Jordan Independent - family - Comments

I’ve still never seen it,

Brandon — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:31:51 -0500

I’ve still never seen it, but when I worked at a movie theater during college, the theater played it. One of my coworkers went to watch it almost every day, and always came back crying. (At least I think I’m remembering the right movie.)

The talk around the office

Mathias Baden — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:44:59 -0500

The talk around the office is that electric organs distinctly remind the JI staff of the movie "Punch-Drunk Love."

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

I don’t know – I came

Brandon — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:21:58 -0500

I don’t know – I came home with a sweet electric organ and a cool old church sign. The church sign actually won the competition for my fiancée Molly, and she netted a Culver’s gift card. I’d say we made out like bandits, although she has already expressed her dislike for my new electric organ.

I would say the Best

Jason Allen — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:38:44 -0500

I would say the Best treasure is the $10.00 she gave ya already.

Brandon it's too bad you

JCT_Pres. — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:33:07 -0500

Brandon it's too bad you won't get to see The Hobbit... it is absolutely amazing! The pyrotechnics, fog, the set... it is beyond words. Josh and Jessica have outdone themselves as the directing team and the kids are great! Sorry you missed it-

I like you’re thinking,

Brandon — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:56:12 -0500

I like you’re thinking, Tom!

I picked up Berrian last year after a few good games from Grossman. When the second half of the season kicked in, and Grossman’s stats dropped, I dropped Berrian. He wasn’t on my list yet, but I’ll make sure to take a look at adding him in a late round or after the draft (with a small league, there’s quite a few good players still available after the draft in the OFL).

I'll give you my can't-miss

Tom Schardin — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:50:37 -0500

I'll give you my can't-miss sleeper WR.

Despite Rex Grossman's shortcomings, Bernard Berrian will have a big year for the Bears. He was arguable the Bears' best player in the playoffs last year.

He's become more than just a deep guy. You can get him cheap or in the later rounds and you won't be disappointed.

That’s some good insight

Brandon — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:42:10 -0500

That’s some good insight on rookies. I usually shy away from them, too. But Greg Jennings is totally on my list as a no. 3 wide receiver (although this is his second year), and I’m leaning toward the possibility of drafting Brandon Jackson (the Packers running back) late as a backup running back.

Jennings was my best rookie pick last year. He was the deciding factor in a few tight games early in the season.

Larry Johnson is actually second on my board, but I draft last in the first round, and my chances of landing him are pretty slim, it seems. Especially since my cousin, who I beat last year in the championship game, has drafted him first two years in a row and drafts right before me.

Well Larry Johnson just

shawn hogendorf — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:51:39 -0500

Well Larry Johnson just ended his hold out today. He would be a good pick. You can't pass up Ladanian Tomlinson if he is available. Or how about Stephen Jackson. All great running backs who will score you great points.

On another note regarding fantasy football, here is my ideas for drafting rookies this year. I posted this blog on the Prior Lake American Web site.

Fantasy football blog: The rookies

Well here is the first blog of what may be many about Fantasy Football.

The first part of the blog has to do with rookies who may have an immediate impact on their teams and your fantasy football rosters in 2007.

In my experience with fantasy football, and I’ve been in at least two leagues for about 10 years, is that only a few rookies really have a big impact on a fantasy football roster.

This is not to say that they can’t.

The best rookie I ever picked was Randy Moss. By drafting him in the late rounds as a “homer” pick he rounded out my receivers and led me to winning that league.

That being said, if I have the chance, I will draft Calvin Johnson of the Lions this year. I think this is a great draft, especially if you are in a “keeper league.”

Another good rookie wide receiver pick may be Anthony Gonzalez of the Colts. We all know Peyton Manning throws the ball a lot. Gonzalez is thought to be the guy to fill Brandon Stokely’s role in the Colts offense.

Another wide receiver may be Greg Jennings of the Packers. Although I loath Brett Favre as I am a Viking’s fan, Jennings does have one of the all-time greats throwing to him.

Some other notable rookie receivers are: Robert Meachum of the Saints, Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs Ted Ginn Jr. of the Dolphins, Dwayne Jarett of the Panthers and Steve Smith of the Giants.

If you are a “homer” you could gamble on Sidney Rice of the Vikings. We all know what their receiving core looks like.

What other rookie receivers do you think will make an impact on a fantasy football roster this year?

Now for the rookie running backs.

In my opinion, this is the best place to draft a rookie. There are always injuries to running backs. Rookie running backs are also good players to pick up as the season wears on and they get to share the ball with the starters after proving themselves along the way.

This year, I think the best rookie running back draft will be a toss up between Adrian Peterson of the Vikings and Marshawn Lynch of the Bills.

Peterson will touch the ball, but he is playing behind Chester Taylor, as Lynch has a good chance of winning the starting role hands down against his only competition, Anthony Thomas.

Some other good picks for rookie running backs may be Brandon Jackson of the Packers, once again the running back position is up for grabs in Green Bay, if he can play.

I also like Chris Henry of the Titans, Tony Hunt of the Eagles and Lorenzo Booker of the Dolphins.

Who else do you think could have an impact as a rookie running back?

I would stay away from rookie quarterbacks all together, but for a “keeper league” I think JaMarcus Russell of the Raiders could be a good pick. It is unclear if he will start, but my bet is that he will get some serious playing time by the end of the season.

Brady Quinn fell down the ladder on draft day, but he may have something to prove. In a “keeper league” he may be a good pick. He could also be the starter in Cleveland. I would draft him very high, but I will keep my eye on him to see how he performs, and then quickly pick him up on waiver wires if he is producing.

I don’t think there is another rookie quarterback worth drafting, do you?

As for rookie tight ends, I would stay away from drafting one of these guys, as well.

I think it would be smart to keep an eye on some of them and pick them up if they are playing and scoring. Although I hate the Bears, Greg Olson may be one of the guys to keep an eye on. I don’t think Rex Grossman is capable of getting a ball to a tight end without throwing an interception, but if he can, this guy could definitely play in college.

Some of the other rookie tight ends are: Zach Miller of the Raiders and Ben Patrick of the Cardinals.

I’m sure there are some players I missed, so share your insight into the rookie impact on fantasy football rosters in 2007.

Who was the best rookie pick you have had on draft day?

Wow! You guys are

Mathias Baden — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:18:48 -0500

Wow! You guys are troopers.

As a child, my family made an annual 32-hour trek to Florida. We all love Disney World.

But as an adult, the longest I've gone is 14 -- Shoreview almost to Dallas on Jan. 1, 2000. We slept in a church parking lot under a glow-in-the-dark green cross. Between the two drivers and the deadbeat in the backseat who never got behind the wheel during a four-day trip, we couldn't go any further in a day. From Dallas, it was on to New Orleans. And the drive back to the Twin Cities was about the same 14 hours.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

4 1/2 days --- Inver Grove

Jason Allen — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:37:35 -0500

4 1/2 days --- Inver Grove Heights to Fairbanks, Alaska. Me and my daughter, my nephew and his grandmother made the trip last year in a motorhome. We averaged 19 1/2 hours a day in driving. Saw some amazing wild life along the way. Traveled up the Alaska Highway. I would encourage everyone to do it once....but only once.

30 hours, Jordan to San

TresaKnox — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:41:44 -0500

30 hours, Jordan to San Francisco - 3 drivers, 2 kids. And we had a great time (except the snow storm in the mountains on my turn). Our kids have taken several long trips this way with us and travel great - among them 22 hours to Myrtle Beach, SC and 15 hours to Ft. Collins, CO. We've traveled since our kids were babies, as my family does not live locally - 4 hours is a short trip for us. Good music, DVDs for the kids and books on tape.

Winona, Minn. to

Andrew Link — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:27:43 -0500

Winona, Minn. to Springfield, Mass.... 18 fun hours. Split between three drivers. Thankfully!

Wow! Driving/riding for an

Brandon — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:21:42 -0500

Wow! Driving/riding for an entire day at a time must be awful! I’ve been on long driving trips like that, but I always had to stop and camp or stay at a hotel for the night, because it was getting too awful.

24 hours, from seattle to

Mz. Sasa — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:12:24 -0500

24 hours, from seattle to southern california. yes, a day. oh the agony!