Draft Masters (DM), Draft Experts (DE) Tips Part Two

Okay the first 7 tips were on yesterday so go back to review them if this is all new to you. 

Just a quick reminder these leagues have different names at different venues (hence the title). For example, the leagues are called Draft Expert (DE) at the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) and Draft Champions (DC) over at the NFFC while the FFWC calls them Draft and Go Leagues. 


8) If you get a big name at QB (Luck, Rodgers, Peyton Manning) get his handcuff too. No other owner will want Brock Osweiler so you can wait and take him with your last pick. This will also mean you have 4 QBs instead of 3. However, the insurance policy is worth it.
Better to have insurance with a late (28th) round pick instead of a deep deep sleeper WR. Update from previous years-I am dubious about the handcuff QB for the big guns. I think the chances of them going down are so small these days with all the protection "don't touch the QB" rules that it is cost prohibitive.  Basically if you get a top QB early and he does go down for the season, your DM season is shot and there is no way to recover. In fact a better strategy may be to limit your QBs to just two IF you take a Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers in the 2nd or third round. You need another QB for the bye week and odd off performance but that is it. Save the QB3 slot for another sleeper at RB or WR. The QB3 with Luck or Rodgers will not be used much if ever. If I drafted Sam Bradford as my QB2 I will be sure to get Mark Sanchez as my QB4-that is good insurance. But it speaks to why I am avoiding Bradford-the reward can be high but the insurance you pay by taking Sanchez is your QB4 in case Bradford breaks down is too much of a cost IMHO. By the way Sanchez ADP is about round 18. 

9) If you get in a bind and have to skip a player from the rule of having three at QB, TE, K and DEF then skip the defense since they will never have an injury to take them out of the lineup.
So if you follow tip #8 above and do draft Peyton and then opt for Brock Osweiler with your 28th pick of the FFPC Draft you may have to skip your third defense since you are going to have 4 QBs.
Again I think a better place to skimp is at QB3 IF you draft Luck or Rodgers this year. 

10) Use discriminators when deciding between players in the same tier. Use bye weeks first then decide if they are a conservative or aggressive pick. A player who is suspended or injury prone is not a good thing for a DM team. Go with players who are hot/cold if paired up with a consistent player as well.

A later bye is another discriminator I use. My philosophy is that I want to get as many points as possible from them before an injury occurs. If he plays for only 5 weeks and one of those was his bye then I only had him for 4 weeks effectively. Now take the same player and the same injury but his bye week is in week 8. I had him for 5 weeks. I also think it is easier to recharge with a later bye week. If you have only played 3 games and then you get a break it does less good then if you have played 8 games and then get a week off.

11) Avoid Kickers and QBs who have job security issues. No reason to pick a QB who MAY be good if he starts but the IF is IF HE STARTS-Avoid HOU, BUF, NYJ and CLE QBs if possible. If he does not start, you have just shot yourself in the foot. Better to have an average starter than a good clipboard holder.  I say avoid all 4 of those QB situations and possibly the two rookies (Winston and Mariota) and draft 3 QBs from the 26 other teams!

12) You will have 32 defenses to choose from, kickers, however, are less sure as some are fighting to keep their job. Plan on only 26-28 kickers as really being draftable. So favor kickers over Defenses in the draft order simply because there are less reliable kickers. 

13) Draft a RBs handcuff since this is best ball. The best player automatically gets the start in this format. Grab RBs that are in a RBBC situation to monopolize the scores.
If you can get Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden then you have cornered the DAL RBs no matter who scores. Same goes for the TEN RB situation with Bishop Sankey and rookie David Cobb. Or Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman in ATL or Chris Simms and Doug Martin at TB.

14) RBs are more consistent with their points (other then the top WRs) so I target RBs early and draft more WRs late and hope that quantity trumps quality.

15) Research the league to determine how many of each position are drafted and when. Know when you need to take your 3rd QB, TE, K and Defense. For example, in the first three Pros vs Joes Drafts this year about 30 Def were drafted (last 25th rd) and 31 kickers (last in 27th or 28th rd). So you could afford to wait a little before getting your last one. I would take my 3rd kicker before the 3rd defense simply because there are only about 26-28 reliable kickers and you do not want to take one that may be suspended or hurt or fighting for his job. 

16) Do not wait too long to get handcuffs for stud RBs. Remember every other owner will be drafting quite a lot of RBs so chances are good they will take the one you need just as easily.

17) In the FFPC with a 28 player roster I like this team 3 QB/7 RB/9 WR/ 3 TE/ 3 K/3 DEF. Maybe even 8 RBs and 8 WRs if the RB8 is a needed handcuff. Expect Defenses to go in the 15th round and Kickers to go in rounds 19 and 20. And without a doubt the expanded roster (28 for FFPC and FFWC versus NFFC 26 man roster) means I like the 3 QB, TE, K and Defense play. If I dropped one of those it would be Defense since they cannot be lost to injury.

In the NFFC DC I like 3/6/8/3/3/3

Fantasy Football Tips (2nd Edition): 230 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($12.95) www.amazon.com/dp/1936635151

Books from Extra Point Press:

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

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 Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428634

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fantasy-football-basics-sam-hendricks/1030680433

Introducing a military thriller from Award Winning author Sam Hendricks- Just One More...

On a fateful night in Afghanistan, a flawed NATO airstrike sets into motion a chain of events that reaches across the world, from Vancouver to Copenhagen to London. How far will one person go for revenge?

In the sleepy English countryside, an F15E Strike Eagle team gears up for a live weapons mission. Can lead pilot "Rider" keep his head in the game and overcome the demons of his past? Hundreds of lives will depend on the answer as a deadly Al Qaeda terrorist cell, and maverick CIA and MI6 agents descend on US soil in a jaw-dropping climax where anything goes.

Just One More... $9.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982428642

BN.com (9.95)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-more-sam-hendricks/1024930949?ean=9780982428641

FFGuidebook.com in the Top 10 at FFPC Pro's vs Joes Competition

Overall Leader Standings

Quite a diverse group. Some are Pros, some are Joes. But here are the Top 10 of 72 competitors after week 1. Here is the weblink too....
http://www.fantasymojo.com/mojo/news.do?action=getProsJoesLeaders


Rank Team Total Points

1 Yellow Line is Unofficial* 210.05
2 Just Russ * 203.40
3 Ultimate FF Strategy* 192.45
4 BFD Fantasy Football 190.25
5 Zeus* 190.05
6 Draft Sharks * 189.75
7 MONEY INCORPORATED* 189.05
8 Syracuse Slappers 185.95
9 Fantasy Football Calculator 183.75
10 FFGuidebook.com 183.70

* Means Team Leads their individual divison

Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($9.95, www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669)

Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95 on sale for $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/1602640203

Fantasy Football Almanac 2009: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide ($12.95, http://www.amazon.com/1602643989)

Tips for Draft Master or Draft Expert Leagues-Part 2

8) If you get a big name at QB (Brady, Manning, Brees) get his handcuff too. No other owner will want Jim Sorgi so you can wait and take him with your last pick. This will also mean you have 4 QBs instead of 3. However, the insurance policy is worth it.

9) If you get in a bind and have to skip a player from the rule of having three at QB, TE, K and DEF then skip the defense since they will never have an injury to take them out of the lineup.

10) Use discriminators when deciding between players in the same tier. Use bye weeks first then decide if they are a conservative or aggressive pick. A player who is suspended or injury prone is not a good thing for a DM team. Go with players who are hot/cold if paired up with a consistent player as well.

A later bye is another discriminator I use. My philosophy is that I want to get as many points as possible from them before an injury occurs. If he plays for only 5 weeks and one of those was his bye then I only had him for 4 weeks effectively. Now take the same player and the same injury but his bye week is in week 8. I had him for 5 weeks. I also think it is easier to recharge with a later bye week. If you have only played 3 games and then you get a break it does less good then if you have played 8 games and then get a week off.

11) Avoid Kickers and QBs who have job security issues. No reason to pick a QB who may be good if he starts. If he does not start, you have just shot yourself in the foot. Better to have an average starter than a good clipboard holder.

12) You will have 32 defenses to choose from, kickers, however, are less sure as some are fighting to keep their job. Plan on only 26-28 kickers as really being draftable. So favor kickers over Defenses.

13) Draft a RBs handcuff since this is best ball. The best player automatically gets the start in this format. Grab RBs that are in a RBBC situation to monopolize the scores.
If you can get Donald Brown and Joseph Addai then you have cornered the IND RBs no matter who scores.

14) RBs are more consistent with their points (other then the top WRs) so I target RBs early and draft more WRs late and hope that quantity trumps quality.

15) Research the league to determine how many of each position are drafted and when. Know when you need to take your 3rd QB, TE, K and Defense. For example, in the FFPC Action 77’s only about 28 Kickers and Defenses were drafted. So you could afford to wait a little before getting your last one. I would take my 3rd kicker before the 3rd defense simply because there are only about 26-28 reliable kickers and you do not want to take one that may be suspended (Hartley NO)or hurt or fighting for his job.

16) Do not wait too long to get handcuffs for stud RBs. Remember every other owner will be drafting quite a lot of RBs so chances are good they will take the one you need just as easily.

17) In the FFPC with a 26 player roster I like this team 3 QB/6 RB/8 WR/ 3 TE/ 3 K/3 DEF. Maybe even 7 RBs and 7 WRs if the RB7 is a needed handcuff. Expect Defenses to go in the 15th round and Kickers to go in rounds 19 and 20. And without a doubt the expanded roster (26 players versus for example, WCOFF's 25) means I like the 3 QB, TE, K and Defense play. If I dropped one of those it would be Defense since they cannot be lost to injury.


Fantasy Football Tips: 201 Ways to Win through Player Rankings, Cheat Sheets and Better Drafting ($9.95, www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669)

Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95 on sale for $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/1602640203

Fantasy Football Almanac 2009: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide ($12.95, http://www.amazon.com/1602643989)

Tip # 206 Whom to choose with last draft pick

Assuming I already have a kicker, defense or TE, it all depends on my depth at other positions. Normally I look at my team and the big three positions: QB, RB and WR. Which of those three positions am I weakest? That will be the position I need to bump up with an additional sleeper that I can hopefully hit on. Having said that, if all else is equal, I will go with a WR since they are more likely to breakout and be the difference maker. By the last round, there are not too many RBs or QBs who can make a difference.

Remember performance is based on opportunity and talent. So go with younger WRs instead of the old vet. The veteran has had his day and now is in the twilight of his career, he is more likely to fade then shine. The 2-4 year WR has mastered the system and can now prove his worth if given the opportunity.


Fantasy Football Tips ($9.95, www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669)

Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95 on sale for $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/1602640203

FFPC Pros vs. Joes DraftMasters Challenge

Pros vs. Joes League 6 Irvin’s Candy Store

Here is what I drafted from the 12th spot.

Pos Name Bye Team Pick
QB Trent Edwards 9 BUF R9 P12
QB Jake Delhomme 4 CAR R10 P1
QB Chad Pennington 6 MIA R11 P12
RB Kevin Smith 7 DET R3 P12
RB Cedric Benson 8 CIN R5 P12
RB Jamal Lewis 9 CLE R7 P12
RB Jerious Norwood 4 ATL R12 P1
RB Ricky Williams 6 MIA R14 P1
RB Maurice Morris 7 DET R15 P12
RB Leonard Weaver 4 PHI R26 P1
WR Larry Fitzgerald 4 ARI R1 P12
WR Calvin Johnson 7 DET R2 P1
WR Terrell Owens 9 BUF R4 P1
WR Santana Moss 8 WAS R8 P1
WR Devin Thomas 8 WAS R18 P1
WR Chansi Stuckey 9 NYJ R19 P12
WR Matt Jones -- FA R25 P12
TE Owen Daniels 10 HOU R6 P1
TE Tony Scheffler 7 DEN R13 P12
TE Chase Coffman 8 CIN R20 P1
K Lawrence Tynes 10 NYG R21 P12
K Nick Folk 6 DAL R22 P1
K Josh Scobee 7 JAX R24 P1
DEF Philadelphia Eagles 4 PHI R16 P1
DEF Miami Dolphins 6 MIA R17 P12
DEF Houston Texans 10 HOU R23 P12

Larry Fitz dropped to me with the 12th pick and I grabbed him but I then went WR with the first pick of the 2nd round too. At 2.01 I took Calvin Johnson to go WR-WR. Mistake! I even looked quickly at what round 3 and 4 would bring and I saw lots of WRs. So I should have gone with DeAngelo Williams instead of CJ.

Of course 23 picks later it makes it back to me and I have to reach for a starting RB in Kevin Smith and then I see T.O still on the board. I just could not reach for another RB and went with a value play in Owens. So now I am at 1 RB and 3 WRs and it is time to stock up on RBs.

Cedric Benson (5.12) is a starter and I like him to improve on his 2nd half performance. But again rather then reach for a RB (which I need) I go with a Top 5 TE in Owen Daniels with 6.01.
So after 6 rounds I am at 2 RB/3WRs/1 TE.

The 7/8 turn leaves me with just Jamal Lewis ( other options were Hightower/Donald Brown and Leon Washington all who may prove to be better than the old starter Lewis) and then I saw Santana Moss and got greedy again at WR (8.01). Mistake. Should have gone with another RB from the three mentioned above.

9/10 and 11 are QBs as I try and make up for no QB early. T Edwards, Jake Delhomme and Chad Pennington give me a good shot at decent numbers in this best ball format.

The rest of the draft was to get 2 more TEs and 3 Kickers and Defenses.and some supporting RBs and WRs.

Maurice Morris was to handcuff Kevin Smith.
Matt Jones will start for someone at some point in 2009

To see the entire draft click here
http://www.fantasymojo.com/mojo/news.do?action=prosvsjoesdraftviewer&draftId=112851

Watch FFPC Pros vs Joes Draft live tonight at 9 PM E.S.T with Sam Hendricks at 12th spot

Background: Tonight is the last (of the 6 total) Pros vs Joes Draft Challenge. A draft was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night last week and this week, where tonights is the last league.

To review briefly, these drafts pit the players at FFPC (the Joes) against an assortment of industry experts (the Pros). Each league consists of 12 teams which conduct a 26 round draft in a DraftExperts format (best ball scoring). A bundle of prizes and bragging rights are on the line, as well the prestige of being crowned the 2009 FFPC Pros vs Joes Draft Challenge Champion.

I am a Pro in this 6th draft representing my books, Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95 on sale for $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/1602640203

and Fantasy Football Tips ($9.95) http://www.amazon.com/0982428669

I draft from the 12th spot

The draft will go off around 9:00 pm EST tonight. If you want to view the picks as they happen, or want to review the results after the fact, visit FantasyMojo's Joes vs Pros draft viewing page below.

Here is a link to the draft site. Select Thursday (8/13) Nights Draft and you will connect with a draft board where you can watch the draft live!

http://www.fantasymojo.com/mojo/news.do?action=showArticleId&articleid=114

Rules: This is a 26 round draft using the Fantasy Football Players Championship (www.theFFPC.com) scoring and roster configuration.

(That’s Point Per Reception (PPR)of 1 for RBs and WRs and 1.5 PPR for TE’s).

It a best ball/ optimal lineup configuration, so the system will automatically plug in your best performing players each week. So it is a "draft and forget" system where there will be no weekly lineup decisons and no free agent additions or trades the entire season.

What you draft is what you get.

The weekly starting roster is distributed as follows:

1 QB

2 RB

2 WR

1 TE

2 Flex (RB/WR/TE)

1 K

1 D

Hope you enjoy the show!

Fantasy Football Tip # 203 Do not Help Your Opponents!

Fantasy Football Tip # 203 Do not Help Your Opponents!

I drafted in a Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC, http://www.theffpc.com/) draft on Monday 10 Aug. It is an Action 77 Draft Masters league which is a “draft and forget” or “best ball” format.

At some point, an owner drafted Matt Stover at kicker. On the online chat box I posted “Ouch isn’t Stover dead or something” trying to be cute, knowing that Stover was a free agent.

The reality is that Baltimore released Stover simply because they did not think he had the leg strength anymore. Despite being one of the NFLs most accurate kickers (when was the last time he missed a XP?), his true makeable (is this a word?) FG distance was shrinking. Therefore, they did not resign him and instead opted to let Steve Hauschka and Graham Gono fight for the position. Maybe they were also tired of having two kickers, Stover and the other kicker for kickoffs (again due to leg strength). But I digress.

Back to the tip.

I should not have said anything.
Why tell my opponent that he may have a chink in his armor in a kicker that he thinks is starting but is not? If I had kept my big mouth shut, he may have drafted only two kickers (unlikely but you never know-check back on Saturday for Draft Master tips), one of which may have been out of work. In this “dream” scenario, his other kicker gets hurt in week one and now he has no kicker points for the rest of the season. Since it is draft and forget, there are no free agent pickups!

Therefore, DO NOT HELP YOUR OPPONENTS during the draft. Even an innocent dig may prove to be a vital help to an otherwise content owner. And it is even more important in a Draft Masters league where no free agent pickups are allowed. In a DM league it is all about the draft baby!

Player Note: Stover may end up coming back to Baltimore or be picked up by another team with a kicker issue, but I am not going to draft him.

Fantasy Football Tips ($9.95, www.amazon.com/dp/0982428669) has 201 Tips so I will be adding additional ones like this one here at my blog on occassion.

Sam Hendricks, author
Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football ($19.95 on sale for $17.95) http://www.amazon.com/1602640203