Aug. 28, 1997 — Griffons guru offers predictions

Former Commissioner and New York Griffons owner Nick Fisher offers his annual prognostications for 1997:

Once again, its time for Nick’s unbiased pre-season predictions. First a review of last year’s selections.

Best Predictions: 3 of 4 finalists were chosen. Even Pittsburgh, the dark horse selection, made that list. Also, as foreseen, Butler was out of the money for the first year ever.

Worst Prediction: LA, the eventual FFL champion, to miss the playoffs.

And now for this year:

PATERNO DIVISION

LA: Strong all at all areas in the starting eight, coupled with a good bench, should allow the defending champs to handily come out on top of this, the weakest division. Interesting draft strategy to forego a kicker until just before Game 1.

CL: Added the top rookies at both Wide Receiver (I. Hilliard) and at Running Back (W. Dunn). Receivers may be too weak to put the Big Bang on top, but they should be tough.

KS: A steady improvement for this expansion team. Will definitely move up from the bottom of their division and improve upon their last year’s number 11 point total rank. If Grbac can deliver, a formidable top 8 might develop. But not enough depth or power to seriously contend.

PG: A major move from 1996 will not be duplicated as the ‘Derm fail to capitalize on their many 1996 draft picks. Four players on their 1996 end of season roster were selected in the first 35 picks of this year’s draft, with an amazing 3 in the first 16 selections. Was this an attempt to pare down their payroll? Only Brett Favre will keep PG from the lowest point total of the year. Possible division first to worst.

NP: Might be better than expected, but I doubt it. Drafted young and traded old, as the NightMare seems to have changed strategies from “Win Today at all Costs” to “Emulate the Griffons and be on top for a long long time”.

CAPPELLETTI DIVISION

NY: The Griffons may (by virtue of their number of high draft picks) have the deepest squad in the history of the FFL, too bad you can only start 8 players. NY’s production should drop for the second year in a row. However, they should hold on to win narrowly, in this, the most competitive division.

MI: Only 3 Running Backs on the entire squad, yet very formidable (despite having the same off week). Bettis, Means and George along with a strong and young supporting cast give the ‘Divers a shot to dethrone NY as the Division champs.

WN: Once again, the Cheesers will rely on Emmitt and Steve Young to carry them. Injuries may be their theme. If they are healthy or have a few key NFL players (starting ahead of their players) and Watch-Out. If Young or Smith go down, WN will sink fast. A more well-rounded team will put them in the hunt for the big dance until the very end of the season.

DS: The ‘Dillo’s continue their climb due to some crafty pre-season trading. Moore and Rice give DS a most formidable receiving corps and if R. Smith is healthy, DS should at least make the consolation playoffs and receive money for the first time ever. However, their age is a problem as no young players were selected in this year’s draft, so if they have any success, it may be short lived.

ND: The 2x4s improved their squad from a year ago. Their current 10 game-losing streak won’t end right away as they play NY and MI to open the season. Even with a last place schedule, this division is too tough for NewDenver to be a threat this year; but the crafty draft picks of rookie RB’s A. Smith and C. Dillon should give them a long term boost.

ENGLE DIVISION

PA: Reliance on running backs again should make them a contender. Once again, weak on wide receiver. However, after a one-year top playoff absence, the Wildcats midseason moves will edge them over RD for the division.

RD: Their best draft in years, coupled with their last place schedule, will make Richmond a good bet for the consolation playoffs. However, the Raptors must stay healthy, as they do not go past a starting 8 and historically do not have strong in-season roster management.

MR: William Floyd? Tiki Barber? These draft selections, though they went earlier than expected, may surprise all and lead Mercer back to the top playoffs, but don’t bet on it. A big drop in their point production, along with a tough first place schedule and the Mustangs will struggle all year. Most likely won’t even make the Consolations. Division first to division worst???

SY: The Blizzard, having either received money or making the playoffs every year of the FFL, will be hard pressed to keep the streak. This might be their most balanced team ever. Prediction: streak will end. This division is very evenly matched and with a couple of breaks and astute management, SY may jump a couple of spots. Good draft strategy to select Falcon rookie RB B. Hanspard to back up J. Anderson.

Without further adieu……

Consolations: WN to win the small bowl. Others RD, CL and DS.

Big Dance: Either MI, LA or PA beating NY in the final.

 

Aug. 28, 1997 — Sladic and White announce team name; no announcement yet from McClain

The team formerly known as the State College Bandits have a new home and a new name: New Denver 2x4s.

The location is apparently a split between New Jersey and Denver, PA, homes of the two co-owners. The 2x4s (aka “the Studs”) was announced as the team name via email, without fanfare, or without explanation. Cheerleaders for the crosstown rival Griffons are rumored to have written a new cheer for their opening game again New Denver: “Nail the Studs!”

The team has been designated as “ND” by the editors of Fantasy Football Flyer.

Meanwhile, back in Canonsburg, PA, the owner of the defending champion team has failed to make an announcement concerning his team’s new location and name. Sam McClain’s draft day proclamation that “negotiatons are ongoing” is still the last word we’ve heard from the team formerly known as the LA Riot!

 

Aug. 20, 1997 — Draft offers few surprises

The Fantastic Football League 1997 draft started a little late and offered few surprises for FFL owners. Running backs were the preferred 1st round picks for all but 4 teams. Wide receivers were taken by all but 2 teams in the 2nd round. Four rookies were chosen in the first 19 picks, including #1 pick Antowain Smith.

Doug Weaver announced that his team, formerly the Butler Blowfish, has taken on the new nickname “Syracuse Blizzard.” Sam McClain deflected all questions concerning his teams’ location and nickname. The owner of the defending FFL champion LA Riot! simply stated that negotiations are ongoing. Rich Sladic and Mike White, new owners of the team formerly known as the State College Bandits, also failed to offer any specific details about where their team will be playing or what the team name will be.

The ever-posturing NY Griffons made 2 pre-draft trades, shuffling some late-round draft picks to Pittsburgh and acquiring Tim Biakabatuka from the SC Bandits. New York then went on and drafted Bam Morris and Lawrence Phillips during the first 8 picks. Rumor has it the Griffons will hire a secretary to coordinate the probation logistics for his 1st round running backs.

The PGA Championship was the preferred distraction at most draft locations, as the words “Tiger Woods” were mentioned more often during the afternoon than the words “tight end.” And despite a major golf event on TV, Richmond owner Chris Lieberman managed to draft players that are all alive and on an NFL roster. Many owners were impressed.

 

Aug. 12, 1997 — Trade flurry precedes protection deadline

Herman Moore, Marshall Faulk and Thurman Thomas were just a few of the big names that changed teams prior to the Aug. 11 protection deadline. The trade flurry saw 8 players and 10 draft picks exchange hands.

New York broke up the self-ordained “God Squad” by shipping Herman Moore to Dallas for a conditional draft pick. The deal was believed to be for the Armadillos’ 1998 1st round pick, with a conditional points incentive clause for Moore. FFF is awaiting for the specifics from the Commissioner’s office.

Pennsylvania also broke up it’s stable of running backs by shipping 1994’s number one draft pick – Marshall Faulk – to the NY Griffons for Steve McNair.

And while most of the trades helped to shore up specific needs for the teams involved, one has to wonder why Richmond spent a 3rd round draft pick on Jason Elam when they could have taken Chris Boniol from the PG Pachyderms for free. Maybe the Raptor’s owner is foreseeing big things for Kordell Stewart, whom they opted for instead.

 

July 30, 1997 – Cerenzia sells Bandits

The league’s first champsionship team — the State College Bandits — has been sold. Michael Cerenzia, whose Bandits won the first ever Fantasy Bowl, cited a lack of time to properly manage the team as his reason for the sale.

State College beat the Butler Blowfish 47-40 in Fantasy Bowl I in 1992. The Bandit’s strengths that year were centered around WRs Andre Rison, Anthony Miller and QB Warren Moon. But the core players from that champsionship team had succumbed to age and injury over the past few years. State College finished the 1996 season tied for the second-worst record in the league and finished last in total points.

Rebuilding the franchise will be new owners Rich Sladic, who resides in Denver, PA, and Mike White, who resides in Scotch Plains, NJ. No word yet on what the team will carry as a nickname or where the team will be based. The “New Jersey” designation has been available since the NJ Kings moved to Wisconsin and took the nickname “Cheeseheads.”