Griffons on the skids
PA only undefeated team, WN and NK at 4-1

Fans of the God Squad have only seen an apparition this year. The New York Griffons lost their 3rd straight game of 1997, falling this week to the Wisconsin Cheeseheads by a 48-26 count. The 3-game losing streak ties a NY club record, which lost 3 in a row only once before — weeks 11-12-13 in 1992. QB Mark Brunnell’s first start of the year for the Griffons was not memorable. His negative-2 point performance is the worst of the year at the QB position.

The PA Wildcats remain the only undefeated team in the league, by virtue of their 49-19 win over New Denver while the previously unbeaten Syracuse Blizzard were snowed by Mercer 74-21. The Mustang’s Tony Martin had 29 points, tying a season high at the WR position.

NIKEtown marched on and holds a 2-game lead in the Paterno Division. The swoosh beat up on the Mission Viejo No Llamos by a 52-29 count. The team formerly known as the Pittsburgh Pachyderms drop to 1-4. FFL insiders are speculating that the lack of a new team name and new team mascot for the former Pittsburgh franchise is beginning to provide a big distraction to the team. NOTE: The Pachyderm score here reflects a correction from earlier postings.

The tightest contest of the week saw the Richmond Rattlin’ Raptors squeak out a 32-31 victory over Keystone. The Longfellows, after winning their first 2 games of the year, have now dropped 3 straight.

The Miami Muffdivers and the Newport Beach Nightmare continue to be the hard luck teams of the league. Miami scored 40 points this week and Newport scored 45, yet both teams lost. The Muffs lost to Dallas 75-40, as new Armadillo Stan Humphries — acquired off waivers — put up 21 points while RB Robert Smith added 23. And Carolina played Freddy Kruegger, slashing up the Nightmare by a 65-45 count. RB Napolean Kaufman scored 20 points for the Big Bang.

 

 

Cats hold a tea party
It’s official: Wildcats are moving to Boston

The Pennsylvania Wildcats are moving to Boston, team owner Ron Yeany told the Fantasy Football Flyer on Tuesday. The Boston Wildcats will open the 1998 season at a stadium in Lynn, Massachusetts — a north shore suburb of Boston. The new team offices are less than one block from an Atlantic coastal beach.

While the team will play a few games in the second half of this season at the new location, the team will officially remain named the “Pennsylvania Wildcats” through the end of the 1997 season, Yeany said.

The Wildcats will be the third team in less than a year to move out of the state of Pennsylvania. The Butler Blowfish moved to Syracuse near the end of last season and the Pittsburgh Pachyderms were moved to Southern California a few weeks ago. The Wildcats move will leave the Keystone Longfellows as the only team based solely in Pennyslvania. The former State College Bandits are now owned by a consortium that splits time between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

One team owner, however, has reportedly speculated that the move to Boston is a “farce” and will only be a temporary move until the team can build a new stadium north of Los Angeles. The source also speculated that the “lame duckers” would draw the smallest crowds in the league once this news hit the streets.

Yeany, however, stressed that the move to Boston is a done deal and should not be considered a “temporary” situation. When asked to comment on the reports that this move was a “farce,” Yeany said “When you’ve got the only winless team in the league, you have to concoct wild rumors to distract your fans. I have no other comment on the matter.”

 

Rice: Priced to sell
Armadillos looking to clean house

The Dallas Armadillos, owners of a 3-2 record on the strength of some of their new and young talent, have placed some of their “stars” on the auction block — including Jerry Rice.

This communiqué was received recently at the offices of FFF:

“Priced to sell – pre owned – gently used starting players from previous Juggernaut offenses. Available for any reasonable trade – Dan Marino, Thurman Thomas, Jerry Rice. Please send all inquiries post haste to PSUpaul1@aol.com.”

Fantasy Football Flyer has also learned that at least 2 team owners have taken exception to Dallas’ handling of Jerry Rice this season. Dallas has placed Rice on IR, but Rice has NOT been placed officially on the NFL’s injured reserve list. At least two team owners have pointed out the problem to the Commissioner’s office. No word yet from Commissioner Trzeciak as to a resolution of the situation.

Knights, Griffons both upset
Pachys pick up first win; Nightmare still winless

The defending champion NIKEtown Knights were knocked from the ranks of the undefeated, falling victim 63-46 to the other league team with two titles: Wisconsin. The Cheeseheads were propelled by huges days from WR Antonio Freeman (20), RB Mike Alstott (17) and QB Steve Young (16). NIKEtown drops to 3-1, but maintains a one-game lead over Keystone in the Paterno Division.

The other team from last year’s Fantasy Bowl also suffered a loss. New York fell to Dallas 56-55. The loss drops New York’s record to 2-2, and into a 2nd-place tie with Dallas in the Cappalletti Division. Both New York and Dallas trail Wisconsin, who upped their record to 3-1.

Syracuse remains undefeated after a solid win over Miami 64-49. WR Jimmy Smith had a huge Monday Night game with 17 points, holding off the late charge by Muffdiver RBs Natrone Means and Jerome Bettis. Syracuse is tied atop the Engle Division with the only other undefeated team in the FFL: Pennsylvania. The Wildcats beat division rival Richmond 56-39.

Getting it’s first win this week was southern California, as the team formerly known as the Pittsburgh Pachyderms beat the Keystone Longfellows 68-66. Mario Bates had a huge 30-point game for Keystone, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Brett Favre, Derrick Alexander and company. The other team based in southern California, the Newport Beach Nightmare, remains firmly entrenched on Elm Street, as they become the only winless team in the league at 0-4. New Denver beat the Nightmare 48-30.

The final game to report was also a tight affair. The Mercer Mustangs, behind a 23-point day from Jeff George, defeated the Big Carolina Bang 54-51. The Big Bang had a balanced attack (4 starters in double figures) but had points from only one receiver. A big 16-point day from K John Carney also helped Mercer, who ups their record to 2-2. Carolina falls to 1-3.

 

Wildcats: Boston bound
PA franchise move imminent, sources say

The Pennsylvania Wildcats are bound for Boston, according to a source close to the situation who asked to remain anonymous.

Wildcats owner Ron Yeany would neither confirm nor deny the report. In a prepared statement, Yeany said the team would likely be holding a press conference next week.

Our source at Fantasy Football Flyer went a step further and said the move to Boston is nearly a done deal. Ownership is waiting to make sure all the details are set before making any major announcement, said the source.

The anonymous source also said Yeany will be travelling to Boston before the end of September to finalize a stadium deal.

The Wildcats have made no secret of wanting out of Central Pennsylvania. It’s a brutal market trying to retain a fan base when you’re competing with Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions for the eye of football fans.

The State College franchise was sold to new out-of-town owners prior to the 1997 season, and it appears the Wildcats will move and leave the Nittany Lions as the only team on the block.

 

 

Boycott rumors persist
NP fans may be organizing a NIKEtown boycott

Unrest persists in league circles over the perceived “sellout” of the franchise now known as the NIKEtown Knights. The defending champs — formerly known as the LA Riot! — are the target of a rumored boycott by the Newport Beach Nightmare.

Nightmare owner Dan Callahan, in an email fired off to Fantasy Football Flyer, said “How can I stand by and let McClain kill the game of football? I could understand this if Sam had graduated from USC — but a Penn Stater? Perhaps Sam’s stay so close to tommy trojan has warped his values. Hopefully a return to his roots(pal) will bring him back to reality.”

Sam also sucks, according to the email message.

At least one other owner, however, has commended the business dealings of McClain. Rich Sladic, co-owner of the New Denver 2x4s, said this league thrives on free-spirited individuals and that NIKEtown should go for it. Sladic also indicated that New Denver co-owner Mike White was upset that he didn’t pursue a deal with Nike. No indication if the Woodies are negotiating any other sponsorship deals at this time.

How about the other owners? Should NIKEtown just do it? Is there a little too much Air under this latest controversy? Would YOU like to respond? CLICK HERE to send an email message to Fantasy Football Flyer about with your thoughts about the rampant commercialization of our sacred game. Do it now! Electrons are waiting!

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.

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

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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

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SUPPLEMENTAL

1. WN – Leeland McElroy, RB, Cardinals

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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

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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

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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.”

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

# Chances	Team (record)	|	# Chances	Team (points)
5	Raptors (2-9)	|	5	Longfellows (230)
4	Longfellows (3-8)	|	4	Big Bang (173)
3	Bandits (4-7)	|	3	Raptors (167)
2	Armadillos (4-7)	|	2	Armadillos (165)
1	Big Bang (5-6)	|	1	Bandits (152)

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.