Fantasy Phenom Diaries: Five to Guide

Fantasy Football has quickly become a mainstream activity that has changed the complexion of NFL Sunday's for millions of fans. 

I've heard everyone from a middle-aged, female bartender to the local weatherman discuss their strategies for the upcoming fantasy season.

I myself am a seasoned veteran having been the commissioner of a league since the early days of this now billion dollar industry. 

I've drafted names like Rice, Sanders, and Marino, so needless to say I've been doing this for quite sometime and I'm good.  Very good!

I've won countless championships against strong competition and taken a couple of heartbreaking losses along the way. 

Lit cigars in victory and smashed remotes in defeat.

So as any master of his/her craft would like to do, I've decided to take five readers under my wing and do my best to guide them through the 2009 fantasy season.

Every league has a couple guys or gals that love the action of draft parties, smack talk and just being involved, but have not a clue on how to manage a winning squad.

If you happen to be one of these people I feel for you and honestly respect your passion.

Before I tell you how to obtain my services, I would like to provide everyone with a little bit of insight and  strategy that have made me into a fantasy beast, and the one to beat in any league I enter.

The five chosen players will be given access to my individual and overall player rankings, draft preparation and help throughout the season. 

FANTASY STRATEGY:

Ranking of Players;

My approach to ranking the players before the draft is simple.

First, go through each position and rank those players accordingly.

Next, tier your rankings.

Example: Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald look primed to have huge seasons and are more than worthy of being chosen in the top few rounds.  They should wind up on your first tier. 

Brandon Marshall, on the other hand, has put up monster stats the last few years, but changes at coach and quarterback should push him into the second tier.

Finally, when compiling your overall rankings, use these tiers as guidelines in doing so.

Position-By-Position Draft Philosophy:

Quarterback:  Depending on how your league scores for passing touchdowns (usually four or six) will drastically determine the value of this position.

I've drafted Culpepper and Warner in the first round in the past,  but I've also won championships starting David Garrard, Matt Cassell, and Kordell Stewart so having an elite QB will not make or break your team. 

Play the matchups and remember that Chiefs' QB Tyler Thigpen was putting teams in the playoffs in 2008.

Running Back:  HORDE them!!  Running backs have traditionally been the juggernauts of fantasy football and it didn't take me long to notice that. 

I try to put as many backs on my team as possible and have been known to draft one with each of my first three picks, despite having the option to only start two.

To me, the 32nd rated starting running back is more valuable than 2/3 of the No. 1 receivers. 

Generally I try to draft three receivers, one QB, TE, K, and defense. The rest of my squad is running backs!

Wide Receiver: The recent trend at this position has littered the fantasy landscape with supreme athletes that have changed the way fantasy football is played.

In years past, only a couple of receivers should have been considered first round picks.

Looking forward to 2009, it hard not to predict monster years from Fitzgerald, Moss, Jennings, Colston, Wayne, or Johnson and Johnson, just to name a few. 

Tight End:  My philosophy when it comes to drafting a tight end is that I fill my roster with studs and then go after one in the late rounds. 

I must admit, players like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez have made me flinch in the past, but I usually stick to my guns and the twelfth best tight end.

Place Kicker:  Nobody likes a kicker, myself included. 

The strength of my team will influence how and when I go about filling this position.

In any given year there might be two or three kickers that are difference makers, but I generally focus on the rest of my team using the schedule and waiver wire to get my kicks. 

Defense/Special Teams:

Powerhouse defenses like the Bears, Ravens and Buccaneers from years past have led many a manager to a title. 

This season, only the Giants and Steelers look to have that type of potential.

Usually, I play the match-ups looking for rookie or bad quarterbacks, prone to throwing the wonderful "Pick-six"!

A teams' schedule should be a perfect guide to choosing your defense and remember to keep an eye out for bad weather when it gets later in the season. 

A FEW LAST TIPS:

Bye Weeks:  Bye Weeks-Schmye Weeks.  I pay no attention to them!  My favorite words to hear at a draft table are "When is his bye week again?"

Your Drafted Players:  Don't get married to the players you draft.  I will drop any player at any time for lack of production.

Free Agency:  Fantasy leagues are won and lost through the battles of free agency.

A prime example is my '09, championship winning, starting roster in a 12 team league that was highly competitive.

QB:  Matt Cassell (FA)

RB:  Pierre Thomas  (FA)

RB:  Kevin Faulk (FA)

WR: Randy Moss

WR: Vincent Jackson (FA)

TE:  Owen Daniels

K:  Gostkowski

DEF:  Patriots

Please email me at [e-mail] with your short explanation why I should choose you as one of the lucky "Five to Guide!"