Addis Ababa Emperors (9-1)
With apologies to Tokyo, who have the same record, the best team in the league, led by the clear MVP leader, Philip Rivers.
The offense is averaging over 7 yards a play, and while the running game is middle-of-the-pack, they lead the league in passing yardage, averaging close to 350 yards per game. The defense has been solid, nothing more, but it hasn’t needed to be.
They have only turned the ball over 6 times all season–easily the best mark in the league–but with only 7 takeaways, their ratio sits at a meager +1.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. Move Mathews down. Make Harris a starter at CB.
Draft Needs. LB, OL, CB.
Week Four Draftee Update: Dick Harris. Solid, emerging as starter.
#QB
Just not a lot to say other than wow. Philip Rivers is completing 66% of his passes and has 34 TDs and only 4 interceptions, having thrown for over 3500 yards already. That’s a QB rating of 130.8 (he’s been over 100 in all but one game so far). That’s superhuman.
Sample Size for the Win: backup Dan Fouts has an even higher rating of 132.1 (5 for 7 with 2 TDs).
#RB
With 17 TDs, 900 yards rushing, and nearly 1200 yards from scrimmage, LaDainian Tomlinson has been one of the best producing backs in the league, even if his average per carry is a bit low (4.3). There isn’t much behind him, though, as Ryan Mathews has struggled to produce.
Danny Woodhead looked like a solid alternative until his injury.
#WR & TE
Many WFL teams have three top receivers. Addis Ababa has five. John Jefferson leads in catches (43) and yards (759), and hasn’t dropped a pass yet. He and Lance Alworth (39 for 736) have 9 TD catches each and Wes Chandler is averaging over 20 yards per catch (32 for 643 and 7 TDs). Add in Kellen Winslow (36 for 515) and it’s easy to see why Charlie Joiner (26 for 422) is having a hard time getting playing time.
The absolute best quintet in the league.
And there’s more depth: Antonio Gates has barely set foot on the field at TE.
#OL
Three potential all-pros, led by Ron Mix, who is having a great season despite being shuttled between G and T. Doug Wilkerson and Jim Otto have been dominant as well, with only Gabe Jackson (since demoted) really struggling on the line. Marcus McNeill has been adequate, but not much more.
#DL
The front four have been great: Louie Kelcher and Howie Long have 6 sacks each with Kelcher adding 4 stuffs and 9 hurries while Leslie O’Neal and Big Hands Johnson have identical stat lines of 2 sacks, 7 hurries, and 5 stuffs each.
Justin Ellis, Chester McGlockton, and Antonio Smith have all been good as fill-ins, but it’s really been all about those four.
#LB
Khalil Mack and Junior Seau are dominant from the outside, combining for over 100 tackles, 5 sacks, and 8 stuffs. Manti Te’o has been surprisingly good in the middle, leading the team with 6 stuffs, but is likely to miss the rest of the regular season.
A LB is a likely draft target, with Seau moving inside (or not) depending on their position.
#DB
Brandon Flowers leads the team in tackles (60) and interceptions (2). Tarell Brown, Tyvon Branch, and Eric Weddle have all been quite good as well. Dick Harris has been good since drafted, and should move into a starting role once back from injury.
As a group, they have a league-worst 4 interceptions, a number that needs to increase over the rest of the season.
#P & K
Sebastian Janikowski has been a little frustrating: 49 for 49 on XPs, but only 11 of 17 on FGs, with none over 46 yards. Not in danger of losing his job yet, certainly, but not great.
Mat McBriar is over 40 on his net, so that’s solid.
#Returns
Tim Brown has the job locked down: 27 yards on KO returns, and nearly 10 on punts.