NFL Fantasy Football 2011 Season: A Love/Hate Relationship

Oh, how time flies when you're having a blast.

We're already into Week 3 of the beloved NFL season, a season that was almost wasn't.  Just imagine what would've been if NFL fans didn't have their season.  Their would have been chaos all over!  Not just from crazy-ass football fans, but also from even crazier fantasy football fans.

It's crazy to think that until two years ago, I didn't care for fantasy.  I made fun of the people going looney tunes over it.  The way people talk about it non-stop, the way they're obsessed with it.  But now, I too am  one of the millions of people throughout the nation with fantasy football obsession – even though I play it off to friends that I don't really care about it, I do, damn it! – unfortunately.

You guys and gals know what I'm talking about.

Hate: Relationships are rough during fantasy football season: Sorry hun, but I have to cancel on our dinner plans tonight, I'm having a live-fantasy-football draft and I can't miss it.  Didn't I tell you?

Sorry babe, this is the last time I check my phone, I'm just trying to see how my fantasy squad is doing.  I need to beat this one guy that keeps trash-talking!

Oh, even worse if your significant other is in the same league as you!  I hope you guys aren't super competitive.

Hate: Friendships are broken: Thanks for not inviting me to your league you ass-hat!  You're the commissioner, you couldn't kick out that guy you don't even know? 

WTF!?  Why did you block my proposed trade?  The other noob agreed to it, why can't you?  Unfair to the league, my ass.

Or lack of social life:  Sorry bro, can't make it to the bar tonight, I have to spend countless hours doing this mock-draft.

Hate: Problems with strangers: Dude, I don't even know you.  Why are you talking so much crap for and insulting me in front of my friends?  It's just fantasy football, chill out.  Think you're safe behind your computer screen?  I will find you and stuff will get real!  (legit beef).

Love: Live drafts are great!  Hang out with friends, drink beer, eat wings and other food, cool draft kits, talk football.  What's not to love?

Hate: Live drafts taking way too much time.  Thanks for taking your sweet-ass time just to pick up a kicker!  Or, if you are "that guy" that takes his time, then the annoying people rushing you to draft.

Love: The thrill you get when you know when one of your players is lighting it up on the field.  Peyton Hillis just dropped 40 points on you!  Boom! 

Hate: When one of your high draft picks isn't doing squat for you and you lose the game!  Gaaahh, how did I lose?  I was down by only eight points, I had Antonio Gates left.  Damn it, Antonio!  You couldn't catch a couple of passes?!  That's ALL I needed, just a few measly receptions!  

Love: It's fun stuff talking about football and analyzing players you should add or drop on your team.

Hate: Damn it, Mr. Roto!  You have provided zero value to me.  And so have many of the other social media tools available to us!  Ryan Grant has done wonders for me, thanks!

Love: Message board trash-talking.

Love: Having a reason to pay such close attention to the other football games.  Your players need to be productive.  Oh, and whoever said that fantasy will make you root against your team, that is false!  Well, at least for me it is.  I will never root against the Jets or root for a player to do well against the Jets.

Mucho Love: The sweet feeling of success when you win for the week.  Or even better, when you win the league.  That trophy is mine! (or whatever prize available in your league).

Hate: When you lose any game, fail to make the playoffs or get knocked out of the playoffs.  It ruins the next couple of days for you. And in a very Rex Ryan fashion: Don.'t worry, I'll be back next year!  I'm winning the whole damn thing!

Hate: When people talk non-stop about their fantasy squad.  No, I don't want to know who's in your lineup, I don't care about your team!  Stop asking me questions.  Who am I?  The Oracle?

Seriously though, who should I pick up/drop this week?  Who should I start?

Ladies and gentlemen, get your rosters ready for week 3.

Feel free to add any of your fantasy football experiences in the comments section.  If you're a fan of me then read more articles here.  Gracias.