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This post is from my friend Matt Young. He gives an inside look into what
fantasy football is, the environment of a “live draft” and the anxiety of the
draft process itself. Here’s to a new football season!
Leaving work later than usual I am excited for my first live fantasy football draft of the year – and also slightly annoyed that my girlfriend, who appears oblivious to the significance of the day, decides to stop for dinner on our way home. Only a minor set back though, and I arrive at the Tilted Kilt, a bar rich with beer and girls in mini-skirts, right on time and quickly find our table and order a beer. I anxiously glance over my cheatsheet once again hoping to uncover something I may have missed over the last couple weeks of preparation. For example, last year it took almost a full hour after the scheduled time to start, so I would occupy my time catching up with friends, eating and drinking and of course watching the latest NFL news while keeping my eye on the Indians’ game.
Finally we start and I studiously record each players pick leading up to my pick at number seven (not a good spot to pick this year); the first round usually doesn’t have too many surprises, although a couple names somehow slip through the top five and I have a glimmer of hope to land a big name – a couple I was hoping to land at the “sloppy seven” pick. Now I am on the clock. What luck – Jamal Charles is still available! I don’t even hesitate. “Charles!” I yell, quicker than bidding at a Southerby auction. He was ranked no lower than four by the supposed experts of ESPN. Me? I had him as high as #3.
Relishing in my better than expected first round pick, I gulp down the rest of my $5.75 pint of Bass beer (they are expensive as hell at Tilted Kilt – I don’t recommend buying rounds for everyone) and settle back into my chair. I only allow myself to relax for a minute before getting back to my draft board and picking out a couple names I hope to get in round two. Even while ordering another drink from sassy waitress, I have no problem following each pick and simultaneously reconstructing my draft strategy each time. My goal is to always have at least two options: a top player with top talent and good fit for my team, or a top player regardless of playing position. The guy before me will most likely see value in one of the two possible players I am following, leaving me with an easy selection. The second pick arrives, and no one stands out as a must have but in our league, we are awarded a half a point per reception, and I believe the Rams will have a decent year in a bad division; I grab Steven Jackson – not a glamorous pick but hopefully he’ll be consistent. As expected, there are a couple disappointments along the way when guys are getting drafted early. oh well that’s what the contingency plan is for. The first four or five rounds are easy, we coast through. Break time. I get another bass pale ale and head back to my seat.
A few more rounds and the less enthusiastic people become distracted; some attempting to draft players who are off the board. I on the other hand never miss a pick and have perfect concentration – other than that cute girl wearing the red and black kilt. Middle of the draft is where champions are built! I get a couple of value picks and a couple flyers (players that might not get drafted but have high potential) I believe weren’t on anyone’s radar but are in store for a big year. At around 11:00pm everyone begins to get tired and we agree to leave the last two roster spots open to pick up free agents from the waiver wire. I am content with my team and am already thinking of possible trades during the drive home.
Last year I went 11-2 in the regular season only to lose in round one of the playoffs. There’s no crying in fantasy football, no point in whining about the fact that I should have won it all last year. But I will cry. The tears will be streaming down my tv-baked eyes as I watch the last player on the opposing fantasy team score a touchdown and beat me by one point.
Here’s to another emotional fantasy football roller coaster year of win, lose, and cry!
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