The Sports Page        

Volume 11, Issue 6         The On-Line Newsletter of the Erie Fantasy Football League         October 26, 2003

Pavelich pulls the trigger on deal

Despite conference best 6-1 mark, Vigilantes deal four players

As he has done many times over his 11 years in the Erie League, Midnight Vigilantes GM Kirk Pavelich (pictured right) made a blockbuster deal with the trade deadline approaching. The surprising thing this year was the fact that Pavelich's team was already on a roll, having won six straight and scoring at a 100.2 point per game clip.

"I've been telling everyone this past week that I'm the worst 6-1 team in the history of the league," Pavelich said. "I've always thought playoff matchups are the things that get you championships - not big name players who are playing well in Week 7."

With the trade deadline set for next Sunday (Nov. 2nd) at 10 a.m. ET, Pavelich struck early with two separate deals. First, he sent franchise RB Travis Henry, who was coming off a career high 167 yards rushing and QB Aaron Brooks, who can be kept next year for one unit to John Thiem's Masons for RB Ahman Green, the current leading scorer among running backs, and franchise QB Donovan McNabb. Once bye weeks are complete, the Vigilantes will be able to suit up a backfield of Green (156.3 points) and Priest Holmes (153.4 points).

Pavelich then turned around and traded WRs Muhsin Muhammed and Terry Glenn to Team Bud for QB Brad Johnson and WR Jerry Rice. According to Jody Barth (pictured left), the deal was made without knowing that the Vigilantes had already pulled the trigger for Green and McNabb.

"I swear to God I would not have made that trade if I had known that he pulled of the trade with the Masons," Barth said. "Once again he is going to win the whole fucking thing. I QUIT! Come on! How is he going to explain that he has Priest and Green? Masons is going down in history along with Titlebound Two as three of the worst GM's EVER! The only chance we have is if Priest and Green both break their fucking legs. Seriously! This is BULLSHIT!"

A. Green	McNabb	Brooks	Henry	B. Johnson	Rice	Muhammed	Glenn

Pavelich's division rival, Don Jones (pictured right with co-owner Tyler) of LTP, had similar views of the blockbuster deals, particularly the one between the Vigilantes and Team Bud.

"Sometimes I wonder how my 7-year-old can actually make decisions for fantasy football," Jones said. "Then I watch the logic used by some and I completely understand. Now that Pavs has the "2" best running backs in football at this time, and one of the most consistent QBs, let's just all hand him the check now. Don't get me wrong, the Masons improved their team a lot -- actually a good trade!!! But (Brad) Johnson for (Muhsin) Muhummad ????  What the hell is that????? Oh yea, I forgot, Terry Glenn is very hot right now. Hopefully the little f---in crybaby plays for a few weeks before he takes his usual month off with headaches."

Barth responded with his rationale for making the trade.

"In my defense LTP I needed a WR," Barth said. "I did not know that Pav had made that trade. I would have never stacked his team with Brad Johnson. Plus I have a stud quarterback already. I am in total agreement with you Pav manipulates GM's. I say we get together and stack a team and split the money. Nobody is going to beat Pav, unless one of his running backs breaks their legs. I lost sleep over that trade. Brad Johnson is not going to make a difference -- Ahman Green will."

Meanwhile, Stonehenge remains the only undefeated team in the league, as they won their seventh straight last week with a 67.9 to 61.35 victory over the Gridiron Gods. Also, Bill Long's Long Shots won their sixth straight - 85.85 to 79.3 over the Cosmic Monsters - to take over first place in the Browns Conference's Graham Division.

Just for your information, the web site allows you to make changes to your starters up until the kickoff of the 1 p.m. games. Your best bet is to submit a lineup early in the week and then to watch all the late breaking news to see if you need to make any changes. This software allows you to do it right up until the time the first games start. Therefore, always consider the last starting lineup you receive from an opponent to be the official one.

To get your own smack talk printed on The Sports Page, either send an e-mail to the commissioner (KPAVELICH@neo.rr.com) or you can do it yourself on the league's message board. Go to http://football5.myfantasyleague.com/2003/mb/board_show.pl?bid=200329111  , to talk some trash in this fashion.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"Vince, my kicker has a bye week coming up, I think I will drop either Isaac Bruce or Laveranues Coles and pick up a KICKER! Smart move by dropping Terry Glenn." Team Bud GM Jody Barth, upon hearing the news that Bryan Vince had dropped WR Terry Glenn, who was later picked up by the Midnight Vigilantes, before being traded to Barth and Team Bud. Glenn scored three touchdowns the week after he was cut loose by Vince and the Psychedelic B's.

"JESTER X is my BITCH, as MICHIGAN is Tressel's BITCH! There is no rivalry. For it to be a rivalry the other team has to show up!" Barth again, after his team defeated Jester X 93.85 to 58.1 during interleague play week.

INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS

Erie League vs. North Coast Fantasy Football League (NCFFL)

Note - The champions of these leagues will square off in Week 17 in Ultimate Bowl 3

CLICK HERE FOR BACK ISSUES OF THE SPORTS PAGE:

• Erie League set to kick off 14th season! (July 16, 2003)

• Football is back as Erie League kicks off 2003 (September 14, 2003)

• Roush continues to roll, trash talk minimal (September 28, 2003)

• Controversial trade, Donkey pictures, finally get smack started (October 5, 2003)

• All-American, Browns Conference square off, series tied at 24 (October 12, 2003)

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