Pre-Season Roster Moves : Ravens Defense

A rookie wide receiver with a nagging hamstring injury.

Need I say more?

It's time to bid farewell to Odell Beckham Jr.  As much as I'm trying to hold off and let my talent develop, I don't believe there's any reason to allow this relationship to go any further.

I chose the Ravens not only because they're one of the top-rated free agent defenses, but also because of the 11th-round bye.   While I sort of "forgot" to really pay close attention to byes during the draft, I figure now is as good a time as any to start.  It's really nice to know I don't need to look for a replacement until Week 10.  I'll look closely at byes when I'm shopping for a kicker and backup QB, as well.

This leaves 3 rookies on my roster.  Brandin Cooks (WR) is impressing everyone in New Orleans with his blazing speed.  Alfred Blue (RB) could potentially be the backup in Houston.  And Terrance West is making a bid for starting running back in Cleveland!

I have mixed feelings about the emergence of West.  By all appearances, this may foil my plans to make Ben Tate a Top Five back.  At the same time, what if West is a star?  The likelihood, of course, is they'll really only be a committee half the season when one or the other isn't hurt.  And when one of them is injured, it looks like I can start the healthy back with confidence when I need to.  It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

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My 2014 Fantasy Football Draft

And finally, my 2014 fantasy football draft begins.  I really debated on whether I should take Dez Bryant over Bernard.  I would have easily taken a wide receiver by the name of Calvin Johnson, but just couldn't pull the trigger on Dez. With all the talk of 300 touches this season, I went with Gio Bernard, instead.

As soon as I made this selection, I knew full well who my next pick would be.  If I wasn't going to get a #1 running back, receiver, or tight end, I'd make sure I got the #1 quarterback!  Peyton Manning...

Julius Thomas gets snagged.  With wide receivers disappearing fast, I like Victor Cruz.  I'm not only banking on Eli to have a nice comeback season (reports are the coaches are working with his mechanics), I also like the fact that Odell Beckham is going to more pressure off Cruz with his deep routes.  

I was going for Sankey with the hopes I'd snag both him and Tate.  But when Sankey went, I went ahead and grabbed Ben Tate.  What can I say -- I selected him a little high because he's a big part of my game plan.  I truly believe he's a Top Five back if he stays healthy.  And if not?  Terrance West, who by all reports is a beast, will be my backup.  As long as they don't become a "committee", I know I've got something.

My tight end was really emerging last year as a top receiver.  Now the Browns are without Josh Gordon.  A rookie quarterback might take over sometime this year.  I think this adds up to a lot of targets for Cameron Jordan.

I love my 49ers, but with the emergence of Kaepernick, it's so difficult to determine what roles players have in this offense.  I have to believe they're going to get back to basics this year, and I only have one running back to this point...Frank Gore.

He's in an elite offense.  He's recovering from surgery but claims to be in the best shape of his life since 2002.  I'm not sure why he's so low in the rankings.  I'll take him!  Reggie Wayne.

One of my strategies this year was not to draft a kicker, defense, or backup quarterback.  This would allow me to make room for some rookies.  Here's my first rookie selection...

I didn't waste any time picking up another rookie.  He's my "handcuff."  Terrance West.

Another rookie receiver?  I "sorta" picked him up as a handcuff for Cruz.  But I also "sorta" have this vision that Eli, sort of a gunslinger, might like a rookie speedster...okay this one's mostly a weird hunch.

But he's not a rookie!  Ok, I'm clearly a little "touched" at the moment -- I picked up ANOTHER young receiver!  I'm a sucker for a good story, but I'm always trying to read between the lines too much.  Another receiver, a teammate, claims Justin Hunter is the next Randy Moss.  The incident is then downplayed by the coaching staff.  Hmmm.  Are they covering up their secret weapon?  I like to think so...

Okay, now back to some more "practical" picks.  I need running backs...

I believe Steve Smith is well worth the pickup in Round 13.  I realize his numbers have dropped off in recent years, but I love the idea of Joe Flacco throwing him the deep ball.  

Well, you know Arian Foster is going to get hurt, again.  Why not grab his potential backup?

A solid backup tight end...

And my last running back.  Mark Ingram.

Thus concludes my 2014 fantasy football draft.  A whacky approach?  Perhaps.  But the advantage of an early draft is now having 7 weeks to tweak it.  

I figure nobody's going to rush out and steal my free-agent defense or kicker based on what's hitting the newswires.  Why not go ahead and pick up some longshots before the reports come out and somebody snags the next superstar?  It's a small risk.  I may lose all of a couple points on defense or kicker.

Here's what I'm starting with...

How did I do?  Too many rookies, not a lot of big producers from last year.  It looks a little "sparse" at the moment.

There's still 7 weeks before the first game...

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Draft Strategy (Draft Day : Part 2)

DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:44 pm : Draft Position

In all the years I've been playing fantasy I have never ever cracked the top 5 in the draft order.  This year is no different -- I'm #9.  I can only guess who will still remain in the first round when it comes my turn.  My top 3 picks, of course, will be gone -- Jamal Charles, Adrian Peterson, and Calvin Johnson.  Ninth position maybe leaves me with a chance at a Gio Bernard or Dez Bryant -- and for some reason spending my first pick on Dez would be a little disheartening.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:54 pm : 1st Couple Rounds

Now that I'm #9 I suspect I'll get Gio or Dez in the first and possibly DeMarco Murray or Manning in the second round.  Dez and DeMarco would be a fun combo.  Gio and Peyton would be fun, too!


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:58 pm : Julius Thomas and the 3rd Round

I've been planning all along to get Thomas in the 3rd round.  However, I've been hearing lots about his contract extension, which is still yet unresolved.  After scouring several articles, I see little chance of a holdout -- that's what I've been worried about.  This contract thing could be a good thing if it doesn't work out.  After all, he'll be playing the last year of his contract.

Top-tier tight ends are very shaky.  Graham will go in the 1st round before I have a shot.  Vernon Davis is going to hold out.  And Gronkowski is hurt.  Julius Thomas still looks like a good investment, but I think this will be a "game-time" decision for me.  I know if I don't pick up Thomas, I like James Cameron and Kyle Rudolph in the 6th or 7th rounds.

Other 3rd-round possibilities?  Rodgers or Brees.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:16 pm : Ben Tate and Bishop Sankey

I'm so excited about Tate going to the Browns.  I think he's a Top Five back if he stays healthy.  The 4th round is a bit high, but I think that's where I'm going after him -- especially now that I'm #9 in the order.

I'll go after Sankey in the 5th round.  Everyone thinks he's good.  Maybe great?


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:24 pm  :  Wide Receivers and Running Backs, and My First Handcuff

So many great prospects at wide receiver.  There are so many more on my mid-to-late rounds than there are running backs, that I need to exercise discipline to make sure I'm deep enough at running back.  Among my wide receivers of interest are Brandon Cooks, Beckham Jr, and Justin Hunter.

At running back:  MJD and McFadden interest me.

And my first-ever "handcuff."  Terrance West backing up Ben Tate in Cleveland.  I always thought handcuffs were overrated but I'm devoted to making more of these types of selections in the future.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:36 pm : Byes

I'm also going to pay more attention to byes in the late rounds.  I'm terrible about this.  I was always under the belief that you should just get the best players and then fill in the blanks later -- whether it's one of your second-stringers or someone off waivers.  But I figure I can save myself a little headache if I at least make some decisions based on bye weeks.


There you have it!  My draft strategy.  I'm sure everything will go according to plan...

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THUNDERBALL IS BACK! (Draft Day : Part 1)

DRAFT DAY  July 19th  9:33 am  :  Welcome Back!

Fantasy football season is back!  Can you hear the THUNDER roar?!  My draft is a 4:00 pm.

If you've read my blog before, you may notice my 2012-13 seasons have been removed.  They'll be back. I'm going to reformat the posts for easier viewing.  Those stories will be posted again later this season.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  9:51 am  :  Disclaimer

Disclaimer : I realize some people actually supplement their income playing in dozens of fantasy leagues every year.  And I have no judgment of recreational players who participate in a hundred leagues and only talks about the one he's winning -- I really don't.  I just can't figure out how it's fun.  I mean, where's the risk, the excitement, the "fantasy" if you're not putting your reputation on the line with ONE team?!  Again, no judgments...

I just prefer to play one league.

Therefore, I can assure you this fantasy football tale is about one team rather than the best of the lot.  You may see me fall flat on my face, like last year.  But I hope to regain the glory of 2012.  Stay Tuned!

Disclaimer :  Another thing you should know right off the bat -- I don't claim to be any sort of fantasy football expert.  Really, I play in one humble $50 league.  I'm simply an Ordinary Joe that enjoys the sport and wishes to share the journey with anyone who wants to go along for the ride.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  10:22 am  :  Improvements

This year I'm striving for easier readability.  I'm going to use more tables, links, and screenshots.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  10:30 am  :  Why Draft so Early?

I've drafted in July the past couple years and enjoy if for some reason.  I think I like having a pre-season to watch my players develop in training camp.  I like doing add/drops as players get injured and new stars arise.  It's certainly no more of a disadvantage to me than any of my opponents -- why not play an extended season?

I'm not sure I'll always draft this early.  It's just my preference at the moment.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  11:30 am  :  A Little-Known Fact about the Pittsburgh Steelers...

I hate em'.  I really, really do.  I never did like them but now there's compounded hatred by association with the quarterback.  Even if he were to go to prison today on his next sexual assault charge I will probably never draft another Steeler for the rest of my professional fantasy football career.  I just can't do it.

"You can't play fantasy football with your heart..."

Well, come on!  There are so many good players I see no reason why you can't draft mostly players that you like.  My entire cheat sheet is comprised of at least 3-4 players every round that I like.  That's plenty!  Rest assured, you will probably not see an Eagle or Redskin on my roster until I pick one up off waivers to fill a time-specific need -- but never a Steeler.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  12:52 pm  :  My Favorite Team, My Favorite Player

I've been a die-hard 49er fan since Joe Montana's rookie year.  Well, sort of...

I'm ashamed to say this, but I switched allegiances for a few years when I was in Charlotte.  After all, the Panthers were a brand new expansion team and it was hard not to get caught up in that.

So who did the Panthers play twice a year in their division?  The 49ers.  Karma.

I've been back with the 49ers for about a decade now.  But my favorite player is Russell Wilson.  And who are the Seahawks division rival?  The 49ers.

Interestingly enough, I may not draft a single player from either one of these teams.  Possibly if I get a great price on Kap or Gore...


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:16 pm  :  Oh Yeah, I Guess I Should Introduce Myself!

Just call me RiverCat.  I hope you enjoy my blog!

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