Question & Answer Poll - 2002 Season
wilkinson
Fantasy Football Index because it provides detailed information not just about the players, but also about their teams. It consistently refers to strength of schedule, personnel changes, coaching philosophies, offensive systems and numerous variables that go into their thinking. In my opinion, that knowledge can be your differentiator come draft day. Everyone knows how good or bad players are based on the player�s history, but being able to accurately predict performance is near the impossible. This kind of information at least helps you make rationalized decisions.
In season, I use CBS Sportsline.com, Draftsharks.com and I always refer to the weekly �Pig Skinny� column from USA Today.
2. What is your strategy come Draft Day? Do you look for a certain position, i.e. RB's? Do you shy away from certain Teams? Which ones? Is one position deeper this year than another (position)?
Like the real NFL draft, everyone says that his or her philosophy is to �take the best player available.� I don�t even disguise it as that. I look RB, RB and then RB. For the most part, receivers are extremely unpredictable except for a select few. If you look back through the years, receivers have the least consistency from year to year. A stable of good RBs provides the necessary depth to win in FF.
I do see tremendous value at the QB position since it is obviously the top scoring position. If I were to ever stray, it would be because a stud QB fell to me in a draft. The problem with QBs is that they have fragile psyches. They are the most likely to be affected by changes in offensive systems. If you don�t know something like that in advance, you�re screwed. Look at how high Randall Cunningham went in drafts after Brian Billick left. People have seen similar drop-offs with Kordell Stewart and Brett Favre.
For me, RBs are the easiest to predict and they usually provide the most value.
3. Who is the most overrated Quarterback this year and why?
The top four (Warner, Culpepper, Manning and Garcia) are a given to produce. Beyond that, everyone is rated different. It really is a crapshoot. Personally, I�m not too high on Donovan McNabb and he�s ranked pretty high. I just think that they are going to struggle on offense. I�m not a big fan of Steve McNair�s either.
4. Who is the most overrated Running Back this year and why?
That�s a tough one because I think that this is one of the best years for RBs in a long time. I�d have to say Stephen Davis because I don�t see him getting the touches in that offense. From a rookie perspective, I�d say Willie Green is a little overrated.
5. Who is the most overrated Wide Receiver this year and why?
Jimmy Smith. That team is going to suck and he�s missed all of training camp.
6. Pass along one (can't share 'em all!) Sleeper pick this year and why?
Not sure if he would categorize as a sleeper or not, but Deuce McAllister. I�m not a fan of using the phrase �if he stays healthy,� because regardless of history ANY player can get hurt on any given play. The bottom line is McAllister can run and catch and there is no threat of anyone taking his job. He will put up monster numbers in yardage leagues.
7. In which Round do you start thinking about a Kicker or Defense? Or do you let the others dictate that, when there's a run on one or both of these positions, do you then jump in?
The very end of the draft, regardless of what everyone else is doing, however I take a kicker before a defense. If you are counting on a kicker or a defense to be the difference in your season, that you have a lot of things wrong. Fill your position players first and then pick from what�s left.
8. Who do you think has the possibility of not being drafted at all, yet could be a potential quality Free Agent sometime during the season?
I�m in a 16-team league, so very few players aren�t drafted. I�d have to say Patrick Ramsey if he is not the starter in Washington. If Ricky Watters isn�t signed before the season starts, he will probably go undrafted. He�ll definitely end up with the first contending team to lose a RB, so he will probably produce at some point.
9. Among those who performed well last season, who will fall the farthest in terms of production from last year to this year and why?
Although he is a stud, I�d be worried about Shaun Alexander. Their O-line is banged up and who knows what the passing game will be like. Priest Holmes� numbers may decrease because they may figure out how to get the ball to other people, but he will still be good. The biggest drop will probably be Favre. His receiving corp is in shambles.
10. Final Score of the Super Bowl?
NY Giants 27 (gotta pick my team!)
Indianapolis 24