BB2 Here -
Great, it looks like gwcr
has us a league set up . I will now owe BB1 - FIVE CASES OF BEER FOR PLAYING FANTASY FOOTBALL. Donations graciously accepted.
(PS - as a beerborg mod, Glen, could you set us up a chat topic area so during the season different subjects do not all have to be in one post; you know there will be lots of back and forth 'who should i start', trash talk, etc otherwise stumbling over each other).
If anyone else would be interested but is uncomfortable as a fantasy rookie I would be very happy to help you figure out the basics. Please PM Brewbirds with questions. I am not a FF genius but do have experience.
DRAFT PREPARATION
Here are some of the the high level basics just to help equalize the field. If you want to just do some of this stuff and for example wing it in later rounds you will be shown the Fleaflickers draft rankings during the draft so not to worry.
1) Of course, SOME understanding of the real NFL game strategies helps, but is not vital because every major TV network has cheat sheets & draft lists on their websites, these expert resources have based player rankings on stuff like which teams run or pass most effectively, which receivers are 'go-to', injury-riskiness, etc. Grab a couple & print them out a few days before the draft. (I actually like yahoo sports as well). You will want to make a list of all the positions on your roster and name (say ten-fifteen) possible players for that position in order of preference. Make sure to review your rankings for injuries right before draft. During draft you will use this list to make notes and strike off players as they are drafted.
2) Our league has some roster/scoring rules that will affect your draft decisions. We have a "flex" player (you can play any skill player there), a mandatory TE slot, and can score points per reception. Also, we get six points per td pass/reception. What this all boils down to is receivers and pass-catching rbs will be a little more valuable than in the expert lists, as will be qbs from pass-oriented teams. But, there are only 32 starting rb out there and we will be needing 2 rbs each every week (hopefully 24 plus any used as flex), not leaving many extra for injuries etc - that is why you see draftsheets stressing draft of rbs in the early rounds. Plan on getting at least 2 RB in the first 4 rounds.
3) Many draft managers use a system of tiers, meaning they group the listed players by their approximate equal values, e.g., in QBs: Rogers, GB & Brees, NO are Tier 1; Peyton, Cam, Brady are Tier 2. Basically you draw a line between players you would be equally happy with. Think, "I would consider having any of these Tier 2 QBs as better than some other QB; of course I'd rather have either Brees or Rogers if I could get them instead." During the draft tiers help you know when/whether to pull the trigger on the last guy in a tier, or switch to another position with higher tiers available. Really useful in middle draft rounds when you just need that one last receiver, or if there's a run on TEs and you can get the last of the better group.
4) Draft Kickers LAST. Defense less so but before drafting your DT fill all your WR/TE starting slots and at least 1 QB. I personally will draft backup positions before a kicker, for example getting a "handcuff" for my stud RBs (the #2 on the same NFL team, in case he gets injured). Also, there will be "sleeper" picks you know in your gut could come out of nowhere - get em before your K. We have very deep benches here that will allow you to salt away extra situational players. Not to mention trading possibilities.
5) Armed with your rankings, tiers, and some idea of your team's draft day priorities you should try to enter your overall player rankings into the league website. That list will be available to you during the real time draft so you can make a quick selection in case of distraction etc AND you can set it to pick automatically from your list in case of a late developing brew day of PC technical malfunction. This has saved me before.
A lot to absorb in one bite, but you will enjoy the game I'm sure. I will try to post again on handling day to day things like matchups, injuries or trading. Good Luck! Thats a VERY nice prize our commissioner has arranged.
Andy
