Game of the Week:
9-Shiv (Pimps de la Nast) vs. 10-Gary (Everyone Go Deep)

Shiv	Advantage	Gary
K Warner		P Manning
T Davis		J Stewart
T Wheatley		R Watters
C Carter		A Freeman
W Chrebet		K Dyson
C Lewis		R Dudley
R Longwell		J Nedney

Pimps de la Nast and Everyone Go Deep graded out #1 and #2 respectively in Foge's preseason projections. They get right to it in Week 1 to establish who will be the favorite for the Steamroller Trophy (the regular season championship - for you new guys out there).
Both Shiv and Gary picked QBs in round 1 of the Draft - then set about filling in their RBs and WRs. Watters should give Gary an edge over Wheatley, but Shiv should have a *tremendous* edge between WRs and the TE spot. Gary's decision to take McCardell over C Lewis (and Ike over S Sharpe) will immediately come under the microscope. We'll see if some home cooking can soften Dudley's hands.
If Terrell and Tyrone can hang with Gary's RBs, Shiv should win going away. Gary needs for Shiv's pass catchers to wait a week before getting things going.
The Week 1 GOTW Pick... Shiv by 9.

Other games:

1-Brad (-nameless-) vs 2-Joebob (Mahatma's Minions)
Minion Faulk should outscore Brad's entire team. Minion Brunell might be bad enough to lose head-to-head to Kitna or Weinke. But between Faulk, Rod Smith and Isaac Bruce, Joebob should nab a Week 1 dubya without breaking a sweat.
...Joebob by 48

3-Richard (-nameless-) vs 4-Cals (-nameless-)
Richard should have a big advantage in the running game (with Edgerrin and Priest). Cals should have an equally large advantage in the passing game (with Culpepper, Holt and Crowell). Richard will need Favre to keep things close against Culpepper - and some surprise WR pts. Cals will be hoping that Hearst and a 2nd RB will step up.
in a barnburner... Cals by 1

5-JoePa (The Black Knights of the Charles) vs 6-Clark (Dude)
The Black Knights and Dude appear to be nearly even at almost every position - except at QB. Black Knight ABrooks should outpoint Dude KCollins. The key players to watch in this contest are JoePa's rookie RB MBennett and Clark's 2nd WR (Oronde or CConway) and TE CCleeland. Whichever of these players scores the most should decide this game.
i'll take the rookie RB... JoePa by 2

7-Ali (The Short-Changed Bastards of Persia) vs 8-Brodz (Fighting Poopy Diapers)
A poor showing in Foge's forecast has Ali feeling short-changed right about now. If the Bastards of Persia had more than Moss and McNabb, I'd like them in this game. But Ali's going to have to start 2 part-time RBs and C/C-- players at the other spots. Brodz might be a little weak at RB #2 and WR #2, but should have enough elsewhere (Elvis, SDavis, TGonzalez) to get past the defending Steamroller/Aglione Bowl champions.
...Brodz by 6

11-Kevin (Uffdalators) vs 12-John (Jersey Juggernauts)
Uffdalators was clearly League Founder Cals' favorite team name at Draft HQs. Ricky Williams and Corey Dillon look to prevent John from winning his first ever game. Tim Brown, Toomer, S Sharpe and Cahney round out a nicely balanced starting squad for Kevin. All eyes will be on Kevin's QB Hasselbeck, though. Will this 9th round starting QB seize the early lead for Steal of the Draft honors? John will counter with a strong foursome of TGreen, WDunn, JBettis and MHarrison. WR #2 and TE appear to be the downfall of the Jersey Juggernauts this weekend.
...Kevin by 3

13-Adam (Rabbis Rappin' on 'Roids) vs 14-Josh (Cleveland Steamers)
JGarcia, Tiki and EMoulds can only do so much for the Rappin' Rabbis. The rest of Adam's lineup will apparently need a few weeks (to a year) to round into shape. Vesh must contend with a gimpy Ahman. But Jimmy Smith appears to be fully operational heading into the opener. 4 of the other 5 starting Steamers (not sold on D Campbell) should help Vesh roll to victory this weekend.
...Josh by 17

15-Stan (Invasive Species) vs 16-Wang (Brooding Unicorn Blithe Elephant)
Stan's Invasive Species will have a decided advantage in starting WRs (TOwens and DAlexander vs Keyshawn and Kevin Johnson). Wang's hopes hinge on Lamar Smith winning big in the 1-on-1 battle against James Allen. The QB battle should be interesting - in a B-movie sort of way. Stan's Flutie and Wang's McNair have lost quite a bit of luster over the last 2 to 3 years, but Flutie appears to have the edge in bouncing back faster.
...Stan by 4

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Revised: September 5, 2001