Fantasy Football For Dummies E-Book

Martin Signore

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 495

Beschreibung

Packed with expert advice and timely tips The fun and easy way to guide your American football team to glory in fantasy football Fantasy football can be an addictive hobby. But if you've never played American football before, how do you start? Have no fear! This friendly guide explains the game to you from start to finish -- from scouting and drafting your players to building your coaching skills to planning your strategy. And who knows, perhaps even to tasting victory in your league championship! * Understand the basics of the game * Pick the league right for you * Assemble your dream team in the draft * Develop your in-season management skills * Know which quick fixes work and what common mistakes to avoid

Leseprobe

Fantasy Football For Dummies®

by Martin Signore

Fantasy football expert, screenwriter, and game designer

Fantasy Football For Dummies®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax [phone]. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, 317-572-3447, fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007926379

ISBN: 978-0-470-12507-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Martin Signore relishes turning his hobbies into paying gigs. He began shooting home videos with a 50-pound VHS camera in high school, which led him to NYU film school. After college, Martin went west and has been working in film and television ever since. Having worked in almost every crew position, Martin is now a freelance writer/producer and has sold a feature pitch to 20th Century Fox and a feature-length screenplay to Eden Rock Media and Film Office. He’ll still work “below the line” when duty (and friendship) calls.

Raised as a first-generation gamer, Martin’s love of Atari also somehow leads to paychecks. Martin is now a writer/designer of video games, having worked on story-driven titles such as Fantastic Four,Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow, and The Sopranos: Road to Respect.

An avid computer hobbyist, Martin’s infatuation with Windows and PC gaming led him to start his own consulting firm, All Things Digital. Luckily for his business, Windows crashes all the time, which results in hourly billing that supports his screenwriting career.

And last, but certainly not least, Martin is an avid fantasy football coach. Over the years, he has won several public, private, and expert leagues and, some might say, found his true calling. A fellow member of his favorite fantasy league, The Hollywood Football League, works for Wiley Publishing. The rest is fantasy.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my mother, Norma Feuer, my stepfather, Steve Feuer, and my father, Don Signore. Mom, thanks for all of your support of my creative endeavors over the years and for your unconditional love through it all. Steve, thanks for helping me put this book deal together (your check is in the mail) and for being there for Mom while I am off chasing rainbows in Hollywood. Don’t worry, Dad. Fantasy football fame and fortune won’t stop me from wearing other hats in the film industry. It’s always sunny in L.A., wish you were here.

Author’s Acknowledgments

First and foremost, special thanks to Deirdre Silver for encouraging me to pitch this book to her company and for her constructive notes and feedback during the entire process. You are a terrific person (for a lawyer) and I am a better person for knowing you.

Speaking of Wiley, thanks to all the hard-working production people I will probably never meet or see, but in particular, my editors, Michael Lewis, Chad Sievers, Josh Dials, and Sarah Faulkner. Mike, Wiley is lucky to have you, but now I wonder who the Eskimos are buying their ice from. Chad, thanks for being my test “dummy”; you better sign up for a league now! Josh, your football knowledge and editorial skills were indispensable, but I will crush you on the fantasy gridiron. Sarah, your praise kept me going while my work was being shredded by your colleagues, so thanks for that. Last, but not least, thanks to Jim Day, our technical editor, for keeping me honest.

Thanks to all the fantasy experts who helped me research the book both online and offline: Emil Kadlec, Dave Richard, Alex Riethmiller, Bo Mitchell, Brandon Funston, Howard Mash, and Rick Cordella. If I e-mailed you and forgot to mention you here, my bad. Very special thanks to Chris Liss, Peter Schoenke, and Mike Doria at Rotowire for their expert help and advice with this book. Mike deserves special credit for building the Hollywood Football League and providing his insight on the job of fantasy football commissioner to my readers.

Speaking of the HFL, thanks to all my fellow coaches (past and present) for their cooperation on the project. Shout outs go to: David, Libby, Charlie, Joe, Todd, Noah, Josh, Tony, Ed P., Ed K., Josh, Justin, Neil, Mike B., Mike C., Mike D., Deirdre, Alan, Derek, and, of course, Mango. No mention of my league would be complete without the name Lance Khazei. Lance’s advice and support over the years have made me a better fantasy coach and a better writer, and I thank him for that.

No man is an island, and I could not have written this book without my team of friends and co-workers. Julie Meldal-Johnsen, legal counsel and technology consultant. Judy Park, trophy photographer. Mike Chamoy, A.T.F. Jayne Silver, J.A.P. Teresa Buyikian, copy editor. Zak Penn, Master Chief. Michele Weiss and Steve Buxbaum, McCoy and Spock to my Kirk.

Finally, much thanks to my old friend and fellow fantasy football fanatic, David Perrin. Dave’s help was indispensable when I was putting together Part IV of this book. Dave, you have our gratitude.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Chad R. Sievers

Acquisitions Editor: Mike Lewis

Copy Editor: Josh Dials

Technical Editor: Jim Day

Editorial Manager: Michelle Hacker

Editorial Assistant: David Lutton, Erin Calligan Mooney, Joe Niesen

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Senior Project Coordinator: Kristie Rees

Layout and Graphics: Carl Byers, Laura Pence, Heather Ryan

Special Art: Christine Williams

Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico

Proofreaders: Aptara, David Faust, Brian H. Walls

Indexer: Aptara

Special Help: Sarah Faulkner

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel

Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Contents

Title

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I : The Xs and Os of Fantasy Football: Just the Basics, Please

Chapter 1: The Reality of Fantasy Football: What’s It All About?

Understanding Fantasy Football: A Quick Overview

Recognizing that Fantasy Success Starts with the Draft

Drafting the Right Players for Your Roster

Your New Day Job: Managing Your Team Week by Week

Are You Ready to Play?

Chapter 2: Just Score, Baby: The Name of the Fantasy Game

Scoring 101: Only the Basics

The Proof’s in the Points: Offensive Fantasy Scoring

Shooting for Shutouts: Scoring with Defense

You versus Who? Knowing the Scoring Format

Chapter 3: Finding a League Right for You

Understanding Your League Options: Public or Private

Identifying Other Important Considerations

Pick Your League: The How-To

Starting Your Own League: You Want to Be a Commissioner?

Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Fantasy Draft

Dissecting the Two Main Draft Types

Researching the NFL: Where to Look and What to Look For

Mastering Your Domain: Focus on League Rules and Settings

Identifying and Preparing Your Draft Venue

Practicing with a Mock Draft

Joining a Practice League

Part II : Advanced Scouting and Drafting Secrets

Chapter 5: Scouting Running Backs and Quarterbacks

Running Backs: Riding the Fantasy Workhorses

Quarterbacks: Counting on the Arms of the Field Generals

Chapter 6: Scouting Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Eyeing the Go-To Guys: Wide Receivers

Blocking Bore or Big-Time Threat? Picking Tight Ends

Chapter 7: Scouting Kickers and Defenders

Nailing the Field Goals and Extra Points: The Kickers

Guarding the Gridiron: The Team Defenses

Chapter 8: Incorporating Important Draft Strategies into Your Game

Why Strategy Is Important in Fantasy Drafts

Identifying the Most Popular Draft Strategies

Applying the Draft Strategies: Who to Pick and When

Manipulating Your Budget during an Auction Draft

Chapter 9: Considering Other Draft Tactics to Build a Winning Team

Avoiding Personal Biases

Drafting Your Studs’ Backups as Insurance Policies

Considering Rookies: Are the Top Rookies Worth Drafting?

Thinking Ahead to the Fantasy Playoffs

Part III : Let the Games Begin: In-Season Strategy Guide

Chapter 10: Setting Your Weekly Starting Lineup

Why Reviewing Your Roster Is Vital

Reasons Why You May Need to Adjust Your Lineup

The How-To: Making the Actual Adjustments

Meeting Your Lineup Deadlines

Hitting the Film Room: Using Media to Your Advantage

Chapter 11: Acquiring Players via Free Agency, Waivers, and Trades

Investigating Free Agency

Walking the Waiver Wire

All the Right Moves: Tips for Adding to Your Roster

The Art of the Deal: Making a Trade Offer

Chapter 12: Finishing Strong: Down the Stretch to the Fantasy Playoffs

Welcome to the Show: The Fantasy Football Playoffs

Aiming for the Playoffs: Ways to Improve Your Roster

Setting Your Playoff Starting Lineup

Reaching the Big Kahuna: The Fantasy Title Game

Part IV : The Research Guide to Online Play

Chapter 13: Playing Yahoo! Fantasy Football: Simple and Effective

Playing Yahoo! Fantasy Football Basic: A How-to Guide

Grasping Yahoo! Fantasy Football Plus

Meeting the Yahoo! Experts

Chapter 14: Trying CBS Sportsline: Professional Pigskin

Analyzing CBS Sportsline’s Lineup of Games

The “Fantasy Football Tribune”: Sportsline’s League Home Page

Fantasy-Traffic Controller: Your Sportsline Team Page

Chapter 15: ESPN Fantasy Football: Virtual Sportscenter 24/7

Understanding ESPN’s Fantasy Site and Your Three Options

Navigating Your ESPN League

Chapter 16: Checking Out Some Other Popular Providers

Rotowire: Charge Up Your Game

Fanball: Gaining the Edge

Rotoworld: A Compendium of Fantasy Facts

Part V : The Part of Tens

Chapter 17: Ten Quick Fixes to Make the Day after Your Draft

Look for Bye-Week Problems

Replace Injured Players

Assess Your Team’s Strengths

Know Your Team’s Weaknesses

Swim in the Free Agent Pool

Put NFL Teammates on the Trading Block

Find Trading Partners

Know Your Opponents’ Rosters

Upgrade Your Kicker and Defense Positions

If It Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It

Chapter 18: Ten Newbie Mistakes to Avoid

Taking a Kicker Too Early

Drafting a Team DEF Too Early

Picking a QB Too Early

Selecting Players with the Same Bye Week

Ignoring the NFL Schedule

Trash Talking Too Much

Failing to Create or Neglecting Your Cheat Sheets

Ignoring Injury Updates

Missing the Draft Entirely

Believing the Fantasy Hype

Part I

The Xs and Os of Fantasy Football: Just the Basics, Please

In this part . . .

If you’re new to the game of fantasy football, Part I has you covered. Chapter 1 gives you the quick lowdown on fantasy football. In Chapter 2, I explain how fantasy points are scored and why scoring is so important to the game. Chapter 3 covers the types of leagues available to fantasy players and helps you determine which one to join, if you aren’t already in one. Finally, Chapter 4 helps prepare you for your fantasy draft so you can create a fantasy team that would make NFL general managers green with envy.

Chapter 2

Just Score, Baby: The Name of the Fantasy Game

In This Chapter

Realizing the impact of scoring in fantasy football

Getting offensive for the bulk of your scoring

Examining defense’s role in the scoring picture

Picking a scoring format that suits your style

I n real sports, the team that scores the most points wins — the same goes for fantasy football. There are baskets in basketball, runs in baseball, and goals in hockey, but scoring in fantasy football entails more than just getting the ball into the end zone and between the uprights. Many statistics show the value and ability of players beyond their actual points scored, and those stats translate into fantasy points for your team.

This chapter explains how scoring works in fantasy football and how it differs from the NFL. Note: The default settings I refer to in this chapter and in this book are the default settings on Yahoo!, but other leagues use different scoring modifiers that may even affect your draft strategy. Check with your league and acquaint yourself with its scoring default settings before you do anything.

Scoring 101: Only the Basics

Winning in fantasy football is no different than winning in the NFL: Two teams play each other and the team that scores the most points wins. However, the big difference is how points are scored. To give you a broad overview of scoring and to touch on something you probably already know if you’re a football fan, in the NFL, scoring breaks down as follows:

Touchdowns: 6 points

Field goals: 3 points

Safeties: 2 points

Extra points: 1 point