The Lineups are set

So, the fantasy drafts are finally done. Four fantasy leagues and a NFL Football Pick'Em league. You could say that I may have a problem. That an intervention is in order. Four leagues? One of which is college football league.

The decision was easy. Our work has fortunately enough trusted us to bring down the Great Wall of Internet Injustice and allow Fantasy Football sites again. Therefore, updating my teams can easily be done during one my numerous conference calls.

But as for my lineups; I tried to draft certain players in all of my leagues. Okay, there was one player in particular I wanted on all three teams; Tom Brady. Thanks to Paulie, that did not happen. Needless to say this was the first scene to pop in my head when he drafted Brady.

With that, let's breakdown the NFL teams for my FF Leagues:

Zion Football League (ZFL)

• QB - Matt Leinart (ARI): At the time, one of the best QBs on the board. More importantly, he's due to go off with that receiver core and a year of experience under his belt. Leinart just knows how to win and it will start to show this year
• RB1 - Reggie Bush (NO): Yeah, I went with the USC connection. But with them using Bush as both a WR and RB; he's due to put up some sick numbers this year
• RB2 - Willis McGahee (BAL): I really like this pick actually. Picked him up in the second round and I think if Jamal Lewis could produce in this system, McGahee will certainly put up some good numbers
• WR1: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (CIN): I look for him to have a huge year since Palmer is back a full year removed from the ACL Injury. He's the Reggie Wayne of this receiver core
• WR2: Andre Johnson (HOU): I really didn't like this pick at all. But he was the best WR on the board in the 5th round. Hopefully Schuab and Ahman Green can help Johnson out
• TE: Alge Crumpler (ATL): Harrington is going to have a lot of dump passes to an easy large target. Enter Crumpler. Even without Vick; he's going to get a lot of catches and TD's
• DEF - Patriots: With Samuel, Harrison and the addition of Adalius Thomas; this defense is set to make some noise. Unfortunately the Bares were taken in the early 5th round or I would have made a run at them.
  
• Key Backups: RB Julius Jones (DAL), WR Santonio Holems (PIT), (WR) Dwane Jarrett (CAR).
  

TD Dance Time

• QB - Tom Brady (NE): Enough said. He has an actual receiver core. Caldwell isn't the No. 1 receiver. You add Moss for a 4th round pick and Donte Stallworth to the NE offense....wow. Imagine that Brady was nearly a Pro-Bowler last year with his high school squad, I can't wait to see this year.
  
• RB1 - Reggie Bush (NO): see above
• RB2 - Brian Westbrook (PHI): If he stays healthy, this will be one hell of a pick. But he needs to stay healthy (fingers crossed)
• RB/WR - Darrell Jackson (SF): He was a No. 1 receiver in Seattle and will quickly become Alex Smiths favorite target
• WR1: Marques Colston (NO): I'm sure this will be a trade at some point given having two NO receivers is never a good thing. But he's a quality receiver, especially in the 5-6th round
• WR2 - Anquan Bouldin (ARI): See my comments on Leinart above. He'll be one of the top targets for Leinart to throw to
• TE - Dallas Clark (IND): Of all TE's who will get a lot of opportunities to catch a ball, Clark is up there
• DEF - Patriots: See above
• Key Bench Players: WR Deion Branch (SEA), WR Calvin Johnson (DET), QB Alex Smith (SF), TE Ben Troupe (TEN)

ADPFL

• QB - Tom Brady: had to draft as many of the same players as possible to not end up cheering against myself on Sundays
• RB1 - Brian Westbrook (PHI): Same as above
• RB2 - Willie Parker (PIT): I think he'll have a great year with Rothlesberger healthy all season. Assuming he stays healthy
• WR1 - Anquan Boldin (ARI): See above
• WR2 - Deion Branch (SEA): Was Touchdown Tom's top receiver. Can he be that for Hasselback? Who knows? I'm hoping so
• TE - Dallas Clark (IND): Same as above
• DEF - Pittsburgh and Oakland: Two defenses that are quality defenses and will only do well if their offense can sustain some sort of drives to keep them off of the field. Both are very defensive minded and should rack up some points
• Key Bench Players: RB LaDell Betts (WAS), WR Donte Stallworth (NE), WR Darrel Jackson (SF)

Manny Who?

Since Manny is off taking his usual "late season siesta" and the Sox rid themselves of Wily "strike out" Mo Pena, the Sox have had to rely on some younger faces in the outfield. Between Manny's siesta's, JD Drew's constant injuries and giving Coco "Gold Glove" Crisp a rest, there have been plenty of starts for the youngsters.

For example, Jacoby Ellsbury has had some wicked stats since 9/1. Since being called up from Triple-A, Ellsbury is 8-12 with a double, triple, two HRs, five RBIs, five runs and two stolen bases. Not bad for a Triple-A kid. Not to mention his run saving defense.

Hell, I have a better shot of of getting Lindsey Lohan clean up her act than getting Manny to play that kind of defense in Left field. The youngsters have provided a much needed shot in the arm to the Sox lineup. Here is who has contributed as of late:

• Dustin Pedroia: Enough said. He's been doing it all year and weighs a $1.20 sopping wet and looks like kid with a fake ID. But in the field, he's got ice in the veins
• Jon Lester: starting to regain his form before he was pulled away from the game due to cancer
• Clay Buchholz: You may have read about him below. If you have talked to me in the last few days...I'm sure I told you about the no hitter he threw
• Jacoby Ellsbury: Provided a boost with his bat and glove
• Kevin Cash: Proved to be a solid backup at catcher and could be the future behind the plate when V-Tech hangs up the cleats.
  

All I can say is Sox fans are seeing the future in front of them now. With a good mix of seasoned veterans and talented youth; they are poised for a deep run at October. It is a rare situation to bring people up from the minors who contribute like the Sox rookies have been. But for years we have heard about the amazing drafting ability of Theo Epstein. Now we get to see it.

This article scared me when I read it about Papi. Yes his power numbers are down; but his average is still above .320 and his OBP is still top 5 in baseball. I'm guessing about 90% of baseball would like to have those numbers and it be considered a slump. Good thing the rest of the bats have stepped up this year to help fill in the power void.

Speaking of stepping up; hey Theo!!! Step up and give Lowell the contract. He has more than deserved it. The last thing you want is for Lowell to walk away to the Yankees when they lose A-Rod to the Angels. He belongs in Boston. I wasn't high on him when we took on his contract with Beckett. But he has more than proven me wrong and that his age and high contract were non issues.

So, with that, I leave you with the quote of the night. The question was asking Josh Beckett what he thought of Jonathan Papelbon's success this year.

"He's pretty good isn't he. Who would have thought a little dumb redneck from Mississippi would be that good, he's as good as anybody I've ever seen" - Josh Beckett.

On that note, Papelbon is pretty good...for a redneck.