The Deuce Hurricane Auction of 2011 will go down in history as the longest, latest and only QFL Auction ever to take place entirely remotely and during a storm that caused utility outages to millions along the Eastern seacoast.
Kudos to Dan for providing the corporate webex IM (have fun explaining that one to the overLord) and big shout has to go to Commissioner Berlage who brilliantly facilitated the whole 7+ hour ordeal.
News, notes and nuggets from QFL2 auction
by Rob B. (no QSN moniker yet)
Not even Hurricane Irene could stop the Deuce from sticking to the original auction date. After a two-hour rain delay, the auction started around 10 pm Saturday night and ended 4 ½ hours later.
There were no huge shockers coming out of the Deuce auction. A flurry of drops prior to getting going included the likes of Steven Jackson, Peyton Manning, Knowshon Moreno and Frank Gore. Jackson was re-signed by Qonies at $21 (a savings of $5) and Gore re-signed to Fantasy Enemy for $19 (a whopping savings of $14). Nice moves by both Paul and Tarek to free up some cap space. Manning and Moreno were signed by new teams.
I think the real surprise in this auction was the Deuce’s infatuation with QBs. All 4 QBs which were restricted free agents coming into the auction were bid up even though only two teams needed a QB1 coming into the auction. Drew Brees (franchised) up $2 to $23, Aaron Rodgers (franchised) up $3 to $24, Romo (transition) up $1 to $14 and Flacco (transition) up $2 to $6. Newbie Keith Denham felt the need to bid on every single QB thrown out even though he already had 4 (yes, 4) QBs coming into the auction (Rodgers, Whitehust, McCoy and Fitzpatrick). Does anybody have the word fetish stuck in their mind? Many were wondering if Keith had been misinformed and thought this was a two QB league.
However, even with the QB fetish, Keith did a nice job managing his money keeping Rodgers and Benson, while still signing the Eagles D ($8), Wells ($11) and Colston ($8). Polaq (another QB fetish guy) winds up with Schuab, Peyton Manning, Clausen and Tebow.
The biggest WR free agent signing was Greg Jennings at $22 followed by Percy Harvin at $13. DeSean Jackson was transitioned at $4 and was sold to a new team (Catch 24) at $14 (should still be a nice bargain at $14). Andre Johnson (franchised at $21) was bid up to $25 and retained by the Turds while we saw no action on franchised player Vincent Jackson or transitioned Reggie Wayne ($14).
Gates, a free agent, went for $11 with no action on Vernon Davis franchised at $6.
Both the Steelers D ($5) and the Jets D ($4) were transition and were bid up to more appropriate amounts. Steelers were retained by Qonies at $8 and the Jets were retained by the Bombers at $11.
Michael Turner is now the highest paid player in QFL2 at $26 (Quahogs via Seth proxy).
Lessons learned:
1. Say the word proxy and miraculously most Qs will find a way to get internet and phone access almost instantaneously. It’s a Shabbat Miracle!
2. DO NOT start drinking one hour prior to the call-in time. Three hours later when you get started, it’s already messy. 7 ½ hours later when you are calling out rookie picks, it’s even uglier.
3. Transitioned and franchise players are not likely to move teams, as usual.
4. Save some money for the end of the auction. Mad Bombers rolled off about 15 players in a row for $1 as nobody else had money (or were sober enough to use their remaining funds). Currently 48 players on his roster. I guess the Ryan Grant thing last year stuck in his mind.
5. Hurricane Irene is the Deuce’s bitch.
6. The Turds have $47 tied up on their top two WRs (Johnson and Jennings). Wow.
7. Membrillos is going to be tough to beat with Charles, Peterson and McCoy running the wishbone with Flacco at QB and Vernon Davis at TE. Throw in the Saints D, Brandon Lloyd (or AJ Green) and he has the preseason makings of a champion. Glad he’s not in my division….FUCK.
8. Reggie Bush will rush for 1,400 yards this year….you just watch…..Damn it.
9. Sleepers are not sleepers any more, they are popular value picks. Although if there are any true sleepers this year, they are bound to be on the Bombers.
Shades