Preview - Week 3: Can I Kick It? Yes... You Can't.

Week 3: Can I Kick It? Yes... You Can't.

by Rick Tagliabue

Well, it all comes down to this… Or, at least, as far as the most purple-tongued talking heads are concerned in the case of the NFL, it’s not concussions and CTE that are going to sink America’s favorite sport, but kickers. You heard it right. Despite all the hubbub of the waning popularity of football in ‘apple pie’ country, according to a 2018 Gallup Poll, NFL football ranked as the most popular American sport to watch by being selected by 37% of those polled. While that percentage is down, perhaps due to CTE or proclaimed anti-American protests, from 43% in 2006 and 2007, when compared with basketball (11%) and baseball (9%), I wouldn’t exactly say that NFL suits are shakin’ in their boots. At least, that is, until last week and, especially thanks to the slippery slippers of Cleveland’s Zane Gonzalez and Minnesota’s Daniel Carlson. In total, 19 kicks were missed last week - the second most all time - with 12 field goals going astray and 7 PATs clanked.

Specific to Zane and Daniel, whose shanks surely cost their teams victories against the Saints and Packers respectively, both were away and they may just be clicking their heels to emphasize a ‘no place like home’ excuse, but for some spit-full pundits, kicking is ruining the game. “You know what kickers are ruining it for the real dudes - the guys who actually play football - [and] the fans who are in the stands [who have to] hang their heads and be sad” peeped ESPN. And while I’m no apologist for kickers, I can’t help but think that some of my most memorable football moments have been last second field goals - misses and makes, off a snow-topped gridiron or muddy infield, bounding off the crossbar or upright to careen, barely, in or out. Of course, tomorrow we’ll praise the very same scenario for the way a ‘nobody’ can be a star for making an overtime kick. But if you have to have your gripe, go ahead and go for two in Week 3.

Week 1 Trophies:
George Blanda: Cupcakes (111)
Ken Stabler: Cupcakes (Tyreek Hill 36)
Jack Tatum: Billies (Vikings D/ST 17)
Tom Cable: Low Nass (52)
The Jamarcus: Schmutz (Saints D/ST -7)

Week 2 Trophies:
George Blanda: Milk (132)
Ken Stabler: Waddlers & Milk (Roethlisberger & Mahomes 38)
Jack Tatum: Billies (Bears D/ST 17)
John Madden: Low Nass (+40)
Mark Davis: Cupcakes (-43)
Tom Cable: Sitter (50)
The Jamarcus: Weaver (Ravens D/ST -4)

Marquee Matchup: Adventures in Babysitting
While surely referring to parenting as ‘babysitting’ is as simultaneously ‘factual’ and ‘false’ as referring to your wife as your ‘ex-girlfriend’, this year’s first marquee matchup isn’t a sentimental or hometown call but based on the breakout performances week of the Waddlers’ and Milk’s rock chuckers: Roethlisberger and Mahomes. Both players took home the Ken Stabler award in Week 2 and, while we’re all waiting for greenhorn Patrick to come down to earth, ‘Big Ben’ takes on ‘Fitzmagic’ in the NFL’s own Week 3 edition of Monday Night Football. Mahomes would seem to have the edge against a San Francisco defense that has given up 770 yards on the season, but Tampa Bay is the second worst defense in the league in terms of passing yards conceded and Pittsburgh is second overall in passing offense. So while the QB matchup here will surely spark, we need to gaze down the line to find the x-factor edge that will push either squad over the edge. Of note on that end is the fact that both squads feature three wide receivers and it will surely be an “air war” as three of the top five WRs in Fantasy will do battle. While the Milk feature the third and fourth ranked Michael Thomas and Stefon Diggs, the Waddlers do them one better with the second-ranked DeSean Jackson and balance it out with sixth-ranked Mike Evans. I’d watch for a ‘dip’ in the Milk’s recent roll and see the better half stealing a squeaker, 87-89.

3) League Dues: As always, league dues are $50 per team. Here is a snapshot of the up-to-
date fantasy bank. Note that the totals below include any dues you may owe - or are awards
that are owed to you - across all leagues (FFL = Fantasy Football / FBL = Fantasy Baseball /
FPL = Fantasy Premier League / WC = World Cup Fantasy). You can send a check (162
Engert Ave. #2, Brooklyn, NY 11222) or I have both Venmo (Rick-Reid-2) and Paypal
(ranthonyreid@gmail.com):

Mark Diaz: $-50 (Owes for FFL 2018)
Christian Hansen: $-50 (Owes for FFL 2018)
Max Koepke: $0 (Paid for WC, FBL, & FFL 2018)
Todd Lohnas: $+10 (Paid for FFL 2018 with FFL '17 winnings)
Ty Lohnas: $-50 (Owes for FFL 2018)
Stephanie Manners: $0 (Paid for WC, FBL, & FFL 2018)
Schwag Omweg: $-100 (Owes for FBL & FFL 2018)
Ann Parry: $0 (Paid for FFL 2017 & 2018)
Dylan Parry: $-80 (Paid for back dues with WC winnings; owes for FBL & FFL 2018)
Rick Reid: $0 (Paid for WC, FBL, FFL, & FPL 2018)
Robert Reid: $0 (Paid for FFL 2018 dues with FFL '17 winnings)
Josh Roberts: $-10 (Paid for partial FFL 2018 with FFL '17 winnings)
Russ Valby: $-40 (Paid partial FFL 2018 with FFL 2016 Winnings)
Mike Zehder: $-50 (Owes for FFL 2018)