Posted - Wed 09/03 5:47p ET 
It’s finally here…. FAA 2008 will kick-off tomorrow night in New York and I for one can’t wait for the whistle. We are one season away from celebrating 10 years of FAA football and I expect this year to be a contentious battle the entire time. The political banter has been funny, engaging, pointed, frustrating and ultimately enlightening. Our league is better for it. Now its time for Football.
Norfolk @ Tokyo PICK
The defending champs open the season on the road in Tokyo and one look at the starting line-up reveals that age is taking its toll on the Champs. Peyton Manning is not in the starting spot for the first time since 2000. In his place Jason Campbell will be opening up on the road against the defending Super Bowl Champs on Sunday Night, not exactly a recipe for success. Gore vs. Arizona is a good matchup if Gore is actually back to his form from 2 seasons ago. Kevin Smith (Detroit) is a loooooong shot, heck I’m guessing his name is KEVIN. Edwards (vs. DAL) and Cotchery (vs. MIA) are good plays, but Tokyo has the advantage at Wide Out (Welker vs. KC; Holt vs. PHI) . Not sure what Ronnie Brown will do if anything for Miami and Reggie Bush was underwhelming last year. Palmer gets a shot at the Ravens DEF so it won’t be easy pickings. Hard to figure out where to go with this game. Neither team fields as roster that blows anyone away and frankly a loss in this game could be an omen for the remainder of the season for either team. The Shipmen have made their reputation by winning close games. I’m betting they do it again and win a close one.
Imperial @ Honolulu -2
If there were a division called the FAR RIGHT, then these two would be founding members. After a full year of deflecting attention from his 3-wins season its time for Wags to face the music and recognize that his team is playing for their good name and they need to get back to the playoffs this year or risk falling off like Raud. Honolulu somehow managed to make the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year after starting 0-5 last year. That run has single handedly guaranteed that the email chatter out of Albany and Henderson will not cease after they get started off with multiple losses. The Destroyers are all about LT and generally go as far as #21 carries them. That could be trouble since LT had the first significant injury of his career at the end of last season. In my mind the difference in this game comes down to the lesser-heralded players. If Stallworth scores and has a big day for Cleveland against Dallas then Honolulu will probably be off to the races. On the other hand if Thomas Jones or Desean Jackson step up big then the Maulers can win. I can really imagine a scenario where LT scores 3 TDs this week. The Destroyers rarely ever lose when he blows up…Give the points and go Honolulu.
Jersey -6 @ Albany
Oh how the mighty have fallen…. A few years back this game would have been considered a stepping stone for Albany, now its Jersey who is calling this a BYE week. The Jackers could potentially have the best RB combo in the FAA and this is made better, because both backs are well south of 30. Although his QB is 300 years old there really is no good reason why Jersey can’t compete for the FAA title for the next 5 years on RBs alone. AP and Barber are beast! Kevin Curtis in your starting lineup probably isn’t good and Alge Crumpler play with the Titans has to PROVE IT to me. Albany is a young team. Lynch is a very solid rookie and was a good pick last year in the draft (one of the first good picks for Albany in years). Grant came on at the end of the season, but his success depends in large part on how Aaron Rodgers deals with 8 man fronts. If Rogers can’t throw the ball then teams will stack up against Grant. Harrison could have one more season in his legs or he could be absolutely DONE. Ocho Cinco was more mouth than game last year and ultimately acquiring 85 last year costs Albany a shot at McFadden this year. I think Albany will be better this year, however I just see to many good teams for the Patroons to move up to a playoff spot in 2008. I expect Albany to lose 3 of his first 4 games. This will be number one…
Aliquippa @ New York -13
New York has something to prove in 2008. The Clients literally rewrote the FAA record book in 2007 and then came up small in the playoffs. At no point during the year, did the Clients ever solidify the #2 WR and #2 RB slot. AJ was hurt and Earnest Graham came on a little to late to be a major factor. This year Randy Moss and Willis McGahee have come to town and both are looking to finally compliment TO and Westbrook. All kinds of rumors are swirling around Brady, but Tom will be there on opening day. Aliquippa has openly called this a rebuilding season. In a move that baffled everyone from the Commissioner down to Rabid Ghosts’ fans. Zuc decided to trade Randy Moss for Andre Johnson and a 5th round draft picks. Most folks were surprised, but okay with that deal. Things just got plain old wacky when Zuc selected Jon Kitna with the pick (while Eli, Garrard, Rivers and others were still on the board). Well talk about Karma being a Motha…. Zuc gets to play against Randy Moss in week 1 to open the season. To make matters worse the PATS open up against KC so the fireworks are sure to be out. New York is to good and to focused to even play a close game this week. Give the points….Double Down…..Then give a few more points……Then take New York
Mt. Lebo -8 @ Henderson
Never finished a season above .500…..At this point it is nearing mathematical improbability that the Outlaws will continue to miss the playoffs. Can you imagine that the Outlaws have never played in a post-season game?? The consolation tourney was the first time ever that the Maulers weren’t teeing off for the opening hole in the Golf Tourney. Mt. Lebo bit the bullet last year and traded everything in order to position himself for the 2008 draft. The Maulers had 3 FIRST ROUND picks. In a supposed rebuilding year the Outlaws actually shocked everyone by starting off the season 5-2, before spiraling out of control to miss the playoffs. If McFadden can hit the ground running then Mt. Lebo may just get the push he needs to get 7 wins this year. Henderson would have been booted from the league by now if he didn’t fall into a Championship a few years ago. How does that make you feel if you don’t have a ring. Even Henderson sports some FAA bling!. McNabb is actually healthy for the first time in years so this could be another uptick for Henderson. The Jax running situation will need to sort itself out in order for Hendo to figure out who to start every week. At least he has covered his bases by taking both backs. Roy Williams, Hines Ward and Kellen Winslow all have BLOW UP potential. Henderson blindly does what Mt. Lebo dreams about…He limps his way around to the .500 mark and always has a chance to play his way into the playoff when the final round of division games hits in Week 11. In my upset of the week I’m picking Henderson to win this game outright and the pressure on Drummond to increase dramatically after the first week.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Pittsburgh @ Sewickley -4
I don’t even remember the last time Pgh played in the GAME OF THE WEEK and considering that it’s only week 1 I wouldn’t make Parade Plans just yet. Having said, this matchup is easily the most compelling of the week. For the first time in a while PIT has an extremely formidable team. Addai and Portis are Top 6 RBs and Fitz is a legitimate #1. Steve Smith is always a threat to BLOW UP (He does know Smith is suspended for the first 2 games , right…..) and Chris Cooley will probably have his usual big game in the national spotlight on Thursday. I personally don’t like starting a DEF who is playing against my starting QB, kind of puts you through all kinds of emotions during sacks and turnovers. The F-Bombs are quietly putting together a dynasty of sorts in the Central. For years the Central was Albany’s domain and Sewickley came in and immediately challenged for the throne. Well it sure didn’t take long to be dominant. Sewickley has won 3 consecutive Central Division titles and they are the favorite again this season. At some point the F-Bombs need to win a playoff game, but when you are playing in a division that features an aging former champion who hasn’t been to the playoffs in 3 years, yet can’t stop talking about how close he was to making it 2 years ago…..or a team that has NEVER finished above .500…….or a team that has moved the franchise so many times that they actually moved back to Aliquippa for a second time last season…..Just making the playoffs is a huge accomplishment. LJ and Stephen Jackson would have scared the h%ll out of this league last year. This year teams are waiting and watching and just hoping they don’t BLOW UP against me!. I like what Sewickley has built, but my heart would love to see PIT finally make a run…..Going with my head. Sewickley and give the points.
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