1. The Wire- No, I am not talking about the popular hit show. But ignoring your league's waiver wire is dangerous for your team's potential success. Stay on top of it. While leagues have different rules here, being proactive is paramount regardless. Most have an order depending on the records of the league; others are first come, first served. The old saying, "the early bird gets the worm" can be replaced by "the early fantasy player gets the free agent." This is very basic, but when a player goes down or is in a slump- the wire is crucial to maximizing success. Speaking of which...
2. Injuries/slumps happen- Before the season, optimisim reigns supreme for your paper champions- then games happen and reality sets in. Even the best (Peterson) can be vulnerable to slumps whether it be because of their own play (Kaepernick) or because of someone elses' (AJ Green/Andy Dalton). Don't be afraid to bench big names who are in a rut or injured in favor of lesser players who have a better chance to thrive based off recent weeks' performances.
3. Match-ups make all the difference- Most of the time your best players are guaranteed starts outside of byes or injuries, but don't be afraid to sit them in favor of a bench player whose opposing team is likely to give up big points. For instance, sitting a quarterback like Andrew Luck against Seattle and playing a less popular player like Alex Smith against Tennessee in week 5 could pay off.
4. Bye, bye, bye- Don't be the person who constantly forgets to bench a player on bye and suffers because of it. Having the name there might look good, but not next to a goose egg while a player on the bench has 12 points.
5. Don't fix what is not broken- If you are in the minority whose key players are not hurt, slumping or on a bye...don't bench players who are on a roll.
6. Let's make a deal- The first thought that crosses all fantasy players' minds when offered a trade is a lot like when a grocery shopper sees a marked-down item: "What's the catch?" A majority of trades is players trying to hoodwink the other side, trying to see if an unsuspecting team will fall victim. But every now and then someone is offering a trade that benefits both parties. Do your research and look at patterns of all players in the trade, while assessing current roster needs. Have too many recievers? Two great defenses? Two kickers? Unload some of that capital to spread the wealth amongst you team and better position yourself for that week's win. (Also, if you have two kickers- you should probably retire from fantasy football.)
If you are trying to move a player, don't bother if it is because they are in a slump. For instance, offering David Wilson or Stevan Ridley for anyone is fruitless and a waste of time. No one is biting on those until they prove some sort of worth.
7. Light at the end of the tunnel- Started 1-3? 0-4? While a quarter of the season is gone, all is not lost. Do not panic and make unecessary adds or trades to convince yourself you are better off. Once fully healthy or on all cylinders, your team may bounce back. There may be a race to waiver wires, and sixteen weeks may go by fast for lots of football fans- but having patience and a little perspective can do wonders for turning a bad start into a potential playoff spot. (In the reverse situation, do not think you have the league won if you are 4-0. There are still 12 weeks to ruin your dreams
8. Indecisions make Johnny a dull boy- Wondering if you should start a returning player or a slumping one? Always go for the player who has more potential and opportunities to score more points. For example, start Tavon Austin this week over Justin Blackmon. While a quarterback like Bradford is in the pits, starting a talented Blackmon after his four game suspension with an even worse QB option in Gabbert is incredibly risky and likely to lead to few points.
9. Breathe in, breathe out- Losing big early? Gave up a lead and worried about getting upset by your league's worst team? Best player get injured? When it comes right down to it, it's all just a game. Take a deep breath, stretch your legs. Unplug from your TV, laptop, tablet, phone, etc. Don't sweat the small things and realize sometimes things are out of your control and there was nothing else that could have been done.
10. This is the sound of me not listening- People who are not involved with your team/league still do NOT care about them. If your wife or girlfriend even acts the slightest bit interested, it's because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. You know- just like how you tell her how much you appreciate her analysis of Real Housewives, or her complete review of Fifty Shades of Grey
No one is an absolute fantasy genius. We like to think we are, but winning comes down to a certain amount of common sense, skill and an inate ability to make occasional gambles that can pay off big. If you are already winning, great. If you are losing more often than not, bummer. Either way- being aware and making educated decisions will give you a better chance to finish on top of your fantasy league.
Like it? Love it? Hate it? Contact me on Twitter @SeanNeutron
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