Bleacher Report - Articles by Scott Fingerhut

Six Impacts a Longer Season Will Have on the NFL and FFL: Thank Lucifer!

Scott Fingerhut — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:32:34 -0400

Fantasy Football can be like crack. I'll admit, I was an FFL crack daddy—so much so that I told my wife she needed to get into FFL or our marriage would suffer. “Honey, this will bring us closer together...Don't you want to share something that's important to me?” She did and she beat me in the first round of the playoffs.

Having never lit up a crack rock, I can't truly compare quitting cold turkey to the let down of a long season along with the exuberance (sometimes tears) of it being over. No matter what the outcome, I've always been relieved at the end of a season. But now, the journey to the end might be longer.

What's happened?

Money happened—plain and simple. The NFL will make more of it and I'm sure it will cost us some more. We might see costs for the Sunday Ticket and FFL league fees go up. I mean, that's a couple more weeks of stat crunching and server up time for our favorite providers.

Of course, if you are drafting the day before the season starts, the application will probably still bomb. But, let's stay on subject here—the expanded season!

Let's not feel sorry that the athletes will play another one or two games, hopefully without big pay raises. When you take into account what's sure to be a combination of many more legit and bogus/over-dramatized injuries, players will most likely still get paid the same amount for the games they play.

Will we finally revel in the thought that a regular FFL season plus playoffs can be free of matchups plagued by sandbagging, player resting, junk-time scoring, and backup RB nirvana? Of course not, so I'll end on:

Six impacts of what an extended schedule will bring:

1. Al Davis sets the all-time record for most coaches in a single season.

2. Your stupid FFL commission (me included) can't leave well enough alone and extends the season 'til week 18 or 19 putting back in play what we hated so much (useless stars when you need them most).

3. The NFL comes to an agreement with the players that 'roids are acceptable after the 10th game of the season and all players are on a National Health Care Plan.

4. As a concession to players and knowing the Pro Bowl has become worthless, the NFL decides to rename and merge the two bowl games into the Super Pro Bowl.

5. The NFL announces the 2010 Super Pro Bowl is Valentine's Day (Sunday, Feb. 14).

6. The divorce rate in America goes WAY up with all time high filings in late February and 2011 FFL subscriptions skyrocket.

Why Roger Craig Should Get the Nod for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Scott Fingerhut — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:34:07 -0500

Last month, the NFL released the semifinalist list of candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In early January, they'll announce the narrowed list to 15, which will go to a mail-in ballot. It is Roger Craig's first appearance on the semifinalist list and it's about time.

If he were a shoe-in, then there would be no debate and no need to put together a compelling argument. Although Roger's lifetime stats don't make him a HOF lock, his reputation as a game changer as well Super Bowl success liken him to baseball HOFer Kirby Puckett (RIP).

Realistically, there are between two and three spots for Craig to vie for. Rob Woodson and Bruce Smith will most likely get the nod. Shannon Sharpe was a dominate tight end with many Pro Bowl appearances. Along with Sharpe, the other key offensive challenges for those precious HOF votes are Chris Carter, Terrell Davis, and Andre Reed.

Craigs' career stats are 8,189 rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards, 13,100 total yards, 73 TDs, and three Super Bowl rings.

Let's compare Roger's stats with other Hall of Famers, then with the candidates.

Total Rushing Yards: 8,189

Almost half of Walter Payton’s career yards, but more than HOFers Larry Csonka, Gayle Sayers, Lenny Moore and Ollie Matson.

Total Receiving Yards: 4,911

Less yards than Marcus Allen (Roger’s 4911 was over 11 seasons and Allen’s 5411 was over 16 seasons), but more than HOFers Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Walter Payton, John Riggins, and Franco Harris. Roger’s 4911 receiving yards are just 551 yards less than HOF WR Lynn Swann’s career total.

Total Yards: 13,100

Only 278 total yards less than O.J. Simpson but more than HOFers Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka, Gayle Sayers, and Lenny Moore.

13,100 total yards are also more total yards than HOF wide receivers: Steve Largent (played 14 years vs. Roger’s 11), Paul Warfield, Lynn Swann (more than double), John Stallworth and Michael Irvin.

Touchdowns: 73

Only two less than O.J. Simpson but more than HOFers Ollie Matson, Gayle Sayers, Larry Csonka.

Here's a few comparisons to this year's offensive HOF candidates

Chris Carter – he has 840 total yards more than Craig, played five seasons more and didn’t win any Super Bowls

Terrell Davis – Craig had 4200+ yards more, while he played seven seasons, and he has a couple Super Bowls wins.

Andre Reed – has only 610 more total yards than Craig, played five seasons more and has no Super Bowls

Shannon Sharpe – Craig had 3,000+ more yards than him, he played one more season than Craig and he has a couple Super Bowls wins.

Perhaps from a career-statistics perspective, granting Roger Craig entry into the HOF creates some new precedent, which could result in the expectation of other inductees that might not deserve.

Fear not—another candidate would have to be recognized as among the era’s most prolific running backs, with a level of versatility unseen before (he was a Pro Bowler as both a fullback and a halfback), help his team win three Super Bowl championships (and score a lot of points in those games—setting a record for most points scored in a Super Bowl), get selected to the Pro Bowl multiple years, and completely innovate his position—WAIT, wouldn’t that player be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame?

OK, still on the fence?

Here are two very important points to make:

Roger was asked to take on a role that no other running back was asked to do, in order to help make the Walshian Offence/“West Coast Offense” successful – an entirely new level of selflessness not seen in a star running back. No one can say that he didn’t do it exceptionally well and as a direct result, his team is often referred to as one of the best teams of all time and “the best backfield of the era."
The threat of a running, blocking, faking, catching RB provided for significantly more pass coverage and one could argue an extension of Joe Montana’s career and a lot of help for the game’s best WR, Jerry Rice.

Joe Montana said: "Roger was so good at carrying out play-action fakes that sometimes he had three or four guys chasing him. He was a threat with and without the ball."

There wouldn’t be a “West Coast offense” without Roger Craig, and the 49ers wouldn’t have been as prolific a team either.

Additional On and Off-the-field Information

First ever to do 1,000/1,000 and also led the league in receptions one year with over 90. Over 20 years later, only one player has matched that feat—Marshall Faulk (and there is a big difference in doing it when your home field is a dome compared to wet and soggy Candlestick Park.)

Three Super Bowl rings and played in a record 11 consecutive playoff games.
1984 Super Bowl: 135 total yards, 3 TDs (first time it had ever been done): 58 rushing yards 1 TD, 7 catches for 77 yards and 2 TDs
1988 Super Bowl: 175 total yards: 74 rushing yards, 8 catches for 101 yards
1989 Super Bowl: 103 total yards, 1 TD: 69 rushing yards, 1 TD and 5 catches for 34 yards

Selected to the Pro-Bowl five times, four All-Pro Honors (85, 87, 88, 89). Only player to be elected to the Pro Bowl at both full and halfback (1993 Inside the Helmet reported).

1988 NFL MVP, AP Offensive Player of the Year/MVP, 1990 Team of the Decade Honors

Led all running backs in receptions for six straight years: 1984-1989

Jerry Rice credits him with helping to get him in the top shape of his life with Hill Running. Excerpt from an April 2006 article about 49er running back Frank Gore’s conditioning “49ers running back Roger Craig became a fan of steep hill and distance running also introducing Jerry Rice to “The Hill,” located over in Edgewood Park in San Carlos, California.”

A standout person in the community
- Helped raise over $900,000 for the United Way
- Helped raise over a million dollars for Special Olympics
- Last year he was an ambassador for the city of San Jose helping to bring it the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. Revenue to the city in excess of $22m.

As of today, Roger Craig remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions for a single season, and the only one ever to record over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl.

Eric Dickerson said, “I believe that Roger is a Hall-of-Famer. Roger was the first to do the double 1,000, his style of running over defensive opponents was unmatched and he was an irreplaceable part of San Francisco’s offence in the 1908’s.”

One couldn't end a case for Roger Craig without quoting the great coaching mastermind Bill Walsh, who said, “Roger Craig is one of the great players of our era. He was the best all around running back of his time. A great receiver, one of the finest open field runners and power runners we have seen in recent years, a fine blocker and a tremendous competitor.

"He’s takes his team to the world championship a number of times and I don’t know if there’s ever been a more talented running back, or utility running back, that’s ever played the game.”

Five Rules for Being a Fantasy Football League Champion

Scott Fingerhut — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:04:25 -0500

Let me first say that I assume truth in the following equation: winning = happiness. Your objective is to win games, and it makes you happy to win games.

That assumption will make more sense in a bit. I'm providing these five rules not because I have always dominated fantasy football leagues, but because, when I don't follow them, I get burned.

So, sometimes you learn more from losing than winning. In that case, I've learned a lot. These are my five top rules, but in no way am I saying they are the only five. What are some of your rules?

Rule No. 1: "He kicked butt for me last year"—Don't draft just because you had them last year

Did I say "last year"? We build emotional attachments to these guys and, for some reason, are attracted to the studs of yesteryear. This is wrong in so many ways—you end up holding onto someone longer (like an old girlfriend) and waiting for that breakout game. Yeah, you may think you know them so well and you might even be connected, but he's not thinking of you one bit.

Rule No. 2: "They're my favorite team"—Don't draft out of loyalty to a team

Sure, a bunch of people showed off this skill with New England last year, but this year would have been a total bust. If you have to draft from your favorite team because you can't handle rooting against them, then expect to lose most often or just quit playing FFL.

Now, it may bring you amazing happiness to draft a player you like then see them play well, but—newsflash—you'll always like a player that does well for you. Let them earn your love first.

Rule No. 3: "I love him this week"—Think a couple games ahead

I'm the one whom people constantly ask "why the hell did you pick them up, they are on bye?" Well, because Carolina is playing Oakland, then Detroit in the next two games. You aren't an athlete, you can, in fact look, beyond your current opponent, and you should.

How set up are you for a week or two in advance? There are often players available that have fantastic matchups. And the FFL Guru advice you always read will say "pickups for the week"—well, everyone knows them, and you only end up in waiver-wire battles, but what about pickups in two weeks? They are around for the cherry-picking.

Rule No. 4: "But my team was so awesome in the regular season"—Think about the playoffs

Yes, you need to get in the playoffs, but nothing hurts more than losing in the first round (guilty a number of times). In many leagues, the playoffs might come down to the second-to-last game of the season. If they do, top teams typically rest players. How many people had Peyton Manning in a playoff game and he only played for a half when they needed him most?

This is the time you'll need to look at the bad teams who are playing for pride. It's the games that are between two teams with nothing at stake that you sometimes see unbelievable stats. Of course, mid-tier teams playing to get into the playoffs or establish home field advantage will play their hearts out.

Rule No. 5: "I would have won, but I have injuries"—Injuries are the rule, not the exception

Get over your sad injury stories. Your season isn't sealed by the draft alone. Steven Jackson, Willie Parker, Tom Brady, blah blah blah—stop whining and get active. Consider yourself to have rare luck if your running backs don't miss some games.

Out of injuries, though, come many opportunities. Keep an eye out for backups and even put them on your bench—they always get a chance to shine and you could be sitting on fresh gold.

I know this is particularly hard in bye weeks, and nothing hurts more than seeing a player you dropped put up large points. Mewelde Moore paid huge dividends for me this year, but of course I dropped him only a few days before hearing that Parker is out again with a bad shoulder. Whoever gets Moore should have gold going up against one of the worst run defenses and best pass defenses (Indy).

Those are my five...any suggestions?

Brady Is Back! Different Name, Don't Expect The Same

Scott Fingerhut — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:31:43 -0500

I smell a conspiracy here; the situation doesn't quite add up.

Sure, if you watched the Browns vs. Ravens game, you saw the pick-off that led to the game winning touchdown and it looked like Derek Anderson made a horrible decision.

But, Cleveland was going up against one of the NFL's top defenses and it was Derek's only pick in a game where he throws for two touchdowns while his unreliable receivers dropped several balls.

So, it's Brady Quinn time, who will assuredly grab headlines like "Brady is back" or "the other Brady." It seems obvious to me that the front office of the Browns wants to have their top draft pick on the field and they don't want to look bad doing it, so they'll put him up against Denver.

This is like a boxing match against a bum that was paid off to make it look good, but ultimately take a dive. Denver combines the leagues 27th pass defense with the 26th ranked run defense. You'll see a lot of Jamal Lewis and low risk game play to ensure that Brady is welcomed into the world like he was at a McCain rally.

This game makes for a free win in Brady's debut and the stage to trade Derek Anderson, save money and move on.

Now, if poor Brady can't pull this off, it's a huge backfire for the team. Makes me wonder why they wouldn't have went through the season and dealt Anderson on a better note.

My prediction: Quinn comes off looking so-so, but gets a win and goes into a cold Buffalo where reality freezes in.

Do Draft In Earnest, Earnest Graham

Scott Fingerhut — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:04:35 -0400

With Caddy on the PUP list and not looking to come back for what appears to be 4-6 regular season games, it makes the sole RB spot Earnest Graham's (Grahmmy's) to loose. A solid vet like Warrick Dunn behind him should be a good thing to give Graham rests when needed, but not chew up much of his opportunities. In a league with so many teams sharing the RB role, its a refreshing case for a player to have the gig all to himself.

To boot - the Bucs have shown that they can run the ball. Graham finds himself in a similar position to Jamal Lewis, but he's a lot younger. Many lists have Lewis at 20 and Graham beyond 30. But looking at last year's stats, you'll see that he does something Lewis does little of - catch the ball. If he stays healthy and gets the carries, Graham could consistently outdo what he did in that great stretch last year:

Week 7 at Det: 92 yards (19 carries), 99 rec yards (13 receptions)

Week 8 vs. Jax: 62 yards (14 carries), 12 rec yards (1 rec)

Week 9 vs. Ari: 124 yards (34 carries), 1 TD, 13 yards (2 rec)

Week 10 - bye

Week 11 at Atl: 102 yards (17 carries), 1 TD, 6 yards (1 rec)

Week 12 vs. Wash: 75 yards (21 carries), 1 TD, 9 yards (2 rec)

Week 13 at NO: 106 yards (22 carries), 1 TD, 37 yards (7 rec)

Week 14 at Hou: 61 yards (15 carries), 2 TDs, 45 yards (6 rec)

Week 15 vs Atl: 79 yards (22 carries), 1 TD, 40 yards (5 rec)

Guess who the first two matchups are this year for TB? New Orleans and Atlanta!

And, when thinking about someone that will be there for you in the most important part of your FFL season (playoffs), it's nice to have players that most likely won't be in the playoffs and resting up. When you're not sure who the QB will be for a team, it's typically a good indication of their playoff chances.