Ask the Expert Question: Holdouts and/or contract situations have seemingly impacted the seasons of several big-name players. Do you believe fantasy coaches should try to avoid such players in the future?

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Holdouts and/or contract situations have seemingly impacted the seasons of several big-name players. Do you believe fantasy coaches should try to avoid such players in the future?

Avoid...never; downgrade in your rankings...by all means. I never dismiss a player out of hand simply because of a holdout or contract dispute. I do expect them to have issues getting back to speed. I do expect them to have a greater chance of injury depending on their own workouts and duration of the holdout. But I adjust my rankings/projections to account for this fact. Then if they are a value play due to the position I can draft them, I may draft them. But I never cross anyone off my draft rankings before draft day unless they are out for the season. I have never met a player I would not draft in the right spot.



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 2011, 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 Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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

FFGuidebook.com and Sam Hendricks results from Week 12

Week 12 (1 game left in 14-team leagues, first week of playoffs in 12-team leagues)
Big news is winning in playoffs of Fantasy Football Players Championship and advance to Championsip Game.

11 leagues this year. In my defense 5 of the 11 are Expert leagues and the remaining 6 are money leagues. One is the high stakes Fantasy Football Players Championship (www.theFFPC.com). Lets see how I did last week. Follow along by using the links to each league.

Money Leagues first ("Show me the money")

Fantasy Football Players Championship (www.theFFPC.com) Main Event League #58 "I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid"                                                                          Win in playoffs and advanced to Championship game; I need Brandon Jacobs to score 13 or less for my opponent on MNF. Thank you Brandon for just the one TD and 46 yards rushing,
(10-1 regular season fnish , 1st in H2H, 2nd in total points; #1 Seed entering playoffs in week 12) http://leagues.myffpc.com/cgi-bin/welcome_page?UID=v2w2li9480bh23b65x5k5l1wtir1m1t&LN=102561&U=908283&EID1=27587&OPER=1770

FootballGuys Players Championship (FPC) League 09.07.10b                  Loss out of playoffs
(6-5, 4th H2H, 2nd TP) (#2 seed in playoffs)
http://leagues.myffpc.com/cgi-bin/welcome_page?UID=eaz8jz779lupe4w49551ep5x285949j&LN=92918&USER=908283&EID1=27472&OPER=1770

FootballGuys Players Championship (FPC) League 09.06.10j                    NA now in group toilet bowl
(2-9, 12th H2H, 12th in TP) Eliminated from playoffs playing for pride and the toilet bowl
http://leagues.myffpc.com/cgi-bin/welcome_page?UID=wch618nn98f0rb011b782q922f3662r&LN=102417&USER=908283&EID1=26940&OPER=1770


National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) $125 Satellitte League  Loss (8-3-1, 2nd H2H, 4th in TP)
http://nffc.stats.com/football/reports/league_home.asp

NFFC Private Auction League                                                                        Loss (10-2, 2nd H2H, 2nd in TP)

Local League                                                                                                    Win (11-1, 1st H2H, 1st in TP)

Money League Outcomes 2-3 (including a Win in the $200,000 FFPC Playoffs)  (For the season 48-22-1 (.700+ win %)

Expert Leagues

Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA)  League/Division 3 "Jay Clemons" NA 11th of 20 in 5 week playoff
(6-5, 3rd H2H, 1st TP) Make playffs as WC5 (top 10 scoring other teams from 5 league get in)
http://blue.rtsports.com/cgi-bin/display_standings?LN=55559&UID=0zp23f3k07b2f7rn0o3n8qzxxu29r94&TN=4764594&X=1316889097900

Fantasy Football Index Magazine Expert Auction League (Draft Masters but play every team each week)                                                                                                              Win 7-3-1 (48-83-1), 10th place
http://goalline.rtsports.com/cgi-bin/display_standings?LN=100828&UID=94m1czr95356fbq3406bidw7k8mhu34&TN=4854786&X=1316889246868


Fantasy Football Pro Forecast Magazine Expert League                                   Loss (4-8, 5th H2H, 11th TP)
http://www23.myfantasyleague.com/2011/home/32210#0

Fantasy Football Pro Forecast Magazine Expert PPR League                            Loss (5-7, 4th H2H, 4th TP)
http://www23.myfantasyleague.com/2011/home/60587#0


Pros vs Joes FFPC League 2 "Caspers Ghost Hunters" (Draft Masters) Win (6-5 this week) 1st place overall in my league (based on points) (and 3rd overall out of 84 teams)
http://leagues.myffpc.com/cgi-bin/welcome_page?UID=q7ko74ga3116fg3wq991ak2egp3p15l&LN=93779&USER=908283&EID1=19316&OPER=1770

Note the Draft Masters leagues are draft and forget with no trades/adds or drops. The computer optimizes your lineup each week. So it is essentially a draft and forget league with no options to correct for injuries or status changes.

Experts League Outcomes 2-2

Overall out of 11 leagues 4-5 (overall 75-54-1)

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

What do we know for Week 12? Who is in and who is out.

Week 12 Info
OUT FOR SEASON: Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, D. Jones BUF WR,  Fred Jackson, Matt Schaub, Michael Clayton NYG WR, Jahvid Best

OUT FOR WEEK 12:  Dan Carpenter MIA K, Miles Austin, Rian Lindell BUF K, N. Roosevelt, Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, Adrian Peterson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Ocho

Not Expected to Play: Kevin Kolb, LaDamian Tomlinson, Malcom Floyd, Michael Vick, Taiwan Jones, Jeremy Maclin

GTD: Peyton Hillis ( note he was ruled out earlier...go figure)

Questionable: Mario Manningham, L. Naanee, J Addai, Felix Jones?

Expected to Play: Montario Hardesty CLE RB, Andre Johnson, Jake Ballard, Matt Hasselback, DeSean Jackson, Santana Moss, Jeremy Shockey

Playing: Andre johnson, Santana Moss, AJ Green
New Starters: John Skelton AZ QB (again), Michael Bush, Shayne Graham MIA K, Caleb Hanie CHI QN, Tyler Palko KC QB, Matt Leinart HOU QB, C.J Spiller BUF RB, Curtis Painter IND QB, Kevin Smith DET RB

Who Knows? Julio Jones, Denarius Moore

Fantasy Football Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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

FFGuidebook.com and Sam Hendricks beat 50+ Experts in Week 11 of the 411Fantasy.com Expert of the Year contest. Moves into 3rd overall for season!

I will just let my predictions this year do my talking...

From 411Fantasy.com

"In fact Hendricks, of Fantasy Football Guidebook, wrote a book, I think, with this contest in mind (work with me Sam). Fantasy Football Tips: 201 ways to win through player rankings, cheat sheets and better drafting was probably the driving force last week for Hendricks, who scored 23 points in Week 11 of the 411Fantasy Football Expert’s Contest to take down the field of 51 experts polled.

Hendricks scored five points at QB (Rodgers, Stafford, Newton and Romo +1), one for MJD at running back, another five at TE (Gronkowski +1, Witten +1 and Gates) and five more for kickers (Gostkowski+1, Bailey +1, Akers), plus three for D/ST (Patriots+1 and the 49ers). Hendricks then scored four points for answering two questions (Ogbonnaya and Seattle), one of a few to pick the Browns running back – that takes gumption!

Quietly posting respectable scores most of the season, including four weeks with top 5 scores, Hendricks has earned himself a spot in the top 3 overall as his average score rose from 14.5 to 15.27 points.

Our overall leader Paul Greco (Fantasy Pros 911) held tightly to his lead last week with yet another second place finish. His 22-point effort brought his average score back to over 17 points a week (17.09), a remarkable run so far.

Alone in third place was Andrew Feingold (RotoExperts) with 21 points, his season high to date.

Tied for fourth place with 20 points were Ken Zalis (Fans FF), Adam Conn (411) and Scott Pianowski (Yahoo Sports). Dave Richard (CBS Sportsline) followed with 19 points while Joe Everett (Fantasy Exchange) and Ross Mandel (NFL Draft Bible) each had 18.

A six-way tie 10th place included Jeff Thitoff (97.1 The Fan), Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks), Jamey Eisenberg (CBS Sportsline), Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Sports Empires), Mike Gilbert (RotoExperts) and Patrick Welsh (Fantasy Pros 911), who all had 17 points. They were followed by John Paulsen (Fantasy Shrink), Jason Sarney (Fantasy Phenoms) and Christopher Harris (ESPN), who had 16 apiece.

Adam Helbling (411), Jared Smola (Draft Sharks), Matthew Berry (ESPN), Tim Heaney (KFFL), Jim Day (GoAheadScore.com), Andy Behrens (Yahoo) and Michael Pichan (RotoInfo) rounded out the top half last week with 15 points each.

http://411fantasy.com/2011/11/24/hendricks-writes-the-book-on-rankings/

Leaderboard after 11 weeks:

1. Paul Greco (Fantasy Pros 911) 17.09

2. Jeff Thitoff (97.1 The Fan) 15.36

3. Sam Hendricks (FF Guidebook) 15.27

4. Jake Ciely (RotoExperts) 15.18

5. Adam Helbling (411Fantasy) 15.0

t6. Ken Zalis (Fans FF), John Paulsen (Fantasy Shrink) 14.91

8. Eric Dell (BabyBlueMonkey) 14.82

9. Jody Smith (Gridiron Experts) 14.78

10. Dave Richard (CBS Sportsline) 14.64

t11. Adam Conn (411Fantasy), Jamey Eisenberg (CBS Sportsline), and Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks) 14.55

t14. Andrew Feingold (RotoExperts) 14.45

15. Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Sports Empires) 14.36

16. Jason Sarney (Fantasy Phenoms) 14.27

17. Eric Karabell (ESPN) 14.2

t18. Tristan Cockroft (ESPN), Scott Pianowski (Yahoo Sports) 14.09

20. Robb Perkins (FF Trader) 14.0

t21. Brad Evans (Yahoo Sports), Mike Gilbert (RotoExperts) 13.91

23. Alessandro Miglio (Pro Football Focus), 13.82

24. Jared Smola (Draft Sharks) 13.64

25. Matthew Berry (ESPN) 13.6


Fantasy Football Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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

Ask the Expert Question: Another week, another slew of quarterbacks lost to injury. Which new or likely new quarterback starter will have the most fantasy value the rest of the way?

Another week, another slew of quarterbacks lost to injury. Which new or likely new quarterback starter will have the most fantasy value the rest of the way?

Matt Leinart, HOU, who is not a rookie, just a top draft pick who lost his way and gets a second chance.

He has the best RB in the NFL in Arian Foster (possibly two with Ben Tate). Andre Johnson should make his return from injury this week to join forces with TE Owen Daniels and did I mention a great defense and favorable schedule (well other than ATL and CIN, so 4 of 6 games). Look for 200 yards passing, 1 TD pass and one INT on average.



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 2011, 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 Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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

Latest Fantasy Football News for Thanksgiving Day games!

Hope you all are enjoy your Thanksgiving day feasts and Ann Curry (I think she is great!) announcing the Macy Thanksgiving day parade! As far as fantasy football information goes you are on your own today as just about everyone spends the day with family. I thought I would pass along my info for you to help you before the games start. First of all GB is @ DET in the first game at 12:30 ET. Next MIA travels to Dallas and finally SF faces BAL in the battle of the Harbaugh brothers in the night cap.

Week 12 Info
OUT FOR SEASON: Jay Cutler (OFS), Matt Cassel (OFS),  D. Jones (OFS),  Fred Jackson (OFS), Matt Schaub,

OUT FOR WEEK 12:  Peyton Hillis, Dan Carpenter MIA K, Miles Austin, Jahvid Best

Not Expected to Play: Kevin Kolb, Adrian Peterson (if practices Friday could play), Ahmad Bradshaw, LaDamian Tomlinson, Darren McFadden (until 100%), Malcom Floyd

Expected to Play: Montario Hardesty CLE RB, Andre Johnson, Jake Ballard, Matt Hasselback, DeSean Jackson, Santana Moss, Greg Jennings, James Starks

New Starters: John Skelton AZ QB (again), Michael Bush, Shayne Graham MIA K, Caleb Hanie CHI QN, Tyler Palko KC QB, Matt Leinart HOU QB, C.J Spiller BUF RB, Curtis Painter IND QB, Kevin Smith DET RB

Who Knows? Jeremy Maclin, Julio Jones, Denarius Moore, Mike Vick

Fantasy Football Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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

Kyle Orton claimed by KC Chiefs off waivers, will face old team DEN in week 17

That week 17 game could have playoff implications and a great QB rivalry with Tebow verus Orton.
Wow!

Fantasy Football Almanac 2011: The Essential Fantasy Football Reference Guide (10.95) http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936635003

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

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