Go ahead, ask me why I'm a consistent top performer in Fantasy Football. I don't mind, in fact I'll tell you anyway. I am a great Fantasy Football manager. I started playing in 05 and won that year, challenged the winner 06, lost in the semi's in 07 after a 12-2 start, and I'm currently first this year after starting 0-3.
Well it all starts with your intial draft but it doesn't end there. I try to tell my members that you have to play serious every week. You can't take anything for granted. If you have a player that killed in one week, you still have to take into account what his matchup is this week along with any injuries. You also have to stay on top of any other players that are out-performing your current players. The NFL stands for Not For Long so a player can start to blossom at any point in the season.
You have to draft the guys who you know will consistently put up points each and every week. Last year Brian Westbrook was the perfect RB and carried his team even though he didn't have much help around him. He was listed as about the fourth or fifth RB on the draft list but I knew the Eagles relied on his play thoroughly. This year, I knew he got a knew contract, everyone would try to pick him, and last year he didn't have any injuries. Hence, not a great pick this year. The trick is to try to go for a guy that no one else will pick first. Don't try for that homerun pick that everyone thinks will kill it. Example, LT, has not had a great year and everyone considers him the best RB in the game. We all know he was injured at the end of last season, and 5 out of 10 managers will play for him. If you try to play for him you will almost certainly not get him and will probably get someone you didn't want.
There are also players that you just know will perform greatly in one game or another. You can't always go on what the experts say. Look at Brett Favre. No one in my league wanted him, in fact others ridiculed me for picking him up. I know he's at the end of his career but I also know he's one of the games best competitors. I also like to take into account how much heart a player has. Does this particular player have a knack for fighting all the way to the end, or will he throw in the towel (drama queen recievers)?
I haven't always had great picks or made all the right moves. But I did learn to adapt. This year I intitially had 4 qb's. I needed another RB so I traded Kurt Warner for Fred Taylor. Hindsight proves it was a dumb move, but I had Brees, Favre, and Delhomme and I didn't know Warner would be the starter and have the great season he is. Taylor proved to be a dud. I also drafted Ryan Grant as my second RB. He blew up the second half of last season and while he has been consistent, he hasn't had the year comparable to last season.
I must say that my biggest advantage has been my midseason pickups. If you study the game and know when a player is matched up against a soft running defense or secondary and are showing promises earlier in the season of big numbers, go with it. I scooped up Eddie Royal and Ted Ginn Jr who both have had great weeks for me. Now as rookies you don't know if they'll show up every week but they both return kickoffs and punts.
If you know a starting RB is out for the week and you know that team has a decent offense, pick up his back up. Dominic Rhodes for Indy this year, Steve Slaton for Houston, McAlister for Bush, Moore for Parker in Pittsburgh. Of course they are a one or two week play but winning is the name of the game and who knows what will happen in 2 weeks.
What to avoid
So many times I get a guy who is a die hard fan of one team or another and he almost always gets as many players from his team. Last year I had a guy who loved the Pats and of course they had a tremendous season but his fantasy team sucked. At best you'll have one or two guys who will go off every week but the goal is to have every guy go off. That is less likely to happen when you have several players on the same team. Spread the wealth.
This is up to you but I hate starting other teams or players against my personal favorite team the Panthers. I hate to cheer for a touchdown against them when it was my fantasy player who scored it. Unless the guy is undroppable, sit him. It will make your Sunday more enjoyable, trust me.
All in all it comes down to activity and fun. If you stay with it and consistently monitor your team you will have success. Don't be afraid to talk some smack. It makes the competition better and victory sweeter. Just remember why we watch the game. Its for the enjoyment of the sport. Fantasy just gives us reasons to watch other games other than our favorite teams.
Until next time, fantasize well.
