As you probably read, I'm doing extremely well in the NFFC. My retro strategy of two running backs and picking wide receivers in the sixth round has proven to be quite productive. I am averaging 157 points a week. The most I scored was 201.5 and the least I scored was 135.8. I lead my league in points and I am third in the nation. The only problem is that my record is 3-2.
When I look at the overall standings, I look quite silly with that record. I'm in a pack of teams with 5-0 and 4-1 records, but I have a 3-2. So, while I might have things going for me, my overall record puts me 5th in my league. As I said on the message board, I feel like Al Gore must have felt. I've won the popular vote, but because of the archaic Electoral College, I lose the election.
Still, I'm not comfortable where I am. I have some serious issues to deal with and the Free Agent Pool is not the best place to find help. You need to be thinking way ahead.
Quarterback
Both Tony Romo and Bret Favre had poor weeks. This week I have the challenge of picking the right quarterback. Romo has to face the New England Patriots. That is not a good match up. Favre has to face the Redskins. Right now I'm leaning towards Romo as he has gotten me this far. He is also younger and tends to run for touchdowns more often than Favre.
Running Back
Ronnie Brown has done so well that Jesse Chatman became a free agent in my league. I'm going to try and pick up Chatman has a backup. Travis Henry has been a great #1 pick until last week. You know the story on him. I hope he has a good legal team that can keep the NFL tangled up in the courts until the season ends. Chester Taylor has lost his job. I picked up Gado a couple of weeks ago, but his playing time is completely dependent upon the health on Ahman Green. That leaves my pickup of Deshawn Wynn. It is beginning to look like he might pan out. I dropped $300 on Gado but only $50 for Wynn. He'll be my #2 this week while Henry has a bye.
Tight End
I'm as strong at Tight End as I am at quarterback. Antonio Gates is my #1 and will start every game except his bye. Heath Miller will start Gates' bye week and is an option as my flex. He'd probably be my flex this week if it wasn't his bye week.
Wide Receiver
While this has been my strongest position, it is the one I'm the most worried about. Eddie Kennision is hurt. Brandon Stokley is hurt. Antwaan Randle El had a great week, but he is hurt. James Jones bursts with potential but his two fumbles last week is a real concern. I'm concerned about Chris Chambers. That leaves Dwayne Bowe and Jerricho Cotchery as the only two wide receivers I have confidence in right now. I've spent most of my time scouting the available wide receivers, but I haven't found much.
Defense
I have Jacksonville and I'm really happy about that. They will be my defense for the rest of the year unless something really bad happens.
Kicker
I try not to think too hard about kickers. Stephen Gostkowski is fine I'll grab someone for week 10.
While I'm doing really well, I feel as though I'll need to find another piece if I think I'm going to have a chance to win the $100,000 much less my league. I'm back to pounding the free agent pool and trying and find a diamond in the dirt.
You need to be looking for players who might have value in Week 7. There isn't much left for week 6. Jason Wright is there and I've put a bid on him, but I'm not willing to spend too much. If Jamal Lewis does play, then that FAAB is wasted.
There a bunch of wide receivers who scored some points, but they all have done it in one game and generally got a big zero otherwise. I know I got lucky with the Lions in week 4, but I have no hope of picking the right wide receiver for the week.
So, I'll pound away and see if I can find something. I may be futile, but I'll keep on looking until the FAAB deadline hits. I suppose, even if I don't even make my league's playoffs, I'll always have that Aaron Rogers jersey.
JP Kastner is the winner of the 2007 Strat-O-Matic Baseball Online Expert League World Series. In five seasons of SOMBOE, JP Kastner has five winning seasons, four playoff appearances, three World Series appearances and now one World Championship. He is in his second season in the Tout Wars mixed league.