OK, so we are off and running this season. Been very exciting so far. The names change but the trends do not. Big name players not putting up an numbers so you sit them and of course when you do they explode and have a huge game(I'm looking at a certain Tight End from Atlanta!) making it look like you don't know how to start your studs. It can be humbling to have almost as many points on your bench as you do from your starters.
Lets start with the not so great update first - the Keeper League. I'm 1-2. Got my first win last week, by 4 points. On nothing more than points per reception and yardage I crept up from the Green Bay game last Monday Night to take the lead as the game ended. God bless you, Arron Rodgers! Now throw it to Jennings, I have both of you for a reason! I have been doing really well with my receivers, something that always gave me fits in years past. Now I'm struggling with running backs. My starting backs for this week? Forsett and Brown, and that's about as good a RB line up as I've had to far. I've said it before and I'll say it again now, F%K the Cowboys! Marrion Barber, why, oh why, did I keep that guy?!?! I wanted to drop him for the final keeper selection before the Draft but I held on, hoping I could start the year off with a proven name. Yeah, he was proven alright, proving me WRONG!
I was able to grab the number 1 wide out for the Raiders, after I had sworn off anyone wearing black and silver years ago. I've had him for 2 weeks now and looks like that was a smart move. Actually I picked him up on both leagues, though he will have more value in the PPR league. Points are points and I'll take them whenever I can. Defense hasn't been what I thought it would be, so far. I picked up Baltimore and so far they are averaging about 8 points a game. Not that great considering if you don't break 100 points its like having an off week.
All that being said, I'm facing the number 1 team in this league this week. He's averaging about 147 points a game through week 3. Yikes, and I just scored my highest total last week at 104. BUT.....his top running back is on bye week, he is starting a RB and WR from Indy and both CAN'T have great games(can they?) He does have Vick. I'm hoping Vick has a bad game then I won't be looking that bad. If my guys have good games I have a real shot at pulling out a win. Not holding my breath on this one.
Now on to the Redraft League - 3-0 Baby! The only unbeaten team and currently the highest scoring! I wasn't sure how the team was going to fare after a lack luster week one. Phillip Rivers and Adrain Peterson are on fire right now. Mendenhall finally waking up and I expect better production out of him once Rothlesburger makes it back and can start throwing the ball more to draw the defences off the line. Also starting Foster this week in place of Peterson, he should have a good game. My receivers are getting a little banged up but nothing serious so far.
My outlook is good for this season, I think there is only one team that I am not looking forward to playing, but that could change. He has Chris Johnson and Vick and I expect Vick to be in the dog house(pun intended) soon enough. Johnson had a very poor showing against the Steelers so other defences know that he CAN be stopped. The other guys have good teams and so far I've played a few and was able to come out on top. Play-offs, here I come!
Anyone else having a good or bad season so far? Share in the comments!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Too soon to make moves?
So, I'm sitting here, on a day off from work, sipping coffee and checking on the Fanball sites for both of my teams. Just looking at all the activity going on. Players are getting dropped and picked up left and right. My initial plan was to wait and see how the first few games of the season went before I started making moves. Am I missing out on something?
I've done it before. I've dropped a player because his "out look" wasn't too good, only to have him get picked up by another team and rack up some points. Just one of the many pains of managing a team. I'd like to think that I have learned a lesson in there somewhere. Hang on to what you have and see who pans out, don't make rash decisions and drop and pick up players on a whim. Is it worth it to pick up a player you think may do good in the near future? Or drop a guy you think may not help you out? Its a waiting game, those players will not stay on the wire for too long but you can have someone on your team for as long as you like. Makes the Draft all that more important. At the very least you should be drafting players that are on the up swing. If you grab a few guys on the way down you run this risk of scrambling when that are not producing or get hurt.
Of course all this talk is cheap. First week of the season is just around the corner and who knows what will happen. Remember when Tom Brady went down the first week and missed the whole season? He was the number 1 overall pick in our league that year. I laughed quite a bit about that one. Just goes to show that the injury bug can hit anyone at anytime, no matter how big the name is and how much research you did before the Draft.
So, here is to an injury free first week of play! May all your hopes and dreams not go down in flames with the first game. May your yards pile high and your touchdowns be numerous. And let the all mighty waiver wire shine down on you with great warmth and encouragement!
P.S. Pray to Vince Lombardi, it may help.
I've done it before. I've dropped a player because his "out look" wasn't too good, only to have him get picked up by another team and rack up some points. Just one of the many pains of managing a team. I'd like to think that I have learned a lesson in there somewhere. Hang on to what you have and see who pans out, don't make rash decisions and drop and pick up players on a whim. Is it worth it to pick up a player you think may do good in the near future? Or drop a guy you think may not help you out? Its a waiting game, those players will not stay on the wire for too long but you can have someone on your team for as long as you like. Makes the Draft all that more important. At the very least you should be drafting players that are on the up swing. If you grab a few guys on the way down you run this risk of scrambling when that are not producing or get hurt.
Of course all this talk is cheap. First week of the season is just around the corner and who knows what will happen. Remember when Tom Brady went down the first week and missed the whole season? He was the number 1 overall pick in our league that year. I laughed quite a bit about that one. Just goes to show that the injury bug can hit anyone at anytime, no matter how big the name is and how much research you did before the Draft.
So, here is to an injury free first week of play! May all your hopes and dreams not go down in flames with the first game. May your yards pile high and your touchdowns be numerous. And let the all mighty waiver wire shine down on you with great warmth and encouragement!
P.S. Pray to Vince Lombardi, it may help.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Post Draft - Again
OK, so another Draft in the books. And to be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel about my team this time around. I'm sure I will do OK (I've only had one year were I didn't make the playoffs), but how exciting and fun will it be?
I should mention that I feel like I drafted a really good team this year. But that time came around in Draft when you have a player with good stats and the promise of more good stats sitting there, mocking you, so I jumped on it. I picked up a running back that I probably wouldn't have any other time. That, of course, set off a chain reaction down the line of potential picks that got thrown out the window. I don't like to have too many players from one team. I've done it before and unless that team just explodes and puts up huge numbers each game, its usually not a good thing. So,I drafted the Steelers starting running back. I am not a Steelers fan and I'm not a big fan of this player. BUT, like any team owner doing his research, I know that the Steelers are a running team and they will run the ball, a lot. For my second pick in the Draft to have a running back still available that is a starter on a run first offense, I couldn't pass that up.
I would like to say that my drafting of Vikings running back, Peterson, was a well thought out and planned move on my part. But I would be lying. Having the second pick on the Draft kind of makes that first pick a little easier. Who ever didn't go with the first pick was going to be mine. Of course, I would rather have the other guy, but whatever, Peterson puts up numbers and that's what I need. Other teams that have picked up Peterson have gone on to do very well, I hope he can hang on and give me some of that love also. I tried to get a good supporting cast built around him. He is the foundation. Let's just hope he brings home the bacon.
While other owners were picking up big name players at other positions, I stuck with my strategy. Having kept a close eye on the last minute injury updates and team signings, I was able to skip a few names down the lines and grab those players that are primed and poised to make my team formidable. I've made the playoffs nearly every season. I have not won a championship in a long time. I feel this team has a good a chance as any other I've had to make that happen this year. I want my team to do some damage, not just go .500 and limp into the playoffs like many of the last years. I tried a new thing this year and didn't go after any back up players, I figured I will grab some undrafted players when I need them. I didn't want to waste a draft pick on an unproven player. While those other owners were drafting back up QBs and Tight Ends, I got what I needed at those positions and moved on to the meat of the Draft.
Other owners taking back ups left a void for the drafting of higher ranked Running Backs and Wide Receivers. Which, I hope, I took advantage of. I feel like I drafted my best team of WRs in a long time. Usually after a few weeks into the season, the WR position is one that I am never happy with and on a weekly basis have to pull guys off the waiver wire to Frankenstein my line up for the week. Although it is kind of fun to grab a player that is un-drafted and start him before he really gets his numbers up. Makes you feel like you know something the other guys don't.
All that being said, how I feel about this team will show in the coming weeks. Last season I set a personal record that I don't want to revisit, 6 losses in a row. Sure, I finished the season strong and made the playoffs, but still, after that 5th and 6th loss, you start to question everything. The big question is, "Is it too soon to start drafting for next season?". Let's all hope for a good end to the Pre-Season games, no injuries, so more suspensions and no more cuts. I've never been plagued by the injury bug, as some teams do, but my players usually end up not performing as well as they should. My fingers are crossed that at least a few of these guys pan out.
Oh yeah, someone did take Brett Favre. It wasn't me. I had my eye on him, of course. But he may help another team out more then he would have helped mine. Another goal I have for this season is to finally replace my Favre jersey with a Rodgers one. Still feels a little weird, rooting for my Packers and wearing the jersey of a guy that is playing for a division rival. I will always keep the jersey but the team comes first. And Rodgers is the man that will lead us to a Super Bowl win. Its a good time to be a Packer fan and a fan of football.
Hope all your Drafts go/went well. Good luck this season.
MiketheTripp
I should mention that I feel like I drafted a really good team this year. But that time came around in Draft when you have a player with good stats and the promise of more good stats sitting there, mocking you, so I jumped on it. I picked up a running back that I probably wouldn't have any other time. That, of course, set off a chain reaction down the line of potential picks that got thrown out the window. I don't like to have too many players from one team. I've done it before and unless that team just explodes and puts up huge numbers each game, its usually not a good thing. So,I drafted the Steelers starting running back. I am not a Steelers fan and I'm not a big fan of this player. BUT, like any team owner doing his research, I know that the Steelers are a running team and they will run the ball, a lot. For my second pick in the Draft to have a running back still available that is a starter on a run first offense, I couldn't pass that up.
I would like to say that my drafting of Vikings running back, Peterson, was a well thought out and planned move on my part. But I would be lying. Having the second pick on the Draft kind of makes that first pick a little easier. Who ever didn't go with the first pick was going to be mine. Of course, I would rather have the other guy, but whatever, Peterson puts up numbers and that's what I need. Other teams that have picked up Peterson have gone on to do very well, I hope he can hang on and give me some of that love also. I tried to get a good supporting cast built around him. He is the foundation. Let's just hope he brings home the bacon.
While other owners were picking up big name players at other positions, I stuck with my strategy. Having kept a close eye on the last minute injury updates and team signings, I was able to skip a few names down the lines and grab those players that are primed and poised to make my team formidable. I've made the playoffs nearly every season. I have not won a championship in a long time. I feel this team has a good a chance as any other I've had to make that happen this year. I want my team to do some damage, not just go .500 and limp into the playoffs like many of the last years. I tried a new thing this year and didn't go after any back up players, I figured I will grab some undrafted players when I need them. I didn't want to waste a draft pick on an unproven player. While those other owners were drafting back up QBs and Tight Ends, I got what I needed at those positions and moved on to the meat of the Draft.
Other owners taking back ups left a void for the drafting of higher ranked Running Backs and Wide Receivers. Which, I hope, I took advantage of. I feel like I drafted my best team of WRs in a long time. Usually after a few weeks into the season, the WR position is one that I am never happy with and on a weekly basis have to pull guys off the waiver wire to Frankenstein my line up for the week. Although it is kind of fun to grab a player that is un-drafted and start him before he really gets his numbers up. Makes you feel like you know something the other guys don't.
All that being said, how I feel about this team will show in the coming weeks. Last season I set a personal record that I don't want to revisit, 6 losses in a row. Sure, I finished the season strong and made the playoffs, but still, after that 5th and 6th loss, you start to question everything. The big question is, "Is it too soon to start drafting for next season?". Let's all hope for a good end to the Pre-Season games, no injuries, so more suspensions and no more cuts. I've never been plagued by the injury bug, as some teams do, but my players usually end up not performing as well as they should. My fingers are crossed that at least a few of these guys pan out.
Oh yeah, someone did take Brett Favre. It wasn't me. I had my eye on him, of course. But he may help another team out more then he would have helped mine. Another goal I have for this season is to finally replace my Favre jersey with a Rodgers one. Still feels a little weird, rooting for my Packers and wearing the jersey of a guy that is playing for a division rival. I will always keep the jersey but the team comes first. And Rodgers is the man that will lead us to a Super Bowl win. Its a good time to be a Packer fan and a fan of football.
Hope all your Drafts go/went well. Good luck this season.
MiketheTripp
Monday, August 23, 2010
Post draft blues
OK, we've all been there. The first few hours after the big Draft. Was anything really accomplished? Any new ground broken? More of the same, just different names?
I left with my head held high. I wouldn't call it the best hand picked pool of players, but really, not too shabby. Sure, I did miss out on a few guys that I really wanted, but with anything, you don't want to reach too soon or too late. Too soon and you are left looking like a little fan boy coveting a name. Reach too late and you are left with a player you had to settle for and who wants that.
There in lies my dilemma. I have probably the best(statistically speaking) QB already on my roster. At some point I would need a back up, even if it was just to cover a bye week. My starter takes a lot of punishment and many experts expect him to miss at least a few starts this year, be still my heart! Knock on wood, if that should happen, what kind of tough little spot would I be in? I think I covered it well enough. I took Bret Favre. I received a few small short chuckles with that pick. Will anyone really understand a pick like that? Was I being fan boy for just a few minutes? Favre got me into this amazing game called Football. The Packers have always been my team, but Favre was the man.
I remember watching that team develop. The team getting better and better over the years. Winning more and more games, going further and further into the play-offs. Having my little heart broken by the Cowboys and their stupid indoor stadium(Favre was never an "in door" QB). The 49ers and their stupid everything. Watching all that and having it some to fruition with a Super Bowl win was just amazing. So I take Favre. I take Favre with a little part of me still holding on to those memories. Of course, it does help that he had his best season ever last year.
I sat and watched as the other owners took players based on many other things. After all, heart doesn't win you a championship. How can I pass up a player that has given me so much over the years? I couldn't. No one else wanted him. He was mine. Have a seat on my team, Mr.Favre. You may not start that many games but like in real life, just having you part of the team makes for a better experience. I feel better having a guy on my team that has NEVER missed a start. EVER. Do you know anyone that in 20 years on the job has not called in sick at least once? Not me. Am I gushing a little bit here? Maybe. Let's move on.
New league with new rules. Keepers. Points Per Reception. Flex Positions. What? Flex Position? Is that like Yoga? No matter how the Draft went, the first few games will be looked at with the most scrutiny. By everyone. Was I a good guy to bring in to this close knit group of friends? How well do I really understand the game? How well do I fit in here? Only time will tell. Its only a game. In the end its all about having fun. The Draft has already given me that. I cannot wait until the season starts. I paid my money, give me my fun!
In the Re-Draft League, I got the 2nd pick of the Draft. I think its obvious what will happen with that first pick. There are 2 of the best running backs sitting atop every one's Draft board. I will take the guy that doesn't go first. Then it gets interesting. Its a serpentine Draft. First pick, all the way down to the tenth pick then all the way back up. So many players will be picked before I get a second pick. I started to panic at first. Then it sank in. No sweat. The players that end up on top of the rankings each year usually were not there the year before. I have quite a bit of research to do but I'm sure I can walk away with a great team. Who is on their way up and who is on their way down? That's where the problem is. Its all like throwing darts. If I can hit the board, I'll be happy.
OK, enough of the rambling. Time to get ready for the next Draft. Let the fun begin and continue until sometime in February.
MiketheTripp
I left with my head held high. I wouldn't call it the best hand picked pool of players, but really, not too shabby. Sure, I did miss out on a few guys that I really wanted, but with anything, you don't want to reach too soon or too late. Too soon and you are left looking like a little fan boy coveting a name. Reach too late and you are left with a player you had to settle for and who wants that.
There in lies my dilemma. I have probably the best(statistically speaking) QB already on my roster. At some point I would need a back up, even if it was just to cover a bye week. My starter takes a lot of punishment and many experts expect him to miss at least a few starts this year, be still my heart! Knock on wood, if that should happen, what kind of tough little spot would I be in? I think I covered it well enough. I took Bret Favre. I received a few small short chuckles with that pick. Will anyone really understand a pick like that? Was I being fan boy for just a few minutes? Favre got me into this amazing game called Football. The Packers have always been my team, but Favre was the man.
I remember watching that team develop. The team getting better and better over the years. Winning more and more games, going further and further into the play-offs. Having my little heart broken by the Cowboys and their stupid indoor stadium(Favre was never an "in door" QB). The 49ers and their stupid everything. Watching all that and having it some to fruition with a Super Bowl win was just amazing. So I take Favre. I take Favre with a little part of me still holding on to those memories. Of course, it does help that he had his best season ever last year.
I sat and watched as the other owners took players based on many other things. After all, heart doesn't win you a championship. How can I pass up a player that has given me so much over the years? I couldn't. No one else wanted him. He was mine. Have a seat on my team, Mr.Favre. You may not start that many games but like in real life, just having you part of the team makes for a better experience. I feel better having a guy on my team that has NEVER missed a start. EVER. Do you know anyone that in 20 years on the job has not called in sick at least once? Not me. Am I gushing a little bit here? Maybe. Let's move on.
New league with new rules. Keepers. Points Per Reception. Flex Positions. What? Flex Position? Is that like Yoga? No matter how the Draft went, the first few games will be looked at with the most scrutiny. By everyone. Was I a good guy to bring in to this close knit group of friends? How well do I really understand the game? How well do I fit in here? Only time will tell. Its only a game. In the end its all about having fun. The Draft has already given me that. I cannot wait until the season starts. I paid my money, give me my fun!
In the Re-Draft League, I got the 2nd pick of the Draft. I think its obvious what will happen with that first pick. There are 2 of the best running backs sitting atop every one's Draft board. I will take the guy that doesn't go first. Then it gets interesting. Its a serpentine Draft. First pick, all the way down to the tenth pick then all the way back up. So many players will be picked before I get a second pick. I started to panic at first. Then it sank in. No sweat. The players that end up on top of the rankings each year usually were not there the year before. I have quite a bit of research to do but I'm sure I can walk away with a great team. Who is on their way up and who is on their way down? That's where the problem is. Its all like throwing darts. If I can hit the board, I'll be happy.
OK, enough of the rambling. Time to get ready for the next Draft. Let the fun begin and continue until sometime in February.
MiketheTripp
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Fantasy Football Draft Keeper League
Draft Day Eve
The butterflies are fluttering. The best players are kept. My first draft pick is not until the 6th round. Am i concerned? A little. I am taking part in 2 leagues this year. My new league is a keeper league. Quite a bit different from a normal league draft.
I have a few good players to keep on my team. But did I keep the right ones? Did I make the best trade I could have to get those players? This is my first attempt at a keeper league. I inherited a team from a guy that left on not-so-good terms. I heard that he screwed the team a little by trading the best player before he left. I'm not worried about that, more so the fact that I have 4 big name players and that's it. Since this is a keeper league, rookies go fast. Doesn't help me that there are a handful of projected "great picks" out of this years rookie class or that we have a team in the league drafting from scratch - meaning he will get the first few picks all to himself. I may try to pick up a rookie or 2, but I have been mainly researching the middle of the pack players. Players that will make in impact on my team but don't have to be the big name, stud players everyone wants.
My "regular league" draft is next weekend. The rules are very different so that will, in turn, mean a different style of draft. In this one, I'm looking for players that are going to have that big year. The kind of year that makes the football world stand up and take notice. I got lucky last year. I drafted Arron Rodgers and Ray Rice. Both were projected to have so-so years, good but not great. Both players exploded and had stats that blew other players at their positions away. And yet, I limped into the play-offs and exited in the first round.
Drafts and leagues are not all about having the big names and stats on your side. Its about knowing what to do and when to do it. Sure, its a good feeling to have a stud running back starting against a less then stellar defence. But that feeling can quickly sink to the pit of your stomach when he smashes into the pile to get a first down and gets up limping. The feeling drops from your stomach to your toes when you see him being helped off the field and into the locker room before halftime. Then you look over at your bench players. And there he is. That running back you took in the late round only because you had a roster spot to fill and you can't take a punter. And there he sits. Running circles around the best defence in the league. Racking up rushing yards, passing yards and touchdowns. There is no worse feeling then losing a game by only a few points and have some back up player putting up huge numbers, taking up space on your bench. Don't even get me started on bye weeks.
So, then, we go into draft day. These lessons, seemingly learned, time and again. How will this years draft pan out? We all get thrown off our game when a big name player lands in our draft spot. Looking all shiny and new. "Pick me, pick me" he'll yell, hoping up and down with his hands in the air. Take a closer look at that player. Its easy to pick based on name alone. And very easy to pick based on last years stats. Look at his legs.....was he over used last year? Look at his hands.....does he work hard and earn his place on the team? Look at his face....is he happy with his contract and ready to fill his role or does he have something to prove?
Good luck to everyone drafting this weekend. Lets save the complaining for the post-draft blogs.
Mike the Tripp
The butterflies are fluttering. The best players are kept. My first draft pick is not until the 6th round. Am i concerned? A little. I am taking part in 2 leagues this year. My new league is a keeper league. Quite a bit different from a normal league draft.
I have a few good players to keep on my team. But did I keep the right ones? Did I make the best trade I could have to get those players? This is my first attempt at a keeper league. I inherited a team from a guy that left on not-so-good terms. I heard that he screwed the team a little by trading the best player before he left. I'm not worried about that, more so the fact that I have 4 big name players and that's it. Since this is a keeper league, rookies go fast. Doesn't help me that there are a handful of projected "great picks" out of this years rookie class or that we have a team in the league drafting from scratch - meaning he will get the first few picks all to himself. I may try to pick up a rookie or 2, but I have been mainly researching the middle of the pack players. Players that will make in impact on my team but don't have to be the big name, stud players everyone wants.
My "regular league" draft is next weekend. The rules are very different so that will, in turn, mean a different style of draft. In this one, I'm looking for players that are going to have that big year. The kind of year that makes the football world stand up and take notice. I got lucky last year. I drafted Arron Rodgers and Ray Rice. Both were projected to have so-so years, good but not great. Both players exploded and had stats that blew other players at their positions away. And yet, I limped into the play-offs and exited in the first round.
Drafts and leagues are not all about having the big names and stats on your side. Its about knowing what to do and when to do it. Sure, its a good feeling to have a stud running back starting against a less then stellar defence. But that feeling can quickly sink to the pit of your stomach when he smashes into the pile to get a first down and gets up limping. The feeling drops from your stomach to your toes when you see him being helped off the field and into the locker room before halftime. Then you look over at your bench players. And there he is. That running back you took in the late round only because you had a roster spot to fill and you can't take a punter. And there he sits. Running circles around the best defence in the league. Racking up rushing yards, passing yards and touchdowns. There is no worse feeling then losing a game by only a few points and have some back up player putting up huge numbers, taking up space on your bench. Don't even get me started on bye weeks.
So, then, we go into draft day. These lessons, seemingly learned, time and again. How will this years draft pan out? We all get thrown off our game when a big name player lands in our draft spot. Looking all shiny and new. "Pick me, pick me" he'll yell, hoping up and down with his hands in the air. Take a closer look at that player. Its easy to pick based on name alone. And very easy to pick based on last years stats. Look at his legs.....was he over used last year? Look at his hands.....does he work hard and earn his place on the team? Look at his face....is he happy with his contract and ready to fill his role or does he have something to prove?
Good luck to everyone drafting this weekend. Lets save the complaining for the post-draft blogs.
Mike the Tripp
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