Some MVP Talk

So I felt like getting a discussion going on this year's MVP. In past years the choice was obvious. The 2007 season belonged to Tom Brady in the same way that 2006 was owned by LaDainian Tomlinson and 2005 by Larry Johnson. In 2008 I believe that the choice is very difficult. I'm going to choose 1 or 2 players from each team that I believe deserve MVP consideration.

Hawaiian Punch
The difficulty in choosing a player from Hawaiian Punch is that they have done a magnificent job of playing different players when the situation warranted it. You could take Jay Cutler, Marion Barber, Michael Turner, Chris Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald and you wouldn't be wrong. This one is just too difficult to pick and I think, much like what has happened in Heisman and NFL MVP races, too many good players will take votes from the other.

Kelly's Heroes
I really believe that Kelly's Heroes only has one viable MVP candidate, and that is Andre Johnson. Johnson has been off-the-charts great this season and is really the only pick. Peyton Manning deserves some consideration, but his early-season swoon hurts his chances. Though if Kelly's Heroes wins the championship it'll likely be because of the greatest QB in RMFFL history.

Green Bastards
As disappointing as the Green Bastards' season has been, they still have plenty of MVP candidates. You could easily make the case for Kurt Warner. He has put up some numbers that border on the ridiculous. However, I discount Warner's credentials because, until recently, he was a backup for two other teams and, in my opinion, has not played in enough games to get the nod. Calvin Johnson has been everything that the Green Bastards touted in the past 2 seasons (longer if you consider the man crush that I had on him since he was a sophomore at Georgia Tech). But as great as Tical has been, the nod here has to go to Adrian Peterson. Peterson is the only reason the Green Bastards are even still in consideration for a playoff spot, and that alone makes him a bona fide MVP candidate.

Impact Players
Picking an MVP from a less-than-stellar team that has underperformed is extremely difficult, but doing it for this last-place team is easier because the Impact Players have been extremely competitive. With that said there is only one truly deserving member of the Impact Players that warrants MVP talk, and that is Randy Moss. Most felt that Moss would tank after Tom Brady went down, and while initially Moss struggled, he has really found his game in the past few weeks, and his play has helped the Impact Players knock off some stiff competition. He was also a main reason for the Impact Players finally ending their 9-game losing streak to the Green Bastards. I'm sure, for the Impact Players, that makes Moss their MVP.

Brit Favreits
In their inaugural season the Brit Favreits have many reason to be optimistic about the future of their franchise. But this article isn't about the future, it's about the present, and while Aaron Rodgers has played phenomenally well for the Brit Favreits, there is only one man who deserves mention as MVP. That man is Clinton Portis. The way that Portis has played all season is the reason that the Brit Favreits are in position to make their first playoff appearance in their first season.

Donfins
Much like Hawaiian Punch, figuring out who to choose from the Donfins is difficult. A case can be made for Tony Romo, Ronnie Brown, or even DeAngelo Williams. Since all of these players have either been cut, hurt, or had more than one down game, it becomes near impossible to choose one. The Donfins have a lot of really good players, but not one great player, so trying to pick one from the group becomes a fool's errand.

Team Gonzo
This one is extremely interesting. Team Gonzo might have the most impressive 1-2 punch in the RMFFL in Drew Brees and Anquan Boldin. Brees is on pace to shatter Dan Marino's NFL record for passing yards in a season and has been on fire since Week 1. Brees is also a multiple-time Player of the Week award winner. For those reasons Drew Brees is MY choice for RMFFL MVP. But I cannot discount Anquan Boldin. Boldin leads the RMFFL in TD catches and is one of the main reasons (with Larry Fitzgerald) for Kurt Warner's career resurrection. Even with that, Brees is the pick, and I will be shocked if he is not the 2008 RMFFL MVP.

Hirsch's Hitmen
Now when you are statistically the worst team in the RMFFL is there really a point to making a case for anyone to be MVP? Maybe not, but that would be a disservice to some of the players on Hirsch's Hitmen who have actually played well. Brett Favre would be the obvious choice, but with the recent youth movement by Hirsch's Hitmen, he has been relegated to the bench. The reason he has been benched is because of the emergence of Tyler Thigpen. The problem is Thigpen suffers from the same affliction as Kurt Warner: not enough playing time. So with all that said, the Hirsch's Hitmen MVP candidate has to be Frank Gore. Gore has been just about the only player who has shown up week in, week out for Hirsch's Hitmen.

With all that said, I would say that there are only 5 guys that I would consider truly deserving of MVP considerations. Those 5 are: Adrian Peterson (RB, Green Bastards), Andre Johnson (WR, Kelly's Heroes), Clinton Portis (RB, Brit Favreits), Anquan Boldin (WR, Team Gonzo) and Drew Brees (QB, Team Gonzo). As I said above, Drew Brees is my pick. If I was to order them from 1-5 it would go: Brees, Clinton Portis, Adrian Peterson, Anquan Boldin and Andre Johnson.

This decision is not solely mine. This is not an autocracy, this is a democracy. So if anyone disagrees with me, feel free to comment, or even e-mail, and state your case. If I get enough responses I will put up a poll and we can decide this the good, old-fashioned way: by vote.

Playoff Scenarios

So as promised earlier I am making this specific post to make sure everyone knows what they need to do in order to make the playoffs. Hawaiian Punch have already secured their spot and the Impact Players and Hirsch's Hitmen were eliminated weeks ago so they don't matter either. I'll start with the Penthouse and then move down to the Outhouse.

Kelly's Heroes
(a) Win.
(b) Loss AND a Green Bastards loss.
(c) Loss AND a Green Bastards win AND outscore the Green Bastards by 82 points.

Green Bastards
(a) Win AND a Kelly's Heroes loss AND have Kelly's Heroes not outscore them by 82 points.

Brit Favreits
(a) Win.
(b) Loss AND a Donfins loss AND have the Donfins not outscore them by 114 points.

Donfins
(a) Win.
(b) Loss AND a Team Gonzo loss.
(c) Loss AND a Team Gonzo win AND outscore them by 30 points.
(c) Loss AND a Brit Favreits loss AND outscore them by 114 points.

Team Gonzo
(a) Win AND a Donfins loss AND the Donfins not outscore them by 30 points.
(b) Win AND outscore the Brit Favreits by 85 points.

Now if I was a betting man I'd say one of the two teams not currently in a playoff position (Team Gonzo and the Green Bastards) will make the playoffs. My money is on Team Gonzo. So with that said I am saying that either the Brit Favreits or the Donfins will miss the playoffs. The team I expect to fall is...........the Brit Favreits. We all know that you cannot win in your first season so I expect the Donfins to prevail and play Team Gonzo for the Outhouse Championship and I expect Hawaiian Punch to play Kelly's Heroes for the Penthouse Championship. But we all know how full of it I am so we could see a 2006 & 2007 rematch between the Green Bastards and Hawaiian Punch or the Brit Favreits could surprise and get themselves in. Unpredictability. Isn't that why we love this game?

Two Teams Take Two

Two of the teams in the playoff hunt have decided to make what could be the final free agent pickups in the 2008 RMFFL season.

Kelly's Heroes have decided to sign the Minnesota Vikings Defense. In order to make the required roster space for them, Kelly's Heroes had to part ways with K Shaun Suisham. Kelly's Heroes wish Mr. Suisham the best of luck in his future endevours.

The Green Bastards, who are fighting for their playoff lives, have decided to back up on of their most vulnerable positions. The team has signed TE Jeremy Shockey. To make room for Shockey the Green Bastards had to release former starting QB Jake Delhomme. The Green Bastards would like to wish Mr. Delhomme all the best in his future endevours.

Thursday Night Starters

This was supposed to be posted yesterday but I didn't get the chance to do it. Anyway there were three games last night and a lot of people had players active.

Hirsch's Hitmen: Tennessee Titans Defense
Hawaiian Punch: RB Marion Barber, RB Chris Johnson, WR Larry Fitzgerald
Impact Players: WR DeSean Jackson, Dallas Cowboys Defense
Donfins: QB Tony Romo, K Nick Folk
Green Bastards: QB Kurt Warner, WR Terrell Owens
Team Gonzo: RB LenDale "Bacon" White, WR Anquan Boldin, K Rob Bironas

Weekly Wrap (Week 12): Can You Smell It?

The 2008 RMFFL Playoffs are nearly here. There is only one week left and playoff positions are still up for grabs. I can't remember a year where everyone was so close and nothing had been decided by the second-to-last week. Week 12, however, is over and some things have been decided. Before we get to playoff scenarios the Week 12 scores need to be revealed and dissected. Here are the final score for Week 12.

Impact Players - 128
Green Bastards - 115
History is made as the Impact Players have ended their 3+ season losing streak to the Green Bastards and this was a very timely victory. This loss by the Green Bastards could be the loss that stops them from making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. However the Green Bastards would be able to exact revenge in two weeks' time in a RMFFL Penthouse Bedpan rematch with the Impact Players.

Hawaiian Punch - 104
Kelly's Heroes - 88
The Champs are in. With this victory Hawaiian Punch have secured a playoff spot and in the process have ended Kelly's Heroes 7-game winning streak. Kelly's Heroes are still in the catbird seat for a second consecutive playoff appearance. All Kelly's Heroes will need to do is win next week and a-playoffing they will go.

Hirsch's Hitmen - 94
Brit Favreits - 81
The Brit Favreits need to keep the champagne on ice for one more week. Hirsch's Hitmen play the only role they can, that of spoiler. Hirsch's Hitmen will still finish in the RMFFL Outhouse Division basement; but they have not given up trying to win. The Brit Favreits still control their own playoff fate, but a win this week would've made next weeks game mean nothing. Now Week 13 takes on an all new meaning for the best team in the RMFFL Outhouse Division.

Donfins - 115
Team Gonzo - 93
In what continues to be a confounding season for these two teams, the Donfins dispatch of Team Gonzo. Neither team can claim a playoff spot, nor is either team denied one. The win does give the Donfins the upper hand going into Week 13 but they have been known to put up a stinker and if that happens Team Gonzo might be heading to the promise land.

The Player of the Week for Week 12 goes to a familiar face.........Team Gonzo QB Drew Brees. Brees scored a massive 36 points in Team Gonzo's Week 12 loss to the Donfins. This is the 2nd time that Brees has won the POTW award in 2008 and it is beginning to look like he will be taking home the 2008 RMFFL MVP as well.

With only one week remaining, and the playoffs still in the picture for 5 teams, the RMFFL Standings will shed some light on who truly has a chance at making them.

Penthouse
y-1. Hawaiian Punch 8-4-0, 1204 pts
2. Kelly's Heroes 7-5-0, 1016 pts
3. Green Bastards 6-6-0, 1097 pts
x-4. Impact Players 4-8-0, 1084 pts

Outhouse
1. Brit Favreits 7-5-0, 1144 pts
2. Donfins 7-5-0, 1031 pts
3. Team Gonzo 6-6-0, 1060 pts
x-4. Hirsch's Hitmen 3-9-0, 889 pts

Hawaiian Punch have clinched their 3rd consecutive playoff appearance and are in the driver's seat for winning the RMFFL Penthouse Division. Kelly's Heroes are still the frontrunners for the Penthouse's 2nd playoff spot. The Green Bastards are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in RMFFL history and need their nemesis, the last place Impact Players, to help them get into the playoffs for the 4th consecutive season.
The Brit Favreits are still the favourites to win the RMFFL Outhouse Division, but now the Donfins are hot on their tail. Team Gonzo still has a chance at the playoffs, but getting their will be tough sledding. As has been the case for weeks, Hirsch's Hitmen are playing out the string and waiting for 2009 to start. They can still spoil an Outhouse team's season by continuing to play the spoiler role.

We have reached the final week of the 2008 RMFFL Regular Season. With one week to go and playoff spots still hanging in the balance, I don't think these games need to be talked about much. Here is the RMFFL Schedule for Week 13.

Green Bastards vs. Hawaiian Punch
Kelly's Heroes vs. Impact Players
Donfins vs. Hirsch's Hitmen
Brit Favreits vs. Team Gonzo

Unlike last week, I am going to eschew discussing each individual matchup and focus on what you all care about: Playoff scenarios.

For Kelly's Heroes to make the playoffs it is as simple: win and they are in. However if they lose they can still make the playoffs with a Green Bastards' loss OR if the Green Bastards win, by outscoring the Green Bastards by 82 points
For the Green Bastards to make the playoffs they need a win AND a Kelly's Heroes loss while not having Kelly's Heroes outscore them by 82 points
For the Brit Favreits to make the playoffs it is simple: win and they are in. However if they lose they can still make the playoffs with a Donfins loss and having the Donfins not outscore them by 114 points.
For the Donfins to make the playoffs it is simple: win and they are in. However if they lose they can still make the playoffs with a Team Gonzo loss OR if Team Gonzo wins, by outscoring them by 30 points OR a Brit Favreits loss and outscoring them by 114 points.
For Team Gonzo to make the playoffs they need a win AND either a Donfins loss while not having the Donfins outscore them by 30 points OR by outscoring the Brit Favreits by 85 points.

So with it being American Thanksgiving there are 3 games & 6 teams playing on Thursday this week. The Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals & Philadelphia Eagles all play this Thursday. So the rules remain the same, if you wanna play them, get them in before kickoff, if you don't want to, get them out before kickoff. Also remember that kickoff is 12:30 pm, not 8:15 pm.

Well that is all for this week. Only one week left in the 2008 RMFFL Regular Season. By this time next week we will all know whether we will be playing for the #1 Overall pick in the 2009 RMFFL Draft or whether we will be playing for immortality. Enjoy Week 13 in the RMFFL.

Week 12 Scores (as of 11:25 pm)

Impact Players - 128
Green Bastards - 115 FINAL

Hawaiian Punch - 82
Kelly's Heroes - 88

Hirsch's Hitmen - 94
Brit Favreits - 27

Team Gonzo - 57
Donfins - 115

Week 11: Team Gonzo vs. Donfins

Team Gonzo (6-5-0)

Donfins (6-5-0)

This is also a huge game. A win or loss by either team will not spell the end of their playoff hopes but it will put make it easier or harder depending on the outcome. Team Gonzo has been an up-and-down team all season long and the same can be said of the Donfins. The expectation is that both teams will come out guns a-blazing and firing on all cylinders. Expect a tight battle between these two proud teams.

Team Gonzo
QB -- Drew Brees
RB -- Joseph Addai
RB -- Jonathan Stewart
WR -- Santana Moss
WR -- Brandon Marshall
WR -- Anquan Boldin
TE -- Chris Cooley
K -- Rob Bironas
DEF -- Indianapolis Colts

Donfins
QB -- Tony Romo
RB -- Ronnie Brown
RB -- DeAngelo Williams
WR -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh
WR -- Eddie Royal
WR -- Ted Ginn, Jr.
TE -- Todd Heap
K -- Nick Folk
DEF -- Baltimore Ravens

Week 11: Hirsch's Hitmen vs. Brit Favreits

Hirsch's Hitmen (2-9-0)

Brit Favreits (7-4-0)

The storyline for this game is pretty simple. A win and the Brit Favreits are playoff bound. It would be the first time in the history of this franchise (which has been around since 2006 under different owners) that they would have a chance to become MexiCup champions. For Hirsch's Hitmen this disappointing season cannot come to an end soon enough. The best they can hope for is to play the role of spoiler in the next two weeks. With pride and playoff hopes on the line this game should be much tighter than the teams' records indicate.

Hirsch's Hitmen
QB -- Tyler Thigpen
RB -- Frank Gore
RB -- Larry Johnson
WR -- Mark Bradley
WR -- Greg Camarillo
WR -- Kevin Walter
TE -- Owen Daniels
K -- Ryan Longwell
DEF -- Tennessee Titans

Brit Favreits
QB -- Aaron Rodgers
RB -- Clinton Portis
RB -- Ryan Grant
WR -- Greg Jennings
WR -- Chris Chambers
WR -- Donald Driver
TE -- Antonio Gates
K -- Mason Crosby
DEF -- New York Giants

Week 11: Hawaiian Punch vs. Kelly's Heroes

Hawaiian Punch (7-4-0)

Kelly's Heroes (7-4-0)

This is about as big as a game gets. These two teams are tied for 1st place in the RMFFL Penthouse Division and a win could be the difference between glory and infamy. With a win Kelly's Heroes will be in the playoffs. That in and of itself is a miracle when remembering that they began the season at 0-4-0. Hawaiian Punch's drop from the ranks of the undefeated came quick. Last week they finally scored their first W since their undefeated streak was stopped at 6-0-0 by.....Kelly's Heroes. With these two teams harbouring championship aspirations this game will be a knock down, drag out fight until the final whistle.

Hawaiian Punch
QB -- Jay Cutler
RB -- Marion Barber
RB -- Matt Forte
WR -- Reggie Wayne
WR -- Larry Fitzgerald
WR -- Lance Moore
TE -- Jason Witten
K -- Robbie Gould
DEF -- Chicago Bears

Kelly's Heroes
QB -- Peyton Manning
RB -- Marshawn Lynch
RB -- Thomas Jones
WR -- Andre Johnson
WR -- Hines Ward
WR -- Braylon Edwards
TE -- Kellen Winslow
K -- Shaun Suisham
DEF -- Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 11: Impact Players vs. Green Bastards

Impact Players (3-8-0)

Green Bastards (6-5-0)

This is a blood feud, both literally and figuratively. These two teams have as fierce a rivalry as any in the RMFFL and this game carries some weight. As many of you know (and as I am fond of pointing out) the Impact Players have never defeated the Green Bastards. Ever. The Green Bastards are an astounding 9-0-0 against the Impact Players since the RMFFL began in 2005. But of all the times where the Impact Players would love to score that first victory, this would be the biggest. A loss by the Green Bastards would all but eliminate them from playoff contention. While the Impact Players have nothing to play for, eliminating the only team to make the playoffs in every season since they beginning of the RMFFL is reason enough to play hard. This game will be chock full of intensity. Expect a barn burner between these to heated rivals.

Impact Players
QB -- Eli Manning
RB -- Willie Parker
RB -- Steve Slaton
WR -- Randy Moss
WR -- DeSean Jackson
WR -- Dwayne Bowe
TE -- Tony Gonzalez
K -- Rian Lindell
DEF -- Dallas Cowboys

Green Bastards
QB -- Kurt Warner
RB -- LaDainian Tomlinson
RB -- Adrian Peterson
WR -- Terrell Owens
WR -- Steve Smith
WR -- Calvin Johnson
TE -- Dallas Clark
K -- Stephen Gostkowski
DEF -- Carolina Panthers