"In the first round of the 2008 draft…

Napoleon's Dynamite selects Ray Rice, the Running Back from Rutgers University, and Omar Cuff, the Running Back out of University of Delaware as it's first and second round draft picks."


Everyone knows you have to go RB-RB in fantasy football, and what better combo would there be than these two? Just check out these numbers from last night's respective season openers:

Ray Rice: 25 carries for 184 yards and 3 TDs. A 7.4 yards/carry average (and 2 catches for 21 yards)
Omar Cuff: 30 carries for 244 yards 6 TDs! That's 8.1 yards/carry and he had 4 catches for 52 yards and another score. 7 total TDs!

What a fantastic way to open the college football season, and a great way to start next season.

Brotherly Love

I know there's an emphasis on football here (as it very well should be), but I also know we have a bunch of Phillies fans in the house, and so I bring to you a bit of tomfoolery from one Phillies pitcher, Brett Myers.

Apparently, Brett doesn't like "retarded" questions, and can get a bit fiesty about his "retarded" answers. Take a listen, but keep the speakers low if you are at work or around impressionable young ears (including yourself, Brian—although I'm not sure how impressionable one can be once you've worn a dress).

via UniWatch.

Worst Team EVER???

Before this year is over, you will all really regret the fact that this blog provides me with a forum for unrestrained ranting.

So remember during the draft when I said that 0-15 was a distinct possibility for my team's record this year? Some of you may have dismissed this prognostication as merely the result of frustration over the draft not exactly going the way I had hoped or planned, or, for those of you who know me well (i.e. Ben), a prime example of my typical self-deprecatory humor and charming Eeyore-like pessimism. But I now offer you incontrovertible mathematical evidence proving that my projection, while perhaps a bit extreme, was by no means inaccurate.

Utilizing the lovely "Projected Stats" tool that YahooPlus offers, I determined the projected score of each of my team's 15 regular season games at maximum potential efficiency for both my team and my opponent (e.g. the specific lineups that would, for that particular week, yield the most points possible). According to these calculations, the Brighton-Abu Dhabi Sheik 'n' Bake will go 3-12 this year.

Now obviously this statistical projection is far from perfect, as it assumes all of the following:
A) every player will score exactly as projected;
B) each coach will select the exact lineup resulting in the most points possible; and
C) no roster changes of any kind will be made throughout the season.

However unlikely that all may be, I argue that the draft results indicate that I am by far either the dumbest or unluckiest (or quite possibly both) coach in the league, which begs the conclusion that the rest of you will inevitably make better coaching decisions, trades, and roster changes than I will. In other words, 3-12, here we come.

So how am I reacting to this Nostradamian vision of impending doom? Believe it or not I find it quite refreshing to know that my team has to do so little to live up to or, dare I say it, exceed such pitifully low expectations. Also, I'm thrilled to be playing the beloved role of the spoiler. You just know that one of you poor souls will have your post-season aspirations dashed by an inconceivable and inconveniently-timed loss to my team. Or, more likely, you'll find yourself in 3rd place with the season winding down, desperately needing the 2nd place team to lose their remaining games so that you, unable to control your own destiny, can limp into the Strictly Circus Bowl (thus taking a page right out of the New York Jets Guide to Reaching the Post-Season), but alas! your dreams go unfulfilled as my fellowship of incompetence fails to do your work for you and falls to the 2nd place team, guaranteeing them a spot in the championship and relegating you to the Who Gives A Rat's Ass Bowl or the Undesire-A-Bowl, or whatever we decide to call the meaningless 3rd-4th place game.

So enjoy the 2 or 3 wins with which I generously provide you, yet be forewarned that if every other team is faring the same way against me, you're really not accomplishing anything by beating me. For my part, I hope that Merritt and his man-crush Peyton kick all your asses. That way at least one expansion team - lo and behold, the one that DIDN'T get completely screwed by 1) having the worst draft position and 2) Baxter's Dr. Evilian "2 QBs is really the way to go" scheme - can have some success this year.

End communication.

League over before it starts

Aug 25 The Associated Press reports Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning looked to be in midseason form Saturday, Aug. 25, against the Detroit Lions. He tossed three touchdowns during the first half of the game. He hit 23-of-27 passes for 233 yards. During the preseason, Manning is 31-of-40 for 311 yards with no interceptions.

Owners within the Strictly Circus league would not comment publicly, but sources revealed that half the league was ready to call it quits by the 13th round, knowing that the Agitated Lawyers are poised to dominate their first season.

Draft Results

The draft results have been entered into Yahoo. Check your teams and be sure there isn't a mistake. If there is, blame Merritt's spreadsheet.

The waiver and trade wires are now open.

Scoring system

What scoring are we using? The notes on the Yahoo site say the new default is Passing: 1 point per 25 yards & 4 points per TD. Rushing and Receiving: 1 point per 10 yards & 6 points per TD.

This is different from previous years' rules that Chris mentioned earlier: Passing: 1 point per 50 yards & 6 points per TD. Rushing and Receiving: 1 point per 20 yards & 6 points per TD.

Is there anybody out there...?

OK so this is my first blogging experience as well...I'm hoping it works.

And I'm gonna use my virgin blog to gripe: how did my team's name come to have Watertown in it? First of all, I no longer live in Watertown but in Brighton, and second, since as of early December, I (and my team with me) will be moving to Abu Dhabi, I figure that's the place that should be attached to my team name - especially since my soon-to-be desert home was the inspiration behind the deliciously clever pun Sheik 'n' Bake, which is not nearly so wonderful if the team hailed from Massachusetts.

Also note that on the Yahoo site, I changed the name from Team Sheik 'n' Bake to the UAE (United Arab Emirates) Sheik 'n' Bake (since Abu Dhabi Sheik 'n' Bake was too long a name according to Yahoo) in an effort to comply with one of Chris' emails that said "add your city to your team name."

So basically as things currently stand, my team has two different names, depending on whether you visit the Yahoo site or the blog. If we really wanna be crazy, we can dub the team with a hybrid name (a la the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets): perhaps the Brighton-Abu Dhabi Sheik 'n' Bake. Thoughts, anyone?

Oh, and on an actual serious note, should I chose to draft via IM, is a Yahoo Messenger account suitable? I think I have/had one of those.

Official Draft Time - Saturday 8/25 at 6 PM

OK, Etch it in stone. The draft time is Saturday 8/25 at 6 PM.

Grafton and Baxter are definitely weighing in via IM and I believe I will see Ben, Brian M., and possibly Jared at my place.

Next order of business, get the draft order set. Grafton, you are on the clock to decide when you will be on the clock.

Final order of buisness is rules...

1) Waiver wire will follow Yahoo rules is confirmed.
2) Roster size and starting positions is still up in the air, comment on the blog to weigh in.
3) The number of playoff teams is also still up for debate. The poll is still active on the blog. Vote ASAP.

Draft Order Updated - See Previous Post

The Draft Order has been updated.

First, I am picking 2nd. Grafton, you are on the clock.

Second, Heather randomly selected Brian M. to select his draft position 5th.

When it's your turn to pick your draft spot edit the Draft Order post.

I'm BLOGGING?

I guess I'm blogging? It feels like typing an email, but they say I'm blogging. Wow! 2007 welcomes the Grafdawgs to the future!

League Championship History

Strictly Circus Championships
-------------------------
2009: Jared d. Ben (120-70)
2008: Baxter d. Chris (93-92)
2007: Ben d. Baxter (83-60)
2006: Grafton d. Chris (90-75)
2005: Grafton d. Ben (113-106)
2004: Chris d. Grafton (154-103)
2003: Grafton d. Baxter
2002: Ben d. Chris
2001: Grafton d. Chris
2000: Chris d. Ben
1999: Baxter d. Grafton

Beer Bitches
-------------------------
2009: Merritt (__ Beers Served)
2008: Grafton (__ Beers Served)
2007: Merritt (__ Beers Served)
2006: Baxter (__ Beers Served)
2005: Baxter (24 Beers Served)
2004: Baxter (21 Beers Served)
2003: Ben (21 Beers Served)
2002: Grafton (Prior to Beer Bitch shirt, loser of Toilet Bowl)
2001: Baxter
2000: ?
1999: ?

Draft Time - August 25 at 7 PM

I have heard from Ben, Brian G., and Baxter. The 25th is good. How about Brian M. and Jared?

Roster Size and Starting Positions

QB, QB
RB, RB
WR, WR, WR
WR/TE (Start one or the other)
K
DEF (Team defense)

BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN (7 Total Bench)

Updated on Draft Day 2007

Waiver Wire Rules

Should we use a modified version of last year's waiver wire rules, or the new Yahoo version. Both versions are explained...

2006 Waiver Wire Rules
------------------
1) All players not currently on a roster are free agents.
2) Each manager has 5 free roster moves during the season.
3) Roster moves for players out 4+ weeks due to injury are free.
4) Players injured in Week 13+ are not eligible for a free roster move.
5) Suspensions are not considered injuries.
6) Championship and Toilet Bowl games are during Week 16.

Waiver Wire Rules

Su 12:00 PM - Free injury pickup period begins
T 11:59 PM - Free injury pickup period ends, waiver process begins
W 12:00 PM - First waiver priority expires
W 11:59 PM - Second waiver priority expires
R 12:00 PM - Third waiver priority expires
R 11:59 PM - Fourth waiver prioirty expires, free drop/add begins
Su 12:00 PM - Free drop/add ends

* all times EST
------------------


2007 Potential Yahoo Rules
------------------
I'd like to suggest going to a system where extraneous rules are not necessary and allow Yahoo to manage the entire thing. It will also be more difficult to sort out the waiver start/end times with 6 teams.

Here is what is built into Yahoo:

ALL players not on rosters are placed on waivers Sun-Tue. In order to claim a player you must claim him during that time and also have the highest waiver priority. The waiver claims are processed at the end of Tue.

The waiver priority list is determined by the current week-to-week standings. So it will be different every week. It will go in reverse order of standing (the best team is last on the list).

After Tues and the processing of all waiver claims, then all players are free agents. Any manager can pick any player up at any time.

I AM PROPOSING TO DO AWAY WITH THE LIMITS ON NUMBER OF PICKUPS AND FREE INJURY PICKUPS.

I think pickups will be more important with more teams and therefore there should be more freedom to tinker with rosters. An extra 38 players will be drafted this year, certainly more than a few will be busts.
------------------

From email and other discussions it appears the vote on this is as follows so far:

Chris - Yahoo
Ben - Yahoo
Baxter - Yahoo
Brian - Yahoo

2007 Draft Order

1) Baxter
2) Chris
3) Grafton
4) Ben
5) Merritt
6) Jared

This post must be edited by the following people, in the following order (based on the results of the NCAA pool from 2007):

1) Baxter
2) Chris
3) Grafton
4) Ben
5) Brian M.
6) Jared

Pick your position before draft day, gentlemen.

Discussion could ensue here about who should be in the 5 hole. Or discussion can end if either Brian or Jared slips me a twenty :-)

test

This is my first blog post ever. I feel so 21st century now. I love August, when there is still the chance that this year could be my year.

In the beginning…

Born in 1999, Strictly Circus was created by Ben Thoma, along with the founders Brian Grafton, Jason Baxter, and Chris Burket. Early on, the league depended on such resources as magazines, television, and pencil & paper. Since then, the league has evolved to incorporate the use of the Internet, StatTrackers and HD television.

All the while, each team has battled for honor, bragging rights, and a spot in the Strictly Circus Bowl. Those falling from grace, hope to avoid the dreaded pink shirt and associated New Year's Eve "Beer Bitch" duties, as is customary for the loser of the annual Toilet Bowl. All the while, the league seeks to instill it's mighty pact in all who participate: "Win or lose… all must drink Car Bombs."

After several seasons as Commissioner, Ben handed the reins to the current Commish, Chris, who manages the league through Yahoo!'s Fantasy services.

In 2007, the league expanded into two lucrative markets, overseen by team owners Brian Merritt and Jared Cavagnuolo. Around this same time, the league incorporated the use of this blog as an official voice and home to league communication. What you read here is not only the soul of Strictly Circus, but it's bowels.