This is the in-season posting thread for an established fantasy football league, so this isn’t a recruitment thread.
The thread leading to its creation has served it’s purpose and so I’m making this new one for discussion during the season.
Last year’s league’s thread is here.
Yep, the official time is midnight (+/- one hour) between Tuesday and Wednesday, so it’s any time between 11:00pm and 1:00am. Any window approximating that is perfectly fine; if you’re more of a morning person, 8:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday night or 7:00am to 9:00am Wednesday morning would work just as well.
Midnight eastern or so is just about perfect for me, so that’s doable.
Okay, here are our waiver wire rules, slightly modified for timing issues.
WAIVER WIRE
All players go on waivers starting at kickoff of their game, and come off Wednesday at midnight. Prior to Wednesday, file waiver claims via email if the player cannot start until next week. (As in, his game was already played.)
PURPOSE
The WAIVER WIRE is in effect so that breakout players don’t get awarded based on who is closest to the computer on Sunday afternoons.
BYE WEEKS
From Wednesday on, if a player is going into a bye week he is not subject to waivers for the entire week. Before Wednesday, players who just had a bye are not subject to waivers and can be signed any time.
MAKING CLAIMS
While players are on waivers, make a claim by emailing the player(s) you want to me. Title your email “Waiver claim”. Include as many players as you like, but list them in order of most wanted first. Include the players’ full first and last names, positions, and teams. I will send back confirmation emails to claims made before the deadline of Midnight on Tuesday Evening/Wednesday morning.
AWARDING PLAYERS
Players will be awarded based on waiver priority, and each successful claim pushes you to the end of the line. After the deadline I’ll post a notification here detailing who got awarded to whom. You can then add the guys you won yourself, as well as freely sign any other free agents not claimed by anyone else. If you won’t be able to make your roster adjustments yourself, I’m happy to do it for you if you let me know in your waiver claim. Include who you want to drop to make room, and also note if you want them to start and who should be benched.
CLAIM JUMPS (Signing a guy while he’s on waivers)
I won’t be locking and unlocking the rosters, but I will be undoing any free agent acquisitions that jump the waiver wire. There is no penalty for jumping the waiver wire other than tipping your hand to everyone else. Claim jumps are automatically logged as waiver claims, and as such any other owners are still free to file a claim on the jumped player(s). If you did not want to spend a waiver claim on a guy you accidentally jumped, email me to let me know.
YAHOO DEFAULT WAIVERS
In addition to Wednesday waivers, yahoo’s internal waiver system also pushes you to the end of waiver priority. The safest approach is to scan a few days back in the transaction history to see if the guy you want was recently released. If he was, then at least be aware that you could lose WP if you sign him. If you accidentally sign someone off waivers without intending to, dropping me an email ASAP will greatly increase your odds of having me undo it for you.
Incidentally, that text verbatim is formatted (as well as it can be) for use as the Commissioner note. (The Commissioner note preview strips linefeeds.)
SDMB All-Pro Fantasy Football - Draft Results
The Gridbirds (brianjedi)
01.01 (001) LaDainian Tomlinson…(RB-SD)
02.12 (024) Adrian Peterson…(RB-Min)
03.01 (025) Carson Palmer…(QB-Cin)
04.12 (048) Randy Moss…(WR-NE)
05.01 (049) Eli Manning…(QB-NYG)
06.12 (072) Jason Witten…(TE-Dal)
07.01 (073) Santonio Holmes…(WR-Pit)
08.12 (096) New England…(DEF-NE)
09.01 (097) Bernard Berrian…(WR-Chi)
10.12 (120) Jeff Wilkins…(K-StL)
11.01 (121) Dallas Clark…(TE-Ind)
12.12 (144) Carolina…(DEF-Car)
13.01 (145) Chris Brown…(RB-Ten)
14.12 (168) Jeff Reed…(K-Pit)
15.01 (169) Matt Jones…(WR-Jac)
chitwood (Jimmy Chitwood)
01.02 (002) Steven Jackson…(RB-StL)
02.11 (023) Clinton Portis…(RB-Was)
03.02 (026) Edgerrin James…(RB-Ari)
04.11 (047) Donald Driver…(WR-GB)
05.02 (050) Calvin Johnson…(WR-Det)
06.11 (071) Santana Moss…(WR-Was)
07.02 (074) Ladell Betts…(RB-Was)
08.11 (095) L.J. Smith…(TE-Phi)
09.02 (098) Ben Roethlisberger…(QB-Pit)
10.11 (119) Dallas…(DEF-Dal)
11.02 (122) Alex Smith…(QB-SF)
12.11 (143) Kevin Curtis…(WR-Phi)
13.02 (146) Kevin Jones…(RB-Det)
14.11 (167) Jason Campbell…(QB-Was)
15.02 (170) John Kasay…(K-Car)
Court Jesters (D_Odds)
01.03 (003) Larry Johnson…(RB-KC)
02.10 (022) Marvin Harrison…(WR-Ind)
03.03 (027) Ahman Green…(RB-Hou)
04.10 (046) Philip Rivers…(QB-SD)
05.03 (051) Laveranues Coles…(WR-NYJ)
06.10 (070) Anthony Gonzalez…(WR-Ind)
07.03 (075) LaMont Jordan…(RB-Oak)
08.10 (094) Matt Leinart…(QB-Ari)
09.03 (099) Heath Miller…(TE-Pit)
10.10 (118) Reuben Droughns…(RB-NYG)
11.03 (123) Chris Baker…(TE-NYJ)
12.10 (142) Seattle…(DEF-Sea)
13.03 (147) Muhsin Muhammad…(WR-Chi)
14.10 (166) David Akers…(K-Phi)
15.03 (171) Dominic Rhodes…(RB-Oak)
The Concussions (Kiros)
01.04 (004) Frank Gore…(RB-SF)
02.09 (021) Thomas Jones…(RB-NYJ)
03.04 (028) Torry Holt…(WR-StL)
04.09 (045) Anquan Boldin…(WR-Ari)
05.04 (052) Marshawn Lynch…(RB-Buf)
06.09 (069) Alge Crumpler…(TE-Atl)
07.04 (076) Matt Hasselbeck…(QB-Sea)
08.09 (093) Michael Turner…(RB-SD)
09.04 (100) Darrell Jackson…(WR-SF)
10.09 (117) Jake Delhomme…(QB-Car)
11.04 (124) Mike Furrey…(WR-Det)
12.09 (141) Brian Leonard…(RB-StL)
13.04 (148) Wes Welker…(WR-NE)
14.09 (165) Oakland…(DEF-Oak)
15.04 (172) Josh Scobee…(K-Jac)
No Use For A Name (RetroVertigo)
01.05 (005) Shaun Alexander…(RB-Sea)
02.08 (020) Cedric Benson…(RB-Chi)
03.05 (029) Terrell Owens…(WR-Dal)
04.08 (044) Andre Johnson…(WR-Hou)
05.05 (053) Carnell Williams…(RB-TB)
06.08 (068) Vernon Davis…(TE-SF)
07.05 (077) Vincent Jackson…(WR-SD)
08.08 (092) J.P. Losman…(QB-Buf)
09.05 (101) Philadelphia…(DEF-Phi)
10.08 (116) Brandon Marshall…(WR-Den)
11.05 (125) Warrick Dunn…(RB-Atl)
12.08 (140) Steve McNair…(QB-Bal)
13.05 (149) Robbie Gould…(K-Chi)
14.08 (164) San Francisco…(DEF-SF)
15.05 (173) Ben Troupe…(TE-Ten)
Tazmanian Devils (Tazmanian Devil)
01.06 (006) Willie Parker…(RB-Pit)
02.07 (019) Chad Johnson…(WR-Cin)
03.06 (030) Reggie Wayne…(WR-Ind)
04.07 (043) Javon Walker…(WR-Den)
05.06 (054) Jeremy Shockey…(TE-NYG)
06.07 (067) Tony Romo…(QB-Dal)
07.06 (078) Chicago…(DEF-Chi)
08.07 (091) Adam Vinatieri…(K-Ind)
09.06 (102) Jerious Norwood…(RB-Atl)
10.07 (115) LenDale White…(RB-Ten)
11.06 (126) Brett Favre…(QB-GB)
12.07 (139) Donte’ Stallworth…(WR-NE)
13.06 (150) Stephen Gostkowski…(K-NE)
14.07 (163) Tony Scheffler…(TE-Den)
15.06 (174) Minnesota…(DEF-Min)
Exploding Pancakes (SenorBeef)
01.07 (007) Joseph Addai…(RB-Ind)
02.06 (018) Ronnie Brown…(RB-Mia)
03.07 (031) Larry Fitzgerald…(WR-Ari)
04.06 (042) T.J. Houshmandzadeh…(WR-Cin)
05.07 (055) Jamal Lewis…(RB-Cle)
06.06 (066) Vince Young…(QB-Ten)
07.07 (079) Braylon Edwards…(WR-Cle)
08.06 (090) Jon Kitna…(QB-Det)
09.07 (103) Benjamin Watson…(TE-NE)
10.06 (114) Tatum Bell…(RB-Det)
11.07 (127) Miami…(DEF-Mia)
12.06 (138) Chris Henry…(RB-Ten)
13.07 (151) Josh Brown…(K-Sea)
14.06 (162) Michael Pittman…(RB-TB)
15.07 (175) Antwaan Randle El…(WR-Was)
Quentin’s JAMmers (EsotericEnigma)
01.08 (008) Brian Westbrook…(RB-Phi)
02.05 (017) Travis Henry…(RB-Den)
03.08 (032) Drew Brees…(QB-NO)
04.05 (041) Lee Evans…(WR-Buf)
05.08 (056) Reggie Brown…(WR-Phi)
06.05 (065) Kellen Winslow…(TE-Cle)
07.08 (080) DeAngelo Williams…(RB-Car)
08.05 (089) Jay Cutler…(QB-Den)
09.08 (104) Fred Taylor…(RB-Jac)
10.05 (113) Devery Henderson…(WR-NO)
11.08 (128) Denver…(DEF-Den)
12.05 (137) Ronald Curry…(WR-Oak)
13.08 (152) Jason Hanson…(K-Det)
14.05 (161) Dennis Northcutt…(WR-Jac)
15.08 (176) Mike Bell…(RB-Den)
Frosted_Lightning (Frosted Glass)
01.09 (009) Rudi Johnson…(RB-Cin)
02.04 (016) Brandon Jacobs…(RB-NYG)
03.09 (033) Tom Brady…(QB-NE)
04.04 (040) Marques Colston…(WR-NO)
05.09 (057) Chris Cooley…(TE-Was)
06.04 (064) Jerricho Cotchery…(WR-NYJ)
07.09 (081) Baltimore…(DEF-Bal)
08.04 (088) Chad Pennington…(QB-NYJ)
09.09 (105) Nate Kaeding…(K-SD)
10.04 (112) Leon Washington…(RB-NYJ)
11.09 (129) Owen Daniels…(TE-Hou)
12.04 (136) Jerry Porter…(WR-Oak)
13.09 (153) JaMarcus Russell…(QB-Oak)
14.04 (160) Indianapolis…(DEF-Ind)
15.09 (177) Mike Nugent…(K-NYJ)
Kid_A
01.10 (010) Peyton Manning…(QB-Ind)
02.03 (015) Steve Smith…(WR-Car)
03.10 (034) Antonio Gates…(TE-SD)
04.03 (039) Deuce McAllister…(RB-NO)
05.10 (058) Plaxico Burress…(WR-NYG)
06.03 (063) Julius Jones…(RB-Dal)
07.10 (082) Chester Taylor…(RB-Min)
08.03 (087) Mark Clayton…(WR-Bal)
09.10 (106) DeShaun Foster…(RB-Car)
10.03 (111) Brandon Jackson…(RB-GB)
11.10 (130) D.J. Hackett…(WR-Sea)
12.03 (135) Jacksonville…(DEF-Jac)
13.10 (154) Adrian Peterson…(RB-Chi)
14.03 (159) Drew Bennett…(WR-StL)
15.10 (178) Matt Stover…(K-Bal)
Isotopes (Petey)
01.11 (011) Laurence Maroney…(RB-NE)
02.02 (014) Maurice Jones-Drew…(RB-Jac)
03.11 (035) Marc Bulger…(QB-StL)
04.02 (038) Roy Williams…(WR-Det)
05.11 (059) Tony Gonzalez…(TE-KC)
06.02 (062) Marion Barber III…(RB-Dal)
07.11 (083) Joey Galloway…(WR-TB)
08.02 (086) Deion Branch…(WR-Sea)
09.11 (107) Pittsburgh…(DEF-Pit)
10.02 (110) Terry Glenn…(WR-Dal)
11.11 (131) Vernand Morency…(RB-GB)
12.02 (134) Isaac Bruce…(WR-StL)
13.11 (155) Jeff Garcia…(QB-TB)
14.02 (158) Jason Elam…(K-Den)
15.11 (179) Sammy Morris…(RB-NE)
New York Fanboys (Ellis Dee)
01.12 (012) Reggie Bush…(RB-NO)
02.01 (013) Willis McGahee…(RB-Bal)
03.12 (036) Donovan McNabb…(QB-Phi)
04.01 (037) Todd Heap…(TE-Bal)
05.12 (060) Hines Ward…(WR-Pit)
06.01 (061) Chris Chambers…(WR-Mia)
07.12 (084) Greg Jennings…(WR-GB)
08.01 (085) San Diego…(DEF-SD)
09.12 (108) Rex Grossman…(QB-Chi)
10.01 (109) Shayne Graham…(K-Cin)
11.12 (132) Neil Rackers…(K-Ari)
12.01 (133) Randy McMichael…(TE-StL)
13.12 (156) Joe Horn…(WR-Atl)
14.01 (157) New York…(DEF-NYG)
15.12 (180) Mike Anderson…(RB-Bal)
Jimmy, the draft pick value chart comes from this FF Pick Value Calculator. I explain how I got the values out of the calculator in [post=7641471]this post[/post] from last year’s keeper league thread.
As you can see from that thread, fantasy draft pick valuation is radically different from the NFL’s chart, due to the steep dropoff in talent of the rookie pool compared to the entire league.
Feel free to discuss the thought process that went into your draft if you’ve got some time to waste. I’ll start.
I’m not happy with my overall roster nearly as much as I was last year. People I wanted kept getting taken 2-3 spots ahead of me, and I didn’t make accurate predictions about who would drop (the tight end run ended up wrecking my plans).
01.07 (007) Joseph Addai…(RB-Ind)
This is the only pick I’m pretty happy with. I figured I’d have to take Westbrook in this spot, but to have Addai drop down to 7th when he could’ve easily gone 4th, 5th, or 6th, is good. Obvious pick.
02.06 (018) Ronnie Brown…(RB-Mia)
I wasn’t enthusiastic at all about this pick at the time. I was drafting right around the spot where the RB quality started getting really spotty. My main other choice was Cedrick Benson, who I’m also not very high on, and Thomas Jones who might see some running back by committee. Edgerrin James was even an outside shot as his performance should improve as their offense improves. But… there was no obvious better choice here, I don’t think. Any pick I made at this slot would’ve been meh. I would’ve taken Travis Henry, but he went one slot before this.
03.07 (031) Larry Fitzgerald…(WR-Ari)
Fitz, IIRC, had a hamstring problem hamper him last year, but he has the talent to be elite. Leinart is developing and their pass-happy offense should make him a good #1 WR. I almost picked Drew Brees, but I thought one of Brady, Brees, or McNabb would be there for my 4th rounder. None were.
04.06 (042) T.J. Houshmandzadeh…(WR-Cin)
I picked him up later in the draft last year, and he was a solid producer. With Henry out, he may see more TDs. Overall I’m happy with this pick.
05.07 (055) Jamal Lewis…(RB-Cle)
He’s underrated. He was injured and running behind an overrated line his last year in Baltimore. He had surgery to repair the injuries, and is running behind a revamped Cleveland offense with a better line. I expect something like 1200/9 out of him at least, which is a good value in the 5th. I originally planned to steal him in the 6th, but he was too far up on yahoo’s recommended list to last another round I think.
06.06 (066) Vince Young…(QB-Ten)
After McNabb got drafted, people started talking about Young. I mentioned how I thought he was a flash in the pan, didn’t have much talent around him, and other teams will have more film on him, so I expected him to regress. But a round and a half after the discussion started, I decided to take a shot on him. I just hope he can remain a productive runner.
07.07 (079) Braylon Edwards…(WR-Cle)
Homer pick who I originally planned to take in round 8, but I think he’ll be more than worth it. He’s coming back to full strength after an ACL tear, he’s in the magical third year for WRs, has looked good in camp. He’ll be stronger during the playoffs when Quinn is behind center with some seasoning. I wanted Winslow here, but he went a few picks early. Maybe thinking I should’ve taken Vernon Davis, though, who went a pick after.
08.06 (090) Jon Kitna…(QB-Det)
I was just talking about how once the top 5 QBs are gone you might as well wait until late in the draft to get one… and then I snag 2. I hope a better running game, crazy receiver threats, and another year under Martz will reduce the number of mistakes by Kitna while still putting up a lot of yards. At this point I have no idea between Young and Kitna who will be my regular starter.
09.07 (103) Benjamin Watson…(TE-NE)
Had to get a TE, and he was the best of the bunch that were left. May benefit or suffer due to New England’s new receivers. On one hand deep threats will open up the middle of the field, and Tom Brady likes to spread the ball around, but on the other hand he won’t be as important a receiver with the new threats.
10.06 (114) Tatum Bell…(RB-Det)
Kevin Jones looks like he’s going to be put on the PUP list and Bell is the decent RB of a prolific offense. If Kevin Jones doesn’t take the starting job, this will have been a good value pick.
11.07 (127) Miami…(DEF-Mia)
I needed a starting defense, and getting a top 5 one this late was pretty good.
12.06 (138) Chris Henry…(RB-Ten)
I picked him because I thought he was Chris Brown. If I recall correctly, he’s the physical freak who got drafted way too high in the 2nd round because he can run fast at his size, but he didn’t actually have good college production. Is that the guy?
shrug he was ranked higher on yahoo’s projections than Chris Brown (which is why I got them mixed up, I think) - so maybe when/if Chris Brown gets hurt, he’ll do something. Obviously they’re not happy with Lendale White.
13.07 (151) Josh Brown…(K-Sea)
Needed a kicker, pretty decent one.
14.06 (162) Michael Pittman…(RB-TB)
I heard some rumors that TB wasn’t too happy with Cadillac’s performance and that Pittman was in the running to be the starter. I don’t expect much to come out of it, but it was the 14th round…
15.07 (175) Antwaan Randle El…(WR-Was)
How badly did he suck last year? I only had 3 WRs up to this point so I figured I should spend my last draft pick on one who at least has potential to have an unexpectedly good season.
By the way Jimmy, if you’re really genuinelly unthrilled with Steven Jackson, we can talk about a trade. Tell me there’s anyone you like.
Oh, and I also want to get my hands on Winslow. See if Watson + something else interests you.
I’ll use the same format, except since I had the swing position I’ll group them together. Note that this is the first time I’ve ever done a straight-up fantasy draft. Every year previous to this I only drafted Giants and Jets players. (Out of which I could have assembled a nice team in this league, since Jacobs and Jones were available for my first two picks. I considered it briefly…)
01.12 (012) Reggie Bush…(RB-NO)
02.01 (013) Willis McGahee…(RB-Bal)
Bush should get some help from the PPR setting, but running by committee is never the best thing for your first rounder. As for McGahee, he looked the best to me of the remaining backs with a bye week different from Bush.
03.12 (036) Donovan McNabb…(QB-Phi)
04.01 (037) Todd Heap…(TE-Bal)
All my mock drafts showed both McNabb and Gates available in the third, and neither were still around in the 4th. I started to think I’d get them both, but Kid_A swiped Gates two picks earlier. To add insult to injury, he still hadn’t picked a RB yet!
Heap is a reach here, but as it turns out three TEs (Shockey, Cooley, Gonzo) were taken in the 5th, so he would certainly have been gone by the next time I got on the clock. My philosophy is that there is a much bigger dropoff in TEs than there is in WRs, so I wanted to get a solid starter and let the WR chips fall where they may. I’d have hated having to settle for Cooley, but Gonzo probably would have been just as good. Call Heap a reach, but I love, love, love McNabb in this spot.
05.12 (060) Hines Ward…(WR-Pit)
06.01 (061) Chris Chambers…(WR-Mia)
Since I already had both starting RBs, the starting QB and a starting TE, WR is next on the block. My strategy is to have two starting RBs and three starting WRs, all five with different byes. That way I never need to dip into a “bench” player for RBs or WRs all season, thanks to the flex W/R position. Each week one of the five starters sits while the other four man the four starting spots. I had been targeting Plaxico here, since I like his production way more than his former teammate, but once again Kid_A sniped him two picks before me.
07.12 (084) Greg Jennings…(WR-GB)
08.01 (085) San Diego…(DEF-SD)
The WR selection was piss-poor at this point, but who knows, maybe Jennings won’t suck. Baltimore and Chicago have already been taken, so it’s time to get a starting Defense. (Every pick so far has been for a “starter”, and I certainly wasn’t going to pick a kicker this early.) I was torn between the Chargers and Patriots, but in the end figured that the Chargers would get huge sack production in their divisional games.
09.12 (108) Rex Grossman…(QB-Chi)
10.01 (109) Shayne Graham…(K-Cin)
Needing a backup QB, I was looking for the best value when you combine the raw offense potential with their matchup during McNabb’s bye week. It was between Rex Grossman vs the Packers, Jeff Garcia vs the Colts, and Jake Delhomme vs the Saints. I think the Sainst defense could be okay; I’d rate it the highest of the three. And I’m not sold on either Delhomme or Garcia keeping the starting job all season. McNabb’s bye is early, (week 5), so opening day starters will almost surely still have the job at the point, but McNabb’s injury risk made the decision for me. Based on last year, Fido will keep the starting job no matter what he does, so he’s the guy.
The last starting spot I needed was kicker; Graham was the highest value on the board.
11.12 (132) Neil Rackers…(K-Ari)
12.01 (133) Randy McMichael…(TE-StL)
I would have waited much longer to get a backup kicker if it wasn’t pointed out to me that my starter (Graham) is banged up. So I took the BKA without regard for their matchup during Graham’s bye week. (Though I made sure they had a different bye week than Cincy.) As for the backup TEs available, I LOVE McMichael’s matchup during Heap’s bye: Cleveland. That made him the best value by far.
13.12 (156) Joe Horn…(WR-Atl)
14.01 (157) New York…(DEF-NYG)
I don’t really plan on ever using a fourth receiver, but Bush doesn’t have a handcuff since he splits time with McAllister. Since I could only back up McGahee, I figured might as well take the BWRA, which was Horn. Who knows, maybe he’ll click with Harrington. As for Defense, the Giants weren’t the best defense on the board, but had by far the best matchup during San Diego’s bye: San Francisco.
15.12 (180) Mike Anderson…(RB-Bal)
Mr. Irrelevant was destined to be McGahee’s backup in case he snaps his leg like a twig. Basically a toss-up between Anderson and Musa Smith, I decided to go with the higher rated Ravens back on yahoo’s board.
As I said, this was my first ever genuine fantasy draft; we’ll see how it goes. Several people expressed surprise that I’m carrying two kickers and two defenses, but my strategy doesn’t involve roster moves during the season. I have enough depth to field a complete team every week of the season, and every backup has a good matchup during the starter’s bye week.
I could use another decent RB, but if I had three solid starting RBs I would be leaving value on the table every week since you can only start two. You can switch them up based on matchups, but when all three have a good matchup I would be annoyed beyond belief leaving one on the bench. In an ideal world I would have carried both starting RB’s handcuffs, but picking last and getting Bush meant that I couldn’t do that.
Injury could be a problem for me, but that’s true for everyone.
I love the analysis from the two owners before me, and I’ll follow the same.
Going into the draft I had done a lot of homework. Way too much, actually, but it was one of the first years I felt confident. I knew there were two spots I didn’t want to be in, 5th, and 7th. I projected the top four picks being LT2, SJax, Addai, and Gore, and I absolutely was not going to take LJ or Alexander with their questions, forcing me to take a lesser back in that spot and pass potential value to someone else. 7 was when the RB pool dries up in my projections, and I didn’t want to pick from among the scraps. I had earlier asked about trading picks because of the fear of being in those positions. Picking eighth, I knew I wasn’t going to get one of the better backs, but it was possible Manning goes early and someone stupidly picks a WR, and I could end up with a top back. Didn’t happen. On to the picks.
01.08 (008) Brian Westbrook…(RB-Phi)
Addai went the spot before me and believe me, I was praying and praying that Beef would take Manning. Addai was the third rated player on my board, and I would have jumped for joy to get him at 8. Going into the eighth pick I was scared I would have to choose between Westbrook and Alexander, but luckily I was spared that choice. It was Westbrook or Maroney here. I figured Westbrook is better in a PPR league and is very consistent in his production. I’ll lose a game or two from him this season, but Maroney and his shoulder might cost more. Tough choice. Tie went to my favorite team.
02.05 (017) Travis Henry…(RB-Den)
I knew with Westbrook being an injury risk, I would need a consistent, solid, durable back as my second. I got…not that. I rated Henry very highly on my board, and was willing to take him as a first back if I fell into the 10th-12th spots in the draft. Getting him as my second was a gift, (ir)regardless. I know Shanahan is the devil, and I know Henry isn’t healthy, nor will he be, but the value is too good here to pass. Benson, Brown, and Jones were on the board, but I have Benson in two other leagues I don’t care about, and he burned me last year, I don’t trust him/want him. Brown I don’t trust with all this talk about him possibly losing his starting gig, and Jones probably won’t score enough touchdowns for me to take as my second. I actually thought I might get him in the third. Stupid…
03.08 (032) Drew Brees…(QB-NO)
I have never had a top 5 QB. I was absolutely getting a QB in the third this year, and was lucky to see I had the choice of my favorite three this season; Brees, McNabb, and Brady. I took Westbrook, so that rules out McNabb, my first choice. Brady was a tough choice, but I have a bad feeling about him this year. It’s all too pretty on paper. I just see an injury or setback of some kind. I went with Brees and didn’t feel badly about the choice.
04.05 (041) Lee Evans…(WR-Buf)
I needed a top WR here, but briefly considered taking a third back to support my two injury-riddled starters. When McAllister went two picks before me, I knew I was going WR especially since I knew a WR run was about to start. My prediction came true- of the next 14 picks, 8 were WRs. Evans was the best available for me, especially knowing Losman is getting better and better. Driver is hurt, and Green Bay is quiet about it (bad sign); Walker was a no-go with Henry already on my squad (and knowing I was going to reach for Jay Cutler later). I’m happy with Evans as a #1, even if he is the lowest rated of the top WRs.
05.08 (056) Reggie Brown…(WR-Phi)
The aforementioned WR run had completely dried up every WR I was targeting to be my #2. Jamal Lewis was the guy I was going to take, but again, went a spot right before me. I spent a lot of time on this pick, considering skipping it to bolster my RB corps, but knew a #2 WR here would bring more value to me than a bench player. There were several starting RBs on the board and I knew people were going for TEs and WRs in this and the next round.
As for Brown I was targeting him as my third WR. I had done a lot of research on him and here’s what I found. He was PHI’s #2 for most of last year and had a decent season, but he’s being consistently undervalued for a #1 on one of the best offenses in the league. What people don’t realize is that in the short time when Stallworth (the #1) was injured, Brown really shined. From week 3-7, while Stallworth was out (he played briefly in week four, but didn’t last the whole game) Brown caught 21 passes for 446 yards and 3 TDs. This is a huge chunk of his yearly stats and proves he can be PHI’s #1 and get the stats. Projected out over 16 games, his stat rates during those 5 weeks would have gotten him 68 catches for 1427 yards and 10 TDs!! I don’t expect nearly that much, but that’s a great WR2 for me. Burress was still on the board, so I hope I didn’t screw this up.
06.05 (065) Kellen Winslow…(TE-Cle)
I wanted a TE in this spot. I checked the rosters of all the teams between this pick and my next pick and realized that only two had TEs. A TE rush was about to begin. I was choosing between Vernon Davis (my favorite), Winslow, and LJ Smith. I didn’t go with Smith as I had Brown and Westbrook, and would have picked Davis but his bye week was one I had too many of already. Winslow is a good pick, especially in a PPR league where he may lead the position in catches, but his low scoring output and high injury risk bother me. Too many injury risks already. I’m glad I took him though, because four more TEs went after this pick.
07.08 (080) DeAngelo Williams…(RB-Car)
Always, ALWAYS have three starting quality RBs in a fantasy league, if you can. This is my first rule. I broke it during the draft. The starters just kept getting taken and not falling to me! Williams is all right, but being the second string, even in a time share, is not my preferred position for my main backup RB. I decided here to take two backup RBs in my next three picks, hoping that quantity will be equal to quality here. Taylor was on the board, but I didn’t like the beast lurking behind him, Norwood was falling and I figured I’d get him in two rounds, and Taylor was still there. Do people not realize Taylor is a starter and rushed for 1100 yards and 5 TDs last year? He’s undervalued for this late in the draft, I hoped to get him.
08.05 (089) Jay Cutler…(QB-Den)
I always check the bye matchup for QBs that I target. I like knowing which backup I have to take and when they might go, it all helps. Having drafted Brees, my choices for bye week starters was Delhomme vs. TB, Grossman vs. Det, A. Smith vs. Sea, and Cutler vs. Ind. Delhomme I don’t trust (having relied on him last year nearly to my own folly) because Carr now waits to supplant him. Grossman is, if not the devil, the devil’s primary associate. I started him three times last season and got -12 fantasy points total for my efforts. A. Smith doesn;t have the weapons, so he’s out. I may have reached for Cutler here, but the owner immediately before me had taken his second QB, and I knew the owner after me was going to be looking for one. Cutler is prime for a huge breakout this season, so I had to make sure I got him.
09.08 (104) Fred Taylor…(RB-Jac)
The second of my two backup RBs. Norwood went two picks before me, and after Taylor there wasn’t much left. Having Williams meant there wasn’t any point in taking Foster. Brandon Jackson hasn’t impressed and has Morency behind him leeching carries. Tatum Bell is at best a a shaky starter, and at worst on the wrong end of a time share. I consider myself lucky to get this caliber of a runner as my fourth RB. Taylor is way undervalued this season. Jones-Drew will almost assuredly not get double digit rushing TDs this year.
10.05 (113) Devery Henderson…(WR-NO)
I really, really wanted Brandon Marshall here, as I had taken Cutler, and I like having at least one QB-receiver combo on my roster. But I figured that no one knew who he was and he’d last another round, then I could have both my hookups. I took Henderson even though he’s been fairly disappointing this preseason, because he has no competition behind him. I don’t expect much, but if he catches the right match up, my TDs will be worth 12 that week.
11.08 (128) Denver…(DEF-Den)
Blast! Marshall went a couple picks after my last pick. Defenses were going steadily for the last two rounds so I knew I needed one here. Generally I take defenses and kickers with my last two picks, but knowing I would be stuck with a Seattle or Cincinnati caliber defense scared me. Denver is going to be good, especially after acquiring Dre Bly, I like them at this spot. Unfortunately, I am now officially punting week 6. I almost drafted DJ Hackett here, but knew I would lose my defense if I had.
12.05 (137) Ronald Curry…(WR-Oak)
I need another WR, since I missed on one last round. The two Oakland receivers were intriguing in that both of the potential Oak QBs are better than Aaron Brooks. I expect Culpepper to win the job, giving these wideouts some value. Curry and Porter were on my watch list as equal fantasy prospects. Porter has the better upside, but he’s a head case. Curry will have the better matchups, but less talent. I was going Porter until he was drafted right before me, so I took Curry without concern.
I could have had Stallworth (risky and probably not going to get as many touches this year), Curtis (too many Eagles already), or Joe Horn (Don’t like his QB this season, at all). I don’t mind what I passed up.
13.08 (152) Jason Hanson…(K-Det)
Needed a kicker here. Almost took Akers, but that’s ANOTHER Eagle (I’m not a homer, I swear) so I couldn’t do it. Hanson kicks indoors, for a prolific offense, has a good accuracy rating above 40 yards (bad above 50 though), is on a team that is without a good goal line (inside the twenty) option, and has a favorable schedule during the fantasy playoffs. It all adds up to a really solid kicker choice and yet he’s projected 19th this season according to Yahoo. Am I missing something? He was 5th last year!
14.05 (161) Dennis Northcutt…(WR-Jac)
Super sleeper of the year! Count it! Northcutt is the #1 WR by default, as all his competition stinks. Bad. I don’t particularly think he’ll be astounding this season, but he has the opportunity and the skills to be a solid pickup. For the 14th round, I would be happy with 700/5, which is attainable, and he could potentially get 900/5 if Leftwich decides to start trying. He’s primed for a career year, either way, and the coach loves him.
15.08 (176) Mike Bell…(RB-Den)
Henry is an injury risk, and Bell has proven he can handle the workload if given the carries. There will be weeks when Henry will be held out for no reason and I want Bell just in case. As far as handcuffs go, which ones have as good a track record? I could have gone with Correll Buckhalter here, but with the situation in Philly, I don’t expect big numbers from him even if Westbrook goes down. Bell, if Henry goes down, will post starter worthy numbers, and that’s the best I can do with my last pick.
Very long post, and I apologize, but… deal. I like my team. I have arguably the best 1/2 RB tandem in the league, and at very worst, a top 5 QB. I’m weak at WR but I have the chance of having a very good top two if Brown doesn’t disappoint. I;ll be looking for depth there, for sure. I don’t think I have any weak spots on my starting roster, and the potential to produce huge numbers if everyone is healthy. I think I have a top 3 roster, but would at this point give the nod to The Concussions as having the best overall roster. Unfortunately I’m punting week 6 and have an injury risk at almost every spot. I’m no lock for the playoffs, so this should be a fun season!
Nope, no Manning for me this year. I wasn’t considering him until the early second round. I did take him last year - 5th overall - but our league scoring rules were more QB friendly, and plus it just seems like there were fewer stud running backs out out there. I know you’re supposed to go RB with pick 5, but I didn’t like any of them there. The RB picks after I took Manning were Edgerrin James, Rudi Johnson, Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis, LaMont Jordan, Steven Jackson (oops), and Carnell Williams. Other than Steven Jackson, I was right to take Manning over all of them. Ended up with Willie Parker, Addai, and MJD as my RBs despite not going RB until round 3.
Anyway, I think you’ll be pleased with Westbrook, he’s not really a consolation prize in our league settings. Wouldn’t surprise me if he outperformed two of the backs taken above him.
My top 3 best drafts:
I know that early in the year last year he was ranked #1, and in the league I was in (NonPPR) he was the #1 RB for a few weeks. He’s one of my favorites on my favorite team, so it’ll be a blast to root for him doubly this season. But I had thought I had matured beyond the days of picking high reward injury risk players, but maybe not.
Interestingly enough, I won my league last year (main league, CBS prize league) when my draft picks would by all measure be considered atrocious. My first rounder was Carnell Williams, my second rounder was Clinton Portis! My QB out of the draft was Delhomme (arguably his worst year as a starter), my WRs were Santana Moss (disappointment) and Javon Walker (got him last year in I believe the 6th, huge pickup). I had no business winning. So I’ve been fantastically wrong before!
I’m sad to see myself not in the top spot 
I agree though, like I said, and I also think Isotopes had a great draft (my choice for third best draft). Top to bottom a strong team, with the biggest weakness being WR2 (Galloway is still alive?) and MJD being a question mark. I wish my questions were as meaningless as his.
Your draft, Beef, was very good as well. I hate Vince Young, but Kitna is an incredible backup. I bet he’s your starter before too long. Good starters, good depth, good team.
I had the fifth pick in the draft this year. It was the highest pick I’ve ever had on a yahoo draft.
01.05 (005) Shaun Alexander…(RB-Sea)
I liked Alexander here. Most people aren’t expecting much, but after an off year last year I like him to bounce back.
02.08 (020) Cedric Benson…(RB-Chi)
I was most likely the only one who liked this pick. I think now as the feature back with a shaky QB he has a chance to really produce.
03.05 (029) Terrell Owens…(WR-Dal)
Hopefully he cuts his dropped balls down. A lot!
04.08 (044) Andre Johnson…(WR-Hou)
I was targeting Javon Walker here but Taz snagged him. He is an awesome WR with an unproven QB and horrible O-line. Fingers Crossed
05.05 (053) Carnell Williams…(RB-TB)
My strategy was to get two RB and two WR and then get the best available. With all the top tier QB already taken I decided to get a third RB. Kiros took Lynch with the previous pick so with bye weeks taken into account he was the best that was there.
06.08 (068) Vernon Davis…(TE-SF)
I like Davis as Alex Smith’s safety valve. He is big, fast and thinks very highly of himself as any good TE does.
07.05 (077) Vincent Jackson…(WR-SD)
The number one WR on a team that last year didn’t really utilize the position. With Norv Turner as the new coach and with teams locking up on LT and Gates he will get his shots.
08.08 (092) J.P. Losman…(QB-Buf)
I was hoping to get Cutler but he was already taken. If Losman can build on his late season surge from last year I should be alright.
09.05 (101) Philadelphia…(DEF-Phi)
10.08 (116) Brandon Marshall…(WR-Den)
I like Marshall’s value here. Being opposite Walker should give one-on-one coverage most of the time.
11.05 (125) Warrick Dunn…(RB-Atl)
I needed another RB and he was the only one with a chance of starting most of the time.
12.08 (140) Steve McNair…(QB-Bal)
13.05 (149) Robbie Gould…(K-Chi)
Hopfully he comes close to his last year’s performance.
14.08 (164) San Francisco…(DEF-SF)
My homer pick even though I don’t live there.
15.05 (173) Ben Troupe…(TE-Ten)
What would you guys have done with my 2nd round pick? I’m finding myself not liking the Ronnie Brown pick a lot. It ended up being a “oh crap, 5 seconds on the clock pick, guess I’ll take the highest rated guy because there’s no clear pick here” type pick.
It was the 6th pick of the second round. The next 10 picks (to show who was available) were C Johnson, C Benson, T Jones, M Harrison, C Portis, A Peterson, C Palmer, E James, A Green, T Holt.
In retrospect, I might actually like James the most out of that group. I expect his performance to improve this year as the passing game develops in Arizona. Thomas Jones has been a somewhat more productive runner, but might be splitting some carries. The rest of the RBs I don’t like at that position - Portis is a question mark with a good backup, Peterson can be had later in the draft, and while I think he can be elite, I don’t expect huge numbers in his rookie year due to sharing - Green is working for a questionable offense with Dayne possibly stealing goal line carries.
But I could’ve had my choice of elite WRs - if I had to take one, I’d probably take Harrison again, because although he’s getting up there in age, last year was one of his most productive years.
So, do you guys think the Ronnie Brown pick was bad? Who would you have taken?
It’s not a bad pick, as in it didn’t make me laugh. I think you had to go RB there, but that’s my philosophy. Of those RBs available, the ones I would have considered picking were Jones first, because that offense gets a lot of rushing TDs; Benson because he can’t possibly screw up 325 carries, even with a bad QB (which hurts his value RetroVertigo, not helps it). Of those three options, I think Brown is either first or second. I don’t think he’s going to have a good year, but he didn’t have one last year either, and was productive. You don’t have the worst RB tandem in our league, and you aren’t in the bottom half, I’d say. That’s all that matters, and you smartly picked up another starting caliber option in Lewis.
It occurs to me that I could hypothetically abuse the power as the waiver manager by reading waiver requests and if the guy I want isn’t on there, then I can snag him up at midnight without using up my waiver slot.
I wouldn’t, but if anyone wants to come up with some sort of neutral system where I couldn’t, that’d be fine. I’m very concerned about fair play and ethics and all that, though - I want to crush you all fairly.
It occurs to me too, that having the deadline for putting in waiver requests also the deadline to pick up players allows no time to actually announce who was taken on waivers - meaning that someone could sit at their computer at midnight Tuesday night and yoink a guy they’ve wanted but didn’t want to use the waiver claim for. To prevent this - how about cutoff for waiver requests (the time stamp I get e-mails at) will be 11pm on Tuesday, with free agents becoming available at midnight, giving me one hour to make the waiver announcements/processing?
The reason it would still be set at midnight precisely, rather than “anytime after I make the announcements” is that it would also give me an unfair advantage - I could make the announcement and then immediately grab free agents before others had a chance.
Don’t sweat the guy sitting at his computer waiting for the waiver claims notice on Tuesday night. In fact, I would encourage this behavior. Consider a sniper who didn’t file a claim (to preserve his priority) successfully snagging a guy the moment you post the notification at midnight. Who does that hurt? By definition nobody filed a waiver claim on that player, so every single owner could have used a waiver claim to successfully get him, but didn’t. That means it’s their fault they missed him, not the sniper’s.
I’m in the same boat as you regarding the conflict of interest. I wouldn’t worry too much; just don’t cheat. Don’t look at the claims until you’ve made your decisions. VarlosZ has done ths successfully for years in his footballoutsiders league with nary a problem.
As for your second rounder, I would have taken Jones. He’s not sharing carries; Washington is a 3rd down back mainly for his solid pass-blocking abilities. Jones is a franchise back.
Ronnie Brown was the one non-NY player I took in any league last year, and he sucked so bad I wouldn’t take him in the 10th round. I would’ve probably taken Peterson as a second choice.
I would Disagree. Last year Thomas Jones ran slightly over 1200yds last season, which was good for tenth in total rushing. He did only have six TDs, but Benson also had six. If Benson can run for 1400yds and 10 TD which I think would be a pretty reasonable estimate for him at around 300 carries. I like him at the 20th pick.
Fair enough.
But one of the issues that I raised is that if the cutoff for sending me mail for a waiver claim is midnight, then I go in at 12:10 or something to check my mail, and then post the results by 12:20 - anyone who was waiting for the deadline and tried to pick up their guy at 12 would have to be reverted.
Not that I anticipate that many people will be writing to me at 11:50 about waivers, but technically I have to wait for the cutoff point to receive mails, I would think.
Having the cutoff at 11, and free agency at 12 gives me an hour to post the results of waiver claims.
I doubt it’ll come up, but I just wanted to iron that out in case it was ever an issue.
Yeah, that’s my plan - don’t read the e-mails until the deadline, and just submit my claim - er, I guess mentally. I won’t cheat, anyway.
Yeah, Thomas Jones is one of the players I wish I’d have done more research on. I spent most of my time ordering my first 14 or so picks. My actual cheat sheet was my top 13 or 14, followed by general suggestions by rounds of people I could look into. When my time came around in round 2, I was going to snag up Travis Henry, but he got taken one pick before me - leaving me unsure of what I wanted. 80 seconds or so later, I had to make a pick.
Ronnie Brown generally gets picked around there - I’m not sure why exactly. His average draft position is the 5th pick of the 2nd round in a 12 man league in one ADP list I saw, which is one position ahead of where I got him.
I think Jamal Lewis might end up outperforming him and becoming my #2 back, but I knew Lewis wasn’t going to go before the 5th.
There won’t be nearly as many waiver claims as you might think. People rightfully view waiver priority as precious, and are loathe to drop to the end of the list for a guy they might be able to sign on Wednesday anyway. In the 14-team keeper league last year, I’d say no fewer than six weeks involved no waiver claims at all, and never once did I get claims from more than three owners in a single week.
As for the sniper ready to pounce at midnight, the deadline is when you post the notification. If they can’t see the notification in the yahoo messages, they aren’t supposed to sign anybody anyway. Because of this, it really doesn’t matter when you post the notification; the system is self-correcting.
You may not be aware of this, but you doing a waiver scheme at all is a huge plus for the league. Quibbling about missing out on a last-second claim because you posted the notification early would be looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Oh yeah, and reverting claim jumps is both easy and rare. Don’t worry about that. Just remember that not all transactions during the waiver period are claim jumps. (eg: Players in the MNF game are fair game up until Monday night.)
That exception doesn’t disprove the rule, which is that a good QB helps a RB’s fantasy value much more than a shaky QB would. I would argue that Jones’ total from last year was in spite of Grossman (who at times was actually very, very good, but no one remembers that) and more because of their defense and ability to call run plays late in games because the score was close.
It only makes sense that without a good QB to keep defenses honest, it’s impossible to be consistent in the running game because defenses stack the box with 8 or 9 defenders.
In the scheme of things, I think it’s a good value for the spot you took him, but he has question marks. I took him in two leagues myself, so I understand the upside. However, I would much rather him have Marc Bulger than Rex Grossman, and an O-Line that actually wants to block for him.