Week 17 Rankings

Well folks, this is the final rankings of the season.  Hopefully I've been able to help most of you make that tough decision that resulted in a victory and maybe even your league championship.  If not, and I've done the opposite, well, that's just how it goes.  You can't be 100% correct all the time, otherwise you would never learn anything. 

Whatever happened, enjoy the last set of rankings, especially if you are in your league championship.  Good luck!!

QB Rankings
RB Rankings
WR Rankings
TE Rankings
K Rankings
D/ST Rankings

Any questions, just go ahead and e-mail mattymccall@gmail.com or post a comment to this article.

"Random Musings About Football" Week 17, Final Edition

To those who won your league championship, I hate you all.  No, just kidding, congratulations to all those who won their league championship and won whatever prize their league deems is appropriate, whether it be money, a trophy, or a box of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes (inside joke; there was this rather large girl back during my sophomore year of college who used to come to the fraternity parties wearing a zebra striped shirt.  Her roundness while wearing that shirt made her look like a Little Debbie Zebra Cake, so therefore her nickname ever since has been Zebra Cakes.   When I get together with my fraternity brothers, we reminisce about the hilarity of Zebra Cakes.)

                For those of you who will be playing your league championship game in Week 17, good luck to you all.  You have a tall task, as undoubtedly, some of you have players whose teams have already clinched a playoff spot and aren’t fighting for anything, or have players on teams who have been eliminated from the playoffs and will be sitting them to take a look at rookies or other players on the teams.  Either way, there is a lot of uncertainty as to who will be suiting up next week, to which I feel bad for those who are in their league championship and will get screwed when Bill Belicheck decides to sit Tom Brady for the whole game, or only play him the first quarter or the first half, since they have already clinched homefield and the first round bye.  And I’m not making that up.  It has been reported that Belicheck is considering benching Brady in Week 17.

My only suggestion to those who are in that position:  pay attention to every bit of NFL news that you can find.  For instance; I have already heard that Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, and Patrick Crayton are out the final week of the season, due to the fact that they aren’t playing for anything.  I have heard that Stephen McGee might be getting the start over Jon Kitna.  It’s up in the air whether Shaun Hill will be starting, although it appears that coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions is leaning towards starting Hill.  Finally, Todd Heap, who has been fighting a hamstring injury, might not be active since Baltimore has already clinched a playoff spot, so an extra week of rest for his hamstring isn’t a bad idea.

Those are the types of things you have to pay close attention to.  So peruse ESPN.com, Yahoo.com, CBSSportsline.com, NFL Team websites, and whatever website your league might be hosted on as often as you can, in order to find out the latest news.  That way, if your league is still allowing waiver/free agent pickups, you can jump on a certain player, which may be the difference between winning say $700 for first place and $300 for second place.

The question you may be asking then is; who the hell do I pickup?  But relax and do not fret, as your Fantasy Football Consigliere has that information for you.  I’m going to go position by position, listing those players who still might be out there, that have the potential to have at least an OK fantasy day, which will give you a head up on winning your league championship.

QB

Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos):  Listen, Tebow had 308 yards.  Yes, I know it was against one of the worst defenses in the league in the Houston Texans; and yes, I know the San Diego Chargers (Denver’s week 17 opponent), is one of the best in the league against the pass, but hear me out.  The Chargers have nothing to play for as they have been officially eliminated from the playoffs, and teams who have been eliminated, tend to bench those players who are slightly nicked up, as they gain nothing from playing injured.  And you can’t count out the fact that Tebow competes harder than anyone else out there.  There are few, if any QB options out there better than Tebow.

John Skelton (Arizona Cardinals):  Skelton has some good targets, in Fitzgerald, Breaston (if he plays), Doucet, and Andre Roberts.  And from what I’ve seen of him, he has the arm to get the ball to these guys, unlike Max Hall, and is more accurate than Derek Anderson.  Plus, the Cardinals are playing the Niners, who have imploded all year long, and whose pass defense is mediocre. 

Charlie Whitehurst (Seattle Seahawks):  First, it’s not a lock that Whitehurst starts next week in the game against the St. Louis Rams, which will determine which bad team wins the NFC West and gets a home game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.  So keep an eye on the injury report to see if Hasselbeck ends up going or not.  But whether Hasselbeck plays or not might not matter, as it is really hard to support a pickup of Whitehurst, as he has played rather horrible when he has had his opportunities.  Nonetheless, if you have no QB playing, and Tebow and Skelton are gone, why the hell not.  Some points are better than no points at all.

Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins):  He may not be available, as he had a huge game in his first start two weeks ago and people tend to pick up people who have huge games regardless if it is a wise decision or not.  But if he is, and you need a QB, he is definitely a viable option.  More so than Skelton or Whitehurst, and maybe even Tebow.  Grossman has actually started a Super Bowl, so he has experience, and he’s facing a NY Giants defense that has been lit up the last 6 quarters, and seem to be in downward spiral mode, which kind of makes me happy for some reason, but I haven’t figured that out why yet.  So experience, talent, and facing an opponent on a downslide, equals a good mix for an explosive game.

RB

Toby Gerhart (Minnesota Vikings):  This is a logical guess on my part.  If Adrian Peterson’s thigh injury worsens tonight, that means Gerhart steps in next week.  Or even if Peterson is healthy next week, with nothing to play for, the Vikings might decide to sit Adrian Peterson anyways, giving the start to Gerhart.  Either way, Gerhart has a chance to start, so pay attention to what happens tonight and the rest of the week.

John Kun (Green Bay Packers):  He’s certainly not going to get you rushing/receiving yards, but what he does do is put the ball in the end zone.  And if your league rewards touchdowns with 6 pts, then he might be a good guy to have.  He did score 3 touchdowns against the New York Giants, and while the Bears are a better and stouter defense, chances are Kuhn could sniff the end zone at least once someway somehow.  If you need an extra back this week to start or flex, I would certainly consider Kuhn.  But remember, his points are 100% tied to touchdowns, not yards, making him not a sure thing.

Mike Bell (Cleveland Browns):  Another gut feeling.  The Browns, having nothing to play for like a majority of the league, might think about starting Mike Bell and sitting Peyton Hillis.  And if you watched any of the game this past Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, Bell got the ball a decent amount even with Hillis playing.  So my gut says Hillis may not play, which means everything goes to Bell.  Pay attention to the news throughout the week to see if this plays out the way I feel it might.

Dominic Rhodes (Indianapolis Colts):  Rhodes had 98 yards rushing in his return to former glory playing for the Indianapolis Colts.  Stay tuned to news to see whether Addai or Brown end up playing this week, cause if not, Rhodes undoubtedly will get the majority of carries.

Correll Buckhalter (Denver Broncos):  Buckhalter led the Broncos this past week with 11 rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown.  Knowshon Moreno only had 7 carries for 19 yards.  Now, this may not mean that Buckhalter will be the lead back next week, as I think if Moreno is healthy, he gets some carries too, but if you need a flex play, Buckhalter might be a good option, as it appears that at least the carries will be split 50/50, and there is no doubting that Buckhalter has some talent, so he just might end up producing 50 or 60 yards with a touchdown, great numbers for a flex play.

WR

Bryant Johnson (Detroit Lions):  Calvin Johnson went down with an ankle injury at some point during the Lions game against the Dolphins this past week.  If Calvin doesn’t end up playing in Week 17, especially since there is nothing to play for but pride and stats, then the other Johnson, Bryant, might one of the beneficiaries.  But this isn’t a sure thing, so I don’t have much confidence in it.  Keep your ear to the ground as far as the injury report goes, in case something leaks about Calvin Johnson not playing.

Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh Steelers):  Sanders has cemented himself as the #3 receiver, and in my opinion, is threatening to knock Ward from his #2 spot.  But of course many people would disagree with that.  Nonetheless, starting in Week 12, Sanders has only 3 less targets than Ward, (his 30 to Ward’s 33).  And given that the Steelers have wrapped up their division, I could easily see Ward /Wallace taking some time off during the game and having Sanders on the field more often.  The kid has shown he certainly has skills, so if he’s getting the majority of the snaps come Sunday, he’s a great #3 borderline #2 receiver and definitely a very good flex even if Ward and Wallace play the whole game.

Blair White (Indianapolis Colts):  Austin Collie on the IR and the Colts playing for their playoff lives.  It’s a good situation to be in for Blair White, who has proved that he is a solid player.  Peyton Manning trusts him, which is good enough of an endorsement for me.  He’s a solid #3 receiver if your league plays 3, and a definite flex play.

Anthony Armstrong (Washington Redskins):  If I endorse Grossman, then I certainly have to endorse one of his targets.  I think Grossman has a 300 game in him against the Giants, who are imploding, so if he’s gonna get that many yards, I feel as if Armstrong could be a definite beneficiary.

Jacoby Jones (Houston Texans):  The thing here is to keep an eye out if Andre Johnson starts the game on Sunday or not, as it’s up in the air at the moment if he will.  If he doesn’t start, Jones is a viable #1/#2 receiver, as without Johnson this past week Jones had 5 catches for 115 yards.  If Johnson does start, he’s still a #3 receiver if leagues that play 3 and one of the better flex receivers out there.

Jerome Simpson (Cincinnati Bengals):  No TO, no Ochocinco, which means somebody has to step it up on the outside, and Jerome Simpson certainly did that against the Chargers with 6 catches for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Will he have as good of a week against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17?  I’d say probably not, as Carson Palmer is extremely inconsistent.  With no other options on the outside though, he’s going to get the majority of targets, which hopefully turns into fantasy points.

Naaman Roosevelt/Donald Jones (Buffalo Bills):  With Lee Evans out, Fitzpatrick has been looking for a second receiver, and he found one in week 16 in Naaman Roosevelt who had 4 catches for 74 yards on 8 targets.  However, let’s not be deceived, at this was only Roosevelt’s second game, so we don’t have much history to go on.  Donald Jones on the other hand, had 12 targets this past game, although no production to back that up.  But, if I had to choose between the two, I would feel more comfortable with Jones, who has been playing every game since week 9, with his role in the offense increasing every week.

Andre Roberts (Arizona Cardinals):  Just like with Roosevelt, beware of one week wonders.  However, Roberts has the skill to repeat if the ball is thrown his way.  With Skelton looking Roberts way, a repeat may be in the making, particularly against a downtrodden Niners secondary.   He’d be worth a flex, nothing more than that.

Danario Alexander (St. Louis Rams):  Alexander is only 1 target away from being tied with Laurent Robinson for the second most targets on the team starting from Week 12.  And what’s most impressive about Alexander, is that he has production to back up those targets, as Robinson does not, which is why Alexander I’m recommending him, especially in facing the Seahawks, who possess a rather mediocre defense.  Plus, you have to like the fact that this is a game that means something, since they’ll be playing for the NFC West title.

Legedu Naanee (San Diego Chargers):  For those of you who thought that Naanee had disappeared, which he has since about Week 3, it appears he has returned.  On 7 targets he caught 4 for 59 yards.  While Vincent Jackson is still clearly the number one option here, Naanee is a very talented #2.  So if you’re hurting for WR, Naanee is a very very good pickup, especially since the Chargers will be playing Denver and their atrocious defense.

TE

Tony Scheffler (Detroit Lions):  Just like with Bryant Johnson, the recommendation to pickup Scheffler hinges on whether Calvin Johnson plays or not.  If Johnson does play, forget about Scheffler.  If Johnson doesn’t play, I think Scheffler is a bigger beneficiary than even Bryant Johnson, as Shaun Hill has shown that he has much confidence in Scheffler, offering more targets even when Calvin Johnson has played.

Jared Cook (Tennessee Titans):  While he may not have as big of a game against the Colts this coming week, Cook’s performance was absolutely legit.  The kid has talent, and the more snaps and targets you give him, the more you will see it.  With the season done in Tennessee, I could see the game plan focusing around trying to get Cook the ball.  If you’re struggling for a TE, he’s one of the better options out there.

Ed Dickson (Baltimore Ravens):  It’s looking as if Heap will sit out this coming week, and if any other receivers are banged up, they might sit as well (like Derrick Mason, who has a finger injry).  This means Dickson’s role in the offense will increase, which hopefully includes an increase in production for those who pick him up.  But it’s certainly a gamble.

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints):  All Jimmy Graham does it catch touchdowns.  Well that’s not technically true, but over his last two games he does have 3 scores.  Also, he’s averaging 3.5 catches per game, which isn’t spectacular production for a TE, but isn’t that bad really, especially in a Saints offense that spreads it around.  Graham has been becoming more a part of the game plan week in and week out, with Shockey being basically eliminated to 1 target and 1 catch a week.  If he’s available in your league, and you need some points, he just may be the best option currently available besides Jared Cook.

Any questions, hit me up at mattymccall@gmail.com or post a comment to this article.  Hope you enjoyed!

Week 16 Rankings

So you're in your league championship.  You're trying to decide between your #2 and #3 running back or wide receiver.  You can't make up your mind.  The deadline to having your roster set is quickly approaching.  What do you do??? 

You check out The Consigliere's rankings, that's what you do.  The rankings will help you decide that last crucial decision to your fantasy season and bring home your leauge championship.  But as always, it's your roster, so it's your decision.  I'm just here to provide you with some guidance.

If you have a question, feel free to respond via post or you can send me an e-mail at mattymccall@gmail.com.

QB Rankings
RB Rankings
WR Rankings
TE Rankings
K Rankings
D/ST Rankings

"Random Musings About Football" Week 16

So are you in the “Ship?”  Or at least in the semifinal round of the fantasy playoffs?  If so, contragtulations.  Unfortunately this year I myself did not end up in the playoffs for the first year ever.  I ended up missing out by the slimmest of margins, 1.3 points.  But this article isn’t about me, it’s about how I can help you win your championship game or make it to your championship.  With that thought in mind, let’s get right down to it.

                For this article, the idea is simple.  I’ll take a look at each team and list the players who can be depended upon, and if I feel ambitious, maybe even some logic behind why I think they’re in for a good week.

Arizona Cardinals:  So you’re worried about John Skelton’s impact on Larry Fitzgerald.  Don’t be.  Larry Fitzgerald has been doing just fine week in and week out, with over a hundred yards in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers.  Against an atrocious Dallas pass defense, you can count on Larry again.  On that note, that means Steve Breaston would be a good flex option along with Tim Hightower.  But I’d bench Beanie Wells for sure.

Atlanta Falcons:  Regardless of the matchup, you’re going to play Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, although I wouldn’t expect huge games out of Ryan or White, as the Saints defense is tough against the pass, except for the TE. 

Baltimore Ravens:  Joe Flacco and Ray Rice are obvious starts, especially after Ray Rice’s performance in Week 15.  But the problem with Baltimore is that they have too many receivers, which often leaves Boldin and Mason trading every week who has a good game.  But if you have to start one, I’d go with Boldin, as he had 142 yards receiving the first time around against Cleveland.  Also, keep an eye on the injury report, as Todd Heap is looking like he’s going to start this Sunday.

Buffalo Bills:  The Bills face the New England Patriots in Week 16, whose defense in my opinion is overrated.  Just look at what Matt Flynn, a guy making his first start in the league, was able to do.  So if Flynn can carve up the Patriots, Ryan Fitzpatrick, a proven commodity, certainly can as well, so I’d start him if you don’t have a better option.  Steve Johnson is a must start no matter what every week now, and the same almost can be said for Fred Jackson.  So Fitzpatrick, Johnson, and Jackson are the guys to place this week for the Bills.

Carolina Panthers:    The only play you have on a week in and week out basis is Jonathan Stewart, but unfortunately this week he faces the best run defense in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers.  So if you have a better option(s) at running back than Stewart, play those guys, otherwise you’re going to have to roll the dice.

Chicago Bears:  The Bears have clinched their division, which means that they are now fighting for homefield advantage and a first round bye.  So you shouldn’t have to worry about the Bears sitting any of their starters, not that it makes that much difference, as the Bears starters are rather inconsistent.  Which means in facing the Jets defense in Week 16, I wouldn’t count on much of anything, particularly from Matt Forte and the Bears running game.  You’re best option would be the Bears pass game, which means you’re starting Jay Cutler unless you have a better option, and Johnny Knox would make a solid flex option.  Other than those two guys, there really is no one else unless you consider Greg Olsen, who is basically a miss every week, but he’s got the talent if they ever decide to use him.

Cincinnati Bengals:  Well TO is out the rest of the season, meaning an upgrade for Ochocinco, Jordan Shipley, and Jermaine Gresham in the passing game.  This is good news for Jermaine Gresham, as San Diego is historically bad against the TE, and this year is no different.  I could certainly see a better than average game from Gresham.  As for the other receivers, I wouldn’t expect too much, as the Chargers pass defenses is one of the top 2 in the league.  Which means Cincinnati should focus more on the running game with Cedric Benson.  So Benson and Gresham should be the guys to look for this week.

Cleveland Browns:  1^st time around against the Baltimore Ravens, Peyton Hills ran for 144 yards, and while the Ravens run defense has improved much sense then, Hillis is still a must start.  Beyond Hillis, your only other option is Benjamin Watson, who has been on a tear the last two weeks.  Unfortunately he comes up against a Ravens defense that gives up the 7^th least fantasy points to opposing TEs.  But I still feel that Watson is a viable option, particularly if you don’t have anyone better to play on your team.

Dallas Cowboys:  Tony Romo has been put on IR for the last two weeks of the season, so you Kitna owners no longer have to worry about Romo reclaiming his starting roll.  That’s great news, as Kitna has been playing particularly well, which means I recommend him as a solid start, even though Arizona’s defense is top 10 against QBs and WRs.  Speaking of injured reserve, Roy Williams is done for the season as well, meaning that beyond Miles Austin and Jason Witten, there aren’t many other receivers except for Sam Hurd and Martellus Bennett.  Expect another big game from Witten and maybe even one from Austin.  The real winner this week for Dallas should be Felix Jones, as the Arizona Cardinals are in the bottom two in giving up fantasy points to running backs.  Jones should have a monster game and I could even see backup Tashard Choice getting 60 yards and a score, making him a solid flex option.

Denver Broncos:  The Broncos face the Houston Texans this week, who are just bad against everyone, meaning Tim Tebow gets a break in his second career start.  Nonetheless, I’m not sold on Tebow’s throwing ability, but you should see him run for a score or two.  And speaking of running, Knowshon Moreno is the Bronco to own this week.  As for Brandon Lloyd, he’s not a sure thing without Kyle Orton, but if you’re going to use a Bronco’s receiver, clearly he’s the guy, as Tebow seemed the most confident in him.

Detroit Lions:  The Lions draw the Miami Dolphins in Week 16, who are extremely solid on every aspect of their defense, the exception being against WR, but they’re still top 15 nonetheless.  So this means that although Maurice Morris made it to 100 yards in Week 15, he’s not likely to even sniff that this week.  Which also means that Jahvid Best isn’t an option either.  The only options are Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and Brandon Pettigrew, but the chances are only of those three score. 

Green Bay Packers:  The Packers run game looked good this past week against the New England Patriots, but the New York Giants run defense is much better, being ranked number 5^th in the league.  So you can count Jackson out as a starter, downgrading him to a flex RB.  However, Aaron Rodgers should be returning, although after Matt Flynn’s performance, it appears it doesn’t matter who is throwing the ball.  Regardless, the return of Aaron Rodgers is good for those who own him, and means that Greg Jennings should get a slight upgrade.

Houston Texans:  Just as with their opponent, the Denver Broncos, they luck out this week in facing an equally bad defense.  Everyone is an option this week, with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, and Owen Daniels starters, and Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter as flex options.  The game should be a shootout, with the Texans having the advantage on the offensive side for sure.  This is a great fantasy game.

Indianapolis Colts:  So Austin Collie comes back, plays terrific, but unfortunately suffers another concussion.  I can certainly see this being the end of the season for him, especially if the Colts somehow lose the final two games of the season and end up out of the playoffs.  But even without Collie, there are still plenty of options in Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Jacob Tamme, and with Peyton Manning  throwing the ball to them, it doesn’t matter what defense is playing against them, even one ranked in the top 5 against WRs.  The real wild card here is Donald Brown.  The Oakland Raiders run defense is extremely bad, which would bode well for Brown, particularly after the game he had in Week 15.  So Brown should be a solid second back, while Wayne and Tamme are starts and Garcon is a flex option.

Jacksonville Jaguars:  In the hunt for the playoffs, the Jaguars draw a bad defense in the Washington Redskins, meaning that offensively they certainly have a chance to put up big numbers.  The beneficiary is everyone.  You’re obviously starting Maurice Jones-Drew.  That’s a no-brainer.  And Marcedes Lewis is a legit TE option in the league now, so you’re playing him.  But what to do about Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas?  Mike Sims-Walker appears to be the guy you start if you don’t have better receiver options, and Mike Thomas is just a flex.  Speaking of flexes, over the last few weeks, Rashad Jennings has been putting up very good numbers, making him a solid flex option at this point.

Kansas City Chiefs:  With another week to recover from his appendectomy, Matt Cassel should be 100% for sure, although he seemed to not be affected at all against the Rams.  So if you’ve been relying on him as of late, you should be able to rely on him once again.  Clearly, if you own Bowe, you play him, and forget about all other receivers.  The opponent this week is the Tennessee Titans, who are ranked 25^th in giving up fantasy points to TEs, meaning Moeaki is a solid option this week.  But of course, the one guy in the Chiefs offense you can count on is Jamaal Charles.   With the Titans run defense just outside the top 15, ranked at 17, that means they are quite susceptible to giving up yards and scores.  This makes Thomas Jones a viable flex option.

Miami Dolphins:  The Detroit Lions are bad at every facet of defense except for the TE.  This means, you’re starting Brandon Marshall, and that’s the only start, unless you are in a league that starts 3 receivers, which then means you are absolutely starting Davone Bess if you own him.  But even with Lions being bad against the run, it’s hard to have much confidence in starting Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams, unless you are in a league that starts 3 backs.  If you aren’t in a league like that, I’d play either at the flex.

Minnesota Vikings:  I think we’ve finally seen the last of Brett Favre, which means rookie Joe Webb is going to get his first start of the year, unless Favre pulls, well, a Favre, and decides to play regardless of his injuries.  Regardless who starts, I don’t think you can count on any of the wide receivers; meaning Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin are only flex options.  Keep an eye on Adrian Peterson’s injury status as well, cause if he can’t play, Toby Gerhart should be a viable option against a so-so Eagles run defense.  The main thing about the Vikings is that you shouldn’t play their D/ST, as they are facing Michael Vick, who has been absolutely destroying defenses all season.

New England Patriots:  The Patriots are playing the Buffalo Bills, an extremely bad defense, who is only good against wide receivers, but in facing Tom Brady, you can throw that ranking out the window.  Bottom line, you play everyone if you have a spot for them.  You start Brady, the Law Firm BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Aaron Hernandez, and Deion Branch.  And of course, you flex Danny Woodhead as should be doing every week.

New Orleans Saints:  Last time around against the Atlanta Falcons, Drew Brees threw for 365 yards and Lance Moore caught 149 of those yards.  And nothing has changed since Week 3 as far as the pass defense, so you can expect good games from Colston, Moore, and Jimmy Graham, who is the newest weapon for Drew Brees.  But as for the running game of the Saints, I don’t think it matters whether it’s Bush, Ivory, or Thomas running the ball.  The Falcons run defense has been good all year, and should continue to be so.   But if forced to choose one, I’d go with Pierre Thomas, as he tends to receive the bulk of the carries and is very good on the screen game.

New York Giants:  The Giants face the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, needing a victory to secure them a playoff spot and regain some confidence after they blew a certain victory against the Eagles.  Problem is that Green Bay needs to beat the Giants to get one as well, so this should be a hotly contested game, full of high emotion.   On top of that emotion, Green Bay brings a defense that is top 5 against every position except for the TE, where they are ranked 30^th in giving up fantasy points.  This bodes extremely well for Kevin Boss, which means if you own him, you start him, especially if you don’t have a better option.  As for the rest of the team, I wouldn’t be too confident in Brandon Jacobs, and would feel better about Ahmad Bradshaw.  However, neither is certain to have a great game.  As for Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, you can expect those two to see a reduction in performance, but with Nicks having the better day.

New York Jets:  The Jets are sure to be feeling some confidence after the huge win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but now they face another tough defense in the Chicago Bears, one who is much better against the pass.  Nonetheless, if you own any of the Jets players, and have been starting them all year, you’re sure not going to stop now.  The only worry I have would be for Braylon Edwards.  He may have had 100 yards against the Steelers, but that’s not going to happen against the Bears.  He’s a flex at best.  But you’re definitely starting LaDaianian Tomlinson and Santonio Holmes if you have them.  And if Keller is you’re only option at TE, well good luck.  I wouldn’t expect much from him unfortunately.

Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders are back to .500 and are still in the playoff hunt, making them hungry to beat a good team in the Indianapolis Colts.  This is a good matchup offensively for the Raiders, as their strength is the run game and the weakness of the Colt’s defense is against the run.  This bodes extremely well for Darren McFadden, who is most likely the only start this week for the Raiders, unless Zach Miller is your only option at TE.  Other than those two guys, there isn’t even anyone else worthy of a flex.

Philadelphia Eagles:  Let’s list the obvious starters; Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy.  Brent Celek you say?  Yeah, sure, he had a 65 yard touchdown reception, but that’s the lone highlight of the year.  You aren’t starting him against the Vikings.  However, Jackson and Maclin should be in for huge games, with LeSean McCoy having a good game via the pass but only an average on via the run.

Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Panthers are very very good against in their pass defense, but just god awful in their run defense.  This means Rashard Mendenhall should have a monster game, so if you own him, your chances of winning your league championship are very good.  But even with the extremely good pass defense, I wouldn’t be too worried about what will happen to Roethlisberger.  He should be just fine.  Same goes for Mike Wallace, as you can basically count him for 100 yards every game, usually with a touchdown.  Who you have to be concerned about is Hines Ward.  He’s now the second target on the team, with Emmanuel Sanders inching up even on that.  So if you own Hines Ward, I’d think about benching him this week, especially if you have better options.

San Diego Chargers:  The Cincinnati Bengals defense has fallen very far since last year, making this a extremely good matchup for the Chargers.  Let’s make this simple then:  You start Rivers, Jackson, Floyd, and Tolbert.  You flex Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.  And of special note, TE Antonio Gates isn’t expected back until the playoffs, assuming San Diego draws a wild card.

San Francisco 49ers:  Somehow the 49ers forgot that the San Diego Chargers are bad against the TE, as Vernon Davis only had 1 target that resulted in 1 catch for 4 yards.  For those of you who own Vernon Davis, he may have killed your fantasy chances, but if he didn’t, I hope that 49ers have learned their lesson and will look Davis’s way more often this week against the St. Louis Rams, even though they are 6^th best against the TE.  As for other options, Westbrook, Dixon, Crabtree, and Josh Morgan are all good flex plays. 

Seattle Seahawks:  Matt Hasselbeck will be the starter this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is good news for those of you who own Mike Williams, had a good showing in his first action in a couple of weeks, with 8 catches for 66 yards.  The Tampa Bay pass defense is not very good, especially without their best corner in Aqib Talib.  So Williams should be in for another good week, making him worth a start.  Also, in the first time all season, I’m saying Marshawn Lynch is a good start as well since the Buccaneers are 26^th worst in the league against the run.  You easily could see a touchdown or two from him.

St. Louis Rams:  Other than Stephen Jackson, you aren’t starting anyone, which makes you wonder how the Rams are still in the hunt of their division, regardless if it’s the weak NFC West or not.  But they’re still around because they have great heart and a good defense.  But a great heart doesn’t earn you points in the fantasy world, making Jackson you’re only start and leaving Danny Amendola as a flex.  Other than that, forget about everyone else.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  The Buccaneers are fighting for a wild card playoff spot, which is surprising, considering not much was expected of them this year.  But the offense has come a long way very quickly, thanks to Josh Freeman, Mike Williams, and LeGarette Blount.  Of those 3, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blounts are must starts, with Josh Freeman being a very good start as well if you don’t have a better option.  As for Kellen Winslow, I would not feel good about starting him as the Seahawks are 8^th best against the TE, and if I had a better option I would good with that.

Tennessee Titans:  I had a real good feeling about Kenny Britt last week, and I do again this week.  The Kansas City Chiefs, the week 16 opponent for the Titans, are 20^th best , which means Britt should be in for a great game, and Nate Washington would be a good flex play.  And of course you’re playing Chris Johnson.

Washington Redskins:  The Redskins QB situation is in utter chaos, but that doesn’t seem to matter, as Rex Grossman had the best game for QBs in week 15.  With the Jaguars being in the bottom of the league against all 4 positions, everyone is in play.  So if you own Santana Moss, start him.  If you own Anthony Armstrong, flex him or start him if you are in a league that starts 3 receivers.  Ryan Torain, start him.  Chris Cooley, start him.  Everyone should have an extremely good game.

Week 15 Rankings

You'll notice that Aaron Rodgers is ranked outside the top ten, and that would be because is current status is unknown due to a concussion.  If Rodgers is able to play, he jumps into the top 5 without a doubt.  Also, if Rodgers plays, you can move both Greg Jennings and Donald Driver up, as well as move James Jones into the top 50.  Keep that in mind. 

And if you're still fighting in the playoffs, I hope the rankings help!!

QB Rankings
RB Rankings
WR Rankings
TE Rankings
K Rankings
D/ST Rankings

Have a question, feel free to reply with a post/comment or you can send an e-mail to mattymccall@gmail.com.

"Random Musings About Football" Week 15

I’m going to make this very short and sweet this week, as I’m feeling rather under the weather thanks to the cold I caught from my wife.  I should have known I would eventually catch it, but I felt optimistic.  Nonetheless, I will battle through and give the loyal followers and readers of my blog something to entertain themselves. 

In trying to figure out what to write about this week, it was tough.  The fantasy playoffs are on the way or are currently in progress, and some leagues turn off the waiver wire so you can’t adjust your lineup from this point on out, making it pointless to talk about picking guys up.  All that’s left on a week in and week out basis is to decide who to start/ sit, to which you can easily e-mail me at mattymccall@gmail.com, and I’ll let you know my opinion, or you can check out the rankings.   So an article about starting/sitting players was pretty much pointless.

I could do another matchup column, but really, I think I covered that back in Week 12 with my Random Musings Column.  So if you have a question about matchups, you can e-mail me about that as well.

So then what to write about?

Well, as I’ve been now doing my blog since Week 5, I think with a slight modicum of success, I find myself reflecting on the lessons that I’ve learned so far as not just a fantasy football player, but a person who professes to be an expert and creates and writes opinions about fantasy football.  For instance, I’ve learned that it takes way more time to keep an updated blog about fantasy football than I thought.  I’ve learned that you can’t be 100% correct.  I’ve learned more than ever that fantasy football is about 5% analyzing and 95 % luck.   And etc. etc.

So in keeping with that theme, I would like to tell you things I’ve learned about the NFL this year.

Lesson #1:  Domed stadiums above the Mason/Dixon Line should be made out of materials that allow for snow to pile up.  If you haven’t seen the video of the Metrodome collapsing in Minnesota, you have to google it and watch.  It’s pretty awesome.

Lesson #2:  Randy Moss has completely disappeared from the NFL.  He didn’t even get one single target against the Colts on the Thursday game this past week.  First time ever in his career.

Lesson #3:  The commissioner, Roger Goodell, has way too much power.  He basically doles out punishment however he sees fit and runs the league like a dictator.

Lesson #4:  I think the Houston Texans are a doomed franchise.  They manage to get the lead in the 4^th quarter almost every week and end up losing somehow in the end.  They may never make the playoffs.

Lesson #5:  Ryan Grant, who was injured in week 1 when the Packers played the Eagles and has been out ever since, is most likely going to be the reason why Green Bay not only doesn’t win the Super Bowl as everyone thought, but most likely will be the reason the Packers don’t make the playoffs at all. 

Lesson #6:  Brett Favre is a huge douchebag and likes to texts pictures of little Favre to women.

Lesson #7:  Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans has physical terrets.  His head is always twitching, and I think it’s awesome, cause if I’m a linebacker watching his head twitch all over the place, I’m slightly scared.

Lesson #8:  The New England Patriots have to be the best snow team ever.  I swear they play better in a blizzard than they do in perfect weather.

Lesson #9:  Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans is the most physically gifted receiver in the NFL bar none.

Lesson #10:    The New York Jets can stop the run, but cannot stop the pass.  So much for Revis Island.

Lesson #11:  Peyton Hillis is the best white running back in the 29 years that I have been alive.  Real glad I picked him up off waivers in fantasy football.

Lesson #12:  There’s a reason that Jimmy Clausen went in the 4^th round of the NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers.

Lesson #13:  The Panthers should have drafted Colt McCoy instead of letting him go to Cleveland. 

Lesson #14:  Good job Cleveland, cause McCoy is the real deal.  He’s a legit NFL QB who just knows how to win.  Also, this makes Mike Holmgren a genius for drafting him.

Lesson #15:  Jake Delhomme may be the best ever, except for Brett Favre, in throwing an interception or fumbling at completely the worst possible time in a game.  So again, good on Cleveland for drafting McCoy.

Lesson #16:   Matt Ryan truly is “Matty Ice.”

Lesson #17:  The Atlanta Falcons get no credit for being a legit Super Bowl contender.

Lesson #18:  Michael Vick is the best athlete in the world.  And if anyone remembers the commercial where he throws the ball into the stands from a ridiculous distance, I’m now convinced it was real.

Lesson #19:  Marion Barber needs to leave the Cowboys and resurrect his career somewhere else.

Lesson #20:  The Saints offense is absolutely ridiculous.  They have about 10 legit weapons, which is unheard of.

Lesson #21:  Albert Hanyesworth is the second biggest douchebag after Brett Favre.

Lesson #22:  Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson are the two of the fastest players I’ve ever seen wear a set of pads.

Lesson #23:  The Cincinnati Bengals are pathetic.  They have now list 10 in a row, and if they lose their next 3 games, it might be 13 straight losses.  I doubt Marvin Lewis keeps his job, even though he really is a good coach.

Lesson #24:  3^rd worst QB at blowing the game when the game is on the line, Carson Palmer.

Lesson #25:  Every team wants a Wes Welker.  The only guy who has the chance to be Welker, and maybe even a better advanced version of him, is Jordan Shipley.  He is the lone bright spot for Cincinnati this year.

Lesson #26:  The NFC west is pathetic.  I hate having to watch any game that involves any of the teams (Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks).

Lesson #27: Philip Rivers can throw the ball to anyone who has a pulse, as the Chargers receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, but Rivers keeps on ticking.

Lesson #28:  If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, the Lions have something going.

Lesson #29:  Rashard Mendenhall loves to tap the circle button on his real life PS3 controller.  I swear he spins on every carry.  How he doesn’t fumble more is beyond me.

Lesson #30:  As long as Bill Bellicheck and Tom Brady are on the same team, they will compete every year for the best record and always have a chance to win the Super Bowl.  And I hate that is true, because I really don’t like the Patriots at all.

I could go on and on and on with lessons that I’ve learned, but I’ll stop there.  Maybe you enjoyed it; maybe you didn’t, I’m too sick at the moment to care to be honest. But if you’re in the fantasy playoffs, good luck and I hope you win!!

 

Week 14 Rankings

Well, most of you are probably in the fantasy playoffs or are in the last week of the season fighting for that last playoff spot.  Or maybe you're trying to play the spoiler.  Whichever it may be, use the rankings to help you win the big game.

QB Rankings
RB Rankings
WR Rankings
TE Rankings
K Rankings
D/ST Rankings

"Random Musings About Football" Week 14

“If he dies,he dies.”

That’s one of the most famous lines ever uttered in a movie.  And if you don’t know who said it, shame on you, because clearly you aren’t a Rocky fan as every warm blooded American should be.  So for those of you who have never seen a Rocky movie, I’ll explain.

The quote is from Rocky IV, where Rocky is motivated to fight Russian superfighter Ivan Drago in Russia to avenge the death of Rocky’s best friend Apollo Creed (who is played by Carl Weathers and is the guy in the new Bud Light commercials holding the playbook) at the hands of Ivan.  So the line “If he dies, he dies,” is in reference to Apollo Creed getting punched to a literal death, and while Creed is lying on the mat Ivan is telling reporters, if he dies, he dies.

The reason I bring up this quote is to describe the feeling I think the entire Minnesota Vikings organization, a majority of NFL analysts, the public, myself, and even Brett Favre has.  That feeling being to just throw him out on the field to keep his consecutive game streak alive regardless of whatever injuries he may currently have.  if he just happens to get the shit kicked out of him to the point where he can’t speak coherently or ends up in a wheelchair, well, then that’s just how it is.  No remorse.   So “If he dies, he dies,” is a very apt description for what I think the majority of the world feels about Brett Favre.

With all that being said, that doesn’t let you know whether you should start Brett Favre or not.

Well, if anyone was taking a vote if they thought Brett Favre could be counted on this coming week to put up good numbers, you can write me down for the choice that says “No, not a chance in hell.   He won’t even make it through the whole game.”  I imagine the rest of fantasy football nation would concur; as they would also agree that you shouldn’t play him the rest of the year, assuming he isn’t in a wheelchair after playing the Giants this coming Sunday.

But let’s move on from Favre and look at other guys who if you own, you can’t trust them.

Ryan Mathews (Running Back, San Diego Chargers):  So here’s Mathews story so far this year.  Chargers move up in the first round to draft him, thinking he’s going to easily replace LT.  No doubt Mathews goes somewhere in the middle of the second to the middle of the third round in most fantasy drafts based upon all the hype surrounding him.  He has an OK preseason, 78 rushing yards in Week 1, 26 yards in week 2, gets injured and doesn’t play week 3.  Next thing you know he’s in a time split with Mike Tolbert, never gets more than 64 yards rushing in a game (week 6 against St. Louis), only scores 2 total touchdowns, gets injured and is out weeks 11 and 12, and starts but doesn’t touch the ball in week 13.  So his stat line this year is 87 carries, 382 yards, 2 touchdowns.  Not exactly 2^nd or 3^rd round production, which unfortunately sucks for those who have owned him.  If you’re in the playoffs, and you own him, I’d seriously consider dropping him and trying to find someone else who you may be able to plug in when teams are benching their starters in weeks 16 and 17.

Austin Collie (Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts):  Collie put up fantastic and unexpected numbers the first 6 weeks of the season, then was injured, missed 1 game, played well against Houston in week 8, got concussed versus Philly in Week 9, and hasn’t made an impact beyond that.  The latest news has him most likely out this week and maybe even further depending on how he progresses through the concussion.  Now, if you have other receivers, you have most likely been playing them, and hopefully that has worked.  But there might be some of you who are #1, #2, #3, or #4 seeds in the playoffs who own Austin Collie and could use an extra threat down the stretch to win the championship, who will actually be playing in the games.  That being said, it would be tough to drop him, especially if he comes back healthy down the stretch when you know the Colts will be throwing and throwing, trying to secure a playoff spot themselves.

Randy Moss (Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans):  I know, never in a million years would you think that Randy Moss would be a guy you can’t trust.  You’ve been trusting him for years and years, and he’s been rewarding that trust with thousand yard and 20 touchdown seasons.  Unfortunately, Moss has travelled to the land of obscurity, fallen into the black abyss of older receivers who may have had their last hurrah, but we just can’t believe it.  So if you’ve been holding onto Randy Moss, praying to the fantasy football gods that he would give you at least one good game, you can stop praying, cause it isn’t going to happen.  It’s time to jump the ship if you haven’t already.  I recommend you drop him like a bad habit and pick up someone else if you think you have a better option out on the waiver wire.

Devin Hester (Chicago Bears):  Listen, he’s a big name on a playoff team, with tremendous skill and lots of upside.  But there comes a time when you realize he really just is a return man with a small set of receiving skills.  If you look at his stats so far this season, 32 catches, 371 yards, 2 touchdowns, those aren’t even good flex numbers.  If he is unowned in your league, he is for good reason, so don’t even think about picking him up.  If you own him, I’d drop him like a bad habit.

Cadillac Williams (Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers):  If you haven’t noticed, Williams has been supplanted by LeGarette Blount as the starting running back in Tampa, and he has no plans of relinquishing that role back to Williams (witness Blount’s 103 yards against the leagues 3^rd best run defense in the Atlanta Falcons).  So if you are in a league that starts 3 running backs, he’d be a stretch for that, just like he’s a definite stretch for even a flex position.  No doubt there is a better back available out on the waiver wire (James Starks from Green Bay, Anthony Dixon from San Francisco 49ers come to mind).  I’d feel more comfortable with them than Cadillac.

Ryan Torain (Running Back, Washington Redskins):  We definitely no Portis isn’t coming back, and James Davis and Keiland Williams have stepped up in Torain’s absence.  Recent reports have Torain practicing this week, but I would keep a very close eye on that hamstring, as we all know what can happen with a tender hammy (just ask Portis, who came back, rushed for around 30 yards, then ended up on injured reserve and out for the rest of the season).  He would be a hard one to trust, especially with 2 other backs wanting to get some carries.  If you have better options, play them instead, especially in Torain’s first game back, if he makes it back.  If you see him still sitting the bench after week 14, I’d strongly consider dropping him.

Mike Goodson (Running Back, Carolina Panthers):  Goodson had himself a good showing, filling in for DeAngelo Williams who is out for the season , and Jonathan Stewart, who had a concussion.  Unfortunately, with Stewart’s performance the last two weeks, it appears that Stewart has reclaimed his role as the starting back.  Of course, this doesn’t mean Goodson won’t get carries, as someone has to back Stewart up, but I wouldn’t trust Goodson as my number two back anymore.  I think he’s still a solid flex, but, if you think you have a better option, I wouldn’t blame you.

Zach Miller (Tight End, Oakland Raiders):  Those who read this blog know that a couple of weeks ago I said that Zach Miller should be a top 5 tight end the rest of the year.  I will now go on record by stating that I was way off on that.  From weeks 8 through 13, Miller had 5 catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns.  Obviously not top 5 numbers.  The blame goes to two things; foot injury and the dedication to a running game.  Unfortunately for Miller, I don’t see either of those things changing, particularly the run game.  So for the rest of the season, and you can quote me on this, Miller will barely be a top 20 tight end.  And that’s a shame, as he’s a talent at the tight end position.  If I own Zach Miller, I would seriously consider picking up someone else if he was my only tight end, and if I had a backup, I’d rather start that guy.

Heath Miller (Tight End, Pittsburgh Steelers):  It’s very simple with Heath Miller.  He’s concussed, it’s the end of the season, the Steelers are in the driver’s seat to win the division, so if the Steelers can keep him on the bench until his concussion symptoms subside, they will.  That means if you were banking on Miller to make a contribution, I’d think again.  Dropping him for say a Greg Olsen, who surprisingly seems to be available in a lot of leagues, might be a good idea.

Justin Forsett (Running Back, Seattle Seahawks):  It’s a real shame that Forsett never really got his chance this year.  He had a good run the end of the 2009-2010 season, and looked primed to make a huge impact this year.  But Pete Carroll apparently wasn’t satisfied with the talent Forsett had, so he traded for Marshawn Lynch, who , prior to this past Sunday against Carolina, had done nothing of note.  Clearly Lynch is the guy and Forsett has been relegated to mop up duty and the occasional carry here and there (although he did have 6 carries for 60 yards this past week, for a 10 yard per carry average, but apparently Peter Carroll likes to ignore those kind of stats).  He’s a maybe flex most weeks, and to be honest, if I had someone even slightly more reliable, I’d go with that guy instead of Forsett.  Wouldn’t blame you if you even dropped him.

Reggie Bush (Running Back, New Orleans Saints):  I love Reggie Bush.  He’s such an electrifying talent, but unfortunately, the broken leg has slowed him down.  In the two weeks since his return, he hasn’t done much, which is slightly alarming.  Throw in the way Chris Ivory is running the ball, and Bush won’t be seeing the ball very much the rest of the season, unless it’s through the air, and that’s even a hit and miss, as there are just so many dynamic options to throw the ball to on that team.  He might be worth a flex, as he’s most likely still trying to get back into game shape, and he did look better in a couple of runs this past week.  But I really wouldn’t trust him to do much down the stretch.

Beanie Wells (Running Back, Arizona Cardinals):  Wells hasn’t had more than 75 yards rushing in one game this year.  He has only 2 total touchdowns so far this year.  Tim Hightower has been playing much better than Wells.  All that adds up to Beanie disappearing in an offense that is already atrocious at best.  I don’t even think he’s worth a flex unless he has a spectacular matchup.  I’d keep up on the lineup for that reason if you have better options you can use instead, but if you are out of running backs to fill in for him on your roster, go pick someone else up.

Dustin Keller (Tight End, New York Jets):  It might be a surprise to see Keller’s name in this article as a guy you shouldn’t trust, but hold off judgment until you hear my reasoning.  Keller hasn’t scored a touchdown since he scored 2 in week 4.  That’s 9 straight weeks without a touchdown.  Any top tight end in the league, as Keller is perennially ranked in the top 10 every week, should have at least a touchdown every couple of games.  Add to that the emergence of Santonio Holmes (he’s been just destroying defenses, particularly on the slant route) and the re-emergence of Shonn Greene as a viable running and receiving option, and you have a decrease in the amount of plays that will go Keller’s way.  Don’t get me wrong, he has tons of potential, which you saw at the beginning of the season, but it isn’t coincidence that his production dipped in week 4, which coincided with the return of Holmes.  You’re probably still going to start him, especially if you are an eternal optimist, but I myself might consider other options if I had them.

Jon Kitna (Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys):  I’ve always been a fan of Kitna.  Thought he was a good quarterback who always ended up starting for bad teams (Cincinnati Bengals before the Carson Palmer era, Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks prior to the Matt Hasselbeck era).  And he stepped into a situation in Dallas that was a mess.  But he’s always made the most of each stop in his career, putting up good numbers.  He was doing the same until recently, where his production has decreased with Jason Garrett as head coach.  Garrett appears to want to run the ball a lot, which is good, as the Dallas offensive line can’t pass protect.  Now with the season ending injury to Dez Bryant (fractured ankle), that’s one less target to throw to and one more reason for Garrett to keep on running.  I wouldn’t look for Kitna to do anything worthy of note the rest of the season, so if you’ve been starting him thinking he’ll pick up some real good numbers, I wouldn’t trust him at all the rest of the season.

Brent Celek (Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles):  The struggles of Brent Celek have been chronicled long and far this season, so I won’t pile on too much.  Suffice it to say, Vick loves throwing down the field or checking down to LeSean McCoy, so Celek is basically the last option on every pass play.  If you haven’t dropped him, you have to be the most positive, eternally optimistic person in the world, but enough is enough.  Get rid of him, now!

Feel free to post your comments or e-mail mattymccall@gmail.com if you want to make a comment directly to me or ask a question.  Thanks for reading!

 

Week 13 Rankings

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, we're in the homestretch.  Some of you have only two weeks to go until playoffs, others have 3.  Whatever format your league follows, good luck to all of you, and as always, use the rankings to decide who the better start is on your team.

If you wish to comment on the rankings, feel free to post a comment in response, or you can e-mail mattymccall@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

QB Rankings
RB Rankings
WR Rankings
TE Rankings
K Rankings
D/ST Rankings

"Random Musings About Football" Week 13

So your season is in the shitter so to speak.  You have no chance of making the fantasy playoffs, which is depressing, especially if the reason you aren’t in the playoffs has nothing to do with your own idiocy, such as having your season derailed by injuries.  Add to that the fact that you basically threw money down the drain, somewhere between $10 and $500, and you’re feeling pretty dejected.

 But do not despair my dear friends, for all is not lost.  You can still play the spoiler!!!!  And if you don’t know what a spoiler is, one; you obviously don’t watch sports all that much, and two; I’ll explain it to you.  A spoiler is a team that has no chance of making the playoffs, but still plays hard nonetheless, and beats a team that is fighting for a playoff spot, thus spoiling that team’s chances to make the playoffs.

To play devil’s advocate though, let’s say that playing the spoiler isn’t good enough for you.  It only satisfies the bare minimum of your competitiveness.  So what do you do to fill the void that an unsalvageable season has created? 

Well, there are a few different things you could do.  For one, maybe you are into other sports than just football, such as basketball or hockey.  If that’s the case, you can sign up through a myriad of websites such as ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, etc. to play.  Maybe grab a group of friends and set up a league, or just join a random league.  Don’t worry if you’ve never played, as both sports play very similar to fantasy football.  And even if you really aren’t into those sports, it will help pass the time until next football season.

But if you really aren’t into that, there is plenty of offseason work you can do in order to prepare for the next fantasy football season.  You can compile stats on players for the current season or for their careers in order to analyze, hopefully helping you to determine who to draft next year. You can take a look at who are the current high scorers as far as players are in your league, as maybe you thought you drafted correctly, but based upon the score structure in your league, it would have been better to draft one position over another.  Also, while scrounging around your league, if your draft order was posted for this year, or even the last couple of years, examine what players/positions were taken the highest.  And if you play with the same players every year, examine who chose what/who in what round.  You might be able to gain some insight into the guys/girls you play with and learn how far you can let a player drop in future drafts before having to take him.

And if you are truly, absolutely without a doubt, undeniably feeling desperate to do something that feels like a positive step to helping you with fantasy football, you can always see what college seniors and juniors will be entering the 2011 NFL Draft.  Look at their body of work in college, see what kind of system they played in, and determine if the player can make the transition to the NFL. 

But if you really have no desire to do any of that and would rather wallow in pity, which I wouldn’t blame you, as some of us put our heart and soul into every aspect of fantasy football, you can wait until the offseason when I’ll be posting all the data and insights I have just mentioned.

Bottom line though, there are things you can do to help prepare for next season which may help you make a return to the playoffs, and help you win the “Ship.”  But if even thinking about fantasy football makes you sick to your stomach, turn back into a real fan, and root for your team if they are in the playoff hunt, or find some team to root for.  Because fantasy football has a way of tuning you out to what is really going on in the NFL.

As always, feel free to post a comment to this article, or you can e-mail mattymccall@gmail.com and I’ll respond to you as fast as I can.