My first draft this year

I just completed my first draft this year, and I was very excited about the team I drafted. It was a ten person, PPR league with folks from my neighborhood.

Here's my team:

QB - Aaron Rodgers
QB - Brett Favre
RB - Matt Forte
RB - Marion Barber
RB - Pierre Thomas
RB - Leon Washington
RB - Jerious Norwood
WR- Reggie Wayne
WR - Eddie Royal
WR - Braylon Edwards
WR - Kevin Walter
TE - Greg Olsen
TE - Zach Miller
Def- Minnesota
Def - GB
K - Rob Bironas
K - Josh Brown

In this draft, I had the third pick and it was a gimme to take Matt Forte at this pick. On the turnaround, I had to get a top notch WR and I got Reggie Wayne. Since there had already been a pretty good run on RB's, the best available was Marion Barber (Steve Slaton went right before him. and this was who I wanted). My next pick I wanted to be a WR, and I could either take Eddie Royal or Terrell Owens. I opted for Royal, as the vibes out of Buffalo are not good, and that can easily make Owens disgruntled. Also, Royal should see a ton of balls with the "Brandon Marshall Issues" in Denver. My next four picks were steals: Aaron Rogers (5th rd), Pierre Thomas (6th Rd), Braylon Edwards (7th) and Greg Olsen (8th). I think you want to wait until about round eight for a serviceable TE. Any earlier would be a stretch.

We're using a flex player in this league this year, so I added a few folks I can see using in that role: Leon Washington, Jerious Norwood, Pierre Thomas, Kevin Walter.

Overall, this was a solid draft, and I should do well at all positions. My only weakness could be at WR if Eddie Royal has a sophomore slump or if Braylon Edwards keep dropping passes.

Another draft tonight...a 12 person, PPR league. I'll post the results tomorrow.

This is the best time of year, and if you do your preparation, its like taking candy from a baby.

Mock it up

Every year in early July, I try to find a good mock draft to participate in. You want to vist the forums where there appears to be some talent. Participating in a mock draft with a bunch of twelve year olds probably won't provide the most realistic experience for your real draft. A good mock draft will show you trends to anticipate for your draft. In most of my years, you usually see a run on RB's right off the bat, and that provides you with good knowledge going into your real draft. CBS is offering some mock drafts you can get into at the following site: http://football.cbssports.com/splash/signup/football/spln/mockdraft/free/5957

This year, my dream would be to select in positions 10-12 in a twelve team league. I like the value towards the end of round one, and I think some of the upper echelon players are a risk. If your league gives you the ability to trade positions before the draft, I would consider going towards the end. You will get a solid RB, backed by an elite WR like Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Randy Moss.

Now is when champions are built

I have played in four fantasy football leagues over the last nineteen years, and every year I watch Joe Schmo show up to the draft unprepared with his magazines, clipboard, twelve pack of beer and a check for the league entry fee. Every year, I think to myself, anyone that shows up with a draft magazine to one of my drafts has no chance in hell against an accomplished veteran player like me. Its like taking candy from a baby. The player that has the same day internet guide from a paid source and doesn't need to reference it very much when they draft is the player that scares me the most.

This week, while opponents in one of my leagues were all off on lake vacations, I was studying my favorite NFL websites for details about various players that were intriguing. At this point in the summer, you learn about players that are in better condition than others and have a renewed focus on having an outstanding season. In many cases, its the player in a contract year that has the renewed focus...imagine that. Or it could be a Willie Parker, a good player by all respects, but will be looking over his shoulder all summer as Rashard Mendenhall looks to take his job. Most importantly, I threw a little smack my opponents way when they got back from vacation about how I will be stealing their money this year. I've always been a "smack talker" in my leagues, and will continue to be. If I'm going to pay $$ to play in a league, I'm going to get the most entertainment value I can out of it, and that includes ruffling the feathers of my opponents.

Late June/early July is when fantasy football champions are made...trust me...I win my leagues 25% of the time against skilled players in some leagues, and schmucks in other leagues. Stay with me this year as I document my leagues, insight, and keys to winning a title in your fantasy football league. I promise you won't be disappointed in seeing how a veteran player attacks his leagues.