Don't you hate that? Here's some things I do.

After almost two decades of enjoying fantasy football I'm quite satisfied with most of the experiences I've had. But there are a few things that have driven me nuts over the years ... and still do. Whether it be live or online leagues, there's always that player, commissioner, or situation that will drive you up the wall....

1) Owners that give up. You see this all of the time on free online leagues, mainly because they're free. But when it happens in leagues for money or other various prizes, it's extremely frustrating. They stop bothering to check their lineups, often starting players who are injured or on a bye week. The REAL jerks can be even worse, starting whole lineups of useless players, or even TRADE their best players for next to nothing. It's extremely rare, but I've seen it happen. This can totally sabotage an entire league and ruin it for everyone.

2) Owners that don't respond to trade offers. This happens mainly in online leagues where the only means you have of communicating with the person is via email or message boards. I can absolutely understand someone getting an offer that totally turns them off, but at least have the courtesy to say "no thanks" or even "never going to happen", especially if you contacted that person FIRST. I won't name names or specify what league, but I recently was sent a message inquiring what I wanted for a player I had stated was on the block. I responded with an offer that I thought was reasonable and waited for several days for a response. When I didn't get one I tried a different offer, adding another player from my team to the deal. Again no response .. and I know the owner had to have seen the offer because the site keeps track of when owners log on. Extremely rude and irritating.

3) Owners that constantly argue rules and decisions. You know the guy. The one who thinks he/she can run the league better than the commissioner? The one who will try anything to get that extra point or two on their score? The one who is trying to make an unfair trade that is totally lopsided but says anything he can think of to justify it? Yeah, that guy. Seen a few of them over the years and they can be a real drag.

4) "Questionable" injury reports. A.K.A. the "gametime decision" Nothing like having a key player listed as questionable (50% chance of playing) and deciding NOT to take the chance of starting him ... only to find out too late he is playing .... and just scored a touchdown. Even with today's media resources and up to the minute information ... you never know when one of these GTDs will be just mere seconds before kickoff ... too late to switch him back into your lineup. I almost had it happen last year with Roddy White, but two minutes before kickoff I decided to chance it, even though at least two analysts on TV said he was most likely a scratch. I understand the need for coaches to keep little secrets like that until the last minutes to keep their opponents guessing ... but we fantasy owners could really use the heads up.

5) Commissioners that change the rules EVERY season. I was in a league for several years that actually had to have an annual Rule Change Meeting! Why? Because the owner(s) couldn't leave well enough alone. We had debates every year about things like amount of keepers, scoring system tweeks, whether tight ends should be mandatory, etc. The rules were NEVER the same from one season to the next. I say establish the rules and keep to them year after year unless absolutely necessary.

6) Uninformed owners who draft players that have retired. Haven't seen it personally in a long time, but I used to draft with a guy who would do this every year at least once per draft. It was funny, but who really wants to be the guy who tells this person.. "Ummm, Herschel Walker retired two years ago."

7) Smoking Marijuana at the draft. I used to be in a league a few years back where they did this. By the time it was over I thought I was in France. Several days later I was trying to figure out why I drafted Zeke Mowatt.... and I didn't take a single puff.

8) Bye Weeks Some people see them as adding to the strategy of fantasy football. I see them as a pain in the behind. Especially now that there are weeks where six teams are off. I'd much rather have the whole spectrum of players to start every week then to have to consider lineup changes or worry about drafting two kickers or defenses that are off the same week. But... it's not like the NFL is going to change it, so obviously I'll live with it.

9) Linebackers who catch TDs Being a Buckeye fan, I like Mike Vrabel ... but darn it Ben Watson should have caught those TDs!! That's six points he cost me!

10) People who have never played fantasy football that give advice. I recently had a Bengals fan at work tell me I should take Andre Smith if I get the chance. "He's going to be a huge factor in the running game." they told me. Thanks dude, I'll take that under consideration. Thank god he's still available on the waiver wire......

Alright, I've vented and feel much better. Guess I can skip that therapy session next week. On to other things....

Dynasty League Update:

Recently made a couple of trades in a attempt to get younger at key positions. I traded WR Steve Smith (Car) and CB Alphonso Smith (Den) for WR Eddie Royal (Den) and CB Aqib Talib (TB). I got two players who looked solid in their rookie seasons and gave up a rookie CB who may or may not get playing time and Smith, who might still be in his prime .... but plays for a team that emphasizes the running game and may only have a year or two left of high production. For a dynasty trade, I think it was pretty solid.

I also gave up a Pro Bowl running back in Ronnie Brown (Mia) for a rookie back in Donald Brown (Ind). In the short term, this is a bad trade ... but in the long term I may see huge dividends because it looks like Joseph Addai may be on his way out in Indianapolis.

I've earmarked several free agents for when the signing period starts in a couple of weeks to address the depth problems I have at various positions. There are still a few gems left out there and I hope to hit on a few.

That's all for now. As always, I appreciate input, either here or on Twitter. Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vice2020