4th place finish in Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) 2012 Fantasy Basketball league

Extra Point Press author Sam Hendricks finishes 4th in the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Fantasy Basketball league 2012. After staying 2nd or 3rd most of the season, Sam lost ground in the last two weeks to finish 4th. Congratulations go to winner Eric McClung.

Sam's team FFGuidebook.com won the "Most categories won" trophy. 

Fantasy Basketball Handbook: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Beginners and Experienced Players ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635097

2012 NFL Draft 1st round Winners and Losers

The NFL conducted the first round last night starting at 8 PM EST. 

The first two picks were no secret as the Colts took Andrew Luck, QB with the first pick and Washington followed that up with another QB in Robert Griffin III. I like RG3 in the short term for FF production because he has some talent around him and the Redskins HC can get a lot out of a mobile QB like RG3. Luck finds himself without much of a supporting cast. Do not expect much from IND for the next 2-3 years. 

Who did well last night?

Winners

CLE- Trent Richardson is real deal, I had Brandon Weeden ahead of Tannehill but I think Browns reached for him a little early

NE-moved up twice to get good defenders that they needed

CIN-addressed two critical needs RG and CB

PIT-may have got steal of draft with their G DeCastro-much much needed OL help

JAX-they absolutely needed a WR and got Blackmon who IMO is a standup guy

DET-Shore up OL with Riley Reiff

AZ-Michael Floyd may be better then Blackmon IMO

Losers

BUF- the draft is deep in WRs and CBs and they go with a CB when they need a LT and WR and OLB more

SEA-I am not sold on Bruce Irvin as a 1st rd pick

SF-A. J Jenkins was a reach at WR in 1st rd  when they added Manningham and Moss in offseason

Overall there were 15 Offensive Players drafted and 17 Defensive

4 QBs, 3 RBs, 4 WRs but no TE or K

4 OL

10 DL

2 LB

5 DB

To see more player rankings look in Fantasy Football Almanac 2012 in stores and available online 31 May!

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100


Fantasy Basketball Handbook: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Beginners and Experienced Players ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635097

FFGuidebook.com and predictions for the 2012 NFL Draft tonight

I thought the NFL draft would play out like this:

1st Round NFL Draft Mock

NFL DRAFT 

1 IND                       Andrew Luck          QB

2 WAS (From StL)  Robert Griffin III     QB

3 CLE (From MIn)  Trent Richardson     RB

4 MIN                      Matt Kalil                OT

5 TB Morris Claiborne     CB                       

6 Stl  Justin Blackmon      WR                  

7 JAX Melvin Ingram         DE                     

8 MIA Ryan Tannehill       QB

9 CAR Fletcher Cox            DT                    

10 BUF  Riley Reiff              OT                  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 KC Dontari Poe             DT                   

12 SEA Michael Floyd          WR                  

13 AZ Quinton Copies       DE                       

14 DAL   Mark Barron             S               

15 PHI Luke Kuechly          ILB                  

16 NYJ  Michael Brockers DT                

17 CIN  Courtney Upshaw    DE                  

18 SD  Dre Kirkpatrick       CB                   

19 CHI   Dave DeCastro        OG                

20 TEN Stephon Gilmore CB 

21 CIN Joe Adams WR

22 CLE Brandon Weeden QB             

Other 1st round notables:

26 HOU Kendall Wright WR

30 SF Stephen Hill WR

To see more player rankings look in Fantasy Football Almanac 2012 in stores and available online 31 May!

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

NFL Schedule out and bye weeks...

BYE WEEKS
WEEK 4
Indianapolis, Pittsburgh

WEEK 5
Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay

WEEK 6
Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville

WEEK 7
Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego

WEEK 8
Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Houston

WEEK 9
St. Louis, New England, NY Jets, San Francisco

WEEK 10
Cleveland, Green Bay, Arizona, Washington

WEEK 11
Tennessee, Minnesota, NY Giants, Seattle


Nothing crazy here but some observations:
-Week 7 is the only "black"Sunday with 6 bye week teams
-Week 4 may not even be considered a bye week as IND is one of the two teams and may not have any FF players worthy of drafting there this season with P Manning moving on to DEN
-Week 11 Looks bleak for RBs as Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson (hopefully finally healthy by then, and Marshawn Lynch all get to sit for the week). Honorable mention is week 6 with Forte, MJD and whichever RB is the flavor of the month at CAR and NO.

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

One week until the 2012 NFL Draft!!!

Tick tock, tick tock. Just over 7 days until the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday 26 April at 8pm EST

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

Three year Anniversary of Fantasy Football Guidebook Hardback edition under Extra Point Press

Happy Anniversary to my publisher Extra Point Press and Fantasy Football Guidebook as we celebrate our third year as a team. Fantasy Football Guidebook came out in hardback from Extra Point Press on 15 April, 2009. May we both have many more successful years and books published together.

Speaking of publishing books, Extra Point Press has a new fantasy football book coming out 1 June by B. J. Rudell called Fantasy Football For Winners. I have read an advanced copy and it reminded me of a cross between Mark St Amant (Committed: Confessions of a Football Junkie) and David Dorey (Fantasy Football The Next Level). High praise indeed! In other words, you get some great humor and statistical evidence for how to play the game of fantasy football. What could be better?

Of course, the NFL Draft is fast approaching on Thursday 26 April and that means my annual player rankings and more will soon be out. Look for Fantasy Football Almanac 2012 in stores and available online 31 May!

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011
Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

2012 Fantasy Football RB Rankings Updated

RB
1 Arian Foster-HOU      New contract, healthy year-missed 4 games in 11'
2 Ray Rice-BAL            Could see competition in 12', lots of touches in 11'
3 LeSean McCoy-PHI   TDs could go down
4 MJD-JAX                   New "run first" coach
5 Chris Johnson-TEN     Comeback player of the year 
6 Darren McFadden-OAK B4 injury was #1 RB
7 Jamaal Charles-KC     If fully recovered from ACL in week 2
8 Matt Forte-CHI          Comeback player of the year part 2 (Michael Bush signing drops him some)
9 Marshawn Lynch-SEA Just 25. WOW!
10 Ryan Mathews-SD    Put me on the bandwagon
11 Steven Jackson-STL Jeff Fisher as HC
12 Frank Gore-SF         Work horse who may be running down
13 Michael Turner-ATL Did not look the same at the end of the season, buyer beware!
14 Adrian Peterson-MIN Check his injury status; torn ACL and MCL in wk 16
15 Fred Jackson-BUF   Stud before his injury (sounds like a broken record now)


To see more player rankings look in Fantasy Football Almanac 2012 in stores and available online 31 May!

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

BN.com offering 15% off Extra Point Press books today only!

Barnes and Noble and BN.com are now offering 15% off one Extra Point Press book purchased today on Easter. Enter code L9P9M4A at checkout. That means Fantasy Football Guidebook can be $16.95 or Fantasy Football Tips will be $9.35. Great deals for those with holiday gift cards!!!!

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($10.95) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-tips-sam-hendricks/1017000616

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-baseball-for-beginners-sam-hendricks/1028503683

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-sam-hendricks/1100639984

Fantasy Football Guidebook(2nd Edition): Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-guidebook-sam-hendricks/1008633837

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

20 Days until Thursday 26 April NFL Draft

Tick tock. Only 20 days until the 2012 NFL Draft on 26 April. The buzz is not who will be picked first (Andrew Luck by IND) or who will go second (Robert Griffin III by WAS) but instead where will QB Ryan Tannehill go? Cleveland at 4th? Or can the Vikings tempt Miami to come up to the 3 spot to beat out the Browns. Or will the Browns look elsewhere or try to get their own deal with Miami?

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

2012 Free Agency Updated

MAJOR FREE AGENCY MOVES-RANKED IN ORDER OF THEIR IMPORTANCE WITHIN EACH POSITION (more important moves are at the top)


QB
Peyton Manning (FA)- DEN
Drew Brees has franchise tag from NO
Matt Flynn (GB)-SEA (Only time will tell if those 2 games were a fluke-I don't think so)
Alex Smith (SF)-stays with SF
Jason Campbell (OAK)-Now with CHI as backup
Kyle Orton(KC)-now with DAL as backup
David Garrard (JAX)-Signs with MIA as backup
Chad Henne (MIA)-Now with JAX as backup 
Rex Grossman (WAS)-Stays with WAS as backup to RB3
Donovan McNabb (FA)-
Jon Kitna (DAL)-RETIRED
Vince Young
Charlie Whitehurst-signs with SD
Brady Quinn-To KC


RB
Arian Foster has franchise tag from HOU
Matt Forte (CHI)-franchise tag from CHI
Ray Rice (BAL)-franchise tag from BAL
Peyton Hillis (CLE)-Now with KC
Brandon Jacobs (NYG)-Signs with SF (backup to Gore)
Michael Bush (OAK)-Signs with CHI
Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis (NE)-Signs with CIN

Marshawn Lynch (SEA)-stays with SEA

Laurence Vickers-signs with DAL

Mike Tolbert (SD)-Signs with CAR

Cedric Benson (CIN)-
Ryan Grant (GB)-
Joseph Addai (IND)
Le' Ron McClain-signs with SD
Mike Goodson (CAR)-Signs with OAK
Kevin Smith (DET)-Stays with DET


LaGarrette Blount (RFA TB)-
Lance Ball (RFA DEN)-
Jackie Battle (KC)-
Kahlil Bell (CHI)-
Tim Hightower (WAS)-
LaDanian Tomlinson (NYJ)-


Steve Slaton-Stays with MIA
Tashard Choice-Stays with 




WR
Dwayne Bowe (KC)-franchise tag from KC
Mike Wallace (PIT)-

Vincent Jackson (SD)-Now with TB

Stevie Johnson (BUF)-Stays with BUF

Wes Welker (NE)-franchise tag from NE
Brandon Marshall traded to CHI (from MIA)
Reggie Wayne (IND)-Stays with IND
DeSean Jackson (PHI)-Signs with PHI
Randy Moss-signs with SF
Marques Colston (NO)-Stays with NO
Pierre Garcon (IND)-Now with WAS

Brandon Lloyd (STL)-Now with NE (and Josh McDaniels)

Robert Meachem (NO)-Now with SD

Laurent Robinson (DAL)-Now with JAX

Mario Manningham (NYG)-Now with SF


Plaxico Buress (NYJ)-
Jerome Simpson (CIN)-
Harry Douglas (ATL)-Stays with ATL
Early Doucet (AZ)-Stays with AZ
Ted Ginn Jr (SF)-Stays with SF
Roy Williams (CHI)-
Josh Morgan (SF)-Now with WAS
Eddie Royal(DEN-signs with SD
Steve Smith(PHI)-Signs with STL
Kevin Ogletree (DAL)-Stays with DAL
Anthony Gonzalez (IND)_Signs with NE
Domenik Hixon (NYG)-Stays with NYG
Donnie Avery (STL)-Signs with IND
Chaz Schilens (OAK)-Signs with NYJ
Deion Branch-Signs with IND
Andre Caldwell-Signs with DEN


TE
Fred Davis (WAS)-franchise tag from WAS
Dallas Clark (IND)-

Jermichael Finley (GB)-Stays with GB

Jacob Tamme (IND)-Stays with IND

Joel Dressen (HOU)-Signs with DEN
John Carlson (SEA)-Now with MIN
Scott Chandler (BUF)-Stays with BUF
Martellus Bennett (DAL)-Now with NYG
Kevin Boss-signs with KC
Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN-
Jeremy Shockey (CAR)-
Jake Ballard (RFA NYG)-
Daniel Fells (DEN)-Signs with NE


K
Matt Prater (DEN)-franchise tag from DEN
Neil Rackers (HOU)-
Jay Feely (AZ)-
Nick Folk (NYJ)-Stays with NYJ
Phil Dawson (CLE)-franchise tag from CLE
Mike Nugent (CIN)-franchise tag from CIN
Conner Barth (TB)-franchise tag from TB
Josh Scobee (JAX)-franchise tag from JAX
Rian Lindell (BUF)-Stays with BUF


Graham Gano (RFA WAS)-
Shayne Graham (BAL)-
Steven Hauschka (SEA)-
John Kasay (NO)
















5 Kickers get the franchise tag. Go figure!


Others
Mario Williams (HOU)-Now with BUF


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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100

2012 Fantasy Football Offensive Rookie Rankings -Updated

1st Round NFL Draft Picks (Rookies)

QB
1 Andrew Luck (Stanford)
2 Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
3 Ryan Tannehill (Texas A+M)
4 Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State)
5 Brock Osweiler ()

RB
1 Trent Richardson (Alabama)
2 David Wilson (Va Tech
3 Doug Martin (Boise State)
4 Lamar Miller (Miami)
5 LaMichael James (Oregon)

WR
1 Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)
2 Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)
3 Kendall Wright (Baylor)
4 Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)
5 Alshon Jeffrey (South Carolina)

TE
1 Coby Fleener (Stanford)
2 Dwayne Allen (Clemson)
3 Orson Charles (Georgia)
4 LaDarius Green (Louisiana LaFayette)
5 James Hanna (Oklahoma)

NFL DRAFT (my best guess/Mock draft)
1 IND                       Andrew Luck          QB
2 WAS (From StL)  Robert Griffin III     QB
3 MIN                      Justin Blackmon      WR or Matt Kalil OT
4 CLE                      Trent Richardson     RB
5 TB                        Whomever MIN does not take


To see more player rankings look in Fantasy Football Almanac 2012 in stores and available online 31 May!

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

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

Fantasy Football Basics: The Ultimate "How to" Guide for Beginners available ($10.95) at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

Fantasy Baseball for Beginners: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide ($10.95) www.amazon.com/dp/0982428693

Fantasy Football (Soccer to Yanks): The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Football/Fantasy Soccer ($14.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635011

Fantasy Hockey: The Ultimate "How-to" Guide for Fantasy Hockey Players ($14.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635100