At one time, I was a rabid fantasy football player. And won my fair share of leagues.
Then, things started to change in real football.
Backfields were shared.
The 'third down back' was introduced.
Three and four wide receiver splits.
Some teams virtually eliminated the tight end position or certainly didn't have them catch passes.
Most fantasy footballers rolled with the changes. Along with the injury factor of having top players being irreplaceable, I made a decision that too much luck had entered the game.
Fantasy footballers have heard this before and don't need to hear it again. The time frame of just 14-16 games, alone, will always be a starting point for folks talking of luck.
Fantasy football is more popular than fantasy baseball. The number one reason for that is because of the ease with which to join a league. My daughter knows little about football and baseball. Yet, she is entering a fantasy football league, partially to have more of an opportunity to root for her favorite player, Peyton Manning.
Football makes it easy for those that know little about the sport. 75% of a football team's roster can be ignored in making fantasy choices.
The fantasy player only needs to know who throws the ball, who runs the ball, who catches the ball, and who kicks the ball.
BABIP and other long initials are not needed in fantasy football. Just touches.
This is not to take a shot at fantasy football. Heck, I wish there were an easier way to get more fantasy baseballers. But, it is more of a cerebral challenge.
A lot of folks see football as a more exciting sport. I can understand that. With the shorter game schedule, each game is of more significance. If we compare the Jets having the ball on the one yard line, down by five, with three seconds to go in the game vs. the Patriots to the Mets being down by three to the Phils, with David Wright up and the bases loaded and two out, even I would rather watch the fourth and one shot.
There is more on the line.
But if we put that Wright at bat in the World Series (Dream on, Mets fans), I'd want to see how Wright did.
As an almost (I plan to enter some cheap ff leagues and help my daughter who wants to draft Tim Tebow) total fantasy baseball player, I do enjoy that some of my competition have their heads on a swivel at this time of year. Juggling both sports is a tough thing to do, especially if both are High Stakes. I commend those that do that.
One thing that
me most about football are the tv broadcasters.There are some similarities, such as Dan Dierdork being the Tim McCarver of football.
Each of these broadcasters will follow the same mantra in overstating how important their game is. If a team is 0-1, they want to get back on the winning side of things. If a team is 1-0, they want to continue their winning ways. And so it goes during the whole season.
We get it.
There are no homers while watching NFL games. That is, of course, because the networks are in charge of who works each game, not the teams, like in baseball.
Still, just one time, wouldn't you like to hear this call by the King of Homers, Hawk Harrelson........
"C'mon Jake, make something happen out there. The Bad Guys are up by six and there is only time for one play .
Cutler back, and he heaves a long one, this is no little duck snort! Brandon Marshall makes the catch, AND HE GONE!
That defensive back can grab some pine!
PUT IT ON THE BOARRRRRRRRD. YESSSSSSSSSSS!
THIS GAME IS OVAH!
Good guys 28, bad guys 27!
MERCY!"