I reached out to half of the league to get their thoughts on their teams and storylines coming into this season. 2 teams from each division participated, and we got some great answers. Thanks to everyone for participating! The season begins next Thursday at 8PM as trades are opened for all 12 teams.

-Commish

Johnson Division

Bud Ice Penguins - Noah and Nick O'Reilly

Note: Noah O'Reilly answered these questions.

Q: You just won the league with a perfect record. In a few months, a lot has changed though. There are new teams, a toilet bowl, and the looming ending of the second QB position. How will your approach change from last season to this season?

A: "The goal of Bud Ice Penguins is simple: Win More Games. I know that's not physically possible seeing we played and won the maximum amount of games someone can play in fantasy, but we are always playing to win every game. This is a lot different to what our strategy was prior to Nick joining the team. As for our draft approach, we will not be as stacked as we were coming out of the draft last year, but we were really good at drafting talent later and picking off players in waivers such as Puka. I think our goal is just to scout the 7-10 rounds as best as we can."

Q: What is your advice to the expansion teams?

A: "As for advice to new owners, commit yourself to what the super league is. Take risks in trades and find someone you want to build around. The worst thing you can do in a keeper league is having keepers you don't give a fuck about. I've had that happen in this league and it's no fun."

Bridge Road Orcas - Jack Hurney

Q: Last season, Noah said a lot of nasty things about your franchise. You will face each other twice as you share the new Johnson division. Do you have a message for Noah?

A: "You know there's been a lot of talk this off season about Noah being a furry pedophile with ties to both Hamas, Akatsuki and Drake, but I am going to take the high road and not engage in any of the rumors. I wish him a good season and hope his genital warts heal."

Q: Last season was your first season missing the playoffs, but it was also your first season adding additional draft capital. How do you feel about your team going into this year given the extra ammo?

A: "Well last year was about getting the boys healthy, accumulating draft capital, and letting the young guys get burn. This is going to be Tanks big breakout year and CMC is gonna win MvP"

Moss Division

StepBurrow Stahhhhhppp - Jacob Casto

Q: Many view you as a title favorite coming into the season given your stockpile of draft picks and superstar keeper duo. Is this season championship or bust for the StepBurrows?

A: "Basically from day 1 last year I made it clear, that all the moves I was making/made were all in effort to push for a chip this year. Before I took over an 0-3 team at the start of week 4, I hadn't watched football or played fantasy in probably around 5 years, so last year was all about learning and growing pains. I'd also never been involved in a keeper league. I made terrible and amazing trades. I wanna thank everyone, except Carter and PAJ, for being helpful and welcoming last year. In particular, you, Zach, Curtis, and Noah all were more than willing to help when I had any questions last year. So thank yall for that, genuinely.

With all that being said, I like the position I'm in now. I think, and hope, Burrow will come back to form, Chase is a stud, and my draft picks and some pending trade(s) should definitely set me up well for this season. The goal of StepBurrows is 100000% a chip. It's tough to say championship or bust pre-draft, but the lack of at least making the Super Bowl would absolutely be a disappointment. As long as PAJ doesn't win though, I can sleep well at night. Be prepared for a very busy season again from the StepBurrows. #FuckPAJ"

Q: You have been vocal about your willingness to trade your FAAB. What is your strategy for acquiring free agents going to be without FAAB, and what would it take to get your FAAB in a trade?

A: "I've never been in a league with FAAB before, so I frankly have no idea how to judge its value. You always have a couple breakout players, like Puca last year for example, that you'd definitely want some FAAB available for, but if I can trade my FAAB for a certified star, I have no issues doing so. Especially considering the star depth I should (hopefully) have since I have 5 picks pre-3rd round, I think I'd be comfortable going through the season with like $10 FAAB, after trading away a large amount of it. The challenges in place that allow for earning more make it something I'm more willing to part with as well. I respect FAAB and the potential value it has, but if you told me I could trade $100 FAAB for someone like Amon Ra, I do it with no hesitation. #FuckPAJ"

Zark's Sharks - Zachary Moore

Q: You had a great season last year, finishing second place in a tough fight at the top. What is the goal for this season for the Sharks?

A: "Obviously I didn't achieve my ultimate goal last season and that was tough for me. I felt like I did everything in my power to put myself in the position to win a fantasy football championship and the luck just wasn't in my favor in the end. 2nd place is cool but that's not what I want. Nobody remembers 2nd place. The goal for the Sharks hasn't changed. I will try to compete until the very end. I'm starting this season in the hole, but I believe in my ability to dig my way out and put a contending team on the field every week."

Q: With multiple talented players on your roster, you have some difficult decisions to make regarding the expansion draft and keepers. How will you prioritize your talent?

A: "I have a plan for my players. I've got a talented team and I really hate to see some of these guys go, but it's a new season and decisions must be made. NOBODY is untouchable for the right price."

Sharpe Division

Slats Slimes - Samuel Lattari

Q: You joined the league as an expansion team last season, and made the playoffs in your first year. What's next for the Slimes?

A: "Ya you know coming in as an expansion team is never easy but it's all about how you respond to the stress. Me personally, I feel like I made some good decision in the expansion draft that really propelled my team during the season last year. Due to injuries and unexpected down-turns, my team and I did not finish where we wanted to. To some, that may seem like a moral victory. To the slimes however, that result is less than ideal. My next move is to show everyone that I can do it again. I have seen a lot of people questioning my team moving forward due to my 'all-in' approach last season. This upcoming draft will be tough with a scarce amount of high picks but that's not where I make my money. I snipe out hidden gems later in drafts and turn them into superstars. This draft will be vitally important and I expect the entire Slimes organization to be on the same page . I am never in the business of tanking or giving up mid-season. I am pedal to the metal 24/7 and you should expect nothing less than that from the slimes in the 2024 season."

Q: Two new Talking Hoops alumni have joined the league, and they will become your divisional rivals in the Sharpe division, along with Play Action Jackson. How do you feel about your odds of winning the division?

A: "The sharpe division will prove to be the most popular division in the entire super league. We have characters everywhere you look. Steven & Dion, Truly, Jackson and I go way back and have gotten to know each other over the past few years. Although they might be my peers, shit is never sweet in the super league. All of them lack one very important trait only winners possess - resilience. These guys will trip on their own two feet and blame the guy in front of them (me). That being said, this is the Slimes division to lose. These guys aren't built for this like I am. In particular, Truly will have a rough time in super league. There's no hiding anymore. SLIME SEASON."

Play Action Jackson - Steven Cadogan and Dion Sherman

Note: Steven Cadogan answered these questions.

Q: Some have accused Play Action Jackson as being difficult to work with and in a perpetual rebuild. Will you work to change that image this season?

A: "Play action Jackson has always tried to compete to the best of their abilities. Early on last season we had high goals and aspirations however after a less that ideal start to the season we felt it necessary to pivot. As always we'll be looking to go the distance and have set ourselves up with talented keepers and a surplus of high level draft picks to make that happen"

Q: You co-manage Play Action Jackson with Dion Sherman. My sources tell me that he's the brains of the operation. Care to comment on this?

A: "Yes I'm the the black face of the franchise, as to please Lamar. However dion makes it all happen behind the scenes, he's put countless hours and given great advice to get us to where we are now"