| Early Draft
Tips - June '00
written by Ms. Daisy ARTICLE REPRODUCED FOR FREE AT WWW.DRAFTGUIDE.COM |
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Many of us are in the 2000 fantasy football-planning phase; some of us are already involved in early drafts. 1999 had to be the most unpredictable and exciting fantasy season I’ve enjoyed thus far. If you’re anything like me, you’re wondering what improbabilities lie ahead and if you’re already involved in drafting now, you’re hopefully trying to work within a plan that allows you to modify and adjust down the road. Re-signs - Keeping up with the smooth and the inevitably not-so-smooth negotiation process is essential. I’ve always considered talent as just that. However, we must be mindful of the surrounding talent that compliments the talent we are analyzing. It is probable that a very talented player may be more successful with one team than another for a variety of reasons; it's a judgment call and sometimes just a gut-call on how we deal with the stress of contract negotiations. Example: I personally have no real problem with drafting Corey Dillon in a dynasty league, believing he has lots of potential and could perform well for a number of franchises. Some owners would argue that he’s damaged goods presently, when considering all the "negotiations baggage" he’s currently carrying. Retirees - At this early stage of the planning phase, I would avoid any players who have even remotely suggested they are considering retiring! Combines - Reading the stats and bios of the players who performed in the combines educates us on up-and-comers, especially helpful for those fantasy owners who do not actively follow NCAA ball. I try to make educated choices, yet take a few risks when I’m shaping my own fantasy teams. Peter Warrick, the well-known Seminole wideout, did not shine in the combines as expected and some suggest he will fall to a lower draft pick due to this less-than-stellar effort. On the other hand, one of my homeboys by the name of Jerry Porter raised several eyebrows at the combines. Porter is the ultimate athlete, with the prototypical NFL body, and has played a variety of positions including defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback. Porter didn’t get the national press while in college and is relatively unknown in fantasy circles. How these players are selected and perform in the NFL is anyone's guess. But admirers of Warrick probably won't be deterred just because of his combine performance. Grapevines - Establishing reliable and up-to-the-minute contacts can not be over-emphasized. I take in information from a variety of sources, and then I compare it to other sources, to process and evaluate the information. Sometimes the "newsflash" is bogus or terribly distorted. Learn to avoid messengers who repeatedly feed you with false information! And don’t overlook the NFL messageboards! Some of the most valuable information is right at your fingertips. Make notes of the player, the informant, and then do you own investigating! And finally..*take a deep breath*...and just go with it! ...quoting the eloquent Ray Bradbury... "Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off, build your wings on the way down"... Good luck with your early drafting! Til next time... daiz |
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