ASM Fantasy Football: The Owners
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/896/1/ASM-Fantasy-Football-The-Owners/ASM-Fantasy-Football-The-Owners.html
David Hale
David is a graduate of the University of Delaware and has a masters from Syracuse University in journalism. He has covered sports for a number of newspapers throughout the country and currently works as a freelance writer in Lexington, Kentucky.
David is a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Eagles,
which he believes may be at the root of every bad thing that has ever happened to him. His heroes include Ernest Hemingway, Mark Grace and the entire cast of "The Hills."
He is widely credited as the inventor of the piano-key necktie, celebrates Michael Bolton's entire catalogue, and enjoys skinny skiing and going to bull fights on acid. His favorite color is green, his favorite hobby is sleeping, and his favorite performance-enhancing drug is Red Bull-and-vodka.
David is a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Eagles,
which he believes may be at the root of every bad thing that has ever happened to him. His heroes include Ernest Hemingway, Mark Grace and the entire cast of "The Hills."
He is widely credited as the inventor of the piano-key necktie, celebrates Michael Bolton's entire catalogue, and enjoys skinny skiing and going to bull fights on acid. His favorite color is green, his favorite hobby is sleeping, and his favorite performance-enhancing drug is Red Bull-and-vodka.
By David Hale
Published on 08/27/2007
It's football season once again, and Atomic Sports writers are putting their money where their mouths (or laptops) are. This year, 12 of ASM's best and brightest (well, at least 9 of its best and brightest) are squaring off for fantasy football supremecy. Here's a look at the owners and their pre-draft strategy.
It's football season once again, and Atomic Sports writers are putting their money where their mouths (or laptops) are. This year, 12 of ASM's best and brightest (well, at least 9 of its best and brightest) are squaring off for fantasy football supremecy. Here's a look at the owners and their pre-draft strategy.
ASM Fantasy Football: The Owners
You read their columns every week. You already think they are either brilliant sports minds or complete buffoons. Now, you’ll have plenty of ammunition to support either opinion.
Atomic Sports pit 11 columnists and one CEO against each other in our second annual fantasy football league. Our draft was held on August 19, but it won’t be until December that we find out who knows their pigskin and who’s just another knucklehead with a laptop.
Either way, we’re thrilled to have you, our loyal readers, follow along with the results throughout the season. We want to hear from you regularly – who’s hot, who’s not, who’s a great sleeper, and who’s a bum – and we’ll post your contributions all season, along with the insights and analysis from our writers.
So, without further adieu, let’s meet this year’s owners:
(Don't care about the owners? No problem. CLICK HERE to see how the draft played out, or CLICK HERE to view the owners' comments on their teams and others.)
Jon Bellwood, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy Football Experience: Nil
Pre-draft Strategy: To make sensible decisions and put together a good, solid squad, with no risks in the starting players. The bench will be my area for the potential sleepers.
Top Sleepers: I don’t know if you’d classify them sleeper but I fancy Michael Bush and Adrian Peterson to make an impact in their rookie seasons.
Player you have to get: Tomlinson!
David Hale, senior editor
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: I’ve been in more fantasy leagues than Jenna Jameson has been in orgies.
Pre-draft Strategy: Gets lots of running backs. Ideally, two in the first two round, but definitely have four solid backs by draft’s end. Wait it out on wide receivers, get a top QB if I can, and don’t draft a kicker or defense until the final two rounds. I’ve developed this strategy over the years, and every time I’ve deviated, my team has sucked like the Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Top Sleepers: Hey, I’ve still got other leagues to draft in, so I’m not sure I should share this info. Still, a few guys to watch: Vincent Jackson, Brandon Jackson, J.P. Losman, Santonio Holmes and Tony Hunt, who will steal touchdowns from Brian Westbrook this season more often than Andy Reid’s sons get arrested.
Player you have to get: Can’t say there’s anyone I really want. I pick No. 2 overall, so I know I’ll have a top guy. In a perfect world, I’d land Donovan McNabb in the fourth or fifth round, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
Vaughn Hines, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy Football Experience: Four years
Pre-draft strategy: Grab the solid defensive units a round before it is fashionable; Pay attention to preseason depth charts for Marques Colston-type players; Snap up a top-notch K early
Top sleepers: J.P. Losman, Stephen Grostowski, Jerricho Cotchery, Michael Clayton (BAL), Bo Scaife, Vincent Jackson, any Eagles WR, Greg Olsen, Devery Henderson, Michael Bush, Drew Bennett, Deion Branch, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle.
Player you have to get: I’m best when I adjust on the fly.
Atomic Sports pit 11 columnists and one CEO against each other in our second annual fantasy football league. Our draft was held on August 19, but it won’t be until December that we find out who knows their pigskin and who’s just another knucklehead with a laptop.
Either way, we’re thrilled to have you, our loyal readers, follow along with the results throughout the season. We want to hear from you regularly – who’s hot, who’s not, who’s a great sleeper, and who’s a bum – and we’ll post your contributions all season, along with the insights and analysis from our writers.
So, without further adieu, let’s meet this year’s owners:
(Don't care about the owners? No problem. CLICK HERE to see how the draft played out, or CLICK HERE to view the owners' comments on their teams and others.)
Jon Bellwood, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy Football Experience: Nil
Pre-draft Strategy: To make sensible decisions and put together a good, solid squad, with no risks in the starting players. The bench will be my area for the potential sleepers.
Top Sleepers: I don’t know if you’d classify them sleeper but I fancy Michael Bush and Adrian Peterson to make an impact in their rookie seasons.
Player you have to get: Tomlinson!
David Hale, senior editor
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: I’ve been in more fantasy leagues than Jenna Jameson has been in orgies.
Pre-draft Strategy: Gets lots of running backs. Ideally, two in the first two round, but definitely have four solid backs by draft’s end. Wait it out on wide receivers, get a top QB if I can, and don’t draft a kicker or defense until the final two rounds. I’ve developed this strategy over the years, and every time I’ve deviated, my team has sucked like the Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Top Sleepers: Hey, I’ve still got other leagues to draft in, so I’m not sure I should share this info. Still, a few guys to watch: Vincent Jackson, Brandon Jackson, J.P. Losman, Santonio Holmes and Tony Hunt, who will steal touchdowns from Brian Westbrook this season more often than Andy Reid’s sons get arrested.
Player you have to get: Can’t say there’s anyone I really want. I pick No. 2 overall, so I know I’ll have a top guy. In a perfect world, I’d land Donovan McNabb in the fourth or fifth round, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
Vaughn Hines, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy Football Experience: Four years
Pre-draft strategy: Grab the solid defensive units a round before it is fashionable; Pay attention to preseason depth charts for Marques Colston-type players; Snap up a top-notch K early
Top sleepers: J.P. Losman, Stephen Grostowski, Jerricho Cotchery, Michael Clayton (BAL), Bo Scaife, Vincent Jackson, any Eagles WR, Greg Olsen, Devery Henderson, Michael Bush, Drew Bennett, Deion Branch, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle.
Player you have to get: I’m best when I adjust on the fly.
ASM Fantasy Football: The Owners
Nicholas Jon Wood, editor
Favorite NFL Team: Green Bay Packers
Fantasy Football Experience: Seven years
Pre-draft Strategy: Get best player available; avoid running backs who share carries.
Top sleepers: Brandon Jackson, James Jones, Drew Bennett, Adam Vinatieri.
Player you have to get: Tie, Brandon Jackson, Adam Vinatieri.
Adam Lefkoe, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: Four teams, two champions
Pre-draft Strategy: Since I couldn’t make the draft I tried to pre-rank my players according to position, putting certain players much higher than usual to lock them up.
Top Sleepers: RB Jerrious Norwood, WR Drew Bennett, QB Alex Smith, RB Tatum Bell.
Player you have to get: I’m hoping that Anquan Boldin falls to me. I ranked him very high in accordance to his position.
Jim Ludes, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Denver Broncos
Fantasy Football Experience: I’ve been playing fantasy football for ages. I went pro at the ripe age of 13; back when you had to rely on magazines and printing your draft order in notebooks (if your parents were too cheap for AOL). I think I’ve won maybe 2 of 20 leagues, give or take.
Pre-draft Strategy: I usually just go-with-the-flow and try to pick the best player to fit my needs all the way through. I’m looking for the best available RB and WR in rounds one and two (ideally I’ll pick at the very back of the group and grab Travis Henry and Willis McGahee). I really want Marc Bulger in round 4, and either the Bears of Ravens defense in round 6.
Top sleepers: I’m a big fan of Bears rookie tight end, Greg Olsen. I think he’s underrated in most fantasy terms and is likely to be right behind the upper echelon tight ends in production- that said, he’s probably not an ideal sleeper. I think Rex Grossman’s got a very realistic chance to throw 30 TDs this year and since interceptions don’t hurt as much as TDs and yards help, he should make a great backup pick for someone!
Player you have to get: I’m really in love with Travis Henry even though it’s a homer pick….and seem to have developed my strategy around Bulger in the 4th. If I don’t get him, I’ll go to pieces.
Favorite NFL Team: Green Bay Packers
Fantasy Football Experience: Seven years
Pre-draft Strategy: Get best player available; avoid running backs who share carries.
Top sleepers: Brandon Jackson, James Jones, Drew Bennett, Adam Vinatieri.
Player you have to get: Tie, Brandon Jackson, Adam Vinatieri.
Adam Lefkoe, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: Four teams, two champions
Pre-draft Strategy: Since I couldn’t make the draft I tried to pre-rank my players according to position, putting certain players much higher than usual to lock them up.
Top Sleepers: RB Jerrious Norwood, WR Drew Bennett, QB Alex Smith, RB Tatum Bell.
Player you have to get: I’m hoping that Anquan Boldin falls to me. I ranked him very high in accordance to his position.
Jim Ludes, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Denver Broncos
Fantasy Football Experience: I’ve been playing fantasy football for ages. I went pro at the ripe age of 13; back when you had to rely on magazines and printing your draft order in notebooks (if your parents were too cheap for AOL). I think I’ve won maybe 2 of 20 leagues, give or take.
Pre-draft Strategy: I usually just go-with-the-flow and try to pick the best player to fit my needs all the way through. I’m looking for the best available RB and WR in rounds one and two (ideally I’ll pick at the very back of the group and grab Travis Henry and Willis McGahee). I really want Marc Bulger in round 4, and either the Bears of Ravens defense in round 6.
Top sleepers: I’m a big fan of Bears rookie tight end, Greg Olsen. I think he’s underrated in most fantasy terms and is likely to be right behind the upper echelon tight ends in production- that said, he’s probably not an ideal sleeper. I think Rex Grossman’s got a very realistic chance to throw 30 TDs this year and since interceptions don’t hurt as much as TDs and yards help, he should make a great backup pick for someone!
Player you have to get: I’m really in love with Travis Henry even though it’s a homer pick….and seem to have developed my strategy around Bulger in the 4th. If I don’t get him, I’ll go to pieces.
ASM Fantasy Football: The Owners
Andy Mindzak, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Miami Dolphins
Fantasy Football Experience: More than 10 years
Pre-draft strategy: Stock up on running backs, and grab 2 solid QBs. Also, don’t get caught up in runs. Take my kicker and Defense very late.
Top sleepers: I think Cadillac Williams from TB will have a solid bounce-back year. People have forgotten about him, so hopefully I can nab him late. Brandon Jackson in GB will have a very solid rookie year. Philip Rivers will have a very strong year in SD. Reggie Brown in PHI should have a great year.
Player you have to get: Willis McGahee in his new home in BALT would be a nice addition to my team. He should put up crazy numbers. Other than him, I will just take it as it comes. I’ll be looking to pick him up in the 2nd round.
Steve Schaefer, senior editor
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: Too much
Pre-draft strategy: Most years I would say the best strategy is doubling up on RB with the first two picks. This year I'm not so sure. With only three bona-fide stud backs (LT, Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson), there is a lot of running back value to be had in the 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th round. For instance, it would not surprise me if Brandon Jacobs puts up numbers equal to those of Frank Gore this year, but Gore will go early in the first round and Jacobs will not be thought of until the 3rd or 4th round. That being said, I'm looking to get a running back in the first two rounds but will likely use the other pick on a QB or wideout.
Top sleepers: I'm high on Marshawn Lynch in Buffalo this season and expect a major bounceback year for Edgerrin James. If I can get both, I'll be sitting pretty or a potential disaster if they don't produce. That being said, I don't see getting both. If I decide to go with a QB or WR as one of my top two picks, I'll look to pick up Lynch in the 3rd.
Player you have to get: I don't believe in this type of strategy since it always leads to reaching for someone too early. That being said, I think Travis Henry will have a big year, and supposedly his knee sprain is not going to affect him, so I'll look to grab him if falls to my pick in the second round.
Nate Carlile, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Cleveland Browns. Ugh.
Fantasy Football Experience: Um, since I started gambling, so... 10 years
Pre-draft Strategy: Get the best dude on the board and pray he has an unbelievable year when it comes to not being tackled.
Top Sleepers: Laurence Maroney, Carson Palmer, Vernon Davis, Adrian Peterson, Lee Evans and whoever is backing up Pennington.
Player you have to get: Well, Fred Smoot. But I don't think that's an option...
Favorite NFL Team: Miami Dolphins
Fantasy Football Experience: More than 10 years
Pre-draft strategy: Stock up on running backs, and grab 2 solid QBs. Also, don’t get caught up in runs. Take my kicker and Defense very late.
Top sleepers: I think Cadillac Williams from TB will have a solid bounce-back year. People have forgotten about him, so hopefully I can nab him late. Brandon Jackson in GB will have a very solid rookie year. Philip Rivers will have a very strong year in SD. Reggie Brown in PHI should have a great year.
Player you have to get: Willis McGahee in his new home in BALT would be a nice addition to my team. He should put up crazy numbers. Other than him, I will just take it as it comes. I’ll be looking to pick him up in the 2nd round.
Steve Schaefer, senior editor
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: Too much
Pre-draft strategy: Most years I would say the best strategy is doubling up on RB with the first two picks. This year I'm not so sure. With only three bona-fide stud backs (LT, Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson), there is a lot of running back value to be had in the 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th round. For instance, it would not surprise me if Brandon Jacobs puts up numbers equal to those of Frank Gore this year, but Gore will go early in the first round and Jacobs will not be thought of until the 3rd or 4th round. That being said, I'm looking to get a running back in the first two rounds but will likely use the other pick on a QB or wideout.
Top sleepers: I'm high on Marshawn Lynch in Buffalo this season and expect a major bounceback year for Edgerrin James. If I can get both, I'll be sitting pretty or a potential disaster if they don't produce. That being said, I don't see getting both. If I decide to go with a QB or WR as one of my top two picks, I'll look to pick up Lynch in the 3rd.
Player you have to get: I don't believe in this type of strategy since it always leads to reaching for someone too early. That being said, I think Travis Henry will have a big year, and supposedly his knee sprain is not going to affect him, so I'll look to grab him if falls to my pick in the second round.
Nate Carlile, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Cleveland Browns. Ugh.
Fantasy Football Experience: Um, since I started gambling, so... 10 years
Pre-draft Strategy: Get the best dude on the board and pray he has an unbelievable year when it comes to not being tackled.
Top Sleepers: Laurence Maroney, Carson Palmer, Vernon Davis, Adrian Peterson, Lee Evans and whoever is backing up Pennington.
Player you have to get: Well, Fred Smoot. But I don't think that's an option...
ASM Fantasy Football: The Owners
Josh Binstock, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: At least 10 years
Pre-draft Strategy: I am not going to read or watch anything produced by “Fantasy Experts.” I know enough about football, and don’t need Matthew Berry telling me that Steven Jackson is going to have a good year. The way I usually go about it is by filling in 2 running backs, then QB, and 2 WRs.
Top Sleepers: As a Giants fan, I would like to think Brandon Jacobs will have a productive season. But more realistically, I think a guy like Jericho Cotchery might break out.
Player you have to get: Michael Vick…er, Jeremy Shockey. I get him every year, he’s become a security blanket.
Pete Giordano, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: Five years
Pre-draft Strategy: Take running backs early
Top Sleepers: Vince Young, Philip Rivers, Travis Henry
Player you have to get: Young
John McCabe, CEO
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: Two years
Pre-draft Strategy: Go after RBs in the first 4 rounds, pick a top QB and WR in round 5-6, then go after the top position player needed.
Top Sleepers: Matt Leinart (QB), Thomas Jones (RB), DJ Hackett (WR), Eric Johnson (TE)
Player you have to get: Laurence Maroney or Reggie Bush
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: At least 10 years
Pre-draft Strategy: I am not going to read or watch anything produced by “Fantasy Experts.” I know enough about football, and don’t need Matthew Berry telling me that Steven Jackson is going to have a good year. The way I usually go about it is by filling in 2 running backs, then QB, and 2 WRs.
Top Sleepers: As a Giants fan, I would like to think Brandon Jacobs will have a productive season. But more realistically, I think a guy like Jericho Cotchery might break out.
Player you have to get: Michael Vick…er, Jeremy Shockey. I get him every year, he’s become a security blanket.
Pete Giordano, columnist
Favorite NFL Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy Football Experience: Five years
Pre-draft Strategy: Take running backs early
Top Sleepers: Vince Young, Philip Rivers, Travis Henry
Player you have to get: Young
John McCabe, CEO
Favorite NFL Team: New York Giants
Fantasy Football Experience: Two years
Pre-draft Strategy: Go after RBs in the first 4 rounds, pick a top QB and WR in round 5-6, then go after the top position player needed.
Top Sleepers: Matt Leinart (QB), Thomas Jones (RB), DJ Hackett (WR), Eric Johnson (TE)
Player you have to get: Laurence Maroney or Reggie Bush