The Thursday Chat Has Begun

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:56 am

So what's on your mind today? Panic in Arizona with no Shipp and now no Boldin? Questions in NY where Kurt Warner isn't exactly getting a strong endorsement from Tom Coughlin? A definitive statement in Minnesota where Mike Tice said Michael Bennett is his RB "period, end of story" (course if you've been reading my reports you've known that all along, haven't you?

).

All that and anything else you want to discuss, as well as any NFFC topics that are on your mind are all open for discussion as we begin our Thursday chat.

So have at it.

chich · Post by **chich** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:08 am

Tom,
I have a question. Do the schedules use a set format for the season i.e. Team 1 at the draft plays Team 2 in week one. I was just wondering if I might know while drafting which week I would face each of the other owners in my league.
Thanks.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:11 am

There is a standard schedule we've set up for all three leagues. It should be posted on the game site later today, so yes you'll know going into your draft which team you're doing to be facing.

[ August 12, 2004, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:11 am

Okay, even though I'm sitting right next to you, I'll ask a few questions (nobody talks anymore anyways). I'm in the middle of another draft and need late round sleepers.

Who gets Boldin's receptions in Arizona and where does Larry Fitzgerald go now among all WRs? Is Emmitt even a worthy pick there now?

You didn't tell me yesterday who will be earning points in Miami? I need someone now in this draft I'm doing.

Why is Michael Vick going ahead of Matt Hasselbeck in most fantasy drafts (I know, I've taken him ahead of Hasselbeck too)? I was at Lambeau Field for the playoff game when he said "we'll take the ball and we'll score." I like a QB with balls like that (even though he lost the game for the Seahawks with an INT).

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:16 am

Some answers to Greg's questions:

1. Fitzgerald gets a nice bump in value since he's about the only WR they have there now. Bryant Johnson is the likely replacement for Boldin, but he's battling a foot injury. With Johnson and Boldin both out, Bryan Gilmore is getting some reps opposite Fitzgerald. I'd still avoid Emmitt. What is, he 350 years old?

2. The only guys in Miami I'd feel safe drafting now are Chambers and McMichael, but I would lower Chambers' value a bit. If McCardell gets traded to the Dolphins that would change everything and bump Chambers back up. If Minor wins the starting job, he's worth a look late, but there are some rumblings that the Dolphins might be looking at James Jackson, so don't get too excited about Minor just yet.

3. I simply do not believe you should overpay for Vick as everyone who read our September issue of Fantasy Sports Magazine knows all too well.

I'd take each of the following QBs ahead of Vick in most leagues: Culpepper, Manning, McNabb, Hasselbeck, Bulger, Favre and Green. And I'd give real consideration to Brooks and Pennington (who I really like as a sleeper pick this year) too. I think Vick is arguably the most exciting player in the NFL, but he still has a long way to go before I consider him an elite NFL or fantasy QB.

Appleman · Post by **Appleman** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:16 am

Tom, is the gamesite up and running and where is it located?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:18 am

Chich, good question and actually Jersey Paul asked me to post this in late June. We have the schedule done and it will be listed within the game site for everyone as soon as you get access to that, which hopefully will be later today or tomorrow. Everyone will definitely know what their schedule will look like as soon as they know their draft position, which as you know, will be no later than Tuesday, Aug. 31st.

I have the schedule in an Excel document and it's listed Team by Team, so it's tough to post, but we'll ask STATS to post it for us on a different thread. Week 1 is definitely 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, etc., so you'll know exactly who your first week opponent is going to be. This same schedule will be used for all three of our contests, so enjoy.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:20 am

The game site isn't up and running just yet. I met with STATS on Tuesday and it looked 95% done. I'm hoping you will get an e-mail later today or tomorrow giving you your individual ID and password to enter. You will then log into the game site from the home page and can bookmark that. Go to www.fantasybaseballchampionship.com to see what I'm talking about.

I'll e-mail the guys at STATS now and see how close we are to making the game site live. I want everyone to pick their team names and give the game site a test drive.

Appleman · Post by **Appleman** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:22 am

Thanks Greg!
With injury to Jansen, did drop your ranking of Portis?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:27 am

I'm keeping Portis at 4th overall despite the injury to Jansen for two reasons: 1) I trust in Gibbs and Bugel's ability to adjust. They know what makes an offensive line work and I believe they will get this group to respond despite that big loss; 2) I think Portis is a special special RB. In terms of pure talent, I think he is the most talented RB in the NFL.

Now as we get closer to the season if it becomes apparent the Redskins aren't adjusting up front then I will take a look at Portis and make the proper determination in terms of his ranking. But for now, I haven't downgraded him despite the injury to Jansen.