The Return of the Power Rankings, The Return of the Predictions and The Return of the First Ever Trade Recap

A message from Hacksaw:

From Baja to the Canadian Rockies and all up and down the West Coast, this is T-MOF, the FRIDAY EDITION!  For the next couple of paragraphs, IIIIIIIIIII want to talk sports with you.  We have open phone lines from now until the 5 o'clock hour!  THIS is your show!  Don't just sit there and listen to me be brilliant.  Get off your ass and get on the air!  Escondido, prove to me you give a damn!  Cardiff by the Sea, SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!  Rancho Penasquitos, get on the phone right now and sound off about your team.  This is YOUR talk show El Cajon!  What do you want to talk about, Chula Vista?  Imperial Beach, where the hell are you on this Sports Night Friday?

Ok, my Lee Hamilton impression is done.

Speaking of great moments in sports talk history...



Who didn't love that? Rome has said for years that he regrets doing that to Jim Everett and it was a much less mature part of his life. That being said, I don't know what version of Rome I like better: the fighting a QB Jim Rome or the Frank Caliendo Jim Rome...





Trade Recap

Two of the deals that went down in a flurry of deadline trades last night involved a team that is not going to be in the playoff mix for the rest of the year. But several of the top 6 teams jockeyed for position and believe it or not, Kevin was not a fan of any STL!!! deal, probably because he wasn't able to kill us in a deal for a second straight year (we're on to you, Kevin).

Out of 5 *, this is how much the trade affects the playoff race according to us.

Dan trades Brett Favre to STL!!! for Justin Fargas. Playoff implications: ****
Fargas hasn't done much this season so far, but he is talented and does have the starting job in Oakland, with or without Darren McFadden. Dan is rolling the dice with possible keeper Brady Quinn to carry him in this playoff race. Favre already has made an impact on the playoff race with a strong first start for STL!!! last night. Though the matchups are that great in the playoff race, Favre has great matchups during the playoffs, should the Britton/Bates make it. 

Jerad trades Ryan Grant and Eli Manning to Don for Willis McGahee and Kyle Orton. Playoff implications: **, but could be **** if Romo gets banged up again.

I have to say that I didn't quite get this deal for Jerad. I agree that McGahee has been more consistent this season than Grant, but losing the QB cushion is the most curious part of this deal. As surprising as Orton's play has been this season, if Romo goes down again, instead of Eli Manning keeping the love flowing, he'll have to roll the dice with the Chicago QB. I think Jerad would be disappointed with another strong regular season only to fail in the playoffs, and I have a feeling this move could set that scenario up again. Good news for Don, he gets a definite keeper in Manning to carry him into next season. 

Doug trades Reggie Bush and Jason Witten to STL!!! for LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. Playoff implications: *****.

Biggest trade of the day.  People don't trade LT, you just can't.  But as time went on, the owners of STL!!! were less convinced that LT is still a mega elite RB, and had been quietly shopping him to potential bidders.  For the playoff hunt, Doug gets a player still ranked in the top 25 in the game and Gates, who already has 6 TD's this season.  For Sweep, they acquire who they hope to be their back of the future and hopefully the present this season, as well as a TE who is always a threat for strong numbers when healthy.  If either of these teams miss the playoffs, they may well place this deal as the reason for that. 

Kevin trades DeSean Jackson, Selvin Young and Jacksonville to Cory for Leon Washington, Earnest Graham and Tennessee.  Playoff implications:  **.

I'm not sure why either team made the deal.  I suppose that Tennessee is a decent boost at defense, and Leon Washington is capable of big games, but I'm not sure yet if this is a move I'll be calling stupid in a month, or brilliant on Kevin's part.  It's a shame he couldn't get LT for Jackson like he may or may not have tried to package together earlier this year.  Sorry, Kevin.  Cory gets a young WR who might be a star, but has faded some since early season brilliance.

Power Rankings

(12)  Don - I know Matt lost to Don this past week, but Matt has been over 12 points better per game and I think he beats Don 7 times out of 10.  Don's team is just attrocious, but pieces are being set with the acquisition of Eli Manning.  But still... my God, man.  You're averaging 86 points a game.

(11)  Matt - The Asian Invasion has been the biggest disappointment of the year, going 1-9 so far in his title defense.  One day, songs will be written of the woes of Matt Escher's fantasy football team.  Kevin will write them.  Cory will nod in the dark, approvingly.  Ryan will dance awkwardly to the music.  I'll be somewhere less creepy.  This paragraph was brought to you by the drug, E.

(10)  Ryan - You might not believe this, but Ryan could still claim the worst record in the league this season.  Again.  Come on Sanchez, where's the fire?  Continuing a streak of futility only matched by the social skills of David Del Llano, Ryan is limping into Week 11, needing a win to give him a chance to rise above the basement, and instead perhaps, the walk-in closet.

(9)  Cory - I'm not sure but I think Cory has lost 5 in a row.  Let me check... yes.  Ok, so Cory, we need to talk.  I knew that Brady would hurt your team, but seriously... who's left?  I still give you a single digit ranking because of that magical run you had in the middle of the season.   Plus, I like your start against Matt.  Top drawer work against the defending champion.

(8)  Dan - The best team not to be scoring 100 points a game.  Dan is quickly starting the best rivalry in all of professional sports with Kevin, and each time they go at it, I feel like we're seeing Lisa Leslie v. Tina Thompson all over again.  Dan can still see the playoffs from his house, but not very clearly.  Every game left is a must win, including over the hated Kevin in Week 13.

(7) Reid - For the 2nd straight year, Reid just seems to find a way to still be involved come playoff time.  Reid controls his own playoff destiny and can get in by winning out.  The best team not slated for the playoffs as of now.

(6)  STL!!! - The numbers don't lie:  STL!!! is inconsistent.  Scoring over 150 one week and then consecutive weeks under 90 define the plight of this team.  Getting injured Reggie Bush and Jason Witten doesn't seem to be the answer in Week 11, but Brett Favre might be the spark they need to get a must win over Kevin.

(5)  Kevin - The best team in the league.  Hands down.  Ignore his talk of not being playoff bound, he is the clearcut favorite to win the title.  Or cause a hate crime in this league.  One or the other.

(4)  Nick - He may have already clinched the playoffs, but he is not a top 3 team in the league.  He is last in points among playoff hopefuls and owner of several sad victories this season.  But he does have 8 wins, so you have to keep him in the top 5 for that.

(3)  David - Any other time, he would easily be #2, but I'm certain that whoever Doug pissed off in fantasy heaven (again) is now done being angry, and so I have to believe that David would beat anyone in this league, save two teams.  David always has a great team, and this year it is no exception.  Even if he did trade Peyton for 40 cents on the dollar.

(2)  Doug - I was lying about Kevin, this is the scariest team in the league.  I don't think he'll have too many more cheap losses this season.

(1)  Jerad - He has been our daddy since the opening hike.  All hail the king.

Predictions

STL vs. Kevin:  Kevin wins by 45 as he asserts his dominance over STL!!! and once and for all ends the debate about best team in the league.  Kevin 145, STL!!! 100.

Dan vs. Reid:  I like Reid here.  I don't think Dan's team has any pulse left and I think Quinn gets raped. Literally.  Reid 110, Dan 100.

Nick vs. David:  David, David, David.  Nick might say something for a minute, but then get pimp slapped back to submission.  David 130, Nick 115.

Cory vs. Matt:  I no longer believe Matt can beat anyone.  Cory 90, Matt 80.

Ryan vs. Don:  If this was an NFL game, this is the game that guys "sacrifice" to go do something with their ladies.  Who would watch this?  I'm only interested in seeing the Longies debut of Eli Manning.

Jerad vs. Doug:  Remember what I said right above?  This is the total opposite.  Game of the week.  And I'm calling it right now, first loss for Jerad.  Doug 130, Jerad 125.