Wednesday, January 5, 1999 Volume 1, #2

BFFL Land, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida, Dec 28 --- It was befitting that the 1998 BFFL Super Bowl crown would come down to one yard in the final game on the final day of the most exciting season in the history of the league. What's more is that the final outcome of the Championship game between the WhoseYourDaddies and the BBBQ was uncertain even after the Monday night game between the Jaguars and the Steelers was over. Going into the game, the Daddies were leading the BBBQ 48 to 41. The BBBQ were playing Jerome Bettis and Mark Bruener (of the Steelers) and the Daddies had Jimmy Smith (from the Jags) going up against them.

Jerome "I thought I had 150 yds." Bettus

In a low scoring, relatively meaningless, NFL contest, it seemed as if none of three would score in this contest. As the game went on, as Bruener and Smith missed opportunities to score, it became apparent that the Super Bowl contest would probably come down to Jerome Bettis and how much yardage he would accumulate by game's end. Having over 100 yards midway thru the third quarter, the drama slowly unraveled. At one point, with 104 total rushing yards, Jerome was thrown for a seven yard loss, giving him 97 net for the night. It seemed unimportant as the time, but may have contributed to what was to follow after the game. When it was all over, ABC was reporting the Bettis had gone over the 150 yard mark, giving the BBBQ 8 points and a 49 to 48 win over the Daddies. However, someone at the network must have been adding up the positive yardage and not subtracting the negative. It was only later, when the total could be confirmed thru BFFL sources at ESPN, that it was confirmed that Bettis's total yardage was 139, giving the BBBQ only 6 additional points for the night to the Daddies 0 and handing the WhoseYourDaddies and GM Greg Hale his first ever BFFL championship. One more yard for Bettis and the BFFL would have seen it's first co-champions.

In the winners locker room after the game, Hale seemed out of breath all night in reaction to the dramatic series of events. "AWESOME BABY!!!!", Hale could be heard shouting to his playing as he congratulated them one by one. Later, as he reflected at the news conference, he was more soft spoken. "Words cannot express the feelings and emotions going through myself and WYD players. It hasn't really set in yet that we are the BFFL champs. Maybe in a day or two...... Things went from one extreme to the other. First the disappointment of seeing Bettis rush for 150 yards and gain 8 points for the BBBQ and give them a one point victory. Then the joy, excitement, and mainly SHOCK at seeing Bettis only had 139 yards (6 points), this giving the WYD a thrilling 1 pint victory. One more yard for the BUS and we'd have had a tie. Unbelievable!!!! It's interesting how a 1 point loss is devastating but a 1 point victory is thrilling. "

In the other locker room, the ever unflappable Jeff ferris, GM of the BBBQ, was gracious in defeat."The Daddies rallied back with sheer consistency and talent this season showing they are true Super Bowl Champions. Great Game!" When the night was over, no one was arguing with the thought that one of the hardest fought seasons had come to an end with one of the most dramatic and hardest fought games of the season...all certainly seems well with the BFFL.

In the battle for the third place Cereal Bowl crown, the King of Nothings came away with a anticlimactic 73-35 win over Colon's team. Led by 24 points by Testeverde, 12 from Priest Holmes, 12 from Shannon Sharpe, and 15 from the Atlanta defense, the Kings took an early lead and never looked back. With a rebuilt team, stayng only with Shannon Sharpe and Jason Elam from his week one starting lineup, Steve Scott battled his way from a difficult start, making 15 transactions thru the season, and not quitting until he had a team that he felt confident with. In retrospect, Scott was practical about the Kings' season. "I started out like a pile of crap and made a miraculous comeback after picking up Terrell Owens and Terrance Mathis..... ....to sum up the entire FFL season....It was a wonderful, wacky, surprise ridden season. One of heartbreak for some....and triumph for others......I can't believe that I ended up with the third highest scoring total for the season!!!"

The Cereal Bowl -- Like Kissing your sister.
When questioned further on his season, the draft, and his BFFL philosophy, in general, Scott was very open, often times hard on himself. "I would rate my drafting abilities with one word....pathetic.....I would say that I drafted 5 out of 17 players that were worth a damn, that was all that was left on my roster at the end of the season. The rest were busts.....I would like to share all of my draft strategies with everyone, then if you listened to me, all of your teams would suck, too. "

As for Colon's team, a 4-0 start was an interesting one for a team hand picked by the Commish's BFFL sanctioned laptop on draft day. Sticking primarily with the starting lineup of Bledsoe, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Rice, Galloway, Walls, John Hall, and the SF defense, this team that got off to such a good start, went only 3-10 the rest of the way and seemed, in the end, to represent not a team of the present, but rather a team representing past greatness seen in the BFFL.

In a season to end all seasons, the six team format made the competition for the four playoff spots more competitive than ever. Add to that a season where we saw the rise of more new stars than ever before and the possible decline of some we thought would never fade away and the results were a season of unparalleled intensity and competition. Add to that new web linked technology, mix it all together and the results were beyond beyond.

The 1998 was a season where we saw the Commish finally win his much deserved Super Bowl trophy with the Whose Your Daddies, in the closest final in league history. It was a season where the unflappable Jeff Ferris calmly took the BBBQ to another fine second place finish, despite constant second guessing and consternation over his famous, almost Columbo-like draft day demeanor. It was a season where we saw Steve Scott take the slow starting King of Nothings and turn them into somethings with a respectable third place finish. It was a season where we saw a Colon led Colon's Team take his famous laptop picked team and stoically watch them finish with the third playoff spot and a fourth place playoff finish. It was a season where new name such as Moss, Mathis, Owens, Taylor, Moulds, Plummer and so many more filled our time. A time where names like Sanders and Thomas and Rice seemed far away.

Two of the most interesting teams of the year ended up being the Toilet Bowl finalists; the Friggin Losers, last year's champs and the Marauders, a team consisting of a potent looking offense with the likes of Moss, Taylor, Favre, and Anderson. The Losers had one of the most incredible streaks of bad luck at quarterback you could imagine. Brunell, Brad Johnson, Scott Mitchell, Glenn Foley, Jeff George, Kordell Stewart, Bubby Brister. I don't think that there is much more that this reporter can add here. When asked to explain his plunge from last year's champs to this year's Toilet Bowl demise, GM John Layne dismissed the injuries as the reason. Instead, he said, "I accept full responsiblity for the demise of my team. I unloaded some high priced free agents in the offseason that unfortunately depleted valuable leadership on and off the field. Having drank from the winners cup in '97, only to swallow the bitter pill of defeat in '98, I can only say, "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all".

Here is a breakdown of how unlucky the 'Losers' were this season.

Mark Brunell A respectable 130 Fantasy Points in 10 fantasy starts for 'Losers', but two goose eggs.

Scott Mitchell 6 points during 2 weeks on the 'Losers' bench. 6 total fantasy points in 1998.

Brad Johnson 6 points in one start for the 'Losers', before being waived and picked up by the 'Kings of Nothing'.
46 total Fantacy Points in 1998.

Jeff George 0 points during one start for the 'Losers' .
29 total fantasy points in 1998.

Bubby Brister 6 points during 1 start for the 'Losers' .
68 total fantasy points in 1998.

Kordell Stewart 6 points during 4 starts for the 'Losers'. Including three 0's in weeks 15-17.
58 points during 7 weeks on the 'Losers' bench.
82 total fantasy points in 1998.
Glenn Foley, (not pictured)
0 pts during 8 weeks on the 'Losers' bench
38 total fantasy points in 1998.
Total Points for quarter backs on 'Losers' 148 in 17 games , 8.7 average and SIX 0's.

As for the Marauders, it seemed impossible for this team not to make the playoffs for the first time. GM Dale Stalbaum was surprisingly upbeat about his season. "I got off to a slow start and couldn't catch up. It was great having Taylor, Anderson, Moss, and Farve but it seemed that whenever I really needed a point, I just couldn't muster it. We scored a lot of points but just put it together when I had to. If the regular season could have just gone a week or two longer, I would have gotten in. I think I became a much wiser GM this year.....I spent a lot on free agents but sometimes you have to do that until you get the players you need.....can't wait for next year's draft.......I'm ready to have it right now.......MOSS, MOSS, MOSS, MOSS, MOSS........".

Randy Moss
148 Total Fantasy points #1 WR in BBFL

Brett Farve
230 Total Fantasy points #3 QB in BBFL

Jamal Anderson
166 Total Fantasy points #2 RB in BBFL

Fred Taylor
142 Total Fantasy points #3 RB in BBFL

Two Toilet Bowl teams... two disappointing seasons... two Luzers...two proud GM's and two proud teams that seem intent on taking this year's experience with them.....two teams that will definitely be back next year........

At the recent BFFL meetings, this reporter had a chance to sit down and talk to the GM's about the '97 seaon and the future. This is what was discussed......

Question: In 25 words or less, how would you sum up your season?
Greg: What else could I say but "AWESOME BABY!!!!"..I'm going to Disney World.
Steve: This sums up my season...I started out like a pile of crap and made a miraculous comeback after picking up Terrell Owens and Terrance Mathis.
Jeff: Second Place
John: A damn travesty.
Dale: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Question: How would you sum up the season in general?
Greg: It was a real interesting season. Everyone had a shot up to the next to last week. A real dog fight!
Steve: It was a wonderful, wacky surprise ridden season. One of heartbreak for some and triumph for others. I can't believe I ended up with the third highest scoring total for the season.
Jeff: This was one of the most exciting seasons, especially with the history of the league and its franchise owners. I think it is getting more competitive and close in scoring each season.
John: A season filled with anomalies. How does a tesm with the 2nd highest total miss the playoffs in a six team league? Half of the playoff teams had a losing record, etc.... The season with the most injuries to high caliber players. Also very exciting except for my finish.
Dale: Incredible season, all around...amazing Super Bowl finish.... very competitive..... so many what ifs for every team, you can't really comprehend them all.

Question:As you look back at the draft in August, how would you rate yourself in picking during that draft?
Greg: Hit and miss. Was definitely off with Rob Moore in the second round. Picking up Natrone Means in the later rounds was a steal. But the free agent aquisitions of Cunningham and Seattle's DT/ST were what put us over the top. A decent draft and a few FA moves were the right combination.
Steve: I would rate my drafting abilities with one word: pathetic.
Jeff: I liked all my picks.
John: I must have been on crack!!!
Dale: Moss and Anderson were smart picks. Favre had 27 TD's but more was still expected of him.. I'm not convinced that Terrell Davis would have made the dif for me.

Question:As you look at your FA moves, how would you rate yourself?
Greg: The signing of Cunningham and Seattle made the difference between being a playoff contender and the BFFL champs. Our front office got the job done when necessary and did what we asked of them.
Steve: I would say that I drafted 5 out of 17 players that were worth a damn, that was all that were left on my roster at the end of the season. The rest were busts.
Jeff: I learned that I had some sleepers I dropped, like always, and has been for the last 4 years, that wake up around week 7-9. Also, as of now I would like to make an announcement that the BBBQ's that originated in Pasadena are moving to Annapolis and are changing the franchise name to A BUNCH OF MORONS.
John : Too little too late.
Dale: Fred Taylor was my only decent pickup. Other than that, I spent 24 dollars looking for another Fred Taylor. Never happenned.

Question:Who would be you MVP in the BFFL this year:
Greg: WYD MVP: Cunningham
BFFL MVP: Steve Young Steve: Steve Young: Without him there is no way in Hell Jeff would have made the Super Bowl.
Jeff: I would have to go with Steve Young (close to Moss, Moss,Moss). He was consistant throughout the year and even though a couple of games he had goose eggs in the first half end up throwing 3 touchdowns by the end of the game.
John: I would have to select Young because if it wasn't for ol BYU Boy, BBQ would have been in the crapper with me.
Dale: Steve Young.

BFFL MVP: Steve Young of the BBBQ

Question:Who was the most overrated player?
Greg: Stewart/Herman Moore
Steve: Kordell
Jeff: Elway
John: Kordell Blowart
Dale: KS

Most Overrated Player: Kordell Stewart of the Kings Of Nothing, and Fricken' Losers.

Question:Comeback of the Year?
Greg: Cunningham/Young
Steve: Cunningham
Jeff: Fred Taylor
John: no comment
Dale: Randall C.

Comeback Player of the Year: Randall Cunningham of the WhoseYourDaddies.

Question:Plans for next season.. any draft insights or philosophy you would like to share?
Greg: Sure, check out my web site at "www.givemeyourdinero.com". Only 49.95 for membership. Like Im going to give you my secrets.
Steve: I would like to share all of my draft strategies with everyone, then if you listened to me all your teams would suck too.
Jeff: Next year I'm going back to the east coast offense.
John: I have learned that leadership and experience is an important commodity that a team cannot survive without. Having learned what my mistakes are I will proceed, with vigor, this offseason for proven veteran talent. With a recent surge in cash flow, provided by my parent company from a new invention called the frigginwidgit, will afford me the luxury of paying the salary cap tax applied for exceeding the cap.
Dale: Huh?

Any truth to the rumors that some of you might be doing TV, radio, or press commentary next season?
Greg: We are currently under negotiation to form an alliance with ESPN and Chris Mortenson to provide FFL Insider notes each Sunday on ESPN NFL GAMEDAY as well as make weekly appearances on NFL tonight on ESPN2. But that is still in negotiations.
Steve: No, but I am considering setting up another web site in addition to minorfalcon.com and selling or giving away my GREAT web stats programs.
Jeff: Not yet.
John: Unfortunately not. My last incident involving a lady whom I bit in the back and sang show tunes while wearing sexy lingerie and a toupee, has hurt any opportunity for future broadcasting jobs.
Dale: I just agreed to do the BFFL Sports Update every 90 minutes on the Spice channel.

Question:What memory from '98 will you take with you into the '99 season? Greg: That would have to be the draft. That has to be the best part of the season. It's always great to hear Jeff moan and groan when the player picked before him is the one he wants. Plus, you never know when Corey Croom might appear.....Our first Championship. It is the happiest day in the existance of the WhoseYourDaddies Franchise.
Steve: The memory of how I wanted to change my draft strategy from last year and pick players that I didn't actually think would be the best, but so called "experts" thought were the best, and it ended up biting me in the ass. Next year I might go to the famed "East Coast Offense" technique. Or better yet the Jeff Ferris "take 15 minutes per pick" technique to really piss off my drafting opponents. Maybe I might go to the "Don't spend all your money on free agents" technique and accept the fact that I can't draft worth a damn!!! Or the "If you know there is a hot rookie (ie Randy MOSS, MOSS, MOSS) take him early in the draft" technique.
Jeff: The stats on the Monday night game during Superbowl. And the reality the next morning.
John: I will forever be haunted by the fact that had I started Hearst in the first game of the season, I would have made the playoffs.
Dale: Week 10....Monday Night.... Packers versus Steelers.... Tomzak is sacked at the Packer's 24 yard line..... Tomzak fumbles..... Mckenzie picks it up and rumbles 76 yards... a ten point score for the WYD....Favre...0 points....did that really happen or did you guys fix the transmission going into my house that night.......

Mike Tomczak's Fumble and Keith McKenzie's return for a touchdown in week 10 cost Dale a spot in the playoffs.

and, finally....
Question:If you were a tree, what would you be?
Greg: That would depend on whether or not anyone is in the forest when I fell and whether or not I made any noise.
Steve: If I were a tree, I would be like the one in the front of my house, a sorry sack of $h!t that can't produce leaves on half of its branches.
Jeff: Maple
John: I'm not being dirty but it would be a pussywillow.
Dale: Norwegian Pine...what kind of wierd question is that, anyway?????

Before we say good night, would the Commish like to say anything on the state of the BFFL? Thank you, Thank you ( to a standing ovation)......Well, I must say that this was one of the most exciting and entertaining years in BFFL history. All six teams were battling for playoff spots until the end of the season. It was good to see that all the teams stuck through to the bitter end of the season. Although, we are launching an investigation, codename Gary Anderson, into the lack of starts given to the record-setting leading scorer of the NFL this year. It amazes me that year after year the BBBQ franchise is looked at as being "somewhat lacking" yet year after year you can find them in the playoffs. Maybe others should try the unique approach of the BBBQ. There are thoughts of awarding 2 expansion franchises next year, bringing the league back up to 8 teams. More news will be given when available. In the meantime,

See You on Draft Day!!