Thursday, September 10, 2009
2009 Post Draft Surveys
One word sums up the 2009 draft. One word so succinctly describes the awesome heights to which our league has ascended. There can be no doubt that this is the greatest Fantasy Football league the world has ever know.
And that word? Nachos. As in, 6 huge, man-sized platters, delivered upon the biggest tray I have ever seen, backed by a second huge tray of fixins.
And if I was a prike, I'd throw in a second word - Coles, as in REACH - but I'm not, so I won't.
They said it couldn't be done. And yet, when the dust settled on the 2009 draft, the impossible had been realized.
We have a new best-draft-ever. 2008 is dead! Long live 2009!
Of course, the actual draft part of the festivities went better for some than for others. As per tradition, I present the post draft recap in all it's brutal glory.
Summary View
Biggest Reach
Laveranues Coles (Liefer) - receiving 75% of the vote
Other vote getters:
NYG Defense (Wes) with 12.5%
Larry Johnson (Walker) with 12.5%
Best Value
Matt Hasselbeck (Twig) receiving 25% of the vote
Other vote getters:
Adrian Peterson (Liefer) - 12.5%
David Garrard (Liefer) - 12.5%
Donovan McNabb (Jeremy) - 12.5%
Eddie Royal (Jeremy) - 12.5%
Braylon Edwards (Badics) - 12.5%
Bernard Berrian (Eric) - 12.5%
Best Draft
aka - the Pierce Brothers rule (at least in August)
Jeremy & Eric with 37.5% each
Other vote getters:
Badics with 12.5%
Torey with 12.5%
Worst Draft
Liefer with 50% of the vote
Other vote getters:
Jerome with 25%
Badics with 12.5%
Bud with 12.5%
Preseason Favorite to Win the Championship
Polls show the Sharks are favorites to repeat!
Eric with 37.5% of votes
Other vote getters:
Jeremy & Dustin with 25% each
Walker with 12.5%
Owner Surveys
Jeremy
Team-Specific Questions
Q: How do you feel about your WR? You ended up trading away Calvin Johnson and ended up with Bowe, who may struggle with Cassel and without anyone else to deflect attention, and TJ Housh, who played the possession receiver role in Cincy but may struggle as the #1 guy in Seattle (not to mention, his productivity is tied to Hasselbeck’s bulgy back). For all intents and purposes, your depth begins and ends with Eddie Royal. Any concerns about your WR core?
I actually feel really good about my WR… I hated doing it because he's a beast, but the point of trading Megatron was to get stronger at RB, which I was able to do with Barber (staying at 9 to pick a RB would have killed me as there was a big dropoff after Ronnie Brown). I was pumped to get Bowe and Housh in the 2nd round, they are both #1 WR on teams that will likely throw the ball a ton (KC because they suck and Seattle because their run game is somewhat suspect). If I have any injuries here I will be kinda screwed, sure, but who wouldn't. I thought I got Royal at a great value, especially considering all the questions surrounding Brandon Marshall. Earl Bennett is a nice sleeper who could pan out as a bye week fill-in.
Q: Your RB consist of Marion Barber, Darren McFadden, and a stable of Donald Brown, Ahmad Bradshaw, Leon Washington, and Ricky Williams. You have a lot of depth in terms of bodies, but they are all in job-share roles – even your top 2 (Barber & McFadden) are in full time-shares and are projected to split carries. You have a lot of talent, but no real #1 guy that you can count on every week to get the majority of carries. How happy are you with your RB, and any regrets on passing up the true #1 RBs out there – guys like Lynch, Thomas Jones, or LJ?
No regrets on passing on those guys… to get Lynch or LJ I would have had to pass up on Barber, and to get Jones I would have had to pass on Bowe & Housh… neither of those moves would have made sense. I may have a lot of RBs that split carries, but there are very few RBs who get an 80% or better share of the carries in the National Football League. Brown, Washington, and Bradshaw should crack 1,000 total yds and a handful of TD each in their time shares or possibly much better #s if an injury happens. My only problem with having all of these similar-level RBs is deciding which to start at the flex spot (along with Royal)… that gave me countless headaches last year.
Q: You waited a long time on TE in favor of RB depth, finally taking Dustin Keller in the 8th. Keller had a break-out year in 2008, but that was with Favre, who loves going to the TE. The 2009 Jets will be a completely different team with Sanchez at QB. Any regrets with the pick?
I do kind of wish I would've taken a TE earlier, but when I was planning to take a certain guy he would get nabbed a couple picks before me. I was also planning on taking best available at most spots in the draft and most times, TE wasn't the way to go. If anything, I should have waited a few rounds on Keller, as I think he would've been there in the 10th or 11th.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Laveranues Coles in the 2nd round… he might not even be the 2nd best WR on his team.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Matt Hasselbeck in the 10th round, great value and I think he'll be better than a few of the QBs that went before him.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I would say Badics, he did a great job of drafting for value at almost every one of his picks.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
I had a tough time picking the worst draft, I think everyone did a solid job overall when considering the keepers. But, I gotta pick someone so I would say Liefer… waited too long to pickup a 3rd RB
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
I hate to say it, but with the best keepers, getting two top 10 WR in the first 2 rounds, and having enough depth to trade for a QB when Schaub gets injured for the year, the Sharks have a good chance to repeat.
Bud
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You did a nice job of picking based on best value at the time. However, the side-effect of that was that you waited until the 4th round to get your 2nd WR (Anthony Gonzalez) and didn’t go back again until Crayton in the 9th. Gonzo is a popular breakout candidate given his move into the #2 WR position in Indy, but is a bit risky as a #2, every-week start WR. Any regrets passing on some of the elite WR available at the time (Steve Smith, Jennings, Boldin, and Bowe)?
I would have picked either Smith or Jennings, but little injuries can sometimes ride throughout the season. Barring catastrophe, Anthony gonzalez will get his. Hopefully, Crayton or Harvin can fill in when called upon.
Q: You went early on QB (Rodgers in the 2nd) and TE (Gates in the 3rd), passing on the ability to solidify RB & WR. The TE pool was relatively deep this year and may have been a position to wait on. Was this a deliberate strategy going into the draft, or did you feel those guys represented the best value at the time?
I really think these two can win a given week even if their supporting cast does not play well. I was definitely targeting these two coming in, and don't feel like I reached or got a steal. Although, I wouldn't have picked them if they didn't represent value.
Q: You spent two early round picks solidifying your grip on Buffalo’s running game (Lynch in the 2nd, Jackson in the 5th), leaving you thin at your 3rd RB spot – McCoy, McGahee, and BenJarvus Green Ellis are your next 3 RBs. What is your strategy for filling the flex spot this year?
I got the guys I wanted and then ended up picking up a few with upside. Maybe I can catch lightning in a bottle somewhere for the flex spot.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I guess first defense taken two rounds before any others (Wes). Very good draft I thought.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Although it was a no-brainer - Adrian Peterson - It would be great to get the #1 running back by far in essentially the third round.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy, he got a couple guys I was looking at later on in the draft. He also got a couple more picks I suppose.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer, Hard to believe he would let someone else on the computer take some of his picks for him.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
How about Eric, after getting there numerous times, he's now learned how to win the big one.
Liefer
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You started strong at RB, pairing Pierre with the no-brainer of AP. You didn’t go back to the position until the 7th / 8th, getting Earnest Graham & Jamaal Charles back-to-back. Graham is solidly in a 3-way rotation with Ward likely to get most of the carries, and Cadillac to contend with as well. At best, Graham becomes a goal-line back. And in KC, LJ has looked solid and should be the feature back again, limiting Charles’ opportunities. Any regret at not landing a solid #3 RB earlier?
I have no regrets not landing a RB earlier than the 7th & 8th rounds. AP is the best RB in football and I love the upside of Pierre Thomas. Given the drop off in RB’s I did not think it was worth using a 3-6th round pick for a RB. If AP gets hurt I will be the first to admit my team is in deep trouble. If he stays healthy and is a stud, I love my chances at making the playoffs.
Q: Laveranues Coles in the 3rd felt like a huge reach. Let’s look at the facts – as a fantasy player, he’s been terribly inconsistent week-to-week; he’s moving to a new system in Cincy, and his getting strong contention from Chris Henry for the #2 spot; even if he is the #2 WR in Cincy, the lion’s share of looks will go to Ocho, who figures to bounce back from a bad 2008. Considering all of this, and the talent available at the time – Vincent Jackson, Roy Williams (both solid #1 WRs on their teams), Knowshon and Jonathan Stewart (both figure to be a big part of their team’s running games and are nice keeper prospects to boot) – do you wish you could have a mulligan on this one?
What more can I say – another “Rudi Johnson” moment for me. The problem was Torey and Jerome made their picks so quickly I didn’t have time to catch my breath. People usually take five minutes in those rounds but again that is no excuse. My FF website had Coles rated as a sleeper just like they did with Rudi. In one of my other 12 team leagues Coles did not go until the middle of the 9th round – again, I totally dropped the ball on this and need to stop going for reaches. Next year I am drafting best pick available regardless of position – something the Lions started doing this year compared to the Millen years.
Q: Sticking with the 2nd/3rd round – Witten in the 2nd was a good pick, and there is no fault in locking up the potential #1 TE. I actually think Witten will benefit more from TO moving to Buffalo than Roy Williams will. However, now that the dust has settled and you look at a WR corp of Coles (nuff said), Holmes (big name after the Super Bowl, but overrated), Walter (very solid #3), Driver (another good #3), Steve Smith (someone has to emerge for the NYG, but I don’t think it’s him) and Gage (another solid pick), your WR seem to be your team’s weak spot. Any regret going TE so early and passing up a chance to pair Coles with someone like Roy or Vinny Jackson, especially given the deep TE pool this year? You couldn’t have known it at the time, but look how far Tony Gonzo fell – 2nd pick of the 5th round.
I have no regrets taking Witten where I did – he was #1 on my TE list and rated higher than Jackson and Williams. I think with TO leaving Witten will be better than Gates and Gonzalez this year. My WR’s do worry me a lot but hopefully Holmes has a good regular season and Carson Palmer regains his touch and Coles fits in to the offense. With TJ leaving, I think Coles has a chances – again I definitely took him too early and that will not happen in 2010.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Like I said last year I’d pick Coles (as I did Rudi). I think Larry Johnson was a reach by Walker. LJ has been injury prone and has not been the same dominant RB like he was a few years ago. I certainly hope Pierre Thomas (EP: think he means Jamaal Charles) continues his second half performance and makes his mark in the KC offense.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy as usual – taking McNabb late in the 3rd round.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy – I thought he had the best team last year too. (EP: I think he means the 4th-best team)
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Badics – he has yet to make the playoffs and that has a lot to do with his drafts.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy – he got great value picking up TJ, Bowe and McNabb where he did. Eddie Royal was another good pick in the 5th round.
Jerome
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You’ve missed the last 3 drafts... the fellas are clamoring for the return of the Payne Stewart getup. Are you ever going to make it to another draft?
I will make it again, just don't know when. Hopefully soon rather than later. I need to teach you family men how to booze again
Q: You drafted LT again, effectively keeping him off the market for the entire history of the 4th & 20 league and giving you a very solid top 3 RB – Chris Johnson, Grant, and LT. However, your depth pretty much stops there, as your backups consist of Fragile Fred and Tashard Choice, Dallas’ #3 RB behind Marion and Felix. Are you at all concerned about the drop-off between your starters and your backups?
Doesn't everybody's RB depth 'pretty much stop' after their top 3? I mean if there's quality depth after 3 RB's then you must not be starting the right RB's
Q: Your WR consist of Roy Williams, Hines Ward, Cotchery, Josh Morgan, and Troy Williamson. Roy is a mid-range #2 WR, Hines and Cotchery are #3s, and Morgan and Williamson are hope-they-break-it projects. You just missed on Fitzgerald in the 1st round. Any regret taking LT and passing on a true #1 WR like Steve Smith or Greg Jennings?
No regrets. I have faith in my top 3 RB alot more with LT there than I wouls have in my WR's if I drafted Steve Smith.
Eric
Team-Specific Questions (by Jeremy)
Q: It seemed going into the draft that there were two strategies for picking up a QB: get one early or wait until the mid-late rounds to pickup a "sleeper" type. You did neither by reaching for injury-prone Matt Schaub in the 5th round, then didn't draft a backup QB at all. How concerned are you with your QB position this year?
I'm definitely concerned. As you say, Schaub is pretty familiar with Houston's medical staff, and not backing him up was pretty dumb. There are some regrets where I took him - I could have easily waited a set of rounds given that only 2 other teams had yet to draft a QB and taken what was left of the Schaub / Palmer / Ryan / Cutler tier, getting another nice RB prospect instead in the 5th. That said, I liked Schaub better than the rest, and wanted my pick of the litter. It was my intent to back him up with Palmer in the next go-around, giving me 2 top 12 QBs. But then something funny happened.
Palmer went before my next pick. No biggie - I recalibrated my plans to focus on Cutler. He went. Focused on Hasselbeck & Garrard for the next go-around. They went. Favre & Flacco were last resorts but went back-to-back before my pick in the 11th. I even considered Orton in the 13th, but he went that round. Each time I picked I felt like the value was at another position and decided to wait on a backup, only to see the guy I targeted go before my next pick. I honestly didn't count on the guys with the premium QBs (Brees, Manning, etc) backing them up.
I love my team's depth but am worried about the QB position. I'll try to land someone via waivers during the season and do a lot of praying for Schaub to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy, he is a top 6 QB. Houston is loaded on offense.
Q: You took Felix Jones in the 3rd round when Lendale White was available. Being that Felix is splitting carries with 2 other backs, somewhat of an injury concern and Lendale is a more proven back, do you wish that you would have taken White over Felix?
I regretted this one almost right after I made it. Passing on Lendale's 10+ TD potential was pretty ballsy, and I know Walker appreciated the unexpected windfall. A couple of things played into this decision, and looking back on it, I'm still happy. Would I have made the same move in a redraft? Not sure, but I think so.
Not really. I really like Cooley this year. Say what you want about Zorn's offense, but Cooley still sent personal records in yards and receptions. I look at the fall down on TDs as a fluke thing and think Cooley has top 3 potential. I went into the draft hoping to get him right about where I did.
I did look at the TE depth before pulling the trigger - I would have been pretty happy with Zach Miller, Dustin Keller, or Carlson (who I ended up with anyway in the 12th). But the biggest decision for me was Cooley or Daniels (who I didn't expect to fall). In the end, I thought Cooley had better upside. At least one owner agreed with me - Walker, who cursed loudly and then took Daniels with the next pick.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Hands down, Coles to Liefer in the 3rd.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Lots of good picks to choose from - Zach Miller in the 9th, Avery (a #1 WR) in the 7th. also love Palmer & Ryan in the 7th - two guys who should finish in the top 12 at their position.
Overall I'd have to go with Garrard in the 10th. Think the does big things this year. As an aside - how can one owner have the biggest reach and the best value pick in the same year?
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I really like what Jeremy did with all his picks.. lots of young RB studs, a solid 1-2-3 WR group with Bowe, TJ, and Royal, and a top 5 QB with McNabb.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer. Aside from AP and some good value here and there, I don't like much about his team.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy, provided injuries and suspect trades don't bring his team down.
Craig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: The trade with Jeremy really bolstered your WR, giving you easily the top 1-2 WR punch in the league. However, the trade-off was a real drop-off at RB – your stable of runners includes Reggie Bush, Chris Wells, Jonathan Stewart, and Rashard Mendenhall. Most of these guys are really more #3 level RBs, with Reggie slightly above them. Any regrets trading away the picks, and with them, the ability to improve your backfield?
I actually thought that my rb's would end up being a lot worse off then what they ended. I feel like I have a lot of risk reward type players with my running backs. I also focused on drafting extra running backs hoping that some have potential to workout for me.... and besides that I have the league MVP Peyton Hillis.
Q: Sticking with the RB theme – you selected Beanie Wells in the first, essentially on the strength of one solid half of preseason action. While Wells is an attractive keeper prospect, you took him ahead of proven RB talent like Lynch, Thomas Jones, and Larry Johnson. What’s more – Wells had a history of being injured at OSU, something that has so far followed him to the pros. Beanie can be a boom prospect when he’s healthy, but given his history, this is a really risky pick. How concerned are you regarding your #2 RB?
Once again I think it is going to be a risk reward with Beanie. I didnt like Lynch becaues of his suspension. I feel that gives someone else the chance to prove themselves and take snaps away from Lynch when he returns. Thomas Jones has sucked for me in the past so I am scarred from taking him. I also feel there are to many questions around KC and LJ (offensive line, seems to be on the decline, and also now the Cassell injury). I felt Beanie is on a team that is coming off the superbowl so he should have a good supporting cast.
Q: You selected Greg Olsen as your TE, a popular sleeper selected given the addition of Cutler to the Bears. Olsen went as the 4th overall TE, ahead of proven veterans like Cooley and Owen Daniels. Do you feel like you reached a bit for Olsen, or do you really expect him to perform above those other TEs?
I think that Olsen will be a top 2-3 TE this year. He will be the Bears #1 receiver given there average to below average receivers. Cutler has connected with TE's in the past and I am hoping Olson will be that TE/WR Cutler goes to. Sadly I also wanted a Bear on my team because the Bears are the local game every week here. So if I have to watch it at least I have a player to see. Probably not the best reason, but I think he was the best option.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer 3rd round Lavernaus Coles
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I like Twigs pick of Hasselbeck in the 10th. I could see him having a big year.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I actually think we all had pretty good drafts this year. Just by looking I like Torey's team. He has a lot of the guys I was targeting and got some value picks at the end (Buckhalter).
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
I guess Bud, has some questions at RB.... Ben Jarvis Green Ellis, Lynch, Mccoy, Mcgahee.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
I am going with Dustin.... Like Forte, Brees, Westbrook, and Ocho
Walker
Team-Specific Questions
Q: Steve Smith really fell into your lap in the 1st round and was a great pick. However, you neglected to go back to WR until the 5th round, nabbing Derrick Mason. The rest of your WR corp includes Steve Breaston, Chris Chambers and Miles Austin. There seems to be a gap between Smith (an elite, #1 WR) and the rest – a mixed bag of #3-level WRs. You ended up going RB/RB/RB in the 2nd-4th rounds. Any regrets passing on guys like Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Braylon Edwards, and DeSean Jackson, who all in the 4th round?
I am definitely second guessing my decision to not grab a receiver in the 4th round, but honestely, I could not pass up on Lendale and his 10td potential (15tds last year). I went with who I thought was the best available and feel good about the decision. Plus, I believe Derrick Mason, who I grabbed later could outscore all the for mentioned receivers on your list. He is a true #1 receiver - his team will pass more this year - 1000yds and 5tds last year.
Q: You backed up Rivers with Favre, who comes into this year with a number of question marks – age, health, run-first offense – not to mention his propensity to throw picks. Any concerns should Rivers go down?
I feel great about Favre as my backup. I thought getting him in the 13th round was a great value pick. He plays for a dynamic offense and should see huge throwing lanes. He definitely has some concerns, but the risk is worth the reward.
Q: You took James Davis in the 9th round, who at this point is firmly behind Jamal Lewis as Cleveland’s #2 RB. This seems like a bit of a reach considering guys like Tashard Choice and Shonn Greene were still on the board. Do you expect Davis to supplant Lewis as the #1 RB in Cleveland?
Absolutely, a great pick in my opinion - whatever that is worth. He is the #2 back behind a dying Jamal Lewis. He will definitely share carries, and could become the starter this season. Your above mentioned running backs are not even close to the same situation, as they are both #3 running backs. Greene is behind TJones and Washington, and Choice is behind the beast Barber and the new burner felix. For this season, Davis will dominate those guys. Davis is the future in Cleveland.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
LColes in 4th round (Leifer)
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Eddie Royal in 8th round (JPierce)
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Brown Sharks (Eric)
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
HGH (Bad draft, but solid keepers / rbs) (Jerome)
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Old NO.7 (Dustin)
Twig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You settled on Willie Parker as your #3 RB, a good value where you took him. However, how concerned are you with the looming presence of Mendenhall, who figures to get his share of carries, including most if not all of the goal line looks?
I really did not want Willy Parker, not just because of Mendenhall but because I had him last year. At the time he was the best RB on my board and best value overall. I can always hope Mendenhall gets injured for the season early again right?
Q: You seemed to have an anti-handcuff policy in effect at the draft, passing on Mendenhall in the 6th in favor of Lance Moore, and Ricky Williams in the 9th for Minnesota’s D. Given the injury history of Parker & Ronnie, do you have any morning-after misgivings about failing to lock down their respective backfields?
I told myself going in I would not look at any handcuffs – strangely I took Morris Morris real late the worst of the bunch…I must have been drunk by then.
Q: Roethlisberger in the 5th round was a pretty decent reach, especially considering the other QB talent available at the time – Schaub, Ryan, Cutler, Palmer. Big Ben has had one statistically significant season, back in 2007 when he threw for 31 TDs. Other than that one blip, he has been in the mid to high teens on TDs for his career. Are you convinced he will once again ascend to those heights in 2009?
I’m not a fan of that pick either but going in I did little to prepare and told myself take the best value on my board. At this pick the only person ahead of big ben on the top 100 was cutler and really didn’t want him. I blame the fftoolbox.com top 100 board.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer- Laveraues Coles in the 5th
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Charles – Braylon in the 4th
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Eric
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Jerome
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Eric
Badics
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You went into the draft with a solid #1 WR (Wayne), but waited until the 4th round to pair him up with another WR (Braylon). This is a great value if hes vintage 2007, but the cards seem stacked against him going into 2009 uncertainty at QB, new coach Mangini favors the run, and a brutal schedule. Do you expect Braylon to rise above these circumstances and latch onto another big season in his contract year, or will he let his opportunity bounce off his hands like so many passes in 2008?
I knew I needed a WR and I wanted a big time producer. And he was really the last of the WRs on the board with big time potential. I think the Browns QB situation will be better than it was last year. I was really hoping Bernard Berrian would slip to this spot. But I still like Braylon over DeSean Jackson and the two Steelers wide receivers.
Q: Devin Hester has been a popular sleeper selection the past 2-3 years in fantasy circles. In 2009 his promise may finally be delivered on via Cutlers golden cannon. That said, hes still relatively unproven, and felt like a reach when he went off the board in the 5th. What are your expectations for Hester, and are you feeling any doubt about having him as your #3 WR?
I’ve been a big believer in Cutler since his days at Vanderbilt. There’s no doubt in my mind that Cutler is going to have a lot of yards and TD’s. Somebody is going to be the recipient of all of those receptions. Remember that it usually takes NFL wide receivers 2-3 years to put it all together. I think this will be a breakout year for Hester as a WR.
Q: Sticking with WR - how do you feel about the group you have overall? Looking down the list after Wayne, there are a lot of question marks Braylon (can he get past the dropsies and suspect QB play); Hester (will his route-running in the 3rd season of this experiment); Holt (he looked like a husk the last year in St Louis - does he have anything left); Nate Washington (couldnt get past Ward or Holmes on the Pittsburgh depth chart, will his fortunes improve in the run-first Tennessee offense); and Sidney Rice (lots of potential, but always injured... Percy will push him for PT).
The fact of the matter is that I have 1 sure thing (Reggie Wayne) and four other #1 Wide Receivers
I start three running backs (Gore, Portis, TJones) so I really only need one of these guys to pan out. I love my group and I betcha that by midseason I’m going to have some desirable WR trade bait.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Laveranues Coles. The number two WR on a team that was horrible last year. Playing with a new QB you never know if they’re going to jell.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Bernard Berrian in the 4th. We know that Favre is going to put up big yards and TD numbers and Berrian’s gonna be the guy. Excellent value.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
E Pierce
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer – very weak at WR
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Walker
Wes
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You nabbed TO in the 2nd round, getting good value for a borderline top 10 WR, but TO has been hobbled with a toe injury in the preseason, an injury that tends to linger (see McFadden, 2008). You waited until the 5th to get complementary receiver - Santana Moss, finishing by adding Ginn in the 8th and Nicks in the 11th. Are you at all concerned about your WRs going into the season?
Yes, wide receiver is a big concern for me. I was going for best available players and value thru the draft, and receivers did not fall into place the way I would have liked.
Q: You elected to keep Brady, a wise choice, but did not make landing a backup a priority, going through almost the entire draft before landing Pennington in the last round. Given all the proven names going in the late rounds - Hasselbeck in the 10th, Eli in the 11th, Favre in the 11th - do you have any regrets about waiting so long to backup Brady?
I was hoping to nab a higher quality backup, but I don't regret it yet. Can I get burned by Brady two years in a row? We shall see. - I'll be honest, that pick was about the time I checked out and started filling out my team. There were about 3 or 4 picks in that area that I wouldn't mind doing over.
Q: You took Winslow in the 6th round, a good spot for a TE but perhaps a reach for that particular one. The Soldier has taken his share of bullets over the years, getting shrapnel removed from his knees this offseason yet again. And in the run-first Tampa offense, he'll be asked to block more. Any regrets taking him where you did, considering comparable guys went quite a bit later - Shockey in 8th, Miller in 9th, Carlson in 12th?
Eric: Wes had no answer for this... stymied.
And that word? Nachos. As in, 6 huge, man-sized platters, delivered upon the biggest tray I have ever seen, backed by a second huge tray of fixins.
And if I was a prike, I'd throw in a second word - Coles, as in REACH - but I'm not, so I won't.
They said it couldn't be done. And yet, when the dust settled on the 2009 draft, the impossible had been realized.
We have a new best-draft-ever. 2008 is dead! Long live 2009!
Of course, the actual draft part of the festivities went better for some than for others. As per tradition, I present the post draft recap in all it's brutal glory.
Summary View
Biggest Reach
Laveranues Coles (Liefer) - receiving 75% of the vote
Other vote getters:
NYG Defense (Wes) with 12.5%
Larry Johnson (Walker) with 12.5%
Best Value
Matt Hasselbeck (Twig) receiving 25% of the vote
Other vote getters:
Adrian Peterson (Liefer) - 12.5%
David Garrard (Liefer) - 12.5%
Donovan McNabb (Jeremy) - 12.5%
Eddie Royal (Jeremy) - 12.5%
Braylon Edwards (Badics) - 12.5%
Bernard Berrian (Eric) - 12.5%
Best Draft
aka - the Pierce Brothers rule (at least in August)
Jeremy & Eric with 37.5% each
Other vote getters:
Badics with 12.5%
Torey with 12.5%
Worst Draft
Liefer with 50% of the vote
Other vote getters:
Jerome with 25%
Badics with 12.5%
Bud with 12.5%
Preseason Favorite to Win the Championship
Polls show the Sharks are favorites to repeat!
Eric with 37.5% of votes
Other vote getters:
Jeremy & Dustin with 25% each
Walker with 12.5%
Owner Surveys
Jeremy
Team-Specific Questions
Q: How do you feel about your WR? You ended up trading away Calvin Johnson and ended up with Bowe, who may struggle with Cassel and without anyone else to deflect attention, and TJ Housh, who played the possession receiver role in Cincy but may struggle as the #1 guy in Seattle (not to mention, his productivity is tied to Hasselbeck’s bulgy back). For all intents and purposes, your depth begins and ends with Eddie Royal. Any concerns about your WR core?
I actually feel really good about my WR… I hated doing it because he's a beast, but the point of trading Megatron was to get stronger at RB, which I was able to do with Barber (staying at 9 to pick a RB would have killed me as there was a big dropoff after Ronnie Brown). I was pumped to get Bowe and Housh in the 2nd round, they are both #1 WR on teams that will likely throw the ball a ton (KC because they suck and Seattle because their run game is somewhat suspect). If I have any injuries here I will be kinda screwed, sure, but who wouldn't. I thought I got Royal at a great value, especially considering all the questions surrounding Brandon Marshall. Earl Bennett is a nice sleeper who could pan out as a bye week fill-in.
Q: Your RB consist of Marion Barber, Darren McFadden, and a stable of Donald Brown, Ahmad Bradshaw, Leon Washington, and Ricky Williams. You have a lot of depth in terms of bodies, but they are all in job-share roles – even your top 2 (Barber & McFadden) are in full time-shares and are projected to split carries. You have a lot of talent, but no real #1 guy that you can count on every week to get the majority of carries. How happy are you with your RB, and any regrets on passing up the true #1 RBs out there – guys like Lynch, Thomas Jones, or LJ?
No regrets on passing on those guys… to get Lynch or LJ I would have had to pass up on Barber, and to get Jones I would have had to pass on Bowe & Housh… neither of those moves would have made sense. I may have a lot of RBs that split carries, but there are very few RBs who get an 80% or better share of the carries in the National Football League. Brown, Washington, and Bradshaw should crack 1,000 total yds and a handful of TD each in their time shares or possibly much better #s if an injury happens. My only problem with having all of these similar-level RBs is deciding which to start at the flex spot (along with Royal)… that gave me countless headaches last year.
Q: You waited a long time on TE in favor of RB depth, finally taking Dustin Keller in the 8th. Keller had a break-out year in 2008, but that was with Favre, who loves going to the TE. The 2009 Jets will be a completely different team with Sanchez at QB. Any regrets with the pick?
I do kind of wish I would've taken a TE earlier, but when I was planning to take a certain guy he would get nabbed a couple picks before me. I was also planning on taking best available at most spots in the draft and most times, TE wasn't the way to go. If anything, I should have waited a few rounds on Keller, as I think he would've been there in the 10th or 11th.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Laveranues Coles in the 2nd round… he might not even be the 2nd best WR on his team.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Matt Hasselbeck in the 10th round, great value and I think he'll be better than a few of the QBs that went before him.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I would say Badics, he did a great job of drafting for value at almost every one of his picks.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
I had a tough time picking the worst draft, I think everyone did a solid job overall when considering the keepers. But, I gotta pick someone so I would say Liefer… waited too long to pickup a 3rd RB
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
I hate to say it, but with the best keepers, getting two top 10 WR in the first 2 rounds, and having enough depth to trade for a QB when Schaub gets injured for the year, the Sharks have a good chance to repeat.
Bud
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You did a nice job of picking based on best value at the time. However, the side-effect of that was that you waited until the 4th round to get your 2nd WR (Anthony Gonzalez) and didn’t go back again until Crayton in the 9th. Gonzo is a popular breakout candidate given his move into the #2 WR position in Indy, but is a bit risky as a #2, every-week start WR. Any regrets passing on some of the elite WR available at the time (Steve Smith, Jennings, Boldin, and Bowe)?
I would have picked either Smith or Jennings, but little injuries can sometimes ride throughout the season. Barring catastrophe, Anthony gonzalez will get his. Hopefully, Crayton or Harvin can fill in when called upon.
Q: You went early on QB (Rodgers in the 2nd) and TE (Gates in the 3rd), passing on the ability to solidify RB & WR. The TE pool was relatively deep this year and may have been a position to wait on. Was this a deliberate strategy going into the draft, or did you feel those guys represented the best value at the time?
I really think these two can win a given week even if their supporting cast does not play well. I was definitely targeting these two coming in, and don't feel like I reached or got a steal. Although, I wouldn't have picked them if they didn't represent value.
Q: You spent two early round picks solidifying your grip on Buffalo’s running game (Lynch in the 2nd, Jackson in the 5th), leaving you thin at your 3rd RB spot – McCoy, McGahee, and BenJarvus Green Ellis are your next 3 RBs. What is your strategy for filling the flex spot this year?
I got the guys I wanted and then ended up picking up a few with upside. Maybe I can catch lightning in a bottle somewhere for the flex spot.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I guess first defense taken two rounds before any others (Wes). Very good draft I thought.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Although it was a no-brainer - Adrian Peterson - It would be great to get the #1 running back by far in essentially the third round.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy, he got a couple guys I was looking at later on in the draft. He also got a couple more picks I suppose.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer, Hard to believe he would let someone else on the computer take some of his picks for him.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
How about Eric, after getting there numerous times, he's now learned how to win the big one.
Liefer
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You started strong at RB, pairing Pierre with the no-brainer of AP. You didn’t go back to the position until the 7th / 8th, getting Earnest Graham & Jamaal Charles back-to-back. Graham is solidly in a 3-way rotation with Ward likely to get most of the carries, and Cadillac to contend with as well. At best, Graham becomes a goal-line back. And in KC, LJ has looked solid and should be the feature back again, limiting Charles’ opportunities. Any regret at not landing a solid #3 RB earlier?
I have no regrets not landing a RB earlier than the 7th & 8th rounds. AP is the best RB in football and I love the upside of Pierre Thomas. Given the drop off in RB’s I did not think it was worth using a 3-6th round pick for a RB. If AP gets hurt I will be the first to admit my team is in deep trouble. If he stays healthy and is a stud, I love my chances at making the playoffs.
Q: Laveranues Coles in the 3rd felt like a huge reach. Let’s look at the facts – as a fantasy player, he’s been terribly inconsistent week-to-week; he’s moving to a new system in Cincy, and his getting strong contention from Chris Henry for the #2 spot; even if he is the #2 WR in Cincy, the lion’s share of looks will go to Ocho, who figures to bounce back from a bad 2008. Considering all of this, and the talent available at the time – Vincent Jackson, Roy Williams (both solid #1 WRs on their teams), Knowshon and Jonathan Stewart (both figure to be a big part of their team’s running games and are nice keeper prospects to boot) – do you wish you could have a mulligan on this one?
What more can I say – another “Rudi Johnson” moment for me. The problem was Torey and Jerome made their picks so quickly I didn’t have time to catch my breath. People usually take five minutes in those rounds but again that is no excuse. My FF website had Coles rated as a sleeper just like they did with Rudi. In one of my other 12 team leagues Coles did not go until the middle of the 9th round – again, I totally dropped the ball on this and need to stop going for reaches. Next year I am drafting best pick available regardless of position – something the Lions started doing this year compared to the Millen years.
Q: Sticking with the 2nd/3rd round – Witten in the 2nd was a good pick, and there is no fault in locking up the potential #1 TE. I actually think Witten will benefit more from TO moving to Buffalo than Roy Williams will. However, now that the dust has settled and you look at a WR corp of Coles (nuff said), Holmes (big name after the Super Bowl, but overrated), Walter (very solid #3), Driver (another good #3), Steve Smith (someone has to emerge for the NYG, but I don’t think it’s him) and Gage (another solid pick), your WR seem to be your team’s weak spot. Any regret going TE so early and passing up a chance to pair Coles with someone like Roy or Vinny Jackson, especially given the deep TE pool this year? You couldn’t have known it at the time, but look how far Tony Gonzo fell – 2nd pick of the 5th round.
I have no regrets taking Witten where I did – he was #1 on my TE list and rated higher than Jackson and Williams. I think with TO leaving Witten will be better than Gates and Gonzalez this year. My WR’s do worry me a lot but hopefully Holmes has a good regular season and Carson Palmer regains his touch and Coles fits in to the offense. With TJ leaving, I think Coles has a chances – again I definitely took him too early and that will not happen in 2010.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Like I said last year I’d pick Coles (as I did Rudi). I think Larry Johnson was a reach by Walker. LJ has been injury prone and has not been the same dominant RB like he was a few years ago. I certainly hope Pierre Thomas (EP: think he means Jamaal Charles) continues his second half performance and makes his mark in the KC offense.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy as usual – taking McNabb late in the 3rd round.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy – I thought he had the best team last year too. (EP: I think he means the 4th-best team)
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Badics – he has yet to make the playoffs and that has a lot to do with his drafts.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy – he got great value picking up TJ, Bowe and McNabb where he did. Eddie Royal was another good pick in the 5th round.
Jerome
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You’ve missed the last 3 drafts... the fellas are clamoring for the return of the Payne Stewart getup. Are you ever going to make it to another draft?
I will make it again, just don't know when. Hopefully soon rather than later. I need to teach you family men how to booze again
Q: You drafted LT again, effectively keeping him off the market for the entire history of the 4th & 20 league and giving you a very solid top 3 RB – Chris Johnson, Grant, and LT. However, your depth pretty much stops there, as your backups consist of Fragile Fred and Tashard Choice, Dallas’ #3 RB behind Marion and Felix. Are you at all concerned about the drop-off between your starters and your backups?
Doesn't everybody's RB depth 'pretty much stop' after their top 3? I mean if there's quality depth after 3 RB's then you must not be starting the right RB's
Q: Your WR consist of Roy Williams, Hines Ward, Cotchery, Josh Morgan, and Troy Williamson. Roy is a mid-range #2 WR, Hines and Cotchery are #3s, and Morgan and Williamson are hope-they-break-it projects. You just missed on Fitzgerald in the 1st round. Any regret taking LT and passing on a true #1 WR like Steve Smith or Greg Jennings?
No regrets. I have faith in my top 3 RB alot more with LT there than I wouls have in my WR's if I drafted Steve Smith.
Eric
Team-Specific Questions (by Jeremy)
Q: It seemed going into the draft that there were two strategies for picking up a QB: get one early or wait until the mid-late rounds to pickup a "sleeper" type. You did neither by reaching for injury-prone Matt Schaub in the 5th round, then didn't draft a backup QB at all. How concerned are you with your QB position this year?
I'm definitely concerned. As you say, Schaub is pretty familiar with Houston's medical staff, and not backing him up was pretty dumb. There are some regrets where I took him - I could have easily waited a set of rounds given that only 2 other teams had yet to draft a QB and taken what was left of the Schaub / Palmer / Ryan / Cutler tier, getting another nice RB prospect instead in the 5th. That said, I liked Schaub better than the rest, and wanted my pick of the litter. It was my intent to back him up with Palmer in the next go-around, giving me 2 top 12 QBs. But then something funny happened.
Palmer went before my next pick. No biggie - I recalibrated my plans to focus on Cutler. He went. Focused on Hasselbeck & Garrard for the next go-around. They went. Favre & Flacco were last resorts but went back-to-back before my pick in the 11th. I even considered Orton in the 13th, but he went that round. Each time I picked I felt like the value was at another position and decided to wait on a backup, only to see the guy I targeted go before my next pick. I honestly didn't count on the guys with the premium QBs (Brees, Manning, etc) backing them up.
I love my team's depth but am worried about the QB position. I'll try to land someone via waivers during the season and do a lot of praying for Schaub to stay healthy. If he can stay healthy, he is a top 6 QB. Houston is loaded on offense.
Q: You took Felix Jones in the 3rd round when Lendale White was available. Being that Felix is splitting carries with 2 other backs, somewhat of an injury concern and Lendale is a more proven back, do you wish that you would have taken White over Felix?
I regretted this one almost right after I made it. Passing on Lendale's 10+ TD potential was pretty ballsy, and I know Walker appreciated the unexpected windfall. A couple of things played into this decision, and looking back on it, I'm still happy. Would I have made the same move in a redraft? Not sure, but I think so.
- I felt I really needed to come out of the first 4 rounds with a solid RB keeper. Going into the 2009 season, my keepers are a huge strength - I wouldn't get much argument calling S Jax and DeAng the top 2 keepers in the league this year. But next year both hit the FA market and I'm left scrambling for replacements.
- The Cowboys have been pretty open about wanting to move Marion back to the closer role he performed so well back in 2006-2007. That opens up reps for somebody, and Felix is the obvious choice. Plus, the Cowboys are looking at Felix as their chief playmaker with the departure of TO, and are lining him up out wide and in the wildcat. He'll get 15+ touches a game, about the same as Lendale, but Felix is one of those rare talents who can score any time he touches the ball, whereas Lendale is really only lethal within the 5 or 10 yard line.
- I liked Felix better as a keeper prospect than any of the rookie RBs, or Lendale.
- I really don't see Tashard fitting into the picture all the much. Maybe he'll be the guy holding the Gatorade bottle for Felix.
Not really. I really like Cooley this year. Say what you want about Zorn's offense, but Cooley still sent personal records in yards and receptions. I look at the fall down on TDs as a fluke thing and think Cooley has top 3 potential. I went into the draft hoping to get him right about where I did.
I did look at the TE depth before pulling the trigger - I would have been pretty happy with Zach Miller, Dustin Keller, or Carlson (who I ended up with anyway in the 12th). But the biggest decision for me was Cooley or Daniels (who I didn't expect to fall). In the end, I thought Cooley had better upside. At least one owner agreed with me - Walker, who cursed loudly and then took Daniels with the next pick.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Hands down, Coles to Liefer in the 3rd.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Lots of good picks to choose from - Zach Miller in the 9th, Avery (a #1 WR) in the 7th. also love Palmer & Ryan in the 7th - two guys who should finish in the top 12 at their position.
Overall I'd have to go with Garrard in the 10th. Think the does big things this year. As an aside - how can one owner have the biggest reach and the best value pick in the same year?
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I really like what Jeremy did with all his picks.. lots of young RB studs, a solid 1-2-3 WR group with Bowe, TJ, and Royal, and a top 5 QB with McNabb.
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer. Aside from AP and some good value here and there, I don't like much about his team.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Jeremy, provided injuries and suspect trades don't bring his team down.
Craig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: The trade with Jeremy really bolstered your WR, giving you easily the top 1-2 WR punch in the league. However, the trade-off was a real drop-off at RB – your stable of runners includes Reggie Bush, Chris Wells, Jonathan Stewart, and Rashard Mendenhall. Most of these guys are really more #3 level RBs, with Reggie slightly above them. Any regrets trading away the picks, and with them, the ability to improve your backfield?
I actually thought that my rb's would end up being a lot worse off then what they ended. I feel like I have a lot of risk reward type players with my running backs. I also focused on drafting extra running backs hoping that some have potential to workout for me.... and besides that I have the league MVP Peyton Hillis.
Q: Sticking with the RB theme – you selected Beanie Wells in the first, essentially on the strength of one solid half of preseason action. While Wells is an attractive keeper prospect, you took him ahead of proven RB talent like Lynch, Thomas Jones, and Larry Johnson. What’s more – Wells had a history of being injured at OSU, something that has so far followed him to the pros. Beanie can be a boom prospect when he’s healthy, but given his history, this is a really risky pick. How concerned are you regarding your #2 RB?
Once again I think it is going to be a risk reward with Beanie. I didnt like Lynch becaues of his suspension. I feel that gives someone else the chance to prove themselves and take snaps away from Lynch when he returns. Thomas Jones has sucked for me in the past so I am scarred from taking him. I also feel there are to many questions around KC and LJ (offensive line, seems to be on the decline, and also now the Cassell injury). I felt Beanie is on a team that is coming off the superbowl so he should have a good supporting cast.
Q: You selected Greg Olsen as your TE, a popular sleeper selected given the addition of Cutler to the Bears. Olsen went as the 4th overall TE, ahead of proven veterans like Cooley and Owen Daniels. Do you feel like you reached a bit for Olsen, or do you really expect him to perform above those other TEs?
I think that Olsen will be a top 2-3 TE this year. He will be the Bears #1 receiver given there average to below average receivers. Cutler has connected with TE's in the past and I am hoping Olson will be that TE/WR Cutler goes to. Sadly I also wanted a Bear on my team because the Bears are the local game every week here. So if I have to watch it at least I have a player to see. Probably not the best reason, but I think he was the best option.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer 3rd round Lavernaus Coles
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
I like Twigs pick of Hasselbeck in the 10th. I could see him having a big year.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
I actually think we all had pretty good drafts this year. Just by looking I like Torey's team. He has a lot of the guys I was targeting and got some value picks at the end (Buckhalter).
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
I guess Bud, has some questions at RB.... Ben Jarvis Green Ellis, Lynch, Mccoy, Mcgahee.
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
I am going with Dustin.... Like Forte, Brees, Westbrook, and Ocho
Walker
Team-Specific Questions
Q: Steve Smith really fell into your lap in the 1st round and was a great pick. However, you neglected to go back to WR until the 5th round, nabbing Derrick Mason. The rest of your WR corp includes Steve Breaston, Chris Chambers and Miles Austin. There seems to be a gap between Smith (an elite, #1 WR) and the rest – a mixed bag of #3-level WRs. You ended up going RB/RB/RB in the 2nd-4th rounds. Any regrets passing on guys like Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Braylon Edwards, and DeSean Jackson, who all in the 4th round?
I am definitely second guessing my decision to not grab a receiver in the 4th round, but honestely, I could not pass up on Lendale and his 10td potential (15tds last year). I went with who I thought was the best available and feel good about the decision. Plus, I believe Derrick Mason, who I grabbed later could outscore all the for mentioned receivers on your list. He is a true #1 receiver - his team will pass more this year - 1000yds and 5tds last year.
Q: You backed up Rivers with Favre, who comes into this year with a number of question marks – age, health, run-first offense – not to mention his propensity to throw picks. Any concerns should Rivers go down?
I feel great about Favre as my backup. I thought getting him in the 13th round was a great value pick. He plays for a dynamic offense and should see huge throwing lanes. He definitely has some concerns, but the risk is worth the reward.
Q: You took James Davis in the 9th round, who at this point is firmly behind Jamal Lewis as Cleveland’s #2 RB. This seems like a bit of a reach considering guys like Tashard Choice and Shonn Greene were still on the board. Do you expect Davis to supplant Lewis as the #1 RB in Cleveland?
Absolutely, a great pick in my opinion - whatever that is worth. He is the #2 back behind a dying Jamal Lewis. He will definitely share carries, and could become the starter this season. Your above mentioned running backs are not even close to the same situation, as they are both #3 running backs. Greene is behind TJones and Washington, and Choice is behind the beast Barber and the new burner felix. For this season, Davis will dominate those guys. Davis is the future in Cleveland.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
LColes in 4th round (Leifer)
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Eddie Royal in 8th round (JPierce)
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Brown Sharks (Eric)
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
HGH (Bad draft, but solid keepers / rbs) (Jerome)
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Old NO.7 (Dustin)
Twig
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You settled on Willie Parker as your #3 RB, a good value where you took him. However, how concerned are you with the looming presence of Mendenhall, who figures to get his share of carries, including most if not all of the goal line looks?
I really did not want Willy Parker, not just because of Mendenhall but because I had him last year. At the time he was the best RB on my board and best value overall. I can always hope Mendenhall gets injured for the season early again right?
Q: You seemed to have an anti-handcuff policy in effect at the draft, passing on Mendenhall in the 6th in favor of Lance Moore, and Ricky Williams in the 9th for Minnesota’s D. Given the injury history of Parker & Ronnie, do you have any morning-after misgivings about failing to lock down their respective backfields?
I told myself going in I would not look at any handcuffs – strangely I took Morris Morris real late the worst of the bunch…I must have been drunk by then.
Q: Roethlisberger in the 5th round was a pretty decent reach, especially considering the other QB talent available at the time – Schaub, Ryan, Cutler, Palmer. Big Ben has had one statistically significant season, back in 2007 when he threw for 31 TDs. Other than that one blip, he has been in the mid to high teens on TDs for his career. Are you convinced he will once again ascend to those heights in 2009?
I’m not a fan of that pick either but going in I did little to prepare and told myself take the best value on my board. At this pick the only person ahead of big ben on the top 100 was cutler and really didn’t want him. I blame the fftoolbox.com top 100 board.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer- Laveraues Coles in the 5th
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Charles – Braylon in the 4th
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
Eric
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Jerome
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Eric
Badics
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You went into the draft with a solid #1 WR (Wayne), but waited until the 4th round to pair him up with another WR (Braylon). This is a great value if hes vintage 2007, but the cards seem stacked against him going into 2009 uncertainty at QB, new coach Mangini favors the run, and a brutal schedule. Do you expect Braylon to rise above these circumstances and latch onto another big season in his contract year, or will he let his opportunity bounce off his hands like so many passes in 2008?
I knew I needed a WR and I wanted a big time producer. And he was really the last of the WRs on the board with big time potential. I think the Browns QB situation will be better than it was last year. I was really hoping Bernard Berrian would slip to this spot. But I still like Braylon over DeSean Jackson and the two Steelers wide receivers.
Q: Devin Hester has been a popular sleeper selection the past 2-3 years in fantasy circles. In 2009 his promise may finally be delivered on via Cutlers golden cannon. That said, hes still relatively unproven, and felt like a reach when he went off the board in the 5th. What are your expectations for Hester, and are you feeling any doubt about having him as your #3 WR?
I’ve been a big believer in Cutler since his days at Vanderbilt. There’s no doubt in my mind that Cutler is going to have a lot of yards and TD’s. Somebody is going to be the recipient of all of those receptions. Remember that it usually takes NFL wide receivers 2-3 years to put it all together. I think this will be a breakout year for Hester as a WR.
Q: Sticking with WR - how do you feel about the group you have overall? Looking down the list after Wayne, there are a lot of question marks Braylon (can he get past the dropsies and suspect QB play); Hester (will his route-running in the 3rd season of this experiment); Holt (he looked like a husk the last year in St Louis - does he have anything left); Nate Washington (couldnt get past Ward or Holmes on the Pittsburgh depth chart, will his fortunes improve in the run-first Tennessee offense); and Sidney Rice (lots of potential, but always injured... Percy will push him for PT).
The fact of the matter is that I have 1 sure thing (Reggie Wayne) and four other #1 Wide Receivers
- Braylon – one of the most talented WR in the league coming off a down year
- Devin Hester – it always takes NFL WR’s a couple years to start producing big time numbers.
- Torry Holt – a proven producer and a huge upgrade to the WRs in Jacksonville last year.
- Nate Washington – a big upgrade to the WR situation in Tennessee. Poised to have a breakout year.
I start three running backs (Gore, Portis, TJones) so I really only need one of these guys to pan out. I love my group and I betcha that by midseason I’m going to have some desirable WR trade bait.
Draft Questions
Q: Who had the biggest reach of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Laveranues Coles. The number two WR on a team that was horrible last year. Playing with a new QB you never know if they’re going to jell.
Q: What was the best value pick of the draft (can't pick your own)?
Bernard Berrian in the 4th. We know that Favre is going to put up big yards and TD numbers and Berrian’s gonna be the guy. Excellent value.
Q: What team had the best draft (can't pick your own)?
E Pierce
Q: What team had the worst draft (can't pick your own)?
Liefer – very weak at WR
Q: Favorite to win the championship (can't pick your own)?
Walker
Wes
Team-Specific Questions
Q: You nabbed TO in the 2nd round, getting good value for a borderline top 10 WR, but TO has been hobbled with a toe injury in the preseason, an injury that tends to linger (see McFadden, 2008). You waited until the 5th to get complementary receiver - Santana Moss, finishing by adding Ginn in the 8th and Nicks in the 11th. Are you at all concerned about your WRs going into the season?
Yes, wide receiver is a big concern for me. I was going for best available players and value thru the draft, and receivers did not fall into place the way I would have liked.
Q: You elected to keep Brady, a wise choice, but did not make landing a backup a priority, going through almost the entire draft before landing Pennington in the last round. Given all the proven names going in the late rounds - Hasselbeck in the 10th, Eli in the 11th, Favre in the 11th - do you have any regrets about waiting so long to backup Brady?
I was hoping to nab a higher quality backup, but I don't regret it yet. Can I get burned by Brady two years in a row? We shall see. - I'll be honest, that pick was about the time I checked out and started filling out my team. There were about 3 or 4 picks in that area that I wouldn't mind doing over.
Q: You took Winslow in the 6th round, a good spot for a TE but perhaps a reach for that particular one. The Soldier has taken his share of bullets over the years, getting shrapnel removed from his knees this offseason yet again. And in the run-first Tampa offense, he'll be asked to block more. Any regrets taking him where you did, considering comparable guys went quite a bit later - Shockey in 8th, Miller in 9th, Carlson in 12th?
Eric: Wes had no answer for this... stymied.
Labels: Draft
¶ 5:45 AM