Like British Rail, an NHL Season or an apology from a Politician, the FFL Blog is finally here, later than it should have been but hey ho, life gets in the way or so the song lyrics go.

The NFL has moved on in a big way since I last posted any of this type of nonsense, so rather than focus on the arrival of Darrelle Revis (yaaay), or the complete absence of a TE in the Buccaneer offense (what ... the ... f**k?), I've elected to start at the onset of the year, and see where we are, and what's ahead for us fantasy nutcases who think we know something about this wonderful game.

Week 1 brought a Bucs throwaway to file away in the classics, with unimaginative play-calling, an offensive line that looked as prepared as Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood, and a running game that advanced as far as a pissed tortoise nailed to the floor. The annoying thing is that the Jets were god awful and right there for the taking, we just decided to out-worse them in true Leeman Bennett/Richard Williamson style; laugh? I swear I almost punted the Labrador for a touchback in frustration.

Some ominous rumours are coming from One Buc, on team harmony, accountability and the general faith the head coach has in a QB firmly plonked amidst a walk year; not good. Sunday's performance, or possible lack thereof, will tell us a lot. With the Saints coming to town, that brand new expensive secondary and pass rush better show up or there'll be tons of empty red seats come the 4th quarter.

As bad as we were, The Steelers and Jaguars managed to out-shite us on a woeful weekend for three franchises, which effectively killed off any pre-season enthusiasm they had build up over the past month. If a dirty nappy style trophy was handed out, then the Jags win hands down for sheer ineptitude, and their policy of trying to win in the NFL without playing anything that resembles professional standard at QB, has once again failed them.

Before we know it, week 2 is already here and the official "jump the gun? conclusions are underway all over the league. Whilst it is right to assume the Broncos offense will score a ton of points this year, it may be a tad premature to anoint the Dolphin defense as the next great thing, or Terrelle Pryor as the second coming, well though he played. We saw some surprising things in week 1, but the NFL has a habit of shooting you down every time you think you have a team figured out. What I will say is that at this too early juncture, I like the Seahawks and the 49ers in the NFC, and the Texans and Broncos in the AFC to be the final four standing. That ought to jinx that lot, so everyone get your bets on elsewhere! Enjoy week 2 gents, let the Cards (and hopefully Saint RB's) fall where they may.

FFL Week 2 Preview

Dodgy Athletics (0-1) vs Cosmic Clap (1-0)
The Athletics have burned new recruit Julian Edelman on Thursday night without success so now look to Sam Bradford in a dome game to lead them to a victory. With Darren Mcfadden and the dangerous Darren Sproles both facing very favourable match-ups, supported by Mike Wallace and Jason Witten, a big score remains well within their compass after a quiet start last week. The Clap meanwhile, will let Matt Ryan go head to head with the Athletics triggerman, and look to that Eagle offense to feature Lesean Mccoy once again. Larry Fitzgerald's renaissance was also a welcome event, whilst a career day from the TE will have elicited a wry smile from the man who labels the position succinctly as "fantasy dogshit.?

Funky Furbys (1-0) vs Dead Zombies (0-1)
The close season saw a mega trade between these two franchises, so it will be interesting to see how many of the former players in this clash return to bite their old owner in the nether regions. The new super-charged Furbys will look to Lord Drew (of Brees) to do what he always does and cavort all over the stat sheet. Key players Ray Rice, CJ Spiller and Brandon Marshall would make any fantasy all-star roster so if they stay fit, a play-off run looks a cinch, whilst Gostkowski and the Bears defense prop up the back end of starting line-up. The Wizard will rotate Andrew Luck and Matt Stafford all year ? its goofy's turn this week ? and has the big star supporting cast of his own in the king of the RB receiving TD Reggie Bush, Megatron and Dez "headcase? Bryant. This is a great match-up watched with interest by the rest of the FFL in what could be a play-off rehearsal.

Welsh Dragons (1-0) vs Dislocated Knee Joints (0-1)
Tim started off with a win last Sunday, performing the greatest comeback since Cheryl Cole's 9 year bounce from a conviction for assaulting a lavatory attendant, to being plonked alongside Her Majesty at the Jubilee celebrations. Down a zillion to 0 after Thursday Manning to Demaryius Thomas love-in, our welsh wonder fired right back with his own salvo to win the game in a walk, such is the mystery of fantasy football. This week Tim looks to his top guys Colin Kaepernick, AP, Doug Martin and AJ Green, who all represent genuine threats to puke all over the stats sheet on any given week. Gareth's defense got him off to a decent start on Thursday night, though we await his final choice for Sundays tilt. Vick Ballard is unlikely to feature, given his right knee now resembles a kids jigsaw puzzle, so the key may be who he chooses at QB ? the dual threat Russell Wilson, the man sure to fling it 40 plus times Eli Manning, or the man most likely to either go off or get snapped in Michael Vick. We await the selection with all the anticipation of a British Eurovision entry, probably. Mysteriously the Jacksonville defense are nowhere to be seen.

Malicious Penguins (1-0) vs Punting Idiots (1-0)
The only match-up of two unbeatens this week ? what odds would you have got on that? The Penguins sit at the lofty perch of 6th on the Free Agency ladder, and with a win in their pocket already, will seek high scoring from Sir Aaron (of Rodgers) in what looks a sure-fire shoot-out game, Jamaal Charles back on home turf, and David Wilson who so far has dropped more balls than Joe Hart this season. Clive's merry band of Idiots roared back to win after the Monday Night Games last week, and he will send his team captain RG3 out to go head to head with Richard's kingpin. We had a Ryan Matthews sighting last Sunday, wonders never cease, so more of that along with continued brilliance from star smurf receivers Victor "tougher than a ?3 steak? Cruz, and Desean "made of paper? Jackson will be much welcomed. The unlikeliest game of the week since The Ivy put deep fried squirrel on their specials board.

Morning Woodsmen (0-1 ? how?) vs Shy Teds (0-1)
Adam must have been the only guy in the world who started Manning the elder and Demaryius Thomas last week, and managed to lose; such was his luck he'd have beaten every other team in the FFL in week 1 bar the team he played. Due some luck he sends out the same suspects, notably buoyed by Bronco TE Julius Thomas who looks the next big thing at the position. Marshawn Lynch is due here, so keep an eye on him. The Teds have real depth all over the roster, hence their hefty bonus point total last week. They will make final checks on some nicked up players, notably Julio Jones, before finalising the starters. One would guess Cam Newton, Jordy Nelson, Wes Welker and Demarco Murray will be the pivotal players he will lean on. One team will be off the schneid, the other will throw their roster against the wall, rail against the fantasy gods, swear a lot, and then rejoin the civilised society.

Tractor Boys (0-1) vs Outstanding Warrants (1-0)
Familiar problems for The Tractor Boys last week in posting a score of 54, so they will seek an uplift this Sunday and lets fact it, they are due. Matt Schaub and the Jacksons - sounds like a tribute band ? will be names to look for on the stat sheet as all have favourable match-ups on paper, whilst fantasy hide and seek champion James Jones pulled a Reggie Perrin last week. Keep the faith with him Steve, his downs are usually followed by rather large ups. Wayne got off to a good start, despite star men Arien Foster, Trent Richardson and Tom Brady tip-toeing into the season with barely a sound. Their emergence will be much needed, along with the Chargers again featuring Vincent Brown and Antonio Gates in the gameplan.