Last Place Widsom: Week Twelve - That's Saying Something
It has seemed like every week, both John and my columns have been coming out later and later. Those of you who appreciated being able to check the PowerPowell Rankings on Tuesday, and then follow it up with some Last Place Wisdom on Wednesday have likely taken notice of this as well, as it's more likely that you're going to be reading about the going ons of the TFLOEG as you set your lineup on Sunday Morning than you are on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. This new normal has taken some getting used to, just like I think there is a new normal in our league that is also taking some getting used to. Dawson and Shayne have been at the top all season long, and looking at the standings they still are. However, they are no longer the favourites they once were as injuries have sort of derailed their stretch run. On the flipside, while it hasn't shown up in the standings as of yet, no team has been more successful against the field since Week 6 than the Papa John's Pizza Pirates; as I narrowly have edged out both John and Stan at 46-45. With me being off to a strong start again this week, the Dark Horse might be the favourite going into the playoffs. On that note, I feel like it's time to take the blog back to a better time, and without further ado, Mr. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
There has been a plethora of football already played this week, so instead of totally being a preview we already have some games to look at. Andrew thought he had Mr. Bad Manager of the Week sewn up, but that is now at risk that Shayne played the Eagles D/ST. Shayne is not doing any of the teams fighting for the playoff spots a favour by performing so poorly up to this point. Curtis, Andrew or Clarke could all make the playoffs by winning the last 2 while Aaron or I lose the last 2. Since it looks like both Aaron and I will win this week, it will mean having to make up over 100 points in order to take the tie-breaker, which is a tough task indeed. Unless a true miracle/nightmare happens, we might be looking at the 8 teams in the playoffs, with only the specific ordering left to determine.
The Papa John's Pizza Emo Shoutout of the Week
I often catch up on TV while writing the week's Last Place Wisdom, and shortly after coming up with the idea to give out an Emo Shoutout of the Week I was able to watch Tweek and Craig break up and I knew exactly what to do. Andrew, there was so much hope for your team before the season started. You had made a huge trade with John in the offseason to get the best players off your favourite team, you were stacked with young receivers, and everything should have been set for you to compete for the league championship. But then between Jimmy letting you down and a slew of injuries you had to watch things slowly slip away. I'm sure there were numerous time you were watching your team and asking them to show you something so you wouldn't give up on them, only to not receive an answer. Because of that, this goes out to you (I know it's not a mid-2000's emo tune, and it's not the superior South Park montage (stupid copyright laws), but I figured Andrew would still appreciate it).
Mr. Manager of the Week Award
I have to give the award to Clarke this week for truly accepting the position of playing for next year. By tearing his team down, Clark now gets to keep LeVeon Bell, Alshon Jeffery, Dez Bryant and Todd Gurley going into next year, as well as having 6 picks in the first 4 rounds. That's a terrifying roster, and should guarantee that Clarke will be in a position to compete next year and for years to come.
I reserve the right to change this award if John or Dawson win a championship on the backs of Greg Olsen or Lamar Miller. I appreciate their willingness to go for it all this year, if my depth was looking a little better and I had a little more clarity in my team's makeup I would have liked to make a move to improve my chances as well. They paid a high price, but as former champions they all know that winning a championship is worth it.
Well That Surprised Me
There has been a plethora of football already played this week, so instead of totally being a preview we already have some games to look at. Andrew thought he had Mr. Bad Manager of the Week sewn up, but that is now at risk that Shayne played the Eagles D/ST. Shayne is not doing any of the teams fighting for the playoff spots a favour by performing so poorly up to this point. Curtis, Andrew or Clarke could all make the playoffs by winning the last 2 while Aaron or I lose the last 2. Since it looks like both Aaron and I will win this week, it will mean having to make up over 100 points in order to take the tie-breaker, which is a tough task indeed. Unless a true miracle/nightmare happens, we might be looking at the 8 teams in the playoffs, with only the specific ordering left to determine.
The Papa John's Pizza Emo Shoutout of the Week
I often catch up on TV while writing the week's Last Place Wisdom, and shortly after coming up with the idea to give out an Emo Shoutout of the Week I was able to watch Tweek and Craig break up and I knew exactly what to do. Andrew, there was so much hope for your team before the season started. You had made a huge trade with John in the offseason to get the best players off your favourite team, you were stacked with young receivers, and everything should have been set for you to compete for the league championship. But then between Jimmy letting you down and a slew of injuries you had to watch things slowly slip away. I'm sure there were numerous time you were watching your team and asking them to show you something so you wouldn't give up on them, only to not receive an answer. Because of that, this goes out to you (I know it's not a mid-2000's emo tune, and it's not the superior South Park montage (stupid copyright laws), but I figured Andrew would still appreciate it).
Mr. Manager of the Week Award
I have to give the award to Clarke this week for truly accepting the position of playing for next year. By tearing his team down, Clark now gets to keep LeVeon Bell, Alshon Jeffery, Dez Bryant and Todd Gurley going into next year, as well as having 6 picks in the first 4 rounds. That's a terrifying roster, and should guarantee that Clarke will be in a position to compete next year and for years to come.
I reserve the right to change this award if John or Dawson win a championship on the backs of Greg Olsen or Lamar Miller. I appreciate their willingness to go for it all this year, if my depth was looking a little better and I had a little more clarity in my team's makeup I would have liked to make a move to improve my chances as well. They paid a high price, but as former champions they all know that winning a championship is worth it.
Well That Surprised Me
- Given all the parity that our league has seen, I'm a little surprised that the playoff picture is looking so set with 2 weeks to play still. That's disappointing, as it would've made for a more exciting end to the regular season.
- Last week I said I wouldn't be surprised to see it be a slow trade deadline, but given the number of major injuries recently I'm surprised that more of the teams in the playoffs didn't try making an offer for some help in the playoffs. CJ?K and Thomas Rawls stand out as guys who might not be worth keeping who could have been a big help to the teams with some questions going into the playoffs.
- If we're watching 1 games next week to decide who ends up the regular season champion. John plays Dawson and given the way the points tiebreaker is looking it is tough to see anyone else sneaking past both of them to end up with the top spot. That will be a fun matchup to watch, which I will certainly touch on next week if things end up the way I'm expecting.
For the record, there's never been a better time when Tom Petty is involved. Dexter Freebush FTW!
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