I'm at work on Flippin' Good Friday, and feel obligated to waste some of my employers' time. My analysis of the teams so far:
Water Bottles:
Steve McNair
LaDainian Tomlinson
Lee Suggs
Chad Johnson
Plaxico Burress
Jerry Porter
Kellen Winslow
This team looks strong, but certainly has weaknesses. If Pittsburgh finds its passing game again, Plax could finally live up to his potential. While others disagree, I think Winslow was an excellent pick. I would not have taken McNair w/ Vick and Hasselb. available, but that is just personal preference. Early 5th, the way things have fallen, was probably too early to take a QB. A third RB would have been a much better pick. Strong team, but lack of depth at RB can kill you in a survivor format.
Red Rum
Tom Brady
Priest Holmes
Charlie Garner
Chris Brown
Terrell Owens
Keenan McCardell
Amani Toomer
If I were the owner of Red Rum, my team would look very similar to this. I don't think he has really made a mistake to this point. Both Garner and Brown have huge upside, and are in systems that could provide excellent RB2 numbers, giving RR the potential of 3 good RB's. I would not have taken McCardell in the sixth, with Lelie & Porter available. In Survivor, I look for players w/ the largest upside, once I have spots filled. This pick could have also landed either Winslow or Sharpe, giving some points from the TE spot, that probably won't be found later in the draft.
Juice's Core
Donovan McNabb
Deuce McAllister
Warrick Dunn
Michael Bennett
Koren Robinson
Donte Stallworth
Ashley Lelie
I really like JC's WR's, esp. where they were picked, but believe he could be much stronger at RB. Unless Bennett finds a way to get out of RBBC, there were too many better options available, when he was picked. Between K-Rob, Stallw, and Lelie, good points at WR will be found, w/o any of them being picked prior to the 5th round. With that said, the RB position should be stronger. McNafro could be a good pick, I just don't like taking a QB that early (my preference). W/ Owens, he may be a true, consistent stud. Time will tell.
Brit's Brutes
Daunte Culpepper
Byron Leftwich
Ahman Green
Tiki Barber
Andre Johnson
Rod Smith
Charles Rogers
This team could be much stronger, had they not taken Leftwich in the 7th. QB's are a dime a dozen at this point (of Lefty's caliber), and you do not yet have a RB3, or a TE. When you use a 2nd round pick for a QB, there should be no reason to pick another until the 9th or 10th round. Green is a stud, and Barber may be a steal this year. He is a featured back, on a team that has secured its offensive line, and might add Gallery to it. WR's are iffy, but you have 3 that could put up numbers.
Psycho
Peyton Manning
Clinton Portis
Troy Hambrick
Marcel Shipp
Quentin Griffin
Chris Chambers
Javon Walker
This could be an excellent Survivor Team. I really don't believe there has been a mistake made by the owner yet. If Griffin can secure the starting position, this team could be very difficult to knock out. Either Shipp or Griffin can put up numbers on given weeks, and WR1 and two are solid. A key to this team will be finding a third WR to produce, as neither Chambers or Walker are guaranteed their numbers.
Red Sox Fan
Michael Vick
Shaun Alexander
Correll Buckhalter
Corey Dillon
Darrell Jackson
Keyshawn Johnson
Justin McCareins
I personally do not like this team. I don't think Vick is worth a third round pick, and Dillon was quite a reach in round two. The dreaded 6th spot = you don't get one of the top 5 RB's which I believe are Tier 1 & 2 (LT and Priest = Tier 1). You are decent at WR, but with weakness at RB, this is not a good mix. Keysh. is a reach when guys w/ more upside (IMHO) like Gardner, Driver and Warrick were on the board. Unfortunately, I don't see future picks helping this team. Needing WR's and RB's going into the 8th round is not a good sign.
Mike Vick Show
Matt Hasselbeck
Jamal Lewis
Travis Henry
Curtis Martin
Eddie George
Marty Booker
Rod Gardner
This team is strong at QB, decent at RB, but problematic at WR. I love the Henry pick in the second, esp. for the Survivor format. The problem is that three of your four RB's might not be starters after mid-season. Not getting McGahee or Brown was a mistake. Hasselb. is a good QB, but you put your team in jeopardy by taking a QB in the fifth (I think Hass is a great 5th rd. pick, just not what you needed at the time). You would have been better served to take McG or Boston/Price. The value of QB would have been available later.
I'll finish the second half later.
As promised, here's my opinions on the next 7:
The Jones Gang
Brett Favre
Rex Grossman
Edgerrin James
Greg Jones
Julius Jones
Kevin Jones
Torry Holt
Jimmy Smith
Ike Hilliard
Muhsin Muhammad
Donald Driver
Todd Heap
Thus far I believe this is the weakest team. I really like the receiving corps on this team, and always like getting the last of the big 3 TE's (whoever it is). With that said, I don't see the Jones' backfield carrying this team, and Edge was picked a little earlier than I would have taken him (Taylor and Wms still on the board). I also don't like the Favre pick in the 6th. I have Tito (Brett) in the same tier as 5 other QB's who were available at that time = I would have waited at least one more round for a QB. For this team to survive, it will need unexpected production at RB (from one of the Jones').
Team Name II
Chad Pennington
Mark Brunell
Ricky Williams
Brian Westbrook
Artose Pinner
Hines Ward
Tai Streets
Joey Galloway
Peerless Price
Larry Fitzgerald
Tony Gonzalez
This draft makes me realize that picking in the 9 hole of a 14 team league is not an overly coveted position. Getting Ricky and Westy w/ his first two picks is about as good as possible, if one is to go RB, RB. With Holt and Henry still on the board w/ the second pick, I would have gone w/ one of them, but that is just personal preference. Picking Holt would have created greater RB2 problems, and Henry could be a bust if McG takes over the starting role (at least w/ Westy you know he'll get approx half the load or more). I really like the WR corps that he ended up with, esp. after going RB, RB; and I also like the Gonzo pick in the 4th. Price in the 5th, and Pennington in the 6th really helped this team. Fitz was also a great pick! I have Chad at the bottom of my last "wanted list" tier of QB's and Brunell certainly has a potential for large upside. A nice draft considering what was available round for round (with the exception of Pinner in the 7th. I believe this was a reach, though a RB3 was needed).
ShadowMaster
Brad Johnson
Tommy Maddox
Fred Taylor
Moe Williams
T.J. Duckett
Duce Staley
David Boston
Isaac Bruce
Dennis Northcutt
Brandon Lloyd
Jeremy Shockey
Jason Elam
This team is not overly sexy on paper, though has good strength at all positions. I cannot criticize any of SM's picks. I love the corps of RB's as I have Fred as my current #8, and Duce, TJ and Moe, could all produce solid #2 numbers (all of them won't, but they all have the potential to!). In this format this is a key to success. Much of this team's chances could revolve around who Pitt takes in rd. 1 and what they do with them. Picking Rivers could hurt Maddox, while picking up a RB, could make Pitt another ugly RBBC (I don't buy into Hayes or Bettis hurting Staley's output beyond resting him). Many will believe that BJ was a bit of a reach, but I like the pick. Garner gives TB a solid receiving back, and all Brad does is put up numbers. These receivers, while a lot of question marks, also include a lot of talent. Bruce, Boston & Lloyd all have huge potential. Solid Team!
Goat Herders
Jake Plummer
Aaron Brooks
Anthony Thomas
Thomas Jones
Steven Jackson
Willis McGahee
Tatum Bell
Randy Moss
Eddie Kennison
Eric Moulds
Roy Williams
Marcus Pollard
While Herd has tried to justify the team he has put together, I'm not quite sure his reasoning is strong enough (as a fan of the Herder, this is not ez to say!). Certainly Herdman is more knowledgeable regarding College talent than the vast majority of this board, but too many picks were used on unproven talent to give this team much of a chance. The joy of this team is that it is an all or nothing type team = capable of championship or utter failure (I always play for championship or nothing so I respect this team even though I don't like it!). Moss in the first was an excellent pick, and virtually guarantees an advantage at WR. Combine this w/ Moulds in the fourth, and Roy's and Eddie's potential, and these receivers are the best thus far (at least until we get to JAA's team!). Yet, using a second on Jackson will either make or break this team. If he ends up the #1 man at Dallas, NE or DET (all feasible) he could be this year's fantasy S.O.D. It's funny to see one pick be this crucial, but his team's success could very well rely on this one pick. Having A-Train and Jones is a nice combo (esp. where drafted!) and McG could steal carries from Henry (though I think Henry could also be a S.O.D.). I love the combo of Brooks and Plummer, as both were obtained at excellent value. Weak at TE, but the question marks live around all TE's not in the big three = most teams will have ?'s here.
JAA
Jeff Garcia
Jon Kitna
A.J. Feeley
Stephen Davis
Onterrio Smith
DeShaun Foster
Quncy Wilson
Marvin Harrison
Anquan Boldin
Steve Smith
Freddie Jones
Ravens BAL
While I would not advocate going RB, WR, WR, WR; this was an excellent value based draft through these rounds. Davis was a great pick-up from the 12 spot, and Harrison as the 17th pick in the draft makes sense. Getting Boldin as the 7th WR taken and Smith as the 12th are awesome value (I'd have taken Moulds instead, but flip a coin for who will produce more). While others were making stabs at RB1's, JAA created an A+ receiving corps. Picking Foster in the 5th, was a desperation move, and not one that I would make. This leaves the team w/ only one solid RB starter unless Onterrio or Wilson do something very unexpected (i.e., consistently produce!). Looking at the WR's available in the 6th, makes me realize that reaching for a RB2 and/or RB3 early makes much more sense. While you picked Foster and Smith (big reaches!), others were putting solid starters on their teams (Look at the players around in the 6th!! = Wow). I don't even want to discuss Kitna in the 7th!! With Garthia and Feeley you have plenty of depth at QB now, but a lot of question marks. In order to compete, you are going to have to find a second RB to produce, though I have no clue who it could be. Maybe Mrs. JAA can help you find one!
The Hybrid Onio
Rich Gannon
Josh McCown
Marshall Faulk
Rudi Johnson
Garrison Hearst
Michael Pittman
Maurice Clarett
Derrick Mason
Laveranues Coles
Peter Warrick CIN
Bubba Franks
Mike Vanderjagt DT
From this spot, you almost have to go RB, RB, WR, WR; and you got about the best you could out of it. Rudi and Faulk both have great upside, though w/ question marks. Coles, Mason and Warrick (in the 7th!!) give a solid group of WR's. Hearst, Pittman and Clarett are super RB3's as all have potential. I also really like the qb's picked. McCown in the 8th and Gannon in the 11th should provide some consistency (esp. if AZ and OAK pick WR's early in the draft!). As a huge QBBC advocate, this pair shows why it is silly to pick a QB early, unless extreme value arises. I look for this team to be a force, as it is strong and deep at all positions (no team other than Buehners' has as much balance and depth IMHO).
Buehners Bums
Trent Green
Marc Bulger
Domanick Davis
Kevan Barlow
Lamont Jordan
Justin Fargas
Santana Moss
Joe Horn
Charles Lee
David Terrell
Shannon Sharpe
Jeff Wilkins
Just as a stated above, drafting at the end of the draft pretty much forces a RB, RB, WR, WR draft. I love the Davis and Barlow backfield (they could be this year's version of last years' Lewis and Taylor, that many picked at the turn = ?'s but huge upside potential!). I'm very surprised Horn fell to the fourth, as I have him before Mason, Moss and Boldin, and think this is his year. Jordan and Fargas are capable RB3's, while Lee and Terrell could be serviceable WR3's. I also LOVE getting Bulger and Green at 5 and 6 = WOW. I seldom pick a qb prior to the 8th, but you must have been drooling when they became available. In this format, having two strong qb's is a huge benefit. You should be guaranteed points here. Getting Sharpe in the 8th was just icing on the cake. I predict this team to win the championship as it has the fewest question marks, the most depth, and scary upside!
That's it, I'm out. Go ahead and criticize my criticism. I'm an academic so I can take it!
(Liquor)