2014 Dirty D Draft Order

Finally. Mock Draft season is here. Football is here. Life is great.  The Dirty D is back for it's 6th season.... my team (Tahiti Loungers) will be looking to defend the title and go for the 3-peat.


We do have a new member of the league this year... one Michael Beckerman. Beckerman, the 15th owner in league history, is replacing Donny Burlone, aka comeback story. The other 11 members remain the same. Beckerman's team name: Mosey Machine. A+.

Hipster City 

Unique to this year's draft is the bet that Adam lost last year. He foolishly thought a back up TE (Garrett Graham) would outscore a starting TE (Coby "Stud" Fleener) and the fact that the bet was even close is a joke. Now Adam has to pay up, to the tune of drafting a kicker in the first round!!!!!  Although I am confident in his ability to overcome this. After all, 30% of first round picks bust every year anyway.

Now, to the good stuff. The draft order. Just for reference, here are all the past draft orders in league history:

And now for this year's order. I of course had to have ADAM help determine his own fate. He was the owner who assigned a letter to each team.

SEAN was picked to arrange the letters in any random order. (FAG B LIKE HDC J)

The results:


2014 Dirty D Draft Order

1. Angry Pirates

Unbelievable. Kid gets the #1 pick overall for the 3rd time in 4 years. In 2011 he selected Ray Rice and won the league. Last year he picked AP and went 6-7 while missing the playoffs.  We'll see what happens this time around, but C Bunny certainly has a lot of experience drafting on the turn.


2. Team Ice Cream 

This is the second worst possible spot for Adam to land... picking #2 overall basically means he is missing out on the top 20 players, since he has to make a kicker selection in the first round. Ouch.


3. The Godfather

Abe did a solid job drafting from the 4 spot last year (Megatron-Lacy-Fitz-Gio his first 4 picks), this year he gets bumped up to the 3 hole. He's gotta be happy with the results.

4. the rental guys 

Second year in a row Dan gets an upper-third pick... this year's selection is almost guaranteed to outperform Doug Martin from last year, who Dan selected #2 overall.


5. A1 Providers 

Paul needs all the help he can get. At this spot, he'll get to choose from some well known commodities in the first round.


6. The Crossing Guards

Let's all just hope Bill makes it to the draft this year. Let the record show that Bill DID make the playoffs for the first time last year!! but it was a year he didn't draft his own team. Just saying. After 2 consecutive years picking at #9, Bill moves up to the #6 spot.


7. A Pinch Better

Nothing much to say here except prepare to get sniped in the even numbered rounds.


8. Tahiti Loungers

Boom. right where I wanted to be. The same spot I drafted out of last year (when I won the championship, in case anyone forgot). Hoping to not pick a dud like CJ Spiller this year.


9. Victorious Secret 

I don't like Kait picking behind me. At all. Traditionally a good drafter, Kait siphons fantasy info off me every year. Basically she kinda knows about the players I like and can easily steal them from me. It’s happened before. CJ Spiller from 2 years ago. She knew I liked him, and sniped him right in front of me. Not happy about this position for personal reasons.


10. Eat More Chicken 

Jenna had a really nice season drafting out of the #11 spot last year, so this is familiar territory for her.

11. Mosey Machine

Total wild card. Since Beckerman is new to the league, I would think he likes the idea of picking so close to the turn. He can focus on his own team more while the middle team's sort of have to pay more attention to other people's picks.

12. Boston Patriots 

Mr, B will probably assume he got the last pick cuz he's disconnected from the league. Not true, Mr. B. It was random! I swear!



Remember people, the Draft is Labor Day- MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1st at 9pm.

96th PGA Championship

The 96th version of the PGA Championship starts tomorrow. As per usual, our fantasy challenge will also take place.


Jason Dufner won the PGA last year... which gives him the right to pick the dinner menu for this year. Here is what Dufner chose to have served to everyone last night:

"Butt-Rubbed Steak" is in honor of his no infamous ass-grab of his wife on the green after he won last year. Obligatory pic:

Boom.

Anyway, the only real golf analysis I am going to do is this:

Remembering Valhalla and the PGA championship from 2000

Bob May vs Tiger Woods. I'm lucky enough to remember watching this dram LIVE. Here is a brief description of what happened in bullet form:

-Tiger had the lead after 3 rounds. Had never lost when given a 54 hole lead.

-Also, check out this history of Tiger in the majors leading up to the 2000 PGA:

2000 British Open- WON
2000 US Open- WON
2000 Masters- T-5
1999 PGA- WON
1999 British Open- T-7
1999 US Open T-3

BEAST. Had won 2 out of the 3 majors already that year. Carrying a one stroke lead into the last day at Valhalla...

Anyway Bob May and Tiger were paired on the last day. On an EPIC match, going back and forth BOTH players made BIRDIE on the last hole to go to a playoff. Here's the famous video of Tiger sinking the long putt to tie and force a playoff. Goosebump city:

Stud. What a putt. Tiger went on to win the 3 hole playoff with a -1 score. Do yourselves a favor and watch this video, a 5 min recap of the epic battle between May and Woods:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp46JVEvx8E

is the link if you cant see this video on your phone.

OK. That was sick. Too bad Tiger is hurt and not at the top of his game for this tourney. Anyway, without further adieu, the 2014 fantasy draft and rules:

Rules:

The final score of all the players on each team will be added up and the lowest cume score wins. Each team will have 4 golfers.

+5 will be added to any players score who misses the cut

-10 will be deducted from the score of the team who picks the Champion

If there is a WD, that player will be given a score of the worst round from that day. And then a one time penalty of +5 (the same penalty a player who misses the cut would get.)



THE DRAFT
(Draft starts on Wed AM)

Round 1

Adam- Jordan Spieth
Bill- Rory McIlroy
Chump Bunny- Adam Scott
James- Keegan Bradley
Beck- Henrik Stenson
Dan- Ricky Fowler
Pendelton- Justin Rose
Abe- Matt Kuchar
Jeremy- Sergio Garcia
Paul- Martin Kaymer

Round 2

Paul- Bubba Watson
Jeremy- Phil Mickelson
Abe- Zach Johnson
Pendelton- Jim Furyk
Dan- Jason Dufner
Beck- Jason Day
James- Marc Leishman
Chump Bunny- Jimmy Walker
Bill- Charl Scwartzel
Adam- Hideki Matsuyama

Round 3

Adam- Victor Dubiusson
Bill- Ryan Moore
Chump Bunny- Webb Simpson
James- Graeme McDowell
Beck- Luke Donald
Dan- Brandt Snedeker
Pendelton- Thomas Bjorn
Abe- Francesco Molinari
Jeremy- Patrick Reed
Paul- Lee Westwood


Round 4

Paul- Hunter Mahan
Jeremy- Gary Woodland
Abe- Ian Poulter
Pendelton- Tiger Woods
Dan- Shane Lowry
Beck- Harris English
James- JB Holmes
Chump Bunny- Louis Oosthuzien
Bill- Kevin Na
Adam- Graham DeLaet




Team Rosters:

Free* not Free- Sergio, Phil, Reed, Woodland

Team Finna- Bradley, Leishman, McDowell, Holmes

The Godchildren- Kuchar, ZJ, Molinari, Poulter

Team K Cup- Spieth, Matsuyama, Dubuisson, DeLaet

Team Mosey- Stenson, Day, Donald, English

Team Zeitgeist- Fowler, Dufner, Snedeker, Lowry

Team EDM- Rose, Furyk, Bjorn, Woods

Team Hardo- Kaymer, Bubba, Westwood, Mahan

#DeutscheBill- McIlroy, Schwartzel, Moore, Na

Bunny Team- Scott, Walker, Simpson, Oosthuzien

#FreeJoshGordon

I love Josh Gordon. Let's just get that out there. Admittedly, it's mostly because I own in him in keeper fantasy football league... but still... I owned him before his monster breakout last season. I actually traded FOR Gordon last off-season... Thank you Marty El. Also, interesting side note, I played in 5 fantasy football leagues last year. I owned Gordon in 4 out of the 5 and the ONLY league I DIDN'T own Gordon, I won. I didn't win any of the other leagues. Wild.

Before I jump into a timeline of event's with my favorite non-Patriots NFL player, lets take a look back at his INCREDIBLE 2013 season. Remember, he was suspended for the first 2 games of the year.

Unreal season. Anyway, you live under a rock if you don't know what's going on with Gordon. Here is a brief timeline of events:



January 2009

Josh Gordon, from Texas, commits to playing his college ball at Baylor. He made 1 single catch his freshman year (2009).

October 2010

Josh Gordon and a teammate were arrested after falling asleep in the drive through at a Taco Bell after cops found some weed in the car. Gordon was not driving but his teammate who was, was kicked off the team. Gordon finishes the 2010 season with 42 catches, 714 yards, and 7 TDs

July 2011

Gordon is suspended indefinitely from the team after a failed marijuana test. This is what he said about it afterward. "It was due to a failed marijuana test, it was against school policy, of course, and I was (suspended) in the summer. I’ve definitely put that part of my life behind me. I don’t plan to ever go back there. It was a difficult time, but I learned from it, and I’ve moved on.”

August 2011

Gordon transfers to Utah. By rule, he isn't allowed to play the 2011 season for switching teams. Josh Gordon never actually played one game for Utah, instead he decided to enter the 2012 Supplemental NFL draft.

July 2012 

The Cleveland Browns select Gordon in the supplemental draft, sacrificing a 2013 second-round draft pick to select Gordon in Round 2. On July 16, Gordon signs a four-year, $5.3 million deal with the Browns.

October 2012

Josh Gordon's breakout. He scored a TD in 3 out of 4 games in October for the Browns, officially putting him on the map for everyone who wasn't aware of who he was until this month. His final stat line for the 2012 season was 50 receptions, 805 yards, 5 TDs.

May 2013 

Josh Gordon gets pulled over in Cleveland for going 45 mph in a 35 mph zone. Why he has a car that looks like this is beyond me... dude, you'e BEGGING to be pulled over in this.

June 2013 

Gordon gets suspended without pay for the first two games of the 2013 NFL season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. In addition to the two-game suspension, he was docked four game checks- totaling $148,894. Gordon said in a statement that he used cough medicine containing codeine -- a banned substance -- while recovering from strep throat in February. The league could have given him a four-game suspension. "The policy terms are strict about unintentional ingestion, but the NFL has not imposed the maximum punishment in light of the facts of my case," Gordon said. "Therefore, I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation. I sincerely apologize for the impact on my team, coaches, and Browns fans."

August 2013 

Josh Gordon gets pulled over for going 98 mph in a 60 mph zone. Again, the car, you're asking for it.

September 2013 

Josh Gordon confirms that he "thinks" he will be suspended a full year if he abuses the substance policy again.

January 2014

Josh Gordon is named to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL in receiving.  87 catches, 1,646 yards, 9 TDs.  His QB(s) during this magical season? Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell.

May 2014

Just 24 hours after the NFL draft, it is reported that Gordon has tested positive for Marijuana earlier in the off-season. Believed to be in "Stage 3" of the NFL substance program (they don't publicize this info), Gordon is slapped with a 16 game/year long suspension. Also, on Memeorial Day weekend, he was again stopped for speeding. The cop smelled weed in the car and Gordon's "friend" was charged with possession. Gordon was not. However, Gordon did get arrested for a DUI after blowing a .09

July 2014 

Josh Gordon's appeal to the suspension lasts over 15 hours stretching over 2 days.

That's where we are at. Waiting to see if the appeal will be reduced or lifted, even though by letter of the law it cannot be reduced. Since the appeal started, a few bits of info have been leaked. It's been reported that Gordon has passed over 70 drug tests in the past 20 months. It was also released that his drug sample that tested positive was SO FAINT that had his 2 samples been switched, he would have passed the test. This faint trace has allowed Gordon and his legal team to pursue a defense that includes "Second Hand Smoke" as the reason for the failed drug test.

Here's the rub:  The NFL has crazy out-dated marijuana laws, which are severe. Normally this probably wouldn't be an issue but the PR problem the NFL is dealing with magnifies the problem with the NFL's stance on off the field issues.

Ray Rice was given a 2 game suspension after "video evidence" that he assaulted his fiance. People were/are OUTRAGED that someone who smokes weed can be banned for a year but someone who beats up a chick gets 2 games. Just doesn't make sense. Also, Colts owner Jim Irsay, was pulled over this off-season under the influence and in possession of about a million pills and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. The NFL has set to extend a penalty to Irsay for his conduct, although there is a rumor he will be "suspended" for 6 games, whatever that means for an owner.

Here's the problem. Josh Gordon's punishment has been collectively bargained by the NFL and NFLPA. It’s clearly stated in the (outdated) rules of the CBA what his penalties should be….. a year-long suspension. But people like me- and all Browns fans- are holding out hope that logic & common sense wins out and the NFL does the right thing by suspending Gordon for 8 games, not 16.

Anyway, you gotta figure the longer the wait on the appeal decision, the better the outlook for Josh Gordon. Let's all hope he only gets suspended for 8 games.

Also, since I know you're all wondering, here is what Josh Gordon's back looks like:

#FreeJoshGordon

MAGL July 2014 Stats

July MA Golf League is in the books. For the second consecutive month we got 3 rounds in, a total of 27 holes. Participation was high and scores were lower than June, so overall it was a good month.

Week 9- 7/11/14- Back Course 

James 40

Adam 42
Dan 51
#Mike 58
Paul 61

Week 10- 7/18/14- Right Course 

James 41

Adam 42

Good Bill 48

Week 11- 7/25/14- Middle Course 

James 38

Adam 45

Dan 45
Sean 53

Below is a chart of JULY ONLY stats:

And below is full 2014 season with updated stats:

2014 British Open Fantasy Challenge

3rd Major of the year is here. Last year at the The Open Championship, Phil Mickelson finished as the only player under par at -3 (he birdied the last 2 holes of the tourney and shot a tourney low 66 on Sunday.)  Henrik Stenson finished Even and everyone else was over par. Paul won the British Open fantasy challenge last year amongst us friends, basically proving this is nothing but a fun crapshoot.

Although Tiger Woods has largely been forgotten over the past year- he had surgery in March and is just now coming back- it's important to remember that he made a late run last year at The Open and finished T-6.

This year's edition of "The Open" is being held at Royal Liverpool, which last hosted a major (The Open) in 2006. Tiger Woods won that tourney, here was the leaderboard:

So it will be interesting this week to see how well Tiger plays, and where he gets picked in this fantasy draft. The course itself has changed a lot in 8 years, there are less bunkers. The big thing about this course (and this major, pretty much every year) is the wind and other elements. A lot of times you'll see the guys who tee off in the AM with much better or much worse scores. Truly the definition of "luck of the draw."

For the record, here are the winners of the fantasy challenges from the past. STILL haven't had a repeat winner which is pretty wild.

2014 US Open: Jeremy
2014 Masters: Campbell
2013 PGA: Adam
2013 British Open: Paul
2013 US Open : Bill
2013 Masters: Abe

Rules:

The final score of all the players on each team will be added up and the lowest cume score wins. Each team will have 4 golfers.

+8 will be added to any players score who misses the cut

-8 will be deducted from the score of the team who picks the Champion

If there is a WD, that player will be given a score of the worst round from that day. And then a one time penalty of +8 (the same penalty a player who misses the cut would get.)



THE DRAFT
(Draft starts on Wed AM)

Round 1
Campbell- Rory McIlroy
Sean- Jordan Spieth
James- Henrik Stenson
Abe- Ricky Fowler
Dan- Adam Scott
Bill- Tiger Woods
Beck- Matt Kuchar
Paul- Phil Mickelson
Adam- Jason Day
Jeremy- Justin Rose


Round 2
Jeremy- Graeme McDowell
Adam- Martin Kaymer
Paul- Dustin Johnson
Beck- Zach Johnson
Bill- Bubba Watson
Dan- Charl Schwartzel
Abe- Brandt Snedeker
James- Jimmy Walker
Sean- Jim Furyk
Campbell- Ian Poulter

Round 3
Campbell- Lee Westwood
Sean- Thomas Bjorn
James- Hideki Matsuyama
Abe- Jason Dufner
Dan- Hunter Mahan
Bill- Miguel Angel Jimenez
Beck- Luke Donald
Paul- Sergio Garcia
Adam- Ernie Els
Jeremy- Keegan Bradley

Round 4
Jeremy- Paul Casey
Adam- Louis Oosthuizen
Paul- Victor Dubuisson
Beck- Ryan Moore
Bill- Angle Cabrera
Dan- Freddie Jacobson
Abe- Francesco Molinari
James- Billy Horschel
Sean- Brendon Todd
Campbell- Kevin Na

Team Rosters:

Free* not Free- Rose, McDowell, Bradley, Casey

Team Finna- Stenson, Walker, Matsuyama, Horschel

The Godchildren- Fowler, Snedeker, Dufner, Molinari

Team K Cup- Day, Kaymer, Els, Oosthuizen

Team Mosey- Kuchar, Z Johnson, Donald, Moore

Team Zeitgeist- Scott, Schwartzel, Mahan, Jacobson

Team EDM- Spieth, Furyk, Bjorn, Todd

Team Hardo- Mickelson, D Johnson, Garcia, Dubusson

#DeutscheBill- Tiger, Watson, Jimenez, Cabrera

Bunny Team- Rory, Poulter,Westwood, Na

The Indecision & The Letter

HAHAHA

I bet you all wish there was a set "Decision" time now!!! I know I do.

The latest on Lebron, which I don't believe, is that he is still hung up on the infamous letter that Cav's Owner Dan Gilbert posted to the teams webpage back in July 2010. It was just taken down last week.

Reportedly, Heat president Pat Riley PRINTED COPIES OF THIS LETTER AND HANDED THEM AROUND THE ROOM TO EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE LEBRON MEETING IN VEGAS 2 DAYS AGO.

What a move. Pat Riley...he'll do anything it takes. Gotta respect that on some level, despite how slimy he is.

 Anyway, here is the letter for everyone to read:

(Click the picture to zoom in if you can't read it)

That's right, an actual NBA team owner wrote this. What an idiot. The definition of burning bridges. Not only that, but he couldn't have been more wrong. What other sport does this happen in???? This whole NBA free agency thing is interesting, but so, so backwards.

Anyway, If Lebron does return to Cleveland, he should be applauded generously for being the bigger man and going back to work for Dan Gilbert after being called a coward. But I'm sure people will twist it around and make him a bad guy.

Anyway.... hopefully the decision comes down today. I'm excited!!!!

Lebron back to Cleveland?!?

As a staunch Lebron supporter since Day 1, I have to weigh in on this issue.  In a shocking turn of events, Cleveland seems to be the favorite to sign free agent Lebron James.  

I LOVE IT. So Much. I think it would be awesome for Lebron to go back to Cleveland and start winning championships there, too. Of course people will probably rip him apart, but I think a lot of people will end up hating him a lot less in the long run. That's what he wants- to be loved like MJ. His agent has said in the past he wants Lebron to go back to Cleveland eventually. 

The Cavs and Lebron broke up in a bad way in Summer 2010. Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Owner) was hurt, and angry. He actually guaranteed the Cavs would win a title "before the self proclaimed King." (perfect example of a Jeremy Guarantee.)  The world turned against Lebron.... he became a villain, from the moment "The Decision" aired on ESPN back in July of 2010. Irrational hate from nearly every angle.

In his 4 years in Miami, Lebron won 2 titles and made 4 appearances in The Finals. Multiple MVPs. However, this past year, the Heat got waxed and bad feelings came out of the Finals.

Pat Riley (Heat President) indirectly called out James, Wade, and Bosh a month ago saying something about not taking the easy way out by leaving Miami. Wade opted out and is staring at a massive pay cut, but will likely stay in Miami. Bosh currently has a max offer contract on the table from Houston, but is waiting to make a decision because he wants to play with Lebron (In Miami).  

Lebron is meeting with Riley and a couple other Heat VIP today in Vegas. Over the weekend there were growing rumors that James to Cleveland was a real possibility. Things got very interesting this morning when the Cavs made a trade to clear cap space, apparently to take on a max contract for Lebron. 

And then things got VERY interesting a few minutes ago the most plugged-in NBA news source tweeted this out: 

SO now it looks like everything is coming up CLEVELAND. Lebron. Love. Kyrie Irving. I really hope this happens*!!!!!! 

*because if it doesn't.... and Lebron ends up screwing over Cleveland again...I don't know if I could ever support that- depending on the details that emerge on how deep in talks they are right now.

PS. The current rumor is when Lebron does make his  "decision"  it will be announced on his website. Let the irrational hate start flowing for that too.