FantasyLeagueGM.com (the artist formerly known as KeeperLeagueGM.com) is looking for authors and/or partners. Contact us if you want your own page with full editor’s rights. That’s right, you call your own shots – total number of articles per week/month, content, whatever! As long as you have something fantasy or sports related, we want you aboard…
Read the full story »
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Trust the experts
We’re not professional scouts or coaches. We’re fantasy fans. It’s impossible for us (95% of fantasy writers are fans, not experts) to know specific schemes, plans, and scouting reports. Use what you read, but believe what you see. For example, if a player is drafted in round three, 32 teams passed on him, twice. That fact should have a lot more weight than the perceived opportunity to start.
Ignore “Coach Speak”
It’s vital to identify the difference between a coach’s statements and a coach’s actions. Whenever a sentence starts “Coach _____ stated he wants to give _____ 25 touches per game”, or “Coach _____ says the quarterback position is an open competition”, immediately stop reading. You’re being sucked into a vortex of useless information that will distract you from true fantasy knowledge.
Pay for style, not for content
You’re wasting money paying for fantasy advice. The internet is flooded with free, quality information. If you do pay for something, pay for the writing style. Examples of “writing style” include guys like Grey Albright, John Miller, and Jay Clemons. The information provided by these writers is available all over the internet. What makes them different is how they present it.
Rankings are dumb unless you stack them
Rankings from one fantasy writer are pointless. Multiple rankings are gold. You can do it yourself on excel or rely on sites like fantasypros.com. Gathering a consensus weeds out wacky rankings and provides you with a starting point for …
Create personal tiers
Don’t be the douche everyone is yelling at on draft day because you’re taking forever to pick. Creating personal tiers organizes your fantasy thoughts on paper and maximizes your draft preparation and strategy. The fantasy draft is always unpredictable. You can easily adjust by using tiers.
If you’re in a pay league, focus on your own team
An opposing owner disappears after starting the season 1-5. A good commissioner will find a replacement owner next year. But for this year, it’s one less team you need to worry about. Consider his league dues a donation (provided your commissioner did his job by collecting the money before the season started).
Read the message boards
The boards are a free source of quality information (as referenced above). Ignore the negativity and focus on the data. By negativity, I mean the internet muscles that pop up because people without their own web site use the forums to be nasty. The forums are as reliable as web sites, so use them to your advantage.
Do your trade research before asking for help
“I’m trying to find a way to acquire Calvin Johnson. Should I trade Brandon Marshall, Vernon Davis, and a third round pick for him?” Before you waste your time concocting a dream trade for Calvin Johnson, you need to find out if he’s even available! Otherwise, you’re being lazy and you’re wasting my time too. If you do find some juicy targets that an owner is willing to move, make sure you scout his roster. Find out what he needs, not what you want to trade.
(Try to) stay calm
It took me years to get to a happy place, so I understand if you’re struggling to find fantasy serenity. Fantasy sports is 15% transactions (waiver wire and trades), 25% drafting, and 60% luck. And really, you could make those splits 8/12/80. Fight the urge to be angry at luck because it’s out of your control. If you’re angry at the money you lost, then you’re a filthy gambler. When you go to the amusement park, you don’t get your money back at the end of the day. Use that services-received attitude in regards to fantasy sports. You pay for the experience and the operating engine. Anything you win is a bonus.
With rookie mini-camps already underway it is a good time to begin looking at the fantasy rankings for the rookie class of 2012 from an offensive prospective. An initial ranking of rookies that are viable candidates to step in immediately and help fantasy teams to the championship.
As NFL teams begin their off season programs in earnest, the battles for position on the depth chart will begin to take shape and rookies will look to un-seast their veteran counterparts. This is a continuing look at IDP rookies with the opportunity to have a fantasy impact in 2012, specifically the players ranked from #11-#20.
As free agency has reached the plodding along phase and the 2012 NFL Draft is complete it is a good time to re-examine the list of deep sleepers I first wrote about in late March. Who, if any are still worth keeping an eye on come fantasy draft day?
A Good Mixed Disc Will Put You In The Right Mood. Singles and rarities in memory of Adam “MCA” Yauch.
A Good Mixed Disc Will Put You In The Right Mood. Singles and rarities in memory of Adam “MCA” Yauch.
A Good Mixed Disc Will Put You In The Right Mood. Singles and rarities in memory of Adam “MCA” Yauch.
A Good Mixed Disc Will Put You In The Right Mood. Singles and rarities in memory of Adam “MCA” Yauch.
With the 2012 NFL Draft completed, it is time for veterans to begin looking over their shoulders at the youngsters drafted to replace them, and for fantasy owners to take note of these rookies as well. A handful of these rookies will step right into fantasy prominence for the 2012 season, this is a look at the top 10 IDP rookies that will most impact fantasy championships in 2012.
The most important position in fantasy football is now quarterbacks. Drafting running backs in the first three rounds and waiting on a quarterback is a thing of the past. The NFL has morphed into a pass driven league and fantasy football is following suit. As the NFL Draft settles into our collective rear view mirrors, it is time to look at an initial ranking of the quarterback position.
The tight end position has been elevated over the past two seasons and it is suddenly not a crazy idea to consider drafting a tier one tight end in the first round of fantasy drafts. This is the initial look at the TE position immediately following the 2012 NFL Draft.
There really is no off season in fantasy football. The draft is over and as free agent signings have slowed to a crawl it is time to start preparing our fantasy draft boards for 2012. Let us turn our attention to the wide receiver position and how they rank as of early May.
With the 2012 NFL Draft in the books, and the free agent market slowing to a crawl, it is time to bust out some post draft rankings. As always, the running back position will anchor fantasy squads in 2012, so there is no better position to begin our 2012 preparation with.
The 2012 MLB season began a month ago and there are still players who are performing far better than originally projected. Based on their April production, I look ahead to May and discuss how likely it is for these 10 surprise stars to stay dominant.
Individual Defensive Player (IDP) fantasy ramifications for rookies and veterans based on Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft.
Many rookies will be playing on teams that offer a great opportunity for IDP (Individual Defensive Player) value. What about the veterans? Let’s take a look at the immediate fantasy ramifications, keeping in mind we still have six rounds of drafting.
Ranking the offensive skill position players drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. A look at the fantasy potential of the names off the board so far heading into 2012 fantasy drafts.
The “handcuff” running back can be the difference in a fantasy team staying in contention or falling off the pace after sustaining the loss of a top running back.
An early look at the defensive line position for IDP format leagues. The rankings of players 31-60.
With the NFL Draft less than 4 days away, an early look at the rankings of the top 30 defensive linemen for IDP format leagues.
The one and only mock draft that I will submit in 2012. With a dash of fantasy value information splashed in amongst the predictions.
As the Detroit Lions ascend the power rankings of the NFL, returning to relevance for the first time in the last decade, they have neglected to address the glaring hole in their offense,and that is the fact that they are razor thin at the running back position.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Bonus Picks, Rounds 3-7
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 2.25 – 2.31: LaMichael James, Dwayne Allen, Shea McClellin, Derek Wolfe, Offensive Lineman, Chandler Jones, Mychal Kendricks
MLB players don’t stay hot forever. Many who are beloved by fantasy baseball owners will unfortunately regress. Don’t get stuck with scrubs. I’ll tell you which ones will be worth keeping.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 2.17 – 2.24: Jayron Hosley, Offensive Lineman, Offensive Lineman, Sean Spence, Lamar Miller, Offensive Lineman, Dont’a Hightower, Alfonzo Dennard.
Continuing to break down some early IDP information with an early April ranking of the defensive back position. Players ranked 31-60.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 2.09 – 2.16: Brian Quick, Alshon Jeffery, Ronnell Lewis, Nick Perry, Harrison Smith, Bobby Wagner, Bruce Irvin, Kendall Reyes.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 2.01 – 2.08: Zach Brown, Coby Fleener, Mohamed Sanu, David Wilson/Doug Martin, Vinny Curry, Lavonte David, Jerel Worthy, Offensive Lineman
With the NFL Draft two weeks away, let us spend a little time taking a closer look at some IDP rankings. Here is a look at the defensive back positions.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 1.25 – 1.32: Kendall Wright, Stephen Hill, Courtney Upshaw, Devon Still, Andre Branch, Janoris Jenkins, Mark Barron, David Wilson/Doug Martin.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 1.17 – 1.24: Quinton Coples, Whitney Mercilus, Michael Brockers, Offensive Lineman, Dontari Poe, Rueben Randle, Stephon Gilmore, Offensive Lineman.
Continuing an off season look at linebackers heading into the 2012 season, players ranked 31st through 60th. It is never too early to begin formatting a draft list and getting the jump on league mates.
The NFL Draft is two weeks away and free agency has slowed to a crawl, and it is a nice time to begin sculpting our 2012 draft lists. Here is an early April glance at the linebacker position heading into 2012.
Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Football Heaven. Picks 1.09 – 1.16: Michael Floyd, Melvin Ingram, Dre Kirkpatrick, Luke Kuechly, Offensive Lineman, Offensive Lineman, Fletcher Cox, Offensive Lineman.
In the first part of my American League East preview I broke down the Orioles and Red Sox to give their outlook headed into the 2012 season. Now this time I will discuss the Rays and Blue Jays.
The 2012 MLB season began a month ago and there are still players who are performing far better than originally projected. Based on their April production, I look ahead to May and discuss how likely it is for these 10 surprise stars to stay dominant.
Would you rather win at fantasy football or fantasy baseball, or enjoy the experience? Why not do both!
Last night the Yankees and Mariners pulled off a swap that saw two of the top prospects in baseball switching coasts, creating value for Fantasy owners in 2012.
With rookie mini-camps already underway it is a good time to begin looking at the fantasy rankings for the rookie class of 2012 from an offensive prospective. An initial ranking of rookies that are viable candidates to step in immediately and help fantasy teams to the championship.
.
.
