Andy Richardson
As I mentioned last week, I'm currently participating in an extended-format draft for the Bum Phillips Texas BBQ Fantasy Experts League. We're into the 15th round right now, and the steal of the draft might have come a few hours ago, when Walter Football selected Brett Favre midway through the 14th. I also had Favre in my queue, but having already drafted a pair of good quarterbacks, Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers, I slotted him behind another Packer: Brandon Jackson, who's in line to start for the team if Ryan Grant's holdout continues.
At this point, I'm fairly certain Favre will be starting somewhere this year. Tampa Bay seems like the most likely spot; Green Bay remains an outside possibility, depending on how quickly Aaron Rodgers gets hurt. The idea that Favre will end up staying retired doesn't make sense to me; I think he's made the decision he wants to play and so he'll play. The only people saying they're not sure he wants to come back are the Packers, which sounds like wishful thinking.
This league awards 6 points for TD passes, and Favre has thrown more of those than any other player. I don't expect him to have the kind of year he had a year ago, but starting 16 games and throwing 20-plus TDs for some team is a reasonable projection, even for an old fellow like him.
Sponsored by JunkyardJake.com, the league features a dozen different fantasy experts and will be played out over the course of the season. The draft can be seen at this link.
As for my team to this point (below), I'm a little concerned about my running backs, having only taken one in the first four rounds (better value at wide receiver when my picks came up), but my team should be strong everywhere else. I'll probably add a couple more backup types in the final few rounds to help me come up with a pair of weekly starters. Comments/criticisms? Bring 'em on.
1.06 Barber, Marion DAL RB
2.07 Owens, Terrell DAL WR
3.06 Smith, Steve CAR WR
4.07 Welker, Wes NEP WR
5.06 Smith, Kevin DET RB
6.07 Cutler, Jay DEN QB
7.06 Johnson, Rudi CIN RB
8.07 Johnson, Chris TEN RB
9.06 Miller, Heath PIT TE
10.07 Rivers, Philip SDC QB
11.06 Johnson, Bryant SFO WR
12.07 Giants, New York NYG Def
13.06 Watson, Ben NEP TE
14.07 Jackson, Brandon GBP RB
- Comments [3]
Readers' Comments
Add a Comment
Already a registered user? Please sign in to add comments.
To add comments, you must become a registered user of our site. To register, please click here.
Posted by Chris Muschong | Jul. 29 at 09:45 AM
IMHO, getting a starting RB is more important than selecting a WR. Owens in the second round I can understand. But Steve Smith (past his prime) and Wes Welker (fickle Brady) in 3 and 4? Jon Stewart or Selvin Young.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Jul. 29 at 10:19 AM
I should have mentioned that the league starts 3 WRs, which plays a factor. That said, I do tend to wish I'd come out of the first four rounds with 2 running backs. I had hoped either Jones-Drew or McGahee would still be there in the 2nd, but both went just before my pick. I do think Smith (with Delhomme healthy) and Welker (why are people so down on him? It seems more likely that opponents will focus on trying to take Moss away than Welker) give me the best group of wideouts in the league. I just need to hope one of my various running backs turns into a solid No. 2. Had Jonathan Stewart fallen a few more spots I'd have taken him over Kevin Smith. However, neither he nor Young are sure things either. Both play for fickle coaches -- remember, John Fox couldn't even bring himself to pull the plug on DeShaun Foster for years. Still, I agree that No. 2 RB spot might hurt me.
Posted by Paul Owers | Aug. 03 at 12:36 PM
Andy, you drafted a great team. You were right to focus on the three WRs if they gave you better value. Even if Smith doesn't pan out (big if), you'll find a waiver wire wonder to fill the void. Nice job.