[Saturday Night Edition]
David's Football Diary
Dear Diary...
Another year of fantasy football and another season of biting my nails. I've been playing fantasy for how many years, I think it's 12 now, well since I was, haha, we won't go there. I made a decision when I signed up to play this season, I was going to win all three of my money leagues. It's not that I don't usually play to win, but pretty much I enjoy the camaraderie and really just go through the motions. Look, I like to win more than the next guy, but I also enjoy other things too and it's the buddy system here, hanging out, drinkin beers, talkin smack, watchin football. Does it get any better? Sure as hell does, shutting up these guys in my leagues that think they know football!
I made a pack, I was going to win and I am right on track in two of my leagues. Sitting at 7-2 (1st place) in one and 6-3 (1st place) in the other, I have a strong hold on my divisions and I'm a shoe-in to the playoffs. It's the third league that has me worried. I am 5-4 and playing in the toughest division (the other two teams are 6-3 & 5-4) and I don't own any tie-breakers. Needless to say every week is critical and this week I am matched up with our division leader. I know, it's just a game, but dam it, I do want to kick this guys ass this week. I am missing my biggest weapon (Jason Witten) and Reggie Bush is still out (it's a PPR league), darn!
Dear Dairy, I need a win here like an Eskimo needs a heater, like a cat needs a nap, and a dog needs a bone...I could use one of those too. I'm hungry. Focus here people, mind out of the gutter, we're talkin football,....that comes later at the celebration. No question I will be glued to the sets on Sunday watching my guys, Roddy White, Matt Jones, Jamaal Charles, Jake Delhomme, and Brian Westbrook. Besides continually clicking the remote all day long trying to keep up with this fantasy team here's what else I will be watching...
What am I watching....
My Week:
Well sports fans, it was pretty much a tumultuous week for me in fantasy. In one of my leagues my team is built around my receivers. I have Roddy White, Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, and Donnie Avery. Thought I would slip that one in, but I am no genius. I picked up Avery off the waiver wire in Week 7, just in time to start him the following week and snatch a victory from the hands of defeat.
Last Sunday was a different story all together. I have Steven Jackson and like the many other fantasy owners across FF nation, I was crazy enough to insert him last minute. It did not pay-off and neither did having Brandon Marshall in my line-up, but thank goodness I was smart enough to roll the dice and grab Arizona's quarterback Kurt Warner in the middle rounds of my fantasy draft. He saved my butt in Week 9. Which is interesting when I think of why I drafted Kurt and when I took him in our leagues fantasy draft.
I am watching Kurt Warner...
This season has been a bit of highs and low, which I am sure many fantasy owners can relate to. I play in a very competitive high-scoring fantasy leagues, it's points galore. We get 1 point per any yard; pass, rush, receive. We used to start two quarterbacks in this league, but because of the high rate of injuries and the lack of depth beyond the top 15, it hardly made sense to start two. The quarterback is the highest scoring position in this league, but when you look at number 10, 11, 12 and so on, as compared to the top 3 or 4 passers the drop is significant. Starting that second QB, in some cases felt the same as starting a kicker or something like that. The importance of that 2nd QB position lost it's meaning. When you are drafting, if you missed out on the top 8-10, you were better off drafting all over the field and picking up your 2nd QB much later in the draft, because the other 22 quarterbacks were a dime a dozen. With the one starter, your back-up would be a significant grab and the strategy would be, when to take him. Which is why I now reflect on my decision making.
I really felt after Warner's second half of the season last year and finishing with 27 touchdowns in 14 games, he was the quarterback that gave Arizona the best chance to win. I also believed he would ultimately win the job. From a fantasy perspective, I also knew he would be the best backup to have on my squad and once the bye weeks were cleared, he would have substantial trade value. So far this move has worked out, and now it's time to make a deal to help put my team over the top.
I am watching Jamaal Charles....
My current record is 6-3 and my big boys for Week 9 are Brees (QB), Boldin (WR), White (WR), or Avery (WR), with Daniels (TE). I already started Marshall and one running back, so I will have some decisions to make. My running backs are in trouble. I just lost Torain and now Jackson is a no-go for Week 10. I started Torain and he gave me a decent game, so I will start the Chiefs rookie Jamaal Charles. I picked up Charles in Week 3 as insurance behind Larry Johnson (who I am hoping will come back in Week 11).
So far I have a slight lead in my Week 10 matchup and with my big guns still due this weekend, I am rather confident I will take down my opponent. When Sunday rolls around I will be watching the Saints-Falcons and Chiefs-Chargers games and anxiously awaiting the Monday night tilt between the Niners & Cardinals (I have Q going against the Niners).
What I have learned-
Always start Anquan (Q), he's da'man! and...
Don't listen to what players say, Jackson clearly was not ready to play last week.
How I did last week.....
My Weekly Scorecard (Highlights):
Week 9 was filled with ups and downs, as many fantasy owners have become too familiar with. It seems that sometimes we can spend too much time thinking about our choices, when in fact if we just go with our gut instinct, more than likely our deep analysis and research will bring about the same conclusion.
So where did I go wrong? Let's take a look at my bad calls for Week 9.....
The Broncos running back Ryan Torain did not make much of a debut in Week 9 with just three carries. The Cowboys offense was a complete debacle last Sunday and tight end Martellus Bennett was not productive with just 36 receiving yards. The Raiders offense was even worse and running back Justin Fargas was limited to just 6 carries. The Rams receiver Donnie Avery came back to earth with just 3 catches for 26 yards last Sunday. In Cincinnati, Bengal's running back Cedric Benson was much better than expected rushing for over 100 yards and the Raven's big bruising running back LeRon McClain chipped in with 30 yards and a score last week. Then of course there was running back Steven Jackson who gave it a go, but could not finish.
Too close to call...
The Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham did not find the end-zone, but did total 91 yards last Sunday against the Chiefs. The Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis put up decent numbers last week with 6 catches for 83 yards. Tennessee's running back LenDale White did break off any 80 yard runs, but did have 77 yards rushing on only 8 carries. The Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones was not spectacular, as he was in Week 8 but he did snag 7 passes for 69 yards. The Colts tight end Dallas Clark did not live up to the hype, but he still produced with 4 grabs for 63 yards.
My "it's too easy" to call big hits....
This was a no-brainer for Week 9, the Falcons running back Michael Turner against the Raiders defense. I also had Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram riding the pine for owners last Sunday with his 3 catches for 20 yards. The Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was again productive with 98 total yards in Week 9. The Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian was a solid play with 104 receiving yards and a score. The Bears receiver Rashied Davis was a solid pick in Week 9 with 64 receiving yards and a score. The Lions running back Kevin Smith was not huge last Sunday, but did total 53 yards of offense with another touchdown. I also had the Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner (342 yards passing) and the Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (8 catches for 94 yards, 1 touchdown). As I had anticipated running backs Edgerrin James, Rudi Johnson, and Darren McFadden were good no-plays for Week 9, as was the Cowboys quarterback Brad Johnson (2-Ints).
A bit of mix, but that's fantasy football!
Big League Updates.....
How I am doing:
I currently play in five leagues and my records are as follows; in the UFFL I am 6-3, in the RMFFL I am 7-2, and in the GFFL I am 5-4. I also play in two NFL.com leagues and I am 5-3 in one and 3-4-1 in the other. The first three leagues are cash-money baby, while the NFL.com leagues just keep me on my toes. Since they are not for the almighty green, I seldom use the waiver wire and usually just do my pick-ups on Friday or Saturday. It's a big handicap, but makes for a great challenge.
I am in first place in two of the money leagues (UFFL & RMFFL) and look very strong. I have the highest scoring teams and with players like Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, and Steven Jackson (when he gets healthy) in both the playoffs and future are looking good. While in the GFFL at 5-4 I have a little bit of a hill to climb, but that is what makes Fantasy Football the great game it is; taking on its challenges, facing the adversities, and of course celebrating in its' triumphs!
There are many intriguing matchups on Sunday that will have my interest, another reason why fantasy football is so popular. When the games kick off on Sunday, who will you be watching?
By David G. Ortega
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