Early Season Review: Part 2

Gang Green (3-1)
Led by a surprising Joe Flacco who has been a top 10 QB this year so far, Gang Green has found itself a top a surging Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses division. Ronnie Brown has been the rock of the team with 4 TDs this year. While Brandon Jacobs has been up and down, the real strength of the Gang Green is in the WR core. VJax is a legitimate starter this year while veterans Randy Moss and Hines Ward have been steady (not yet spectactular). We expect Moss to heat up as Brady gets up to speed which represents only upside for Gang Green. We may be looking at the run away leader this year for the SMG division.

Battle Angels (2-1-1)
The defending champion could easily be tied for first if it weren't for a strange tie last week. Drew Brees had a ridiculous start to the season then threw two straight clunkers Brees will turn it around and the Angels sure hope he does as Brees is the cornerstone in their high powered offense. Pierre Thomas and DeAngelo Williams are the starters in a solid backfield while Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, and Steve Smith headline one of the deepest receiving core in all of CTDB. While AJ has been a beast, Steve Smith and Jennings have been up and down. There will more ups than downs in the weeks to come so we another strong season for the Angels.

Fobsters (2-2)
Fobsters is in third place!! Tom Brady is back! Thats about it really. But its better than nothing - for a team that finished with no wins a few seasons back. The rest of Jimmy's team is unspectacular at best. Reggie Bush is a bust given his draft position and hype that he came with. Kevin Smith has quietly been a top 10 back this year. Despite all-world talent, Megatron has been just above-average. Santana Moss and Witten have been serviceable which just about where Fobsters expect them to be. All that put together - what do you get? A potential fringe playoff team particularly if Brady continues to improve. The Fobsters will likely face stiff competition from the slumping Fat Jubas though as the weeks progress.

Fat Jubas (1-2-1)
The Fat Jubas are known for their slow starts despite one of the best looking rosters this year. Kurt Warner is probably at the end of his career but with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston, its hard not to put up numbers. The Jubas, like the Monkeys, are very deep in their backfield with Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Ryan Grant along with Glenn Coffee and lightning bug, Darren Sproles. Even with an injury to Gore, the Jubas are still able to field a competitive backfield for the next few weeks. As for the receivers, the Jubas are led by resurgent Marques Colston and Brandon Marshall. Dallas Clark and Tony Gonzalez also often see the field. The Jubas are one of the few teams in CTDB history to start two TEs. Go figure...

Philadelphia Phreaks (1-3)
Probably the unluckiest team in CTDB history, the Phreaks have scored 383 points, good for 5th in the league. However, on the flip side, opponents have scored 469 points off the Phreaks. Thats nearly 120 points per game per week. Safe to say, the Phreaks defense has some holes to plug in. Donny McNabb has been hurt again but looks to return this week against the Bucs. Perhaps, the tide is turning and Phreaks can get on track for a winning season. On the plus side of things, McNabb's replacement, the venerable Brett Favre has been tearing it up. And Maurice-Jones Drew has been justifying his early draft status too. If the schedule (and injuries) would let up, the Phreaks do have some talent.

Early Season Review: Part 1

The Inscrutable Drama Kings have always been the undisputed "better" division until recently. With the Battle Angels dominant run last year, the tables may have turned. Three of the Drama Kings have the lowest scoring teams in the league -- and by a wide margin. While the Drama Kings do boast the two highest scoring teams, the rest of the division is looking a bit weak. Still, there's a lot of football left to be played isn't there?

Chunky Monkeys (3-1)
After one week with a losing record, the Monkeys have righted the ship and ripped off three straight wins to find themselves at a familiar position, at the top of the standings. There's a changing of the guard however as the team is in clear transition. QB Peyton Manning has stepped up and been better than ever (or just as good as normal) with nine TDs to only three INTs so far. The big change is the fact that LaDainian Tomlinson is reaching the end of his stardom. He's been hurt and has posted only nine points through the first four weeks. New franchise back Chris Johnson had a huge game in WK2 but has been only middling otherwise. WR Anquan Boldin has been quieter than normal but Evan's selection of Percy Harvin (24 pts) and Jerricho Cotchery (51 pts) has picked up the slack -- especially with Anthony Gonzalez still injured. The big question is what is happening to Matt Forte? Is he a franchise back? Or will it be Fred Jackson who turns out to be the better performer? Either way, the Monkeys have depth and Peyton and that has proven to be plenty.

Ante Up (2-2)
Here's something, Jae looks to be making the push into playoff status early. Behind first round pick QB Aaron Rodgers, Ante Up has been putting up the points with a balanced attack led by Reggie Wayne (68 pts), the remergence of Chad Ochocinco (49 pts), and dual threat running back Steve Slaton. There's still some holes on this team though. Brian Westbrook has been dinged up early and his backup LeSean McCoy hasn't really stepped up. Also, there's no third receiver on this team as Devin Hester and Antonio Bryant have been clear disappointments. Still, the season is young and Ante Up has a statement to make this year.

Buffy (2-2)
This is going to sound redundant but here's another team being carried by their quarterback. Philip Rivers has been hot hot hot and he's bringing TE Antonio Gates along for the ride. The problem is that big names Roddy White, TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Donald Driver haven't been performing (Buffy stalwart Torry Holt was finally, unceremoniously, released). Roger's team needs to get his receivers up to speed and then hope that RB Marion Barber gets healthy quick. Without him, the team has been relying on Willis McGahee, Julius Jones, and Ahmad Bradshaw to run the ball. Those three have only combined for 46 points total.

Dirty Birds (2-2)
After starting off with two wins, the Birds have crashed back to Earth and are sliding back to the pack. All world Adrian Peterson has been bottled up except for WK1 and has been increasingly average. QB Matt Ryan was looking terrific until being shut down by the Patriots but he should continue to be a franchise player. What is really hurting the Birds is their receivers. Larry Fitzgerald has been decent but Braylon Edwards, Wes Welker (injured), and whoever Jon has nabbed off the waiver wire have been pretty terrible. With Steven Jackson racking up the yards but not the TDs, the Birds need some WRs to step up to get out of their slump.

Tiiite End Jammers (1-3)
Despite losing three straight, the Jammers actually look okay on paper. QB Tony Romo has been effective, the "other" Steve Smith has made a name for himself, Joseph Addai and Santonio Holmes have both been serviceable, and the rest of the team have had their moments. The problem though is that they don't have any explosiveness. Aside from a 130 point outburst in WK1, they've only topped 80 points once. That and they've had a rough schedule, soaking up back to back poundings from division leaders Chunky Monkeys and Ante Up in WK2-3. The Jammers have some things to look forward to as big names Clinton Portis, Dwayne Bowe, and Roy Williams have underperformed a bit and can only improve.