Schwamm Sez: Basics (4)

[schwamm]

For reference, previous Shwamm Sez posts can be found here:

 

Intro:  Introduction

Basics (1):  Know and Understand Your League's Scoring

Basics (2): Know Your Opponents

Basics (3):  Know the Talent

 

A couple more general concepts, before I dig into some more in-depth, pre-draft analysis...

 

 

MINIMIZE CHANCE... AIM FOR CONSISTENCY.

 

If you are trying to decide between two players who are projected to be about equal, consider choosing the one that has a history of more consistency over the peak-and-valley guy.  The peaks might help you win some weeks, but the valleys will cause you to lose too often unless you are able to predict when they’ll happen.  The goal should always be to lose as infrequently as possible. 

 

At the end of the day, fantasy football is a numbers game, and getting a steady 10 points a game for a player is easier to manage than getting 20 in one, and 0 the next. Batting .500 won’t get you into the playoffs in most leagues, and certainly not in a competitive one.  I don’t mean to suggest you ignore the high impact guys, but balance out your team whenever possible.

 

Try to build a team that affords you the luxury of knowing that your floor is reliably high enough that you ought to win more often than not, even when your team underperforms.  That means planning for a good mix of established stars and young newcomers, of high-upside guys and steady-eddies.  But ultimately it means that you have to focus on getting the best possible value with each and every move you make, both in the draft and throughout the season.

 

DON'T BE A HOMER.

 

If you really feel that having a player from your favorite team, or from your favorite college, somehow makes the experience more enjoyable for you, by all means draft those guys, and reach for them 6 rounds early for all I care.  If, on the other hand, you think it might be more enjoyable to have a successful fantasy season, please consider separating your rooting interests from your drafting strategy.

 

If one of your homies falls to you in the right round, at the right value, there is nothing wrong with enthusiastically snatching him up.  Otherwise, try to divert your energy towards building a killer team.

 

 

[SteelCityColt]

Thank you again, a lot is common sense but easily forgotten in the excitement of the draft.

 

Last year in my first season of playing I fell for the homer approach in taking Luck and Wayne but it thankfully worked out.