Oh, The Bye Weeks...

So, the bye weeks are here.  Yay (this is dripping with sarcasm).  I am not so cool as Rusty, who can take bye weeks into account during the draft.  I am lucky if I can pick players who aren't in jail or out for the season...

Which brings me to Peyton Manning.  Actually, it brings me to Curtis Painter, but bear with me for a second.  I miss Peyton.  The Peyton of old, always the smartest man on the field.  Always able to pull a victory from the jaws of defeat.  Now that he's on the bench for a season, it's a toss-up if he'll be able to come back to form.  I hope so.

But in the interim there is Curtis Painter.  For such a young guy (he's younger than my sons!) he is showing some real big-boy poise in the pocket, and has made some pinpoint passes.  And what an arm!!!  Not sure if he has what it takes to be a stellar QB, but he's better now than Collins ever was.  But Indy is 0-6.  Just typing that is causing my physical pain...I am near tears.

And, just in case you were wondering why I hadn't brought it up...THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS ARE 5-1.  Really.  I know, it reads like a typo or the delusion of an old granny that can't face the harsh reality that her team sucks. That still doesn't mean that Alex Smith can play football, but I think Harbaugh is able to get a bit out of the dry well that is Smith's talent.  Feel free to prove me wrong Alex.  Please...

And who else is shocked (shocked, I tell you!) that 6 weeks are gone already?  I am kinda bummed.  Actually I am really bummed, because I haven't been able to catch as many games as I'd like.  But the heart of the season is coming up and hopefully my pitiful fantasy teams can hang in there so I don't drag down the stretch in last place.

The bye weeks are killers.  Are you haunting the waiver wire and FA lists, picking up dreck to fill a slot too?  No, you're picking up the decent players on waivers before I can get to them! 

What are the bye weeks doing to you?

Fantasy Drafts

Ok, so I'm going through all of my lineups today in preparation for tomorrow's kick-off to the NFL season (tomorrow! tomorrow! I luv ya, tomorrow!) and I noticed something.  The lineup I picked myself (I actually got to participate in one of the live drafts this year) is probably the best. 

I really enjoyed the live draft, and wish my schedule allowed me to join in on the drafts for my other teams.  It was a lot of fun.  I thought there would be more chatting, but everything moved very quickly, so I didn't have time to check out the smack talking!  Maybe next time, now that I know what the heck I'm doing!!

I was pretty intimidated going into the draft room because I didn't want to come off as a total idiot (at least, not this early in the season).  But no worries, everything was very self explanatory and user friendly (aren't you tired of that phrase?  I am).  The only problem I had was that people continually drafted players I wanted before I could get to them!!! 

What I liked best was the ability to pick the team I wanted.  Conventional wisdom tells us to go for the rock star running backs first, then QB's, wideouts, etc. I did go for a rock star first, but then I went for the Ravens and Steelers defenses early, because I know from painful experience that a defense can make or break your Sunday.  Also a couple of top notch QB's, for the same reason.  I also picked tight ends early.  Of course, I am hurting a bit in the WR position, but I live on the waiver wire anyway, so I'll be ok.

Another great thing was the ability to avoid problem children.  I don't care how talented TO or Chad whatshisface are, I don't need any more drama in my life.  The only diva I have time for is my granddaughter.  The first season of fantasy I played was a nightmare because of the 'antics' of these overpaid egotistical sons-of-(but I digress...)

Something else I was able to do (that I learned from Rusty last year) was to pick players and positions around bye weeks.  'Cause bye weeks can kill you, take my word for it!

All in all the live draft was a pretty positive experience.  Although I do have to admit there is a certain thrill to seeing your team lineup for the first time if it's autopicked (that's where the computer picks the top ranked player available when it's your turn).  That's kinda fun, too, for a minute.  Until I realize I had the stupid computer that apparently drafted from the bottom up!

Let the Games Begin!!!

Ok, quick update.  I am in 5 (yeah, 5!!!) fantasy football leagues.  They're all with the same core of great, fun folks who do a fair amount of smack talking during the season.  It's all in fun, and has already begun!

Mike (Purple Haze) seems to think that this Granny needs Geritol.  I set him straight (was there any doubt I would?).  He's also started in with Cheryl, and Rusty and Susan are shooting barbs back and forth.

That's what makes these fantasy leagues so much fun!  Most of us have played together before and know personalities, etc.  There is some carry over from last season, too.  Rusty beat me out for the championship in one league last year and I am SO gunning for him this year!

Susan, the administrator for all of the leagues, puts in a lot of time and effort to make sure that everyone has a good time.  She's a lot of fun, too!  Quite the rabble rouser!

I'm looking forward to the official start of the season on Thursday because I've been waiting for so long for football, and because the 'games' will begin!!!

Good luck to everyone in their leagues!  Oh, and the Niners are going to make the playoffs this year.