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The Lombardi Three – Through Week 7

Since the National Football League began in 1920, only one team has played a complete perfect season (both regular season and playoffs): the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who won their fourteen regular season games and three postseason games, including Super Bowl VII, to finish the season 17–0–0. The Dolphins briefly extended their winning streak into the next season before losing to the Oakland Raiders on September 23, 1973.

1972 Dolphins-TeamPic2

It has often been reported that the surviving members of the 1972 Dolphins would either gather to drink champagne when the final undefeated team earned its first loss, or send a case of champagne to the team who beat this final undefeated team. The head coach of the 1972 Dolphins, Don Shula, did boringly deny this in a 2007 interview with ESPN. On August 20, 2013, four decades after their accomplishment, President Barack Obama hosted the ’72 Dolphins noting that they “never got their White House visit.”

Dolphins Fan

Why do I bring this up? Dolphins fan #1, Tannehill for Vice President (see above), knows what sort of legacy he was protecting and, quite fatefully and appropriately, dismantled Air Jordy in Week 7 crushing any hopes of a perfect, undefeated season.

Not that the 6-game winning streak was anything to brag about (Packer Cave went 8 straight in 2012, and Reservations For Six finished 7 in a row in 2013) but Air Jordy had been averaging 218.25 per week, 35 points per week more than his closest competitor, the White Wes Welkers, and 59 points per week more than the league average. Those averages took a slight dip in Week 7 after the pummeling by T4VP but don’t sleep on the League Leader. Air Jordy is healthy, has Big Ben coming back, owns the top 2 ball-carriers and 4 of the top 10 ball-catchers in the league. He faces IJamAllDay in Week 8, who is currently riding a 3-game win streak.

No matter where you sit in the standings right now, know one thing – you are only one game separated from half of the league surrounding you. The bottom 6 squads are only one game apart. Spots 2 through 6 are also only divided by a single win. This is about as balanced as it can be, I mean, half the league is going to lose each week. It’s that game of inches you have to play to get that next win and push yourself up to the next bracket. Two wins and you are in the top half of the league. Plenty of time left to find your OBJ (fuck that guy forever).

WHO’S HOT: IJamAllDay, Schoolya’gain and Lake Hickory Swallops have won 3 out of their last 4 matchups. The Swallops was hit with a Bench Swap this year so I imagine that chip on his shoulder is only going to make him more voracious. The White Wes Welkers are averaging 209.3 over the last 3 weeks and about the luckiest son-of-a-bitch I know. Trading Charles for Gronk right before the injury…it doesn’t get any luckier than that in fantasy football.

WHO’S NOT: Bagel Time has dropped 3 out of the last 4 showings after a strong 3-0 start. And despite the Week 7 takedown of Air Jordy, Tannehill for Vice President has lost another top tier RB for the season. This loss only decimates the RB field further and limits his options for recovery. But if anyone can do it, it’s T4VP. Despite the forthcoming Rest of Season (ROS) Analysis, I anticipate a rematch in the playoffs. You heard it here.

SLEEPER: RGIII’s Company, aka REDSKINS, aka Formerly GBJ, aka Genetic Black Jesus, is the ultimate sleeper squad. How this great white shark is not in the top 3 right now baffles me. If you drop his dud in Week 6, he is averaging 184.9 points per week, and has already put up an unreachable league high 280.90 in Week 3. Currently 10th, I guarantee he’s in the playoffs competing for the trophy again. The Rest of Season Analysis (source: confidential (I can’t give away all my secrets)) has him as the second strongest finisher in our league. Winter is coming. You heard it here.

REST OF SEASON (ROS) ANALYSIS: Strength by Position: Based on the rest of your matchups, each one of these positions is stronger than your scheduled opponents. So, essentially, man up in the other positions if you want to compete and kill this analysis. You may have done ok thus far, but this analysis takes in to consideration future matchups – not only your fantasy opponent, but the NFL matchups you and your fantasy opponent’s face.

And take a look at that – strength in WRs dominate the league, not the QB position. The top 3 QBs are currently on the rosters of teams in the bottom half of the league, and projected to stay there. This is a PPR league – Point Per Reception, not Point Per Completion (which is a scoring mechanism by the way, and a potential add-on for next season). Points per completion, at 1 point per, would be an interesting add. It would be nice to see our QB position have a little more impact on the league. Something to think about.

ROS Analysis

We have not reached the halfway point yet in the season. Still plenty of time. Be good or be good at it. Enjoy your weekends.
-The Commish

POSTSCRIPT: Prior to the development of a playoff system in the NFL in 1932, four teams, including the 1929 Green Bay Packers, also had an “undefeated” season. However, according to the 2012 NFL Record & Fact Book, under NFL practices at the time, from 1920 to 1971 tie games were not included in winning percentage. So, these four teams were recorded with perfect win percentages of 1.000.

1929 PACKERS-TeamPic

*I have one last little nugget for you. As you know, exhibition games are generally not counted toward standings, for or against. That said, the 1972 Miami Dolphins lost three of their preseason “exhibition” games in 1972. Just something funny to throw at one of those rare Dolphins fans you meet.

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The NFL’s Incomprehensible Catch Rules

TateGreat post on the most confusing part of the game right now – determining whether it’s a catch or not. Each of the plays talked about this week directly affected our league scores. And I think they give Emmanuel Sanders way too much credit in this piece. I watched that game. His dumb ass completely flaked out on that play and just went and flopped down in the end zone, as if  he was celebrating the tremendous catch/no-catch in exhaustion. This inattention completely negating Denver’s chances to get back on the line, spike the ball and kick a game-winning FG in regulation. If Denver had ended up losing that game in OT – it would have gone down as a tremendous blunder. Anyone else catch that play live and realize the ensuing disaster?

Monday Morning Hangover: NFL Must Clean Up Its Incomprehensible Catch Rules

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Mercy Rule

Desperate times require desperate measures and this Bench Swap experiment is going to turn in to an all-out war if we don’t implant a mercy rule. I never expected us to dish out 5 swappies at once. Being that we haven’t come across this scenario yet, I am enacting an emergency amendment to the Constitution. As someone with an active Bench Swap, I believe this is the right thing to do to preserve equality, keep it competitive, keep the focus on coaching (not freebies), and not inadvertently screw over one of our leaguemates. As much as I would like us all to hit RGIII’s Company over and over and over and over again (dude put up a violent, record-breaking 280.90 this week), it would potentially ruin an otherwise merited winning season. Same goes for anyone in the league. That said…Here ye, here ye, as League Commissioner I am enacting the following amendment to The Lombardi Three Constitution to take effect immediately.

13.4.2 – Unkle!:  No team can be hurt by a Bench Swap more than once in a season. Once a Bench Swap is executed against a particular team, no other team may execute another Bench Swap against them.

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Q & A: Bench Swaps

A few quick questions came up this week regarding the use of Bench Swaps.

Q: Can I use my Bench Swap right away?

A: Yes. There is no rule that you must wait a period of time in between earning the Bench Swap and using it, and really no reason for one that I can think of.

Q: Can a Bench Swap counter another Bench Swap in the same matchup?

A: Yes. We have no rules against this one either. Please know that if you are thinking of using your Bench Swap, and the other team has one, they will be notified. I will not play the spy game of letting someone submit one in the final seconds to try and avoid the counter play. It is each team’s responsibility to monitor your opponents and their use of a Bench Swap. If you plan to use one against a team that also has a Bench Swap, you run the risk of them countering with a Bench Swap of their own. All Bench Swap submissions are due prior to Thursday night’s matchup.

Q: If a Bench Swap is used and stat corrections come in reversing the effect of the Bench Swap, is the Bench Swap returned to the owner (a possibility in last week’s matchup)?

A: Yes. You retain ownership of any invalid Bench Swaps.

Q: Where do I find this Bench Swap info on our site? (Someone no shit asked me this.)

A: There is a page on www.thelombardithree.com titled Bench Swaps. This page shows the current log, rules and ball gazer forms each season. There is also a page dedicated to The Lombardi Three Constitution. Amendments 13.4 and 13.5 officially outline the use and retention of Bench Swaps and how to earn them. Lastly, I have posted regular correspondence regarding Bench Swap activity. Please make sure you sign up to receive notifications from www.thelombardithree.com. You will receive an email copy of all posts and a link to the post on the site. You may be following the blog, but I would recommend also signing up for email notifications to stay current.

Keep the questions coming. Without them we will never be able to engage the auto-pilot.

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A Bench Swap Has Been Exercised – Week 3

Bagel Time has wasted no time and exercised his Bench Swap to replace Alfred Morris (RB – 3.90) with Ryan Matthews (RB – 18.80). This swap will tentatively net Bagel Time an additional 14.90 points and the win.

Final Score
Bagel Time 207.55 – Lake Hickory Swallops 213.85

Adjusted Score
Bagel Time 222.45 – Lake Hickory Swallops 213.85

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Be Good or Be Good at It

cockblockOne…two….three…..four……FIVE Bench Swaps earned this week! And that’s before the start of tonight’s Kansas City – Green Bay game. When Green Bay wins tonight, one of our teams will be 15-1. And that dude still has a Bench Swap left over from last season. Hot damn, I hope he played those picks in his weekly pool. Let’s get to it.

A log has been created and added to the Bench Swaps page to keep track of the Bench Swaps earned and used.

Analysis: With the minimum 12 out of 16 requirement for Week 3’s Ball Gazers already met, the result of tonight’s game will not have an impact on the five winners. For the four of you out there that didn’t submit…..this shit has gotta hurt.

14-1
UnLockin Yo Schtuff (Green Bay) – next opp. Bagel Time

13-2
Packer Cave (Green Bay) – next opp. Tannehill For President

12-3
Air Jordy (Green Bay) – next opp. Eastside Forty-Ounces
Bagel Time (Green Bay) – next opp. UnLockin Yo Schtuff
White Wes Welkers (Green Bay) – next opp. Schoolya’gain

10-5
Schoolya’gain

9-6
Lake Hickory Swallops
Tannehill For President

0-16
Eastside Forty-Ounces
IJamAllDay
RG3III’s Company
Ya Down With ODBJ

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Challenge Flag – Ties

Red-Challenge-FlagThis league has proven, over the course of 4 seasons, to incessantly challenge the details of our league and the rules/settings we have in place. You don’t know you need a rule for something, until you need a rule for something. Some challenge flags were thrown this week in regards to how our bench swap went down. No one had any real issue with it, but discussions were had regarding the extraordinary, predestined coincidence that it resulted in a tie. Of course it resulted in a tie. Would you have expected anything else in this league?

I was really hoping that stat corrections would come in and impact this bench swap in one way or another, but we couldn’t be so lucky. Stat corrections have trickled in over the last few days, but nothing emerged for either Packer Cave or Schoolya’gain, so this matchup remains a tie (post bench swap). And because we haven’t officially addressed how to handle a tie when a bench swap is exercised, we appropriately default to current league rules/settings (ties are broken by total bench points).

Last season we were presented with a similar conundrum with Schoolya’gain and another one of Packerland South’s elite. A bench swap was exercised late in Week 6 after the stat corrections for that week had filtered in. However, the Constitution stated that the bench swap had to be used by the Tuesday night deadline. We never took the period for stat corrections in to consideration when originally designing the use of bench swaps, so, in good faith and integrity we appropriately defaulted to the current league rules/settings and did not allow the bench swap to be utilized. This identified a discrepancy in the process and we adjusted the Constitution to reflect these considerations in future seasons.

Numerous offline discussions this week have presented some good ideas and challenges to the way we treat matchup ties – whether a bench swap is utilized or not. Currently matchup ties default to the total bench points. We can set this up at any position in the Lineup (QB, Total RBs, Total WRs, TE, K, DEF or LB) with the exception of the FLEX position. That is the extent of what we can do. If using any one of the other positions in the lineup makes more sense than using the bench, state your case.

For matchup ties as the result of a bench swap, we can and should address these differently. I am on board with the proposal that any matchup ties as the result of a bench swap, like the one we had this week, would default back to the coached score, effectively making the use of the bench swap invalid. If you have a different opinion or viewpoint on this proposed amendment to the process, please state your case.

This and any amendment to the bench swap process would not take effect until next season. Of course, this will probably never happen again, but like I said, you don’t know you need a rule for something, until you need a rule for something. Lambeau wasn’t built in a day.

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Chill Your Dill Bagel

Yes, Bagel Time plays Lake Hickory Swallops again this week (they met in Week 1). Let me explain.

Because I customized Week 1 this season, the official 11-week schedule (where we each play each other once) started in Week 2. I didn’t realize this, but it’s ok. Chill your dill. All this means is that we don’t have to customize Week 12 as previously advertised. We will play the schedule out as-is, play each other once, and come Week 13, we will customize it as planned based on the Week 12 standings (#1 vs. #2 , #3 vs. #4, etc.). I actually like it this way better.

If you don’t get it, don’t worry about it. It’s fine. We will each play the team we played in Week 1 sometime over Weeks 2-12. If you still don’t get it, call me. My office hours are most days about 9 or 10, occasionally as early as 7, but some days as late as 12 or 1. I’m not available most days about 5 or 5:30, occasionally about 3:30 or 4, but some days as late as 10 or 11. Some days or afternoons, I’m not available at all, but lately I’ve been available just about all the time, except when I’m someplace else. But I should be available then too.

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A Bench Swap Has Been Exercised

Schoolya’gain has exercised her Bench Swap to replace Tony Romo (QB – 8.95) with Marcus Mariota (QB – 22.75). This swap will tentatively net Schoolya’gain an additional 13.80 points and the tiebreaker will system default to the total bench score.

Final Score
Packer Cave 151.40 (Bench: 33.00) – Schoolya’gain 137.60 (Bench: 70.05)

Adjusted Score
Packer Cave 151.40 (Bench: 33.00) – Schoolya’gain 151.40 (Bench: 56.25)

League Settings
Allow Matchup Ties: No
Matchup Tiebreaker: Bench

The last player to score for Schoolya’gain was Colts WR Andre Johnson – earning 2.10 points on 1 catch for 11 yards at the 5:05 mark of the 4th Quarter. This stat, coming in the final minutes, of the final quarter, of the final game of the week, essentially gave Schoolya’gain what she needed to pull off the swap/win. Ironically, on the very next play, Johnson was targeted by Andrew Luck again, but the pass was intercepted by Marcus Gilchrist of the Jets.

Remember that game of inches I spoke of at the beginning of the season? It doesn’t get any closer than this. One less yard on the books for Schoolya’gain, or one more yard for any one of Packer Cave’s staff, and this is not possible. Plus or minus a single yard (0.1 points) from any player on either roster and this doesn’t apply. What if Gilchrist covered an inch tighter on the previous play and intercepted that pass by Luck? That’s this game – a game of inches.

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We Have a Winner!

BradfordYeah right – winner of Last Place! Holy shit that was bad. Like really bad. Like Cowboys-Eagles, cross-eyed Sam Bradford bad. I really don’t have too many words for this. There were only 7 submissions, but maybe those 5 separatists knew something we didn’t. Or maybe they just wanted to save the embarrassment of the following list of results. Good news is that the final submissions for Week 3 will only command 12 out of 16 correct picks to earn a Bench Swap. This is the week we saw 2 swaps earned last season.

Analysis: Ignominious and discommodious. We were all eighty-sixed by the conclusion of the 1:00 pm games. A few of you were sunk after the first 3 games. No one selected the Browns, Buccs, Skins, Raiders or Jags to win. One Packer-diehard chose the Seahawks to win, but only to guarantee victory for the Green and Gold. Shit works like that sometimes, you know.

6-9
Air Jordy
Tannehill For President
Ya Down With ODBJ

5-10
Eastside Forty-Ounces (0-3 for the first 3 games)

4-11
Bagel Time
Schoolya’gain (0-6 for the first 6 games)

3-12
Lake Hickory Swallops (0-3 for the first 3 games)

0-16 (AWOL)
IJamAllDay
Packer Cave
RGIII’s Company
UnLockin Yo Schtuff
White Wes Welkers