What We Have Learned Up To This Point: Strategy.

Fantasy football is a welcomed disease. It is addictive, occasionally more so than a cigarette, yet easier to quit. Or is it? For many of us, it is not something we want to give up but time, and other obligations, can come at the worst possible times.

For example, if you are fortunate, or unfortunate enough (depending on the day), to have a wife, girlfriend, mistress, significant other, et al, then you know how tough it can be to balance professional, family and personal time. Basically, your personal time is eliminated, unless you are one of the lucky ones with a significant other who enjoys the game of football and even better, FANTASY football, more than that semi-casual fan in your office who just likes to tailgate and pretends to know the game (he drafted Plaxico Burress in the 2nd round last season)then count your blessings and never let her go. Ever.

You men (and women) who aren't blessed with those understanding lovers in your lives need to develop the best exit strategy to attend your Fantasy draft while being stuck at your 3rd cousin's daughters' baptism. Bring out your inner ninja. And I don't mean dress in all black and roundhouse kick your wife as she is bringing you a plate of delicious hors d'oeuvres at the post-baptismal party. Get ahead of the game by asking what is happening in the next few weeks. Your curiousity may seem strange to her, so make sure you don't give away any inkling of your desires.

If you are the commissioner of your league, you are in the clear. But make sure to help out your fellow fantasy football "brothers" by checking when a good time for the draft will be. After all, you want to be a fair and likeable commish don't you?

Now that you have created your devious plan of attack, or lack thereof, let's touch upon draft strategy. Here are a few "Do's and Don't's" I have devised when it comes to drafting:

1. Don't Draft: WR's with a mediocre-at-best QB- With JaMarcus Russell done handling quarterbacking duties in Oakland, it is a bit safer, and I stress bit, to draft WR's from the Raiders but don't get too crazy. Jason Campbell is definitely an upgrade at the position, but he doesn't have much upside considering he wasn't a great fit in Washington. Another wideout who comes to mind, and it pains me to say, is Larry Fitzgerald. I am not sold on Matt Leinart (esp being a Notre Dame fan) and seeing what he has done, or should I say what he hasn't done, it scares the bejesus out of me that a former #1 pick in fantasy leagues 1 and 2 years ago is going to have a down year because he has an incapable QB. I cross my fingers that Kurt Warner decides to return, but I know that is wishful thinking.
2. Don't Draft: Players with injuries/suspensions- Make sure you check the injured list before heading into your draft. Ben Tate? Lost for the season. Sidney Rice? Out for at least 6 games. Santonio Holmes? Suspended for 4 games. Ben Roethlisberger? 4-6 game suspension. I have seen time and again how many people are not up-to-date on those players with injuries/suspensions. In the case of Holmes and Roethlisberger, picking them up later in the draft (12th round and beyond) could be a steal because both of them will play this season.
3. Do Draft: Running Back's in 2-Back systems- Most analysts may disagree with me on this, but that's what makes writing great. Opinions. Prime example: Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams in 2009. Both averaged over 5.0 yards per carry and both rushed for over 1,000 yards. They may be the only example from last season, but I expect a few other tandems to break out this season. Matt Forte and Chester Taylor, Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch and possibly a few others as well. I guess throwing Arian Foster and Steve Slaton in there is possible as well.
4. Do Draft: Rookie's named Spiller, McCluster, Bradford, Mathews, Best and Gresham. These players are going to be starters within the 1st few weeks if not on opening day. One or two of these guys could become a Sleeper of the Year.
5. Don't Draft: Plaxico Burress or any other guys NOT in the NFL or currently in prison.

Now that some of my secrets have been revealed, please comment below and tell me what type of strategy you used in your Fantasy draft or what you will use in your upcoming draft. I promise I will not use or share your tips. My drafts are complete. But I cannot speak for anyone else.