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PLAYBOOK

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PLAYBOOK

day 1

FANTASYFOOTBALL

It is early August and the 2009 NFL season is fast approaching. It is time for me to reacquaint myself with an old friend:

Fantasy football is not like real football. While a fan of a “real” football team would likely follow a specific team from a specific city, the “fantasy experience” is much more hands on.

The concept of Fantasy Football is rooted in the online community. In order to participate, one must become part of a “league” which is made up (usually) of random individuals looking to establish a team through one of the many host websites ranging from espn.com to yahoo.com

and latched onto a league calledESPN.com

DOMINATE.I was set to

“GLADITORIUM”.

I chose as my host

Before any domination could occur, however, I would have to compile my team through my league’s draft which occurs roughly a week after the formation of the league through espn.com

A draft is a gathering of all the league’s “owners” (people with teams) that determines

who gets which player on which team.

Wrong draft.

Being the uber nerd I am, I could not allow my team to exist any longer without being properly christened with pro sports quality branding.Introducing the Raleigh Rockstars.

(Not all fantasy sports teams recieve such thorough love.)

ROCKSTARS

Wrong draft.

10NUMBERS.

9/

day 7 Draft day had arrived. This was the good news. The bad new?...

The God of Misfortune had rained on my draft day parade. My best player would only be the 9th best in the entire league. (technically)

But no pick is a sure bet...

(and that sucks)

I was awarded the ninth out of ten first

round picks.

HOPE REMAINED.

10• 1st PICK = 10th

• 2nd PICK = 9th

• 3rd PICK = 8th...

At least this meant I would have the second pick in the second round. . That’s how it works.

IN THE 2ND ROUND:

NUMBERS.

so on and so fourth.

Fantasy football is a game of

THE TIME HAD ARRIVED.

I logged into the ESPN.com Fantasy Football Draft Room (it’s a Javascript application)

ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCK-STARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’

ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SE-LECTION -

9th

With the ninth pick in the 2009 Gladitorium Fantasy Football Draft, The RALEIGH ROCKSTARS select...

ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCK-STARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’

ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SELECTION - ROCKSTARS’ SE-LECTION -

LADAINIANTOMLINSONRUNNING BACK • San Diego CHARGERS

DAMN GOOD.BUT HE’S

HE MIGHT NOT BE THE LEAGUE’S VERY BEST ANYMORE.

L.T. used to be a sure-fire first or second pick but it appears age seems to be catching up with him. Nonetheless, with a potent Chargers offense on his side, L.T. is poised for another solid season.

FRANKGORERUNNING BACK • San Francisco 49ERS

MOMENTUM.

AFTER A 2000 TOTAL YARD SEASON THIS TOP BACK TRIES TO FEED OFF THE

Frank Gore was a fantastic value pick at the #12 slot. This would mean my starting running backs were almost taken care of (2/3). Remember: the running back position is the most critical to your team’s success (they score a lot!).

DWAYNEBOWEWIDE RECEIVER • Kansas City CHIEFS

EXPLODE.

AFTER A SOLID SEASON THIS RISING WIDEOUT IS LOOKING POISED TO

After drafting two running backs it was time to fill in a wide receiver slot. Dwayne Bowe felt like a good choice as he finally has a worthy QB behind him in Matt Cassell, not to mention he is young and still progressing.

RYANGRANTRUNNING BACK • Green Bay PACKERS

BOUNCE BACK.

AFTER TAKING A SMALL STATS DIP IN 2008 RYAN GRANT IS LOOKING TO

I now had my three starting running backs. Ryan Grant seemed like a good gamble. In spite of 08’ being a bit of a down year, the Packers seem improved which will bode well for the success of Ryan Grant.

ANTONIOGATESTIGHT END • San Diego CHARGERS

POSITION.

A BIT PAST HIS PRIME BUT NONETHELESS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE TOP TWO AT HIS

It is clear Antonio Gates is aging. The signs, however, are not overly drastic. With an offseason of recovery under his belt perhaps “85” can regain his touchdown catching form.

CHADOCHOCINCOWIDE RECEIVER • Cincinatti BENGALS

SUPERSTAR.

WITH A NEW NAME WILL HOPEFULLY COME A RENEWED MOTIVATION TO BE A

For a receiver once considered a superstar, Chad Johnson (now Ochocinco) had a rough outing in 2008. With a healthy Carson Palmer to get him the ball, however, the man with a silly name should get me some good numbers.

MATTSCHAUBQUARTERBACK • Houston TEXANS

CYLINDERS.

THE TEXANS’ OFFENSE SEEMS LIKE IT IS FINALLY READY TO FIRE ON ALL

The Texans’ offense was looking like one of the better ones in the entire league despite a mediocre 8-8 finish last season. Houston will look to build on this success through a healthy Schaub.

ANTHONYGONZALEZWIDE RECEIVER • Indianapolis COLTS

BE THE MAN.

WITH MARVIN HARRISON GONE IN INDY, IT IS NOW TIME TO STEP UP AND

After showing good promise last season as a reliable target for Peyton Manning in Indy, Gonzo will look to be the team’s number two option at wide out with the departure of Marvin Harrison.

JAYCUTLERQUARTERBACK • Chicago BEARS

A DIFFERENCE.

WITH A CHANGE OF SCENERY WILL COME GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR CUTLER TO MAKE

Jay Cutler was a stat monster in Denver last season but frustration with the team led to a trade to Chicago. Now in the windy city, Cutler must continue to build on last season’s success with a whole new supporting cast.

DONALDDRIVERWIDE RECEIVER • Green Bay PACKERS

WHAT HE DOES.

THE ALWAYS RELIABLE TARGET WILL LOOK TO CONTINUE DOING

For years Donald Driver has been a (reasonably) healthy, reliable target in Green Bay. In Aaron Rodgers’ second season as starting QB look for solid production out of Driver despite his aging legs.

VIKINGSDEFENSEAND SPECIAL TEAMS.

THE PAIN.

STOP THE RUN. KILL THE QUARTERBACK. THE VIKES’ DEFENSE IS BUILT TO BRING

Nobody runs on the Vikings. Because of this, few will score over 20 points on them. The defensive line is just beastly with the likes of Jarred Allen and the two “Williamses”. Purple will punish.

TIM HIGHTOWERRUNNING BACK • Arizona CARDINALS

T.D. MACHINE.

YEAH... HE DOESN’T RUN FOR MANY YARDS BUT HIGHTOWER IS A

This far into the draft, you are lucky to still be able to find players capable of producing touchdowns. That’s all the Cardinals seem to use Hightower for. Who knows... maybe he will emerge as something more?

PERCYHARVINWIDE RECEIVER • Minnesota VIKINGS

TAKING.

HARVIN IS THE MOST EXPLOSIVE ROOKIE IN THE NFC AND A GAMBLE WORTH

Drafting a solid rookie this late in the draft is a great gamble. Harvin has incredible speed and will be used in a multitude of ways in the Vikings’ offense. If he doesn’t work out, it isn’t the end of the world.

JEREMYSHOCKEYTIGHT END • New Orleans SAINTS

IN THE TANK.

ONCE CONSIDERED A TOP TIGHT END, SHOCKEY MIGHT STILL HAVE SOMETHING

Shockey, for years, was the third best tight end in the league behind Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. It is clear he has lost a step, but if the Saints’ offense gets cookin’ with Brees at the helm, who knows?

ROBBIRONASKICKER • Tennessee TITANS

RELIABLE.

IT WAS FINALLY TIME TO LOOK AT KICKERS AND BIRONAS IS UNQUESTIONABLY

The kicker position on the fantasy team is not the most crucial, however, it is still very important to have a consistent course for those six to 15 points. Bironas plays on the Titans, a team that often seems unable to score touchdowns. Perfect.

LAURENCEMARONEYRUNNING BACK • New England PATRIOTS

I’M HUNGRY.

THE LAST PICK IN THE DRAFT... MY ATTENTION IS WANDERING.

Alright, maybe Maroney isn’t a TOTAL bust just yet. He was the starter for a very good Patriots team just a couple years ago but few signs point to him being headed back in that direction.

THE DRAFT HAD ENDED. (and that’s just fine.)

(it gets a bit boring in the late rounds.)

I NOW HAD A TEAM. IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO SET THIS TEAM UP ON A BLIND DATE WITH SUCCESS.

RULES.

In order to win a fantasy football game, you must understand the game’s

(which are as follows...)

HOW YOU SCORE POINTS:

HOW YOU WIN: Score more points than your opponent. (Duh!)

Points are earned through the statistics accumulated each week by your players. Different statistics earn different quantities of points.

• A rushing/receiving touchdown yields 6 points.• A passing touchdown yields 4 points.• 10 yards rushing or receiving yields 1 point.• 25 yards passing yields 1 point.• A kicker earns 1 point for each extra point• A kicker earns 3 points for each made field goal under 40 yards• A kicker earns 5 points for each made field goal equal to or greater than 40 yards• Defense earns 2 points for a recovered fumble or interception• Defense earns 6 points for a recovered fumble or interception taken back for a touchdown.• Defense earns 1 point per sack• Defense earns 2 points per safety• Defense earns 10 points for shutting out an opponent.• Defense earns 5 points for holding an opponent to under 10 points.• Defense earns 3 points for holding an opponent to under 17 points.• Special Teams (defense) earns 6 points for a touchdown

CHEATSHEET

HOW YOU LOSE POINTS

YOUR WEEKLY LINE-UP CONTAINS:

continued...

Points can be lost as well as gained so be careful!

• An interception yields -2 points• A fumble (lost) yields -2 points• A missed extra point or field goal yields -1 point.• Defense allowing over 20 points yields -1 point• Defense allowing over 27 points yields -3 points• Defense allowing over 34 points yields -5 points• Defense allowing over 40 points yields -10 points

CHEATSHEET

(1) Quarterback(2) Running Backs(2) Wide Receivers(1) Wide Receiver / Runningback (either)(1) Tight End(1) Defense/ Special Teams(1) Kicker

REMEMBER!

KEEP UP WITH YOUR TEAM’S WEEKLY PERFORMANCE AND INJURY SITUATION...

MAKE CHANGES AS NEEDED.

continued...

If your line-up is not producing you’re allowed to claim undrafted/available players after the draft as well as try to persuade gullable league-mates to trade with you any number of players at a time.

now do it.

day 24GAMEDAY.Opening week of the NFL season had finally arrived...

The starting line-up was set. Now for the results.

It was time to put The Raleigh Rockstars to the test!

RALEIGH

ROCKSTARS

STARTING LINEUP.MATT SCHAUB

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON

FRANK GORE.

RYAN GRANT.

DWAYNE BOWE

CHAD OCHOCINO

ANTONIO GATES

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

ROB BIRONAS

WEEK 1261 YDS PASS // 3TD // 1INT // 20 YDS RUSH

101 YDS RUSH // 1TD // 54 YD REC // 1 TD

90 YD RUSH // 1 TD // 32 YD REC

110 YD RUSH // 15 YD REC

105 YD REC // 1 TD // 1 FUMBLE (lost)

88 YD REC // 1 TD

71 YD REC

2 INT // 1 FUMBLE // 4 SACKS // 17 PTS AGAINST

2/2 XP // 2/3 FG (27, 44 MADE)

= 22 FANTASY POINTS

= 27 FANTASY POINTS

= 18 FANTASY POINTS

= 12 FANTASY POINTS

= 14 FANTASY POINTS

= 14 FANTASY POINTS

= 7 FANTASY POINTS

= 13 FANTASY POINTS

= 9 FANTASY POINTS

RESULTS.

RALEIGH

ROCKSTARS

SCORE:FINAL

13699THE OTHER GUYS:

(WHO CARES WHAT THE OTHER TEAM’S NAME IS WHEN YOU ARE VICTORIOUS?)

I AM THE WINNER.

DO IT AGAIN NEXT WEEKEND.

As anticipated

(But you knew this already)

Time to get ready to