Thank Goodness It's Football Season. After what can only be described as my worst rotisserie baseball season every (and I have been playing fantasy sports since 1984, not including Strat-O-Matic, APBA or All-Star Baseball), no one is more excited to begin the football season than I am.
Case in point – with a few weeks left in the baseball season, I find myself in eighth place (out of nine teams) in my primary rotisserie league, D.C. Follies, which I blogged about back in March. I had high hopes for my team, with pre-draft software predicting a second place finish (only one point behind the league champions). Surely, my expertise could make-up that one point and more, giving me a fifth championship and my first since 2005? Not so. Sure, I can blame Joe Mauer, Alex Rodriguez and Carl Crawford for my failures. But, in the end, it all comes back to me.
Despite modest success in my other leagues, the results are nothing to write home about (and certainly not in this space). And, my baseball wagering did not fare much better, as I posted a 48|PERCENT| winning percentage. Even the novice sports bettor knows that is terrible.
But, with the football season ready to kickoff, I have an opportunity to redeem myself. For the purpose of restoring my good name (as if I ever had one), I will detail my efforts in two of my fantasy leagues, as well as my wagers in one unusual pick pool.
The first fantasy league, the Point Football League, is in its twenty-eighth year, and my team, The Milwaukee Beernuts, have four championships to their name. The second league, the 32-Team All-Pro Expert League, is new to me and, in conjunction with fellow RotoWire.com contributor Kenn Ruby, we look to represent this site against the likes of some of the best in the business. Lastly, the pick pool, which I won last season, works off a plus/minus system based on your selections (from none to all games in a particular week).
Hopefully, my results in these two leagues and the pick pool will be more consistent with past performances. With that in mind, let's take a look at my rosters and week one selections…
The Point Football League
I started this league after reading an article by the late Dick Young, sportswriter for the New York Post. What began with six teams, one page of rules and points only for touchdowns has evolved into a 12-team league with a comprehensive rulebook that details a somewhat unconventional scoring system (i.e. 10 points for rushing TDs, 5 points for passing/receiving TDs). Each team must keep one player and I had the second pick overall. You can follow this league at https://www27.myfantasyleague.com/2011/home/43173#0.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt
Put up solid numbers in 2010, even after missing four games. If the O-line gives him time, his performance should be even better, in line with his 2009 campaign (4,328 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions).
RB Arian Foster, Hou
Led the NFL in rushing yards (1,616), rushing touchdowns (16) and also finished first among RBs with 604 receiving yards. Hamstring issues aside, I'll take 75|PERCENT| of that production.
RB LeSean McCoy, Phil
Totaled 1,672 yards with nine touchdowns last year. He is highly elusive and explosive, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
RE Mike Wallace, Pitt
Enters his third year as an established starter and big-play man, playing opposite an aging Hines Ward. Had 10 TDs and 1,257 yards on only 60 receptions.
RE Mike Williams, TB
With an improving Josh Freeman, we may see even better numbers than his 11 TDs and 964 yards.
RE Mike Thomas, Jac
Quick… name another wideout on this team. Could easily have 1,000 yards receiving and should improve on his 4 TDs from last season.
PK Stephen Gostkowski, NE
Needs to remain healthy on order to take advantage of the Patriots' league-leading 32.4 points per game.
TDSP New York Giants
RESERVES
QB Joe Flacco, Balt
QB Tim Tebow, Den
RB Pierre Thomas, NO
RB Daniel Thomas, Mia
RB Kendall Hunter, SF
RB Ben Tate, Hou
RE Santana Moss, Wash
RE A.J. Green, Cinn
RE Danario Alexander, StL
PK Shaun Suisham, Pitt
PK Connor Barth, TB
TDSP Arizona Cardinals
The 32-Team All-Pro Expert League
Made up of some of the brightest minds in fantasy football, this "slow draft" began on August 4 and concluded on September 5. We had the 27th pick overall, we did not make our first selection until August 7. You can follow this league at https://www33.myfantasyleague.com/2011/home/62998#0.
TQB Denver Broncos
Scoring system dictates you have a strong QB, and given our draft position and the Team QB concept, "Ortbow" is a solid play.
RB Peyton Hillis, Cle
Had a solid 2010 season, but was not nearly as effective in the second half. But without Brandon Jackson, there is only Montario Hardesty to steal some of the load.
RB Justin Forsett, Sea
This is what you get as an RB2 in a 32-team expert league.
RE Santana Moss, Wash
Very quietly, he was the number 18 fantasy receiver in the league last year, and he was better than that in PPR formats, thanks to his 93 catches.
RE Earl Bennett, Chi
His skills don't jump out, but he runs good routes, is tough enough to catch balls over the middle, has good hands (only 1 drop) and works well with Cutler. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz vowed to give him a bigger role this season.
RE Mike Thomas, Jac
See notes above.
TPK Oakland Raiders
Janikowski finish second in kicker scoring, and the Raiders' 44 touchdowns were an amazing 27-touchdown improvement over 2009. Janikowski also made a career-high 33 field goals in 2010 and tied for the league-lead with 41 attempts.
TDSP San Diego Chargers
RESERVES
RB Jerious Norwood, StL
RE Legedu Naanee, Car
TBD – replacement for Tony Moeaki, KC (IR)
The Pick Pool
Last year, I finished with a solid plus 16 record, making no selections in the final few weeks of the season thanks to a comfortable margin ahead of the next participant.
Week One: I am starting the season with two picks…
New York Giants -3 against Washington Redskins
Rex Grossman will miss Chris Cooley and Washington has dropped their last three home games to New York by a margin of 85-33. ATS, the Redskins are 6-14-2 in their last 22 home games.
Arizona Cardinals -7 against Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are notoriously slow starters, going 2-6 ATS in their last eight season openers. Cam Newton may have a better career than Kevin Kolb, but Kolb will have the better week one performance.