Viva Murillo!
Fantasy owners have plenty of reasons to be thankful this year. Everybody does, really. But no matter who you are, all football lovers should give thanks for the bounty we have received in 2009, and what is still to come.
If you’re already headed for the playoffs: Be thankful for quarterbacks like Brady, Brees and Manning. Be thankful for Wes Welker in a points-per-reception league. Be thankful for Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson and all the other players who justified not taking a running back early. While other owners felt they “had” to take Clinton Portis or Brian Westbrook, you stuck to your guns and took another position.
If you thought you could get by on running backs later in the draft, you’re probably thankful for guys like Ray Rice and Cedric Benson as well.
If you’re on the bubble: Be thankful you’re still in contention. You’ve overcome some mistakes and can still make the playoffs. Be thankful for the waiver wire, which can still offer up some startable gems every week -- those who started Justin Forsett and Bernard Scott last week are especially thankful).
If you’re out of the playoff race: Be thankful for the opportunity to knock a few buddies out of the post-season. Be thankful for a rare opportunity to watch football without worrying too much about the statistics. Be thankful you don’t play in a league where the losing teams just give up and stop playing (and don’t be that team). And be thankful for the tenure you enjoy as a fantasy owner: No matter how badly the team performs, you won’t lose your job this off-season. So enjoy your automatic contract extension and finish the year strong.
Fans in every city have reasons to be thankful. In New Orleans and Indianapolis, they’re thankful for every Sunday. Fans in Dallas can be thankful that their team is still in first place despite two poor outings in a row. Buccaneers fans can be thankful that the Tampa 2 defense will be making a comeback and that Josh Freeman seems like a project worth working on. Even Cleveland fans should be thankful: They saw last week’s most exciting game.
As football fans, we can be thankful for flexible scheduling and the fact that we still have labor peace and no strikes or lockouts (hopefully I’ll be able to keep writing that next year and beyond). Be thankful for Thursday football and for the fantasy games that make those contests watchable. Be thankful for the NFL playoffs, which often live up to expectations. And be thankful for the Internet, which has changed the way we enjoy our favorite sport.
Finally, be thankful for all the other things in your life that make fantasy football such a small -- and enjoyable -- diversion. Enjoy the food, family and friends and have a great Thanksgiving.
You can reach Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@gmail.com.
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