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What Am I Thinking?  -- The King's Fantasy Football Diary --  

January 13, 2010

The Oracle has kicked in his two cents on our preseason guidance.  Check it out with the link on the home page.  We are lucky to have him join our team and I really look forward to the 2010 preseason material.  Although the site will be sporadically updated.  The Playoff Games will still be prognosticated and as always if you have any questions send them in.  Take care y'all.

January 01, 2010

So I am kicking off the New Year right getting ready for the 2010 Fantasy Football season and have big plans for this year.  One of which is inducting Pat "The Oracle" Falvey into the mix.  This cat is a local legend and retains his nickname for obvious reasons.  We are lucky to have him join the team.  His first order of duty as the Playoffs ensue, is to recap our prognostications and the good, bad and ugly from the advice we have been touting. I just found through this experience that the task of updating the site requires less travel and more free time, so in walks "The Oracle."  The last 2 years, I have dominated the regular season only to watch this cat win the cup...you know the slogan..."if you can't beat em..."  After getting his 5th ring this year...he has earned this...The Diary will maintain and I will continue to scribe this...8-Ball will continue to produce...we will just be able to provide more content and more consistent output with the help.  

What's going to happen in 2010 (some resolutions, let's call 'em):

--King Fantasy Sports LLC will host a Championship Fantasy Football event in Toledo.

--FFLKing.com will continue, will continue to be free...and will kick off 2010 with better Drafting tools...more enhanced cheat sheets for the differing league scoring systems out there.

--Game Day Prognostications with player details will be back.

--The Podcasts will return and be regular.

--We will continue to pride ourselves on answering your questions in a rapid manner. 

December 29, 2009

So I updated the site a few days ago and as it turns out I did not post to the web...turned out okay because my picks weren't on fire anyways.  Went 8-7 in outright games pushing my totals to 123-57 and forced against the spread went 16-11-3 pushing my yearly totals to 178-177-11.  Last week is going to be interesting to say the least.  I haven't looked at the spreads but there is a lot at stake for a lot of teams the last week of the year and things are going to get a little crazy I think...I will post my picks and make sure I hit the button to post on the web...my congrats goes out to you who won your league. 

December 27, 2009

Been a while, I know.  I have been blessed with great holidays so far and great times with the family and friends...our Fantasy seasons are pretty much over.  I got knocked out in our local league playoffs due to Deangelo going down...also I could have started Jerome Harrison in his place which did not help matters much but anyways it was a solid regular season, but poor playoff performances for The King's teams.  In the 3 leagues, winning 2 regular seasons and scoring 16th out of 588 in the other was pretty solid.  Just a shame they did not post in the playoffs.  Last week I went 9-7 in outright games which pushes my yearly total to 115-50.  Forced against the spreads I went 14-17-1, pushing my yearly total to 162-166-8.  Got some work to do to break even over the next two weeks.  I have still been communicating with a lot of folks still in the playoffs and am wishing you all the best this week in sealing the deal.  Been a great season alltogether and I remain interested in how it pans out for you still in it.  We have a credit of $1750 for our regular season victory and finishing in 3rd place in our Vegas league and will be heading back next year.  For those of you interested in joining the main event next year, let me know and I will send you details when they become available!

December 16, 2009

What up FF friends?  I am still getting lots of notes and questions from y'all and love to answer them...I know the Fantasy season is coming to and end and has ended for lots of us, but for those still in the hunt...keep me informed of what is going on.  My local league won the regular season and am the first seed in a 4-team playoff.  My Online Championship team took a nose dive in the championship bracket with my fantastic duo of Brady/Moss...8-Ball missed out on our local league playoffs.  If I don't get a chance to later, let me say it now...I hope you all have a great Holiday season and I wish you the best! 

Week 14 Plays of the Week:

I looked at the spreads for the first time this week today and here is who I really like:

Denver with the points +7 and the Over

Buffalo -1 and the Over

Chicago on the Money Line

Miami on the Money Line

San Diego on the Money Line and the Over

Zona giving the points -3.5

6 Teamer play of the week Option Alpha:  Denver and the over, Buffalo and the over, San Diego and the over...all against the spreads.

6 Teamer Option Bravo:  Chicago, Miami, Zona, Denver over, San Diego over, Buffalo

3 Teamer Dreamer:  Miami on the money line, San Diego on the money line, Buffalo over.

Good Luck to y'all this week!

12/12/2009

Look, most of y'all been real, real patient and understanding and appreciative of the site.  Yeah, I'm a busy dude...yea I have a passion for this Fantasy Football stuff...yea this site's visitors was more than I expected it to be...so what?  Well, here is the deal...I am going to do what I can for the remainder of the football season to keep it up to date and to help you guys any way I can...I wish I could put in more, but simply put, I can only do what I can do.  The best thing for y'all is that those of you who have sent me e-mails...99.5% of the time I have gotten back in a timely manner...the best method of doing so is through TheKing@FFLKing.com e-mail as I get these immediately on the blackberry and I know when I have or haven't responded...this I take care of...I don't always get a chance to update the cumbersome to do so site as much as I would like.  The site is very cumbersome to do so and time consuming effort that I don't always have.  I have seeked the help of others for next year and the product will be not only more, it will be more enhanced, more frequently updated and just overall better.  I expect this to grow exponentially...and remain free next year...with that said, if you need something then send me the e-mail...that's the best way!

12/11/2009

Sorry y'all been traveling, in meetings, on vacation that sort of stuff.  If you got questions send me an e-mail and I can hit ya back on the crackberry!  Take Care and good luck this week!

12/08/2009

Hey folks, as normal been hooked up and missing the Diary.  Well, we won our 3rd place game in Vegas league...won $500 for that and $1,250 for winning the regular season.  Missed the big playoffs but at least we got a bit of our entry fee back.  In our local league, I won and am now 10-3 on the season.  In first by myself still, our playoffs begin in week 15.  8-Ball lost and is now 7-6 and faces a challenge to make the playoffs but still has slight hopes.  There's a cat in this league that started off 1-7...won the last 5 weeks, close to the points lead and might sneak in the playoffs with some possibilities out there.  Amazing the competition in this league really for such a thing to happen...In my Online World Championship league, I will be in the final Playoffs in hopes of winning it all.  I'll keep ya posted on the seeding once I find out but it will probably be in the top 30 out of 92 teams that remain from the 588 total?  For those of you who have finished your season and await the long dreadful path to next year's draft...see you next year in draft prep.  

The last polls I will do for records was last week and here are the results for History's sake. 

Through week 2:  2-0 (37%)  1-1  (49%)  0-2  (14%)

Through week 3:  3-0 (35%) 2-1 (44%) 1-2 (16%) 0-3 (5%)

Through week 4:  4-0 (30%) 3-1 (40%) 2-2 (18%)  1-3 (11%)  0-4 (1%)

Through week 5:  5-0 (24%) 4-1 (37%) 3-2 (21%) 2-3 (14%) 1-4 (4%)

Week 6: 6-0 (8%) 5-1 (19%) 4-2 (29%) 3-3 (17%) 2-4 (10%) 1-5 (8%)

Week 7:  No results, King's Computer Broke

Wk 8:  8-0 (3%), 7-1 (11%), 6-2 (22%), 5-3 (25%) 4-4 (8%) Worse (31%)

Wk 9: 8-1> (13%), 7-2 (17%), 6-3 (30%), 5-4 (22%), 4-5 (9%), 3-6< (9%)

Wk 10: 8-2>(33%), 7-3(14%), 6-4(24%), 5-5(5%), 4-6(14%), 3-7<(10%)

Wk 11: 9-2>(25%), 8-3(40%), 7-4(20%), 6-5(5%), 5-6(5%), 4-7<(5%)

Plays of the Week:

Haven't given you a 6 Teamer yet this year.  First year I can remember not hitting one by now, so rest assured it is coming soon!

6-Teamer Alpha --  Buccaneers, Eagles, Bears, Broncos, Chargers, Packer game over.

6-Teamer Bravo -- Ravens, Hawks, Eagles, Lions, Pats, Chargers

3-Teamer Charlie (Underdogs on the Money Line) -- Buccs, Titans and Ravens.

December 05, 2009

Big weekend Week 13 for us Fantasy Football junkies.  Good thing with the injuries that my local league is already guaranteed a playoff spot...Deangelo, Slaton, Warner would not be helping matters if I needed a win.  Also a good thing in my Online World Championship League that I have no injuries to speak of (knock on wood brother).  The Fantasy Season is coming near an end, but I will keep it going through the playoffs and until football is over.  I have decided to get some help next year to meet the needs of other league types.  More Cheatsheet formats and some more detail behind my thoughts.  Once the season ends, I will also look back at the Pre-Season prognostications.  Some looking good, some looking bad...There remains a need, in my opinion for solid Fantasy information and one-on-one service.  I have aspirations to fill this need.  Take care y'all and good luck this weekend. 

November 30, 2009

With 33,000 visits since the site inception in July, the support from y'all remains solid and a sincere thanks for visiting.  Our teams have been solid this year and I can only hope that all the effort that goes into this helps you out as well...at least more than the other sites that I couldn't stomach to read or heard that others were paying for...that is why I started this in the first place.  But 33,000 visits...more than expected that is for sure and there is still football to be played...Starting out, I did not imagine being so interested in other folks' teams or developing the camaraderie that has come through regular communication with many of you.  Enough with all that and on to the news...   

Some bad news from The King Camp.  After being predicted to win 180 - 150, our Vegas World Championship team that won the regular season got knocked out the first week of the playoffs by scoring half of the predicted points.  Furthermore, my Online World Championship team that finished 9th overall out of 588 teams in total points for the regular season lost by 13 points no thanks to Brady/Moss putting up a combined 20 points...very disappointing week to say the least but such is our world in Fantasy Football at times.  Based on my 9th place regular season points, I can still partake in the Overall Online Championship Playoff weeks 14-16 via a wild card berth.  The top 44 point scorers (weeks 1-13) that did not win their championship game but made the league playoffs will advance to the Online Championship Overall Playoff Bracket.  I am still in the hunt for the 2009 World Online Champion of Fantasy Football and plan on winning it. 

On a positive note, we both won in our local league.  This pushes my record to 9-3 guaranteeing my playoff spot and putting me in 1st place by myself by a game.  8-Ball is in a 2-way tie for 3rd place at 7-5 with 4 teams nipping at his heels at 6-6.   

I have heard from lots of folks that have solidified their spots in the playoffs and are looking to make a few moves to solidify their teams.  I remain interested in how the site visitors are doing and appreciate the e-mails, especially the good news ones.

November 28, 2009

Plays of the Week: 

After going 5-1 against the spread on Turkey Day, The King is ready to hit on a 6-Teamer for Sunday.  Here it is (against the spreads):

SEATTLE, TAMPA BAY, INDY, CAROLINA, SAN DIEGO, BALTIMORE (add the Jags if you wanna run with 7)

My favorite 2 Teamer Money Line Play of the Week:  CAROLINA & JACKSONVILLE

Want to mix in some Over/Unders in your 6 Teamer?  The Run with:

SAN DIEGO UNDER, MIAMI OVER, JAGS OVER, SEATTLE, BALTIMORE & INDY.

Notes:  The King got off to a respectable start in his local league running with Felix, Austin, Manningham and Witten.  (67.9 points).  In Vegas and OnLine Championships, we were facing Big Ben who is out and now will face Vince Young and Sanchez.  We will see how it goes tomorrow.  Good Luck to y'all tomorrow!

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  I for one, have a lot to be thankful for and am looking forward to spending the day watching some ball and eatin' some fine grub.  I got caught up a bit on the site as you can see.  This is a big week for many of us.  Best of luck to y'all!

November 25, 2009

Been a week, I know.  My continued apologies to all who follow the site.  I am the only one that updates the site...maybe some day I can train 8-Ball on the process and he can join in on the updates...but for now it is all my responsibility.  Both of us have high level responsibilities in our day jobs, both of us have families and both of us have religion in our lives...in reverse order these elements of our daily lives will continue to take priority over Fantasy Football.  I know it only takes a second about 15 minutes for me to put a note on here informing you all when we are swamped...but at times it is not that easy in travels.  A sincere, Happy Thanksgiving to all. We got some good news to share...

I will have the game day predictions done later tonight and will post them.  Most likley just my inputs as 8-Ball remains hooked up.  Before I hit the hay, I will post them.  Not sure about the rest but will maintain The Diary.

For those of you sending e-mails, for the most part we have kept up with those with a few exceptions.  Sorry I missed a couple pick 'em responses, however based on my picks against the spreads last week, that might have been a good thing for you.

Our WCOFF team:  We won our week in the Main Event World Championship league.  5 teams were tied for 1st place and we were one of them.  The way it shook out (the tie breaker being the best overall win % for those tied teams), we won the regular season and $1,250.  We are the first seed in the playoffs and if we win the next two weeks, we win that league and another $5,500.  If we win, we move on to compete for the overall World Championship.  We have a solid shot and based on our line-up should be the favorite to win.  To put this in perspective, we nailed down this spot Monday night and were not able to discuss the victory until 11:30 PM last night. 

My WCOOF team:  Finished the regular season 9th overall in points out of 588.  Although I finished with a 6-5 record, as it turns out if you had my oppossing scores against would have finished 2nd to me in points...I had 121 more points than the second team in points to put that in perspective.  I am the second seed in the playoffs for that league and if I win the playoffs (2 weeks) then I will proceed to compete for the Online World Championship.  This team has a legitimate shot at that title.  

My Local Toledo League:  Won last week, pushed my record to 8-3 (14 week regular season).  Tied for 1st place with one other team.  2 games ahead of 5 others tied at 6-5.  One more win pretty much guarantees playoffs.  

8-Ball is one of the 5 teams at 6-5 as he also won last week by scoring more than any other team.

All-in-all stout progress and we are meeting expectations this year.  I will keep you posted after this critical week. 

November 17, 2009

That 6 teamer listed below was the worst...especially considering I went 17-8-4 against the spreads last week...17 wins against 8 losses and 4 pushes...ain't too shabby.  Overall not a bad week for the Teams...8-Ball and I both lost in our local league this past week...putting me at 7-3 tied with another for 1st place.  8-Ball fell to 5-5 and is currently tied for 5th place along with 5 other teams...he'd better bounce off of his 3 game losing streak and get off the schneid or else he is gonna be bounced from the playoffs soon (14 week regular season).  He did get me in our head to head competition and now leads 7-3...looks like I gotta run the table.  We won in our World Championship league where we are now 6-4 (11 week regular season)...this league could potentially end up with 5 teams all at 7-4 tied for first place.  If that happened, we would be the #1 seed due to our head-to-head advantage over those 4 teams...if we lose this week we are out.  Pretty much if we win we are in, although there remains a scenario where this might not be the case but it would take another paragraph to share...My Online World Championship team won last week and is now at 6-4.  This team is currently in 6th place out of 588 teams in overall points...they got a shot to win the whole thing if they keep performing.  I am up in that league by over 120 points so I should make the playoffs based on points and assume the #2 seed (another team is 9-1).  Hope y'all are doing well in your leagues and stay tuned for regular content (hopefully if the stars align the Podcasts will be back in production).

Plays of the Week:

Here is The King's 6 Teamer of the Week (all against the spread):

Denver, Jags, Steelers, Bills, Ravens and New Orleans.

November 13, 2009

23:45  I remain befuddled at how bad this guy Cutler plays at night on Prime Time.  I thought San Fran wins the game as I predicted by 3 points...but 10-6...disappointing to say the least!  Lots of questions to get to so I gotta get moving on those...make sure to send them in by tomorrow night...when it gets close to game time it gets rather crazy for 8-Ball and I and we are challenged to respond to late arrivals to our in box due to the volume. 

November 12, 2009

Game day progs are in, had some problems in travel today on the road.  At first, I was frustrated being stuck in the same spot for a couple of hours plus on the highway (a 4 hour drive turned into nearly 7)...but then it dawned on me that I was only a few minutes behind a horrible wreck (not many cause a major hwy to be shut down that long...) that could have been me...so to put it in perspective, I counted my blessings in being able to write in the diary this morning.  I missed the Podcast with 8-Ball due to this and do not think we can recover it based on our schedules...we both miss doing it more than you enjoy listening to it, I can tell you that...I miss being able to share how I am slowly but surely as I said eating into his lead in our head-to-head competition...miss being able to talk bout football and getting 8-Ball on record about changing his last name to Ochopelota (which will happen).  Through thick and thin, we are developing some pretty good bonds with the viewers and we appreciate the continued support.  With a couple weeks left, I picked up Rashad Jennings in my online league and dumped Bernard Scott.  I also dumped Bulger who I picked up to play during Brady's bye week because he had Detroit that week and picked up Stafford.  Obviously I hope to never play him, but Jennings will become a hot commodity if MJD goes down.  I believe in this league this is close to the end of free agent pick ups.  I will post start/bench, our teams, my 6 teamer, 8-Balls 3 or 4 teamer this week.   

November 10, 2009

Decent week for The King...had most points scored in the World Online Championship (173.7) which puts me 37th overall out of 588...and the local Toledo League (157).  I remain in the points lead in the Online league, which will probably be needed to make the playoffs unless I win the next two weeks (11 week regular season), then the case could be where I could make it with record or points or both.  In Toledo league I am in first place with a 7-2 record and am in the middle in points, however this league is strictly based on head to head record and points as a tie breaker.  Both these teams as it sits today would be in the 4 man playoffs.  So would 8-Ball's Toledo team that is at 5-4 record but has a points advantage against the other 5-4 teams (2 others tied for 4th place).  Our combined Vegas Main Event Team took a beating this past week and needs to win the next 2 games to have a shot at getting to the playoffs.  We are nowhere near in points and at 5-4, are behind the 3 teams tied for first place at 6-3...there are also 3 other teams at 5-4 in this league that is very competitive and will surely come down to the last Monday night game (Tennessee @ Houston) in determining who will go to the playoffs or not.  This is also an 11 week regular season in Fantasy.  In our head-to-head bobblehead competition I have closed the gap, as expected, and am at 3-6 vs. 8-Ball after this week.  He has to win one more game to ensure a tie, but if that happens he will eventually lose the points lead he has on me as I ate up 38 of the 80 points he was up against me this week.  Look for a strong showing from my boyz this week.  Free agent waiver wires coming soon.  Looking forward to the Podcast tomorrow night.  Got a couple gals asking who to pick in some pick'em leagues...we are on a hot streak as I hit on 5 out of 6 the last 2 weeks in a row...this week we are gonna take down all 6 winners against the spread and beat the odds.  I will post these 6 teams on Saturday...along with my 6-teamer...slowly getting back into the routine.  Thanks for the continued patience.  In golfing 8-Ball fought hard, made it competitive but fell to The King on 3 out of the 5 courses...I give him credit though...he ain't folding like he used to, been steppin' up a bit lately.     

November 07, 2009

00:45 Got our teams for this week posted as well as the Start/Bench.  Gonna get caught up on all the questions here in a minute.  8-Ball and I played 36 holes today of Golf...his old self is in the hurt box...can barely move and is sawing down some trees right now as I go to work for you!  Needless to say he couldn't move to do the Podcasts tonight...and the way he is sawing down those trees right now I doubt he will be able to speak tomorrow...definite damage to that voice box which is not a bad thing.  We'll get back to the Podcasting next week...gotta go get caught up on your questions. 

November 05, 2009

23:45  8-Ball slacking this week...picks will be in soon...look for us to do the Podcasts tomorrow night after I get done tearing up the trail (Robert Trent Jones, that is)...gonna shoot around 90...8-Ball gonna shoot around 105 or so...it's lesson time...he is working on his picks right now...take care and thanks for the patience as we get back in the mix after that whole computer debacle and his abject laziness this week!

November 03, 2009

22:25  Man it's good to be back.  Here is the skinny for The King and 8-Ball...in our head to head competition (14 games of duration) 8-Ball is 6-2 in our local league.  I have to win the next 6 games for an outright victory...the good news in our local league, I am all alone at 6-2 in first place.  8-Ball is tied for 2nd place with 2 other teams (one of which he plays this week).  Ask me how I am in 1st place being 6th out of 12 teams in points...the answer I remain with is I got good "Fantasy Defense"...you see when you go up against The King, your palms get sweaty, you make poor starting line-up decisions and your team lays goose eggs!  After this week, I should have sole posession of the points against war (meaning that the points scored against me will be the lowest in the league).  Some call this luck...in this case I will call it solid Fantasy Defense!  In my Online World Championship I will call my 4-4 record bad luck...a guy by the name of White bear hugs a defender and then shoves him out of the way without a flag and scores a 68 yard TD...this costs me victory by 3 points in that league this week (even though I had Brady/Moss on a bye).  4-4 record puts me in the middle of the pack, however I am the points leader in this league and the playoffs are set in the World Championship formats with 4 teams...the top 2 in points and then the other top 2 teams with the best records...the reason I like this format so much is it takes a lot of the "luck" out of the equation...In our combined World Championship Main Event (Vegas) league, we are tied with 5 other teams at 5-3...we are about 50 points out of the points lead in that one (second in points amongst those that are tied for 1st place).  So as it stands now, all 3 of my teams and 8-Ball's local league team would make the playoffs if they were held this week.  Pretty solid overall and with 3 weeks left in the regular season for the World Championship leagues, we are in good shape!  Outside of a devastating injury, I would not expect much changes to our teams and the players we have after this week (as the bye weeks will be largely over) and we will have to live with the teams we have...take care y'all and stay tuned for our normal output of products for the remainder of the week.  Keep the questions coming!    

November 02, 2009  We're back in operation folks...sorry bout that...had to get a new box.  I know there was a lot of speculation going on out there.  This I know based on some of the e-mails you guys sent to 8-Ball...I was not in jail, was not in any sort of trouble...nothing like that.  Just so happens I travel a lot for work.  The places I stay currently do not have good resources for hopping on a computer and updating the site.  Just to open the site up at one place took 10 minutes...And no I couldn't just go to a library because I work long hours.  I couldn't just go buy a new computer because I wanted to see if I could recover mine once I got home and tried the recovery discs, etcetera...but nonetheless I apologize for the acts of mother nature and we will move on!  A couple of close games going on to see who wins the week in our leagues.  I will update you on those once the week is finished.  I did win the Toledo league...squeaked out a victory and depending on what happens in 8-Ball's match up, I could be in first place all by myself...we'll keep you posted.   

******************

Well, I did what I could with the computer and even the Geek Squad couldn't help.  I should be back in operation come Saturday night.  This has to wait until I get back home from my travels.  If you need anything then send in your question to me or 8-Ball and we will respond.  The hotels I have been in do not have excel or word or any office products and the internet connection is poor and availability to computers has been extremely limited.  Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for the patience!  Good luck to all this week!

October 27, 2009

19:55 My computer died...we are going do our best to do what we can do to update the site...please be patient this week and if you have a specific question send them to us as I lost quite a few e-mails but still can receive them on my phone and can answer them.  Sorry for any inconveniences.

Plays of the Week:

King's 6 Team Dreamer:  Indy, Pats over, Chiefs, Packers, Cardinals and Houston all with the spreads.

The King also offers a 2 Teamer on the money line:  Chicago & the Cardinals

8-Ball offers a 4 Teamer:  Pats, Packers, Panthers all with the spreads and the Falcons money line.

good luck this weekend!

October 25, 2009

12:05  Okay, I decided I could not go down with Larry Johnson and we are rolling with Crabtree in our Vegas league...also, I am still torn in my Toledo league on who to play at flex between:  Garcon, Schilens, Meachem, Sproles, Felix Jones, Jamal Lewis, Chester Taylor.  Started off with Schilens, but after he failed to finish practice I threw Meachem in there...then I threw in Felix...now considering Lewis.  Gonna make a flash decision at 12:50 and second guess it for the rest of the day!

Good luck to all today, and I hope you roll your opponents like I plan on doing!

October 23, 2009

23:55  Game Day Prognostication Show now in. 

October 22, 2009

23:15  My apologies for those waiting on the Game Day Prognostication Podcast (our picks are posted though).  We have been hooked up this week with conflicting schedules (8-Ball and I) and travels...we will do the show, it might not be available until Saturday morning depending on when we can make arrangements.  I have further suspicions that 8-Ball's future wife has listened to the Fantasy Focus Podcast and found out that he has committed to changing his last name (in the event of the head-to-head loss to The King...which, of course, if you know how these last names turn out after you get married...the wife takes the dude's name sort of thing...) which, would in turn, become her last name...and he and his dogs are trying to find somewhere to sleep tonight (as mysteriously he is unreachable).  She is well aware of the history...and The King's abilities, prowess and Fantasy Football I.Q (that of mensa caliber)...and has to be more than concerned that the name change is, in fact inevitable.  I will, however, being the man that I am...give her the choice between 8-Ball (Ochopelota) and turtle (Turtoga) for her future last name...just because that is the type of gentleman that I am!  And yes, that is her in the picture next to him in the caption contest...and yes, she was there when the bobblehead wager was originally made in Vegas!  I will post my start/bench list tomorrow after my lunch ritual at 12:45 at Macaroni Grill in the Chicago airport...again anyone traveling through Chicago...on Friday at this time, send me an e-mail and we can have lunch together...Furthermore, 8-Ball and I are hitting the Robert Trent Jones courses up in The Shoals and Huntsville in a few weekends (Nov 6th, 7th & 8th)...although you would have to listen to our continuous smack talk...if anyone lives in the Tuscumbia/Hunstville area and wants to hit some sticks with us, we would welcome that as well...just send me a note and I can send you the details and we can make arrangements...ain't in to golfing and are in the area...we can hook up for dinner or a cold one...let me know!   

20:20  8-Ball is gonna change his name to "Ochopelota" just like "Ochocinco" to find out why...just listen to the Fantasy Focus Podcast...click here!

October 21, 2009

23:00  The progs are in...podcasts coming...check back tomorrow for those.  Also make sure you send in your against the spread winner and the over and under for each game...if you beat the king over the next 3 weeks, and you win the contest...we'll bring you on the prognostication show...should be fun, but remember...I'm gonna bring it bro so you'd better be on your game...

October 20, 2009

20:15  Well I reckon it is time to crawl out of that hole that David Clowney dug me into...man I was sweating my local league game last night...up 6 points with Kaeding...facing Gates...could have started anyone (like Sproles) instead of Clowney...but this did not keep me from smack texting all day long to my opponent how Kaeding was gonna tear it up last night...and throughout the game and today after he actually did.  The worst part about me in Fantasy (although I may not see it that way) is my continuous smack talk...continuous even when facing defeat...Take for example 8-Ball and my head to head Toledo league competition...the loser of a weekly head to head matchup has to get their noggin on a bikini body bobble head...8-Ball is up 5-1...I fully expect last year to repeat itself where I dominated him 8-5...we have 8 weeks to go...he has to win 2 games to tie...although he is constantly talking himself into the fact that he has won (not sure how many chickens he has counted in his dreams but it would be beyond my ability to count that high)...and constantly pushed me to put it on the site (the record) I have avoided doing so as to not publicly humiliate him after he blew such a big lead to The King...it is going to happen, period (my win)...starting this week I will chip away at his lead and eventually win...I had injuries and bye weeks that he has yet to face...only a matter of time...but now, due to his constant pressure I will bring it public and he will have to face the consequences...old school style comeback bro!  This week, I won in Toledo and so did 8-Ball moving us both into a 5 way tie for first place at 4-2...I also stomped in the World Online Championship league as I posted 201.6 points and still only won by 20.  Currently I am 16th overall in points out of 588 teams, lead my league in points and 2nd in record (4-2).  Our Main Event Championship Vegas team took a bath...fell from 1st in points to 4th and fell to 3rd place in record (3-3)...overall a solid week and we expect our Vegas team to pick it back up this week. 

The only change we made to the lineups we posted was that I had the wisdom to pull Maclin out of my online line-up and put Breaston in his place...Pretty happy with Clayton, Meachem and Breaston stepping up...Edelman put up 10 points...but Clowney and Branch did nothing so hopefully you listened to me on the first 3 or 4 dudes on the list of potential pick ups in a bind last week...and NOT on Clowney, however I remain in thinking it was a solid call that went astray along with 5 picks that the rookie threw! 

We are going to have a prognostication contest...so keep an eye out for that...gonna each prognosticate each game...gonna switch it up a bit.

Thanks for the continued support and take care!  Probably later tonight I will look at the Waiver Wire gems...stay tuned...

Plays of the Week:

King's 6 Teamer Dreamer on the Spread:  Pittsburgh, Carolina, New England, Houston, Chicago, San Diego/Denver Over

King also suggests looking at 2 of the following money lines that you like:  St. Louis, Kansas City, Houston, Baltimore.  Pick 2 of these and run with Chicago all on the money lines.

The King is allowing you to win 4 one-o'clock games and hedge with the Sunday or Monday night games...

8-Ball is running with a 4 Teamer with the spreads:  Chiefs/Skins under, Texans, Pittsburgh, San Diego

Great luck to you this week!

October 17, 2009

00:05  Some folks wondering who 8-Ball and I are starting in our leagues and who we got now on our teams...wonder no more my good friends...on our WCOFF Team page I will update them each week, you can see what we got going on...For you Diary readers...I got something special for you this week...I already went on the record (on the show---and thanks for listening...) saying that Mark Clayton would go off this week and that I also liked Meachem, Breaston, Branch and to a lesser extent Edelman...well I got another one that I acted on today in 2 of my 3 leagues...the only reason not all 3 is because 2 guys higher on my priority list I got on the cheap...and his name is none other than David Clowney...I think with Smith and Cotchery both doubtful...and the connection that he had with QB Sanchez during the pre-season...he just might win the week for the lucky owner who takes a chance on him...Now, the only decision I have to make is whose picture do I want to post on our local league's home page for everyone to see every time they log in...Clowney or the existing Clayton one...good luck to y'all tomorrow...

October 16, 2009

00:30  Here is one that I was thinking about earlier in communication with Caption Dave (dude's gonna be 2-4 after this week...if he listens to The King that is)...lots of rumors about lots of players...I believe (not sure tho) that the trade deadline is around the 20th...I was just thinking about T.O...and you guys know how I feel about this cat by now...but anyways, The King only sees one good fit for this cat to be (somewhat) productive...and that is in New England...no doubt old coach can reign in such folk...but really, as a 3rd WR in this offense...he could be productive as no other 3rd receiver has proven...I just don't think he can get open like he used to...always dropped balls that even I could catch...but heck...I think I could get open with Welker and Moss occupying a bit of the defense...just think what he could do...just keeping it real...I am thinking this cat should take a cut...and try to win a championship...fill the role and end your career winning a few superbowls...forget about the coin that the Bills are footing...go to the Pats...play for the minimum...let VH-1 or whoever does your T.O Show pay for your pedicures and earrings...there is no other fit than this one is all I'm sayin....

October 14/15, 2009

Game Day Prognostications (Written or Podcast) are in...Fantasy Focus is in...both on separate Podcasts...click on the names to the left to get the Podcasts...you won't hear much from The King until Friday...unless you send a note...hooked up right now...as always your feedback is valued!  Thanks for the continued support and take care y'all...look for more on Friday!

October 13, 2009

20:00  Lots of time traveling yesterday and today...check back tonight for the Week 5 recap and later for the Waiver Wire Wonders.  Got some folks worth taking a shot on, you know bye weeks and how they can bring a team to its knees...got a free agent sandwich of players for you that's suitable for a King...will save a few for the Show we tape tomorrow night...again if you have a question you want us to answer on the show...just send it in and note "For The Show" on there and we will discuss it then...I am thinking that the Fins may just be the best coached team in the NFL ??? 8-Ball would tend to agree as he remains half in the closet and half out when it comes to being a silent Fins fan!  In fact, via e-bay over the past year I have sent him books on Marino, Marino key chains...Marino football cards...etcetera...just because he was adamant they would beat the Ravens in the playoffs last year...we had a mano a mano (one on one) fantasy competition during last year's playoffs...The King dominated due to Zona making the bowl...and the Ravens making the Championship game.  Later, off to answer a few questions...off to work on this week's stuff!  Take care y'all!

October 11, 2009

23:50  Won all 3 leagues today...3-2 in all.  8-Ball also won in the local league.  New England and Baltimore disappointed today.  Austin's 47 points propelled The King to a victory in the Toledo league...I tried to convince you guys of this one before it happened...said it on the show...in the start/bench...in the diary...in quite a few e-mails...even posted a picture of Miles on our local league homepage with "IMA Gonna Run for Miles Today" on there...thanks Miles for the awesome week!  Sims Walker hurt too...if I knew he was going to be out before the 1:00 games, I would have plugged in Maclin...still won but missed out on some points in the Online Championship...the only other option I had at the point of him being benched was Donald Brown, who disappointed tonight...we also sat Collie in our Vegas league...still won but also missed out on the chance to put up 180!  We'll take the W's and roll to week 6...talk at ya soon!  If ya got dudes rolling tomorrow...Good Luck closing it out! 

October 10, 2009

6 Teamer Alpha:  Minny, Zona, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Over, New England, Seattle

6 Teamer Bravo:  Baltimore, Baltimore Over, Atlanta, Kansas City, New England, New England Over

8-Balls 3 Teamer for week 5:  Hawks, Chiefs and Falcons all on the money line.

17:45  Saturday usually slow day for questions...most folks try to get their stuff set before today for the week.  Caption Dave who received a "public punking" for not starting Favre as he told everyone else to do and lost the week...and piled on another loss for a 0-4 record, finally sent in some start/bench questions...we will see what happens this week...long season really, but he has dug himself a hole you could bury and elephant in...good luck to all this week and if you have any last minute questions then send 'em in! 

For those of you who have been drinking 8-Ball's Cedric Benson Kool-Aide, it is gonna seem more like Cedric the Entertainer out there on the field for the next 6 weeks...except the one that is a bye week...he plays Baltimore 2X, Chicago and Pittsburgh...sure he plays Houston but Bernard is likely to steel that show...gonna be an ugly stretch for this cat...gonna drop him out the top 20 for sure...maybe out of the top 30 where he belongs?

October 09, 2009

23:00  Okay so you hit the Daily Double..I posted 2 (not 1) 6 teamers for this week...heading into it with 40:1 odds or somewhere close and 8-Ball added his 3 Teamer for the week...which probably runs around 16:1 with the money lines in there...good luck this weekend on these.  Also...enough of the "Your an idiot e-mails" regarding the crossword puzzle thing...you guys are like a pack of Wolves...I was just goofing around yo!...you guys gotta lighten up!  Gotta get a sense of humor...I know The King is Elvis for clue 44 down...I also know that 51 across is Lotion and 56 across is Vapor and that 59 across is Ipods...at least I think I know this...But let me say this...it is 2009 and I AM THE KING NOW.  Not some Krusty old dude with whacked out hair...Elvis ain't got nothing on the "True" King...especially with the ladies...got more women following the site than are following him...It's 2009...the world needs to adjust to the "New King."  Crossword puzzles need to change with the times is all I'm sayin'...   

I am still sayin' to pick up Miles Austin this week and plug him in as a flex if Roy Williams does not play!...I am

16:00  So I am on the plane from Chattanooga to Chicago...between snoozes, I did the Sudoku 5 star Friday puzzle in the Chat Times & Free Press...like Garfield not meeting a Lasagna he didn't like...The King hasn't seen a Sud puzzle he couldn't solve...I consider myself blessed with being good with numbers...so I decided to move on to the crossword puzzle.  Sometimes I fare okay...most the time not...so I get to 44 Down and it says "The King" as the clue...WOW to say the least...my eyes got big...got some goose bumps...thought to myself "man...mom is gonna be proud...gonna be proud pops has drove around the last 3 months with that magnet advertising for FFLKing.com on his car (that he hears about by the way from the neighbors and folks at the stores...but he defends me quite honorably with pride)...I FINALLY MADE A CROSSWORD PUZZLE!  I AM BIG TIME YO..." So at this point I am thinking..."I got this one, no problem...who knows me better than me?...let's see how many letters...5?  5 letters?  WTF??? I have no clue...what a disappointment...how many 5 letter words describe The King?"  Ruler was the only one that came to mind but I couldn't verify it with any other words around it cuz the puzzle was not about football...so if any of you live in the Chattanooga area, please check the answer for 44 down tomorrow and send it to me...I surely was not going to call the 900 number for 99 cents a minute to get help...it would only have led to an argument about what "The King" really means!...in the morning check for my 6 teamer...thinking about 2 of them...I am close...8-Ball also gonna contribute his 3 teamer for the week.  I wish the Seattle game would come on line!  I like that one a bit and so does 8-Ball...

One more thing...to all the folks sending me questions, those from the military (there are many and they are easy to spot with the e-mail extensions)...a lot of folks in the service partake in Fantasy Football bye the way...to all of you a very sincere thanks for your continued service from The King & 8-Ball and whatever we can do to help, let us know!     

October 08, 2009

19:00  Got some feedback from the show...We are gonna break it down into 2 shows...one only for prognostications/game day predictions one solely on Fantasy.  It turns out, some cats don't care about fantasy football but enjoy the prognostications.  Although I fail to understand why anyone would not want to partake in the Fantasy Football world, we remain open to feedback and act on what you guys want.  It also has the benefit of making the files smaller, easier to download, etcetera...I like it...also please keep the questions coming...most of them are a lot more challenging than the cupcake ones 8-Ball tries to stump me on in the show...right now I am like MJ in his prime...Fantasy Football has slowed down, my vision is impeccable, my crystal ball is clear bro!...you could throw 100 mph baseball at me and I would be able to count all 108 stitches...ain't stumpin' the King is all I am saying...I am in the Zone!  Oh yea, and one more thing...we are truly open and receptive to honest feedback, if there is something you would like to see that we ain't doing...or something to improve on then give us a hollar...the site is not about the King or 8-Ball...we run with the flow and do what we can to help a brother or sister out...my picture ain't on the site for vanity reasons...8-Ball will tell ya...I am the "face man" of the business...gotta keep the ladies coming back...grew my beard out for the pic so you thugs couldn't recognize me on the street...not much into signing autographs...

I also wanted to share how much I love bye weeks...Lucky are us who play teams with Rodgers and Brees on byes!

October 07, 2009

18:55  Waiver wire is in...but I doubt this helps much at this point because you are likely in a different format than I am and likely have different players available...if you want to know who to pick off of your waiver wire...just send in the list to 8-Ball or I and we will pick the best one...this seems to be the best route in my mind.  Also my apologies to 8-Ball as I mis-stated that he called the Bills last week when, in fact he called the Fins...FFLKing.com ATS record last week was 18-10, not 17-11 as reported... 

October 06, 2009

22:45  Week 4 recap is in.  I am pretty proud of the site going 17-11 forcing our game predictions against the spreads.  More what we expect after we get through the first several games and start hitting the bye weeks.  Lost to 8-Ball in our local league, pushing us both to 2-2.  Even though he was favored by 50 and scored 50 points less than ESPN predicted, his guys met their yearly averages...and mine did not even come close...Witten, Sproles, Manningham, Garcon and Holmes sucked just enough...All Day's poor performance cost us the week in Vegas and we are rolling with the good and the bad...2-2 in all leagues.  Good news, the online championship team has jammed last 2 weeks, putting up 186 points last week, 150 the week before and looking solid.  Let the diary slip a bit lately and I apologize for that.  The combination of being busy at work (you know the drill) and answering a ton of questions from you guys...obviously takes the priority for me.  Keep the questions coming and I will continue to share most of my thoughts in the start/bench writings, the game day predictions and on our Podcast.  The magnitude of our reach that the site has, as well as the positive feedback continues to amaze me.  Never would I have thought this simple site, and I agree it is simple and bush league, but back to my thought...never would I imagine that we would have such an impact so soon.  A personal thanks for the continued support and the feedback both positive and negative.  I will continue to keep it as real as I see it in this fantasy world we live in.  Gonna go work on the games...I will post this later on tonight...and the waiver wire gems which you will see sometime tomorrow!  I am looking forward to our Podcast recording tomorrow.  If you have a specific question that you want answered on the show just send them into us and we will put them on! And also through last week our visitors who took the poll were the following: 

35% 3-0

44% 2-1

16% 1-2

5%  0-3

And for those of you wondering, Meika lost to her brother, which was this last week (he had Rodgers, Sims-Walker, Gates, Forte, Mendenhall etc...) and Caption Dave lost his week due to Rodgers going nutty and is now 0-4 with Forte, McNabb, Westbrook, Clark, Boldin, Marshall on his team!

October 03, 2009

23:30  So the King is gonna shake up the 8-Ball tomorrow brushing off a 50 point ESPN line like a measly fly landing on his shoulder.  One thing is for certain...8-Ball will be in church tomorrow morning, praying that his boyz finally step up on Sunday...unfortunately, even the higher powers cannot save his team from the inevitable defeat.  The Thrill of Victory for the King and the Agony of Defeat for 8-Ball.  Text messages will go unanswered...phone calls will go straight to voice mails...dreams will be shattered...the Kingdom will strengthen...on the home page is the tale of the tape for the heavyweight match up (classified as such by the scale).  Good luck to all tomorrow... 

00:15  The King's "Fav 6" for Sunday, here is my 6 Team Dream:  Skins -7.5, Pats -2, Tennessee -3, Cincy -6, Cincy over 38, San Diego +6.5.     

October 02, 2009

22:20  Wishing tomorrow was Sunday, 50 point dog to 8-Ball based on ESPN rankings which all of the sudden this week he totally agrees with...first time in years...I think we should run $5 a point either way against the spread...if I beat him by 50 then he would owe the King $500.00...not much time for the diary really...your questions are the priority for me and I got a lot to get to... 

September 30, 2009

The audio is in.  Thanks Caption winner Dave for your selection and involvement on the show!  Solid performance, bro! Gotta run...

September 29, 2009

23:40  Got a lot to cover...most if it's gotta wait for the show tomorrow night because I am hooked up in my real life outside of the Fantasy world...If you ask my wife (I am truly lucky and blessed to have her, as she puts up with this insanity), she is a firm believer in the fact that all I think about is Fantasy Football...this is not totally true...I have been smiling a lot lately...most of it at 8-Ball's expense...over the past weekend, while driving...the song "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles (think I got this spelled right?) comes on the radio...I get a big smile on my face and she asks "what are you smiling about?" even though I am sure she knew it was football related and really did not want to know the answer (curiosity killed the cat right?)...she still asked...so I kept it real like I always do..."Baby, can't you see 8-Ball dancing with some dude (of course I am thinking about football running backs here...like Benson) dancing to this song with a big football player on Dancing with the Stars?"  "Like the Waltz or some slow dance?"  She could not see it, but it made perfect sense to me...still smiling about the thought...the daughter quickly jumps in on queue and says "8-Ball, does the monkey have your keys..." of course, I replied "Yes honey, looks like the monkey has got 8-Ball's keys..."  Talk at ya soon...gotta run!  

September 28, 2009

01:00  The success of this week for The King will depend on Roy Williams...if he does nothing, I am 2-1 in all three leagues and looking solid moving forward...Edleman hurt in 2 leagues, Bobby did not help...Holmes is dogging it...Houston gets what it deserves putting the ball in the hands of a clown, even though he couldn't punch it in earlier (killing Slaton)...Zona gets what they deserve for horrible play calling (Warner killer)...Sproles laid down on me...still could salvage a great week if Roy lays an egg, which most other weeks he would...wondering if he will when I play him in 2 leagues...surely both teams had Desaun Jackson...of all players that would have a potential to beat me...I take my chances with Roy...

September 26, 2009

10:00  Just got done checking out my local league opponent, we call him Worm...I was just adding some chatter to the "smack board"...normal stuff like he "is gonna have to score >200 this week to stand a chance...telling him at least he made it 2 weeks without a loss...normal stuff from the King of Smack!...the dude's got 8 players injured...that's 40% out of 20, we start 10...I got 7 injured...told him we gotta change our team names to "Red Cross" and "Blue Shield." 

08:45  So Matt sends me a note last night...he's sayin' they're callin for flash flood, biblical type rain in Buffalo.  Givin' the King a head's up...thanks Yo!  He said there were two ticket counters open...one had some old dude with a beard...named Noah...selling tickets for $50.00 each, standing room only left...apparently in what they call the "Giraffe section."  So I looked at what 8-Ball said for the game...Buffalo and the over...Blind Monkey called Buffalo and the under...Yea Baby, Monkey looking good bro!  Also got me thinking...if I am Buffalo, i am trying to slow this thing down anyways...a little rain might do them good!  Oh yea, and in case you haven't connected the dots here...avoid the over line in this game...

Halloween's coming and the King's got an early treat for ya...some 6 Team candy you can chew on...you're only gonna see this here...only on the Diary...nobody I have heard of hits 6 Teamers like the King...here is my play for this week:

Panthers +8.5, Steelers -4, Steelers over 37, Texans -4, Giants -6.5, Baltimore -13.5...round robyn it, slice it up into (2) 3 teamers, dice it up into (3) 2 teamers...tease it up like a teenie bopper...obviously the best thing to do is to stay away from that whole mess...but for those of us that must...do what it is you do with it!   

September 25, 2009

23:40  So I am "all in" on this "Bobby Time" thing...in Toledo League, I picked up Bobby Wade and Edelman earlier in the week...dropped Sid Rice and Bess.  Our waivers ran tonight for our Vegas WCOFF league and my online WCOOF league.  We spent the coin and got Edelman and Wade in Vegas and dropped Rice and Bradley and in my online one I picked up Wade and Sims-Walker and dropped Fargas and Branch.  If anyone out there knows anyone who knows anyone who knows this Bobby dude...send him some love for me!  I fully expect all three of my teams to bust open...push 180 points or so and strike fear into the fellow owners...they are gonna be checking their schedules to see when the King's boyz are comin' to town...visions of the Grim Reaper with Metallica's Sandman song gonna be humming in their head...movin' on...so I get in the car today, Toledo airport...I asked the 3 year old if she remembered that movie "Night at the Museum," asked her if she remembered the Monkey that stole the dude's keys...she did (smart kid, bye the way...she don't forget nothing...) she was laughing about it...then I told her about 8-Ball and how the same Monkey was gonna take HIS keys...she loved it...then she proceeded to join in the fun and started to call him "Meat Ball"..."Monkey's gonna take Meat Ball's keys daddy."  Gotta teach 'em while their young is all I'm sayin'...good luck to y'all this weekend...lot's of folks injured so be on ball come Sunday around 12:30...one more thing...Meika in Texas, we're pulling for you girl...to beat your brother this week!  You are gonna be 2-1...gonna knock him down to 0-3...suck the wind out of him like that McNabb or Hassy rib shot!...losing the week to your sister in Fantasy Football...wow...kind of like losing an arm wrestling match with her...unless she is Serena or Venus...the worst part is...she is gonna be with you this weekend...gonna be watching the same TV you are...watching her boys go nutty...just keepin' it real, bro...we are helping the ladies out...and happy to do so!        

15:00 There is a wealth of information on my mind right now...so go get yourself a cup of coffee, a sandwich...move to the Lay-Z-Boy, kick back and relax,,,it's okay...I'll wait for ya...let me start off with this morning...so I am walking out of the hotel in Chattanooga and on the Muzak is the song "Dancing Queen" now I know you know this song...immediately going through my mind is 8-Ball's man crush on Benson...I was thinking, heck if Cincinnati was not a 3 hour drive from his house, I would probably be picking up 8-Ball from the "pen" and posting bail for "stalking" charges...maybe man crush is not such a good term....maybe we should call it a Rod Stewart "Obsession/Infatuation???"  Out of all the players out there and all the opinions we have...this is one that we will not let go.  He has him on his team and is committed to thinking this guy is a top 10 back....I am steadfast in declaring he is not a top 10 back...out of everything that we are right and wrong about, there is no single one thing that I would rather be right on than this.  If you knew how many hours we have spent defending our positions on this one, relatively insignificant fantasy player IMO, you would call us insane.  I am also positive that more than winning a lottery, 8-Ball would rather be able to say he was right about Benson come December...just the way it goes between us...moving on...on the plane I started to wonder who was gonna win this week with their picks (8-Ball or the Blind Monkey)  I ran some numbers and with the 8 games and 16 lines in those games (counting the Over/Unders) they have 8 different picks.  I prognosticate that the Blind Monkey squeeks out a 9-7 week versus 8-Ball's 7-9 week.  The only think I am worried about with this call is if one of the over/under or game lines push...then maybe, just maybe they tie...Landed now, got e-mail from my boy Fish...asking me bout benching Burleson and Avery...can he pull the trigger and start Bobby Wade?...I do my best to convince him of this...I get off the plane and the first dude I see walking in the Chicago airport is a dude wearing a Chief's jacket...wearing a jacket I say to myself...heck it's still warm out but the dude is an old "Yoda" type...could be his blood is a bit thinned out?  But really...this must be a sign I say...take the Chiefs King like you are thinking...run with the money line...it's "Bobby time"...you picked him up...you play that dude...definitely "Bobby time"  Bobby Wade that is in case I lost ya...so then I proceed as always, part of my Friday layover in Chicago, to Macaroni Grill for some Bread and a dish of Penne Rustica...gotta get it...it's a Friday ritual, 13:00 local time every week...if you are ever in the Chicago airport, on Friday, send me an e-mail and I will meet you there...gotta get your own bread tho...I am eatin the whole loaf in front of me!  So I sit down in the restaurant and the two people next to me immediately leave and two dudes sit down right after...They look like solid citizens, look like football fans...probably played ball when they were younger so I say where you cats from?  Something already told me this...probably why I asked...one dude replies "Kansas City."  That's right baby!  Now I know...too many clues heading my way here...so I ask them "you guys gonna take care of business this weekend?" "no we are heading home..." "not you dude, the Chiefs...whaddya think bro?  I got them on the money line, you think they got it in them?" "Hell, no" he tells me "What's the line?" he asks.."Philly givin 9.5, come on yo!  Westy's hurt, Jackson banged up, McNabb out...Cassel gonna step it up, you guys take this game!"  His buddy shaking his head...not buying into it...and I'm giving it all I got...he says "yea that line's about right...Vick probably come in and throw 3 touchdowns...we suck"  I then turn into 8-Ball's speal about Palmer first game back and then the 2nd game he went nuts...said "This is his second game back too, Cassel...I am thinking it's Bobby time...you know Wade?  It's Bobby time baby."  He shrugs his shoulders and starts to agree "maybe...maybe it is Bobby time?"  I found this odd, we got a Lion's fan here trying to bring up a few Chief fans...now we are on to other stuff, another guy jumps in and starts talking JETS...another dude jumps in and is dissin' on Romo, discussion starts on about a lot of other games...how Russell stinks, how McFadden (these dudes are Arkansas fans bye the way) should take over at QB and run the wild cat, how Felix Jones is fun to watch as replays of Sunday night games are rollin' on the tube...how the Zona game, Pats game and Bills games are gonna be something...about the Youtube video on Brees hitting the Bulls eye 10 times in a row...all kinds of stuff...all 4 of us are into it...none were in Fantasy leagues...didn't even matter, we were talking football baby...a group of strangers united with Football!  Truly awesome...don't know about you, but I am thinking it's "BOBBY TIME" 

September 24, 2009

21:00  I gotta give a shout out to Artzmeister and Fish...a couple of solid citizens from New York that will be regular visitors of the FFLKing.com radio show once the rest of the Fantasy Football world figures out what the King's about...and to http://www.insidehockey.com which the King says you have to bookmark if you are a hockey fan and play Fantasy Hockey!...8-Ball has seen a lot of Hockey sticks in his lifetime...every time he plays golf...sees several of them on that scorecard...okay so I drifted a bit but all in good spirits...they helped the King get the stupid 35 MB MP3 file down to 7.2 MB...now everyone can listen to us talk about the week 3 games...awesome...I know this is bush league...but heck, you are hearing it from the ground up...can only get better from here!  My Start/Bench notes are now on here...most of which you got in the prognostications...but this is just the King's thoughts on the week...again, as you know by now...send in your start/bench question and we will give you our 2 cents worth! 

I am thinking that if you follow the King...you are fine with your pick 'em league this week...but if you got a choice between 8-Ball and the Blind Monkey...who ya gonna go with?  I would say that picking the Tennessee/Jets game is as tough as picking who is more likely to win between 8-Ball and the Blind Monkey...history would tell us that the Titans have a solid team and would not start 0-3, history would also tell us that the Blind Monkey would mess 8-Ball up like the Monkey in the Night Museum did to Ben Stiller...ah well I'm glad it's 8-Ball's game...

Keep the Caption Quotes coming in...I will accept them through the weekend and pick the best one...

00:40  Weekly projections are in...8-Ball and I recorded our thoughts for this week's games...as soon as I figure out how to get it on here...then it's yours to listen to.  An hour of entertainment...8 Ball versus that Blind Monkey!  Send us your feedback.  Okay they are on there now...on the home page but are huge files...I haven't a clue on how to make them smaller...if you know of a way then let me know PLEASE! 

September 22, 2009

18:20  Sorry diary...been hooked up with questions, forgot about you.  So I decided to pull the waiver wire wonders up a day because many of us are putting in our free agent pick ups today, plus a lot of questions have come in regarding who to pick up and drop.  The Weekly Recap is for reporting sake for those of us who are interested in our takes on the games for the past week...one day here does not matter.  I am loving the captions coming back about 8-Ball.  Going to put a pull on the home page to find out what your guys' records are.  Most are pretty stout...most of the teams that came in after the draft were solid...most of the starting line ups we see are solid...made a few bad calls this week primarily for those of you with Sproles...he definitely has become too explosive to sit.  Also called Bradley for a big week, which he did nothing.  On the flip side, called Manningham, Garcon and Evans to score...also told folks to pick up Sims-Walker before the games...all-in-all pretty solid stuff and very good feedback coming back...sorry to the person who went 3-3 in a pick 6 against the spread, but I would venture to say that your co-workers did no better.  I won 2 weeks out of 3 leagues...8-Ball and I are 2-0 in the main event...if we win one more week, we like our shot at the playoffs.  That would mean we could go .500 and finish 7-4 and get in...gotta like that.  The funny thing was, we both like that team better than our own...teamwork I call it.  The others are 1-1...Local league is looking solid all over, and my other WCOOF league does not look good right now...with Brady and Moss it is hard to win when they don't produce.  Gotta run and work on this week's prognostications and the recap. 

September 19, 2009

23:00  Don't look like we can pull the Podcast out by tomorrow, but we're in for next week!  Got a headache..and it ain't due to Toledo getting knocked down...although I thought they had a shot going in...they weren't 21 point dogs for no reason...thought about Washington but did not pull the trigger...that is how it goes for me in College games so I try and stay away...Dang flex player giving me a headache this week.  Sproles, Chester Taylor and Felix Jones in PPR league.  Sproles may have a big game...so might Felix...but I got to go with Taylor...I am not gonna root against Baltimore's D...and not gonna be subject to another FX-J 2 point game.  Taylor mops up on third downs against the Lions...catches a handfull of balls and racks up at least 60 yards in the 4th quarter...after All Day has his 170 yards and 2 touchdowns...Taylor follows him up with another 100+ total yards and possibly another 2 touches...   

10:40  Toledo is gonna give Ohio State all they can handle today in Cleveland.  The Rockets can score, Coach T don't run the score up against in state schools...at 10:1 odds I say run with the Rockets and forget about the points.  For you non-believers take the points...

September 18, 2009

22:40  Getting some action in on the 8-Ball caption contest...nice!  

A couple days ago 8-Ball and I were talking Fantasy...as we do every day...and it hits 8-Ball...why not just record the stuff?  Do a POD Cast...why not?...definitely would be entertaining to hear us punking on each other and making our cases for different players based on their match ups...so we are gonna do it...maybe a brief version tomorrow night for the games this week...maybe not so brief knowing us...got a question you want answered on the Cast...send it in...we'll cover it!  Hopefully we can get enough questions in that the Cast can be for you guys and not just us rambling about whatever we want to...    

15:45 You folks have a perfectly good chance to take a shot at 8-Ball, so let's get to it already!  Y'all take hours and hours of my time each week and all I ask is you take 3 minutes to look at the picture on the home page...come up with a nasty caption...take 1 minute and e-mail it to me and then be entered to prognosticate the game of your choice on here for week 4...so how bout helping The King out?  William, Chris, Joe, Meika, Richard (actually Rob), Jason, Bernie, Pete, Michael, Ryan, Buster, Frank...step up! 

00:15  Please enter the caption contest on the home page...winner gets to prognosticate the week 4 game of their choice on the site...

September 17, 2009

19:00  I gotta admit, I own Warner in 1 league...was counting on him...he ain't right...wasn't in the preseason and wasn't week 1.  One of two things gotta happen here soon...he steps up or steps out.  I am not sure if Leinart has it in him to put up 300+ per game for the remainder of the season like we have come to expect out of this O, but...I am willing to find out!  Preference is that Warner steps up...but the way he is moving around, I would say he may have better odds of not staying healthy...

Got a 6 teamer for ya...at the bottom of our weekly prognostications...here

I heard coach Rex Ryan's voice message he left fans on the radio today...nice...get the fans on board for the Brady/Moss show.  Something tells me that Brady can operate just fine with a little extra noise...something tells me that they are going to hit 'em hard and fast and keep hitting them...I have heard all kinds of stories on why this is a good move by coach...win or lose it will unite the team and the fans...Ryan is gifted, I love their defense...got them in my local league...I actually enjoyed the message...BUT...I think the REAL reason that Ryan is asking the fans to join in is this...if they yell and scream all game, then they cannot call in to the local radio stations and complain about the team getting whooped behind the woodshed at home like they did.  No one will be able to talk about how bad the game was for 2 days because their voices will be hoarse...just keepin' it real, bro, and you'll only hear it here!  I know Pats' D did not look that great Monday...but do you really think that Belichick will not figure out a way to rattle the rook?  This ain't the Texans we are talking about here...Moss and Welker did not catch 12 balls each last game because Brady was dropping back and camping out in the pocket...they were practicing for week 2...or am I the only one that sees this?  J - E - T - S ...JETS JETS JETS is only going so far on Sunday, I ain't buyin it and Vegas ain't either...in fact, the contrary...yesterday the Pats were giving 3.5...I have seen this at 4.0 today (some still at 3.5)...obviously FFL King ain't the only one!  8-Ball is right on with his prognostication... 

September 16, 2009

8-Ball's week 1 recap is now in check it out here.

22:30  One thing I can say about 8-Ball and I...our stuff is original, made up in our heads...the scores we project are ours...we don't care what the lines are...don't even look at them until after we send our prognostications to each other...the way it has to be.  Surely, we keep an eye on the leaders of the industry...some of the big names...today I ventured into a "pick them up" off waivers list.  No way any of these 7 guys on the list were on your waiver wires...every one of them was drafted in the leagues I was in...most by the 13th round of the draft.  When I put my waiver wire gems together, I am assuming that the Chris Henry's of the world and the Justin Gages of the world were drafted by the 12th round as their average draft positions would tell me.  What is the point of me telling you to pick up someone you cannot?  Of course, we are not always right with our calls, our prognostications, our advice...but we are always willing to offer an opinion based on facts...always willing to tell it like we see it...always willing to put our necks on the line...and we did do a dang good job in prognosticating FFL players' stats last week and will continue to do so moving forward...8-Ball and I fully expect to be more than competitive with the big boys in a few years...don't expect to catch lightning in a bottle, expect to earn our way to the top...and as our prez would say "we will work tirelessy and will not rest until it happens."  Last week we had one money line pick between us...this week I alone will call 4 upsets in 7 games, I also see 2 others in 8-Ball's games but will not influence his calls...is there anyone else calling 6 upsets this week?  I doubt it...

Just randomly thought of the Buffalo game last week...when McKelvin ran that kick off out of the end zone and continued to fumble the game away...sent a text to 8-Ball "Bad teams make bad plays..."

Y'all voted The King's team (62.5%) wins 9 games this year head-to-head vs. 8-Ball (37.5)...I think it will be an easy 8-6.  If you ask him, Shockey gonna score 2 TD every week like week 1 and end up with 32 at the end of the year.  Yea, he got lucky week one...luck only goes so far with his scrubs...it can't just be about pride with us...while in Vegas, we made a wager after mowing down some buffet at Excalibur...on the way out there was a side shop selling Bobble Heads that they can tailor make with your mug on there...next year, the loser of our head-to-head competition (which will be 8-Ball) will have their mug put on a bikini chicks body...the winner (The King) can display this on their mantle.

September 15, 2009

22:20  Week 1 recap is on its way tonight.  I won both the Online World Championship and the Main event World Championship weeks, but dropped one in the “L” column in my local league…if LT does not fumble and they kick the chip shot field goal, I win…but lost by .9 points.  The fact that Gonzalez went down within a few plays did not help my cause.  You know LT hasn’t fumbled in like 994 touches up to that point?  UGH!  In all 3 leagues, I missed out on a starting position with Gonzalez in two...and Breaston a surprise scratch for the 4:00 games that left me with no one to put in that spot.  Frustrating week for many with poor performances from S-Jax, Forte, Steve Smith, Boldin, Evans, Felix Jones, Turner, Slaton, Coles, Henry, Palmer, Schaub, Andre, Chris Johnson, Parker, Bush, Jacobs, Warner, Bulger, DelHomme, Edwards, Portis.....the list goes on my friends......get used to it, this IS Fantasy Football....just as many owners are happy with picking Fred Jackson, Roy Williams, Brees, ADP, Wayne, Sproles, Welker, Holmes, Jennings, Brees, Moss, Welker, Watson, Shockey, Carlson, Heap, Gage, Julius Jones, Cooley, Benson, Addai, MJD, Hasselbeck, McGahee, Gore, Clayton, Clayton, Brady, Thomas Jones, Henderson, Flacco...but then again some of these cats did not make the starting line up so....maybe they ain't so happy!      

September 14, 2009

19:55  Of all the disappointments of week 1...as there are so many...the Braylon Edwards owners of this year have to be scratching their head...I mean the one time he decides to catch a ball for an apparent touchdown...come to find out he had a foot out of bounds...proceeds to make 1 catch for 12 yards!  My weekly recap will be in tomorrow night for week 1.  The schedule for week 2 will be posted soon. 

September 12, 2009

19:25  Got a text message from an unidentified source...you know one of those cats that is a Buckeye fan who probably could not get in the school of 50,000 folks...you know the guy...local number though, so probably a thug using a phone you buy at the Speedway store...it says "Go BUCKS  you wolverine bitch"  so my reply was "Just worry about beating Toledo next week because you can't stop their offense either.  Bye the way what was the score of the Mich game today?"  LOL...now that I got Carson Palmer on my team...I can fully support his stance (and his younger brother's) regarding these knuckle heads.  GO BUCKS, GO TRY AND SCORE MORE THAN 3 POINTS TODAY...AND DON'T GIVE UP 45...quit embarrassing the Big 10 in the national spotllight!

18:35  Vegas draft over...Our team is on the home page.  The best thing that could happen picking 2nd is All Day Peterson, for some reason, does not get taken with the 1st pick...this happened and we rolled on from there.  In most drafts, Steve Smith and Marquis Colston are both gone by the time of our 2nd pick.  With Brady and Brees, Holmes and Grant going...they were there for us.  For the first time in our travels to Vegas for the Championship, I like our team better than my local league's.  We went in knowing that QB was the one position we expected to fall...and wanted to have solid starting flex options each week.  With Hasselbeck and Palmer, I like our chances...Burleson/Sidney Rice/Bradley offer a solid WR flex option and we hope that one of our 2nd backs steps up and delivers.  We really wanted Leon Washington in the 6th round...some dude pulled a 4th RB off the board and this obviously did not happen...outside of this, everything else went better than we expected.  No one took the guys we were after...but we took several from them!  Outside of the 6th and 7th rounds...and the need of a back, I feel we took the best player of any position on the board...We were very happy to get Fred Jackson at the end of the 10th, Ravens and the end of the 12th, Bradley in the 15th and Jerome Harrison in the 20th...Solid on paper, I feel, so we will see how the season goes...any feedback send it in!  Is this not the team to beat?  Let me know!

I definitely cannot wait until tomorrow...

September 11, 2009

20:50  8-Ball and I are in Vegas...draft tomorrow...we got our strategy down.  1 thing is for sure, the team will be competitive.  Last night's game very disappointing from a scoring aspect...anyone else thinking the King was right about saying Holmes is a top 15?  I was on planes during the entire game...good thing too that I did not get to watch it.  Gotta go see the Blue Man Group...talk at ya tomorrow. 

The King and his Jester...lighting up Vegas! 

September 10, 2009

00:30  Dear Diary, I ain't got time for you!  Website jamming, lots of folks needing help with their line-ups and that is what I like to do anyways so I am gonna get to it...maybe catch up with you tomorrow...bye the way Diary...the site we use for local league got 8-Ball putting up 170 points for the week and me 135...I am lovin' it...gonna love hearing how my squad "over performs" every week and how other squads should put up 170 points every week but "under perform."   

September 09, 2009 (09/09/09 kind of cool)

01:00  Well the World Championship of Online Fantasy Football draft is over...One of two things was going to happen heading into this thing...1:  I take Deangelo Williams with the first pick and remain flexible after that point...or 2: I am taking Moss and Brady with the first 2 picks and I don't care what else happens around me...Williams went before my 9th pick and surprisingly I stuck with the plan...letting Fitz and Turner go by me in the first round...and letting Westy go in the 2nd...in this format, I am willing to live and die with the hopes of a 2007 encore!  Here is the draft, in order (12 team PPR league):   Moss, Brady, Ray Rice (just wanted him and was not 100% sure he makes it back), Houshy (in the 4^th round…I am buying), Gates (super happy to have him be there in the 5th round), Pierre Thomas (in the 6th round?...I don't care how bad he is hurt...he can miss 2 games for all I care), Donald Brown, Lee Evans (8th round...pretty good value...he could have gone in the 6th), Breaston (9th round, thought he might shine if Boldin is hampered with the hammy...), McCoy (well...I was reaching a bit for some potential at RB and was thinking about Westy’s knee issues…), Branch, Ravens (not much on the board I liked...but I love the Ravens D so I took 'em), Mike Bell (well Bush won't stay healthy...I already got Thomas...), Bernard Scott (way too early for this dude...I know...just had to have him and nothing else was looking good here…not much left at RB), Mark Bradley (happy to have him in the 15th round), Maclin (16th round?  Why not?), Chris Brown (Hou RB--nothing else left on the board for RB...I think this is solid pick being that the top 150 RB were gone), Bironas, Stafford (best on the board left...they will be throwing the ball a lot..but who really cares?  If Brady goes down there is not much hope anyways), Fargas (let's see if McFadden can stay healthy this year...heck let's see if Fargas can get healthy...)  Not sure what grade I would give this draft...I wanted to start off balanced and managed to do that...the backs concern me a bit as they should...I need to be right on Brown, McCoy or Scott.  To see the whole draft hit this link. No other team scares me heads up…thinking this is a playoff team…maybe 8-3 during the regular season?  As expected in such an arena, nobody is stacked from top to bottom…I will keep ya posted throughout the season.  Main event in Vegas (WCOFF) coming Saturday…again 8-Ball and I have the 2^nd spot…drafting 2^nd is easy…9^th gave me a headache!

The Thursday and Sunday Prognostications are in.  Check ‘em out.

Later tonight…Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em…

 

September 08, 2009

19:50  Thursday game prognostication is in...check it out (link on homepage).  Drafting in the World Championship of Online Fantasy Football in a little over and hour...check back in the morning to see how that went and check your in-box in the morning for answers to your questions...gotta get the final touches on my plans to dominate!  Surely gonna be competitive tonight...not sure that any chumps are gonna be making boneheaded calls when they are posting $300.00 to compete...not likely...at least those are my thoughts heading into this thing...

September 07, 2009

14:45  Dear Diary...I just cost myself $3.00 dropping Bess and picking up Schilens...now I want to drop Austin and pick up Bess.  He loves me...he loves me naught, he loves me...he loves me naught, he starts...he doesn't start, he starts...he doesn't start...I at least have to own him to see what the heck is gonna happen down there in Miami once the seasaon starts...ugh! #$%^

11:45  Just got done posting this week's schedule to the site.  Man WHAT A WEEK AHEAD!  I continue to be amazed at the great Questions coming in from y'all...as well as the feedback...glad to help.  The latest came from Trent and was definitely "Kingworthy."  The choice between starting 2 of the following week 1:  Barber, Gore and Rice...tough call eh?  Not for me.  If you are interested check out the E-Mail Advice page for my response...It is hard sometimes to look at our own team objectively, due to our own preferences...that is where 8-Ball and I come in.  We will tell it to you like we see it.  If your baby is ugly...we'll tell ya! 

10:00  Pulled the trigger on Chaz last night...dropped Bess and picked up Schilens.  I expect Bess to be a solid citizen in Fantasy Football this year.  A nice plug in for PPR leagues during bye weeks.  Not a starter though as I expect Camarillo to get the nod...Chaz, in a few weeks will be a starter and not just on the roster but in FFL as well.  If he did not get hurt, he probably would have went around where Hakeem Nicks went for the Giants...the 12th - 15th rounds.  Schilens was starting to become the talk of the camp.  Not too many options out there in Oakland for WR, they got to throw the ball more this year...he is going to be the guy.  Not going to play week 1...maybe week 2. 

September 06, 2009

23:15  Not a whole heck of a lot going on...just looking at next week's match ups.  Getting excited to see some real action.  Next week is a huge week...World Championships of Online Fantasy Football Tuesday night, followed by our live draft in Vegas on Saturday.  By the time our pick comes next Saturday, I am sure that we will be buying on Forte with the second pick.  With Kevin Jones going down and MJD a little banged up, I think Forte is the safest pick here.  Been working on the games for next week.  You can expect to see our prognostications Wednesday night.  Due to a few clues and website stats, we have come to the realization that FFLKing.com will be a force for years to come.  I know there are some big boys out there...with big names and big audiences.  But the need will remain, for solid content...and when I listen to what they got to say...guess what?...it ain't as clear as it needs to be...for a site started with a blank piece of paper and a few pennies, over 10k folks have begun to pave their way to victory this year...now the fun begins...free agent/waiver wire pick ups, start/bench lists, game day prognostications...nobody is gonna do it like 8-Ball and I...

If I had someone to drop on my roster, I'd be picking up Schilens right now...might be back for week 2.  This cats gonna be something!...I wish something would shake out with one of my bench players that would allow me to do so!       

September 05, 2009

17:45  I saw Branch is staying in Seattle...good move, thought so..I say it again....Branch, Burleson and Houshy rival Boldin, Fitzgerald and Breaston this year!

Texans released RB Arian Foster...good news for Slaton owners

This site ain't about college football...but I saw that Ohio State sneaked one out today.  I did not watch the game but I would be willing to bet that there were at least 3 or 4 questionable calls that booster money paid for...always are for those who watch objectively...They were 6th in the nation...sneaked one out against Navy...based on experience, I would say they move up in the rankings...I mean what else should happen after such a game?  They then get spanked 45-3 next week against USC at home and remain in the top 10...go figure!  Are you a booster?  Then send your complaints into pullthisgrenade@FFLKing.com

11:00  It is a shame that Kevin Jones went down for the year.  I was thinking big things for him.  At least if you had him, it cost you nothing.  Except the transaction fee of dropping him and picking up someone below. 

Only a few more hours before I start scouring the web to see what big names and surprises were dropped...about time to start shaking things up a bit!

September 04, 2009

22:00  Darn web-hosting site would not let me save last night...I just think that San Fran should tell that kid to have fun trying to get picked in the top 10 next year! What a joke.  You know what I think?  I think he is holding out for more money because he spent it already!...He is worth more than a Calvin Johnson...just ask him.  Even if he was there all along, I doubt that he would have had a fantasy impact until the second half of the year anyways, if then.  Now it is time for the kid to just sign.  As Calvin Coolidge once said..."nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent."  In this case, replace 'men' with 'kid.'  This is not a team player, this is a teim player.  The team ain't that great...and he was supposed to help.  Not helping much now are we? It is all on HIM...HE makes his own decisions.  Not on his agent, advisors, friends, family...no one but HIM...  

September 03, 2009

22:00 Is your best friend in your Fantasy League?  The competition between 8-Ball and I is not really comparable to any rivalries that I know of...it is much much deeper than that.  We are going to do some head-2-head action this year with our teams listed on the home page.  Forget about the league schedule...we are going at it.  Last year I tracked it for the first 13 weeks and it was FFLKing 8 wins to 8-Ball's 5.  Not that much different than the current spread on the home page.  We'll keep ya posted each week on the results.

I wish I had some junk on my team like others...I would be picking up Sweed, Jermichael Finley, Bryant Johnson, Mike-Sims Walker, Rashad Jennings, Garcon  and a few others.  I would also be ready to pull the trigger on Schilens in a few weeks...I can find at least 15 players out there in the league that I would drop and pick up any of these for!  The message is, if you got junk on your squad then get rid of it now and take a shot at these guys!  Got another player you gotta get on your squad before Saturday's cuts...send me an e-mail at FreeAgent@FFLKing.com and I will reply with his name!    

September 02, 2009

21:40  So 32% of you think 8-Ball's team is better...being that I have not seen any supporting documention offering a view of why this is...I decided to look into the numbers.  Upon further review, I have identified a single Toledo IP address that has voted 35 times for one candidate.  I believe an Acorn representative might have been recruited by the 8-Ball campaign.  I have not called for a re-vote.   

21:35  I have to share an earlier text message exchange between 8-Ball and I...it went like this: 

FFLKing:  I am happy with the 9th pick because I think in the 4th round there is a drop off after I pick.

8-Ball:  Unless someone like McFadden or Kevin Smith falls. (note: both on his team this year)

FFLKing:  There is no way I can sleep at night drafting a player that is on your team and rooting for him.  This is FFL Unwritten Rule #64.   If these guys are there for me in the 4th, they will be there for the next guy too! 

September 01, 2009

22:00  Just got word today that I will be drafting 9th in the Online World Championship of Fantasy Football.  Fine with me, just got done doing it Saturday (drafting 9th that is)...not much prep work required...

It seems like right now, for those of us who have already drafted, that this is the calm before the storm.  Just waiting for that Tornado to come through and shake up the rosters a bit with a few surprise cuts (cuts that need to be made by Saturday at 4:00 pm I believe).  My primary wonders are Jamal Lewis and Deion Branch.  I can see Lewis getting cut...making James Davis probably the starter with Jerome Harrison contributing I would guess.  The Branch one, to save $5 million is harder for me to see.  He looked pretty good to me at the end of last year...the Hawks got destroyed at WR last year with injuries so heading into the season with Burleson and Houshy would concern me a bit...

I am getting anxious for next week...want the games to start already...we've waited long enough. 

What is the deal with #4 and all the soap opera stuff?  "My rib is cracked, no it isn't, retire/unretire, locker room buddies/no locker room buddies, moving on without him/can't live without him, crack-back blocking cheap shot..."  The media should just give us a few days off from all that stuff.  One thing I will give to TO this year, at least he has his own show...and if you want a soap opera, you can just watch.  This #4 stuff is forced down our throats like bad medicine and he is creating it...can't blame the media!  Before I was rooting for him like Tom Watson...now I have switched my loyalties...gonna go get me a doll and some needles and see if there is any truth to myth.  Maybe I can find a discounted one from an old team?

So the Ravens are 26:1 to win the superbowl ?  One thing you can surely count on...I am in on this!     

August 31, 2009

23:00  I am just thinking that if you haven't done so already, please visit the Home Page and vote on who has a better team...FFL King or 8-Ball.  I believe that this is going to be an eye opening experience!  So help us settle the debate...via an outside objective source!  Also please send in your feedback on why you voted the way you did. 

Also thinking if Branch is let go due to $$$ reasons and them wanting to save $5 million, then Burleson would instantly sneak into my top 25 WR this year...

Also thinking a lot about flexibility on draft day and what I have been preaching.  Got a good question today from Rob...asking why I went against my strategy of waiting until the last 4 rounds and pulled the Jets in the 14th round...I had a couple of defenses I was willing to pull early.  The Ravens an the Jets.  Normally, I think that you can pick up a top defense on the waiver wires once the season starts...but in our draft this year, which obviously if you saw the results from the files below, required flexibility.  Tight Ends went too early, WR went too early...when I pulled the Jets, the same WR that I would have picked in that spot I could get in the 17th/18th round...it did not matter at that point if I took a defense instead of a WR that I needed.  So the decision I made was to try and maximize my starting line up points by taking what I thought was a top 5 defense and not risking them not coming back to me later...I also did not want to go RB RB to kick off the draft...but with the way it rolled, I ran with it.  You could see by my preparation on the cheat sheet itself (which is also linked below) that I had thought out this alternative and was prepared to run this route, even though it was not prefered.  I get more e-mails asking what positions I think a person should take in each round of the draft than any other e-mails...and although I would have a prefered route, I would never get pigeon holed into sticking with certain positions in each round.

So Favre comes out and says he thinks he has a cracked rib...my take is if he didn't have one before he soon will...just more fuel the defense needs...maybe it is a ploy to "not tackle me too hard"...not gonna work, bro!    

August 30, 2009

02:00  Okay so the Final versions of the Cheat Sheet and Top 150 are posted...time now to work on the formats we are going to use to prognosticate each game and the Start/Bench, Free Agent Pick Ups, Weekly Recaps, etcetera...2 more drafts to go...The World Championship in Vegas and the World Championships Online.  8-Ball and I have been ready for Vegas since the day after we found out we were picking 2nd...and after today, I will be ready for the Online Championship no matter the pick...

The Post Draft Day Hangover...heading into yesterday's draft I was thinking that I would assemble the best team by going RB, WR, TE, QB...but somehow I could tell that Slaton would make it back in the 2nd.  S-Jax slid a lot, I thought him, Barber and even Westbrook might make it back, even if Slaton didn't...so I let S-Jax slide and took Deangelo...thought Brady might get pulled, especially by the Moss owner but this did not happen and I was facing Slaton/Megatron decision in my 9th spot (12 team league).  IMO RB, RB probably ain't the strategy this year...but Deangelo and Slaton?  Both first rounders!  I had no choice...especially being that I was ready to pull Slaton in the first round...For those of you who cannot get the files below in excel or adobe...here is my team, as they were taken:  D Williams, Slaton, Witten, Warner, Anthony Gonzalez, Santonio Holmes, Coles, Felix Jones, D Sproles, Cassel, Chester Taylor, Sidney Rice, Miles Austin, Jets, Clowney, Bernard Scott, Davonne Bess, Kaeding, Mike Goodson, Leinart.  Since no one in the league is amazingly strong at WR, I like my chances...a break at WR and an injury to AP, Tomlinson or Barber and this team turns into ridiculous.  Without an injury here, I have a feeling that I will be starting Bernard Scott come week 3 or 4 as my flex as I expect him to get the starting nod over Benson's 3 yards per carry average he will have after the first couple of games...

Looking at my team, if you would have done it differently, send in your notes to TheKing@FFLKing.com ...I strongly considered taking Moss/Brady combo...and they would have been there...but this was not for sure and I would have had weak backs, and/or would have missed a top tight end...something I did not want to have happen...         

What did 8-Ball do?  Here is his team, in order of draft:  Fitz, Brady, Colston, Kevin Smith, McFadden, Larry Johnson, Hester, Mason, Benson, Winslow, Burleson, Orton, Shockey, Galloway, Coffee, Redskins, Edge, Gould, Maroney, Reed (K).  Now I know you got some feedback for him...like how in the heck does he think he is gonna compete with The King's roster this year with these "has beens?" So go ahead and send him some feedback/hate mail at...8-Ball@FFLKing.com I know it is hard to see any glaringly bad picks...but wait till a few weeks in when Scott takes over for Benson, Charles takes over for LJ...Winslow goes AWOL...and the ben-gay stops working for Mason...let's just say he is lucky he only plays The King once this year...  

August 29, 2009

23:00  To see 8-Ball and I's Toledo draft in excel click here (IN EXCEL) also in another tab on the file is the Cheat Sheet I used in the draft...on it you can see my mapping and who i was after each round heading into the draft.  To see both of these in adobe/PDF click here (IN ADOBE). Also included in the files is my round by round thoughts as the draft happened.  Got a little dicey for me when the receivers were flying off the board after starting with Deangelo, Slaton, Witten and Warner...In a 12 team PPR league, it always seems that one has a weakness at a position, so I chose to gamble on the WR position because this is typically my strength (pulling wide receivers late that pan out)...even waiting on WR, I expect these cats to step up and finish in the top 1/3 of my league...meaning you can put my name on the cup again! 

09:45  Local draft today at 14:00...check back tomorrow for 3 things...The Cheat Sheet I used...The new top 150...my team.  This will be the last updated Cheat Sheet for the Year...also you will be able to see who I was focusing on in each wrap around...in order of where I wanted them...all of course, predetermined before the draft with the flexibility to take advantage of others' draft day blunders...I will also, certainly post 8-Ball's draft (he is in the 6th spot) and will (if reasonably possible) post the entire draft.  Good luck to all who are drafting today...thanks for the continued feedback, the site is jamming...yesterday was the busiest day by 17%...as it turns out, if 10 people visit the site...9+ will continue to return...with the exception of possibly 1 e-mail that may have gotten lost in the shuffle, we have answered every single question that has come our way!  I have to look more into the 1...but if we did not answer it, I will personally send my apologies as even 1 to us is unacceptable! 

August 28, 2009

15:00  Today is interesting for me.  Today will be the biggest day for the website.  Today will also be the day that I think more about Fantasy Football than any day in the past month...an obvious connection here...8-Ball and I will be drafting in our local league tomorrow.  I was ready a month ago (or so I thought), but just got the 9th pick (12 teams) designation a week ago.  I was ready to draft in the 2nd spot, due to our World Championship position.  9th is different.  After much deliberation, my path is clear...I will share this after the draft, for obvious reasons.  I can share this though...my picks in the 1st and 2nd round will be made for me...based on who the other cats take, there is no thought here on draft day...this has already been determined.  I have flexibility in my strategy and my 3rd and 4th round selections will differ based on what happens.  I see trap rounds this year...and what I mean by this is garbage rounds, where players values suck for the rounds they are taken in.  The 4th round is a trap round.  I see only 6 players worthy of this round...the 5th round I see 7...another trap round...the 10th round I see 3 players worthy (a huge trap) as well as the 12th (6 picks) and 13th (3 picks).  This is based on the most recent average draft positions, 12 team leagues.  These rounds are where I will separate from the pack and maximize my starting line up points.  I suggest you look closely at these rounds and how these picks in these rounds fit into your team.  If you take junk in these rounds, you should be done in your league!

So Richard sends me a note today, asking if I have reconsidered my position on Hasselbeck and his receivers due to their O-Line being in shambles...Richard does not see Hasselbeck making it through the season due to the anitipated pounding he will take.  Without a running game, he fears that the defense will pin its ears back and come after him.  I am seeing the same thing but have a different take.  Poor defense, no running game and yes the O-Line is in shambles.  I interpret this to mean that they are going to be behind, throwing the ball a ton...and due to the shape of the O-Line, he will have to deliver the ball quickly.  This being my stance, I cannot envision any better set of receivers to run short routes, get open and catch the ball than Houshy, Branch, Burleson and Carlson.  These are some serious weapons not to be taken lightly.  I remain high on all of them heading into tomorrow's draft.  Richard's position is well founded and has merit and I definitely appreciate his perspective and am glad he shared it.  Two things I take out of it:  1.  When you read this and form your own opinion, you have 2 choices...Choice A...agree with mine and go after these players.  Choice B...agree with his OR remain befuddled on what actually will happen with this year's Hawks and avoid the situation alltogether.  There are always other options when these guys will be taken on draft day, this is after all what you do right...you read an opinion and if you don't like it you discard it...if you do like it then you go with it!  At the end of the day, I will either say "I told you so" or admit I was wrong and take personal accountability in providing bad advice.  Both will be in my accountability tracker.  2.  The second thing I take out of this is a piece of what makes Fantasy Football so enjoyable.  Yes bragging rights in having my name on the Trophy means a ton, the cash means nothing to me but does to some...the comraderie means a lot with the boys you don't get to see as much as you would like with all the other stuff going on...and just pure competition and the smack talking that goes with it means something as well.  But what I take out of this exchange is the debate.  8-Ball and I will debate an hour a day (at least...) for the next 6 months about player values and who has a better team...all the way down to who ties their shoes better (even though his are velcro and I don't tie mine...we will still argue about it!)...in fact, this has already started and it is only going to be intensified moving forward.  Most the time I am right...of course...once in a while he finds the needle in the hay stack and this reminds me that anything is possible in Fantasy Football.  So thank you Richard...and for questioning the King, you should anticipate an e-mail in a few months with only a subject line..."I TOLD YOU SO" 

I have another thought on Favre...a few days ago, I noted that defenses are going to be gunning for him...the opposing players have to be as pissed as the guys on his own team for the retire/unretire soap opera...Although this dude has not missed a game in the last 35 years or however long it has been...I think it is something crazy like 269 games or something...I could google it but it aint worth my time...okay getting on with it....this is not like Cal Ripken anymore.  What I mean by anymore is...there may be a subconscious decision by a defensive back not to take Brett Favre out just because you don't want to be the one to end the streak...I can't remember a pitcher throwing a retaliation bean ball at Ripken during his streak.  Probably not that many folks went after his knees with their cleats while he played short stop while he turned a double play?  Maybe these things happened and I just don't remember.  But I know that such things WILL happen this year.  Some defensive knuckle head is gonna say to himself "If his old !$&@ aint gonna go out on his own, I'ma just gonna take care of it myself..."  Not that I want it to happen, as this would be far from the truth...I just think it's gonna...      

August 27, 2009

23:50  I have been getting a lot of questions about Gore...is he gonna lose touches?...Here is the answer:  Gore is fine, he will remain a large part of the offense (the major piece, in fact), he won't have less touches than last year and he is not 10th on my RB list for no reason.  If you have your eyes on him, then take him.  He will be a solid, consistent, staple on your team.

So Brett Favre is having problems in the locker room...Go Figure, this was an easy call to make wasn't it?  Okay  Captain State the Obvious...this is not newsworthy!  I guess it is a good thing for him they play Cleveland the first week...but then again, he could throw three or four picks and Cleveland scores it's first offensive touchdown in like 7 games or something ridiculous and Minny loses.  Cleveland wins 13-10 at home and blow their chances to match what Detroit did last year...when the season starts, we will predict every game...I am gonna let 8-Ball take this one, don't think I could stay objective...

August 26, 2009

21:10  Poor game broadcasting drives me nuts now more than ever...I used to have some sympathy for such stuff...but the older I get the more it bothers me.  Calling dudes by wrong names, calling teams by wrong names...It should be a new requirement for all broadcasters to participate in Fantasy Football Leagues.  This would ensure that they know what players have what numbers and can relate to what we are interested in when we watch.  At least they could recognize what the teams' jerseys look like! 

I am thinking that Jerome Harrison or James Davis takes over for Jamal Lewis (8th round) this year.  Harrison been going in 13th, and Davis in the 16th. I guess if you feel the need to take one, then do so...I like Harrison, but it could easily lean towards Davis...I wouldn't suggest taking a Brown but...in these rounds sometimes it is worth a shot if you don't see anyone else that piques your interests. This happened to me in the Rapid Draft I did...nabbed Harrison in the 12th because no one else stood out...I tried to avoid the Browns...but remained flexible.   

Let me copy and paste a statement with corrections from the 24th..."Unfortunately it looks like if you want Ray Rice, you are gonna hafta grab him in the 5th 4th round...might be there in the 6th 5th (but this is gonna be doubtful)...in the beginning of the month, he was an 8th rounder."  Did I tell you how much I hate pre-season games? 

August 25, 2009

23:35  Some folks I've been hearing from are considering (in 12 team PPR leagues) taking WR WR WR in the first 3 rounds with picks 6-10.  The argument is that there is a drop off somewhere in the 3rd round in WR talent, and that the big WRs (Fitz, Moss, Calvin, Andre, Boldin, Wayne and a few others) separate themselves from the pack.  Most leagues start 3 WR with a flex where you could start 4 WR.  Although I see the logic behind their thoughts, I have to advise agains this due to what impact this will have on their overall starting line up point potential.  You know by now I am a big believer in maximizing your starting line-up points.  It will be hard to do this when you have 3 top WR and wait to fill all of your running back slots with 5th through 10th round picks, or after.  Sure you could guess right and get this year's Slaton and Chris Johnson, but you could also be wrong and have last year's Julius Jones.  A good back is going to be available in the 2nd and 3rd round and I would advise pulling one of these guys as a staple in your line-up.  Plus what happens when you are competing against another team who took some shots at WR and their 14th round receiver (like Royal last year) winds up producing like a top 25?  They have MJD on their team as their starting back and you have Benson...They also have that stud they got in the 14th round to go with Welker and White...guess what...your stud WR's ain't gonna score enough points over those 3 to offset the MJD/Benson match up.  I can see taking 2 WR in the first 3 rounds...this makes sense, but not the first 3 rounds.  One way you can look at it from a competition view, is to add up the points per week you would expect to get if you had the 1st or 2nd overall pick in the draft and went RB, WR, WR, TE, QB, RB, WR, RB, WR and see what you come up with for points per week.  Then examine what you would expect to get out of your stud WRs and whoever else you would have in your line up with your WR-WR-WR strategy and compare the total points.  If your total points per week matches theirs, then you can feel comfortable with your strategy...if not head back to the drawing board.  From the numbers I see, you should be heading back to the drawing board...but I could have fat fingered my calculator...so run the math for yourself!

August 24, 2009

23:40  Unfortunately it looks like if you want Ray Rice, you are gonna hafta grab him in the 5th round...might be there in the 6th (but this is gonna be doubtful)...in the beginning of the month, he was an 8th rounder.  Not that he couldn't produce like a 5th rounder...I really can't see McGahee being much of a threat the way Rice looks.  I gotta say at this point, I would prefer him over Moreno or Larry Johnson.  Plus with the way Baltimore's defense is...I doubt they will be airing it out anytime soon...Also Clowney gonna be moving up the charts...and also for good reason. 

Now that I know when I draft in my remaining leagues...I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER!  LET'S GET IT DONE ALREADY!...

I weighed in on Hasselbeck vs. Palmer on a Yahoo!® message board the other day...some dude wondering whether or not to trade Hasselbeck for Palmer...asking for "expert advice."  First couple of respondents must have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express that night because they had it all figured out and told him to make the deal...I felt compelled to speak the truth and keep it real for the poor sole!...besides having Hasselbeck as #7 on my list and Palmer #10, here is what I said...."No, there is no reason Palmer has a better year. I would not deal Hasselbeck this year. Hasselbeck is more than fine with Houshy/Branch/Burleson and Carlson... and has a more favorable schedule IMO (Arizona twice and St. Louis twice and San Fran twice)...Cincinnati has Baltimore twice and Pittsburgh twice...plus Chicago, at the Jets, at Green Bay, at Oakland, at San Diego..."  I like Hasselbeck as a starter and Palmer as a backup this year.  Although the elements for a sleeper running back this year are in Seattle...solid passing game keeping the Defense honest, I am still not sure that there is a running back up to the task.  Edge signed today and he obviously will have a chip on his shoulder playing in the same division as the team that dumped him...but I still do not feel the need to take a back from this team and remain committed to the thought that they will just keep throwing and throwing and throwing...at least that's what I would do with the guys listed above...

August 23, 2009

21:10  Updated the Cheat Sheet and the Top 150.  Next update will most likely come next Sunday.  Make sure you are keeping up with Average Draft Positions and Injuries before you draft, if you haven't drafted already.  

Tony Romo is not getting much respect this year, or so it seems by most people talking Fantasy Football.  I think he is a solid option if you aren't going after a quarterback too early.  The thing is, he is one of those guys that could sneak into the top 5.  He ain't gonna be any worse without Owens...he won't be forcing the ball to any cry babies this year...I think he is gonna make whoever grabs him this year a happy owner!  If you can picture the dump offs to Barber and Jones...then you can picture Romo piling up some pretty easy yards and a few more TD's this year... 

13:30  Thinking I probably got two more revision to the Cheat Sheet before putting it down until next year...It will be on here by Tuesday at the latest and earlier if I can get it posted.  It will also get updated one more time before the 29th.  Lots of folks loving the Sheet...lots of requests for other versions which I will definitely consider next year.  Although, 8-Ball and I have answered 100's of questions over the last month, it's hard to keep up with everything else going on like our normal lives...especially that this is a hobby.  The feedback has been great though and whatever I can do to help, I will...There is a lot more work that will be required for the regular season though.  We will prognosticate every game...every one...in that will include Start and Bench advice and what we think are the strongest plays against the spreads.  Stay with us all year...next year your requests for additional content will be on here.  The initial popularity of the site, albeit welcomed, is overwhelming...I guess I would just say keep sending in your requests and be patient as we grow with our followers... 

I know he is on my "In Round Focus" but I haven't spoken at all about Glen Coffee (RB-SFO).  He is worth considering in deeper leagues with a late round pick.  Better than a back up defense or a back up kicker, so if you are inclined to draft a back up in one of these spots, then take Coffee, Jordan, Goodson or someone similar on my list.  Reason being is this...Gore or Willaims goes down...now you gotta follow the waiver wire process and may not get these newly found studs...better to already have them on your roster!

We had a Lottery party at my house last night...each year we have a lottery a week before our local draft to find out where we are picking.  I got 9th, 8-Ball got 6th.  There is little doubt that we will be snaking players from each other every other round...I know I am gonna have heartache looking at one of 3 guys...just knowing that he has his eyes on the same dudes...hoping that the 2 clowns after me take the other two...but knowing they won't and he will end up getting one of them...every other round this will happen I suspect starting in Round 2.

At 9th, I have 2 options to consider with my first pick and 3 with my second.  With 2 new members behind me in the first round I will remain flexible in my strategy.  One thing I can share is that I will not go back to back in the first and second round at any position...This will allow me greater flexibility in the 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th.  This is due to my belief that a higher quality player will fall to me in these rounds that I will not want to pass on because I have no need at that position...I know I say it a lot, but it continues to get ignored based on the strategies I often see and hear of...I (and so should You) will draft to maximize my starting line up roster based on my scoring system.  We as many, will have a flex player this year.  My flex player will be solid...this is a key ingredient to me having superiority over my opponents.  This flex player will also be solid during my bye weeks!         

August 21, 2009

23:31  Just thinking you mind as well get used to the following:  Benson 10 for 28...Collins hooking up with Gage...Martellus Bennett going 4 for 65....Marion Barber 1 yd td run....been saying this all along...

15:40  Have you played the Football Stock Exchange on http://rotohog.com ?  It's free and you get $200.00 to start, pick players within the budget...sell them off and get more players, as you wish (but there may be limits)...I got to 29th out of ??? over a thousand I guess? in one of the leagues last year...mid season...ran out of transactions...soon after tanked...I guess I will read the rules this year...haven't yet.  This is fun though, cuz even though you start with 200 bones, your team can increase in value based on the players you got and what their market value does...I suggest doing it.  Mind as well, it's free.  Not sure what you can win this year...check it out.  Unlike me, read the rules!

August 20, 2009

21:40  I am thinking about Gonzalez and Wayne.  If you've read my diary, you know I don't care much about what happens in the pre season, outside of injuries and some starting positions solidified...shared some stories before.  Remember the Lions were undefeated last year in the preseason...won the other night...Wayne and Gonzalez score TD's tonight, Manning looks solid.  So what?  Some cat, nobody knows who caught 3 balls last year goes 5 for 60.  I agree that Tamme is not a household name...You guys been sending me a lot of questions and I got a couple for you...can you assure me that Wayne is going to have that much better of a year than Gonzalez and that it warrants me taking Wayne in the second round versus Gonzalez in the 5th?  Or what about Fitzgerald in the 1st round versus Boldin in the 2nd?  After all, if Boldin played every game like Fitz did, he would have outscored him last year based on his Points Per Game average.  I guess I just wanted to share my thought process in preparing for my drafts with you...in my mind you gotta consider these things...maybe I am better off taking Marion Barber, Westbrook or Gore in the 2nd and Gonzalez in the 5th, versus taking Wayne in the 2nd and Knowshown Moreno or Larry Johnson in the 5th...?  Maybe I would be better off taking Steven Jackson in the 1st and Boldin in the 2nd, versus taking Fitz in the 1st and Brandon Jacobs in the 2nd...I know this comes down to preferences and scoring systems, etcetera...but you have to map this stuff out to maximize your starting line up points based on what you think will happen...and not solely because you want to take a WR in the 2nd round because it is the "strategy of the year!" 

Also watching the Colts reminds me why I am so down on Addai, after his horrible year last year.  I am a firm believer that with Manning at the helm and making calls at the line that he adds 10-20 yards a game to his running back just because of the calls he makes.  This is a perception I have and not based on any facts.  But the point remains, in my head, that Donald Brown will earn the starting position by the fifth week and will be very productive this year...especially for an 8th round pick!  

I see Chris Henry is continuing to do well...this does mean something to me...means someone might make some conclusions that I did before the pre season that wouldn't have otherwise...this sucks...we need to get rid of pre season games! 

August 19, 2009

23:00  I had an interview today with a newspaper, not for a job...about Fantasy Football.  I never really realized before how difficult it would be to explain the passion that we fanatics have about our game to someone looking in from the outside.  Sure a long time ago I was a football fan, before fantasy football...loved my Lions, always have...but this is nothing compared to what I care about now.  I care about everything.  Unlike college, where San Diego State could be playing Rice...I wouldn't watch it.  No disrespect to these schools...I just wouldn't watch, no interest.  Any NFL team could be playing any other NFL team and I will watch the entire game...and care about every play, every catch, every yard!  What a difference us Fantasy Football cats have made in the world of the NFL.  I pay attention to every detail...Speaking of which, that reminds me...I get a couple e-mails a day asking if I plan on putting a PPR cheatsheet on the site in the future...the dude "likes the cheat sheet, but is in a Point Per Reception league"...right there on the Sheet is says "'---> Based on WCFF scoring system, 1 Point Per Reception, RB/TE/WR .1 points per yard, 6 points for TD, QB TD = 4 points."  My point is you gotta pay attention to details...this is how you get ahead of your peers.  When you are looking at rankings, whether it be on-line or in a mag, you gotta know what they are basing their rankings on...otherwise you got bad information.  So many different scoring systems out there...that is why I put it in excel so at least those of you who have excel can move the players around to meet your needs.  Our local league in Toledo had a whacked out system, which at the time 15 years ago we thought was great.  0-9 yd td was 6 points, 10-39 was 9, 40+ was 12...this all was doubled if a WR ran one in or a RB caught one.  If a RB ran 99 yards you got nothing, but 100 you got 10...just total points and no head to head...on and on it went.  Sitting down at the end of the week with a calculator and a box score was worse than a graduate course in accounting.  In 2003, we changed to WCOFF rules.  8-Ball and I went to Vegas in 2002...we took James Allen in the 9th round (dude played for Chicago mostly, but I think this year he was in Houston) this was instead of Hines Ward after we debated a bit about the two...Ward went next in the draft and went on to catch 112 balls and 12 TD's and this single move cost us victory in that WCOFF league...we made this mistake because the difference in the scoring system was hard for us to value players at the time...so we switched our league to their format...the gold standard IMO, haven't had a losing season since.  Obvious point is to know your rules (and your material) and if you have to adopt them to compete at the highest level then do so.  Anyways, back to the interview...when this thing comes out I will share the link, if there is one, with you.  It is going to be interesting for me even...how this thing comes out.   

August 18, 2009

23:30  I have to weigh in and Keep It Real about the Fantasy Football impact that Brett Favre will have...here is the King's take...on July 20th I wrote "if Favre goes to Minneapolis, I wonder if Peterson will catch more balls?  Wonder if Favre will have the same effect on AP that he had on Thomas Jones?  If so, can you imagine the year that AP will have?  This could be beyond Tomlinson at his peek!"  When Favre first came out and said he was retiring, I moved Peterson below Forte in PPR leagues.  He now goes to the top with Favre there and simply for the "Favre Effect" that took place last year with Thomas Jones.  Peterson is already amazing.  I think he catches more balls this year and dominates the RB position.  Favre impacts Peterson this year.  And maybe Chester Taylor benefits a bit too...but that's it.  Here are the pieces of the puzzle as I put them together. 

1.  40 years old

2.  The way he went out last year

3.  Does not have as much talent as he did last year at WR

4.  Chemistry means a lot between QB and WR...they have none.  Unless you have the talent like Megatron does to catch anything within 5 yards of you (Megatron does not play for the Vikings)...then chemistry matters.  The Viking receivers do not move up on my list...I am in favor of you taking Sidney Rice (3rd year WR) in the 16th/17th rounds...this is worth a gamble.

5.  Jets O-line was better than the Vikings this year

6.  Vikings defense is tough which = run the ball, kill the clock, Peterson right, Peterson left, Peterson up the middle...!

7.  I am sorry if you believe that everyone in that locker room is happy that he is there...but there is no way this is true.  Looks like to me he was just avoiding Training Camp...players do not like that!  Of course Peterson wants him there...what running back wouldn't after what he did for Thomas Jones of all people!

8.  He plays Green Bay twice (weeks 4 and 8)...what are the odds that GBP defense isn't gonna BRING IT like it's never been brought before?

The puzzle says "Favre is not a top 12 quarterback in Fantasy Football this year!"  This means that he shouldn't be a starter in 12 team leagues.  I also wrote on July 22nd "Keep the passes short and they are on to something.  Never been much of a #4 fan in the past but never rooted against him either....this year I am rooting for him like I did Mr. Watson (in the British Open).  I think this comes down to respect and gratitude what these folks brought to their games..."  I want to root for Favre this year, want him to take that team to the Superbowl and win it...what a story this would be...but it ain't likely to happen.  He is not on my Fantasy team this year---just Keeping It Real!       

 

 00:10  I am thinking that Lamont Jordan (RB-Denver) might not be a bad pick in the 20th.  Don't like Jordan?...Then how about Mike Goodson (RB-Carolina)?  Also worthy of a 20th round pick, IMO.  

Worked on the Cheatsheet a bit over the weekend.  A few changes in the bottom tiered receivers.  At this point in the pre-season, I spend a lot of time down there beffore the end of the month drafts.  This is where you can make some money, with these guys...pulling receivers late in the draft that will end up starters on a fantasy roster.  Rounds 8-18 is where you can separate yourself from the pack!

August 17, 2009

06:00  I have concluded that if Lynch is there in the 5th round I take him, after I slept on it...this is a no brainer! That is if you are playing to win it all...He is falling too far! 

Did my first draft of the year the other day.  http://www.rapiddraft.com I think everyone gets one free team on there..this is a nice competition.  I won't buy a team for $9.99...but for free what the heck, mind as well get some practice in...and it takes less than an hour.  Since you get to chose your draft spot...I picked #2...pick we got in Vegas.  Although it is faster than a normal draft, you can make it easier on yourself by pre ranking players and using some of their other tools...so I found out the hard way.  After about 5 minutes of pre-ranking my top 150, I got bored and decided just to get on with the draft.  King has limited patience.  This turned out to be both good and bad...at least I got through my top 30...In the 5th round, I was going after Anthony Gonzales (WR) or DeSean Jackson or Eddie Royal...computer freezes up and I cannot make a selection.  RapidDraft automatically pulled Gates because he was next on my pre-configured rankings.  Like I said...good thing I got to 30!  Bad thing, I already had Witten in the 4th round.  Not too disappointing though, as I had said back on July 23rd...I could make a case for taking two tight ends in this spot in the 4th and 5th...as it turns out, by accident, I executed the plan.  Having Gates as a flex player in a PPR league is not a bad thing!  Here is my team in the order I took them (note:  Passing TD = 3 points in this PPR league): 

MJD, Boldin, Barber, Witten, Gates, Coles, Hester, Hasselbeck, Felix Jones, Justin Gage, Trent Edwards, Jerome Harrison, Branch, Bradley, Mike Walker, Kevin Jones, Jets D, Andre Brown (went down for the year the next day...go figure), Gould and Bernard Scott.      

Surprised Barber was there in 3rd...if he wasn't I would've pulled Welker, once I got Gates I chose to go a little thin at RB because I knew I had a solid flex...Gage was a little early, but I was in a rush, couldn't use my cheat sheet and had to do it in my head...you'll see what I mean when you draft...I like most of the picks where I took them, albeit a few early...Everyone on my roster I was after this year...except for Andre Brown really..and he got hurt immediately the next day...gonna cut him as soon as I can!   

If I could get this team in every draft this year...I will be extremely happy, even though RapidDraft sends me a notiication that my draft stunk...that I got 2 value picks and made 7 reaches!  WHAT?  They'll see soon enough...I wonder what feedback they gave the automated drafter picking first when he took Thomas Jones and Willie Parker with his 2nd and 3rd round picks (wonder no more why Barber was there in the 3rd)...he probably got an A+, superstar rating...I mean he did get Roy Williams in the 5th...LOL...see y'all in the RapidDraft finals with all my reaches!   

August 16, 2009

19:05  At what point do you take Marshawn Lynch?  Looks like he has been going at the end of the 4th round/early 5th.  3 game suspension to kick off the season.  After that, you have a top 12 back in PPR leagues.  I am thinking that Buffalo's offense will be improved.  You can get an early 2nd round pick (without the suspension) in the early 5th.  In PPR with Flex player leagues, I think it is worth taking Lynch in the early 5th.  He has been dropping as of late in drafts, I hadn't really considered him an option with the 2nd pick we got in Vegas (figured he would be gone...) but now he may be in play...I am going to have to look at this some more...let you know what I come up with later on...    

01:05 Just thinking how lucky Vick is that he is not playing at Cleveland this year...can you imagine a week 15 game, at Cleveland...the reaction of the Dog Pound?  Hell, they are already 0-14 so far for the year (Hey, put those calculator down knuckleheads...you thought the King made an error right?  they would be "0-15" in week 15 right, nah...even Cleveland gets a bye this year and it happens before week 15, week 9 to be exact...so they would be 0-14!)...and now this...Vick comes prancing through the tunnel?  Not enough Cleveland cops to deal with what that mess would look like!  Dog Pound Gone Wild, now on DVD... 

Also saw that CBS Sportsline reported that Ted Ginn Jr. been getting some pointers from Terry Glenn.  Some might see this as a good thing.  This is what I imagine Glenn saying to Ginn..."Look kid, you aint very big...you want to drag out your career...and frustrate those Fantasy Football clowns...here is what you do...go down with some meaningless injury and stay down...if your finger hurts, don't play...if and when you do decide to play, then put up mad stats so they keep you around, despite all the injuries...then repeat over and over again..."

August 15, 2009

12:30  I am thinking you should add Robert Meacham to your list of sleepers this year.  I am, and this is why...when this cat makes plays, he makes BIG plays...all he has to do is beat out Henderson for the 3rd WR role in a pass happy offense.  He is also In his 3rd year, you know the 3rd year WR theory...Colston is a frequent injury away from making this dude fantasy significant in 2009.  All of this in the 18th round of your draft.  You know who else I think has a good shot at breaking out?  James Jones from the Pack.  I know he is on my sleeper list, but I haven't talked about him much in my diary.  Probably because I start out owning him every year he is in the league and take this for granted...just knowing that his big play potential and toughness to bring down will make him a force to be reckoned with at some point.  When that point comes, I want him on my team.  My main rationale is Jennings past propensity of getting hurt combined with Driver not getting any younger.  The commonalities between them?  A solid fantasy quarterback throwing the ball in a productive fantasy passing game, a friendly environment.  Both shots at 3rd WR designation this year, with upside. 

August 14, 2009

16:25  Thinking about some of you guys that have a hunch that a player is going to break out for good reason this year.  Like Brian, who informed that Brandon Jacobs would be a top 5 back this year.  Many readers, especially those in PPR leagues would think this is crazy...but we all know that this could happen and crazier things have happened.  Personally, 8-Ball and I both like Kevin Smith better this year in the 3rd round than Jacobs in the second.  More so because of the value of the WR you can get in the 2nd round than anything else.  Although I don't agree that Jacobs will be a top 5 this year, I would suggest that Brain take Jacobs in the second round if he is convinced, otherwise I would advise another strategy.  Go with your gut on draft day.  You are best advised to look at several sources for information and make your judgment based on what you feel is most likely to happen.  At the end of the day it is your team that you drafted.  Don't be blaming the magazine or the bad advice you got from someone other than the King because you were the one that said the name on draft day...Now as for me, I will join in and even help you hold me accountable for my advice!  For more on my response to Brian and his points, check out E-Mail Advice.     

00:25  Just thinking about how many fantasy owners put too much emphasis on pre-season games.  Here is the King's take...they mean nothing to fantasy football.  Outside of a few injuries, which most of happen in camp, and a few depth chart changes (which also happen in camp) pre-season games mean nothing.  Case in point...last year, Domenik Hixon.  I remember a dude marching up to the draft board last year ranting and raving about the next Randy Moss..."I will take Dixon, did you see him the other day...he scored 3 touchdowns...blah blah blah..."  I also remember the year that Tennessee went to the superbowl in 2000.  This is the year that McNair hooked up with Mason for 3 touchdowns or something crazy like that in the Friday night game before our draft.  The same year an owner boldly took McNair and Mason based on this game alone in the first 2 rounds of the draft.  From a fantasy perspective they both stunk.  Sometimes, like last night, they can validate truths...like Sweed being a sleeper according to the King.  But the sleeper designation a month ago, was not bassed on a pre-season game performance...this was based on the fact that Texas had to dumb up their offense for him in the past (when he was in college) and that it would take some time for him to figure out what was going on with a thick NFL playbook.  He has talent, always had...Put the dots together of Nate Washington leaving and Ward getting older and the paint by numbers picture takes care of itself...Now, there may not have been any other source quoting him as a sleeper like the King...and maybe there was...insignificant to me, either way...this was not based on a pre-season game performance and the fact that he made 2 catches for 56 yards!  He could come out next pre-season game and do nothing or come out with 5/135/2td's...so what?  So what is the fact that McDonald went 6/69 last night? What does that mean?  Nothing, why would the Lions get rid of him if he were that great?  The Steelers did not take Sweed in the 2nd round last year for no reason...Just going by pre-season stats you take McDonald?  Forget about pre-season and go with what makes sense, follow the injuries and depth charts and what makes sense! 

August 12, 2009

18:30  I am thinking about my last Tweet or Twitt, whatever one calls such a thing?..."The King's Fantasy Football site has been smoking so hot...that I have been accused of taking Brain PED's. Not true, it is all natural!"  But truly, I was thinking about how many people 8-Ball and I are able to help by keeping it real.  Lots of questions and lots of people appreciating the Cheat Sheet.  Not just canned answers, we put our reputations on the line to be held accountable.  Thank y'all for the feedback. 

I am also thinking about a couple of young receivers that are going to make an even bigger impact than they did last year as rookies.  Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson... 

Royal went for 91/980/5 last year.  This year he goes for 100/1100/5.  He can flat out play.  A lot has been said that he will play a Wes Welker type role this year with new head coach Josh McDaniels (Pats ex offensive coordinator).  I believe this to be true.  Welker went for 111/1165/3 last year.  Royal is a safer pick than Marshall (hip problems, will he get suspended again? will he even be on the field...) I think if you want Royal, you should grab him in the 4th round.  He will perform well in a PPR league.  I know 100 balls is a bold prediction with Orton at the helm, but if Marshall does not get out of court clean tomorrow, this is easily attainable for Royal...6 catches a game for a play maker!  With that defense they will still rely heavily on the pass.  Royal will move up on my cheat sheet significantly, Marshall down.

DeSean Jackson went 62/912/2 in his rookie campaign.  This year he goes for 75/1075/5.  He is worthy of a 5th round pick.  I think he matures this year and becomes the go to guy in the passing game for McNabb.  

I have received multiple questions..."Yo, King what the colors mean on the cheat sheet?"  Great question for those that aren't used to using tiers on draft day.  Get the answer in the E-Mail Advice page.

August 11, 2009

01:15  Just thinking how much fun it is going to be this year dominating my local league and those leagues that I choose to join on-line...while at the same time publicizing my rankings, cheat sheets, etc... This reminds me of listening to old school Larry Bird tales and when he was walking off the court (heading to a time out), he would let an opponent know where he was going to catch the ball, turn and shoot, and also informed them that he would make the shot.  Then he would go forth and do so...make the shot...exactly where he said he would.  Throughout the year, and any time I get a chance, I smack talk (and make the shot!)...What Bird was to Basketball, the King is to Fantasy Football.   

I am a firm proponent of grabbing a top 4 TE this year, but let's face it...your drafting position doesn't always allow you to do so.  Last year, I was in a league where I had the 4th pick and by the time I picked in the 4th round, Witten, Winslow, Gates and Gonzo were all gone.  Not ordinary, I agree.  I ended up getting Megatron and Marshall in the 4th and 5th.  Turned out okay.  That is why we must be flexible and develop different routes in our preparation, so that when the unexpected happens on draft day that we are ready.  If you get snaked out of one of the top 4 TE's this year, then look for Owen Daniels or Greg Olsen to produce just fine as your tight end, get them in 7th/8th round.  Outside of Andre Johnson and sometimes Kevin Walter, Daniels has proved productive and will remain a consistent option for Schaub and will be plenty involved in the offense.  With Olsen, you are looking at a bunch of talent with a quarterback who not only can get him the ball but also likes to go to tight ends.  Cutler also does not have an overabundance of talent at WR this year to look at.  Both of these guys are Fantasy starters and will finish in the top 7 TE this year.    

August 10, 2009

00:15  The King's 2009 "In Round Focus" is now ready for your perusal.  Who you can take in each round of your draft is listed.  If the guy you want ain't on the list, he ain't on mine!  As and if this changes, I will let you know!  If you got someone you really need to have, and have sound rationale behind why, then send me a note to TheKing@FFLKing.com 

 August 09, 2009

22:45  I am thinking that if Burleson is truly healthy...I will try and get him AND Branch AND Houshy on my team this year.  Guess you can tell how much I like Hasselbeck, eh?  Yes I get him too!  Mark my words here, a heatlhy Burleson means that these 3 WR rival that of Arizona's Boldin, Fitz and Breaston.  Now, I am not saying that they will outscore the Zona folks in Fantasy...but they will be close, close as in within 5 touchdowns and 30 catches close!   

8-Ball's Guidance for picks 5-8 is in.  2009 Picks 5 - 8  Outside of the whole Benson thing, he's got some solid thoughts.  Like I said a while ago...this year I am not worried about where I will be drafting...I still dominate.  If you got these picks, this is a must read.

A lot of folks been asking the King for strategy help in the early rounds.  This is fine, don't mind giving the help...but although I have written that you really cannot screw up too much in the first 3 rounds (because most of these players should perform close to expected this year), you can screw up if you haven't meshed you first 3 rounds with the rest of your draft strategy.  So the advice that I have been dishing out really won't help too much because left to your own devices, you might still make poor picks in the later rounds...Really you guys should be asking me who to take in the 7th round or 13th round, etcetera.  Being that this has not happened, I will put together a list of who the King likes in each round...after the 3rd round.  Then you can do the rest of the work from there...I think out of everything we have put together so far, outside of the Cheat Sheet, this will be by far the single most important reading you will do before your draft.  Get these guys on my list, in the rounds I have listed, then even the biggest knuckleheads cannot help but win their league this year!       

As the season comes closer, I think more and more people will get on Kevin Smith's bandwagon...let's just sit back and watch this happen.  You know how 8-Ball says he like backs with no competition...well Kevin Smith has no competition and when he gets the rock he does something with it.

August 08, 2009

11:20  I am thinking/wondering...is anyone else reading into Tomlinson wanting to get him and Sproles on the field at the same time more?  The King reflects on what he might actually be thinking..."I ain't what I used to be and this cat is faster than a cheetah...I can play decoy and when I do get the rock, I will run a long way because the D will be occupied thinking about how they are gonna stop that rocket man...and if he takes over and I take a back seat I can come off as a team player and go out with dignity...but if I can convince Turner, this might keep me on the field just a tad bit more and I don't want to let go..."  If I said it once I said it a thousand times so far this year...Tomlinson's production will go down, it is eventual (what comes up must come down) ...whether or not it is this year, who knows?  But what I do know is I won't own him when he does fall...been there, done that...seen that movie before and know how it ends...same movie, different actor named Marshall Faulk!  Let the cliche's drop like Pb balloons my friends.  (Pb = Lead on the Periodic Table...for you knuckle heads out there)  Why take the risk this year?  LT is a class act IMO, good for the game...always respected him over the years...he just don't make my team this year.  Nothing personal, just business!   

I see some other experts are on the bandwagon for Mike Walker and Bernard Scott.  They are wise to do so.  The King has been talking about them for well over a month now, since June 28th "Going Young" article.  Keep them on your list for late round gems!   

01:30  By now y'all know how I feel about Benson and Holt.  8-Ball's got a different take.  Personally, I think someone shook him up, did the old "salt shaker" on him...the old 8-Ball snow globe drill...but nonetheless after it is all said and done and the King is right you can join me in the "I TOLD YOU SO" routine.  Don't be shy to send him some hate mail either.  If you agree with him, send that to him as well...and directly at  8-Ball@FFLKing.com because I do not want to hear that garbage from you too!  Check out his thoughts (the "devil's advocate" view, I must add) on his Accountability Tracker.  I know I said I wouldn't post garbage on here.  I am ammending that rule with a clause...if I do post garbage on here, I will tell you ahead of time.  If you are a dumpster diver then that is your own problem...not mine.  I will let his voice be heard...17 year vet, good track record...and King's WCOFF co-manager.  I definitely agree with his thoughts on Bush though.  This is a shame too, I mean Bush is one of those cats...if healthy...can be taken in the late 2nd/early 3rd round and produce like a top 5 (in PPR leagues).  Problem is those darn knees...8-Ball also has some sound advice coming for those of you that have picks 6-8 this year.  Seems to be, based on the questions I am getting, a little easier to map out strategies at the ends this year and some folks are struggling in the middle.  You will see this by Sunday...

Updated the Cheat Sheet a bit...Warner, Pierre Thomas, Hightower, Anthony Gonzalez (WR), Chester Taylor all on the rise in my book.  Bush, Parker, McCoy and Addai going down like Mr. Tyler sings about.

I've been thinking about Kevin Jones for a couple of weeks now.  He is a year removed from leg injury...you gotta take a shot on this guy...may even get him in the 18th round!  I really do not see this as optional advice either this year...GET HIM PERIOD!  Could win you your league for you if Forte went down. 

You know who else is a year away from major injury? Ronnie Brown.  He too could bust out...it ain't like they are stacked with other talent down there in Miami. Do not forget...he was having a career year before going down in 2007!  He could also surprisingly catch a lot of balls this year.  He was probably on pace for 70+ in 2007.     

August 07, 2009

00:30  Lot of content coming your way this weekend.  Diary, 8-Ball predictions, etcetera.  Draft day's coming fast!  Cheat Sheet probably goes through one more revision and then will settle in pretty good.  Injuries will be updated probably at the end of next week on there.  I am thinking that there should be standards on fantasy leagues.  Too many variations of rules and formats.  Some just don't make sense to us long timers.  Gives me a headache to process players' values with screwed up systems.  Best advice I can give is to migrate to the World Championship of Fantasy Football format.  This way if you change your setup and want to compete in the premier event some day...even draft against the King...then you will be prepared.  In my mind they are the gold standard, first premier event a long time ago.  Everyone with the same format would keep people talking the same language.  Gotta go answer a few questions now...got 'em send 'em in....check back over the weekend...believe me you aint gonna believe your eyes when you hear what 8-Ball's gotta say...but nonetheless he will be held accountable!     

August 06, 2009

01:30  Okay so here is the deal with Mason, Rice and White...

Mason is back, Baltimore O gonna be improved.  He does what he does.  Last year 80/1,037/5 this year 73/975/7.  Mason probably goes in the 8th round and this is solid production here if you are in the need of a consistent WR at this point of the draft.  Solid #3 on your team and good bye week player/flex player.  Flacco's gonna be better and Mason is his safety blanket. 

Rice is an interesting proposition this year with McClain and McGahee sharing time.  He missed a few games last year, but I think they all did.  Rice shows explosiveness that they need, he will get more carries this year and more receptions, will be more consistent.  I like him to take over the starting job but not to exceed 15 carries a game.  He also averaged 4.2 per carry.  This year 4.5 per carry, 160/720/5 on the ground and 48/380/2 in the air...not too shabby for a 9th round pick.  Take him based on upside over McGahee and McClain this year.  

LenDale White, dropped a bunch of pounds, in a contract year.  Don't think that is on his mind...getting paid?  He was also in the top 20 last year with his 15 touchdowns.  Don't expect much in receptions, but he has something to play for and will be a top 10 back if Johnson went down.  Solid line in front of him.  Last year 200/773/15 and this year 215/875/12.  Not bad for 6th/7th rounder!  Gonna move him up a bit on my cheat sheet.  Once I heard he dropped the weight...I knew he was committed.  Worth a shot compared to the other running backs at that point in the draft.  Much better than the guys I keep harping on (Benson, Jones, Lewis, Addai...)     

8-Ball's got some stuff on Westy on his Accountability tracker.  I tend to agree with hime, that is why he is 5th on my RB list this year...

August 05, 2009

02:30  "8-Ball" weighs in.  And I am not talking about the 247 pound weigh in from last week either.  The dude's a cheeseburger and fries away from 250...but then again The King aint got much room to talk!  8-ball now needs his own accountability tracker.  He's got stuff to say about:  Warner, TO/Marshall, Edwards (we don't have to agree on everything), Bradshaw/Ward and "All Day" Peterson.  "8-Ball's Accountability Tracker."  You see, I can't just make it easy for you to evaluate my work.  If I put something on the site, even from "8-Ball", I (we) gotta hold him accountable too!  I aint puttin' junk on my site...gotta be sound content.     

I am thinking about Mason, Ray Rice and a lot about LenDale White.  I haven't spoken enough about them...I like 'em all in 2009, especially where they are being drafted...I will share my projections and further analysis in the next few days.  Been hooked up at the day job...          

August 03, 2009

22:53 Now, I am not just throwing stuff out there just for fun.  So here is what I am going to do.  I am going to set up a page on the site called "King's Accountability Tracker."  I want to be held accountable for my prognostications.  So I will list out all of my prognostications and you can follow along with me throughout the year to see how they pan out.  How many sites, or "experts," report back on their previous results / yardage expectations / rankings?  I want folks to follow me because I genuinely want to help them dominate their leagues...follow me because of unique content, read what I got to say because I "keep it real." Not because I have a fancy site (which I don't) or big sponsors (obviously not) or a large advertising budget (what budget?) or claim to be an "expert."  I will earn your following with sound content based on facts.  End of the day facts with real results, based on what the players did.  Content isn't what matters, sound content is.  This is why I started the site in the first place.  Year in and year out...I got sick of the mags and some of the sites with their cookie cutter rankings and shadey projections that kept me shaking my head...only to do all the work myself in creating my own cheatsheet and doing my own rankings.  Finally, it came to me that others are actually following this stuff...and often times paying for it!  All this without accountability!  Just not right!  So here is what is right...hold me accountable for my guidance...I will make it easy for you to do with the "Tracker."  Let's get the accountability ball rolling with me sticking my neck out there a bit... I am thinking that Martellus Bennett (Cowboys' tight end) is gonna catch more balls this year than Roy Williams.  Don't ask me how I know this...I just got a feeling.  I know this is kind of crazy thinking but here it is...Dallas is gonna run the ball more this year.  Bennett with a year under his belt, is gonna be in there more...blocking for the run.  In play action...Romo drops back looks at Witten, if he's covered he aint gonna throw it to Roy "Decoy" Williams, he is gonna throw it to Bennett.  Bennett and Witten are gonna set up a few long scores throughout the year (clogging up the middle creating mismatches) for Miles Austin.  8-Ball my biggest critic thinks I am crazy...calling for 30 balls.  I say 60 easy!           

16:00  I am thinking about the 2nd worst team in 2009, at least how I see it.  The Cleveland Browns scored a combined 45 points in their last 6 games.  9 points a game!  They went 4-12.  This year they go 3-13 and battle St. Louis for the 1st overall pick in the NFL's 2010 prime time draft.  The only relief they have in the AFC North division is Cincinnati who will, at least, put up some points this year.  Baltimore and Pittsburgh...not in the same league.  With Buffalo, Kansas City, Oakland, Jacksonville and Detroit on their schedule they have an opportunity to win a couple games.  The remainder of their schedule is not so promising...Minnesota, Green Bay, Chicago and San Diego.  So what about Fantasy?  I say stay away from everybody except Jerome Harrison.  Take Harrison in the 12th round if you must have a Brown. The rest is too risky.  Lewis aint gonna be around forever and Harrison has shown brief bursts of fantasy significance in the past.  I know a lot of folks are high on Braylon Edwards this year...he's gonna bounce back and he is working for a contract, etc...  All I think it will take for him is to drop a few balls and the prophecy will be self fulfilling at that point.  Without Winslow running routes, there is less threat for defenses to worry about.  More folks to get in Edwards' grill telling him he got cement hands!  A common thread, in looking back at the previous bad teams that I have spoke of in the last week (Bucs, Skins, Detroit, Oakland, Rams) is poor and inconsistent quarterback play.  Although some of the actors may be different, (maybe Stafford in Detroit and whoever wins out in Tampa), the play remains the same my friends!  Outside of the few highlighted players I mentioned, stay away on draft day! 

There were 11 teams last year that had losing records and I have only focused on 6 of them.  Primarily because, although the others may be "bad teams"...they are not bad "Fantasy Teams."  Cincinnati (4-11-1 last year), Seattle (4-12), Green Bay (6-10), San Fran (7-9) and Buffalo (7-9) are the others.  San Fran was close to making my bad Fantasy list, but I think they will provide enough value to keep me off their case.  I think Vernon Davis (King projects 65/625/6) steps it up a bit as well as Josh Morgan (King projects 55/765/6).  Thus, both will be decent picks for where they are taken on draft day.  Frank Gore will be solid as well.       

August 02, 2009

18:56  I am still waiting for ESPN to contact me...I still think my idea (July 24th) for covering my draft in Vegas is the idea of the year. 

18:55  Cat got your tongue?  Not many, well let's say nobody supporting Turner has stepped up and defended him.  I even went to Yahoo!® posted a message on there...View "Turner not top 5".  When you guys aren't asking me enough questions to keep me occupied, I go on there to see what is going on (not usually much) or head on to Twitting.   

18:45 8-Ball and I were talking the other day about putting together some material about specific strategies based on draft spots for 2009.  I think this is something we do within the week...but since we discussed it, a few questions came in regarding drafting at the end of round 1...specifically if WR/WR was the way to go.  My basis for thought remains a 12 team PPR league...I do like WR/WR in this spot but have offered the following to a few dudes earlier.  Thanks for the questions! 

If you are 11th...I expect the draft to go something like this ahead of you:
Peterson, Jones-Drew, Forte, Turner, Steven Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, Tomlinson, Andre Johnson, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton

I would strongly consider taking Moss in the first and then Brady in the second.  If you were to take Moss and the guy behind you takes Megatron and Boldin, which is unlikely, then you would have your choice of Brady or Barber (if you do not want a quarterback this early).  There is no other receiver, in my mind, worthy of your second pick beyond these 5.  Just as my preference, if Tomlinson or Chris Johnson fell to you, I would still take Moss.  Anyone else on the list above that fell to you, I would take them in the first round.

I would try and snag Witten in the third round if he is there and come back with Houshy or Ryan Grant in the 4th, depending on who you ended up taking in the first 2 rounds.      

Option 1--Moss, Brady, Witten, Grant, (Anthony Gonzalez, Santonio Holmes or maybe Desaun Jackson), Jonathan Stewart.  You could have top QB, top WR and top TE on your squad!

Option 2--Moss, Megatron, WItten, Grant (or maybe Peyton Manning falls to you)...
 
Option 3--Moss, Barber, Grant, Houshy, Clark,  (Anthony Gonzalez, Santonio Holmes or maybe Desaun Jackson, Jonathan Stewart).  Another solid option if your late QB pans out.  Nice balance here.  
   
If you do end up pulling WR WR then I would wait on a QB and go after Cassell, Hasselbeck or Palmer...trying to get 2 of these in rounds 8-10.
 
Your 5th round pick would be a good time to take Dallas Clark if you missed on Witten. 

August 01, 2009

19:38 Staying true to Tip #22...Ready for another bad team?  How about the Jaguars.  They rocked to a 5-11 record last year.  Pretty bad and pretty disappointing.  Not much from a fantasy perspective to disappoint however, because there is only 1 dude from the team you should own...MJD.  MJD is the exception to the rule.  He is #1 selection in 2009 in my book.  Outside of that, stay away from the entire team...except maybe the defense.  They play home games against St. Louis, KCC, Buffalo and Miami and away games against San Fran and Cleveland.  Defense could do some damage here.  Mark these up...plus 3 or 4 more in their AFC Souh division (Tennessee, Indy, Houston).  The Jags are gonna be better this year, look at their schedule.  Gonna win 8 or 9 games.  Why they on the bad list then?...they are bad for fantasy football.  MJD gonna hog the ball this year...Torry Holt aint the answer to their weak passing game...maybe 4 years ago...but not now.  He aint getting no double move off against anyone soon...aint got the wheels...you know the patended move that made him so succesful in St. Louis?  Bulger and Holt were together for a while...they both lost it last year...both done IMO...shows over, look elsewhere for offensive firepower.  If you don't have the first pick then you shouldn't have to worry about owning a Jag!  But if you absolutely must have a Jag on your squad, then take Mike Walker in the 18th round.

July 31, 2009

22:40  Okay it's time again to talk about another bad team...the Oakland Raiders...They won 5 games last year...which, for the team, aint that bad...just bad in general...not like horrible.  They win 5 to 6 games this year, thanks to some favorable match ups (they play Denver and KCC each twice in the AFC West and also play Cincy, Washington and Cleveland.) and a great defense.  I guess that McFadden would be the only one I would take on this team.  This is only because he catches the ball well and has a lot of upside / talent.  If he boosts his 20 carry games up to 9 or so...watch out!  The one game that he had over 20 carries in last year, he busted out for 160+ yards.    Similar to S-Jax and the Rams...there is not much else there to chose from.  I would think that the level of badness this team will experience will be a direct correlation to how long Russell stays in the line up.  The faster they get Garcia in the line-up, the faster someone else might step up and become fantasy significant.  I would think that once Garcia gets the nod, you should take a free agent gamble on whoever looks like they will benefit the most from a WR perspective.  Could be Hayward-Bey or even Chaz Schillens?  Who knows maybe one of these guys will become this year's Antonio Bryant.  Until then stay away on draft day, unless you can nab McFad in the 5th...

16:04  You have no idea how many questions I get regarding why Turner is so low on my charts.  I feel like, and may be, the only one who thinks that he will disappoint this year if you take him in the top 5!  This is starting to chap me off!  Like I tweeted yesterday, if he ran for president right now he would likely get 20 million fantasy footballers to vote for him...but not my vote!  They must have him on the cover of a few of those magazines?  Don't know, I saw (and regretfully bought) one and it was such junk I tried to forget the whole experience and cannot even remember who was on the cover.  I gave it to 8-Ball...he didn't see a ton wrong with it...gonna kick his ass this year no doubt!  It was funny though...when he noticed that all his players from last year were ranked pretty high in the mag...he says "man, according to this mag...my team was solid last year, just solid..." -- this is my point EXACTLY!  I owned 8-Ball last year!  Will again this year.  In fact, I will own anyone who walks into Draft Day using that thing.  Now back to Turner...how many of these cats who keep asking me why I am so down on him (he is 8th on my list...like chopped liver, right?  really, totally absurd?  how could he put him there?..he finished 6th last year in my league through 16 weeks...and with 5 less points he would have finished 10th and putting him at 8th this year is way too low they tell me!)...okay getting back to my question...How many of these cats are gonna come back and say "King, you were right...Turner was not a top 5 back this year?"  I can answer this one...none because they are all gonna be too busy scratching their heads wondering why those magazines had him so high!  I am the one who should be asking the questions...like why do you feel that with 50 less carries, Turner is going to score more points this year than his great year last year?     

Favre staying retired = Forte #2 pick in PPR leagues = All Day drops to 3rd.  AP is amazingly talented, one of the best...but he will get beat down with 8-9 man fronts eventually...no way he makes it through the year with those QB's...take Chester Taylor in the 9th round if he is still there!     

09:10  I am thinking that I won't be taking No Moreno this year...especially in the 4th round where I would likely have to take him (maybe early 5th).  Too much competition out there...Buckhalter, Jordan, Torain, Hillis, Walker...maybe next year!   

July 30, 2009

22:37  Nice to see the Lion's home page take that picture off there with dudes hanging their heads!  We gotta think positive this year!  Let's Go! 

I am thinking that Leon Washington (Jets RB) might be a bit undervalued this year on draft day...just got done talking with "8-Ball" and looking at last year where he caught almost 50 balls and averaged nearly 6 yards per carry.  He also scored 6 TD's on the ground and caught 2 more.  I think currently, I have him undervalued as well...probably 5 to 7 spots.  I am down on Thomas Jones like many...but with Leon's productivity when on the field, I don't know how much the Jets can keep him off the field.  In a PPR league like the WCOFF in Vegas, he should be ranked higher...I know he may not be at camp now, but think he is needed more than Jones at this point.  A lot of people are high on Shonn Greene, and I think there is a lot of potential there...but this is the kind of potential to draw from Jones and not Washington IMO.  Taking Washington in the 8th round would be a solid move this year...I think he only gets better!  Want some predictions for Washington?  Rushing 110/600/5 and Receiving 55/375/3...unless he secures a starting spot, then you can look for more!

In keeping with a bad team each day...today I want to focus on the worst in 2009...the Rams.  The 2-14 in 2008 Rams.  It is hard to see much relief this year for them in the NFC West.  Tell me, which of the following home games do you see them winning this year?  Packers, Vikes, Colts, Saints, Cards, Seahawks, Texans, 49'ers?  What about the away games?  Seahawks, Skins, 49'ers, Jaguars, Lions, Bears, Titans, Cards?  Not looking good.  They could be the second team in as many years to go 0-16, but I will give them 2 games this year because Steven Jackson might win a couple of games on his own.  S-Jax is the only player on this team I would take this year...and that is only because he has the chance to catch more balls than the Hungry Hungry Hippo catches plastic coins...Some folks this year are high on Donnie Avery (WR).  He showed flashes, 2 good games last year...but that aint enough!  He had 3 touchdowns last year and 1 game over 100 yards...this does not make him a starter.  Someone does have to get the ball...and that'll be Jackson.  You can't count on anyone else this year from the Rams to help your team out!  Stay away on draft day!  Although I am high on S-Jax this year, if you stayed away from him too, I couldn't blame ya.             

July 29, 2009

23:30  Sticking with teams that stink...let's talk about the worst, ever that is...in anything...the Lions.  The 2008, 0-16 Lions...My Team!  What they got going good this year?...First, they have a nice website.  Hey, we gotta have something!  We don't have cheerleaders...I think the only team that doesn't!  Wait a minute...maybe the website aint that great, scratch that endorsement!...I just looked at the site, dudes walking off the field with their heads down on the front page! (Calvin don't have his head down though!...see why below)...I am telling you, we need Vick and cheerleaders!  Probably wouldn't be walking with their heads down if they had cheerleaders!...Okay, let's start over, first...they play Washington, St. Louis and Cleveland at home and have away games at Cincy and San Fran.  I say they win 3 out of 5 of these games.  What they got going bad?...Well they play their NFC North division, each team twice (Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota).  They also have home games agains Pittsburgh, Zona and away games at New Orleans, Seattle and Baltimore.  Not easy for these cats!  I say they win 2 of these for a total of 5 wins in 2009 (maybe 6). This puts them in Skins and Bucs territory this year.  The difference being that I draft both Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson this year in Fantasy, if given the opportunity.  Last year, Smith put up nearly 1,000 yards on 230+ carries along with 8 touchdowns and nearly 40 catches.  This year, I say he puts up 1,180/11 and catches 50 balls.  This makes him well worth an undervalued 3rd round pick.  Megatron put up over 1,300 yards on 78 catches and 12 touchdowns.  I say he improves on all 3 this year...probably 1,440/89/14.  This makes him well worthy of being the 3rd WR off the board as well as 12th overall on my Top 150 list.  Both of these guys proved immune last year to the horrible team rule and bad quarterback play.  I see no reason they both do not improve as the team improves in 09.  (the team cannot not improve, I mean they can't go 0-16 again...can they?...Okay, don't answer that!)  Outside of taking a shot on Derrick Williams (maybe in the 20th round) as a "Rip Van Winkle," I cannot jutify wasting any other picks on the Lions this year.  Don't fear the roar on draft day with Megatron and Smith...they are gamers!

July 28, 2009

21:25  In following with my theme of not taking players from bad teams...I am thinking that nobody that plays for the Skins is gonna play for me this year.  Clinton Portis was a top 12 back last year, very productive at the beginning of the year.  My fear is that the last 5 weeks (with his 2 touchdowns and 2.9 yards per carry) will be more of the norm this year.  Yes he was banged up, played hurt... and while that is admirable, it doesn't get the job done or put a Fantasy Trophy on the mantle.  In fact, he went 7 consecutive weeks (weeks 8-15 and not counting the bye week) without a rushing td last year.  By the time the season rolls around, he will be 28 with 7 years of NFL under his belt.  Not too old to be productive...just too risky, not much upside (also not many catches in my PPR league) for a top 25 pick and aint gonna be on my roster!  I shouldn't have to tell you why Jason Campbell won't be on my team this year...but his 6 tds in the last 9 weeks and the fact that he did not throw for more than one td in any given week since week 4 is a hint.  It appears to me that he will not be a starter beyond 2009.  What about Santana Moss?  Well, he doesn't make the cut either....1 td in the last 8 games!  Enough said about that.  What about Chris Cooley?  He finished 6th in TE in my league last year...yes, but with 1 td all year!  Not a likely candidate for my team, being that he is on such a bad team.  The Skins lost 6 out of their last 8 games...scoring on average 12.5 points per game!  Not Good!  Then comes the schedule...some favorable matchups, even for fantasy speak...STL, DET, TBB, OAK, KC, DEN are all games they could win.  However, it will be hard for them to win in their NFC East division against NYG, PHI and DAL...and CAR, ATL, SDO, NORL are also tough games for them this year...I would say they win 6 to 7 games max (due to their defense) and put them slightly ahead of Bucs territory.  I say don't try and put lipstick on the pig this year...avoid the pig..."stay away on draft day..."      

17:10  Later tonight...the Skins are on my list as one of this year's horrible teams.  Decided to start Tweeting.  Follow me at:  http://twitter.com/FFLKing  

July 27, 2009

23:10  I am thinking that it is tough to lose the year by ones selections in the first 2 rounds.  If one of the guys gets injured, that's just part of the game...It is really hard to tell which one of them will have a bad year.  I would say (against tons of critics, and few supporters on the matter) that Turner going 4th overall and Portis mid 2nd round (I don't usually factor in injuries but I have a bad feeling about him this year...and think he is on a bad team this year...I think I will write about the Skins tomorrow...) will be this year's biggest problems in the top 25 for where they are taken.  The biggest rewards will be Marion Barber (I think he has a monster year, and I mean huge...with Dallas focusing on the run and even with FX-J in the mix!) and Tom Brady.  Tom Brady is an easy one I know, but what signs are pointing you in the direction that he won't heave 40 touch downs?  I can't think of any and he is still going late 2nd?  What gives?  I really don't see many problems in the 3rd round either this year.  Pierre Thomas is creeping up in there and this I would worry about a bit, but other than that it seems pretty safe based on most rankings...It took a bit to get to my main point of this post..."proceed with caution in rounds 4-6 as one could definitely lose the league with bone-headed selections here!"  These rounds are critical, IMO.  You need to get solid production out of these rounds, guys with some upside to them.  A few picks that I have seen in these rounds as of late that bother me are:  Ochocinco, Edwards (hard to justify risk with this team), Addai (Indy didn't draft Brown for no reason!), Benson and Lewis.  I call these guys "Fantasy Coach Killers"  I am starting to worry about Roy Williams a bit too...thinking about Dallas running more...thinking about Martellus Bennett getting more involved.  And Bennett getting more involved will not hamper Witten or Austin...IMO it will hamper Roy.  I know I talked about Ocho, Benson and Lewis a couple of days ago, but for some reason this is still bothering me where these guys are being drafted.  Who would I take instead of Ocho and maybe Roy? Ryan Grant.  I think Grant is going to be another force that many have forgotten about.  If I can get him in the early 4th round, I am buying!   

16:53  Tip #22 on my 2009 Drafting Tips list is "Try not to take players from horrible teams.  The team will wear off on your dud."  So...with this being said, I was thinking of focusing on one bad team each day.  Today it is the Buccaneers.  This year I think they will be horrible and fighting for one of the NFL's worst records.  They dropped their last 4 games in 2008 (@ Carolina, @ Atlanta, San Diego and Oakland -- yes Oakland at home!) and finished at 9-7.  They have a new young coach (Raheem Morris, youngest coach ever in the NFL 32/33 yrs. old?)  They have a tough schedule.  Not only do they face their NFC South division rivals (Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta), they have the Cowboys, Giants, Patriots, Packers and Jets at home. Away games out of division are the Bills, Redskins, Eagles, Dolphins and Seahawks.  Not hard imagining them going 5-11 (at best).  In fact I can't count 5 games right now that I would expect them to win...can you?  With the departure of Garcia, their QB's are:  Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown and Josh Freeman (rookie).  It is hard for me to see these guys posting prolific numbers...even with Winslow and Bryant.  IMO, overall talent to take over games is lacking on both sides of the ball.  Question marks at QB, new young coach, poor 2008 finish, lack of overall talent, the tough schedule...makes it a no brainer for me to avoid this team on draft day.  I say these factors will lead to inconsistent Fantasy production week in and week out.  Sure...Ward, Winslow and Bryant may have a good game here or there...but not consistent enough to warrant drafting this year.  I find consistency important in Head-to-Head leagues and place value on a player's ability to consistently put up points.  These guys do not fit the mold.  Stay away from the Bucs this year! 

Don't worry, not all horrible teams have players that I would not draft...there are always exceptions to the rule.  Here are a few:  Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson, Frank Gore, Darren McFadden and Steven Jackson...but I will get to them later.  

 July 26, 2009

18:45 I am thinking this year is a great year for Fantasy Football.  Especially draft day.  Over the past 15 years, there have been several years where I felt the top 4 picks had a distinct advantage (in odds of winning the league), but not this year.  I feel more comfortable of being able to draft a competitive team in any draft position than in any years' past.  Picks 7-12 are relatively solid.  If Steve Slaton or Chris Johnson are there, I take them.  If they are not there, I would probably pull Andre or Fitz off the board and consider Barber or Gore in the second.  Even if I went after Moss or Megatron and had 2 of the top 4 wide receivers, I would be happy.   This is all in accordance to my cheat sheet though...I hear a lot of suspect and questioning whether or not LT is fit for duty on a Fantasy Football roster this year.  Lots of question marks there.  I will not draft him.  Sure he may have a few years left, but what if he doesn't.  Even if he does, he might perform equal to Slaton or Johnson, but maybe not.  Too risky!  How many negative posts or opinions have you heard of Chris Johnson or Steve Slaton?  I have owned Faulk at the end of his dominant run.  It was not pretty.  I won't get burnt again like that.  Stay clear from Tomlinson this year, take Sproles in the 7th or 8th round and thank me at the end of the year.   

01:00- Updated the CheatSheet with average draft rounds...usually do this a little later, but a few folks are already drafting.  It is always nice to know that you are not taking a player way too early.  Per request, I am working on the King's Auction Values--What the King would pay...don't pay a King's ransome...lot's of strategy in Auctions.  I think I will sign up for an Auction League next year in the WCOFF (World Championship of Fantasy Football).  If there is something you want to see...let me know I will do what I can to provide what it is you are looking for or need...

I am thinking about Bam Bam.  Not Bam Morris either...The big Bam (El Presidente...Obama).  I wonder if he is going to make a push this year to tax Fantasy Football winnings?  Let's look at some radcon math...20 million fantasy players.  Some pay more than others for leagues, so let's use 50 bucks as an average.  20 million x $50 = $1 billion smackaroos that will be paid out this year to Fantasy winners.  A tax of $300 million would be the net result.  Hmmm...I just asked my Magic 8 ball, "Will Bam Bam tax our FFL winnings?"  Magic 8 ball----answer----"Concentrate and ask again"...okay, one more time but I am Concentrating!...----answer----"Most likely."  Go figure.  This 8-ball is rarely wrong.  Wonder no more how I come up with my sleepers and busts!  LOL...I am thinking he may add a few more lawyers to his team to take care of this notion!   

July 25, 2009

00:18am-  I am thinking about how to effectively value later round running backs and how so many fantasy football managers get it wrong.  Looking at some ADP stuff I see Benson (7th round), Jamal Lewis (8th round) and even Julius Jones (9th round) as problematic.  Why?  Because they are not even #2 running backs and won't be this year...IMO they should not even be drafted.  But some folks think that just because they might be the starters, they are worth something.  Not true IMO.  You should never play these guys and if you do I think your team most likely stinks.  Here are better options on draft day...FX-J in the 7th (Felix Jones, I have decided to call him FX-J this year...I think it has a nice ring to it like MJD), Sproles in the 8th, F-Jax in the 9th (Fred Jackson), Bradshaw in the 11th.  All of these guys with a bounce of luck, perhaps an injury would be solid #2 backs on your team and worthy of playing week in and week out.  Heck right now I would rather start these guys over the other 3.  Lots of others should be drafted instead of Benson, Lewis and Julius...Mendenhall in the 9th and Donald Brown in the 8th, Ray Rice/McClain in the 9th...the list goes on.  They have a lot more value and you should draft them instead of those other cats.  Why someone would take Julius Jones instead of F-Jax is beyond me. 

I got a little work to do on my cheat sheet for the later round backs...you will have it by Monday.  Also gonna add the round of the draft each player should go in.  The average draft position (i.e. 2.04) is not as important as the round once you get past the 5th, rounds at that point are a lot more relevant due to the spread.

HBO's Hard Knocks this year is going to have the Bengals on.  I think it starts this Wednesday.  I am excited to see what Henry and the rookie running back Bernard Scott are up to.  Also like to get a take on Leonard and Coles.  Not looking forward to the Ocho stuff.  Used to be a fan but he wore out his welcome with me.  Last year I got a good read on Austin and Felix, they are gamers, also saw that Martellus Bennett has some mad skills.  Good entertainment that show is...lot better than watching a pre season game!

Kind of surprised I didn't get a call from ESPN yesterday.  You guys must not have much pull.  "The Premier High Stakes 2009 Fantasy Football World Championships at the MGM Grand" has a nice ring to it for a show...               

July 24, 2009

10:00am- I guess I'll start puting time stamps on here...could get confusing otherwise.  In Atlanta airport now...thinking about all those folks that are drafting Turner in top 5...You are gonna be disappointed this year.  Especially those in PPR leagues.  IMO his carries are gonna drop down to 320 maybe...cost him 200 yards or so.  Had 6 catches last year I think.  Touchdowns will be down this year from 17 to 13?  Gonzo will take some away...Turner worthy of a late first/early second round pick.  Just don't expect him to carry your team like an MJD or Forte or SJax or Westy with all their catches.  I take SJax long before Turner.  Difference in catches alone (For example...SJax gets 65 and Turner gets 15) could mean 50 catches or 50 points...that's 8 touchdowns worth of points!  Hard to justify the hype, but I deal with facts not emotions...I don't know how anyone can justify taking turner in a PPR league with a top 5 pick.  

12:30am- So the NFL is going prime time for draft day next year.  Nice!  Talking about prime time...anyone know an ESPN programmer out there?  I got an idea...everyone knows what TV did for the Texas Hold 'Em guys and their game.  It is time for Fantasy Football to get theirs.  Here it is...Put a microphone on me and the other managers during our World Championship of Fantasy Football draft in Vegas this year.  I would tell them to do my league (instead of one of the other ones) because I would keep it real.  They might have to bleep out a few comments, but with editing I am sure they can fix those.  Roll the cameras.  Have a couple dudes...maybe Jaws and Stu commentate.  Ask us questions during breaks, when we walk away for a second, etc...They can critique our picks, point out our weaknesses, predict who the next guy needs and will take, who the next best 5 picks on the board are...do it just like the real deal...While doing so they can promote their FFL website and material...this would be a lot better than some of the other stuff on TV...If you know a programmer, have them send me a note...I got it all figured out!  This would be big...

I am high on Chris Henry from the Bungles this year...my desire to have him on my team grows each day.  I think Palmer is sick of Ocho...tired of the games.  He seems to be enamored with Henry.  On several occasions I have heard him talk about how talented Henry is and how he can score from anywhere on the field.  Coles is gonna be big in 2009 and will perform as expected.  If Palmer is back to full strength, Henry is gonna put up some points!  Take him in the 16th round.

I sure hope you guys are listening to my fantasy football advice more than you listen to my request for you to hit that feed button up top and add this to your home page.  If it's on there, and I update the Diary, then I think it will help my search engine rankings.  If you like my stuff, then help a brother out.  If you already put this on your page, Thank You, otherwise get clicking!  For those of you knuckle heads who can't figure out what button I am talking about it says "RSS FEED" on it...right above this column's heading "What Am I Thinking?"  If it don't work, give me a shout.

July 23,2009

What I am really thinking is with how long it took me to get that 'RSS' feed button up there on this page, you ought to at least hit the darn thing and put it on your home page.  Unreal, everywhere I went to get free "feed" I couldn't get them to only list the one page...finally created a combination (with 2 sites) work-around.  You might have to hit it a few times...sorry bout that!  If you are good at designing stuff, then make a site that converts HTML to RSS feed (for a single web page) for someone to copy and paste into their 'snipet' or whatever it is called and you are on to something!  Include the button on there too!  Do it for free, market it with the website maker companies, then sell off to the big boys!     

So I got to thinking...let's say you have the #1 pick in the draft this year, or even #2 (12 person league, PPR and Flex-wr/rb/te).  You take Peterson, then maybe Boldin and then maybe Jennings.  Not a bad start, then comes 4th round and you take Gates which is a great move IMO, Witten is gone (no doubt 'bout that, sir).  You are now looking at McFadden/Ward/LJ/maybe Moreno? at running back and at wide receiver you are looking at Gonzalez (Indy)/Vincent Jackson/Royal/Edwards maybe?  These cats are not sure things.  You know who is though?  Gonzo!  I could make a point in taking 2 TE's in the 4th and 5th.  Tell me that any two of those other guys are going to outscore Gonzo and Gates in this format?  Royal and Ward were the two highest performes on the "other guys" list last year and they didn't.  Just sayin'...I could make a case for it.  Plus, you just tied up two of the top 4 tight ends.

Been seein' quite a bit about Juaquin Iglesias.  Rookie from Oklahoma plays for Chicago--wide receiver.  Some dudes sayin' that he is the next "Eddie Royal" with Cutler there and how he developed such good chem with Royal in Denver and Royal was a rookie last year...blah blah blah...This is crazy talk if you ask me.  Remember Cutler had what? 4,500+ yds passing last year and Orton had maybe 3,000?  Cutler aint getting 4,500 this year and you don't have Brandon Marshall on the opposite side.  Next "Eddie Royal"...no way!  If you listen to all the pundits you will be taking every Chicago receiver this year.  This is also the year that Earl Bennett is gonna break out according to many!  I say go with Hester and Davis, forget the rest.  I had Royal pegged last year, took him in the 15th round.  Take Davis in the 18th round and see what happens.  At the end of the year send me a thank you note (for--keeping it real--) and I will put it on my fridge.

July 22, 2009

In Mississippi now, guess what I am thinking about?  Of course, wonder if I will come across #4...40 years old and gonna make it happen this year.  Gonna be tough though with that crew of receivers.  I was not a believer last year or in recent year's past because of all the mistakes throwing into coverage and the int's that cost too much at the end of the game.  I think this year is gonna be different.  Defense is tough in Minny.  Running game is stout.  Keep the passes short and they are on to something.  Never been much of a #4 fan in the past but never rooted against him either....this year I am rooting for him like I did Mr. Watson.  I think this comes down to respect and gratitude what these folks brought to their games...

If you've read my articles, you know I am not a big supporter of the FFL mags, except in airports and the like just to keep occupied and to read on the plane, etc...just so happens that is where I spend a lot of my time...so I spent the coin and bought one.  First and last of the year!  Disappointing is all I can say.  Not worth reading IMO.  It did, though, confirm the need for solid material.  Confirmed the need for me to keep doing what I'm doing here  --keeping it real--.  Sure there is some pride and bias in my thought, but this mag was just bad.  I sure hope I see a few of these on draft day!  Thinking about it objectively, it has to be hard to construct such a thing in May/June for publication.  That is why I would never name drop.  I am sure they sell 1,000's of these.  If you are like me, you want definitive opinions and statements, not wishy washy thoughts that allow the authors to get out of anything like a weatherman.  Make a statement that I can agree or disagree with, not "it might be a little cloudy with a sprinkle but it might also hold off and be nice or we could get some thunderstorms if things change....!"  Tell me what the guy is gonna do or not gonna do and why!           

July 21, 2009

In Tennesse now, thinking about Kerry Collins/Justin Gage hooking up.  What else am I gonna think about in Tennessee?  Thought briefly about Chris Johnson running like mad...until it turned into replays in my head of when he ran around my Lions like they were standing still last Thanksgiving (47-10 loss).  Enough about him.  Collins has a thing with Gage, they got chemistry.  Gage has been going in the 11th or 12th round.  Lot of talent left on the board at WR in the 11th/12th rounds.  Maybe Branch, Steve Smith (NYG), Michael Jenkins and Harvin are also there...I am buying on Branch, Gage and Smith (in that order) at this point in the draft...good flex players and bye week plug ins depending on the match ups...     

So Vick is out, eh?  A lot of folks don't know what should happen to him but I do.  I have been saying since the dogfighting thing first came out that the Lions should go after him.  Several reasons...First, when a buddy of mine (David) who went to Georgia Tech called me on draft day, when the Lions took Calvin, he said "I saw him play a lot and man can he make some incredible catches...but he kind of struggles when they throw it right to him."  Exactly...this is what I'm saying!  Vick and Megatron, a match made in heaven...Vick can't throw it right at anyone and Megatron can't catch it if it's right to him.  Look, Vick can throw the ball far...remember the commercials?  Vick can also run away from some pressure...remember the commercials?  The Lions sure could use a QB that could run away from some pressure.  So I envision this...Vick dropping back, running around a while and without looking heaving the ball to 81...81 makes an amazing catch for 6!  Also, let's face it...nothing against Detroit cuz I love Detroit, but as a crime capital of the world and the way the economy is...dogfighting is the least of their worries.  In fact, I often wonder what would have happened if his house was in Detroit versus Virginia?  I don't condone dogfighting, but do appreciate second chances.  Now I sure hope that Stafford comes through and is a franchise guy...especially with all that coin that was dished his way...but you never know when injury will set in.  I proudly wear Lions gear while wandering around the airports across the country.  Almost daily I am asked if I work for the Lions.  I immediately laugh and suggest "no but if I did things would be a lot different..."  Anybody out there know Coach Schwartz? 

July 20, 2009

Sitting in the Chicago O'Hare airport right now.  Thinking about Forte.  What else am I gonna think about in Chicago?  We have the 2nd pick in Vegas WCOFF this year.  If MJD is there we take him hands down.  If All Day AP is there, my co-manager and I have a debate yet to be settled.  I think Forte got worn down a bit by the NFL grind last year at the end of the season...not gonna happen this year, he knows what to expect now.  If Favre goes to Minneapolis, I wonder if Peterson will catch more balls?  Wonder if Favre will have the same effect on AP that he had on Thomas Jones?  If so, can you imagine the year that AP will have?  This could be beyond Tomlinson at his peek!  Forte catches a ton of balls.  I can only think that Cutler helps him out as well.  The catches in a PPR league is what puts Forte potentially ahead of AP in my opinion...but with Favre in Minny...tough call.

Roy Williams been going in the mid 4th round, Coles end of the 6th.  Doesn't make sense to me.  I see Coles racking up 85 balls and 8 touches, Williams maybe 75 and 6.  I got Coles 19th on my cheatsheet and Williams 17th.  Doesn't make sense.  Gonna move Coles to 18th and Williams down to 20th.  Taking Williams in the 4th round?  Not me...

Got word from a 20+ year friend and a 13+ year fantasy manager in our local league that he is hanging up his clipboard...leaving the game...not into it anymore.  This cat went 3-11 last year.  Sunday football aint gonna be the same for him.  Small world--I saw his parents at the airport today.  Seen them twice now in the past 5 years.  Told his mother he was hanging it up.  Her response "I cannot believe it!"  Her facial expressions were of pure worry for her 43 year old son.  Even with being the king of smack talk along with being able to convince people to do things against their will, the King will always defer to a mother when it comes to putting pressure on a son.  He will be back. 

Thanks Mr. Watson for your weekend performance at the British Open!  Period.

July 19, 2009

With how bad Delhomme looked last year in the playoffs and what I perceive to be the continuation of a dominant running game behind Williams and Stewart do I put Steve Smith on the Big Name Busts or "BNB" list for 2009?  I know I don't draft him.  He is going mid to late 2nd round in many drafts I have seen.  This puts him as the 6th best wide receiver on the board.  I got him as 13th.  Other guys I like more this year:  Welker, Boldin, Jennings and White.  I just feel they are a lot safer picks.  Smith seems to keep motivated and despite having 9 years in the league he doesn't appear to be losing anything (he can still get open and wide open at times)...so for now I will leave him off the list.  I think he will perform in the top 15, just not top 6.     

I was high on Hightower last year and not just because I have been around long enough to remember The Police Academy movies.  It made sense to me that Edge was getting older and someone else would have a shot at picking up the load.  With such a pass happy offense as Arizona has, one would think it would be easy to run 10 or so yards into the secondary without getting hit.  Chris Wells intrigues me this year, but worthy of a 5th round pick?  A guy from Ohio State is always going to have the support of the boosters and the alumni, so naturally his value would be overrated just like the Buckeyes.  But nonetheless there has to be a risk/reward issue here.  Even if he does get some carries, which are few and far between in Arizona, I think he will lose goal line and short yardage opportunities to Hightower.  I think I would rather go with Moreno, LJ, McFadden or fast Willie in the 5th round this year.

Speaking of LJ, the more I think about it.....the more I gotta have Cassel on my team this year.  Talk about pass happy, they pass more than Arizona does!  I'm gonna move him up to 10th on my list, right above Palmer.  Schaub can now have the 14th spot. 

Watching Tom Watson on the tube right now...what a story.  4 hole playoff.  Nailed his first tee playoff shot down the middle.  Cink pulls an iron and does the same...time to put diary down....      

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