Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fantasy Index Magazine "Ask the Expert" Question: Which fast-starting fantasy performer will stumble the rest of the way, and why?

Which fast-starting fantasy performer will stumble the rest of the way, and why?

Easy answer Jahvid Best and Darren McFadden. Best is hurt and turf toe tends to be a lingering injury. McFadden faces Michael Bush returning and stealing carries. However, I will go one step further and nominate Thomas Jones. Jamaal Charles appears to be the better runner in KC and when the Chiefs lose a game his 7.0 YPC will trump TJ’s 4.1. Old man time will catch Thomas Jones by the latter third of the season.

ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly at http://www.fantasyindex.com/ with answers to a new question posted Thursday morning.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Basics and Fantasy Football Almanac 2010, all available at his website, http://www.ffguidebook.com/, at all major bookstores, and at http://www.amazon.com/. He is a 20-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 top players) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $7.39 33% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95, now 10% off at $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Week 3 Results for FFGuidebook.com

Seven major fantasy football leagues for me this year:

Three are Expert leagues. Two of those Expert leagues are associated with my rankings, projections and mock drafts in Fantasy Football Index magazine and Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazine. The other is the now annual FFPC Pro's vs Joes Challenge. The Fantasy Index Expert Auction and FFPC Pro's vs Joes are also Draft Masters format so draft and forget.

Of the four remaining money leagues, one is the Fantasy Football Players Championship Main Event, two are FootballGuys Players Championship teams and the last is my local league.

Week 3 Results:
Fantasy Index Expert Auction-Draft Masters: Loss 0-11 terrible day ( we play every team each week), dropped to 8th place overall

FFPC Pros vs. Joes League #7 - Charles Jefferson's Z-28's: Loss 8th of 12 in total points this week, dropped to 6th overall in TP standings for year

Fantasy Football Pro Forecast Expert League-Win, 2-1 for year and 1st place in points

FFPC Main Event "Clark W. Griswold" Saturday Online League #21: Win, 2-1 8th in Points

FPC Satellitte Sunday 09.05.7: Loss 1-2 for year, 5th place in points

FPC Satellite Tuesday 09.07.10h: Win 3-0, 11th place in TP (not good)

Local League: Loss 2-1, 6th place in TP

Overall 3-4 (3-2 in H2H leagues). Lost in one league when Devin Hester ran back the punt for a TD.

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $7.39 33% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95, now 10% off at $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Trouble on the horizion for Fantasy Sports industry? Gambling issues.

Call me naive, fanatical, crazy or both but I love Fantasy Sports (Football especially) and I do not want to see anything ruin this excellent obsession of mine. So when I read Oskar Garcia's Associated Press article "Daily fantasy sports become a gambling reality" yesterday I cringed (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jElxdNKNquIets1aE3)izojKIyx1AD9IEH90O0.

The lead sentence is..."Sports fans are betting online each night on athlete's performances -- and its all legal". Talk about throwing somebody under a bus. That loud oooooofffffffff sound was the fantasy sports world being sucker punched.

Then I thought, "maybe nobody read it". A quick google search revealed 1.5 milion hits and the top page were references to sites that posted the article (NBC Sports, Yahoo, some Las Vegas TV stations, a Taiwan newspaper etc). It is safe to say the cat is out of the bag.

Why am I so upset? Because it is a big problem when you associate gambling and fantasy sports. I have to force my fingers to use them in the same sentence even if it is just to point out that they should not be there and it is a issue to do so. It is a slippery slope that divides gambing and fant... well you know what.

The 2006 Anti Gambling carve out language specificially for fantasy sports, in my opinion, was for season long fantasy sports operations, not daily operations (which were not in existence at that time). I hope the websites and gamers who have moved into this daily fantasy sports arena have not endangered all of fantasy sports.

I consider daily playing and winning to NOT be fantasy sports. In fact, after reading some examples in the article it sounds more like day trading than fantasy sports. Fantasy sports is a season long endeavour to win. Daily wagering and winning seems to me to be more gambling than fantasy sports. There I said it. If you want my opinion playing for a single event seems like betting. Anyone who has played fantasy football for any length of time knows that on any given sunday a team or player can have inconsistent performances. But the true test is evaluating and drafting players for a season long contest.

I will admit I have not thought this whole thing out and I love player props just as much as the next guy. But when I play a prop it is at Veags not through some "fantasy sports" site. I play fantasy sports at the FFPC, WCOFF and NFFC and these are season long contests. I would hate to see real fantasy contests such as these suffer because others are taking advantage of the fantasy sports industry to "bend the rules" whether that be the spirit or letter of the law.

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $7.39 33% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95, now 10% off at $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fantasy Football for Beginners on sale at Amazon.com for 33% off!

How to play, enjoy and win Fantasy Football.

Finally, an easy and straightforward way to learn how to play fantasy football. Learn the easy way. Everything you need to play.

A book every beginner will enjoy!

Answers these questions:
• Why play fantasy football?
• Where do I start?
• How do I pick the right league?
• How do I score points?
• Who do I start each week?

Includes:
• Explanation of NFL and fantasy football rules
• Draft tips
• Vital resources to help
• Foreword by Emil Kadlec, Co-Founder of the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF) and owner of Fantasy Sports Publications
• And much more!

And now for a limited time Fantasy Football for Beginners is on sale at Amazon for just $7.39.
A great gift for anyone you wish to become interested in one of the greatest hobbies of all time.

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $7.39 33% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95, now 10% off at $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Moreno out, tons of QB changes-Week 3 News

Important update: Knowshn Moreno is out for Denver in week 3. This means Correll Buckhalter and Laurence Maroney are now the RBs for Dever this week. Andre Brown ( a deep sleeper of mine before week 1) was signed off the practice squad too so keep an eye on him as well.

Other news (may be old to some)
Vick is the QB in PHI from now on
Ryan Fitzpatrick replaces T Edwards at QB in BUF
Jimmy Clausen starts in place of Matt Moore in CAR
Brad Gradkowski starts over Jason Campbell in OAK
Byrn Leftwhich starts over Charlie Batch for supspended Ben R. in PIT
Vince Young should start for TEN

RB
Knowshon Moreno is out for week 3...watch this closely as they traded for Maroney and Moreno had injury issues in preseason
Jerome Harrison is looking doubtful for CLE-look for Peyton Hillis and James Davis
Reggie Bush is out for 4-6 weeks at NO-Chris Ivory is the backup there to Pierre Thomas (Ladell Betts recently signed too)
Michael Bush RB OAK practiced Thurs and Fri and is probable
Ryan Mathews is out for week 3-Mike Tolbert and D Sproles fill in at SD
Larry Johnson was released from WAS (so much for another deep sleeper)
Marshawn Lynch is set to get more carries than CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson again this week-show casing him before the Oct trade deadline?

WR
Andre Johnson is lised as doubtful but I suspect he will play
A Gonzalez is out 4-6 weeks
Nate Burleson could be out 3 weeks with the dreaded High Ankle Sprain (HAL)
TE
Jason Witten should play vs HOU
KW2 is not practicing but should play (just like last week)
Kevin Boss practiced this week and should play

K
Buehler K DAL is missing a lot of FGs in practice but Cowboys seem Ok to let him grow at K.

D Revis is out 1-2 games=Brandon Marshall owners can breath now.



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $7.39 33% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95, now 10% off at $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Which player who's struggled through the first two weeks will turn things around the rest of the way?

Ask the Expert Question for the week: Which player who's struggled through the first two weeks will turn things around the rest of the way?

This could be the turning point for DeAngelo Williams’s season. At home and with a new QB, now is the time for the Panthers to establish a dominant running game and let their star shine. In the past two losses he has shown some of his old flash but not been given the carries he deserves (only 16.5 per game). With Jonathan Stewart apparently in the dog house (why I do not know), I expect Williams to turn his season around this week against a CIN defense that have been a little too generous on YPC.




ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly at http://www.fantasyindex.com/ with answers to a new question posted Thursday morning.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Basics and Fantasy Football Almanac 2010, all available at his website, http://www.ffguidebook.com/, at all major bookstores, and at http://www.amazon.com/. He is a 20-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 top players) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Week 2 Fantasy Football results

Seven major fantasy football leagues for me this year:
Three are Expert leagues. Two of those Expert leagues are associated with my rankings, projections and mock drafts in Fantasy Football Index magazine and Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazine. The other is the now annual FFPC Pro's vs Joes Challenge. The Fantasy Index Expert Auction and FFPC Pro's vs Joes are also Draft Masters format so draft and forget.
Of the four remaining money leagues, one is the Fantasy Football Players Championship Main Event, two are FootballGuys Players Championship teams and the last is my local league.

Week 2 Results:
Fantasy Index Expert Auction-Draft Masters: 11-0 scored the most points ( we play every team each week), 2nd place overall

FFPC Pros vs. Joes League #7 - Charles Jefferson's Z-28's: 4th out of 12 in total points this week, 5th overall in TP standings for year

Fantasy Football Pro Forecast Expert League-Win, 1-1 for year and 1st place in points

FFPC Main Event "Clark W. Griswold" Saturday Online League #21: Win, 1-1 7th in Points

FPC Satellitte Sunday 09.05.7: Win 1-1 for year, 5th place in points

FPC Satellite Tuesday 09.07.10h: Win 2-0, 11th place in TP (not good)

Local League: Win 2-0, 2nd place in TP

Overall 7-0 (5-0 in H2H leagues). First time I have ever won in every league in one week!



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Listen to BFD Fantasy Football on BlogTalkRadio tonight at 10 PM as Sam Hendricks joins Lou and Jim for fantasy talk!

Be sure to check out BFD Fantasy Football on BlogTalkRadio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bfdfantasyfootball
tonight at 10 PM as I join Lou and Jim to discuss several of my books and all fantasy football news!



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football Start/Sit surprises

I am not going to tell you to start Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson, you should know that already but I will tell you some little known names that should start. They are ranked in order of who is a more valuable play (in case you have multiple sleepers)

QB
Mike Vick
Eli Manning
Joe Flacco
Brett Favre

RB
LeSean McCoy vs DET yeah baby
Arian Foster
Darren McFadden
Brandon Jackson
Ahmad Bradshaw
Pierre Thomas
Jamaal Charles
Tim Hightower
Matt Forte-ride that PPR thing
Knowshon Moreno

WR
Santana Moss
Hines Ward
Mike Sims Walker-give him another shot
Eddie Royal and all other DEN Wrs
Malcolm Floyd
Mike Williams-TB
SIT RANDY MOSS who goes against the shutdown corner Darrelle Revis (Yes Revis Island) unless you are really hurting at WR. Look for 4-50 from moss with no TDs this week.
Legedu Naanee
Mark Clayton
Any Chi WR not named Bennett

TE
Usual suspects but give Greg Olsen and Brent Celek a ride too!

K
Matt Bryant-ATL
Billy Cundiff-BAL


DEF
SD
TEN
OAK
NE
IND

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Life lesson: 4 week vacation prior to NFL start-not a good idea! Plus NFL starters out for Sunday

I should have known better. A 4 week vacation starting Aug 18 running through Sept 15 with the first week n the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone incommunicado-no comment to make (quoting the great Jimmy Buffet). Yes no phones, no TV, no radio and no internet. What was I thinking!

Actually the entire trip was a blast. Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone were spectacular. Wyoming is my new favorite place to hike.

I did not want to post this little family trip because of security concerns. One tweet, facebook "what are you doing" or blog post and the entire world knows you house is empty for a month. Not smart comm sec (communication security) I used to say in the military.

So the vacation was great! The weather fabulously sunny (Hurricane Earl even missed us when we were in Oak Island and the NC coast). But I cannot help but feel a little behind the power curve when the drafts came in the week before the kckoff game. Only time will tell if I ever go on vacation before the start of the season again.

Then again if I win the Fantasy Football Players Championship (www.theFFPC.com) and their $100,000 first prize, I may have to make Yellowstone an annual ritual. LOL

Oh yeah Footbal News:
These guys are already out for Sunday

QB
Matt Stafford is out so Shaun Hill starts
Kevin Kolb is out so Mike Vick starts

RB
L. Maroney was traded to DEN but will not start this week

WR
Doucet-AZ (go Steve Breaston)
M Jenkins ATL (go Harry Douglas)
A Gonzalez (Go A Collie)
C Schilens ( Go Louis Murphy-I gave up on D. Heyward Bey)
D Stallworth (Go TJH)

TE
Hoomanawani -STL



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Ask the Expert Question of the week: Which backup passer, if any, do you believe will help fantasy teams this season?

Ask the Expert Question for the week: Several quarterback changes either will or could be coming soon, due to week 1 injuries/struggles. Which backup passer, if any, do you believe will help fantasy teams this season?

OK the ER room is full with Matt Moore, Kevin Kolb and Matt Stafford and the strugglers include Alex Smith and Trent Edwards. The easy pick is Mike Vick who looked good in relief and would have a bevy of quality pass catchers. The rub is that Eagle head coach Andy Reid says Kolb is the starter if healthy (Kolb will not attempt practicing until Friday). Realistically, Stafford may miss 4 weeks so Shaun Hill has some value for a month, but the others will have a long leash.

ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly at http://www.fantasyindex.com/ with answers to a new question posted Thursday morning.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Basics and Fantasy Football Almanac 2010, all available at his website, http://www.ffguidebook.com/, at all major bookstores, and at http://www.amazon.com/. He is a 20-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 top players) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Fantasy Football and the NFL Ticket

If you are into fantasy football or just NFL football you really need to get DirectTVs NFL Sunday Ticket. They had a free preview this week and it was even available at my mom's house where it never is seen. So this week 1 was a bonus for me and the family.

Instead of having one or two games to watch at a time I had every Sunday game to choose.

Here are their great featues:

701-Fantasy Player stats page-You can track up to 18 players (perfect as I tracked my fantasy team and my opponents team-don’t worry if you have 10 man rosters since you will have some SNF or MNF players playing later). You even get big play alerts throughout the day if watching the other channels! Fabulous
702-Game mix channel with eight games shown simultaneously complete with scores and game clock. The audio is to the highlighted game. And you have the ability to switch to any of the eight games quickly in order to fill the TV screen with HD action.
703-Red Zone-Goes from game to game when they are in the red zone (inside the opponenets 20). I find this especially useful for the 4 PM games when there are only 3 or 4 but you cannot jump back and forth between them all.
704-715 are all the Sunday NFL games (most in HD).

Cost is pretty expensive at $300 a season. But if you are in a fantasy league that gets together every Sunday anyway. Why not have every owner throw in an extra $25 for the league (12 x $25=$300) and then the league buys the Sunday Ticket. Only caveat is that whoever gets the Sunday Ticket has to be willing to host every Sunday or let the others come over when the host is on vacation.

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Surveying the damage from NFL Week 1 on Fantasy Football teams

Seven major fantasy football leagues for me this year:

Three are Expert leagues. Two of those Expert leagues are associated with my rankings, projections and mock drafts in Fantasy Football Index magazine and Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazine. The other is the now annual FFPC Pro's vs Joes Challenge. The Fantasy Index Expert Auction and FFPC Pro's vs Joes are also Draft Masters format so draft and forget.

Of the four remaining money leagues, one is the Fantasy Football Players Championship Main Event, two are FootballGuys Players Championship teams and the last is my local league.

Week 1 Results:

Fantasy Index Expert Auction-Draft Masters: 9-2 ( we play every team each week)
FFPC Pros vs. Joes League #7 - Charles Jefferson's Z-28's: 6th out of 12 in total points

Fantasy Football Pro Forecast Expert League-Loss 0-1
FFPC Main Event "Clark W. Griswold" Saturday Online League #21: Loss 0-1
FPC Satellitte Sunday 09.05.7: 0-1 Tough loss 128.8-128.05 to Vegas Bandits
FPC Satellite Tuesday 09.07.10h: An ugly Win 1-0 100.65-99.15 over River City Retrievers 2

Local League: Win 1-0 118-76

Overall 4-3 (2-3 in H2H leagues). Not the start I wanted.

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ask the Expert Question of the week: Which oft-hyped team and/or players is headed for a letdown this season?

Ask the Expert Question for the week: Which oft-hyped team and/or players is headed for a letdown this season?

Without a doubt the Minnesota Vikings are a train wreck waiting to happen from both a NFL and fantasy point of view. Last season was magical with Favre and his career year. This year everyone has the same expectations yet Brett is recovering from ankle surgery, Sidney Rice is out six weeks at a minimum, Percy Harvin still has migraines and the head coach is bitching about the Saints treatment of his QB in the NFC Championship game. This is a team looking over their shoulder and not out in front at where they are headed.

NOTE: this was posted last Thursday before the NFL Kickoff Game between MIN @ NO.



ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly at http://www.fantasyindex.com with answers to a new question posted Thursday morning.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Basics and Fantasy Football Almanac 2010, all available at his website, http://www.ffguidebook.com, at all major bookstores, and at http://www.amazon.com. He is a 20-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 top players) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Week 1 Sunday observations

I hope I drafted:
Peyton Manning
Aaron Rodgers
Chris Johnson
Matt Forte
Adrian Foster
OchoCino
Miles Austin
No real TEs




Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Fantasy Almanac 2010 Breakout players look great in week 1

It is early as week 1 is not even in the books yet, but a Fantasy Football Almanac 2010 Sleeper and Breakout player have risen to the top. Remember these picks were made in mid April before the 1 May publication of the Almanac.

Sleeper
Hakeem Nicks NYG WR 4 rec, 75 yds and 3 TDS =29.5 FPs

Breakout
Eddie Royal DEN WR 8 receptions and 96 yards =17.6 FPs

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) Main Event team from Saturday Draft

Starting Slots
QB

Brees, Drew QB (NOR - 10) (3.05) Went QB early because he is my #1 QB and two other QBs went before him ( Rodgers and Peyton Manning) so I decided to grab a consistent #1 wth a late bye (week 10) and go only 1 QB for now.

RB
Jones-Drew, Maurice RB (JAC - 9) (1.05 pick) Expected to have to choose between F Gore and A Johnson but team before me passed on MJD ( maybe due to injury rumors). So I took my #3 RB with the 5th pick.

Stewart, Jonathan RB (CAR - 6) (5.05) This could make or break me if Stewart does not perform as a RB2.
Williams, Carnell RB (TAM - 4) (7.05)
McFadden, Darren RB (OAK - 10) (8.08) Almost took McFadden in the 7th instead he made it back to me in the 8th so I skipped WR and went double down on RBs in 7th/8th.
Hillis, Peyton RB (CLE - 8) (12.08)
Slaton, Steve RB (HOU - 7) (13.05)
Choice, Tashard RB (DAL - 4) (15.05)

WR
Smith, Steve WR (CAR - 6) (4.08 pick) Surprised he was still available again maybe injury concerns and new QB scared some owners. Not me!
Sims-Walker, Mike WR (JAC - 9) (6.08)
Mason, Derrick WR (BAL - 8) (9.05)
Holmes, Santonio WR (NYJ - 7) (11.05) 4 Game suspension but when he comes back he could be crucial to a playoff push!
Camarillo, Greg WR (MIN - 4) (14.08) May have reached here but I love Camarillo as the next Wes Welker at Min.
Henderson, Devery WR (NOR - 10) (16.08)
Heyward-Bey, Darrius WR (OAK - 10) (17.05)
Hartline, Brian WR (MIA - 5) (19.05)

TE
Witten, Jason TE (DAL - 4) (2.08 pick) FFPC rules give 1.5 PPR for TEs and with dual flex players I like to have a good TE.
Carlson, John TE (SEA - 5) (10.08)

K
Gostkowski, Stephen K (NWE - 5) (18.08)

DEF
Bears, Chicago D/ST (CHI - 8) (20.08)




Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Preparing for Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) Main Event draft later today.

Hours away from FFPC Main Event High Stakes Fantasy Football draft.
12 Team league.
20 man rosters
Start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR. 1 TE. 1 K, 1 DEF and 2 Flex (either RB/WR/TE)
PPR with a twist as TEs get 1.5 pts per reception
4 Teams advance to playoffs
Acion scoring-so KR and PR TDs count too

312 world class teams posted the $1450 entry fee in FFPC for 2010 all fighting for the $100,000 escrowed first place prize!

I have the 5th draft spot.
I will post my team on sunday



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Congrats to 5 new inductees into FSWA Hall of Fame

Congratulations to the first five inaugural Inductees into the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame.

Greg Ambrosius

Matthew Berry

Scott Engel

Eric Karabell

Greg Kellogg


As a member of the FSWA I am proud to announce that these five reached the 70 percent threshold in the final round of voting by the HOF committee. I have played against many of these great individuals over the years in Expert fantasy football leagues.
Ambrosius is best known for Fantasy Sports magazines since the 1980s and founding the National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and its baseball counterpart (NFBC).
Berry is a well known personality at ESPN but many do not realize he arrived there by way of his site TalentedMrRoto.com. Eric Karabell also has ties to ESPN and TMR.
Engel was in on the early days as a fantasy analyst at CBS Sportsline, spent several years with ESPN and now runs RotoExperts.com, including its multiple shows on Sirius XM’s Fantasy Sports Channel.
Greg Kellogg is an icon in fantasy sports. He published his Kellogg’s Komments newsletter and helped build the fantasy operation at Fox sports.

Congratulations gentlemen. You have advanced fantasy sports for all that follow.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Ray Rice Commercial?

What the heck was Ray Lewis doing in that Old Spice commercial during the Thursday Night NFL kickoff game between NO and MINN. I mean it was bad enough watching the Vikes stall and Brett Favre go 0 for 35 passing in the second half. Anyone else think Greg Camarillo and Shank ( Visanthe Shiancoe) are going to be the only targets Favre hits this year until Sidney Rice comes back?
First Ray Ray is covered in soap bubbles and then he takes a jab at fantasy football before jumping on a huge Raven and flying off to attack a planet with laser beams. Maybe I drank too much during the game?


Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Another FootballGuys Players Championship (FPC) team from Tuesday 7 Sep

Team from FootballGuys Players Championship draft on Tuesday 7 Sep.
Grand Prize is now $100,000
This league uses FFPC scoring rules so TE get 1.5 PPR, and there is action scoring (I.e KR and PR TDs count) and there are 2 flex starters. So starters are 1/2/2/1/1/1 and 2 flex players (RB/WR/TE). 12 team league with 20 man roster.

Randy Moss WR NE (1)
DeAngelo Williams RB CAR (2)
Tony Gonzalez ATL TE (3)
Brent Celek PHI TE (4)
Chad Ochocino CIN WR (5)
Zach Miller OAK TE (6)
Marion Barber DAL RB (7)
Clinton Portis WAS RB (8)
Derrick Mason BAL WR (9)
Leon Washington SEA RB (10)
Eddie Royal DEN WR (11)
Donovan McNabb WAS QB (12)
Alex Smith SF QB (13)
Louis Murphy OAK WR (14)
Fred Taylor NE RB (15)
Kenny Britt TEN WR (16)
Andre Brown DEN RB (17)
Sidney Rice MIN WR (18) ( I have to wait 6+ weeks but if he comes back he will be a force in the playoffs and the money stretch; and for a 18th round sleeper I will take that chance )
Chicago Bears CHI DEF (19)
David Buehler DAL K (20)

Remember in this league you start 2 Flex players each week. So I can use all 3 TEs each week and they get 1.5 points per reception.

Starters should be:
QB
Donovan McNabb WAS QB (12)

RB
DeAngelo Williams RB CAR (2)
Clinton Portis WAS RB (8)

WR
Randy Moss WR NE (1)
Chad Ochocino CIN WR (5)

TE
Tony Gonzalez ATL TE (3)

Flex Players
Brent Celek PHI TE (4)
Zach Miller OAK TE (6)

K
David Buehler DAL K (20)

DEF
Chicago Bears CHI DEF (19)

Bench
Marion Barber DAL RB (7)
Derrick Mason BAL WR (9)
Leon Washington SEA RB (10)
Eddie Royal DEN WR (11)
Alex Smith SF QB (13)
Louis Murphy OAK WR (14)
Fred Taylor NE RB (15)
Kenny Britt TEN WR (16)
Andre Brown DEN RB (17)
Sidney Rice MIN WR (18)



Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Team from FootballGuys Players Championship draft on Sunday 5 Sep

This league uses FFPC scoring rules so TE get 1.5 PPR, and there is action scoring (I.e KR and PR TDs count) and there are 2 flex starters. So starters are 1/2/2/1/1/1 and 2 flex players (RB/WR/TE). 12 team league with 20 man roster.

QB Matt Ryan ATL (10)
Donovan McNabb WAS (11)

RB Ray Rice BAL (1)
Jamaal Charles KAN (4)
Darren McFadden OAK (7)
Darren Sproles SDG (8)
Leon Washington SEA (9)
Tashard Choice DAL (14)

WR DeSean Jackson PHI (3)
Chad Ochocinco CIN (5)
Santana Moss WAS (6)
Jerricho Cotchery NYJ (12)
Bernard Berrian MIN (13)
Kenny Britt TEN (15)
Joshua Cribbs CLE (18)
Anthony Gonzalez IND (16)

TE Jason Witten DAL (2)
Marcedes Lewis JAC (20)
K Stephen Gostkowski NWE (17)
Def/ST Tennessee Titans TEN (19)

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) ttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650

Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ask the Expert Question of the week: What is one of your hard-and-fast Fantasy draft rules? (If you have any; and if you don't, why not?)

Ask the Expert Question for the week: What is one of your hard-and-fast Fantasy draft rules? (If you have any; and if you don't, why not?)

I have many tips, techniques and rules, but often they only apply to certain situations. In other words, I let the draft come to me and the way the draft unfolds determines what I do or do not do. There is on rule I always follow. If I have to start a kicker or team defense then I only draft one of each and I make sure they are on different bye weeks, preferably later in the season; that way I maximize roster spots for depth at RB and WR (rather than have extra kickers or defenses). The same rule may even apply to TE unless they are in a PPR league with a flex option. When the sole kicker and defense are on differing late bye weeks, it gives me a longer time to evaluate the other sleepers before I have to drop one to add a bye week fill-in for the kicker/defense.


ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly at http://www.fantasyindex.com/ with answers to a new question posted Thursday morning.

Sam Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Basics and Fantasy Football Almanac 2010, all available at his website, http://www.ffguidebook.com/, at all major bookstores, and at http://www.amazon.com/. He is a 20-year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF), National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 top players) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC).

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95 on sale 10% off for $9.85) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95, now just $9.85 10% off) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634


Fantasy Football Guidebook (2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428650


Fantasy Football Almanac 2010: Your Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide. Order at amazon.com ($10.95 but now 20% off at $8.76) (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428618


Fantasy Baseball for Beginners ($10.95 Pre Order at 32% off for $7.38 only at BN http://tinyurl.com/32ogh9t)

Saturday, September 4, 2010

NFL Players out for the season or cut recently

Dont go to the draft unprepared..

Out for the season due to injury or retirment:

LenDale White-DEN RB
Montario Hardesty-CLE RB
Andre Davis-HOU WR
Donnie Avery-STL WR
Ben Tate-HOU RB
Glen Coffee-SF RB (retired)
Lyonell Hamilton-NO RB
Brandon Stokley-DEN WR

CUT
Matt Leinart-AZ QB
Willie Parker-WAS RB
TJH-but close to signing with MIN
Michael Clayton-TB WR
Matt Jones-CIN WR
Demetrius Williams-BAL WR
James Hardy-BUF WR
Samkon Gado-TEN RB
Ryan Torrain

SUSPENDED
Ben Rothlisberger-4 games
Santonio Holmes-4 games

Injury
Michael Bush-OAK RB up to 4 games
Byron Leftwich-2-4 games