So my other fantasy football team, the Florence Moon Men, has been drafted. This time the draft was automated, done by computer based on a preference order I set up in advance. It’s a little less exact a science than a live draft, and in this league the teams go 20 deep (including defensive players) so I’m not entirely pleased with the way things worked out. But I still feel like I’ve got a pretty strong team. I’m not gonna get into the detail I did for the Sasquidgets, mostly for two reasons: 1.) I can’t explain the thinking behind my picks here since the computer did the picking for me; 2.) I’m not excited about some of the players I got, so why say anything; 3.) I’ve got a good number of the same players, so why say the same stuff again and 4.) 20 players is a lot. Here, though, are some of the highlights. This time I’ll go by position.
Quarterback
I got Gannon here, too, which makes me very happy. Not only does he QB for my real team, the Raiders, but he’s a fantasy monster. So there’s that. Backing him up is Jake Plummer, who, as mentioned, I believe could reach his full potential in Denver. He’s got targets. He’s got a line. He’s got support out of the backfield. If he can’t make it work with the Broncos, he just hasn’t got the stuff. I hope he’s got the stuff.
Running Back
I got Ricky Williams. Must have been with my first round pick. Couldn’t be happier about that. Got my boy Charlie Garner. And Zack Crocket. And Garrison Hearst. Would have liked to have one more sure performer, but I can’t say I’m heartbroken.
Wide Receiver
Jerry Porter, Plaxico Burress, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, and a couple of other guys I’m not that interested in keeping and who’ll probably end up on waivers as soon as I find someone to waive them for. Can’t even begin to complain about the guys I’ve named, though. Weird that I ended up with all three Raiders receivers. I’ll only start one a week. Hope I get the right one.
Tight End
Rickey Dudley. He’s one of those guys who can catch passes, but doesn’t. I’d rather have a bunch of other guys, frankly. And I bet I end up making a change here at some point. But who knows? Maybe if Brad Johnson really does come into his own in the Gruden system this season, Rickey will start to get some catches the way he did for a little while there in Oakland.
Kicker
David Akers backed up by Martin Gramatica. I’m all set here. Won’t have a damned thing to complain about all season, unless it’s that the guy I started got less points than the one riding the pine. Either way, though, I’m gonna get me some points off my kickers.
Defense
Look I got some talented guys: Jevon Kearse, Mike Vrabel and Marcus Jones. But it ain’t what I wanted. Wanted Philip Buchanan, Kendrell Bell and Jerry Porter. But if I’ve learned anything about fantasy football it’s that defenses can be built off waivers. I’ll ID a pickoff specialist somewhere in the league and grab him. A sack specialist likewise. And my D will do what I need it to — eventually.
One more thing: Run, Ricky, Run.