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It has already begun to turn cool and drizzly here in SE Wisconsin. Produce stands dot the highway as the farmers sell off this years surplus. Sunset comes over an hour sooner than it did only two months ago. And, in less than two weeks, the triumphant return of a God called Football is upon us as he rejoins the world after a 7 month hiatus.
With that, comes the return of one of the greatest games of chance/skill ever invented: Fantasy Football.
Basically you have a team which you fill with players you pick during the draft. Each week you play another team in the league and get points based on the performance of the players on your team. If your total points are higher than your opponent's you win that week. You have to start 8 players per week, one Quarterback, two Running Backs, two Wide Receivers, one Tight End, one Kicker, and one Defense. We have a 10 team league, the 4 teams with the best record after week 14 make the playoffs, and are seeded 1 through 4, based on their respective records. Week 15 has 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3, the winners of those two matches face off in the championship in week 16, and the losers face off in the consolation match. It costs $80 to get in and payouts go $400, 200, 120, 80 - fairly small stakes compared to what some people do but we like to keep it friendly.
This will be my 3rd year in the league. Year 1 I went 8-6 and missed the playoffs. Last year I went 11-3 in the regular season and won both playoff games to become the champion, and I plan to defend the title this year.
So we had the draft on Sunday and I wound up with the 5th pick. I like this a lot because you don't have to wait a real long time between picks. Having the first pick actually kind of sucks. Despite the fact that you get the best player, 18 other players are gone before you get to pick again. So anyways this is what the starting lineup looks like as of today.
QB - Carson palmer-Cincinnati Bengals
I can't believe I have to cheer for the fucking Bengals this year, but Palmer is a hell of a QB and I couldn't pass on him after he fell to me in the 4th round.
RB - Edgerrin James-Arizona Cardinals
This was my first pick although Tiki Barber was still available at the time. Tiki had more yards and receptions than Edge last year, but he had fewer touchdowns. Also, Edge was on the Colts last year under the pass happy Peyton Manning. I think he'll get more carries this year in Arizona and more catches too as Warner is not nearly as bomb happy as Manning.
RB - Willie Parker-Pittsburgh Steelers
This was a bit of a gamble, especially for a second pick. Reason being is that he split carries with Jerome Bettis last year and was robbed of several touchdowns as the Steelers gave nearly all the goalline carries to Bettis. But, Bettis is 34, very old for a running back. And its been said by the Steelers coaching staff that Parker will be handing most of the short yardage work this year.
WR - Torry Holt-St. Louis Rams
Took him with my third pick. Perennial stud receiver. Should catch over 100 balls this year easily.
WR - Donald Driver-Green Bay Packers
The Packers #1 receiver last year should be good again this year, provided Favre can manage to throw the ball to the correct team.
WR - Troy Williamson-Minnesota Vikings
Another slight gamble but with Koren Robinson going to jail, should be the go-to guy. I put him with the starters because he will be switching off with Driver, based on performance and opponents.
TE - Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys
Tight Ends aren't really all that valuable unless they are treated as another receiver by their team such as Antonio Gates or Jeremy Shockey. But Witten is a solid performer who averaged 4 catches and 47 yards per game last year, along with 6 touchdowns. This comes out to around 10 fantasy points per game, plenty solid for a tight end.
K - Niel Rackers-Arizona Cardinals
Kickers are kind of overlooked in fantasy in my opinion. I had this guy last year and he made the difference between a win and a loss more than once. Averaged 10 FP/G and only missed 2 out of 42 field goals, including going 6/7 from beyond 50 yards. Was perfect on extra points. I consider Rackers to be kind of a good luck charm for me. Plus, I am a Cardinals fan (yeah you read that right, Cardinals, not Packers. Blasphemy, I know)
DEF - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As far as defenses go, there are the Bears, and then everyone else. Tampa is a solid squad though with stars like Ronde Barber, who had 5 picks last year and Simeon Rice, who ended up with 14 sacks.
BACKUPS
Won't go into too much detail on these but there are some things/players are important to note.
Jake Plummer - QB Denver
A solid player but kind of average production wise. His biggest weakness is being inconsistent from week to week.
Jamal Lewis - RB Baltimore
One of the best a few years ago, now just average. Might be sharing time with Mike Anderson.
DeAngelo Williams - RB Carolina
Carolina's first round draft pick has looked really good in preseason this year. If Foster gets injured, Williams could be a star. If not, well, then he will be on the bench. I got him in the 12th round so its not a big deal either way.
Well, there you go. Is anyone even still reading this? Not that it matters. I killed like 2 hours of office time typing this up.
Had my TRL fantasy football draft last night, and ended up with the 4th pick (out of 10) and another questionable team.
1. Tiki Barber (RB)
2. Bryan Westbrook (RB)
3. Anquan Boldin (WR)
4. Chester Taylor (RB)
5. Darrell Jackson (WR)
6. Todd Heap (TE)
7. Jake Delhomme (QB)
8. Frank Gore (RB)
9. Terry Glenn (WR)
10. Jake Plummer (QB)
11. Ernest Wilford (WR)
12. Minnesota (DEF)
13. Kellen Winslow (TE)
14. David Givens (WR)
15. Ryan Longwell (K)
My top RB is 31-years-old, my 2nd RB and 2nd WR are injured, and my defense stinks. And yet I still feel I'll be competitive. Fingers crossed...
P.S. I promise this is my last fantasy football-related post for a while.
Denver Broncos Schedule
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