The Internet Simulation Football League Newsletter
Volume #13 Issue #8 October 12, 2009
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Current League Officers
Commissioner: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
League Statistician: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
ISFL WWW site: http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/ISFL.htm
ISFL Review Board: Jeff Barricelli, Dave Stewart, Don Antonelli
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LEAGUE NOTES
I. Message from the Commissioner
II. News from Around the League
III. Standings
IV. Week 7 Results
V. Week 8 Schedule
VI. Transactions
VII. Other News including Players of the Week
I. MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Another solid week as the games were all done well inside of the deadline and game contacts have been going well, keep up the good work
guys! Keep in mind, the trade deadline is just 3 weeks away at the end of week 10.
Alex is still recovering, as soon as I know something more, I will let everyone know. Hank Sienzant has offered to run the Dolphins
until Alex returns and that works for me and is greatly appreciated, so please contact Hank for all Miami games until further notice.
Thanks!
There is a new Action file, dated 10/7, please be sure it is installed for this weeks games.
Dont forget, if you lose a player for 2 or more games, you can ask for an injury replacement, but it must be done the same week as
the injury, so dont wait, get those requests in right away and take advantage, especially the teams who are already challenged for
the amount of games they have to work with.
Reminder that you MUST send a boxscore and writeup to the league after each game. The home team is responsible for this, but either
team can do it, as long as it does get done. Also, you MUST send me the game export immediately after the game is complete. It takes
about 30 seconds, so I shouldnt have to chase you down for that file after a game, just get it in right away so I dont have to guess
whether a game has happened or not.
Other that this stuff, just keep up the good work and good luck to all for week 8!
II. News from Around the League
In the AFC, we start at the top as the Houston Texans get things back on track with a win over division rival Buffalo. They move into
a tie at the top as the Jets get upset this week. Indy is the top of the conference, still undefeated with a win over Cleveland, who
sit 2 back in the AFC East and in a wild card spot. Dallas and Tennessee both win in the West while the other three teams in the
division all take losses and it looks like its a two horse race at this point. Pittsburgh finally gets a win over division rival New
England though that still only leaves their playoff hopes on life support with too many teams between them and 6th place.
The biggest game of the season comes up this week as the 6-1 Jets host the 6-1 Texans for the top spot in the East. Cleveland plays
Buffalo as they will try and gain ground on the loser above, while Buffalo wants to get back into the playoff race and up to .500.
Indianapolis plays Tennessee in what might have been the game of the week any other time, as both will fight to stay on top of their
divisions. Dallas will try and catch the Titans as they travel to Pittsburgh in what used to be a big game in the AFC, but likely
will be a one-sided affair this season. Chicago will look to stay in the playoff race as they host the Patriots who are just looking
to try and turn their season around. Minnesota and San Francisco each face tough tests from the NFC, while Denver and San Diego will
fight it out to see who the bottom team in the conference is with the Broncos trying for their first win of the season.
In the NFC, St. Louis appears to have things back on track this year as they continue to beat the best with a win over the defending
champion Lions who drop into 2nd place in the East with Atlanta getting a big win over Chicago to take over the top spot all alone.
New York beats an undermanned Dolphins team to stay in the playoff hunt, though with the West being so tough this year, they will have
their work cut out for them. Kansas City gets a good road win over the Chargers who were coming off their huge upset last week and are
tied with the Giants just outside the playoffs. Philadelphia, Arizona and New Orleans all win out west, keeping their hold on the top
of the division but the biggest game of the week was also one of the biggest upsets of the season as Carolina beats the visiting Jets
for their first loss of the year. Another upset saw Seattle getting their first win of the season over division rival Jacksonville.
St. Louis will look to stay undefeated as they host the 49ers while Atlanta hosts division rival Jacksonville who need a win to get
their season back on track. New Orleans and Arizona will make sure we have at most two teams atop the West, as they play what could
arguably be the third Game of the Week for this week, while Philadelphia will try and avoid being the third straight upset victim for
the pesky Carolina Panthers. Detroit faces the Seattle Seahawks, coming off their own big upset win this week as they will try and keep
pace with Atlanta and the Giants do likewise as they travel to Minnesota for a cross-conference matchup. Kansas City will try and get
back into the wild card race as they match up with Miami, while Green Bay and Tampa Bay face off with the Packers hoping to keep their
already slimming playoff hopes alive.
BRONCOS NEED TO START OVER (submitted by Hank Sienzant)
With the Broncos now the sole winless team in the ISFL, possessors of a not
so gaudy 0-7 record and no hope of victories on the immediate horizon, it is
none too soon for Bronco fans to be looking ahead to next year (indeed, this
year can't end soon enough). The Broncos will probably have a top four pick
in next year's ISFL draft, and should be able to get a player at that point
who can both contribute immediately and be a productive starter for the next
ten years - or at least, that's the goal. A Ryan Clady, Dwayne Bowe, Joe
Thomas or Ernie Sims type is the goal here.
Those four players are the Broncos last four first round picks, and all have
been solid starters for the Broncos. But there aren't many players like that
on the current Broncos, and general manager Hank Sienzant is just coming to
the realization that the current team needs to be gutted and rebuilt from the
ground up to become a competitive squad again.
OFFENSE:
On the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos strongest positions are the
offensive line (with Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady as bookend tackles) and wide
receiver. Their weakest is quarterback and running back. They need inceased
speed at the skill position players.
OFFENSIVE LINE: The offensive line has some decent players alonside those
book end tackles Thomas and Clady, in Nick Cole, Josh Sitton, and Allen
Barbre, but it is becoming apparent that center Samson Satele is not the
answer. Veterans Mike Wahle and Andy McCollum shouldn't buy a home in
Denver, as they are not going to be here next year. Tackle Erik Pears
missed all of 2009 and returns from injured reserve to back up Thomas and
Clady. It is anticipated Barbre will get a look here as well. Breno
Giacomini needs to pick up his game if he is to make next year's roster.
Clady has stepped in at right tackle and done an exceptional job,
especially given his natural position is left tackle. The 6-6, 325 Clady
is a player who, barring injury, looks like someone the Broncos should be able
to count on for the next 10 years. Joe Thomas is a carry-over player from the
previous regime, but equally as good. Thomas and Clady offer the
Broncos bookend tackles are will be the foundation of the rebuilding effort
that should take at least another two years.
WIDE RECEIVER: Wide out has two players who can be good pros in Nate
Washington and Dwayne Bowe. Bowe is more of a possession receiver, and his
54-573, 10.6, is good for second in the league in receptions. Washington
has provided the deep speed thus far with 26-434, 16.7. Two rookies, Devin
Thomas and Limas Sweed have been up and down thus far, although Thomas
(15-127, 1 TD) has had a better rookie campaign than Sweed (1-16). Both
show promise at this juncture. Smallish Ryne Robinson comes off the reserve
list but has an uphill battle to make the club.
TIGHT END / H-BACK: There is one veteran in danger of getting cut (Bubba
Franks), one journeyman (Delanie Walker), and two youngsters in Tom Santi
and Jermichael Finley. The Broncos would be happiest if one of the
youngsters emerge from the group to become the full time starter. Santi
already has 20-167, 1 TD, but it is Finley, only 21 years old, who has the
biggest upside of the group. The Broncos drafted the youngster in the
fifth round, and while he has only 5 receptions for 56 yards, his 11.2
average is the best among the Bronco tight ends and shows some of his rare
speed and ability. Dalanie Walker has some utility as a kickoff returner
(28-495, 17.7), so that might help him make the roster next year.
RUNNING BACK: Running back has two decent players in Lendale White and Ricky
Williams, but neither is a quality back at this time. Williams is still a
good player, but at 31 isn't getting any younger. A dominant player in his
prime, he needs to be spotted to be effective at this time. Lendale White
is a disappointment. Expected to be the dominant bell cow back, he has
struggled with weight issues his entire pro career and needs to get down
to his optimum weight of about 230-235 (he is playing at 260 right now).
However, more than losing the weight, he needs to become a productive
every-down back or the Broncos will probably seek reinforcements elsewhere.
QUARTERBACK: Without sugar coating it, this is a disaster area. 31-year-old
Dante Culpepper earned the job out of camp, but it was more like he only
stood still while everyone else took a step backward. He hasn't started a
game since week one due to an abdominal tear, but he is expected to be back
late in the year. In week one, he compiled a 44.7 passer rating. In his
stead, 34-year-old journeyman Brian Griese has thrown 8 touchdown passes
and 15 picks(!) in five starts (66.8), so Rex Grossman got the nod in week
seven, but his 30.7 passer rating didn't exactly inspire confidence moving
forward. 40-year-old Brad Johnson was released before the start of the
season, and brought back as the emergency backup when Culpepper went down.
He is waiting in the wings and may be starting before too long, but if he
is, the Broncos really don't have a prayer, as Brad has nothing left to
give. While some have criticized the Broncos for passing on Joe Flacco in
the draft, who is playing well in Cleveland (88.4), but it should be
remembered that future All-Pro Tyan Clady was acquired with the pick.
DEFENSE:
Defensively, the Broncos need help everywhere, although they do have some
good young talent to build around. This promises to be an easier job getting
competitive than on the offensive side. The biggest problems are lack of size
in the front seven and overall team speed.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Cornerback has the most promise, with youngsters like
22-year-old Tracy Porter and 23-year-old Terrell Thomas looking good when
starting. Porter went down with injury early on, but the Broncos are very
high on his skill set. Thomas has been pressed into duty as a starter
because of injuries to Porter and veteran Shawn Springs, and has been
burned at times, but he has shown he has a future in this league. 33-year
old Springs isn't done yet, although he has lost a half-step from his
prime, and the Broncos have considered moving him to safety next year to
keep him on the field. He is no longer starter material, most likely, but
his veteran savvy and leadership role still has a place on a rebuilding
team. 32-year-old Jason Craft has been burned repeatedly and is probably
gone at year's end, while Drew Coleman is okay at best. He can't viewed for
more thab a nickel or dimeback role at this point in his career. 34-year
Sam Madison was picked up mid-season and will be released at the end of the
year.
At safety, Denver has one good player, and a few possibilities. Dawan
Landry is the good player, but he is on IR right now and may not play again
this year. 25-year-old Josh Bullocks, 25-year-old Jason Allen and
22-year-old Craig Steltz are young enough and talented enough to develop
into starters, but that may or may not ever happen. 27-year-old George
Wilson is just a body. Marlon McCree has lost a step and is getting by on
just guile. He isn't long for this league.
LINEBACKERS: The core of the linebacking corps is small, but solid.
24-year-old OLB Ernie Sims (230 lbs) and 28-year-old ILB Will Witherspoon
(239) aren't spectacular (no sacks or turnovers), but they do what they
have to do and are generally around the ball (Witherspoon has 53 tackles,
Sims 50). Na'il Diggs (240) is a notch below those two but still good
enough to play. Rookie Vernon Gholston has the size and speed the Broncos
want, but has been a major disappointment to date. The Broncos need him
to come through in a big way. Drafted in the second round out of Ohio
State, he was expected to replace Diggs and put pressure on the QB, but he
has been nearly a cipher thus far (just six tackles in seven games, and no
big plays). Bryan Kehl (24) was selected in round 8 and Erin Henderson in
the supplemental rounds. Both have some talent, but need further growth and
refinement before they can be counted on. Veteran special teamer and
journeyman ILB Monty Beisel (30) is near the end of the line and will
probably be replaced.
DEFENSIVE LINE: These guys can't stop the run, but they make it for it by not
putting pressure on the QB either. DT Tony Brown is a solid veteran, but at
28, may not be around long enough to see the Broncos get competitive again.
He already has 54 tackles this year, but too many are downfield. The
Broncos turned down two different trade offers for him in the offseason.
Nobody else on the defensive line has more than 13 tackles, so the problem
is obvious. DT Ed Johnson (25) looked good a few years ago as a rookie, but
something is missing right now. He needs to get that fire back. Neither of
these players has the size required to hold the point and stuff the run.
Johnson is only 296, and Brown just 290. Most likely, None of the other
players - Chris Hoke (32), John Engleberger (32), or Chris Clemons (27) -
will be back next year. While Hoke is 305, he isn't exactly a spring
chicken anymore, while Engleberger is only 260, and Clemons smaller still
(240). After all, as the saying goes, the Broncos can go 0-7 with a bunch
of rookies. This area rivals the Broncos QB situation on offense in terms
of how much help is needed, but may be more difficult for Denver to improve
immediately, as the Broncos only need one good player at QB, but far more
on the D-Line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kicker Mason Crosby has a strong leg (54-yarder last week), and has been
nearly perfect on field goals (10 of 11). At just 24 years old, his future is
bright. Jon Ryan has a 46.0 yard gross punting average, but only a 36.0 net.
He needs to improve that, but otherwise has been very good. Long Snapper
L.P.Ladouceur also has played some DE, but he should stick to long snapping.
2010 DRAFT:
The next draft does bring some good news. In addition to owning all of their
own picks, the Broncos also have a third rounder from KC, a fifth rounder
from Detroit, and a sixth from the Jets, giving them 11 picks overall in the
2010 draft. This will enable them to improve the team size and speed and grab a
few good players who can contribute immediately, as well as getting some players
with longer-term potential who may be a few years away.
III. STANDINGS
http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/Standings09.htm
IV. RESULTS Week 7
Atlanta 27 Chicago 14
St. Louis 23 Detroit 16
New York(A) 21 Carolina 24
Buffalo 9 Houston 30
Kansas City 31 San Diego 20
Tennessee 17 San Francisco 7
Tampa Bay 10 New Orleans 34
Pittsburgh 23 New England 10
Philadelphia 37 Denver 3
Miami 20 New York(N) 28
Jacksonville 23 Seattle 31
Indianapolis 23 Cleveland 16
Green Bay 19 Arizona 37
Dallas 45 Minnesota 23
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V. SCHEDULE
Week 8
Cleveland @ Buffalo
New England @ Chicago
Seattle @ Detroit
Carolina @ Philadelphia
Houston @ New York(A)
Tampa Bay @ Green Bay
New York(N) @ Minnesota
San Diego @ Denver
San Francisco @ St. Louis
Kansas City @ Miami
Indianapolis @ Tennessee
New Orleans @ Arizona
Atlanta @ Jacksonville
Dallas @ Pittsburgh
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VI. TRANSACTIONS
AFC
BUF
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN Sign Frostee Rucker to replace Bubba Franks through week 15.
HOU
IND
MIN
NE -
NYJ
PIT Sign Will Franklin to replace Mike Furrey through week 12.
SD -
SF - Sign Issac Sowells to replace Marshall Yanda through 3rd round playoffs.
TEN Sign Marcus Thomas to replace JJ Arrington through week 11.
NFC
ARZ
ATL -
CAR Sign Jeff Charleston to replace Corey Redding through week 10.
- Sign Dante Hughes to replace Keith Smith through week 10.
DET
GB -
JAX
KC -
MIA
NO -
NYG
PHI
SEA
STL Returned CJ Mosely to free agent pool.
- Sign Hunter Hillenmeyer to replace Plaxico Burress through week 14.
TB - Returned Travis Fisher to free agent pool.
DRAFT PICKS FORFEITED:
None
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VII. OTHER NEWS:
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
WEEK ONE
OFFENSE: Larry Johnson, PHI 16 carries, 106 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Mike Brown, CHI 2 INTs, 5 tackles
WEEK TWO
OFFENSE: Tony Romo, NO 21 of 29, 246 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Chris Gamble, IND 2 INTs, 9 tackles
WEEK THREE:
OFFENSE: Philip Rivers, GB 24 of 32, 267 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: LaMarr Woodley, SEA 2 sacks, 1 INT, 7 tackles
WEEK FOUR:
OFFENSE: Greg Jennings, IND 6 catches, 165 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Patrick Willis, TB 19 tackles
WEEK FIVE:
OFFENSE: Jason Campbell, PHI 22 of 25, 302 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Demarcus Ware, JAX 3 sacks, 4 tackles
WEEK SIX:
OFFENSE: Michael Turner, NYJ 30 carries, 188 yard, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Will Allen, SF 2 INTs, 5 Tackles
WEEK SEVEN:
OFFENSE: Matt Cassel, DAL 20 of 23, 216 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Brandon McDonald, KC 3 INTs, 11 tackles, 1 TD
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