Fantasy files: Starting strong

My local keeper league is getting on my last nerve. I've chronicled my strange history in this fantasy league. I was great at the start and had a bad four-year stretch that ended when I got the final playoff spot last year and defeated the number one seed. This year was our once in five years redraft and I did really well.

Proof in the pudding was my 8-2 start. I led the league in scoring and had the best record. There was no doubt that my team was elite. My WR trio of Marshall, Austin, and Nicks was tough to beat. I had RB injury issues to start but Darren McFadden and Frank Gore held me up most weeks. Eli Manning wasn't an elite QB but well worth the seventh-round price.

In Week 11 it started to fall apart. Marshall and Nicks got injured. We have one WR bench slot so I was forced to start two tight ends. Unfortunately, Dustin Keller did not continue his early-season hot streak. Vernon Davis has been a top TE but as tight ends go, is inconsistent.

My ace in the hole was Vincent Jackson. Ideally he'd be a great WR4 and fill-in starter. In Week 12 I had to start him. He made it three whole plays.

I was in deep trouble going into Monday night. I needed 58 points to win and had Gore, Vernon Davis, and the San Fran D. I thought I had a chance. Gore's injury ended that chance. I started Gore and McFadden this week. They scored 18 points. My backup RBs, Moreno and Freddy Jackson, scored 49.

There are two lineup dilemmas for the fantasy owner. Not enough choices or too many. I now have four borderline elite running backs and picking the right one is like selecting winning lottery numbers. I'm fine with Eli at QB. Now I have to pick up a WR with the 11th waiver slot and this guy has to start for me next week. I'm 8-4 and need a win or a loss by the second place guy in my division to win my division title. I may not get Nicks back this year and Brandon Marshall hasn't been a difference maker this year.

8-2 feels like it could end 8-6. It's not quite what I had in mind when the season began.

Titans pregame pep talk

When the Titans head to Houston this afternoon, it will be a battle of desperation. The Titans and Texans started the season with such promise and now look at the high probability that one of them will finish last in the AFC South. It's the kind of result that gets coaches fired, or coordinators as scapegoats. The Titans are in a tough spot with a rookie QB and a team reeling from last week's on and off the field soap opera. Mike Heimerdinger will coordinate despite taking part of the week off to start cancer treatments. Yeah, I'd say that Titan fans are a long way from the post bye new car smell feel they had right after the bye week.

The Titans can win. The Texans have no pass defense and crumble like day-old bread at the first sign of pressure. Here's what needs to happen for the Titans to win:

1. Randy Moss gets ten targets. Rusty Smith targeted Moss three times in about two quarters of action. Moss needs to get involved early. Shall I suggest a wide receiver screen to start things?

2. Chris Johnson needs 15 touches in the first half. This depends on how the defense performs, of course. After his giant early season workload things have eased off. Note how the Titans have done in those two games.

3. Rusty Smith needs easy reads. If we believe what Fisher leaks to the press, Vince Young needed a scaled-down playbook, so this shouldn't be too difficult.

4. Marc Mariani needs to make a play. I can't ask for a touchdown, but continuing his field-position-shifting ways would be nice. Titan special teams have been excellent this year.

5. Take chances. Go for it on fourth down a couple of times. The team doesn't have to go all-in but there needs to be a sense of urgency.

6. The defense needs to create turnovers. Verner's almost-interception in OT was the kind of play the defense made routinely before the bye. The Texans can't have sustained drives or the depleted defensive line will wilt.

7. If the front four can't get pressure like last week, you have to blitz. The Titans barely touched McNabb last week. Schaub is going to complete more than 60% of his passes with all day to throw.

8. Key on Foster. The Redskins had a great day running the ball. The Texans have an All-Pro back. This is not a good matchup.

9. No matter how Rusty does, do not put Chris Simms in the game. His job is to look interested when Heimerdinger talks to Rusty between offensive series. Simms = gasoline on fire.

10. If all else fails, run on the field in Colts uniforms. It worked for Fisher last year.

The Titans: A soap opera not worth watching

I'd love to sit this one out. The current situation between Jeff Fisher and Vince Young is a little too soap-opera-y even for the greatest reality show in TV, the National Football League. But I have to see this one through.

I'd like to hear from Steeler fans from the 60s or Patriot fans from the 60s to the year 2000. These were long-suffering fan bases that finally got to see the light. In the case of Steeler fans, they got to see the light six times, with a rough patch for about 20 years in between. Patriot fans watched bad team after bad team with the occasional flicker of hope that was always dashed.

How many flickers can a fan base endure before jumping ship? The playoff run leading up to Super Bowl 34 was unexpected and fun. Losing a game with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which the Titans did twice in the past decade, was somewhat less fun. Losing a game on a dropped fourth-down throw to a shockingly open Drew Bennett was tough. The rebuilding process after the salary cap purge of 2004 made it clear that players often become figures on the balance sheet. Steve McNair in a Ravens jersey was especially tough to bear.

We were rewarded for our patience with the 2006 run with Vince Young, who we believed literally could do anything on the field. 2007 was nice with a playoff return although the defense could bail out the offense only so much. The resurgence of Kerry Collins in 2008 was a revelation, along with a smallish but tough rookie named Chris Johnson.

As I watched Graham Gano miss a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation, I said out loud "I wish the Ravens kicker did that in 2009." The Redskins expect a Florida State kicker to be clutch? Gano needed six attempts to make four field goals but he got his chances.

The Titans had so many missed opportunities in Sunday's game. I was certain that they would score on the opening drive after a nice Chris Johnson run. On the next play Vince ran, didn't secure the ball and fumbled. Even after Marc Mariani ran a punt back for a TD, nothing felt right. The defense couldn't stop the Redskins. McNabb rarely was pressured. The secondary couldn't cover. Even when the Redskins handed opportunity over, the Titans couldn't convert. McNabb hit Stephen Tulloch so perfectly on the Redskins' only TD drive that he dropped the ball. That was a momentum-changer and potentially a pick six. Twice the Titans got inside the ten-yard line and twice they were denied. When there was a holding call on first and goal at the three, they should have put Bironas in there on second down. The crowd actually started chanting "Randy, Randy, Randy" because Vince refused to even look his way. On third and goal the slow eyes of the fan saw Randy breaking free but Vince was in the grasp of a defender.

I didn't see the play in which Vince hurt his thumb. I just saw him walking off the field. When Rusty Smith came on the field, I tried my "This one goes to eleven" joke in honor of Smith's number but you can't try sophisticated humor at a football game. You can only communicate with other fans in grunts, high fives, and yelling anatomically impossible suggestions to the ref.

Rusty Smith is a sixth-round rookie. Do not compare him to Tom Brady. Brady was on the practice squad his entire rookie year, had an entire offseason to absorb the playbook and got his shot in his second year. He also failed to rally his team in his first start. Smith hit Nate Washington on a long pass and appeared to hit Moss for a touchdown, but Moss was called for pass interference. Blame Roddy White for that one.

Vince Young came back out of the locker room like a conquering hero. He threw some test passes to Justin Gage. It was obvious to fans that he was coming back. He never did. We were subjected to the kind of he said/she said shenanigans that adults should leave behind after high school.

It's hard to put into words how pathetic the Titans' effort as a team has been the past two weeks. In Miami, the Dolphins were down to their third string QB and for a few plays in the third quarter, exclusively ran the Wildcat formation that's been all but mothballed this year. Everything worked against a suddenly toothless defense. The same third-string QB who played pitch and catch with Anthony Fasano like it was practice could generate no offense against the Bears the following week. The same Eagles team that the Titans barraged a month ago scored eight touchdowns against the Redskins. Missing two starters in the secondary, that same defense kept the Titans from getting into the end zone.

It's hard to blame the defensive line. They've been playing with a couple of cards short of a full deck most of the year. Rookie Derrick Morgan tore his ACL. Jason Jones left early with an undisclosed injury. Dave Ball and Jason Babin can only do so much. Babin can blow a game for the team, as we found out in OT.

The defense made plays in the first two months of the season. In overtime, they appeared to make another one. On second and 22, McNabb spied Santana Moss (you know, the good Moss) to the left and hit him on the sideline. Alterraun Verner stuck an arm out. The ball bounced into his hands for what looked like the game-winning interception. There was a scrum after the play. The ref threw a flag. There was a personal foul penalty. If it was on the Redskins, the Titans could put Bironas on the field on first down to kick a short field goal. If it was on the Titans, they'd be out of field goal range but would only need a first down or two to get into Bironas range. The scoreboard operator then did something unusual. We only see replays when the play goes in the Titans' favor. When it's controversial in any way and the other team could challenge, we never see it. We saw the replay of the interception and the ball clearly hit the ground. It was OT so the replay was initiated by the refs. It just seemed weird. We would be fine because the Redskins would have third and 22.

The personal foul was on Jason Babin and only happened during the continuation of the interception play. If the ball had been called incomplete, there would have been no penalty. No matter. It was first down at the 42 instead of third and 22 at the 27. There was a roughing the QB penalty the following play. Witherspoon hit the very top of his helmet on the very bottom of McNabb's facemask . If the QB doesn't even fall down, can you still call it roughing? The Redskins were going to score. It was inevitable.

The long walk up the hill and ride home was made even worse by the postgame departure of Vince Young and comments from Jeff Fisher that clearly stated that injury or no, Young was no longer the starting QB. Frankly, it doesn't matter if you're on Team Fisher or Team Young. These two can't work together. They just can't. And this season is over even though the Titans are a game out of first place in the division with five divisional games to go. The only drama left is whether Chris Johnson can muster another league rushing title.

I'd hate to see the Titans run through the division, win a home playoff game and lose in the last minute to the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, or Patriots. That would be one disappointment too many.

The amazing 2008 rookie RB class

What do they say about people who do research? Those are the people who aren’t sure of themselves. Wussies.

As this year’s rookie running back class fades into mediocrity, we look back two seasons. I wanted to look at the 2008 rookie running back class, which might be the best in history. I’m going to use my Zealot rookie drafts as a guide.

The number one rookie pick was Darren McFadden. He was a total disaster in his first two years. Nine weeks into the 2010 season, McFadden is the number two running back in points per game in my PPR league. He’s making powerful runs and speed runs. He’s even making the Raiders respectable, which was impossible until this year.

Number two was Jonathan Stewart. J-Stew has not become the uber stud that he was as the number one high school running back going into college. He did get 1000 yards last season after a DeAngelo Williams injury. Owners drafted Stewart in the fourth round this year anticipating another Williams ouchie. This happened but Stewart was injured as well. He’s going to be the bell cow RB for the Panthers next year. That might mean something if the Panthers can finally get a passing game going.

Number three was Rashard Mendenhall. He looked like a bust until taking over for “used to be fast” Willie Parker and getting 1000 rushing yards last year. He was a late first-round pick this year in fantasy drafts and probably will be a second-rounder next year.

Number four was Kevin Smith. OK, so Smith has already been replaced by a first-round RB in Jahvid Best. Smith was good for about a year and a half before tearing his ACL. He’s going to have to make his name on another team.

Number five was Matt Forte. Forte was the rookie star of this group. His second year was less good. He’s on pace for another sub-1000-yard season, although he has 30 catches. He’s been a middling fantasy producer.

Number six was Felix Jones. Jones has not become the superstar some thought he could be. He’s the lead back for the Cowboys and could become an RB2.

Numbers seven and eight are the guys who make this draft class spectacular. Chris Johnson was taken a slot after Felix Jones (d’oh). He has a 2000-yard season. Johnson’s having a “disappointing” season which means he’s the number five ranked running back. Ray Rice was quiet his rookie year then led all running backs with 78 catches last year. He’s looking like a perennial top-ten guy.

Jamaal Charles was number nine. He leads the league with six yards per carry. He had 1000 rushing yards in the last eight games last year. He’s not terrible.

Ryan Torain was a second-rounder in my league. He had one start as a rookie, disappeared after an injury then came back this year to start a few games for the Redskins this year. I know he’s no stud, but Maurice Clarett was once taken in the second round of a rookie draft.

Steve Slaton was a third rounder. He’s pretty much invisible this year but he did have a 1000-yard rookie season and was drafted ahead of Chris Johnson in fantasy drafts during his second year.

Other drafted rookies include Mike Hart (scraping the bottom), Tim Hightower (60 catches last year), Jacob Hester (not so much), Tashard Choice (a few 100-yard efforts in his rookie year), Jalen Parmele (still waiting), Marcus Thomas (released), Jerome Felton (moved to fullback), and the final pick, Justin Forsett.

And there was one guy who wasn’t drafted and was picked up for the waiver minimum. That guy was Peyton Hillis. I kept him on my roster and he’s kind of paid off a bit this year.

Sunday ritual

What are Sunday mornings for? They are for sleeping in, starting your day slowly, and setting your fantasy lineups.

We're all fans of tradition. One of my favorites is setting my three fantasy lineups, or in most cases, resetting them. I like to have the first go-round early in the week before any injuries are settled and to make sure that I have no bye-week guys in the lineup. While I used to tinker, I'm pretty good with what I have save a couple of last-minute adjustments.

In my local keeper league I'm playing a 6-3 team. The strange bedfellow that is fantasy football sometimes splits your loyalties. The team I'm playing will start Chris Johnson and Randy Moss. In a strange twist of scheduling, all of his players will be done after the 1 p.m. games and all but two of my guys play at 4. I'm not sure if I prefer having a huge lead and holding on or coming back. I guess I prefer the comeback, assuming that I do come back to win. I'm 7-2, lead the league in scoring, and finally broke my win two/lose one streak last week. The top seed used to mean nothing in this league but now the waivers are reversed in the playoffs which means I'd get top waiver claim throughout the playoffs if I maintain my spot.

In Zealots 17 I have the top spot in my "conference" which is probably more important because the top seed gets a first-round playoff bye. I'm playing a 5-4 team that needs a win to stay in the playoff hunt. Michael Turner did not give me the hot start I needed with a staggering 3.9 points. The Falcons clearly decided early on that they were going to win through the air. I do still have an all-star starting lineup of Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Reggie Wayne, Mike Williams, Jacob Tamme, that crappy Dallas kicker, Jared Allen, Trent Cole, Lance Briggs, Cameron Wake, Patrick Willis, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Louis Delmas, and Cody Grimm. Tough guys to bench were Dwayne Bowe, Aaron Hernandez, and Dave Ball. Yeah, Dave Ball has more fantasy points than Jared Allen. Allen goes against the Bears so if he can't get some sacks today, he might be officially on the career downhill.

In Zealots 34 I feel like my season is almost over, so the temptation to subtly tank is there. I'm playing the team that's been in the last four championship games. I'm riding the Freeman train. Unlike z17, in which I have six or seven startable receivers, I have Nicks, Crabtree, and Mike Thomas. Chris Cooley could start scoring touchdowns whenever he's emotionally ready. This team is my least consistent, which explains the 4-5 record. I'm three games out of a playoff berth with four to go, so unless the two teams in front of me lose this weekend I can start scouting college players.

We're almost done with the college football season and I have no idea who the top rookies for 2011 are going to be. I know there are a lot of receivers coming out who might grade as high as Dez Bryant. I'm not sure what there is in terms of running backs and if the top QBs are that good.

Anticipation

I can remember a few of them. I remember 1999 when the Jaguars came to town in first place and soon to clinch home-field advantage. The Titans tore them up. I remember the sting of the regular-season loss against Baltimore when Trent Dilfer rallied them and Del Greco missed an extra point. I remember McNair not practicing all week, but on Sunday rallying the Titans at the Giants, scoring the game-tying two-point conversion on a QB draw. I remember the comeback to beat the Colts on Monday night in 2008, and the showdown win against the Steelers to clinch home-field. These were big regular season games in Titan history.

Sunday feels bigger. The bye week allows teams to split their seasons, especially the fortunate ones like the Titans that had a bye week exactly in the middle of the season. Last year's bye week was filled with speculation on the starting quarterback and Jeff Fisher's job. The second half was as good as the first half was bad. 2008 was more of a "can they hold on?" feeling and they did. This year is different.

Fisher isn't coaching forever. Chris Johnson has a career average of 5 yards a carry but this year he's averaging 4.1 and we haven't seen many of his breathtaking runs this season. Kenny Britt became a star and proceeded to tear his hamstring. Vince Young looks like the franchise QB the team has waited five years for him to become. He's injured and fans are not sure how many scrambles he can survive.

Enter Randy Moss. We really have no idea how he'll affect the team. Early returns have been good but that's mainly based on name recognition. What happens when CJ breaks free and Moss has to make a block on the edge that's the difference between an eight-yard run and a TD? Is he going to pout if he doesn't get ten targets in the first half? What will he do?

I had a similar experience in the early 90s when the Chiefs acquired Joe Montana. It was bedlam. Fans wondered if Montana had any magic left. He had a little. He helped the team upset the top-seeded Oilers but was unable to get the team to the Super Bowl. He had flashes, but he was 37 when he signed with the team. Moss is 33. Another supposedly past-his-prime future Hall of Famer in Terrell Owens is the top fantasy receiver this year, so Moss still can do it. We just don't know. And we won't get a glimpse until Sunday. That's what makes this game my most anticipated regular-season contest as a fan of the team.

A good weekend

It was a good weekend. I tend to be happier when I focus less on the results of my football teams. OK, back that up, I enjoy life better when I relish in my teams' successes and brush off the losses. In previous years it's been the opposite.

Missouri scored two quick touchdowns in Lubbock and the offense seemed to take the rest of the night off in a 24-17 loss. This loss officially ends 2010 as a potential "magical" year for the program. As strange as it sounds, getting big plays on offense can hurt a team. I remember it from last year's Titans loss to the Texans when Chris Johnson had almost 300 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns. When the team trailed 34-31, it didn't have a final drive in it. Everyone waited for CJ to make one more play and he had already wildly exceeded expectations.

Athens on Saturday was a fun experience. I didn't totally embrace my college experience. I was a bit of a grump and didn't fully embrace the concept of enjoying being young and dumb until my mid 20s. Mister Don Funk lined me up with good tickets for the annual November bye week, aka the 1-AA bought win of the year. Idaho State held Georgia to two early field goals. Then Georgia woke up and scored 35 in the second quarter and that was it. We toured Broad Street and eventually made it home, no thanks to the snoring navigator to my right.

As you can tell, Sunday was a bit of a day of recovery. I got to relax as all of my fantasy teams won big. I'm in first place in two leagues and in the other, I'm 4-5 but my two divisional opponents are about to go 7-2.

Sunday will be the unveiling of the Randy Moss show. I hope Chad Henne saved some interceptions.