Get Your Phreak On

Our favorite world traveler is finally back in the Bay and rumors have it that his new pad is decked out with multiple televisions and the NFL Sunday package. We'll send in a league spy to check the place out, on Sundays of course. The Philadelphia Phreaks have had quite the roller coaster history with CTDB. A few ups, a few downs -- a lot of downs -- but always a consistent voice and writer of awesome articles. Let's take a look shall we?

Historical Record
It hasn't been easy for the Phreaks. Just two winning records in nine years, a pair of 2-11 seasons, injuries, injuries, and more injuries. In fact, the injury bug that hits this team has often been so bad that our league has the "Phreak Curse," which is like Murphy's Law that demands "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." Despite all this, the Phreaks have been to the playoffs four times and almost made the Super Bowl on two separate occasions (2002 and 2006). Through it all, the Phreaks have always been gritty, active, and full of fight.

In general, Ping's teams have generally been middle of the pack, with some epic tailspins -- eleven losses in a row in 2003 -- but also with some accompanying fireworks too. For example, in 2004, they set a then record for most points scored in a game. One year prior, they set the record for highest individual fantasy performance, 57 points by RB Clinton Portis. Most years, the Phreaks will have a few weeks of absolute blazing performances followed by an injury (or two) and then a disappointing end to the season. The only year that the Phreaks ended the regular season on an upswing was 2004, when they won three in a row but finished short of the playoffs.

Is this franchise snake bitten? Hard to say. Karma demands that what comes around goes around but the loyal Phreaks fan base have been waiting for almost a decade and they're eager for a championship. Luckily, through a fantastic 2009 draft and another well assembled running game, GM Ping is looking to give them just that this year. Let's toast to the Phreaks future success and for the many awesome articles to come from this venerable franchise.

Core Roster
No team is more aptly named than the Philadelphia Phreaks. With the name "Philadelphia" in the name, the Phreaks have declared their allegiance to the City of Brotherly Love and have had Eagles players littering the roster every year. Generally speaking, this isn't a great idea, to have every player from one franchise. In terms of the Eagles, it tends to mirror their up and down seasons. I mean, QB Donovan McNabb is one of the finest fantasy QBs in recent memory but he's also hurt quite a bit.

The true stalwarts on this roster have been Eagles Defense and David Akers. Both of these slots are always steady. The Eagles field good defenses and always have good kicking production. GM Ping often gets enamored with any young Eagles receiver and that hasn't panned out like ever. Remember Freddie Mitchell? Where's James Thrash? Donte Stallworth was okay. Kevin Curtis had two nice games. Hank Baskett is less famous than his fiance right now. In fact, the Eagles down the field passing game has always been a work in progress, and same with the Phreaks. Despite many familiar names that have come through over the years (Isaac Bruce, Keyshawn Johnson, Plaxico Burress, Santana Moss, Javon Walker, Jerry Porter, Chris Chambers, Roy Williams), the only franchise worthy WR this team has produced is TJ Houshmanzadeh, whose best years are already behind him as he was just released. The supplemental pickup of Terrell Owens this year keeps with the trend of taking veteran receivers who might be slightly past their prime.

But while the receiving corps have been mostly undistinguished, the Phreaks have been fantastic on the ground. In their inaugural season, they had Emmitt Smith and Stephen Davis past their primes but still very effective. In 2002, they hit the jackpot by drafting Jamal Lewis and trading for Clinton Portis. With these two as franchise cornerstones, the Phreaks could churn out the yards. And often did, until one or the other got hurt. Or went to jail. After those two, there was a series of swing for the fences young RB picks like Kevin Jones, Julius Jones, DeShaun Foster, and Tatum Bell before finding that little wrecking ball, Maurice Jones-Drew in 2006 and promising workhorse Marshawn Lynch in 2007. That was followed up by the selection of Darren McFadden last year and so the table is set for the Phreaks to run wild again.

The formula for the Phreaks has never changed. Have a grinding ground game, draft some Eagles receivers (this year it's DeSean Jackson), and put it all on Donovan's arm -- and health. While this hasn't always produced consistent results, it has given the Phreak fans something to cheer about and nobody has more loyalty and hope than those fans in Philly.

Season Breakdowns
2008: 6-7; Finished in fourth place despite a strong start at 4-3.
2007: 2-11; Lost seven in a row and finished with the worst record in the league.
2006: 7-6; Started out 6-1 and went to the playoffs but updended by the Fat Jubas. Donovan McNabb and Clinton Portis both went down.
2005: 5-8; Despite a losing record, made the playoffs and put up quite the fight versus eventual champ Flaming Shrapnel (lost by 4) in the first round.
2004: 6-7; Started off 3-1, lost six in a row, and then won last three games to barely miss the playoffs.
2003: 2-11; Held water at 1-1 until losing eleven games in a row. Ouch.
2002: 7-6; A series of trades dramatically reshaped the roster and the Phreaks were rolling until McNabb went down in November.
2001: 5-7; Originally named TAGHeuer, they made the first round of the playoffs despite a losing record and were promptly bounced.

Stats
Highest Avg Game Score, Season: 111.43 (2002)
Most Points Scored, Game: 174 (2004)
Least Points Scored, Game: 38 (2006)
Best Margin of Victory, Game: 114 (2004)
Worst Margin of Defeat, Game: -77 (2001)
Longest Winning Streak, Season: 5 (2006)
Longest Losing Streak, Season: 11 (2003)

Grading the 2009 Draft

It's a brand new season and a full fledged changing of the guard is around the corner. For the first time in a long time, LaDainian Tomlinson isn't the undisputed best back in fantasy. In fact, it can be said that he's no longer even in the top five. A slew of sophomores and third year players are poised to take over the league and that means some old time keepers are starting to outlive their star status. For Buffy, releasing franchise cornerstone WR Torry Holt marked a clear break from the past. Other stars like RB Brian Westbrook, Chad Ochocinco, Marvin Harrison, Donald Driver, and Terrell Owens are clearly on the downside of their careers. CTDB is headed for change and the next few years could result in a drastic change in power. So how did the draft go this year? Well, surprisingly light on rookies and young players, and maybe one last fling with the old guard.

1. Ante Up
After having another down season, Ante Up finally get the first overall pick. Last year they selected second and had a stellar draft, bringing in the backfield of the future in RBs Steve Slaton and Jonathan Stewart. Brian Westbrook and Reggie Wayne have some more time left but it's questionable whether WR Antonio Bryant was a better keeper than Colts up and coming receiver Anthony Gonzalez (of course, two Colts' WRs might be one too many). With his first pick, Jae solidified his quarterback position with Aaron Rodgers, who was explosive and has a lot of promise. If he can stay healthy, he's a franchise QB in the making. Two more promising RBs were selected this year, Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy. The writing is on the wall for Brian Westbrook as Jae has wisely selected his backup. With Chad Ochocino (Rd2) and Devin Hester (Rd4) also on board, Ante Up should have a good season, especially with a strong defense also on board in the Vikings D.
Grade: B+

2. Buffy
Buffy fell to 4-9 last year but he's hoping to be on the upswing. After selecting WR Roddy White last year in the draft and netting TE Antonio Gates, the passing game is in good hands, especially with QB Philip Rivers calling the shots. In fact, Buffy may be looking to pass a lot this year because he took three more WRs with his first picks. TJ Houshmanzadeh is on a new team and possibly a steal in the supplemental draft, Lance Moore is promising and productive, and old stalwart Torry Holt has been brought back for sentimental reasons. However, the selection of K Stephen Gostkowski in Rd4 is a bit curious as the backfield is thin, with RBs Marion Barber and Willie Parker both looking at possible time shares. Can young runners Ahmad Bradshaw and Jamaal Charles pick up the slack if one of the starters goes down? We'll roll the dice with GM Roger's draft strategy and put faith in his selection of a K before backup running backs.
Grade: B-

3. Fobsters
The Fobsters are no strangers to high picks in the draft. Save one glorious season, they've had a top three pick three times in the past four years. Last year's weak draft directly contributed to their losing season. Needing receivers, they traded Chad Ochocinco for Larry Johnson (a wash) and drafted Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Witten, and Patrick Clayton. In hindsight, only Witten was worth the roster spot -- he's now a keeper. Let's hope this year's first few selections fare better. Prognositcators are in love with Detroit RB Kevin Smith and he's sorely needed as Larry Johnson and Reggie Bush aren't stars (anymore and never was, respectively). Eddie Royal, Santana Moss, and Chris Chambers should complement the passing game well and we love the promise of rookie RB Shonn Green. Throwing in the rottweiler Giants D is nice too. With Megatron Calvin Johnson on board and QB Tom Brady returning, look for the Fobsters to return to contention... for a winning record.
Grade: B+

4. Philadelphia Phreaks
Despite a luxurious ocean cruise to Mexico and back, GM Ping put their game face on and will fight to get to a .500 record this year. They selected RB Darren McFadden first overall last year and that pick has yet to pay a lot of dividends. For now, he'll share the backfield with fellow keepers Maurice Jones-Drew and Marshawn Lynch. That's a pretty solid running game, the problem is, the passing for the Phreaks was soft heading into the draft. QB Donovan McNabb is still mighty fine but DeSean Jackson isn't a number one receiver. The one year rental of Terrell Owens will help a lot here, and Bernard Berrian's stock just went sky high after Brett Favre became a Viking. Round four WR Kevin Walters almost had 1000 yards with his 8 TDs last year. Post-draft, that's a good starting quartet. Eagles rookie Jeremy Maclin has some speed but he was picked by Ping to increase the Philly presence. We really like Ping's selection of rookie RB Donald Brown, who will join a crowded backfield.
Grade: A-

5. Tiiite End Jammers
The Jammers snuck into the playoffs with a losing record last year and might be headed lower thsi season. The off-season was not kind to them. QB Tony Romo lost Terrell Owens while WR Lee Evans added a competitor. Clinton Portis is another year older (slower) and Joseph Addai will be challenged by rookie Donald Brown. Hey, at least Dwayne Bowe won't have to share the ball with Tony Gonzalez anymore! Lei saw his needs and went for WRs with upside -- just like he did last year when he took Bowe, Evans, Chambers, Justin Gage and Ted Ginn. This year's selections of Roy Williams, Santonio Holmes, and Domenik Hixon all have a chance to be the number one receivers on their respective teams. We'd put Donnie Avery on that list too but he's out 4-6 weeks to start the season. Other than that, rookies RB Chris "Beanie" Wells and WR Michael Crabtree have potential but not a lot of immediate success slated for them. We don't know where the Jammers are headed this season, but we're not high on their chances for dramatic improvement.
Grade: C+

6. Dirty Birds
With a solid keeper core, the Birds don't have many holes. RBs Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson are franchise talents, and WR Larry Fitzgerald is the best in the game. The jury is out on Braylon "Brick Hands" Edwards but there's hope he'll return to form. At least Wes Welker is still the game's most dependable slot receiver. The problem for the Birds is that Peterson and Jackson are injury prone. Thus, rookie RB Knoshown Moreno was selected in the first round. And promptly got injured in pre-season. He belongs on this team already. Sophmore sensation QB Matt Ryan was selected to appease the fan base and to pilot the Birds into the future. Old time veterans like WR Laveranues Coles, RB LenDale White, and QB Carson Palmer provide decent if totally unexciting backups.
Grade: C+

7. Fat Jubas
The Jubas must really like Packer's RB Ryan Grant. He was a keeper last year and draft quickly this year. How much upside can Grant have? Along with the return of Grant, TE Tony Gonzalez was quickly scooped up again to round out the receiving trio along with Marques Colston and Brandon Marshall. But this team is a running team, with Michael Turner and Frank Gore leading the way. That's a really great running game isn't it? Behind them, Eric took another Chargers' backup, Darren Sproles. TE Dallas Clark and "I don't know who he is" WR Brian Robiskie probably won't get on the field much, unless one of the starters get injured. With his last pick, Eric took Redskins' WR Devin Thomas, who won last year's Rookie Madden Bowl. With four running backs and two star receivers, the Jubas are stacked. But wait, what happens if QB Kurt Warner goes down? The backup is. The backup is. Wait for it, nobody. Perhaps the Jubas will just surf the waiver wire, or pray for Warner to make another miracle season, or just pick up Matt Leinart. He's gotta be available right?
Grade: C

8. Gang Green
We just did a franchise review on Gang Green and talked about their lack of superstars. Winning consistently always gives them a low pick at the draft and this year is no exception. Draft picks Vincent Jackson, Ted Ginn Jr., and Felix Jones aren't likely to transform into top five talents anytime soon. However, Gang Green is already solid at every position with the three headed RB attack of Brandon Jacobs, Thomas Jones, and Ronnie Brown. Old school WRs Randy Moss and Hines Ward complement each other well but Greg will have to work quickly on the wire to pick up some future talent. QBs Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub will both be more than serviceable and that makes the selection of the number one defense on the board, Steelers D, in RD3, very defensible. The Greenies didn't draft any future stars but hey, they apparently don't need'em!
Grade: B

9. Chunky Monkeys
Every year it's the same old story. Low draft pick and an abudance of running back talent. Evan specializes in digging up dynamite young RBs and last year he hit the jackpot with Matt Forte and Chris Johson -- both of whom are now keepers. This backfield of the future comes at just the right time as longtime franchise cornerstone LaDainian Tomlinson is on his way out (but maybe not without another huge season). QB Peyton Manning is still consistent as rain but he'll be throwing to some new faces this year. Franchise WR Anquan Boldin is disgrutled but mighty fine. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochostinko are gone. First round pick Anthony Gonzalez was a great move and if Jerricho Cotchery, Percy Harvin, or Josh Morgan can do something/anything, the Monkeys will be delighted. Then again, they've always had a hole at the third WR position, and it really hasn't made much of a difference in their winning ways has it?
Grade: B

10. Battle Angels
The Angels had a dream season. After going 5-8 two seasons ago, they turned it all around, added four wins to the bottom line, won their division, and also took home the championship trophy for the cherry on top. And we kind of love their game. With reigning MVP Drew Brees flinging the ball all over the place to three bonafide number one receivers (Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings), not many teams can keep up with their firepower. RB DeAngelo Williams was a revelation for the playoff run and could still keep churning this year despite competition from Jonathan Stewart. Vu smartly drafted a bunch of starting tailbacks should Williams falter however. We love his picks of Pierre Thomas, Derrick Ward, and Cedric Benson, who aren't big names but have more than serviceable games. Picking up Steve Breaston, the other Steve Smith and Chris Henry also gives them the ability to go run-and-shoot just like last year. We like the Angels to put up a stiff title defense and we can't see much drop off.
Grade: A-

The Gang of New York

Here we go, the start of the season and another franchise breakdown. This year we start off with an esteemed member of the Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses. Possibly the best team ever from that division? Read on and find out.

Historical Record
If I told you that a team had only missed one playoff appearance in our long history, had four seasons of 9-4 records, two divisional titles, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship ring, wouldn't you call them the most consistently winning franchise in CTDB history (outside of the Chunky Monkeys)? The fact is that Greg's Gang Green -- formerly Green Team -- has quietly been a model of winning. Over the years, they've compiled a 60-44 record season record, and that's actually skewed because of two low mark seasons. In other words, Gang Green just wins baby.

The truly amazing thing is that the Greenies haven't had any top talent, like ever. We'll go into more detail further below but the most identifiable players for this franchise has been QB Brett Favre and WR Hines Ward. Hardly top five talent. Or even top ten. But GM Greg has kept his team well stocked with productive (but obscure) players through the waiver wire.

Looking back over Gang Green's history, they are a team of streaks. Nearly every year they start off white hot but then cool down -- or the other way around. They've almost never had up and down weeks, instead generally compiling at least a four game winning/losing streak somewhere in a season. What can account for this? A lapse in concentration when high on life? Motivational speeches when the chips are down? Whatever it is, other owners would do well to recognize and emulate Gang Green's consistently winning ways.

Core Roster
The faces of the franchise are WR Hines Ward and QB Brett Favre. Ward was acquired in the team's second season and has been the bedrock for the team. Of course, Hines has never been a top flight fantasy option, instead leading by example and always putting up consistent seasons. Favre was acquired in 2001 in a trade in exchange for WR Jimmy Smith and has usually ended up back on Gang Green even when not a keeper. Aside from those two guys, the roster history is littered with one year boomers and waiver wire wonders.

The crazy thing is that, generally speaking, GM Greg has been a terrible drafter. Check out this inaugural draft. QB Trent Green, RB Duce Staley, and RB Mike Anderson were their first three picks. Only Duce was a keeper the following year, mainly out of desperation. That first draft was rated a D+ by prognosticators. The Greenies haven't exactly done much better since either, mulching their way through studs like William Green, Anthony Thomas, Travis Henry, Kevan Barlow, Garrison Hearst, Cedric Benson, and Michael Pittman. The receivers acquired through the draft haven't been real talents either aside from Ward and TE Antonio Gates (traded away for WR Jerricho Cotchery recently). Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter didn't exactly work out eh?

Ah, but the magical Midas touch of Greg on the waiver wire. He's been able to pick up WRs like Marty Booker, Darrell Jackson, Troy Brown, Santana Moss, Bernard Berrian, and Laveranues Coles at all the right times. RB Reuben Droughns in 2004 was the FA pickup of the year. Lamont Jordan was great for one year too. Thomas Jones has been alternately great and terrible since his inclusion on the team in 2006 but seems to have found a groove recently.

The immediate future looks good for Gang Green too. A trade for Randy Moss propelled them to a championship recently and they've found a pounding ground game behind Giants RB Brandon Jacobs and Thomas Jones. Heck, Ronnie Brown might still be a potential star, although it's looking less likely with repeated injuries. Even though most of his keeper core is on the wrong side of 30, there's no doubt Greg can continue to win by mixing and matching spare pieces.

It's pretty much inevitable that Brett Favre will end up on this team, as he's worked hard to fight out challengers like Eli Manning and Philip Rivers over the years. Greg is delighted that Favre is back in the league so he can spend a late round pick on him. What Gang Green has proven is that you don't necessarily need stars to win at fantasy, as long as you're a savvy GM with quick and accurate waiver wire fingers. But man, it sure would be nice to have a few franchise talents wouldn't it? All joking aside, Gang Green has been a force to be reckoned with and will continue to be every year if their history is any indication.

Season Breakdowns
2008: 9-4; Stumbled coming out of the gate but went 8-1 (with a five game streak) to power into the playoffs, losing to eventual champions Battle Angel.
2007: 9-4; Started off 7-1 but went cold before pulling it all together for a dramatic playoff run and a tie with the Dirty Birds for the championship.
2006: 5-8; A promising beginning but then a six game losing streak left them short of the playoffs. All this despite playing easiest schedule in the league (also scored the same PF/PA at 1127.0)
2005: 9-4; Won division again but upset by Flaming Shrapnel, losing by five in a nail biter.
2004: 9-4; First divisional title also translated to an appearance in the Super Bowl, where they lost by two points to Buffy.
2003: 7-6; Started off 1-5 but lost just one game after that to get a home playoff game. Upset by Flaming Shrapnel in the first round.
2002: 7-6; Started off hot but faded down the stretch (four game losing streak), making it to the playoffs but losing in the first round.
2001: 5-8; Recovered from 3-5 start to sneak into the playoffs, although it wasn't exactly an achievement at three games under .500.

Stats
Highest Avg Game Score, Season: 104.38 (2005)
Most Points Scored, Game: 155 (2005)
Least Points Scored, Game: 46 (2001)
Best Margin of Victory, Game: 93 (2006)
Worst Margin of Defeat, Game: -114 (2004)
Longest Winning Streak, Season: 7 (2005)
Longest Losing Streak, Season: 6 (2006)