Griffons fall, NIKEs rebound
96’s Fantasy Bowl teams have a rough weekend

The New York Griffons were knocked from the ranks of the undefeated at the hands of the Cheeseheads 46-40. The Griffons’ vaunted receiving corps scored a big fat goose egg on the weekend. The Cheeseheads were happy to see Steve Young back in the lineup, as he lead the team with 14 points.

The defending champion NIKEtown Knights found themselves in a tight game with the team formerly known as the Pittsburgh Pachyderms going into the Monday Night tilt. But a 100+ yard night from Ricky Watters was just what the doctor ordered. The Knights remain undefeated with the 50-34 win, spoiling the coaching debut of Ross Hessler, who took over the helm of the Pachyderm franchise last week.

Keystone was unceremoniously dumped from the ranks of the undefeated by the New Denver 2x4s by a 42-22 score. The Boards spanked the Longfellows behind strong performances by TE Wesley Walls (12) and QB Dave Brown (10).

The Pennsylvania Wildcats and the Syracuse Blizzard both moved their records to 3-0. The Cats pounced on the Mercer Mustangs 51-29, mostly on the strength of the 360 yards rushing between Curtis Martin and Barry Sanders. Syracuse beat Richmond 47-36. WR Rod Smith pulled down a big 20 points for the Scuse.

Along with New Denver, Dallas and Carolina picked up their first wins on the season. The Armadillos beat Miami 36-19. The Muffdivers only managed 6 starting players, as all of the teams’ running backs were enjoying bye weeks. Miami fans had off-the-field reasons to rejoice this week, as team owner Pat Landy announced his wedding engagement.

The Big Bang took out their 0-2 frustrations on Newport Beach by a 74-41 score. Newly-acquired K Richie Cunningham’s 17 points was second to RB Napolean Kaufman’s 23-point performance by the Big Bang. The loss leaves both Southern California teams as the two winless clubs on the season after Week Three.

 

 

McClain downplays criticism
Knights owner touts increased publicity for league

NIKEtown owner Sam McClain this week brushed off criticism from other league owners who have reacted negatively to his huge marketing deal with athletic shoe giant Nike. Terms of the deal, while not officially disclosed, have been rumored to be in the $120-150 million range.

While McClain again would neither confirm nor deny those figures, he did speak with Fantasy Football Flyer about the consequences of his deal.

“By bringing more publicity and money into the league through my sponsorships I am helping all owners prosper,” McClain said. “It is too bad some owners are too short sighted to see that, and others are just too short,” he added.

The Knights owner also hopes to silence some of the criticism by offering his marketing services to other teams. “If I can assist any of my fellow owners in gaining sponsorship opportunities for their teams I’d be glad to help, for my regular consulting fees,” McClain said.

Commissioner Trzeciak was unable for comment, but league insiders strongly suspect that McClain would be reprimanded by the league if he is hired by any other team as a “consultant.”

McClain also downplayed the rumor that he is shopping QB Drew Bledsoe in order to free up a roster spot for Joe Namath, who is making a “comeback” through a widely-publicized advertising campaign for Nike Air Zooms.