September 5th, 2005

How important is the first contest of a 17 game fantasy football season? Is it more important than any other game during the course of the year? Well the answers, go figure, are unclear.

In league history, three of the four league champions were victorious in their opener. However, Bent Over Front Desk lost in week one of 2003 but went on to have the best record (14-3) ever.

Twelve out of eighteen teams (67%) that won their opener went on to have a winning season. Conversely, just seven out of eighteen teams (39%) that lost in week one recovered to get their team over .500 by season’s end.

Winning early won’t guarantee success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Game of the Week

Bent Over Front Desk (46-21-1) at Bushwood (18-16)
Series: Tied 2-2

BOFD comes off their most tumultuous season which featured a poor draft, numerous injuries, and a hot finish. The Desk, surprisingly, has lost their last three openers. Duante Culpepper, QB of the 2003 champion BOFD squad, returns to lead the team. Owner Markwart forewent his traditional running back heavy attack, with only three on the roster.

Bushwood, the latest incarnation Bill Hornyak’s team, ended 2004 hotter than any other squad. They won their final four contests, putting up over 100 points in each one. This year’s team features a potent offense led by Peyton Manning, Terrell Owens, and Deuce McAllister. Hornyak’s fate could rest with his defense, which he has yet to sign.

Other Games

Bordeaux Botswanians (34-33-1) at Raging Bucs (20-14)
Series: Bucs lead 2-1

Bordeaux has fallen on hard times of late, enduring their worst season in 2004. The former league runner-up boasts an impressive offensive corps of McGahee, Dillon, Favre, and Gonzalez. Wide receiver and defense could be problem areas for the Botswanians who face the Raging Bucs in week one for the second straight year.

The Raging Bucs have long been known for their scoring prowess and their run ‘n shoot attack. The ’05 version of the Bucs still features players capable of piling up points (witness Bulger, Moss, K. Jones) but might have too many question marks (see M. Bennett, Taylor, Bell) to end their inconsistent ways.

Color Commentary (15-19) at $h!t Kickers (37-31)
Series: Tied 2-2

Mike Loffelman was another veteran who struggled in 2004, but can not be counted out this season. Color Commentary features the league’s top defense (Lewis, Edwards, Urlacher, Harrison) a staple of the owner’s early entries. The fate of the team hinges greatly on whether Priest Holmes and Jamal Lewis regain their old form.

In the battle of Decepticon soccer broadcast partners, it is LaBarre’s unit that has momentum, surging to a runner-up finish in ’04. Many of the Kicker’s top players have question marks surrounding them, but they also have the potential to score very well. Kerry Collins could become the face of the franchise if he produces.

Conquest (5-12) at !oohaY (36-32)
Series: !oohaY leads 2-0

There is nowhere to go but up for Conquest after a tough debut campaign. Trent Green will again quarterback Justin Sedlecky’s team, but this time he has fantasy stars LaDainian Tomlinson and Tiki Barber to share the load. Depth and defense could hold this team back from making a storybook turnaround.

Brian Loffelman’s squad was a scoring juggernaut in 2004 but enters this season with much uncertainty. !oohay loaded up on star receivers like Harrison, Horn, and Holt. Matt Hasselbeck has never taken the step to the elite level. Dominick Davis proves only that every player on the team doesn’t have a last name beginning with ‘H’.

Game of the Weak

The Token Bad Team (9-24-1) at Da Bears (33-34-1)
Series: Da Bears lead 4-0

Surely Mike Hornyak’s luck will turn one of these days, surely they will climb from the bottom of the standings. Or maybe not. Keenan McCardell and David Patten should not be fantasy starters. Having said that, Shaun Alexander, Jake Delhomme, and Ahman Green at least provide some hope.

Rarely will a defending champion of anything be so overlooked. Last season was the first time Da Bears finished over .500 and it might be the last for a while. After Donovan McNabb, the roster is frighteningly thin. Curtis Martin, Jerome Bettis, Jimmy Smith, and Muhsin Muhammad are all close to drawing social security than they are to their prime. And they are ALL starters!

Shaun Markwart,
Commissioner