He's Baaaaack Beyatches!!!!

Time to get that RIIIIIIIING!!!!

The S, The E, The M, The I, The S, The E, The M, The I……..Its Semis!!! Its Semis!!!!


Why do we play this game? Do we play for draft position? NO. Do we play for political banter? NO. Do we play for Zuc’s Memos? NO.

We Play to WIN the Game!!!! (Thanks Herm)


And then there were 4….



Albany Patroons (Central Division Champions; 8-5 Regular Season; 1-0 Playoffs)

Vs.

-5 Imperial Maulers (East Division Champions; 8-5 Regular Season)

These teams met week 10 with Albany winning the game 95 – 90.

Albany comes into Imperial on a mission. The Patroons were the laughingstock of the league last season capped off with the dismissal of Raud by BA towards season’s end. Albany made a run in the middle stretch of games this season to secure the Central Division title, but couldn’t hold on to the #2 seed and first round BYE down the stretch. No matter because Albany took care of business against Norfolk (82-68) in the wildcard round. Now the Patroons find themselves in a position that they haven’t been in since 2003 (Semi-Final Playoff Round). Of course there are no players left over from that Championship team and with Raud’s dismissal last year they don’t even have the same coach. A win over Wags who is Albany’s mortal enemy on all issues Sporting (USC over PSU), Political (Obama over McCain), Sporting Event Apparel (Bettis Jersey over Cable Guy outfit), will be extra sweet. I believe that keeping Wags from winning a ring, thus keeping along Albany’s patented WAGS REPELLANT (RIIIIIIIINNNNNGGG!!!) is a close second only to his own desire to win another ring.
The Maulers are hosting another FAA Semi-Final this year. The good part is that Wags has experience, the bad part is that he doesn’t have a ton of experience winning Semi-Final games. Of course with the Championship Game planned for Norfolk Field next week, one could argue that the field in Norfolk is Wags personal house of horrors. The Maulers shocked the league this year by bouncing back so quickly. After a miserable 3 win season last year and Zero (Count them….ZERO!) picks in the first or second round this year. It wasn’t clear how Imperial would turn it around, or better said IF they would turn it around. The self proclaimed ‘Genius’ hit the trade wires hard from draft day to the final days of the trading deadline and molded a team that was picked to finish 3rd in the East into a division Champion. Now can he take one more step? We know how sweet the win would be for Albany. It is safe to say it could be even sweeter for Wags. 2 more wins (starting with a win over Albany this week) and Wags will drive the stake through Albany’s heart about who is the better franchise. Overnight Albany’s ring in 2003 will be re-categorized as an old piece of scrap metal by Wags. So, what will we see….

Advantage Imperial Opponent Albany Opponent Advantage
Big Ben Ravens Brees Bears X
X T. Jones Bills M. Lynch Jets
X LT Chiefs R. Grant Jags
L. Moore Bears Harrison Lions X
X Boldin Vikings A. Johnson Titans
O. Daniels Titans D. Keller Bills X
X D.Carpenter 49ers J. Reed Ravens
Giants Cowboys Vikings Cards X
X OT- L. White Texans Pennington 49ers

The matchups are pretty close across the board. I believe this game will be decided by a scoring anomaly. Both teams have guys that are capable of 30pt games (T. Jones, LT, Boldin; Lynch, AJ, Brees) but all of those guys are capable of putting up low single digits during a 2008 NFL Sunday. The Bills and Chiefs both have given up in games this year, so Imperial could have a huge day running the ball. When Brees drops back to throw deep tonight BOTH teams will be anxious about who is under the pass! This is a must-see game with great matchups and FAA glory on the line. If I had to pick it I’d go with the home team. I just think at the end of the day that Lynch, Grant and Harrison are just as likely to combine for 15pts as they are to combine for 60 and the playoffs is no time for Ifs and Buts. Take Imperial give the points and buckle up.




Sewickley F-Bombs (7-6 Regular Season; 1-0 Playoffs)





AT




-3.5 New York Clients (West Division Champions; 10-3 Regular Season)




These teams met for a WILD game back in week 7 with the F-Bombs prevailing 103-102. The game tied Sewickley with the Clients for best FAA record after 7 weeks (6-1) and the battle lines were drawn for Regular Season supremacy. Amazingly Sewickley went 1-5 over the next 6 games to barely finish over .500 for the season. (The F-Bombs lone win came over Pittsburgh, eeeks!). Sewickley lost their grip on the Central Division title after 3 consecutive championships and backed into a wild-card spot for the playoffs. The F-Bombs took care of business last week (84-51) vs. Hendo and scored the most points of any wildcard playoff team. Even with all of the success and division championships Sewickley has never appeared in the FAA Championship Game. To get there Sewickley will have to beat a NYC team for the 2nd time this year, which has lost only 5 games in the past 2 years.
The Clients are hosting the FAA Semi’s for the 2nd consecutive year and the 3rd time in franchise history. NYC has enjoyed tremendous regular season success, however the Clients have only appeared in one championship game (drum roll please….) in 1999. NYC has managed to dominate this season without the services of last year’s FAA MVP (Brady) and by running a revolving door at RB2 and WR2. New York made a bold trade in giving up the Steeler DEF and a 2nd rd pick to add some stability to both of those positions. Lets just say…that hasn’t worked out. Neither Parker or Burress will be active for this week’s game and Burress may be just getting out of jail in time to compete with Zuc during his 5-6 year FAA domination (Memo to Zuc: Negro Puleazzzzze!). So it looks like Reggie Bush gets the start at RB2 and WR2 will be flavor of the week…again. TO is not getting any younger, Westbrook is growing more durable and Brady has missed the entire season. If NYC is going to the Championship Game, then the time is now for the Clients.

Advantage Clients Opponent Sewickley Opponent Advantage
X Rivers Chiefs Rodgers Jags
X Bush Bears LJ SD
X Westbrook Browns S. Jackson Seahawks
Owens Giants Wayne Lions X
Royal Panthers Marshall Panthers X
X Bironas Texans Crosby Jags
X Ravens Steeelers Bears Saints
OT- Garcia Falcons OT-Orton Saints X


NYC has some opportunities for some explosive point totals. Rivers vs. KC; Westbrook vs. Browns; Ravens vs. Steelers. Of course Detroit couldn’t cover Reggie Wayne even if they were allowed to run the Pistons starting 5 out in addition to the normal defense. This has the potential to be another high scoring game and of course it is MUST SEE TV. To me this game comes down to LJ and Steven Jackson. If these guys play the way they are capable of playing then considering the WR advantage the F-Bombs are unstoppable, however if these guys play the way they have played in many games this year (Jackson had 4pts against SEA earlier in the season, LJ was a DNP vs. SD) then Sewickley will not be able to set the bar high enough to avoid being eclipsed by Westbrook on Monday night. I like the Clients to take one step closer to the Fabio Cup.