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Fantasy football is a game. All the football knowledge in the world isn't going to help you win unless you are willing to improve your game-playing skills...

Fantasy Football: Drop Anchor and Win

by Buddy Smith (Senior Writer)

127

58430 reads

Sports

October 12, 2008


Fantasy football is a game. All the football knowledge in the world isn't going to help you win unless you are willing to improve your game-playing skills. Human beings tend to process information in similar ways, and as such, we are prone to making similar mistakes.

While we all have heard the advice, "Never judge a book by its cover," the truth of the matter is we do this every day. We decide based on first impressions.

Ever decided not to hire a guy because he was five minutes late for a meeting? Or crossed the street to avoid having to talk to someone? Maybe left a bar because you got a bad vibe from the patrons?

These feelings are natural, but they don't always lead to the best decisions. What's worse is we humans tend to hold on to these first impressions, despite all subsequent evidence to the contrary. Modern decision theorists refer to this phenomenon as

anchoring.

In business, anchoring causes us to hire and promote the wrong people. In fantasy football, the phenomenon causes owners to keep the wrong players on their rosters, because before the season started there were high hopes for these players' numbers.

This article examines a real-world, fantasy football example, where anchoring is affecting the decision-making of vast numbers of owners. If you can free your mind from these chains, you can score more points over time than most of your competitors.

 

Laurence Maroney (RB) New England Patriots

Before the season started, Laurence Maroney was expected to be the feature back on the highest-scoring offense in the league. Maroney was a standout in the second half of last season, and the Patriots were returning most of their record-breaking offense.

We all know what happened to Tom Brady in Week One. After five weeks of play, we can be assured that this Patriots team isn't going to score very many points.

Even before his injury, Maroney was far from featured on this low-scoring team. He shared carries with Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and LaMont Jordan.

Author Poll

Are you guilty of anchoring?

  • Yes
  • No
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Are you guilty of anchoring?

  • Yes

    69.1%

  • No

    30.9%
  • Total votes: 959
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127 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Tom Willock 8 months ago

    Very insightful. I just dropped Maroney from my fantasy team yesterday.
    I think I may only have four drafted players remaining on my team.
    You are right, it was very difficult for me to make the decisions to drop players that had such great potential. I drafted Derek Anderson as my starting qb, what a mistake that was, but it took me four weeks to drop him.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I hear ya. We all have "that guy" sitting there.

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    • George 8 months ago

      Certainly something to consider....but something in relation to your article that you did not touch upon is the emergence and popularity of the Dynasty Leagues. Players in these leagues face very complicated and long impacting results by simply playing the wavier wire for who may be hot at the moment. In my opinion one of the great factors and fun of these leagues. A bit more thought in who you drop and why is needed. What you may throw out the window today to secure a win in week 7 could cost you a number of seasons down the road!

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    • George 8 months ago

      Certainly something to consider....but something in relation to your article that you did not touch upon is the emergence and popularity of the Dynasty Leagues. Players in these leagues face very complicated and long impacting results by simply playing the wavier wire for who may be hot at the moment. In my opinion one of the great factors and fun of these leagues. A bit more thought in who you drop and why is needed. What you may throw out the window today to secure a win in week 7 could cost you a number of seasons down the road!

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Keeper leagues are very different...but I'm sure anchoring happens there as well.

      Thanks for reading and contributing to the conversation.

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    • James Gregory 8 months ago

      Still happy you dropped Anderson? Should have left that anchor in the water.

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    • Damon Vasquez 8 months ago

      i agree with you 100%.... I drafted Derek Anderson, Maroney, Selvin Young,Chad Johnson and Tory Holt....Yea...i know.....lucky me....I held Maroney for 4 weeks....held Young for 5 weeks...i gave up on Chad....and i'm borderline with Holt and Anderson....since then, between trading and pickups. i have since aquired players like Steve Slaton, Matt Forte, Andre Johnson, Lance Moore, Sammy Morris and Bernard Berrian...before trading and pickups i was 0-3..since trades and pickups i'm 3-0...

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    • steve baker 8 months ago

      i obviously don't have this problem..but i do have a different one you might address..ive made 89 adds/drops allready in one league and almost as many in my other leagues...i can't seem to be happy with anyone for more than one week and its burning me right and left..everyone i drop goes off as soon as he hits waivers...my adds don't do squat..till i drop em....stop me somebody..please!

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    • Dave Gorman 8 months ago

      You're going to regret dropping him!!!!!!!

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    • BILL CARDIN 8 months ago

      TOM I HOPE YOU ARE ALSO READY TO PICK ANDERSON BACK UP!!! HE HAD A GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT AND MANY MORE TO COME!!!

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      89 moves is better than three. I've done about 25 moves so far this season. Football players values change every day...and they change a lot on Sundays and Mondays.

      Nobody was pro Derek Anderson until Braylon Edwards finally managed to catch a few long passes. If Edwards doesn't have butterfingers, and the line protects Anderson is going to score.

      I like Anderson better now just like the rest of the Monday Night Football audience...but if you like him more now, you must admit that you liked him less before yesterday.

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  2. Chris Cobb 8 months ago

    very true indeed, I've still got Chad Ochocinco on my fantasy roster, albeit as a reserve. I know I should drop him in favor of some better reserve, but it feels like a dumb move, and I just can't let go of him, knowing that he could breakout any game.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Maybe if Patrick Crayton would wear a Mohawk it would be easier. You wait for that three touchdown game all year, and when it comes he's on your bench anyway.

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      Ocho Cinco is one of the most inconsistent players in fantasy. His stats from last year came from just a few games. I think it's in your best interest to get him off your roster, but because of his name, you can very often trade him for a better value than you can receive off the waiver wire. Package him and sell your trading partner on his upside potential and then THEY can wait around for that big week.

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    • Chris Cobb 8 months ago

      thanks guys, i actually found serious value on my waiver wire (shockey had been dropped by someone) and I was finally able to get rid of the last bit of dead space on my roster... at least shockey can serve a purpose and I can play matchups against cooley... and when cooley is on his bye, i shouldn't have a drop off at all, and let's be honest, it won't take shockey much to match ochocinco's production so far through the year...

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  3. john fay 8 months ago

    I have Rany Moss and Chad Johnson, do I try to trade them?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Yes.

      See what you can get for their names. The fundamentals of each of their situations has changed. Issac Bruce is probably worth more than Chad Johnson.

      Moss has some upside: if Cassel improves so will he. But I'd be willing to trade him for a Ronnie Brown type player.

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  4. George 8 months ago

    I agree with most of what you have stated, but it only reinforces why I enjoy Dynasty Leagues so much more! It takes the BINGO! aspect out of your ADD/DROP. Yes injuries are a factor and we all pick up from the Wavier Wire just like any teams needs to have back but you just cant throw someone to the curb all you'll be crushed down the road! You think if Brady, Shockey, Colston ect ect even those just with a poor stat year thus far were open to be taken that someone would not be sucking them up even to just ride the bench for the current year? Come join the big leagues.....Dynasty and then lets talk about who to drop.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Keeper leagues are very different...but I'm sure anchoring happens there as well.

      Shockey should be cut loose in any league...in my opinion he's all hair and mouth. Next year there will be a guy nobody's ever heard of who's better than him. Anybody have Tony Scheffler as a keeper coming into this year?

      Keeper leagues do make the decisions harder...and I'd love to join your league next year.

      When is the draft?

      Thanks for reading and contributing to the conversation.

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  5. rob ram 8 months ago

    braylon edwards, chad Johnson, calvin johnson, roy williams, julius jones are dead weight?
    pick ups like kevin walter, patrick crayton, devery henderson are being considered, but pulling the trigger and rolling the dice is not easy. I only need 2 wr in standard league. what would you do?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd try to trade Braylon Edwards first. (If you start dropping guys the rest of your league will suspect you're having a fire sale and offer you less.)

      Look for somebody who thinks Edwards is an upgrade at WR for them. Then trade him.

      I'd also take a close look at Steve Breaston (AZ), and Vincent Jackson (SD). Somebody in your league wants Braylon Edwards- names have value. After you trade Edwards, I'd try to trade Chad Johnson.

      Roy Williams is first on my cut list, but I wouldn't cut him until after the NFL trade deadline. If he gets traded to a good team- you're set.

      That's how I would play it.

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      I'd try and deal every one of those guys except for Edwards. He's had a slow start to the season, but he could be productive down the stretch. In this Browns schedule, they'll need some big plays, and (watching the Giants-Browns game right now) Edwards/Anderson don't look like they'll never get it together.

      Chad Johnson and Calvin Johnson have name value, so they could probably be traded to another team for a strong RB. Would the Willie Parker be interested in swapping or the Westbrook owner? (Both huge steals if you can get them out of owner worries right now.) Package Julius Jones with one of those WRs and see what you can get. I'd try and unload Ocho Cinco first, but Calvin's value is declining with Orlovsky making the Lions even more miserable...

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  6. mark johnson 8 months ago

    i have lance moore,steve breaston and reggie wayne as wr's in a 12 team league....do you see these three putting up decent numbers the rest of the year...also picked up devin hester as well

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Breaston will do well as long as Boldin is hurt, or if he gets traded. Boldin hates Arizona and had been begging for a trade all year before his face broke. If this happens it's a bonanza for Breaston: he'll get 8 catches a game. If not, 4 catches a game.

      Lance Moore's output will be hurt by Colston's return - but Brees spreads the ball around a lot, so he should still produce.

      If the Colts offensive line protects Manning like they did yesterday, Wayne is going to have a great year. If they don't, he'll look ordinary.

      Thanks for reading.

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  7. Douglass Cooperson 8 months ago

    What about an inconsistent producer like Larry Johnson? For a week or two he gives you nothing then he puts up two weeks where it's 100yds and a TD and then almost 200 and 2TDs. What should I do w/ LJ?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Watch his match ups: he broke out against some terrible run defenses.

      Watch his quarterback: Croyle and Huard will get you better results than Thigpen.

      Trade him if you can: People pay for name value.

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      Listen to Buddy here. Trade, trade, trade.

      Unfortunately, you might already be too late. After his poor showing against Carolina, LJ had his bye and now faces the Titans, Jets, Bucs and Chargers. It'd be lucky if he is able to put up a big week against any of them as teams will likely stack the box and make the QB, whoever it is, win it.

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  8. Michael Devivero 8 months ago

    If his inconsistency is causing you losses, then trade him for a player that you have confirmed is more consistent. You can calculate the standard deviation of a player's fantasy points each week and whoever has the lowest value has been more consistent so far.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Wow. Most fantasy players cant spell standard deviation.

      I agree with you that low volatility players end up working out better.

      Thanks for the comment!

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      You must have impressive Excel sheets, Michael. Champions bring the math.

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    • Michael Devivero 8 months ago

      On the flip side though, a player's season total should always be given serious thought. The players with low standard deviations that are consistently bad won't help. So really we're trying to find the most points with some degree of consistency from week to week. I guess you just need experience to decide how much consistency is necessary.

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    • Michael Devivero 8 months ago

      Haha, actually not yet. I've had a 1st and a 3rd in the 4 leagues I've played in the past. So I am a champion lol. I have Michael Turner and Joseph Addai, so you can imagine why I would be contemplating big game vs. consistency.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I can see how that question would come up a lot.

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  9. Al Raffa 8 months ago

    These are my receivers:
    Boldin, Breaston, Randy Moss, Henderson, Muhsin, Hester

    Should I shop around Breaston? Hold onto him to handcuff Boldin? Other comments?

    I hear Moss is also on the trade block for most teams. Should I even bother? If so, what can I expect for him?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd keep Breaston for your Boldin position. If Boldin gets traded you win on both sides.

      What to trade Moss for depends on the rest of your team. If you could get Eddie Royal + something that fits you, I'd do it.

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  10. Travis Rand 8 months ago

    This article should be handed out to everyone who think Chad Johnson should still be on their roster. Loved it.

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  11. beav manns 8 months ago

    boldin to the steelers wouldbe a great fit

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Boldin would look great in a lot of uniforms:

      Seattle, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Chicago, San Francisco, Jets... who couldn't use a little field stretch ya know?

      Oakland, Baltimore...

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      Unfortunately, I don't think he'll be traded. The Cardinals will probably ride him out this year and then consider giving him an extension + bonus or trading him if he is truly unhappy. He hasn't been as loud since the season has started.

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  12. george bolen 8 months ago

    I have Westbrook, Julius Jones, Leron Mclain, and Lendale White at RB. My receivers are A.Johnson, T.J. Housh, Reggie Brown, P. Crayton. Someone offered me L.T., Desean Jackson, and C. Buckholter, for A.J., J.Jones, and L. Mclain . Good deal or bad deal???I'd like to have Buckholter as backup for westbrook, and adding L.T. doesn't sound bad, but L.t. seems hurt and a.j. is a beast . I'm winning my division and don't know if i should take a gamble. what do u think???

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      LT's foot is a real problem - but he will heal and the Chargers do score.
      Buckhalter helps you out a lot.

      If you did the trade you'd start
      RB
      LT
      westbrook/buckhalter

      WR
      desean jackson
      crayton/housh

      So the question is do you think the difference between LT and Leron Mcclain is going to be greater than the difference between AJ and Desean Jackson.

      I think the answer is yes by a little bit. Plus you get Buckhalter... so you get a big chunk of the Eagles scoring machine regardless of Westbrook's health.

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  13. rus blemker 8 months ago

    A guy had to drop Eddie Royal to fill a roster spot during the bye. I dropped Chad Johnson and grabbed Eddie off waviers. (I've had trouble trading him for weeks) I went in to our draft with the "anchoring" thought that I could get solid receivers like Johnson and Harrison in later rounds and to not believe the hype that they would fail. I watched Cinn. and realized their poor QB, running and protection play against a strong schedule was most likely not going to improve. (A dead man walking coach doesn't help) I went for a young unproven WR on a better offense with an easier schedule. Chad and Eddie will both always be WR2. Do I get an A in your class?

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  14. Donald Parrish 8 months ago

    Great article Buddy. I think I've been "anchoring" with my Seahawks. They are nowhere near as good as I thought they were before the year, but I still can't give up on them!

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      The offense is bad and the defense can't stop anybody. I'm looking forward to the Jim Mora Jr. era...it seems like the only thing left to do.

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  15. daniel cox 8 months ago

    buddy, great as always.

    man, i think you're the new fantasy guru--move over tmr!!

    i'm curious about what you think about the correlation between anchoring and going with your heart over head.

    example, didn't start aaron rodgers two weeks ago when the falcons went to green bay. couldn't bring myself to do it. it turned out to be an awful decision, and of course i lost my match-up that week.

    it was stupid and i knew it as i did it. i guess that's why i will never be a great fantasy player. i'm not cold-hearted enough.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I started Rodgers against my local Seahawks this week. I figure- if the beats up my team at least I'll win my fantasy game. If I lose my fantasy game because he stinks, at least the home team won.

      I guess it depends on how you look at it.

      I pick my favorite teams in fantasy situations if it's close...but I see fantasy football and football as two different things entirely.

      Thanks for all your support.

      By the way what's TMR?

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    • daniel cox 8 months ago

      talented mr. roto. from espn fantasy.

      i'm a fan of his style. seems to have a slightly different take, that's where i was going with the comparison.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Thanks, I'll check him out.

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      I don't think you necessarily have to sit your best fantasy players against your fav teams. I usually just play them and hope for a shootout. Now, starting your fantasy defenses against your fav teams...that's a different story.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      We all have our taboos.

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  1. Chris King 8 months ago

    Great article! I got rid of my "anchoring" problem this year. I am stacked at wr & rb because of it & didn't draft a qb until the 6th round and was able to get Warner, who is one of the more consistent qb's this year. My wr core is -- Plaxico, Wayne, Breaston(picked him up as soon as Boldin went down), V-Jack, & Royal & my stable of rbs is -- Peterson, MJD, Felix Jones, & Jonathan Stewart....My major problem is trying to figure who to bench, most weeks...Anyway, good article & keep 'em coming!

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  2. Terry 8 months ago

    what to do about Romo ? I have Delhomme as my 2nd qb, do I ride it out with Delhomme for a month and hope Romo can play descent or do I start shopping? O'Sullivan , Gerrard, and Pennington are avail as free agents

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      see below.

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    • Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

      O'Sullivan's got the Giants in Week 7 before he faces Seattle in Week 8 and then a bye. I'd look at Garrard as the best fill for Romo. He faces the Browns, Bengals and Lions in the next three weeks before the Titans and Vikings. Just hold onto Delhomme to take over at Week 11 when he plays Detroit.

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  3. Buddy Smith 8 months ago

    Pick up Brad Johnson if you can get him - O'Sullivan next. Then play Delhomme and see what happens.

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  4. DAVE THOM 8 months ago

    very insightful Buddy, What do I do with McGahee, he's got what I consider very good matchups coming up, but so far, the only thing he's done consistently is get hurt? Thommer

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Plus he plays for the Ravens. They've made not scoring an art in Baltimore. Let's say he got 100% of the carries and was healthy all the time. What would that be worth?

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  5. Josh Feigenbaum 8 months ago

    hey man love the article, right now my rbs are LT, Turner, and Thomas Jones, Im looking to trade turner for a rb and w/r or rb and qb cause as of now I start garrard and my wr are on and off...Lance moore, roy williams, breaston, issac bruce, who you think i can buy low for with turner

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      That depends on the frustration level of the owners in your league. People are all different, what turns one person on turns another off.

      I'd call some owners with players you want and just start talking fantasy football. Talk about players that are doing well on their teams, talk about players who are not. Ask open ended questions and LISTEN.

      They will tell you who they want to get rid of, and what they want in return if you ask enough open ended questions.

      I hope this helped and thanks for reading!

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  6. Jacob Sloan 8 months ago

    Great advice and very true, Buddy. I've always preached that holding onto a dud only because he was a stud the year before is killer. I find it's always best to make one position on your fantasy roster a revolving door that you can fill with whatever the hot pick of the week is. If they really turn into something special -- Ryan Grant last year, Kurt Warner last year or Kenny Watson last year in a week to week role -- you can always hang onto them.

    It's just good sense to utilize the waiver wire as additional bench room as long as your league doesn't have any sort of limitations or penalties for free agent grabs.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Yeah when there's a monetary penalty for drop adds it changes the game. Of course, all of our leagues are for entertainment purposes only...so this never comes into play. ;)

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  7. Brandon Rogers 8 months ago

    The only anchoring i feel im guilty of are these darned handcuff backs, I have barber, jacobs , t jones, L maclain, D williams, m morris and a few backs to protect against injuries(L washington, A bradshaw). I can only start 3 backs a week, so why do I need 8? I also refused several trade offers for my backup QB(favre) and am glad i held onto him as Romo in now out. I wont have to gamble on a scrub. I feel that these backs with potential hold more value than a sidney rice or justin gage or anybody currently available on our waiver wire. They would just be riding the pine anyway. At least injuries won't send me scrambling for a reserve

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I don't know who all is on your waiver wire so I don't know. I do know that unless you have a 21 man roster 8 rbs is too many. You know that too.

      If you have 8 somebody has 4. Find that somebody and make a deal.

      Thanks for reading, and I hope I've helped.

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  8. Brad Gman 8 months ago

    Debating picking up Brad Johnson or Matt Ryan as my two QB's are Palmer, Orton & O'Sullivan - want to grab 1 of the two aforementioned QB's to dangle in trade to Romo owner (his other QB is Kitna) - should I make this move and which QB do I dump if I do Palmer or JT???

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd unload Palmer. They're the same, but you'll probably get more for him. I hope you weren't waiting for a response to grab Johnson...it may be too late.

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  9. Alex Janckila 8 months ago

    Balance, Guts and Intuition.

    Anchoring because of name is definitly a way to lose a season, especially in a competative league with a small bench.

    I am in a ten team league we kept four from last year and voted to only keep three next year. We start 2 rb, 3 wr ,flex ,te ,dst ,and qb and 9 reserves

    We also have a 10pt bonus for 100yrds rush and recieving. no pts per catch

    I could not let Colston go, I think his injury not being a hamstring type that would affect his ability to get open or jump for balls , he will be valuable in my playoffs.
    I drafted Vincent Jackson as a sleeper then cut him two weeks ago because of lack of prodution and now he looks like he is going to beast out with chambers gone. we pay Five bucks for each add/drop, is V Jackson worth the five to get him back if Chambers comes back?

    Also ive though about trading Lynch and Bruce away for a top WR, or do you think he will start roducing100 games

    My roster: QB Warner, Schaub
    RB Adrian Peterson, Marion Barber III, Marshawn Lynch, Chris Johnson, Micheal Bush, Leron Mclain

    WR Colston, Roddy White, D Hester, I. Bruce, Breaston

    TE Witten,D Keller

    DST Ravens, Redskins

    Also what do think Romos absence does to Witten and BArber

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Gambling is of course bad, bad, bad. Gambling is especially bad when you don't allow the government to be the bookie. Gambling is so bad when the government doesn't directly profit it's also illegal. Illegal and bad. I would never pay any real currency to make a fantasy football move. It would violate state and federal law.

      If you were playing for entertainment points however, this is what I would do:

      The answer is: it depends on how many entertainment points you stand to win. How many entertainment points did each owner deposit in the imaginary bank when the season started? If it's 100 probably not. If it's 500 probably yes.

      I think both Lynch and Bruce will produce some 100 yard games.

      Romo's injury reduces Barber and Witten's value by a good 20% for however long he's out. They're at least 10% worse, and could be as much as 40% worse.

      Thanks for reading and feel free to follow up with more details.

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  10. ted danson 8 months ago

    LT for Lee Evans, Zach Miller? what do y'all think?

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  11. ted danson 8 months ago

    i've been offered lee evans and zach miller for lt. what do y'all think?

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  12. John Harbaugh 8 months ago

    Buddy-

    First time fantasy player..have Braylon, Steve Smith, Devery H, and Calvin Johnson...also have Westbrook, McGahee, Forte, Slaton....what to do?

    Male Nurse in MN

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      You'll want Buckhalter to help you out with Westbrook's injury.

      Maybe package McGahee and a WR for an upgrade at QB or WR.

      I hope that helps.

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  13. Rob Smeltzer 8 months ago

    I'm with you on this subject. I have been throwing around more trade offers this year trying to get the guys who will finish the season with the highest points, not who I think is best, or definitely now who I thought I'd want in the draft. I bailed on Lee Evans after Week 2 and got Jonathan Stewart. And then to fill my WR hole, I traded Turner and Welker for R. Wayne. My team is

    QB Brees, Warner RB Addai, Slaton, Stewart, D Williams, Pittman WR Wayne, Calvin Johnson, Royal, Meacham, Antonio Bryant

    I was thinking of selling on Calvin after he had a decent week. What do you guys think, time to sell Calvin, and who would you target as a WR2 the rest of the way? Also, do you think I'll be hurting for another RB the rest of the way? I'm hoping that Stewart and Slaton can capitolize on easy schedules the rest of the way.

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  14. Mase Lec 8 months ago

    What about Daren McFadden? Im in a keeper leauge and he has done nothing but the 2nd week?
    I also have Adrian Peterson. Im keeping him but im thinking of trading Mcfadden. What do you think?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Rough spot. It depends on how many players you can keep, and who they are. McFadden is more of a long term play. The Raiders stink now, but you could kick yourself for years for dropping him.

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  15. Mase Lec 8 months ago

    What about Daren McFadden? Im in a keeper leauge and he has done nothing but the 2nd week?
    I also have Adrian Peterson. Im keeping him but im thinking of trading Mcfadden. What do you think?

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  1. Christian 8 months ago

    I'm not a huge advocate for Maroney, especially since I drafted him in 4th round, but i'd recommend keeping Maroney or picking him up. It's no fluke that he had a great second half last season. Reason being is he plays in New England and during the second half of season there's always messy snowish wintery weather in New England and they won't be throwing the ball too much, but instead committing to the run this time of the year (fantasy playoff time) and this is when he excelled last year. Picking the right matchup could help launch you into playoffs or help you during the playoffs.

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  2. Christian 8 months ago

    I'm not a huge advocate for Maroney, especially since I drafted him in 4th round, but i'd recommend keeping Maroney or picking him up. It's no fluke that he had a great second half last season. Reason being is he plays in New England and during the second half of season there's always messy snowish wintery weather in New England and they won't be throwing the ball too much, but instead committing to the run this time of the year (fantasy playoff time) and this is when he excelled last year. Picking the right matchup could help launch you into playoffs or help you during playoffs.

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  3. kevin wiebusch 8 months ago

    well i just did a trade where i think after looking at it i got the short end of the stick i traded r.wayne and t.jones for l.fitzgerald and f.taylor i know fitzy is a good pickup but thinking taylor not my rbs are very poor slaton.pittman,mcgahee,highhtower,mcllain.Not much of studs there my wr are fitzy,marshall,bowe so you can see that i need help just wondering if there are players i have worth trading and what i could get for any of them.

    thanks

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Watch the waiver wire for injuries. Dominic Rhodes has some upside these days...in the mean time limp along with Slaton, Hightower and Pittman at RB.

      It's not that bad a deal. Thomas Jones isn't going to play Cincy every week.

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  4. Adam White 8 months ago

    I've got Boldin, T.O. and Edwards at the WR spot. I picked up Breaston, Stokely, and Curtis (PHI). Need another solid RB- I'm negotiating for either Gore or R Brown for Edwards, or Brown or Slaton for T.O. It T.O. worth holding on to for the season? He's been a disappointment for the last few weeks and he looks like an emotional wreck.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      TO's stock went down when the pinkie got broken. Edwards went up last night when he remembered how to catch the ball.

      I would trade Edwards for Gore. I have Gore and he's tattooed into my line up. I should say in the interest of full disclosure that I'm a Cowboys fan...take my TO opinions with a grain of salt.

      Thanks for reading, I hope that helped.

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  5. Jason Campbell 8 months ago

    I stuck with chris perry, should i pick up his replacement cedric benson or look elsewhere like jamaal charles of KC with johnson likely getting disciplined by the NFL? Any other backs? Also any sleeper WRs, i'm looking to dump ocho sinko! have 14 teams in our league so its tough, but need a good #3 or 4 WR for bye weeks

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I find my cute plays by reading the Wednesday practice news and the Friday practice news. Friday is when you get your best picture of who's playing.

      I look for a new starter who's going to play a weak defense. Dominic Rhodes has some upside, but we'll know more later this week.

      The sleepers like Steve Breaston pop up, but often fade quickly. Watching these two news days every week will help you see who's going to do well next week...so when other people are trying to pick a guy up, they realize that you started him the week before.

      I hope this helps you stay ahead of the curve.

      Have a great week. Good luck.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I do like Bobby Engram. The Hawks stink, but he and John Carlson are the only guys they have to throw to. Whoever is quarterback is going to attempt 30+ passes, and at least 15 should be thrown to these two guys.

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  6. kevin murphy 8 months ago

    My QB's are : Cassell, O'Sullivan and Hasselbeck. I'm looking to either trade for Warner or pick up a
    decent QB off the waiver wire ( Johnson,Orton,Pennington are available ). I've been offered Warner
    for Brandon Jacobs and O'Sullivan. My other RB's are : Portis, Ronnie Brown, J. Lewis and C Perry.
    What should I do ?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd start by getting Brad Johnson on your roster.

      I would strongly consider the trade here's how I see it:

      (WarnerPts) - (OSullivanPts) > (JacobsPts) - (WaiverWireRBPts)

      But I don't know who is on your waiver wire, so I may be wrong. This is how I would frame the question.

      Have a great week and good luck.

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  7. barry mayer 8 months ago

    Should I drop T.J. Houshmandzadeh (have L. Coles & Reggie Wayne as well) for someone like Breaston, Chris Chambers...Lance Moore...?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Chris Chambers is going to be a stud when he comes back...I'd pick up both Chambers and Vincent Jackson and drop Houshamazilly.

      The Chargers score points. You want to be involved with the teams who score points. When you do this fantasy points just come.

      I hope this helps!

      Have a great week.

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  8. Ron DeWitt 8 months ago

    Last week I made a trade with myself getting Peyton Manning and I gave up Randy Moss. I actually had a problem with accepting that trade but when you compare both players fantasy output this past weekend it looks like I came out smelling like a rose! My other WRs are Desaun Jackson, Bernard Berrian and now I have Colston coming back this week! WOW things seem to be picking up, very glad I finally pushed myself to trade =) gotta make a waiver pick up this week but shouldn't be too bad with Walter and Hester both still available. Thanks for everyone's comments I loved them all! Good luck everyone!

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Good luck to you. It sounds like you're having a good time, and that's what it's all about.

      Thanks for reading, check back soon.

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  9. Rick Rowader 8 months ago

    I drafted Maroney in the 3rd round & dropped him after week 3. The chump who picked him up off waivers thinking he made the "Steal of the Century" just dropped him. I'm 4-2. He's 1-5.

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  10. Tracy 8 months ago

    What about Calvin Johnson's value now that Roy is Dallas bound? I have him as my #2 WR after moving AJ in a deal for Romo. Now I'm conflicted - he's the main, best, almost only option but the Lions don't have a QB now. We can see what it's done for Moss. This might give Calvin a bump in value, since people will see him as the true Alpha dog in Detroit, but I'm nervous to trade him if he keeps living up to the hype most weeks.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I think Kitna being on the IR is more of a negative than Roy Williams being in Dallas is a positive. He's probably down 3% or something like that.

      It's close to a push, in my opinion.

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  11. Renard Yearby 8 months ago

    enjoy the article
    QBS:Favre and Campbell
    RB:Forte Portis, Addai, Grant, Perry,Rhodes and Bjackson
    WR:Breaston,Crayton,Driver,Camarillo
    TE:Fasano

    I am guilty of anchoring, I held on to Perry and Grant just hoping for something ..someone offered me Chambers for Grant but I think that is a little low
    help I am an anchorer

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd do Chambers for Grant in your situation.

      It looks like you drafted your team expecting there to be a dearth of running back talent. Congratulations, it's happened. you're stacked at RB and light at WR. Chambers is the number one offense on a great offensive football team.

      Do I think Ryan Grant could do better this year? Yes. But it doesn't matter to you. You've got enough trouble deciding who to start at RB every week anyway.

      Chambers will be your best WR by quite some margin.

      Maybe someone else would offer you more, but why wait? Improve your team.

      Thanks for reading. I hope this helped you out.

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  12. JACK ROGERS 8 months ago

    MCGAHEE FEELS LIKE DEAD WEIGHT FOR ME-HE HAS BEEN A TOTAL DISSAPPOINT ME-I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE HIM OUT FOR 2 WEEKS THEN NOT FINISH THESE FRIGGIN GAMES..... WTF

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Cut weight. Higtower, Pittman, take a flier on Shaun Alexander. McGahee shares time on a crappy offense. How can he hurt you if you cut him?

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  13. JACK ROGERS 8 months ago

    I AM AN ANCHORER-I THINK I AM HOLDING ONTO MCGAHEE TOO LONG BUT I CANT SEEM TO TRADE HIM FOR ANYTHING WORTH TRADING FOR BUT MAYBE i AM EXPECTING TOO MUCH DUE TO HIS LACK OF STATS AND SUCH HIGH PIK USED ON HIM-HMMMM IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID WAS ANCHORING? YEAH IM THAT I AM A BAD BOY ANCHORERER!

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  14. Jeremy Chumley 8 months ago

    Really enjoyed the article!
    So here's the situation, my QBs are Mcnabb, Rodgers, my RBs are Lynch, Forte, Mcgahee, Stewart, My WRs are Boldin, Jennings, A. Johnson, Holt, Toomer.
    We start 1 RB 3 WR and 1 Flex...TE counts as WR
    Are there any people I should trade/drop and what should I expect in return.
    14 team league with 7 max adds/drops and I've only used 3...nothing more than scrubs on the waiver

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      1 RB 3 WR and 1 flex. Never heard of a league like that before, but here goes.

      I think you grit your teeth and and wait for Boldin to come back. Trade McGahee for any wide receiver if that's possible. I mean any wide receiver. That's all I can see from what you've told me.

      Thanks for reading, and I hope this helped.

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  15. Big Al 8 months ago

    Buddy, I have decent WR's but am trying to get a stud, I have Peyton, AP and Portis who are untradeable in my mind. My WR's are Roy Williams, Hester, Marvin, Anquan, Lance Moore and Cooley. Should I just sit back and wait for ANquan to come back as I have been doing well4-2? PS my backup RB's are Edge and Deuce.

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  1. Buddy Smith 8 months ago

    Congratulations. Roy Williams changed teams. He has to do better on the Cowboys offense...Romo or nomo.

    Q is supposed to come back after the bye. Between that and the Williams thing- I'd stand pat for now.

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  2. JACK ROGERS 8 months ago

    DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TRADE?

    RANDY MOSS, WILLIS MCGAHEE AND BIG BEN
    4
    AP

    THE GUY WHO HAS AP HAD ROMO AS HIS QB SO RIGHT NOW IS WTG ON A WAIVERS TRANS TO GET ONE OR WOULD NEED TO TRADE FOR ONE

    WAS ALREADY TOLD TO DROP MCGAHEE SO IF I MAYBE TOSS HIM IN A TRIO FOR 1 OFFRE MAYBE IT BE TEMPTING FOR THE OWNER??

    I HAVE ELI MANNING AS MY OTHER QB

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'm not in love with AP. But I still think this is a good deal. You're probably OK with Eli barring injury. Whoever else you have at WR has probably been outperforming Moss. I'd go ahead and make the offer.

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  3. Enik sleestak 8 months ago

    who to start J.Delhomme ot J Campbell for QB. J Stewart or R. Brown for RB. For WR I have D.stallworth, Justin Cage, Randall El, I currently have El and Stallworth starting, I'm wondering if I should start Cage wo plays KCity this week for one of them.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      Ronnie Brown needs to be started every week at this point.

      I like Campbell at home against the Browns. I'm looking for a let down.

      I'd play the guy playing the Chiefs...always a good call.

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  4. John Fennelly 8 months ago

    I'm in a 16-team league, anchoring is still done at that level - mainly because there are so few free agents left in the pool

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      16 teams is huge...I find that in larger leagues fewer trades happen than should. I think people get married to their guys, and don't like letting go.

      What has been your experience? Your thoughts could help people know what to look for as their league expands.

      Thanks for reading.

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  5. Adam White 8 months ago

    How much stock do you put into the DST position. I'm trying to avoid anchoring, after drafting the SEA DST and dropping them after a couple of disappointing weeks. I picked up the Ravens DST, and although they lead the league in PYA and RYA, they don't seem to create many turnovers or generate sacks, thus struggling to score points. Would you hold on to the Ravens D, or look to the wire for a weekly matchup that is likely to produce more scoring opportunities?
    BTW- great article. I appreciate the feedback.

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      The Ravens are pretty good, but in my league you score points for holding teams to low point totals.

      I talked about defense in last weeks piece:

      http://bleacherreport.com/articles/65795-fantasy-advice-how-to-tackle-defensive-scoring

      an archive of all my articles, can be found at:

      buddyball.blogspot.com or just google buddy smith fantasy football

      There are a few unpolished/incomplete pieces there. I apologize in advance for those.

      If you have any further questions, feel free to shoot me an e-mail: buddy@buddy-smith.com

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  6. Big Al 8 months ago

    Yo Buddy, Now that Roy is in Bid D, sit him a week or two until he gets a couple plays under his belt?

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      That depends on what your other options are. I'd start him over Chad Johnson, however you value that. Maybe even over Randy Moss...but that's closer.

      I'd be aware of the increase in value to the other Dallas players: try to get a Marion Barber cheap...or a look for someone to be giving up on Patrick Crayton...look at the whole picture.

      I hope that helps you out.

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  7. Big Al 8 months ago

    Here are my options, start 3, Marvin, Lance Moore, Hester, Q(out), and Roy.....ugh could try n pick someone up.... Thanks B

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    • Buddy Smith 8 months ago

      I'd sit Lance More if Colston is going to play, sit Roy Williams if he's not. This week looks rough, but things are looking up for you in the next couple of weeks. Marvin, Q and Roy could be a great trio going down the stretch.

      I hope that helps. Thanks for reading.

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  8. Big Al 8 months ago

    PS I still have Peyton, Portis, and AP, Prater and the Steeler D going too.

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