A Team for the Ages?

It's full steam ahead for Mike and the Burger Buddies in 2006

PORTLAND, ME - With all eyes on the Chunky Chickens for the past several years, heads turned when it was the unlikely Burger Buddies raising the YFFL Championship above their heads and returning Mike Kinsman to Glory Road. With four of the top 10 WRs and the league's premier RB in Larry Johnson, the Buddies are in unbelievable shape heading into 2006. Move over Steve Dugas, the Buddies are primed to show the AFC West and the YFFL for that matter that they are in a league of their own.

Critical Question Facing Owner Mike Kinsman

Who Not To Start? Michael Vick. Corey Dillon. Warrick Dunn. These three names could very well be left out of the Buddies Week 1 starting lineup due to an abundance of talent. On top of that, Mike will likely have to bump someone to the IR to make room for a TE soon too. The talent on this team is scary. It looks like Mike's controversial draft strategy of always taking the best player available has paid dividends.

Player To Watch

Kurt Warner, QB - It appears that Mike is leaning towards starting Kurt Warner over Michael Vick...well, at least until Warner gets injured. Warner is a rare breed in that he is by far a better fantasy player than he is an NFL player. Half his starts last year resulted in 300 yard games and with the talent around him, he should post big numbers again this season. If Warner can stay healthy, the Buddies will be nearly impossible to beat on any given Sunday.

Projected Starting Lineup

Warner, Johnson, Holt, Chambers, Moss, Free Agent, Brown, Williams

Outlook

The Buddies are the clear-cut favorites to win the championship this season but that has doomed Mike in the past years with the Chickens. Mike has a tendency to get complacent with his winning ways and not address weaknesses until it is too late. There are very few weaknesses on the Buddies but if injuries occur this season, those weaknesses could be exposed. Warrick Dunn and Corey Dillon are both over 30 and probably playing on borrowed time. The roster is absent of a TE and back-up kicker which will limit Mike's in-season Waiver Wire moves. Mike and the Buddies are determined more than ever this year to ruin Steve Dugas and the Merry Men's season. That factor alone will keep Mike on his toes and focused on becoming the first repeat champion since 2001.

Prediction

10-3; 645 points; 1st AFC West