Some More Fantasy Football Draft Day Grumblings

August is here, well almost, and with it comes the serious start of the Fantasy Football season. This can be broken down into three parts.

1. What we will be doing
2. What you will be doing
3. What everyone else will be doing

What we will be doing

• As August goes along, we will be providing you with the StatLeader league scoring system specific draft package. League specific cheat sheets, draft process recommendations (like the one in my previous post) and more. There will be plenty of information available to you ranging from details statistical numbers to top level player analysis and recommendations.

• Once the season starts, you'll get even more with your membership. This will include the Final Countdown, our live pre-game updates on last minute player status, weekly performance analysis and league specific player point projections for the upcoming week.

What you will (should) be doing

• Learning your league's scoring system.
  

• Paying attention to what we tell you. Again, "Knowledge is Power" and the knowledge we give you will be your power to use in your league.
  

• The truth is that every Fantasy Football information site will have their own take on who is best. The other sites and publications base their recommendations, for the most part, on standard NFL game performance. Unfortunately, that causes two problems:

• Different scoring systems cause the same players to rank differently on different leagues
• Real-life NFL stats frequently don't translate directly into fantasy football performance.

• When you use our information you will have an understanding of how players and team defenses will work under the scoring systems of the 15 or so games we track. This gives you a distinct advantage.

What everyone else will be doing

• Losing. OK life isn't perfect. And even we can't predict everything. Overall, however, our information and approach will give you a much better chance to dump you opponent in ... well ... the dumps.

So sign up today. After all, what have you got to lose, the cost of a pizza or two of those out-of-date newsstand mags? On the other hand, you could end up winning ... your game, your league.

Another Fantasy Football Draft Day Myth Exposed

I hear it on the radio, I see it on the web, and I read it in the Fantasy Football pre-season publications, but I just don't understand it.

The scenario goes like this: You draft a top running back from a high powered offense, like a Priest Holmes, and for insurance (should Priest get injured) you pick his backup Larry Johnson sooner than you would normally draft a 2nd string RB.

You know their logic. Your starter goes down so all you have to do is plug in the backup and off you go, hardly encountering a bump in the road. Oh, and don't forget their final scare tactic comment. It usually goes something like "You wouldn't want to see someone else have your backup and get the points that should have belonged to you".

Well, all I have to say about this is... Bull!

Let's look at this thing logically. Starting with a 14-man roster, you will most likely have a maximum of 4 RBs on your team. In a 10 team league that means a maximum of 40 RBs would be taken.

Since there are 32 starters in the league at most 8 teams will have a backup running back on their roster assuming all the starters are drafted. In reality, some owners will be content with three RBs. Combine this with the fact that there are a few teams like the Titanics that have a pair of valid starters (Chris Brown and Travis Henry) and pre-draft hype on the Rookies, you might not even make it all the way through the first stringers.

So what is going to happen if I do go ahead and draft both Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson? Consider the following assuming I can have any 2 of my RBs active on game day:

• To start with, I'll never play both Priest and Larry at the same time. That would be Fantasy Football suicide. As such, while I've got 4 RBs, I've effectively limited my options to only 3.

• Also, at least half of my stable of RBs will have the same bye week. That forces me to play the remaining two no matter what the opposition look like. (Hopefully neither one of them will also have the same bye week)

• What if Priest doesn't get hurt? I've carried Larry all season and gotten no production from him. Even if Priest misses a game or two who is to say I'd pick a backup Larry over one of my other two starters anyway.

No, my preference is to load up on starting RBs. With four decent quality starters, I've got lots of options. Also, depending on the draft, there may still be several starters and/or good quality backups available in the free agent pool. If one of my guys does go down, well, I've still got three starters left and a good chance to pick up a quality sub at that time.

As we get closer to draft day, check back for some more hints.

Fantasy Football Draft Confusion

As draft day approaches, it seems like every "Fantasy Football Expert" crawls out from under the woodwork to give their opinion on the best way to draft. It's Quarterbacks first and Defenses last, no wait a minute, it's Running Backs first and kickers last, no it's ...

Example. Conventional wisdom tells you that you should draft your RBs in the first round since you generally need starting 2 RBs and only 1 starting QB. This is because the drop off from the top tier RBs to the second tier is much more significant than the drop off from the first tier QBs to the second.

An extreme case:

• You have the #1 and #20 draft picks in a 10-team league. Conventional wisdom says take the #1 RB with your first pick and wait on your QB until at least your second.

• Looking at last year's best point earners in the ESPN Fantasy Football LM Standard game, the top RB was Shaun Alexander with 278 points. If everyone else (picks #2 through #19) chose QBs than means the absolute best QB pick you would be left with would be Drew Bledsoe who gathered in 173 points. Your total for the two players = 451 points.

• Now, same league, same drafting positions but you get Peyton Manning (369 points) with your #1 pick. Assuming picks #2 through #19 are all running backs you would end up with the 19th best remaining Running Back, Emmitt Smith (145 points). Total points = 514. (Yes, we know Peyton had an outstanding year but he still only finished 1 point ahead of Daunte Culpepper.)

The fact is that there is some validity to the draft your RBs first philosophy. However, you have to know when to apply it, and how. The StatLeader member's draft package will help you get the true picture of how players rank under your league specific scoring system and help you have the best draft possible. Remember a wise person once said "Knowledge is Power". They were right.

Who is the Number 1 Fantasy Football Quarterback

It's draft day. You have the first or second pick. Who do you choose?

With few exceptions (and there are a few) Peyton Manning and Daunte Culpepper were the top two scorers in Fantasy Football last year. Through Week 16, their numbers and positional ranks looked like this in the leagues we tracked:

• ESPN League Manager Standard
  
• Manning: 369 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 368 points - 2nd
• ESPN Traditional and League Manager Traditional
  
• Manning: 372 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 367 points - 2nd
• ESPN Performance
• Manning: 358 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 353 points - 2nd
• ESPN Yardage
• Manning: 184 points - 4th
  
• Culpepper: 211 points - 1st
• Yahoo Fantasy Football Default
  
• Manning: 356 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 300 points - 2nd
• CBS Sportsline / NFL.com
  
• Manning: 448 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 411 points - 2nd
• Fox / Sporting News Basic and Ultimate
  
• Manning: 6771 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 6606 points - 2nd
• AOL Fantasy Football
  
• Manning: 408 points - 2nd
  
• Culpepper: 409 points - 1st
• Best Buy Fantasy Football
  
• Manning: 421 points - 1st
  
• Culpepper: 408 points - 2nd

With the exception of ESPN Yardage, the two finished 1st or 2nd in every league. So, once again, who (whom) do you pick?

You can see that the difference between the two was very small. However, there is one thing to keep in mind. Manning had a dream season. Yet with a record 49 TDs he managed to finish ahead of Culpepper by an average of less than 1 point per game in 6 of the 12 scoring systems listed above. Add to this is the fact that Culpepper finished ahead of Manning under two other systems (AOL and ESPN Yardage).

While everyone (at least everyone that drafts Manning) would like to see Peyton have another record year, how likely is that to happen? Meanwhile, don't expect the "Loss of Moss" to change Culpepper's numbers that much.

If the choice were mine I'd take Culpepper over Manning without hesitation. In fact ... I'd take Culpepper over anybody.

Special Thanks

A break from Fantasy Football for a moment to say a special Thank You to my friends at the Kennedy Space Center, the Johnson Space Center, and the rest of NASA on the successful "Return to Flight" of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Having spent 6 years as a Shuttle "Pad Rat" at KSC and 8+ more as a Station "Flame and Smoke Guy" (Propulsion) at JSC, I know first hand the dedication of the team that made today's launch happen. Fantastic job guys! Once again you have shown the "Whatever it takes" spirit is alive and well.

All of us here at StatLeader are proud of the job you have done. Congratulations and keep up the great work.

What does Chelsea Davis have to do with Fantasy Football?

Nothing at all - and then at the same time, everything.

Many of you have seen what would surely become the next "agony of defeat" if the Wide World of Sports was still on TV - A young diver from the US having a "meeting of the mind" with the diving board.

Chelsea Davis reminds us that preparation only becomes victory with proper execution. Even with talent, a misstep can bring defeat.

Here at StatLeader.com we will provide you information key to the preparation for your draft - as well as recommendations on how to properly execute on draft day. However, if you choose to abandon your plan because somebody makes a surprise (crazy?) selection and takes your favorite QB (you know, that sleeper that you thought would still be around in Round 3.) Then you might become your leagues Chelsea Davis - full of promise, but taking a slap to the face because you didn't execute when the time came.

• Our league-specific cheatsheets will give you player rankings (overall and by position) and each player's projected points specific to the league settings.
• Mock-drafts will prepare you for possible outcomes on draft day.
• Player analysis and recommendations.
• Personalized team analysis of who to start and who to sit throughout the season.

and much more.

So avoid being road-kill this year and let Chelsea Davis be the poster-child for "oops!"

A Good (Maybe Great) #2 Fantasy Quarterback

Some of the sites we monitor are touting Lions QB Joey Harrington as a "sleeper" and a good selection as a #2 QB.

They point out the talented group of young receivers (Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, rookie Mike Williams) along with vet Kevin Johnson, note the emergence of RB Kevin Jones, and cite the addition of new OC Ted Tollner as reasons why the Lions QB is set for a solid year.

We agree, a Lions QB will make a good #2 QB choice .... except for one minor point. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the spelling of this year's Lions starting QB will be G-a-r-c-i-a.

A couple of weeks ago Mister2 gave you some reasons why Jeff Garcia would be a great sleeper. For once 2 and I agree. Face it, Garcia was wasted in Cleveland. He will thrive in Detroit working under his old coach. Plus, Garcia's stats show that he can run the ball. For fantasy Football leagues whose scoring systems award only 3 or 4 points for passing TDs, this only increases Garcia's value.

Harrington is talented, no doubt about it. But he couldn't quite get the job done last year. Many may think Garcia is there to help teach the young man. We think Jeff is too talented and too competitive to sit on the bench and watch. He'll teach by showing.

Watch what happens during the pre-season. If Garcia does, in fact, land the starting job I wouldn't hesitate to make him my #2.

Your Questions - What do we offer?, Why are we so different in the Fantasy Football world? Who are we?

As we countdown the days to the start of this year's NFL season, we have had a lot of new visitors to StatLeader.com along with most all of our members from last year.

As the new visitors drop by, I have been getting a lot of questions about who we are, what we offer, and why we are so different? OK, Lets take a few moments to answer them.

Who are we?

• A group of Fantasy Football fanatics that were not happy with the availability of certain types of Fantasy Football information on the web. We decided that we wanted to offer things no one would or could.
  

• Some detailed info on each of us is provided at the bottom of this post (to spare you having to read it now).
  

What Do We Offer?

• Simple! An approach to Fantasy Football information that has never done before. This includes:

• Rating of players, including point projections for their next game. This is done using individual league scoring systems and enough player data to choke a .... whatever. Rocket Man's proprietary (again Miami fans, that means "protected so we're the only ones to have them") equations making these projections the most accurate on the web.

• Live pre-game player updates every game day (Yes, including Thanksgiving and all Monday Nights.) Sure this information may be available elsewhere on the web but you have to search many sites to find it all in a timely manner. We do it for you. Our "Final Countdown" will continuously scan over 40 web sites as well as TV and radio broadcasts to bring you all the information as it breaks in one place.

• Our unique blend of commentary. We don't play favorites and frequently, we don't agree with anyone else in the Fantasy Football world (let alone each other).

• A draft package tailored for specific league scoring systems. Think this doesn't help, just read some of our posts on surviving the NFL's "Draft Day Survival Tips".

Why Are We So Different?:

• While we rely on statistics (with a little intuition thrown in), we also have done a lot of work understanding just exactly what those statistics mean and how to use them properly. There's an old saying "Figures lie and liars figure". In other words, one can make statistics say almost anything they want them to. At Statleader, we make sure we make them say the right thing.
  

• We track the statistics of every offensive player, kicker, and team Defense in the NFL game-by-game. The stats are thrown into a couple of thousand or our equations providing unique and spookily accurate rankings and projections.

• We base everything in your actual league scoring system. We'll be following somewhere between 15 and 20 of the most popular leagues this year. When you see our analysis for your league, it's based on your specific scoring system, not one that is "close" to yours.

• When we do our calculations we take into account such things as how the defense a player is going up against has performed in giving up Fantasy Football points (again based on your individual scoring system).

• We provide a whole barrage of other numbers like consistency factors, estimated points to be scored in the next game, a +/- range for that figure, participation trends, scoring trends, and more. What's more, we actually tell you how to use them.
  

• On certain salary cap games (ex. Best Buy Fantasy Football) we'll even tell you who are the best buys (no pun intended). We do this by calculating a "Fantasy Points Projected /Salary Cap Dollar" value. It will help you get the most for your money.
  

Who are we (continued)?

Man, if you are still reading this, you are a real glutton for punishment. All right, here it goes:

• The names you see at the top of the page were the primary architects of this whole effort. However, while we are the most visible, there are numerous others who work behind the scenes to keep everything going smoothly.
  

• Let's start with Rocket Man, since I probably know him best. RM is our stats guru. He really is a rocket scientist having spent almost 23 years working for NASA on both the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs. He has a graduate degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from THE Ohio State University and has been doing Fantasy statistics since the mid-80s (when he was involved with Rotisserie League Baseball).
  

• Next up is Mister2. 2 is our linebacker. He fills the holes wherever they may appear. Marketing, web design, commentary, run the LA office, 2 does them all (not very well, but he does them all ... just kidding 2). He has been a fantasy sports nut since the late 80's when he and Rocket Man co-owned a championship fantasy baseball team.
• Why the name Mister2? Well, 2 is named after his father but rather than being a "Jr." he is a "II" (2nd). One day 2 received a piece of computer generated marketing material that proceeded to promise tremendous benefits for "Mister II" and the entire "II family". Thus the birth of Mister2.

• Johnny Wishbone is one of our younger guys. Johnny also happens to be our primary web expert. When things go well, Johnny is loved by all. When they don't, his head is the first one to be cut off. Keep up the good work Johnny (Especially if you want to keep all your body parts attached.)

• The young lady of our main staff is the Crew Chief. While the NASCAR side is currently in the Pits undergoing some revamping, the Chief is still busily working away on a storehouse of articles for next season. The Chief has been a racing fan most of her life and has been a regular at both Richmond and Dover the last couple of years. While she can occasionally be a little opinionated (a little?) she has an amazing understanding of the sport, especially for a devout Tony Stewart fan.

• I still don't know who Ranny Knows is. Probably that guy that runs around the office a lot mumbling something about "Invader Zim".

• As I noted earlier, there are many others who work behind the scenes. Some of whom you will be meeting shortly, others of whom we will keep locked up in the vault working. Thanks to all of you.

• As for me? I'm just an ill-tempered, crotchety old man (just ask my kids) who likes to pick on those poor NFL millionaires. (Not to mention fans of the University of MeatChicken, The "ewe" [Ewe-niversity of Miami], the Knitting Lions of Penn State, "Condom U" [Southern Cal Trojans], The Tennessee Titanics, the Cleveland Clowns, and The Cincinnati Bungles, to name a few.) Like Rocket Man, I also went to THE Ohio State University. Unlike Rocket Man, I studied Biology (worthless) and Biochemistry (more worthless). My undergrad years aligned with Archie Grifffin's four seasons (most worthy) however, I received my Masters during Earl Bruce's tenure (pretty worthless except for the '79 team [11-0]).
  

• Biggest thrill: Being at the '78 Gator Bowl and watching Woody nail Clemson player Charlie Baughman (face it Charlie, you deserved it)
  

So that's our story. Hopefully I've answered a few questions and maybe helped you to understand why we confidently say that we have a totally new and different approach to Fantasy Football. One that no one else can hope to duplicate.

That is why we are StatLeader.

Fantasy Football League Running Back Ramblings

Just about every Fantasy Football magazine on the newsstand right now has Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson as the #1 Fantasy Football Running Back. The next three slots are generally filled by Shaun Alexander, Priest Holmes, and Edgerrin James.

From that point down, the numbers degenerate into whatever the gut feeling of the author happens to burp up.

While the final touches are being put on the StatLeader draft package, and given that I'm just as good a burping as any other Fantasy Football writer doing player ratings, here are some thoughts on a few players I would rate in the top ten:

Curtis Martin

• How do you win the NFL rushing title, score 14 TDs, and end up ranked near the bottom of the second ten in most Fantasy Football preview magazines (generally 17th, 18th, or 19th depending on which one you are reading)? Well you shouldn't.

• Martin has an incredible work ethic and an equally incredible attitude, plus, he is consistent. Without LaMont Jordon behind him (taking away roughly a quarter of the carries) and with a full season of a healthy and improving Chad Pennington, Curtis should have no problem coming close to last season's numbers. I would certainly consider him as the 8th or 9th best RB pick this year.

LaMont Jordan

• Speaking of Martin's former backup, now the assumed starter in Oakland, look for a big year in the other city by the bay. Jordan, who frequently "commented" about his lack of playing time with the Jets appears to have the opportunity to get all he wants, and he certainly deserves it.
  

• If Kerry Collins can consistently maintain the form he showed last season with the Raiders and if Randy Moss keeps a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), Jordan looks to have a huge year ahead.

Brian Westbrook

• Like Martin, Westbrook is another RB rated in the low teens by most publications. Sure he didn't break the 1,000 yard mark last year and sure he only got 3 rushing TDs. But ... consider the following:
  

• Westbrook picked up an additional 703 receiving yards and 6 receiving TDs, which in most all fantasy leagues count as much rushing yards and TDs.

• Brian's 2004 numbers were better than his 2003 numbers which, under most Fantasy Football scoring systems, ranked him well within the top ten Fantasy running backs. And by the way, he improved his numbers while playing in two less games .
  

• I'd definitely put Westbrook as a late first round or early second round pick (depending on the number of QBs drafted in the first round.
  

LaDainian Tomlinson

• Will continue to be one of the best, but THE Best? No. Not this year. Why?
  

• I suspect that SD QB Drew Brees will be returning to his more traditional form. Brees' 29 TDs last year were only one less that his total for the previous two seasons. If Brees can't repeat last season's numbers and with Phillip Rivers having about as much NFL game experience as I do, watch for opposing Ds will spend more time keying on LaDainian.
  

And then, ladies and gentleman, we have on the other end of the spectrum:
The entire Miami Dolphins Running Back Corps (or should I say corpse)

• Sammy Morris, Travis Minor, Lamar Gordon, your 2004 Dolphins running backs. Adequate at best (ok, not really adequate).

• The 2005 great hopes? Rookie Ronnie Brown and the return of the mystical, magical Ricky Williams. Yeh, Things are going to be great again in Miami. All this and Nick Saban too. .... Dream on Miami fans.

• First, your current corpse of RBs has already proven their inadequacy. Second, as good as Ricky Williams was (underline was), he won't be available until week 6 (four game suspension plus the Fish have a week 4 bye) and he is reportedly not close to being in shape. Unless he can holistically get himself both physically and mentally ready, he may not even make it off the bench for more than a play or two.
  

• As for Brown ... Sure he is talented, sure he has potential, but he is still a rookie. Plus, he isn't playing behind the best (more likely one of the worst) offensive lines. We wish him the best, and he might be worth a late round pick, just don't expect too much.

First Aid For The NFL's Draft Day Survival Tips (Part 3)

Today we finish our look at the last 4 of the NFL's "Draft Day Survival Tips" as presented on NFL.com and in their Fantasy Football 2005 Preview publication.

As you know I've taken issue with most of the first 6 and with good reason. How will the last 4 fair?

"7. Don't Draft Rookies"

• The advice presented by Mr. Gigliotti (the NFL author) is to not take a chance right now. Wait until the season is well underway to see who will actually play, no matter how promising their pre-season hype might be.

• We say, take a chance. After all, when you get down to the 11th or 12th round, what do you have to lose. A number 4 receiver who may never start for you team? We're not saying draft an entire team of rookies, but if you think there is one who stands out above the rest, then by all means take the chance.

"8. Think Team First"

• The NFL's advice here? "Identify the teams you think will move the ball the best through the air or on the ground, and the teams that will score the most points, then load up accordingly on players from those clubs."

• Great idea except for one minor detail. While you are busy loading up on #3 and #4 WRs from the Colts or #2 and #3 RBs from the Broncos, the rest of the league is busily drafting #1s from other teams.

• Also remember "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword." Maybe you have Peyton, Marvin, Brandon, Reggie and Dallas, and that's great when Manning throws the ball around to everyone. But what about those days when one receiver has a great day and the rest are pretty much along for the ride? Worse yet, what about those days (admittedly rare) when the Colts offense is shut down.

• Now there is nothing wrong with getting a QB-WR combo from a good passing team, just make sure you have at least one other #1 WR on your roster. And remember, while There's no I in team, there is a "me" (... if you rearrange the letters a bit).
  

"9. Bye the Way"

• OK, we agree with this one. Watch your Bye weeks carefully. There is nothing worse than having both your QBs and a #1 WR or RB all having the same Bye week.

"10. Go With Your Gut"

• To a certain point yes. But then, in a sense you are already going with somebody's gut when you follow their recommendations, like those you find in the fantasy publications currently available on the newsstand.

• We think that you need to mix in a certain amount of statistical analysis (actually, a large amount) as well. Given the different scoring systems and general misconceptions that exist about Fantasy Football, you need to have the analysis that helps you understand what's going on in your league.

• Remember yesterday's post on tip number 6? That's exactly what we are talking about here.

We hope you found our take on the NFL's tips useful. Stick with us throughout the season for more.

Surviving the NFLs Draft Day Survival Tips (Part 2)

Yesterday we started destroying...I mean discussing the 10 Fantasy Football "Draft Day Survival Tips" currently posted on NFL.com and also presented in the NFL.com Fantasy Football 2005 Preview Magazine.

If you read yesterday's post you know that I took issue with many of the things Mr. Gigliotti (the author) said in the first five of the 10 tips. If you didn't read yesterday's post, stop right here, scroll down, and read it first. (Shame on you!)

Today, I plan to take issue with item #6. So lets get right to it!

"6. The Best Defense Is a Good Offense"

• We're told, "If you don't draft your kickers last, make it the team defense that you draft last." The logic continues that defenses are so unpredictable from year-to-year that it just isn't worth using an earlier round pick. Sound advice? Sorry, not even close. Want some proof? Great, let's look at the NFL's own fantasy game.

• According to their rules, league contains 12 teams with 14 players per team. Their auto draft provides space for two kickers and two team defenses (live draft is one kicker and two Ds). If you follow the advice listed above that means, absolute best case, you will be drafting your defenses no better than round 11 in the auto draft and round 12 in the live draft (that means 120 players already picked in the auto draft and 132 in the live draft).

• Now let's look at how team defenses performed last year based on the NFL's own Fantasy Football scoring system. Through 15 games of the 2004 season:
• Baltimore had earned a total of 294 points.
• Buffalo - 282 points
• Lowly Cleveland - 176 points

• Now remember, to make the NFL's draft tip #6 valid, roughly 120 players would have to have better point totals that the best of the team defenses. So how did they do?

• Baltimore's 294 points ranks them in 4th place overall just ahead of Trent Green (288 points) and behind #3 Donovan McNabb (340 points).

• Buffalo with 282 would come in at #7 (not counting Baltimore) ahead of Shaun Alexander (275 points) and slightly behind #6 Drew Brees (284 points).

• So where did the Clowns defense come in. Well, you can't win them all ... or can you? Cleveland's 176 points still placed them in a tie for 39th place with Billy Volek, and ahead of such names as Reuben Droughns (174) and Jerome Bettis (174).

• How about the absolute worst team defense. Again going by the NFL's own Fantasy Football scoring system, that would be Oakland with 111 points. So did the Raiders make it into the top 120? Absolutely! They finished in a tie for 88th position with Dallas TE Jason Witten and ahead of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Kurt Warner, Alge Crumpler, and Julius Jones to name a few.

Now I don't have Rocket Man's head for numbers (By the way, thanks RM for the data), but I can sure as heck see that a good (or even an average) defense is going to get you a lot more points that a 10th round #3 or #4 WR or RB.

Once again, this just goes to show you how important it is to understand your game's scoring system, or better yet, to have someone like us that will do it for you.

Take our audio tour!

NFL Fantasy Football Draft Day Survival Tips Can Leave You LOST

NFL.Com has posted their 10 step survival kit for everyone's upcoming fantasy football draft. This is the same kit found in their NFL.com Fantasy Football 2005 Preview. Now, we really like the NFL (especially since we probably wouldn't be in business without them), but don't you think the premier football organization in the universe should be giving you the best possible draft information?

Well, they would have if they had just checked with us first. (Like old Walter Brennan used to say in The Guns of Will Sonnett, "No brag, Just fact!")

Lets look at their tips and tell you the way things really are.

"1. Know Your League's Rules"

• At least they got one right. We agree completely. In fact, we told you in our Introduction to Fantasy Football series (see the 6/01/05 - 6/30/05 archive) how important a knowledge your league's rules and scoring system is to your chances of success.

"2. Read Up"

• Read up, but read smartly. It's true that you need to keep abreast of all the most current player movements. However, remember that just because the source reporting the information may be knowledgeable doesn't mean that their opinions are valid for your league. In other words (and keeping with the family values of this site) opinions are like arm pits. Everyone has a couple and they usually stink.

• Lets look at defenses. Just because a team has a defense that ranks #1 in points allowed and yards allowed (making them every writers all world D) doesn't mean they are worth squat in you league. They may be, but then again they may not. Likewise, just because a team has a lousy defense doesn't mean they won't score a ton of points under your specific Fantasy Football scoring system. Want some proof?
  

• In their own publication the NFL ranks Buffalo as the #11 Defense. Yet, under scoring systems such as that used by EA Sports Fantasy Football the Bill's outscored #1 Baltimore in total season points 185 to 161. Why? because EA Sports Fantasy Leagues along with other leagues such as Best Buy Fantasy Football use scoring systems that don't take into account points and yards allowed. Rather, they are based only on turnovers (No Miami fans, not that type of turnover), and defensive TDs scored.

• Want another example? OK, ESPN's Fantasy Football 2005 lists KC WR Dante Hall as 104th out of the 112 they rank. Might sound reasonable unless, of course, you happened to be playing ESPN's own Yardage Only game in which Hall was the third best point producer in the league, finishing just ahead of Peyton Manning.

• Oh, by the way, speaking of keeping current, the NFL's Fantasy Football 2005 Preview lists Minnesota's Ontario Smith as the #31 ranked RB. Pretty good since he'll be watching all the games on TV this year. (See why your $14.95 is better spent with us)
  

"3. Make Your Early Picks Count"

• Really? Gosh, we never thought of that one. Why I always draft the likes of a Jerricho Cotchery (who?) in the first round rather than someone like Priest Holmes or Daunte Culpepper. Come on guys, if we haven't figured this one out by now we shouldn't be playing the game.

"4. Draft Your Running Backs First"

• Sorry fellows, but we don't agree. OK maybe generally, but not necessarily in the first round. While it is a common misconception that the RBs are the biggest scorers in Fantasy Football, (with apologies to Cole Porter) it ain't necessarily so. In the leagues we covered last year, here is how the QBs finished:

• ESPN League Manager: 7 out of the top 11 and 10 of the top 16 point scorers
• ESPN Traditional: 8 out of the top 11
• ESPN Performance: 5 of the top 10, 10 of the top 16
• ESPN Yardage: 4 of the top 10 and 6 of the top 12
• Yahoo Default: 9 of the top 10
• CBS Sportsline: 9 of the top 11
• Fox / Sporting News: 6 of the top 10 and 10 of the top 15
• AOL Fantasy Football: 7 of the top 10 and 11 of the top 15 point scorers
  

• Pretty convincing numbers. (Want to know who they were, and who those few others to crack the top 10 were? Sorry, for members only [Hint: Click here and Join Now]). Also, the drop off in RBs just isn't that great any more. Too many good ones out there.
  

"5. Draft Your Kickers Last"

• Late maybe, but not last. Face it, in a ten team league with each team drafting three RBs and four receivers, you're looking at an Antwaan Randle El, an Eric Moulds, or a Tyrone Calico in the later rounds. Are you seriously going to take one of these guys when you could have a Mike Vanderjagt or an Adam Vinatieri? Personally, I'd probably draft a TE or a backup WR last.
  

Tomorrow we'll debunk...errr...discuss the remaining five myths...I mean...ahh...items on the NFL list.

Your Fantasy League Football Tight End Should Be...

Good question. Until recently, the almost unanimous answer would have been KC's Tony Gonzalez. This year things are a little different. Sure Tony is still a top pick, but the list now includes names like San Diego's Antonio Gates, Dallas' Jason Witten, and, of course, anyone playing TE on the Colts. Here are a few thoughts:

Tony G.:

• Always one of the best. Between his own talent and the KC offense, you simply can't lose by picking him.

Antonio Gates:

• Don't be surprised if Gates numbers fall off just a little bit this year. Why? First, we're not that confident that Drew Brees repeat last season's performance. Second, even if Brees can equal or surpass last year's numbers, he'll have a better group of receivers to work with this year. More targets means less opportunities for Gates. We still expect his numbers to be excellent, just not quite as excellent as last season.

Jason Witten:

• We think Witten is in for an even bigger year than he had in '04. Face it, the Dallas receiving corps doesn't exactly strike terror into the heart of opposing defenses. Meanwhile the Cowboys' suspect line won't give new QB Drew Bledsoe much time to throw. Combine these items with the fact the Bledsoe is known to like throwing to his TEs and what have you got? That's right, big numbers for Witten.

Dallas Clark:

• A semi sleeper. People will forget about Clark, but there is one important thing to remember. He put up respectable numbers last season while splitting time with Marcus Pollard. With Pollard having gone off to Detroit, Clark should have all the playing time he wants. While Manning may never repeat his numbers from 2004, you know he is still going to through for a bunch this year. While most will go to his WRs, Manning will be sure his TEs get their fair share.

Kellen "Evil Knevil" Winslow:

• Just another reason why I like "The Ewe" (Ewe-niversity of Miami) about as much as The University of MeatChicken (say it out loud). Winslow's irresponsible actions during the off-season have accomplished one thing - assuring that his 2005 fantasy football point production in all leagues will equal his IQ.

More on TEs a little later

EA Sports Fantasy Football

I know I promised you that we would look at Best Buy Fantasy Football as our next installment of the different games we track and recommend. However, the 2005 Best Buy Fantasy Football site still has not been activated and we don't want to post any information until we have a chance to verify their scoring system for this year. So, rather than Best Buy Fantasy Football, we bring you EA Sports Fantasy Football.

EA Sports offers two levels of Fantasy Football, Team Owner at $9.99 and Commissioner at $49.99. Team Owner gives you one team and places you in a 12-team league. The Commissioner level makes you the commish of up to a 32 team league. Commissioner level also provides customized scoring and rules. You can find both at:

http://www.easports.com/fantasy/home.jsp

EA Sports offers you two scoring systems (Standard or Yardage), one of which you must pick when signing up for the game. They work as follows:

STANDARD SCORING SYSTEM

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Passing:

• 1 point for every 25 yards passing
• 3 points for every passing TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion
  

Rushing:

• 1 point for every 10 yards rushing
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion

Receiving

• 1 point for every 10 yards receiving
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion

KICKERS

• 1 point for every Extra Point
• 3 points for every FG

TEAM DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

• 6 points for a TD
• 2 points for each interception
• 2 points for each fumble recovered
• 2 points for each safety
• 1 point for every sack
  

YARDAGE SCORING SYSTEM

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Passing:

• 1 point for every 25 yards passing
• 3 points for every passing TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion
• 3 points for 50+ yard TD
• 2 points for every 300 yards passing
  

Rushing:

• 1 point for every 10 yards rushing
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion
• 3 points for 50+ yard TD
• 2 points for every 100 yards rushing

Receiving

• 1 point for every 10 yards receiving
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 1 point for every 2-point conversion
• 3 points for 50+ yard TD
• 2 points for every 100 yards receiving

KICKERS

• 1 point for every Extra Point
• 3 points for every FG
• 1 bonus point for every FG: 40 - 49 yards
• 2 bonus points for every FG: 50+ yards

TEAM DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

• 6 points for a TD
• 2 points for each interception
• 2 points for each fumble recovered
• 2 points for each safety
• 1 point for every sack
• 3 points for 50+ yard TD

Three things to note in these systems:

1. QBs only earn 3 points for a passing TD. This shifts the advantage some towards the QBs who run it in a lot.
2. There are no penalties for turnovers.
3. Scoring and yardage gained by the opposing offense is not a factor in either the standard or yardage scoring systems. Go for the teams that get a lot of turnovers and score defensive TDs no matter how many points or yards they give up.

Remember, we do all the analysis and point projections for you. In other words, we'll tell you who is and will be the best under this and every other system we track. But...to get this information you have to be a member.

Click here to sign up here for a full years worth of the best statistical analysis and projections, general information and, a lot of just plain fun.

Next game we'll look at:

• CBS Sportsline - MSN Fantasy Football. (Don't worry, we'll keep checking on Best Buy Fantasy Football)

Wide Receiver Thoughts For Your Fantasy Football League

As the 2005 season grows ever nearer and team rosters begin to take shape, we wanted to look at the WR situation as it stands now. Several WRs have changed teams while others have moved up to fill their spaces. How do we feel about some of these moves? Glad you asked:

Randy Moss:

• Obviously the biggest name in Wides to move. Going to Oakland after his antics and attitude wore out his welcome in Minnesota. So what is in store for Mr. Moss in Raider Town? We don't see that big of a change in Randy's overall numbers. What may become an issue is consistency. Not because of Moss, but rather his QB Kerry Collins.
  
• While Collins has some great days, he is not a Daunte Culpepper. Collins has always had consistency problems, one week making Peyton Manning look like a rookie, and the next looking like he's never played the game before.
  
• Having Moss around should certainly help Collins but not enough to stop those kamikaze games he routinely has. With those will come corresponding dips in Randy's numbers. Bottom Line, Expect about the same total season stats from Moss, but with a lot more up and down variation week-to-week basis.

Santana Moss:

• Sticking with the Moss name, Santana has moved from the Big Apple to the Beltway. Injured a lot of last year Moss hopes to bounce back this year under Joe Gibbs leadership. Unfortunately, we see Moss just having traded one handicap for another. Last year it was physical injury, this year Patrick Ramsey.
• Hopefully, Ramsey's game will have matured some. Having Moss along with the other new kids on the block (David Patten and James Thrash) and returning Grumpy Bear Rod Gardner certainly won't hurt either. But Ramsey has yet to prove himself under fire and backup Mark Brunell can be about as worthless as...well...you know.
• Bottom line for Moss (and Thrash, and Patten) expect an average year at best. Until the pecking order is established in DC, none of this group should be more than a #3 WR.

Muhsin Muhammad:

• The big question here is why would Muhsin committ career suicide by going to Chicago. Face it, the Bear's had the worst passing attack last year and even with Rex Grossman returning don't figure to be much better.
• Muhammad, meanwhile, out performed himself in every category last year. Can he do it again in the Windy City? Doubtful.
• The only thing we can think of is that he know his numbers would fall off dramatically this year and figured he could explain it better if he just happened to be in Chicago.

Will look at some more WRs in our next post.

Fantasy League Football Running Back Situation Gets A Little Murkier

The trade of former Bills RB Travis Henry (pending successful completion of his physical) to Tennessee helps to only further cloud the fantasy football owner's options at running back for the 2005 season.


After a few clear choices for #1 RB picks (Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander, etc), fantasy owners are increasingly faced with trying to figure out who to pick as a #2. Questions abound:

• Will Cedrick Benson put Thomas Jones on the bench in Chicago?
  
• Probably but not likely this year
  
• Is Steven Jackson going to continue to take more of Marshall Faulk's playing time?
  
• Yes
  
• Who will start (or for that matter play the most) in Cleveland, Reuben Droughns, William Green, or Lee Suggs?
• Look for Droughns to start but watch for Green to take over of Reuben doesn't produce
  

Now we get to add another question mark. Travis Henry or Chris Brown?

I've had both Henry and Brown on my fantasy teams over the past couple of years and they are great producers...when healthy. Henry has proven that he can gut it out when hurt, playing several games with a broken leg in '03. On the flip side, he has not made it through the past few seasons uninjured.

Brown has also had injury problems that have limited his value. Between hamstring problems and turf toe, Brown lost a fair amount of playing time and frequently left fantasy owners with a "game time decision"

Obviously, having both Brown and Henry gives Tennessee a great 1-2 punch. While this may be the optimal (that means "best" for our University of Miami readers) situation for the Titanics, it only serves to make our lives more difficult. Meanwhile, our thoughts:

• Expect Jeff Fisher to keep Brown as his starter. However, in a effort to keep Brown healthy and fresh, Fisher will use Henry frequently. Sooner or later, Brown will still suffer one of his famous "nagging" injuries giving Henry the starting job, at least for a little while.

Good Luck with this one.

Another Fantasy League Football Game Added To Our List

We are pleased to announce that we are adding yet another Fantasy Football game to the list of those for which we will be providing player ratings and point projections.

The newest Fantasy Football game(s)? EA Sports Team Owner Fantasy Football and Commissioner Fantasy Football.

We'll provide an analysis of their scoring systems shortly (they have two "Standard" and "Yardage")

EA Sports thus becomes the latest addition to a list that already includes such other games as AOL Fantasy Football, CBS Sportsline Fantasy Football, several ESPN Fantasy Football games, Yahoo Fantasy Football, as well as FOX, Sporting News, Yahoo, WCOFF and more.

Remember, we are the only ones who tell you on a weekly basis not only how your players have been doing, but also what their projected points for each upcoming game based on you specific league's scoring system.

Get this and more (including our unique draft package) for only $14.95 for a full year. Sign up now, you won't be sorry.

Fantasy League Football Owners Not Playing Pacman

Just when you think that things can't get any worse for the image of the NFL (National Felons League) and in particular for the Tennessee Titanics, here we go again.

The first defensive player taken in this year's draft and yet another in a string of current or former Titanic players has run afoul of the law. Adam "Pacman" Jones, picked to help fill the void left by the departure of Samari Rolle (one of those other Titanics to have run afoul...) has given himself up to the Nashville police who had arrest warrants for simple (simple?) assault and vandalism.

What is it about the NFL and Tennessee in particular that breeds this type of activity?

I don't recall seeing comparable numbers of baseball or basketball players ending up in the slammer. You could say (likely opening yourself up to some fierce debates) that these other sports aren't inherently (look it up Miami fans) as violent as the NFL. However, even hockey players, who have had an entire year off, don't behave like this.

As for Tennessee, you can't blame it on the city. I've been to Nashville several times and have found it to be a delightful place with plenty of fun things to keep the average person entertained (let alone the idle rich). Perhaps Titanics management is just picking the wrong individuals.

As for you Mr. "Pacman", you're off to a great start young fellow. What a way to set a fine example for all those young fans that look up to you. Meanwhile, you're helping muddy the waters for the poor fantasy football league owners who are trying to assess the Titanics 2005 defense as a whole and your particular value as an individual defensive player (IDP).

Two final thoughts:

To the Tennessee Titanics organization - Start checking the rap sheets of your prospective players before signing any contracts.

To Mr. "Pacman" - As you run around the games of football and of life, try gobbling up a little self control, some responsibility, and a bit of humility. They'll serve you much better than the bonus cherries, oranges and bananas that you have come across so far.

Even Better Fantasy League Football Ratings, Analysis, and Projections

As most of you know StatLeader.com is known for bringing you not only the most unique player ratings and league analysis in the Fantasy Football world but also the most accurate league specific player point projections for the upcoming weeks games.

Our resident rocket scientist (Rocket Man) has been busily working away on upgrades to all those "things" he understands that the rest of us don't in preparation for our August 1 draft package release. Bottom line, he has stated emphatically that this year's projections will be a cut above the already great ones we had last year.

I've known Rocket Man for most of his 50+ years, and he doesn't state anything emphatically unless he is both enthusiastic and confident about whatever it is he is doing.

So, whether you are in a Yahoo Fantasy Football league, Best Buy Fantasy League, Fox Sports, CBS Sportsline, NFL, or any of the other fantasy leagues we track, if you want to win your fantasy league football, we can help.

Like I told you earlier, for the price of only two of those newsstand magazines, you can get a full season of our unique analysis and point projections.

Sign up now and get the StatLeader advantage.

Win your Fantasy Football League!

No matter which fantasy football league you join - most of us join to win!

Yes it is fun to compete against your friends, co-workers, or arch-enemies - but it is a lot more fun if you are winning than if you are bringing up the rear.

The key to winning your fantasy football league generally revolves around one simple concept.

• You need to have players that are performing!

That knowledge is the easy part. Fielding a team that can compete in your fantasy football league is a little harder.

Your first shot at fielding a quality team is the draft. Subsequently, you may be able to trade your way into some quality players. Most of us, however, frequently find that players we pick up as free agents during the year often save our seasons!

StatLeader.com provides player projections based upon projected and actual player performance applied to fantasy football league specific scoring systems. Members have access to live on-line cheat sheets, player projections, and StatLeader.com player recommendations each week - and they are specifically tailored to the major fantasy football league providers. Each week of the season we will be projecting player points so that you can tell who to start/sit, who to drop/pick-up, and more.

So, if you want to win your fantasy football league, find a provider of quality player point projections based on more than "what they did last year."

Join StatLeader.com. We're all about Fantasy Football!

NFL.com Fantasy Football another Free Fantasy Football game and League Manager 2005 (not free)

OK, now that I've finished trashing Dolphins TE Randy McMichael, it's time to continue with our pre-season look at the Fantasy Football games for which we will be performing our unique brand of analysis and point prediction.

Today's games (like you couldn't figure it out from the title of the post) are NFL.com's Fantasy 2005 and League Manager 2005.

Starting with the price. While NFL.com Fantasy 2005 is free, League Manager will run you $129.95 per league through August 17. After that the price goes up to $149.95.

You can sign up for the Fantasy 2005 free game at:

http://football.nfl.com/splash/football/nfl/single

or, League Manager 2005 at:

http://football.nfl.com/splash/football/nfl/mgmt

We will be covering only the default scoring system used by both Fantasy 2005 and League Manager 2005. (Note: League manager 2005 asks you to set your scoring system as part of the league creation process. The default will come up automatically. If you want our analysis and projection to work for you specific league, make sure the setting match the ones listed below. This includes the fact that no bonuses are to be used).

The scoring system:

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Passing:

• 1 point for every 25 yards passing
• 6 points for every passing TD
• Minus two points (-2) for every interception thrown
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble lost

Rushing:

• 1 point for every 10 yards rushing
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble los

Receiving

• 1 point for every 10 yards receiving
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble los

KICKERS

• 1 point for every Extra Point
• 3 points for every FG: 1 - 49 yards
• 5 points for every FG: 50+ yards

TEAM DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

• 6 points for a 6 TD
• 2 points for each interception
• 2 points for each fumble recovered
• 2 points for each safety
• 1 point for each sack
  
• 8 points for 0-6 points allowed
• 6 points for 7-13 points allowed
• 4 point for 14-20 points allowed
• 2 points for 21-27 points allowed
• 0 points for 27+ points allowed
• 12 points for less than 0-49 yards allowed
  
• 10 points for 50-99 yards allowed
• 8 points for 100-149 yards allowed
• 6 points for 150-199 yards allowed
• 4 points for 200-249 yards allowed
• 2 points for 250-299 yards allowed
• 0 points for 300+ yards allowed

Oh, and one more thing, this game awards prizes, To the top three "Championship Ratios" (a mathematical formula almost worthy of Rocket Man) for all leagues will win:

• First Prize: A trip for two to Super Bowl XL (That's 40 for our Miami fans) in Detroit (wow...),
• Second prize: A trip to NYC for the 2006 draft
• Third Prize: A VIP trip for two to the 2006 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

As usual, we will provide you with all the customizes ranking and player point projections as part of our "Member's Only" draft package.

As for the next game we will be examining - Last year's new kid and one of the most successful on the block, Best Buy Fantasy Football.

StatLeader.com:We're all about Fantasy Football

Time Out - McMichael In (The slammer that is)

A brief Time Out from our Fantasy Football scoring analysis to report on yet another member of the NFL (National Felons League) arrested for allegedly (Miami fans, that means: "They think he done it but they ain't proved it yet.") hitting his wife.

Dolphins TE Randy McMichael supposedly gave his 22-year-old wife a bloody nose earlier this month. Mrs. M. has indicated that the contact happened accidentally while McMichael was throwing some of her personal belongings out of the car.

According to four witnesses, McMichael's efforts to clean out the car also included throwing Mrs. McMichael out of the vehicle. In fact, one witness stated that McMichael threw her away from the car "several times".

Opinion:

Will somebody please get the season started so that these brainless (despite having allegedly [there's that word again Miami Fans] attended college) hulks can find someone else to beat up. One of our headlines after the Super Bowl last February (after another NFL player was arrested for roughing up his wife) read "When you can't hit the guys any more...". It is just as valid now as it was then.

It takes a big man to hit a woman doesn't it Randy? If you really did do this, you should ask yourself "Who's next?" Here, I'll give you a little help. Go down to the orphanage or perhaps to the local senior citizens home. There you can find lots of helpless people, kids, old ladies in wheelchairs, and so on. They're about as able to defend themselves against an NFL player as someone like, oh say, maybe your wife.

Reports are that alcohol was involved (isn't it always). If the charges are proven to be correct, one thing is certain. McMichael won't miss a single game because of this and...Miami fans, so desperate for a winning season, won't care.

Oh, one more thing. This is the second time McMichael has been arrested for hitting his wife. The other? 13 months ago when he was initially charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman. Still think those old ladies in the wheelchairs are safe?

StatLeader.com: We're all about Fantasy Football

AOL Fantasy Football League Manager and Fanball Fantasy Football Commissioner Scoring System

Today we will look at two games that share the same scoring system: AOL Fantasy Football League Manager and Fanball Fantasy Football Commissioner.

The AOL Fantasy Football League Manager is significantly different from last year's game. Working with Fanball, they have greatly enhanced their game options.

AOL's game is not only free but includes a significant number of features that would cost you extra in games offered by other sites (as they gleefully point out to you). Perhaps most importantly, you do not have to be an AOL member to play. You can find more information at:

AOL Fantasy Football

Fanball, who has been developing games for numerous other sites (notably Best Buy Fantasy Football) will cost you $59.95 for the entire league. They also offer numerous extras. You can check out their game at:

http://www.fanball.com/commissioner/index.cfm

When setting up your league in either game (the process is identical) you are given several choices as to scoring options. We have listed the default "Passing" options below as an example:

Passing Point Scoring Options (pick one only):

• Basic 1 (3 pts for passing TD; Nothing for yards; 1 pt for conversion)
• Basic 2 (4 pts for passing TD; Nothing for yards; 2 pts for conversion)
• Basic 3 (6 pts for passing TD; Nothing for yards; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 1 (3 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 150 yds; 1 pt for conversion)
• Yardage 2 (4 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 150 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 3 (6 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 150 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 4 (3 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 100 yds; 1 pt for conversion)
• Yardage 5 (4 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 100 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 6 (6 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 100 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 7 (3 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 50 yds; 1 pt for conversion)
• Yardage 8 (4 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 50 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Yardage 9 (6 pts for passing TD; 1 pt for every 50 yds; 2 pts for conversion)
• Milestone (3 pts per TD; 3 pts upon reaching 300 yds; 1 pt for conversion)
• Distance 1 (3 pts per TD <> pts per TD 25-49 yds; 5 pts per TD 50+; 1 pt for conversion)
• Distance 2 (3 pts per TD <> pts per TD 10-19 yds; 5 pts per TD 20-29 yds; etc.; 1 pt for conversion)

Similar choices are available for the remaining offensive categories, Kickers, Special Teams, and Defenses.

Obviously rating players in this system will be based on which one you pick. With so many different categories, it is almost impossible to evaluate all possible combinations of scoring options for the different categories (unless you are us, of course).

Our draft package will cover these systems in a surprisingly simple form. How? Well, you'll just have to sign up to see.

Next up: NFL.com Fantasy Football

StatLeader.com: We're all about Fantasy Football

Yahoo Fantasy Football and Fantasy Football Plus Scoring System

Next up on our list of Fantasy Football games that we will be tracking this year is Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football.

You can sign up for the free Yahoo! game at http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1

Yahoo!'s Fantasy Football Plus can be reached at http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f2This game will cost you $24.99 per team. As commissioner you can set up a league of up to 20 teams for $124.99. The Fantasy Football Plus game includes such extras as the real-time scoring package "StatTracker" and prizes for the league winners (A championship League Plaque or Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Plus Championship T-Shirt.

The default scoring system for both games is as follows:

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Passing:

• 1 point for every 50 yards passing
• 6 points for every passing TD
• Minus two points (-2) for every interception thrown
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
  

Rushing:

• 1 point for every 20 yards rushing
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion

Receiving

• 1 point for every 20 yards receiving
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion

Other Offense Items:

• 6 points for any TD scored by recovered or returned fumbles, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble lost

KICKERS

• 1 point for every Extra Point
• 3 points for every FG: 0 - 39 yards
• 4 points for every FG: 40 - 49 yards
• 5 points for every FG: 50+ yards

TEAM DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

• 6 points for a TD
• 2 points for each interception
• 2 points for each fumble recovered
• 2 points for each safety
• 2 points for a blocked punt, PAT, or FG
• 10 points for a shutout
• 7 points for 1-6 points allowed
• 4 points for 7-13 points allowed
• 1 point for 14-20 points allowed
• 0 points for 21-27 points allowed
• Minus 1 point (-1) for 28-34 points allowed
• Minus 4 points (-4) for 35+

This system contains several differences from the ESPN Fantasy Football scoring systems we looked at earlier.

Biggest among these is the 6/6/6 (Rushing/Receiving/Passing) TD point system vs. ESPN's 6/6/4. Putting the passing TD at the same value as the rushing TD removes any advantage that QBs who score rushing TDs would have in the ESPN system.

On the flip side of the coin, this system de-emphasizes the QBs passing yards slightly vs. the ESPN system. Additional differences exist in the defensive point scheme as well. Fortunately, for our members, we'll do all the work on evaluating who performs best under this system. All you have to do is have fun using the resulting information we provide to kick your opponents...well...posterior.

StatLeader.com: We're all about Fantasy Football

Are You Spending Your Fantasy Football Money Wisely?

It's that time of year. That time when the Fantasy Football pre-season magazines hit the newsstand.