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Fantasy Football: Start/Bench Week Five
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Oct. 3rd, 2008 @ 10:49 am
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Last week, yours truly went 3-for-3 regarding players to start and bench and did awful regarding the defenses to exploit. The Denver defense shall never be trusted again.
So let's look at Week Five and see if I can improve on my performance. Remember, though, it's your judgment that ultimately should determine who to put into your lineup.
( Read more... ) |
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Fantasy Football: Exploiting Defensive Matchups
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Oct. 2nd, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
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For those looking for information on how to exploit fantasy matchups, sometimes you have to look more at just a team's overall record or how many points a team tends to give up. It actually involves looking at which defenses give up the most and fewest yardage, whether it's through the air, on the ground, or both.
In looking at these numbers for the first four weeks of the season, some of the matchups to exploit, and some to avoid, may surprise you.
( Read more... ) |
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Fantasy Football: Five B's To Give Out
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Oct. 1st, 2008 @ 02:52 pm
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After the first four weeks of the season, I've got some designations to be delivered to certain players, following along five "B's."
Boom is a player who has been a past top fantasy contributor off to a good start.
Breakout is a player turning into a top fantasy contributor.
Blossoming is a player on the verge of becoming a top fantasy contributor.
Bust is a past fantasy contributor who is struggling, but there may have been signs before the season began that he would struggle.
Big disappointment is a past fantasy contributor who is struggling and was expected to at least be good... or in one case, a sleeper who never panned out.
( Read more... ) |
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Fantasy Football: Week Four In Review
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Sep. 30th, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
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Four weeks have passed and I'll have more about how certain players are measuring up in terms of fantasy performance. Meanwhile, here are your picks for those who succeeded, surprised and slipped in Week Four.
( Read more... ) |
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Bailout Thoughts
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Sep. 30th, 2008 @ 11:57 am
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Congress has yet to approve a bailout for the various firms that have been dealing in these bad mortgage deals. I don't really know what to think about the reasons why the latest proposal failed, although I will say that it may be for the best to keep defeating a quick passage because this isn't something that should be accomplished on the spur of the moment.
As far as the whole financial situation itself goes, I've finally collected some general thoughts that I think people need to keep in mind.
1. You can argue whether or not the economy is currently in recession, but regardless of that, any bailout is not going to prevent a recession. It will, at best, delay it... and honestly, I don't think delaying a recession is a good idea, because I believe, once the recession has to come, things will be worse. Better to let the recession come sooner and allow the market to recover, and the institutions on solid ground to weather the storm while the bad institutions deal with the consequences.
2. I know not everyone favors regulation of the market, but to me, there is a difference between regulation that tries to control it and regulation that tries to prevent bad deals from being made. Setting price and wage controls is trying to control the market. Dictating to businesses about the need for transparency in agreements is not controlling the market, it's ensuring bad deals are not being made. Ensuring proper deals are made protects both the person borrowing the money and the institution lending it.
3. From what I've read, simply offering loans to people who can't afford to pay them back is too simplistic. First of all, the acts that are designed to offer more opportunity for lower-income folks to get loans apply to banks and thrifts, not to financial firms that may deal in banking services but aren't considered banks by definition. It's these financial firms that need to be more selective as to who they deal with... at a local bank, a person of any income level can open an account, so the theory is, if their money can be used by the bank and they can gain interest on it, they should be able to get a loan from the same bank at terms they can afford, thus benefitting both the person taking the loan and the bank. But a firm that tends to specialize in "higher investment" opportunities is not likely to have a low-income individual opening such an account, so they shouldn't try to deal with these people. Anyone who complains that's not fair needs to remember that you shouldn't try to make somebody a player at a higher level of investment if they don't have the money to put up and the risks for them are too large.
4. Booms don't last forever. At some point, you will run out of buyers and the boom has to end. And that's especially true with housing. A house is supposed to be a long-term investment... you only sell it if you absolutely have to. And given that it's a long-term investment, you need terms at which you will be able to afford the mortgage payment through the life of the loan. The idea of giving a low-interest rate that suddenly jumps up, but you could refinance because the value will go up as the boom continues, is flawed because there is no guarantee how long the boom will last.
5. Any package that gets final approval from Congress needs to hold accountable the folks running the firms that gave the bad deals. They need to be reminded that part of the equation of capitalism is dealing with the risks involved and they can't just take the rewards while being let off the hook for risks. By not doing so, it goes back to a comparison I've seen made elsewhere: Giving the firms all this money to do as they please with no restrictions is like giving a crack addict money to go to rehab in exchange for his pipe... the addict will simply go out and buy another pipe and more crack.
Back to the recession that is going to happen, regardless of what Congress does... I don't know if it will be at the levels of the Great Depression. But I would suspect it won't be. The bad firms will ultimately go by the wayside, and the firms that did proper business may be on shaky ground, but they will later recover and things will stabilize.
But even we aren't facing Great Depression No. 2, we are going to face a recession. People need to stop denying it and let it happen so the market can ultimately correct itself and things can stabilize. |
| » Fantasy Football: Start/Bench Week Four |
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Now that we are at Week Four, with the bye weeks taking place and knowing exactly how good each team's offense and defense are, it's time to start looking at who to start and who not to each week.
( Read more... )
Sep. 26th, 2008 @ 02:10 pm
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| » This Is Exactly The Time For Debate |
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I've had a lot of thoughts running through my mind with regards to the whole financial situation regarding Lehman Brothers, AIG and the other players in the "bad mortgages gone awry" ordeal, and I've read quite a few viewpoints regarding what should and shouldn't be done. I've also read up on essays about causes of the Great Depression, suspecting there were some lessons people, regardless of their role in this situation, should have learned but didn't. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to write general thoughts I have regarding everything I have read.
But on a related note comes John McCain wanting Friday's Presidential debate postponed so this situation can be better addressed.
For selfish reasons, I wouldn't mind seeing it postponed because I have a football game to cover Friday night and would miss it.
But I'm being practical when I say to John McCain, "No. Bad idea."
Simply put, this is exactly what the debate needs to be focused on... the fact that people in varying levels of the economic spectrum have made bad decisions regarding finances and now we have a company asking to be bailed out.
Debating the issues that surround this, what can be done, what direction should be followed, and most of all, why those things are the proper thing to do is going to be an important question voters are now going to ask themselves as they continue to decide who they will support in the upcoming Presidential election.
John McCain has seen what happens when a major financial institution comes along asking for a bailout... the savings and loan crisis. He should be able to speak from that experience. Not to mention the fact that he's seen plenty of economic changes throughout his political career and should have a good idea of what needs to be done and why it will work.
Most of all, the candidate who presents the plan of action that makes the most sense to voters could very well end up shaping whatever action Congress ultimately takes, and likely give him the final momentum boost to roll to victory in November.
But stalling does the opposite for McCain... it hurts him. It makes it look to the layman voter like he is afraid to debate the issues.
Others have brought up "multi-tasking." My concern, however, has more to do with the fact that the economic issues we have make a Presidential election debate a bigger key to the election than ever.
Even if I don't get to see it live, I want to know what the plan of action Obama and McCain have for the economy... and the issue of what to do regarding AIG is exactly the type of issue that should be debated.
Sep. 24th, 2008 @ 06:08 pm
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| » Fantasy Football: Parker Parked For The Week |
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KFFL reports that Willie Parker will miss the Week Four game against Baltimore because of a knee sprain. Parker has been listed as day-to-day, but the Steelers have opted to hold him out for this week's game and start Rashard Mendenhall in his place.
Mendenhall does not make a good start against the Ravens, who remain stingy against the run. But given that several teams are on bye this week, you may need to go with him.
Mewelde Moore is next on the back depth chart but wouldn't have any fantasy value unless Parker misses an extended period of time. Moore would then be the handcuff to Mendenhall who might be able to contribute in PPR leagues because of his pass-catching ability.
While normally this would be the time to remind people abou handcuffing running backs, the Steelers were projected to run a split backfield, and with split backfields, it's often that the top two backs will not be drafted by the same team. Mendenhall was likely being drafted as a No. 3 back prior to the season, so most Parker owners will likely have to look for other options.
For Parker owners who do not have Mendenhall, possible backs to pick up are Steve Slaton (the Jaguars can be run against), LeRon McClain (who may have a tough matchup against Pittsburgh but is getting more touches in what looks to be a definite split backfield in the weeks to come) and Michael Pittman (who is getting more of the red zone work in the Broncos' backfield by committee).
Sep. 23rd, 2008 @ 02:13 pm
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| » Fantasy Football: Bulger Benched |
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ESPN.com reports that the Rams have opted to bench starting quarterback Marc Bulger in favor of Trent Green.
The move was made by Scott Linehan in hopes of shaking up an offense that ranks 31st in the NFL in terms of production. And it's a move that has serious fantasy implications.
The obvious one pertains to Bulger, who should be let go in all formats. But picking up Green to replace him is not a good idea, considering that Green has twice seen his season effectively end because of concussions. Green's health issues, combined with his age, make him a very risky player to rely on from a fantasy standpoint. Take note that Bulger has been sacked 11 times in the first three games of the season, and that goes back to issues with the offensive line. With Green at the helm, those sack totals aren't going to magically drop. Green, therefore, is not worth owning unless you play in a league that starts two quarterbacks each week.
Steven Jackson could find the going tougher for him in coming weeks as teams begin to stack the line against him, thinking that the Rams won't be able to beat anybody with the pass with Green at the helm. Jackson is still worth keeping in your starting lineup, but he now drops to the lower tier of No. 1 fantasy backs and may be better viewed as a No. 2.
Torry Holt will likely continue to be targeted by Green, but his fantasy value largely depends on how well Green plays. He should now be viewed as a No. 2 fantasy receiver and no more than that.
The Rams run into another tough matchup against the Bills, so relying on both Jackson and Holt this week carries plenty of risk. After that comes a bye week, then two more tough matchups in Washington and Dallas. From a strictly NFL perspective, it wouldn't surprise me to see Green lose the starting job after Week Seven.
For those who own Bulger, rather than picking up Green, you may want to check other options available first. Trent Edwards, J.T. O'Sullivan, Brian Griese and Kerry Collins are among the quarterbacks who may be available in your leagues, and all can be serviceable as spot starters, and definitely work as fantasy backups if that is all you really need.
Sep. 23rd, 2008 @ 11:11 am
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| » Fantasy Football: Week Three In Review |
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Week Three is the point of the NFL season at which I feel it's safe to make certain assumptions... you can see trends developing and how they are going to impact fantasy football seasons.
With that in mind, here are some trends that can easily be spotted after three weeks of the NFL season have been completed.
( Read more... )
Sep. 22nd, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
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| » Fantasy Football: Who To Watch in Week Three |
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We're reaching the point of the season where we will get a good idea of exactly where each team stands and how the players on those teams will impact fantasy rosters. Here are some players to keep an eye on during Wee Three.
( Read more... )
Sep. 19th, 2008 @ 02:48 pm
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| » The Business World Should Be Like The 100-Meter Dash |
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In the light of the fallout with Lehman Brothers and AIG, and whether or not the government should be bailing these businesses out or whether or not the government should be regulating Wall Street more, I thought about my own personal view on business and regulation... do only what is necessary to ensure keep the playing field level and prevent someone from overstepping their bounds.
I then thought of an analogy regarding the 100-meter dash. There are certain rules that are set in place regarding the event... no false starts, stay in your lane, no tripping another runner, etc. As far as preparation for the event goes, no training that gives you a decidedly unfair advantage (steroids and HGH, in this case).
That being said, there are always going to be those who are naturally better at the 100-meter dash, who don't violate the rules or look to gain a truly unfair advantage, yet still finish ahead of the rest of the pack, simply because they are just that good at it.
That's really what I want from the business world... regulate so that no cheating, delibertate undercutting of a competitor or doing something that truly gives you an unfair advantage doesn't happen, but at the same time, you don't want to get to the point that those who are simply that good in the business world are unable to reach their potential.
Because a 100-meter dash where everybody crosses the finish line at the same time would get boring fast... and ditto for everyone in the business world being even with everyone else.
Sep. 17th, 2008 @ 03:08 pm
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| » Fantasy Football: Vikings Have New Starting QB |
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According to KFFL, ESPNews reported that the Vikings have named Gus Frerotte the starter for the remainder of the season. This means any fantasy player who owns Tarvaris Jackson can safely drop him.
Frerotte isn't worth adding to your rosters, though, but if he can perform respectably, it may help the fantasy value of Bernard Berrian and, if he is healthy, Sidney Rice.
The value of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor remain unchanged, as the Vikings will still emphasize the run, even with a new QB starting.
Sep. 17th, 2008 @ 11:46 am
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| » Fantasy Football: Top 100 After Week Two |
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Here's the top 100 fantasy players after Week Two.
( Read more... )
Sep. 17th, 2008 @ 11:05 am
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| » Fantasy Football: Week Two In Review |
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And so we wrap up another week of the NFL season and now we are starting to see some trends develop. In Week Three, we'll find out how many of those trends hold true.
( Read more... )
Sep. 16th, 2008 @ 01:04 pm
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| » Fantasy Advice Not To Follow |
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Quoting from Yahoo Sports advice about Ryan Grant:
"Brutal matchup and he's yet to receive a carry this year so look to sit."
He's facing the Lions this week.
He carried the ball multiple times against the Vikings last week.
Whose name were they really looking at when they wrote that?
UPDATE: The advice for Donald Driver refers to the Vikings game, so it looks like they simply didn't update the advice for Packer players.
Sep. 12th, 2008 @ 10:59 am
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| » Fantasy Football: Who To Watch In Week Two |
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While I have talked about some players who have favorable matchups, I will keep the theme for Week Two's preview regarding the players to watch. Because regardless of matchups, there will be some players of interest who could help or hurt their causes to contribute to their teams and that can have fantasy impact.
( Read more... )
Sep. 12th, 2008 @ 10:00 am
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| » Fantasy Football: The Young And The Restless |
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The Vince Young story has taken many puzzling turns, the latest being that he may not want to play football any more.
Young is already expected to miss a couple of games with a strained ligament in his leg, but given the news that the Titans have signed Chris Simms, it would appear the Titans are preparing to move forward without Young, at least as the starter.
At this time, it's probably for the best for fantasy owners to drop Young if they can find better QB options. You could do worse than Kerry Collins, who has a favorable matchup against Cincinnati in Week Two. Other QB options that might be available are Chad Pennington, Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan, although you don't want to consider them long-term options.
Most fantasy owners should have been drafting Young as a fantasy backup, so if you look for other options, a new fantasy backup is what you should be seeking.
Sep. 10th, 2008 @ 02:53 pm
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