This weekend it's time for my fantasy football draft, and I'm pretty stoked. I've been running a league I call the FFFL (Fantasy Football Fanatics League) for 14 years now and it's always a joy to see everyone and get the machinery up and running again. We're holding our draft at a local pizzeria this weekend, so it's time to really dig in and get ready for the season. We're going to have 14 members in our league this year, and we're doing some neat things with flex positions on our rosters to allow for a variety of line-ups.
Playing fantasy football generally means that every game holds weight, not just those contests that your favorite team is playing in. It takes NFL fandom to a whole new level. It's also a nice social activity--my wife and my father are also members of my league, to include a number of friends, some of whom I probably would have lost contact with over the years if not for this silly game we take so seriously. If you're a fan of football and you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. We use ESPN's website to run our league, but there are a number of options out there.
I just want to know where I'm picking and get this thing rolling--football season is upon us, peeps. Long live fantasy football and the NFL!
Oh, and one last thing: Go Hawks!
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Seahawks Fever
Last night, my beloved Seahawks brought home two well-deserved ESPYs: one for the fiery Richard Sherman and one for the team itself. Sherman taking home the Breakthrough Athlete award seemed like a no-brainer. This dude has gone from being a guy scouts regarded as a potential back-up to a Super Bowl Champion who nabbed the cover of the upcoming edition of Madden. His stellar play and his brash antics have made him a household name, hated by many and loved by the rest. The club itself scoring Best Team honors was more of a surprise, though they did clobber an offense labelled the best of all time by many in the Super Bowl. Also: it was a fan vote. As you already know, the 12th Man is loud and proud.
It was nice to see these honors bestowed upon Seattle, a franchise that has labored in obscurity in the Pacific Northwest for much of its existence. Upon catapulting themselves to the top of the charts with an epic beatdown of the Broncos in the Super Bowl, the hate has been overwhelming. Look for any positive article about the team online and the comments sections will be overflowing with animosity directed toward #25 and the bandwagon fans.
Yes, Sherm can be obnoxious, but I think the same thing every time I see some numbskull making a passionate case for why he's not the best cornerback in the league: if you're a professional athlete and there are multitudes of people expending lots of time and energy talking about why you're NOT the best at what you do, well, you're probably the best at what you do. That's how it works. His stats speak for themselves and he has been doing it for a few years now. Quarterbacks have started to shy away from him, but his video game production has remained consistent. The same could be said for his chippy demeanor and his bravado.
The bandwagon thing is equally silly; yes, every championship team in this day and age garners bandwagon fans, but people want to act like Seattle has never been known for having a rabid fanbase. Wind the clock back 30 years and the Kingdome was known as one of the loudest stadiums in professional sports, and that's back when the team could only manage to occasionally flirt with anything other than mediocrity. There were some downright painful years, to include wasting the immortal Cortez Kennedy on a team saddled with one of the most pathetic offenses ever to take the field. Yet the fans were there, and there wer people like me cheering them on from the other side of the country. Take the bandwagon noise and shove it.
Things have changed. The fanbase was always there, but aside from Steve Largent and his glorious hands, there was little to celebrate. Now Big Tez and Walter Jones have joined Steve in the Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl champions reside in the Pacific Northwest. Last night, the champs ruled over the ESPYs and the stage is set for another run at greatness in 2014. The team has a young roster filled with budding stars, many of whom have been inked to long-term deals. We have a quarterback on the cusp of greatness, a beast at running back, a receiving corp that is anything but pedestrian, and a defense that made Peyton Manning look totally inept in the biggest game of his career. It's a great time to be a 12 and it should remain that way for a while.
As Russell Wilson says at the end of every press conference or interview he participates in, "Go Hawks!"
It was nice to see these honors bestowed upon Seattle, a franchise that has labored in obscurity in the Pacific Northwest for much of its existence. Upon catapulting themselves to the top of the charts with an epic beatdown of the Broncos in the Super Bowl, the hate has been overwhelming. Look for any positive article about the team online and the comments sections will be overflowing with animosity directed toward #25 and the bandwagon fans.
Yes, Sherm can be obnoxious, but I think the same thing every time I see some numbskull making a passionate case for why he's not the best cornerback in the league: if you're a professional athlete and there are multitudes of people expending lots of time and energy talking about why you're NOT the best at what you do, well, you're probably the best at what you do. That's how it works. His stats speak for themselves and he has been doing it for a few years now. Quarterbacks have started to shy away from him, but his video game production has remained consistent. The same could be said for his chippy demeanor and his bravado.
The bandwagon thing is equally silly; yes, every championship team in this day and age garners bandwagon fans, but people want to act like Seattle has never been known for having a rabid fanbase. Wind the clock back 30 years and the Kingdome was known as one of the loudest stadiums in professional sports, and that's back when the team could only manage to occasionally flirt with anything other than mediocrity. There were some downright painful years, to include wasting the immortal Cortez Kennedy on a team saddled with one of the most pathetic offenses ever to take the field. Yet the fans were there, and there wer people like me cheering them on from the other side of the country. Take the bandwagon noise and shove it.
Things have changed. The fanbase was always there, but aside from Steve Largent and his glorious hands, there was little to celebrate. Now Big Tez and Walter Jones have joined Steve in the Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl champions reside in the Pacific Northwest. Last night, the champs ruled over the ESPYs and the stage is set for another run at greatness in 2014. The team has a young roster filled with budding stars, many of whom have been inked to long-term deals. We have a quarterback on the cusp of greatness, a beast at running back, a receiving corp that is anything but pedestrian, and a defense that made Peyton Manning look totally inept in the biggest game of his career. It's a great time to be a 12 and it should remain that way for a while.
As Russell Wilson says at the end of every press conference or interview he participates in, "Go Hawks!"
Monday, November 4, 2013
Ugly Wins
An ugly win trumps a beautiful loss, and a record of 8-1 does a lot to erase any doubts about a team's performance. Having said that, my beloved Seattle Seahawks seem to be registering ugly victories in games where they should be obliterating their opponents. Am I worried? Nope.
This team knows how to win. There are flaws, but that's true of any team in any sport. There are a lot of good teams out there, and anything can happen in the NFL, but this is the best Seattle team I have ever had the privilege of pulling for. I'm still thinking big in 2013, and I think this team is going to improve. Percy Harvin hasn't even hit the field yet, and key members of the O-line who have been injured will return to action soon.
Mark my words: if the Seahawks can nail down the best record in the NFC and make their competition come to Seattle in the playoffs, we're in business. Right now, the team sits atop the NFC, and though I would have liked it if they had dished out a few 50-burgers in recent weeks, I'll take the wins. It doesn't matter how ugly they are, they count, and there has never been a better team to root for the Seahawks.
This team knows how to win. There are flaws, but that's true of any team in any sport. There are a lot of good teams out there, and anything can happen in the NFL, but this is the best Seattle team I have ever had the privilege of pulling for. I'm still thinking big in 2013, and I think this team is going to improve. Percy Harvin hasn't even hit the field yet, and key members of the O-line who have been injured will return to action soon.
Mark my words: if the Seahawks can nail down the best record in the NFC and make their competition come to Seattle in the playoffs, we're in business. Right now, the team sits atop the NFC, and though I would have liked it if they had dished out a few 50-burgers in recent weeks, I'll take the wins. It doesn't matter how ugly they are, they count, and there has never been a better team to root for the Seahawks.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Week 1 Win
It was ugly. It was hot and humid. Yet it was a win, and ugly wins are just as good as masterpieces in the NFL. Kris and I were on hand to watch Seattle beat the Panthers 12 - 7 today, and we had a blast. I knew the Panthers were tough, and playing at 1 p.m. on the East Coast is kind of like rolling the Seahawks out of bed at 10 a.m. to play some ball, but they got the job done.
I didn't expect Carolina to be able to shut down the run like they did, holding Marshawn Lynch to less than 50 yards on the ground. I was also a bit worried as the offense was able to move the ball in spurts without getting into the end zone until the 4th quarter. As with any game where a single score results in a lead change, it was an intense affair, and despite the baseball score it was a good game to watch.
In the end, Russell Wilson got it done, posting a regular season high of 320 yards and hitting 8 different receivers in the process. That kid is special, and the future is bright for Seattle fans. I'm glad I have a wife who loves the NFL (and the Seahawks) as much as I do, and I'm glad the team was able to give us a win in Charlotte today.
Go Hawks!
I didn't expect Carolina to be able to shut down the run like they did, holding Marshawn Lynch to less than 50 yards on the ground. I was also a bit worried as the offense was able to move the ball in spurts without getting into the end zone until the 4th quarter. As with any game where a single score results in a lead change, it was an intense affair, and despite the baseball score it was a good game to watch.
In the end, Russell Wilson got it done, posting a regular season high of 320 yards and hitting 8 different receivers in the process. That kid is special, and the future is bright for Seattle fans. I'm glad I have a wife who loves the NFL (and the Seahawks) as much as I do, and I'm glad the team was able to give us a win in Charlotte today.
Go Hawks!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Fantasy Football Squad
I definitely made some strange picks this year, but I'm feeling my squad. We do Team
QBs and the QB position and the Defense/Special Teams score more points
than in many leagues. We're also a PPR league, and there are 12 clubs.
I picked at the 5 spot and here's what I landed:
Team QB - Detroit
RB - Steven Jackson
WR - Danny Amendola
WR - Antonio Brown
TE - Greg Olsen
Flex (RB, WR, or TE) - C.J. Spiller
Def/Special Teams - Seattle
K - Blair Walsh
Bench:
James Jones
Justin Blackmon
Daryl Richardson
Sidney Rice
Isaiah Pead
Brandon Pettigrew
KC TQB
I definitely wagered on what I expect in 2013, and I'm eager to see if I can cash in. The Lions will still be the Lions, but they'll sling it around, and I love my depth at RB. I'm really big on Jackson in Atlanta, I love Spiller, and both should finish the season with a lot of receptions. Additionally, I know Jeff Fisher is going to run the ball in St. Louis, it's just a matter of where the carries go. If my WRs stay healthy, I'm looking really good on the PPR end of the spectrum, and I have the best defense out there. I'm solid at TE, and I guess that sums it up.
That's my take, anyway.
Team QB - Detroit
RB - Steven Jackson
WR - Danny Amendola
WR - Antonio Brown
TE - Greg Olsen
Flex (RB, WR, or TE) - C.J. Spiller
Def/Special Teams - Seattle
K - Blair Walsh
Bench:
James Jones
Justin Blackmon
Daryl Richardson
Sidney Rice
Isaiah Pead
Brandon Pettigrew
KC TQB
I definitely wagered on what I expect in 2013, and I'm eager to see if I can cash in. The Lions will still be the Lions, but they'll sling it around, and I love my depth at RB. I'm really big on Jackson in Atlanta, I love Spiller, and both should finish the season with a lot of receptions. Additionally, I know Jeff Fisher is going to run the ball in St. Louis, it's just a matter of where the carries go. If my WRs stay healthy, I'm looking really good on the PPR end of the spectrum, and I have the best defense out there. I'm solid at TE, and I guess that sums it up.
That's my take, anyway.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Seahawk Fever
I don't know if it has ever been more exciting to be a fan of the Seattle Seahawks. Surely there has never been so much hype surrounding Seattle heading into the season. The Legion of Boom is poised to lay the smack down for one of the best defenses in football. The coach is cool. The running back could plow through a brick wall if he so desired, and the quarterback looks totally legit. Yes, the future is bright. This isn't a team that is built to win now, either--this is a time that is built to win for a while.
The NFL frequently defies expectations, and as with anything, there are no guarantees. Regardless, I can't wait for Week 1. Did I mention that my wife and are I going to be in Charlotte to watch the Panthers get smacked around in 11 days?
My prediction: Seattle has all the tools. I think they'll win their division, and they should definitely make the playoffs. The division crown could go to San Fran, another stellar unit, and I'm not sleeping on any of the teams in the NFC West (remember when they used to call it the NFC Worst?), but this 12th man is stoked.
Go Hawks!
The NFL frequently defies expectations, and as with anything, there are no guarantees. Regardless, I can't wait for Week 1. Did I mention that my wife and are I going to be in Charlotte to watch the Panthers get smacked around in 11 days?
My prediction: Seattle has all the tools. I think they'll win their division, and they should definitely make the playoffs. The division crown could go to San Fran, another stellar unit, and I'm not sleeping on any of the teams in the NFC West (remember when they used to call it the NFC Worst?), but this 12th man is stoked.
Go Hawks!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Twitter People
I dig Twitter, but sometimes the users make me laugh. This is to be expected, but I thought I would share anyway. I was recently followed by an individual whose bio reads: "Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like a toad, though ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in its head." Seriously, I don't even know what the hell that means. Even if I can sort of figure it out, it's an interesting way to introduce yourself to the world at the very least, and it would probably be better described as a preposterous way to introduce yourself to the world.
I'm a writer, so many of the people I follow are in the field, and it's amazing how many can't write a simple sentence or two. Some can't spell. Some bill themselves as existential futurists or idiosyncratic adventurers. When you figure that shit out, feel free to tell me all about it. Some brag about awards they have won that no one else seems to recognize. Some are cool people with cool stories to tell.
I've made a number of connections that I greatly enjoy. I've chatted with Jon Ryan, the punter for my beloved Seattle Seahawks, and Henry Mancini followed me for some reason even though he has no idea how much I dig his compositions. Twitter is quirky, it's bizarre, it's a lot of fun, and it definitely leads you to scratch your head at times. If don't have a profile, I encourage to sign up, meet some cool people, and laugh at some crazy people. It makes the world go round.
I'm a writer, so many of the people I follow are in the field, and it's amazing how many can't write a simple sentence or two. Some can't spell. Some bill themselves as existential futurists or idiosyncratic adventurers. When you figure that shit out, feel free to tell me all about it. Some brag about awards they have won that no one else seems to recognize. Some are cool people with cool stories to tell.
I've made a number of connections that I greatly enjoy. I've chatted with Jon Ryan, the punter for my beloved Seattle Seahawks, and Henry Mancini followed me for some reason even though he has no idea how much I dig his compositions. Twitter is quirky, it's bizarre, it's a lot of fun, and it definitely leads you to scratch your head at times. If don't have a profile, I encourage to sign up, meet some cool people, and laugh at some crazy people. It makes the world go round.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Seahawks 58, Cardinals 0
Seriously?
Wow.
It is pretty damn exciting to be a Seahawks fan these days. I know I'll never see another game play out like the one that unfolded yesterday. I can't imagine how Arizona's fans must feel, but we Seahawks fans have walked through our fair share of valleys. I'm definitely going to savor this one, and I'm looking forward to watching this team play in the post-season.
Go Hawks!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Oh Glorious Sunday!
It's Sunday evening, and even though it got dark way too early I'm sporting a smile thanks to sports.
Yes, I'm a Seattle Seahawks fan, and the Beast and the rook both played well.
Wilson continued his effective rookie campaign by completing 16 out of 24 passes for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. He added 27 yards on the ground and was only sacked once.
Marshawn contributed 124 yards on 26 carries with a single score, and he also caught 2 passes for 26 yards.
The Seahawks defeated the Vikings at home to move to 5-4.
After nearly three decades of rooting for Seattle, I've really learned to cherish every victory, so I would be on cloud nine right now anyway, but it gets better.
I've got Doug Martin on my fantasy team.
He's just some rookie who carried the ball 25 times for 251 yards and 4 touchdowns. He probably scored more points than some of the teams in my league managed this week. Well, maybe not, but the kid went off and I should certainly win my game as a result. I'll keep you in the loop.
Now, it's time to settle back, watch a few highlights, and then . . .
The Walking Dead!
Yes, I'm a Seattle Seahawks fan, and the Beast and the rook both played well.
Wilson continued his effective rookie campaign by completing 16 out of 24 passes for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. He added 27 yards on the ground and was only sacked once.
Marshawn contributed 124 yards on 26 carries with a single score, and he also caught 2 passes for 26 yards.
The Seahawks defeated the Vikings at home to move to 5-4.
After nearly three decades of rooting for Seattle, I've really learned to cherish every victory, so I would be on cloud nine right now anyway, but it gets better.
I've got Doug Martin on my fantasy team.
He's just some rookie who carried the ball 25 times for 251 yards and 4 touchdowns. He probably scored more points than some of the teams in my league managed this week. Well, maybe not, but the kid went off and I should certainly win my game as a result. I'll keep you in the loop.
Now, it's time to settle back, watch a few highlights, and then . . .
The Walking Dead!
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