AE AE13 - Discussion

[Osmodiar]

I have joined. Prepare for battle

 

[beez]

Every 5 minutes I refresh my email and my disappointment levels rise. It must be the same feeling as when your CR16 team misses a field goal to win the game. Why the **** did I sign up for this shit?

 

[Chism]

Every 5 minutes I refresh my email and my disappointment levels rise. It must be the same feeling as when your CR16 team misses a field goal to win the game. Why the **** did I sign up for this shit?

Ha! Every AE regular has been through that!

Monday mornings have never been so stressful and exciting ever when you are involved in AE. So many players screw you week in week out coupled with teams you just can't get right from 1 week to the next. Gee i could write a book on the hard luck stories and BS flags , 2 seconds of individual brilliance from a player and many other things that have cost me in this comp!!!

You just gotta f***** love it!

 

[Papa Juggs]

16CR team losing?

I would hope that doesn't happen to me.

Week 1 Seahawks? Too obvious?

I wouldn't want to over think things.

 

[Blacky]

It will absolutely happen to you

 

[Woodson]

16CR team losing?

I would hope that doesn't happen to me.

Week 1 Seahawks? Too obvious?

I wouldn't want to over think things.

Story of our lives really JB. Ask GG & the reigning 3XKO champ Chism. One thing for sure about this Confidence Ranking system is that there is plenty of these reactions on any given Monday morning :

This Cosmo Kramer one is 'more after the fact' and REALLY COMMON... logging on well after 9am to check the results and..

Didn't see that coming.. and funnily enough, neither did anyone else.. phew!!! no real damage.

My fav is the actual CR difference with your ND opponent or as in CHISM's case in the 3XKO a couple years ago when I talked him into changing from the Colts as his LOCK to the Chiefs playing at home vs the outta form Bills and those beads of sweat were multiplying by the second.. story for the ages!! Chism was so deadset serious... it was hysterical..

Considering 47% of games are decided by 7pts or less... yinz will feel the anxiety and adrenaline all the same esp whilst watching a tense drive to stay in the game or a team in FG range that you can't afford to have them score.. BUT remember you oughtta know there are 70+ guys accross the country in the same situation as yourself for certain games..

On the Flipside:
This Cosmo Kramer Dance optimises the AE euphoria of picking the upset and knowing your ND opponent and most of the others on the leaders board have dropped that game like a hot potato!!

This is the classic 'Stick it to ya - I Delivered' 50/50 game but high CR Selection reaction!! ala AC83 with his Niners vs the Packers in Week 1 2012

Suck it Up B**ches!!

 

[Exe Gesis]

btw Woodson thanks for the Bible

 

[Papa Juggs]

Excellent post Woodson. I was a bit uneasy about how things would go down but that gives me a good idea of how things are likely to play out on any given week.

Currently stressing about the first game. Do I pick the home town favourites or do I show some faith in my Ravens. The rest should be easy. Emotional attachments always make tipping difficult.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Or you can use the tried and tested GG-method.....find the biggest chandelier and swing for your life

 

[Woodson]

Excellent post Woodson. I was a bit uneasy about how things would go down but that gives me a good idea of how things are likely to play out on any given week.

Currently stressing about the first game. Do I pick the home town favourites or do I show some faith in my Ravens. The rest should be easy. Emotional attachments always make tipping difficult.

Certainly are.. esp as defending champs. You'de be surprised how often many take the opposition team low CR in 50/50 games. It's a win/win situation as you'll find that if they win (your team), you're smiling/ happy for them @ a low cost CR and if you get it right.. at least it's a CR point/s counted toward your weekly total.. but since it's TNF... you may face an opportunist who will put the CR pedal to the floor with a high CR to test your loyalty. Something else to think about.

 

[Blacky]

I'll be rolling the 16 sided dice with Denver first up more than likely.

First game and team.

I can only begin to imagine the tantrum if they lose

 

[Dirty Bird]

I havn't even looked at the schedule. College Football is my #1 love from Sep-Nov.

I'll pump up my love for NFL and subsequent banter here come December

 

[Dirty Bird]

Holy ****, just looked at the week 1 schedules.
Outside of Denver and Indianapolis, there's no one I feel confident in putting an X on in 3xko.

 

[EagleOz]

Holy ****, just looked at the week 1 schedules.
Outside of Denver and Indianapolis, there's no one I feel confident in putting an X on in 3xko.

I agree 100%, Week 1 couldn't get much tougher.

 

[Blacky]

any more spots Woodson?

 

[LeverPuller]

Hey Woodson, I haven't gotten an email...are they sent yet?

 

[balmainforever]

Guess what peeps.
Week 1 of the preseason and the trial of the website isn't up.
Why aren't I surprised.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Guess what peeps.
Week 1 of the preseason and the trial of the website isn't up.
Why aren't I surprised.

If you don't believe in those running maybe you should leave?
I have faith in those who run it that it'll be ready in time

 

[Woodson]

any more spots Woodson?

Yes, I'm looking at 80 and we have 73 confirmed with a couple stating their subs are in actual transit overnight which makes it 75 (5 spots definitely open) with a possibility of Maximum of 84 if there is an overfill.

Will want an even number. Last season we got 76. Schedule takes a full week to work on but this season with 80, I have a preset formulated matrix set so it's a matter of slotting in the participates accordingly and writing it up which takes another 2-3 days. That's why a mid-August deadline for registrations is required.

 

[Woodson]

Hey Woodson, I haven't gotten an email...are they sent yet?

JD has a twitter account (@armchairendzone) which I believe is an update notification to inform us when adjustments are ready in place which I'll fwd on via the ae13clubhouse media streams I'm constantly updating or if any other news tidbit I'll post on these boards.

The ae13clubhouse.com website will be launched next week. All the running commentary you need with eye candy graphics which is prohibited on BF, can be viewed on AE13Clubhouse.

balmainforever JD is the process of getting it right before unfurling the AE tipping website...just keep in mind that we have three weeks after this weekend to get a good look so just take a chill pill until then. I'm sure you'll see some pre-season action before the season opener.

Wouldn't surprise if JD is awaiting the final confirmation of the AE13 roster which I'm being held back with final subscribers scrambling in. Everyone who has expressed interest has been notified of the final cut-off. Aug 16th.

 

[balmainforever]

Woodson. If you really think I'm that worried about it, you don't know how the Honey Badger works!

 

[Woodson]

Woodson. If you really think I'm that worried about it, you don't know how the Honey Badger works!

I thought it was a classic HB remark and fair question to ask on behalf of everyone. And I diplomatically offered a chill pill. .

I got a text message at 11.13am from el maestro to let me know he's 'almost done with the site' and 'running a trial run on the live site' is giving him problems hence the delay. Will have up this weekend.

I responded with when the AE Rookies get their generic passwords ??

11.40am reply: Rookies passwords will be sent out this weekend.

So hopefully all will be good to go sooner than later. ie: second week of Pre-season.

 

[Woodson]

Part 1

WEEK ONE
If the first drive by Chism's first Lock Team, the Detroit Lions, was a prime indication of where his campaign was headed.. it was a matter of buckling in the seatbelt, pulling over a blindfold and holding on tight as Matt Stafford was incepted by Rams rookie Janoris Jenkins on the goalline for a 34 yard return. Fast forward to second quarter.. Matt Stafford throws another inception, this time to Jo-Lonn Dunbar and if that didn't hurt on the next Lions drive, Stafford is picked off for the THIRD time in the first half for a PICK SIX as ex-Titan Cortland Finnegan takes it back to the house for a Rams 13-10 lead at the long break.

Lions pull back to level the score 13-13 early in the third Q with a Hanson 45 yard FG. Subsequent drives by both teams end in punts as the Rams open up the fourth Q with a corner post pattern pass play to Gibson who snaffles the 23 yard loft from Bradford as Rams go 20-13 ahead. However Lions strike back with some run by Kevin Smith and a pair of clutch passes to TE Pettigrew as the Lions tie it up @ 20-20 following Kevin Smith's bulldozing TD run from the five. Rams proceeding drive results in a Zuerlein 46 yard FG to push the Rams ahead 23-20 with 1:55 remaining in the game.

The prowess of Matt Stafford stands up in the clutch as he connects on 6 of 7 passes in the drive that ends with a dump off in the flat despite the pass rush as Kevin Smith streaks untouched for the go-ahead TD from the 5 and 27-23 lead, enough to ice the game and wipe the beads of sweat from Chism's forehead. LIONS WIN!!

The Houston Texans were Chism's second team LOCK and it wasn't until the second quarter where the game against the Dolphins looked the most decisive as 'Fins rookie QB Ryan Tannehill was intercepted THREE times and a running game fumble allowed the Texans to rack up 24 unanswered points to surge to a 24-3 HT lead. Despite a Special teams punt return back to the house by Thigpen of the Dolphins, the Texans gifted Chism a stress free victory winning 30-10. Andre Johnson the chief destroyer with 8 receptions for 119 yards and a TD. TEXANS WIN!!

We got this!! Chism can rest easy with AJ and Texan D gettin' it done.

Off season turbulence in New Orleans didn't faze Chism as he selected the New Orleans Saints as his third lock team against the muddled Redskins looking for an identity following a third consecutive campaign of double digit season losses. And it looked promising after Brees found TE Graham for a neat 20 yard first Q TD but suddenly the cracks in the Saints D were evident on the first play from scrimmage on the Redskins second drive when rookie RGIII found an open frenchman (Pierre Garcon) for a big pass run score (88 yards) that loomed danger signs for Chism!!

Like a surgeon, RGIII, was dissecting the Saints D with ease as he's O-Line offered enough time in the pocket for him to whip scorching passes without the pressure, notching up his second TD pass in two quarters of football for the Redskins to strut into the lockeroom 20-14 ahead.

The Redskin leads extended to 30-14 in the third quarter as a TD run by sixth round rookie Alfred Morris and a Billy Cundiff special from 37 yards split the uprights to have the Saints on their knees. A twelve play drive by the Saints could only muster a 21 yard FG by Hartley (hello Chris25), to pull the Saints within two scores but Billy Cundiff slotted another FG from 45 yards to put the pressure back on the home team who hadn't trailed by 10 points or more all season long in 2011.

Fast fwd to the Fourth Q and the Saints urgency is building as Drew Brees moves the chains on two pass plays then unloads a peach to the reliable Lance Moore for a touchdown to edge the Saints closer (33-25) following a successful two point conversion with a little over six minutes remaining.
Redskins forced to punt on next drive and suddenly the Saints have hope.. but an over thown pass down the middle to Lance Moore is gobbled by fifth round second season Safety DeJon Gomes from Nebraska and he weaves back to the other side of the field for a rumbling 49 yards to the Saints 3 where rookie Alfred Morris sinks the boots into Chism's third lock pick to ice the game. Skins stun the Saints 40-32.

But Chism wasn't the only one to feel the blues on this stunning result... he had 24 hombres.

WEEK TWO
Treks to the east coast by the Cardinals in 2011 were competitive encounters as they dropped two of three with the margin no more than 4pts in each game so facing their demon @ Gillette Stadium where the Patriots throttled them 47-7 in the December Snowstorm of 2008 was always going to be tough. With Chism's first choice 3XKO LOCK of two, he backed the New England Patriots who return home after a convincing 34-13 road win @ Tennessee, to take on the Whisenhunt's undefeated Cardinals who starved off the Seahawks following TimeOut gate which back up QB Kevin Kolb replacing starter John Skelton to rally the Cards in a comeback fourth Q 20-16 win.

The Pats were on a ten game winning streak for home openers. It looked quite a special LOCK for many amongst the 3XKO punters who totalled FIFTY SIX on Belichick's bunch.

A defiant Cardinals D kept the Pats honest for much of the game on a sunny Sunday with each team trading FG's in the first half to go into the lockeroom all tied up 6-6. A early third Q 51 yard FG by Pats Stephen Gostkowski broke the deadlock to put the Pats ahead 9-6 of the pesky desert birds. The Cards next possession goes three & out, however the Arizona special teams continue the sterling work by the Cards D by blocking a punt on the Patriots next possession who rolls out at the Pats 2 despite bouncing in the middle of the endzone.. a couple plays later, Kolb finds WR Roberts for a Cards Touchdown and the lead 13-9.. the Cards D continue to thwart the Pats forcing another punt as the Cards regain possession and manage to move the chains somewhat (NE penalties help!). With the ball on the Pats 5. QB Kevin Kolb bulldozes thru the gut of the Pats D line for a stretch and dive across the goalline for paydirt and extends the Cardinals lead to a surprising 20-9. Fast fwd to last two minutes and Brady finds TE Rob Gronkowski for a much needed 5 yard pass TD which reduces the deficiet to 20-18 after a Stephen Gostkowski 53 yard FG on the previous drive... a two point conversion is no good to Gronkowski. Following the final TIME-OUT calls by Belichick as well as his counterpart Whisenhunt, with 1.10 on the clock remaining, the Cardinals are faced with a long 3rd & 13 in their own territory.

What happens next is EXTRAORDINARY.. The Cards FUMBLE the ball!! The masses of miffed Pats fans leaving, do a dramatic 180 turn and hurry back to their seats as the Pats second play is a hand-off to back up RB Danny Woodhead who zooms thru the middle and diverts to the right side of the endzone goal-line for the easy GO AHEAD Touchdown.. however a holding penalty is called on TE Rob Gronkowski at the 20 which nullifies the six points. Fast fwd five plays later and the Patriots are at the Arizona 24 with five seconds on the clock, with kicker Stephen Gostkowski lining up for his fifth FG of the day, being a perfect 4 from 4.. a confused Owner Robert Kraft is in total disbelieve on the sidelines as Gostkowski misses the 42 yard attempt.. the fans have their hands on their heads... 56 AE punters have the floor beneath them drop in a complete surreal way as the Cardinals manage to hold on.

The last time the Niners & Lions faced each other, it ended in a messy handshake between the head coaches (after the game) which this encounter was sure to be add fuel to the fire and perhaps a dose of intensity but Chism wasn't too perturbed. After all, the Niners were on a eight game winning streak against the Lions and hadn't allowed Detroit to celebrate a win since 1975 @ Candlestick Park. It was a Chism's choice for his second LOCK. Pick the San Francisco 49ers without hesitation thanx.

With Alex Smith starting, the faith was looking promising on the opening drive as Smith connected with TE Vernon Davis on a towering lob in the endzone for 21 yards. Fast fwd to the second quarter and Frank Gore crashes thru the Lions line for a second Niners TD score to put them 14-6 ahead at the main break. FG's traded in the third keeps the Niners ahead 17-9 as they both start the 4th Q with drives of FG's each (20-12) with the 42 year old Lions kicker Jason Hanson, slotting all of his 4 FG attempts.. (hello Gostkowski). A second TD pass play from Alex Smith to TE Vernon Davis with three minutes remaining from a crucial six minute 13 play drive extends the lead to 27-12. Even though Matt Stafford rallies with a quick 10 play drive in 65 seconds to pull the deficit back to eight points (27-19), but the Niners cleverly run out the clock to preserve their winning streak against the Lions and more importantly allow almost a dozen 3XKO punters live another day on TWO STRIKES. NINERS WIN!!

SIX ELIMINATED from 3XKO: Albertonrob, Applaps, Camsmith, NakedDeadGuy, Sergio's Realm and Swannies.

WEEK THREE
Facing a daunting task to stay afloat on the 3XKO high seas, Chism has ten other 3XKO sailors in the same boat who need to be extra careful as anchor teams are becoming too choppy with indifferent form.. Chism's LOCK for Week 3 goes to Soldier Field where the 1-1 Chicago Bears host the 1-1 St Louis Rams, coming off a dramatic 31-28 victory over the Redskins in week 2. The Bears 3-1 pre-season form possibily played a part in Chism's decision to back the Bears who have won their previous three games against the Rams. Things didn't look too rosy late in the first quarter when Ex-Titans Cortland Finnegan intercepted a Jay Cutler pass but the BEARS D stood firm and subdued the Rams to force a punt following a ten yard loss. A seven minute 12 play drive by the Bears concluded with a 3 yard hand off to Michael Bush who put the Bears 10-0 ahead at the two minute warning of the first half as the urgency started creeping in for Rams as they bumbled their way to Bears 37 for a long FG try by superboot, Greg Zuerlien, putting the Rams on the scoreboard following a successful 56 yard FG try. Bears 10-3 HT.

Another Zuerlien FG pulled the Rams closer, 10-6, after the main break as both defenses took control and despite a Cutler scramble to the Rams 3, the Bears weren't able to cap off that drive resulting in a Robbie Gould 22 yard attempt early in the fourth Q which put the Bears back out to a seven point lead, 13-6. The proceeding possession by the Rams led to the game sealer as the Bears CB Tim Jennings deflected a pass intended for WR Amendola, which fell into the waiting paws of Major Wright who scurried untouched for a 45 yard PICK SIX. BEARS WIN!!

The New Orleans Saints dropped their second home game to the Kansas City Chiefs resulting in another 3XKO Wrecking Ball massacre of 31. Other upset results included the Oakland Raiders stunning the Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings bringing down San Fran 49ers.
35 ELIMINATED!!

WEEK FOUR
Heading into Week 4, only Three teams remained undefeated. Chism decided it was worth dialing up his Week #1 heroes, the Houston Texans as they hosted the 1-2 Titans. Smart Choice. The Texans D were amongst the stingiest in the league and just plain N.A.S.T.Y. as Titans QB Jake Locker found out when he was crunched and replaced. Texans opening up a 14-0 first quarter lead.
Chris Johnson found some form and looked busy as the Titans willed themselves to a touchdown score in the second Q as the Texans unfinished business resumed in the second half to break the game open with two additional TD's to bring the Titans to their knees, 28-7 lead. The last Q was a formality as the Texans outscored the Titans to pound out a convincing heavy duty 38-14 win. TITANS WIN!! NO CASUALTIES in WEEK 4.

WEEK FIVE
Picking on the weak/ winless teams at this stage of the season could be a risk but since it was the Cleveland Browns on the road, as the only team 0-5, Chism didn't give it a second thought. The NY Giants were coming off a dumb narrow divisional loss vs the Eagles the previous week which would of infuriated Coach Coughlin. This seemed a SAFE selection despite the Browns pushing the Ravens down to the last play of the game to try force OT in the Thursday Night game.

Note: Browns haven't won on the road vs NY Giants since 1985. However the Browns stunned the reigning SB Champs in 2008 with a 35-14 on MNF. Danger game perhaps??

G-Men have first possession but within the first minute of game.. an Ahmad Bradshaw fumble caused by Coach Coughlin's son-in-law, OG Chris Snee, dislodged the ball and the BROWNS have recovered. Two plays later and rookie RB Trent Richardson waltzes into the endzone from 15 yards out. G-Men punt on next possession and once again, the Browns are back for more endzone action with their rookies as QB Weeden telegraphs a long pass over the coverage for supplementary draft pick rookie WR Josh Gordon of Baylor, for a quick 14-0 Browns lead within the opening 5 minutes of the game... panic stations for Chism??

Not quite.. Eli Manning dials up his own rookie, WR Reuben Randle, to move the chains and then squirts out a pass to Salsa dancer, Victor Cruz, for pay dirt. G-Men trail now 14-7. Trading FG's early in the second Q, the Browns seem in control leading 17-10 but the Steve Brown IMPACT is just about to turn this game around.. Browns Rookie QB, Brandon Weeden, is intercepted on the Browns next drive, (overthrows to the waiting arms of Stevie Brown) enabling Eli Manning to get Reuben Randle another deep possession which eventuates in a Bradshaw TD from the 4 and on the proceeding play, the ever reliable ST specialist Joshua Cribbs takes on more than he can handle, is stripped and you guessed it, Stevie Brown (#27) pounces on the Cleveland crumbs and set up the G-Men deep for another score. Eli Manning to Cruz and it's 24-17 G-Men. Another late possession by the G-Men before the half allows kicker Lawrence Tynes to slot another three points as the Browns suddenly trail by ten (27-17) after a fast start.

Second Half and Chism is just vindicated with his G-Men selection. Eli Manning to Cruz for his third TD and the rout is on. G-Men 34-17. Browns unable to keep up. The last quarter provides a pair of TD's for both teams but it's game over for the 0-6 Browns. GIANTS WIN

Hey Chism, you watching me now?? This is the way I like to Dance the 3XKO!!

ELIMINATED IN WEEK #5: Manureid (Packers loss to the Colts)

 

[balmainforever]

BORING!!!!

 

[Dirty Bird]

Woodson - If you really want people to get excited about ultimate glory, just share the story of Super Bowl III