| If you want to dominate your home, friend's or | | | | - Could Matt Forte and Jay Cutler have bounce back |
| work's fantasy football league then this article will | | | | years with Martz at the helm? |
| teach you three strategies that will help you lock up | | | | You should do this step as close to your draft as |
| the big bucks! When I bring up a specific player it is | | | | possible. That way you can make adjustments for |
| more of an example than suggestion, because | | | | pre season injuries, hold outs or depth chart changes. |
| anything can happen on the field. You control what | | | | 3. Draft Day Checklist: You got your research done |
| happens off it though! | | | | and you are heading to drat day, what do you bring? |
| These general strategies will ensure you show up on | | | | - Your cheat Sheets: You just spent days creating |
| draft day prepared to dominate. | | | | them so use them. This includes bringing one big |
| 1. Rules and Scoring: Learn the rules and scoring of | | | | master list of all your ranked players. Keep your head |
| your specific league. This is imperative. You should | | | | in the game by highlighting everyone that goes. |
| know the answers to all of these following questions: | | | | - Latest List of Team Depth Chart's: Just in case you |
| - How many people do you draft? | | | | are scrambling in late rounds |
| - How many of each position do you start? | | | | - A list of handcuffs: These are players who will be |
| - Is it a Points-Per-Reception (PPR) league? | | | | thrust into fantasy prominence by an injury to a |
| - Does return yardage count? | | | | starter. If you have an injury prone player you might |
| - How many points for a QB touchdown? | | | | want to "handcuff" him to his replacement. If |
| - How many point do I lose for an interception? | | | | someone else drafted an injury prone player you |
| - Is it a keeper league? | | | | might want to grab his handcuff just to stick it to |
| You need to know these questions because all of | | | | him. |
| the answers will effect how you do your research | | | | - A list of player bye weeks: You don't want to have |
| and rank your choices. In a PPR league, WR's | | | | all our bye weeks all at once. |
| suddenly rise in value and so do pass catching running | | | | - A blank list of everyone else's teams: This can be |
| backs. Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew might | | | | huge, I always bring a list that has everyone in the |
| be more valuable than, say, Adrian Peterson in a PPR | | | | pool listed with the positions under their name. When |
| league. | | | | they take a certain position I check it off. This can |
| If your league is PPR and counts return yards, then a | | | | be huge because if you notice everyone already has |
| guy like Reggie Bush will probably go a round or two | | | | a starting QB then you might be able to hold off on |
| earlier than in a league without those rules. In many | | | | your QB and build depth elsewhere. If you do this |
| leagues QBs get 4pts a touchdown. In a standard set | | | | step you will instantly be ahead of the general |
| up where they get 6pts a TD, they are obviously | | | | population. |
| more valuable. | | | | - Drinks: Bring whatever your drink of choice is. Even |
| Some leagues even start two QBs, so you will have | | | | if you are drinking alcohol, there is nothing wrong with |
| to remember to grab an extra QB. In fact, you | | | | bringing a bottle of water. Having water on hand |
| should know all your starting positions so you can | | | | could mean you get to keep your comfy seat. I |
| ensure you get a quality starter at each position. | | | | would refrain from using that bottle to also relieve |
| In keeper leagues sometimes youth and upside | | | | yourself though. That's too far. |
| override production. Sure you might be able to draft | | | | - Arrive Early: You want a good seat so arrive early. I |
| Cedric Benson, but wouldn't Ryan Matthews have | | | | know people that actually put lawn chairs in the trunk |
| way more upside for future years? These are the | | | | of their car just in case the home owner runs out of |
| type of questions you have to ask yourself. | | | | seats. |
| When you understand the rules of your league then | | | | - Bring a clipboard - Good chance you won't be at a |
| you can start researching players. If you are in a PPR | | | | table, so you better bring a clip board. You will get |
| league instead of Googling "2010 Fantasy Football | | | | made fun of, but it will help. |
| Rankings" try searching for "2010 Fantasy Football | | | | - Different Colored Highlighters: These can be handy |
| PPR rankings". Also use common sense, if you are in | | | | if you want to identify potential sleepers or value for |
| a league that has an emphasis on a certain skill set | | | | an upcoming pick. Also good to use to highlight your |
| position, then players that bring that to the table will | | | | master list. You don't want to be scratching things |
| rise in value. | | | | out in a fantasy draft. |
| 2. Research: Now that you know how to start | | | | - Sense of Humor: You better bring your sense of |
| researching - do it. Make your own cheat sheets. | | | | humor because there will be little mess-ups along the |
| Don't just use the Yahoo rankings. You can find free | | | | way. There will also be people like me chirping about |
| rankings in many places: | | | | your picks. I am not above playing mind games. A |
| - games.espn.go.com/frontpage/football | | | | little friendly badgering is always fun. You can also try |
| - nfl.com/fantasy | | | | to play mind games to make sure someone you |
| - fftoolbox.com/ | | | | want to choose isn't drafted. |
| - fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball | | | | - Bring your brain: Make sure you bring your brain as |
| - walterfootball.com/fantasy.php | | | | well, that means you pick a defense second last and |
| - bleacherreport.com/fantasy-football | | | | a kicker last. |
| - sportingnews.com/fantasy/football | | | | 4. Play The waiver wire wisely: Now that the draft is |
| - footballguys.com/ | | | | done use the waiver wire properly. You NEVER |
| There are way more sites to look at but that gives | | | | waste your waiver on a kicker or defense. Wait until |
| you a good start. Go over as many of these | | | | the waiver wire is over (usually Wednesday) and |
| rankings as possible and create your own list keeping | | | | then pick up a kicker or defense for the bye week |
| in mind nothing but these above (or other) sites. | | | | or as a replacement. You only use your waiver wire |
| Then go through that list and rearrange based on | | | | on people who can really improve your team. The |
| your leagues rules. Use common sense and more | | | | perfect time is when a starter gets injured and a |
| specific rankings (like PPR rankings) to arrange your | | | | quality back up is available. |
| original list. | | | | These four strategies will place you heads and |
| Once you have that list you can take it one step | | | | shoulders about the average fantasy player. If you |
| further by digging into your targets. Read up on | | | | are looking to dominate your work or home league |
| coaching changes: | | | | then remember to know your rules, research, show |
| - Saints' Defense came up big last year after | | | | up prepared on draft day and play the wire wavier |
| changing defensive coordinators. | | | | like a violin. Now that you have read this article, put it |
| - Jets had a good fantasy D with the arrival of Rex | | | | into practice and enjoy an exciting fantasy football |
| Ryan. | | | | season. |