Fantasy Football 2011 General Thread

[Pat]

Not sure about everyone else, but I've been starting to really study for FF this season since it's already around the corner. I don't think I'm playing in many leagues but I'm trying my hardest to win my friends league that we're always in. 10 teams and I don't think they are using PPR, which pisses me off but whatever.

I just want this thread to be open to posting general thoughts and strategies related to FF for now. It's a little tough getting back in the hang of things, and I'm wondering who some of you guys think are sleepers, busts, undervalued, etc... I've been doing a lot of mock drafts and the WR position has really been scaring me so far. Who are some good WR2's? I know we got some gurus in here so let's get something going.

[Pat]

I'll start it off by categorizing a few players so far:

Sleepers/Undervalued:
Tony Romo- not a ton of risk here, injury should be a one time thing. Puts up great numbers and should be safe to draft after the first wave gets picked.
Matt Schaub- I've been picking him up in a lot of mocks, I like the defenses he has to face in his division, he should be a safe bet for good numbers.
Eli Manning- he produced a ton last year if you forget about the boatload of INT's, some of which weren't his fault. I don't think he'll be that mistake prone again and Nicks & Manningham are serious weapons.

Legarrette Blount- not a sexy pick in PPR but solid RB who has no should have no problem getting touches, could score 10+ TD's
DeAngelo Williams- I've been getting him as my 3rd RB. Really wish they broke up that duo but I feel like he'll get a lot of work because of that enormous contract.
Roy Helu- I don't know much at all about this guy but the Skins seem fascinated with him. Torain is already banged up and Hightower is a third down back.
Ryan Grant- supposedly he's the starter and has looked great, they will ride him if so and he could start for your team.

Austin Collie- dominated last year before concussions took him out. Could do the same again.
Anquan Boldin- should be more comfortable in second year, not many other proven passing targets other than Rice on the team.
Brandon Marshall- great PPR value relative to where he's being drafted. Good for catches if nothing else.
Chad Ochocinco- maybe take a risk on him a little early, could be a Moss-lite this year going to New England.

I will need Gibbs or AHR to report on Helu...

[sportfan88]

I'll start it off by categorizing a few players so far:

Sleepers/Undervalued:
Tony Romo- not a ton of risk here, injury should be a one time thing. Puts up great numbers and should be safe to draft after the first wave gets picked.
Matt Schaub- I've been picking him up in a lot of mocks, I like the defenses he has to face in his division, he should be a safe bet for good numbers.
Eli Manning- he produced a ton last year if you forget about the boatload of INT's, some of which weren't his fault. I don't think he'll be that mistake prone again and Nicks & Manningham are serious weapons.

Legarrette Blount- not a sexy pick in PPR but solid RB who has no should have no problem getting touches, could score 10+ TD's
DeAngelo Williams- I've been getting him as my 3rd RB. Really wish they broke up that duo but I feel like he'll get a lot of work because of that enormous contract.
Roy Helu- I don't know much at all about this guy but the Skins seem fascinated with him. Torain is already banged up and Hightower is a third down back.
Ryan Grant- supposedly he's the starter and has looked great, they will ride him if so and he could start for your team.

Austin Collie- dominated last year before concussions took him out. Could do the same again.
Anquan Boldin- should be more comfortable in second year, not many other proven passing targets other than Rice on the team.
Brandon Marshall- great PPR value relative to where he's being drafted. Good for catches if nothing else.
Chad Ochocinco- maybe take a risk on him a little early, could be a Moss-lite this year going to New England.

I will need Gibbs or AHR to report on Helu...

I agree with almost every person you listed on here. I also like Jahvid Best this year, Shonne Greene, and James Jones, for where they are being drafted. What do you guys think of the "Draft Vick in the first round" idea? My gut is to stay away from Vick this year, but it's tempting.

[Pat]

I agree with almost every person you listed on here. I also like Jahvid Best this year, Shonne Greene, and James Jones, for where they are being drafted. What do you guys think of the "Draft Vick in the first round" idea? My gut is to stay away from Vick this year, but it's tempting.

I think I'd take a hard look at drafting Vick near the bottom of the first round. I know he's an injury risk, but he's the kind of guy who can win you weeks by himself. I think I'd take Rodgers over him, but he's definitely worth the risk.

I may need to change my strategy this year because I always seem to go for "safe" players but I need players who have upside and who can explode any given week. Steady points each week are good but you need players who can dominate if you want to win.

[JoeJGibbs]

I'll start it off by categorizing a few players so far:

Sleepers/Undervalued:
Roy Helu- I don't know much at all about this guy but the Skins seem fascinated with him. Torain is already banged up and Hightower is a third down , c

I will need Gibbs or AHR to report on Helu...

ahh that's my secret pick. Roy Helu is very fast, straight line runner that can hit a seam and take it to the house. Shanahan loves this guy already because his natural running style is suited for a zone blocking scheme. He calls him "a home run threat"
I don't believe his game to be cut and juke but shanahan seems to know what will work in a running game.

Definitely a good pick for the reasons you listed

[X Bones X]

I think I'd take a hard look at drafting Vick near the bottom of the first round. I know he's an injury risk, but he's the kind of guy who can win you weeks by himself. I think I'd take Rodgers over him, but he's definitely worth the risk.

I may need to change my strategy this year because I always seem to go for "safe" players but I need players who have upside and who can explode any given week. Steady points each week are good but you need players who can dominate if you want to win.

don't be fooled. Rodgers is nearly as much as an injury risk as Vick with his concussion problem. Also, GB gets back to a more balanced attack with Grant back and Starks as backup. Attempts may go down a bit.

I may take rodgers or vick in the first depending on WHO else is there.

[X Bones X]

I think I'd take a hard look at drafting Vick near the bottom of the first round. I know he's an injury risk, but he's the kind of guy who can win you weeks by himself. I think I'd take Rodgers over him, but he's definitely worth the risk.

I may need to change my strategy this year because I always seem to go for "safe" players but I need players who have upside and who can explode any given week. Steady points each week are good but you need players who can dominate if you want to win.

nah

your first pick has to be a combo of safe, consistent, and then a bit of upside. you miss with your first pick and you're done (9 times out of 10)

rounds 3 and on is where you try to take the explode any week players. check how this strat worked for me last year

Pontiff Hillis
1. (9) Peyton Manning (very safe)
(Ind - QB)
2. (16) Calvin Johnson (pretty safe with major upside)
(Det - WR)
3. (33) Jamaal Charles (a shot in the dark)
(KC - RB)
4. (40) Arian Foster (an even bigger shot in the dark)
(Hou - RB)
5. (57) C.J. Spiller (missed here)
(Buf - RB)
6. (64) Jason Witten (safe)
(Dal - TE)
7. (81) Johnny Knox (shot in the dark that was OK)
(Chi - WR)
8. (88) Brett Favre (awful miss here)
(Min - QB)
9. (105) Darren Sproles
(NO - RB)
10. (112) Fred Jackson
(Buf - RB)
11. (129) Santonio Holmes
(NYJ - WR)
12. (136) Joshua Cribbs
(Cle - WR)
13. (153) James Jones
(GB - WR)
14. (160) Dallas
(Dal - DEF)
15. (177) Robbie Gould
(Chi - K)
16. (184) Fred Taylor
(NE - RB)

Arian Foster suffered a hamstring injury Friday in his first practice of training camp.
Foster pulled up lame and grabbed the back of his leg on a 40-yard sprint to the end zone, the first play of an 11-on-11 scrimmage. Foster's left leg was was heavily wrapped as he watched the second practice. Coach Gary Kubiak is not worried about the injury "right now," but admits that could change. "I don't know, but he didn't feel good so I just said 'Get out,'" Kubiak said. "He went 35, 40 minutes (in practice) and looked great, so I'm hoping he'll be right back out here. We'll see."

I really won't be gunning for this guy in any league. Hard to repeat top RB performance. Also, hopefully we see him back at practices soon and this isn't a lingering hammy issue early in the season.

[Pat]

nah

your first pick has to be a combo of safe, consistent, and then a bit of upside. you miss with your first pick and you're done (9 times out of 10)

rounds 3 and on is where you try to take the explode any week players. check how this strat worked for me last year

Pontiff Hillis
1. (9) Peyton Manning (very safe)
(Ind - QB)
2. (16) Calvin Johnson (pretty safe with major upside)
(Det - WR)
3. (33) Jamaal Charles (a shot in the dark)
(KC - RB)
4. (40) Arian Foster (an even bigger shot in the dark)
(Hou - RB)
5. (57) C.J. Spiller (missed here)
(Buf - RB)
6. (64) Jason Witten (safe)
(Dal - TE)
7. (81) Johnny Knox (shot in the dark that was OK)
(Chi - WR)
8. (88) Brett Favre (awful miss here)
(Min - QB)
9. (105) Darren Sproles
(NO - RB)
10. (112) Fred Jackson
(Buf - RB)
11. (129) Santonio Holmes
(NYJ - WR)
12. (136) Joshua Cribbs
(Cle - WR)
13. (153) James Jones
(GB - WR)
14. (160) Dallas
(Dal - DEF)
15. (177) Robbie Gould
(Chi - K)
16. (184) Fred Taylor
(NE - RB)



I really won't be gunning for this guy in any league. Hard to repeat top RB performance. Also, hopefully we see him back at practices soon and this isn't a lingering hammy issue early in the season.

I just found out my league is PPR, so that will help a lot. I understand your worries about Foster which is one reason why I'd hate to have the top pick this year. I'd rather take a back like Rice, Charles, or McCoy but while I'm VERY high on Rice this year, I wouldn't be able to take him first overall.

Last year the two lead backs on the championship teams were Rice and McCoy. I do not want to be stuck with a guy like Turner, Mendenhall, or Greene as my top back in PPR.

[X Bones X]

I just found out my league is PPR, so that will help a lot. I understand your worries about Foster which is one reason why I'd hate to have the top pick this year. I'd rather take a back like Rice, Charles, or McCoy but while I'm VERY high on Rice this year, I wouldn't be able to take him first overall.

Last year the two lead backs on the championship teams were Rice and McCoy. I do not want to be stuck with a guy like Turner, Mendenhall, or Greene as my top back in PPR.

Yeah, ppr changes alot.

Top pick in ppr, i'd probably take CJ, AP or Charles. Charles value gets a bump in PPR.

[Pat]

Just drafted this team in a 10 team mock with the 10th pick, I like it a lot...

QB- Romo, Cassell
RB- McCoy, Bradshaw, Best, F Jackson, Helu, Sproles
WR- R White, S Johnson, Smith CAR, M Thomas,
TE- Witten
K-Gould
D- Pit

One of my main thoughts this year is that WR is not very top heavy. I am making it a priority to draft one of Roddy White, Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, or Calvin Johnson, so hopefully I won't have a pick in the top 5 or it may not work. RB looks deep this year, so I will hopefully get one in round 1 then round 4. My ideal draft order would be RB (Rice, Charles), WR (White, CJ, Fitz), QB (Rivers), then a second RB (Bradshaw, Forte). I will also look to draft a quality TE after that. I feel like if all of that falls into place, I will be fine, if not it's time to hit the panic button.

[Aldogg]

One of my main thoughts this year is that WR is not very top heavy. I am making it a priority to draft one of Roddy White, Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, or Calvin Johnson, so hopefully I won't have a pick in the top 5 or it may not work. RB looks deep this year, so I will hopefully get one in round 1 then round 4. My ideal draft order would be RB (Rice, Charles), WR (White, CJ, Fitz), QB (Rivers), then a second RB (Bradshaw, Forte). I will also look to draft a quality TE after that. I feel like if all of that falls into place, I will be fine, if not it's time to hit the panic button.

Only way you are getting Rice or Charles is a top 5 pick, and by then those three wideouts could be gone depending on league scoring. Since I am not in a league this year, it has been tough for me to come up with a draft order at all. Honestly, I might have my top 3 being Peterson, Charles then Rice, with Foster and if he reports C. Johnson 5.

If I was going to rate top WRs as of now, I would have A. Johnson, White, C. Johnson at the top, then the next tier being Wallace, who I think makes the leap to top 5, Fitz, who I think will be better but I need to see Kolb show me something, rounding my top 5.

Drafting a QB first is a different move, but depending on where your pick is, I would rather have Vick or Rodgers over the second tier of backs like MJD, Jackson, Mendenhall and Turner, and maybe even any wideout not names Andre Johnson. I won a league drafting Rodgers 7th overall last year, but it depends on how you rate players, but if I have the 6th pick and the top 5 backs are gone, I would have to think about Vick vs A Johnson, maybe even Vick vs Rodgers vs A Johnson.

[JoeJGibbs]

So I did mock draft and ended up with the #1 pick lol
Non Ppr mock draft. I just hung around until I filled out my roster with the key guys...

1. Chris Johnson
2. Peyton Hillis
3. Antonio Gates
4. Matt Ryan
5. Brandon Lloyd
6. Percy Harvin
7. Maclin? or Julio Jones? (I can't remember).

What do you think of this approach?

[Aldogg]

Honestly Gibbs, I am not a fan of that team. Hillis has bust written all over him this year, and I couldn't take CJ @ 1 with him not even being in camp and being on that dysfunctional Titans team. Love Ryan as the QB, I see him being really undervalued this year.

[JoeJGibbs]

Just did another 12 team mock draft...Had the #5 pick...

They're very useful. I've decided to stay away from Vick is possible.
And if you're name isn't Gates, Finley, Clark, don't reach.

For this draft I just wanted to see what I would end up with..

1. Vick
2. Fitz
3. Javid Best
4. Legarret Blount
5. Jermichael Finley
6. Julio Jones
7. Santana Moss

Auto'd the rest..

[GAV]

Not sure about everyone else, but I've been starting to really study for FF this season since it's already around the corner. I don't think I'm playing in many leagues but I'm trying my hardest to win my friends league that we're always in. 10 teams and I don't think they are using PPR, which pisses me off but whatever.

I just want this thread to be open to posting general thoughts and strategies related to FF for now. It's a little tough getting back in the hang of things, and I'm wondering who some of you guys think are sleepers, busts, undervalued, etc... I've been doing a lot of mock drafts and the WR position has really been scaring me so far. Who are some good WR2's? I know we got some gurus in here so let's get something going.

Remember that everyone knows the run-of-the-mill stuff, so to get an edge - either dig deeper or go with your gut.

If you think a QB is gonna have a big year, think why. Who's gonna be on the other end of his points? Same with WRs and RBs. Also, take schedule into account. Who plays who - and when?

You can win it all going by the book, but you can also lose week in and week out going that way too. Don't overdo reaching, but don't pick guys just because that's who you're supposed to pick either.

Lastly, reach on the free agent. Every year, there are guys who go off for a whole season who were expected to do nothing. Get at least one of those guys.