Bentleague X: The Sequel Draft Recap

 

Bentleague VI: 

St. Bernard Swami Says - Draft Grades Are In

(Fall 2020 Edition- Yippie Ki Yay)

Short Commish – Kevin Phayer

 

St. Bernard Swami Says - Draft Grades Are In

….and the Winners and Losers are:

 

Masked Marauders – Captain Todd

Todd selects consensus #1 Jon Buise with the overall number one.  Used to be a sure path to the title, having the overall number 1, until last year ☹.  Here’s hoping Jon remains healthy and puts off some of those ski trips until after B VI concludes.  This team is solid but does not possess the WOW factor in the the St. Bernard Swami’s eyes.  Perfect example is with picks 2,3, and 4.  All three are solid, but if last year’s records are any indication Jon will have his hands full carrying Jacques and Mr. Rehash Allen to the winner’s circle.   Swami wondering if Mr. Rehash would have felt less pressure being a 5^th or 6^th rounder.  Add in the fact that little brother went ahead of him and his psyche must really be fragile.  New Guy Travis will have to adapt to Bentleague shenanigans quickly to be a factor.  Will be interesting to watch the big guns go at it on Lines 1 and 2 with the Short Commish’s new weighted scoring system.  Key will be who can win, when the captains have to dip into picks 4 through 7 for the precious 5 and 4 point scoring lines.  Hefty Lefty still going a little too high in Swami’s opinion.  Folks forget his Bentleague debut record is in the rearview mirror.  Objects are not closer than they appear in this case Big Head Todd.  Can Jacobs repeat last years success without little Nadal?  Swami sees several wins in his future if pairings align.  Chris “King of top spin” Kobrock is dangerous when the ball is hitting the strings accurately.  Swami projects formidable pairing with the tanned one.  Also, contrasting styles with a slicing Schneider could be interesting although the two back formation has never won consistently in any Bentleague to date.  Ken “can we just play tennis” Sumner will get his chance to earn playing time with Todd the wet sprocket if he notches a few more wins than last year as a 10^th rounder.  Kevin “quick hands” Phayer adds versatility to Todd’s roster and can play and pair up with anyone.  That’s if pickle ball don’t hurt his form.  Swami says great locker room guy but again, no “wow” factor up and down this line up beyond the beach going Jacobs.  Jared reminds the swami of Brad.  Good form, played as a kid, should get better results.  I’ll leave it at that.  Payne and Eskine at 12 and 13 could get some round 4 and 5 wins.  If moved up to line three, Swami see a rocky road.  Rumor of Rocky being hard to partner with is exaggerated…According to Rocky.  Have to check past records.  Paul “Tomahawk” Eskine threw down the gauntlet with post draft email reply to the Prince.  Will be interesting to see if he can back up the bravado.  Looking at last year’s record he’s talking smoke and mirrors.  Wily Wayne Durr and Crazy Eyes Monaghan round out the team.   Someone will have to lead the charge on Lines 4 and 5 from this grouping from Sumner to Monaghan.  Who will that be?  Eskine, your ticket has been pulled mocking jay!  Time to step it up and back up the talk if you truly want to be drafted higher.

 

Swami’s Draft Grade è C-

 

FYI (notable prior league records in B V)

Name	Team	Pick	Lines Won	Lines Lost	Lines Played	Lines Won/Lost Pct
Paul Eskine	Bring It	58	0	2	2	0%
Seth Monagham	BFAM	51	2	1	3	67%
Ken Sumner	Hall of Framers	33	4	3	7	57%
Todd Delcambre	BFAM	38	3	2	5	60%
Jeff Thompson	Hall of Framers	-4	5	6	11	45%
Chris Kobrock	BFAM	19	8	3	11	73%
Mark Schneider	Bring It	23	4	3	7	57%
Donald Allen	BFAM	-2	4	6	10	40%

 

 

 

SmackEnroe – Captain Addison

Six and 2, Buddy “Sir Isaac” Newton last year gets nod over the Red Baron with 2^nd overall selection.  Swami says First year title winner provides excellent foundation for success for Captain Addison’s surprising optimistic draft.  Charismatic Captain Throw up, aka James Hunt, may have the team to beat on Swami’s initial analysis.  But as Lee Corso would say….Not so fast!  Lets dig a little deeper.  Bystanders can easily see that the Pukester pulled the trigger on Mark “the Ego” Fair too soon.  4^th rounder in the Swami’s eyes with this year’s depth.  This will definitely come back to haunt Captain Addi on future pairings as Smith, O’Connell, and Gazeley were still on the board.  Heavy dose of the Irish on the next two picks just might save the Pukester depending on availability and injuries.  Swami saying the Connonr McGregor wannabe is a wild card for SmackEnroe is the understatement of the century.   Finding the right pairing with Mr. Notorious will be key to title chances.  I don’t see the Mr. Notorious and Mr. Boastful Newton pairing paying dividends.  Sorry.  I’m predicting a bounce back year from Brouillette.  Can’t really get any worse…can it?  Hopefully those mixed matches have you primed and ready.  Keller competitiveness will be a rock, but needs to add versatility to his came if he wants to play with the big boys.  Didn’t look all that great in the Swami’s eyes on pre-league appearance.  EffUHunt imitating Duke Kahanamoku is not going to help out his tennis game.  A little more time on the tennis courts and off of the surf may get you drafted where you “think” u should be drafted.  That and some better tennis volleys.  There are more questions as I go down the lineup.  Can California Gordo match last year’s success or does he revert back to his 2018 form without the Saint of STB by his side.  Will “Free your mind” Willy Spiess be paired with someone who can actually keep score so he can concentrate on those over heads.  Swami always pulls for Nice Willy Speiss.  Addison wins the next two rounds as Swami thinks Underrated Keto Jawn will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year after getting drafted at 9 along with always undervalued Cannon The Wofman Sinclair.  Jawn’s improved net play from pickle ball and Cannon’s fully repaired knee will do some damage and should post positive results for the IBS inflicted Melancon.  You then have Dine and Ditch Harper looking for some street cred.  Mad at his Dad because he isn’t Nick.  LaCoste PO’d by his late selection and the ultra-competitive M.  Ottillo trying to make a name for himself.  Swami is lukewarm on these picks.  Throw in a living in the past Autin at 14 and Ryan Doubtfire at 15, and this team has a chance.  Better than the Marauders but not quite equivalent to the other top tier line ups.  Hmmm.  Swami says something is missing.  The MM squad Just don’t give me that warm and fuzzy – when the chips or down – they will answer the bell feeling.  There is something about picks 5 through 8 and that 2^nd round selection that just don’t feel like they will raise the trophy a few months from now.   Time to let the rackets do the talking Duke…quite complaining about playing time and secure some wins.  The Pukester will need you.    

 

Swami’s Draft Grade è B-

 

FYI (notable prior league records in B V)

 

 

Name	Team	Pick	Lines Won	Lines Lost	Lines Played	Lines Won/Lost Pct
Tyler Harper	Bring It	42	1	7	8	13%
Mike Ottillio	BFAM	46	1	2	3	33%
Doug Autin	Hall of Framers	48	1	3	4	25%
Ryan Doubt	Bring It	47	1	2	3	33%
Cayman Sinclair	Ball Busters	29	4	4	8	50%
Jawn Priola	BFAM	22	4	1	5	80%
Greg Gorden	Hall of Framers	24	5	2	7	71%
Bill Spiess	Bring It	15	2	7	9	22%
Ray Brouillette	Bring It	7	1	9	10	10%
Sean O'Connel	Ball Busters	5	2	1	3	67%

 

 

Big Swinging Sticks – Captain Shane

 

After only 95 Mock drafts, Come back Shane finally has his B VI squad, and on paper it looks like a title contender.  With the Fountain of Youth’s sticking to its namesake drafting style, Shane may have received the gift of the draft getting Dr.Devraj with his second pick.  Swami interested to see if pairing with the Baron will improve on last season’s 50% winning percentage.  Time to prove he isn’t a one trick pony against some of the best returners in the local metropolitan area.  Present company included.  Couple of 57 percenters at 1 and 3 sure up a solid top tier for the BSS squad.  Also love new edition to PAC Tennis – Dr. Death rounding out a solid top four.  Swami will be keeping a close eye on the round four comparisons as all four can be difference makers.  And by difference makers, I mean they can be the difference between being a title contender or an also ran.  Key picks for the captains across the board because they will be asked to play “up” against the mighty 5.0’s.  I can see Mr. Rehash’s hands sweating already and that little voice whispering.  😊.  Can Dr. Death make the leap as a first time Bentleague participant and step up his game against the likes of Newton, Buise, and B III???.  Swami thinks Shane did very well on picks 5 through 8 although someone always pulls the trigger on Mr. Belding one round too early.  Looking across the line Hump a notch or two below his counterparts without Sir Isaac by his side.  Swami say 70% winning percentage last year an aberration and Shane jumped the Shark.  Swami’s take: As long as he can be 2^nd banana he can hold up his end of the bargain.  Just don’t ask him to be the big dog.  Swami sees disappointment in BSS’s Future re. this selection. 

A motivated Latin is solid at six, and a RaGoof at 7 is a steal on paper.  W’s will tell this story as the season progresses.  Mark “Charlie Hustle” Ferr looking good across his line for Shane at 8 then came the shocker of the draft in many pre draft polls.     And with the 3^rd pick in the eighth round Shane selects Roberto “Anglo-Hispanic” Groenveld.  Swami along with others know this guy can play.  I’ve seen him hit fastastic shots with the Red Baron in “practice”.  But, Swami says he has to notch some W’s before getting the nod this early in a Bentleague competition.   Swami sees a winning percentage in your future Roberto if paired with he right partner.  Is a KennyO pairing feasible?  As long as he is not paired with Ray “the Liberal” Hebert or the Latin Lover he can do better that last year.  With all of these question marks, can the Captain keep the teams focus throughout an entire season.  Take it from a former championship captain…pairings’ will be the key to the success of this team.  Throw in Ananth (aka. Indian Lives matter) and Burrito McQuaid into this equation.  Last year’s record raising some concern.  Swami says the Burrito must do better than 29% (winning percentage in 2019) and Ananth will have to play more than two matches for any hope of a title to materialize.  As always, the Swami’s loves Geritol George at 12 but can’t believe 0 wins last year.  Come on George, you are retired, you should be playing more tennis and leaving the garden to someone else.  Anyone who can hit with both hands is a plus in my opinion.  Solid Skip Scoggin impressive at 14 reading across the draft board but again 0 wins last year?  What up Skip?  Usually more consistent than counterparts in comparable rounds.  Speaking of consistency…can the former toothless wonder - Autin get that 15-minute back hand lesson from Mr. Notorious -McGregor wannabe along with Seth?.  May rescind the above comment if he does.  Swami says Robinson has youth and athletic ability.  But the real question remain for Mr. Robinson,…without a Caston on the menu, can last year’s Mr. Irrelevant get a few more wins for his BSS teammates.      

Swami’s Draft Grade è B+

 

FYI (notable prior league records in B V)

 

Name	Team	Pick	Lines Won	Lines Lost	Lines Played	Lines Won/Lost Pct
Tim Devraj	BFAM	3	2	2	4	50%
Kenny Ottillio	Bring It	2	4	3	7	57%
David Gazely	BFAM	3	4	3	7	57%
Robert Groeneveld	Hall of Framers	40	0	4	4	0%
Andrew McQuaid	Bring It	34	2	5	7	29%
George Strain	Bring It	31	0	3	3	0%
Jonathan Robinson	Ball Busters	60	1	3	4	25%
Skip Scoggin	Bring It	50	0	3	3	0%
Ronny Regouffre	Bring It	10	4	6	10	40%
Burt Dalton	BFAM	14	5	7	12	42%
Steve Jacobs	Hall of Framers	17	7	0	7	100%

 

Fountain of Youth – Captain Nick

Tricky Nicky was not lying!  He sure did go young early and often starting with surprise #NumberONE B III.  Can B III replicate last season’s successes (70%) against a deeper staple of 5’0’s.  Swami can’t fault Tricky’s optimism, because this year’s captain was a mainstay on B III’s championship team last year.  In fact, he may have been the MVP of that team if not for a late season loss to yours truly.   Can Russell “Arn” Anderson mimic his wrestling family name and recreate The Four Horseman alliance with B III, The Butcher, and Big Honeysuckle.  Swami getting reports from the National Wrestling Alliance and the WCW that this kid is the real deal.  For youth to be served, he will have to be.  Tombstone John and Jay “don’t make fun of my pink water bottle” Butcher already at fighting class weight and showing no ill effects of the Summer of COVID.  No recent broken rackets and a mixed league title a sign of good tennis and doom to come for the opposition.  Swami also believes Tricky may have struck gold with his 5^th and 6^th round selections.  Brent Saba just sounds like a tennis name if you ask me.  Mix that in with the Prince of the Parish’s 90% winning percentage and you have a core team that will rack up points and win titles.  I foresee a Mr. 90% and Mr. 89% pairing coming to a Bentleague court near you soon fellow competitors.  Speaking of the best playing tennis captain.  Consensus in the ranks and Swami concurs that the FOY Captain is a younger better version of the Ego already.  Throw in continued improvement and you have more upside than the 2^nd rounder of SmackEnRoe.  The hair dying second rounder is already heading down the bell curve while the Fountain of Youth captain is ascending.  Svelte Mitch Tucker playing some of the best tennis of his life according to his East Jeff Alums.  Will be the class of round 7 selections when all is said and done.  A little nepotism creeped in on round 9 selection.  But, looking across other round 9 selections and Swami believes his tennis IQ will chalk up wins for the FOY squad.  No need to question if ADHD Poster boy Robby will be ready to rumble.  If you can bring it at the draft you know he will bring it during the season.  If he can get Big Commish to teach him a kick 2^nd serve I’d go to war with him any day.  As long as he is in front of me and not behind me with a riffle.  Getting Dr. Urology at 10 is high value in that spot along with the versatile shot maker Blossman at 11.  Swami predicts over 60% winning percentages from these two compared to others taken in the same rounds.  Now on to the true wild card of the draft.  Big Commish says get the gamer at 12 and Tricky listens out of respect for his elders.  Hopefully fully recovered from calf, knee, and elbow injuries.  Tricky pulls the trigger on Mr. Entrepreneur.  The guy is not afraid to take risks on or off the court.  Swami hoping his net jumping days and poll climbing days are behind him.  St. Bernard Swami says if he can return to prior years’ form, he has the net game to win games single handedly when paired with the right baseliner.  Hint Hint!  Now if we can just get a little less socializing in those morning work out sessions…?  The never miss GrandDaddy of Pac at 13 will lend even more consistency to and already consistent line up.  The Swami even likes what he sees in the dedication of Tricky’s final two picks.  I can see the young fit duo of Burgess and Zipp pairing with a Neitzchman, Blossman, or a Kingsdorf to secure points across lines 4 and 5.  And with line 1’s and 2’s beating up on each other, the title will be secured by the successes of lines 3 through 5.  Add to that the Captains round playing with picks 8-15, and is it any wonder why the Swami is drinking from the Fountain of Youth.  Although I had originally picked the Big Swinging Sticks to capture the B VI title, the more I look at past performance and the options presented to Tricky, I am switching my pick to the FOY.  The numbers don’t lie.  Look at the winning percentages up and down this roster.  As my two favorite financial advisors will tell you, past performance is not indication of future success, but what else are you going to look at!  It can’t be ignored.  I see a lot of +50% ‘s and +60% ‘s on this roster. 

 

Swami’s Draft Grade è A-

 

FYI (notable prior league records in B V)

 

Name	Team	Pick	Lines Won	Lines Lost	Lines Played	Lines Won/Lost Pct
Bentley Harvey III	Ball Busters	-1	9	3	12	75%
Tony Priola	Hall of Framers	16	9	1	10	90%
Nick Thompson	Ball Busters	20	8	1	9	89%
Mitch Tucker	Hall of Framers	25	4	4	8	50%
Robby Economedies	Ball Busters	21	7	4	11	64%
Hal Neitzschman	BFAM	35	4	2	6	67%
Jay Butcher	Hall of Framers	8	5	5	10	50%

 

 

Well boys…Your heard it here first from the St. Bernard Swami.  Swami’s draft analysis is a combination of Art and Science.  As Mel Kiper would say, you can’t rely on just one aspect when you are grading talent.  You have to ask yourself, who do you want with the ball in their hand serving down a point at 8-9 in the third.  Do you want your title hopes on Shane’s second serve, down a set, serving at 4-5 in the second.?  Or how about Todd’s Will Smith impersonation (did you think Hitch) serving to secure a close three setter at line 3 for three crucial points on a late Thursday night affair with the crowd 6 feet away.  And, is anyone confident in Addison’s back hand and consistency on a hot Saturday morning after a James Hunt outing the previous Friday?  Swami would put his money on Tricky Nicky!  In Nicky we trust.  Kiper and Swami both believe in the “IT” factor.  Swami says look no further.  The Fountain of Youth has “IT”!  Looks like everyone else is playing for 2^nd place.

 

See you on the courts!

 

Saint Bernard Swami OUT!!!