FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Thursday Evening Edition

August 28th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Picking Favorites

Thinking Draft Strategy

So you have the first pick in your league’s draft or maybe you have one of the early picks, either way you have a decision to make; pick with your heart, your gut, or do you follow some pre-planned strategy?

What I have been noticing (and something you may be seeing as well) in the top positions, if you grab one of the big four running backs you will still be able to come back with solid receivers late in the 2^nd and early in the 3^rd round. It seems most league players are jostling for running backs early leaving time for the early picks to come back with the Alshon Jefferys, Julio Jones, and Randall Cobbs.

And what I have also noticed (in PPRs), you can still turn around in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th rounds and find decent value; the likes of Reggie Bush, CJ Spiller, and Andre Ellington. These are the players that may not win your weekly matchup on their own, but they will give you good production every week and keep you in the hunt so your big guns can get it done.

In a recent draft I held the 2^nd pick and took Adrian Peterson. With one of the top producing backs in the league I immediately targeted receivers selecting Jordy Nelson and Alshon Jeffery. I followed those two with Roddy White and Reggie Bush; not sexy, but effective. Andrew Luck (my quarterback) was taken in the 6^th and my first tight end (Kyle Rudolph) came off the board in the 7^th.

In another draft I did tonight, I followed a similar pattern (picking in the 8^th slot) selecting receiver-receiver (Dez Bryant and Alshon) and then going running back with my next three picks; Reggie Bush, Andre Ellington, and Chris Johnson. My quarterback (Matt Ryan) and tight end (Dennis Pitta) came in the 7^th and 8^th round respectively.

If you are paying attention, then I am sure you are hearing the same thing; wait on your quarterback, there is time to take him later. Even grabbing a Brees, Manning, or Rodgers can be costly (depending on your league scoring), if taken too early. Let the other deal with that mistake and stick to your plan. The Ryans, Romos, and Cutlers are safe plays with the upside of big game potential and the Flaccos, Palmers, and Rivers will still be there even later to have your back in a jam.

With all of this said there are a lot of ideas and strategies you can follow, and any you choose is never wrong (it’s whatever works for you). But remember to stay on your game and be ready for the wild cards in the draft that can often foul things up.

No matter what happens, stay the course and draft well my friend.

Good luck this fantasy season!

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Wednesday Evening Edition

August 27th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

DRAFT! DRAFT! DRAFT!

Get Your Popcorn Ready!

If you have yet to start your league’s draft, then get your popcorn read, because this weekend is sure to be jam-packed filled with fantasy drafts. My annual excitement started last weekend with a marathon 30 round draft (six and half hours of time “on the clock” and endless drinking). Oh yeah, that’s the other half of the fun when drafting in a fantasy league (it’s a well-kept secret in case you were unaware).

So far through the past five days of fantasy drafting (in six leagues), the one thing I have learned you gotta be prepared. In one league where I had a chance to grab Peyton Manning early (fantasy gold), I snagged him off the boards only to realize my impulsive move turned out to be more costly than I would have normally thought.

So while I felt great about my quarterback selection, what I failed to realize was this was a three-starting receiver league. After taking running backs in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds I found myself with Torrey Smith, Jeremy Maclin, and Justin Hunter as my starters. Now don’t get me wrong, none of these players are fantasy bums, but I am truly riding a leap of faith rolling with these three.

In another draft (8-team league) with the pickins a little deeper, I stuck to my guns. With an early pick at number 4, I grabbed DeMarco Murray and followed him with AJ Green (13^th pick) and Alshon Jeffery (20^th pick). Even though running backs were falling fast, I was still able to come back with Zac Stacy (29^th pick) in the 4^th round. I stayed away from the quarterback and took my Tight End (Julius Thomas) in the 5^th before nabbing Tony Romo; a risky proposition, but one I backed up with Carson Palmer in the 10^th round.

A couple of notable picks that I grabbed in the mid-rounds were running back Chris Johnson, wide receivers Torrey Smith and Marques Colston. These players I took later, but like their potential to have very productive seasons; top 25 respectively.

There’s plenty more to learn and plenty of time to practice the craft. With more than a week until the season starts I plan on using the available time to seek out the late round gems and fantasy sleepers that will help my teams get over the hump and pave their way to fantasy glory.

Who will you take first in your upcoming fantasy draft?

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVIDS DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

August 24th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

BAR IS OPEN

Fantasy Football is Back Baby!

Not only is the fantasy season here, but with one draft already in the books I can say that the 2014 Fantasy Football season is underway. If you are like me, then you know this is probably one of the most exciting times during the fantasy season; draft week.

For myself, I really love the game and nothing gets me more revved up like the fantasy draft; an afternoon-long draft filled with great sportsman camaraderie, the enjoyment of tilting back cold beverages with friends, and executing some skillful fantasy selections certain to carry me to fantasy glory. It’s really the thrill of watching hours and weeks of studying, researching, and preparation all come together in a single afternoon; carefully planning the right menu, with the appropriate drink (my choice is always an ice-cold Stella-she’s one lady who always treats a fella right), and the perfect draft. And any draft you can complete faster than expected and be able to enjoy a few more cold ones after (with plenty of post-draft commentary), now that’s the perfect draft.

And because I love fantasy football so much, I am sure I will once again play in no fewer than 6-8 season-long leagues. I mention the words season long, because yes I have discovered the weekly games so don’t get me started there. In fact, as I type away with my thoughts about fantasy football, the upcoming season, etc., I am engaged in draft number two; a 10-team PPR league with one IDP spot.

If you have yet to join a league or if your league has yet to draft, make sure you do your necessary due diligence to have a successful draft. My advice is read the magazines, listen to the podcasts, browse the various sites, and gather all the necessary information (stats, ADPs, etc.) you need to make your best informed picks.

While we all need the numbers to help us sort through the endless charts and list of players to be selected, don’t overlook two important tips; know the league scoring and who you are playing against. Since we are on the theory of smart drafting and preparation, you should also keep in mind these additional points; it’s not only important to know who to select, but when to pull the trigger.

We have waited seven long months for this day to return, so the last thing we want to have happen is a poor showing on draft day. I am no genius when it comes to fantasy football, but I love playing and take lots of notes. As I go along this week with my several drafts yet to be completed, I will gladly share my thoughts, insights and results.

Good luck this season and draft well my friend.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

December 22nd, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 16: ALL THE MARBLES

So why do we play fantasy football; this is why we play. If you have managed to survive this far, like myself you are entering championship Sunday in your fantasy league. It’s not been an easy trek, but through 15 weeks you and I have managed to make the right calls and necessary moves to get to this point. The last thing we want to do is second guess with doubt when we are playing for all the marbles.

It has not been an easy task, but playing in seven fantasy leagues I find myself in the title game in four; two standard leagues and two custom scoring leagues. The common factor to all of the success for my four teams, no major injuries and no big lineup changes. I did a good job with my draft, avoided major issues, and stuck with my studs; Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Jamaal Charles, Matthew Stafford, Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon and Justin Tucker (to name a few).

My Lineups:

Today is Championship Sunday in the fantasy world and while I won’t be turning any of my lineups upside down a couple of notable players I will be riding today include; (WR) Jarrett Boykin, (RB) Bobby Rainey, (QB) Ryan Fitzpatrick and (TE) Joseph Fauria.

The Packers wideout has slowly been making noise with quarterback Matt Flynn under center. Each week his activity (targets) and production (catches) has increased since Flynn took over starting duties; including six catches last week. With Jordy Nelson drawing most of the attention from the Steelers secondary today, Boykin could become a busy wideout. Today I like him over players like Harry Douglas, Nate Washington, and Brian Hartline.

The Buccaneers running back (Rainey) has done a nice job thus far filling in and this week he could see another productive Sunday. The Rams defense will not be any kind of cakewalk, but he’ll see plenty of touches; over his past five starts he’s seen no fewer than 18 touches in four of those, with just 12 touches coming last week versus the Niners. And unlike the Niners the Rams also allow the 5^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Today I like Rainey over plays like Donald Brown and Knowshon Moreno.

The Titans quarterback (Fitzpatrick) has scored 15 or more fantasy points in three of his last four starts and he’s coming off a 4-touchdown and 400-yard passing effort. He has a prime matchup against the Jaguars who allow the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He’s not a flashy pick today, but Fitzpatrick looks to be more than a safe pick to score between 18-24 fantasy points.

The Lions tight end (Fauria) has only been a touchdown maker in spot appearances and with a chance to see plenty of work today, he’ll figure prominently in the pass game. Fauria (7 touchdowns this season) is a big target and should get plenty of looks today, especially in the redzone. I like him over plays like Dennis Pitta, Tim Wright, and Charles Clay.

This is my take for Week 16.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition

December 15th, 2013

 

David's Daily Digest

WEEK 15: FINDING HOPE

For some of us this week is our fantasy football semifinals and if you had any players go in Thursday night’s matchup between the Chargers and Broncos, then you too are likely in desperation mode looking for hope on Sunday.

Ogbonnaya Versus the Bears defense

With running back Willis McGahee (concussion) OUT today, hope could come in the form of Chris Ogbonnaya. The Browns back-up will get the start today and will face a Bears defense that allows the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Bears have also allowed a 100-yard rusher in six straight outings. The stars could be aligning for Ogbonnaya to have a big Sunday and bring hope to fantasy owners that need points.

Patterson versus the Eagles defense

The Vikings will be without Adrian Peterson today and no Toby Gerhart. The offense is going to have to generate yards and points from other sources. With the running game all but shelved today, I expect to see the Vikings get their explosive rookie Cordarrelle Patterson involved early and often. The Eagles defense allows the most fantasy points to opposing receivers and good things happen when Patterson touches the ball; his line last week 5 receptions for 141 yards and a score. Today’s matchup is a good one for the Vikings to really feature their yards-after-the-catch beast.

This is my take for Week 15.

~David Ortega