First off, I'm super-happy that everyone got together for another Reunion season. Is this our 5th year?! Last season never happened for Team Grouse. With a flick of Brady's tendon, my season was over before it ever got going. I'm back this year, with renewed vigor and a new strategy...
10.12 grouse - Brett Favre, QB24, FA
13.03 Grouse - Kerry Collins, QB27, TEN
15.03 Grouse - Jamarcus Russell, QB28, OAK
16.12 grouse - Daunte Culpepper, QB30, DET
17.03 Grouse - Matthew Stafford, QB31, DET
We are all a product of our experiences. Coming off the Brady debacle, you can understand why I shifted toward a strategy that attacks this position with quantity, not quality. I refer to this as the 'Throw Spaghetti at The Wall' strategy. I wanted Favre. There, I said it. Now shoot me. I'm a media whore and I think the combination of revenge, money and modern medicine can revive this self-centered antique long enough to guide this talented Viking voyage into the post-season. The major downside here is that Favre and Russell may not finish the season, and that's a real concern. Relying on Collins and Culpepper/Stafford probably isn't a recipe for success. The bye week distribution is good, so if I can throw 3 or 4 of these starters out there on a weekly basis, one piece of spaghetti should stick to the wall.
1.03 Grouse - Michael Turner, RB3, ATL
2.12 grouse - Brandon Jacobs, RB14, NYG
4.12 grouse - Larry Johnson, RB23, KC
14.12 grouse - Jamaal Charles, RB54, KC
My reputation precedes me here. Everyone knows I typically go RB-heavy in this draft. The strategy is sound, but the rigidity needed to be tweaked. My main objective coming into this draft was to ensure that I had a bonafide top-10 WR (never had one previously). I could not accomplish that objective without spending an early pick on one. I pondered taking Fitzgerald over Turner. But I really like the Falcons optics right now and couldn't pass up Turner. Had Turner gone #2 and Jones-Drew fallen, I would've taken Fitzgerald. Overall, the trio of Turner, Jacobs and Johnson (who I believe will rebound) should provide solid production. Bye week distribution is perfect.
3.03 Grouse - Marques Colston, WR12, NO
5.03 Grouse - Santana Moss, WR24, WAS
6.12 grouse - Bernard Berrian, WR35, MIN
7.03 Grouse - Ted Ginn, WR38, MIA
8.12 grouse - Steve Smith, WR44, NYG
I got my man here. I'm targetting Colston in every draft this year. My gut tells me he stays healthy and cleans up - could easily finish top-5. The rest of the group are all capable of leading their teams in receptions and/or receiving yardage. All 5 guys are off on different byes. I'm happy with this group.
11.03 Grouse - Brent Celek, TE16, PHL
12.12 grouse - Kevin Boss, TE18, NYG
Two young TEs that have QBs who like to throw to their position. Both of these guys finished last season on a serious roll. If they can carry it forward, this combination should be serviceable. Both TEs need to play well early or they do risk losing reps to others on the depth chart. Risk/reward, there's plenty of both here.
18.12 grouse - Joe Nedney, K25, SF
The 'Spaghetti at The Wall' strategy at QB had to come with some consequences and subsequent tradeoffs. I knew coming into this draft I would be rolling with only one kicker and one defense. It's controversial, some guys may be inclined to write my team off for this faux pas alone. I say keep your knickers on, and let's see how this plays out. I'm not worried.
9.03 Grouse - Pittsburgh Steelers DST1
My strategy was to be among the first to take a defense (in lieu of going solo) but obviously not as early as round 9. This was purely indicative of a black hole that appeared during this draft in the 9th round whereby there was absolutely nothing on the board that I really wanted. Perhaps taking Flacco would've been a good move in hindsight. The Steelers are the gold standard at this position, at least I'll get quality here every week - except week 8 where I'll get zero, zip, zilch, nada :-(
Overall, I find this team intriguing. I think it will compete and hopefully wear well. I know one thing for certain, it will be an improvement from last year! Maybe we'll be partying like it's 2004
Have a great season everyone! See you around the Pool.