Current Articles
 

Time for moves...      It's 6 games into the season and you have to ask yourself how your team is stacking up? If the answer is it's not, then it's time to make some trades. I have Donovan McNabb and it's hard to bench him, but I have. I'm going with a hotter Brad Johnson or Trent Green and giving up on my second round pick. I got Brad Johnson through a trade giving up Moe Williams in return. You may have to do the same thing. If you have a good bench player such as Moe, now is the time to get a starter in return. As with most years, some teams will have several good RB's, some will have several good WR's and some, then still others have an extra QB simply riding the bench. Look for those teams weak in what you have to offer, and pull the string. Even the best bench player isn't going to help you score points. trade him now while you can and reap the rewards with a stronger starting lineup... Kevin Hall...Founder

The injury bug...      The injury bug has taken it's toll early and often this young season. First rounders' Marshall Faulk and Clinton Portis have missed time and cost their respective fantasy teams precious games.  Other key players have cost their team by going down to injury during a game.  Portis has missed two halves of two different games and Faulk will miss the next 4 to 6 weeks. This is where your draft abilities in those mid-rounds pay off as you fill these positions until the injuries fade.  A third running back to fill in could make your season, or cost you your season. It's not too late though. Check your waiver wire as players are constantly being moved by unhappy coaches.  Don't be afraid to pick up an Onterrio Smith to keep on your bench in case Moe goes down to injury or those who picked up Lamar Gordon are smiling now...whatever you do, don't get discouraged...get even...and good luck... Kevin Hall - September 26, 2003

The injury bug...      The injury bug has taken it's toll early and often this young season. First rounders' Marshall Faulk and Clinton Portis have missed time and cost their respective fantasy teams precious games.  Other key players have cost their team by going down to injury during a game.  Portis has missed two halves of two different games and Faulk will miss the next 4 to 6 weeks. This is where your draft abilities in those mid-rounds pay off as you fill these positions until the injuries fade.  A third running back to fill in could make your season, or cost you your season. It's not too late though. Check your waiver wire as players are constantly being moved by unhappy coaches.  Don't be afraid to pick up an Onterrio Smith to keep on your bench in case Moe goes down to injury or those who picked up Lamar Gordon are smiling now...whatever you do, don't get discouraged...get even...and good luck... Kevin Hall - September 26, 2003

Jamal Lewis...not since Joe Namath...      Not since Joe Namath's famous prediction to win Super Bowl III has a player been so right on the money. Add Jamal Lewis to that list as he said he would break the rushing record, then he went out and did just that. And you have to note that Lewis had an additional 60+ yarder for a TD called back because of a penalty. He was credited with many of those yards but not the TD, of which he scored two more that day. Do you have him on your team? If so, good pick, if not, look out because it could be a record setting year for this bruising back...Congratulations from all of us fantasy football fans... Kevin Hall - September 18, 2003

Stay Calm...it's only week 1...      I'm asked over and over...should I make a trade since my star running back didn't score in week 1? Should I make a move since my team didn't fare well in week 1? The answer to both questions are "NO" Don't panic...it's only week 1. A players fantasy value and determination of his success will depend on the entire year, not just the first few weeks. Now is not the time to panic. That's not to say that if a player's value rises in week 1 that you shouldn't grab him, after all, first come first serve. But the key is not giving up on your drafted players. These are players that you studied, wanted, grabbed, and were happy about getting...and for good reason. Most of these players were proven and your research and cunning allowed you to get them first in your draft.  Hang on to them.  They'll still work out like your research indicated, most of the time.  I've read several articles this week in which different coaches from around the NFL said their game plan changed as the game went on, ie, players saw more or less action depending on if their team was doing well at halftime (Kansas City) or not (New England). This definitely had an impact on Antowain Smith and Kevin Faulk as well as Priest Holmes and Tony Gonzales.  These same players in week 2 may have totally different outcomes depending on how that game is going. Bottom line, stick with what you drafted, only picking up a proven player whose question marks were answered by the first week, for example, How risky is Kurt Warner and I hope you have Marc Bulger as your backup... Kevin Hall  - September 12, 2003

Vick...risk versus reward by Kevin Hall      Where to take Michael Vick appears to be the question of the season. How long will he be out may be the answer. All indications are that Michael Vick, the heralded quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, will miss the first month of the regular season. That puts him returning at home on week 5 versus the Minnesota Vikings.  Given that assumption, how early should you draft Vick?  In a league of few quarterbacks and already several injuries (Pennington for one), we suggest that you take Vick early, say round 4-5, and back him up with a reliable starter for the first month of the season. If you could nab Brett Favre in a later round, which it appears you can, then he faces an easy first month of the season and would be a great compliment to Vick. Kordell Stewart also faces and easy first month of the season and would be a good backup until Vick returns.  The risk of taking Vick is the possibility that his return is delayed. It's possible that the coaching staff and ownership might not want to rush their young star back too early risking further injury.  It's also possible that Vick's backup, Doug Johnson, might do well enough to extend Vick's time on the sidelines.  Barring any setbacks, we feel Vick is a good 4th round pick, to be supplemented by a regular starter. The rewards are well worth the risk as you'll head into the middle of the season with one of the best young running quarterbacks in the league...   Kevin Hall - September 8, 2003

RB's...early and often by Kevin Hall      You hear it all the time...take a running back early and often in your fantasy draft.  I'm here to tell you that it's not only true, it's true in just about every fantasy league, regardless the rules. Why you say?  It begins with the brutality of the position. Running backs suffer the most abuse of any positional player in pro football, yes, even over quarterbacks.  Injuries take their toll each year on even the best of running backs, take Marshall Faulk for example who has missed two games each of the past two years due to minor nagging injuries.  If you don't have a capable backup, then you'll be entering a key game or two or three with a spare at the most vital position.  It's very important to stack your team with quality "main man" running backs and even go so far as to back your quality backs up with their potential replacement in case of injury. If you draft Marshall Faulk, then you might want to seriously consider drafting Lamar Gordon in a sub round. Those who took Edjerrin James would be wise to draft Dominic Rhodes in case James isn't fully recovered and misses any amount of time.  The key is not to depend too much on one stud running back when all it takes is one sprained ankle and your good team turns into an average team.  Take a chance or two in the later rounds on Ladell Betts or Onterrio Smith. Both will do well as the season wears on. Do your homework, know your strengths, and draft as many running backs as you can. Kevin Hall - Founder - September 7, 2003