Click below to view the halfway point of the 2017 NFL.com Fantasy season for the teams below.
Showing posts with label Highland Executions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highland Executions. Show all posts
Oct 25, 2017
2017 NFL.com Fantasy Football (halfway)
My 17th year playing Fantasy Football has gotten off to a rough start for one of my three teams. It all boils down to several NFL players that are on my team not performing as they did last season. Carolina Panthers quarterback (QB) Cam Newton, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver (WR) Julio Jones, New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas, Chicago Bears running back (RB) Jordan Howard, and the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens defense have struggled.
Click below to view the halfway point of the 2017 NFL.com Fantasy season for the teams below.
Click below to view the halfway point of the 2017 NFL.com Fantasy season for the teams below.
2017 Highland Executions (halfway)
1-6-0
The Highland Executions (1-6-0) are coming off a 10-4-0 record and a 2016 division title, their 5th in team history (2000-2016). They were defeated in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL.com Fantasy Football playoffs and haven't been the same team since. The last season the Executions finished below .500 was in 2013. Their worst record in team history occurred in 2010 as they finished 4-10-0.
The Executions only win (thus far) is week 1, as they defeated their opponents 133.42 - 115.10 and played well with Carolina Panthers Quarterback (QB) Cam Newton as the starter.
QB
Newton got off to great start, but slowed down after week 1. Miami Dolphins QB Jay Cutler (benched) was doing better in terms of fantasy points. The Executions never started Cutler over Newton until week 4, thus Newton decided to rack up 47.60 fantasy points to Cutler's 10.70. That seems to be the downfall of fantasy football. Executions started Newton for week 5 (put up another 40+ points) and has been the starter since. Cutler has played terrible in recent weeks and is currently out with a rib injury. The Executions picked up Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (starter last season for the Executions) who will remain benched in favor of Newton.
RB
Week 1 starters for the running game were Detroit Lions running back (RB) Ameer Abdullah (who's been a disappointment) and Chicago Bears RB Jordan Howard, who's been good off and on. The duo continued to be starters until week 7 (bye) when Abdullah was replaced with Baltimore Ravens RB Javorius Allen heading into week 8. Allen has 15 more fantasy points than Abdullah. RB Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals (along with Abdullah) are benched. Mixon will get the start for week 8 in the flex position.
WR
The wide receiver (WR) position has been so-so thus far with a few disappointments. WR's Jeremy Maclin (Ravens), Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons), Amari Cooper (Raiders), and Sterling Shepard (N.Y. Giants) got the start for week 1. Since then, only Jones and Shepard are the starters. Until week 7, Cooper has struggled this season. Maclin hasn't produced much points since week 2. Benched at the start of the season were New England Patriots WR Danny Armendola, who made the starting position in week 5 after Patriots WR Julian Edelman suffered a season ending knee injury. Armendola has started since.
WR Josh Doctson of the Washington Redskins never started due to a disappointing season and was released in week 5.
Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett never started a game until week 7 and put up some decent points. Another surprising player that has put up some good points this season is Shepard, who is a flex starter, though, for week 8 he's benched due to a Giants bye.
Jones, Armendola, Cooper, and Lockett are the current starters.
TE
If there was a position that couldn't get anything going, it would be the tight end (TE) position. Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen got the start while Redskins TE Jordan Reed was benched. Both are good TE's, but struggled last season, at least Reed did. Olsen broke his foot in week 3 and will miss 6-8 weeks. The Executions picked up Falcons TE Austin Hooper off waivers, who struggled to get 2 fantasy points. Reed (struggling) was benched in favor of Hooper.
With Hooper out due to a bye and Reed hardly putting up points, the Executions released Reed and picked up Ravens TE Benjamin Watson, who for week 5 only put up a lousy 0.60 points. Executions took another gamble and started Hooper along with Watson at the flex position, which means you can start a WR or TE. Both scored a combined 10.20 points for week 6. Week 7 saw the duo come back down to earth with a combined 6.60 points.
K
Ravens kicker (K) Justin Tucker is one of the best in the league and has been the starter since week 1. Green Bay Packers K Mason Crosby was the backup (benched) until week 7 when he was released. Crosby only started when Tucker had a bye week.
DEFENSE
The Arizona Cardinals defense hasn't been the best this season. In terms of fantasy points, the benched Green Bay Packers are ahead by 12 points. The Executions picked up the Pittsburgh Steelers defense off waivers (when they released Crosby) and will start for week 8. Steelers are 28 points higher than the Packers.
CONCLUSION... Tinkering with the lineup after loss after loss hasn't done any good for the Executions. Heading into week 8 the team has decided to continue with the WR foursome of Jones, Armendola, Cooper, and Lockett. At RB will be Allen and Howard. Joining the flex position (benching TE Watson) will be Bengals RB Mixon. Hooper and Tucker will remain the starters at their positions while the Steelers defense will get the start.
Dec 31, 2016
2016 NFL.com Fantasy Football
My 16th year of playing NFL.com fantasy football has concluded and the Highland Executions (10-4-0) and the Highland LavaRockets (9-4-0) made the playoffs. The Executions bowed out in the first round, but clinched their 5th division title in their 16 year history. The LavaRockets won their 2nd division title in their 15 year history. The team lost in their NFL.com fantasy football league championship game. The Highland GraveDiggers (8-5-1) came up short from making the playoffs, and it was all due to a tie instead of a win.
Click below (logo) to view that teams 2016 NFL.com Fantasy Football results.
Highland Executions (10-4-0)
2016 Division Champions
Ranked: 2nd out of 12 teams (regular season)
* Ranked 1st out of 4 teams (division)
* Ranked 1st out of 4 teams (division)
* 16th season
* 4th best record in team history
* Broke 4-year playoff drought
* Lost 1st round of playoffs
Highland GraveDiggers (8-5-1)
Ranked: 6th out of 12 teams (regular season)
* 15th season
* 4th best record in team history
* Missed Playoffs
Highland LavaRockets (9-4-0)
2016 Division Champions
Ranked: 4th out of 12 teams (regular season)
Ranked: 1st out of 4 teams (division)
* 15th season
* Best record in team history
2016 Highland Executions
2000-2016
Highland Executions (10-4-0) had a great season by finishing 2nd in their league and clinching their division, making them 5-time division champions during their 16 year history. They've won 3 NFL.com league championships. The Executions finished their 2016 season having their 4th best record in team history along with breaking a 4-year playoff drought.
The
Executions won their first four games to kick off their season. The team played exactly like they had during
their first season (2000), in-which they finished 11-3-0 and won their division
and league championship. Their best season was in 2007, as they
finished 12-2-0 and won their division, but in shocking fashion, lost in
the first round of the playoffs.
The Executions
barely won their first two games to start the season. Their
first by 4 points and their second by 3 points. Week 5 they lost their
first game by an inch, 102-103. Their next two games they won by a
landslide.
The team was on a 3-game win streak after a week 8 victory.
Week 9 saw the Executions take on the #1 team in the league. It was #2 vs. #1 and the Executions got slaughtered 63-93, which took them down to 7-2-0. The team bounced back with two straight wins, but came up short in week 12 with a 99-102 loss. The Executions came back with a week 13 win, but lost their final game of the season 71-80 and finished the season 10-4-0, but won their division, thus notching a spot in the playoffs. The Executions seemed to have a good lineup, thus nothing was changed heading into the 1st round of the playoffs. A victory meant heading into the league championship game.
The Executions got knocked on their cans during the 1st round and lost their game 78-93. Quarterback (QB) Derek Carr had a so-so game and running back Carlos Hyde had a weak game, only scoring 5 points. The team didn't have enough steam against their opponent.
The team headed to the 3rd place game and lost. All the Executions players notched up quite a bit of points, but the Broncos defense only scored 1 point, which hurt in the end. The Executions lost 113-120.
The team had a wonderful season, but a terrible playoff run. Last year the team finished 7-7-0.
=======================================================================
Oakland Raiders quarterback (QB) Derek Carr was the starter and lead the team in points during the season. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston served as the back-up. He played 1 game (bye week). This was the first time the Executions drafted Carr.
The Executions had a perfect running game with Dallas Cowboys rookie running back (RB) Ezekiel Elliott (who had an awesome season) and San Francisco 49'rs RB Carlos Hyde. Both were starters for the entire season. Back-up RB's during both teams bye week were Justin Forsett (Baltimore Ravens), whom was on the team for the first 4 weeks (never used) until he was let go, thus the Executions released him, though, he was later picked up by the Detroit Lions, released again, and later picked up by the Denver Broncos. 2nd backup was 49'rs RB Shaun Draughn, who served as the starter for weeks 7, 9, and 10 (week 8 was a bye) due to Hyde being injured and out during the weeks above.
Prior to week 8 the team snatched Oakland Raiders RB DeAndre Washington off waivers, due to the 49'rs having a bye week (Draughn & Hyde). Washington was a disapointment for the team and was released the next week.
Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills), Donte Moncrief (Indianapolis Colts), and DeSean Jackson (Washington Redskins) all started at the wide receiver (WR) position at the start of the season.
Benched WR's were Ted Ginn (Carolina Panthers) and DeVante Parker (Miami Dolphins). Parker was the only player
out of the two who was still on the team heading into week 15. Those
positions stayed the same for the first 3 weeks, but Moncrief was let go
due to having a major injury (out weeks 3 - 7) and Watkins was out for
the season, at least at the time it looked like he was going to be out on IR and the Executions released Watkins. Heading into week 4 the starters were Ginn, Parker, and Jackson, which wasn't the best core of WR's. The team picked up WR's Danny Amendola
(New England Patriots) and Victor Cruz (N.Y. Giants) and benched both. All three starting WR's had terrible games. None of the
positions changed, until week 6 when Cruz was started, along with the returning tight end (TE) Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots).
Week 8 Cincinnati Bengals WR Brandon LaFell was picked up off waivers to try and add depth to the WR position. Week 10 WR San Diego Charger Travis Benjamin was picked up, but never started a game.
For week 11, the Executions picked up WR Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) off waivers. He was a huge boost for the team. Due to continued injuries, the team let WR Jackson go. The Executions scooped him back up off waivers for week 13. With
the acquisition of Hill and LaFell, things started looking better for
the team at the WR position for the last 4-5 weeks of the season.
The team started Miami Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron. Gronkowski and Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert were both injured at the start of the season. The Executions had some negative vibes by starting Cameron, who in week 1 scored 0 points and the entire 2016 season had just 10 points. The team let him go after week 1 and picked up Atlanta Falcons TE Jacob Tamme off waivers.
Tamme had a good week 2, but Gronkowski returned to the field for week 3 scoring 0 points. Week 4 he scored 1 point. Week 5 he picked up the pace with 10 points and week 6 he scored 22 points. Weeks 7, 8, and 9 looked promising at the TE position.
For the first 5 weeks of the season Eifert didn't play in any games and the Executions released him and picked up Detroit Lions TE Eric Ebron (week 9), but looking back, the Executions should've never released Eifert. Tamme was released during week 10, due to not putting up any points and struggling with an injury.
Gronkowski was yet again injured heading into week 11 and would be out for the entire season. With Eifert and Tamme gone, Ebron finished the season as the starter.
The Executions only drafted 1 kicker (K), which was part of the league lineup. The team felt very comfortable with K Blair Walsh of the Minnesota Vikings, who was marvelous last season.
Walsh had a great week 1, but so-so for weeks 2 & 3, but he was struggling. The team picked up Kansas City Chiefs K Cairo Santos, who was a huge improvement over Walsh.
Week 5 the team picked up K Josh Lambo from the San Diego Chargers and he remained
the starter for the rest of the season, with Santos the benched kicker.
Santos had a better season than Lambo, but there wasn't much of a point
difference between the two.
The Executions had two good K's, but the team had a solid defense with the Denver Broncos starting all season. Weeks 15 & 16 the teams defense struggled with 7 points scored in week 15 and 1 point for week 16.
Player of The Year: QB David Carr (Oakland Raiders)
Biggest Disappointment: WR DeVante Parker (Miami Dolphins)
==============================================
TEAM HISTORY (2000-2016)
Highland Executions (10-4-0)
Est. 2000
16th season
Overall Record: 126-111-1 (238 games)
Winning Percentage: .531 (53%)
Playoff Record (including Consolation games): 13-7-0
Playoff Winning Percentage: .650 (65%)
3-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2000, 2005, 2011)
5-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2000, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2016)
Best Record: 12-2-0 (2007)
Worst Record: 4-10-0 (2010)
Division Champions-
2000, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2016
NFL.com League Champions-
2000, 2005, 2011
------------------------------------------------------
11-3-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2001*
7-7-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs, finished 5/10 in league)- Yahoo.com
Note: In 2001 NFL.com became a pay only Fantasy League. I switched over to Yahoo.com
*2002*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs, first time in team history, finished 8/10 in league)- Yahoo.com
*2003*
6-8-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs, finished 7/10 in league)- Yahoo.com
*2004*
6-8-0 (Lost 1st round of playoffs, finished 6/10 in league)- Yahoo.com
Note: 2005 NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I switched back
*2005*
8-6-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2006*
8-6-0 (Lost in NFL.com League Championship game)- NFL.com
*2007*
12-2-0 (Central Division Champions, lost in first round of playoffs)- NFL.com
Note: Best record in team history
*2008*
6-7-1 (Missed playoffs, 2nd time in team history)- NFL.com
*2009*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs, 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs, 3rd straight year, finished 12/12 in league)- NFL.com
Note: Worst record in team history
*2011*
11-4-0 (Central Division Champions & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2012*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs)- NFL.com
*2013*
6-7-0 (Missed playoffs, 2nd straight year, finished 7/12 in league)- NFL.com
*2014*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs, 3rd straight year, finished 5/10 consolation bracket)- NFL.com
*2015*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs, 4th straight year, finished 5/10 consolation bracket)- NFL.com
*2016*
10-4-0 (Division Champions, lost in 3rd place game, finished 4/12 in league)- NFL.com
=============================================
Nov 8, 2015
2015 Fantasy Football: Halfway
NFL.com Fantasy League (half way point) hasn't been a good one for any of my teams, though the Highland LavaRockets are 4-4. Highland Executions are 2-5 and GraveDiggers are 3-4. At least all my teams are still doing better than our Detroit Lions 1-7.
NFL Fantasy League 2015: Halfway
The Highland Executions (2-5-0) are off to a terrible start this 2015 NFL.com Fantasy season. This is one of their worst starts in their 15 year history. San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers was the starting QB, but with a 0-3-0 start, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger became the starter. Houston Texans RB Arian Foster was drafted, but was out due to an injury at the start of the season, and the same for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Julius Thomas. Chargers TE Antonio Gates was out due to a 4 game suspension prior to the season, thus Steelers TE Health Miller was picked off waivers and became the starter. The team was hurting in the TE department and also at RB, but Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte and Cincinnati Bengals RB Giovani Benard filled that void. At WR, Denver Broncos Emmanuel Sanders and Detroit Lions Golden Tate were the starters. Kicker (K) was Philadelphia Eagles Cody Parkey and defense was Green Bay Packers.
Week 2 Highland Executions did a small change at kicker and started Seattle Seahawks Steven Hauskchka and would eventually release Parkey and sign K Josh Brown (benched) from the New York Giants.
At 0-3-0 the entire team was struggling, even though I had two good QB's and one solid RB in Forte. Before week 4, the Executions received a trade deal. The trade was for Broncos QB Peyton Manning in exchange for Roethlisberger, and I accepted. Shockingly, Roethlisberger was injured during week 3 and would be out for a few weeks. I contacted the other teams owner, stating he/she couldn't take back the trade, but I would be willing to give him/back Manning for Roethlisberger. He/she never responded. So I kept Manning and started him for week 4.
With Manning as the starter now, the Executions won their first game by 3 points (62-59) to become 1-3-0. They picked up Miami Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews and started Texans Foster, who returned from injury, but only put up 1 point. The Executions let go New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola (benched) to make roster room for Matthews. The acquisition of Manning and Matthews seemed like a good one.
The Executions picked up their 2nd win and first back-to-back of the season with a score of 108-59 to become 2-3-0. The team was starting to pick up pace and both Forte and Foster had big games. Gates returned from injury and posted 21 points, the most out of any player that week.
The Executions (week 6) benched QB Manning and started QB Philips again, whom hadn't seen any playing time since week 2. They released San Diego Chargers RB Melvin Gordon and picked up Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart. The starting of Philips and the pickup of Stewart for week 7 saw the Executions lose by 0.40 points to become 2-5-0. Losing by 0.40 points was the 2nd most devastating loss in my 15 years of playing fantasy football. I lost a game (week 1) with the Highland GraveDiggers by 0.28 points.
So the trade for Manning, the pick up of Matthews, and Stewart, hasn't put a dint into the winning ways of the 3-time NFL.com Champion Executions.
===================================
The Highland GraveDiggers (3-4-0) aren't off to a great start, but still have time to make the playoffs. The GraveDiggers won their NFL.com League Championship last year (2014) with a 8-6-0 record.
Week 1 was just a total lose for the GraveDiggers, as they lost their first game by 0.28 points (101.36 - 101.64) Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was the starter over New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. The RB position wasn't so magnificent, with Arizona Cardinals RB Andre Ellington and San Diego Chargers rookie RB Melvin Gordon as the starters. Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown was a huge draft pick, along with Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton. The Executions had Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans benched due to him being injured. Buccaneers RB Doug Martin was the flex player, whom helped the RB position. Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey and Philadelphia Eagles defense served as the starters.
After the heartbreak loss from week 1, the team got back on track with a nice 11 point win to become 1-1-0. For week 2, the Executions (even though they almost won) benched RB Ellington for Cincinnati Bengals Giovani Bernard, which was a great move. Ellington had 0 points for that week, while Bernard had 16.
Week 3 saw another win for the Executions and the team picked up Denver Broncos defense off waivers to backup the Eagles.
Week 4 saw the Executions lose their 2nd game of the season by a huge 48 point loss and a return of Evans to the lineup as a starter. Hilton was booted down to flex player and Martin was benched, which probably wasn't a good move. He scored 28 points that week, still not enough to win. The team picked up K Robbie Gould from the Chicago Bears to backup K Dan Bailey.
Heading into week 6 the team had lost 2 in a row. The only change was the Broncos defense became the starter. A week 6 loss made it 3 straight losses. The team lost by 3 points 94-97.
Heading into week 7 there were some changes to the lineup (to say the least) both Denver and Cincinnati had bye weeks, thus Bernard and Broncos defense were benched. Ellington and Martin became the starters at RB while Gordon was benched. Arizona Cardinals WR Doug Brown was picked up off waivers and became the starter. The biggest change? QB Tom Brady became the starter. These changes helped the Executions become 3-4-0.
It seems as though last years champions can't stay on course.
The Highland LavaRockets (4-4-0) are currently at .500 and have had a back and forth season thus far. They'll win a game, lose a game, win a game, and lose a game. At 4-4-0, they're far away from making the playoffs.
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning was the starter, as Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles was benched. Looking back, I should've started Bortles instead of Manning. I know, sounds odd typing that. San Diego Chargers RB Danny Woodhead and Pittsburgh Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams were the starters. Williams was in for an injured Le'Von Bell. The WR position was a very weak one. San Francisco 49'rs Torrey Smith and New England Patriots Danny Amendola were the starters. Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald was at the flex position. San Diego's TE Antonio Gates was suspended for the first 4 games of the season, thus Philadelphia Eagles Eric Ertz was the starter. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri started over Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka and Houston Texans defense started over Denver Broncos defense. Looking back, I wish I would've started Bortles, Vinatieri, and Broncos defense.
Week 1 got off on the wrong note as the LavaRockets lost by 31 points to become 0-1-0.
No big changes were made heading into week 2, but Amendola was benched for Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright and Hauschka became the starter. With a 121-69 point victory, the LavaRockets made it to .500 with a 1-1-0 record.
Week 3 saw the LavaRockets fall back, losing by 20 points to become 1-2-0. By week 3 the Texans defense was doing horrible. At the beginning of the season, the Texans were suppose to have a good defense, thus far they haven't. Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart was picked off waivers and benched.
Week 4 the LavaRockets jumped back to .500 with a 2-2-0 record and escaping with a 5 point win. Stewart got the start in the flex position adding 5 points and Cincinnati Bengals WR Marvin Jones was grabbed off waivers and benched, while Broncos defense started and added 10 points compared to the Texans -2 points.
Week 5 saw the LavaRockets skip away with a 67-64 win to make it two wins in a row.
With a week 6 loss and Gates returning to the lineup (he returned for week 5, but I had him benched), more changes needed to be made. Manning was benched for Bortles and the LavaRockets came out of week 7 with a 68-64 win to become 4-3-0.
Week 8 saw the team lose by a hair, 65-68. New Orleans Saints TE Benjamin Watson was picked up, but benched.
If the LavaRockets would've won their close games, they would easily be 6-2-0 instead of 4-4-0. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2012, but if they continue their winning ways, they have a strong chance to do so in 6 weeks.
NFL Fantasy League 2015: Halfway
Week 2 Highland Executions did a small change at kicker and started Seattle Seahawks Steven Hauskchka and would eventually release Parkey and sign K Josh Brown (benched) from the New York Giants.
At 0-3-0 the entire team was struggling, even though I had two good QB's and one solid RB in Forte. Before week 4, the Executions received a trade deal. The trade was for Broncos QB Peyton Manning in exchange for Roethlisberger, and I accepted. Shockingly, Roethlisberger was injured during week 3 and would be out for a few weeks. I contacted the other teams owner, stating he/she couldn't take back the trade, but I would be willing to give him/back Manning for Roethlisberger. He/she never responded. So I kept Manning and started him for week 4.
With Manning as the starter now, the Executions won their first game by 3 points (62-59) to become 1-3-0. They picked up Miami Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews and started Texans Foster, who returned from injury, but only put up 1 point. The Executions let go New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola (benched) to make roster room for Matthews. The acquisition of Manning and Matthews seemed like a good one.
The Executions picked up their 2nd win and first back-to-back of the season with a score of 108-59 to become 2-3-0. The team was starting to pick up pace and both Forte and Foster had big games. Gates returned from injury and posted 21 points, the most out of any player that week.
The Executions (week 6) benched QB Manning and started QB Philips again, whom hadn't seen any playing time since week 2. They released San Diego Chargers RB Melvin Gordon and picked up Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart. The starting of Philips and the pickup of Stewart for week 7 saw the Executions lose by 0.40 points to become 2-5-0. Losing by 0.40 points was the 2nd most devastating loss in my 15 years of playing fantasy football. I lost a game (week 1) with the Highland GraveDiggers by 0.28 points.
So the trade for Manning, the pick up of Matthews, and Stewart, hasn't put a dint into the winning ways of the 3-time NFL.com Champion Executions.
===================================
The Highland GraveDiggers (3-4-0) aren't off to a great start, but still have time to make the playoffs. The GraveDiggers won their NFL.com League Championship last year (2014) with a 8-6-0 record.
Week 1 was just a total lose for the GraveDiggers, as they lost their first game by 0.28 points (101.36 - 101.64) Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was the starter over New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. The RB position wasn't so magnificent, with Arizona Cardinals RB Andre Ellington and San Diego Chargers rookie RB Melvin Gordon as the starters. Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown was a huge draft pick, along with Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton. The Executions had Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans benched due to him being injured. Buccaneers RB Doug Martin was the flex player, whom helped the RB position. Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey and Philadelphia Eagles defense served as the starters.
After the heartbreak loss from week 1, the team got back on track with a nice 11 point win to become 1-1-0. For week 2, the Executions (even though they almost won) benched RB Ellington for Cincinnati Bengals Giovani Bernard, which was a great move. Ellington had 0 points for that week, while Bernard had 16.
Week 3 saw another win for the Executions and the team picked up Denver Broncos defense off waivers to backup the Eagles.
Week 4 saw the Executions lose their 2nd game of the season by a huge 48 point loss and a return of Evans to the lineup as a starter. Hilton was booted down to flex player and Martin was benched, which probably wasn't a good move. He scored 28 points that week, still not enough to win. The team picked up K Robbie Gould from the Chicago Bears to backup K Dan Bailey.
Heading into week 6 the team had lost 2 in a row. The only change was the Broncos defense became the starter. A week 6 loss made it 3 straight losses. The team lost by 3 points 94-97.
Heading into week 7 there were some changes to the lineup (to say the least) both Denver and Cincinnati had bye weeks, thus Bernard and Broncos defense were benched. Ellington and Martin became the starters at RB while Gordon was benched. Arizona Cardinals WR Doug Brown was picked up off waivers and became the starter. The biggest change? QB Tom Brady became the starter. These changes helped the Executions become 3-4-0.
It seems as though last years champions can't stay on course.
The Highland LavaRockets (4-4-0) are currently at .500 and have had a back and forth season thus far. They'll win a game, lose a game, win a game, and lose a game. At 4-4-0, they're far away from making the playoffs.
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning was the starter, as Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles was benched. Looking back, I should've started Bortles instead of Manning. I know, sounds odd typing that. San Diego Chargers RB Danny Woodhead and Pittsburgh Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams were the starters. Williams was in for an injured Le'Von Bell. The WR position was a very weak one. San Francisco 49'rs Torrey Smith and New England Patriots Danny Amendola were the starters. Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald was at the flex position. San Diego's TE Antonio Gates was suspended for the first 4 games of the season, thus Philadelphia Eagles Eric Ertz was the starter. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri started over Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka and Houston Texans defense started over Denver Broncos defense. Looking back, I wish I would've started Bortles, Vinatieri, and Broncos defense.
Week 1 got off on the wrong note as the LavaRockets lost by 31 points to become 0-1-0.
No big changes were made heading into week 2, but Amendola was benched for Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright and Hauschka became the starter. With a 121-69 point victory, the LavaRockets made it to .500 with a 1-1-0 record.
Week 3 saw the LavaRockets fall back, losing by 20 points to become 1-2-0. By week 3 the Texans defense was doing horrible. At the beginning of the season, the Texans were suppose to have a good defense, thus far they haven't. Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart was picked off waivers and benched.
Week 4 the LavaRockets jumped back to .500 with a 2-2-0 record and escaping with a 5 point win. Stewart got the start in the flex position adding 5 points and Cincinnati Bengals WR Marvin Jones was grabbed off waivers and benched, while Broncos defense started and added 10 points compared to the Texans -2 points.
Week 5 saw the LavaRockets skip away with a 67-64 win to make it two wins in a row.
With a week 6 loss and Gates returning to the lineup (he returned for week 5, but I had him benched), more changes needed to be made. Manning was benched for Bortles and the LavaRockets came out of week 7 with a 68-64 win to become 4-3-0.
Week 8 saw the team lose by a hair, 65-68. New Orleans Saints TE Benjamin Watson was picked up, but benched.
If the LavaRockets would've won their close games, they would easily be 6-2-0 instead of 4-4-0. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2012, but if they continue their winning ways, they have a strong chance to do so in 6 weeks.
Sep 5, 2015
15 Years: NFL.com Fantasy Football
My 15th year of playing NFL.com Fantasy Football (free) is finally here. I started playing back in 2000 with the Highland Executions (109-100-1)- .521 52% winning record, whom actually won their first league championship that year. They also won it in 2005 & 2011. I received a special letter from (then) NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on June 11th 2001. Of course the letter was personalized and signed (copied) and dated. He basically congratulated me (like many others) for winning their NFL.com league championship.
A season later (2001) I created the Highland GraveDiggers (100-95-1)- .512 (51%) winning record, and Highland LavaRockets (92-100-4)- .470 (47%) winning record and have kept all three teams since. GraveDiggers won their league championship in 2005 and 2014. The LavaRockets have only won once back in 2010. GraveDiggers made it back into the playoffs in 2014 and fought for the NFL.com league championship and actually won it with a 8-6-0 record, barely making the playoffs (#4/10 teams). It was a very exciting season for the team, lead by San Diego QB Philip Rivers.
==============================================
NFL Fantasy League 2014: A Look Back
The Executions (7-7-0) had a rough start and finished 2-5-0 for the first half of the 2014 season. This includes Denver Bronco's QB Payton Manning as the starting QB for the entire season. The Executions added St. Louis Rams WR Brian Quick off waivers to try and jump start their 1-4-0 record, later he'd become injured and out for the season. With a mid-season 2-5-0 record, The Executions grabbed both Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller and Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett off waivers for week 7. Both performed decent that week, but the Executions still lost their game. With the signing of Cincinnati Bengal WR Mohamed Sanu off waivers (Miller, Forsett, and Sanu were good pick-ups), the Executions finally got a win after previously losing 4 weeks in a row. By week 9, and a very disappointing San Francisco 49'er TE Vernon Davis, the Executions placed San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates as the starter, who was becoming red hot at this point in the season. With the acquisition off waivers of the Miami Dolphins defense (previously had San Diego's defense) the Executions won 3 straight games with the team having a 5-5-0 record at week 10. Week 12 the Executions signed New England Patriots WR Brandon LaFell off waivers. LaFell made an impact for two straight weeks helping the Executions finish their 14th season at .500 at 7-7-0 and in 5th place out of 10 teams.
2014 PLAYOFFS-
The team didn't make the playoffs, but did head into the consolation bracket and fought for the 5th place spot out of 10 teams and won 77-64. The Executions pummeled their first opponent 76-37, with the help of Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill, this was the week Peyton Manning was sick and was having hip issues.
The Executions didn't have a great season, but coming back from a 2-5-0 record and finishing 7-7-0 wasn't easy. The year before (2013) they finished 6-7-0 (13 games were played, league rules), so they did one game better this year.
The Highland Executions are 3-time NFL.com League Champions (2000, 2005, 2011) and 4-time Division Champions (2000, 2005, 2007, 2011).
TEAM HISTORY (2000-2014)
Highland Executions
Est. 2000
Overall Record: 109-100-1 (210 games)
Winning Percentage: .521 (52%)
Playoff Record (including Consolation): 11-5-0
Playoff Winning Percentage: .687 (69%)
3-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2000, 2005, 2011)
4-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2000, 2005, 2007, 2011)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 12-2-0 (2007)
Worst Record: 4-10-0 (2010)
Division Champions-
2000, 2005, 2007, 2011
NFL.com League Champions-
2000, 2005, 2011
-------------------------------
*2000*
11-3-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
Note: 2001 NFL.com became a pay only Fantasy League. I switched over to Yahoo.com.
*2001*
7-7-0 (Lost in 2nd round of playoffs; finished season 5/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2002*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs for the first time in team history; finished 8/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2003*
6-8-0 (Lost in 2nd round of playoffs; finished 7/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2004*
6-8-0 (Lost in 1st round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
Note: 2005 NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I switched back.
*2005*
8-6-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2006*
8-6-0 (Lost in NFL.com League Championship game)- NFL.com
*2007*
12-2-0 (Central Division Champions, but lost in first round of playoffs)- NFL.com
*2008*
6-7-1 (Missed playoffs, 2nd time in team history)- NFL.com
*2009*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, worst record in team history 12/12)- NFL.com
*2011*
11-4-0 (Central Division Champions & NFL.com League Champions,)- NFL.com
*2012*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs)- NFL.com
*2013*
6-7-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year 7/12)- NFL.com
*2014*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, finished 5/10 consolation bracket)- NFL.com
=============================================
Highland GraveDiggers (8-6-0) You'd think by looking at the GraveDiggers record they didn't have a great year. WRONG! Shockingly, they finished 4th out of 10 teams and squeezed into the 2014 NFL.com fantasy league playoffs. Not just that, but they lost two straight games heading into the 1st round.
The GraveDiggers started out with San Francisco 49'rs QB Colin Kaepernick over San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers, after Kaepernick's performance from last season. High hopes were for 49'rs RB Frank Gore and 49'rs TE Vernon Davis heading into the 2014 fantasy season. That wasn't the final outcome.
After the first 3 weeks the GraveDiggers were 2-1-0, but Kaepernick fantasy point wise wasn't doing nearly as good as Rivers, so a risky change was made, one that would pay off, as Rivers started every week besides the teams bye week, including the playoffs. At this point TE Davis was benched for Tennessee Titan's TE Delanie Walker.
Week 5 the GraveDiggers scooped up Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett, which probably was the biggest pick up off waivers of the season for the GraveDiggers.
Mid-way through the season (week 7) the team had a record of 5-2-0 and 3rd in their league. Cincinnati Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu was picked up off waivers, which would become a huge value for the GraveDiggers.
Week 8 the GraveDiggers did some changes on defense, and released the Carolina Panthers defense, which was expected to have a good season, but didn't turn out that way. They started the Indianapolis Colts defense and picked up the Green Bay Packers defense, which was a better move.
The GraveDiggers got caught in a web by losing 3 straight games in weeks 7, 8, and 9. The team picked up Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill off waivers. Hill would start the next 5 weeks and help the team into the playoffs and eventually help win the teams 2nd league championship. The GraveDiggers were 6-4-0 heading into week 11.
The final three weeks were critical for the GraveDiggers. With the Green Bay Packers becoming the starting defense and the addition of Indianapolis Colts TE Coby Fleener (Titans TE Walker was injured for a bit), these two moves helped the GraveDiggers win three straight games in weeks 10, 11, & 12, and have a winning record of 8-4-0 and still in 3rd place in their league. Top four teams make the playoffs.
The GraveDiggers would lose their final two games and ended the regular season at 8-6-0 and in 4th place, barely making the playoffs by being 1 game up on the 5th place team. WR Sanu, TE Fleener, and RB Hill had slumped a bit during those final two weeks.
2014 Playoffs-
This had to be the most exciting playoff in the past 14 years that I've been playing fantasy football. The 1st round (Semi-Finals) I defeated the #1 team in our league, whom had a record of 12-2-0. I thought my playoff venture was over, especially losing two games in a row heading into the playoffs. Thanks to a great performance by both Seattle Seahawk's RB Marshawn Lynch and RB Hill (and a bad day for opposing Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers) I defeated the #1 team in our league by 6 points.
The GraveDiggers headed to the championship game and were facing the #2 team in their league, whom had a 12-2-0 record as well. The GraveDiggers switched up the Colts defense for the Packers defense, which was a smart call, as the Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Colts got crumbled by the Dallas Cowboys. That was the only change the GraveDiggers made. At the end, QB Rivers, RB Lynch, and RB Hill all had big games, thus defeating the #2 team by 6 points (just like last game) and became the 2014 NFL.com league champions for a 2nd time in 13 years. Their last league championship was in 2005.
Highland GraveDiggers are 2-time NFL.com League Champions (2005, 2014) and 2-time Division Champions (2005, 2010).
TEAM HISTORY (2001-2014)
Highland GraveDiggers
Est. 2001
Overall Record: 100-95-1 (196 games)
Winning Percentage: .512 (51%)
Playoff Record: 8-7
Playoff Winning Percentage .533 (53%)
2-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2005, 2014)
2-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2005, 2010)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 9-5-0 (2005)
Worst Record: 4-10-0 (2008)
Division Champions
2005, 2010
NFL.com League Champions
2005, 2014
------------------------------
*2001*
7-7-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2002*
9-5-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 5/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2003*
8-6-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2004*
7-6-1 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo
Note: NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I started playing on NFL.com
*2005*
9-5-0 (Western Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2006*
9-5-0 (Missed playoffs for the first time in team history)- NFL.com
*2007*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2008*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, worst record in team history)- NFL.com
*2009*
6-8-0 (Missed playoffs 4th straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
8-6-0 (Division Champions, lost 3rd place game)- NFL.com
*2011*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs, placed 3/4 division, 8/12 league)- NFL.com
*2012*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2013*
8-6-0 (Lost 1st round of playoffs; finished 5/12 teams)- NFL.com
*2014*
8-6-0 (NFL.com League Champions; 4/10 teams)- NFL.com
Note: Most exciting playoff series in fantasy history, defeated two 12-2-0 teams, won both games by 6 points.
--------------------
Highland LavaRockets (8-6-0) The LavaRockets missed the playoffs, but did place 5th in the consolation bracket. The team got off to a rough start, but managed to finished above .500 (.571) The team was banking on starting New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, New York Jets WR Eric Decker, and Jets RB Chris Johnson. Only one of those three would actually become fantasy value. That person wasn't the starting QB at the end of the season, that being Brady.
The LavaRockets started out 0-2-0, with a lineup of QB Brady, Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles, RB Johnson, WR Decker, Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas, and Seattle Seahawks defense just to name a few players. With the addition of Indianapolis Colts defense and Chiefs back-up RB Knile Davis, the LavaRockets were back at .500 heading into week 5 at 2-2-0.
Mid-way through the season (week 7) the LavaRockets were starting Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and benched Brady. They picked up Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett and started Broncos WR Wes Welker, whom the LavaRockets had hoped would perform well upon his return. It wasn't the outcome the team had hoped for. They also started the Indianapolis Colts defense, while benching a disappointed Seahawks defense.
Week 10 the team had won two straight games and were hovering at .500 at 5-5-0. The team did get a small boost with the addition of San Diego Charger's WR Malcom Floyd, who'd turn out to be a good addition to the team. They also picked up the Miami Dolphins defense, while benching the Colts defense.
Heading into week 13 the team was 7-5-0 and eyeing the NFL.com league playoffs. They had hoped the pick-up of Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans would help in that department. But with a loss and a win (weeks 13 & 14) the team fell short of the playoffs, with the top 4 getting in.
Highland LavaRockets are 1-time NFL.com League Champions (2010) and 1-time NFL.com Division Champions (2010).
2014 Playoffs
The LavaRockets didn't make the playoffs and missed the final slot by 1 game. They did head to the consolation bracket and actually won both games to place 5th out of 10 teams this season. They defeated their first opponent 61-47 and their second and final 73-47. Both series were easy wins for the LavaRockets.
TEAM HISTORY (2001-2014)
Highland Lava Rockets
Est. 2001
Overall Record: 92-100-4 (196 games)
Winning Percentage: .470 (47%)
Playoff Record: 11-5
Playoff Winning Percentage: .687 (69%)
1-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2010)
1-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2010)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 8-5-1 (2005)
Worst Record: 3-11-0 (2001)
Division Champions- 2010
NFL.com League Champions- 2010
--------------------------------------
*2001*
3-11-0 (Missed playoffs; finished 10/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2002*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs; finished 7/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2003*
9-5-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2004*
6-8-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
Note: NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I started playing on NFL.com
*2005*
8-5-1 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs)- NFL.com
*2006*
6-6-2 (Missed playoffs)- NFL.com
*2007*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2008*
4-9-1 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year)- NFL.com
*2009*
6-8-0 (Missed playoffs 4th straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
9-5-0 (Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2011*
6-8-0 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs; 7/12)- NFL.com
*2012*
8-6-0 (Lost 1st round playoffs; won 3rd place, 3/10)- NFL.com
*2013*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs; placed 9th in consolation bracket; 9/16)- NFL.com
*2014*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs; placed 5th in consolation bracket; 5/10)- NFL.com
Note: 2nd year straight of missing playoffs
A season later (2001) I created the Highland GraveDiggers (100-95-1)- .512 (51%) winning record, and Highland LavaRockets (92-100-4)- .470 (47%) winning record and have kept all three teams since. GraveDiggers won their league championship in 2005 and 2014. The LavaRockets have only won once back in 2010. GraveDiggers made it back into the playoffs in 2014 and fought for the NFL.com league championship and actually won it with a 8-6-0 record, barely making the playoffs (#4/10 teams). It was a very exciting season for the team, lead by San Diego QB Philip Rivers.
==============================================
NFL Fantasy League 2014: A Look Back
The Executions (7-7-0) had a rough start and finished 2-5-0 for the first half of the 2014 season. This includes Denver Bronco's QB Payton Manning as the starting QB for the entire season. The Executions added St. Louis Rams WR Brian Quick off waivers to try and jump start their 1-4-0 record, later he'd become injured and out for the season. With a mid-season 2-5-0 record, The Executions grabbed both Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller and Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett off waivers for week 7. Both performed decent that week, but the Executions still lost their game. With the signing of Cincinnati Bengal WR Mohamed Sanu off waivers (Miller, Forsett, and Sanu were good pick-ups), the Executions finally got a win after previously losing 4 weeks in a row. By week 9, and a very disappointing San Francisco 49'er TE Vernon Davis, the Executions placed San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates as the starter, who was becoming red hot at this point in the season. With the acquisition off waivers of the Miami Dolphins defense (previously had San Diego's defense) the Executions won 3 straight games with the team having a 5-5-0 record at week 10. Week 12 the Executions signed New England Patriots WR Brandon LaFell off waivers. LaFell made an impact for two straight weeks helping the Executions finish their 14th season at .500 at 7-7-0 and in 5th place out of 10 teams.
2014 PLAYOFFS-
The team didn't make the playoffs, but did head into the consolation bracket and fought for the 5th place spot out of 10 teams and won 77-64. The Executions pummeled their first opponent 76-37, with the help of Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill, this was the week Peyton Manning was sick and was having hip issues.
The Executions didn't have a great season, but coming back from a 2-5-0 record and finishing 7-7-0 wasn't easy. The year before (2013) they finished 6-7-0 (13 games were played, league rules), so they did one game better this year.
The Highland Executions are 3-time NFL.com League Champions (2000, 2005, 2011) and 4-time Division Champions (2000, 2005, 2007, 2011).
TEAM HISTORY (2000-2014)
Highland Executions
Est. 2000
Overall Record: 109-100-1 (210 games)
Winning Percentage: .521 (52%)
Playoff Record (including Consolation): 11-5-0
Playoff Winning Percentage: .687 (69%)
3-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2000, 2005, 2011)
4-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2000, 2005, 2007, 2011)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 12-2-0 (2007)
Worst Record: 4-10-0 (2010)
Division Champions-
2000, 2005, 2007, 2011
NFL.com League Champions-
2000, 2005, 2011
-------------------------------
*2000*
11-3-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
Note: 2001 NFL.com became a pay only Fantasy League. I switched over to Yahoo.com.
*2001*
7-7-0 (Lost in 2nd round of playoffs; finished season 5/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2002*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs for the first time in team history; finished 8/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2003*
6-8-0 (Lost in 2nd round of playoffs; finished 7/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2004*
6-8-0 (Lost in 1st round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
Note: 2005 NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I switched back.
*2005*
8-6-0 (Central Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2006*
8-6-0 (Lost in NFL.com League Championship game)- NFL.com
*2007*
12-2-0 (Central Division Champions, but lost in first round of playoffs)- NFL.com
*2008*
6-7-1 (Missed playoffs, 2nd time in team history)- NFL.com
*2009*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, worst record in team history 12/12)- NFL.com
*2011*
11-4-0 (Central Division Champions & NFL.com League Champions,)- NFL.com
*2012*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs)- NFL.com
*2013*
6-7-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year 7/12)- NFL.com
*2014*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, finished 5/10 consolation bracket)- NFL.com
=============================================
Highland GraveDiggers (8-6-0) You'd think by looking at the GraveDiggers record they didn't have a great year. WRONG! Shockingly, they finished 4th out of 10 teams and squeezed into the 2014 NFL.com fantasy league playoffs. Not just that, but they lost two straight games heading into the 1st round.
The GraveDiggers started out with San Francisco 49'rs QB Colin Kaepernick over San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers, after Kaepernick's performance from last season. High hopes were for 49'rs RB Frank Gore and 49'rs TE Vernon Davis heading into the 2014 fantasy season. That wasn't the final outcome.
After the first 3 weeks the GraveDiggers were 2-1-0, but Kaepernick fantasy point wise wasn't doing nearly as good as Rivers, so a risky change was made, one that would pay off, as Rivers started every week besides the teams bye week, including the playoffs. At this point TE Davis was benched for Tennessee Titan's TE Delanie Walker.
Week 5 the GraveDiggers scooped up Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett, which probably was the biggest pick up off waivers of the season for the GraveDiggers.
Mid-way through the season (week 7) the team had a record of 5-2-0 and 3rd in their league. Cincinnati Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu was picked up off waivers, which would become a huge value for the GraveDiggers.
Week 8 the GraveDiggers did some changes on defense, and released the Carolina Panthers defense, which was expected to have a good season, but didn't turn out that way. They started the Indianapolis Colts defense and picked up the Green Bay Packers defense, which was a better move.
The GraveDiggers got caught in a web by losing 3 straight games in weeks 7, 8, and 9. The team picked up Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill off waivers. Hill would start the next 5 weeks and help the team into the playoffs and eventually help win the teams 2nd league championship. The GraveDiggers were 6-4-0 heading into week 11.
The final three weeks were critical for the GraveDiggers. With the Green Bay Packers becoming the starting defense and the addition of Indianapolis Colts TE Coby Fleener (Titans TE Walker was injured for a bit), these two moves helped the GraveDiggers win three straight games in weeks 10, 11, & 12, and have a winning record of 8-4-0 and still in 3rd place in their league. Top four teams make the playoffs.
The GraveDiggers would lose their final two games and ended the regular season at 8-6-0 and in 4th place, barely making the playoffs by being 1 game up on the 5th place team. WR Sanu, TE Fleener, and RB Hill had slumped a bit during those final two weeks.
2014 Playoffs-
This had to be the most exciting playoff in the past 14 years that I've been playing fantasy football. The 1st round (Semi-Finals) I defeated the #1 team in our league, whom had a record of 12-2-0. I thought my playoff venture was over, especially losing two games in a row heading into the playoffs. Thanks to a great performance by both Seattle Seahawk's RB Marshawn Lynch and RB Hill (and a bad day for opposing Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers) I defeated the #1 team in our league by 6 points.
The GraveDiggers headed to the championship game and were facing the #2 team in their league, whom had a 12-2-0 record as well. The GraveDiggers switched up the Colts defense for the Packers defense, which was a smart call, as the Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Colts got crumbled by the Dallas Cowboys. That was the only change the GraveDiggers made. At the end, QB Rivers, RB Lynch, and RB Hill all had big games, thus defeating the #2 team by 6 points (just like last game) and became the 2014 NFL.com league champions for a 2nd time in 13 years. Their last league championship was in 2005.
Highland GraveDiggers are 2-time NFL.com League Champions (2005, 2014) and 2-time Division Champions (2005, 2010).
TEAM HISTORY (2001-2014)
Highland GraveDiggers
Est. 2001
Overall Record: 100-95-1 (196 games)
Winning Percentage: .512 (51%)
Playoff Record: 8-7
Playoff Winning Percentage .533 (53%)
2-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2005, 2014)
2-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2005, 2010)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 9-5-0 (2005)
Worst Record: 4-10-0 (2008)
Division Champions
2005, 2010
NFL.com League Champions
2005, 2014
------------------------------
*2001*
7-7-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2002*
9-5-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 5/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2003*
8-6-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo
*2004*
7-6-1 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo
Note: NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I started playing on NFL.com
*2005*
9-5-0 (Western Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2006*
9-5-0 (Missed playoffs for the first time in team history)- NFL.com
*2007*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2008*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year, worst record in team history)- NFL.com
*2009*
6-8-0 (Missed playoffs 4th straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
8-6-0 (Division Champions, lost 3rd place game)- NFL.com
*2011*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs, placed 3/4 division, 8/12 league)- NFL.com
*2012*
4-10-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2013*
8-6-0 (Lost 1st round of playoffs; finished 5/12 teams)- NFL.com
*2014*
8-6-0 (NFL.com League Champions; 4/10 teams)- NFL.com
Note: Most exciting playoff series in fantasy history, defeated two 12-2-0 teams, won both games by 6 points.
--------------------
Highland LavaRockets (8-6-0) The LavaRockets missed the playoffs, but did place 5th in the consolation bracket. The team got off to a rough start, but managed to finished above .500 (.571) The team was banking on starting New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, New York Jets WR Eric Decker, and Jets RB Chris Johnson. Only one of those three would actually become fantasy value. That person wasn't the starting QB at the end of the season, that being Brady. The LavaRockets started out 0-2-0, with a lineup of QB Brady, Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles, RB Johnson, WR Decker, Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas, and Seattle Seahawks defense just to name a few players. With the addition of Indianapolis Colts defense and Chiefs back-up RB Knile Davis, the LavaRockets were back at .500 heading into week 5 at 2-2-0.
Mid-way through the season (week 7) the LavaRockets were starting Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and benched Brady. They picked up Baltimore Ravens RB Justin Forsett and started Broncos WR Wes Welker, whom the LavaRockets had hoped would perform well upon his return. It wasn't the outcome the team had hoped for. They also started the Indianapolis Colts defense, while benching a disappointed Seahawks defense.
Week 10 the team had won two straight games and were hovering at .500 at 5-5-0. The team did get a small boost with the addition of San Diego Charger's WR Malcom Floyd, who'd turn out to be a good addition to the team. They also picked up the Miami Dolphins defense, while benching the Colts defense.
Heading into week 13 the team was 7-5-0 and eyeing the NFL.com league playoffs. They had hoped the pick-up of Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans would help in that department. But with a loss and a win (weeks 13 & 14) the team fell short of the playoffs, with the top 4 getting in.
Highland LavaRockets are 1-time NFL.com League Champions (2010) and 1-time NFL.com Division Champions (2010).
2014 Playoffs
The LavaRockets didn't make the playoffs and missed the final slot by 1 game. They did head to the consolation bracket and actually won both games to place 5th out of 10 teams this season. They defeated their first opponent 61-47 and their second and final 73-47. Both series were easy wins for the LavaRockets.
TEAM HISTORY (2001-2014)
Highland Lava Rockets
Est. 2001
Overall Record: 92-100-4 (196 games)
Winning Percentage: .470 (47%)
Playoff Record: 11-5
Playoff Winning Percentage: .687 (69%)
1-time NFL.com Fantasy League Champions (2010)
1-time NFL.com Fantasy League Division Champions (2010)
City: Highland, MI
Stadium: Ford Field: Detroit, MI
Coach: Jesse Richardson
Best Record: 8-5-1 (2005)
Worst Record: 3-11-0 (2001)
Division Champions- 2010
NFL.com League Champions- 2010
--------------------------------------
*2001*
3-11-0 (Missed playoffs; finished 10/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2002*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs; finished 7/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2003*
9-5-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 4/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
*2004*
6-8-0 (Lost 2nd round of playoffs; finished 6/10 teams)- Yahoo.com
Note: NFL.com returned to being a free Fantasy League. I started playing on NFL.com
*2005*
8-5-1 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs)- NFL.com
*2006*
6-6-2 (Missed playoffs)- NFL.com
*2007*
7-7-0 (Missed playoffs 2nd straight year)- NFL.com
*2008*
4-9-1 (Missed playoffs 3rd straight year)- NFL.com
*2009*
6-8-0 (Missed playoffs 4th straight year)- NFL.com
*2010*
9-5-0 (Division & NFL.com League Champions)- NFL.com
*2011*
6-8-0 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs; 7/12)- NFL.com
*2012*
8-6-0 (Lost 1st round playoffs; won 3rd place, 3/10)- NFL.com
*2013*
5-9-0 (Missed playoffs; placed 9th in consolation bracket; 9/16)- NFL.com
*2014*
8-6-0 (Missed playoffs; placed 5th in consolation bracket; 5/10)- NFL.com
Note: 2nd year straight of missing playoffs
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