"Why is the rabbit unafraid? Because he's smarter than the panther.”
You don’t have to know the most to claim a fantasy football title. One of the most popular questions any veteran fantasy football loyalist will entertain from less seasoned players is some form of “What is the biggest thing I need to do right in order to win?”
My answer is always short and sweet. “You need more than one thing to go right.” Then I usually add to my answer after getting puzzling looks and “wow that was helpful” responses. So the next piece of wisdom I impart on people is telling them luck is a very important element to winning. At some point during the season you’ll be on one end or the other and you must realize luck is part of the game. Do not whine about it. Just deal with it and always remember you might be on the other end next week. Of course when you are unlucky in the playoffs or half your roster is injured there is reason to gripe. Just don’t get nasty and stop being active because it will ruin things for the rest of the owners.
Since those seeking advice are usually hoping for more than “luck” in an answer I give them something they can apply and send them on their way. Know your competition. Know them well enough to converse and offer competitive banter as well as logical and reasonable trade offers. Know their tendencies. How active are they on the waiver wire? What is their favorite team? Which players do they like or dislike? Knowing the other owners in your league can not only help you outsmart them but it will also make the season more enjoyable.
When you know what your opponents can and can’t do, how they prefer to go about their business and what really ticks them off you can adapt to whatever they are likely to do before they even do it.
“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow”
If you head into 2009 with the intent on paying a little closer attention to your competition then you are already improving as a fantasy football owner. I love to analyze data, it’s part of the reason I love playing fantasy football. However, it is often my biggest obstacle to overcome during a fantasy season. I strategize too much sometimes and have put myself in huge holes because I didn’t place enough focus on the present. Falling in love with sleepers and breakout candidates can hurt you as much as showing them no love. Always head into a draft with an open mind and try not to be too high or low on a player and be careful when selecting players to place on your Do Not Draft lists.
Likewise, you don’t want to go into an auction thinking I am going to pay whatever I have to get player X. Be informed about players who might be available you’re your turn to pick comes up, but basing you draft or auction plans around one or two players you plan on getting can leave your head spinning with the time counting down.
Your best bet when entering any fantasy football season is to have a good idea about the values of players and not trying to figure out which of three WRs you believe will be on the board in the third round because you will have two RBs and don’t like taking a QB that early.
“Did you know that you can make fire from ice?”Know what you are capable of during the season. If you are not going to be able to spend 10 hours a week looking at your fantasy football team(s) then try to draft a roster that will allow you to “Set it and Forget it.” Pass on the injury risks and keep an eye on the bye weeks. This type of strategy is best used for those playing for fun or are beginners. However, this can work well for fantasy football gurus who have horrible luck at making lineup decisions each week. If you can fill your positions with a distinct hierarchy of talent you can reduce your chances of “starting the wrong guy” syndrome.
On the flip side, if you know you will be extremely active following the NFL, injury reports and the latest news daily throughout the season you can afford to take more risks on players since you’ll be able to replace those who don’t pan out much easier than the owner who checks his team once or twice a week. You can also employ a less balanced approach to your draft or auction such as loading up at one position or reaching for a player because you know you will a great value later.
Having skill in fantasy football is as much about creating a roster that you can manage as it is about knowing NFL players’ and fantasy values. The team with the best players doesn’t always win each week. Putting your best possible lineup together on a weekly basis will help to consistently be competitive each week. You don’t have to know every survival tactic to get out of the woods alive.
The Edge (1997) Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Elle Macpherson Directed by Lee Tomahori
This movie was a perfect choice for this week since I had the outdoors on my mind and fantasy football drafts coming up. A fantasy football season is a grind to survive the elements and using whatever resources you can find on the waiver wire to fill patch the holes. Sometimes you have to put your trust into someone who has burned you in the past by making a trade that helps another team as much as it does yours.
By the end of the season, you will have had to overcome more than a few challenges if you are to hoist a fantasy football trophy. You will need to be insightful and never get too down on your current situation. My first fantasy football title came after I started the season 2-6 before winning all but one of the following weeks before rolling over higher seeds in the playoffs. I was amazed at how much I learned in one season without even realizing it and I think Alec Baldwin’s character felt the same way by the end of this movie.
That concludes this week's movie. Good luck to those who are holding thier fantasy football auctions and drafts this week. My 2009 fantasy football rankings will be out soon! BOXCAR Football updates are also available on RSS and Twitter!
