You're going to hear about a lot of football happenings over the next few weeks. Some will have a long-lasting impact on your fantasy football league (such as an injury that may cause last season's sack king to miss this season). Some will have almost no impact whatsoever in the long run (such as a certain quarterback's attitude toward training camp). The impact of others will fall somewhere in the middle (LenDale White, anyone?).
Meanwhile, while we wait for the real football games to start and for NASCAR to drop the green flag on its latest race -- hint, hint, vote on the People's Pitstop lineup before Friday evening -- you may have heard that a certain baseball player reached a certain milestone this week. A lot of people are going to see this as a reason to celebrate that baseball player, but we at the People's Pigskin see this as a reason to celebrate something else.
Football.
That's right. Football, the sport that last visited Yankee Stadium during the Alan Ameche era.
For one thing, it's a reminder that the National Football League, for all its faults and failings -- and they are plenty -- got the issue of performance enhancers right.
Step into the Wayback Machine for a trip to 2006, when we learned that Shawne Merriman, one of the NFL's defensive stars at the time, had taken performance-enhancing drugs. Did we learn about it from reading a former teammate's tell-all book? Did we learn about it from an exclusive interview with Rich Eisen? No, we learned about it when the NFL said that it would be suspending Merriman four games (and taking away four game checks) after he failed an NFL test.
There was a swift test, a swift result and a swift and real punishment. Merriman didn't just face a nebulous sense of public shame for what he did. He lost a quarter of his salary for that season. He even became the namesake of a rule barring such players from the Pro Bowl.
And that type of tangible punishment is reflected in another difference between baseball and other sports: a historical record free of question marks.
The NFL's all-time leading rusher is Emmitt Smith, and its all-time leading receiver is Jerry Rice. Both Smith and Rice will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Does anyone suspect them of using shortcuts to get there?
The NBA's all-time leading scorer is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who, for bonus points, is also featured in one of the funniest movies ever. Does anyone suspect him of using shortcuts?
The holder of just about every NHL record that does not involve goaltending is Wayne Gretzky. Does anyone suspect him of using shortcuts?
Now let's look at baseball's home run record. The current holder of that record not only is suspected of cheating, but he stands accused of lying to a federal grand jury about it. The person whom most expect to take that record is already on the record saying he cheated during the three-year period leading up to his trade to his current employer. And instead of being punished for his transgressions, he's been rewarded with the opportunity to perform on one of the biggest stages in sports.
Don't you feel better knowing that the biggest questions facing your fantasy team probably involve holdouts or Kardashians?
Showing posts with label Brett Favre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brett Favre. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The People's Facts - Watkins Glen
You, the Internet, have until Friday night to vote on the People's Pitstop lineup for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Here is some information to help you make your selections.
Track basics: Watkins Glen International in upstate New York is a road course that, at 2.45 miles, is almost as long as this race's official name: the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen. (The over/under on number of official mentions of that name in Sunday's ESPN broadcast: 1.5.) Also, with its 11 turns, this course is less straightforward than a certain quarterback's stance on training camp.
Recent winners: Tony Stewart (2009), Kyle Busch (2008), Tony Stewart (2007).
Who wins here a lot: As you might have guessed from that last item, Stewart leads active NASCAR drivers with five victories at Watkins Glen. He's followed by Jeff Gordon (four) and Mark Martin (three).
On the road again: Yes, NASCAR is making the second of its two annual Sprint Cup trips to a place where drivers have to drive a little bit more like you and I drive. That's why, in addition to having you click here for the weekly fantasy preview from Yahoo Sports, we at the People's Pigskin will urge you to click here and read Nick Bromberg's assessment of NASCAR's top road racers (and the loyal readers' response).
Oh, and don't forget to vote in the racing and football polls.
Track basics: Watkins Glen International in upstate New York is a road course that, at 2.45 miles, is almost as long as this race's official name: the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen. (The over/under on number of official mentions of that name in Sunday's ESPN broadcast: 1.5.) Also, with its 11 turns, this course is less straightforward than a certain quarterback's stance on training camp.
Recent winners: Tony Stewart (2009), Kyle Busch (2008), Tony Stewart (2007).
Who wins here a lot: As you might have guessed from that last item, Stewart leads active NASCAR drivers with five victories at Watkins Glen. He's followed by Jeff Gordon (four) and Mark Martin (three).
On the road again: Yes, NASCAR is making the second of its two annual Sprint Cup trips to a place where drivers have to drive a little bit more like you and I drive. That's why, in addition to having you click here for the weekly fantasy preview from Yahoo Sports, we at the People's Pigskin will urge you to click here and read Nick Bromberg's assessment of NASCAR's top road racers (and the loyal readers' response).
Oh, and don't forget to vote in the racing and football polls.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Fantasy Preview Review - Sporting News
Our look at the fantasy football magazines taking over your newsstand like so much ivy continues with another well-known brand.
Sporting News Fantasy Football
Vital stats: $7.99, 148 pages with a 2-page pullout sheet, 397 offensive players (294 ranked) and 170 defensive players (105 ranked) previewed.
Top 10 picks: If you are playing in the typical 10-team league, the Sporting News has put your draft's first round right on its cover. It says you should take Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Michael Turner, Steven Jackson, Andre Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Drew Brees and Frank Gore.
Well, maybe not: The Sporting News "experts" held a 12-team draft, and they forgot to read their own cover. Two of the top 10 draft choices were used on Aaron Rodgers (a slight surprise, but nothing more) and Shonn Greene (a legitimate jaw-dropper).
Intriguing nugget: Like many fantasy football magazines, this one offers a peek at each team's schedule. Unlike most magazines, this one highlights the games that are likely to occur during your league's playoffs. For example, in weeks 14-16, the Dallas Cowboys face three teams (Philadelphia, Washington and Arizona) that "finished in the top nine in sacks last season."
Head scratcher: These folks tell us this about the notion of paying attention to preseason hype: "We can almost throw this one out without thinking about it." But then, what does that make this magazine?
Kicker rule obeyed? To quote Judd Nelson from "The Breakfast Club," not even close, bud. In the 12-team draft of Sporting News experts, four picked a kicker before the last round. The magazine's assessment? "Eight of the final 12 picks in the draft were kickers, which is how it should be." That's right; fantasy football rules should be followed only two-thirds of the time.
Listen up: While everyone else is all worked up about a certain quarterback who, as of this writing, has neither reported for training camp nor filed retirement papers with the NFL, this magazine does a good job of informing fantasy football players about the very real possibility that we will have no football in the 2011 season.
Two options that are raised (and dashed quickly) are fantasy CFL and fantasy college football. "Tyler Sheehan, Donald Buckram, James Cleveland? These aren't congressmen running for re-election; they're the No. 3 passer, No. 6 runner and No. 8 receiver, respectively, in college football last season."
We'll be back with a look at this week's NASCAR site.
Sporting News Fantasy Football
Vital stats: $7.99, 148 pages with a 2-page pullout sheet, 397 offensive players (294 ranked) and 170 defensive players (105 ranked) previewed.
Top 10 picks: If you are playing in the typical 10-team league, the Sporting News has put your draft's first round right on its cover. It says you should take Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Michael Turner, Steven Jackson, Andre Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Drew Brees and Frank Gore.
Well, maybe not: The Sporting News "experts" held a 12-team draft, and they forgot to read their own cover. Two of the top 10 draft choices were used on Aaron Rodgers (a slight surprise, but nothing more) and Shonn Greene (a legitimate jaw-dropper).
Intriguing nugget: Like many fantasy football magazines, this one offers a peek at each team's schedule. Unlike most magazines, this one highlights the games that are likely to occur during your league's playoffs. For example, in weeks 14-16, the Dallas Cowboys face three teams (Philadelphia, Washington and Arizona) that "finished in the top nine in sacks last season."
Head scratcher: These folks tell us this about the notion of paying attention to preseason hype: "We can almost throw this one out without thinking about it." But then, what does that make this magazine?
Kicker rule obeyed? To quote Judd Nelson from "The Breakfast Club," not even close, bud. In the 12-team draft of Sporting News experts, four picked a kicker before the last round. The magazine's assessment? "Eight of the final 12 picks in the draft were kickers, which is how it should be." That's right; fantasy football rules should be followed only two-thirds of the time.
Listen up: While everyone else is all worked up about a certain quarterback who, as of this writing, has neither reported for training camp nor filed retirement papers with the NFL, this magazine does a good job of informing fantasy football players about the very real possibility that we will have no football in the 2011 season.
Two options that are raised (and dashed quickly) are fantasy CFL and fantasy college football. "Tyler Sheehan, Donald Buckram, James Cleveland? These aren't congressmen running for re-election; they're the No. 3 passer, No. 6 runner and No. 8 receiver, respectively, in college football last season."
We'll be back with a look at this week's NASCAR site.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
When Does Football Season Start Again?
If you're a fantasy football fan, the answer is "It's started already! Where have you BEEN?"
Last week the People's Pigskin received an invitation to join a league for the upcoming NFL season. And this week, your local stores have received its first shipment of (drumroll, please) fantasy football preview magazines.
The People's Pigskin will offer some in-depth reviews of the major magazines over the summer. But for now, it's time to ask one major question: Why print your fantasy preview less than a week after Memorial Day? Bear in mind that as I type this:
* Brian Westbrook is still looking for a National Football League team to call home for this season.
* So is Terrell Owens.
* Vincent Jackson has yet to sign his contract tender from the San Diego Chargers and is reportedly making veiled threats about skipping this season altogether.
* And if you have any insight as to what Brett Favre plans to do between now and Christmas, do everyone a favor and let the Minnesota Vikings know, because they don't seem to have the first clue.
Has any of this uncertainty convinced the fantasy "experts" that maybe they should wait to put out their magazines? Here's a snippet from ESPN's fantasy preview, one of the first ones out of the gate, about how their experts compiled their player rankings for the 2010 season:
"A mere two days after the NFL draft, our stable of fantasy experts sequestered themselves in a bright-but-windowless room in Bristol HQ, next door to the 'War Room,' where ESPN's pro analysts gather to watch the games on Sunday."
The NFL draft ended on April 24. That means the ESPN experts were compiling their rankings on April 26 -- a mere four months and two weeks before the start of the regular season.
I'm not saying you should take your brand-spanking-new fantasy previews and use them to mulch your garden. But I am saying that if you take them to your fantasy draft, you should take along a salt shaker, because you may need to take their advice with more than a grain of salt.
We'll be back with a peek at this week's NASCAR venue.
Last week the People's Pigskin received an invitation to join a league for the upcoming NFL season. And this week, your local stores have received its first shipment of (drumroll, please) fantasy football preview magazines.
The People's Pigskin will offer some in-depth reviews of the major magazines over the summer. But for now, it's time to ask one major question: Why print your fantasy preview less than a week after Memorial Day? Bear in mind that as I type this:
* Brian Westbrook is still looking for a National Football League team to call home for this season.
* So is Terrell Owens.
* Vincent Jackson has yet to sign his contract tender from the San Diego Chargers and is reportedly making veiled threats about skipping this season altogether.
* And if you have any insight as to what Brett Favre plans to do between now and Christmas, do everyone a favor and let the Minnesota Vikings know, because they don't seem to have the first clue.
Has any of this uncertainty convinced the fantasy "experts" that maybe they should wait to put out their magazines? Here's a snippet from ESPN's fantasy preview, one of the first ones out of the gate, about how their experts compiled their player rankings for the 2010 season:
"A mere two days after the NFL draft, our stable of fantasy experts sequestered themselves in a bright-but-windowless room in Bristol HQ, next door to the 'War Room,' where ESPN's pro analysts gather to watch the games on Sunday."
The NFL draft ended on April 24. That means the ESPN experts were compiling their rankings on April 26 -- a mere four months and two weeks before the start of the regular season.
I'm not saying you should take your brand-spanking-new fantasy previews and use them to mulch your garden. But I am saying that if you take them to your fantasy draft, you should take along a salt shaker, because you may need to take their advice with more than a grain of salt.
We'll be back with a peek at this week's NASCAR venue.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The People's Choice - Week 8
Once again, you, the Internet, have spoken. You decided that we should leave our lineup alone for our matchup against Ravens Fan T Sizzle. You can follow that matchup here.
You also said that you watch "as many games as humanly possible" on Sunday. If that's the case, there's a good chance you'll watch Brett Favre return to Lambeau Field. You probably have heard and seen enough about this game, but let me direct you to Peter King's Game Plan anyway. Peter argues that Ryan Longwell, the Vikings kicker and former Packer, has some idea about the type of reception Favre can expect. (Sure, because we all view kickers and future Hall of Fame quarterbacks alike, don't we?)
The reception? Simple: They'll boo him until his ears bleed, and then they'll play football.
But enough about Brett. This week's poll asks about your fantasy football team. Be sure to vote. We'll be back later with an update. Here are the results of the two most recent polls.
[polldaddy poll=2180135] [polldaddy poll=2166095]
You also said that you watch "as many games as humanly possible" on Sunday. If that's the case, there's a good chance you'll watch Brett Favre return to Lambeau Field. You probably have heard and seen enough about this game, but let me direct you to Peter King's Game Plan anyway. Peter argues that Ryan Longwell, the Vikings kicker and former Packer, has some idea about the type of reception Favre can expect. (Sure, because we all view kickers and future Hall of Fame quarterbacks alike, don't we?)
The reception? Simple: They'll boo him until his ears bleed, and then they'll play football.
But enough about Brett. This week's poll asks about your fantasy football team. Be sure to vote. We'll be back later with an update. Here are the results of the two most recent polls.
[polldaddy poll=2180135] [polldaddy poll=2166095]
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Game Time, Baby (and New Poll)
The lineup is set, and you can follow the People's Pigskin's battle against Ravens Fan T Sizzle here.
Before I head to Sofia Restaurant, the unofficial second home of the People's Pigskin, here are a few story lines to follow early this Sunday.
Sigh of relief. The Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed that Matt Cassel will not play today against the Baltimore Ravens. Matt probably looked at this defense and said "Um, Coach, uh...my knee is acting up." Brodie Croyle is the likely starter. Great news if you have the Ravens D. Bad news if your opponent does.
You heard it here last. The Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns, where, drumroll please ... Brady Quinn is starting at quarterback! I'm sure fantasy fans around the world are relieved to learn this and are racing to their laptops to get him in their lineup.
Oh, yeah, the other QB. Some guy named Brett is starting for the Vikings in the aforementioned matchup. But the question really isn't how many fantasy points he gets. It's how many points his backfield comrade will get.
Breaking them ... in. A couple of rookie quarterbacks get the starting nod today. Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets takes the field today against the Houston Texans, and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit takes the turf against the New Orleans Saints. Expect them both to take a few lumps, and here's hoping you're not pushed into a situation where you're starting either today.
New poll below. We'll be back later.
[polldaddy poll=1988522]
Before I head to Sofia Restaurant, the unofficial second home of the People's Pigskin, here are a few story lines to follow early this Sunday.
Sigh of relief. The Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed that Matt Cassel will not play today against the Baltimore Ravens. Matt probably looked at this defense and said "Um, Coach, uh...my knee is acting up." Brodie Croyle is the likely starter. Great news if you have the Ravens D. Bad news if your opponent does.
You heard it here last. The Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns, where, drumroll please ... Brady Quinn is starting at quarterback! I'm sure fantasy fans around the world are relieved to learn this and are racing to their laptops to get him in their lineup.
Oh, yeah, the other QB. Some guy named Brett is starting for the Vikings in the aforementioned matchup. But the question really isn't how many fantasy points he gets. It's how many points his backfield comrade will get.
Breaking them ... in. A couple of rookie quarterbacks get the starting nod today. Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets takes the field today against the Houston Texans, and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit takes the turf against the New Orleans Saints. Expect them both to take a few lumps, and here's hoping you're not pushed into a situation where you're starting either today.
New poll below. We'll be back later.
[polldaddy poll=1988522]
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Preseason Week 3 preview
This week is often called "dress rehearsal" week, because this is when the starters will get their longest looks of the preseason. It's also when fantasy players either have a team drafted or are putting the finishing touches on their drafting plans.
Whatever the case may be, this will be a week of games worth watching. Here's a few of the things that should hold the attention of fantasy players for the next several days.
Microscope time. (Jacksonville @ Philadelphia, Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. EDT) Yeah, yeah, that Michael something-or-other will be getting a look, but my eyes will be on Donovan McNabb. After all, he is the starter -- at least, officially -- and I wouldn't waste a fantasy draft choice on a backup quarterback who may miss the first third of the regular season. Still, despite the positive words coming out of Donovan's mouth, there's got to be pressure on the dude to perform well right out of the gate.
Anybody want this job? (Miami @ Tampa Bay, Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m. EDT, Fox) What do Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown have in common? They're all quarterbacks, and they're all on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Can Leftwich cement a spot in the starting lineup with a strong performance?
Hit me with your best shot. (New England @ Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m. EDT, CBS) Yes, Tom Brady took a good shot last week against Cincinnati, and yes, he will be taking hits as long as his career continues. But there's no getting around this: Everyone, especially fantasy players, will be studying how many hits Tom takes, and how well he shakes them off, physically and mentally, pretty much from now through January.
Maybe it was a fluke. (New York Giants vs. New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.) OK, Mark Sanchez did not set the world on fire Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. So how did the Jets brass respond? Naming him the opening day starter, of course. And how will he celebrate this early career achievement? By facing the one defense that might make people hesitate before spending that fourth-round pick on the Steelers. Good luck, kid.
You again? (Chicago @ Denver, Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. EDT, NBC) Here's hoping Kyle Orton resists the urge to throw any left-handed passes. And here's hoping Jay Cutler proves to be worth all those fifth- and sixth-round picks people are going to spend on him in the fantasy world. And speaking of quarterbacks with something to prove...
Uh, oh. (Minnesota @ Houston, Monday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN) Now, no one is going to argue that the Vikings should have stood pat at QB. I wouldn't want to face a season of Tarvaris-or-Sage questions, either. But this Brett Favre experiment has the potential of exploding like the Hindenburg. At least, if the reports of a locker room "schism" are anywhere close to accurate. Of course, wins have a way of healing these wounds. And Brett needs to win quickly, for both his teammates and anyone who drafts him.
Whatever the case may be, this will be a week of games worth watching. Here's a few of the things that should hold the attention of fantasy players for the next several days.
Microscope time. (Jacksonville @ Philadelphia, Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m. EDT) Yeah, yeah, that Michael something-or-other will be getting a look, but my eyes will be on Donovan McNabb. After all, he is the starter -- at least, officially -- and I wouldn't waste a fantasy draft choice on a backup quarterback who may miss the first third of the regular season. Still, despite the positive words coming out of Donovan's mouth, there's got to be pressure on the dude to perform well right out of the gate.
Anybody want this job? (Miami @ Tampa Bay, Thursday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m. EDT, Fox) What do Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown have in common? They're all quarterbacks, and they're all on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Can Leftwich cement a spot in the starting lineup with a strong performance?
Hit me with your best shot. (New England @ Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 8 p.m. EDT, CBS) Yes, Tom Brady took a good shot last week against Cincinnati, and yes, he will be taking hits as long as his career continues. But there's no getting around this: Everyone, especially fantasy players, will be studying how many hits Tom takes, and how well he shakes them off, physically and mentally, pretty much from now through January.
Maybe it was a fluke. (New York Giants vs. New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.) OK, Mark Sanchez did not set the world on fire Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. So how did the Jets brass respond? Naming him the opening day starter, of course. And how will he celebrate this early career achievement? By facing the one defense that might make people hesitate before spending that fourth-round pick on the Steelers. Good luck, kid.
You again? (Chicago @ Denver, Sunday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. EDT, NBC) Here's hoping Kyle Orton resists the urge to throw any left-handed passes. And here's hoping Jay Cutler proves to be worth all those fifth- and sixth-round picks people are going to spend on him in the fantasy world. And speaking of quarterbacks with something to prove...
Uh, oh. (Minnesota @ Houston, Monday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN) Now, no one is going to argue that the Vikings should have stood pat at QB. I wouldn't want to face a season of Tarvaris-or-Sage questions, either. But this Brett Favre experiment has the potential of exploding like the Hindenburg. At least, if the reports of a locker room "schism" are anywhere close to accurate. Of course, wins have a way of healing these wounds. And Brett needs to win quickly, for both his teammates and anyone who drafts him.
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