Highstakes newbie's roster and notes (14 teamer)

Marauders · Post by **Marauders** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:31 pm

Here’s a little perspective from a high stakes newbie. I’ve been playing Fantasy Football in a local league for about 15 years, up until last year when I first joined some NFFC satellites I didn’t know there was such a thing as mock drafts and ADP reports. Here I am this year jumping in with the sharks.

I ended up with my 5th KDS preference pick #12. The night before the draft, with the latest ADP report and cheatsheat in hand I tried to plan out the first 8-10 rounds. After playing out different strategies on paper using projected stats of players that would realistically be available at each round, I tried to come up with the highest scoring team/strategy possible. Going RB, WR, WR, WR, RB, QB, Flex, and TE seemed to work the best on paper. Then again things always look better on paper.

I was one of (5) phone drafters. I missed out on the full effect of the draft not being there in person to take it all in. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it out next year. Anyway here’s what I came up with for better or worse from Las Vegas League 8

1.12 (Portis) I figured (LT,AP,BW,JA,SJ,FG,MB) would be gone the only other two RB’s I’d consider in the first round were Lynch or Portis (no LJ) as it worked out the top 7 RB’s went along with Brady, Owens and Moss. The guy in the eleven hole picked Lynch and Left me Portis. So far so good.

2.3 (Colston)...I’m hoping for Fitz or Colston here, Fitz went 2.2. AJ, Wayne, Edwards went 1.13, 1.14 2.1.

3.3 (Calvin Johnson)...I was hoping for either Marshall-Welker-S.Smith-Calvin Johnson. Marshall went 2.8, Welker 2.11 I took Johnson because Smith is suspende for 2 games and he has the same bye as Colston. I knew the news on Marshall suspension being reduced would lessen the likelihood of him being there for me but I was hoping. Boldin, Smith, Cotch were the next 3 WR taken.

4.12 (McGahee)…I was thinking Cotch-Harrison-Ward, Cotch went 3.9, Harrison4.1, Ward was still on the board, but I felt I was getting great value on Mcgahee and couldn’t pass him up. Although I knew if I picked him I’d have to back him up with Rice, and probably a little earlier then I’d like. This pick threw a little kink in the plans, but I thought I could adjust to it.

5.3 (Forte)…I was thinking Forte-Young-Stewart or even Hines Ward now. Young went 4.7, Stewart was still on the board and Ward went 5.2. I decided on Forte because he’s likely going to be playing a bigger part in Chicago then Stewart in Carolina… Forte also gave me some depth at RB with 3 full time RB’s….Next players taken Stewart,Gates,Bowe,Rickey Williams.

6.12 (Favre)…Was thinking Cutler-Favre-E.Manning, I was hoping for Cutler but he went 6.4, Manning was still on the board, but Favre being my 2nd choice (and being a Jets fan) I took Favre (9th QB taken)…Next 3 QB’s taken Mcnabb, Schaub, and Hasselbeck.

7.3 (Rice)...was originally thinking S.Moss-Chris Johnson-Reggie Brown, Moss went 6.11,Johnson 6.7, Reggie was still available but I needed to get Rice since I took McGahee. I wasn’t sure Rice would make it back to me in 22 picks.

8.12 (Curry)…Was hoping Owen Daniels would be here, but he was taken 7.11 and I didn’t like any other TE here, plus I still needed a WR3. (Reggie Brown went 8.9). Next 3 WR taken Gafney, Bruce, and Javon Walker.

9.3 (L.J. Smith) was originally thinking Sammy Morris-Slaton-A. Green Morris went 9.2, Slaton 8.2, Green was still on the board, but I thought with 10 TE’s already gone, LJ to me was the last one left with any good possibility of producing top 10 stats . (He played well during the preseason, and if he stays healthy can put up good numbers IMO)

15 minute break……Time for me to evaluate my team and decide what my needs will be for the 2nd half. I thought I’m still thin on WR’s (Curry’s my WR3), figured I’d throw a few “WR” darts at the board and see if any stick. Also I need Backups at QB and TE, as well as a K and a DEF. That’s 7 spots for 9 rounds, Leaves me (2) left for a couple RB’s.

10.12 (Eli Manning)…was thinking Desean Jackson-Ginn Jr- Eddie Royal-A. Green (if still available)….Jackson went 6.6, Ginn 7.4, Royal 10.4, Green was still on the board. I really did want Green, but Manning was there for the picking (and he was the 16th QB) taken. I felt the value was great there for him, I wasn’t sure about him as my QB1, but as my QB2 I won’t pass that up.

11.3 (Engram)... I hadn’t planned this far into the draft, basically throw the ADP report out the window because anything can happen here on out. This was my first dart….I figure if he misses the 1st 3 games, then week 4 is a bye, he’ll be back for me from week 5 on. He hopefully can stabilize the WR3 position. Next 3 WR’s taken Gage, Mark Clayton, and Darrell Jackson ( A.Green ended up going 10.13)

12.12 (Antwaan Randle El)... (Leon Washington went next pick, in hindsight I should have probably picked him) another dart.

13.3 (Antonio Bryant)….Next players taken…Donald Lee, Kevin Jones, Devin Hester, Keller, Kevin Curtis.....another dart.

14.12 (Utecht) was hoping for Keller, but Utecht was my 2nd choice. McMichael went 14.11

15.3 (Folk) first K taken

16.12 (Rhodes)….I liked this pick a lot for a 16th rounder….He might touch the ball a ½ dozen times a game, and is only an Addai injury away from starting for a good team.

17.3 (Jets DEF)….I like the team. Washingtons a good return guy and Favre will help keep this defense off the field and rested.

18.12 (Jenkins) last dart.

Post draft analysis

I feel I did the best I could with the cards I was dealt. Were there some things I could have done differently? Sure, I could of picked up another RB with some potential after the break. Though I don’t think I made any major mistakes that would of greatly improved things.

P.S. Just want to thank the folks running LV 8….Nice Job!!

Any thoughts or comments? Were there any major mistakes?

[ September 01, 2008, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: Marauders ]

bald is beautiful · Post by **bald is beautiful** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:37 pm

Your only major mistake is calling him "Charles" Johnson.

Pretty good job for a "newbie". You should feel fortunate Rice made it back to you in the 7th round. No way he lasts another 22 picks.

TradeStar28 · Post by **TradeStar28** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:39 pm

Originally posted by bald is beautiful:
Your only major mistake is calling him "Charles" Johnson.

Pretty good job for a "newbie". You should feel fortunate Rice made it back to you in the 7th round. No way he lasts another 22 picks. Is that Chad or Calvin ? Once I get answer I will analyze and assess this team

Marauders · Post by **Marauders** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:49 pm

Edited: Calvin Johnson NOT Charles Johnson

Inf4life · Post by **Inf4life** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:51 pm

I was like damn, when did Charles Johnson start playing football??

mikeybok · Post by **mikeybok** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:10 pm

Forget rookie ... your no better or worse off than the rest of us out here ... with that said ... drafts are won or lost in the later picks IMHO

I like your draft (although I avoided some of your early picks out of preference)

9.3 (L.J. Smith) Picked a little early ... but I have him on every team of mine.

11.3 (Engram)... Great pick! Nice three for a RB
oriented team.

13.3 (Antonio Bryant)… nice dart.

16.12 (Rhodes)… Sweet upside this late.

18.12 (Jenkins) good last dart.

[ September 01, 2008, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: Ugly Yellow Tomatoes ]

DOOMSDAY · Post by **DOOMSDAY** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:47 pm

Agree with UYT on some nicely thrown darts, especially on AB, and also for Jenkins as your last pick as he seemed to be going earlier in every draft.

I only disagree with LJ Smith. This cat has all the talent but just never seems to come through. He has permanently been placed on my Do Not Draft list years ago.

Otherwise, very well done. I think your biggest headache will be deciding between Favre and Eli each week.

mikeybok · Post by **mikeybok** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:09 pm

Originally posted by DOOMSDAY:

I only disagree with LJ Smith. This cat has all the talent but just never seems to come through. He has permanently been placed on my Do Not Draft list years ago.
LMAO .... My do not draft guy is Coles (bastard has cost me more than one league!

Your not the only one regarding LJ ... If LJ doesn't step up ... I will have to hear about it all year from my partner.

richieprimo · Post by **richieprimo** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:17 pm

Originally posted by Ugly Yellow Tomatoes:

9.3 (L.J. Smith) Picked a little early ... but I have him on every team of mine.

Let me preface this by saying my team blows, but I'm from Philly and L.J. Smith is the biggest never-was, never-will be that ever hit the fantasy landscape...sorry, but it's true.