First of all, the two-time Super Bowl Champion Channel 4 News Teams resides in this division, and I don’t know if you checked the ratings, but as of last year, they were No. 1.
You want to know what’s even more surprising? I personally picked him fourth.
Why? Because he has the worst QB in the division. Hell, I’ll take it one further. He has the worst QB in the JFL’s NFC. I’d take Tony Romo any day over RGIII. Of course, there’s Jamaal Charles, but when you stack this lineup against the rest of the division, I see problems.
First, let’s start with my personal favorite to win the division, the Graybill’s Generals. Many in the JFL agree, and if it comes true, it will be a long time coming for Graybill. A Super Bowl champion himself in 2008, he has endured some tough times, posting back-to-back-to-back-to… OK, let’s just say he hasn’t had a winning season since 2008.
This may finally be the year.
But the Chinese Organ Thieves will make it tough. I had a hard time picking a No. 1 team in this division, and to be honest, I’ve switched it twice. And I just thought about switching it again, but I can’t do it based on a few things I’ll take about within the Thieves’ capsule.
Nevertheless — I love that word, have you noticed? — when you have Peyton Manning, you’re always in the hunt.
Yes, the Spacklers are there, too, but uncertainty at RB keeps me from putting him above the Thieves or Generals.
Graybill’s Generals
2013 Record, Finish: 5-8
Career Record : 47-63
Outlook
The last time the Graybill’s Generals had a winning season, I was in grad school annoying the crap out of my roommate, the Sunday Slackers.
It’s been that long.
I’m sure Graybill is like, “Thanks, Jim. You want to hammer it home some more?”
In order to get out of that funk and shut me up, he’s going to have to get production at the QB spot, which has been an issue over the last couple years. From Joe Flacco to Eli Manning to a struggling Colin Kaepernick, it’s been an adventure.
If he can get a good season out of Cam Newton or Josh McCown — or both — I have no doubt that he’ll end his five-year run.
Quarterbacks ★★★★☆
Cam Newton really hasn’t been the same since that ridiculous rookie year. Last year, he had 3,379 yards passing and 24 TDs to go with 585 rushing and six TDs. It wasn’t bad, but owners want more. They want 2011 Cam Newton back, you know, the one that doesn’t have to worry about the Play 60 Kid coming in and stealing his job — and his mom’s fandom.
If Newton can’t cut it, you should know by now that I’m high on Josh McCown. The guy played lights out in Chicago. And yes, I know he had Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey. … But Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans all present an interesting dynamic. He’ll have great protection up front and he has a 6-5 tight end to look for, too. Could McCown be the Generals’ No. 1 starter all year?
I say yes, but I’m not a General.
Graybill may have made some people wonder why he didn’t keep LeSean McCoy, but he was smart. He did exactly what I would have done. He kept Eddie Lacy in a later round and with the No. 2 pick, took a gamble that he could get McCoy back. With Aaron Rodgers on the board, it was a great gamble, because even if Houserville took McCoy, Graybill would have taken Rodgers, and that’s a win-win.
As it worked out, he got McCoy and now with a pair of backs who combined for 24 double-digit fantasy games last year, I’m thinking this backfield can compete with the Marshawn Lynch-Doug Martin duo in Chalupaville.
McCoy was ridiculous last year, rushing for 1,607 yards and nine TDs, and he added 539 yards receiving and two TDs. Lacy ran for 1,178 yards and 11 TDs, while adding 257 yards receiving.
If Graybill gets anything close to those numbers this year, he’ll be in great shape.
And he shouldn’t have to worry about his backups Ka’Deem Carey and Andre Williams.
Wide Receivers ★★★★☆
Graybill will only need to start two WRs on most weeks, and those two will likely be Victor Cruz and Golden Tate.
Tate is a favorite of mine right now — and, yes, it has to do with his QB. Matthew Stafford needed a second option in the worst way. For too long he was looking for second- and third-rated WRs to get open and make plays when Calvin Johnson was double and triple covered. Nate Burleson couldn’t do it. Titus Young couldn’t do it. I can list them all. No one could cut it.
But Tate, who had 898 yards and five TDs in Seattle, should be able to provide that relief. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hit double-digits in TDs, and with that, he’ll hit 1,000 yards.
Cruz has that explosive ability in New York, but last year was a struggle. He blew up in Week 1 with 118 yards and three TDs. In the final 15 games, he added 880 yards and a TD. It was a fantasy owner nightmare.
I’m sure he’ll get in the end zone a few more times this year.
If not, DeAndre Hopkins may be an option if he can get going in his second year — he only had two TDs last year. Aaron Dobson was a popular rookie option last year, too, but he finished with just four TDs. It’s possible they break out, but the Generals will look to Cruz and Tate first.
Tight Ends ★★★★☆
Coby Fleener had 608 yards and four TDs last year, and Jermaine Gresham had 458 yards and four TDs. The Generals will have to play matchups to maximize his output at tight end.
Chinese Organ Thieves
2013 Record, Finish: 8-5 (8-6), lost in NFC Wild Card.
Career Record : 63-48-1
Outlook
The Organ Thieves just continue to win. With 63 career wins, he’s up there in the JFL all-time standings and there’s no reason he shouldn't add another seven-plus wins to that total this year.
A few years ago, he took a chance on Peyton Manning when no one else would and it has been a hell of a pick. After 599.4 fantasy points last year, he had to bring him back as a keeper. He won matchups single-handedly. I’m sure he’ll do the same and get the Thieves back to the playoffs.
Peyton Manning, 5,477 yards, 55 TDs, another one rushing, 11 games with 35 or more points. Ben Roethlisberger will see one start.
I think that covers its.
Running Backs ★★★½☆
Ryan Mathews has burned me before and Chris Johnson just hasn’t been the same since 2010, so that’s why I only gave the Thieves 3.5 stars here.
Still, Mathews did have 1,255 yards with six TDs last year and Johnson moves on to the Jets after 1,077 yards with six TDs last season. A change of scenery may help, but I’m not sold yet. Mathews is versatile, but last year, Danny Woodhead really cut into his touches, especially in the passing game.
The RB who actually interests me is C.J. Anderson. I don’t think Montee Ball is going to hold that job and Anderson could be a candidate to take over.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis could get some playing time if Giovani Bernard stumbles — unlikely — and Lance Dunbar is not worth talking about.
Wide Receivers ★★★½☆
The good news about the WRs: Emmanuel Sanders is about to take off, and the double-points are going to be nice for the Thieves. I’m expecting double-digit TDs and more than 1,000 yards.
The bad news, I’m not high on anyone else, and this is why I pushed Graybill above him. Again, it was so close, but I had to.
Robert Woods had just two TDs last year, Mike Williams had only one before getting injured and Pierre Garcon was spotty. He had a few big games and a bunch of low-scoring games. Martavius Bryant is a rookie behind a few WRs in Pittsburgh, and Rod Streater is really an unknown because of Oakland’s tumultuous QB situation. Maybe Matt Schaub can get him the ball, but we’ll see.
Tight Ends ★★★★★
Peyton Manning has had a knack for finding tight ends for TDs in his long career. Last year, Julius Thomas was the next Manning tight end to prosper, scoring 12 TDs and posting 788 yards receiving. He gets the red zone targets and he can easily be like Jimmy Graham — a matchup difference maker.
The Thieves will have the advantage in most weeks. Backup Brent Celek had six TDs last year, and perhaps he could be trade bait with scoring tight ends at a premium.
Team Boyer Spacklers
2013 Record, Finish: 6-7
Career Record : 61-52-1
Outlook
The RB situation is really the only question mark for him out of the big-three positions, and if he can get the C.J. Spiller that had more than 1,700 all-purpose yards and eight TDs in 2012, he’ll be in good shape.
The other key will be Tom Brady.
The Spacklers will have the chance to contend, but Brady has to get his TD totals back up in the 30s.
If both Brady and Spiller come together, then I think Boyer will be fine because he’s got a good number of wideouts.
Tom Brady has been a member of the Spacklers since the JFL inaugural drat in 2006. He is the only JFL player to be on the same roster over the nine-year history of the League.
He returns after 4,343 yards and 25 TDs in 2013. His 25 TDs were a disappointment, especially after posting 36, 39 and 34 in the three seasons prior to 2013. If Rob Gronkowski is back healthy and if Brandon LaFell can be the reliable target I think he could be, I’d say we’ll see Brady’s TD numbers return to the 30s.
Brady will start every week for Boyer except Week 10 when E.J. Manuel will give it a whirl.
Running Backs ★★★½☆
C.J. Spiller fell flat on his face. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the JFL last year and his 933 yards and two TDs made the Slackers feel the heat all season.
Spiller splits way too many carries with Fred Jackson, who was a better fantasy option, so that means, it’s up to Stevan Ridley. He had 773 yards and seven TDs, but in total, he had just four double-digit fantasy games, and they were all in a row. All his TDs came over five consecutive weeks, and in the rest of the games, he wasn’t that effective. That’s the life of a New England running back.
Joique Bell, a TD vulture, is a nice handcuff to have, and Jeremy Hill is third string, but it really comes down to Ridley or Spiller.
Wide Receivers ★★★★☆
Fortunately for the Spacklers, he’s in good shape to roll with three WRs. Andre Johnson, Jordy Nelson and Mike Wallace are all big-time wideouts and I like them all for 2014.
Johnson had 1,407 yards last year, and his five TDs were the product of being on a bad team. I can see him raising that number in 2014.
Nelson had a big year with 1,314 yards and eight TDs, while Wallace fell just short of 1,000 with 930 yards and five TDs. I think they’ll have their big games this year, and that will lead the Spacklers to some wins.
James Jones, Jerricho Cotchery and Donnie Avery will rarely see the fantasy starting lineup.
Tight Ends ★★★☆☆
Charles Clay was better than one would think, but I find it hard to give him the same ratings I give other tight ends who have scored seven or more TDs. Clay had six TD receptions and another rushing, and he should be a popular target for Ryan Tannehill again. But Antonio Gates, if healthy, will present some tough decisions on gameday. Gates can have big games, like the 136-yard performance early in the year last season, but then he can put up the single-digit games that were more common. I wouldn’t want to have this decision.
Channel 4 News Team
2013 Record, Finish: 8-5 (11-5), Super Bowl VII Champion
Career Record : 66-50
Outlook
There was a point when the News Team franchise was 8-18. He’s been 58-32 since. Add in two Super Bowl titles, and it’s been a great run for the News Team.
But that may come to an end this year.
Jamaal Charles and Giovani Bernard look like a good duo, but the quarterback situation is dire and the wideouts are iffy.
I do like his tight end, but that’s not enough to get him above fourth place in this division.
Quarterbacks ★★☆☆☆
And if that happens, the News Team will be forced to move on to Geno Smith. He had just 12 TDs last year and 25 turnovers. I bet it won’t be long before Michael Vick gets a chance. Smith may be the “franchise” QB, but the Jets want to win. Vick will give them the best chance of that.
So then, it’s up to Mark Sanchez, who’s a backup. The strange thing is, I like Sanchez in the Eagles offense. He’s really looked good. That means if Nick Foles goes down, maybe, just maybe, the News Team will have a solution at QB. But that’s a long shot, so he will be living and dying by RGIII. The Toasters rode that coaster to the playoffs last year, but it wasn’t easy. He used Ryan Tannehill a few times and he even put Terrelle Pryor in once. I don’t think the News Team wants to turn to Pryor.
Running Backs ★★★★★
Jamaal Charles single-handedly got the News Team to the Super Bowl. His five-TD game in the NFC Championship game doomed the Toasters and made Charles a strong option for keeper. It was so strong that he skipped over keeping Nick Foles or Aaron Rodgers. (That’s a big ouch after my last capsule on News Team's QBs.)
Charles finished with 1,287 yards and 12 TDs rushing, while adding 693 receiving and seven TDs.
He should be in good shape to put up great numbers again. And considering the WR situation, I can see the News Team rolling with two backs.
Giovani Bernard looks pretty good, and after more than 1,000 yards of offense last year (695 rushing, 514 receiving) and eight total TDs, there’s a lot of promise for him this year.
If the News Team is going to prove us wrong, it’s going to be because of these two backs.
And it won’t be because of Roy Helu, Tre Mason and Khirby Robinson.
Wide Receivers ★★★☆☆
Percy Harvin missed all of last year and needs to prove he can stay healthy. Riley Cooper had 835 yards and eight TDs, but 241 yards and five TDs came in two games, so I wouldn’t be too excited about the overall totals.
Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin are in Cleveland where they have QB problems, but then again, I guess someone has to catch passes.
For the News Team, the best WR might be Markus Wheaton. He’ll line up on the other side of Antonio Brown so I like his chances with Big Ben, but still, he’s an unknown.
Overall, I’m not really excited about this group. Harvin has the highest upside, and the News Team will rely on him big time.
Tight Ends ★★★★☆
It Ertz so good! I love Zach Ertz. I bet you he will score at least eight TDs this season and post about 800 yards. I’m excited for him. He had four TDs after Foles took over and I think he’ll continue to be a favorite target of his. If I didn’t go Jimmy Graham No. 1, I would have targeted Ertz in the later rounds like News Team did.
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