Random Rumblings II

First of all, thank you to Big Troph of BigTroph.com for the new logo. Looking for a fantasy sport logo? BigTroph.com can help you out.

On to this week's ramblings....
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RapidDraft

Recently I took advantage of a free team at RapidDraft.com courtesy of Fantasy Fanatics. You draft in a twelve team league against "experts" who draft based on predetermined rankings. You have only thirty seconds to make your pick, or in "Warp" speed you have ten. You can choose what position you draft from. I decided to go right in the middle at 6th and did most of the draft at warp speed. It only took about 45 minutes and I came out with what I think is a pretty decent team:

QB Drew Brees (NO)
QB Kyle Orton (Den)

RB Chris Johnson (Ten)
RB Knowshon Moreno (Den)
RB LenDale White (Ten)
RB Felix Jones (Dal)
RB Michael Bush (Oak)

WR Greg Jennings (GB)
WR Eddie Royal (Den)
WR Lee Evans (Buff)
WR Devin Hester (Chic)
WR Chaz Shillens (Oak)
WR Percy Harvin (Minn)
WR Brian Robiske (Clev)

TE Owen Daniels (Hou)
TE Brandon Pettigrew (Det)

K Mason Crosby (GB)
K Matt Prater (Den)

DST San Diego
DST Arizona

If this was real league against real players, I'd be ecstatic! But seeing as it's just a free trial and the prizes are quite watered down, I'll be content with the fun I had drafting.

I highly recommend the experience and if you want to compete for the $2500,000 Grand Prize, it's only $9.99 per team. Just go to RapidDraft.com and get your team before it's too late.
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Plaxico Burress

I was never that fond of him as a player in the first place, but a lot of that stems from how he singlehandedly destroyed Ohio State as a Michigan State Spartan a few years ago. Little did we know that when he caught that touchdown against the Patriots in the Super Bowl that it would most likely be his last hurrah. After being indicted this week on felony gun charges, Burress is looking at up to three and a half years in prison. He might get a lesser sentence, but it should be long enough to end his career. Maybe he could come back and play.... but that's harder to fathom than Michael Vick being able to grab a starting QB job in the NFL. From hero to zero in under two years ....but at least he had his day in the ultimate spotlight.
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Derrick Mason

Speaking of former Michigan State Spartan WRs, it's good to see him return after abruptly retiring last month following the death of his friend and former QB Steve McNair. Mason is the only consistent receiver on the Ravens offense and should be able to get another 60 catches, 900 yards and four or five TDs. Without him, the Ravens might have struggled even worse in the passing game then they did early last year when QB Joe Flacco was learning the ropes. Even though I only started him once, he was a member of my IFFL Champion Miami Waves last year. Welcome back Derrick, Steve would have wanted you to play.

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Handcuffing

The practice of handcuffing starters to protect from injuries by drafting their backups can be a good thing if you're smart about WHICH players you handcuff. Some people believe it's a waste of a pick to grab someones backup while there may be a starter or two left on the board. Again, I say it depends on the WHO and the WHY you handcuff. Here's a list of DOs and DON'Ts of what players I think should be handcuffed.

- DO handcuff Tom Brady. As we saw last year, the Patriots are confident enough in their backup QBs that they won't hit the panic button if Brady goes down again. Kevin O'Connell has had over a year to digest the offense and if history is any indication .. he'll be an okay replacement and emergency fantasy starter.

- DON'T handcuff Drew Brees. If Brees goes down, Mark Brunell won't be throwing for 300 yards per game. Joey Harrington might, but seriously ... would you want to trust HIM to get you to a championship?

- DO handcuff Kurt Warner. With these receivers, Matt Leinart would be hard pressed to fail. I have a feeling he's finally ready to take over if the old man goes down.

- DON'T handcuff Peyton Manning. Other than Bret Favre, he's the most reliable QB ever as far as consecutive starts. Jim Sorgi won't get you points holding the clipboard.

- Other QB DOs: Dante Culpepper (Matt Stafford),Marc Bulger (Kyle Boller), Jamarcus Russell (Jeff Garcia), Kyle Orton (Chris Simms), Joe Flacco (Troy Smith), Brady Quinn (Derek Anderson), Kerry Collins (Vince Young), Matt Schaub (Dan Orlovsky).

- DO handcuff a backfield duo. Whether it's Chris Johnson/LenDale White or DeAngelo Williams/James Stewart if both are having huge success, you have to figure it's worth the gamble to grab them both and start them every week. If you're savvy enough to draft depth behind them, an injury to one of them won't be devastating.

- DON'T handcuff Matt Forte. Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe won't be nearly as effective as Forte can be. Unless you have a really deep league, look elsewhere.

- DO handcuff Brian Westbrook. You know he's going to get banged up as always. Grabbing LeSean McCoy as insurance is a must.

- DON'T handcuff Steven Jackson. There's nobody there behind him that can get you decent fantasy points. Unless they grab Edgerrin James in free agency, forget about it.

- DO handcuff Michael Turner. Jerious Norwood may not be an every down back, but if Turner goes down, his touches will definitely increase, especially in PPR leagues. He's got big play ability.

- DON'T handcuff Steve Slaton. Yes I know the Texans want to use Chris Brown as a short yardage back, but if Slaton gets injured, do you think he and Ryan Moats will really put up any substantial numbers?

- Other RB DOs: Marshawn Lynch/Fred Jackson, Thomas Jones/Shonn Greene, Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall, LaDainian Tomlinson/Darren Sproles, Marion Barber/Felix Jones, Brandon Jacobs/Ahmad Bradshaw, Pierre Thomas/Reggie Bush, Tim Hightower/Beanie Wells

- DON'T EVER handcuff a wide receiver!! Too many good starters out there at the position to waste a pick on them.

- DO handcuff Jason Witten. The only TE I would even consider because Martellus Bennett is a playmaker that could definitely be worth it if Witten goes down. The TE will be a huge part of the Dallas offense this year and even if Witten stays healthy, Bennett will see some touches in the red zone. Only recommend it in deep leagues where you have the slots for three TEs or more.

Be smart about your handcuffs though, don't overvalue them and draft them too quickly. You could be hurting yourself in depth in the long run.
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Rumble at you later.