This is the eighth in a sixteen part series reviewing the current PAFFL teams and what one owner feels the next steps for each franchise will (should?) be over the next 2 weeks up to and including the 20th anniversary of the PAFFL Draft.
Eighth Team: LOS ALTOS ISOTOPES!
It's not how you start, it's how you finish... and in Fantasy Football, how you finish has a lot to do with a stud Running Back and a ton of luck. In no uncertain terms, that's the Los Altos Isotopes. They have won three PAFFL Championships on the backs of QBs peaking at the right moment and a top RB (Priest Holmes, followed by Larry Johnson). What makes these championships all the more impressive is that they were in succession, a feat likely never to be repeated.
That said, the tenure of the Los Altos Isotopes (Topes, for short) as one of the premier teams in the PAFFL has already come to a close. Things are going to get ugly for the Isotopes, as they've managed to hold on to Larry Johnson ($55, 2009) but have little else. While the Isotopes are one of the more vocal participants during the season, they're also one of the most invisible when it comes to trade talk. They do make the occasional deal, but they've had a few poor drafts in a row and compounded this problem by making poor 3-year and roster decisions. With a strong Jibbers and LFP, it could be a long season...
Currently, the Topes have spent $175 on their team, assuming they're holding over Larry Johnson at $55. I also suspect they'll hold over Andre Johnson at $55 and Damon Huard, for a total of $285. Lots of holes to fill...
At QB, they have the aforementioned Huard at $55. That's a risky call, as there's a good chance Croyle will end up the starting QB in KC. It might be a smarter bet to trade Huard to a team in need of a QB and let them take the risk. They do have the rights to Trent Green and Brett Favre to consider. Each of these players will cost in the $80-$120 range. This would make it impossible for the Topes to keep them both. I'd personally go with Favre, as he may be cheaper at the auction. A lot depends on the feel the Topes' management gets at the auction, as some owners may have high hopes for Green in Miami. They do have Boller at $23 for 2 more years. I'd suggest DS'ing Boller this season or trading him to McNair's eventual owner. No sense in paying him $23 if he's not going to be on the field.
At RB, there's Larry Johnson, threatening to hold out and might demand a trade. With KC, I often believe the success they've had at RB has been due to the system and NOT the player. I find it hard to believe a back-up from Baltimore can find so much success and then only to have it duplicated with a Penn State grad that couldn't even get on the field for 2-3 years. With the retirements and departure of various KC O-linemen, I'm thinking this gravy train has come to an end. If I were the Topes' management, I'd look at a few teams on the cusp of turning the corner into a top PAFFL team (but lacking a stud RB) and make the trade. Pulling the trigger on this kind of trade would replenish the Topes' roster with quality, low-priced talent. For instance, why not offer Larry Johnson to the PASB (me) for Grossman, the #2 pick, and Reggie Brown ($9, 2008)? They might be giving up too much value now, but they restock at each position and can now trade Green/Huard or Favre/Huard for more value. Reggie Brown with Andre Johnson is a top 1-2 punch. Banking on Lynch might not be in their cards (I can understand that) but it might not be that much of a downgrade from LJ, especially if he holds out or gets traded. The Topes also have Jerome Harrison and Anthony Thomas, both of whom may be solid bye week contributors. At $55, they also have Reuben Droughns. I'm not completely sold on Droughns as the featured back in NYG, but I think a 50-50 split with Jacobs might be reasonable. Still, I'd hope for something more than that from a $55 player.
At WR,We've got Andre Johnson and Brandon Jones. The Topes do have a lot of cash to spend and could acquire a top notch WR to go with these two. Amani Toomer might come back from injury and be a decent #3 WR. Still, they need a true #2 WR and should be researching which players are available... There aren't that many, although there are a few.
Overall, the Topes will win a few games because of Larry Johnson but that's all they're going to win. The other teams in his division have improved immensely over the past 6-9 months and they've actually regressed by standing pat (no pun intended). There were about 5-8 players on their team last year that don't make the roster of most of the playoff teams. There's just too much wasted excess on the Topes right now. Their roster looks bloated and it's the reliance on LJ & Priest for so many years that has got them to this point. No matter what you say though, they've got their name on the cup... three times.
Final Record: 4-9, missing the playoffs
How does 4-9 make the playoffs?
Unfortunately for the Topes, they are really having a successful season in this Fantasy Baseball league we play and I feel as the Topes try to keep up with baseball (and place in the money for the first time in 6-7 years) that the football side of his fantasy teams could suffer.
Rumor has it that his daughter's middle name might be Priest in honor of the player that got him his first Jankster ;)
Posted by: Jibaholic | July 16, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Fixed the error.
How serious is that baseball league you're in? Are there holdovers and keepers?
Posted by: todd2006 | July 16, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Great analysis, particularly the part about the declining Chiefs line and offense. Throw in the most conservative coach since Marty Shottenheimer in Cleveland (Herm Edwards) and LJ won't approach the potential we saw in '05 from him.
That said there are at least 6 or 7 PAFFL teams that would probably trade their squads straight up for the Isotopes right now - so all it will take is a solid auction to get them back into contention. That's a big if but its entirely possible.
Posted by: Beavercat | July 16, 2007 at 10:13 PM
I hereby vow not to smoke weed at this year's daft.
Isotopes
Posted by: | July 16, 2007 at 10:41 PM
No keepers or holdovers but $400 plus in cold cash would cause my attention to stray too. Add a daughter to that mix and anyone but LJ is easy picking from him.
Posted by: Jibaholic | July 17, 2007 at 10:53 PM
"I honestly have not even looked at my roster in 5 months, much less yours."
That's a quote from the Los Altos Isotopes' management.
I might have been too generous with the 4-9 prediction.
Posted by: todd2006 | July 19, 2007 at 05:52 PM
I look at my roster 10-12 times a day, minimum.
Posted by: todd2006 | July 19, 2007 at 05:52 PM
That's funny...I don't quite look at my roster that frequently but I also have every player memorized and spend at least a little time day dreaming every day about 'ideal performances' for the upcoming season or weekend :)
Posted by: Beavercat | July 19, 2007 at 05:56 PM
You are not alone re: dreaming about PAFFL.
I check out my roster constantly, always sending e-mails, testing the waters for trades. Mostly, it's text messages to Team Kitty, but still...
Posted by: todd2006 | July 19, 2007 at 08:48 PM
Team Kitty is always dropping the proposals...
Posted by: Beavercat | July 19, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Feinberg you IM me about your team at least 20 times per day...so you're thinking about them at least 50. Time for a stamp collection.
Posted by: RonJeremy | July 20, 2007 at 01:22 PM
He has a pretty impressive comic book collection!
Posted by: Beavercat | July 20, 2007 at 04:07 PM
LOL Short Bus is the master of fantasy football and comic books...you are THE MAN!
Posted by: RonJeremy | July 20, 2007 at 04:57 PM
I'm more proud about the Short Bus than the comics.
Also, I play a mean game of MLB 2k7 for the xbox 360.
You guys realize I'm getting paid this month to sit at home and IM people about fantasy football, right? Tadlock's tax dollars at work! Wetzel's too from last year!
Posted by: todd2006 | July 20, 2007 at 04:59 PM