GuruReport.com Expert League Draft

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:33 am

Of all the Expert Leagues that I'm in, this is the one I want to win the most. Unlike most Expert Leagues where you're playing for pride, this one rewards a big-screen TV to the champion. I finished second two years ago and it sucked to come so close and not get the TV, believe me.

I really think this is the best team I've ever drafted in that league. I picked 8th and believe I got tremendous value in every round. It's a 12-team league and a point-reception league so RBs who catch the ball have huge value. Here's my team and a look at the first two rounds (the entire draft can be seen in the GuruReport.com magazine, which will be part of your goodie bag for the NFFC).

The starting lineup is 1 QB/2 RBs/3 WRs/1 Flex/1 TE/1 D/1 Kicker

We drafted 14 rounds today with the final 6 rounds taking place in August:

QB-Marc Bulger
QB-Brett Favre

RB-LaMont Jordan
RB-Willis McGahee
RB-Reuben Droughns
RB-Dominic Rhodes
RB-Chris Perry

WR-Donald Driver
WR-Lee Evans
WR-Donte Stallworth
WR-Jerry Porter

TE-Jerramy Stevens

K-David Akers

D-Tampa Bay

ROUND 1
1. Shaun Alexander
2. Larry Johnson
3. LaDainian Tomlinson
4. Steven Jackson
5. Tiki Barber
6. Clinton Portis
7. Edgerrin James
8. LaMont Jordan
9. Cadillac Williams
10. Brian Westbrook
11. Ronnie Brown
12. Rudi Johnson

ROUND 2
13. Steve Smith
14. Larry Fitzgerald
15. Domanick Davis
16. Willis McGahee
17. Julius Jones
18. Reggie Bush
19. Torry Holt
20. Jamal Lewis
21. Chad Johnson
22. Warrick Dunn
23. Willie Parker
24. Peyton Manning

[ May 22, 2006, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:53 am

In a flex league it's going to take an awful lot for me not to go RB with my first three picks -- especially in a PPR league where there is such good value in the third round as was the case today with Droughns. I do like Jordan but in a PPR I think his value soars.

GOD Loves You · Post by **GOD Loves You** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:19 am

Tom, I talked to Caplan and he said you guys are "going down again this year" and something about he could use another big screen for his basement! Do you think Adam would ever "smack talk"?

BTW, who was the "celebrity" player this year? I remember Bakay from last year, and Fred "The Crime Dog" from a few years ago. Anyone good?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:23 am

Nick Bakay was back in the draft. He picked 12th. Sounds like Adam's already doing some smack talking. Tell him not to be so damn greedy.

Nag' · Post by **Nag'** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:42 am

Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:
In a flex league it's going to take an awful lot for me not to go RB with my first three picks -- especially in a PPR league where there is such good value in the third round as was the case today with Droughns. I do like Jordan but in a PPR I think his value soars. Oh Tom, Tom, Tom. 3 rbs with the first 3 picks in THAT format is a major, MAJOR no-no

. I've played in this format for 5 years now and history has shown that Stud WRs are what will get you to the promised land in a 2/3/Flex, PPR league. Solid RBs are important as well, don't get me wrong, but drafting 3 RBs and passing on Stud WRs is a mistake.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:45 am

I disagree Nag. The year I finished second I did so with Muhammad, Rod Smith and Kennison as my top 3 WRs. Now Muhammad was a stud that season but he wasn't drafted as a stud -- he was one of my later-round picks. I've never found the stud-WR theory to be very profitable whereas I have always found that if your RBs are lacking (especially in a flex league) you will likely be in a world of hurt.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:47 am

For what it's worth, Adam Caplan won the league title and he also drafted RBs in the first three rounds -- James, Chris Brown and Fred Taylor. He got Steve Smith as his WR2 in the fifth round (he took Wayne in the fourth). Yet another example of finding a stud WR without using a early-round pick on one.

Nag' · Post by **Nag'** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:52 am

This has been the format of the "other" contest going on 5 seasons. I've seen literaly HUNDREDS of draftboards and evaluated teams in the beggining and at the end of the season and discussed this ad nauseum.
My observations have been that it is extremely difficult for teams that draft 3 RBs to succeed. Much more difficult than teams that draft at least 1 or EVEN 2 Wrs with their first 3 picks. Not saying you can't do it, just saying history is not on your side.

[ May 22, 2006, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Nag' ]