The biggest rematch since Serra vs. GSP II goes down on Saturday when Chris Weidman faces Anderson Silva. Last time around, as we all know. Weidman put Silva to sleep and ended what many believe to be the most dominant era in MMA. Silva toyed around with the wrong guy and he paid for it. No one had challenged him since Chael Sonnen nearly beat him back in 2010, though that victory would've been most likely vacated since Sonnen test positive for illegal substances. But when push comes to shove, Silva ran the Middleweight division for years. He has a chance to get back on top of that mountain on Saturday.
Weidman is a huge match-up problem for Silva. He's very good on the ground, and as we all witnessed, he has one-punch knockout power. Silva took Weidman lightly the first time around, which was pretty much his style. While I think Weidman has the capability to retain his title, I don't think he will. Silva has waited years for someone to rise to the challenge, someone to motivate him to care, to try, to really train hard again. He has that in that in Weidman. Silva should take this fight more seriously than any fight in his career. He was exposed the last time he was on in the Octagon. He doesn't want to tarnish his legacy by having back-to-back losses to the same opponent. I think Silva takes this fight by unanimous decision.
The other big fight, another rematch, on the UFC 168 card is Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate. This matchup stems from their recent stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. Their dislike for each other is well known and probably only grew from TUF. Rousey seems to take it much more seriously than Tate for whatever reason, and it does border on annoying. However, I wouldn't put it past Dana White to tell them both to do whatever they can to hype this fight up. Rousey was first supposed to face Cat Zingao but she ended up blowing out her knee and was replaced by Tate. Nothing against Miesha Tate, but she's not in the same class as Rousey. Ronda should absolutely dominate this fight and win it with an armbar in the first round. Does that mean Tate can't pull the upset? Absolutely not. She is fully capable of jumping on Rousey if she makes a mistake and making her pay for it with her title. Rousey needs to put her emotions aside when she steps in the Octagon and not let her mind get the best of her. She absolutely should win this fight in dominating fashion.
The only other fight on the card I'm interested in is Uriah Hall vs. Chris Leben. Both guys are pretty much fighting for their job. Leben hasn't won since he beat Wanderlei Silva back in July of 2011 and has also failed a drug test since then. Hall has yet to notch a victory in the UFC despite his immense potential. He ran through his season of The Ultimate Fighter until the finale when he looked completely disinterested. He lost again in August in a fight where he just seemed to be bored. Leben is probably closer to the end of his UFC career, but if Hall can't pull off this victory his will most likely be over before it even starts.
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Friday, December 27, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Mack Brown Leaving Texas
Quite a lot has changed in the last 24 hours for the Texas Longhorns football program. Just yesterday head coach Mack Brown said he would stay there if it were up to him. However now, according the the Longhorns Network Twitter account, he's informed the team and recruits that he'll be resigning after their bowl game.
I can't say I'm surprised. Texas has been average at best recently, and that's just not good enough. For them not to be in contention for a BCS bowl is unacceptable at that school. Brown had a great run, but it sounds like it's coming to a close.
The biggest question will of course be, who replaces him? Saban has already agreed to an extension to stay at Alabama. I'd think Harbaugh would be insane to leave the 49ers. You and I have a better shot at getting the job than Lane Kiffin does. So who is it going to be? Stay tuned for updates.
UPDATE- The University of Texas has confirmed that Mack Brown is resigning his position. So it looks like this one is actually for real this time. Though nothing at this point would surprise me.
UPDATE- The University of Texas has confirmed that Mack Brown is resigning his position. So it looks like this one is actually for real this time. Though nothing at this point would surprise me.
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Monday, November 25, 2013
10 Commandments of Turkey Bowl
With Thanksgiving nearly upon us, it’s time to address a tradition that many people hold near and dear; The Turkey Bowl. All across this great nation of ours, friends and families will gather to face off in an annual game of blood, sweat, tears, bragging rights, and gravy. I give you here the 10 Commandments of Turkey Bowl.
- Three-drink minimum per person. Turkey Bowl cannot be successful if all participants (excluding minors of course) do not have some sort of liquid courage. This not only helps dull the pain that will undoubtedly be suffered, but it also encourages to wildest and wackiest of plays. Not only that, but diving for a pass seems like a much better idea if you’re well lubricated. You must be able to stay upright, but after that, it’s fair game. Halftime beers and/or shots are also a must.
- Trash talking is required. Sure we’re all friends and family, that’s even more of a reason to psychologically torment your opponent. I’m not saying you should get all Richie Incognito on anyone, but a healthy dose of taunts is a must. This ranges from making fun of dropped passes, missed tackles, to getting juked and terrible throws. Basically, anything you can think of.
- Turkey Bowl should be tackle football. Yeah, I said it. Two-hand touch invariable leads to tackles anyway. No one has enough socks to supply an entire team for flag-football. Sack up. Play tackle.
- All touchdowns must be celebrated. This goes along with #2. If a TD isn’t celebrated by the dancing of at least 2 members of the team, including the scorer, a 15-yard penalty will be incurred following kickoff. Bonus points for choreographed routines.
- At least one female per team (no limit though), and yes, they must score. Not only that, but the girls aren’t allowed to cover each other. This will of course lead to an interception and/or multiple tackles by a female. This is when you will immediately refer to rule #2. Ladies, please feel free to jump in on the trash-talking as well.
- If available, play in the mud. Turkey Bowl should of course take place on a grass field. But if there has recently been rain in a nearby area, you should travel to said area and hold your game there. Mud leads to much more entertaining games, not only for the players, but for the fans. And yes, you must have fans for it to truly be a Turkey Bowl.
- Losers walk. You get scored on, you walk to the other end of the field and prepare for kickoff. No arguing, just do it. You don’t want to walk? Don’t get scored on. This also aids in keeping it fair in terms of field condition and wind.
- There needs to be some sort of trophy. I don’t care if you hot-glue a toy car onto a piece of scrap wood. The winners deserve to be awarded with something. Of course they have bragging rights for a year, but a trophy is so much more. “Turkey Bowl” should be emblazoned on this trophy in some form, and a record of the winners should be kept as well. The stealing and holding hostage of said trophy is not only encouraged, but expected.
- No more than one rushing play per series. This does not include reverses. Trick plays are a necessity, and the fans are there to watch you air it out. A ground game is fun for exactly no one. So line up wide and throw the ball. Remember that liquid courage? Yeah, it helps a ton in this area.
- The most important rule of all, have fun. Turkey Bowl comes but once a year. The memories however live on forever. Take it just serious enough so it means something, but not so serious that it ruins dinner and makes people not want to play next year.
There you have it, my 10 Commandments of Turkey Bowl. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments.
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Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Red October: World Series Preview
I won't even try to suggest I'm not rooting for the Red Sox here. Obviously I am. That being said, I did some research and made my prediction based off that. Yes, I want the Red Sox to win. But that doesn't mean I'm too biased to ignore what the numbers say.
Wainwright and Wacha are clearly the two pitchers that the Cardinals are banking on, and with good reason. Wacha has been arguably the most impressive pitcher in the postseason and Wainwright is already a household name. They give St. Louis an immediate advantage in any series. However, St. Louis doesn't have the home field advantage, which could negate their aces. Wainwright's ERA on the road is nearly a run higher than at home, 3.36 compared to 2.53. I realize that's not much, but considering how evenly matched the two teams are, any edge is going to be huge for either team. Wacha's road ERA is over 2 runs higher than his home ERA, 4.34 compared to 2.15. Granted Wacha didn't pitch on the road in the NLCS, so it's doubtful he starts Game 2. I would assume that means the Red Sox will pitch Lackey in Game 2, who was excellent on the road in Game 3 of the ALCS and throughout the season was much better pitching at Fenway. I'm going to assume this means Buchholz throws Game 3 against Wacha, and I'll give him the edge even though he hasn't been nearly as sharp during the postseason as he was throughout the regular season.
I also have to give the edge to Boston when it comes to the bullpen. Their ERA is a full run lower than the St. Louis bullpen and they've thrown 2 more innings. Koji Uehara, the ALCS MVP, has been the most impressive reliever in MLB this year. He throws nearly nothing but strikes and has the stuff to get anyone out. Yes he did give up a walkoff home run to the Rays, but he hasn't looked back since. If the game is on the line, there is no one else in baseball I'd trust more than Koji.
The team batting stats also favor the Red Sox. They've hit .236/.325/.365 while the Cardinals have hit .210/.285/.325 throughout October. Both teams faced some of the best starting pitching in baseball in their Championship Series and the only offensive explosion was the Cardinals in Game 6. Even then they still trail the Red Sox in hitting.
The players I'm most interested in watching throughout the series are Carlos Beltran and Xander Bogaerts. One a 16-year veteran outfielder who is finally getting a taste of the World Series. The other a rookie who has a seemingly long, illustrious career ahead of him. Which one will rise to the occasion and which one will be outshined? It won't surprise me however it shakes out. Beltran has been a monster in the postseason throughout his career. His career batting average in the playoffs is .337, certainly something to be concerned with if you're the Sox. Xander actually reminds me of Beltran too. Kind of quiet, unassuming, but undeniable talent. His ability to get on base is a huge boost to Boston's lineup.
Lastly, the Red Sox ability to come from behind has been ridiculous. Two grand slams late in ALCS games, clutch bullpen pitching, and a never give up attitude pushed them into the World Series. The Cardinals didn't face adversity like that in the NLCS. They outmatched the Dodgers, as much as it pains me to say, I'm not so sure you can say that about the Red Sox. Yes, Boston deserved to win when it all boiled down, but beating the Tigers when they trotted out Scherzer twice and Verlander was amazing. I believe they have a mental edge over the Cardinals.
All in all, I have to pick the Red Sox. I highly doubt it's going to be easy, I'm thinking at least 6 games. But given the depth of their bench, bullpen, and the fact that they have home field advantage (thank you, AL All-Stars) I have to give them the edge. Should be a great Series, and I can't wait for it to start.
GO SOX
UPDATE-The Cardinals will send Wacha to the mound in Game 2, which is definitely not what I was anticipating. I think that game could be the pivotal one in the series. He's been their ace so far, but the pressure of the World Series and pitching in a place like Fenway has to be intimidating for the rookie. Will he step up and dominate like he did in the NLCS, or will he be hittable like he was during the regular season on the road?
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Wainwright and Wacha are clearly the two pitchers that the Cardinals are banking on, and with good reason. Wacha has been arguably the most impressive pitcher in the postseason and Wainwright is already a household name. They give St. Louis an immediate advantage in any series. However, St. Louis doesn't have the home field advantage, which could negate their aces. Wainwright's ERA on the road is nearly a run higher than at home, 3.36 compared to 2.53. I realize that's not much, but considering how evenly matched the two teams are, any edge is going to be huge for either team. Wacha's road ERA is over 2 runs higher than his home ERA, 4.34 compared to 2.15. Granted Wacha didn't pitch on the road in the NLCS, so it's doubtful he starts Game 2. I would assume that means the Red Sox will pitch Lackey in Game 2, who was excellent on the road in Game 3 of the ALCS and throughout the season was much better pitching at Fenway. I'm going to assume this means Buchholz throws Game 3 against Wacha, and I'll give him the edge even though he hasn't been nearly as sharp during the postseason as he was throughout the regular season.
I also have to give the edge to Boston when it comes to the bullpen. Their ERA is a full run lower than the St. Louis bullpen and they've thrown 2 more innings. Koji Uehara, the ALCS MVP, has been the most impressive reliever in MLB this year. He throws nearly nothing but strikes and has the stuff to get anyone out. Yes he did give up a walkoff home run to the Rays, but he hasn't looked back since. If the game is on the line, there is no one else in baseball I'd trust more than Koji.
The team batting stats also favor the Red Sox. They've hit .236/.325/.365 while the Cardinals have hit .210/.285/.325 throughout October. Both teams faced some of the best starting pitching in baseball in their Championship Series and the only offensive explosion was the Cardinals in Game 6. Even then they still trail the Red Sox in hitting.
The players I'm most interested in watching throughout the series are Carlos Beltran and Xander Bogaerts. One a 16-year veteran outfielder who is finally getting a taste of the World Series. The other a rookie who has a seemingly long, illustrious career ahead of him. Which one will rise to the occasion and which one will be outshined? It won't surprise me however it shakes out. Beltran has been a monster in the postseason throughout his career. His career batting average in the playoffs is .337, certainly something to be concerned with if you're the Sox. Xander actually reminds me of Beltran too. Kind of quiet, unassuming, but undeniable talent. His ability to get on base is a huge boost to Boston's lineup.
Lastly, the Red Sox ability to come from behind has been ridiculous. Two grand slams late in ALCS games, clutch bullpen pitching, and a never give up attitude pushed them into the World Series. The Cardinals didn't face adversity like that in the NLCS. They outmatched the Dodgers, as much as it pains me to say, I'm not so sure you can say that about the Red Sox. Yes, Boston deserved to win when it all boiled down, but beating the Tigers when they trotted out Scherzer twice and Verlander was amazing. I believe they have a mental edge over the Cardinals.
All in all, I have to pick the Red Sox. I highly doubt it's going to be easy, I'm thinking at least 6 games. But given the depth of their bench, bullpen, and the fact that they have home field advantage (thank you, AL All-Stars) I have to give them the edge. Should be a great Series, and I can't wait for it to start.
GO SOX
UPDATE-The Cardinals will send Wacha to the mound in Game 2, which is definitely not what I was anticipating. I think that game could be the pivotal one in the series. He's been their ace so far, but the pressure of the World Series and pitching in a place like Fenway has to be intimidating for the rookie. Will he step up and dominate like he did in the NLCS, or will he be hittable like he was during the regular season on the road?
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Monday, October 7, 2013
Why Does Tony Romo Drive An Automatic?
Because he just can't figure out the clutch.
Alright, stupid jokes aside, let's stop with the over-analyzing of Tony Romo. How'd he play on Sunday? In a word, amazing. Over 500 yards, 5 TDs, and just one pick. The problem is, that pick came at the absolute worst time. That one interception is just another reminder of the kind of quarterback Tony Romo is and probably will always be.
My opinion of Romo has been the same since he muffed that snap back in 2007. He's as physically talented as any quarterback in the NFL, but he's just not mentally strong. He has some sort of block that hinders him when it comes down to "the moment." In elimination games Romo is 1-6 for his career. Sunday's late interception was just another manifestation of Romo's mental demons. Instead of rising to the occasion, when the game is on the line, Romo cracks. He panics and makes bad decisions. He threw into triple coverage and got picked off. There were plenty of people who said he didn't have any other choice on that play; those people could not be more wrong. He had DeMarco Murray open on a check-down, or he could've simply thrown it away. By the way, WHY DOES HE NEVER THROW THE BALL AWAY?!? He takes bad sacks or tries to force a pass instead of just getting rid of the ball. It kills me, but I digress. Anyway, Murray was open. How open? Have a look.
Yeah, I'd say he was pretty open, wide open in fact. But for whatever reason, Romo didn't see him. His brain just doesn't work like that.
Now to those of you who think the blame should fall on the defense, I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're not right either. The defense gave the offense a chance. They picked off Peyton and held the Broncos to field goals on two separate occasions. Is giving up 51 points ok? Never. Monte Kiffin should be fired immediately. And no, I'm not joking about that. But it's not like they were playing the Jaguars. Denver has carved up every single opponent they've faced this season, and for the first time, they were in danger of losing. Romo was all set up, thanks in part to his defense, to lead a game-winning drive and take a massive step towards shedding his reputation as a choker . He didn't, he failed.
Rodney Harrison explained Romo perfectly during halftime of the Sunday Night Football game. I'm paraphrasing here as I was watching baseball by then and only heard it in the background. Harrison said that Romo is the guy you see on film and are amazed at what he can do. He has big-play potential and does things that don't seem possible. But when it's crunch time, and the cream rises to the top, he's going to make a mistake. He's not thinking about what he can do to make the play, he's thinking about what kind of mistake he might make.
That is Romo's downfall. He doesn't have confidence in himself. It's said that sports are 90% mental. Tony Romo is proof.
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Alright, stupid jokes aside, let's stop with the over-analyzing of Tony Romo. How'd he play on Sunday? In a word, amazing. Over 500 yards, 5 TDs, and just one pick. The problem is, that pick came at the absolute worst time. That one interception is just another reminder of the kind of quarterback Tony Romo is and probably will always be.
My opinion of Romo has been the same since he muffed that snap back in 2007. He's as physically talented as any quarterback in the NFL, but he's just not mentally strong. He has some sort of block that hinders him when it comes down to "the moment." In elimination games Romo is 1-6 for his career. Sunday's late interception was just another manifestation of Romo's mental demons. Instead of rising to the occasion, when the game is on the line, Romo cracks. He panics and makes bad decisions. He threw into triple coverage and got picked off. There were plenty of people who said he didn't have any other choice on that play; those people could not be more wrong. He had DeMarco Murray open on a check-down, or he could've simply thrown it away. By the way, WHY DOES HE NEVER THROW THE BALL AWAY?!? He takes bad sacks or tries to force a pass instead of just getting rid of the ball. It kills me, but I digress. Anyway, Murray was open. How open? Have a look.
 |
| Thanks to @Munchdown for the image |
Now to those of you who think the blame should fall on the defense, I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're not right either. The defense gave the offense a chance. They picked off Peyton and held the Broncos to field goals on two separate occasions. Is giving up 51 points ok? Never. Monte Kiffin should be fired immediately. And no, I'm not joking about that. But it's not like they were playing the Jaguars. Denver has carved up every single opponent they've faced this season, and for the first time, they were in danger of losing. Romo was all set up, thanks in part to his defense, to lead a game-winning drive and take a massive step towards shedding his reputation as a choker . He didn't, he failed.
Rodney Harrison explained Romo perfectly during halftime of the Sunday Night Football game. I'm paraphrasing here as I was watching baseball by then and only heard it in the background. Harrison said that Romo is the guy you see on film and are amazed at what he can do. He has big-play potential and does things that don't seem possible. But when it's crunch time, and the cream rises to the top, he's going to make a mistake. He's not thinking about what he can do to make the play, he's thinking about what kind of mistake he might make.
That is Romo's downfall. He doesn't have confidence in himself. It's said that sports are 90% mental. Tony Romo is proof.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Praising Peyton
Let me preface this whole thing by saying I'm very much a Peyton Manning fan. Not only is he a great QB but he seems like an all-around good guy. Plus he makes funny commercials. Now, let's get started....
I'm sick and tired of all the praise being heaped on Peyton lately. Yes, he has the Broncos 3-0 right now and looking like the best team in the NFL. Yes, he's been untouchable in terms of touchdowns. Yes, he's looking more and more like the Peyton that lead the Colts to the Super Bowl 2006. But pump the brakes just a bit before we anoint him.
Who have the Broncos played this season? No one, that's who. They beat the Ravens and Raiders at home and he punked his little brother's team in New York. These teams are nowhere near the top of the league. The Ravens are a shell of themselves from a year ago, the Giants are the biggest mess in the NFL, and the Raiders are, well, the Raiders. It's not like Peyton took the Broncos to Seattle and laid a beatdown on the Seahawks. He's been very good against bad teams. I'm not trying to diminish his amazing start, because it's been literally record-setting, but praising him like he's beating the cream of the crop is just ridiculous.
My next point is one that has bothered me for years. Peyton Manning is not the Greatest Quarterback of All-Time. Is he high on that list? Of course he is. But he's not the GOAT. There are quite a few guys who jump to my mind that I feel are better overall QBs than Peyton. Steve Young, John Elway, Tom Brady, and Joe Montana all are more impressive to me than Peyton. Their postseason record speaks for itself. Montana was 16-7, Young was 8-6, Elway was 14-8, and Brady is 17-7. Peyton is 9-10. I'm sorry, you can't be considered the GOAT if you have a losing record in the playoffs. I mean, put it this way, had Peyton lost in the Super Bowl in 2006 he'd have the exact same postseason record as Dan Marino. And as much as I love Marino, he definitely isn't the greatest QB to have every played the game.
I'm not going to dig in to the veteran QBs like Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Otto Graham, or Bart Starr. I just don't have the energy. If you don't know those names, look them up. They're some of the best to have ever played the game. Peyton just doesn't measure up.
I get it, his accuracy is surgical. His drive is amazing. But he doesn't adapt. There's a reason Peyton has been so good in the regular season and not so good in the postseason. I heard it explained like this. Peyton prepares for every game the same way. He breaks down teams and figures out how he's going to attack. That's great for the regular season when the majority of your games are against teams who don't measure up on the talent/athleticism level. But when you're in the playoffs, you have to step your game up. It's not that Peyton doesn't, it's that he can't. He's already prepping and playing at the highest level possible. So when the playoffs come around and teams go to another level, Peyton can't do the same thing. His brain doesn't work like that. I don't know if that makes sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to me.
Again, I'm not saying Peyton isn't a great QB. I'm not saying he isn't one of the best of all-time either. I'm just saying he's not on the top of the list. He's also doing exactly what a future Hall of Famer should against bad teams so far this season. Thinking he's going to keep up this torrid pace is nothing short of ridiculous.
All that being said, I could not be happier to have him on one of my fantasy teams.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
I'm sick and tired of all the praise being heaped on Peyton lately. Yes, he has the Broncos 3-0 right now and looking like the best team in the NFL. Yes, he's been untouchable in terms of touchdowns. Yes, he's looking more and more like the Peyton that lead the Colts to the Super Bowl 2006. But pump the brakes just a bit before we anoint him.
Who have the Broncos played this season? No one, that's who. They beat the Ravens and Raiders at home and he punked his little brother's team in New York. These teams are nowhere near the top of the league. The Ravens are a shell of themselves from a year ago, the Giants are the biggest mess in the NFL, and the Raiders are, well, the Raiders. It's not like Peyton took the Broncos to Seattle and laid a beatdown on the Seahawks. He's been very good against bad teams. I'm not trying to diminish his amazing start, because it's been literally record-setting, but praising him like he's beating the cream of the crop is just ridiculous.
My next point is one that has bothered me for years. Peyton Manning is not the Greatest Quarterback of All-Time. Is he high on that list? Of course he is. But he's not the GOAT. There are quite a few guys who jump to my mind that I feel are better overall QBs than Peyton. Steve Young, John Elway, Tom Brady, and Joe Montana all are more impressive to me than Peyton. Their postseason record speaks for itself. Montana was 16-7, Young was 8-6, Elway was 14-8, and Brady is 17-7. Peyton is 9-10. I'm sorry, you can't be considered the GOAT if you have a losing record in the playoffs. I mean, put it this way, had Peyton lost in the Super Bowl in 2006 he'd have the exact same postseason record as Dan Marino. And as much as I love Marino, he definitely isn't the greatest QB to have every played the game.
I'm not going to dig in to the veteran QBs like Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Otto Graham, or Bart Starr. I just don't have the energy. If you don't know those names, look them up. They're some of the best to have ever played the game. Peyton just doesn't measure up.
I get it, his accuracy is surgical. His drive is amazing. But he doesn't adapt. There's a reason Peyton has been so good in the regular season and not so good in the postseason. I heard it explained like this. Peyton prepares for every game the same way. He breaks down teams and figures out how he's going to attack. That's great for the regular season when the majority of your games are against teams who don't measure up on the talent/athleticism level. But when you're in the playoffs, you have to step your game up. It's not that Peyton doesn't, it's that he can't. He's already prepping and playing at the highest level possible. So when the playoffs come around and teams go to another level, Peyton can't do the same thing. His brain doesn't work like that. I don't know if that makes sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to me.
Again, I'm not saying Peyton isn't a great QB. I'm not saying he isn't one of the best of all-time either. I'm just saying he's not on the top of the list. He's also doing exactly what a future Hall of Famer should against bad teams so far this season. Thinking he's going to keep up this torrid pace is nothing short of ridiculous.
All that being said, I could not be happier to have him on one of my fantasy teams.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
Now that my drafts are over, meaning my friends who I play with can't learn/steal my strategy, I'll post this. I know it's pretty late, but just in case you haven't drafted for your fantasy league, here is how I go about drafting my team.
First off, know your league's rules. This is probably the most important aspect aside from actually drafting players. Is your league QB heavy? For instance, one of the leagues I play in gives you 6 points for every passing TD. This makes the QB the most "profitable" position. That being said, drafting a QB with the 1-5 pick still isn't all that advisable in this format. Running backs are going to be your bread and butter. Plus, the drop off between top tier RBs and 2nd tier is greater than that of QBs. In summation, know the rules. If you don't, you're doomed before you start.
Now that you know the rules, which positions should you draft where? Regardless of the rules, if you have a pick in the top 5 or 6, you should be taking a running back. Like I said, these are the workhorses of Fantasy Football. However after that, you can theoretically get away with going for a QB. Think of it this way, if I'm drafting 7th out of 10 positions in the first round I'm probably drafting 4th in the 2nd round. By this point all of the huge name RBs are going to be gone. But I've got a shot at Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, or Tom Brady. And if they're all gone that means there is still a star RB available, so draft him. Anyway, in our hypothetical situation I'm taking a top QB in the first round and then a RB in the second round. This is where a lot of guys make a mistake. You have to wait quite a few picks before making your 3rd round selection. In all likelihood most of your starting RBs are going to be gone. But you should have a good shot at a #1 wide receiver. Draft someone who is on the same team as your QB. If you can, get his favorite target. You do run the risk of having one or the other go cold, but the reward outweighs this in my mind.
The forgotten positions. Everyone says don't draft a kicker until the end and leave the Tight Ends for the later rounds. While you can certainly get a viable kicker late in the draft, you definitely don't need to wait until the last round. For instance, Blair Walsh was the top-scoring kicker in the league I run last year with 165 points. He outscored all but 8 TEs and only 22 RBs scored more points than that. Getting a top-tier kicker is one of those things that can put you over the top in a close week. That being said, only draft one. You will need a replacement during your kicker's bye week, but they're plentiful on the waiver wire. A 1-week replacement should be easily found. As far as TEs go, I'm a big advocate of their role in Fantasy Football. These guys are the unsung heroes of wins. They're often the safety valve for the QB and typically the go to Red Zone receiver. Don't draft one in the first 4 or 5 rounds, although I guarantee someone in your league will, but don't overlook them either. Once you have your starting QB, at least 3 of your 4 starting WRs/RBs, think about a TE. If there are still viable WRs and RBs available, go that route. But if you're into the backups now, go for a top TE. It's worth it. The top 10 TEs in my league last year scored 162 or more points. Having one of these guys instead of the 30th ranked RB (Marcel Reese-127 points) gives you an advantage.
Offense wins games, defense wins championships. This one is tough. Someone in your league will draft a defense probably before the 10th round. This person will likely not make the playoffs. You can wait on this one too, but again, no reason to make it the last round. Again going back to my league last year, the top 10 D/STs scored 131 or more points. That's on average better than a low-tier RB/WR. Also the difference between D/STs is pretty big. Top D/ST last year scored 212 points, compared the #5 who netted 159. That's a huge gap, don't wait too long to take a D/ST.
Subs. Alright, you've got your weekly starting lineup filled, now for the bench. I always try to go with a lineup that will start every week except in the case of bye weeks or injuries. I value my bench, but not to a huge extent. You do need viable options to plug in, but you don't need try to draft top level guys for your bench. This is where backups, short-yardage guys, and handcuffs come in to play. For instance, if you get Matt Forte, think about Michael Bush. You're not going to start Bush on a week to week basis, but when one of your starters gets hurt (and they will) or is on a bye, Bush can be a decent plug in.
So there you go, some things to think about when you head in to your draft lobby. Also, look up rankings from guys like Matthew Berry. He may come off a little snobbish, but he does know what he's talking about. However don't take his word for gospel. He plays in leagues with guys who have been doing this for decades. They have their own theories on which positions to draft where because their league's rules are probably different than yours. Also, the draft kit from ESPN can help as well. But again, sometimes you have to go with your gut. For example, I'm not going to draft RGIII to be my starter. I'm not convinced his knee is going to be 100% and we all know about the sophomore slump, Cam Newton last year is a perfect example. But if he's available in the later rounds, he's worth a look as a back up. When it comes down to it, have some rankings in front of you when you're drafting but don't be afraid to take a risk.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
First off, know your league's rules. This is probably the most important aspect aside from actually drafting players. Is your league QB heavy? For instance, one of the leagues I play in gives you 6 points for every passing TD. This makes the QB the most "profitable" position. That being said, drafting a QB with the 1-5 pick still isn't all that advisable in this format. Running backs are going to be your bread and butter. Plus, the drop off between top tier RBs and 2nd tier is greater than that of QBs. In summation, know the rules. If you don't, you're doomed before you start.
Now that you know the rules, which positions should you draft where? Regardless of the rules, if you have a pick in the top 5 or 6, you should be taking a running back. Like I said, these are the workhorses of Fantasy Football. However after that, you can theoretically get away with going for a QB. Think of it this way, if I'm drafting 7th out of 10 positions in the first round I'm probably drafting 4th in the 2nd round. By this point all of the huge name RBs are going to be gone. But I've got a shot at Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, or Tom Brady. And if they're all gone that means there is still a star RB available, so draft him. Anyway, in our hypothetical situation I'm taking a top QB in the first round and then a RB in the second round. This is where a lot of guys make a mistake. You have to wait quite a few picks before making your 3rd round selection. In all likelihood most of your starting RBs are going to be gone. But you should have a good shot at a #1 wide receiver. Draft someone who is on the same team as your QB. If you can, get his favorite target. You do run the risk of having one or the other go cold, but the reward outweighs this in my mind.
The forgotten positions. Everyone says don't draft a kicker until the end and leave the Tight Ends for the later rounds. While you can certainly get a viable kicker late in the draft, you definitely don't need to wait until the last round. For instance, Blair Walsh was the top-scoring kicker in the league I run last year with 165 points. He outscored all but 8 TEs and only 22 RBs scored more points than that. Getting a top-tier kicker is one of those things that can put you over the top in a close week. That being said, only draft one. You will need a replacement during your kicker's bye week, but they're plentiful on the waiver wire. A 1-week replacement should be easily found. As far as TEs go, I'm a big advocate of their role in Fantasy Football. These guys are the unsung heroes of wins. They're often the safety valve for the QB and typically the go to Red Zone receiver. Don't draft one in the first 4 or 5 rounds, although I guarantee someone in your league will, but don't overlook them either. Once you have your starting QB, at least 3 of your 4 starting WRs/RBs, think about a TE. If there are still viable WRs and RBs available, go that route. But if you're into the backups now, go for a top TE. It's worth it. The top 10 TEs in my league last year scored 162 or more points. Having one of these guys instead of the 30th ranked RB (Marcel Reese-127 points) gives you an advantage.
Offense wins games, defense wins championships. This one is tough. Someone in your league will draft a defense probably before the 10th round. This person will likely not make the playoffs. You can wait on this one too, but again, no reason to make it the last round. Again going back to my league last year, the top 10 D/STs scored 131 or more points. That's on average better than a low-tier RB/WR. Also the difference between D/STs is pretty big. Top D/ST last year scored 212 points, compared the #5 who netted 159. That's a huge gap, don't wait too long to take a D/ST.
Subs. Alright, you've got your weekly starting lineup filled, now for the bench. I always try to go with a lineup that will start every week except in the case of bye weeks or injuries. I value my bench, but not to a huge extent. You do need viable options to plug in, but you don't need try to draft top level guys for your bench. This is where backups, short-yardage guys, and handcuffs come in to play. For instance, if you get Matt Forte, think about Michael Bush. You're not going to start Bush on a week to week basis, but when one of your starters gets hurt (and they will) or is on a bye, Bush can be a decent plug in.
So there you go, some things to think about when you head in to your draft lobby. Also, look up rankings from guys like Matthew Berry. He may come off a little snobbish, but he does know what he's talking about. However don't take his word for gospel. He plays in leagues with guys who have been doing this for decades. They have their own theories on which positions to draft where because their league's rules are probably different than yours. Also, the draft kit from ESPN can help as well. But again, sometimes you have to go with your gut. For example, I'm not going to draft RGIII to be my starter. I'm not convinced his knee is going to be 100% and we all know about the sophomore slump, Cam Newton last year is a perfect example. But if he's available in the later rounds, he's worth a look as a back up. When it comes down to it, have some rankings in front of you when you're drafting but don't be afraid to take a risk.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
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