Features - OnLine

Are You Ready for Some (Fantasy) Football?
Part Two: A Look Inside Mason’s Own ‘Falls Church Fantasy Football League’

By Ted Peetz and Alex Prewitt (October 12, 2006)

Now that you have thoroughly grasped Fantasy Football, it’s time to introduce you to the finest league in the school, the Falls Church Fantasy Football League, which features eight current students, Ted's brother from the GM class of 2004, and his cousin from Arlington. This is the fourth year of the “FCFFL” and this is the first year that all 10 players are returning from last season. Ted took over as commissioner last year and even though he finished fourth at the end of the season, he won the tournament. As the teams of “FCFFL” conclude the year’s big draft day, each member of the league answered the following questions:

1. What was your strategy going into this year’s draft?
2. Who was your favorite pick?
3. Who was your least favorite pick?
4. What are your predictions for your team?

Player: Jimmy Piscopo (Team: BgDawgz):

1. My plan going into the draft was to draft heavily at running back, but I quickly got away from that because I felt the running backs this year were weak. I started drafting the best players available but I felt that since I got away from my strategy, I drafted poorly; I have no depth at running back. I also drafted two Detroit Lions players, which is never good. I'll have to wait and see if Kevin Jones plays well, and if not, I might have to make drastic changes to my team.
2. I think my favorite pick would be Deuce McAllister in the seventh round because I feel that he’s going to get the goal line carries and that’s a good value in that round
3. Back-to-back Detroit Lions in the third and fourth rounds -- Kevin Jones and Roy Williams.
4. Of course I’m going to win, is there any question?

Player: Ryan Larcamp (Team: Apocalypse Horsemen):

1. This year I looked for the best available player at each pick; last year I drafted the coolest players available, and it got me to the loser’s bracket. You have to draft with your mind, not your heart.
2. Marvin Harrison in the third because he always produces.
3. Lee Evans in the fourth.
4. I don’t think I’ll be first place because I’m not happy with how the draft went. I choked under the pressure and drafted Lee Evans in the fourth round; I am hoping for a 500 team.

Player: Dallas Hudgens (Team: The Outlaws):

1. My plan was to get running backs early in the draft. I took Edgerrin James in the first round and Julius Jones in the third. Picking the running backs so early helped me to have an all-star running back core.
2. My favorite pick is Mike Vick because I was able to get a quality player late in the draft. I also knew that the third year for a West Coast QB is usually his breakout year.
3. My least favorite pick is Curtis Martin because I found out that he would be out for the year after I had already drafted him.
4. I will make it to the playoffs, but after that it’s a crapshoot.

Player: Mike Straub (Team: The Super Crushers):

1. My plan was to draft two solid running backs with my first two picks and then choose from the second tier of wide receivers with my third and fourth picks. Then I wanted to get a solid quarterback and one of the top tight ends. After that I just winged it.
2. My favorite pick was Donovan McNabb.
3. My least favorite pick was Chris Brown.
4. I really like my team and I’m sure I’ll be in the playoffs, but fantasy football is half luck so we’ll have to see.

Player: Peter Campanelli (Team: Camps Crushers):

1. My plan was to get two strong running backs and then just go with the flow and take the best available players from then on.
2. My favorite pick was LJ Smith. He won’t get the most points this year and he is an Eagle, but I picked him in the very last round of the draft and he should be a pro bowler this year. It’s always satisfying to make a steal like that.
3. None, I don’t make mistakes. (Editors Note: NOT TRUE)
4. One word: championship.

Player: Alex Prewitt (Team: Drop a Deuce):

1. Going into the draft, I was looking to get a stud running back in the first, then get a top tier wide receiver in the 2nd, and then add depth with the rest of the draft. There were a few certain sleepers that I had targeted before the draft and I think I cashed in pretty well with them. In the first five rounds, I got every player I had targeted. I'm high on Chester Taylor and Frank Gore --, even though they're in new offenses I think they'll do well this year. For the rest of the draft, I just looked to add some depth and maybe get that one player who will have a career year. Either Antonio Bryant or Laurence Maroney could be that guy.
2. My favorite picks were Laurence Maroney, Antonio Bryant, and Frank Gore. I think Frank Gore could end up being a top 10-15 running back by the end of the year.
3. Aaron Brooks in the 11th. I waited about three rounds too long to get a quarterback and I ended up with awful depth at the position.
4. Going into the draft, I wanted to load my team with guys who had easy opponents in weeks 15-16 (playoff rounds). Considering that, I believe I did a pretty good job; hopefully I'll do well the rest of the year to get my team to that point.

Player: Ted Peetz (Team: TEDSTINKERS):

1. My first decision at fourth pick was between Clinton Portis and Tiki Barber. Even though I had Tiki last year and Clinton was hurt in the preseason, I decided to take Portis. I knew that when he got back he would be a very good starting running back. Next. since the running backs had dropped off, I went with Terrell Owens, hoping that he could blow up in Dallas. My biggest mistake was waiting until the fourth for my second running back -- that meant my wide receivers would be good but that I would not have much depth at running back. I also hope that Daunte Culpepper can get back to his top QB ways in Miami.
2. My favorite pick would have to be Robbie Gould in the 17th. Why? WE ARE PENN STATE, that’s why.
3. My least favorite pick is simple; it’s the same mistake I made last year -- Cedric Benson in the sixth. I’m sure there were much better players because he flat out stinks. Even his teammates don’t like him.
4. Can you say Dynasty?

Player: Kevin Montgomery (Team: Bruins):

1. My plan going into the draft was to get one of the top three running backs, who turned out to be LaDainian Tomlinson. Then I wanted another good running back (I got Brian Westbrook.) After that I just wanted to fill the other positions, starting with good wide receivers. I got both Randy Moss and Santana Moss, so I think that I got a pretty good draft.
2. My favorite pick was LT.
3. My least favorite pick was Jake Plummer.
4. Definitely championship, two out of three years.

Matt Peetz and Chris Musto (the other members of the league) are currently at Pennsylvania State University and were not available to answer questions for this article.
(All photos by Peter Campanelli)

Next Up: Issue #3--Midseason Review

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