Fantasy Football

Life After Ronnie Brown

Having lost my best player, my six-game winning streak, and my faith in fantasy football, I prepared for the worst this week. 

Prepared might be the wrong word.  Assuming all hope was lost (it was), I didn’t really put in my usual work into my roster.  I browsed the waiver wire, finding nothing.  I thought for a fleeting moment about making a trade, but then I remembered that my fellow league members don’t respect me.  So really, my weekly preparation involved nothing more than picking up Rob Bironas because my regular kicker was on a bye.

Then, I resigned myself to losing.  Apparently, I need to have more faith in myself.

Come Sunday afternoon, I had put up season-high numbers with my own version of the Ample Dumpling Gang, and I had nearly doubled the points of my opponent.  My margin of victory was essentially what I expected out of my entire roster, so I was blown away.  Here are some of the highlights:

Drew Brees, 29 points.  Brees was left for dead on the waiver heap a few weeks ago, and I had the foresight (read: desperation) to pick him up, knowing there would be better days ahead.  Sunday was one of those days.  Playing against the 49ers, I didn’t expect much.  If San Fran does something well besides not gaining yards, it would be playing against the pass.  Brees had over 300 yards and three touchdowns, and he will be a very important piece of my team in the next few weeks.

Joseph Addai, 28 points.  After last week’s running back platoon cost me a victory, I pretty much gave up hope with Addai.  He was dependable early in the year, but an injury and an Indy love affair with a back-up running back rendered him toothless.  His three touchdowns Sunday were a very pleasant surprise, and seeing his backup Kenton Keith fumble away the coaches’ confidence was even pleasanter. 

Wes Welker, 14 points.  A free agent pickup three weeks ago, Welker has been nothing short of remarkable ever since.  He had another big day Sunday, and he seems to be Tom Brady’s favorite target to this point.

Kellen Winslow, 8 points.  Tight end points are always a plus, and so is playing the Rams.  Winslow’s points came courtesy of the lax Ram D, which could best be described as charitable. 

Other people contributed to my windfall, too, and all of it was unexpected.  When Ronnie Brown went down with an injury last week, I was sure my fantasy team was going down with him.  He was the best thing I had going, and I was replacing him with Julius Jones.  Yikes.

I guess I never had to worry.  Be it my football acumen or blind luck, my team is in okay shape midway through the season.  As long as my players start peaking at the right times, everything should be alright.  Sunday’s result was a breath of fresh air, and nothing could dampen my mood after that.

Well, one thing could.

B Squared, my undefeated arch nemesis, won again.  He beat me by a point last week in a shady accounting job of epic proportions (you can read about it here or call me at home for a full narrative), and he was at it again in Week Eight.  The Squares were nip-and-tuck with their opponent right up until the end of the afternoon games, and since neither had anyone playing Monday night, this was it.  Leave it to BS to get a garbage time Chris Cooley touchdown to cement his win and continue his undefeated season.

Normally, I wouldn’t be mad at a win like that.  But B Squared had two people on a bye!  And they were his running backs!  What’s more is that if he and I were matched up, I would have beaten him by 40 points.  Someone inside ESPN.com is obviously siphoning points into his totals.  There is no way he should have been able to compete minus two of the highest scoring positions on his team.  He is in bed with ESPN Fantasy—of this I am sure.  There is no other way to explain how he continues to dodge bullets week after week despite poor planning and complete oblivion to schedules.  He has an unoriginal team name, made original only by my jealous name-calling; he got lucky by getting demigod Tom Brady; he runs his team with abandonment and indifference.

Oh, and did I mention that he is commissioner of the league?

The fix is in, and I’m blowing the whistle.  Armed with the encouragement of a dynamite week, I have recommitted myself to my fantasy league with one goal in mind: take down B Squared. 

And find a reliable third running back. 

© 2007 KevanLee.com.