Until the NFL season officially kicks off. I'm very excited. Colts v. Saints. It should be an offensive festival. Sadly, I do not have many Colts or Saints on my Fantasy teams this season. Sure, there's Deuce on my Family league team, but I don't foresee using him much the first few weeks. He will be a nice option come bye weeks. I do, however, have Olindo Mare on both of my teams. His pre-season wasn't so great, but I figure I'll start out of the gate with him because of the upsides. Dome kicker, decent skills, great offensive team. I expect good things. I had a similar kicker in Jeff Wilkins since I started playing Fantasy Football. There was an unwritten rule in my family league that he was to go to me no matter what, but things changed this year. He was drafted by my dad because my mother told him he had to. See, Jeff and I go way back. He was a good friend in high school. Great guy, lovely wife (also knew her in high school) and a great kicker. I figure when you go see Poison and Warrant in concert with a guy, you deserve, without question, to draft him every year. And just to piss me off further, my brother drafted him in the Analyst league. Granted, he's fantastic and for the reasons listed above, he is a kicker to covet. Still, what about that unwritten rule? Damn them.
I also possess Anthony Gonzales on my Analyst league team, but will not start him for now. I have much better options at this point. Given Peyton's prolific talent, however, I may use him down the road. I'm anxious to see how he fares in the first few weeks.
To change pace a bit. Let's talk some baseball. Is Carlos Zambrano on crack? I couldn't believe the crap coming out of his mouth the other day. Dude, you just signed a 91 million dollar contract. Of course the fans are going to boo you when you stink like that. On what other team would he expect solace from the crowd? The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908. My grandmother was born that year. She lived her entire life without seeing the Cubs win a World Series Title. Fortunately, she was not a Cubs fan. My point is...people have been born, lived very full lives and have died in the span of time between 1908 and now. Your team is in the hunt and you are sucking it up. Pardon their selfishness, Carlos, but they don't want to go the way of my grandma without seeing their team win the title. Start pitching better, earn your ridiculous salary and you will feel the love again. Geez!
The division races are close in some cases. My D-backs are doing everything in their power to lose the NL West. That's my streaky D-Backs. One of the greatest moments of my entire fascination and love for sports came at the hands of the D-Backs. That October 2001 World Series was one for the ages. I will never forget it, ever. I don't actually see them winning another World Series this year, but I'd like to see them make the Playoffs. If they keep playing like they have the last few weeks, things aren't going to end so great. Come on D-Backs, pull it together. In the words of Tim Gunn, "Make it work."
The USA Men's Basketball team was spectacular. If they don't win the Gold next summer, I will be very stunned. I have to say I think this team is superior to 1992's Gold winning "Dream Team." Far better. I guess we'll find out next summer in Beijing.
I was not going to mention the Michigan loss, but as a self-respecting OSU fan, how can I not? That was crazy. Sheer chaos. Lloyd Carr will lose his job, but I don't expect it will be until the end of the year. If he loses to OSU again, and I think he will, he will be gone the very next day. If not that night. The only foreseeable way he will be fired earlier is if they start losing regularly. College fans, especially Big 10 fans, and most certainly Michigan fans, are not going to stand for multiple losses in a season where they began at #5. Ask John Cooper what it was like losing to Michigan every year and wondering if he'd still have his job the next day. It's got to be excruciating for Carr. Still, you are expected to beat 1-AA teams when you put them on your schedule. Even though the Mountaineers beat the Wolverines, they still aren't a Wisconsin or an OSU. If they couldn't beat App. State, can they beat OSU? I guess we'll see. Michigan will rebound and this loss will make them better, but will it be enough to beat the BIg 10 powerhouses?
That's my perspective. Does anyone care to discuss?
Elle
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Was I underestimated?
Last night was my second Fantasy Football draft this week. This is the first year I am playing in more than one league. My husband agreed to co-manage the team with me. Honestly, it is OK if I have to do it all myself. I might just need him to make some decisions down the line. I have a few Marathons this fall, so there are a few weekends I will be out of town. I'll need his help. We were asked to participate by my brother because, at the last minute, a player dropped out of his work league. This league is going on it's 5th year, I believe. They like to draft in person, so this was my first face-to-face draft. When we arrived at his co-worker's house, I recognized they were thrown a bit by my presence. They were expecting my husband...
I was not sure what to expect. These guys were all business. I expected I might come away from the draft with a less than stellar roster. Like my family league, however, there's that one guy who drafts out of the box early and it changes the scheme of things. We chose numbers out of a hat and I picked a 7. 7th pick out of 8. I've never drafted higher than 5 or lower than 6, so 7 was a surprise. This league differs from my family league in that QB TDs are only worth 4 points and you start 2 RBs, 3WRs and a flex (RB or WR) . I knew this before drafting, so I expected QB's would go later in the draft as the RB, Flex and WR positions would be where you gain your most points, typically. Well, that one "out of the box" guy went after QBs quickly. With my first and second pick I was able to obtain Frank Gore and Willie Parker. Things were looking up! With the 3rd pick I took Tom Brady. I felt this was a necessary move because once "out of the box" guy took McNabb and Peyton Manning, people were going after QBs in a hurry. After the 3rd round, things got crazy. Gates and other inconsequential TE's were drafted as early as the 4th round. Naturally, "out of the box" guy started that trend. If you're keeping track, "OOTB" guy drafted two QBs and a TE in the first 4 rounds. The only RB he took in the first 6 rounds was Reggie Bush. I solidified my RB corps with Brandon Jacobs in the 7th round. Yes, the 7th round!!! Prior to making that call, I picked up Steve Smith and Boldin...2 great Wideouts. I also picked up Phillip Rivers as my second QB. The rest of my roster (8th pick and beyond) is as follows.
8. Hines Ward
9. Julius Jones
10.Brett Favre
11. Fred Taylor
12.Donald Driver (and might I say I thought it was incredible he was still available in round 12. What was with these guys? Does an injured ankle really scare you that much? Yes, sprains can get serious and cause trouble later in the season, but round 12 for a proven WR and one that is quite popular with his QB. Favre and Driver have been together longer than most Hollywood couples. It was a crazy steal.)
13.Randy McMichael
14.Anthony Gonzales
15.Miami Defense
16.Olindo Mare
17.Trent Green (Taken because I have 2 QBs on a bye in the same week.) I may need him. And, of course, I have to believe in my Dolphins and hope Green can be good for them.
So, another day another draft. I'm quite pleased with this team as well. Byes will be an issue mid-season, but I think I'll worry about that later. There were 2 guys there last night who drafted two TE's and 2 DEF to cover byes. That's 2 picks that could have been used to pick up some decent talent they may need. To each his own...
I'd like to think I have learned from past mistakes. In both drafts, I followed my pre-draft notes and took players based on need and future point probability instead of taking players because of the trend in a particular round. I was the one last year drafting a TE way early because I was afraid of losing out. It just didn't pay off and I can't say it paid off for the guy who started the 5th round trend by taking Gates. He finished behind me in the standings.
So, I'd love to hear how your drafts went and your thoughts on who was taken late that you think will be a difference maker. Do you agree or disagree on the TE controversy? Good or bad to go for Gates early? When is a good time to take a DEF? My opinion is that the point difference that divides DEFs is obsolete in the grand scheme of things. Especially when you can pickup whatever team plays Cleveland or Oakland to get some DEF pts. when needed.
Until next time,
Elle
I was not sure what to expect. These guys were all business. I expected I might come away from the draft with a less than stellar roster. Like my family league, however, there's that one guy who drafts out of the box early and it changes the scheme of things. We chose numbers out of a hat and I picked a 7. 7th pick out of 8. I've never drafted higher than 5 or lower than 6, so 7 was a surprise. This league differs from my family league in that QB TDs are only worth 4 points and you start 2 RBs, 3WRs and a flex (RB or WR) . I knew this before drafting, so I expected QB's would go later in the draft as the RB, Flex and WR positions would be where you gain your most points, typically. Well, that one "out of the box" guy went after QBs quickly. With my first and second pick I was able to obtain Frank Gore and Willie Parker. Things were looking up! With the 3rd pick I took Tom Brady. I felt this was a necessary move because once "out of the box" guy took McNabb and Peyton Manning, people were going after QBs in a hurry. After the 3rd round, things got crazy. Gates and other inconsequential TE's were drafted as early as the 4th round. Naturally, "out of the box" guy started that trend. If you're keeping track, "OOTB" guy drafted two QBs and a TE in the first 4 rounds. The only RB he took in the first 6 rounds was Reggie Bush. I solidified my RB corps with Brandon Jacobs in the 7th round. Yes, the 7th round!!! Prior to making that call, I picked up Steve Smith and Boldin...2 great Wideouts. I also picked up Phillip Rivers as my second QB. The rest of my roster (8th pick and beyond) is as follows.
8. Hines Ward
9. Julius Jones
10.Brett Favre
11. Fred Taylor
12.Donald Driver (and might I say I thought it was incredible he was still available in round 12. What was with these guys? Does an injured ankle really scare you that much? Yes, sprains can get serious and cause trouble later in the season, but round 12 for a proven WR and one that is quite popular with his QB. Favre and Driver have been together longer than most Hollywood couples. It was a crazy steal.)
13.Randy McMichael
14.Anthony Gonzales
15.Miami Defense
16.Olindo Mare
17.Trent Green (Taken because I have 2 QBs on a bye in the same week.) I may need him. And, of course, I have to believe in my Dolphins and hope Green can be good for them.
So, another day another draft. I'm quite pleased with this team as well. Byes will be an issue mid-season, but I think I'll worry about that later. There were 2 guys there last night who drafted two TE's and 2 DEF to cover byes. That's 2 picks that could have been used to pick up some decent talent they may need. To each his own...
I'd like to think I have learned from past mistakes. In both drafts, I followed my pre-draft notes and took players based on need and future point probability instead of taking players because of the trend in a particular round. I was the one last year drafting a TE way early because I was afraid of losing out. It just didn't pay off and I can't say it paid off for the guy who started the 5th round trend by taking Gates. He finished behind me in the standings.
So, I'd love to hear how your drafts went and your thoughts on who was taken late that you think will be a difference maker. Do you agree or disagree on the TE controversy? Good or bad to go for Gates early? When is a good time to take a DEF? My opinion is that the point difference that divides DEFs is obsolete in the grand scheme of things. Especially when you can pickup whatever team plays Cleveland or Oakland to get some DEF pts. when needed.
Until next time,
Elle
Thursday, August 30, 2007
And So it Begins...
Ah, I love this time of year. I'm a sports junkie and, therefore, fall is the best time of year. Football is coming!! College, Pro, High School...It doesn't matter. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are now meaningful again. Don't get me wrong. I love Baseball, Hockey and Basketball too. There's just something about football and the weather that comes with it.
Now, if you happened upon this blog because of it's title, I'm afraid you are going to be disappointed. Fantasy implies Fantasy Football. I am a girl, however. This is a blog dedicated to sports from the female perspective. Specifically, fantasy football will be the main topic for the next several months. Of course, I'm open to discussion about sports in general. When I say I love Sports, I mean it. Unlike most guys my age (and older and younger,) I do not have every sport stat memorized. It always amazes me that most men I know can tell you every random fact from baseball in 1978, but they cannot manage to remember birthdays or anniversaries. Therefore, I won't be trying to stump the Schwaub anytime soon, but I hope my perspective is interesting and provokes responses.
How did a girl like me end up liking sports as much as I do? Well, I suppose it has to do with my upbringing. I have two older brothers. Much older. To make me more interesting to them, they hooked me on sports early. At the age of 4, I distinctly remember choosing a favorite football team to appease them. I chose the Dolphins because I loved dolphins. They are so cute! I'm from Northeast Ohio, so this didn't go over particularly well with my dad. He, a lifelong Browns fan, and his four year old daughter with a Dolphin pennant hanging on her wall. He had to realize there was no way a plain orange helmet would trump a dolphin when it came time for me to choose. In the next several years, I chose a favorite team in nearly every major Pro sport and in most NCAA sports too. Most of them, surprisingly, I still love. I attended Ohio State, so I tend to be a fan of theirs in most NCAA sports. I also attended Arizona State, but since I hated living there in that heat, I tend not to have any strong allegiances to their teams. I firmly believe ASU's mascot is a Devil because the weather does feel like Hell.
There are lots of reasons women love sports and follow it as much, if not more, than I do. Perhaps they had brothers too. Perhaps they started playing sports as a youth and it became part of them. Perhaps, like me, they dated jocks in high school and found the sports as interesting as their beau's butt in tight pants. There are a myriad of reasons why women love sports. I just heard yesterday about an all women's fantasy football church league. That's great! I, on the contrary, play in 2 leagues full of men. The first league is a family league. My dad, brothers, nephew, hubby and his dad and brother play. The second league is a league full of Government Analysts...all men. I draft with them tonight. I'm anxious to see how it plays out.
My family league drafted on Tuesday. I drafted 5th out of 8. Not ideal, but Ok. I ended up with a nice bevy of talent at RB, WR and QB. I drafted a TE, DEF and Kicker late, and therefore, didn't get greatness at those positions. Still, I was able to obtain some nice bench players while other guys were drafting Defenses and Kickers in 8th and 9th rounds. Baltimore is a great defense, but are they worth losing out on some very talented wideouts? The draft didn't really go like I thought it would. Sure, L.T. was the first pick, but after that it got interesting fast. Manning went second. Second!!! That put me in position to draft Shaun Alexander. I was convinced he'd be gone. I was thrilled, but I am holding my breath that he stays healthy through the season. Last year, my brother drafted him first and it sucked for him after the injury. My other Running backs are as follows...
Lawrence Maroney. Hate New England and Belichick. Had Dillon a few years back and hated having to follow the injury report so closely because he never spilled anything about his player's health prior to Sunday. Sometimes, you weren't even sure until the game started. Still, they are the Patriots and they will win and do it with a running game. Yes, Brady has some new weapons in Moss and Stallworth, but I'm not convined the running game will dry up that much.
Thomas Jones. And if you can believe it, I got him very late in the draft. I believe in the 6th round. I was amazed by the guys going before him. Platoon Backs, #2 WRs, Rookies. He's Thomas freakin' Jones for crying out loud. He is a feature back on a decent team.
This leaves me with 2 guys on a bye in week 10, so I drafted accordingly later on. I passed on Ahman Green because of the Bye situation. I concluded by drafting Deuce McCallister and Warrick Dunn. We'll see how the backups do in the first few weeks. I'm also eying Kevin Jones and will decide later on him due to his possible PUP list assignment. I think he has incredible potential and love that he is so adept at receiving the ball.
I will post more later and cover my WRs. I will also discuss my draft that occurs tonight. I'd like a different mix of guys just to make things interesting.
Until next time...
Elle
Now, if you happened upon this blog because of it's title, I'm afraid you are going to be disappointed. Fantasy implies Fantasy Football. I am a girl, however. This is a blog dedicated to sports from the female perspective. Specifically, fantasy football will be the main topic for the next several months. Of course, I'm open to discussion about sports in general. When I say I love Sports, I mean it. Unlike most guys my age (and older and younger,) I do not have every sport stat memorized. It always amazes me that most men I know can tell you every random fact from baseball in 1978, but they cannot manage to remember birthdays or anniversaries. Therefore, I won't be trying to stump the Schwaub anytime soon, but I hope my perspective is interesting and provokes responses.
How did a girl like me end up liking sports as much as I do? Well, I suppose it has to do with my upbringing. I have two older brothers. Much older. To make me more interesting to them, they hooked me on sports early. At the age of 4, I distinctly remember choosing a favorite football team to appease them. I chose the Dolphins because I loved dolphins. They are so cute! I'm from Northeast Ohio, so this didn't go over particularly well with my dad. He, a lifelong Browns fan, and his four year old daughter with a Dolphin pennant hanging on her wall. He had to realize there was no way a plain orange helmet would trump a dolphin when it came time for me to choose. In the next several years, I chose a favorite team in nearly every major Pro sport and in most NCAA sports too. Most of them, surprisingly, I still love. I attended Ohio State, so I tend to be a fan of theirs in most NCAA sports. I also attended Arizona State, but since I hated living there in that heat, I tend not to have any strong allegiances to their teams. I firmly believe ASU's mascot is a Devil because the weather does feel like Hell.
There are lots of reasons women love sports and follow it as much, if not more, than I do. Perhaps they had brothers too. Perhaps they started playing sports as a youth and it became part of them. Perhaps, like me, they dated jocks in high school and found the sports as interesting as their beau's butt in tight pants. There are a myriad of reasons why women love sports. I just heard yesterday about an all women's fantasy football church league. That's great! I, on the contrary, play in 2 leagues full of men. The first league is a family league. My dad, brothers, nephew, hubby and his dad and brother play. The second league is a league full of Government Analysts...all men. I draft with them tonight. I'm anxious to see how it plays out.
My family league drafted on Tuesday. I drafted 5th out of 8. Not ideal, but Ok. I ended up with a nice bevy of talent at RB, WR and QB. I drafted a TE, DEF and Kicker late, and therefore, didn't get greatness at those positions. Still, I was able to obtain some nice bench players while other guys were drafting Defenses and Kickers in 8th and 9th rounds. Baltimore is a great defense, but are they worth losing out on some very talented wideouts? The draft didn't really go like I thought it would. Sure, L.T. was the first pick, but after that it got interesting fast. Manning went second. Second!!! That put me in position to draft Shaun Alexander. I was convinced he'd be gone. I was thrilled, but I am holding my breath that he stays healthy through the season. Last year, my brother drafted him first and it sucked for him after the injury. My other Running backs are as follows...
Lawrence Maroney. Hate New England and Belichick. Had Dillon a few years back and hated having to follow the injury report so closely because he never spilled anything about his player's health prior to Sunday. Sometimes, you weren't even sure until the game started. Still, they are the Patriots and they will win and do it with a running game. Yes, Brady has some new weapons in Moss and Stallworth, but I'm not convined the running game will dry up that much.
Thomas Jones. And if you can believe it, I got him very late in the draft. I believe in the 6th round. I was amazed by the guys going before him. Platoon Backs, #2 WRs, Rookies. He's Thomas freakin' Jones for crying out loud. He is a feature back on a decent team.
This leaves me with 2 guys on a bye in week 10, so I drafted accordingly later on. I passed on Ahman Green because of the Bye situation. I concluded by drafting Deuce McCallister and Warrick Dunn. We'll see how the backups do in the first few weeks. I'm also eying Kevin Jones and will decide later on him due to his possible PUP list assignment. I think he has incredible potential and love that he is so adept at receiving the ball.
I will post more later and cover my WRs. I will also discuss my draft that occurs tonight. I'd like a different mix of guys just to make things interesting.
Until next time...
Elle
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