tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3314165736152647452024-02-07T22:06:57.525-08:00Fantasy Football RevolutionQuestfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-11057395717086566302010-08-04T08:30:00.000-07:002010-08-04T11:02:19.776-07:00Mock Draft Madness Part 2By Jermain Baker<div><br /></div><div>For this mock draft I selected the fifth position overall in a 12 team league. The 5th, 6th and 7th draft positions in fantasy football can be tough to draft from so I mock a lot from these spots to solidify my strategy. Yahoo uses a three wide receiver starting line-up configuration for all of their mock drafts but all the leagues I play in have a RB/WR flex spot instead so that's how I draft. Here we go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yahoo Mock Draft 12 Team League 8/4/2010</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 1 (5) - <b><i>Ray Rice</i></b> - Frank Gore went 3rd and MJD 4th pushing Rice to me at five. No complaints here. I rode Rice to a championship in a PPR league last season. Note to coach Harbaugh, give Rice more love at the goal line! All I'm sayin'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 2 (20) - <b><i>Shonn Greene</i></b> - Big WR run sees Moss, Marshall, Wayne, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, and DeSean Jackson all come off the board before my pick. Although I'll pay a heavy price at the WR spot I opt for Greene who I think is an absolute lock for double digit td's this season. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 3 (29) - <b><i>Jammal Charles </i></b>- More WR's fly off the board after I take Greene in round 2. Fitzgerald, White, Colston, Austin, Jennings, Smith (Panthers), and Boldin all evaporate before my eyes. There's no elite WR left so I decide to set up a rock solid three headed monster at RB and roll the dice on WR's later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 4 (44) - <b><i>Steve Smith(NYG) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I finally get into the WR sweepstakes in round 4 with Smith. I like the value here 1200 yards, 107 receptions, and 7 td's last year. </span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Round 5 (53) - <b><i>Dwayne Bowe</i></b> - Bowe has a lot of talent and is the unquestioned no.1 receiver on this team if he can stay out of head coach Todd Haley's dog house. With Charlie Weis in as the new offensive coordinator this pick has a lot of upside potential.</span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Round 6 (68) - <b><i>Eli Manning</i></b> - Probably could have waited to grab Manning but with all of the top tier QB's gone I figured this was as good a spot as any. 4000 yards and 27 td's last season. I like it.</span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Round 7 (77) - <b><i>Malcom Floyd</i></b> - Perhaps a bit of a reach here. With Vincent Jackson suspended for three games and talking holdout Floyd has a chance to emerge as the no.1 in his absence. </span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></span></i></b></div><div>Round 8 (92) - <b><i>Dez Bryant</i></b> - Trying to load up on high upside WR prospects and Bryant fits the bill. He seems a bit brittle which worries me but he has serious talent and is on an offense which should provide him with opportunities to be a factor in fantasy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 9 (101) - <b><i>Kevin Kolb </i></b>- Kolb has the same bye week as Manning but I didn't draft to be a bye week fill in. I'm hoping he'll give me a better than solid week to week option at starting QB. I'll pluck somebody off of the waiver wire and hope the rest of my team can carry me through in week 8.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 10 (116) - <b><i>Visanthe Shiancoe</i></b> - With all the talk of Favre's retirement Shiancoe's stock will drop like a stone. He should still be a big part of this offense though. You could make a strong argument that his value will be hurt less than Rice or Harvin's. The question is how much value will there be in a Favre-less Viking passing attack. In round 10 I like the pick.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 11 (125) - <b><i>Eddie Royal</i></b> - Epic bust from last season. Man this guy burned me. With Brandon Marshall gone somebody has to catch the ball in Denver right? Will rookie WR Demaryius Thomas really be able to step in and take over as the number one? I'm betting no.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 12 (140) - <b><i>Donald Brown</i></b> - Brown should be more involved in the offense this season. A healthy Brown will get his fair share of the carries on one of the best offenses in the league.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 13 (149) - <b><i>Donnie Avery</i></b> - On paper should be the no.1 receiver on a bad offense. Was nicked up last season but managed 5 td's. If rookie QB Sam Bradford is any kind of upgrade at QB for the Rams it it should result in better numbers for Avery.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 14 (164) - <b><i>Arizona D/ST </i></b>- The Cards had decent sack totals last year. The best of what was left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 15 (173) - <b><i>Matt Prater</i></b> - A kicker is a kicker is a kicker. He was decent last season.</div><div><br /></div><div>This team is pretty solid I think. Depth and production at the WR position are shaky but I like the fact that I gambled on young high upside talents instead of aging injury prone vets. If my three headed monster at RB lives up to billing this team could possibly compete for a title.</div><div><br /></div><div>DRAFT GRADE: B-</div><div><br /></div><div>Should be back in a few days with part 3 of mock draft madness. As always feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me an email with your input at jermain@fantasyfootballmanifesto.com.</div><div>Until next time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-78789906649813585182010-08-02T05:29:00.000-07:002010-08-02T09:08:22.373-07:00Mock Draft MadnessBy Jermain Baker<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Love the fantasy football mock draft. To my fiancée there couldn't possibly be anything more pointless. A FANTASY draft for a FANTASY league. I can see that look on her face now, a mixture of genuine confusion, slight irritation, and just a pinch of pity. To the uninitiated a fantasy football mock draft probably does seem like a huge waste of time. For the fantasy football power player however, mock drafting is a very useful tool. A mock draft populated with folks who are taking things seriously is an excellent way to try out various draft strategies, gauge average draft position of players, and is just plain fun. What follows is the first entry in what will be an ongoing series of blog posts. I'll chronicle my adventures in mock drafting for your perusal. Feel free to comment, praising me for my draft acumen or mocking me for my wanton stupidity. Here we go...<div><br /></div><div>Yahoo Mock Draft 10 Team League 7/28/2010</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 1 (5) - Steven Jackson - Big time talent. Piled up lots of yards but only 4 TD's last season. That number has got to go up this season right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 2 (16) - Larry Fitzgerald - Pretty happy to get Fitzgerald here. No Warner worries me for sure but Larry Fitz is a beast, he should put up very respectable numbers as a number one receiver. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 3 (25) - Jammal Charles - Charles seems like a nice dual threat option. Hoping Thomas Jones doesn't vulture too many TD's. Colston, Jennings, Rice, Marshall, and both Steve Smiths still on the board. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 4 (36) - Phillip Rivers - Schaub goes one pick before me. Romo, Brady, Peyton Manning, Brees, and Rodgers are all gone. I decide to pull the trigger on the last elite level QB remaining. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 5 (45) - Steve Smith (NYG) - Thought I was going to miss out on Smith but the guy before me inexplicably grabs Hines Ward. Nothing against Ward but in the 5th round?</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 6 (56) - Ronnie Brown - Bit of a gamble here but the 6th round seemed like good value. Brown cleared to fully participate in training camp...if he can only stay healthy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 7 (65) - Brent Celek - Celek I think is a good safe pick. He should be heavily involved in the offense this year. Solid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 8 (76) - Vincent Jackson - Risky pick here don't know if I'd do this in a real draft. This could pay off huge if Jackson comes off of his three game suspension ready to play. With Jackson threatening a holdout though this could just as easily turn into a wasted pick.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 9 (85) - Devin Aromashodu - Another gamble. At this point it's uncertain as to which receiver in Chicago will reap the benefits of Mike Martz's arrival in Chicago. Less sexy picks like Derrick Mason and Santana Moss were still on the board. After gambling on Jackson one pick earlier I probably should have made a safer choice here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 10 (96) - Justin Forsett - With Leon Washington coming off an injury and Julius Jones as his only other competition I have to believe Forsett has the inside track to start this season. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 11 (105) - Donovan McNabb - Snooze. This choice feels very uninspired. McNabb could be okay but has little to no upside. I should have waited a bit longer to grab my back-up QB and gambled on Stafford, Henne, or Vince Young.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 12 (116) - Kenny Britt - Trying to solidify my receiving corps. Britt showed flashes last season but reportedly hasn't had the best off-season. He looks like the most talented receiver the Titans have though and should emerge as the number one at some point this season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 13 (125) - Fred Jackson - Jackson showed workhorse potential last season but is mired in a three way time share on one of the worst offenses in the NFL. All signs so far point to C.J. Spiller being used as a change of pace back. Hopefully Marshawn Lynch will be moved before the start of the season giving Jackson more opportunities to showcase his skills.</div><div><br /></div><div>Round 14 (136) - Dallas D/ST - The Cowboy defense was on a tear at the end of last season. More turnovers and special teams plays would be nice but I primarily play the match-ups on a week to week basis when it comes to D/ST units anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Round 15 (145) - David Akers. A kicker is a kicker is a kicker. I'll draft one in the last round and play the match-ups throughout the season. I liked Akers last season and he was still there so....</div><div><br /></div><div>This is an okay team. Nothing special by far. I would definitely need for some things to go my way and be active on the waiver wire for this team to be a serious contender. There's just too many question marks and uncertainties for this squad to be considered championship material.</div><div><br /></div><div>DRAFT GRADE: C-</div><div> </div><div>This concludes the first entry of Mock Draft Madness. Should have another of these posted in the next couple of days so check back soon. Feedback is always appreciated so shoot me an email at jermain@fantasyfootballmanifesto.com with your opinions. </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-7146201392206428032008-09-07T07:20:00.000-07:002008-09-07T07:31:41.972-07:00Who should I start?Well it's the eve of the NFL regular season. Fantasy draft day is over and your months of research and preparation have netted you an All-Star fantasy football squad primed and ready to deliver a championship. The question is, who do you start? To find out, you've been pouring over the injury reports, listening to sport center, and mulling over the tradeoffs of placing certain players in your lineup over others. This is where the men are separated from the boys. If you can consistently predict what your players will do each week, start 'em when they're hot and sit'em when they're cold, you are well on your way to that elusive championship. Try the tips I've listed below to help you set your lineup each week.<br /><br /><strong>Injury Reports</strong><br />Keep in mind that the NFL, just like fantasy football, is a game of misinformation. NFL coaches love to keep their opponents on edge and will mask and misinform player injuries as long a humanly possible. Why do you thing Tom Brady was listed on the injury report through the entire preseason with food poisoning? The best you can hope to do is check the injury report on Friday, when teams are expected to post their most up to date report by the league. If a player's not listed on the injury report, that means he is expected to play on Sunday. Probable indicates a nagging injury that shouldn't affect the players availability on gameday (75%), these guys are safe to start. Questionable means the player is generally 50/50 and will probably wait until gameday to try ot waarm up and give it a go (50%). Out means that your player will not be available. Check out my <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">injury report </a>every Friday for the latest. All questionable and out situations should be moitored throughout the course of the weekend. What's most important is to watch the NFL pregame shows for the latest information as the players warm up. They will give you your most difinitive information just prior to kickoff, which will make you decision clear. <br /> <br /><strong>Play the Matchups</strong><br />Fantasy football success is all about matchups. A stud running back going up against a weak run defense should net you some extra points on Sunday. It's the same thing with quarterbacks and wide receivers, if you can exploit a weak defensive NFL matchup, these guys can make winning on Sunday that much easier on you. Paying attention to weak offenses matched up against a solid defense can also net you some extra points from your fantasy D. Each week, obtain a list that ranks <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">NFL defenses</a> against the <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">run</a> and against the <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">pass</a>. Use this list to help determine which players should start for your team and which players need to be benched. The rule of thumb is to always go with your studs at each position, but in some cases if the matchups favor a bench player, it might be wise to switch it up.<br /><br /><strong>Expert Advice</strong><br />When in doubt, listen to the experts. There are all types of fantasy football start 'em and sit'em resources. Maintain a wathcful eye on what the experts are saying to help make the decision process a little less stressful.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-10379195501430598352008-09-02T12:07:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:42:37.144-07:00Fantasy Football News and Notes<div><div><div>Based on a lot of player movement over the last week, I decided it might be beneficial to address some of the situations in NFL camps around the league. So here are some news and notes to help prepare you for your upcoming <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Free-Fantasy-Football-Cheatsheets.htm">fantasy football draft </a>in no particular order.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrzwcMxGgI7OdmFTL9kb4oaNe6RTJNW5tNMF1eRMdWGPfk14FcG39VI2VSvE0q7uoQA3Ef4-S5G2lF04jhf8ZDPqH5ROVzeEQTjjC8r85v3qVXFPaWsenJir2g8YJr7toLOpVA7UuX68/s1600-h/Warner.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241508582577197890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrzwcMxGgI7OdmFTL9kb4oaNe6RTJNW5tNMF1eRMdWGPfk14FcG39VI2VSvE0q7uoQA3Ef4-S5G2lF04jhf8ZDPqH5ROVzeEQTjjC8r85v3qVXFPaWsenJir2g8YJr7toLOpVA7UuX68/s200/Warner.bmp" border="0" /></a>Kurt Warner has been officially named the starter in Arizona. Cautiously upgrade Warner on your draft boards. The 37 year old <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Quarterbacks.htm">quarterback</a> still has the tools to be dangerous as long as the Arizona Cardinals offensive line can buy him enough time to throw the ball. If you draft Kurt Warner, bear in mind that over the last several seasons has yet to stay healthy for a full 16 games. It would be wise to handcuff Matt Leinart for Warner owners, should the injury bug continue to take another bite outta Kurt.</li><br /><li>Rudi Johnson was cut in Cincinnati, paving the way for Chris Perry to assume the starting RB position in Cincinnati. It's certainly no secret that Marvin Lewis, who drafted Perry, has always liked his potential. With Chris healthy this season, the Bengals have decided to move forward with him as their starter.</li><br /><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMuij7NCTeKvrcBIYNrZuNu62F2UTK9T8ARdPve7RjXXQvozsWJVmbPpDaslx5WzpNERa1D1UJIyuooiavrkjgtkkE6AkKWqPyJOEqGI_f9JNydCC_k11n7bYUzCA7vyvUDMHbgRBAnw/s1600-h/Rudi-Johnson.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241509158168188130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMuij7NCTeKvrcBIYNrZuNu62F2UTK9T8ARdPve7RjXXQvozsWJVmbPpDaslx5WzpNERa1D1UJIyuooiavrkjgtkkE6AkKWqPyJOEqGI_f9JNydCC_k11n7bYUzCA7vyvUDMHbgRBAnw/s200/Rudi-Johnson.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rudi Johnson was acquired by the Detroit Lions last night and Tatum Bell was released. Rudi is currently backing up the 2008 3rd round Matt Millen pick at <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Running-Back-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">running back</a>, rookie Kevin Smith. If history is any indication, Millen can't seem to select NFL calibre players to save his life. How he continues to save his job every year is beyond me. Rudi Johnson is worth taking a flyer on in the later rounds. I'm definitely not sold on letting an entire franchise's running game hinge on a running back selected in the 3rd round and I don't think Matt Millen is either. Rudi will get a chance to shine and I would not be surprised if he takes over the starting role at some point this season. </li><br /><li>Bryant "Mount" McKinnie was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Personal-Conduct-Policy.htm">NFL's personal conduct policy</a>. Adrian Peterson's value may take a slight hit without this stud tackle who teams with Steve Hutchinson to form what is arguably the best left side in all of football. Personally I would still draft Peterson with the first or second pick of the draft. He'll make it happen.</li><br /><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfBfDBFVcqjbBptjqvr38R0OikBLwKcD5oqvjlq7rtGxLgOiLrSt7K1iyPjCHVIVmWeA5yJ68SYlKEZP66pDeEGci-sMOYTUw1TOmDkhQZepPXIwOhZC8-OgTuw_KnXO-YXnenEkuRWQ/s1600-h/DeSean-Jackson.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241510172370551506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfBfDBFVcqjbBptjqvr38R0OikBLwKcD5oqvjlq7rtGxLgOiLrSt7K1iyPjCHVIVmWeA5yJ68SYlKEZP66pDeEGci-sMOYTUw1TOmDkhQZepPXIwOhZC8-OgTuw_KnXO-YXnenEkuRWQ/s200/DeSean-Jackson.jpg" border="0" /></a>A popular late round sleeper pick for deep drafts is DeSean Jackson, the <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Wide-Receiver-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">rookie wide out </a>from Philadelphia. He can be had in the waning rounds of most drafts and appears to be developing a nice rapport with Donovan McNabb. </li><br /><li>Ronnie Brown makes a nice late round pick at the running back position. Yes, Ricky Williams has impressed the Dolphins brass enough to warrant a one year contract extension, but before his injury Ronnie Brown was a fantasy football stud. This year may be a wash since he's recovering from a knee injury, but he could come on strong at the end of year just in time for the playoffs as the lowly Miami Dolphins look to climb out of the AFC basement and build momentum for next season.</li><br /><li>Courtney Taylor of Seattle should be nice stop-gap <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Wide-Receivers.htm">receiver</a> early in the season. With the Seattle Receiving corps decimated (they're looking at Seneca Wallace to play wideout), Taylor will benefit from some early Matt Hasselbeck looks and he can be had late in the draft to fill in for your Brandon Marshall (1 game) or Steve Smith (2 Games) suspensions.</li></ul></div></div></div>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-59338050128491401082008-08-25T14:34:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:48:44.359-07:00Guys I Won't Draft<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo8GXR3FMgYr_v1jb5SKZBhrQ-VZqOzOEI2ms5NJKtvDM5p4_xS1QE1AqMPXIMGKfJeudBqJxvlHkw899oI_pBkLpfqdVIDC26ZEnmSogg12CYDyiI8pTa1oMVgyhBH111OQvoSXVv3c/s1600-h/Warner-Lenart.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241512202216450002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo8GXR3FMgYr_v1jb5SKZBhrQ-VZqOzOEI2ms5NJKtvDM5p4_xS1QE1AqMPXIMGKfJeudBqJxvlHkw899oI_pBkLpfqdVIDC26ZEnmSogg12CYDyiI8pTa1oMVgyhBH111OQvoSXVv3c/s200/Warner-Lenart.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well the fantasy football draft season is finally upon us and I'm psyched by the prospect of another fine season. I'm sure many of you are scrambling to find your <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Free-Cheat-Sheets.htm">free fantasy football cheat sheets</a>, mock drafts, and sleepers as you prepare to wage war on your fellow fantasy football managers for the 2008 season. There have been lots of interesting developments in the National Football League this season, and I've been on top of all of them to give you a little insight on how the real world of NFL football should affect you fantasy draft. When I'm drafting a <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/My-Fantasy-Football-Teams.htm">fantasy football sqad</a>, I have one rule; that is simply to take a solid player with every selection, every round. Sounds simple enough, but you'd be surprised how many people are willing to take flyers on guys in <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">running back by committee</a> situations,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpWnjS5er82gLa_tugJDzJSuLmVFQ0hYKZComeZd0Uqb2otrry8He4UEWw2L8L2IM8Dij7DKF-HbQaNjh0Yu2ga7Qg9cddQiEWM_qyFjkvg11sATjZDFoySLC1MoYoL5E6fmucu5-Cz4/s1600-h/willis-mcgahee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241513123118954322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpWnjS5er82gLa_tugJDzJSuLmVFQ0hYKZComeZd0Uqb2otrry8He4UEWw2L8L2IM8Dij7DKF-HbQaNjh0Yu2ga7Qg9cddQiEWM_qyFjkvg11sATjZDFoySLC1MoYoL5E6fmucu5-Cz4/s200/willis-mcgahee.jpg" border="0" /></a> players starting the season on injured reserve, and suspended players that are serving out sentences from the previous season. I steer clear of all those situations. To win in fantasy football, you need a roster full of talent at every position that you can count on every week. Drafting guys who are injured or suspended can hurt you team for the first couple weeks. When they return, they're usually rusty and it takes a week or two before they hit full stride, unless they reinjure themselves after coming back too quickly. As a fantasy owner, you're much better off drafting guys who are completely healthy and ready to contribute at a high level right from the start. Lose the first few games, and you will find that catching the other owners is more difficult than you envisioned. So here are my thoughts on some of players in fantasy football that I refuse to draft this year.<br /><br />Matt Leinart / Kurt Warner - Explosive offense, most definitely. As a backup quarterback, I would certainly consider it, but the issue with drafting these guys is that you won't always know who will be the <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/University-of-Phoenix.htm">Arizona Cardinals </a>starting quarterback each week. This means that you're going to be required to at least eat up three roster spots at the QB position on you fantasy team and you might find yourself without a starter if, for some reason, Ken Wisenhunt unexpectedly pulls the guy you started before kickoff. Do yourself a favor and draft a solid guy in their place.<br /><br />Troy Smith/Kyle Boeller & kyle Orton/Rex Grossman - On draft day, I'm not chancing either of these QB pairs. Maybe during the season one emerges that's worthy of a roster spot, but at this point leave these guys alone. There will be several other solid options that you can use to fill your QB slot.<br /><br />Willis McGahee - Someone will invariably grab Willis McGahee early in the draft - let 'em. Willis is not 100% and he's facing some stiff competition from rookie Ray Rice. The <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/M&T-Bank.htm">Baltimore Ravens </a>staff really likes Rice and he's sure to get some looks this year as they evaluate the running back position in Baltimore. McGahee may have a good year, but the threat of Ray Rice stealing carries is enough for me to steer clear.<br /><br />Reggie Bush / Deuce McAllister - Reggie is not an every down back. Deuce is coming off of consecutive knee surgeries. These guys are primed for fantasy mediocrity. Together they will form a formidable duo for New Orleans, but as individual fantasy running backs, they'll weigh down your squad like a lead anchor. Just look at their stats from last year ... les than impressive.<br /><br />Joey Galloway - We were hearing hamstring earlier in the training camp and now its a slight groin injury. When a speedster like <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/RaymondJames.htm">Tampa Bay Buccaneer </a>Joey Galloway has any type of slight hamstring or groin issue in the preseason, let someone else make the mistake.<br /><br />Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith -Both guys have been suspended multiple games and will not start the season with their respective teams. I don't like having holes on my roster for extended weeks at a time. Both will be solid producers as the season progresses, but they're not worth racking up the loses and you await their return.<br /><br />Javon Walker - Walker has lost it. After a couple knee injuries he is unable to get separation and the pressure of being the number one guy seems to be getting to him. JaMarcus Russell has a great arm, but Walker doesn't appear capable of allowing him to exploit NFL defenses with it.</div></div>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-63606852386416241842008-08-23T08:02:00.000-07:002008-08-23T09:15:07.706-07:002008 Running Back By Committee Conundrum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uNbr-ZAg5oVISRRnMEw8xjHgLHCG5mfdyAgvphe5vRTSIOfXytow-E8ZmQYZoGCXMioZ_Rm2peoSJj7byU65DFXExm7S4RaInQ2QmfTNHHZQ36Dul0KHqQ72biUoOVkLgpQZS1LRuo8/s1600-h/Reggie-Deuce.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237746752944320834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uNbr-ZAg5oVISRRnMEw8xjHgLHCG5mfdyAgvphe5vRTSIOfXytow-E8ZmQYZoGCXMioZ_Rm2peoSJj7byU65DFXExm7S4RaInQ2QmfTNHHZQ36Dul0KHqQ72biUoOVkLgpQZS1LRuo8/s200/Reggie-Deuce.jpg" border="0" /></a>At this point in the season, the jury is still kinda out on the RBBC debate. I use the running back by committee designation on my <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Free-Cheat-Sheets.htm">cheatsheets</a> as a last resort if I really can't identify a clear cut starter, but the problem these days is that so many NFL teams have favored the <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">running back </a>by committee approach, that the cheasheets become littered with RBBC backs. This makes the single set back designation worth it's weigh in gold, if you can grab one. Inevitably you will eventually have to navigate the RBBC seas, so you'll want to make sure you either grab both backs or at least the primary back receiveing the lion's share of touches. As the preseason winds down, keep a close eye on the <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Running-Back-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">running back by committee </a>situations across the league. In the meantime, here's my take on the running back position in all notable RBBC quandaries. <div><div><div><div><br /><div>Willis McGahee and Ray Rice - I think you're gonna find Ray Rice to be very valuable this year. Baltimore likes him and Willis does not impress the Ravens coaching staff as hard working, blue collar back, he's very much a prima donna. That's why he didn't last in Buffalo.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_KbHl0qg9mIJ_qraObEQc_fD0HQHeKpimllbi1EMHeIqD-tFfAxR6C4eljGIIw0E7n3hqe5WB_9g1PcQ9_fH04yZDuWg-W-DxBf_-JNzWgXEX5gTQdBAOhCKcNFXPDsg5THAqakzOd0/s1600-h/Jones-Drew-Taylor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237745691742750978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_KbHl0qg9mIJ_qraObEQc_fD0HQHeKpimllbi1EMHeIqD-tFfAxR6C4eljGIIw0E7n3hqe5WB_9g1PcQ9_fH04yZDuWg-W-DxBf_-JNzWgXEX5gTQdBAOhCKcNFXPDsg5THAqakzOd0/s200/Jones-Drew-Taylor.jpg" border="0" /></a>Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor - Freddie wil steal some carries and goal line touches from Maurice Jones-Drew. I don't like this situation at all as both will continue to share the workload in Jacksonville. It's tough to predict what will happen this year, but I believe the bulk of the carries with go to Jones-Drew as the torch is passed this year. Jone-Drew's emergence as a top-flight fantasy back will continue to be tempered by the presence of Fred Taylor in Jacksonville.</div><br /><div>Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall - Fast Willie Parker was a horrible fantasy football option last year. Although he did post over 1300 yards, he only scored two touchdowns the entire season. I look for Rashard Mendenhall to snag carries and take over at the goal line, much like Jerome Bettis did during Parker's rookie season. I'm staying away.</div><br /><div>Deangelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart - D.Will has been a bit of a disappointment and the presence of Johnathan Stewart only hurts his value. </div><br /><div>Chris Johnson and LenDale White - I like Chris Johnson's speed. He will definitely be a breakaway threat to take it to the house every Sunday. Who knows where LenDale White will be. If he can put down the donuts long enough shed his dough-boy appearance, he could be a solid option at running back in Tennessee. In the end I think Chris Johnson takes over ... the question is when?</div><br /><div>Reggie Bush & Duce MacCallister - Conventional wisdom says to be cautious of Duce coming off of another knee injury. You ususally have to wait a full season to allow for a full recovery and Reggie Bush is not an every down back. He's a nitch player on an explosive offense. My adviceis to let someone else take a gamble on these guys. Why waste two slots on a running back position for the same team.<br /></div><div>Julius Jones and Maurice Morris - This on is anyone's guess.</div><br /><div>Kvein Smith and Tatum Bell - Kevin Smith gets the nod, but how much production can you expect from a 2008 3rd round draft pick?</div><br /><div>Selvin Young and Andre Hall - I hate Mike Shanahan.</div><div></div><br /><div>Ahman Green, Chris Brown, etc - Who knows which guys rises to the top of the pecking order in Houston.</div><div></div><br /><div>Matt Forte, Kevin Jones, Adrian Peterson - Chicago is really in rough shape.</div></div></div></div></div>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-56288915232483176032007-11-06T11:30:00.000-08:002008-03-10T20:12:26.653-07:00Rash of Injuries Plague Fantasy Football<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ4k6zbDNNuWvKAfMDNewBQ1qOz8-9QWcucnUsRz0jZ8zuLgb8sJ6GElJxvyhI2vC5xey-3h_Ml2Pxo1u0dgJbCP-PY31-Uo0QWVcIqjKWoFBbsY7jVMfRagJq7zPIJGsFJST0fifFyo/s1600-h/kevin-jones-limping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ4k6zbDNNuWvKAfMDNewBQ1qOz8-9QWcucnUsRz0jZ8zuLgb8sJ6GElJxvyhI2vC5xey-3h_Ml2Pxo1u0dgJbCP-PY31-Uo0QWVcIqjKWoFBbsY7jVMfRagJq7zPIJGsFJST0fifFyo/s200/kevin-jones-limping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129812256101313394" border="0" /></a>If you’re a fantasy owner, you’ve either been helped or hindered by the rash of <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">injuries</a> infecting the NFL these days.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">Running Backs</a> such as Ronnie Brown, Larry Johnson, Stephen Jackson, Jay Cutler, Javon Walker, Marvin Harrison, Trent Green, the list goes on and on and every week another star seems to be heaped onto the pile.<span style=""> </span>When injuries like this occur, it is an opportunity for astute fantasy owners and waiver wire leeches to shine.<span style=""> </span>Depth on any fantasy football team is paramount when trying to build a champion.<span style=""> </span>Each week fantasy owners should be scouring the waiver wire for the next up and coming NFL phenom <span style=""> </span>or an injured star’s backup.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Stock-pile these guys on your bench, constantly improve the bench that you have in anticipation of an injury to your starter, then when injuries happen as the inevitably do, plug in a stopgap and continue your quest.<span style=""> </span>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-78832115054644842342007-10-15T14:54:00.000-07:002007-10-15T15:04:29.950-07:00Offensive Woes Continue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS6T9_e7f1ZWRZrfftCqNg4e456Qdbi2msYHUpfLJYNUuQjt4W2hyphenhyphend6zIXO7gqUy9kQ14eV1D2FFoex3ic4vbY6jwkGiaIi412JTr3mL3nDfHYm2dpi8X0Luw60q_Y-Bl4mCRbZEoM4Q/s1600-h/Roy-Williams.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS6T9_e7f1ZWRZrfftCqNg4e456Qdbi2msYHUpfLJYNUuQjt4W2hyphenhyphend6zIXO7gqUy9kQ14eV1D2FFoex3ic4vbY6jwkGiaIi412JTr3mL3nDfHYm2dpi8X0Luw60q_Y-Bl4mCRbZEoM4Q/s200/Roy-Williams.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121686146239684402" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Week 5 saw the continuation of pathetically low production from high fantasy football draftpicks. The <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/FordField.htm">Lions</a> offense that had been surging through the first few weeks stalled in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:state> as John Kitna and <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Wide-Receiver-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">Roy Williams</a> never got rolling. Larry Johnson and <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">Shawn Alexander</a> posted anemic rushing totals and therefore were no help to fantasy franchises in dire need of the premiere back they drafted to carry their teams. And what is wrong with <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Quarterbacks.htm">Drew Brees</a>, Donovan McNabb, and Matt Hasselbeck, these guys did nothing to help fantasy franchises this week. All in all sports fans, week 5 showed a <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com">fantasy football</a> landscape that’s riddled with out of sync offenses, causing this fantasy manager to contemplate retirement. </span>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-66959867960463087752007-10-05T11:29:00.000-07:002007-10-05T11:57:13.327-07:00Waiver Wire Pickup for Week 5<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZTI2NYkpyzhIFOuwK5oBmYmUQN012b-OAJqKrf9WE0CX49KRru7we-jivs55Wi7HBqwJ9H3a28-QA1sEClRXwtJy8PIf_RRUuNMFFLoAlhJPeLj0nch_paKzuS9DDYbdOJ8ZhNNQdTM/s1600-h/DwayneBowe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZTI2NYkpyzhIFOuwK5oBmYmUQN012b-OAJqKrf9WE0CX49KRru7we-jivs55Wi7HBqwJ9H3a28-QA1sEClRXwtJy8PIf_RRUuNMFFLoAlhJPeLj0nch_paKzuS9DDYbdOJ8ZhNNQdTM/s200/DwayneBowe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117926516552359714" border="0" /></a><br />If you've been monitoring my Waiver Wire Pickup list on <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com">FantasyFootballManifesto.com</a>, then you already have one of the better up-and-coming NFL rookie wideouts on your fantasy football team. If not, then you've probably already missed the boat on <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Arrowhead.htm">Kansas City Chiefs</a> rising star, Dwayne Bowe. I targeted Dwayne Bowe after Week two, and told folks to grab him then. Since Week Two, the 6'2", 221 lb Bowe has gone on an offensive tear for a total of 299 yards and three scores. Dwayne Bowe has excellent size, elusive speed, and amazing hands. This kid has the toughness to steamroll over defenders and the soft hands to cradle the ball in the endzone. Dwayne Bowe victimized the helpless <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Qualcomm.htm">San Diego Chargers</a> defense on rout to a 30 -16 drubbing of the 1-3 Chargers. After years of first round draft <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Wide-Receiver-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">wide receiver</a> flops, the Kansas City Chiefs have finally hit on a winner. If he's available grab him immediately.<br /><br />My other Waiver Wire pick for Week5 is Denver Broncos running back Selvin Young. In spot duty for Travis Henry, Young has amasses 195 all purpose yards. Young is an elusive <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">running back</a> with great speed and good hands. He's a formidable dual-purpose threat with the capability t run between the tackles and well as catch balls out of the backfield. Travis Henry may have himself in a heap of trouble with a possible violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. If he is suspended Selvin Young will be a very viable option in Mike Shanahan's Denver rushing juggernaut.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-25392588430343315902007-09-29T15:12:00.000-07:002008-03-10T20:09:22.759-07:00NFL Week 3 Reemergence of the QB position<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuZkxym0xHukeqm0voJiB3Xomuf5EAR5NZxOdNiS6bM3_YIDCB-udHFOCYV6JGT1FvkwwMmyjbZgvJ5s6JH9NIjQWL3K-v57Xa-KgOzZGLSONbWhz9WWB4hwdLmUjFtCvQ8lb6TeBHEM/s1600-h/Eagles-Throwback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuZkxym0xHukeqm0voJiB3Xomuf5EAR5NZxOdNiS6bM3_YIDCB-udHFOCYV6JGT1FvkwwMmyjbZgvJ5s6JH9NIjQWL3K-v57Xa-KgOzZGLSONbWhz9WWB4hwdLmUjFtCvQ8lb6TeBHEM/s200/Eagles-Throwback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116028669288505106" border="0" /></a><br />The story for Week 3, was the reemergence of the quarterback position in several cities around the National Football League. <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Quarterbacks.htm">Quarterbacks</a> such as <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Quarterback-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">Donovan McNabb</a>, Brett Favre, and John Kitna had monster days throwing for multiple touchdowns and well over 360 yards. McNabb, in particular, performed impressively enough to silence critics after the embarrassment at home on Monday Night Football. Philip Rivers and Joey Harrington bounced out of mini-slumps to gain over 25 fantasy points as they seemed to find offensive production in losing efforts. It appears that <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/">fantasy owners</a> can take solace in the fact that if they did not draft Tom Brady, <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Quarterbacks.htm">Peyton Manning</a>, or Carson Palmer that there is still solid production to be had at the quarterback position.<br /><br />The other standout story from Week 3 was the throwback uniforms debuted by the <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Lincoln-Financial-Field.htm">Philadelphia Eagles</a> circa 1933. Sportscasters and media folks throughout the nation were very vocal in their disgust at the site of the yellow and sky blue regurgitations. I for one have to completely disagree with their assessment of disapproval. In my opinion, from the baby blue surge stripe on the top of the helmet down to the color coordinated striped socks, the Eagles throwbacks get a big thumbs up! I think they're awesome. The Eagles look quicker, meaner, and more elusive. Maybe the colors blind opposing defenses, but I like 'em. Hopefully this blast from the past will make another appearance this year.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-51492440215604793722007-09-22T17:06:00.000-07:002007-09-30T09:30:52.965-07:00Week 2 Running Back Blues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HddeZSQgX2T_z3etwYQzqnuxcxHn_3TWNe3WbpsnNkfIMPY_pAo7GNX2NRDTUfkjFGiCJA27X8NtVfiGnXJqPoX_GDV_33WhVsK5DoBhkuHCc8Ox9G2W6OCZtnmdVi58L5BF5fbLvVQ/s1600-h/Larry-Johnson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HddeZSQgX2T_z3etwYQzqnuxcxHn_3TWNe3WbpsnNkfIMPY_pAo7GNX2NRDTUfkjFGiCJA27X8NtVfiGnXJqPoX_GDV_33WhVsK5DoBhkuHCc8Ox9G2W6OCZtnmdVi58L5BF5fbLvVQ/s200/Larry-Johnson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113956635330993890" border="0" /></a><br />If you drafted one of the top-flight running backs on draft day, you may be a bit disappointed by their production through the first two weeks of the NFL regular season. Guys like <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">LaDanian Tomlinson</a>, <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Running-Back-Overall-Player-Ranking.htm">Larry Johnson</a>, Maurice Jones-Drew, Reggie Bush or Deuce McAllister have had fairly low production as compared to the Willie Parkers, Edgerin James, and Joseph Addais. But fear not <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/">Fantasy Football</a> fans, for these stud backs will get back on track and lead your fantasy teams back onto the road to the fantasy playoffs. If you look to their stats from last year each of these backs began the year with minimal fantasy production before exploding onto the scene and carrying fantasy football owners into the playoffs. Patience is key ... the tendency when fantasy owners begin to drop games is unload these guys via trade, but your patience will be rewarded. Each of these stud backs gets a better <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/NFL-Injury-Report.htm">schedule</a> against the run as the year goes on.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-86554216369822891122007-08-27T19:24:00.000-07:002007-09-24T19:11:03.382-07:00Trade vs. No Trade Leagues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KJWs4H10dpX5kzsI6ArwnaPakzYfU0iojipeGX3qO2qwbhD9uP2S9QjOrHSWMb-cbVGTQ3QdcvKQAoejTiIK5X1N4IYTZHhMi6S3IG7dCmF8T6od70jFuIZ6srOFSTeUWRhlxgBZEvM/s1600-h/Footballpic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KJWs4H10dpX5kzsI6ArwnaPakzYfU0iojipeGX3qO2qwbhD9uP2S9QjOrHSWMb-cbVGTQ3QdcvKQAoejTiIK5X1N4IYTZHhMi6S3IG7dCmF8T6od70jFuIZ6srOFSTeUWRhlxgBZEvM/s200/Footballpic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113958520821636850" /></a><br />I am currently running a <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/My-Fantasy-Football-Teams.htm">fantasy football league</a>. It's our third year, many of the same cast of characters, some new folks. It's a mixture of new players and grizzly veterans, friends, family, and girlfriends, the potential for nepotism is there. Anyway, I been in several fantasy football leagues over the years, where people are constantly complaining about the fairness of trades. <br /><br />"This guy can't trade with his son!" <br />"That guy can't trade with his girlfriend!"<br />"That's completely unfair!"<br /><br />The thing I can't understand in leagues that allow trades is that people are so afraid of getting the short end of the stick in a trade that they refuse to trade their players anyway. Especially in a league of newbies, new players are very guarded about being taken advantage of by veteran shysters. So to avoid arguments, accusations, and complaints, my league is traditionally a "No Trade" fantasy football league. If you are coming to my draft come prepared, because the waiver wire is the only way you have to improve your team. The nice thing about a no trade fantasy football league, is that everyone is on equal footing, there are no back door deals, there are no Peyton Manning for JP Losman trades, there are no fire sale playoffs pushes where collusion ensues to screw the entire league as a player with no hope of making the playoffs, unloads his best players for Mewelde Moore, Doug Gabriel, and Travis Wilson. That's not pure ... that's not <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Free-Fantasy-Football-Cheatsheets.htm">fantasy football</a>.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-45972551277355077992007-08-26T13:57:00.000-07:002007-09-24T19:14:12.771-07:00Wide Receivers and Kickers get points too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvitQ7MlORfDt2iM3EoGTBY13WySe8CKSWGmLu0_ZoQcmRYyAYT0ANhUSj3h91M8aumNr2JT3K78draNjLa_SUGxDMGF8b-h8-JeIGIeVW1_IyelrODy-4sVGAVYzBFPW_XGrKz57GCE/s1600-h/vinatieri-kicker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvitQ7MlORfDt2iM3EoGTBY13WySe8CKSWGmLu0_ZoQcmRYyAYT0ANhUSj3h91M8aumNr2JT3K78draNjLa_SUGxDMGF8b-h8-JeIGIeVW1_IyelrODy-4sVGAVYzBFPW_XGrKz57GCE/s200/vinatieri-kicker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113959319685553922" /></a><br />ESPN has some interesting analysts, and for the most part I agree with a lot of what they say in regards to fantasy football, but in their fantasy football draft strategy analysis, when they talk about how the difference between the top wide receiver and the number 25 <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Wide-Receivers.htm">wide receiver </a>is roughly only four points per game or the difference between the top kicker and the 15th ranked <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Kickers.htm">kicker</a> s roughly three points per game, I have to take issue. Now I’m not advocating that during the draft your go out and grab a kicker in the third round or take an early flyer on a top tier wide receiver when Shaun Alexander is staring you in the face, but how many times have you lost a fantasy football game by a slim margin? It happens to me all the time. The extra three points a week I could have gotten from a better kicker, <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Defense.htm">defense</a> or WR could have really helped. As you snake through your rounds on draft day, don’t neglect your backfield, but certainly understand the importance of <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Who-Should-I-Pick.htm">solid players</a> at these key positions. It’s all about tradeoffs, As you look at your board, if you’re looking at middle of the road running backs on the board versus the possibility of grabbing back to back studs at wideout or quarterback to pair with an average back, don’t be afraid to pull the trigger. I usually take a kicker in one of the last three rounds, but I’m always looking for that one kicker that emerges during the season to give my team the extra three points I’ll need to pull off a close win.Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-25664581918654186672007-08-22T14:14:00.001-07:002007-09-22T16:56:01.888-07:00Commissioner's NoteAppointing yourself commissioner of a fantasy football league is highly desirable. For one year you are a fantasy football god! Run your league like a tyrant or a mediator, it's all up to you. Skew the league toward your strengths as a fantasy owner, create a scoring system that gets your juices flowing, toss in the strangest, back-woods bylaws you can think of - It's your league. If they want in (and they do) they have to play by your rules. It's like being the bossy kid on the playground, but if you don't play fair, noone will want to play with you anymore. So I suggest moderation.<br /><br />But ya know what really chaps my ass? Lots of things that other people do in fantasy football. That's why when I'm commissioner things are different. For instance:<br /><ol><li>Paying for transactions. I make a lot of moves throughout the season. I'm never happy with my team. Like Jerry Jones, there is always a little tweak here, a little change there that can make my <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Early-Days.htm">fantasy football</a> team better. I am always the league leader in transactions, and even on losing team, I can't help myself but to try to make it better. In my league transactions are free and there is no waiver wire. If your guy goes down, you're gonna have to beat me to the website for his backup.</li><li>Negative Points. I don't care that it's not realistic. I don't care if Rex Grossman throws three interceptions - he threw four TD's and went for over 300 yards to get the Bears back into the game. Those are the points I want on my bottom line! Screw negative points, fantasy football is about scoring. Scoring is the essence of the game. The worst feeling on monday morning is when your backup <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Running-Backs.htm">running back </a>went for a touchdown and sixty-three yards, but you end up with six measly little fantasy points because he coughed it up three times. My leagues have no negative points. No negative points for fumbles, no negative points for inteceptions, no negative points for missed field goals. This is fantasy football people, let the guys in the real world deal with the other stuff.</li><li>The season ending FIRE SALE! This one really hurts. I've been in leagues where I drafted the best squad that year. I have an all-star unit that's crushing teams on the way to another championship. It's not my fault you didn't do your homework on draft day. It's not my fault you got bested by the big fantasy brain. Jealousy soon rears its ugly mug and collusion ensues. A couple of guys get together, one sends all of his best players to the other for bench players, and the king is dead. Not in my league! I learned early on that everyone complains about trades. "It's not fair", "He can't trade with his brother/sister/wife/girlfriend/father", my league is a "No Trade" league.</li></ol>Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331416573615264745.post-83595327568017190472007-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:002007-09-22T16:57:06.788-07:00Revolutionize the way you draft!If you’ve purchased my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=">2007 premium cheat sheets </a>($5.00), then you’re well on your way, but take the time to read this post for I will impart upon you twelve years of knowledge for your fantasy football draft approach. To begin, you need to prepare ... buy fantasy mags, scour the internet, buy a cheat sheet, whatever you need to do. I like to go into the draft with three sheets of paper, all one-sided. The first sheet has my overall player ranking, the second has a team depth chart, and the third is my draft tracker. The Draft Tracker is where I write down the players I have selected with their bye week, and where I track the position each fantasy owner has selected by round. I just make a matrix that crosses the number of teams with the number of rounds and fill in a QB, RB, WR, etc. into the box as they come off the board (it’s a lot quicker than writing the whole player’s name down). This will allow you to see where you can gamble with you selections round to round. If you see a bunch of guys are set at one position you can wait another round to address it. After filling in the draft tracker, I highlight the player’s name on each <a href="http://www.fantasyfootballmanifesto.com/Free-Cheat-Sheets.htm">fantasy football cheatsheet</a>. Toward the end of the draft, when others are scrambling to figure out who is who’s backup or what starters are left on the board, it's all clearly displayed on my premium cheatsheet, which can be found, by the way, at <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Free-Fantasy-Football-Cheatsheets.htm">http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Free-Fantasy-Football-Cheatsheets.htm</a>. Your goal is to grab two top ten running backs, one top five <a href="http://www.nflfootballstadiums.com/Fantasy-Quarterbacks.htm">quarterback</a>, and two top ten wide receivers … that’s what you’re shooting for. How you go about grabbing these guys is all dependant upon the flow of the draft. There is no set position per round, it varies from draft to draft, from year to year, but you want to make sure every pick is a solid performer ... a guy that can get you 10 points a week. Stay away from Rookies (unless it’s a highly touted WR in the middle rounds), stay away from guys with nagging injuries, stay away from the running back by committee. Make every pick a good one!Questfor31http://www.blogger.com/profile/08039202841792918237noreply@blogger.com0