Team Previews and Week 1 Matchups
(JV Insider Line in paranthesis)

JV Experience vs. Thundering Herd (JV by 12)
JV Experience was the most disappointing team in the league last season. A preseason lock to make playoffs, ended at a dismal 6-8 and in 7th place overall. Even though JVE managed to gain a little respect by winning the FIT, that will not satisfy coach Pat Holien. Nothing less than a playoff appearance will be accepted this year and it all starts in game one. JV is back with a whole new team. His only returning starters are Bucs Def and Ricky Dudley at TE. Brunell and Gannon team at QB with Dunn and Eddie George busting out at RB. Keyshawn Johnson heads an explosive WR core that includes emerging stars Anthony, Hilliard, and newly acquitted T. Martin. Joining the Bucs at Defense is the solid and Ditka run Saints D. JV will be ready to go, however he is not the only team trying to erase a poor 1998 performance. Thundering Herd may never forget the "Tank Talk" that accompanied the "Terd Chants" in 1998. With the #1 overall pick in this year's draft Chad Johnson made the unexpected selection of Brett Favre. Favre teams again with Scott Mitchell as the only two who have won the FF championship both years. Coach CJ made a great second round pick in Randy Moss. Moss was explosive as a rookie and will shine again in '99. Herd took a few chances in the draft in Galloway and Boston and so far neither has paid off. The signing of R.Moore will only hurt Boston's production and galloway is a threat to sit the entire year. Defenses are unpredictable, but have potential to take this team to the playoffs. Herd has enough talent to make every team in the league forget last season and fear the new and improved Herd....and the thunder rolls. Herd has great team, but may take a few games to gel, meanwhile JV has team of seasoned vets that already look like they are in mid season form.
PICK: JV BY 14

Rage vs. Midnight Marauders (MM by 14.5)
Coach Brian Babjack surpassed all expectations for his team last season, except one...his own. Rage shocked everyone posting an amazing 10-4 reg season record in their expansion season. Rage is not only looking to repeat his success, but to take his team to the next level. Coach Babjack added players that know how to win the big games, drafting 6 players from last year's fantasy bowl game and a total of 10 players from last year's playoffs. Davis and Bus jump ship from AA to Rage, but should remain relentless in Coach Babjack's power offense. WRs are also impressive with Freeman, McDuffie, and McCaffrey taking on the leading roles. Curtis Conway could turn into a huge sleeper pick if he proves he has recovered from last year's injury. Rage has two top notch QBs in Marino and Flutie. Coach Brian hope's Flutie can play a tune for his team similar to the one that won the fantasy bowl for Hippies last season. Defenses are tough and like the Herd, have potential to lead Rage to the promised land. Rage looks to start the season out with a bang, but standing in their way is the new look Marauders. Coach GJ had one of the most productive drafts of any GM and is already a preseason fave to win it all. MM Hopes are high this year, anchored by two good Defenses. GJ also has two top notch QBs in Young and Manning. His WR trio may be the best in the league with Moulds, Harrison, and R. Smith. In case one of them happens to fall, look for Mushin Muhammad to step in and step it up. Only ? on this team is at RB. Watters should do well, but P. Holmes is barely clinging on to his job in Bal., and Biakabablowmykneeout has a history of injuries and disappointment. Regardless, Kirby will step in and get by if needed. Look for Jim Brown to ride the pine all season as their is a better chance of Andre Ware coming back to the NFL. Preseason faves need to prove thier worth in week one, and will do so with Rage making them earn it.
PICK MM BY 6

Psuckos vs. Miller Time (PS by 1)
Psuckos have a new name and a new look, but same old problems. After experiencing many injuries and problems last season, 1999 GM of the year David Stampor takes many surprising risks in this year's draft. Three of his top four picks have had injury problems in the past. If healthy though, all three can produce and win. Chandler, Means, and R. Smith luckily have a decent supporting cast. Only problem is the depth on this team is also risky. Psuckos overcame obstacles last season to finish one game out of playoffs, so no one is doubting coach stampor just yet. Coach Dave did solidified his non skill positions, so that is one thing he need not worry about. PS has the top 2 Defenses in the league, and a top kicker and tight end in M. Anderson and Ben Coates. WRs are rounded out by H. Moore, Mathis, and McCardell. Aikman will be counted on for his leadership, experience, and most of all his durability in what looks like an unpredictable season for Psuckos. Miller Time on the other hand took players who wont miss many games due to injury. Coach Jay Miller only selected players that possess a positive, winning attitude. No one in the league thought they would ever see the day that QB Teste donned a MT Jersey, well it has happened. No one thought a FB could be a top notch RB, either. Well Alstott is on MT and joins Teste in their quest for glory. Also acquired was Curits Martin who played for title winner THH last year. WRs are average at best, defenses are suspect, depth is poor, and TE position is weak and may hurt MT in the long run. MT is not the team they were last year and a positive attitude will only take them as far as the FIT championships. They will still need to pull out a few games to make it there, unfortunate for them a victory wont happen in week one. No one is injured yet, and that gives PS the advantage.
PICK PS BY 8

Toin Coss vs. Attitude Adjustment (AA by 8)
Toin Coss drafted a late season bloomin' team. Cunningham and/or George will rock at QB and Plummer will get better when he learns to utilize Boston. E. James will make early rook mistakes but will blossom into a fantasy superstar. Murrell is nothing special, but is no dud either. He will easily gain 1200 yd and 10 tds...no more no less. Rice, Westbrook, and Glenn will also progress as the season goes on. TE Sharpe needs to wait for Griese to get comfortable throwing him the ball. Defenses may scare opponents, but are young and inexerienced. Depth is even late seasoned, as all subs are backups expected to break into their respective lineups in late season. Mare returns as TC's kicker and is clutch. TC was 0-2 vs AA last season, losing one game by only three points. TC would like nothing more than to put AA in their place in the first week. However AA is the exact opposite of TC this season. While TC is waiting for players to blossom, AA didn't take that chance. With the exception of newly acquired Carl Pickens, all players on AA will start the opener for their respective teams. The problem for AA resides in the question: "How many of those players will be starting come week 8?" Barring injury, Batch, M. Faulk, R. Williams, and Levens should be solid all season. Can Blake hold off Akili Smith? Coach Vin-A belives the signing of Pickens should help Blake keep the starting job. Also on the starter's hotseat are QBs Grbac & Warner, RB Bennett, and WR Pickens. AA's defenses are banking on easy schedules to get them through the season. Jags and Ravens play in the weakest division in the AFC. Ravens are a young up and coming defense with outstanding special team ability, Jags have the 4th easist schedule in the NFL, and the Rams return after leading AA to an appearance in last year's fantasy bowl. Can AA survive the pressure and return to the fantasy bowl? Many feel AA was lucky and favored by an easy schedule last season. AA once again has a favorable schedule, but has the uneasy task of replacing two year starter Terrell Davis.

"Terrell is the type of player who you could put into your lineup every week and count on him for double digit numbers every week. It was a tough loss for our team. In attempt to replace him we had to sign three solid RBs in the offseason. I wish Terrell success and the best of luck on his new team."
- Coach Vin-A Levigne

While an FIT run may be the best this team will achieve unless the players can perform in their respective cities, a game one victory is reasonable to expect. TC would love a victory in week one esp to avenge last season's three point loss, however TC may have to wait til the next time they play AA to get their revenge. For now, AA holds the glory.
PICK AA BY 10.5

*****GAME OF THE WEEK*****
T&A vs. Tree Huggin' Hippies (THH by 7)

Tree Huggin' Hippies begin their tough road back to the fantasy bowl with a most formidable opponent in T&A. THH has two good QBs and two good WRs with promising rookies waiting in the wings at both positions. Bledsoe and Griese are solid as are Owens and C. Carter. The Diesel is trying to heal, but may still rough it in game one. Fred Taylor has booming potential and may lead the RBs this year. Depth is impressive with late round picks Morton, Jabbar, and Holt. Anders and Allen will produce points at RB when called upon. TEs are average as are kickers. Team is impressive in return to titletown, however defenses are a weakeness. Panthers and Bears will be thrown in and out of THH's lineup each weak to tag with an overachieving Steelers D. T&A is looking dangerous this year and may be the scariest team in the league. Coach Vince "Pa" Levigne showed much poise in his first ever fantasy football draft and selected many weapons. Mcnair and Stewart both have loads of potential and could explode this year. If McNair stumbles, then look for O' Donnell to step it up in Ten. RB core is possibly the best in the leauge. Jamal Anderson and Emmitt Smith are two tops and Cory Dillon was a nice late RB addition. Coach Pa's risk paid off at WR as R. Moore just signed. Bruce is healthy for now, but how long will it last? And can new QB Kurt Warner get him the ball? My sources point to yes, and just in case, T&A added WRs R. Ismail, T. Small, J. Jett, and Michael Irvin. No slouches here. TEs are tough with Santiago and Beurlein's fave target Wesly Walls. With utter confidence, Coach Pa Levigne made a bold move and selected the top two kickers in the 9th & 12th rounds. So where's the weakness? Has to be Defense, right? Wrong! Broncos and Jets are teams that can compete and know how to hold their own against any team in the NFL. As if that wasnt enough, Cowboys D was drafted as well and will be called upon during Den & NYJ bye weeks. Only real weakness here is depth at QB and RB, and the ? at starting QB. Quite possibly the most exciting team in the league this year, and what better way to show their worth than knocking off the defending champs in a week one thriller.
PICK T&A BY 2

PRESEASON RANKINGS
1.T&A
2.THH
3.MM
4.JVE
5.AA
6.TH
7.Rage
8.PS
9.MT
10.TC