Written by Stephen Schindler
Greetings from Cedarville, OH. I’ve just stuffed and addressed over 300 Christmas cards to donors and friends, and am looking forward to a new spin on Power Rankings. Due to the lunacy of our league this year I am going to highlight the ten worst trades in the BBC. You’ll see them below with explanation on why it was bad, who’s at fault and how it’s worked out. Before I do that, I’ve given a short list of the current power rankings and the likelihood of each owner’s chances to win the league.
1. Shula (30%)
2. Justin (20%)
3. Josh (15%)
4. Tom (15%)
5. Ellis (10%)
6. Earl (8%)
7. Grant (2%)
8. Schindler (0%)
9. Alex (0%)
10. Eric (0%)
The organization of this list is harder than you’d think considering the stupidity that this league has encountered this year so forgive me if I miss one, get one out of order, etc. Nonetheless, I’ve noted them below:
1. Tom traded Schindler AJ Brown for the Colts D/ST: This is unarguably the worst trade in BBC history, but is also the worst trade in all of fantasy football history. Any league. Any format. Any number of players. Any year. Not that it matters, but Tom has played the Colts D/ST one time since acquiring them six weeks ago and in six weeks, you can’t name 5 WR’s you want on your roster over AJ Brown. This should be featured on fantasy football podcasts around the country to rip for as long as we live. For all the office fans, I thought this would be a great way to never forget this deal:
Roy: It’s possible. I can’t believe you traded Shaun Alexander, man.
Darryl: I had to. I needed defense.
Roy: Come on! Shaun Alexander? He’s the best back in the league.
Darryl: It’s defense.
Roy: Oh, no. That is not worth it.
Darryl: It is worth it.
Roy: Never.
Darryl: Are you kidding? You wait.
2. Tom paid $100 for Ezekiel Elliot: Tom finally decided to get more involved in the trade market this year. Coming in at #2 is well, still Tom. He gave Josh $100 for Elliot. It was fantastic timing. Why else wouldn’t you want Elliot? His team is being quarterbacked by the trio of Andy Dalton, Ben DeNucci (See LinkedIn profile HERE) and Cooper Rush. When Tom acquired Elliot, he wasn’t inside the top 15 and he still isn’t a month later. Congrats to Tom for being bailed out for the second time in three years for playing three worst teams in the league twice and more than likely getting a BYE.
3. Earl’s decision to trade Julio because he was “trash”: This is classic Earl. He can’t ever catch a break either. Earl thought it would behoof him to give up on Julio early in the year. That’s fair, I suppose. Julio, at times, is maddening to watch as a fantasy owner. He’s had turf toe since 2014. So in natural Earl fashion he shipped him to Josh for Chase Edmonds and Phillip Lindsey. When this happened, neither were top 35 plays. Later that week, Drake sprained his ankle and Gordon was arrested for DUI charges, Man, Earl never catches a break. So the decision wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been but doesn’t change the principle that Earl is a complete moron.
4. Grant’s keeper selection: Ironically enough, Grant still doesn’t regret failing to keep Elliot. Interesting. Grant could missed the playoffs and could’ve gotten over $100 for Elliot right after the live draft OR dropped him, kept Melvin Gordon, still missed the playoffs and have less money than he could’ve had. Oh, did I mention he bought Kerryon Johnson to keep? Nice year for him. He’s had 36 carries for 129 yards and three lost fumbles. Keep the studs.
5. Schindler’s obsession with Mike Evans: Sweet Lord! Why does he keep doing this? I bought Mike Evans for $27 and shipped Tyler Boyd to Shula. What a moronic move. His unhealthy obsession with Evans is out of control. Not only is Tyler Boyd a better option week to week, he paid $27. A terrible decision by this manager only to be identified a couple weeks later where he Evans wasn’t a top 30 start and Boyd finished inside the top 15 three straight weeks.
6. Grant’s “risk adverse attitude” and confusion about Pittsburgh RB’s: This manager loves “risk”. Let’s do everything we can because there’s “risk” in everything. There’s risk in climbing a mountain with no trail, with no water, and no sense of how far we are away from “the lake” just like it’s akin to “having risk” in acquiring Pittsburgh backs with no sense of understanding about how their used. Nice parallel. He acquired Conner from Schindler to make a playoff push and in 48 hours decided to resell him (for slightly more, well done, but not the point). In the meantime, he bought Snell for $3. Snell isn’t worth a bite size snickers from your local church’s “trunk or treat.” A tragedy of events.
7. Josh’s unique ability to throw away money: No one loves to throw away fantasy dollars for nothing more than Josh. His obsession with backs just kills him sometimes. He bought Mostert for $10 (he hasn’t played one snap since he acquired him), Kalen Ballage for $2, the Dolphins back for $3 (I truly forget his name) and in the process chose to purchase two QB’s (Allen & Rodgers) for $15. In the process, he shipped Watson to Alex and Watson was QB1 last week. He maybe able to find value in Mostert (maybe) but there’s a chance all of those players I just mentioned will not play for him come playoff time and $15 he spent on Watson/Allen could’ve been sparred in favor of Watson who since Week 5 has been QB3 on the year.
8. Shula’s acquisition of Hayden Hurt for $3. Shula was late in the Andrews sweepstakes so he determined his next best step was to spend $3 on Hayden Hurst. In the meantime, the owner who shipped Hayden Hurst to him just went to this concept called the “waiver wire” and picked up a TE who scored 11 points while Hurst caught 0 balls for 0 yards.
9. Ellis and Lamar Jackson: Believe it or not, this deal hasn’t panned out for Ellis. Ellis was living in the world of 2018 where Lamar Jackson looked like he was playing with schoolyard kids in middle school. Oh how things have changed. Ellis paid Schindler $28 for Jackson and shipped over DJ Moore and Matt Ryan with it. Matt Ryan has been better than Jackson so far. Add the $28 and DJ Moore. UHHHHH. Can’t say I blame him.
10. Earl and Dionte Johnson: Listen, Dionte Johnson is worth having on your team. Just not Earl’s team. Earl bought Diggs and Allen for $75, has Kenny G, Terry McLaurin and Robby Anderson on his bench and wanted Johnson for $6. A throw away of $6.
There’s some lunacy that’s gone on this year. Best wishes as we move forward. Have a great thanksgiving with friends and family. Miss you all.