Power Rankings: Week 8

Yet another confusing and incredible week of LOC fantasy. The top two teams on the power rankings last week both lost, while the bottom two teams both won. It just goes to show that the LOC is all over the place at the moment, and anyone can truly beat anyone. But, if you like to hedge, see below for the teams you should hedge your bets on.

Power Rankings

1. Gridiron Gang, 4-3 (2): Despite losing 2 in a row, Coach Stubbs Jr's side is still among the best in the league. In both the losses they suffered they went over 100 points, so it was not for a lack of scoring. While things are looking a bit more wobbly than they were, it's hard to argue with the points as they've yet to dip below 90 points.

2. IKNAN, 3-4 (1): Speaking of wobbly, Coach Sherwood didn't have the best go of it after picking up a momentous win the week before. I'm really not sure what to make of this team. They certainly have the ability to go off, have a decent week, or put up a stinker on any given week. There are few teams with as much range as this one, but my gut feel says they're good.

3. Patistan, 5-2 (4): So entering week 3, did anyone predict Coach Allen would be leading the league come week 8? I'm going to presume no one's hands are raised. On the face of it it's a tremendous turn around, but in all honesty we expected the leap after 2 years in the game and a solid draft. This team looks strong, and the Portsmouth division might not be able to keep up.

4. Burdettinators, 4-3 (3): The uber consistent Coach Burdett team dipped below 90 points for the second time last week (89 and 88, so only just). As has been the case with the team all season, they lack upside. They've topped 100 just once. Still, you get about 90-100 points week in week out you are going to win some games. My only worry is can they win enough to turn it into a playoff berth?

5. The Brady Bunch, 3-4 (5): So if IKNAN has range, Coach Nunn's team is just full blown all over the place. On a given week if this team got 60 or 125 no one would bat an eye lid. That's just where they are right now, with Brady at the helm and a corps of volatile players, this team can essentially contend in any game - but there will be down weeks.

6. The Dream Team, 3-4 (6): Alright, Coach Nathwani has officially turned it around, well done. I say well done, his team has pretty much been as good as it has all season, he's just finally getting the W's that come with it. This team does probably deserve to be higher on the list, and if they have another good week they certainly can't stay this low.

7. Tom's Tyrants, 3-4 (10): Talk about rebounds, Coach Barnes has finally got his guys jacked and they're putting up some points. They've added some key free agents that have really bolstered the side and allowed them to go to the next level (like we all expect a two time champion to do). While it's too early to tell if this resurgence will be sustainable, they're definitely trending in the right direction.

8. Forge Flyers, 3-4 (8): Unfortunately, Coach Leach has channeled his inner Jeff Fisher and got his 60th all time loss - the only team with 60 losses in the league. But last week wasn't down to them, they had a good week. In all honesty, they have a lot of good weeks, just not any great ones. Wins will come if they maintain, but they'll struggle to stop the 7-7 bulls#!@.

9. The Tuckfards, 3-4 (9): This team is quite similar to Forge Flyers in all honesty. Well, it's much more rag tag and uglier than Forge Flyers, but the end result is similar anyway. Coach Merritt deserves credit for getting this team into contention every week, but like Forge Flyers their upside is decidedly capped.

10. ADRZ, 4-3 (11): Coach Wells rebounds from a bad week nicely and picks up a win. It's tough to call this team at the moment. They're relying on big performances from unlikely sources to get them their points, and that strategy can't last forever. I hate to repeat myself, but they're in the same boat as The Tuckfards and Forge Flyers.

11. Bear Necessities, 4-3 (12): Coach Stubbs Sr. has managed to pick up 2 on the trot against all the odds. These wins could prove crucial in their season long quest, as they're getting healthier and could get pretty close to their early season form again. But I'll need to see that before I believe it as this team has been stuck in the mud for a month now.

12. Cash4Gould, 3-4 (7): I kept them in mid-table for as long as I could, but much like the New York Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick, I've just lost faith in him. Well, not so much him as his team, but you get what I mean. They've dropped two in a row and the team has more holes than Swiss cheese. Give them the benefit of the doubt, they were without Elliot last week, but they'll have to fight tooth and nail in every game.

2016: Middle Class FTW

No, the title of this episode isn't an indication of what teams make up the league, instead a good summary for what is nearly the mid point of the LOC regular season, and also for how the league looks at the moment. Everything is tight in the middle, with teams being between 2-4 and 4-2. Co-Host Chris Leach the Commissioner join forces to make sense of it all.

Power Rankings: Week 7

As we reach the midway point of the LOC regular season, you would think that an early semblance of a playoff picture would be appearing. If you do, then you are horribly mistaken. The LOC has turned upside down, sideways and inside out in the last few weeks, and the result is an ever more difficult power rankings.

Power Rankings

1. IKNAN, 3-3 (2): The impressive weeks continue for Coach Sherwood side. Now at full strength, the idiot that won't die tour is in full swing and he's out for blood. One of the deeper rosters in the league combined with one of the best starting lineups is always a good position to be in. The only thing holding this team back is if the coach remembers to change the team.

2. Gridiron Gang, 4-2 (1): See I told you, I'd put myself to the top and screw myself. Joking aside, Gridiron Gang has been unbelievably consistent thus far, and even in a loss they still posted over 100 points and would have beaten 9 other teams. They just so happened to come against a team they always struggle against. This team still has a lot going on and should bounce back.

3. Burdettinators, 4-2 (4): The ultra-consistent team probably should have been this high already but it took time to we weed the other pretenders out. Even though they did indeed lose last week (The Dream Team deserved to win a game like that to be fair), Burdettinators still posted a good score. If they can post scores in that region like they've done all season, the wins will come.

4. Patistan, 4-2 (5): Don't look now but Patistan is white hot and has run 4 in a row. Last week was some what of a down week with an eh score (and they were very fortunate to win in what has to be the closest victory of LOC history), but this team has been far better than the one we saw through the first 2 weeks. The Portsmouth division is shaping up to be quite interesting.

5. The Brady Bunch, 2-4 (3): So maybe I got a little bit carried away with the whole #BradyOrBust thing...but I'm not backing off it, because Brady looks like he's out to embarrass the rest of the league. The rest of The Brady Bunch however are hit and miss at best. That hit potential plus Brady is enough for me to believe they can contend.

6. The Dream Team, 2-4 (6): Hooray! Rejoice, Coach Nathwani finally wins a game he deserved to win. Joking aside, The Dream Team is only this low purely cause of the horrendous bad luck they've had to this point. The monkey on their back has loosened its grip this week, but I'll need to see another win or two before it's fully shaken off.

7. Cash4Gould, 3-3 (7): Look, we know what this team is by this point, and barring an injury happening to them that won't change. It's a boom or bust team that will either surprise or disappoint on a weekly basis. In the current state of the LOC, that's not actually a bad position to be in. But regardless, that lack of consistency doesn't allow them to climb any higher.

8. Forge Flyers, 3-3 (8): On the one hand, you have to feel for the bitter loss Coach Leach has just had to swallow. On the other...I'm sure they're quite happy to even be in a position to compete in a game like that based on their last couple of seasons. They're an ultra consistent team in the Burdettinators mold but lack the upside, so they'll continue to compete for sure.

9. The Tuckfards, 3-3 (10): Coach Merritt's change from sacrificing chickens to goats has done wonders for his fantasy team as he has now won 3 in a row. Cthulu has blessed this team with new life, largely helped by West becoming a starting RB, Gronk returning, and a few other bits and bobs. While I still doubt the season long prospects, there's no denying they're flying high right now.

10. Tom's Tyrants, 2-4 (11): There is life at TTY HQ. Mainly because Lamar Miller finally pulled his finger out, and Luck had the type of game he should but barely has all season. Be that as it may, on paper we have always thought this team was good, but poor play and bad luck has derailed them thus far. If this even changes a bit this could completely change the outlook of Tom's Tyrants.

11. ADRZ, 3-3 (8): Aaaaand back to the ADRZ we all know and love. After a few really good weeks Coach Well's team just fell off the map last week as the team forget they had a game on Sunday. I don't think their performances are going to be this bad every week, but it does go to show that the early season struggles are far from dead and buried.

12. Bear Necessities, 3-3 (12): They got a win you say, they stopped the 3 game slide you say. Well I say this team won with 80 points against one of the few teams they could have actually beaten. I'm not being harsh, just stating facts. However, we could see a resurgence on the horizon for Coach Stubbs Sr. as he will get Diggs and Moncrief back soon which would be huge for them.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: 2016.6 - Week 6

Good evening everybody! Or just adjust that greeting to suit whatever time of day you are reading, I cannot please everyone. As always, it has been an exciting week in the LOC, but we have an extra twist now with the suicide pool which has really hit full stride. Well, for most of us, 25% of the league has of course already crashed out. This news, whilst saddening for the coaches (failures) in question, is absolutely hilarious and makes me enjoy the suicide pool even more! But then, I can’t really laugh with the Tyrants dead in the water, swimming lessons are becoming an urgent requirement and if that fails, a defibrillator. There’s always this week, speaking of which…

Coaches Award

There were some close games this week! Very close! But were there any really big calls that made people win? Not so sure. However, there is one coach who has been on the radar for a while now and been unlucky not to win this award to date. Well, the wait is finally over, congratulations to Coach Stubbs Jr., highest scorer, biggest winner on the week and leading the league. But, the really key, more of his classic spot start heroes, Jordan Howard looks like a 1st round pick! This Gridiron Gang team is the one we have been due a while, look out.
Honourable mentions: Coach Leach and Coach Allen, you both won really tight games and deserve a mention. Well, here, have this honourable mention.

Wooden Spoon

Tough to award this one this week, lots of good coaching calls. But, if I had to pick, which I do, there was one call which stuck out to me. It was a bold decision and riding the hot hand is usually a good call, but when you lose by 1.02 points and you have you 3rd pick WR1 on the bench with a score that could have won it for you, ouch. Commiserations Coach Sherwood.

Bold predictions

Wrong, wrong, wrong, kind of half right, wrong and pretty close. Basically another week of 0-6 which leaves me a truly fantastic 1-23 on the season. But, lacking the cultural background or intellect to understand the concept of ‘flogging a dead horse’, I shall continue making bold predictions with vigour and enthusiasm! Here we go!

Patistan vs. Forge Flyers: Brian Hoyer a starting fantasy QB, what exciting times we live in people! My bets are he can’t keep up with a thoroughly pissed off Cam Newton, but he’ll give it a go as the two combine for 65 points.

IKNAN vs. Gridiron Gang: I am not sure if I have ever predicted a kicker-off before, so why the hell not. Two of the most reliable (and hardest to spell) kickers in the league put 15 points up apiece.

Bear Necessities vs. ADRZ: Le’Veon Bell is back, but he hasn’t broken out yet, that changes this week unfortunately for ADRZ, 180 yards and 2 TDs.

The Tuckfards vs. The (Brady??) Bunch: In a warmup for when they faceoff the following week, Big Ben and Brady put on an air show, 4 TDs each, but 3 of Brady’s go to Gronk… bittersweet.

The Dream Team vs. Burdettinators: Greg Olsen is going nuts already and if he gets Cam back a 25 point fantasy game is on the cards.

Tom’s Tyrants vs. Cash4Gould: Lamar Miller gets his first TD of the season (for reasoning see: Colts), but Elliott doubles anything the Texan musters.

And there you have it people, another fresh set of predictions, 1 part courage, 3 parts sheer optimism, no doubt a recipe for success! Looking forwards to the week ahead as always, onwards we go! Until next time.

2016: 2009 Flashback!

With Gridiron Gang and Burdettinators flying high, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd time traveled back to 2009 (and just in case you have, please tell me all the good fantasy players from then until now, thanks). But assuming you haven't traveled back in time, you can enjoy the week 5 recap and week 6 preview with your favourite podcast hosts, The Commissioner and Chris Leach.

Power Rankings: Week 6

Were in the full swing of what is another quagmire of an LOC season, but you're loving every second of it....right? Well anyway, with bye weeks coming hard and fast and half the league ravaged by injury, power is all over the place in the league. Where is it this week I wonder?

Power Rankings

1. Gridiron Gang, 4-1 (3): I've been reluctant to do it because I don't want to curse myself and appear to show bias...but I feel you can understand why I can no longer keep Gridiron Gang out of first spot. The highest scoring team, the only team yet to drop below 90 points in a game, and at 4-1. They've had a tremendous start to the year (cue face plant).

2. IKNAN, 2-3 (2): They haven't had quite as an explosive start as the top team, but make no mistake they've been essentially as consistent. This is a team playing without its second round pick. Expect good things going forward for IKNAN and their record to improve, despite another disappointing loss.

3. The Brady Bunch, 2-3 (7): You know why this team is hear. Now that the team name has changed, you know this team has the greatest player of all time in their line up. Call me a homer all you want, but Gridiron Gang showed how effective #BradyOrBust could be. It helps Coach Nunn has a good roster too.

4. Burdettinators, 4-1 (4): Up until this week, they were the only other team not to dip below 90 points. While it certainly hasn't been an exciting start to the season for Coach Burdett, the remarkable consistency is why they're sat at 4-1, and if they can keep it up it'll carry them to the playoffs.

5. Patistan, 3-2 (5): As I've been saying for a couple of weeks now, Coach Allen's squad is on the up and up. The roster has finally found firm ground and now they can get to work. While the slow start could make things tricky, they're poised for success here on out.

6. The Dream Team, 1-4 (1): So this is a pretty big drop for Coach Nathwani after one week that was slightly sub par. But my reasoning for it is this. Although it's been entirely random and unlucky that they only have 1 win, sometimes this is just how seasons go. They'll have to shake the monkey off their back soon.

7. Cash4Gould, 3-2 (10): Think of Coach Gardner's side as TBB lite. The rookie coach is having a tremendous season, and they had a great week despite losing. They are going to continue to be volatile, and may make some mistakes in the learning process, but all things considered should have a good year.

8. ADRZ, 3-2 (11): So I've done the equivalent of poking a hornets nest with a stick, only for them to all fly out and go nuts. Sorry ADRZ opponents. Coach Well's team has looked completely different the last through weeks, and they'll move up quickly if they can keep it up.

9. Forge Flyers, 3-2 (9): Coach Leach's team looks solid-not-spectacular through 5 weeks of the season, but I think they'll be more than happy with that after the last few years. Just because they're 9th don't think they're a bad team. They can contend with most any team, but the injuries have crippled their upside.

10. The Tuckfards, 2-3 (12): I guess my comments on the podcast got Coach Merritt a bit jacked up. Big Ben has been a large reason for The Tuckfard's resurgence, but hey, if the shoe fits? Let's see if the winningest coach in the LOC can channel his magic again.

11. Tom's Tyrants, 1-4 (8): This team is just waiting until we all least expect it to come out firing. But in the mean time, they're having a tough go of it of late. Under performers and players not coming together as a team has really held back Coach Barnes's team so far, but that could easily change.

12. Bear Necessities, 2-3 (6): As Coach Stubbs Sr saw Bennett put up a third TD for his bench he said "it's just not my year". While I don't think it's all over, I would tend to agree. I'm not sure we've ever seen a team look so different in such a short space of time. But until otherwise, they're rooted.

EDOTLOCCA's Corner: 2016.5 - Week 5

Hello! I’ve returned! Some of you may have wondered where exactly it is that I went. Well, I might have been training in the skills of fantasy football writing with Tibetan monks… or I might have forgotten, like completely forgotten. But that is the past, everyone knows that Week 4 is the most boring week anyway, so let us hit Week 5 with a bang! Things are starting to heat up here in the LOC, no one is unbeaten, no one is… err… all-beaten and, at this early stage, it looks like we are shaping up for the closest LOC year yet. Buckle up boys.

Coaches Award

Big decisions is how coaches make this section of the article. Winning close games is how coaches make this section of the articles. If you told Coach Leach he would be starting a backup RB and a former Pro Bowl MVP by Week 4 at the start of the season, I imagine he would have been unhappy, but they just bought him a statement win. Plus, it always looks better when you do it on Monday night, well played indeed!
Honourable mention: Coach Merritt has taken a rag tag group and somehow squeaked a win out of them, whilst playing against a receiver that put up 300 yards, impressive stuff.

Wooden Spoon

This team looked unstoppable in the first two weeks, but since then they have looked thoroughly stopped. I am not going as far as to say the wheels have come off, but there are still lots of strong players in this team, but losing to a team that only put up 75 points doesn’t look too great. Coach Stubbs Sr. will turn it around, no doubts there.

Bold predictions

I got one! Hook line and sinker! We are 1-17 and cooking on gas people! Predicting Matt Ryan to more than triple Ryan Fitzpatrick’s score did become easier when Fitz put up -2.28 points of course, at least someone won from that horror show, well me and Marcus Peters of course. And now, we shall ride this wave of success into Week 5:

IKNAN vs. Forge Flyers: What a draft bargain Will Fuller has been, serious value pick there, Minnesota are too good though, he spends his game on the bench watching the former Pro Bowl MVP score two TDs.

Cash4Gould vs. Gridiron Gang: The rookie stands alone at the top after Week 5, the only team on 4-1, he still only makes it to spot 8 on the power rankings however.

The Dream Team vs. ADRZ: A close one goes The Dream Team’s way for once! Olsen steals it late Monday night, resulting in a 5 point win.

Patistan vs. The Bunch: Coach Nunn forgets to change his team name and logo back to The Brady Bunch – and forgets to play Brady. More Pick Sixpatrick to come!

Bear Necessities vs. Burdettinators: Starting Prescott, Sproles and White, anyone see that one coming? The three combine for a pitiful 22 points and Terrelle Pryor makes the start next week.

Tom’s Tyrants vs. The Tuckfards: A first and second round RB combo get outscored by a late rounder and waiver wire addition… yeah this one hurts.

And there you have it, your Bold Predictions for the week, fresh out the oven and now resting on the window sill, a cartoon-esque waft attracting all the eager LOC coaches. Well, get ‘em while their hot lads! See you next week! (Unless I forget again…..).

2016: It's opposite week

Welcome back budding LOC listeners! Commissioner Leach is joined by the Co-Host Naithan Stubbs to delve in all the goings on in the world of the LOC...and if you didn't guess by the previous sentence, it is in fact opposite week as the LOC was turned on its head a little bit last week. Listen up to find out why.

Power Rankings: Week 5

Well it was clearly opposite week in the LOC last week, as everything (near enough) has been flipped on its head! It was another crazy week, challenging everything we thought we knew. But no fear, the power rankings are here to....speculate wildly on the power...bring it on!

Power Rankings

1. The Dream Team, 1-3 (4): I mean, I'm kinda speechless with what has happened to Coach Nathwani's team. They've played great through 4 weeks, arguably looking like the strongest team in the league, yet they're getting snaked and only have 1 win. The wins will come (you'd like to think).

2. IKNAN, 2-2 (2): Last week was by no means a pretty week for IKNAN, but I think this was just one of those down weeks. They have far too many good players in the starting lineup and the bench to put scores like that up consistently, so they'll rebound in a big way.

3. Gridiron Gang, 3-1 (3): And so the LOC's last unbeaten side falls. But Coach Stubbs Jr. won't be too concerned as his side still had a decent day at the office. Much like IKNAN, the roster is pretty deep from top to bottom (albeit with a couple of injuries) and they should continue to have success.

4. Burdettinators, 3-1 (5): For what Burdettinators lack in being spectacular, they make up for by being consistent. They haven't blown the league away through 4 weeks, but they have been very good. A strong roster with players that still haven't properly popped can only mean good things going forward. They'll just have to watch out for rogue kicking nets.

5. Patistan, 2-2 (8): After a very slow start to the year, Patistan has rebounded in a nice way. They might not light the world on fire every week, but they're looking like a good consistent side. The Coach who everyone put their money on for a sophomore leap looks like to come through on his potential.

6. Bear Necessities, 2-2 (1): Quite the opposite of Patistan, Coach Stubbs Sr. got out to an uncharacteristically good start, but has now faltered quite significantly in the last 2 weeks. And it's easy to see why, Forte is injured, players are under performing, and the prospects of this side look decidedly dimmer than a couple weeks prior.

7. The Bunch, 2-2 (7): I think we know what we're going to get from Coach Nunn at this point in time. They're a boom or bust side that will either have a great week or a bad one. However, they do have Tom Brady returning, and that alone could easily propel this team up the rankings.

8. Tom's Tyrants, 1-3 (6): At risk of starting the incredible run Coach Barnes always starts after I say this...it might be time to worry in Tyrant Town. On paper this team is great, but for one reason or another, things just haven't gone their way this season, and sometimes that's just how it goes. Watch them win 10 straight now...

9. Forge Flyers, 2-2 (10): A very good week for Forge Flyers brought them a win over a team they typically struggle against. The team has some good players at its disposal, and DeMarco Murray's resurgence has certainly helped. To this point though, consistency has evaded them and that's why they're at 9.

10. Cash4Gould, 3-1 (9): Cash4Gould is surprisingly leading their division in Week 4, something no one probably would have called entering the season. They did have a fortunate victory last week, and they're not going to win many like that. With Bye weeks now here, this team could struggle mightily, as that is usually where we see Rookie Coaches falter.

11. ADRZ, 1-3 (11): ADRZ followed up a win in Week 3 with another one in Week 4, and this one was impressive. As I've said all along, on paper this team has some great names, but the worry has been their consistency and the issues surrounding them. Last week, all that melted away. Will the heat keep them away, or will the cold solidify those issues?

12. The Tuckfards, 1-3 (12): We've been prodding The Tuckfards with a stick for 3 weeks to see if they were still alive and they finally did something. Their side was propped up massively by 2 players, but this is a quintessential Coach Merritt performance. Is it possible we're seeing a return of the winningest coach in the LOC?