Why We Play Fantasy Football

Despite having an almost-unhealthy interest in football, I continue to be in a fantasy football league every year (and usually win it).  I figured I’d spend a few minutes looking over the players in the NFL, just so I had an idea who the hot prospects were.
Instead I spent hours ranking the top players at each position, evaluating their production from last year, their projected points for this year, and what kind of gum they chew.  Yeah right - then I woke up and just downloaded the top 200 list from a top secret sports website complete with bye weeks and printed it out.

I left the Labor Day Draft party and felt really good about my chances.  I had hand picked these guys to represent me during the NFL season.

Flash forward Week 3....  I'm 0-3... And I almost have the most points scored overall (off by 1 pt from leader)....I also have the most points scored against me.  I am a victim of the schedule.

I lost the 2nd week 100 to 92 and in all the other games the highest score was 42!

On Monday night football there are usually 2-3 players that I or others in my league have on their teams.  We know the scores of our games and simply root for our players or against the other teams.  It was pretty funny to see Peyton Manning hit Dallas Clark with a opening-1st play of the game Touchdown.  I KNOW that a lot of people lost their first weeks match in that first 12 seconds of the game. They where settled all in with their first slice of pizza and their frosty beverage and then BAM - you lose.. or YEAH I won... 12 sec into the game.


Our league has a rule that the last place team of each of our 2 divisions will play each other in the first week of our playoffs inwhich is called "The Toilet Bowl".  The loser of "The Toilet Bowl" will have his team named by the winner of the real Super Bowl (in our fantasy league).  The loser of last year's Toilet Bowl gets to sport the team name "80 dollar donation" all year long......

Starting the right guy, making the right choice between 2 players.

Starting the wrong guy, making the dead wrong choice between 2 players.


This is why we play Fantasy Football!

Bengals Week 2 - Almost a Repeat of Week 1! Saved by the clock...

 

What a great game - Another heart stopper! Finally the Bengals managed to give us fans something to smile about. This win was a team effort with lots of players stepping up when a big play was needed.

Player of the game: Antwan Odom.  This beast of a man came in to today's game with 2 sacks versus Denver last week.  He piled up 5 more to add to the tally.  This guy will end up in Hawaii for sure if he keeps this pace up.  Odom was just abusing the Packer's left tackle.  I think 3 of his sacks he just bull rushed the guy into the QB while shedding his blocker and making some very athletic tackles.  (Green Bay fans: I bet Favre would have evaded a few of those sacks... Ooo.)

Seriously the referees couldn't keep their flags in their pockets.  Both teams where penalized at key moments slowing a drive. Cedrick Bensen did get some payback for both teams!

I tell you I saw the media all week about Ocho Cinco planning to do the Lambo Leap after scoring.  I know the packer fans would love to get there hands on him.

Of course as forcasted by 85 - he got his TD and after checking a flag down (of course) - ran over to the bleachers and scanned the crowd.  He found 3 bengal fans setting in the front row.  He ran over and leaped up into their arms.  Was pretty cool.  The best part is Marvin Lewis was running down towards the end zone yelling for him to get back to the sidelines...lol

Late in the game the bengals took a 10 point lead and with just under 2 minutes remaining Green Bay drove down the field and kicked a field goal with 40 seconds left. 

The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Packers at their 42 but the Packers were out of timeouts. A 22-yard completion to Jermichael Finley put Green Bay at the Bengals 35 and after Rodgers spiked the ball there were 17 seconds remaining.

The next play was a 25-yard completion to Packers wide receiver Donald Driver to the Bengals 10, but with the Packers rushing to the line to spike the ball, the offensive line was called for a false start and by NFL rule, the remaining time was automatically run off the clock, the game was over and the Bengals had the win. 

For the full coverage read of the game go here: http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Odom-sacks-Pack/2eeb3d61-0995-45d7-9b56-dba786aeaedc

Next week the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town.   They just suffered a defeat today in Chicago so they will be plenty pissed off coming in the Jungle.  Should be a great game!

The Bengals Blow it in Week 1 - Feelings from a Bengals Fan

 

Hey, look at me! I just scored the luckiest touchdown ever!  

Brandon Stokely's lucky tip drill caused us Bengal fans one of our most painful losses in a long time.  

First we felt that there was no chance for us to win - since our Bengals offense show signs of life, but couldn't do any thing to get a score.  Our only field goal attempt was a botched snap by Peter St Lewis (who's only job on the Bengals team is long snapping...You can't have a center or backup lineman snap?  Seriously..).  Then it is 6-0 and Kyle Orton is driving into Bengal territory.  It is 3rd and short and a gift of false start on Bronco's made it 3rd and long.  Then Kyle is sacked putting them out of field goal range to seal the win.  They have to punt.

The bengals got the ball inside the 10 yard line needing to drive in 4:00 to score a Touchdown.  Here is the part I start getting excited.    Great 3rd down plays from Chad Johnson er I mean Ocho Cinco.  Cedric Benson showed up today and on this drive.  He had several key runs and pass receptions to keep it alive.  Carson looked like he was in control and took them down to the 1 yard line and Cedric pumped it in with 38 seconds to go.  Graham extra point is good with adding drama from St Lewis snap.  Bengals up 7-6 with 38 seconds to go.

I had no other thoughts other than who is next.  1-0 baby!  Then I left it on just to watch the guys smile and celebrate the Bengal victory.

The kick off is fielded in the 3 yard deep in the end zone and the bengals make the stop inside the 20.  First pass was incomplete.  Second pass was thrown to Marshall and was tipped away by the cornerback and Marshall was dealt a crushing blow from the Safety.  That ball is floating in the air right into the hands of Brandon Stokely in stride - runs in open field to the house.

I saw it happen, but didn't react.  Simply just stuck in my lazy boy staring at the TV.  This can only happen to my Bengals... Why the hell does this always happen?  

Why was our safety playing so aggressive with only 30 sec left in the game.  He should have been back to play the deflection.  Maybe that is why Dallas put him on waivers.......  Until Next week.

Well See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56C-roYUOA

HBO's Hard Knocks - Bengals Camp

I have mixed feelings about how I feel about my beloved Bengals being in the spotlight this year in Hard Knocks.

A part of me really likes being able to see real personalities of the players and the drama that HBO creates with it is pretty cool. It has great camera play that makes it worth having a High Definition TV. It has comedy - I caught myself laughing out loud several times per episode. The Carson Palmer sequence talking to his center about the top of his hand smelling "musty" was hilarious. I definitely recommend any NFL fan to watch this show.

The first thing I thought of when I became aware of this show was that this could seriously be a serious distraction for the players, coaches, and the administration guys. Think about how it would be at your job if suddenly there are directors and cameras pointed at your every move. Think about if it was you with the cameras on you - how would you react? Would you be yourself and conduct business as usual or would you change a few things or omit things you normally do at work before the cameras? Yep and there is it. The Bengals could have just had a made for TV training camp!

I hope I'm wrong and maybe this made them work even harder this preseason. We will know in a few weeks.

NFL TV Blackout rule 2009

The NFL season is upon us. For me its like a second Christmas without all the Jesus speak - especially since Jerry Rice retired.

The NFL Blackout rule has most cities fans left out of TV viewing of home games. If your team's stadium doesn't sell out by Thursday - you have no chance of viewing the game. Nope - not even on the NFL Package from Direct TV. Enjoy your AM radio broadcast.

A lot of people would like to see the Blackout rule lifted since we are in a downturn with our economy. The problem with this is if the NFL owners give away their product for free as in seats open - this will push them closer to Pay per view sporting events. I'm pretty sure within the next several years we will see the beginning of Pay per view for the major sporting events. Would you be willing to shell out $50.00 to watch the Superbowl? How about the World Series of $100.00 for all 4 to 7 games worth? How about $75.00 to watch Dayton 500? $75.00 for Indy 500? $35.00 to watch the Masters? It goes on and on........

So for you folks displeased with the NFL blackout rule and voice your anger with it - be warned you could possibly win and get your games on TV this year, but it will only open the box that will stick you in your wallet later.....