Letter From The Commish

The Commish noticed something interesting in the way of the whole issue of "what order should we use for weekly pickups?" this week. The Retreads, the team that suggested that the system currently used is flawed is the same team that weighs in at #2 on the Power Rankings this week. Out of a possible 33 matchups the Retreads could have faced over the past 3 weeks (11 other league teams each week), only a total of 7 teams over the three week period could have beaten the Retreads. In fact, in comparisons against the league's two 4-1 teams (Mystics and Iguanas), the Retreads would have beaten the Natural Mystics in Weeks 4 and 5 by scores of 39-31 and 40-34 and would have split with the Iguanas (in fact, the Lizard boys beat the Treads in Week 4 40-39). The thought of Coach D getting the best players each week due to his 1-3 record at one point is an interesting one. The Commish has suspected all along that the Rubbers were better than their record but, until bring the Power Rankings came out of abbreviated retirement last week, he did not know this to be a fact. The proof is now in the pudding so to speak and I'll make mine chocolate, thank you. The current procedure was voted into existence a couple years back for that very reason. It says in this column that points scored for the year is as accurate a reflection as any of a team's true worth. We may find out differently in August if it comes up for another vote but early straw polls indicate it won't be easy. Of those coaches the Commish has spoken with, Coach Rady favors the current format as does Coach Wassem. Coach Widtfeldt stated he didn't care. Coach Will didn't like the idea but he also thought that we were going in order of least points scored for the week.

Which teams are making what roster moves this week:

• The Norris picked up Ahman Green a week after trading for Rickey Watters. If the team starts both running backs, they might get one full timer out of it.

• The Dogs hope to upgrade at TE with the addition of Byron Chamberlain of Denver.

• The Greenback Iguanas added TE Mark Bruener to replace the injured Shannon Sharpe.

• The Strange Highways added Akili Smith for depth at QB and Michael Pittman to add a 4th RB and one who could still take away the starting position from Adrian Murrell.

• The Natural Mystics added WR Ernie Mills to bogart a Michael Irvin TD or two and give their roster flexibility.

• The Retreads signed RB Robert Holcombe who might start for them this week as a second RB and also TE Marcus Pollard in an attempt to upgrade at tight end.

A third of the way into the season already. The Commish hereby proffers up that the NFL should expand the regular season to 18 weeks. Do I hear any "ayes"? OK, you in the back. Yes, you Coach Rady. You may abstain if you desire. Our condolences on a draft more "rare" than well done but now that we've reached the one-third point in the season, the Commish was curious enough to take a look at the 1999 draftboard for see what stuck out. Without a doubt, the single best draft selection to this point in the season is that of Kurt Warner in the 13th round by the Retreads. The three QBs taken just before Warner were Kent Graham by the Swords, Rich Gannon by the Revenge and Elvis Grback by the Norris. Also tabbed earlier were Jeff Blake, Brian Griese and Tim Couch. Brad Johnson was the 13th QB taken, behind QBs such as Marc Brunell, Jon Kitna, Kordell Stewart and the player who took his job away in Minnesota, Randall Cunningham. Among the most disappointing so far? Terrell Davis, at the top of the draft, is out for the year after scoring 1 TD without a single 100 yard game. Other 1st round picks who've had disappointing seasons to date would include Fred Taylor (hamstring), Steve Young (concussion), Jamal Anderson (ACL), Rickey Watters (3.2 yds per carry), Randall Cunningham (rumored to be benched) and Robert Smith is averaging 16 carries and 4.1 yards per carry, he has yet to score a TD and his longest rush from scrimmage is only 14 yards. Second rounders who have done little include Testaverde (Swords), C Carter (Party), Rice (Dogs), Brunell (PMS), Faulk (Clams) and Bettis (Steamers). Other strong late round picks include Carl Pickens (Norris) and Errict Rhett (Party) in the 11th round, Bill Schroeder (Palace of Swords) and Muhsin Muhammad (Retreads) in the 10th round, Curtis Conway (Swords) in the 9th, Terry Allen (Mystics) and Tim Biakabutuka (Revenge) in the 8th, Yancy Thigpen (Revenge), Wesley Walls (Mystics) and Doug Flutie (Retreads) in the 7th round. Perhaps the best selection in round 7 was also the 2nd best selection in the draft after five weeks-Stephen Davis. Sixteenth round draft picks didn't amount to much. There were four defenses and three kickers selected. Of the other five picks, two have been waived, one is 2nd string and one is 3rd string. That leaves the 16th round's lucky winner, Tony McGee. Don't everyone get TOO excited.

Go deep, I'll throw it!

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