Before getting into the latest fantasy injuries . . . About 2 1/2 years ago I mentioned a new book I'd "written." "Written" is in quotes because the book is more of a "What the--" gimmick than a literary contribution. It's like a coffee table book where people come over, see it, and just for a split-second think it's real.
With the holidays around the corner, I'm mentioning it one more time in case you're desperately looking for a $10 stocking stuffer that your loved one probably will hate.
The book is called "The 14th Annual Registry of Fantasy Sports Champions: 1986 Edition." Had fantasy sports been a national phenomenon back then, a fantasy registry might have looked something like this. In addition to tens of thousands of winner names, its content includes a few dozen "featured champion" blurbs that diehard fantasy managers might relate to, like these two:
* Featured Champion *
Max Pedraza
“Mad Max: Beyond Thundersticks”
Ketchikan, Alaska
Mr. Pedraza cruised to an easy first place finish against his 11 co-workers at Pedraza and Peterson Accounting Services. Led by Major League Baseball’s top three home run hitters—Jesse Barfield, Mike Schmidt, and Mike Kingman—Mad Max: Beyond Thundersticks triumphed in nine of 10 categories. Mr. Pedraza’s only blemish was a third place finish in complete games, as Bruce Hurst and Mike Moore mustered only 11 each.
* Featured Champion *
Malik Tomasi
“Halley’s Hail Marys”
Seattle, Washington
A coffee barista in one of six Seattle stores called Starbucks, Mr. Tomasi dreams of someday working for a large computer company like Commodore International. In the meantime, he dreams big in the fantasy world, jotting down hundreds of mock drafts each offseason to test his decision-making skills. That big thinking translated into grabbing the Bears defense in the seventh round, the Giants defense in the eighth, and the 49ers defense in the 10th. In the title game, with only three defenses available on waivers, Mr. Tomasi’s opponent was forced to start a bottom-third Jets defense that went on to yield 52 points to the Bengals, translating to negative-four points. Mr. Tomasi’s preseason gutsiness paid off.
If these anecdotes ring true, you might enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed "writing" it.
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Now on to more pressing things, like injuries ravaging real and fantasy teams. It's still a bit too early in the week to know how various questionable tags will play out. But I can tell you what's going through my mind as waivers hit this morning.
With Josh Jacobs' Week 15 in doubt, Mike Evans essentially out for the year, and Odell Beckham, Jr. packing his bags, I'll need some high-powered fill-ins in my matchup against Jaders Calcano. Jaders has an unforgiving lineup that includes Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams, and George Kittle, along with high-upside starters like Philip Lindsay, Kenyan Drake, and Adam Thielen. Over the past two weeks I stockpiled three more QBs to block him from making a significant upgrade there, so he's rolling with either Jared Goff (@ Dallas) or Jacoby Brissett (@ NO). Since I'm starting Russell Wilson, that appears to be my one clear advantage; I'll need Wilson to come up big to compensate for losses elsewhere.
So if you're like me and need fresh flex firepower, here's where my head's at. Since this is a 14-team league, my RB options are slim-to-none. Boston Scott is the best available, but if Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders are active, he's probably worthless. Kerryon Johnson is available if I'm willing to stash him for Week 16, though his return isn't automatic for a team that's simply playing out the season.
If you're in a 10-team league, far more reliable talent should be yours for the taking. For example, Raheem Mostert is somehow available in 76% of ESPN leagues. DeAndre Washington is hanging out in 90%--a solid 8+ point option if Jacobs remains out. And Chris Thompson (87%) has reached double-digit scoring in five of eight games and should be one of the safest non-starting RB3/4's this week. While you're not getting a huge ceiling with him, he'll give you an acceptable floor.
WR is more intriguing in my 14-team league. Teammates Zach Pascal (69%) and Marcus Johnson (100%) are sitting on waivers; I could roll the dice on one, hoping for a 12+ point day. Robby Anderson (47%) has been unstoppable in recent weeks, though he'll be in Baltimore, so I'm not thrilled with that investment. Same goes with Russell Gage (94%) heading to San Francisco, despite Calvin Ridley's absence. If DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson are sidelined, Miami's Allen Hurns (99%) and Isaiah Ford (100%) would form one of the least predictable starting WR tandems in recent fantasy playoff history. And I'm watching Scotty Miller's injury closely; if he can't go, Justin Watson (100%) or the boom-bust Breshad Perriman (100%) would be among my favorite dart throws against a punishable Detroit D--assuming Jameis Winston is a full go.
Whatever your decision, you have to decide what your risk tolerance is. For me, in the fantasy playoffs, upside is everything. 5-7 points out of my WR3/Flex spot won't help me win a title. I want the highest-volume player possible with the best chance at scoring. Yeah, obvious. Except that means avoiding guys like John Ross (vs. New England) and the previously mentioned Gage. Four catches for 38 yards doesn't interest me. I want a player on a team headed toward 30+ points, and play the percentages that my guy gets at least one score.
With the holidays around the corner, I'm mentioning it one more time in case you're desperately looking for a $10 stocking stuffer that your loved one probably will hate.
The book is called "The 14th Annual Registry of Fantasy Sports Champions: 1986 Edition." Had fantasy sports been a national phenomenon back then, a fantasy registry might have looked something like this. In addition to tens of thousands of winner names, its content includes a few dozen "featured champion" blurbs that diehard fantasy managers might relate to, like these two:
* Featured Champion *
Max Pedraza
“Mad Max: Beyond Thundersticks”
Ketchikan, Alaska
Mr. Pedraza cruised to an easy first place finish against his 11 co-workers at Pedraza and Peterson Accounting Services. Led by Major League Baseball’s top three home run hitters—Jesse Barfield, Mike Schmidt, and Mike Kingman—Mad Max: Beyond Thundersticks triumphed in nine of 10 categories. Mr. Pedraza’s only blemish was a third place finish in complete games, as Bruce Hurst and Mike Moore mustered only 11 each.
* Featured Champion *
Malik Tomasi
“Halley’s Hail Marys”
Seattle, Washington
A coffee barista in one of six Seattle stores called Starbucks, Mr. Tomasi dreams of someday working for a large computer company like Commodore International. In the meantime, he dreams big in the fantasy world, jotting down hundreds of mock drafts each offseason to test his decision-making skills. That big thinking translated into grabbing the Bears defense in the seventh round, the Giants defense in the eighth, and the 49ers defense in the 10th. In the title game, with only three defenses available on waivers, Mr. Tomasi’s opponent was forced to start a bottom-third Jets defense that went on to yield 52 points to the Bengals, translating to negative-four points. Mr. Tomasi’s preseason gutsiness paid off.
If these anecdotes ring true, you might enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed "writing" it.
---
Now on to more pressing things, like injuries ravaging real and fantasy teams. It's still a bit too early in the week to know how various questionable tags will play out. But I can tell you what's going through my mind as waivers hit this morning.
With Josh Jacobs' Week 15 in doubt, Mike Evans essentially out for the year, and Odell Beckham, Jr. packing his bags, I'll need some high-powered fill-ins in my matchup against Jaders Calcano. Jaders has an unforgiving lineup that includes Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams, and George Kittle, along with high-upside starters like Philip Lindsay, Kenyan Drake, and Adam Thielen. Over the past two weeks I stockpiled three more QBs to block him from making a significant upgrade there, so he's rolling with either Jared Goff (@ Dallas) or Jacoby Brissett (@ NO). Since I'm starting Russell Wilson, that appears to be my one clear advantage; I'll need Wilson to come up big to compensate for losses elsewhere.
So if you're like me and need fresh flex firepower, here's where my head's at. Since this is a 14-team league, my RB options are slim-to-none. Boston Scott is the best available, but if Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders are active, he's probably worthless. Kerryon Johnson is available if I'm willing to stash him for Week 16, though his return isn't automatic for a team that's simply playing out the season.
If you're in a 10-team league, far more reliable talent should be yours for the taking. For example, Raheem Mostert is somehow available in 76% of ESPN leagues. DeAndre Washington is hanging out in 90%--a solid 8+ point option if Jacobs remains out. And Chris Thompson (87%) has reached double-digit scoring in five of eight games and should be one of the safest non-starting RB3/4's this week. While you're not getting a huge ceiling with him, he'll give you an acceptable floor.
WR is more intriguing in my 14-team league. Teammates Zach Pascal (69%) and Marcus Johnson (100%) are sitting on waivers; I could roll the dice on one, hoping for a 12+ point day. Robby Anderson (47%) has been unstoppable in recent weeks, though he'll be in Baltimore, so I'm not thrilled with that investment. Same goes with Russell Gage (94%) heading to San Francisco, despite Calvin Ridley's absence. If DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson are sidelined, Miami's Allen Hurns (99%) and Isaiah Ford (100%) would form one of the least predictable starting WR tandems in recent fantasy playoff history. And I'm watching Scotty Miller's injury closely; if he can't go, Justin Watson (100%) or the boom-bust Breshad Perriman (100%) would be among my favorite dart throws against a punishable Detroit D--assuming Jameis Winston is a full go.
Whatever your decision, you have to decide what your risk tolerance is. For me, in the fantasy playoffs, upside is everything. 5-7 points out of my WR3/Flex spot won't help me win a title. I want the highest-volume player possible with the best chance at scoring. Yeah, obvious. Except that means avoiding guys like John Ross (vs. New England) and the previously mentioned Gage. Four catches for 38 yards doesn't interest me. I want a player on a team headed toward 30+ points, and play the percentages that my guy gets at least one score.