The Draft:
We took part in the Orlando Draft, and our league was filled with guys who had clearly done their homework. 12 team league, 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 Flex, TE, K, D. Here's how our draft went, we had the #9 pick -
Pick 1.9 - Shaun Alexander: This was our worst case scenario, but we had mocked out about 60 drafts and came to the conclusion he was the pick here. We could be looking back at this draft and wondering how we landed a guy that scores 20 TD's at the 9 spot.
Pick 2.4 - Terrell Owens: We never thought our top 3, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, and Chad Johnson would all be gone here, but the team on the end at 12 took Manning and Chad with consecutive picks. It hurt us, but it hurt him more. Anyway, hopefully Jerry Jones held a little money back from the new stadium to continue paying for T.O.'s electro-shock treatments, or whatever they've been doing to keep him out of trouble.
Pick 3.9 - Antonio Gates: Somebody had the balls to suggest this was too early. I'll have the balls to say enjoy your 6.5 points per week from the TE spot.
Pick 4.4 - Clinton Portis - We passed on Portis in the 3rd, and he fell to us in the 4th. This pick was a gift from the draft gods.
Pick 5.9 - Tatum Bell - Let's just say the FFAll-Stars.com crew are in a handful (read: a ton) of leagues (almost all PPR), and we are long in Tatum Bell. Last year we were long in Frank Gore and that turned out nicely.
Pick 6.4 - Santonio Holmes - One of our crew has a man-crush on Santonio, so we had to grab him here, lest he not make it back to us in the 7th. We stand by the pick though, as the WR's went like hotcakes in the early rounds.
Pick 7.9 - Kevin Jones - The only draft-day miscommunication, The Prof thought we were pulling the trigger on Vince Young, but The Goose thought it prudent to handcuff Jones. Everything turned out ok because...
Pick 8.4 - Vince Young - he made it back to us. Since this league is only 4pts per TD and -1pts for INT's, Young's value is increased. One of our targets at the outset, and we got him. Good times. And no we don't believe in anything EA Sports related that we will not mention here. Click Here to see my article for an unrelated EA Sports, post-draft moment.
Pick 9.9 - Muhsin Muhammad - At this point we are satisfied with our core group, but that last receiver spot was looking thin, hence this pick. We were not thrilled with this pick.
Pick 10.4 - Matt Leinart - We like the upside here, and nobody else warranted a 10th round pick. And no, we did not take him to have both QB's from the National Championship game from two years ago, unlike the idiots who took both Adrian Peterson's or Chris Henry's just to get a rise out of the crowd.
Pick 11.9 - Drew Bennett - More upside in a passing offense with aging and possibly injured receivers. Of course, it would have helped to know that he, too, is banged up.
Pick 12.4 - Troy Williamson - Still trying to feel better about our WR's, we grabbed the last legitimate starter on the board. If he could just hold on to a pass, he might actually produce some good numbers.
Pick 13.9 - Miami D - Defenses in this league are less relevant than most others, if that is even possible. That should fill you in on what we thought of the talent pool at this point.
Pick 14.4 - Arnaz Battle - My vote for sleeper pick of the draft. We will likely be looking for more help at the 3rd WR position, but this guy could produce like a number two.
Pick 15.9 - Kevin Faulk - Let the dice rolling begin. Good in PPR leagues if Maroney goes down.
Pick 16.4 - Lorenzo Booker - Who the hell knows what is going on in Miami, but Booker was the guy who looked the best to us. He'll probably be the first waiver wire casualty.
Pick 17.9 - Maurice Morris - Two picks ago we asked each other whether Mo Morris was worth a pick, which at that point, he wasn't. Two picks later, he looked pretty damn good.
Pick 18.4 - David Martin - Man-Crush #2 (The Prof), allegedly the next Antonio Gates (see pick 3.9). I like Martin, and now everyone has their boyfriend on the team (Except Vegas Pete, because Marc Anthony doesn't play football).
Pick 19.9 - Robbie Gould - Whatever.
Pick 20.4 - Packers D - I love this pick, I predict lots of turnovers and TD's.
So that's the team, follow the saga this season as we compete for the $300,000 Grand Prize!
Also check back for our post-draft pictorial!