2017 Season - Week 24

The analysis is in (and attached) and while Craig defended his title successfully whether we had trades or not Aaron and George were both very pleased trades exist or they would have both been relegated. Aaron had the seasons best improvement by 207 points (thanks mainly to getting Chief kicker Butler who scored 131 points in place of Janikowski who was injured during the pre-season. Without Trading Day Aaron would have come bottom rather than finishing third in the Premiership. Similarly George’s trade of an injured kicker (Caleb Sturgis) replaced by Ryan Succop saw a 96 point improvement and an all-important climb from 9th to 8th. Despite making seven changes Mark actually lost 18 points across his moves and so instead of finishing 7th he came bottom while AP’s 24 point improvement was not enough for him to stay in the Big League for another season. Daz made the most changes, eight in all but his 77 point improvement was not enough and he stayed 10th. Goodbye “SeaBass” Not only has he had to cope with Aaron’s rejection but this week Sebastian Janikowski was released by Oakland the club who drafted him in the first round of the 2000 draft. He leaves them after 18 years with the most 50+ yard field goals in NFL history. 2017 NFL Free Agents We are less than a month away from Free Agency and already lists of key free-agents have been produced. Some may be re-signed by their existing clubs but some will be moving on so keep an eye on who goes where, as free agency and the draft will affect your team. Top free agents include QBs Kirk Cousins & Case Keenum, RBs Le’Veon Bell & Carlos Hyde, WRs Jarvis Landry & Sammy Watkins and Tight End Jimmy Graham. Franchise Players 2017-2018 As is the norm you’ll select your Franchise player after the NFL Draft and the majority of free agency as I shall be asking for your Franchise man for the next two years in early June. You’ll be giving up the player that you franchised two years ago though some have been cut due to injury or as they failed to live up to their owner’s expectations. Franchised players becoming available include QBs Andy Dalton & Cam Newton, rusher Todd Gurley and receivers Jarvis Landry, Jeremy Maclin, Golden Tate & Mike Wallace. Draft Diary Dates The 2018 BUMS Player Selection Meeting (or draft) will be at 7pm on Sunday 2nd September at HQ, with the first game of the season four days later. Cheryl will do food before the drafting starts, so make a note in your Filofax now. Meanwhile the (slightly less important) NFL Draft will be from April 26th to the 28th. Hopefully it will be covered by Sky and we’ll be able to get together for the first round on Friday evening April 27th.