Champions are born in May - Fantasy Football

Was talking to the competition the other day and he was either tipping his hand or making smoke signals but the topic of Shady McCoy was brought up. Specifically, why do guys like CJ Spiller, Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, and Alfred Morris are ranked higher. For a guy who was a preseason top 5 the last few years and who is 1 year removed from a 20 TD season. A 20 TD season. That's 120 fantasy points not even counting the yards to get to pay dirt. Some serious. Last I checked, his coach has been at the helm of a prolific offense (college ranks). Good things tend to happen when he touches the ball. And hopefully for anyone who chooses to invest in him, he gets those touches. In 4 seasons he has not had more than 273 touches, and in those 3 other seasons he had 200 or less. The team has already lost their best wideout and if Vick is going to be the starter, then Im not sure how healthy he will be. So if that team can't advance the ball and move the chains then then you've got yourself another RB stuck on a bad team. The Eagles have been a stable organization since the late 90s. Things have obviously changed and those days are long gone. Pull up his game log from last season and see the difference when the team is winning and losing. He is my target at the #10 spot in my 8 man PPR league.

Predict 280 touches @ career average of 4.6 (1288 yards) + 10 TDs + 80 targets @ 78% career catch rate (62 catches) + 62 x 7.2 yards per catch (446 yards) = 233 fantasy points (295 PPR)

vs lets say AJ Green 1200 yards 10 TDs 90 catches = 180 points (270 PPR)

In this 8 man league, its a must for me to go RB/RB or Megatron/RB

You answered it right there my friend. Whenever I evaluate a team Im looking for 2 things, consistent performers and how strong is a teams core (usually 4 players hence "Core 4") In a 12 team league, I think you have a good core of Chuck, Ridley, Fitz and Cruz. And you will get points from key positions of QB and Defense. Right there is a tough unit. And in a 12 team league, 95-100 on a good day just might be enough (depending on scoring). Your team will be TD heavy and you will need to scoring plenty. My advice would be to make sure you get that top waiver spot and you must strike. In the one league Ive already got a team, I scooped up Denard Robinson, for some reason I see a diamond.

You gotta like Stafford's performance tonight. 25 Pass attempts.

I see a possibility of a spread out attack in New England. My conspiracy theory is that Belechick and Brady don't want to create a monster skill player who commands lots of money and bolt. Every week someone will emerge and create a sort of "flavor of the week" theme. At this point Gronk, Amendola, Thompkins are must own. Vareen and Edelman are prospects with upside. They're hindered by that contract with Brady and if any money ought to be allocated on that team it should be directly to the offensive line. Invest in that and have a QB who can throw and it doesn't matter who they throw it to. And even if someone does emerge and commands the ball, so what, this organization always does the right thing. I'm starting to get bullish on Brady and would not hesitate to grab him with my 5th pick.

Anyone know of any good reliable up to the minute depth charts?

Christine Michael really took off today Ive been on him since they drafted the kid. If he stays out of trouble he will have a productive career and get himself paid.

Eddie Lacy looked pretty bad. Not sure if he's hurt but at this point Id be more comfortable having him as RB #4 rather than RB#3/Flex. I'm in deep doodoo having him RB#3 and now he's my RB#2 with LeVeon Bell out. Made some poor choices already to start the season in one league.

The defense of my title began with some shock at the #7 spot!

This is an 8 team, 2 flex, PPR league. Starters in bold.

QB - Cam Newton, Matt Ryan

RB - Arian Foster, Trent Richardson, MJD, Ryan Mathews, BJGE

WR - D. Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Mike Wallace, Miles Austin, Sid Rice

TE - Antonio Gates

Defense - 49ers, Texans

Kicker - Gostkowski

A very non traditional draft philosophy for me. To come out owning 2 QBs and 2 Defenses is not something I planned for. There were about 2-3 instances of someone taking my target player just before my pick. I went RB-RB-RB and at the 4th round I bypassed selecting Drew Brees, the leagues #1 scorer last season for Demaryious Thomas. After that, I simply targeted the best available player. When the 8th round came around and I saw the #7 scorer overall Matt Ryan,  I had to play transactional defense. There was an unorthodox owner who made some strange selections. Shane Vareen went very early. Eric Decker fell to the 8th or 9th round while Daryl Richardson was selected rather early. Arian Foster fell all the way to #7, I couldn't pass it up. Im going to need to keep an eye out on a RB and hope to unload one of my QBs. I really feel I made a mistake. In an 8 team league its unnecessary to own 2 QBs. If I stay healthy I will have a good season, but my lack of depth may be exposed.

Was just talkin bout the Broncos mess last night. Whoever the starter is, well have to be a good blocker. Ronnie Hillman is not a good blocker, that's why he has live up to potential. Montee Ball? Im not sure yet. I've read conflicting reports. Going to seek out some highlights to watch and see if he passes the old eye ball test. That leaves Moreno, going to dig deep and see what the story is. As soon as he enters the draft results in I'm going to grab him.

It was funny because I had to go to the bathroom, so I tell the commish who was writing in the picks to go ahead and put down Olsen for me since the guy picking 8th had already Witten AND Tony Gonzalez. Surely he's not taking another TE. I come back and everyone is waiting for me as Olsen was selected just before my pick.

To me, all of the TE's are the same. Jared Cook has more upside then Gates, but for some reason I truest this old man as he is as healthy as he's ever been in quite some time.

Got a murderer's row of drafts coming up next Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Like a dumbski, I forgot to put the waiver claim on DeAngelo. Now Stewart is on the PUP and im still short on RBs!!!!

Lesson, DO NOT SNOOZE!!!!!!!

Last week of preseason coming up and a big draft weekend for most of the fantasy football universe. Wish everyone the best of luck and I hope we all continue discussing this fun and thrilling game. Its funny when geezers try and put you down in some way because you play. They don't understand that's its all meant as a fun and competitive way to interact with other fans while pretending you are a General Manager. Additionally, there is money at stake.

Should be a good year!!!

https://espn.go.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/nfldk2k13_rookiehistory/is-history-side-rookies-such-montee-ball-eddie-lacy-giovani-bernard

Good article to read on the eve of the draft.

Nothing has changed. No major surprises over the weekend cuts. Gronk should probably have an uptick. I would take him as a 5th rounder. After solidifying my run attack and a stud WR, if Gronk is there in the 5th I am ALL IN. In both drafts so far I went with QB early and once again Ill leave it to the flow of the draft. If I'm certain to obtain 3 RBs with my first 5 picks, then the hunt for the QB begins and I will likely take the best one.  3 drafts in the next 48 hours. Lets do this!!!

Hey playa, great thread! Hoping you could give me some feedback on my squad. Non ppr, 10 man league. I had pick #6

QB - Stafford

RBs- Charles, TRich, MJD, Giovani Bernard, Lamar Miller

WRs- VJax, D Bowe, P Garcon, J Gordon, K Britt

TEs K Rudolph, J Cameron

D - Cincy

K - Janikowski

Someone dropped McFadden so I picked him up too lol Im stacked at RB. Not crazy about my WRs but I think im good. Good luck this year, and thanks in advance for any feedback!!

That's a great stable there Mr. Scorsese and may I add I'm looking forward to your new film. When you have something like that, you will be in tremendous shape. And if you indeed added DMC, you have 5 starting RBs!!! You should be able to weather the storms ahead. Your QB will get it done and produce at the fantasy level. Just last season he was highly heralded top 4 round selection.

Your WR corps are less to be desired on paper, but if you are in a league starting just 2 WRs then you will be perfectly fine. There is upside all across the board with that group. I would much rather have MJD than Dez Bryant in a non PPR so assuming that's how the draft played out for you then salute. The rest of the lineup is well rounded with trendy TE's, a good D, and arguably the best kicker of his generation. That's a blueprint for a championship team, its all up to the fantasy gods now.

And finally, the results. Nothing really went according to plan, I just stuck to my board and did not deviate. In 5 leagues overall and heavily invested in Trent Richardson, Cam Newton, and Demaryious Thomas in multiple leagues.

12 man, non Flex, non PPR, #3 overall snake

QB - Cam Newton, EJ Manuel

RB - Arian Foster, Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews, Ahmad Bradshaw, Shoelace Robinson (soon to be waiver trash)

WR - Brandon Marshall, Stevie Johnson, Justin Blackmon, Quinton Patton

TE - Antonio Gates

D/ST - Pats, Texans K - Gostkowski

This draft was a real bloodbath. Only first gets payout. Its an old school league with no flex. I made a huge mistake by deciding to not attend the draft at the last minute and would phone my pick in. When It came back to me, all the top dogs were gone, even CJ2K and MJD were gone. There was no RB for me to take at this point, top player was Marshall. Then having to take an RB knowing one wouldn't come back and Jimmy Graham and Demaryious Thomas gone, I was forced to go with Reggie Bush. If Cam buys into the more traditional offense under Shula, then he should improve with his arm and regardless he will still get his on the ground, especially in the endzone. If I can get 500 yards and 6 TDs just from rushing, it would be enough. The Yahoo people gave this team a B+, tops overall in the league. I'm looking at a team in need of some major upgrades. Will be monitoring the wire and will go into each week owning the top handcuff available.

My favorite team, defending champ, 10 man, PPR, flex

QB - Tony Romo, Andrew Luck

RB - Doug Martin, MJD, Daryl Richardson, LeVeon Bell, K. Hunter

WR - Roddy White, Danny Amendola, Eric Decker, J. Gordon, J. Blackmon, M. Crabtree (allow me to explain)

TE - THE Jimmy Graham

D/ST - 49ers D, K. Dawson

I really liked how this draft played out for me. There were some early reaches by some owners and it was quite comical. One guy who is a rather newbie, had a standard cheat sheet. Another guy went 3 WRs with his first picks last year, now did the complete opposite. One guy disappeared for 20 minutes. Had the draft held hostage. Anyway, just kept playing the board. I did reach a bit for Amendola and D. Richardson, but liked those ceilings more than what was available. Roddy White was a godsend. My WRs + TE may combine for 300+ points in receptions alone. The folds at ESPN graded me a C.

Good luck everyone. I'm gonna keep this thread going for anyone who wants to shoot chit about fantasy.