[08.26.02] The 2002 Puck's World Fantasy Football Draft is finally over. Starting at seven o'clock on August 24th, the draft lasted for five hours to end just before midnight. Those in attendance were: Kalamazoo, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Green Bay, Rocko, and Detroit. Puck Bowl Champion Seattle and expansion Baltimore eventually showed up in round 17 and Green Bay left the draft early after his choice in round 17.
With the first selection in the draft England started out a good draft with Deuce McAllister (RB-N0). They would later follow up with TJ Duckett (RB-Atl), Johnny Morton (WR-KC), and quarterback Steve McNair (QB-Ten). Baltimore with the second selection chose Jamal Lewis (RB-Bal). The BlueJays would later fill their roster with James Allen (RB-Hou), Drew Brees (QB-SD) and a surprising eight wide recievers. West Palm Beach Chads, the most recent addition to the league, started their draft with rookie Clinton Portis (RB-Den). The Chads followed with DeShaun Foster (RB-Car), Olandis Gary (RB-Den), and Chris Chambers (WR-Mia). The last early round selections included Kalamazoo with the pick traded to them from Wisconsin. With the seventeenth selection in the draft, Kalamazoo returned the St. Louis Rams Defense back into their folds.
The most surprising moves of the draft would belong to both Seattle and Baltimore. The two teams sacrificed depth at other positions by drafting a high quantity of players at another. Seattle, looking to improve on it's poor quarterback play, came out of the draft with five quarterbacks on their roster. Baltimore loaded up on wide reciever by taking an unheard of eight wideouts in the draft. Kalamazoo also shocked people with the recently signed Antonio Freeman. The moved surprised others in the draft room by both Puck's distaste of the Packers and the realization that Freeman had signed with the Eagles Saturday.
Trading resumes Thursday August 29th when the Yahoo ID's for the league are unlocked for player movements. Only player for player trades are allowed, no draft picks can be used in trades. Remember, the NFL season starts Thursday September 5th if you have anyone playing in the Thursday game, owners need to adjust their schedule before the game.
