What to bring with you to a draft

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If you have a live draft or auction, then I have 10 suggestions. These are the things to bring with you to a draft.

1) Your custom draft list- you should be making these in advance and editing every week or so until you are done with all your drafts.

2) Pencil and paper to track your players, other owner’s players, auction prices, and to mark off players from your list

3) Be a good guest and bring snacks to share with others- people prefer to trade with people that they like and bringing snacks sure helps.

4) Bring beer that others like- it is better to get them drinking than for you to drink (limit it if you do partake)

5) Calculator if you are in an auction league- need to track everyone's money

6) Injury report- this is for you and to share with other owners- it will make you look knowledgeable and a nice guy.|

7) Projected depth charts for all the NFL teams- this is for you only

8) List of sleepers for late rounds and keep auction players

9) As much knowledge as you can find about the other owners including their favorite teams, players, and typical draft strategies. It is always good to chit chat with owners to help understand who they like and don’t like

10) You ability to adapt to change with the draft. Things will not go as you planned. You will need to leave your plan and list from time to time.

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CP Radio Tonight

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Don't forget to listen to the Fantasy Sports Counselor on CP Radio tonight from 9:30-10:30 CDT.


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Hints for an Auction League

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I love auction leagues. I started my fantasy football trek 15 years ago with an auction league. They are finally finding popularity. Even the “Four Letter Network” is promoting the auction league. If you are the adventurous type and want to try your hand at the auction, here are a few tips you need to know.

1) Throw out players you do not covet. This is especially true for the first 2/3^rd of the draft. If you throw out that rookie you really want early in the draft, then the other owners will drive the price up on those players. Save them for later.


This also applies to the stud players you are seeking. If you hope to get Adrian Peterson, it is best not to throw him out early. His price will be high anyway but it will be higher in the first couple of rounds.


If you know that another owner desires a certain player, then throw them out as early as possible. When other owners are less efficient with their cash, the more your cash will buy.

2) Spend all of your money. I can not tell you how many teams will leave money on the table. This is only hurting your team if you do not spend all of your fantasy dollars. Do not wait until the end of the draft to start spending the money.

3) Go Ahead and bid big money for those stars. This is related to # 2. To win, you need to have those stars on your team.

4) Save some money for the bargains. In the last 1/3 of an auction, you can usually find quality players for discounted rates. It is helpful if you have some money to pick up these players.

5) Know how much money all the owners have at all times. This is very important. There is strategy in knowing if you have the money to out bid someone for a player or not and what their needs are .

6) Do not pay more than a dollar or two for any defense or kicker. Defenses and kickers are a dime a dozen.

7) Know your off weeks. Nothing is worse than having a backup with the same off week as your starters. There is always someone that has to get a third kicker because of off week issues. Do not let it be you.

8) Never bid more for a player than you are willing to pay for them. It is great to bid owners up that really want that player. But every owner has a value that they will not pass. If you are trying to bid up a player, make sure you are willing to pay it for that player or you might just get him anyway.

9) Pick dollar players with up side. At the end of an auction, a lot of players start going for a dollar. It might be all you have. You will face the choice to throw out that below average player or that rookie that might do nothing. I always go with the guy with the most upside. Last year I was able to pick up Steve Slaton for a dollar and he had a great season for me.

10) Know your rules. Your auction values do change with the rules of a league.

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Fantasy Sleepers

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1) QB Brett Favre- Vikings

Everyone knows Brett. He is a sleeper because many are not giving him a chance to succeed. Most mock drafts have him going very late. He had 15 TDs and 11 INTs after the first 8 games. That would project out to 30 and 22 (very decent) if he had not become injured.

2) QB Chris Simms- Broncos

Chris is a deep sleeper. He is not currently starting. He looked good in the first pre-season game and Orton looked terrible. Simms may steal away the starting job but it has not happened yet according to the Denver Post. If he wins the job at some point this year, he would have Royal and Marshall to throw the ball to.

3) QB JaMarcus Russell- Raiders

Rusell is also a pretty deep sleeper but I think he could be a decent backup with a lot of upside. He will be in his third year as a starter. He has a monster of an arm. This may be his year.

4) RB Darren McFadden- Raiders

Everyone went crazy for McFadden last year and he did not live up to the hype. I think he will live up to it this year. He should be a good #3 RB with potential for a #1.

5) RB Knowshon Moreno- Broncos

Knowshon has the hype that McFadden had last year. Do not over reach for him but if he is there, I think he will have a solid year for you as a third or fourth back.

6) RB Pierre Thomas- Saints

Thomas still gets no love. He had 12 TD’s last year (9 rushing and 3 receiving). He is a great pick for your # 2 RB. He will get the goal line carries and may be the “Wildcat” QB for the Saints.

7) RB Ray Rice- Ravens

Rice is the starting back for the Ravens. I look for them to run, run, run Ray. He is another #2 back with great upside.

8) RB Rashard Mendenhall- Steelers

How Mendenhall has fallen with fantasy owners in a year. He was the pick for a rookie RB last year but he was injured early on. Fast Willie is another year old and I look for Mendenhall to get a lot of carries for the Steelers.

9) RB LeSean McCoy- Eagles

McCoy will serve as the backup for Westbrook. Westbrook is now 30 years old. I look for McCoy to get some good playing time by mid season. He is a deep sleeper but one I feel comfortable taking late.

10) RB Glenn Coffee- 49ers

Who? Exactly! Coffee is a Super Deep Sleeper. He is the backup for Frank Gore. I have been very impressed with him. I would take him with my last pick or as a dollar player.

11) TE Dustin Keller- Jets

I look for Keller to make the leap to a top 7 TE.

12) WR Eddie Royal- Broncos

This guy is for real. If Marshall does not show, then Royal will be the number 1. He should be a solid # 3 with Marshall and may be better if Marshall holds out.

13) WR Anthony Gonzalez- Colts

Gonzalez is replacing Harrison as a starter for the Colts. Did I mention he plays for the Colts with Peyton.

14) WR Lance Moore- Saints

Does anyone know Moore? He is the starter opposite of Colston in New Orleans. He will be receiving the ball from some guy named Brees. He is recovering from a torn labrum but he will be healthy enough to start the season.

15) WR Ted Gin- Dolphins

I remember when I was floored by this draft pick a few years ago. Gin has great speed and someone has to catch the ball in Miami. He is should be a WR 4 or 5 for you with upside.

16) WR Earl Bennett- Bears

Bennett will be a starting WR for the Bears. He will surprise a lot of people. I think he has good upside. I think Cutler will display Bennett’s abilities. He is a sleeper but he will not be next year.

17) WR Chaz Schilens- Raiders

Here is another Wide Out that no one knows. Chaz is the number 1 receiver for the Raiders. If Russell does take a step forward this year, Schilens should shine. He is worth a late round pickup.

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FSC- Standard Top 100 Rankings 2009

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Rank	Top 100	Team	Bye
1	Adrian Peterson	Vikings	9
2	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jags	7
3	Matt Forte	Bears	5
4	Chris Johnson	Titans	7
5	Frank Gore	49ers	6
6	Michael Turner	Falcons	4
7	Larry Fitzgerald	Cardinals	5
8	DeAngelo Williams	Panthers	4
9	Steve Slaton	Texans	10
10	Steven Jackson	Rams	9
11	Peyton Manning	Colts	6
12	Andre Johnson	Texans	11
13	Tom Brady	Patriots	8
14	Randy Moss	Patriots	8
15	Drew Bress	Saints	5
16	Marion Barber	Cowboys	6
17	Brandon Jacobs	Giants	10
18	Calvin Johnson	Lions	7
19	Reggie Wayne	Colts	6
20	Kurt Warner	Cardinals	4
21	Ladainian Tomlinson	Chargers	5
22	Brian Westbrook	Eagles	4
23	Clinton Portis	Redskins	8
24	Greg Jennings	Packers	5
25	Roddy White	Falcons	4
26	Anquan Boldin	Cardinals	5
27	Philip Rivers	Chargers	5
28	Marques Colston	Saints	5
29	Dwayne Bowe	Chiefs	8
30	Darren McFadden	Raiders	9
31	Ronnie Brown	Dolphins	6
32	Knowshon Moreno	Broncos	7
33	Tony Romo	Cowboys	6
34	Jason Witten	Cowboys	6
35	Steve Smith	Panthers	4
36	Wes Welker	Patriots	8
37	Donovan McNabb	Eagles	4
38	Antonio Gates	Chargers	5
39	Brandon Marshall	Broncos	7
40	Kevin Smith	Lions	7
41	Pierre Thomas	Saints	5
42	Terrell Owens	Bills	9
43	Chad Ochocinco	Bengals	8
44	Tony Gonzalez	Falcons	4
45	Aaron Rodgers	Packers	5
46	Ryan Grant	Packers	5
47	Ray Rice	Ravens	7
48	Dallas Clark	Colts	6
49	Derrick Ward	Bucs	8
50	Johnathan Stewart	Panthers	4
51	Chris Wells	Cardinals	4
52	TJ Houshmandzadeh	Seahawks	7
53	Eddie Royal	Broncos	7
54	DeSean Jackson	Eagles	4
55	Jay Cutler	Bears	5
56	Matt Ryan	Falcons	4
57	Greg Olsen	Bears	7
58	Vincent Jackson	Chargers	5
59	Roy Williams	Cowboys	6
60	Anthony Gonzalez	Colts	6
61	Antonio Bryant	Bucs	8
62	Willie Parker	Steelers	8
63	Felix Jones	Cowboys	6
64	Ben Roethlisberger	Steelers	8
65	Matt Cassel	Chiefs	8
66	Carson Palmer	Bengals	8
67	Larry Johnson	Chiefs	8
68	Donald Brown	Colts	6
69	Kellen Winslow	Bucs	8
70	Jerricho Cotchery	Jets	9
71	Santonio Holmes	Steelers	8
72	Chris Cooley	Redskins	8
73	Zach Miller	Raiders	9
74	Eli Manning	Giants	10
75	Marshawn Lynch	Bills	9
76	Fred Taylor	Patriots	9
77	Tim Hightower	Cardinals	4
78	Rashard Mendenhall	Steelers	8
79	Owen Daniels	Texans	10
80	Dustin Keller	Jets	9
81	Braylon Edwards	Browns	9
82	Hines Ward	Steelers	8
83	Matt Schaub	Texans	10
84	Joseph Addai	Colts	6
85	LeSean McCoy	Eagles	4
86	Santana Moss	Redskins	8
87	Donnie Avery	Rams	9
88	Bernard Berrian	Vikings	9
89	Lance Moore	Saints	5
90	John Carlson	Seahawks	7
91	Joe Flacco	Ravens	7
92	Reggie Bush	Saints	5
93	Jeremy Shockey	Saints	5
94	Lee Evans	Bills	9
95	Donald Driver	Packers	5
96	Kevin Walter	Texans	10
97	Matt Hasselbeck	Seahawks	7
98	Patrick Crayton	Cowboys	6
99	Mark Clayton	Ravens	7
100	Laveranues Coles	Bengals	10

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