Kickoff 2012

The 2012 fantasy football season is finally here! I want to communicate a few points to my team owners before things get rolling.

Most importantly, the NFL season starts on Wednesday this year, which is irregular but exciting. All that fantasy drafting got me siked-up for watching football. So I'm glad it's starting early. NYG vs. DAL kicks-off at 820 PM tomorrow 9/5. It should be a great game with tons of fantasy impacting plays. Bring it on!

Yahoo made changes to the fantasy league pick 'ems. There's a different setup to it, and it's more fun if everyone takes part. If you want to keep up on the fantasy league pick 'ems then you need to make your picks before the first game of the week kicks off. This week it's Wed, but it will be on Thurs every week afterwards. Once the night games kick off, you'll be locked out of making picks. There's no incentive for it, it's optional, bragging rights, superstitions, whatever. Go to "matchup" then scroll to the bottom to find it.

A change to the league.
A minor change has been made to the playoffs settings in the paid league. This change could probably go unnoticed but I wanted to make sure everyone is updated. The playoffs reseeding set to "yes" means that if the #6 seed beat the #3 seed in round 1 then the #1 seed would face #6 in round 2 and #2 would face the winner of #4 vs #5. Got that? I believe this to be what most of you would expect the setup to be so I made the change. The Yahoo default setting follows the NFL with #1 facing the winner of #4 vs #5 and #2 facing the winner of #3 vs #6 regardless. LMK if you have any questions about that.

There's plenty of interesting things I can add about the draft. I'm impressed with how well everyone did. Some of you actually have a chance at beating me ;-) I don't have time for a full analysis but here is a list of the top 1st and 2nd pick-combos for both the BFFG Paid and Free leagues together.

1. RB/WR with 5
2. QB/RB with 5
3. RB/QB with 3
4. WR/QB with 2
5. RB/RB with 2
6. TE/WR with 2
7. QB/WR with 1
8. WR/RB with 1
9. RB/TE with 1

I went RB/RB with the 8th pick in the paid league and QB/RB with the 6th pick in the free. I'm surprised that there were not more RB/RB picks and that there were 3 TEs taken in the first two rounds in both leagues. Back in the day there were way more RB/RBs, and I thought that tactic would come back in 2012 with all the RB uncertainty, but I guess everyone wants their QB locked-up first in the BFFG, which I guess is understandable since a TD pass = 6 pts. That's good math'in y'all ;-)

My Top 6 Fantasy Football Big Bonuses

A fantasy football big bonus is a play that you don't expect to happen, but when it does, it pays-off in a big exciting way. Unlike: QB passing-TDs, RB rushing-TDs, and WR rec-TDs, which are expected and bummers when it doesn't happen, a rare big bonus play is what you'll talk about all week. It's what makes those unforgettable fantasy football moments. Here is a short list of my top 6 fantasy football big bonus plays.

#6 The Safety

Sacks in the endzone are an exciting way to earn points. Holding and intentional grounding penalties are not as much fun, but are interesting ways to gain points as well. Safeties can go unnoticed depending on how your league is set. If the safety is +2 then all other defensive plays should be set at +1 that way it gets the recognition it deserves. The team with the most safeties in 2011 was NYJ with 3.

#5 A 50+ Yard Field Goal

Kickers are probably the least exciting position on the standard roster. Their typical contribution comes in chip-shots for 1 or 3 points. Seeing a kicker set up for the 50-yarder is much more rewarding, especially if your league awards 5 points for the longer kicks. The top 3 big-boots from 2011 were David Akers, Seabass, and Phil Dawson, each with 7 +50-yarders.

#4 A DEF TD

You're happy enough if your team-D simply makes plays and holds-off from being scored-on. When they get in the endzone, it's a big time play and time to celebrate! The level of excitement is increased if your DEF is playing against any of your opponents fantasy players. The team with the most DEF TDs in 2011 was DET with 7. The next closest were BUF and CHI with 6.

#3 A RET TD

It's the play that has you screaming, "Go, go, go, ahhh, goooooo, YEAH!" Return TDs are certainly big plays since it may take the whole length of the field to make one. It is also pretty rare and usually involves a WR or RB who is lower on the depth chart. Devin Hester had the most in 2011 with 3 total ret-TDs. Randall Cobb and Ted Ginn Jr also had multiples.

#2 A RB 20+ Yard REC-TD

As important as RBs are to fantasy football, you're usually watching them run into big piles, or the pile runs into them, either way it's pretty deflating, usually. Big yard rushing TDs are no doubt exciting but you expect to get a few of those from your starters at some point in the season. When a RB goes long for the bomb and gets it for a TD, you go bonkers! Darren Sproles racked up 710 rec-yards and 7 rec-TDs in the air in 2011. The next best was Ray Rice who caught for 704 rec-yards and 3 rec-TDs.

#1 Opposing QB Throws a Pick-Six in the Redzone

Bear with me. In my league, the BFFG, a pick six thrown is -2. A passing TD is +6. So if the QB you face in your weekly match-up throws a pick-six in the redzone, that's a potential 8 point swing. Add on the possibility of you having the team DEF, in that play, and it's a whopping 15 point swing (-2 for the pick-six, -6 for the possible TD, +1 for the interception and +6 for the DEF TD). Rooting against your opponent's players is as much fun as rooting for your own. Almost nothing matches the drama of a pick thrown in the redzone, especially if it goes back the other way for a TD. Not only is this play huge in the real game but if you're rooting against your opponent's QB, then it's probably a tight match-up and this play can definitely put you in the win column. GB had the most interceptions in 2011 with 31. Philip Rivers threw the most pick-sixes with 4.

Please comment with your favorite fantasy football big plays.  

   

     

  

BFFG $$ 2012 dues info and scoring settings

I am using LeagueSafe for the third time this season. It has worked very well the past two times. Not only does it make collecting dues a whole lot easier, but payouts are also way more simple. If you win, then you simply login and collect the reward. You may choose from check, check card or electronic transfer. I won, and chose the check card, and it worked out well for me. They even give you the option of printing a trophy on the check card if you like to show off ;-) LeagueSafe has good customer service. They primarily handle problems through email, which I have found to be just fine. Each time I contacted them with questions they were very responsive and gave me assuring answers. I recommend new team owners to Google LeagueSafe and read up on them. You'll find they are very legit.

The BFFG has run with the majority of the following settings for 11 years now. My goal is to make sense of fantasy scoring by representing the most relevant NFL player stats to the league's scoring categories. Points are primarily awarded for yards and touchdowns. There is no points-per-reception (a.k.a. PPR). The BFFG is considered to be a 'QB heavy league' since 6 points are awarded for a passing TD as opposed to the common default setting of 4 points. Here are the scoring settings.

Offense	League Value	Yahoo! Default Value
Passing Yards	25 yards per point
Passing Touchdowns	6	4
Interceptions	-1
Rushing Yards	10 yards per point
Rushing Touchdowns	6
Reception Yards	10 yards per point
Reception Touchdowns	6
Return Yards	20 yards per point	0
Return Touchdowns	6
2-Point Conversions	2
Fumbles Lost	-1	-2
Offensive Fumble Return TD	6
Pick Sixes Thrown	-1	0
Kickers	League Value	Yahoo! Default Value
Field Goals 0-19 Yards	3
Field Goals 20-29 Yards	3
Field Goals 30-39 Yards	3
Field Goals 40-49 Yards	4
Field Goals 50+ Yards	5
Point After Attempt Made	1
Defense/Special Teams	League Value	Yahoo! Default Value
Sack	1
Interception	1	2
Fumble Recovery	1	2
Touchdown	6
Safety	2
Block Kick	1	2
Points Allowed 0 points	10
Points Allowed 1-6 points	8	7
Points Allowed 7-13 points	6	4
Points Allowed 14-20 points	4	1
Points Allowed 21-27 points	2	0
Points Allowed 28-34 points	1	-1
Points Allowed 35+ points	0	-4
4th Down Stops	1	0

  

Episode XII: Return of the Guru

A long time ago in a galaxy far,
far away . . . .

Once again the desperate rebellion finds that it's no match for the unrelenting genius of The Empire. Puny jawas scramble to find a safe planet, while the Death Star surges through space leaving asteroids in it's wake. The so-called Jedi ramble excuse after excuse in hope to disparage the consistent success of the SvvashBucklers who make use of their flaws and continue to dominate the galaxy . . .

Fantasy football is back my padawans.

How will the saga continue?

One thing is for sure.

You don't know the power of The Dark Side.

Standby for the payment request from LeagueSafe. Then register your team in Yahoo. And prepare for your doom. 

  

Ravens' DEF style is right for the future of the NFL

Considering the recent news on Junior Seau's death and CTE, assume there will be some NFL rule changes in the future. The changes will probably focus on the defensive side of the game, significantly restricting hard tackles and flat-out banning hits to the head. This is likely to negatively affect the performance of defensive plays for a lot of teams with the exception of the Baltimore Ravens.

Sure, the Ravens are known for their tough defense. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and others have definitely laid some pretty hard hits on players in the past. But recently the Ravens defense, as a whole, has been criticized by their fans - of all people - for not hitting hard enough, missing tackles and flat out not dominating like they use to. This jive spreads around despite the fact that the Ravens were one of the top overall defenses last season.

Perceptive Ravens fans should notice that the defense has evolved to play a more dynamic game. Ravens D goes for the ball. They are not about hitting just for show. Their style has been called as having, "high risk, high reward." The reward is hopefully a, "loose ball!" That's exciting! But the losing-end of the risk typically results with fans shouting out their frustrations, "ugh, just tackle the guy!"

Indeed a missed big play doesn't look good but this gamble is the right way to play in preparation for the future. Defensive plays focused on trying to strip the ball will replace the frequent hard hits. I believe the Ravens are one of the teams already focused on making this adjustment. #purplepride

Bracket-Mastahz Wanted

It's time to expand on my fantasy sports commissioner credentials. I am excited to set-up my first play-for-prize March Madness Bracket. Yahoo: Tourney Pick'em will host the brackets and LeagueSafe will handle the funds. I'm shooting for 1st, 2nd & 3rd level prizes. Entry fee is 25.

Naturally, invites will go out to all my loyal BFFG team owners. Please note: this is an open invite. If you are interested in playing March Madness then please let me know.

Let's get some B-Ballin!

This week's best divisional round line-up

Are you competing in any fantasy football playoff challenges this weekend? Looking for some tips? Chances are you have a lot of good players to choose from. The trick in a playoff challenge is that since you're managing the cream-of-the-crop then you must consider the matchup first and player talent second. Below are my personal top picks for fantasy performers in the divisional round.

QB - Aaron Rodgers
There a lot of good quarterbacks playing this weekend but Aaron is at home against a so-so NYG pass defense and the Pack are not going to mess around. Rodgers will throw all over the place and I doubt that GB's running game will be the main thing. Brees at SF will have a tougher challenge. The Patriots are likely to mix in more of their running game; they usually do in the playoffs.

WRs - Jordy Nelson, Victor Cruz & Demaryius Thomas
Greg Jennings should be back but he'll be rusty. His biggest contribution will be drawing the defense from Nelson who has become Rodgers #1 target and these two will connect. The Cruz and Eli Manning relationship is one of the main stories of the season. GBs DEF won't keep up and Victor will do plenty of work. The unsung hero of the Broncos, DT, is a matchup problem for NE. Belichick focused on the DEF during the bye and they will step up but won't be able to shut-out DEN. It's likely that the Pats will end up with a large lead in this game and I expect DEN to continue to play hard to score and not let the hype die down too much.

RBs - Ray Rice & Frank Gore
BAL will go to Rice all day. HOU is a great DEF but tougher against the WRs. It's Ray's house and he'll do the scoring here. Gore gets a rest and plays at home against a so-so NO run DEF. I like SF's chances to set the pace of this game. There will be points but I see this game staying even until the 4th qtr. Arian Forster is good for plenty of yards and a possible TD but the upside in the BAL/HOU game is that the Ravens dominate and protect the house. It could be a low-scoring departure for the Texans.

TE - Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez
NE's TEs are a cut above the rest. They are targeted more than the WRs. I noticed a lot of zone DEF by DEN in the game vs PIT last week, which I think is smart but it did leave Heath Miller open for some big plays, rare for him. I think the Bronco's will play the same way tonight, which will result in even production from these two. Each is guaranteed to score. Flip a coin on these guys. Jimmy Graham is a big part of NO's offense but I think the upside here is Jim Harbaugh's respect for the big guy and he'll go with bracket coverage, which could stop Graham from getting a TD.

K - John Kasay
The team that scores a lot of points and who will face a tough DEF on the road and may have to settle for feild goals is NO. Their K is John Kasay, who was very reliable during the season. Nuff said.

DEF - Ravens
HOU starts a third-string rookie QB at BAL in the playoffs against a rested Ravens DEF, "No, no, no!" says Terrell Suggs. This is the moment Ravens fans have been waiting for. The likely upside here is that the Ravens DEF dominates. I like them for multiple takeaways and a TD. "Hello Ed Reed. Where've ya been?" The 12th man in BAL will show up and be loud, "Oh, oh, aah, oh, oh, oh, oooooh!" All-in-all, this could be the biggest blow-out in the divisional round. You want the DEF that's gonna have the feild-day and that's the Ravens.

If this is your line-up then your chances of going to the next round are good, very good!