You're at your annual fantasy football draft. You and the guys are sharing some brews and some stories of last years season about how Kenny Britt didn't pan out just the way you expected (again). You get to your pick (number 10...of course) and you look to your needs and who's available. You're okay at Running Back and QB for now but what you could really use is a solid Receiver. You've also heard a lot about how Tight Ends are the big thing this year. And Matthew Berry said it?! That guy's info is gold! Sign me up! AND You have the wrap around pick and can scoop up that WR and that TE in one fell swoop! Look's like this blind squirrel just found a nut!
Let's see who's the next best players available! It's Jason Witten and Dez Bryant. The guys behind them are a ways off. Great right?!
What if you're an Eagle's Fan? You want to win your fantasy league, but the thought of cheering for two Cowboys players every week makes your stomach turn. If they both have big games for you, odds are this could lead to a Dallas victory. And Tony Romo will jump around with his smug smile and think he's an elite quarter back and Chris Collinsworth will confirm this. And you wanted it that way. So it's all your fault.
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| I mean seriously! Can Cowboy's fans even tolerate this guys face? |
Ever since fantasy football has gone mainstream, avid sports fans have had to weigh the benefits of owning a winning fantasy team against the consequences of rooting for bitter division rivals. There are many ways that people have made peace with this issue, no matter how irrational.
- Some fans simply won't draft a player who plays for a division rival to their favorite team. "I mean I'd love to take you Tom Brady, but I'm a Jets fan and if I root for you, the Jet's will definitely finish last in the division." This one probably wouldn't be your fault or Tom Brady's fault. I'd blame Mark Sanchez...and maybe Tom Brady twice a year.
- Some fans divorce themselves from any rooting interest in one particular team. They deem themselves "NFL fans" instead of fans of a team. When you think about it, whatever prize your fantasy league champion wins is probably of more value to you than the Brown's finally breaking their 5 win ceiling.
- Other fans, like me, come to a realization...
For The past 4 years of my fantasy football history, two things have always been sure fire bets come the end of the year:
- My fantasy team will finish in the basement. I will be ridiculed for taking Donovan McNabb "just in case".
- My favorite team, Washington, will finish last in the NFC East.
Knowing these things made life easier. Can I draft someone from Dallas? New York? Philadelphia? Sure! They'll probably succeed and it won't matter rooting for them when the skins are 3-9.
But a funny thing happened this time last year. I won fantasy football. I was the champion. I tasted winning and it was good. I was so excited, I handcrafted the single greatest fantasy football trophy known to man and I put it upon a pedestal of hopes and dreams. My greatest achievement to date!
A little after my parade and festivities had ended, I found out more amazing information. The Rdskins were trading for the rights to pick QB phenom, Robert Griffin III in the draft. Oh happy day! Football went from being awesome to way too awesome for me to even handle!
And on draft day this year, I had two things in my mind. The concept that I had the proven ability to win a fantasy football championship, and the idea that Washington could maybe have a winning season. Did I outwardly believe at the time that they could make the playoffs? No. Did I secretly think they would go undefeated and win the Superbowl for the next 5 years? You bet I did!
What happened was a team devoid of any Eagle's, Giants or Cowboys (Kevin Ogletree snuck on to my team after week one but he was quickly dropped). I didn't do this on purpose, but I'm sure that sub consciously I made sure to keep things as NFC east free as I could. And I'm going to miss the playoffs and lose that beautiful trophy. I won't taste winning this year. Is their a connection here? Should I have taken Miles Austin instead of Eric Decker? Was Bradshaw a better pick up than Michael Turner? Who knows? (besides anyone who can look up their fantasy points this year). I don't know if things would have turned up differently. But it leaves me with something to think about next year.
But at least Washington will still have a season. And that hasn't happened in many years. So for that I am thankful. Goodbye Fantasy. Hello RG3!
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