As 7:00 Central Time approached last Saturday in Azle, you could feel the tension slowly rise in the war room.

One owner described this 15 minute window before the 2013 Draft as "the most nerve-racking yet looked forward to time of his year." 

Some people enjoy scorecarding baseball games, some enjoy buck-hunting or growing beards and some people enjoy sex. But none of that compares to the rush that comes over us when that first pick is stuck on that draft board.  

The storylines of this draft were pretty much the same as in previous years; Clark's mission to execute the draft version of a perfect game, Blake's eagerness to piss Ryan off and my aim to draft with the most irrationality and still have a badass team. 

Yet this year felt a little different because of two teams that whore'd themselves out late last season in order play for the future.

All weekend Jeffrey and Heath who have some of the lowest (AWPS) 4.2 and 6.5 over the last four seasons had a shit-eating grin on their faces. And what owner wouldn't have a smile on their face if they knew they were about to win the draft lottery after getting away with trade-rape last season? 

I had a former champion 

go on record after the draft saying,"Jeffrey literally could start his team of RGIII, Dez and Ray Rice after his first round shopping spree and compete with Blake's full team." Bulletin board material, Blake.

Here are some quick observations of the draft from me and then from our reigning in-house Matthew Berry wannabe, Chase.

1) One of the best moments of the draft was watching Ryan study his picks in angst. Congrats to him on staying strong and picking AP as his leading man this year.

2) Someone else be in charge of music next year...I hated looking up after I had chosen a great pop song and Josh was just sitting indian-style next to the love sac flipping me off.

3) Will, great meal. Solid work.

4) Let's also congratulate Mason and the Gamma Sig team for keeping the athletic dominance of Galaxy alive in our Ryder Cup win.

After Clark and Blake left on Saturday night, Chase decided to hold court once again for his annual fantasy predictions conference. Here are some of the highlights:

1) His five bold predictions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-De31LsNvU 

2) His three worst draft picks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPfoVhV_upQ

3) His overall draft analysis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZa_Ta3kYow

4) His Power Rankings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTRHj6fsh64

      To finish up here are the real 
Pre-Season Power Rankings:

12) Blake - His first two picks will be gold for eight weeks; then trade bait soon thereafter.

11) Ryan - The long road back from mediocrity was started with a solid draft and his wildcard Colin Kap at the helm.

The next eight have no particular order simply because they had solid drafts, some good keepers and some potential breakout players. But if you held a gun to my head here they are:

10) Will - His rounds 2-6 are either will vault him to a wildcard spot of doom him back into the lottery.

9)  Chase - By his own admission he might be on the phones looking for a favorable trade for the 2014 campaign as the season winds down.

8) Josh - Stafford could carry this team but pick I like is Brandon Weeden in 19th.

7) Clark - Strong RB's, a real man's QB and another professional draft for Luke's dad.

6) Mike - He basically drafted the entire Lion's roster besides Jason Hanson; if Sproles and Bush are true PPR greats this year this  expansion team could make a deep impact.

5) Mason - This team is either going to be a threat to score 200 every week or just flat out suck.

4) Jesse - Mark it down. Black Josh will get his revenge this year to the tune of the best WR points total in Choctaw history.

3) Hutton - I brought back most of my team from last year and got laughed at when I took the best tight end in the game.
 Just keep laughing, bitches.

2) Keith - There was a 2 minute period in the 11th round where I legitimately thought he took Astros fireball lefty, Billy Wagner as a LB. Turns out it was Bobby Wagner but this team better be playing at Christmas time or Keith should automatically be the beer bitch next year.

1) Jeffrey - Lamar Miller, RGIII and Tavon Austin should carry this team for years to come. This team has more potential than Apple in the 80's.

Finally, let's keeping making a point to do this every year. It's pretty rare that we can all come together for even a day so let's keep it going.

And of course, the question of will I be engaged or win the league first always has to be asked at this time every year. 
Let's just say I'm planning a big 2013.

Week 15

As one respected Choctaw owner told me this week when describing the feeling of earning a spot in the Choctaw Bowl, 

"It's badass; but everybody hates you."

 If that's true I hope my holiday season's are filled with hate for the next ten years or so.

This week in the CAL was one of jubilation for some and painful realities for others.

Four worthy teams.

For the two winners; validation of a season spent around conference calls making crucial trades, watching Red Zone hoping your player would catch that ball in the endzone to crush your opponent or simply a focused excitement knowing full well they are just one step away from winning a title.

For the two losers; so many questions. 
A quiet confidence that started early in the week drove their faith toward a certain victory but by late Sunday night that hope had all but dissolved into a feeling of betrayal. 
Resentment toward a running back that played over his head all year or a trio of teammates that simply looked liked that they were giving you the finger by ending your season.

Just like most breakups; it didn't matter how it happened or who did what...it was over.

RECAP of Week 15: I know most of you watched and kept score at home anyway but for those who had wives to deal with I'll summarize it real quick.

Jesse vs. Chase

Somehow, Chase perpetuated his role as "The Villain" this week by simply playing subpar for Chase.

Thursday night was not a good night for Jana's-Ex. In place of the injured, Lesean McCoy effing Bryce Brown who had torn up the fantasy world the previous two weeks managed only five points as he fell back down to earth. 

To boot, the recently acquired Geno Atkins decided to take the night off and tied Blake's ACU Intramural championship count of zero.

Jesse seemed hopeful at this point and why wouldn't he be. Even though Jesse's start of JMac (not the autistic kid that dropped 30 two years ago in a high school game) only produced 9 points it felt as though Eyer had a significant advantage going into the weekend.

November 1st at 5:15 pm a trade was completed that sent Cam Newton and a cup of coffee to Heath  for a king's ransom going to Jesse including Andre Johnson, Eli Manning and Matt Forte.

I feel like both sides probably got a good deal here but for 2012 it seemed like Jesse had won the lottery.

Since then, Cam has averaged almost 30 points a week and Eli, Johnson and Forte have been as unpredictable as my dating life.

The focus on Sunday was clearly all about  the noon game between the Giants-Falcons. This game was the lynch pin.

3 hours, 4 players and 12 points later; Jesse's season was over. Tynes, Nicks, Eli and Cruz combined for 12 effing points. Christmas came early for Chase as all he had to do was have an average Sunday and he'd be on his way to another Choctaw Bowl appearance.

Chase rode his horse Foster and relied on 12 double-digit outputs by his team to move on 174-133.

Hutton vs. Clark

This matchup featured two teams that when clicking could put up 200+ without blinking. 

All I really need to say in this article is JJ Watt. 35 points. Ballgame. Thank you, WillMo.

This game hinged on a few games throughout Sunday but really it came down to the Saints-Bucs & Cowboys-Steelers 3:25 pm matchups.

Clark has been hailing his sleeper rookie Doug Martin as the next LT all year and with good reason as he's averaged more than 15 points a week but Week 15 was not his finest hour. Martin garnered only five points putting Clark behind the 8-ball after Lynch & Green-Ellis combined for 35.

The other big discrepancy in this battle was Brees vs. Stafford. Brees decided to step it up & notch 4 TD's  threw down 37 points to solidify his status as the games best fantasy QB. Stafford simply sucked. 3 picks and no TD's later the writing was was on the wall for Clark.

The Cowboys game was simply icing on the cake for Hutton as Miles, Witten and Wallace for 42 points and solidified and 212-162 victory and yet another championship-less season for Clark.

Choctaw Bowl VII

So it all comes down to this. 

Chase and I will finish the season just the way we started it; by playing each other.

This will be our third matchup of the year after we have split the first two. 

Even though Chase had the No. 1 seed and I was the No.3 seed; we had the top two win totals in both leagues with 10 and 9 respectively.

Early odds makers are giving Chase 3 1/2 points but that may change throughout the week.

Either way, it will be one heck of title game. 

Suck it, Chase.

HH

Week 5

Another week of games in the books and yet another memorable series of matchups that consumed most everyone's Sunday afternoon. Most of the time when I write these my comedic timing is so on the money that I don't even really have to think but for reason this letter might have the humor of a Clark or a Cole this week; so forgive me if you're not chuckling at your desk like you usually are when it's my turn for the newsletter.

CHAPTER 1

First and foremost I'd like to welcome back a guy who I got had the honor of co-owning a team back in 2007 with; who came up with his first win of 2012 this week by not only winning but embarrassing his opponent by throwing up 225 points. 

In 2012, joining the 200 Club (Jesse, Barnes, Will, Chase and Hutton) really is just becoming another day at the office for some teams but this one was special. This owner had such confidence in his team that he pulled a Coach Norman Dale from Hoosiers and by" looking" at his lineup and professing "my team's on the floor." In a ballsy move, that had some owners behind closed doors furious, this owner "decided" to play 12 players instead of the traditional 13. Good ole Cliff Avril thought he had a week to spend with his family in Detroit but he was awkwardly flown back to the Ford Field on Sunday to compete for Brady Cardia in Week 5. 

So with all of that said, welcome to 2012, Ryan. Not only have you almost set a Choctaw Record for scoring you did it with one less player. A bold strategy to accomplished a feat that we might never see again. 

CHAPTER 2

"Sometimes success in life can be your own worst enemy." - Hayden Huey

This hit home hard as I was watching the Rangers season come to an end in what seemed like a train wreck in slow-motion. I had no feeling on Saturday morning. It really isn't close to last years feeling of the world coming to end just in time to watch Ryan get married 12 hours later. 

The closest thing I can think of that comes close the Rangers historic collapse of 2012 is Team Throttle's debacle in 2005 after getting so close to winning in the magical season of 2004 for Mason, Heath and Blake's only championship in college. 

On the same note, I know you've seen this clip several times but now that Cole's boy Chris Ballard is an Assistant OC for the ACU Football Wildcats you should watch it a little differently. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXHTLuqUHvA

1) Do you think this is how he runs his huddles now?

2) What are the odds he used this clip on his Demo Reel for his coaching resume?

3) Most importantly, what are the odds that he still doesn't know Chad Hutchins name?

CHAPTER 3

As Chase can tell you firsthand from my Week 1 upset; karma can be a real bitch. 

This week I was the recipient of the some humble pie. After starting off another year undefeated through the first 4 weeks; once again a lesser foe bettered me in Week 5. 

Last year, Jeffrey and Ben-Jarvis-Green-Ellis screwed up up my bid for Choctaw's first perfect season as he pummeled me 139-91. This year, Blake and that traitorous piece of crap, Wes Welker, put me in tie for "3rd" overall as they walked away with a rather easy victory 176-157. 

So it looks like Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins will be sending Blake a fruit basket this week as he ensured that no one would be perfect this year. 

CHAPTER 4

There were some whispers in the league office today that "Reno Wilson" got what was coming to him after suffering his first loss of the season. RW was accused of "betraying" the league after  a questionable trade that rocked the league earlier in the week. 

There was an apology issued to the office on Thursday from RW in hopes that suspensions would not be handed out. For more info on this shady backchannel trade ask Clark.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVV-ZPh9rTk

CHAPTER 5

Onto the match ups...

Chase vs. Jeffrey: 211-168

Even though RGIII went down early in this contest; this game was lopsided from the start. 

Chase had seven guys go for 20 points and 2 go for 30+. Chase is 17-1 when those two factors come into play. The only loss in the out of those 18 came to courtesy of Reno Wilson in Week 1. Arian Foster is the best back in the league when runs like he did last night. 

Will vs. Clark: 178-164

Will led for most of Sunday afternoon but there was a time going into Monday night that Clark and newly acquired Phil Rivers thought they had bested WillMo. 

SSD needed a relevant game from Owen Daniels & DManning against The Jets to put Clark at 2-3. Daniels did his part by scoring an early TD and putting Clark in the rear view mirror. 

Even with Joe Flacco sucking this week for Will; the duo of Jerome Simpson & Chris Johnson combining for a point between them lost this one for Clark.

Jesse vs. Heath: 130 -116

This match up was hard to watch on Fantasy Cast as Sunday went on. Both of these had outstanding games from Giants (Cruz, 28 & Eli, 26) but beyond that they let Curtis Lofton and Cortlon Finnegan lead their teams in scoring with 23 & 21 points respectively. 

50 Shades had been averaging over 190 points but I guess the Nebraska loss on Saturday caused some friction down in Austin this weekend which always bleeds over onto the field. Heath's receiving was just awful this week combining for just under 24 points. Thanks Greg Little. Somebody had to win this one. Congrats Shades.

Cole vs. Josh: 166-164

I'm not really sure if these have ever actually met in real life but that didn't stop them from having the closest game of the week. Both have solid teams and it showed this week. Both have Falcons that carry their teams in Matt Ryan (21) and Julio Jones (25) this week. 

Cole need Shoene Green the throw up a few solid carries to move past Josh for the win and that's exactly how it went down. Nothing memorable but 4 points got the job done. 

WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS

12) Ryan - He has talent on this team but even with a win this week his stock in 2012 won't change until he starts checking his lineup on his lunch break.

11) Clark - This is a tricky pick because I have a feeling that this ranking will light some fire under Blitzkrieg nation. With Stafford and Colston he could turn things around but after that who can he depend on to stay out of the cellar?

10) Heath - A solid roster on paper but with the injury of Hernandez and the absence of Andre J. and Greg Little Sexual Ways has lowest point total in the league. 

9) Mason- PussyCat is No. 9 on my list because of the putrid start but the trade this week for Trent Rich could jumpstart a pathetic start to a team that had high hopes on draft night.

8) Jeffrey - RomoNation is better than this ranking. But Jeffrey has been on the wrong part of some tough losses. Couple that with untimely bye weeks and maybe now RGIII's injury....who knows where this team who at looks stellar will go.

7) Josh - Starting out 3-0 was nice story for the hometown newspapers. But two straight losses to Clark & now Cole have left Tyranny searching for answers from Vick and company. 

6) Cole - A tough team that will surprise a lot of people I think as the season goes on. The trio of Ryan, Peterson and Thomas have been more than adequate to push Chugging in the 6th spot with a respectable record for not being at the draft. Plus, I like the depth of this squad with is key down the stretch.

5) Will - I think some could protest this ranking because this team could be 5-0. They will be very formidable with the surprising rise of Flacco and Smith; but it's a coin flip there. Plus with Benson out now Will might have to go get another piece. Overall, very impressive squad though.

4) Blake - This team is just flat out annoying. It reminds me a lot of the A's or O's. They average somewhere between 160-170 points but have found ways to get it done three of the five weeks. Ryan Matthews is a little bitch but he can slice through those D-Lines. I love Alfred Morris. Sorry Jesse. 

3) Jesse- 50 Shades had an off week but found a way to win. The combo of Nicks and Cruz are simple dirty when they're healthy. This is the team of the future they can put up 200 like it's nothing. One question surrounding the halls of Ray is depth; hopefully for their fan base they can stay healthy and compete for their first title.

2) Chase- I kicked their ass in Week 1 but CA has bounced back to show why they should be considered a lock for the final four in December. Manning is solid, Gronk is sick and Arian is a perfect fantasy back. Scoring 200 points in back to back weeks should cast fear all around Choctaw Nation.

1) Hutton - I'm damn good. Brees is the best at what he does, I don't believe RB's but they're solid and my receivers live in the endzone. One thing Reno taught me back in Mabee was the importance of being humble but more importantly having depth....Thanks Reno.

Week 5 Out.

Another week of games in the books and yet another memorable series of matchups that consumed most everyone's Sunday afternoon. Most of the time when I write these my comedic timing is so on the money that I don't even really have to think but for some reason this letter might have the humor of a Clark or a Cole this week; so forgive me if you're not chuckling at your desk like you usually are when it's my turn for the newsletter.

CHAPTER 1

First and foremost I'd like to welcome back a guy who I got had the honor of co-owning a team with back in 2007; who came up with his first win of 2012 this week by not only winning but embarrassing his opponent by throwing up 225 points. 

In 2012, joining the 200 Club (Jesse, Barnes, Will, Chase and Hutton) really is just becoming another day at the office for some teams but this one was special. 

This owner had such confidence in his team that he pulled a Coach Norman Dale from Hoosiers and by " looking" at his lineup and professing "my team's on the floor." In a ballsy move, that had some owners behind closed doors furious, this owner "decided" to play 12 players instead of the traditional 13. Good ole Cliff Avril thought he had a week to spend with his family in Detroit but he was awkwardly flown back to the Ford Field on Sunday to compete for Brady Cardia in Week 5. 

So with all of that said, welcome to 2012, Ryan. Not only have you almost set a Choctaw Record for scoring you did it with one less player. A bold strategy to accomplished a feat that we might never see again. 

CHAPTER 2

"Sometimes success in life can be your own worst enemy." - Hayden Huey

This hit home hard as I was watching the Rangers season come to an end in what seemed like a train wreck in slow-motion. I had no feeling on Saturday morning. It really isn't close to last years feeling of the world coming to end just in time to watch Ryan get married 12 hours later. 

The closest thing I can think of that comes close the Rangers historic collapse of 2012 is Team Throttle's debacle in 2005 after getting so close to winning in the magical season of 2004 for Mason, Heath and Blake's only championship in college. 

On the same note, I know you've seen this clip several times but now that Cole's boy,Chris Ballard is an Assistant OC for the ACU Football Wildcats you should watch it a little differently. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXHTLuqUHvA

1) Do you think this is how he runs his huddles now?

2) What are the odds he used this clip on a Demo Reel for his coaching resume?

3) Most importantly, what are the odds that he still doesn't know Chad Hutchins name?

CHAPTER 3

As Chase can tell you firsthand from my Week 1 upset; karma can be a real bitch. 

This week I was the recipient of the some humble pie. After starting off another year undefeated through the first 4 weeks; once again a lesser foe bettered me in Week 5. 

Last year, Jeffrey and Ben-Jarvis-Green-Ellis screwed up my bid for Choctaw's first perfect season as he pummeled me 139-91. This year, Blake and that traitorous piece of crap, Wes Welker, put me in tie for "3rd" overall as they walked away with a rather easy victory 176-157. 

So it looks like Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins will be sending Blake a fruit basket this week as he ensured that no one would be perfect this year. 

CHAPTER 4

There were some whispers in the league office today that Reno Wilson got what was coming to him after suffering his first loss of the season. RW was accused of "betraying" the league after  a questionable trade that rocked the league earlier in the week. 

There was an apology issued to the office on Thursday from RW in hopes that suspensions would not be handed out. For more info on this shady backchannel trade ask Clark.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVV-ZPh9rTk

CHAPTER 5

Onto the match ups...

Chase vs. Jeffrey: 211-168

Even though RGIII went down early in this contest; this game was lopsided from the start. 

Chase had seven guys go for 20 points and 2 go for 30+. Chase is 17-1 when those two factors come into play. The only loss out of those 18 came to courtesy of Reno Wilson in Week 1. Arian Foster is the best back in the league when runs like he did last night. 

Will vs. Clark: 178-164

Will led for most of Sunday afternoon but there was a time going into Monday night that Clark and newly acquired Phil Rivers thought they had bested WillMo. 

SSD needed a relevant game from Owen Daniels & DManning against The Jets to put Clark at 2-3. Daniels did his part by scoring an early TD and putting Clark in the rear view mirror. 

Even with Joe Flacco sucking this week for Will; the duo of Jerome Simpson & Chris Johnson combining for a point between them lost this one for Clark.

Jesse vs. Heath: 130 -116

This match up was hard to watch on Fantasy Cast as Sunday went on. Both of these had outstanding games from Giants (Cruz, 28 & Eli, 26) but beyond that they let Curtis Lofton and Cortlon Finnegan lead their teams in scoring with 23 & 21 points respectively. 

 

50 Shades had been averaging over 190 points but I guess the Nebraska loss on Saturday caused some friction down in Austin this weekend which always bleeds over onto the field. 

Heath's receiving was just awful this week combining for just under 24 points. Thanks Greg Little. 

Somebody had to win this one. Congrats Shades.

Cole vs. Josh: 166-164

I'm not really sure if these two have ever actually met in real life but that didn't stop them from having the closest game of the week. Both have solid teams and it showed this week. Both have Falcons that carry their teams in Matt Ryan (21) and Julio Jones (25) this week. 

Cole need Shoene Green the throw up a few solid carries to move past Josh for the win and that's exactly how it went down. Nothing memorable but 4 points got the job done. 

WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS

12) Ryan - He has talent on this team but even with a win this week his stock in 2012 won't change until he starts checking his lineup on his lunch break.

11) Clark - This is a tricky pick because I have a feeling that this ranking will light some fire under Blitzkrieg nation. With Stafford and Colston he could turn things around but after that who can he depend on to stay out of the cellar?

10) Heath - A solid roster on paper but with the injury of Hernandez and the absence of Andre J. and Greg Little Sexual Ways has lowest point total in the league. 

9) Mason- PussyCat is No. 9 on my list because of the putrid start but the trade this week for Trent Rich could jumpstart a pathetic start to a team that had high hopes on draft night.

8) Jeffrey - RomoNation is better than this ranking. But Jeffrey has been on the wrong part of some tough losses. Couple that with untimely bye weeks and maybe now RGIII's injury....who knows where this team who at times looks stellar will go.

7) Josh - Starting out 3-0 was nice story for the hometown newspapers. The Ryder Cup loss last week must have put a jinx on his team.  But two straight losses to Clark & now Cole have left Tyranny searching for answers from Vick and company. 

6) Cole - A tough team that will surprise a lot of people I think as the season goes on. The trio of Ryan, Peterson and Thomas have been more than adequate to push Chugging in the 6th spot with a respectable record for not being at the draft. Plus, I like the depth of this squad which is key down the stretch.

5) Will - I think some could protest this ranking because this team could be 5-0. They will be very formidable with the surprising rise of Flacco and Smith; but it's a coin flip there. Plus with Benson out now Will might have to go get another piece. Overall, very impressive squad though.

4) Blake - This team is just flat out annoying. It reminds me a lot of the A's or O's. They average somewhere between 160-170 points but have found ways to get it done three of the five weeks. Ryan Matthews is a little bitch but he can slice through those D-Lines. I love Alfred Morris. Sorry Jesse. 

3) Jesse- 50 Shades had an off week but found a way to win. The combo of Nicks and Cruz are simple dirty when they're healthy. This is the team of the future they can put up 200 like it's nothing. One question surrounding the halls of Ray is depth; hopefully for their fan base they can stay healthy and compete for their first title.

2) Chase- I kicked their ass in Week 1 but CA has bounced back to show why they should be considered a lock for the final four in December. Manning is solid, Gronk is sick and Arian is a perfect fantasy back. Scoring 200 points in back to back weeks should cast fear all around Choctaw Nation.

1) Hutton - I'm damn good. Brees is the best at what he does, I don't believe in RB's but they're solid and my receivers live in the endzone. One thing Reno taught me back in Mabee was the importance of being humble but more importantly having depth....Thanks Reno.

Week 5 Out.

THE DRAFT & BLIND OPTIMISM

And so it begins.

Softball losses, house payments and weddings have filled our hearts and minds over the last eight months since Blake pulled off the miracle of winning the title last December. 

Since this is completely off the record  nothing was dreamed of more often or thought as carefully as what occurred this past weekend in Azle... probably even more than some of your recently revealed planned pregnancies.

The path to a championship doesn't start in Week 1...it starts in the dog days of summer. It starts on your "extended" lunch break at work to find that perfect fantasy magazine. It starts following your after-sex shower as you have to explain to your wife why Darren Sproles will be a good keeper. It doesn't start through a 12-way conference call in your own living room. It starts at a little house just off 199 West with a lovesac and no wireless. Combine all this preparation with a little golf and lot of deer meat and you've got one beautiful recipe to kickoff the 2012 Choctaw Appreciation League.

THE OPEN

There's no doubt that combining the second annual Mason Orr Foundation Choctaw Open with our draft was best idea we've had since we decided not to ask Clay to be in the league.

Cross Timbers definitely lived up to the hype. Even though there were whispers of  "teams being stacked" and wind gusts up to 30 mph at every turn; it once again came down the Par 5 18th. 

Team Edwards came to the 18th at -4 knowing that they needed a birdie to tie and hope that Team WillMo wouldn't come through on the last two holes.

As the gallery of Team Mack gathered around the 18th, we watched as Clark snuggled up his third shot within 6 feet for bird. After Mason, Josh and Jeff showed him the read; Clark delivered with pressure-packed birdie to tie the match at -5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHDx6auErxQ

Thanks to our golf app, Team WillMo knew what they had to do to take home the title on the 18th.

Despite a pair of shaky drives and lay ups, Heath, with ice-water in his veins threw up a nice 3rd shot to within 20 feet to set up drama on the putting surface. 

As the gallery buzzed; the pressure grew as Jesse and WillMo proved little match for the double-breaker winning putt. Chase however flirted with victory as his putt ran out steam a mere 3 inches from the bottom of the cup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPb4mmEIbW4
 Heath lagged his putt and tapped in for par as once again The Open title belongs to no one in 2012. Sounds me to me like a playoff system might need to be set in front of the committee for 2013.

THE DRAFT

As 7pm neared there was a chilling calm throughout the house. Everyone knew what was at stake....this was the moment we had all been waiting for since December. Mason couldn't quit smiling, Ryan cracked open newly purchased cheat sheet magazine for the first time and Clark sat on his computer making some last minute adjustments to his IDP's. You knew it was time.

The first round began with the Jesse going after his man in Ray Rice. No more real surprises in the first 11 picks...and then was Jeffrey.
Call it a homer pick or just call it a ballsy move but his first round pick of Anthony Romo was noted. This pick could be a one that may come back to bite him or it could be a real steal in the late first round.

A few more questionable/outstanding picks from the 2012 draft:

1) Jesse's  teammate combo of Cruz and Nicks in the 2nd & 3rd could prove to be unstoppable...but look out for a drop off in production from Cruz this year.

2) Ryan's choice to take former Heisman winner Reggie Bush in the 4th was risky one but with his ability to catch balls out of the backfield he could be a threat.

3) Mason and Heath both sacked up in the 5th and took two of my FA all-stars from last year in Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernanadez. These will prove to be great picks for both of them seeing that Brown is 1A WR in Pittsburgh and Hernandez is just as productive as Gronk in YPR. Circle these 5th round gems.

4) Worst pick of the draft: My 6th round ILB, Desmond Bishop. From one of my sources: "Fantasy owners should bypass him in all IDP formats for the 2012 campaign."

5) Some great keepers: Chase - Ben Tate in the 12th & Andrew Luck in the 13th. Hutton- Coby Fleener in the 16th & Matt Schaub in the 18th. Blake- Andy Dalton in the 14th and finally Jeff taking RGIII in the 12th round.

After the dust has all settled here are my predictions for this year:

1. Hutton
2. Blake
3. Jesse
4. Mason
5. Ryan
6. Heath
7. Josh
8. Jeff
9. Will
10. Josh
11. Clark
12. Cole

Great work again this year. No doubt one of the highlights for me every August.

One final prediction/question: Which happens first....I get engaged or I win The League. 

In the end as my friend Ruxin from The League says,"Fantasy football is about proving that you are better than your friends." Amen.