Ian Allan

So I just put in my entry for the Fantasy Index Super League -- the promotional deal the guys over in corporate cooked up. I’ve been told to submit an entry, but let me start with a protest.

How are defenses not part of this thing?

I was all excited to make the Detroit Lions part of my Week 1 package – with them being matched up against Mike Martz’s turnover-plagued offense. I can’t believe the Bears are favored by 7.5 points in that game. I saw the Lions as a key choice in my first entry; a chance to separate from those staying on the safe route.

But defenses aren’t part of this deal. Part of that, I will admit, might be my fault. I had a few e-mails go across my desk and gave them the “sounds good” without carefully looking them over. I will see if we can get defenses audibled in for Week 2 going forward.

There are also some bragging rights in this deal, with Andy Richardson, Justin Eleff and Michael Murillo all participating. I want to be sure to beat all of those guys. I haven’t seen the Richardson and Murillo entries yet, but I saw Eleff’s yesterday .

Here’s where we differ.

QUARTERBACK
He went with Brees and Good Manning.

I’m going with Rodgers as my top guy. I just think he’s on fire right now, and I like that he adds the running dimension. Philadelphia’s defense ain’t what it used to be; it allowed 27 TD passes last year.

I would like to leave out both Brees. I don’t like that two years in a row, he’s played about his worst game against the Vikings. But they’re missing their second and third corners, so he sneaks in.

RUNNING BACK
Eleff went with Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson.

I am in agreement on Johnson. Peterson comes out at No. 2 on my weekly board, but I’m a little nervous about him. The Saints really shut him down in a Monday night game two years ago, holding him to 32 yards on 21 attempts. So to get somebody different in there, I will go down to my No. 3, Frank Gore, against the Seahawks. I have Gore and Peterson as almost interchangeable this week anyway.

Johnson and Gore.

WIDE RECEIVER
Justin went with Fitzgerald, Moss and Andre Johnson.

I will put in a new name as my top choice – Calvin Johnson – and scratch Fitzgerald. I think the Cardinals will emphasize the run in that game. I would like to replace Andre Johnson with DeSean Jackson, but the statistical difference is too great (I’ve got Jackson at No. 5 this week, behind Fitzgerald).

TIGHT END
Finley and Gates are the tandem.

Eleff makes a mistake by going with Dallas Clark, who missed most of the preseason with a leg injury. We both have Gates. Finley will bitchslap Clark.

KICKER
Both Eleff and myself are going with Bironas and a kicker playing in the state of Missouri.

Eleff chooses the fragile psyche that is Nate Kaeding, nursing his playoff demons. I don’t think he’s a top-2 kicker. San Diego has started poorly three years in a row, and I think they’ll have a tougher game than expected at Arrowhead.

I expect to do better with Jay Feely, who’ll be banging in kicks all day against the hapless Rams.

DEFENSES
The 49ers are the clear No. 1 – clear, that is, if Defenses were actually part of the deal. I can’t believe their game against Seattle, without both starting tackles, opened as a pick ‘em. The guys setting the lines down in Vegas, I guess, are still warming up.

As my second choice, I would have rolled the dice on the Honolulu blue of the Detroit Lions. Mike Martz’s offense is that bad.


You still have time to enter this deal, by the way. The winner will participate in the Mock Draft competition in next year’s magazine. To enter, click on the link below …

Fantasy Index Super League – click here


—Ian Allan

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