FANTASY FOOTBALL

 Fantasy football has become serious business in recent years.  In addition to a player’s actual statistics, TV analysts now spend almost an equal amount of time discussing their fantasy value, or the amount of points they could potentially earn you for having them on your fantasy roster, and if you look in local bookstores and supermarkets you are likely to see sitting among the copies of Sports Illustrated and ESPN the Magazine a wide variety of fantasy football how-to guides and tip books.  Yes, it seems that sports fans everywhere have gone fantasy crazy.

Well, now we at the News Journal can understand why.  After talking about putting a league together over the last couple of years, a few of us have finally decided to take the plunge this season and officially enter into the world of fantasy sports.  Myself, along with Jim McAlister, Trent Knuckles and Dean Manning are all battling against each other, as well as twelve other teams, in order to determine who will reign supreme as the undisputed champion of the “NJ Friends and Family 2013” fantasy football league! 

As newbies, the last two weeks have certainly been a learning experience for the four of us.  I feel like we’re getting the hang of it, though.  I was narrowly defeated by my opponent in week one, but am now sitting at 1-1 thanks to Cincinnati running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis.  I was down by a couple of points going into Monday night’s Bengals vs. Steelers matchup, and Green-Ellis came through for me, scoring enough points to give me the victory for week two.

Dean, who tied for most points scored in week one, was defeated in convincing fashion by his opponent in week two.  I don’t foresee that happening very often, however, as long as his starting quarterback, Peyton Manning, stays healthy. 

Jim started off his season with a tie, and ended up on the losing end of a close contest in week two.  He is hoping to see more production from his running backs in the coming weeks, as well as continued improvement from Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

And then there is Trent (0-2), who has a major bone to pick with Tom Brady.  He was ecstatic when he was able to select the future hall of fame quarterback in our fantasy draft, but so far the Patriots’ star hasn’t put up the kind of numbers that many fantasy owners have expected him to.  In Brady’s defense, the New England offensive unit has a lot new faces this year, so hopefully his stats will improve considerably as he gets more used to the changes that have been made.

The season is very young, and there is a lot of football yet to be played.  All of us at the News Journal are hopeful of hoisting the championship trophy, or at least not being “awarded” the dreaded last place trophy.  For those of you out there who are also competing in fantasy leagues, we wish you the best of luck.  I hope to update you again at some point on our league’s progression.  Until then, may your starters produce and stay injury free!