ONLINE EXTRA: Fantasy League guru rethinks strategy

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This will be a therapeutic column. And why exactly do I need one
you may ask? It’s because I’m pissed off.

I outsmarted myself this past weekend. Now don’t get me
wrong, I never claimed to be smart to begin with. At the office,
they call me the lowest common denominator (LCD).

I always thought it was because they were jealous of my fantasy
prowess, but that can’t be the case. Not after my one-point
debacle this past week.

I started David Boston ahead of Tim Brown. That decision cost me
five points, something I could’ve used in a 104-103 loss. Now
the highest scoring team in the league sits at 6-5, with a slim
shot at the playoffs.

This is not the first time I’ve outsmarted myself either.
I drafted Fred Taylor instead of Eddie George, although it’s
debatable whether my team would be better off with George and his
putrid 2001 season.

I dropped Anthony Thomas right before he caught fire because I
was excited to see another Taylor, this time Travis, on the waiver
wire. I released Travis two weeks later after he caught no passes
in a three-point loss.

I’ve lost games by one, three, three and seven points.
I’ve won games by 36, 42, 59 and 74. Those close games caused
by all of my poor decisions have killed my team ““ full of
talent, but owned by a misguided coach.

I’ve learned my lesson. From now on, I must start the best
players, almost regardless of match-ups. Running backs are about
the only team for which matchups need to be considered, since no
one in their right mind would start a RB against the Ravens.

Fantasy owners consider so many different factors, from weather
to past performances, that the talent factor is usually overlooked.
When you draft a team, you know who the top players are, so when
you choose to rotate the starters, only trouble ensues.

In my other league, my 11-0 team is two weeks away from an
undefeated regular season. I attribute this to my team’s lack
of depth. I’m forced to start the same players week in and
week out, so my team is judged for its overall talent instead of my
poor decision-making skills.

When I draft a player, I know what he will do over a 16-week NFL
schedule. I really don’t know what he will do in Week 8
versus the Bengals or what the rain will do to his performance in
the Meadowlands. Obviously, it’s best if those types of
decisions are kept out of my power.

Having too many good players is a curse unless you have
injuries. So if there’s any lesson to be learned from all of
this, it’s the following: trade two good players for one
great one whenever possible, and then pick up the backup from the
waiver wire. That way you improve your starting lineup, protect
yourself against injuries and avoid the temptation to tinker with
your lineup. Not to mention the painful second guessing.