I thought for the next few blogs I would give you the results of my interviews with fellow league members from our fantasy football league. These famous people all were deeply involved in our league and, of course, there was some rationalization of their final position in the standings.

Let’s start with the last place finisher, who threatened poor old Sweetness, if he didn’t go first. So here is the first Fantasy interview with……Julius Ceasar. Julie’s team named the Ides Of March got off to a tough start, losing the first 6 head to head contests, but by only a total of 370 points. Julie stated in fantasy gab that he was a victim of bad luck, though his player selection was great. When asked if he used Fantasy Sports Optimizer’s analytical tools, he answered ” Ceasar doesn’t need drafting aids, he is a god.” Of course, Julie failed to take into account that in 2100 years things changed and he should have been using Data Sense and Live Cheat Sheets tools.

His failure was also blamed on his second in commmand, a guy named Brutus. Poor JC, he just doesn’t learn quickly. This year he says he is going all the way with FSO’s package of extraordinary draft aids. He also has dumped Brutus and named Cleopatra as his assistant. This gal can really make you a winner!!! Just don’t reach into her fig basket for a little afternoon refreshment or you might end up with a sore asp.

Next, I interviewed Noble Laureate Harry M. Markowitz, whom I call the father of prediction. Actually, much of Fantasy Sports Optimizer is based on Harry’s work. The man is a genius. Needless to say Harry won the league with his famous team named The Number Crunchers.

I asked Harry if he used Data Sense and The Live Cheat Sheet? He said absolutely, since they were based on his model and he liked what he saw. Predictiability Harry explained is my game and FSO adds to my fame. Harry was impressed with the depth of the analysis and the inclusion of risk is the key to success, he stated. Harry said this year he is going for some big prizes in rotisserie and point leagues and will be using The Optimizer. Harry the genius told me that The Optimizer is unique among fantasy football tools and is the best way to get a jump on your competition. Congrats to Harry, the champion!!!!

The next interview was with one of the mid level players, Walt Disney. Walt said that he thought fantasy football was kind of Mickey Mouse and a little Goofy. He did try a mock draft and then was hooked. He didn’t know about The Live Cheat Sheet from FSO, but after the draft he purchased Data Sense and his kingdom got magically better. I talked to him about a “Magic Kingdom” and he said he would think about it, but didn’t know if the phrase would catch on. Later he named his team The Magic Kingdom, so I think he liked the idea.

Walt said he needed drafting assistance and didn’t find out about Fantasy Sports Optimizer until he joined our league on draft day. Too bad, because Walt is a real nice guy, who loves kids, and small planets or ex-planets like Pluto. The man this year will be armed and ready for draft day using The Live Cheat Sheet. He and Harry will battle it out all year along with other members of the league whom I will tell you about in the next few weeks.

So from fantasyland, I say GOOOOO Bears

Sweetness Uncategorized Sweetness

In the world of real football, no one gets more blame and less credit than Mr. McNabb. In the fantasy player rankings, McNabb always is a good second tier QB and one who can score lots of points for you. Donovan has had an injury risk factor above 1.0, so it was always with some trepidation that he was selected early. However, most years he delived the goods.

In the draft next summer, it will be interesting to see where McNabb is taken. A lot depends on which team he is on, but then unless it is the Raiders or so, should it make any difference? Maybe if it is the Vikes and Brett stays retired, it could be positive. Most likely it won’t make any difference and DM will be a #8 to 10 pick for QBs.

This then brings up a point, what happens to the Eagles? Will Kolb be a fantasy wizard and play all year like he did for a few games last year? Or will the Big Birds of Philly go with the ever exciting, but non passing Vick and have a nice 9-7 season with no playoffs on the horizon.

Player rankings always take into account past performance and to some degree matchups for a particular week and strength of schedule for the longer view. Fantasy Sports Optimizer will be doing just that for 2010 and will be a major tool for fantasy football players in their quest for glory. McNabb, Vick and Kolb will have different ratings depending on what happens, but this much is for sure….Donovan is the cream of this crop, at least in 2010.

Let’s hope that DM gets a good team next year and wins a ring. The guy strikes me that he is a deserving player who should at last get his positive strokes. Astute fantasy football fans will love this also, as the mock drafts, player rankings and other analytical tools will not rank McNabb as more than a fourth rounder, however, they may take him earlier and reap the rewards of a good, but gutsy pick.

See you in two weeks…..

Braincase Uncategorized Braincase

Well, the big fizzle is the lack of big movements in the NFL considering the opportunities due to free agency and potential lack of salary cap.

The trades and free agent signings so far have been weak and not much to shout about unless you are the Bears or the Ravens. They both made some real progress. Now let’s see what the early indications are for the fantasy football players’ world.

Da Bears improved at pass rush and running back. However, while Forte may have taken a hit, the only fantasy improvement MIGHT be their defense. We will see if one super star can do that. He didn’t do it at Carolina, but DA BEARS is differentski. Lots of Poles and their descendants live in Chiville.

The Ravens improved at Wide Receiver and still have Mason. A step up for Mr. Falco in the mock drafts of next summer and in the player rankings by those fantasy fans who read this blog. A. Bolden is a real competitor and will add much to the Ravens’ offense. Fantasy football players will see some opportunities here. Get your cheat sheets ready.

The Redskins are nuts!!! Why would you add Larry Johnson, a known malcontent to a team that is always under acheiving and over paid. From a fantasy standpoint, Portis goes down in the rankings and L. Johnson still isn’t much. The Redskins remind me of my Cubbies and what they do to NOT win championships….like a Milton Bradley last year for the Cubs and Larry Johnson this year for the Skins. Pathetic baby, pathetic!!!!

Now the most confusing exchange of players goes to the Jets. I love LT, but he is now a shadow of his former self. Still good around the goal line and he can catch, but no burst left at all. Why giveup
on Jones, a 1400 yard carrier to get LT? I know the Jets didn’t want to pay his bonus, but the LT deal wasn’t cheap either. Plus Green has yet to prove his durability and Jonesy keeps on ticking. Fantasy wise, Green is up, and Jones and Charles at KC are down. Life for a fantasy player isn’t easy. My own personal opinion on the Jets for next year that they have a long way to go to duplicate there effort in San Diego.

Speaking of the Chargers, who is there running back going to be? A rookie, or are they just going to throw it. Mock and league drafts will be fun positioning this one. I think I will draft as late as I can to see which running back is starting in San Diego and KC.

Another move involved A. Bryant to Cincy. Bryant is always a difficult player to rank. Is he healthy, is his mind OK, does the sun ever shine in Portland? These questions are not easy for the drafting player or one playing point or roto games. Do you want to take a flyer late in the round and possibly waste a position on the other teams? Player rankings for him will be low and the upside could be great or he could be the biggest fizzle of the year.

By the way, what is going to happen with T.O.? Has “wonder mouth” finally played his way into oblivion? Maybe he could convince Jerry Jones that they would have beat the Vikes last year if he were still on the team. Of course, Jones JR. thinks he is a putz and that is why he made his way to Buffalo.

Fizzle, drizzle and prizzle (not spelled right, but it rhymes) is the result so far for the NFL’s adventure into uncharted waters.
Go Bears!!!!

Sweetness Uncategorized Sweetness

Here we go…..release time continues for some big names along with the “keepers”, such as Michael Vick. The latest to be dropped is Anderson, the Browns starting QB for a few years. Since he went to the ProBowl only two years ago he might be a good pickup for someone. Fantasy fans should watch were he lands, since he could be the starter and possibly a sleeper in deep leagues. Player rankings will have him relatively low and that could make him a good late round pick. Someone to watch.

Speaking of the Browns, Mike Holgrem made an interesting move in obtaining Seneca Wallace. A player that Mike always had a good feeling about. He drafted and sometimes played him. Good luck to Seneca, another potential sleeper.

The Michael Vick move was good for Vick…a million and a half reasons. What are the Eagles planning? Vick is no where near as good as McNabb is and maybe even Kolb. However, if someone could teach him to pass with finess, he might be another sleeper for the mock and real drafts next summer.

The Bears seem to have done themselves proud last week. A great pass rusher and a good overall back. Now for the rest of the defensive line and then the offensive line. However, they will make a bigger splash in the NFC North.

L.T. and T.O. are looking for a good fit for themselves. If I were T.O. I wouldn’t complain if I landed anywhere. Cincy might be good for him. L.T. may join the Vikes, which might be a great fit. He would have a chance for a championship assuming Farve comes back. He can still score touchdowns and doesn’t fumble. He would be great at the goal line if AP doesn’t stop fumbling near the goal line.

Well so long for two weeks. I hope you can put up with Sweetness next week. I know it isn’t easy.

Braincase Uncategorized

We are headed into one of the craziest years in a long time. For fantasy football fans this is going to be a tough year as many of the old reliables may not work.

Mock drafts and player rankings will be super important to see where you should end up. Already we have seen many old, but serviceable running backs get the heave ho. LT, Westbrook and T. Jones to name a few. What does this mean for next summer and picking your fantasy teams?

Let this lowly blogger give you some points to ponder. First, in player rankings be wary of those that list 18 running backs out of the top 25 players. Cheat sheets that do this are not looking at the final point totals for 2009. The rules haven’t changed and they now favor the passing game.

Secondly, be alert to major changes in a team’s structure. For example, Kurt Warner is gone. Of course he could pull a Farve, but I doubt it. What does this mean for L. Fitzgeralds’ value….nothing good that I can see.

Thirdly, be aware of what is happening in the division of your key players. If the Bears get Julius Pepper, then the three other teams in the Black and Blue division have a different look when they play the Bears twice. Remember, the Vikes lost to the Bears in December without the Bears having a great pass rusher. There will be lots of movement this off year and rookies will play a different role with different teams. The rookie back for the Chargers will probably be a starter, very interesting!!!!

Fourth, look for some ranking aid that takes into account the “true strength of schedule.” Data Sense and the Live cheat sheet of Fantasy Sports Optimizer, FSO for short, are the type of tools that will help you in you upcoming drafts.

It looks like a fun year ahead and this blogger cannot wait for July. Go Bears!!!!

Sweetness Uncategorized