InClement Weather: Fantasy Football Speak [Part II of III]

Most of us, who would write for or read this blog, are fantasy football "players". In fact, many of us have been at it for over a decade now (some even longer). On top of that, many of us have multiple leagues we interact with yearly.

With that in mind, I'm going to continue - after a week long (wedding-related) delay - serving up a series of fantasy football-related posts.

1) First up, we looked at the first 3 rounds of our draft HERE.
2) Today, we're checking out 10 "Make or Break" Selections found in our draft, which are likely to impact yours as well.
3) As for later in the week, I'll target 10 guys I was surprised to see drop on our overall draft board. Perhaps you can let us know if you've seen anything similar in your own draft(s).

As for the league parameters...here they is.

Basics
A) 10-teams.
B) 18-round ladder draft. [Ex: 1 to 10, 10 to 1, 1 to 10, 10 to 1, and so on.]
C) Starters include 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, & 1 DEF. 8 reserve sports.

Draft
D) Max of 1 1/2 mins/pick for the first 5 rounds, max of 1 min/pick for rounds 6 through 11, and max of 45 seconds (that's right!) for rounds 12 through 18.
Note: No keepers or holdovers either. Not in this league, at least.

2-Starting QB Rules
E) If a backup becomes a starter and you have 4 starting QBs, you must drop/trade one w/i 24 hours.
F) If you have 3 starters on your roster, you may NOT pick up a 4th starter with the intention of working a trade. Picking up a starting QB when you already have 3 can only be done if you are dropping one of your 3 current starters.
G) This also works for defenses and kickers. Yes, we once had an owner with 3 kickers, potentially tabbing another. Lowball, but savvy.

Draft Lottery Bonuses
H) Separate pick'em and survivor leagues give each winner an extra ping pong ball (which I literally draw 5 minutes before the draft).

Note: To be fair, I'll stick with rounds 6 through 12 (it was an 18 round draft)

6th Round Selection = Roy Williams [WR, Dallas]

Mighty big shoes - and an ego - to fill.
Credit: NFLTouchdown.com

The new #1 wideout in Big D (Witten remains Romo's #1 target), has a lot of pressure on him this season. I drafted him, partially due to already selecting Romo, on the basis of everything he showed - outside of 2009's campaign with Dallas (19 catches in 10 games), at a great risk/reward.

7th Round Selection = Larry Johnson [RB, Kansas City]

Memo to LJ: Chill with women, don't spit alcohol in their face.
Credit: Chilli-Online.net

Depth at the position was a factor; however, it was a risk for the owner (Patterson) this early who already selected Westbrook, Turner, and McFadden. Depth is key, but being able to trade that depth is even more vital. Question is: can LJ (aka "Alcohol Spitta") be package in a deal if he starts off well? You tell me.

8th Round Selection = Greg Olsen [TE, Chicago]

Olsen owners beware of Desmond Clark stealing redzone targets. Beware!!!
Credit: NYDailyNews.com

The tight end position can often decide close games. Enter a young, emerging tight end who appears to be the early favorite target of his new quarterback. Meanwhile, Desmond Clark is holding on to snaps with a tight clutch and often 0 point performances from the position can lead to a big fat L.

9th Round Selection = Joseph Addai [RB, Indianapolis]

Donald Brown is a popular name on draft board, often even before Addai. Mistake!!!

Credit: StilletoStillSports.com

So much for the top 5, first round, or even the top 5 rounds. Addai is often being passed up for Donald Brown. Nevertheless, the 9th round has a lot of value for a potential 3rd or even 4th running back. Especially one in an offense that seems well-equipped to offer redzone touches.

10th Round Selection = Knowshon Moreno [RB, Denver]

McDaniels (not pictured) may need this one to hit more than any fantasy owner.
Credit: STFUS.com

Simply put, there's (at least) three factors at play:
A) The Denver tradition of RB by Committee
B) The tweaked ankle in the preseason opener
C) Rookie RBs in general

11th Round Selection = Sage Rosenfels [QB, Minnesota]

Who is the Viking backup?
Credit: Scottdo.com

Is he the backup? Is Tavaris? Will either potentially see snaps if Favre struggles BIG TIME? Nightmarish situation to say the least.

12th Round Selection = Michael Crabtree [WR, San Francisco]

The 49ers' season, whether Singletary wants to admit or not, depends heavily on his availability.
Credit: TheRookiesBlog.com

Will he sign? Will he play? Will he be more annoying than Vernon Davis (unlikely!)???

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 11

...sans intro...

NFL Picks: 28-16 [Of all the games to get wrong, I'm happiest it was a 47-3 victory for the Jets.]
Upset Specials: 7-7 [It's the return of the...oh wait...no way...he didn't just say, what I think he did, did he?]

While you won't find any New England/NY Jets talk...I will mention one key name you'd never expect. Jet LB David Bowens has mighty shoes to fill behind Kris Jenkins with David Harris still injured and out of the lineup. This is an unknown X-factor to the "press".

Credit: Flckr.com

Arizona @ Seattle (+3)
If Arizona had lost Monday night, this game would've taken on a whole new level of interest. Instead, greedy fantasy owners feast off of the Cardinals while Matt Hasselbeck returns as the starting QB...but for how long? Cards win, by much more than 3 in not-so-tough Seattle.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville (+3)
Jacksonville is 4-5 and definitely can't afford 6 losses after 10 decisions. Meanwhile, Tennessee aired it out last week and won in Chicago. With another tough road test, I have to wonder if 10-0 is in their future? Yes. Why? Titans can stop the run. Jags can't win without it.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh (-4 1/2)
Rivers' stats are overinflated this season. This game is in Pittsburgh and the Stillers aren't losing back-to-back there. Their O-Line better beat up on a banged up Charger D. The real key in Pittsburgh is the health of "Fast Willie" and whether or not Santonio Holmes can be at least mildly productive this weekend. The Steelers - as well as a few fantasy owners - need that desperately.

Minnesota @ Tampa Bay (-3 1/2)
The 1/2 scares me; however, this game means way too much in both the NFC South, NFC North, and NFC Wild-Card. While APete is my #2 in the MVP-race (behind Warner), the Bucs D is rested and their offense should have a healthy Joey Galloway, Warrick Dunn, and even word of Cadillac Williams getting carries. I'm taking the home team to frustrated Frerotte into a pick-six (or two) and a vastly important home victory...somehow.

Upset Special #1
Dallas @ Washington (+2)
Most books won't take bets because of injury concerns to Romo (returning) and Portis (50/50) so early in the week. Not me. The Cowboys have too many new faces returning (Romo, Newman, & Jones) for me to pick them on the road. However, a win equals 6-4 and makes the NFC more wide open than ever. Interesting, if nothing else.

Upset Special #2
Denver @ Atlanta (-6)
Who would've ever imagined this number in Week 10 at the beginning of the season? NOBODY. While Jay Cutler may break down carrying this team, I don't want to give the Falcons too easy a road to 7-3. I imagine this being a FG type game. Extra interesting with new-kid Prater battling Bronco-vet Jason Elam. While I like the Falcons, I don't by 6.

Top Ten Fantasy Insights of the Week...You Didn't Expect
1) Depending on wideouts - even your Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall types - isn't safe come fantasy playoff stretch run.
2) Larry Johnson...avoid starting him this or any week.
3) Thomas Jones isn't going to have another 40-point week, but he's a weekly start now.
4) There's still enough upside to start guys like Steve Breaston.
5) Tony Gonzalez may quietly be this season's highest scoring tight end.
6) Defenses can win fantasy championships. Seriously.
7) Marvin Harrison just might be done.

Oh yeah, three NFL Thoughts to finish out the top 10.

8) Atlanta is going to make the playoffs.
9) So is Baltimore.
10) One of the above teams won't...obviously.

Until next time!

NFL Sunday: Live Updates & Mini-Analysis

3:30pm

-Close non-call on a deep ball from Kurt Warner to Steve Breaston that winds up a deflected ball, Carlos Rogers INT, and Skins ball inside the red zone in a 17-17 game. (What a surprise, Cards keep this series close and LOSE at the end every time!) Small screen to Santana Moss leads to 24-17.

-Ronnie Brown has 5 TDs. 4 rushing and 1 passing. Anthony Fassano is back to fantasy elite-status as a TE. Meanwhile, is Randy Moss already giving up with a shaky QB? Probably. Phins are up 35-13 and will snap New England's 21-game regular season winning streak.

-Larry Johnson owners can breathe...for now. 100+ yards and a RUSH TD help out those who idiotically believed in him.

-Oakland up 16-7 at Buffalo. Interesting, indeed.

-Matt Schaub looks as bad as Tyler Thigpen this week. When will we first see Sage this season?

-Brandon Lloyd caught a TD pass. Vinny Cerato has to be smiling somewhere, right?

-Bengals clinging to the Giants, trailing 16-13. Antonio Chatman seems to be this team's #1, catching countless slip screens for minimal yardage. Where are you Ocho Cinco?

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 3

Back again with your weekly check-up!!!
Now bend over and cough...

NFL Picks: 4-5 [The horrid call in the Chargers/Broncos game pushes me under .500.]
Upset Specials: 1-1 [Of course it was easy to pick against the Bungles, but I told you to double-up and cash in. Boo ya!]

...all spreads are courtesy of Yahoo! Sports…

Dallas @ Green Bay (+3)
Starting off with a road dog? You know it! Dallas needed to pull out that victory last weekend to hold serve at home. While Rodgers has looked better than Romo, Barber III will be begging for the ball and the injury to Charles Woodson could be a problem. Dallas wins, even if it’s by a push.

Carolina @ Minnesota (-3 ½)
Note: Here is my rough draft on Tuesday of this pick. I stand by it more than ever. Especially since I’ve been saying it for MONTHS. Yes, months.
Another road dog? Nope. Minnesota can’t face 3-0, even though Detroit would always be worse in the NFC North. Tarvaris Jackson might lose this job if he starts off too poorly (yes, even to Frerotte). A Pete should run wild in the dome again and even though Steve Smith is back, the Panthers will struggle mightily to run the ball against the Vikes front 7. Vikes win, barely.

New Orleans @ Denver (-5.5)
New Orleans has a terrible secondary. Enter Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler, and the NFL (and fantasy’s) highest-profile offense to date. Things won’t stop in Mile High. Broncos roll as the Saints start to creep back into ‘Aint form.

Cleveland @ Baltimore (-2)
Cleveland needs it too much; despite how rested B-More is. Joe Flacco can manage a game, but the aging Raven D and a still hobbled-McGahee won’t be enough to overcome the stench of road desperation from the Browns.

Upset Special #1
Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia (+3)
Sorry Pay, I’m picking the Stillers. Gut shot: Pay is too, I bet. Both teams went primetime, yet looked quite different. The Steelers are now my AFC frontrunners, largely because I think this team is built to perform on the road. Yes, even in it’s home state.

Upset Special #2
NY Jets @ San Diego (-9)
I’m not supposed to pick Jet games. Screw it. San Diego will win; however, 9 points is just too many to leave out there. Even with the vanilla offense the Jets are mired in through 2 weeks.


3 Must Starts and Must Sits

START

…Last Week…
LJ sucks, Alge Crumpler was useless beyond belief, and Patrick Crayton was invisible despite his team scoring 41 points. I reached and I SUCKED.

…This Week…
Justin Gage loves Kerry Collins and vice-versa, Darren Sproles is gonna put up a Kevin Faulk-type performance on Monday Night (with better fantasy points too!), and Issac Bruce is a fun spot-start here. ***Bonus Pick*** Tennessee’s D is gonna vault them to 3-0 with a defensive TD (or two!).

SIT

…Last Week…
Devrey Henderson wasn’t a factor at any point, LJ Smith remains an enigma, and Pierre Thomas had a TD and nothing else. He was mediocre in TD-only leagues at best as a start. 3 for 3 redeems a horrific begin to fantasy advice this week (aka “Start").

…This Week…
DeSean Jackson won’t go 3 straight weeks for 100 yards (he won’t even break 50), Larry Johnson is done, baby, done, and Mark Clayton is never a sleeper wideout. No Raven ever is.

Think you can do better?
You’re probably right.

Until next week…

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 2

I decided to ditch the 5,000 word posts and look where it got me…
…2-3, already an upset special down, and trouble ahead in the coming weeks.

While other "experts" might look for some cupcakes to pick up their schedules, I refuse to do so!

Without further banter, let’s rock and/or roll!!!

NFL Picks: 2-3 [Out of the gates rickety and a little rusty to boot!]
Upset Special: 0-1 [Why do I keep picking road dogs? WHY!?!?]

…all spreads courtesy of Yahoo! Sports…

New England @ NY Jets (-2.5)

Calvin Pace, not Alan Faneca, may turn out to be this year's top Jet offseason acquisition.
Credit: DayLife

Am I prenouncing the Pats a sure-fire 8-8 team and out of the playoffs? Not a chance. Buffalo is far from as good as Seattle made them look, the Jets showed a lot of weaknesses last week, and we’re still talking Belicheat here. While he won’t break the rules this week, he’ll have a defensive scheme sturdy enough to make this more than a competitive game. Looking for the real matchup to watch? Can the Jets muster anything close to a consistent pass rush to take the pressure off of Revis & Lowery? Me doubts it sadly. Pats move to 2-0, sans Brady.

Buffalo @ Jacksonville (-6)
The Bills can make a GIGANTIC statement this weekend by walking into Jacksonville with a W. Unfortunately for "Toronto" fans, their special teams won’t score this week, MJD will have 100+ yards, and Garrard won’t turn the ball over. It’ll be close, but the Jags take the touchdown victory and cover a HUGE, undeserved number at home. Call me a hater. Do it!

San Diego @ Denver (Pick’Em)
I could’ve taken Indy/Minn or even Philly/Dallas; however, I've always had a soft spot for the AFC West. Hahahahahaha. Okay, seriously...I don’t. Anyone who believed in the Raiders before last week...sit down and be quiet please. Instead, I’m just interested in seeing how the Bolts D looks without a gimpy Merriman and the Broncos offense (okay, enough about Cutler and diabetes for this week) with Brandon Marshall. While I love what BM (horrid nickname, I know) adds, I don’t think he’s the elite, gamebreaking wideout everyone labels him as already. Cromartie tabs a late pick-six to clinch the game for the Super Chargers.

New Orleans @ Washington (-1)

Drew Brees is the Steve Nash of the NFL. Agreed?
Credit: EmptytheBench.com

Don’t underestimate the Skins in their home opener. Don’t underestimate Jason Campbell’s struggles with the West Coast offense. Don’t underestimate Jeremy Shockey’s impact on the ‘Aints offense. Don’t underestimate how many times I underestimate injuries (Colston). Reggie Bush will struggle this week. I’m taking the Skins…why I don’t know.

Upset Special

Tennessee @ Cincinnati (-1)
Another road dog? Seriously, Clement? You got it dude. The team is more than ready and willing to rally around Kerry Collins at QB and has a defensive line as dominant as any in the league. While Cincinnati isn’t as bad as their performance at Baltimore was last week…jump on the Titans to take this game outright and ALWAYS favor the AFC South middle of the pack over the AFC North chum.

I don't like the Vince Young tag of being Uncle Rico. However, I do love this picture.
Credit: QBN

3 Must Starts and Must Sits

START
…Last Week…
Donte Stallworth was inactive (no harm, no foul), Dwayne Bowe was a fantastic #1 wr start and could’ve easily had 2 TDs, and as for Matt Ryan…SUCK IT HATERS!!!

…This Week…
Larry Johnson has the Raiders as an opponent and needs to pick up some fantasy owners (me!)…so he will.
Alge Crumpler will benefit from the steadier hand of Kerry Collins. He’s a great sleeper at TE a lot of people cut after Week 1.
Patrick Crayton might be the sneakiest 6 catch, 75 yard (TD threat) guy in fantasy this season. Don’t sit him in your #4 WR slot. Even against a mega-talented secondary in Philly.

SIT
…Last Week…
Laurence Maroney will be a major fantasy frustration all season long, Calvin Johnson didn’t score (yet his 100+ yards tanked my logic), and Daniels was useless and Scheffler’s 72 yards were on one sans-TD catch (meh).

…This Week…
Devrey Henderson is as popular a pick this week, but I don’t see it.
Pierre Thomas is a mega-pooular pickup; however, there has to be better options out there to pick up a cheap-TD from the RB position.
L.J. Smith isn’t a primetime player. No-go on his start at TE this week.

Let’s see how it all works out.

Sorry, I couldn’t wax any more poetic than that.
Or did I just do that?

…

Until next predictions…

Fantasy Football Week: Challenge #2 – Which 1st rounders were ‘steals’ and which were debacles?

Post II of III

As I mentioned in my previous post (focusing on which of THESE four teams you wanted most), this past Saturday, Armin/Sum/Pay/myself (Clement) met up at the world’s greatest unofficial draft headquarters for our yearly fantasy football draft (#1 of 2 actually) for a league we playfully have been a part of named the ‘Frank Stallone League’.

For this II post of III (I dig roman numerals) I’m going to post the 12 first-round picks (in fairness, one was auto-drafted from Yahoo’s top 500 list…can YOU guess which one it was???) from our draft.

I’ll format the rest of this post by offering up one statement that is positive, one that is negative, and the owner-factor.

Don’t fret; you’ll understand it all very shortly.
I hope.

The basics were described in my last post; however, I want to add just a few ‘reminders’ for the lazier readers who either missed the last (brilliant) posting or have short-term memory issues.

A) 12-teams.
B) 16-round ladder draft.
C) Starters include 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, & 1 DEF. 6 reserve sports.
D) Each team has two keeper allocations; 1 for rounds 4-9 and 1 for rounds 10-16. Keeper allocations CAN be traded. They DO NOT carry over to next season.
E) If you drop a player during the season, you cannot keep him next year (unless due to season-ending injury or a QB-related forced drop.)

Enough of that…let’s roll!!!

Whoops, wrong 1st-round draft.
Credit: EMQB

1^st Pick – LaDanian Tomlinson

Positive: LT is as safe a fantasy pick as there is out there. Not to mention he is resting all pre-season long and returning on a Super Bowl-contending team. He might even toss a TD or two this season for good measure.
Negative: He is closing in on 30, couldn’t play in an AFC Title game because of an injury, and doesn’t have Michael Turner behind him anymore.
Owner: Wisely, LT was the smart-money pick for this owner. Fortunately, it became easier when she realized A-Pete was already off the board (keeper allocation).

2^nd Pick – Tom Brady

Positive: Touchdown Tom was the fantasy MVP last year and remains HIGHLY valuable in a 2-starting QB league. His receiving corps remains loaded (even sans Stallworth) and there’s zero reason to doubt the reigning NFL MVP fantasy-wise.
Negative: He may or may not have foot issues, Moss has been off in recent “odd” years, and it still might’ve been too early to dismiss Manning’s fantasy-dominance over him in any other year than last.
Owner: With Laurence Maroney already in tow (keeper) for a cheap 5^th-rounder, the RB position could wait. Especially in a two-starting QB league in which owning one of the three dominant QBs is a luxury one can ill afford to pass up.

3^rd Pick – Peyton Manning

Positive: He’s the fantasy QB god of the past 5+ seasons. In fact, he’s one of the few guys who it seems almost impossible to knock drafting in any spot…fantasy-wise at least.
Negative: Romo outdid him last year, Harrison’s injury status is TBD, Peyton’s own knee isn’t 100%, and he did have several 1-TD or less games last year.
Owner: Briefly flaunting the idea of taking Romo, we all knew Peyton was a synch for the third pick. He and Wayne are as dominant as Manning and Harrison once were. In the end, there’s hardly a safer pick than the NFL’s most savvy TV personality.

You can't have one with the other...
Credit: Hogwild

4^th Pick – Tony Romo

Positive: It’s been said too many times already, but he OUTSCORED Peyton last season (I’ll say it again too!). Not to mention…he’s young, on an All-Star team, and has two targets (TO & Witten) other QBs would die for.
Negative: He’s still new at the 16-game thing, JESSICA SIMPSON, and his wideout (that’s my quarterback!) isn’t exactly the most dependable of primadonnas.
Owner: In what some claimed was a surprising move, it made complete sense given the importance of landing one of the 3 elite fantasy QBs of last year. Romo outscored Peyton last season (haha!) and has the highest of expectations in Big D to perform each and every week. Jessica Simpson is pretty hot too.

5^th Pick – Stephen Jackson

Positive: New contracts sometimes put players at ease, right?
Negative: New contracts sometimes put players at too much ease, right?
Owner: Can’t say I wasn’t just a little surprised when a noted Iggles fan traded up for the pick (right in front of me!) and then took the former holdout (okay, I wanted Westbrook). Coming off of a highly disappointing ’07 campaign, Action Jackson’s got a fatter contract and an offense that’s only get older. Nevertheless, it might be insane value at #5.

6^th Pick – Brian Westbrook

Positive: He finally became a double-digit TD guy, led the NFL in all-purpose yardage, and is the #1-weapon on an offense that can light it up (although not weekly).
Negative: His QB is never healthy, he’s a year older, he has a fatter contract too (see above), and this team needs to potentially save him for a playoff stretch drive.
Owner: It’s the consensus top-5 guy a lot of mags are calling an insane sleeper outside of the top 5 overall. In a 1-QB league (amateurs), he’s been a fixture at 2 and 3 on most boards and mocks. Given it’s pick 6, you gotta love a guy who essentially starts as an RB and WR most weeks on fantasy squads.

What I did on my summer vacation...by Marshawn Lynch.
Credit: Automobile Insurance 101

7^th Pick – Marshawn Lynch

Positive: Second-year back who the team loves to love, especially in the redzone.
Negative: Off-season stuff should be fine, yet it isn’t enthralling to read about. Traveling to Toronto for home games just seems weird to me. Not to mention that perhaps the Jets acquiring Kris Jenkins means opposing RBs will be limited to 100+ yards and 1 TD instead of the typical 150+ and 2 TDs.
Owner: Selected right before a Bill fan could’ve taken him. I love it!

8^th Pick – Frank Gore

Positive: In a word or two: Mike Martz.
Negative: In a word or two: Mike Martz.
Owner: I love the value; however, health and a certain aforementioned offensive coordinator give me the willies. Of course, the thought of a new Marshall Faulk does that too. Of course, JT O’Sullivan or Shaun Hill might have a lot to do with that (happening or not).

9^th Pick – Larry Fitzgerald

Positive: Unlike Anquan, somebody has a fat contract!
Negative: Anquan’s ordeal could be bothersome. Not to mention, the QB position is unstable at best in ‘Zona (even with solid production from Warner/Fitz last season). Health isn’t flawless for Fitz either.
Owner: It might seem a headscratcher, but value at QB had dissipated with the Big 3 gone, he has Addai in tow for a measily 3^rd rounder (keeper), and Dwayne Bowe is another insane keeper for a 10^th rounder. Nevertheless, I kinda question Fitz going in the 1^st round with guys like TO, Brees, Wayne, and even Andre Johnson around. Interesting indeed.

10^th Pick – Larry Johnson

Positive: Two seasons ago he was the most used back in the NFL and a fantasy god. That does seem sooooo long ago though.
Negative: He burned me in a league last season, never seems to catch passes, and is on a terrible team. What can I go with 60 yards a game and no TDs most weeks? What have I done???
Owner: I have stopped researching and making any sense. I knew I wanted an RB over my next top-rated QB (Brees), I’d tab TO or Wayne next round (taking TO over Reggie), and I began to wonder if I could really take Clinton Portis at #10 overall. In the end, I saw some stacked teams (already) above me and went for the highest risk/reward possible. If only Gore had slipped...

Does A-Pete lose any value with potential injury issues with Bryant "Love Boat" McKinnie?

Credit: ABC

11^th Pick – Adrian Peterson [keeper]

Positive: You could make a very sturdy argument for him being #1 overall. Slide him to #11 and you’re the happiest guy at the draft.
Negative: INJURY HISTORY. In fact, with his track record, it’d be a surprise if he played in 16 games (not counting the real playoffs, folks).
Owner: That’s why he was the ultimate 4^th round steal last season and why he’ll likely be a major steal as the 11^th overall pick this season. Damn.

12^th Pick – Clinton Portis

Positive: New offense, carefree attitude, and enhanced performance last season.
Negative: Isn’t every year in DC (5 and counting now) supposed to the major breakout statistical season?
Owner: With the next pick up-coming, it’s strong value, especially when a guy named Brees is just sitting there waiting to be gobbled up, to take a talented RB in the latest of stages in round 1.

So which two names are missing???

While I think a few might stand out – especially in a 12-team league – it has to be noted that because of the aforementioned keeper allocation rules RANDY MOSS & JOSEPH ADDAI were taken in later rounds. Another interesting caveat to consider in such an amazingly competitive league.

I’ll see you sometime this weekend with part III, focusing mainly on keeper decisions made during the draft (whether the owners knew it or not!).

Until next post…

Fantasy Football Week: Challenge #1: Which team do you want?

Post I of III

This past Saturday, Armin/Sum/Pay/myself (Clement) met up at the world’s greatest unofficial draft headquarters for our yearly fantasy football draft (#1 of 2 actually) for a league we playfully have been a part of named the ‘Frank Stallone League’.

Let the hilarity ensue.

I will detail a few league rules in a few sentences; however, I’m going to first format the series of three posts you’ll see this week.

I'm sure A-Pete didn't go 11th overall in your draft, but due to keeper allocation rights...he did in ours!
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Challenge #1: Which team do you want?
-I’ll post our collective rosters for our four squads. Simply put, which one do you want most? Why???

Challenge #2: Which 1^st Rounders were steals and which were debacles?
-I’ll post our entire first round, 12 picks in all, and I promise…you won’t see it coming.

Challenge #3: Who would you have kept?
-Keeper leagues aren’t the norm; however, I want to challenge a few of our readers to see just who you would and would not have reached on when keeper allocations are potentially on the line?

Now here are some league rules. We have tried our best to make this the most challenging of fantasy leagues out there.

Basics
A) 12-teams.
B) 16-round ladder draft.
C) Starters include 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, & 1 DEF. 6 reserve sports.

Draft
D) Max of 2 min/pick for the first 6 rounds and Max of 1 min/pick for the last 10.

Free Agents/Waivers
E) Teams will be locked 5 minutes before kickoff of the first game until the kickoff of the Monday night game in terms of free agents. If the commish or a designate fails to lock the teams, the honor system is in effect.
F) Free agent draft: If you wish to pick up a player in the free agent draft, send me an e-mail indicating who you wish to add and drop in order of priority by 10am on Tuesday. Free agents will go to teams with the highest waiver priority (determined by worst record).

Keepers
G) Each team has two keeper allocations; 1 for rounds 4-9 and 1 for rounds 10-16. Keeper allocations CAN be traded. They DO NOT carry over to next season.
H) If you drop a player during the season, you cannot keep him next year (unless due to season-ending injury or a QB-related forced drop.)

2-Starting QB Rules
I) If a backup becomes a starter and you have 4 starting QBs, you must drop/trade one w/i 24 hours.
J) You will maintain keeper rights to the QB in the case of a forced drop.
K) If you have 3 starters on your roster, you may NOT pick up a 4^th starter with the intention of working a trade. Picking up a starting QB when you already have 3 can only be done if you are dropping one of your 3 current starters.

Draft Lottery Bonuses
L) Each owner will predict the Conference Champions, Super Bowl Champions, League MVP and the tie-breaker. The winner will get an extra entry for the #1 pick overall.
M) The winner of the regular season championship will receive an extra entry for the #1 pick overall.

After viewing my draft, I think Wall-E might've been a savvier fantasy football GM.
Credit: Rotten Tomatoes

Note: If you see the word [keeper’ next to a player’s name, that particular draftee was automatically kept on their team by their owner (check above for rules for keepers) by using either their own keeper allocation or trading for someone else’s.

Without any further banter…let’s take a look at the teams.

Team #1: Armin [3^rd pick overall]

Who else would you take if names like LT, AP, and Brady were off the board?
Credit: Seven Again

1- Peyton Manning
2- Marques Colston
3- Eli Manning
4- Steve Smith [Carolina]
5- Jonathan Stewart
6- Selvin Young
7- Trent Edwards
8- Patrick Crayton
9- Michael Turner [keeper]
10- Vernon Davis
11- Jerious Norwood
12- Anthony Gonzalez
13- Timothy Hightower
14- Seattle DEF
15- Josh Scobee
16- Laurent Robinson

Team #2: Sum [5^th pick overall]

Can YOU name this 6'7 wideout rookie?
Credit: Eastwood Mailman

1- Clinton Portis (traded 5^th pick to Pay in deal)
2- Drew Brees
3- TJ Houshmanzadeh
4- Darren McFadden
5- Anquan Boldin
6- Jason Campbell
7- Ronnie Brown
8- Donte Stallworth
9- Chicago DEF
10- Jay Cutler [keeper]
11- Vincent Jackson
12- Chad Henne
13- Tony Scheffler
14- James Hardy
15- Indianapolis DEF
16- Rob Bironas

Team #3: Clement [10^th pick overall]

Anybody else peg him as a potential 3rd-rounder last month?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

1- Larry Johnson
2- Terrell Owens
3- Brett Favre
4- Reggie Bush
5- Vince Young [keeper]
6- Kellen Winslow Jr. [keeper]
7- Felix Jones
8- Laveraneus Coles
9- Kevin Smith
10- Minnesota DEF
11- Joe Flacco
12- Ted Ginn, Jr.
13- Chris Brown
14- Jabbar Gaffney
15- Sage Rosenfels
16- Ladell Betts

Team #4: Paymon [12^th pick overall]

How much would you risk for a guy who automatically misses 2 or 3 games?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

1- Stephen Jackson (traded for #5 pick overall in a trade)
2- Carson Palmer
3- Torry Holt
4- Willis McGahee
5- Jason Witten [keeper]
6- Marvin Harrison
7- Chad Pennington
8- Brandon Marshall [keeper]
9- Kyle Orton
10- Ricky Williams
11- Pittsburgh DEF
12- Brady Quinn
13- Ray Rice
14- Kevin Walter
15- Drew Bennett
16- Josh Brown

A lot to take in? Imagine our trepidation…

ESPECIALLY MINE!?!?!

Until next challenge…

10 NFL/Fantasy Questions I’m Pondering This Week…

1) What’s LJ’s status, fat-contract and coming off an injury-plagued 2007, in Kansas City?

-After being cemented in top 3-overall selection banter for the past few seasons, last season’s LJ owners (me!) were welcomed with one word: BUST! Should anything more be expected from a me-first guy on a terrible offense in 2K8?

Okay, wrong LJ...but who doesn't LOVE this picture?
Credit: Deadspin

2) Why don’t more teams sit their superstars – ala San Diego and LT – in the preseason?

-Whether LT still has nagging issues or his durability was ultimately tested in the playoffs last season, the fantasy MVP of the past five-or-so seasons isn’t playing in the preseason this year. As for his prospective owners…well, they couldn’t be happier. What might become an issue down the road is the absence of Michael Turner backing up an ever-aging LT.

3) What on Earth do you make out of the QB-saga in Green Bay?

-I’m not wasting my breath answering this. However, it MUST be asked. By the way, I HATE BRETT FAVRE and TED THOMPSON! (Writer's Update: And now that he's a Jet...I love HIM!)

A little odd...for more reasons then ever NOW.
Credit: EA Sports

4) What will be the impact of Oakland’s rookie RB Darren McFadden?

-Justin Fargas can’t legitimately hold off this guy for long, can he? It should also go without saying (yet, I’ll still say it) that Michael Bush will be a forgotten prospect come camp time, especially with the fat contract the former Razorback netted. With an unproven commodity at QB (Jamarcus Russell) and a play-making wideout who is a day or two from quitting at any point, can McFadden truly be considered an impact playmaker as a rookie?

5) Is Randy Moss a legit 20-TD candidate again?

-There’s no reason to believe Touchdown Tom won’t light up the record books again, especially considering his squad’s LOSS in last year’s Super Bowl (in which Moss caught his only playoff touchdown). Ditto for Moss when you consider the affinity these two have both in and out of the redzone for making the big play. While 20 TDs back-to-back seasons is too much to ask of anyone, are you seriously willing to bet against it?

Joe Buck's reaction to any Moss talk at PHSports.

6) Do you dare draft Maurice Jones-Drew?

-One of the “it” guys last season, Jones-Drew was just as likely to go for a buck and a TD as he was for 1 point. Seriously. Not to mention, Fred Taylor is bound to steal a dozen-or-so touches a game and a 6-8 TDs (at least) as he was Pro Bowler last season. In the end, MJD is far too unreliable unless you have crazy depth at the position or incredible faith that he’ll become a redzone stalwart for the Jags.

7) Is there a Chicago Bear, not on defense, worth drafting?

-Here’s the countless scenarios needed to even consider the likes of Grossman/Orton being in your starting lineup:
A) Two starting QB-league
B) Major injuries at the QB position
C) Bye weeks galore are killing your roster
D) You have a serious drinking problem
E) You’re a diehard Bears fan. And I mean DIEHAD!

Undoubtedly, somebody in your league will take a “bold, yet fun risk” on newly signed RB Kevin Jones, while wideout Bernard Berrian, with a new contract, will likely net consideration in the middle rounds for his big-play making ability. Perhaps the real question should’ve surrounded that Hester-guy. Good luck on that accord as well.

Dante Hall "Block in the Backs Never Called" couldn't hold this guy's jock. Yeah, I said it.
Credit: CNNSI

8) Who’s your top TE: Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow II, or Tony Gonzalez?

-All four have a legitimate claim. Honestly. Gates seems the consensus, but only slightly. Witten benefits most from Romo-to-TO, K2 is on the NFL’s up-and-coming offense, and Gonzo is still Gonzo. In the end, I suppose you can walk away a winner with either of these four. Another question might be: who’s number 5? (Cooley, anyone?)

9) Which of the Jags wideouts would you be most willing to take a flier on?

-Jerry Porter is considered the “impact” free-agent signing, Troy Williamson is the draft bust looking to start anew, Reggie Williams was the touchdown-magnet (but nothing else) last season, and Dennis Northcutt dropped that crucial pass in the AFC Divisional Round against those damned Pats. Who ya got and when?

10) Is Javon Walker even worth it anymore?

-I’m not going to rip this guy. Sure he nearly quit on the Raiders after netting $50-million and ended up unconscious and robbed on some random Vegas back alley. Nevertheless, you can’t forget that he was with Darrent Williams (RIP) the night Williams was shot and killed. Reports have it going down as Walker basically holding Williams in his arms after he was shot and ultimately killed in the back of his SUV. Try dealing with that reality before demonizing Walker and his odd offseason antics.

Is Raider-nation going a little too Watchmen lately?
Credit: PhotoBucket

I’m sure there are better questions and even better answers out there.

But at least I’m trying!

Until next time…