Draft Day Grades - The Top Half

WatchBlog here again. It is a new CFFFL season, and WatchBlog is back with a vengeance. And by vengeance, he means more time to waste fake analyzing fake football. Let's get to this year's draft, completed yesterday:

The CFFFL has some new team managers this year, and the new additions should make for the most entertaining year yet. Let's see how they stacked up in the draft room against the veteran drafters. WatchBlog has graded each team's performance, and you can bet, the grades will not be based on the point(less) projections from ESPN. The grades are based on WatchBlog's own flawless methodology, which cannot be debated. (disclaimer: Actual debate is encouraged - if someone doesn't get upset, then WatchBlog is wasting his time.)  Let's get to the grades:

The Top Half

1.  No Appeal - A+
Despite inexplicably drafting a kicker that doesn't even play for a team right now, No Appeal manager David "I love Tony Romo and I'm not afraid to admit it" Cook had the best draft of the year. Not only did he get a 2nd tier QB in the 7th round of the draft (even though it was Tony Romo) he also picked up a consensus top 2 pick with the number 7 pick overall. With no starter falling outside the 3rd tier for their respective position, DCook's draft day was a smashing success. Whether that will translate into wins on the fake field, is of course, another question - the answer to which is, as it is every year: "Not a chance."  Enjoy your draft day victory celebration, it is the only celebrating you'll likely get to do this season.

2. (tie) NotAbootDwayne - A
Surprisingly, the 2nd best draft of the day came from one of the CFFFL's new managers, John "Canadian humor is the best, eh?" Cook and his team NotAbootDwayne. Not sure if his prep work was as thorough as his research of the league's acronym, but regardless, he turned in a strong performance on draft day.  His starters all fell in the top 3 tiers at their position excepting one tier-4 WR, but his top tier QB Aaron Rogers should more than makeup for that. Expect this team to bring home the (Canadian) bacon.

2. (tie) You Wish - A
The reigning CFFFL champ turned in another quality draft, and is well on her way to a repeat CFFFL Championship. Shoshana "I only draft QBs who make funny commercials" Cook drafted two 4-tier starters, but the quality of her other picks will easily pick up the slack. As long as Peyton Manning continues to perform on the set, er, the field, team You Wish should again be the team to beat.

4. (tie) Poppins - B+
Early league controversy began with the announcement on Draft Day that Amy "It's not fair that Dad gave my sister 2 CFFFL championships - I want one!" ACook was too ill to attend the CFFFL draft, and her selections would be made by an opposing manager, namely her Dad. Sick or not, you can't fault the strategy, as one past manager has cashed in on consecutive CFFFL titles using it. Sure enough, the "illness" netted team Poppins a top 5 draft. Unfortunately, the quality draft will be undone by an irrational insistence on starting QB Andy Dalton, but that is for another blog.

4. (tie) The Phoenix - B+
Not surprisingly, The Phoenix and team Poppins drafts were equally impressive - and why not, they were conducted by the same guy. Jerry "My daughter won 2 CFFFL Championships and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" Cook was able to pull off two top 5 drafts simultaneously. Between his two drafts, he only dipped into the 5th tier once when drafting starters. His problems are never on draft day, but instead always start with in-season injuries or roster mismanagement  Let's wait and see which flight path burns The Phoenix this year.

6.  Josh's Juggernauts - B
Impressively, both CFFFL rookie managers pulled off top drafts in their first year in the league.  Josh "Kickers? I don't need no stinkin' kickers" Cook will have to rely on his running game with a less than impressive QB and WR stable, but his RBs should be up to the task. Also, be sure and watch out for this fiery young manager's brash new style.  He didn't waste any time in sending a message to his fake team by immediately cutting his drafted kicker once the draft was complete. Will he pick up a new one before game 1? Who knows. Let the mind games begin.

Well, that's the top half of the draft as WatchBlog sees it. If you don't agree, then you aren't WatchBlog. Bottom half grades to come. If you weren't listed above, you can bet you'll be on the next list.  WatchBlog out.