Fantasy Football Week 1: Roster Pickings from an Idiot

I have decided, this morning in fact, to pick up the NFL and try to understand it.

Writing on Bleacher Report has enabled me to come to the realization of just how popular the sport is and, as an aspiring sports journalist, it would do me no harm to work out what it's all about.

So I decided to take a look at the NFL Quick Pick challenge and from what I can tell it's a condensed, easier version of fantasy football. Being a soccer fanatic means I know the essence of fantasy teams, I just need to adapt my knowledge.

So I'm thinking of running a weekly Roster Pick article from an idiot (myself). I have looked for information on B/R for help in picking but essentially, I don't even know what a "Tight End" is.

You might ask why I would do this. Well throwing myself in at the deep end seems like a good idea, a decision very much influenced by the fact that the new NFL season is due to start in two hours—a fact that I have only just realized. 

Any help you can give me in the comments on what really goes on during the match would be most appreciated!

QB: Michael Vick

From what I can gather, Quarterback is the coolest position to play. It takes immense skill and accuracy to throw a ball as precisely as they do right?

They throw it to a Running Back who is very, very fast and likely to score touch downs—whilst the big blokes in armor hold off the other team and protect the Quarterback from getting mullered.

Is that right?

This week I've gone for Michael Vick. I saw his name mentioned a few times in some B/R articles and a few mentioned that the Philadelphia Eagles were looking like winners. That's enough for me to go on this week.

RB: Adrian Peterson

At Running Back, I've stuck for Adrian Peterson. I was initially hitting up Arian Foster but he's been confirmed as injured so Peterson it is.

According to this article, Peterson will be used often by his team as an outlet and run a fair chunk of yards. Don't really know what that means but it sounds promising.

Having watched Nelly play as a Running Back in the film The Longest Yard (starring Adam Sandler), I'm pretty sure the RB is quick and runs a hell of a lot to secure touchdowns. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Some are touting the San Diego chargers to have a poor opener this weekend and Peterson's Minnesota Vikings facing them influenced my pick.

WR: Calvin Johnson

This is the point where it gets tough for me as I have no idea what a Wide Receiver does other than the criminally obvious. I'm not sure what impact he has on the game or what statistics to look for.

It was this article that influenced my choice, as the article clearly states that he should get at least one touchdown per game despite increased opposition attention.

That statement is good enough for me to go on—and if it doesn't work out I've got someone else to blame!

TE: Jason Witten

It gets even harder now. I don't know what a WR is but the name sort of spells it out.

A Tight End though—clueless.

I've picked Jason Witten because his Dallas Cowboys side are facing the New York Jets—a team I read somewhere would falter in their opener.

Come on Witten!

Team: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are one of the only teams I really have heard of—but that's only because of the Family Guy episode where Peter Griffin joins the Patriots and annoys Tom Brady.

I picked them because B/R is teeming with articles on how the Patriots will easily swat aside the Dolphins today. Also their win/loss ratio at 13-2 looked the best about during my brief statistics check.

Possessing no knowledge of NFL, I can safely say I fully expect the Patriots to win today.