Pre-Training Camp Blues Report

Well, it appears we have made it through the minor observation nonsense and are heading face-first into the blood and guts of the real fantasy football evaluation period... Training Camp! I have noticed that the panning for gold tends to be les tainted with the iron pyrites of flash in the pan exhibition game monsters (like say, Robert Meachum the Saints WR or Dominic Hixon WR, NYG - who both looked like Jerry Rice's secret sons at times before anything actually counted and then disappeared like morning fog with the sunrise when it did). Camp, in short, is the real sorting grounds for roster cuts and starting slot decisions for the great mass of players who are truly in the coach's balance.
In the meantime, there seems to be a number of "slip through the cracks" pieces of info which I am happy to post and pass your way...
First off, for all of you IDP leaguers out there who are hunting that elusive super sleeper sack artist in the waining rounds of your draft, I would throw you this little bone. . . Cameron Wake.
"Uhhmm... Who???" you ask... well, that reaction is well understood but get ready to learn that name as it is a distinct possibility that he could be the surprise defensive player of the year in the NFL in 2009. Briefly, Wake was a superstar CFL sack-monster who has been the CFL's Defensive Player of the Year the last TWO YEARS! Feel free to try and remember the last person in either the NFL or CFL (or NFLE, AFL, etc. for that matter) to pull that trick off... now to put this little pick-up in better perspective for you, keep in mind that he now potentially moves from DE to OLB (or even to DT/NT to ILB) and vice-versa through out the game (hell, during ANY PLAY!) with 2008 NFL sack leader JoeyPorter and 2007 Defensive MVP/sack leader Jason Taylor (among other dangerous Dolphin Defenders) drawing added blocking attention and a vastly upgraded secodary (to slow opponents' quick route passes) and young stud D-Line over the last 15 months since the 'Parcells-Soprano syndicate' took ov'a da sout' beec', yo'. Even for regular DST fantasy needs, you may want to consider the possibility of Miami if these pieces seem to be meshing. As an added bonus... you may want to watch a rookie WR turned CB from Utah named Sean Smith (?) there in Miami now too... impressive physically (plays like a 7 footer) and even while just learning the position in college was simply incredible!

More tidbits to come... stay tuned and join as a follower!

The 2009 Free Agency period is starting to get interesting (and quickly at that!) with the Redskins going cash crazy (ala the '08 Jets) and Scott Piolli pulling the trigger on the Matt Cassell/ mke Vrabel trade (what a deal for just a 2nd Rounder). Hmmmm, it seems to me like Tyler Thigpen was developing nicely... so, is he Trade Bait now? And WHAT is this non-sense about Denver's trade-block pushing JAY CUTLER (huh?... someone help me with that one)?

Meanwhile top remaining prospects Derrick Ward and TJ Hoosh sit and wait to see who will open the checkbook (I mean SOMEBODY out there is going to grab those two guys, right?) and then there's the Risk/Reward list with guys like Cedric Benson testing teams' faith in things that can not be seen but may prove to be cap steals and valuable assets to the right roster. $100 Million for Haynesworth? Signing DeAngelo Hall at all - more less at that price (heck, he's not even in my top 40 active NFL CB's list currently)? Are the Broncos now seemingly banking on Correll Buckhalter (what? You don't have enough injury cases at RB on the roster yet?) and so many other interesting moves... Let's hash it all out as it matriculates!

Your THOUGHTS? Fantasy Impacts? Trade Implications? THERE IS NO OFF SEASON!

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FANTASY FOOTBALL HEADQUARTERS !!!

Save this Blog spot to get inside all the edge you'll need to dominate your league!

Feel Free to chat NFL (or even NCAA or CFL football) related information and ask questions anytime... it's good to Win! My primary league is celebrating our 22nd year now (2009) and I am proud to have been the big winner back to back the last two years and finished in the top 5% nationally in ESPN's GridIron Challenge this year (no small accomplishments...)!

I have been studying the mathematical implications and statistical correlations of team architecture and composition in great depth and have been adjusting to a wider variety of alternative scoring and keeper league implications.

REMEMBER to always adjust any rankings and advice to your league's scoring and rules.

Generally speaking (and unless otherwise stated or specifically asked), I will assume the standard fantasy format of 6 point TD's (and 2 points for any 2 point extra points) for any player or DST and 1 point per 20 yards for RBs & WR/TE's with no additional points for the number of receptions (non-PPR) with QB's garnering 1 point for every 50 yards passing (plus any passing TD's and passing extra points thrown) and all turnovers are hit with a 2 point penalty. DST's will also score 2 points for getting those turnovers and will also get 6 points for TD's by recovery, return or rule (i.e. a safety in the endzones). Kickers get 1 pt for XP's, 2 for FG's under 40 yards and 3 for 40+ FG's. Easy enough, right?

Keepers (which every league does differently) will be discussed with RELATIVE VALUE to their projected points next year vs. their draft slot required for retaining that player(s).

Stating line ups will have 8 starters and 8 reserves each week:
1 QB
2 RB's
2 WR's
1 Flex (any non-QB)
1 Defense/Special Team
1 Kicker

*Teams consist of 16 players and assume a 10 team serpentine draft order assembly with zero or one keeper per team (assumed to be drafted in the slot 3 rounds earlier than drafted the year before but only players drafted round 6 or later can be retained the following year as keepers).


THANKS AGAIN for Visiting! I value your opinion and there IS NO OFF SEASON for me so Blog Me!