Week 3 Game of the Week
New York Griffons vs. Wisconsin Cheeseheads

The two-time champion Cheeseheads face the three-time runnerup Griffons in FFF’s game of the week. The Cheeseheads will have Steve Young back at quarterback this week, and they catch the Griffons without Carl Pickens and without Keenan McCardell. New York has won 7 of their last 8 games. That one loss, however, was in Fantasy Bowl V.

Another interesting matchup will pit winless Newport Beach against winless Carolina. The last time these two teams met was in the final week of the 1996 season, when their unlikely 25-25 tie knocked them both out of the consolation playoffs and allowed Wisconsin to sneak into said playoffs.

Pachyderms packing for LA
Hessler to helm franchise in Orange County

In a surprise move this week, David Lieberman transferred the ownership of his team to Ross Hessler of Mission Viejo, CA. Hessler and his wife, Helen Zajac, bring a second team back to the Southern California region after the off-season move of the Riot! franchise.

Lieberman cited several reasons for his decision — being a new father and having a new job are pretty time-consuming priorities. Lieberman said he doesn’t have the time it takes to manage the team. The Pachyderms, behind a stellar year from QB Brett Favre, won a division championship in 1996.

But the Pachyderms were questioned for off-season moves, including the release of running backs Robert Smith and Lawrence Phillips. And the criticism picked up after impressive performances by both Smith and Phillips during Week 1 action.

Many observers also speculated that the Pachyderms would start to see an eroding fan base with the new NIKEtown franchise parked on the other side of the city.

No official word yet from Hessler on where the team would play and what the new name of the team will be.

… more to come

Week Two Wrapups

The Cowboys, Packers and the Jets all proved they aren’t as good as they looked in Week 1. The Steelers proved they aren’t as bad as they looked in Week 1.

Similarly, the Fantasy Football League scores in Week 2 weren’t nearly as dramatic as they were in Week 1. The defending champions — the NIKEtown Knights — scored less than half the points they tallied last week, but moved their record to 2-0 by beating Mercer 43-27.

Miami posted the highest score on the weekend, checking in with 71 points thanks to big points from the running back stable of Eddie George, Natrone Means and Jerome Bettis. The Muffdivers clobbered New Denver 71-33. Defending point champ New York moved it’s record to 2-0 with a 43-28 win over Newport Beach.

Both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania found the throttle this week. The two teams combined for a total of 38 points last week. This week, both teams topped 50. The Cheeseheads handed Richmond it’s first loss by a 58-24 count. The Wildcats weathered a late, furious charge by Andre Rison in the Monday Night game and held on for a 53-51 win over Dallas.

Syracuse, with a big Monday night game from Tim Brown, held off Pittsburgh 40-29. The final game, which was the predicted Game of the Week by FFF, had the Keystone Longfellows pulling off the come-from-behind victory over Carolina by a 41-36 count. Elvis Grbac’s 300+ yard game with 2 TDs proved to be the difference for Keystone, which sweeps the back-to-back series with Carolina and moves their record to 2-0.

NIKEtown’s Drew Bledsoe was the top point producer for the week, with a 21-point performance. PA Wildcat kicker Mike Hollis was the second-highest producer of the week with 18 points. It took Pennsylvania kickers 5 weeks in 1996 to score a team total of 18 points.

Backlash in the Knight

Several league owners have expressed disappointment, frustration, and downright disdain for the team formerly known as the LA Riot!, now called the NIKEtown Knights.

While financial terms have not been disclosed of the marketing deal between the shoe giant and the defending FFL champions, many owners expressed their concern about the over-commercialization of the league.

Syracuse Blizzard owner Doug Weaver lashed out at Knights owner Sam McClain. “Sam had the chance to play for the home crowd but he sold out and went for the money,” Weaver said. “It makes me very sad.”

Newport Beach owner Dan Callahan took the criticism of McClain a step further. “We can not allow the gross commercialization that is occuring to continue,” Callahan said. “The NFL has jerry jones now we have Sam.”

Callahan has called for a boycott on commercial sponsors of the Knights franchise.

Portland, OR — The team formerly-known-as-the-artists “L.A. RIOT!” are proud to announce their team’s new identity as the “NIKEtown Knights”. At a dramatic press conference, held in conjunction with mega marketing giant, NIKE, team owner, Samuel A. McClain unveiled the new name for the 1997 season.

On hand for the announcement was Phil Knight, co-founder and current CEO of NIKE. Knight has been largely responsible for NIKE’s phenomenal success over the past two decades. The team name was chosen by McClain in honor of Phil Knight. Also in attendance at the press conference and subsequent party, were many other NIKE endorsers including Michael Jordan, Michael Johnson, former LA Riot! wide-out Deion Sanders along with Andre Aggassi and his wife, Brooke Shields. While Jordan and Johnson are in the off-season of their respective sports, Sanders took time away from his busy two-sport schedule to attend the press conference.

Notably missing from the announcement were financial terms of the deal. A source for FFF who demanded anonymity insisted the deal was only a fraction less than Nike’s record-setting deal with Tiger Woods. Neither Knight nor McClain would independently confirm the source’s story.

The team also announced that they would play their “home” games this year in various stadiums throughout the world. Money from the NIKE sponsorship will help defer the travel costs of both teams. Additionally, each home game will be “presented by” additional sponsors. Names of individual game sponsorships will be announced prior to each home game. The teams first 4 games of the season are all “away” games.

Additionally, Pittsburgh based USAirways was announced as the official domestic air carrier and Virgin Airlines will be the official international airline. Gatorade has been signed on as the official team sports drink, while Mountain Dew is the official team soft drink. Energizer is the official team battery and Magnum, the official team condom. Negotiations are in process with other potential sponsors, McClain announced.

Phil Knight stated, “We are delighted to have a team with the successful track record of the LA Riot! join the NIKE family of endorsers. Just as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have helped make NIKE a household name in their respective sports, we anticipate that our association with this championship team will do the same for NIKE in the growing sport of Fantasy Football.”

The LA RIOT! won the “highest point total” award in the FFL inaugural season and won the league championship the following year, 1993 season, and then again this past year.

NIKE, pronounced NI-KEY, is the winged goddess of victory according to Greek mythology. She sat at the side of Zeus, the ruler of the Olympic pantheon, in Olympus. A mystical presence, symbolizing victorious encounters, NIKE presided over history’s earliest battlefields.

A Greek would say, “When we go to battle and win, we say it is NIKE.”

Synonymous with honored conquest, NIKE is the 20th century footwear that lifts the world’s greatest athletes to new levels of mastery and achievement. The NIKE SWOOSH embodies the spirit of the winged goddess who inspired the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization.

Knights hit triple digits;
Former PG backs romp

The defending champion NK Knights picked up where they left off in 1996. The Riot! scored 107 points, falling just 10 points short of the all-time record for points in a week. Wisconsin scored 117 in Week 1 of 1995. Wisconsin scored 103 fewer points this year than they did 2 years ago.

Syracuse, another team that moved during the off-season, checked in with the second-highest total of the week. The Blizzard ran up 74 points on Dallas. And despite starting Kordell Stewart at QB, the Richmond Raptors chalked up 58 points on the week. Richmond wins the Lieberman bowl, as PG managed only 29 points. Having the 49 points that former Pachyderms Lawrence Philips and Robert Smith had this week would have helped.

On the other end of the scale, WAKE UP Cheeseheads and 2x4s. The season started Sunday, yet you wouldn’t know it from their scores (WN=14, ND=18).

Several players shot out of the gate with huge weeks. For quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe having a huge game (24 pts) was not a surprise. What many do consider a surprise, however, was Neil O’Donnell’s 25 points. And for Mercer, it didn’t matter whether they started Jeff George or Vinny Testeverde. They were both good for 17 points.

Lawrence Phillips tied for the highest score of the day (29 pts) while Eddie George (28 pts), Terry Allen (23 pts) and Robert Smith (20 pts) all put up big numbers out of the backfield. Phillips and Smith were both cut by Pittsburgh prior to the season, and were both first-round gifts in the draft for NY and DS.

WR Tim Brown tied Phillips for the best day (29 pts) while Michael Irvin (23 pts) and Cris Carter and Herman Moore (20 ea.) all scored big. Kicker Jason Elam (15 pts) had the high score amongst booters.

This is a list of the order for the 1997 draft. The first round order was determined by lottery (non-playoff teams) and order of finish for 1996. All subsequent rounds are determined strictly by 1996 order of finish.

The draft will be 9 rounds. Final roster size will be 15 players. Any teams not protecting their full compliment of 6 players from last year’s roster will receive a compensatory selection between rounds 2 and 3.

ROUND 1

1. SC – Antowain Smith, RB, Bills
2. KS – Greg Hill, RB, Chiefs
3. NY – Bam Morris, RB, Ravens
4. CL – Warrick Dunn, RB, Buccaneers
5. DS – Robert Smith, RB, Vikings
6. SY – Jimmy Smith, WR, Jaguars
7. MI – Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts
8. NY – Lawrence Phillips, RB, Rams
9. PA – Troy Davis, RB, Saints
10. RD – Michael Westbrook, WR, Redskins
11. RD – Errict Rhett, RB, Buccaneers
12. MR – William Floyd, RB, 49ers
13. NY – Keenan McCardell, WR, Jaguars
14. LA – Gary Brown, RB, Chargers

ROUND 2

1. RD – Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers
2. SC – Johnnie Morton, WR, Lions
3. KS – Chris T. Jones, WR, Eagles
4. DS – Andre Rison, WR, Chiefs
5. CL – Ike Hilliard, WR, Giants
6. SY – Rod Smith, WR, Broncos
7. LA – Brad Johnson, QB, Vikiings
8. NY – Jay Graham, RB, Ravens
9. PA – Yancey Thigpen, WR, Steelers
10. WN – Mike Alstott, RB, Buccaneers
11. PA – Fred Barnett, WR, Dolphins
12. MR – Willie Green, WR, Broncos
13. PA – Horace Copeland, WR, Buccaneers
14. LA – Jeff Graham, WR, Jets

SUPPLEMENTAL

1. WN – Leeland McElroy, RB, Cardinals

ROUND 3

1. LA – Terry Kirby, RB, 49ers
2. SC – Corey Dillon, RB, Bengals
3. KS – Ty Detmer, QB, Eagles
4. NP – Craig Heyward, RB, Rams
5. CL – Raymont Harris, RB, Bears
6. SY – Mark Chmura, TE, Packers
7. MI – Darnay Scott, WR, Bengals
8. NP – Leon Johnson, RB, Jets
9. PA – J.J. Stokes, WR, 49ers
10. WN – Rae Carruth, WR, Panthers
11. PG – Andre Reed, WR, Bills
12. MR – Tiki Barber, RB, Giants
13. NY – Brett Perriman, WR, Chiefs
14. LA – Bobby Engram, WR, Bears

ROUND 4

1. RD – Lamar Smith, RB, Seahawks
2. SC – Charles Johnson, WR, Steelers
3. KS – Terrance Mathis, WR, Falcons
4. DS – Rodney Thomas, RB, Oilers
5. CL – Derrick Mayes, WR, Packers
6. SY – Byron Hanspard, RB, Falcons
7. MI – Terrell Owens, WR, 49ers
8. NP – James Jett, WR, Raiders
9. NY – Trent Dilfer, QB, Buccaneers
10. WN – Shawn Jefferson, WR, Patriots
11. PG – Rob Moore, WR, Cardinals
12. MR – Ernie Mills, WR, Panthers
13. SC – Chris Boniol, K, Eagles
14. LA – Marcus Allen, RB, Chiefs

ROUND 5

1. PA – Troy Aikman, QB, Cowboys
2. SC – Eric Metcalf, WR, Chargers
3. KS – Mario Bates, RB, Saints
4. DS – William Henderson, RB, Packers
5. CL – Jerris McPhail, RB, Dolphins
6. SY – Gus Frerotte, QB, Redskins
7. MI – Reidel Anthony, WR, Buccaneers
8. NP – Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs
9. PG – Kimble Anders, RB, Chiefs
10. WN – Travis Jervey, RB, Packers
11. PG – Andre Hastings, WR, Saints
12. MR – John Carney, K, Chargers
13. NY – Sean Dawkins, WR, Colts
14. LA – David Dunn, WR, Bengals\

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.”

• Composite Spreadsheet (PDF, 20 pages, 63K)
• 1996 Top Players
• 1996 Transactions
• 1996 Final Schedule, Scores
• 1996 Final Standings
• 1996 Final Rosters
• 1996 Draft

All standings, scores, records, rosters and spreadsheets have all been updated and are finished for the year. The Commissioner has said he will verify the online version of the spreadsheets with his own to eliminate any discrepencies.

The FFL Web Site will remain online through the NFL playoffs and the offseason. I’ll try to post rule change suggestions online as we try to wrap up any rule changes for the 1997 season. The Commissioner has promised to finish any rules changes and have our 1997 Season Rules complete before the Super Bowl. This is an excellent idea, and I’d like to see everyone accommodate this request, because it’s very difficult to get people’s opinions during the offseason.

A Word from your Commissioner
by John Trzeciak
FFL Commissioner

First of all, I would like to congratulate all the winners of the FFL this year. Specific praise goes to the Newport Beach Nightmare and the Keystone Longfellows for their fine performances in this their virgin season. Praise to the New York Griffons for their impressive point total victory, as well as, their third visit to the Fantasy Bowl. And to the LA Riot!, display the Championship trophy proudly, for you deserve it after the stellar upset in the Fantasy Bowl.

Secondly, I would like to thank you all for including me in your reindeer games. Thank you for understanding my inexperience with rules and policies, as well as, my short sabbatical early in the season. I hope everyone had fun, I did.

Thirdly, a special thank you from all of us to Ying for his continued dedication to our league. Without his organization and creative skills, I really doubt this league would survive. (By the way, we do accept volunteers)

Finally, as the commissioner of this illustrious league, I get to, without any counsel, pick two awards for the year. Here they are:

FFL Most Valuable Player of the Year:

It is very easy to just assign this title to the player who earns the most FFL points. I do agree that this has a big impact on a player’s potential for this award, however, there were standouts on each team and their impact on the success/failure of their team needs to be considered.

The Nominees:

From the 1996 FFL Champion LA Riot!, Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison (Colts) propelled his squad to victory in the 5th FFL Title Game. Maybe not a year long stand out, but definitely valuable to the Riot! in their success. Michael Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens took home the top point scorer award in the Wide Receiver race, Drew Bledsoe (Patriots) was the third most prolific Quarterback and Running Back Ricky Watters (Eagles) was a top five back.

Up until the final weeks, the New York Griffons Running BackTerrell Davis (Broncos) led the league in FFL points scored, only to drop to third overall and to second among Running Backs after Denver clinched home field advantage. Mark Brunell, Quarterback of the sophomore playoff bound Jacksonville Jaguars, finished number four among Quarterbacks and in the top ten overall. Then there is, of course, the “God Squad”, Wide Receivers – Carl Pickens (Bengals),Herman Moore (Lions) and Isaac Bruce (Rams). Numbers three, five and seven amongst their piers. (Please note that not one of their teams made it to the NFL Playoffs.)

Third place finisher, the Mercer Mustangs, certainly are well represented on this ballot. Redskins Running Back Terry Allen(Redskins) finished in second overall by 4 points. He was the highest scoring Running Back and he and Davis were more than 25 points ahead of the nearest competitor. Mustangs Quarterback and Wide Receiver, Vinny Testaverde (Ravens) and Tony Martin (Chargers) both took home silver at their respective positions.

Brett Favre (Packers) of the Pittsburgh Pachyderms was the top point scorer in the FFL this year. Although he was only 4 points ahead of the whole field, he was 14 points better than any other Quarterback and doubled the amount of points scored by over half the leagues Quarterbacks.

The Wisconsin Cheeseheads franchise offers NFL standout Emmitt Smith (Cowboys) as a potential MVP. Although not his best year, Smith amassed 163 points, within the top ten overall and number five among backs. Philadelphia Eagle Wide Receiver Irving Fryar scored 121 points for the year, putting him fourth highest of all receivers and in the top twenty overall. Shannon Sharpe (Broncos) led all Tight Ends with 111 and finished sixth among all receivers. (The Cheeseheads also placed Wide Receiver Antonio Freeman (Packers) within the top ten receivers.)

In line with Penn State being Linebacker U of the NCAA, the Pennsylvania Wildcats are Running Back Franchise of the FFL. Barry Sanders (Lions) and Curtis Martin (Patriots) tied for fifth place in overall scoring this year, third among Backs. (The Wildcats also placed Rookie Running Back Karim Abdul-Jabbar (Dolphins) within the top ten backs.)

Miami Muffdiver, Running Back Jerome Bettis (Steelers) led his squad with 163 points, finished fifth among backs and tenth overall.

Jeff Blake (Bengals), Butler/Syracuse Blowfish Quarterback, tallied enough points (142) to place him sixth amongst his peers and 14th overall.

From the newcomer Keystone Longfellows, Kicker Jeff Wilkins(49ers) led his FFL franchise and all kickers with 129 points.

The Richmond Raptors entrant is John Elway, Quarterback, Denver Broncos. Number 12 overall and fifth among Quarterbacks certainly makes Elway a very valuable player.

And what would an MVP discussion be without mentioning Dallas Armadillos Wide Receiver Jerry Rice (49ers). Rice finished ninth among receivers and in the top 30 overall.

The envelope, please. The FFL Most Valuable Player of the year isBrett Favre, Green Bay Packer Quarterback and Pittsburgh Pachyderm Franchise Player. The Pachyderms made it to the playoffs for the first time ever this year, finishing fourth. Although the injury to Robert Smith, Running Back of the Minnesota Vikings impeded their success, Favre carried them into the post season. The Pachyderms only placed two players in the top 50 point scorers (Wide Receiver Derrick Alexander (Ravens) placed 36th). Based on this fact and his first place finish in overall points, Bret Favre was the most valuable player to his squads success.

FFL Manager of the Year:

I thought this would be a cut and dried decision. Then the Griffons have to go and choke in the Fantasy Bowl.

Manager Samuel A McClain decides to start Marvin Harrison, a Colts Wide Receiver who he has played only 4 times previously this year, in the biggest game of the season. Harrison scores 23 points and seals the victory for the Riot!.

Manager Nicholas C. Fisher adds Vikings Running Back Leroy Hoard in week 12 of the season, does not start him for the first time until the semi-finals and keeps him in the line-up for the Fantasy Bowl where he score 20 points and tries to pick up where the “god squad” left off.

Once again, it is very easy to give this award to the Manager of the Fantasy Bowl Champions, but, this years Manager of the Year isNicholas C. Fisher of the New York Griffons.

The Griffons amassed 1034 points (first in total points) , had the #4 Quarterback, the #2 Back, the #3, #5 & #7 Receiver, the #2 kicker, and has already solidified a place in Fantasy Bowl contention for the next few years with smart and tactical planning for the future. Hats off to Nicholas for a very successful, though maybe a little bit disappointing, season. (By the way, you all know how much it hurt me to do what I just did)

To all:

Have a great New Year. Hope to see you all when ever possible.

Here are the chances and results of the 5 eligible teams for the 1997 FFL Draft Lottery.

The lottery draft order applies only for the first 5 picks of the first round of the 1997 draft.

The lottery was held on April 18, 1997 at the River’s Bend Golf Tournament in Richmond, VA.

Record Thru 11 Games———- +PLUS+ ———- Total Points Weeks 11 thru 15

TOTAL CHANCES:
Keystone Longfellows = 9
Richmond Raptors = 8
Big Carolina Bang = 5
State College Bandits = 4
Dallas Armadillos = 4

RESULTS:
1. State College
2. Keystone
3. Richmond
4. Carolina
5. Dallas
This will be the order for the first 5 picks of the first round only.

FFL Proposed Rules Changes
Here are the RESULTS of the FFL rule modifications proposed by individual owners and the Commissioner. Each franchise received 1 vote. Each franchise voted. One proposal ended in a tie, with the commissioner declining to change the rule.

A few of the rules changes have further, minor implications. These will all be worked out by the permanent rules committee (Commissioner Trzeciak, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Yeany) and will be instituted for Fall 1997.

SECTION ONE: “Over and done” Rules
A majority vote will officially change these rules immediately. If a tie should occur, the commissioner will cast the deciding vote.

• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Elimination of “Experience Cap” policy.
  Rationale: Moving the roster to 14 effectively added a lot of player movement. Created more transaction dollars. Result: PASSED.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Allow teams to drop/add Quarterbacks and Kickers only during weeks 15 and 16. Result: PASSED.
  Restrictions: All regular season drop/add rules are still in effect. Player must not be on a roster from week 14 on.
  Rationale: This will allow teams some flexibility if they encounter late season injuries.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Eliminate the mandatory drop before week 4 of the regular season. 14 rounds of drafting. 14 active players maintained on each roster. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: If you draft well, you keep your players. If you do not draft well you do not get “pennies from heaven” from teams that did draft well. Draft 14 players and let more transaction money go into the pot for teams to manage their rosters.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Weekly team rosters include any 6 back/receiver combination from eligible players on team rosters. Result: REJECTED.
  Restrictions: Each roster submission must include 1 back and 1 receiver. All other roster submission rules apply.
  Rationale: Allows for more flexibility when determining which player within each position to play each week. (i.e. deciding to play a player who may get one carry be day as opposed to two) Running Back shortage since expansion. Teams without a regularly scoring Running Back can play a receiver who may have a better opportunity for a big play.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Institute the same scoring rules for Backs and Receivers. (Use Present Back structure) Result: REJECTED.
  Rationale: Easier to figure out scores each week. Potentially increases total points scoring.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Once a season, each franchise will be responsible for verifying weekly scores with the commissioner. Weekly scores will not be considered official until verification takes place. Result: REJECTED.
  Rationale: There are 14 weeks of the regular season. There are 14 franchises. Scores should be verified to ensure correctness.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Any PERSON that is not on the roster of a college football team may be drafted. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: Ends any disputes over suspended, unsigned, retired/unretired/comeback players.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Eliminate the requirement that an added player must be kept on a roster for 2 weeks. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: It is an arbitrarily constrictive rule. It makes no sense to not be able to pick up a player for just one week. This would also open the door for more transaction money in the pot.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Increase the number of drop/add transactions allowed from 2 per week to 3 per week. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: With a 14-man roster, a little more flexibility is necessary. This would also open the door for more transaction money in the pot.

SECTION TWO – “Further Implication” RulesAt least 2/3 of the franchises must vote to make these changes. Further examination of the effects this rule change will have on all FFL policies will need to be addressed if this change passes.

• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Redraft full roster each year. Result: REJECTED.
  Influenced: Many rules will be affected by making this change.

SECTION THREE – “Decide how” RulesA majority vote will officially change these rules. If a tie should occur, the commissioner will cast the deciding vote. Another vote will be necessary to implement change. Suggestions will be collected and another vote will be held to determine new policies.

• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Institute a tie-breaker for games where home field advantage is not earned/predetermined. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: Rewards teams that are solid overall. Could encourage teams to keep extra kickers, potentially increasing availability of other players. The team with good depth would have a better chance of winning. “Or, perhaps now I should keep that extra kicker, just in case.” Ties are stupid. College football has even eliminated them.
• NEW/MODIFIED RULE – Develop new policies for tie-breakers when considering who makes the playoffs and as what seed. Result: PASSED.
  Rationale: Determine team strength/success by total points, not common opponents. They are overly complicated. There is no defense in the FFL. It is all offense and that means scoring. We are in a league where scoring the most points is the objective, both during the week and for the season. With NFL off-weeks, both “records against common opponents” and “schedule strength” does not accurately reflect anything on any given week.

TOP 50 FFL PLAYERS
Rank Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.					
1	Favre, Brett	         QB	Packers	      Pachyderms        204
2	Allen, Terry	         RB	Redskins      Mustangs		200
3	Davis, Terrell	         RB	Broncos	      Griffons		197
4	Testaverde, Vinnie	 QB	Ravens	      Mustangs		190
5	Sanders, Barry	         RB	Lions	      Wildcats		172
	Martin, Curtis	         RB	Patriots      Wildcats		172
7	Watters, Ricky	         RB	Eagles	      Riot!		170
8	Bledsoe, Drew	         QB	Patriots      Riot!		167
9	Brunell, Mark	         QB	Jaguars	      Griffons		164
10	Bettis, Jerome	         RB	Steelers      Muffdivers	163
	Smith, Emmitt	         RB	Cowboys	      Cheeseheads	163
12	Elway, John	         QB	Broncos	      Raptors		159
13	Jackson, Michael	 WR	Ravens	      Riot!		151
14	Blake, Jeff	         QB	Bengals	      Blowfish		143
15	Martin, Tony	         WR	Chargers      Mustangs		140
16	Wilkins, Jeff	         K	49ers	      Longfellows	129
17	Pickens, Carl	         WR	Bengals	      Griffons		128
18	Fryar, Irving	         WR	Eagles	      Cheeseheads	121
19	Moore, Herman	         WR	Lions	      Griffons		117
20	Kasay, John	         K	Panthers      Griffons		116
21	Mitchell, Scott	         QB	Lions	      Big Bang		114
22	Anderson, Gary	         K	Eagles	      Raptors		112
23	Sharpe, Shannon	         TE	Broncos	      Cheeseheads	111
24	Bruce, Isaac	         WR	Rams	      Griffons		110
	Carter, Cris	         WR	Vikings	      Riot!		110
26	Jacke, Chris	         K	Packers	      Armadillos	109
27	Rice, Jerry	         WR	49ers	      Armadillos	108
28	Thomas, Thurman	         RB	Bills	      Nightmare		107
29	Freeman, Antonio	 WR	Packers	      Cheeseheads	106
30	George, Eddie	         RB	Oilers	      Muffdivers	104
	Pelfrey, Doug	         K	Bengals	      Muffdivers	104
32	Elam, Jason	         K	Broncos	      Riot!		103
33	Brown, Tim	         WR	Raiders	      Blowfish		98
34	Hostetler, Jeff	         QB	Raiders	      Nightmare		97
35	Stewart, James	         RB	Jaguars	      Blowfish		96
36	Alexander, Derrick	 WR	Ravens	      Pachyderms	95
37	Reed, Jake	         WR	Vikings	      Muffdivers	94
	Andersen, Morten	 K	Falcons	      Blowfish		94
39	Abdul-Jabbar, Karim	 RB	Dolphins      Wildcats		93
40	Marino, Dan	         QB	Dolphins      Armadillos	92
41	Conway, Curtis	         WR	Bears	      Big Bang		89
	Galloway, Joey	         WR	Seahawks      Nightmare		89
	Kennison, Eddie	         WR	Rams	      Nightmare		89
44	Allen, Marcus	         RB	Chiefs	      Longfellows	85
	Johnson, Anthony	 RB	Panthers      Bandits		85
46	Reed, Andre	         WR	Bills	      Mustangs		84
	Glenn, Terry	         WR	Patriots      Longfellows	84
48	Brien, Doug	         K	Saints	      Nightmare		83
49	McDuffie, OJ	         WR	Dolphins      Longfellows	80
	Anderson, Jamal	         RB	Falcons	      Blowfish		80

						
RECEIVERS
Rank Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.				
1	Jackson, Michael	WR	Ravens	        Riot!		151
2	Martin, Tony	        WR	Chargers	Mustangs	140
3	Pickens, Carl	        WR	Bengals	        Griffons	128
4	Fryar, Irving	        WR	Eagles	        Cheeseheads     121
5	Moore, Herman	        WR	Lions	        Griffons	117
6	Sharpe, Shannon	        TE	Broncos	        Cheeseheads	111
7	Bruce, Isaac	        WR	Rams	        Griffons	110
	Carter, Chris	        WR	Vikings	        Riot!		110
9	Rice, Jerry	        WR	49ers	        Armadillos	108
10	Freeman, Antonio	WR	Packers	        Cheeseheads	106
11	Brown, Tim	        WR	Raiders	        Blowfish	98
12	Alexander, Derrick	WR	Ravens	        Pachyderms      95
13	Reed, Jake	        WR	Vikings	        Muffdivers	94
14	Conway, Curtis	        WR	Bears	        Big Bang	89
	Galloway, Joey	        WR	Seahawks	Nightmare	89
	Kennison, Eddie	        WR	Rams	        Nightmare	89
17	Reed, Andre	        WR	Bills	        Mustangs	84
	Glenn, Terry	        WR	Patriots	Longfellows	84
19	McDuffie, OJ	        WR	Dolphins	Longfellows	80

						
RUNNING BACKS
Rank Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.				
1	Allen, Terry	        RB	Redskins	Mustangs	200
2	Davis, Terrell	        RB	Broncos	        Griffons	197
3	Sanders, Barry	        RB	Lions	        Wildcats	172
	Martin, Curtis	        RB	Patriots	Wildcats	172
4	Watters, Ricky	        RB	Eagles	        Riot!		170
5	Bettis, Jerome	        RB	Steelers	Muffdivers	163
	Smith, Emmitt	        RB	Cowboys	        Cheeseheads	163
6	Thomas, Thurman	        RB	Bills	        Nightmare	107
7	George, Eddie	        RB	Oilers	        Muffdivers	104
8	Stewart, James	        RB	Jaguars	        Blowfish	96
9	Abdul-Jabbar, Karim	RB	Dolphins	Wildcats	93
10	Allen, Marcus	        RB	Chiefs	        Longfellows	85
	Johnson, Anthony	RB	Panthers	Bandits		85
12	Anderson, Jamal	        RB	Falcons	        Blowfish	80

						
QUARTERBACKS
Rank Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.				
1	Favre, Brett	        QB	Packers	        Pachyderms	204
2	Testaverde, Vinnie	QB	Ravens	        Mustangs	190
3	Bledsoe, Drew	        QB	Patriots	Riot!		167
4	Brunell, Mark	        QB	Jaguars	        Griffons	164
5	Elway, John	        QB	Broncos	        Raptors		159
6	Blake, Jeff	        QB	Bengals	        Blowfish	143
7	Mitchell, Scott	        QB	Lions	        Big Bang	114
8	Hostetler, Jeff	        QB	Raiders	        Nightmare	97
9	Marino, Dan	        QB	Dolphins	Armadillos	92

						
KICKERS
Rank Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.					
1	Wilkins, Jeff	        K	49ers	        Longfellows	129
2	Kasay, John	        K	Panthers	Griffons	116
3	Anderson, Gary	        K	Eagles	        Raptors		112

BY NFL TEAM
Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.						
Davis, Terrell	        RB	Broncos	        Griffons     	197
Elway, John	        QB	Broncos	        Raptors		159
Sharpe, Shannon	        TE	Broncos	        Cheeseheads	111
Elam, Jason	        K	Broncos	        Riot!		103

Blake Jeff	        QB	Bengals	        Blowfish     	143
Pickens, Carl	        WR	Bengals	        Griffons	128
Pelfrey, Doug	        K	Bengals	        Muffdivers	104

						
Abdul-Jabbar, Karim	RB	Dolphins	Wildcats     	93
Marino, Dan	        QB	Dolphins	Armadillos	92
McDuffie, OJ	        WR	Dolphins	Longfellows	80

						
Watters, Ricky	        RB	Eagles	        Riot!	     	170
Fryar, Irving	        WR	Eagles	        Cheeseheads	121
Anderson, Gary	        K	Eagles	        Raptors		112

						
Sanders, Barry	        RB	Lions	        Wildcats     	172
Moore, Herman	        WR	Lions	        Griffons	117
Mitchell, Scott	        QB	Lions	        Big Bang        114

						
Favre, Brett	        QB	Packers	        Pachyderms   	204
Jacke, Chris	        K	Packers	        Armadillos	109
Freeman, Antonio	WR	Packers	        Cheeseheads	106

						
Martin, Curtis	        RB	Patriots	Wildcats     	172
Bledsoe, Drew	        QB	Patriots	Riot!		167
Glenn, Terry	        WR	Patriots	Longfellows	84

						
Testaverde, Vinnie	QB	Ravens	        Mustangs     	190
Jackson, Michael	WR	Ravens	        Riot!		151
Alexander, Derrick	WR	Ravens	        Pachyderms	95

						
Wilkins, Jeff	        K	49ers	        Longfellows  	129
Rice, Jerry	        WR	49ers	        Armadillos	108

					
Thomas, Thurman	        RB	Bills	        Nightmare    	107
Reed, Andre	        WR	Bills	        Mustangs	84

						
Andersen, Morten	K	Falcons	        Blowfish     	94
Anderson, Jamal	        RB	Falcons	        Blowfish	80

						
Brunell, Mark	        QB	Jaguars	        Griffons     	164
Stewart, James	        RB	Jaguars	        Blowfish	96

						
Kasay, John	        K	Panthers	Griffons     	116
Johnson, Anthony	RB	Panthers	Bandits		85

						
Brown, Tim	        WR	Raiders	        Blowfish     	98
Hostetler, Jeff	        QB	Raiders	        Nightmare	97

						
Bruce, Isaac	        WR	Rams	        Griffons     	110
Kennison, Eddie	        WR	Rams	        Nightmare	89

						
Carter, Cris	        WR	Vikings	        Riot!	     	110
Reed, Jake	        WR	Vikings	        Muffdivers	94

						
Conway, Curtis	        WR	Bears	        Big Bang     	89

					
Martin, Tony	        WR	Chargers	Mustangs     	140

						
Allen, Marcus	        RB	Chiefs	        Longfellows  	85

						
Smith, Emmitt	        RB	Cowboys	        Cheeseheads  	163

						
George, Eddie	        RB	Oilers	        Muffdivers   	104

						
Allen, Terry	        RB	Redskins	Mustangs     	200

						
Brien, Doug	        K	Saints	        Nightmare    	83

						
Galloway, Joey	        WR	Seahawks	Nightmare    	89

						
Bettis, Jerome	        RB	Steelers	Muffdivers   	163

						
				Buccaneers	None in Top 50	
				Cardinals	None in Top 50
				Colts		None in Top 50
				Giants		None in Top 50
				Jets		None in Top 50

						
BY FFL TEAM
Player Position NFL Team FFL Team Pts.						
Davis, Terrell	        RB	Broncos	         Griffons	197
Brunell, Mark	        QB	Jaguars	         Griffons	164
Pickens, Carl	        WR	Bengals	         Griffons	128
Moore, Herman	        WR	Lions	         Griffons	117
Kasay, John	        K	Panthers	 Griffons	116
Bruce, Isaac	        WR	Rams	         Griffons	110

						
Blake, Jeff	        QB	Bengals	         Blowfish	143
Brown, Tim	        WR	Raiders	         Blowfish	98
Stewart, James	        RB	Jaguars	         Blowfish	96
Andersen, Morten	K	Falcons	         Blowfish	94
Anderson, Jamal	        RB	Falcons	         Blowfish	80

						
Thomas, Thurman	        RB	Bills	         Nightmare	107
Hostetler, Jeff	        QB	Raiders	         Nightmare	97
Galloway, Joey	        WR	Seahawks	 Nightmare	89
Kennison, Eddie	        WR	Rams	         Nightmare	89
Brien, Doug	        K	Saints	         Nightmare	83

					
Watters, Ricky	        RB	Eagles	         Riot!   	170
Bledsoe, Drew	        QB	Patriots	 Riot!	        167
Jackson, Michael	WR	Ravens	         Riot!	        151
Carter, Cris	        WR	Vikings	         Riot!	        110
Elam, Jason	        K	Broncos	         Riot!	        103

						
Smith, Emmitt	        RB	Cowboys	         Cheeseheads	163
Fryar, Irving	        WR	Eagles	         Cheeseheads	121
Sharpe, Shannon	        TE	Broncos	         Cheeseheads	111
Freeman, Antonio	WR	Packers	         Cheeseheads	106

						
Wilkins, Jeff	        K	49ers	         Longfellows	129
Allen, Marcus	        RB	Chiefs	         Longfellows	85
Glenn, Terry	        WR	Patriots	 Longfellows	84
McDuffie, OJ	        WR	Dolphins	 Longfellows	80

						
Bettis, Jerome	        RB	Steelers	 Muffdivers	163
George, Eddie	        RB	Oilers	         Muffdivers	104
Pelfrey, Doug	        K	Bengals	         Muffdivers	104
Reed, Jake	        WR	Vikings	         Muffdivers	94

						
Allen, Terry	        RB	Redskins	 Mustangs	200
Testaverde, Vinnie	QB	Ravens	         Mustangs	190
Martin, Tony	        WR	Chargers	 Mustangs	140
Reed, Andre	        WR	Bills	         Mustangs	84

						
Jacke, Chris	        K	Packers	         Armadillos	109
Rice, Jerry	        WR	49ers	         Armadillos	108
Marino, Dan	        QB	Dolphins	 Armadillos	92

						
Sanders, Barry	        RB	Lions	         Wildcats	172
Martin, Curtis	        RB	Patriots	 Wildcats	172
Abdul-Jabbar, Karim	RB	Dolphins	 Wildcats	93

						
Mitchell, Scott	        QB	Lions	         Big Bang	114
Conway, Curtis	        WR	Bears	         Big Bang	89

						
Favre, Brett	        QB	Packers	         Pachyderms	204
Alexander, Derrick	WR	Ravens	         Pachyderms	95

						
Elway, John	        QB	Broncos	         Raptors	159
Anderson, Gary	        K	Eagles	         Raptors	112

						
Johnson, Anthony	RB	Panthers	 Bandits	85

Most recent transactions are added to the top of the list. Traded future draft picks will be always kept at the bottom of this page.

• December 21, 1996 Pennyslvania dropped Steve Bono, QB, Chiefs; moved John Friesz, QB, Seahawks, from IR to active roster.
• November 27, 1996 Pittsburgh dropped Brett Carolan, TE, Dolphins; added Jamie Asher, TE, Redskins.
• November 27, 1996 Los Angeles dropped Don Beebe, WR, Packers; added Brent Jones, TE, 49ers.
• November 27, 1996 New York dropped Scottie Graham, RB, Vikings; added Mike Hollis, K, Jaguars.
• November 27, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Charlie Jones, WR, Chargers; added Doug Nussmeier, QB, Saints.
• November 27, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Terry Mickens, WR, Packers; added Scott Blanton, K, Redskins.
• November 21, 1996 Pennsylvania place John Friesz, QB, Seahawks on IR; added Steve Bono, QB, Chiefs.
• November 21, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Ted Popson, TE, 49ers; added Chris Calloway, WR, Giants.
• November 17, 1996 New York dropped Amp Lee, RB, Vikings; added Leroy Hoard, RB, Vikings.
• November 17, 1996 Butler dropped Alfred Pupunu, TE, Chargers; added Mike Tomczak, QB, Steelers.
• November 16, 1996 State College dropped Kent Graham, QB, Cardinals; added Stan Humphries, QB, Chargers.
• November 13, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Anthony Morgan, WR, Packers; added Thomas Lewis, WR, Giants.
• November 12, 1996 Carolina dropped Mike Tomczak, QB, Steelers; added Dave Brown, QB, Giants.
• November 10, 1996 Carolina dropped Tommy Vardell, RB, 49ers; added Jason Dunn, TE, Eagles.
• November 5, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Ed McCaffrey, WR, Broncos; added Charlie Jones, WR, Chargers.
• November 5, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Fred Barnett, WR, Dolphins; added Terry Mickens, WR, Packers.
• November 3, 1996 State College dropped Stan Humphries, QB, Chargers; added Kent Graham, QB, Cardinals.
• November 3, 1996 Mercer dropped Malcolm Floyd, TE, Oilers; added Charlie Garner, RB, Eagles.
• November 3, 1996 Los Angeles placed JJ Stokes, WR, 49ers on IR; added Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins.
• November 3, 1996 Los Angeles trades Larry Centers, RB, Cardinals to Keystone for Don Beebe, WR, Packers.
• October 30, 1996 Pittsburgh placed Robert Smith, RB, Vikings on IR; added Brett Carolan, TE, Dolphins.
• October 30, 1996 Pittsburgh dropped Craig Erickson, QB, Dolphins; added Le’Shai Maston, RB, Jaguars.
• October 30, 1996 New York dropped Charlie Garner, RB, Eagles; added Amp Lee, RB, Vikings.
• October 30, 1996 New York dropped Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins; added Scottie Graham, RB, Vikings.
• October 29, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Quinn Early, WR, Bills; added Anthony Morgan, WR, Packers.
• October 29, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Mike Hollis, K, Jaguars; added Terrell Owens, WR, 49ers.
• October 27, 1996 Dallas dropped Brent Jones, TE, 49ers; added Eric Bjornson, TE, Cowboys.
• October 27, 1996 Los Angeles dropped Jeff Jaeger, K, Bears; added Moe Williams, RB, Vikings.
• October 23, 1996 Wisconsin dropped Kent Graham, QB, Cardinals; added Ty Detmer, QB, Eagles.
• October 22, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Eric Bjornson, TE, Cowboys; added Ed McCaffrey, WR, Broncos.
• October 22, 1996 New York dropped Steve Bono, QB, Chiefs; added Chris Chandler, QB, Oilers.
• October 17, 1996 Pittsburgh dropped Lamont Warren, RB, Colts; added Reggie Cobb, RB, Jets.
• October 17, 1996 Pittsburgh dropped Chris Chandler, QB, Oilers; added Craig Erickson, QB, Dolphins.
• October 17, 1996 New York dropped Harold Green, RB, Rams; added Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins.
• October 17, 1996 Wisconsin dropped Travis Jervey, RB, Packers; added Adam Vinatieri, K, Patriots.
• October 17, 1996 Butler dropped Irv Smith, TE, Saints; added Eric Green, TE, Ravens.
• October 17, 1996 Newport Beach dropped Moe Williams, RB, Vikings; added Scott Sisson, K, Vikings.
• October 17, 1996 Pennsylvania placed Robert Brooks, WR, Packers on IR; added Fred Barnett, WR, Dolphins.
• October 16, 1996 Carolina dropped Scott Sisson, K, Vikings; added Al Del Greco, K, Oilers.
• October 16, 1996 Carolina dropped Leroy Hoard, RB, Panthers; added Mike Tomczak, QB, Steelers.
• October 15, 1996 Butler dropped Lonnie Johnson, TE, Bills; added Alfred Pupunu, TE, Chargers.
• October 15, 1996 Keystone dropped Alvin Harper, WR, Buccaneers; added Henry Ellard, WR, Redskins.
• October 15, 1996 Keystone dropped Winslow Oliver, RB, Panthers; added Don Beebe, WR, Packers.
• October 12, 1996 Los Angeles activated Bam Morris, RB, Ravens off inactive/suspended list. LA dropped Mike Alstott, RB, Buccaneers to free up roster spot for Morris.
• October 12, 1996 State College dropped Robert Green, RB, Bears; added Anthony Johnson, RB, Panthers. NOTE: State College attempted to add Johnson before kickoff of Week 6, and was awaiting a ruling on whether injured RB Tim Biakabatuka would be eligible as a prospect if he had been placed on IR. Commissioner Trzeciak ruled on Biakabatuka’s status but subsequently forgot to place the transaction. When SC owner Mike Cerenzia saw the Dallas add of Anthony Johnson online, he pointed out the oversight to the Commissioner. Hence, the Dallas transaction of Oct. 8 has been reversed.
• October 8, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Rick Mirer, QB, Seahawks; added John Friesz, QB, Seahawks.
• October 8, 1996 Pennsylvania added Ted Popson, TE, 49ers to fill roster spot from Terrell Fletcher trade to RD.
• October 8, 1996 Dallas dropped Brent Jones, TE, 49ers; added Anthony Johnson, RB, Panthers.
• October 8, 1996 Butler dropped Kevin Williams, WR, Cowboys; added Charles Johnson, WR, Steelers.
• October 8, 1996 Pennsylvania trades RB Terrell Fletcher, Chargers to Richmond for Richmond draft pick 1997(5 or 4). Richmond drops TE Marco Battaglia, Bengals.
• October 6, 1996 Newport Beach reaquired Moe Williams, who was previously dropped to add Bam Morris.
• October 6, 1996 Los Angeles reaquired Bam Morris after a ruling by the transaction review committee. Morris was placed directly on the inactive list (NFL suspended).
• October 6, 1996 Wisconsin dropped Jacke Harris, TE, Buccaneers; added Derrick Mayes, WR, Packers.
• October 6, 1996 Miami dropped Michael Husted, K, Buccaneers to free roster spot for Tony Banks.
• October 6, 1996 Los Angeles added Jeff Jaeger, K, Bears, to fill roster spot created by Tony Banks trade.
• October 6, 1996 Los Angeles dropped Deion Sanders, WR, Cowboys; added Ricky Dudley, TE, Raiders.
• October 6, 1996 Dallas dropped Daryl Hobbs, WR, Raiders; added Todd Collins, QB, Bills.
• October 4, 1996 Los Angeles traded Tony Banks, QB, Rams to Miami for Miami’s 1997 2nd-round draft pick.
• October 1, 1996 Wisconsin dropped Rodney Peete, QB, Eagles; added Kent Graham, QB, Cardinals.
• October 1, 1996 Carolina dropped Stephen Davis, RB, Redskins; added Leroy Hoard, RB, Panthers.
• October 1, 1996 Butler dropped Trent Dilfer, QB, Buccaneers; added Lonnie Johnson, TE, Bills.
• October 1, 1996 Butler dropped Torrance Small, WR, Saints; added Jimmy Smith, WR, Jaguars.
• September 29, 1996 Los Angeles dropped Steve Walsh, QB, Rams; added Bobby Hebert, QB, Falcons.
• September 29, 1996 Dallas dropped Derek Mayes, WR, Packers; added Scott Galbraith, TE, Redskins.
• September 29, 1996 Dallas dropped Carlos Huerta, K, formerly of Bears; added Lamar Smith, RB, Seahawks.
• September 28, 1996 Pittsburgh dropped Mark Chmura, TE, Packers; added Chris Penn, WR, Chiefs.
• September 26, 1996 Keystone dropped Todd Peterson, K, Seahawks; added Elvis Grbac, QB, 49ers.
• September 26, 1996 New York added (for the 3rd time in 3 years…) Harold Green, RB, Rams.
• September 25, 1996 Butler traded 1998 2nd round draft pick to New York for Jamal Anderson, RB, Falcons. Butler places Lake Dawson, WR, Chiefs on IR.
• September 24, 1996 Pennsylvania dropped Sean Dawkins, WR, Colts; added Frank Wycheck, TE, Oilers.
• September 24, 1996 Butler dropped Leroy Hoard, RB, Ravens; added LeShon Johnson, RB, Cardinals.
• September 24, 1996 Butler dropped Matt Stover, K , Ravens; added Johnnie Morton, WR, Lions.
• September 24, 1996 Newport Beach dropped Randal Hill, WR, Dolphins; added Joe Aska, RB, Raiders.
• September 24, 1996 State College dropped Jerry Ellison, RB, Buccaneers; added Zack Crockett, RB, Colts.
• ROSTER CUT-DOWN DROPS: Prior to kickoff Week 4 all teams must drop one player and finalize roster at 14 active players. (These are FREE drops, they will not be charged to your transaction account)
  Butler dropped Herschel Walker, RB, Cowboys
  Carolina dropped Eric Zeier, QB, Ravens
  Dallas dropped Bryan Still, WR, Chargers
  Keystone dropped Rodney Thomas, RB, Oilers
  Los Angeles dropped LeShon Johnson, RB, Cardinals
  Mercer dropped Dino Philyaw, RB, Panthers
  Miami dropped Alex VanDyke, WR, Jets
  Newport Beach dropped Keith Byars, RB, Dolphins
  New York dropped Al DelGreco, K, Oilers
  Pennsylvania dropped Adam Vinatieri, K, Patriots
  Pittsburgh dropped Johnnie Morton, WR, Lions
  Richmond dropped J.J. Birden, WR, Falcons
  State College dropped Terrell Owens, WR, 49ers
  Wisconsin dropped Leslie Sheppard, WR, Redskins
• September 22, 1996; Dallas dropped Henry Ellard, WR, Redskins; added Daryl Hobbs, WR, Raiders.
• September 20, 1996; Newport Beach dropped Moe Williams, RB, Vikings; added Bam Morris, RB, Ravens.
• September 18, 1996; Pennsylvania dropped Ed McCaffrey, WR, Broncos; added Cary Blanchard, K, Colts.
• September 18, 1996; Carolina dropped Tony McGee, TE, Bengals; added Ray Zellars, RB, Saints.
• September 18, 1996; Butler dropped Boomer Esiason, QB, Cardinals; added Trent Dilger, QB, Buccaneers.
• September 15, 1996; Mercer dropped Raghib Ismael, WR, Raiders; added Malcolm Floyd, WR, Oilers.
• September 15, 1996; Pennsylvania dropped Kyle Brady, TE, Jets; added Eric Bjornson, TE, Cowboys.
• September 13, 1996; Keystone dropped Ty Detmer, QB, Eagles; added Todd Peterson, K, Seahawks.
• September 13, 1996; Butler dropped Zack Crockett, RB, Colts; added Matt Stover, K, Ravens.
• September 10, 1996; Los Angeles dropped Fred Barnett, WR, Dolphins to comply with roster limit.
• September 10, 1996; State College dropped Derek Brown, RB, Saints; added Robert Green, RB, Bears.
• September 9, 1996; Pennsylvania dropped Jeff Jaeger, K, formerly of Raiders; added Mike Hollis, K, Jaguars.
• September 4, 1996; Newport Beach Nightmare dropped Jeff Graham, WR, Jets; added Lawrence Oliver, RB, Panthers. NOTE: This transaction was disallowed 9/9/96, since there is no Lawrence Oliver and sinceWinslow Oliver, who Newport intended to pick up, is already on a roster.
• August 29, 1996; Butler Blowfish dropped Brad Baxter, RB, formerly of Jets; added Herschel Walker, RB, Cowboys.
• August 29, 1996; New York Griffons dropped Lamar Smith, RB, Seahawks; added Ernest Byner, RB, Ravens.
• August 24, 1996; New York placed Chris Darkins, RB, Packers, on IR.
• August 24, 1996; Pittsburgh placed Kenyon Rasheed, WR, Jets, on IR.
• August 24, 1996; (during draft) Mercer gave New York the Mustang’s 9th round 1997 draft pick for New York’s 8th round 1996 draft pick (not NY’s own pick, but the one acquired from Dallas). Mercer also agreed to pay both the NP and NY transactions fees for this trade.
• Preseason; New York traded their first draft pick 1996 to Newport Beach for NP’s expansion selection (between rounds 2-3) and Newport’s 1997(1).
• Preseason; Butler traded Mark Chmura, TE, Packers to Pittsburgh for PG draft pick 1996(3).
• Preseason; Pittsburgh receives draft picks from Richmond 1996 (rounds 1, 3, 4, and 6) for Pittsburgh’s first draft pick of 1997 (1st or 2nd round, the one NOT traded to PA) and a possible player to be named later. (Richmond has an option to take a player PG drafted in rounds 3, 4, or 5 — these players were Johnnie Morton, Kordell Stewart and Chris Boniol. Morton is now on Butler’s roster).
• Preseason; Pennsylvania traded Rodney Hampton and 2 draft picks – 1996(6) and 1997(5 or 4) to Pittsburgh for PG draft picks 1996(2) and 1997(2 or 1). Higher draft picks in 1997 to be traded if Hampton scores over 100 points (played or not) in 1996.
• Preseason; New York traded Joey Galloway, WR, Seahawks and Jeff Hostetler, QB, Raiders to Newport Beach for the Nighmare’s 1996(1) and 1997(2).

Transactions FAQ:

• Transactions are on a first-come, first-serve basis until September 15, 1996. After that day (kickoff week 3), transaction requests are held until 9:00 p.m. EST Tuesday nights. At that time, if a player has been requested by more than one team, the team with the worst record will be permitted to add the player.
• DROP/ADD deadline is kickoff week 14 , but remember that players must be on a roster from kickoff week 11 through the end of the season to be eligible for roster protection.
• All ADDED players must remain on an active roster for a total of two weeks minimum, even if the player is traded to other teams.
• Trade deadline is kickoff week 10.
• The transaction committee is Trz, Paul and Eggo. David is first alternate, and Waugh is second alternate.

Future draft picks traded (1997 and beyond)

• RD has WN’s 1997(1), 1998(1) – Emmitt Smith deal
• NY has RD’s 1997 (1st round, better pick of either WN’s original pick or RD’s normal pick) – Michael Irvin deal
• NY has NP’s 1997(2) – Joey Galloway/Jeff Hostetler deal
• PA has PG’s 1997 (2 or 1); PG has PA’s 1997 (5 or 4) – Rodney Hampton deal
  (2nd and 5th picks exchanged if Hampton scores less than 100 points whether played or not… 1st and 4th rounders exchanged if Hampton scores 100 points or more)
• RD has PG’s 1997 first PICK (either 1st or 2nd round, whichever PA doesn’t get from Hampton trade)
• Following 1996 season, RD has option to take any PG player drafted in 1996 rounds 3, 4 or 5.
  (Option on these players: WR Johnnie Morton, WR Kordell Stewart, K Chris Boniol)
• NY has NP’s 1997(1)
• NY has MR’s 1997(9)
• NY has BR’s 1998(2) – Jamal Anderson deal
• LA has MI’s 1997(2) – Tony Banks deal
• PA has RD’s 1997(4) or 1997(5) – Terrell Fletcher deal (if Fletcher scores fewer than 50 points from Week 7 on in 1996, it’s a 5th round pick. 4th round pick otherwise).

Playoffs

WEEK 15:
New York 38½, Mercer 26
Los Angeles 54½, Pittsburgh 36
WEEK 16:
Fantasy Bowl: Los Angeles 59, New York 52½
Third Place Game: Mercer 55, Pittsburgh 43½

Consolation Playoffs

WEEK 15:
Wisconsin 52, Miami 51½
Pennsylvania 67, Butler 45½
WEEK 16:
Consolation Bowl: Wisconsin 56, Pennsylvania 43½

1996 Final Standings
Points-For totals are through all 17 NFL weeks.
All other records are regular season.

KEY: PF=Points For (Total points scored for team); PA=Points Against (Total points scored against team)

Happy Holidays!

Here are final Week 17 scores and Total Points for the year. Spreadsheets and other items will be updated within a day or two after Christmas and will remain online during the offseason. Commissioner Trzeciak’s annual End-of-the-Year Awards will be posted here sometime within the next week. Additionally, rule change suggestions will be posted here within the next few weeks. Get your rule change proposals to the Commissioner ASAP.

Scores, Week 17:

New York 63; Total for year = 1034

Los Angeles 72; Total for year = 938

Mercer 49; Total for year = 880

Wisconsin 27; Total for year = 846

Pennsylvania 51; Total for year = 804

Newport Beach 42; Total for year = 715

Miami 28; Total for year = 701

Pittsburgh 20; Total for year = 691

Butler 26; Total for year = 682

Keystone 44; Total for year = 670

Carolina 28; Total for year = 660

Dallas 45; Total for year = 549

Richmond 37; Total for year = 506

State College 30; Total for year = 464

Winners’ Circle:

Fantasy Bowl Championship: Los Angeles Riot!

Points Championship: New York Griffons

Fantasy Bowl Runner-up: New York Griffons

Second Place Points: Los Angeles Riot!

Third Place Playoffs: Mercer Mustangs

Fourth Place Playoffs: Pittsburgh Pachyderms

Consolation Bowl Champs: Wisconsin Cheeseheads

Consolation Bowl Runner-up: Pennsylvania Wildcats

High Points, Non-money-winner: Newport Beach Nightmare

Quote/Unquote:

“Sometime you and Nick will meet in the Fantasy Bowl, and the hard-luck streak for one of you will have to end.”

– Championship owner Sam McClain, of the LA Riot!, speaking with PA owner Ron Yeany.

“It’s hard to believe that I didn’t make the playoffs with the owners in this league.”

– Newport Beach owner Dan Callahan, on missing the playoffs.

“There was no way the Big Bang was going to allow an expansion team to reach the playoffs.”

– Carolina owner Wayne Rupert, whose Week 14 tie with Newport eliminated BOTH teams from the playoffs, allowing Wisconsin to sneak in with a losing record and win the Consolation Bracket.

“New York might have the ‘God Squad,’ but the Riot! has the ‘Mod Squad’.”

– McClain.

The LA Riot! won the franchise’s second Fantasy Bowl championship this weekend with a 59-52½ win over the New York Griffons. The Riot! becomes the second 2-time FFL champion, joining the Wisconsin Cheeseheads as 2-time winners. The Griffons, while having made it to the most FFL championship games, have now gone 0-3 in the title game. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison, a reserve for most of the year on the LA bench, came through with a big 23-point performance which contributed significantly to the Riot! win. The Griffons can blame the “God Squad,” NY’s triumvirate of Herman Moore, Isaac Bruce and Carl Pickens. The 3 receivers, all with triple-digit point totals on the season, managed a combined 2 points for the Fantasy Bowl weekend.

In the Third Place Game, Mercer enjoyed a big 14-point performance from Andre Reed in the Monday night game, lifting the Mustangs to the 3rd place finish with a 55-43½ win over the Pittsburgh Pachyderms.

In the Consolation Bowl, the Wisconsin Cheeseheads beat the Pennsylvania Wildcats 56-43½.

The point races look very likely to finish up with New York winning total points and Los Angeles winning second-place in points. The non-money winning point race will go to the final weekend, with Miami, Newport Beach and Butler all separated by fewer than 20 points.

Fantasy Bowl V:
Los Angeles 59
New York 52½

Third Place Game:
Mercer 55
Pittsburgh 43½

Consolation Bowl:
Wisconsin 56
Pennsylvania 43½

Non-playoff team scores, Week 16:

Miami 18

Butler/Syracuse 37

Richmond 19

Newport Beach 57
NP’s WR Eddie Kennison tied the all-time receiving record of 35 points

Carolina 32

Dallas 34

Keystone 37

State College 28

Quote/Unquote:

“The New York Griffons could be the Denver Broncos of the FFL.”

– Wisconsin owner David Zilberfarb.

“Or the Buffalo Bills.”

– Pennsylvania owner Ron Yeany.

Fantasy Bowl V: LA vs. NY

The LA Riot! will play the NY Griffons in Fantasy Bowl V. The game will be a rematch of Fantasy Bowl II, which was won 44 – 32 by the Riot!. LA reaches the championship game with a 54½ – 36 win over the Pittsburgh Pachyderms. The Griffons beat the Mercer Mustangs 38½ – 26 to reach their third Fantasy Bowl. NY is 0-2 in their previous two Fantasy Bowl appearances. The Riot!’s win in Fantasy Bowl II was their only previous Fantasy Bowl appearance.

In the consolation bracket, Wisconsin will face Pennsylvania for the consolation championship. Wisconsin reaches the finals with a 52 – 51½ win over the Miami Muffdivers. The Wildcats reach the final with a 67 – 45 ½ point win over the Butler Blowfish. The Wisconsin vs. Pennsylvania matchup in the Consolation Bowl is a rematch of Fantasy Bowl III, which was won 62 – 51 by the Cheeseheads.

Fantasy Bowl Playoffs:
New York 38½
Mercer 26

Los Angeles 54½
Pittsburgh 36

Consolation Bracket:
Wisconsin 52
Miami 51½

Butler 45½
Pennsylvania 67

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS:
Fantasy Bowl V: New York (+ ½ point) vs. Los Angeles
Third-place game: Pittsburgh (+3½) vs. Mercer
Consolation Bowl: Pennsylvania (+3½) vs. Wisconsin

Non-playoff team scores, Week 15:

Richmond 54

Newport Beach 53

Carolina 44

Dallas 40

Keystone 36

State College 18

One of the most unlikely scenarios played out to reality Monday night as the the Big Carolina Bang and the Newport Beach Nightmare finished tied 25-25. The tie places both teams at 6-7-1, which knocks them both out of the consolation bracket and allows the Wisconsin Cheeseheads (also at 6-7-1) to slip into the consolation bracket as the 8th seed.

Wisconsin beat both Newport and Carolina in head-to-head games earlier in the year. The tie between the Big Bang and the Nightmare is only the 2nd tie in the 5-year history of the league. The other tie was earlier this year between Wisconsin and New York.

The top-tier playoff scenario remains unchanged, even though both Los Angeles and Mercer suffered losses on the weekend. The Riot! lost to Keystone, as the Longfellows posted their highest score of the year — 67. Mercer was clobbered by Wisconsin, who posted the year’s highest score to date — 98.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Fantasy Bowl Playoffs:
New York* (11-2-1) vs. Mercer (10-4)
Los Angeles* (10-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-5)
——————————————-
Consolation Bracket:
Miami* (8-6) vs. Wisconsin (6-7-1)
Butler* (7-7) vs. Pennsylvania (7-7)
* – home team (indicated by asterisk) receives 3½ point home field advantage.

Final scores, Week 14:

Wisconsin 98 — All 8 starters scored, Emmitt had 32
Mercer 38 — Terry Allen shut out for the first time all year

New York 82 — Carl Pickens has 55 points in last 2 weeks
Miami 24 — Didn’t play Eddie George ????????

Keystone 67 — Highest point total of the year
Los Angeles 54 — Bledsoe for Comeback Player of Year?

Butler 51 — No players left on roster from ’96 draft
Pennsylvania 24 — If only they could clone Curtis Martin

Pittsburgh 39 — 1st 7 wks. avg. 48 points; 2nd 7 wks. avg. 37
State College 35 — Two streaks this year: won first 4, lost last 10

Richmond 32 — Michael Irvin has 14 pts total in last 5 weeks
Dallas 16 — Jerry Rice has 26 pts total in last 7 weeks

Newport Beach 25 — Strange way to end the season
Carolina 25 — Ditto

Important Notes:

Kickoff Week 14 is the deadline for drop/adds. Those teams out there (especially playoff-bound teams) with only one healthy quarterback or one kicker might wish to shore up their rosters.
Also please note: There are two games on Thanksgiving Day, so lineups have to be called in before Thursday afternoon!

Week 14 – Game of the Week

Mercer vs. Wisconsin – The two-time defending champs are out of the top-tier playoffs this year, but they can play the spoiler here, and we all know that Mr. Zilberfarb would love nothing more than to play the spoiler. A loss by Mercer would hand the division championship to Los Angeles — regardless of whether LA wins or loses.

The playoff picture, going into the final week, still has two division crowns up for grabs. In Division Two, Mercer needs a win coupled with an LA loss to capture the Division title outright. Mercer does not win a tiebreaker vs. LA. Los Angeles can win the division outright with a win over Keystone. Regardless of which team wins the division, the other team captures the Wild Card berth guaranteed.

In Division Three, it comes down to this: Pittsburgh wins the division with a win the final week against State College. Pennsylvania can only win the division with a Pittsburgh loss AND a PA win over Butler. This would leave PA and PG tied, and PA would win the division based on a better division record (by one game).

For the consolation bracket, Miami is guaranteed a spot. Either Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh, whichever team does NOT win the Division Three crown, is guaranteed a spot. The winner of the Carolina vs. Newport Beach game this week is guaranteed a spot.

The final spot in the consolation round could go to any of these 4 teams: Butler, Dallas, Wisconsin, or the loser of the Carolina vs. Newport Beach game.

• Butler grabs the 4th spot if they beat PA.
• Wisconsin grabs the spot if they beat Mercer and Butler loses.
• Dallas might be in if 1) DS wins 2) BR and WN both lose and 3) Dallas record against common teams is better than the loser of the CL vs. NP matchup — I’m not going to figure this out until next week.
• Butler could also make it in with a loss if 1) WN and DS both lose and 2) CL beats NP.

Remember, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head record. The head-to-head for the above teams is:
BR beats WN, DS and NP; BR loses to CL
CL beats BR; CL loses to WN; CL did not play DS
DS loses to BR; DS split with WN; DS did not play CL or NP
NP loses to CL, BR and WN; NP did not play DS
WN beats CL and NP; WN loses to BR; WN and DS split

There are a few other minor iterations, but this will most likely be enough to figure out the playoff scenario.

Final (unverified) scores, Week 13:

New York 88
Pennsylvania 40

Mercer 60
Keystone 49

Los Angeles 58
Pittsburgh 21

Butler 57
Dallas 22

Wisconsin 54
Newport Beach 30

Carolina 48
State College 37

Miami 37
Richmond 33

Get Involved

If you have an item or note you would like to include here, please email it to me. You can click here to send me email. If you’d like to write an article for posting on the Web here, please email it to me. This site will be better if more people get involved!

Week 13 – Game of the Week

Sure there are games with playoff implications, but let’s face it — this is Week 13, so it’s time to brush aside the triskaidekaphobia and end a losing streak. State College vs. Carolina offers the chance to end either a 5 game skid or an 8 game skid.

The name game…

By RON YEANY
Exclusive* for Fantasy Football Flyer

The consideration of the name “Kings” that the soon-to-be Syracuse (soon-to-be-former Butler) franchise has been reportedly interested in has garnered a great deal of controversy in the league. So much so, in fact, that Butler/Syracuse owner Doug Weaver has stepped forward with a prepared statement:

First of all, “suing us for all the money we’ve won in this league would hardly be worth the effort.” And, furthermore, “we are not, have not, and never will consider “Kings” as our franchise moniker. The only names I find more unappealing are Big Bang and Griffons.”

Weaver went on to say that the team is considering several alternatives which more accurately reflect the geographic and climatic region to which we are relocating. These include “Syracuse Blizzard”, “Syracuse Lake Effect”, “Syracuse Mauvemen”, “Syracuse Hypothermiacs” and the “Erie Canal Eels,” undoubtedly keeping with the teams past “aquatic” theme.

The franchise is reportedly open to additional suggestions, however all submissions become the legal property of the “Butler Blowfish” franchise. (“It is a shame,” Weaver added, “that we live in a society where such a disclaimer is even necessary”).

Weaver said he hopes his statement will “help to soothe the irrational fears inspired by this farcical misconception.”

Shortly after Weaver released his statement, the FFF offices received a call from attorney Wayne Rupert, who noted that “a name cannot be patented. If the Cheeseheads bring a lawsuit against the Blowfish on the grounds of patent infringement, the Cheeseheads would be subject to sanctions under FRCP Rule 11, for bringing a frivolous lawsuit.”

Is this, however, the statement from an impartial attorney? FFF reportedly overhead Rupert later telling Weaver “thanks for promising to throw your last 2 games. Let me know when I can again be of service.”

* Exclusive use of this story has been granted by the author, Ron Yeany, to the publisher, Ron Yeany, for use in Fantasy Football Flyer. Fantasy Football Flyer is an exclusive publication of Winston Graphics, which is an entity owned and operated by Ron Yeany. Copyright of all materials at Internet address http://www.doublefeature.com/ffl/ffl_home.html (hereinto referred to as the “web site”) and the web site’s corresponding directories and subdirectories are held exclusively by Winston Graphics, and therefore by Ron Yeany. No part of this web site may be reproduced, redistributed, or rejected without the prior written consent of the owner, proprietor, publisher, and general FFL slave for the last 5 years — Ron Yeany. The Fantasy Football Flyer logo is also copyright protected by Winston Graphics and Ron Yeany. The team name “Pennsylvania Wildcats” and the corresponding team logo are trademarks of Ron Yeany, Winston Graphics, and the Pennsylvania Wildcats FFL Franchise Licensing and Distribution Company. All rights reserved. The team logos used at this site for the Miami Muffdivers, Keystone Longfellows, Newport Beach Nightmare, Pittsburgh Pachyderms, New York Griffons, Richmond Rattlin’ Raptors, Wisconsin Cheeseheads and State College Bandits, having all been designed and produced exclusively by or in conjuction with Winston Graphics, are copyright Ron Yeany, Winston Graphics, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, per the Berne Convention, for which the United States is a signatory to (and since Ron Yeany is a duly nationalized resident of the U.S… well, you figure it out). The exclusive right to the use of said logos is hereby granted to each team owner and/or co-owner for use on uniforms, team publications, stadium signage, and staff vehicles. Winston Graphics reserves the right to demand royalties of no less than 25% and no more than 341% of profits from licensing said logos for merchandise and apparel. Under no conditions may these team logos appear on mugs, glasses, plastic cups, huggies, or any other fluid reservoir containing any products brewed by Budweiser, Coors or Miller Brewing Companies. Use of logos in this fashion constitutes immediate revocation of rights granted to team owners who don’t drink real beer. Pink bellying is also an option in these cases. Use of the logos for the National Football League and ESPNet Sportszone are used wholly without the permission of the NFL or ESPN, but are strictly intended as a pointer to said NFL and ESPN content on the World Wide Web. If you don’t want me using your logos, Mr. Tagliabue or Mr. Berman, then just send me an email letter and I’ll remove them. But if you do, I’ll heckle you weekly with blinking text. Ha!

Nick’s FFL Fodder, Week 13

This week’s matchups, and lifetime records:
PA – NY (0-5) NY has never lost to PA.
NP – WN (0-0)
SC – CL (2-2)
PG – LA (0-4) LA has never lost to PG
BR – DS (3-1)
MR – KS (0-1) KS beat MR early in the year
MI – RD (5-2) MI beat RD just 2 weeks ago.

Playoff Picture
TOP TIER – (4 teams only)

CONSOLATION TIER (4 teams only) – I have not worked out tie breakers yet. PA, PG, MR or LA (whichever team misses top tier in above scenarios in definitely in here.)

SEE YA!!!
Eliminated – Playing the spoiler, while trying to improve next years draft position by scoring as many points as possible.

Final scores, Week 12:

New York 62 – Terrell Davis is the “God Squad”
Carolina 29 – Dave Brown at QB? Sad times for Carolina

Pennsylvania 59 – Sanders’ revival may have started a week too late
State College 35 – 35 points is team’s highest since week 4

Los Angeles 57 – Promising to make point race a 3 team heat
Wisconsin 29 – No 3-peat for the Cheesers

Dallas 43 – An Armadillos RB had 17 points! Lamar Smith
Keystone 37 – Could play spoiler with LA and MR the last 2 opponents

Miami 37 – Jake Reed’s emerging as a prime time player
Pittsburgh 21 – Team’s longest winning streak ever is snapped

Newport Beach 28 – Expansion team hopes to make consolations
Richmond 20 – Ki-Jana is a goal-line threat

Mercer 23 – Testeverde’s cooled down, taking Mercer with him
Butler 13 – Maybe a new city will do them some good

Get Involved

If you have an item or note you would like to include here, please email it to me. You can click here to send me email. If you’d like to write an article for posting on the Web here, please email it to me. This site will be better if more people get involved!

Week 12 – Game of the Week

Los Angeles vs. Wisconsin: These two perenial powerhouses meet with very much on the line for the Riot! Wisconsin, at 4-6-1, was eliminated from playoff contention this week. But the Cheeseheads can play the spoiler down the stretch. With 3 games remaining and Mercer and Los Angeles tied atop Division Two, Wisconsin plays the Riot! this week and the Mustangs in Week 14.

Nick’s FFL Fodder

This week’s matchups, and records in previous meetings:
DS – KS (1-0) DS won 3 weeks ago
CL – NY (2-5) NY won 3 weeks ago
LA – WN (6-3) LA won 3 weeks ago
RD – NP (1-0) RD won 3 weeks ago
SC – PA (2-7) PA won in week 6
BR – MR (1-3)
MI – PG (3-1)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The playoff outlook with 3 weeks left:

Richmond (2-9) (12-18 ROS) is the only team eliminated from the playoffs.
Although unlikely they are eligible for the consolation points prize money.

Nailbiter

The Pennsylvania Wildcats saw their playoff hopes vanish Monday night in a nailbiter with Newport Beach. Barry Sander’s 14-point night left the Wildcats one point short, as PA lost to the Nightmare 54-53. The loss drops PA two games behind Pittsburgh in Division Three. With 3 games left in the regular season, the loss all but eliminates the Wildcats from a playoff berth. The Wildcats are 2 games behind Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Mercer, who along with New York, have all nearly wrapped up playoff berths. The only real question is whether Mercer or Los Angeles will finish atop Division Two. The remaining team will most likely secure the Wild Card berth.

Final scores:

Mercer 87
Wisconsin 57

New York 82
Keystone 41

Miami 71
Richmond 28

Los Angeles 68
Butler 37

Pittsburgh 59
Carolina 27

Newport Beach 54
Pennsylvania 53

Dallas 44
State College 27