Welcome to the world of fantasy football, where your friend can ask
you, "Hey, what's the score in that there game you're watching?" and
you reply, "Score? I have no idea. But Chris Chambers has 3 catches for
56 yards and a score, baby!"
Yes, fantasy football changes everything about the way you watch. But
it is easy for a newbie to the game to fall into some easy traps, and
thus become "easy money" to the veterans of fantasy football. So, as
long as you're not playing in either of the leagues I'm in, I'll let
you in on some basic tips to keep you from making some mistakes that
will make you an infamous owner in your league.
Tip #1. Know the rules and scoring method of your league! Every league
is set up differently, and each league scores their games in a vast
amount of ways. For instance, some leagues award points purely based on
actual points scored in the NFL. This makes the running backs who get
goal line carries extremely valuable. Other leagues award points for
yardage and scores, making guys who put up those gaudy numbers more
valuable. Does your league make a Tight End mandatory? That's a big
thing to worry about. Some leagues give every player 1 point per
reception (A PPR league) which can vastly increase the value of running
backs who can catch (Brian Westbrook, Reggie Bush) over those with
hands of stone (Jamal Lewis). How many points does a QB get for a TD
pass? 3, 4, or 6? (or something else). It all matters, and it all
effects how you rank your players.
Tip #2 Understand the concept of position scarcity and supply and
demand! In most leagues, a QB (or even a kicker) can be the highest
scoring player on your fantasy team. However, these are not usually
positions of highest priority because of position scarcity. There are
12 very servicable QB's out there. Sure, there are a couple cream of
the crop guys (Brady, Manning) but there's also a decent group of 9 or
10 guys after those two that will put up very solid numbers as well.
Guys like Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, Donavan
McNabb, Tony Romo, Matt Hasselbeck, Jay Cutler and others will not kill
you from week to week. However, elite running backs, guys who carry the
load on a full time basis, goal line carries included, are few and far
between. Couple this fact with the fact that in most leagues you have
to start at least 2 RB's, and this means that on any given week at
least 24 RB's will be needed. Note, there are not 24 sure fire gonna be
"the man" running backs in the league. So you must, I repeat must, have
2 RB's on your roster in the first 3 rounds. (With very limited
exceptions). Anything else, and you will be playing with fire or
praying to the fantasy gods that Thomas Jones will return to some form
of fantasy legitimacy.
Tip #3 Pay attention to the bye weeks when drafting! Every team will be
looking for quality backups and potential sleepers, and you must be
prepared to start other players than your main group of studs. Guys get
hurt, and every team takes a week off sometime during the season. Don't
draft 2 QB's with the same bye week. (Unless you want to use a roster
move to pick up yet another QB for that week....don't do it, you'll end
up starting Tavaris Jackson in a week in which you REALLY need a win).
Tip #4 Don't offer ridiculous trades! You will lose all credibility if
you try to pass off Lee Evans and Matt Forte for Ladanian Tomlinson.
Try to find a team with a weakness that you can help them with one of
your strengths. If you are loaded at WR but need another RB, you may
have to give up your number 1 and number 3 guy to get a bonifide RB.
Tip #5 Don't be a "homer"! Sure, we all have our favorite NFL team. But
don't let that cloud your judgement come draft day. Don't play your
loyalties to the Chiefs buy picking Brodie Croyle when better options
like David Garrard or Phillip Rivers are still out there. Also, on
trades, other owners will pick up on your homerism and try to trade you
your teams players in unfair deals, "Hey, I'll give you your boy,
Dwayne Bowe, for that T.O. guy you have there."
Tip #6 Don't draft a kicker until the final round! Kickers are a
necessary part of fantasy football, but don't dare waste a pick on one.
Keep hunting for sleepers and break out guys and use your final round
pick for a kicker. Throw a dart and take one. Yes, some are on better
or higher scoring teams than others, but statistcally, from year to
year, the "top guy" changes so drastically, it's not worth your trouble
to agonize over "which one". Just look at some ranking, and pick a guy
you want in the last round. Trade him out during his bye week or
earlier if you think he sucks. He's expendable, but those higher round
picks are not!
Tip #7 Take last year's stats for what their worth! No player peforms
exactly the same from year to year. It's a good barometer of their
ability, but there are sooo many other factors that will make that
players stats go up or down from year to year. Some guys are physically
on the rise, while others are on the decline. Case in point, just a
couple years ago, Shaun Alexander was a bonifide top 2 or 3 pick in the
draft. This year? He's not even on a team yet. Things change, so do
your homework and figure out WHY things are changing. A change in
coaching philosphy is always important. (What will Mike Martz presence
in SF do to Frank Gore's numbers??? Hmmmmm...) Also, Cedric Benson ran
himself out of the league by poor performance on the field and poor
choices off it. Who's going to benefit from that??
Tip #8 Don't "fall in love" with your players! Yes, I know, they are
"your guys". But you may need to trade them or, gasp, cut them. Always
scan the waiver wire and the free agents for that emerging talent.
Marques Colston came out of nowhere a couple years ago. Selvin Young
was a nobody until he started carrying the rock in Denver. Do your
homework and stay in the game all week long, all season long. It can
really pay off. Don't sleep and never be "satisfied" with your roster
that you stop looking for ways to improve it.
Tip #9 Pay up and play fair. As a league commishioner and fantasy
player for over 15 years, a league sucks that has players that try to
treat, circumvent the rules, or weasel out of paying. Keep the league's
integrity in tact and win the game the right way. Wonder why no one
likes Barry Bonds, but everyone loves Ken Griffey, Jr.?? Same thing
with you and the league. Do it the right way.
Tip #10 Have fun and enjoy the games! Sure, we all want to dominate and
win our league, but it won't happen every year. But do it for the fun
and enjoyment of the NFL. It can make watching a seemingly meaningless
game between the Seahwaks and Raiders THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE
YEAR. Follow these tips and you may get more fun and satisfaction out
of your fantasy football experience. I wish you the best of luck as you
begin pouring over your list of stats and players. Oh yeah, one more
tip, don't draft Brett Favre. He retired.
sixrulers2 is a member of rootzoo.com, and his favorite sports teams
are the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Braves, Orlando Magic, and Florida
State Seminoles. He loves to give fantasy football advice.
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