Smith a fantasy football original
By Jeff Smith
Telegraph-Forum correspondent
Owning an NFL franchise is out of reach of the common football fan. But the ups and downs and investments of a team owner can be vicariously enjoyed by owning a fantasy football league team.
Book racks and Internet sites abound with fantasy football information and data, and you can join with friends and stran-gers to compete for money or bragging rights. This phenomenon has been thriving for the past 10 years or so, but I am proud to say that I was on the front end of the fantasy football experience.
In fact, I believe that I am the founder of the oldest fantasy football league in the area and possibly one of the oldest in the country.
I've always been an organizer, whether it be family events or corporate events. Couple that trait with the sports fan in me, and you end up with competitive get-togethers. The talk at these shindigs would always turn to sports and it was interesting to hear the ramblings of certain so-called sports experts.
Well, after one particular discussion during the football season I began to think about a way to settle the question, "Who really is the smartest football fan?"
I had just read an article about Rotisserie Baseball, the "invention" of journalist Daniel Okrent, whereby groups of "owners" would draft Major League Baseball players on to their teams and compare statistics to determine who had assembled the best team.
I thought, "Now that's a good idea for football and probably easier to handle due to the shorter season."
I had no idea if there was a fantasy football league format, so I set out to create my own. After a couple of months reading football books related to statistics -- this is no stretch for me, encyclopedias have always been on my "must-read" list -- I put together the first set of rules for this new format I tentatively called the FFL (Fantasy Football League).
I began to share my idea with my family and a few friends at work. I figured if I could get all four of my brothers, my dad and a couple other people, I would have eight owners in our league. Well, one brother and my dad didn't buy into the concept initially, but I did end up with seven other guys to form the initial season of the FFL. The year was 1988.
In addition to starting the league, I also took on the job of statistician, the most important job in any fantasy league, and commissioner. Since there is a financial investment to our league, a treasurer was chosen and his legacy to the league is somewhat tainted. He failed to show up at the end of the year meeting with the award money. A close friend and my dad have been the treasurer ever since.
My team won the first FFL title, and my success was chalked up to inside knowledge of how the game was played. I haven't won another title, so maybe my skeptics were correct.
Since then, we have seen several owners come and go, 35 at last count including our current 13, and I am proud that some of our participants left our FFL to start their own leagues using our basic rules. It's kind of like a spin-off from the original I'd say.
The rules of the FFL are quite different than the current method that is often advertised and used nationally. We don't employ a point system for specific types of touchdowns or runs or catches. It's geared more toward the accumulation of statistics over a whole season and the ranking of the teams in the 14 categories that we track.
And because the FFL places a high priority on the pre-season draft of players to fill the rosters, the teams are committed to their starters rather than being allowed to pick a starter each week.
Speaking of the draft, that day is the highlight of the season. Owners come prepared with food and drink and books and notes, hoping to win the bid for the best that the NFL has to offer. The FFL is a bid league, not a draft league, and each team is subject to a salary cap in their quest to find a starting quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a punter, a kicker, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two defensive backs.
None of this drafting of defensive teams or special teams. Each player on the roster is an individual, which is another unique feature of the FFL and one that each owner doggedly supports. We have a back-up draft so that there are players who can step in during bye weeks and for starters who are injured.
The draft is usually on Labor Day Saturday with the occasional exception, and it is held in a room adjacent to my detached garage. On that day it is respectfully referred to as "FFL Draft Headquarters," decorated with NFL paraphernalia and other football-related trappings.
The owners all have a spot at the tables, and their attention is riveted to the 8 X 10-foot draft board. Rivalries are formed as owners attempt to gain the highest bid. Friendly rivalries, in most cases.
Draft day is great fun and the culmination of many months of study and debate, which is what I intended when the league was formulated.
Along the way, we have added a head-to-head league that adds more competition to our weekly standings. We have a Hall of Fame to honor the outstanding fantasy players and owners in our league and the record book is full of individual and team accomplishments. our end-of-the-season awards dinner, during which we hand out trophies and winnings, is very well-attended by owners and their families. Along the way the rule book has grown from two to eight pages.
One owner seems to find an advantageous loophole each season.
I used to spend six to seven hours a week doing stats, and for the first three years I did them all by hand. I finally bought a computer and printer in 1991. I have every week's statistics from each of the 20 seasons, and I wouldn't trade them for a Super Bowl ring.
And although our 2007 FFL season is complete, quite a few of us are already talking about our strategy for season number 21. Our first meeting is in April on the NFL Draft Day and we meet regularly until the FFL draft day.
The FFL has become a storied tradition to those of us who have participated and the concept has changed the way we watch our national sport. We cheer not only for our favorite NFL teams, but we also root for the players on our FFL teams, no matter who they are. Every game has more importance if you have a vested interest in it, even if you end up rooting for a Steeler.
Most of all, I'm proud that we've been around for 20 years.
Crawford County resident Jeff Smith has been a valued sports correspondent at the Telegraph-Forum for the past several years. He's been an incurable sports fan his entire life and most importantly he is a brand new grandfather.
Copyright (c)2008 Telegraph Forum
All rights reserved.
Fantasy football
12/29/2007, 10:35 pm
Drum roll, please.
My choice for the 2007 fantasy football MVP is ... QB Tom Brady.
No suspense there, huh? Brady, who's thrown for a career-high 4,450 yards, has 48 touchdown passes and needs just two more to surpass Peyton Manning's all-time season mark of 49, set in 2004. Brady and his bunch set or tied 36 NFL records this season.
Here is my 2007 fantasy all-star squad.
QB - Tom Brady, New England - Any questions?
RB - LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego - Came on after a slow start this season.
RB - Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia - Quietly had a solid season with 2,005 total yards and 12 TDs.
WR - T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati - The best Bengal WR for the second straight year.
WR - Randy Moss, New England - Led all receivers with 1,393 yards and 21 TDs.
TE - Jason Witten, Dallas - Tony Romo's favorite target with 94 receptions and 7 TDs.
DEF - Minnesota - Six defensive TDs beats the Giants, Cardinals and Patriots.
K - Mason Crosby, Green Bay - Rookie kicker led NFL in scoring with 131 points.
Rookie of the Year - Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota - Will be a top three pick next year.
Bust of the Year - Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnati - The only player more disappointing than RB Steven Jackson.
Comeback Player of the Year - Randy Moss, WR, New England - Has 50 more catches and 18 more TDs than last year in Oakland.
Surprise of the Year - Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay - Could finish with 1,000 yards rushing after starting just seven games.
Running backs dominate 2008 mock draft
Owners with the first overall pick will have a tough choice to make next summer. The running back position will be so deep that Steven Jackson and Larry Johnson may be late first-round picks.
First round
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota
Tom Brady, QB, New England
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia
Randy Moss, WR, New England
Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh
Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis
Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City
Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis
Second round
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay
Marion Barber, RB, Dallas
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo
Willis McGahee, RB, Baltimore
Clinton Portis, RB, Washington
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati
Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas
Mailbag
Who is the one pick in the draft next season, and why?
"LaDainian Tomlinson has to be the No. 1 pick again next year," e-mailed Matt Stacionis of West Dundee. "After a bad start to this year, L.T. proved he is who we thought he was."
"I would take either Tom Brady or Peyton Manning," e-mailed Mark Probasco of Belvidere. "I do not believe in taking backs high in the draft because they get injured so often. Give it a few weeks with injuries and you can pick up a free agent running back to fill your number two or three spot."
"Instead of jumping on the bandwagon picking the previous year's stud, I will pick a proven solid producer like Fred Taylor of Jacksonville or Frank Gore of the 49ers," e-mailed Dennis Nelson of Rockford. "Even though they usually don't put up big numbers, you can count on them for the long haul."
Play on
If you haven't had enough fantasy football this season, NFL.com can help. The Web site is hosting a contest called the NFL.com Playoff Challenge.
Team owners can pick a team of eight players that will compete in the NFL playoffs. The contest is free and could earn one lucky winner a trip to the Super Bowl. To register, visit www.NFL.com/playoffchallenge.
That's a wrap
Another fantasy season has come and gone. A big thanks to the many readers for the comments and e-mails. Enjoy the offseason. Work on that honey-do list. Re-learn the names of your kids. Volunteer your time to a worthwhile charity. I'll be back in eight months.
Paul Anthony Arco is the fantasy football columnist for the Rockford Register Star. Email questions or comments to paularco@aol.com.
Copyright 2007 Daily-Journal Company All Rights Reserved
Fantasy football: Westbrook's knee, Romo's hand and Brady's arm
PJ Slinger -
I could hardly believe it when I saw it: An NFL player stopping short of the goal line on purpose, falling to the ground at the 1-yard line to keep possession of the ball, rather than scoring and turning the ball back over to the opponent.
Wow. The Eagles Brian Westbrook broke though the Dallas Cowboys defensive line and had an easy touchdown with just over two minutes to play and the Eagles leading by three. Instead of having the team go up by 10, Westbrook took a knee at the 1 and let the Eagles run out the clock on the Cowboys. Why give the Cowboys a chance at a comeback if you can control the clock like that? A fantastic play by Westbrook, sacrificing some personal glory for the team.
But what about the rest of us... i.e. fantasy football participants? I'm sure Westbrook's fall prior to the TD created a lot of both frustration and jubilation across the land. I was playing against Westbrook in two leagues, and although the TD wouldn't have necessarily changed the outcome, let's say I was pleased. But how many others lost a shot at the title game because of that? That's gotta be a harsh way to lose.
While Westbrook had a respectable day, other fantasy studs were having their worst days of the season. Tony Romo and Tom Brady, the top two QBs this year in fantasy circles, both underperformed dramatically. Romo underperformed so dramatically that his team lost at home to a non-playoff caliber team.
And Brady had to deal with the harsh New England weather, which means his teammates, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth, also underperformed. As for Romo's performance, that left Terrell Owens with another poor outing. although TO didn't really help himself, either.
And the uber-stud TE, San Diego's Antonio Gates, caught just one measly pass.
So in this week of fantasy semifinals, many of the "best" fantasy teams likely lost their shot at the title because the players that got them there failed miserably. Certainly there were signs that Brady and Moss might not be good plays when the weather showed up, but how can you sit them?
madison.com (c) 2007 Capital Newspapers
Fantasy football
RB Earnest Graham
Unless you have Ladainian Tomlinson and Willis McGahee in your backfield then you should start Graham. In three out of the past four games, he has topped the 100-yard barrier. No reason to expect that trend to stop today when the Buccaneers play at the Texans. Houston ranks 25th in the league in run defense, allowing 122 yards per game. Only five teams have allowed more rushing TDs than the 11 given up by the Texans. Graham has rushed for a TD in each of the past four games.
RB Travis Henry
The Denver RB received word this week that he will not be suspended for a drug violation. If that doesn't rejuvenate you nothing will. Henry scored two TDs last week against the Raiders. He only scored one in the prior weeks. So with him coming off a two TD performance and knowing that he will not be suspended, Henry should be at his best today when Denver hosts Kansas City, which ranks only 21st in the NFL in run defense.
RB Kolby Smith
While Travis Henry shreds the Kansas City defense, his counterpart will do the same to the Broncos. Smith has started two games in place of the injured Larry Johnson and has totaled 252 yards and two TDs. He should put up similar statistics today against a weak run defense. The Broncos rank 31st in the league, allowing 149 rushing yards per game.
WR Greg Jennings
Three TD catches in the past four games is hard to ignore. QB Brett Favre is expected to play and as long as he is on the field Jennings should be in your lineup. Jennings ranks second to teammate Donald Driver in receptions and yards, but he makes more happen when the ball is thrown his way. Jennings averages 16 yards per reception and has scored 10 TDs compared to only two for Driver.
Buffalo Defense
The Bills rank 30th in the NFL in total defense, so there is a good chance no one has dared to start this unit. But today is the day. The Bills host the horrendous Dolphins whose offense is a model in what not to do. The Dolphins rank 28th in the NFL in points and 29th in yards gained. The Dolphins will be lucky to score 13 points on a Buffalo defense that is better than the statistics indicate. The Bills rank 21st in the NFL, allowing 22. 8 points per game. Take away the two games where the Patriots scored 94 points and that average drops to 17 per game.
QB Donovan McNabb
The most overrated QB in the history of the NFL, McNabb is expected to play today for the Eagles against the Giants. That doesn't mean you have to play him on your fantasy team. McNabb will be a sitting duck for the Giants excellent pass rush. He only completed 15-of-31 passes for 138 yards in their earlier meeting, a 16-3 Giants victory. No reason to expect any better from McNabb today.
WR Anthony Gonzalez
Hard to pass up playing the Colts No. 2 WR, but the rookie is no Reggie Wayne. Gonzalez has his moments, just not enough of them to warrant starting him today when the Colts play at Baltimore. Gonzalez caught six passes for 105 yards against the Falcons two weeks ago, but then followed with only one catch for 22 yards against the Jaguars. Don't count on the rookie to propel you in the playoffs.
RB Thomas Jones
The veteran RB rushed for 75 yards and his first TD this season last week, so some will probably jump on the bandwagon. The fact that the Jets face a Browns defense that ranks 28th against the run, allowing 131.5 yards per game provides further motivation to start Jones. But ... check the statistics closely and you realize the Browns have only allowed six rushing TDs in their 12 games. No reason to expect a RB who has only rushed for one to score on a defense that only allows one rushing TD every two games.
RB Frank Gore
The 49ers RB takes his shot at the stingy Minnesota run defense today and he will undoubtedly fare no better than any of those before him. The Vikings rank first in the NFL in run defense, allowing 70.5 yards per game and Minnesota ranks third, surrendering only five rushing TDs. Gore totaled 111 yards last week against the Panthers, and he rushed for 116 yards the week before against the Cardinals, but his yardage today will fall far short of 100.
WR Lee Evans
Bills QB Trent Edwards threw for 257 yards last week against the Redskins, but Evans only hauled in four passes for 51 yards. Today, Evans faces a better pass defense. The Dolphins rank third in the NFL in that category. When the Bills faced the Dolphins in Week 10, Evans totaled only 65 receiving yards. No reason to expect any better from him today in the sequel.
Last week
Start: Clinton Portis (25 rushes for 50 yards and one TD), Justin Fargas (33 rushes for 146 yards and one TD, two catches for 18 yards), Frank Gore (21 rushes for 58 yards, five catches for 53 yards), Bobby Engram (five catches for 60 yards and one TD), Hines Ward (11 catches for 90 yards and two TDs). Sit: Laurence Maroney (13 rushes for 44 yards, two catches for 79 yards), Adrian Peterson (22 rushes for 67 yards), Kevin Jones (three rushes for 1 yard, three catches for 16 yards), Eli Manning (16-of-27 for 197 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs), Lendale White (12 rushes for 60 yards and one TD)
Last week: Call me Mr. Mediocre. Like just about every other week so far this season, there was a mixture of brilliance and stupidity on my part. My advice to start Hines Ward, Justin Fargas and Bobby Engram, and my advice to sit Adrian Peterson, Kevin Jones and Eli Manning all paid dividends. But my four other selections missed the mark. Speaking of missing the mark, I might as well just start putting NFL rosters on a dart board and settle it that way.
Copyright (c)2007 The Star Press. All rights reserved.
Fantasy football
WR Wes Welker
The Colts defense will be focused on preventing deep balls to Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth. That leaves Welker to pick apart the Colts in the middle of the field. The sure-handed receiver seems to be Tom Brady's favorite, and when you're the favorite receiver for a QB that throws as much as Brady, then you will catch your share of passes.
WR Chris Chambers
I advised all you Chambers owners to wait a week to see how he performed with the Chargers. He only caught two passes for 35 yards in his San Diego debut against Houston, but I expect his numbers to soar today against Minnesota and its NFL worst pass defense. The Vikings surrender 288 passing yards a game. Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson can't possibly account for all of those. That leaves a nice chunk for Chambers.
RB Kevin Jones
Jones overtook Tatum Bell for the starting tailback spot and rushed for 105 yards last week against Chicago. He faces a worse run defense today when the Lions host Denver. The Broncos rank dead last in run defense, allowing 166 yards per game. Jones should be in store for another 100-yard game and at least one TD.
RB Shaun Alexander
All Alexander owners probably want a redo on their first-round pick. His average of 66 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry are mediocre at best. Not to mention he has rushed for only two TDs in the seven games. But today Alexander should put up numbers that deserve first-round status. Seattle faces a pathetic Cleveland run defense that allows 140 yards per game.
RB Marshawn Lynch
The majority of fantasy magazines predicted Lynch would put up better numbers than fellow rookie RB Adrian Peterson. OOPS. Lynch has averaged 3.6 yards per carry and only four TDs in seven games. But that average should raise near four after today. The Bills host Cincinnati, whose defense is a joke both against the pass and run. The Bengals have allowed 139 rushing yards per game, so Lynch should find plenty of holes to run through. Expect him to top 100 yards and score two TDs.
WR Anquan Boldin
Kurt Warner is listed as probable, which is good news when your alternative is Tim Rattay. But it has been apparent in the two years that Warner has been in Arizona that he and Boldin are not on the same page. Boldin put up big numbers when Matt Leinart was the QB, but his numbers have always been pedestrian with Warner in the pocket. The Cardinals face the second-ranked NFL pass defense today when they travel to Tampa Bay, so there's no reason to think that Boldin will put up starter worthy numbers.
WR Marvin Harrison
Harrison has missed two of the last three games and is listed as questionable on the NFL injury report. Even if he plays there's no reason to expect a big day from Harrison, who only caught three passes for 16 yards against Jacksonville in Week 7. I will throw this caution out there: Harrison is a clutch player, and if he does take the field today anywhere close to healthy he will probably rise to the occasion against the Patriots.
TE Todd Heap
Same as Marvin Harrison, Heap has missed two of the last three games and is listed as questionable on the NFL injury report, so you're already taking a chance by starting him. Add to that the fact that he faces the top-ranked overall defense Monday night and there's no reason to start him. Pittsburgh will be focused on containing him and RB Willis McGahee and take their chances with the mediocre Baltimore wide receivers. If he plays, Heap will be a nonfactor.
QB Jon Kitna
How inconsistent has Kitna been over the past few weeks? So inconsistent that I traded for Jeff Garcia of all people. Kitna faces a Denver secondary today that is still reeling from what Brett Favre did to them on Monday night. Don't count on Kitna to have the same success. Denver CBs Champ Bailey and Dre Bly will probably pick him off a couple times.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew
Call this the gut feeling pick, which with my track record is probably good news for all the Jones-Drew owners. The Saints run defense ranks 10th in the NFL allowing 98 yards per game. The Saints will probably load the box to contain Jones-Drew and dare Jacksonville QB Quinn Gray to beat them. Jones-Drew runs like a bowling ball, so he will still muster some yards, but not enough to warrant starting him.
Last week: Start: Willie Parker (22 rushes for 126 yards and TD), Eli Manning (8-of-22 for 59 yards and one rushing TD), DeShawn Wynn (one rush for one yard), Donovan McNabb (23-of-36 for 333 yards and one TD), Laveranues Coles (one catch for 13 yards). Sit: Chris Chambers (two catches for 35 yards), Brian Westbook (21 rushes for 46 yards and one TD, four catches for 46 yards and one TD), Marvin Harrison (DNP), Wes Welker (nine catches for 89 yards and one TD), Brett Favre (21-of-27 for 331 yards and two TDs).
Last week was just another in a long line of disappointing weeks for me. Two of my five to start panned out, two others suffered injuries and only touched the ball once and the fifth, Eli Manning, played miserably. I guessed wrong on three of my five players to sit. Brett Favre reminded me why you should never bet against him. Brian Westbrook only ran for two yards per carry but he totaled 92 yards and two TDs. Oh well, there's only one way to go from here and that's up. Then again, I've been saying that for the past few weeks.
Copyright (c)2007 The Star Press.All rights reserved.
NFL Week 8: Fantasy Football
By THOMAS ST. MYER
tstmyer@muncie.gannett.com
RB Willie Parker
Fast Willie ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards, but he has only scored one TD. His value diminishes significantly in TD-heavy leagues. But today Parker will put up mega points, regardless of how your league scores. The Bengals defense has allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of six games and is ranked 29th overall in the NFL. Expect Fast Willie to run right through them into the end zone.
QB Eli Manning
Eli has heard all his life that he's no Peyton. This just in: He's no Tom Brady either. But if he puts up half the stats the GQ cover boy accumulated last week against the Fins, that will be plenty good enough to warrant a start. Brady threw for a ridiculous 354 yards and six TDs at Miami last week. I don't know about you, but I'll gladly take 177 yards and three TDs.
RB DeShawn Wynn
Named the starting RB by coach Mike McCarthy, Wynn earned the nod by rushing for a TD in each of his last two games. He has yet to sniff a 100-yard game, but that's only from lack of carries. He averages 4.1 yards a pop. Monday night, the Packers play at the Broncos who just so happen to have the last-ranked rush defense in the NFL. Wynn should be able to extend his consecutive games with a TD to three.
QB Donovan McNabb
McNabb takes his turn today shredding the Vikings pass defense. The Vikings rank last in the NFL in pass defense surrendering 282 yards a game. At the same time, the Vikings have the best run defense in the league so teams really have no other choice than to air it out. McNabb has been inconsistent this season. His only true Pro Bowl caliber performance came in Week 3 against the Lions when he threw for 381 yards and four TDs. I doubt he matches the number of TDs, but don't be surprised if he throws for similar yardage today.
WR Laveranues Coles
The Jets have been pathetic, so Coles has gone relatively unnoticed by the national media. But his fantasy owners know how productive he's been for the Jets. Coles ranks among the NFL's leaders with six TD receptions. What's more amazing is he is scoring TDs at that rate with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens throwing him the ball. He and fellow WR Jeremiah Cotchery are tied for the team lead with 47 receptions and Cotchery has totaled 85 more yards, but Coles is the one who scores the TDs. He should add to that total today against the Bills and their 31st-ranked pass defense.
WR Chris Chambers
All the Chambers owners probably thanked their lucky stars when the Dolphins, possibly the worst team since the 1977 Buccaneers, traded him to the explosive Chargers. But ... there's only one football to go around and some guy they call LT has first dibs and TE Antonio Gates has second. Take a week to see how the Chargers implement Chambers into their offense before you start him.
RB Brian Westbrook
You clearly haven't been reading this on a weekly basis if you don't know why you should sit Westbrook. Then again, you probably have a much better record following your own advice than you would mine. Anyway, back to Westbrook. He faces the Vikings and their No. 1 run defense. How good is the Vikings' run defense you ask? Good enough to hold any RB in the NFL to pedestrian numbers.
WR Marvin Harrison
Marvelous Marvin returned to action last week and appeared to still be nursing a sore knee that sidelined him for the previous six quarters. Harrison only caught three passes for 16 yards against the Jaguars. Even before the injury, Harrison had taken a backseat to fellow WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark. Harrison has only topped the Colts in receiving yards once this season and that came back in Week 2 when he hauled in six passes for 87 yards against the Titans.
WR Wes Welker
Randy Moss makes all the highlight-reel catches, but Welker has emerged as Tom Brady's favorite target. For that reason, Welker is usually an automatic start as your No. 2 receiver or flex player. But today he faces a Redskins defense that covers the middle of the field extremely well with Pro Bowlers London Fletcher and Sean Taylor, and has the speed to shut him down on screen passes. Not a good matchup for Welker.
QB Brett Favre
The old gunslinger has had some memorable performances on Monday Night Football. But this won't be one of them. The Packers travel to Denver to face the Broncos and their top-ranked pass defense. Champ Bailey, Dre Bly and company won't let Favre put on a John Madden-must-talk-about-if-repeatedly-for-the-next-five-years kind of performance. Favre will throw more INTs than TDs.
Last week: Start: Najeh Davenport (two rushes for six yards), Lawrence Maroney (six carries for 31 yards), Steve McNair (DNP), Derrick Mason (seven catches for 78 yards and one TD), Joey Galloway (five catches for 46 yards). Sit: Ben Roethlisberger (290 yards, four TDs and two INTs), Travis Henry (17 rushes for 51 yards), Larry Fitzgerald (six catches for 97 yards), Marion Barber (19 rushes for 96 yards and one TD), Ronnie Brown (17 carries for 76 yards).
Man, I need a bye week worse than the Dolphins. My worst week yet with only one player I advised you to start putting up decent numbers (Derrick Mason) and only one guy I told you to sit (Travis Henry) falling on his face. Ronnie Brown felt so sorry for me that he decided to suffering a season-ending injury rather than finish off what was a sure 100-yard game.
Copyright (c)2007 The Star Press.All rights reserved.
Fantasy football: Back to reality
PJ Slinger - 10/15/2007 8:56 am
Now that's a little more like it.
LaDainian Tomlinson with four touchdowns and nearly 200 yards rushing. Larry Johnson finding the end zone and rushing for more than 100 yards. Drew Brees finding receivers open (from his own team). Tom Brady throwing for five touchdown and more than 30 yards.
Besides the fact that there were six teams on bye this weekend, the fantasy studs were out in full force. Seems like this was the first week where the expected resutls actually panned out.
And then there was Adrian Peterson, Vikings variety. Chester Taylor, nice to have known you, but your services in Minnesota are going to become an afterthought. Peterson scored three times, all on runs of more than 35 yards, to set a Vikings record for 222 rushing yards. Hope you weren't scared of the not-so-scary Bears defense and sat Peterson. Big oops.
Steve Smith even showed up with a nice game with the help of Grandpa Testaverde.
The Baltimore defense looked menacing again, with five interceptions and a host of sacks against the listless Rams.
And even in losses, players like Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck provided their owners with good stats.
It feels like the NFL world has righted itself, at least fantasywise. Let's hope the injuires that are decimating rosters soon clear up and we cna again be cheering on Marvin Harrison, Rudi Johnson and Andre Johnson, to name a few.
I do have one bone to pick, however. What's up with the Raiders saying that Lamont Jordan was doubtful, even downgrading him from Wednesday to Saturday, then starting him on Sunday? I had Dominic Rhodes ready to go in his stead, but made a move to put Jason Wright (RB, Cleveland) in my line-up instead. Had I not made that move, I woulda been irate at Oakland. Who do I call?
The Capital Times (c) 2007
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