Standings

Earning It LAS VEGAS--General managers and coaches had trouble deciding whether the Lagers or the Grifters were the top team in the league this season. While Boston garnered more first place votes, the Grifters took the top spot overall. Still the ballots didn't make things as clear as Sunday's game did. "Don't say that yet," Grifter quarterback Elvis Grbac warned. "We still have to play these guys again this season." "They had an off week," coach Bruce Snyder agreed. 83 Sin City Grifters Pts Elvis Grbac 37 Edgerrin James 28 Fred Taylor 10 Derrick Mason 13 Wayne Chrebet 2 Derrick Alexander 0 Jay Riemersma 3 Ryan Longwell 4 Saints 34 37 Boston Lagers Pts Trent Green 11 Ricky Watters 13 Jerome Bettis 3 Terrell Owens 13 Torry Holt 12 Travis Taylor 0 Tony Gonzalez 10 Mike Vanderjagt 9 Titans 14 "Don't get me wrong, we had a good game, but there's plenty we didn't do that we need to work on if we expect to keep winning this season." Specifically, the Sin City passing game continued its anemic tradition until late in game when Elvis Grbac shook off what seemed to be opening day jitters to complete a touchdown toss to Derrick Mason. "We've had trouble finding a solid, consistant passing game for years," admitted Brian BIllick, the Grifters' new offensive coordinator. "We have the foundation now, but it's still going to take a few games before everyone is on the same page. Luckily, we have our rushers to carry us until then." The Grifters newest addition to the backfield lived up to all the hype preceding his drafting. Edgerrin James out performed both Lager running backs with 135 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Boston's Jerome Bettis and Ricky Watters both struggled against the Saints defensive unit, combining for 115 yards. Torry Holt and Terrell Owens showed the Lagers still have plenty of potential to explode in the aerial game once Trent Green figures out Bill Walsh's game plan. Easy Ed Over? BEVERLY HILLS--By the time Ed McCaffrey was driven away on the back of a golf cart, it was already too late to have any affect on the game. The receiver's broken leg did serve to remind Woodchuck fans things can get worse. As Donovan McNabb stated his case for why he is the BFL's prototype for new quarterbacks rather than Daunte Culpepper, LaDanian Tomlinson sent a message to Michael Bennett about who the best rookie running back is this season. Mick Foley shrugged off the game as a fluke. "Maybe I hit them with too many chair... or maybe not enough. The chairshot as a motivational tool is a fickle mistress." Foley has already said Bennett will most likely sit out next week against Bakersfield and fears he may have thrust the rookie into starting too soon. Culpepper will hold onto his starting position, if only because back up Steve McNair also had to leave yesterday's game after straining his shoulder warming up on the sidelines. 63 Athenian Woodchucks Pts Daunte Culpepper 22 Stephen Davis 6 Michael Bennett 6 Moose Muhammad 14 Ed McCaffrey 18 Joe Horn 9 Frank Wychek 3 Jason Elam 7 Eagles 19 116 West Coast Mennonites Pts Donovan McNabb 41 LaDanian Tomlinson 21 Jamal Anderson 15 Jimmy Smith 30 Cris Carter 13 Kevin Dyson 7 Stephen Alexander 3 Adam Vinatieri 5 Raiders 22 Who Needs Depth? BAKERSFIELD, VT--The best rushing tandem in the BFL could well be Marshall Faulk and anyone. Pollsters discounted the Circus Bears for not having enough depth on their roster, but with the firepower they have, they might not need depth. Peyton Manning immediately warmed to coach Steve Young's system, made easier by the addition of Tim Brown. Surprisingly, Jerome Pathon, considered one of Bakersfield's weeknesses proved instead to be a strength, matching Brown with eight catches and a touchdown. East Coast, a preseason favorite, may have been looking ahead on their schedule, expecting an easy win in Vermont. Aaron Brooks was a bundle of nerves, fumbling four snaps from center and completing only one pass to franchise player Randy Moss, who's name almost didn't appear in the box score. "We were awful," Moss growled. "We couldn't run. We couldn't throw. We couldn't catch or tackle or kick. Bakersfield is rolling out of here with a 'W' but they won't get many more unless they plan on playing teams this bad all year." 68 East Coast Killah Bees Pts Aaron Brooks 36 Ricky Williams 17 Warrick Dunn 8 Kevin Johnson 7 Eric Moulds 3 Randy Moss 2 Bubba Franks 13 John Carney 6 Chiefs 22 89 Bakersfield Circus Bears Pts Peyton Manning 30 Marshall Faulk 24 Mike Alstott 6 Tim Brown 23 Jerome Pathon 20 Keenan McCardell 1 Ken Dilger 3 Martin Gramatica 4 Seahawks 24 Hard Reign Falls TOLEDO--When Mayberry receives their Bucco Bruce Bowl rings next week, they'll have a loss to go with them. Last year's champs won't be able to sweep their way to a repeat, and instead remembered just how difficult winning can be in the BFL. Vince Dooley watched Corey Dillon and Curtis Martin roll over his Buccaneers, while the Ravens stuffed Tim Biakabutuka continuously, holding him to seven yards rushing. "We're going to have to face the fact we aren't the same team as last year, and if we want to win, we're going to have to find a new way." For Toledo, knocking off the champs was an especially sweet way to start the season. "Four straight playoff appearances and we still haven't made it to the big game," receiver Antonio Freeman, the elder statesman of the Neanderthal, smiled. "These guys lucked into a title last year while we watched from our living rooms. You could say we were a little motivated to get 2001 off on the right foot." 70 Mayberry Fifes Pts Brian Griese 48 James Stewart 12 Tim Biakabutuka 0* Orande Gadsden 14 Keyshawn Johnson 11 Terrance Mathis 4 Kyle Brady 5 Matt Stover 5 Buccaneers 31 90 Toledo Neanderthal Pts Jeff Garcia 34 Corey Dillon 22 Curtis Martin 21 Darrell Jackson 6 Amani Toomer 24 Antonio Freeman 2 Chad Lewis 5 Olindo mare 7 Ravens 29 Envying Green CHARLESTON, WV--Owner Rick Lord said it all along. For some reason the rest of the league and the media didn't see what he was talking about when he said the Woolfs had all the firepower they needed not only to handle the Mounties, but to make a run at the playoffs. Rich Gannon proved he still has at least one more year until he's over-the-hill. Troy Brown showcased talent that justified his high draft position. Rod Smith confirmed himself worth much more than the 3rd round pick the Woolfs sent to Boston. Ahman Green revealed himself deserving of his franchise tag and his spot beside Eddie George in the West Virginia backfield. Green's 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns compensated for a lackluster performance by George, who failed to crack the 50 yard mark on the ground, raising questions of his health following off season surgery. 86 Moose River Mounties Pts Kurt Warner 29 Garrison Hearst 9 Terry Allen 7 Johnny Morton 12 Isaac Bruce 9 Marvin Harrison 6 Wesley Walls 7 Joe Nedney 7 Rams 25 115 West Virginia Woolfs Pts Rich Gannon 39 Ahman Green 34 Eddie George 7 Rod Smith 25 Troy Brown 20 James Thrash 1 Shannon Sharpe 6 Jeff WIlkins 8 Giants 0

Player of the Week Ahman Green West Virginia Woolfs Week One Team Pts Brian Griese, MAY 48 Ahman Green, WV 34 Edgerrin James, SIN 28 Jimmy Smith, WC 30 Rod Smith, WV 25 Amani Toomer, TOL 24 Bubba Franks, EAST 13 Mike Vanderjagt, BOS 9 Saints, SIN 34 Disappointment of the Week Tim Biakabutka Mayberry Fifes All-Dissappointment Team Pts Trent Green, BOS 11 Tim Biakabutuka, MAY -1 Jerome Bettis, BOS 3 Derrick Alexander, SIN 0 Travis Taylor 0 Keenan McCardell, BAK James Thrash, WV 1 4 tied at 3 Martin Gramatica, BAK Ryan Longwell, SIN 1 Giants, WV 0