Hot Rod and eventually Rodimus Prime. Maybe the Dinobots too? and while we are at it, give Sam one of those cool transforming suits. This was the best Sam to date and seeing him grow and fight along the Autobots would be cool. Most of the other humans are interchangeable, Bay swapped out Megan Fox for some Victoria's Secret model and not much was really different but the hair color.
I know I may be asking for a lot for a live action movie so I propose they make a 2 part story and film both movies back to back, like the Lord of the Rings movies where. They are spending HUGE amounts of money on the budgets for these movies now and half of the movie is CGI anyways, whats a few more million in the bucket? Michael Bay says he is done with the Transformers after this 3rd one. OK. Lets get someone else, someone that knows these characters and how to handle them. Get us Steven Spielberg. Or his highest paid Mexican equivalent, Steven Spielbergo (you get extra points if you know where I got that).
This new movie will probably gross a billion dollars and the next movie will probably have a new cast and director and everything so the movie studio will probably call it a "reboot" and want to retell the origin again, so my hopes and dreams will probably have to wait a few more decades. But how awesome would it be to have a giant planet munching robot taking on all the Autobots and Deceptacons at once? A guy can dream can't he?
MiketheTripp
Now, I grew up watching those cartoons and yes, I had many of those toys (that I would LOVE to have today). It was fun. It was classic Good Guys VS Bad Guys but with giant robots. What was there for a kid not to like? Poor character development? HA! When the first Tramsformers movie was released, a lot of old school fans immediately complained that the movie robots looked nothing like the original cartoons. Seriously? Do people realize how goofy and in some cases, down right stupid some things would look if they were translated directly to the big screen? Looking back on those cartoons, yeah, there are a few things I would like to see on the big screen. But once in a while, when the Good Guys would win, the robots would celebrate and dance. NOW, would those same people that were complaining about the looks be happy with dancing robots at the end?
The whole 3-D fad may come and go, but I believe it works best for movies like this. The Summer Blockbuster. Some have said movies like this are a, "check your brain at the door" type. How can you go into a movie about giant robots fighting and expect an Oscar winner? Not to say you should have no expectations, but c'mon, you paid to see a movie about giant robots and you want to complain about how believable it is?
I remember back when the very first Transformers movie came out, the animated one. It was great. We got the video and watched I probably 3 times in one night. I do realize they started that movie where the cartoon left off, which I was watching all the time anyways, so they could jump right into the action without having to come up with some kind of origin story for the masses to except. But in less then an hour and a half, they were able to cram in a ton of action, a cool story and one of the greatest bad guys ever. That is one story I would love to see translated to the big screen. Unicron. Cmon, do it!
Now that they have 3 movies about fighting on Earth, I think its time to take this fight to space. Do something on the Transformers home planet of Cybertron. Plus they have killed Megatron twice, the next logical step would be to have him go through the transformation into Galvatron. Optimus Prime, while I have enjoyed watching him kick butt for 3 movies now, I think its time to introduce Hot Rod and eventually Rodimus Prime. Maybe the Dinobots too? and while we are at it, give Sam one of those cool transforming suits. This was the best Sam to date and seeing him grow and fight along the Autobots would be cool. Most of the other humans are interchangeable, Bay swapped out Megan Fox for some Victoria's Secret model and not much was really different but the hair color.
I know I may be asking for a lot for a live action movie so I propose they make a 2 part story and film both movies back to back, like the Lord of the Rings movies where. They are spending HUGE amounts of money on the budgets for these movies now and half of the movie is CGI anyways, whats a few more million in the bucket? Michael Bay says he is done with the Transformers after this 3rd one. OK. Lets get someone else, someone that knows these characters and how to handle them. Get us Steven Spielberg. Or his highest paid Mexican equivalent, Steven Spielbergo (you get extra points if you know where I got that).
This new movie will probably gross a billion dollars and the next movie will probably have a new cast and director and everything so the movie studio will probably call it a "reboot" and want to retell the origin again, so my hopes and dreams will probably have to wait a few more decades. But how awesome would it be to have a giant planet munching robot taking on all the Autobots and Deceptacons at once? A guy can dream can't he?
MiketheTripp
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Packers in the NFC Title Game
Lets go back in time for a minute. Back to early September. Having a fun family night and enjoying a good dinner of Safeway Chinese Food. I am not a fan of fortune cookies, I never actually eat them and I rarely open them up and read the fortune anymore. Not sure why I did it but I opened up the cookie and read the fortune. It said, "Your sports team will be very successful this year". About as generic as you can get right? Of course, after the Packers lost in the Wild Card round of the Play-Offs last year to Arizona, I was expecting a "very successful year" this year.
Back to present day. Only a few days left until the Packers take on the Bears for the NFC Title. I was hoping the roles would be reversed and Green Bay would be the number 1 seed and have home field advantage but to have them need to win the last few games of the regular season to get in and get in as the 6th seed then win road games against 2 very tough teams has really given me hope for this game and even the Super Bowl. The game against the Eagles was just a fight. Kind of sloppy with neither team really breaking away and the game came down to the last play, an interception thrown by Michael Vick in the final minutes. No one had planned on Green Bay rookie running back, Starks, having a break out game and running for over 120 yards, setting a Green Bay play off record. Having a running game gave the Packers a new dimension and now teams would have to defend against the run and not just the pass.
The Falcon game was very exciting for me. I was expecting a very tough game and during the first quarter it looked like it. The Green Bay defence pulled in another interception and this time ran it back to a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half. The game was pretty much a blow out after that. That INT took the crowd out of the game and turning it into a Packer home game for the 4th quarter (as many Falcon fans had started leaving near the end of the 3rd). Giving them their second play-off win, we awaited the winner of the Seattle and Chicago game. I was hoping the Seahawks could pull it off and bring my Packers here to Seattle for the title game. Oh well.
Off we go to Chicago. I saw the horrible field conditions during the Hawks game and I can't imagine it getting any better by this Sunday. Without a running game, I would be a little worried about our receivers slipping all over the field, now we can run the ball as well. Given the weather and the field conditions, I'm guess this will be a low scoring affair, just like the last meeting. In the final game of the regular season, the Bears came to Green Bay. The Bears had nothing to play for and the Packers were on the verge of another play-off appearance with a win. Yet the Bears played their starters and not only started them but played them the whole game. They knew something. They didn't want to face the Packers in the play-offs. Division rivals, the oldest on the books and having only met once before in the play-offs, this game has all the makings of a classic match up with the winner emerging from the rubble with a ticket to the Super Bowl.
I am very confident that we can come away with a victory this weekend. The Packers showed they have what it takes to get the job done. They are entering their 5th week in a row of a "Do or Die" situation and have come away with wins each week. Defence has stepped up in a big way. In previous meetings with the Bears this season, Cutler was sacked 9 times, intercepted 3 times and when the play-offs were on the line, the Packers offence was held in check but still managed to shut down the bears and get a win. Early in week 3, the Packers had just lost their starting running back and many other offensive and defencive players. The bench players that have been asked to step up, have, and in a big way.
Here's to a great game. Lets go out there and give them hell. I think I will try to make some Nachos.
Back to present day. Only a few days left until the Packers take on the Bears for the NFC Title. I was hoping the roles would be reversed and Green Bay would be the number 1 seed and have home field advantage but to have them need to win the last few games of the regular season to get in and get in as the 6th seed then win road games against 2 very tough teams has really given me hope for this game and even the Super Bowl. The game against the Eagles was just a fight. Kind of sloppy with neither team really breaking away and the game came down to the last play, an interception thrown by Michael Vick in the final minutes. No one had planned on Green Bay rookie running back, Starks, having a break out game and running for over 120 yards, setting a Green Bay play off record. Having a running game gave the Packers a new dimension and now teams would have to defend against the run and not just the pass.
The Falcon game was very exciting for me. I was expecting a very tough game and during the first quarter it looked like it. The Green Bay defence pulled in another interception and this time ran it back to a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half. The game was pretty much a blow out after that. That INT took the crowd out of the game and turning it into a Packer home game for the 4th quarter (as many Falcon fans had started leaving near the end of the 3rd). Giving them their second play-off win, we awaited the winner of the Seattle and Chicago game. I was hoping the Seahawks could pull it off and bring my Packers here to Seattle for the title game. Oh well.
Off we go to Chicago. I saw the horrible field conditions during the Hawks game and I can't imagine it getting any better by this Sunday. Without a running game, I would be a little worried about our receivers slipping all over the field, now we can run the ball as well. Given the weather and the field conditions, I'm guess this will be a low scoring affair, just like the last meeting. In the final game of the regular season, the Bears came to Green Bay. The Bears had nothing to play for and the Packers were on the verge of another play-off appearance with a win. Yet the Bears played their starters and not only started them but played them the whole game. They knew something. They didn't want to face the Packers in the play-offs. Division rivals, the oldest on the books and having only met once before in the play-offs, this game has all the makings of a classic match up with the winner emerging from the rubble with a ticket to the Super Bowl.
I am very confident that we can come away with a victory this weekend. The Packers showed they have what it takes to get the job done. They are entering their 5th week in a row of a "Do or Die" situation and have come away with wins each week. Defence has stepped up in a big way. In previous meetings with the Bears this season, Cutler was sacked 9 times, intercepted 3 times and when the play-offs were on the line, the Packers offence was held in check but still managed to shut down the bears and get a win. Early in week 3, the Packers had just lost their starting running back and many other offensive and defencive players. The bench players that have been asked to step up, have, and in a big way.
Here's to a great game. Lets go out there and give them hell. I think I will try to make some Nachos.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Post Season Thinking, Part 2
Points Per Reception League
I won't say that I never had a chance, but really, I didn't. I thought I changed my Draft strategy enough to get some good players, and while I did, this league can be a beast at times. With teams regularly scoring over 100 points I think my average was around 65 or 70 at most. I was able to pull off a few impressive victories over some well established teams.
I have a few good players to build on for next year. I thought I had a few for this year but they mostly turned out to be busts. I have already dumped them off. I have a couple of good players that I can use to try and make a trade or two, we even trade for draft picks so if I don't get a home run on a player I can possibly get a few more picks in.
I am positive that I will keep my players from Green Bay, Rodgers and Jennings. When those two had good games, they equal about half of my entire teams output. Even on a bad week, they still scored me lots of points. I was told by another guy in the league that, other teams in the league would kill for them. Basically one TD equals 6 points for each guy, not even counting all the yardage and catches every game.
So, now I get to play the trading game. There was a flurry of offers that came about heading into the play-offs. All the big teams that made it in wanted to stock up on good players to help them make it through. I turned down about 6 or 7 offers. They all wanted Rodgers and/or Jennings. Of course, I was making all kinds of offers, none of them involving either of those 2. I was trying to get someone who was desperate enough to make a trade with me for someone that I probably will not keep going into next season. That didn't happen.
So, for right now, all my hope lies on doing good research this off-season and even paying attention to the NFL Draft this spring. Landing a coveted rookie is always a good start, some young player that will land on a decent team that will provide lots of scoring opportunities. I may only keep a few guys in hopes of getting a few high picks and grabbing a couple of good running backs, heck, they don't even need to be that good, just better then what I had this time. I ended my season starting the 3rd string running backs from San Diego and Arizona, yes, I was that hard up.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. I have both Seattle running backs. Should I even think about keeping just 1? Should I be locked up for wanting to keep both? I think Lynch showed something of a spark late this year. Maybe that will be enough for someone to offer a trade for him. I'm not sure I would draft him so why would I keep him? That's what I was thinking when I kept Marion Barber and Ronnie Brown this season. I'm sure I will be pulling some hair out in the days leading up to the next Draft. But that's part of all the fun. Its a big gamble. Deal me in.
I won't say that I never had a chance, but really, I didn't. I thought I changed my Draft strategy enough to get some good players, and while I did, this league can be a beast at times. With teams regularly scoring over 100 points I think my average was around 65 or 70 at most. I was able to pull off a few impressive victories over some well established teams.
I have a few good players to build on for next year. I thought I had a few for this year but they mostly turned out to be busts. I have already dumped them off. I have a couple of good players that I can use to try and make a trade or two, we even trade for draft picks so if I don't get a home run on a player I can possibly get a few more picks in.
I am positive that I will keep my players from Green Bay, Rodgers and Jennings. When those two had good games, they equal about half of my entire teams output. Even on a bad week, they still scored me lots of points. I was told by another guy in the league that, other teams in the league would kill for them. Basically one TD equals 6 points for each guy, not even counting all the yardage and catches every game.
So, now I get to play the trading game. There was a flurry of offers that came about heading into the play-offs. All the big teams that made it in wanted to stock up on good players to help them make it through. I turned down about 6 or 7 offers. They all wanted Rodgers and/or Jennings. Of course, I was making all kinds of offers, none of them involving either of those 2. I was trying to get someone who was desperate enough to make a trade with me for someone that I probably will not keep going into next season. That didn't happen.
So, for right now, all my hope lies on doing good research this off-season and even paying attention to the NFL Draft this spring. Landing a coveted rookie is always a good start, some young player that will land on a decent team that will provide lots of scoring opportunities. I may only keep a few guys in hopes of getting a few high picks and grabbing a couple of good running backs, heck, they don't even need to be that good, just better then what I had this time. I ended my season starting the 3rd string running backs from San Diego and Arizona, yes, I was that hard up.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. I have both Seattle running backs. Should I even think about keeping just 1? Should I be locked up for wanting to keep both? I think Lynch showed something of a spark late this year. Maybe that will be enough for someone to offer a trade for him. I'm not sure I would draft him so why would I keep him? That's what I was thinking when I kept Marion Barber and Ronnie Brown this season. I'm sure I will be pulling some hair out in the days leading up to the next Draft. But that's part of all the fun. Its a big gamble. Deal me in.
Post Season Thinking, Part 1
Better late then never. Yes, I know, I should have posted how well(or not) I actually ended up doing in my leagues right when it all ended. But I'm doing it now! I"ll split this up into 2 separate parts, one for each league.
Standard League
I made the play-offs as the last seed. The way this system works can get a little goofy at times. The top record from each division gets in and gets a bye in the first round of the play-offs. Then the rest of the teams get seeded based on record, not division rank. I'm not going to complain that I have a tough division, but every team from my division made it in. Only the Division winner made it in from the other one. I had to win my last few games to get in and I was able to. Then some tough decisions had to be made.
After getting into the play-offs, one of my studs got himself injured. Adrian Peterson. I'm really happy that I didn't NEED him to win, of course it may have helped. I rode the first few wins on the back of Arian Foster from Huston. He was probably the best pick of my Draft if I had to pick just one, late in the Draft and having already picked a good stable of well known running backs, I had my eye on Foster going in. I was relying heavily on the play of Philip Rivers, the QB from San Diego. Not sure what happened down the stretch, but he came up short and had a few bad games, just shear luck that he didn't cost me any wins.
The tough part was deciding to sit or start Peterson. During the first week of the play-offs, Peterson was hurt but all signs pointed to him starting that week so I plugged him in and didn't think twice. Then came game time late Monday Night and there he sat on the bench and in my starting line-up. I looked at my computer screen in almost disbelief that my number one pick would not be playing. At this point I had already won the game and any points from Peterson would not have helped anything. But what about next week? As I researched my line up for the following week, I left Peterson on the bench and put in Mendenhall from Pittsburgh and was able to pull out another win as I watched the Vikings stadium collapse and the game get moved to a Tuesday night.
Through all this, I was able to get into the Finals. The big money game. Winner takes $200 and loser gets $100, so I can guaranteed at the very least $100, but who wants to settle? I researched my line up once again and put my best team forward, at least I thought I did. I could have changed out a couple of guys an not much would have changed. There was one little thing that no one could have foreseen. I had to choose between two Defences that week, Green Bay and Arizona. I went with Green Bay, after all they were playing the Giants and Eli Manning was on a INT streak like no other. I figured at least one of those would come back for a score. I started Green Bay and didn't even think twice about it. Well, I'm sure many of you know what happened next. Yep, Arizona went on to score over 20 points that week, returning 2 INTs for scores and racking up the sacks. Green Bay did well, just didn't score.
This is what did me in. This was the tough choice I made and stick by it. I didn't start Peterson that week, even tough he played, but it didn't matter, he didn't score enough to make a difference. It all came down to needing 12 points from my kicker on Monday Night. It could have happened, but Atlanta played all its starters and of course got all the touchdowns it wanted and no Field Goals(that I needed). Who could have thought Arizona DEF would score more then Green Bay? I didn't.
But, I came in second, which given how tough it was to even make the play-offs, is nothing to shake a stick at. I was able to get a few post-season wins, which I had been lacking in the last several seasons. I've only missed out on the play-offs once, but haven't won a play-off game since the last time I won it all, I can't even remember how long ago that was.
Every time I log back onto the website and check the forums or the news, I always take a few seconds and look at my team page and think of what might have been. I have hope for next season. Just when you think all the sleepers are having break out years, there is always that 1 guy that no one is thinking about that can lead your team to victory. Just have to find him then keep my mouth shut about it until after the Draft, HAHA!
Standard League
I made the play-offs as the last seed. The way this system works can get a little goofy at times. The top record from each division gets in and gets a bye in the first round of the play-offs. Then the rest of the teams get seeded based on record, not division rank. I'm not going to complain that I have a tough division, but every team from my division made it in. Only the Division winner made it in from the other one. I had to win my last few games to get in and I was able to. Then some tough decisions had to be made.
After getting into the play-offs, one of my studs got himself injured. Adrian Peterson. I'm really happy that I didn't NEED him to win, of course it may have helped. I rode the first few wins on the back of Arian Foster from Huston. He was probably the best pick of my Draft if I had to pick just one, late in the Draft and having already picked a good stable of well known running backs, I had my eye on Foster going in. I was relying heavily on the play of Philip Rivers, the QB from San Diego. Not sure what happened down the stretch, but he came up short and had a few bad games, just shear luck that he didn't cost me any wins.
The tough part was deciding to sit or start Peterson. During the first week of the play-offs, Peterson was hurt but all signs pointed to him starting that week so I plugged him in and didn't think twice. Then came game time late Monday Night and there he sat on the bench and in my starting line-up. I looked at my computer screen in almost disbelief that my number one pick would not be playing. At this point I had already won the game and any points from Peterson would not have helped anything. But what about next week? As I researched my line up for the following week, I left Peterson on the bench and put in Mendenhall from Pittsburgh and was able to pull out another win as I watched the Vikings stadium collapse and the game get moved to a Tuesday night.
Through all this, I was able to get into the Finals. The big money game. Winner takes $200 and loser gets $100, so I can guaranteed at the very least $100, but who wants to settle? I researched my line up once again and put my best team forward, at least I thought I did. I could have changed out a couple of guys an not much would have changed. There was one little thing that no one could have foreseen. I had to choose between two Defences that week, Green Bay and Arizona. I went with Green Bay, after all they were playing the Giants and Eli Manning was on a INT streak like no other. I figured at least one of those would come back for a score. I started Green Bay and didn't even think twice about it. Well, I'm sure many of you know what happened next. Yep, Arizona went on to score over 20 points that week, returning 2 INTs for scores and racking up the sacks. Green Bay did well, just didn't score.
This is what did me in. This was the tough choice I made and stick by it. I didn't start Peterson that week, even tough he played, but it didn't matter, he didn't score enough to make a difference. It all came down to needing 12 points from my kicker on Monday Night. It could have happened, but Atlanta played all its starters and of course got all the touchdowns it wanted and no Field Goals(that I needed). Who could have thought Arizona DEF would score more then Green Bay? I didn't.
But, I came in second, which given how tough it was to even make the play-offs, is nothing to shake a stick at. I was able to get a few post-season wins, which I had been lacking in the last several seasons. I've only missed out on the play-offs once, but haven't won a play-off game since the last time I won it all, I can't even remember how long ago that was.
Every time I log back onto the website and check the forums or the news, I always take a few seconds and look at my team page and think of what might have been. I have hope for next season. Just when you think all the sleepers are having break out years, there is always that 1 guy that no one is thinking about that can lead your team to victory. Just have to find him then keep my mouth shut about it until after the Draft, HAHA!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Week 4 Update
OK, so we are off and running this season. Been very exciting so far. The names change but the trends do not. Big name players not putting up an numbers so you sit them and of course when you do they explode and have a huge game(I'm looking at a certain Tight End from Atlanta!) making it look like you don't know how to start your studs. It can be humbling to have almost as many points on your bench as you do from your starters.
Lets start with the not so great update first - the Keeper League. I'm 1-2. Got my first win last week, by 4 points. On nothing more than points per reception and yardage I crept up from the Green Bay game last Monday Night to take the lead as the game ended. God bless you, Arron Rodgers! Now throw it to Jennings, I have both of you for a reason! I have been doing really well with my receivers, something that always gave me fits in years past. Now I'm struggling with running backs. My starting backs for this week? Forsett and Brown, and that's about as good a RB line up as I've had to far. I've said it before and I'll say it again now, F%K the Cowboys! Marrion Barber, why, oh why, did I keep that guy?!?! I wanted to drop him for the final keeper selection before the Draft but I held on, hoping I could start the year off with a proven name. Yeah, he was proven alright, proving me WRONG!
I was able to grab the number 1 wide out for the Raiders, after I had sworn off anyone wearing black and silver years ago. I've had him for 2 weeks now and looks like that was a smart move. Actually I picked him up on both leagues, though he will have more value in the PPR league. Points are points and I'll take them whenever I can. Defense hasn't been what I thought it would be, so far. I picked up Baltimore and so far they are averaging about 8 points a game. Not that great considering if you don't break 100 points its like having an off week.
All that being said, I'm facing the number 1 team in this league this week. He's averaging about 147 points a game through week 3. Yikes, and I just scored my highest total last week at 104. BUT.....his top running back is on bye week, he is starting a RB and WR from Indy and both CAN'T have great games(can they?) He does have Vick. I'm hoping Vick has a bad game then I won't be looking that bad. If my guys have good games I have a real shot at pulling out a win. Not holding my breath on this one.
Now on to the Redraft League - 3-0 Baby! The only unbeaten team and currently the highest scoring! I wasn't sure how the team was going to fare after a lack luster week one. Phillip Rivers and Adrain Peterson are on fire right now. Mendenhall finally waking up and I expect better production out of him once Rothlesburger makes it back and can start throwing the ball more to draw the defences off the line. Also starting Foster this week in place of Peterson, he should have a good game. My receivers are getting a little banged up but nothing serious so far.
My outlook is good for this season, I think there is only one team that I am not looking forward to playing, but that could change. He has Chris Johnson and Vick and I expect Vick to be in the dog house(pun intended) soon enough. Johnson had a very poor showing against the Steelers so other defences know that he CAN be stopped. The other guys have good teams and so far I've played a few and was able to come out on top. Play-offs, here I come!
Anyone else having a good or bad season so far? Share in the comments!
Lets start with the not so great update first - the Keeper League. I'm 1-2. Got my first win last week, by 4 points. On nothing more than points per reception and yardage I crept up from the Green Bay game last Monday Night to take the lead as the game ended. God bless you, Arron Rodgers! Now throw it to Jennings, I have both of you for a reason! I have been doing really well with my receivers, something that always gave me fits in years past. Now I'm struggling with running backs. My starting backs for this week? Forsett and Brown, and that's about as good a RB line up as I've had to far. I've said it before and I'll say it again now, F%K the Cowboys! Marrion Barber, why, oh why, did I keep that guy?!?! I wanted to drop him for the final keeper selection before the Draft but I held on, hoping I could start the year off with a proven name. Yeah, he was proven alright, proving me WRONG!
I was able to grab the number 1 wide out for the Raiders, after I had sworn off anyone wearing black and silver years ago. I've had him for 2 weeks now and looks like that was a smart move. Actually I picked him up on both leagues, though he will have more value in the PPR league. Points are points and I'll take them whenever I can. Defense hasn't been what I thought it would be, so far. I picked up Baltimore and so far they are averaging about 8 points a game. Not that great considering if you don't break 100 points its like having an off week.
All that being said, I'm facing the number 1 team in this league this week. He's averaging about 147 points a game through week 3. Yikes, and I just scored my highest total last week at 104. BUT.....his top running back is on bye week, he is starting a RB and WR from Indy and both CAN'T have great games(can they?) He does have Vick. I'm hoping Vick has a bad game then I won't be looking that bad. If my guys have good games I have a real shot at pulling out a win. Not holding my breath on this one.
Now on to the Redraft League - 3-0 Baby! The only unbeaten team and currently the highest scoring! I wasn't sure how the team was going to fare after a lack luster week one. Phillip Rivers and Adrain Peterson are on fire right now. Mendenhall finally waking up and I expect better production out of him once Rothlesburger makes it back and can start throwing the ball more to draw the defences off the line. Also starting Foster this week in place of Peterson, he should have a good game. My receivers are getting a little banged up but nothing serious so far.
My outlook is good for this season, I think there is only one team that I am not looking forward to playing, but that could change. He has Chris Johnson and Vick and I expect Vick to be in the dog house(pun intended) soon enough. Johnson had a very poor showing against the Steelers so other defences know that he CAN be stopped. The other guys have good teams and so far I've played a few and was able to come out on top. Play-offs, here I come!
Anyone else having a good or bad season so far? Share in the comments!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Too soon to make moves?
So, I'm sitting here, on a day off from work, sipping coffee and checking on the Fanball sites for both of my teams. Just looking at all the activity going on. Players are getting dropped and picked up left and right. My initial plan was to wait and see how the first few games of the season went before I started making moves. Am I missing out on something?
I've done it before. I've dropped a player because his "out look" wasn't too good, only to have him get picked up by another team and rack up some points. Just one of the many pains of managing a team. I'd like to think that I have learned a lesson in there somewhere. Hang on to what you have and see who pans out, don't make rash decisions and drop and pick up players on a whim. Is it worth it to pick up a player you think may do good in the near future? Or drop a guy you think may not help you out? Its a waiting game, those players will not stay on the wire for too long but you can have someone on your team for as long as you like. Makes the Draft all that more important. At the very least you should be drafting players that are on the up swing. If you grab a few guys on the way down you run this risk of scrambling when that are not producing or get hurt.
Of course all this talk is cheap. First week of the season is just around the corner and who knows what will happen. Remember when Tom Brady went down the first week and missed the whole season? He was the number 1 overall pick in our league that year. I laughed quite a bit about that one. Just goes to show that the injury bug can hit anyone at anytime, no matter how big the name is and how much research you did before the Draft.
So, here is to an injury free first week of play! May all your hopes and dreams not go down in flames with the first game. May your yards pile high and your touchdowns be numerous. And let the all mighty waiver wire shine down on you with great warmth and encouragement!
P.S. Pray to Vince Lombardi, it may help.
I've done it before. I've dropped a player because his "out look" wasn't too good, only to have him get picked up by another team and rack up some points. Just one of the many pains of managing a team. I'd like to think that I have learned a lesson in there somewhere. Hang on to what you have and see who pans out, don't make rash decisions and drop and pick up players on a whim. Is it worth it to pick up a player you think may do good in the near future? Or drop a guy you think may not help you out? Its a waiting game, those players will not stay on the wire for too long but you can have someone on your team for as long as you like. Makes the Draft all that more important. At the very least you should be drafting players that are on the up swing. If you grab a few guys on the way down you run this risk of scrambling when that are not producing or get hurt.
Of course all this talk is cheap. First week of the season is just around the corner and who knows what will happen. Remember when Tom Brady went down the first week and missed the whole season? He was the number 1 overall pick in our league that year. I laughed quite a bit about that one. Just goes to show that the injury bug can hit anyone at anytime, no matter how big the name is and how much research you did before the Draft.
So, here is to an injury free first week of play! May all your hopes and dreams not go down in flames with the first game. May your yards pile high and your touchdowns be numerous. And let the all mighty waiver wire shine down on you with great warmth and encouragement!
P.S. Pray to Vince Lombardi, it may help.
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