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2008 Fantasy Football Archive

During the 2008 fantasy football season I'll share my draft results, some of the significant info, and my own transactions as time permits. Everything will be archived below as I've done in the past. Time doesn't permit a ton of info to be posted but the idea is to make enough updates to help during your drafts or make pickups/drops during the season.

In 2007 I was in 4 Fantasy Football Leagues. All 4 teams produced winning records and 1 Championship. Between 2006 & 2007 I've managed 7 teams (all in Yahoo with head-to-head formats). Of those 7 teams, 6 had winning records and 3 produced league Championships.

My drafts tend to be solid but my biggest advantage is spotting value and sleeper players throughout the year ahead of the competition.

In general, the advice below is geared towards leagues that have 12 or fewer teams; starters: 1-QB, 2-RBs, 3-WRs, 1 TE, 1-K, 1-D; and drafts of 12+ rounds. 

November 9th

Aside from the odd player mention in emails, this season time has been too tight to do much here after the drafts. The NFL picks have been the priority.

I'm in 3 leagues below I'm sitting 1st (8-1), 2nd (7-2), and 3rd (6-3). Trades and free agent pick-ups have helped. In many Yahoo leagues (and others) the trade deadline is Nov 14th. After this weekend, you need to look hard at your rosters and try for that one trade to put you over the top. If you have the luxury of a good season, you need to look ahead to weeks 14, 15, & 16 (fantasy playoffs). Week 17 playoffs are a joke, makes little sense with starters resting.

I'm trying to work trades for RBs Tomlinson & Thomas Jones, WRs Colston, Berrian, Wayne, Fitzgerald, Bowe & Moss. Each have cupcake schedules for the playoffs and prior. Tomlinson I'll pay high for (Gore + ?) and players like Colston are undervalued right now.

You have to be willing to pay and people are essentially greedy. If you give them a lopsided looking deal, they could bite not appreciating the big picture (weeks 14-16). Some teams also don't have the luxury of a winning record and need to win now. If that's you, it's time to roll the dice and off-load your bench strength. The gamble is injuries but you need to be aggressive if you have to get much needed wins. In one league (6-3) I have Brees & Warner at QB. If I get the right deal I'll move Brees but I also have the luxury of keeping both (which I'm more inclined to do). I'm starting Warner most weeks and Brees has the tougher schedule. But Week 16 (championship game) he's at Detroit compared to Warner (in the snow? at New England) so very tempting to keep him. Plus it's a huge insurance policy for Warner. The point is look at the schedule and think about who you'd play.

Also compare who you have on your roster. I have Hightower thinking he'd eventually be named the starter. His value is even higher now and I can afford to move him with Gore-Chris Johnson-Jamal Lewis-Jamaal Charles on my bench. Highhtower has some tough matchups coming and I wouldn't start him each week. With a need for another stud WR (I have Roddy White-Calvin Johnson-Brandon Marshall- Ted Ginn) I woukld like Colston who should come on strong. Also, Week 15 my current WRs all have tricky matchups. Look ahead at the schedule if you have that luxury and be aware of that one waiver wire gem that could put you over the top this next month. It happens every year.

Strength of schedule isn't everything but needs to be factored in. Also, which teams will likely be playing in ugly conditions and which have domes? Tom Brady owners were slaughtered last year because of this after a record breaking season. Think ahead.

Weeks 14-16 strength of schedule (based on all stats from the past 2 months). The 1st team named has the easiest/worst schedule:

QB

Best: Patriots, Rams, Vikings, Colts, Packers, Saints

Worst: Bengals, Jags, Cowboys, Giants, Ravens

RB

Best: Dolphins, Chargers, Houston, Denver, Jaguars, Chiefs, NY Jets

Worst: Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NY Giants

WR

Best: Rams, Patriots, Vikings, Packers, Colts, Saints

Worst: Houston, Detroit, Dallas, Jacksonville, Cincinnati

TE

Best: Saints, Raiders, Seattle, Houston, Arizona

Worst: Miami, NY Jets, Bengals, Eagles, Ravens

DEF

Best: Arizona, Miami, Detroit, Atlanta, Seattle, NY Jets

Worst: Tampa, Houston, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New England

Kicker

Who cares? Always great options on the waiver wire to get the best matchup.

 

So if you're serious about a playoff run, think ahead and and try to capitalize on the cocky owner that isn't thinking about the big picture and will get burned in December. One big move this week could make your season.

September 27th

Just a couple quick notes:

WR waiver-wire/bye-week pick up - Justin Gage (TEN). With Collins in the mix now and a tough run defence, Gage could be very active here. Lots of upside and he's available in many leagues. Hank Baskett (PHI) is still out there in some leagues and would have a solid chance as the deep threat vs Chicago.

Santonio Holmes - I really like him overall but they can't pass protect to go for the deep stuff right now and the Baltimore D is a killer. Sit him for a lesser receiver with a better matchup.

Adrian Peterson - practiced alot this week, owners shouldn't be concerned that he's listed as questionable. Tough D in Tenessee but he's a must start and Houston ran on them well last week.

Jonathan Stewart - primed for a monster game vs Atlanta. I've been trying to trade for him in each league, offering more than his current value. Easy schedule the rest of the way and his value is only going up from here.

Jake Delhomme - good chance for his best week of the season vs the Falcons and 2nd game for Steve Smith.

J.T. O'Sullivan - Still available in some leagues, a solid waiver-wire pickup if your starter is on a bye week or has a bad matchup.

September 20th

I have 3 teams going this season and all are 2-0. Lots of roster moves and on the Coach Janky Spanky team I acquired RB Chris Johnson, QB Kurt Warner, WR DeShaun Jackson, and RB Sammy Morris. All were free agents and grabbed before the start of the season or following week 1. I've also recently cut TE Zach Miller and picked up Seattle's TE John Carlson. If you're looking for a platoon TE or spot start, this is a great opportunity for him this week vs St. Louis. I've also picked up the Buffalo D and recommend you do the same if they are available and you don't already have a top-flight D. They should be a Top 10 D this season with upside. One big trade of note. After week 1, I traded Westbrook and James for Frank Gore & Jamal Lewis. We'll see how that plays out. I expect Gore to have a big year and in the long run I feel Jamal Lewis will have more value and upside than James (keep an eye on Hightower, he could be a great sleeper in James gets hurt).

Good pickups to watch for if you need help at certain positions:

TE John Carlson (Seattle) and the Buffalo D (as I've mentioned already), and RB Michael Bush (Oakland). You could start them all. If you need help at QB, J.T. O'Sulivan is available in many leagues. He could have a huge day vs Detroit.

August 26th

This is the draft for the league I've won the past 2 years. I really like Brees this season and I sacrificed at RB-2 to start with Westbrook, Brees, and 3 stud WRs. Unusual for me but that's the way it fell. I was hoping at a chance to get Jamal Lewis but he went in R3. That made Santonio Holmes an easy choice for me at #45 and I was hoping for RB Michael Turner or possibly TE Kellen Winslow at #52. Both we just prior so I grabbed Calvin Johnson to round out a very solid set of WRs. I came back with James in R6 for security while Westbrook provides upside. James has gained +1,300 yards and 6+ TDs the past 3 seasons. I know I'll snipe a solid WR of the free agent list early in the year so it was all about finding a RB that would click or get lucky and have their role expand in a big way due to injury. I really like Ricky Williams' upside right now and I grabbed Taylor and Jones in the hopes of having lightning strike. Both will get their yards now and would be huge if Peterson/Barber missed extended time. Delhomme will surprise this year, I really like these 2 QBs and their upside. I couldn't grab one of the big 3 TEs so I'm quite fine with playing the best matchup each week using Daniels and Miller. Sidney Rice has upside as Minnesota's #1 WR and big redzone threat at #148. Surprised he made it that far. Suisham rounds out the kicking spot and that's where kickers need to go, in the final round.

For a more detailed draft blow-by-blow, see the post from August 24th.

 

Coach Janky Spanky

Round Pick Player Position

1. (4) Brian Westbrook RB

2. (21) Drew Brees QB

3. (28) Brandon Marshall WR

4. (45) Santonio Holmes WR

5. (52) Calvin Johnson WR

6. (69) Edgerrin James RB

7. (76) Ricky Williams RB

8. (93) Jake Delhomme QB

9. (100) Owen Daniels TE

10. (117) Chester Taylor RB

11. (124) Felix Jones RB

12. (141) Zach Miller TE

13. (148) Sidney Rice WR

14. (165) Indianapolis DEF

15. (172) Shaun Suisham K

August 24th

I took part in an online Yahoo draft Sunday Aug. 24th to shake the rust off and here's the set-up:

  • 10 team Yahoo league. Live draft, head-to-head format. 4 teams make the playoffs (weeks 15 & 16).
    (Some veteran owners with recent championships and top 3 finishes, others with not much history) It was easy to see who fell into which category after the draft was done.

  • Roster: 2-QBs (somewhat unusual), 3-WRs, 2-RBs, 1-Flex (W/R), 1-TE, 1-D, 1-K, 7 bench players

  • Standard scoring & TD passes worth 6 points. Other notable bonus adjustments: Passing (25 yards per point; 6 points at 350 yards; 8 points at 400 yards; 10 points at 450 yards). Rushing Yards (10 yards per point; 5 points at 100 yards; 6 points at 150 yards; 8 points at 160 yards). Rushing & Receiving Touchdowns (6). Reception Yards (10 yards per point; 4 points at 120 yards; 6 points at 150 yards; 10 points at 175 yards)

    Here's a look at my final draft results and comments have now been added (Aug 25):
     
    The Replacements

    1. (3) Adrian Peterson

    No brainer and I was shocked to see him fall to me. A boatload of upside and a definite #2 overall. Guess who went #1? Brady. Better hope that line keeps him healthy. If the next owner was dumb enough to take anyone other than Tomlinson, I would have grabbed LT in a second. However, I'm laughing with Peterson and thinking stud QB (only because of the 2 QB league format or top flight WR). I'll find my #2 RB in the early rounds and there's a fair bit to choose from this year.

     
    2. (18) Tony Romo

    Interesting draft format with 2 QBs. Romo looks great for 2008 and if not for the 2 QB format I probably would have targeted a different position. I was looking at Terrel Owens but he went at #14 so I went with the stud QB. But Brady, Manning, McNabb (I'm not kidding), and Brees went before Romo. I really like Romo and Brees this year. In fact, had Brees been on the board I would have grabbed him ahead of Romo. That offense looks loaded at WR and good options at RB.
     

    3. (23) Reggie Wayne

    One of the top WR's in the draft and very happy to have him at #23 to compliment Romo and Peterson. There was a mini run on QBs after Romo with Palmer, Hasselbeck, and Anderson going. I would want NO past of Hasslebeck this season. I like Anderson alot but #22 overall? Again, the draft format comes into play requiring 2 solid starters.

     
    4. (38) Marques Colston

    With 3 WRs and a flex WR/RB starting each week, I wanted another big WR if possible. Jamal Lewis was the best RB on the board and I was very tempted to grab him. I had targeted him as a solid #2 but not this early. Colston is a legitimate stud and poised to have a great year. Chad Johnson, Fitzgerald, and Steve Smith went just before Colston. I like both Fitzgerald and Smith (Carolina-Smith-Delhomme look good to me this year). Chad Johnson, no thanks.

     
    5. (43) Willie Parker

    Had to go for my RB #2 and most years my 2 starting RBs are in the bank by round 3. Parker had almost 1,500 yards last year and I like what I've seen in August. Pittsburgh looks very solid to me this year and I think he'll continued to be featured over Mendenhall and improve on his 2 TDs. In 2006 he had 16 TDs and 1,700 yards. I'm expecting +1,000 and 6+ TDs with upside. I'll take that as a #2.

     
    6. (58) Santonio Holmes

    An extremely tough call. WR Santonio Holmes or RB Michael Turner. I like Holmes that much to go with another WR. I find every year that there will be WRs that you can acquire as free agents after watching 1 of 2 games that will pay off huge. But I also believe in taking guys that you are really high on if the opportunity is there. But I don't think I would have gone wrong with Turner who I had targeted as well. QB situation is improving, he could have a big year.

     
    7. (63) Kellen Winslow

    Witten and Gates went in R6 and I wanted Winslow anyway. I have no complaints through 7 rounds: QB Romo, RBs Peterson-Parker, WRs Wayne-Colston-Holmes, TE Winslow. Maybe Michael Turner instead of Willie Parker, more potential upside.

     
    8. (78) Kevin Smith

    Needed a #3 RB and wanted potential upside. Tampa's Earnest Graham was available but not the same kind of upside. Smith looks poised to be the starter, fits the system well, and I think Detroit will surprise this year with a solid O and improved D.

     
    9. (83) Aaron Rodgers

    I was hoping for a better #2 but it's a pass friendly offense with alot of playmakers to throw to. A steady player to compliment Romo. I would have liked QBs like Schaub-Cutler-Delhomme (in that order & high on all 3) but there were long gone. I thought hard about Jon Kitna here and even Kurt Warner. They went with picks 84 and 85. So we'll see. Kitna has lots of weapons and warner was a start for me last year at playoff time. Don't overlook Warner. There's a gamble involved but tons of upside. In a normal 1 QB league I would have rolled the dice with Romo-Warner.

     
    10. (98) Jerricho Cotchery

    Needed to go WR her and Cotchery is a steal at #98. He should easily be Favre's #1 guy, lots of upside.

     
    11. (103) Jason Campbell

    Maybe a bit of a homer pick as a Redskins fan but other options included QBs like Garcia, Tavaris Jackson, & JaMarcus Russell. QBs get hurt and I needed a steady starter as an insurance policy. He had been getting stronger as the 2007 season progressed until missing the last month with an injury.

     
    12. (118) Ted Ginn Jr.

    Upside WR and a clear #1 on Miami. Lots of physical skills to be a breakout player and perhaps a good spot starter with Pennington playing well and the right matchup. Looking for upside given the other WRs I have.

     
    13. (123) Fred Taylor

    Surprised to get Taylor here. Good insurance policy and LY had +1,200 yards, 5 TDs, and +5 yard/rush. If MJD ever went down Taylor's stock would go thru the roof. In hindsight, I'm kicking myself for not taking Chester Tayor here who went in the next round. Either Ginn or Taylor should have been sacrificed and Taylor scooped up as an insurance policy for Peterson.

     
    14. (138) Chris Johnson

    The Titans RB has impressed and is physically gifted to say the least. Major sleeper potential.

     
    15. (143) J.T. O'Sullivan

    He's looked decent in preseason and has weapons around him. Going for upside here, not much left and needed a 4th QB since we're starting 2 and finding starting QBs to pick up will be tough during the season.

     
    16. (158) Tony Scheffler

    It's laughable to catch him at #158. Almost took Zach Miller (OAK) who went undrafted. I tend to lead the league in player moves. I like Scheffler but I'm tempted to drop him for Miller. More upside to me in hindsight and looks very good in preseason.

     
    17. (163) Philadelphia

    I can live with Philly as lots of owners reached and took the top defenses way too early. I'll also be watching intently for a free-agent pickup if an undrafted D emerges early in the year.

     
    18. (178) Jeff Reed

    Who cares. It's the kicker. I'll change kickers 5+ times this year depending on matchups and how Reed starts the year. Only 4 teams look solid after the draft. Only 4 teams drafted a kicker in the last round. Don't rush to grab a kicker. The 1st kicker went in Round 8 this year which is flat-out stupid.

     

    Hope this helps to give you some extra info and best of luck in your drafts this season.

August 23rd

I have 2 drafts scheduled for Sunday Aug. 24th & Tuesday Aug. 26th.

I'll post the results, along with rationale for the picks and other players of note. Past visitors have commented that's been useful to them so as a result I'll join a random league and get some specific player info posted for your use.

August 9th

For those of you drafting early I thought I'd mention a couple things that has helped me in the past. I try to get 2 stud RBs with my first two picks if they're available and build my team around them. If not, make sure you grab 2 solid backs with your 1st 3 picks. There are a limited number of feature back in the league and they're tough to snatch up as the season goes on. There will be tons of quality QB's and WR's in the 4th round or later and lots of sleepers to take a shot with. Plus all the potential pickups to be made as the season goes on. But I try to remain flexible because if Brady were to fall to me in a good spot in R1 this year, I might not be able to resist the upside. But I almost always wait to grab a QB because there are good ones to be had in the mid to later rounds (Favre and Kitna in 2007 are perfect examples) or a solid pickup that makes your team somewhere down the road (like Kurt Warner was for me last year and definitely didn't disappoint during Fantasy Playoff time).

Upside is huge to me. I don't want to finish 2nd or 3rd. I want my draft picks to be potential studs because I'll be aggressively cutting dead weight as the season goes and looking to make the kinds of pick-ups (and trades) that win championships.

Ideally I'll be looking for a stud WR with my #3 pick and wait to go after my QB. If I can grab another solid RB with upside at pick #4 I likely will. If I have very strong RB's with #1 and #2, I would think much harder about grabbing quality WR's at both #3 and #4 if there's an opportunity. That's my philosophy and there are many ways to draft in the early rounds.

 

August 8th

For those drafting earlier in the month, I'll be taking part in an online draft sooner around the middle of the month to blow off some of the cobwebs and to give you some actual examples of players and things to consider. I find it also helps to be under live fire to get prepared for more important drafts later in the month. Check back for details.