This is a real draft for the WalterFootball.com Forum League that took place on AUG. 26, 2008, and uses PPR scoring.
The 11 other teams in this draft are long-time posters on this site’s forum. This league has the following setup: QB,RB,RB,WR,WR,WR,TE,K,D.
ROUND 1:
(1) WalterFootball.com – LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers
(2) VBSiena – Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles
(3) Joey Potter – Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
(4) JimmyP – Joseph Addai, RB, Colts
(5) Puppy Puncher – Steven Jackson, RB, Rams
(6) Adam Maciasz – Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
(7) Blazedestin – Randy Moss, WR, Patriots
(8) Matt McGuire – Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys
(10) GiantsFanMike – Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills
(11) Scar – Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
(12) 49ersfan – Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys
ANALYSIS: I’m going to analyze my selection and praise the best pick each round. But unlike some of my most recent drafts, I’m going to trash the worst choice. This league isn’t for money, so even if the fantasy football karma gods strike me down, I won’t lose my life savings or anything.
MY PICK: How did I end up with the No. 1 overall pick? It’s not like I gave it to myself because this is my league or anything. I swear, it was totally random. I swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEST PICK: How does Frank Gore fall to 11th overall in a PPR league? Everyone knows Mike Martz is going to throw the ball 11 times every 10 plays. Gore may not even log a single rushing attempt until Week 6. In all seriousness, Gore is probably going to catch 70 balls this year.
WORST PICK: I haven’t seen Peyton Manning go higher than 10th or 11th overall until now. I can’t blame Matt though because he didn’t make it into the draft room until Round 3, despite the fact that he was threatening everyone with their lives if they didn’t show up to the draft. Unfortunately for Matt, he chose to do this in Yahoo, so Yahoo’s crappy rankings gave him Manning.
ROUND 2:
(1) 49ersfan – Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
(2) Scar – Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins
(3) GiantsFanMike – Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs
(5) Matt McGuire – Ryan Grant, RB, Packers
(6) Blazedestin – Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
(7) Adam Maciasz – Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
(8) Puppy Puncher – Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders
(9) JimmyP – Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns
(10) Joey Potter – T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Bengals
(11) VBSiena – Reggie Bush, RB, Saints
(12) WalterFootball.com – Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
MY PICK: VBSiena broke my heart by choosing Reggie Bush. Bush is obviously awesome in PPR leagues. But so is Maurice Jones-Drew, so I don’t mind too much.
BEST PICK: Although I’m jealous of VBSiena’s pick, I have to give him props for it. There were some sketchy running backs chosen before Reggie Bush, including…
WORST PICK: Darren McFadden? I’d ask if PuppyPuncher if he was on crack, but I’m pretty sure that like Matt, he didn’t make it into the draft room on time.
ROUND 3:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Steve Smith, WR, Panthers
(2) VBSiena – Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
(3) Joey Potter – Marques Colston, WR, Saints
(4) JimmyP – Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys
(5) Puppy Puncher – Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
(6) Adam Maciasz – Torry Holt, WR, Rams
(7) Blazedestin – Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns
(8) Matt McGuire – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos
(10) GiantsFanMike – Drew Brees, QB, Saints
(11) Scar – Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals
(12) 49ersfan – Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals
MY PICK: Steve Smith? With Marques Colston and Larry Fitzgerald available? I can explain.
My aunt calls me sometimes. I don’t know why, but she does. For some reason, when she does, my Internet stops working. I’ve called the Internet company about it and they have no idea.
At this point, I was desperately trying to select Colston. But then my phone rang. I saw the green light at the bottom of my laptop switch to red. No damn Internet.
“F**k!” I yelled. I picked up the phone and slammed it down. I tried getting my Internet back up. The light flashed to green and… ring! My aunt. I slammed the phone again. I shook my laptop and screamed, “Hurry the f**k up!” The light flashed to green, but… Ring!
I grabbed my phone and threw it across the room, nearly hitting my sleeping dog. Unfortunately, it was still ringing. My aunt was like Jason Voorhees. Her phone calls just wouldn’t die.
After the 13th ring, it finally stopped. I sat on my couch, furiously waiting for the Internet to turn back on. Green light. Praying that Yahoo selected Colston (or at least Fitzgerald) for me, I loaded up the draft room.
Steve Smith.
I’d like to thank Matt for choosing crappy Yahoo. Now both of our teams are ruined.
BEST PICK: Joey Potter laughed all the way to the bank with Marques Colston on his roster.
WORST PICK: It’s Steve Smith, so let’s just move on before I suffer a stroke.
ROUND 4:
(1) 49ersfan – Willie Parker, RB, Steelers
(2) Scar – Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants
(3) GiantsFanMike – Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
(5) Matt McGuire – Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers
(6) Blazedestin – Thomas Jones, RB, Jets
(7) Adam Maciasz – Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers
(8) Puppy Puncher – Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
(9) JimmyP – Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
(10) Joey Potter – Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Browns
(11) VBSiena – Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals
(12) WalterFootball.com – Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets
MY PICK: Vengeance is mine! Two rounds after VBSiena stole Reggie Bush from me, I took Jerricho Cotchery from him. After selecting Cotchery, VBSiena cursed and told me that he wanted Cotchery. I think he’s an awesome WR2, especially with Brett Favre at the helm.
BEST PICK: If you’re going tight end in a PPR league, make it Jason Witten. Witten actually plays receiver for the Cowboys, which explains his high reception levels. With every Dallas wideout except for Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton on the injured list, Tony Romo won’t have many options beyond his top three.
WORST PICK: I don’t even like Earnest Graham in touchdown leagues, let alone PPR leagues. With Warrick Dunn, Michael Bennett and eventually Cadillac Williams sharing touches, there won’t be much for Graham.
ROUND 5:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts
(2) VBSiena – Roy Williams, WR, Lions
(3) Joey Potter – Vikings Defense
(4) JimmyP – Roddy White, WR, Falcons
(5) Puppy Puncher – Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs
(6) Adam Maciasz – Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs
(7) Blazedestin – Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
(8) Matt McGuire – Donald Driver, WR, Packers
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Derek Anderson, QB, Browns
(10) GiantsFanMike – Seahawks Defense
(11) Scar – Lee Evans, WR, Bills
(12) 49ersfan – Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots
MY PICK: Imagine if I had Marques Colston, Jerricho Cotchery and Marvin Harrison as my receivers. I swear, if Smith doesn’t help me win this league, my aunt is banished from future family gatherings. Banished!
BEST PICK: VBSiena and JimmyP both landed great receivers in this round.
WORST PICK: I would never recommend taking a defense in Round 5, especially before you have two running backs and a quarterback (Joey Potter), and your second receiver (GiantsFanMike).
ROUND 6:
(1) 49ersfan – Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles
(2) Scar – Dallas Clark, TE, Colts
(3) GiantsFanMike – Rob Bironas, K, Titns
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Hines Ward, WR, Steelers
(5) Matt McGuire – Kevin Smith, RB, Lions
(6) Blazedestin – Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins
(7) Adam Maciasz – Michael Turner, RB, Falcons
(8) Puppy Puncher – Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos
(9) JimmyP – Matt Forte, RB, Bears
(10) Joey Potter – Fred Taylor, RB, Jaguars
(11) VBSiena – Laveranues Coles, WR, Jets
(12) WalterFootball.com – Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins
MY PICK: I believe in having tons of running backs on a roster. Ever since the news broke that Ricky Williams would be starting, people have been taking him in Round 5. I consider myself lucky that Williams lasted this long. I don’t get it, but I’ll take it.
BEST PICK: Puppy Puncher had a nice selection with Jay Cutler. Cutler’s poised to have a monster year, and I think we’re going to look back next August and ask, “Wow, how did Cutler slip to Round 6 in most of these drafts?”
WORST PICK: I’m not a fan of Fred Taylor in PPR leagues, but how can you justify taking a kicker in Round 6? I’ve never seen one go that high. GiantsFanMike, whom I believe wasn’t at the draft, can blame Matt for picking Yahoo over ESPN.
ROUND 7:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers
(2) VBSiena – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
(3) Joey Potter – Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
(4) JimmyP – Chris Chambers, WR, Chargers
(5) Puppy Puncher – Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints
(6) Adam Maciasz – Santana Moss, WR, Redskins
(7) Blazedestin – Joey Galloway, WR, Buccaneers
(8) Matt McGuire – Owen Daniels, TE, Texans
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Kevin Curtis, WR, Eagles
(10) GiantsFanMike – Javon Walker, WR, Raiders
(11) Scar – Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks
(12) 49ersfan – Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
MY PICK: I’ve said it a lot – receivers are REALLY thin this year. If you’re in a league that starts three wideouts, make sure you take your trio early and a fourth in the middle of your draft. Vincent Jackson is the top WR4 in this league. Not that I studied the other rosters or anything. I’m just talking out of my anus.
BEST PICK: Anyone else who grabbed the last quality wideouts in this round. It gets pretty ugly in Round 8, as you’ll soon see.
WORST PICK: That excludes NoNonsenseCoach. Kevin Curtis is probably out until November. Even if he comes back a bit early and a lot stronger than projected, Curtis isn’t even that great to begin with.
ROUND 8:
(1) 49ersfan – Chargers Defense
(2) Scar – Patriots Defense
(3) GiantsFanMike – Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Bears Defense
(5) Matt McGuire – Brett Favre, QB, Jets
(6) Blazedestin – Nick Folk, K, Cowboys
(7) Adam Maciasz – Patrick Crayton, WR, Cowboys
(8) Puppy Puncher – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
(9) JimmyP – Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals
(10) Joey Potter – Bobby Engram, WR, Seahawks
(11) VBSiena – Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks
(12) WalterFootball.com – Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
MY PICK: My starting quarterback. I like Matt Schaub this year, so I was happy to fill out the rest of my roster (i.e. all running backs and receivers) before taking a signal caller.
BEST PICK: Matt laughed when he snagged Brett Favre off the board, and I can’t really blame him. Favre has looked awesome this preseason, and there’s no reason not to draft him as your QB1.
WORST PICK: What’s up with people taking defenses so early, especially crappy ones like New England? The Patriots might actually have the worst stop unit in the NFL. More on this when my final preseason NFL Power Rankings are released.
ROUND 9:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals
(2) VBSiena – Kenny Watson, RB, Bengals
(3) Joey Potter – Robert Meachem, WR, Saints
(4) JimmyP – Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
(5) Puppy Puncher – LenDale White, RB, Titans
(6) Adam Maciasz – Cowboys Defense
(7) Blazedestin – Packers Defense
(8) Matt McGuire – Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Shayne Graham, K, Bengals
(10) GiantsFanMike – Todd Heap, TE, Ravens
(11) Scar – Adam Vinatieri, K, Colts
(12) 49ersfan – Nate Kaeding, K, Chargers
MY PICK: My other starting quarterback. I like Matt Schaub and Kurt Warner as a rotation. By the way, my aunt called my house five seconds after I made the pick. If Yahoo took Matt Leinart instead of Warner for me, I would have filed a major lawsuit against my aunt, the Internet company and Yahoo.
BEST PICK: Aaron Rodgers is another reason you don’t have to reach for a quarterback in Rounds 4-7. He’s fine as a starter.
WORST PICKS: I like Robert Meachem as a late sleeper, but definitely not in Round 9. Joey Potter later confirmed that he had Internet problems of his own. Guess he has a Jason Voorhees calling his house too.
ROUND 10:
(1) 49ersfan – Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins
(2) Scar – Rudi Johnson, RB, Bengals
(3) GiantsFanMike – David Garrard, QB, Jaguars
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Selvin Young, RB, Broncos
(5) Matt McGuire – Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
(6) Blazedestin – Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders
(7) Adam Maciasz – Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings
(8) Puppy Puncher – DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
(9) JimmyP – Reggie Brown, WR, Eagles
(10) Joey Potter – Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
(11) VBSiena – Tony Scheffler, TE, Broncos
(12) WalterFootball.com – Chris Perry, RB, Bengals
MY PICK: I think I have Chris Perry in almost every league I’m in. I’d like to thank Rudi Johnson for being so inept and injury-prone enough to get cut. If Perry can stay healthy (and I don’t see why not – he’s 100 percent right now), he could have a big year. Perry isn’t as valuable in PPR leagues, but I’ll take him in Round 10.
BEST PICK: I don’t care what your scoring system is, Chris Johnson is a steal in Round 10. He’s grand larceny in Round 10 of PPR leagues. I also like Puppy Puncher’s selection of DeSean Jackson.
WORST PICK: Rudi Johnson is gone. I don’t blame Scar because he wasn’t here. I blame Yahoo for not being up to date. Seriously, Yahoo, feel free to adjust your rankings at any moment.
ROUND 11:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Ted Ginn, WR, Dolphins
(2) VBSiena – Maurice Morris, RB, Seahawks
(3) Joey Potter – Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins
(4) JimmyP – Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars
(5) Puppy Puncher – Jon Kitna, QB, Lions
(6) Adam Maciasz – Donte’ Stallworth, WR, Saints
(7) Blazedestin – Heath Miller, TE, Steelers
(8) Matt McGuire – Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Marc Bulger, QB, Rams
(10) GiantsFanMike – Robbie Gould, K, Bears
(11) Scar – Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers
(12) 49ersfan – Eli Manning, QB, Giants
MY PICK: People were pissed when I took Ted Ginn. Someone even threatened to shut down this Web site. I love Ginn in PPR leagues. Chad Pennington can’t throw the ball longer than 15 yards downfield without it getting picked off, so Ginn is going to catch a ton of short junk this season.
BEST PICK: If you’ve noticed, I don’t have a tight end yet. That’s because after Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonazlez and Chris Cooley, they’re all basically the same. You can wait on one if you can’t land one of those five. Not really a best pick; I just thought I’d mention this.
WORST PICK: GiantsFanMike just took his backup kicker. This is gretting really bad. Not only does Yahoo have crappy rankings, their draft AI is awful.
ROUND 12:
(1) 49ersfan – D.J. Hackett, WR, Panthers
(2) Scar – Ben Watson, TE, Patriots
(3) GiantsFanMike – Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Bryant Johnson, WR, 49ers
(5) Matt McGuire – Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers
(6) Blazedestin – Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens
(7) Adam Maciasz – Stephen Gostkowski, K, Ptriots
(8) Puppy Puncher – Zach Miller, TE, Raiders
(9) JimmyP – Steelers Defense
(10) Joey Potter – Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers
(11) VBSiena – Ravens Defense
(12) WalterFootball.com – Greg Olsen, TE, Bears
MY PICK: Ladies and gentlemen, my starting tight end! I’m telling you, Greg Olsen, Zach Miller, Dustin Keller and the like won’t be far behind Dallas Clark (non-touchdown league), Heath Miller and Todd Heap. It’s going to be a difference of about a point or two each week.
BEST PICK: Ironic that Bryant Johnson went just one spot before Josh Morgan, when Morgan in all likelihood will be starting over Johnson at split end. I love Morgan this year, and I probably would have taken him if Matt didn’t.
BEST PICK NO. 2: Darren Sproles. He might be exciting to watch, but he’s not worth a handcuff, especially this early.
ROUND 13:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
(2) VBSiena – Kevin Walter, WR, Texans
(3) Joey Potter – Donald Lee, TE, Packers
(4) JimmyP – Josh Scobee, K, Jaguars
(5) Puppy Puncher – Titans Defense
(6) Adam Maciasz – Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks
(7) Blazedestin – Isaac Bruce, WR, 49ers
(8) Matt McGuire – Eagles Defense
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Giants Defense
(10) GiantsFanMike – Reggie Williams, WR, Jaguars
(11) Scar – Jaguars Defense
(12) 49ersfan – Alge Crumpler, TE, Titans
MY PICK: A pick that had a few owners, particularly Ravens fan PuppyPuncher, crying in agony. Darren Sproles isn’t a handcuff worth having, but Ray Rice definitely is. Willis McGahee isn’t a lock to hold on to his starting job this entire season. Rice is an intriguing option in PPR leagues, regardless.
BEST PICK: Isaac Bruce may be 550 years old, but it’s never a bad idea to have a Mike Martz receiver in a PPR league. Kevin Walter was also a solid choice.
WORST PICK: Any backup tight end is a waste of a fantasy football roster spot. Alge Crumpler is a waste of an NFL roster spot. 49ersfan’s 13th-round selection was a match made in hell.
ROUND 14:
(1) 49ersfan – Drew Bennett, WR, Rams
(2) Scar – Darrell Jackson, WR, Broncos
(3) GiantsFanMike – L.J. Smith, TE, Eagles
(4) NoNonsenseCoach – Phil Dawson, K, Browns
(5) Matt McGuire – Dustin Keller, TE, Jets
(6) Blazedestin – JaMarcus Russell, QB, Raiders
(7) Adam Maciasz – Steve Slaton, RB, Texans
(8) Puppy Puncher – Neil Rackers, K, Cardinals
(9) JimmyP – Dominic Rhodes, RB, Colts
(10) Joey Potter – Mason Crosby, K, Packers
(11) VBSiena – Josh Brown, K, Rams
(12) WalterFootball.com – Kris Brown, K, Texans
MY PICK: I forgot to mention this in the traditional draft I posted. Mad Dawgs selected Kris Brown as his kicker in the final round. What made this choice interesting is that after debating between Brown and Josh Scobee, Mad Dawgs flipped a coin to decide whom he was going to pick. No coin-flipping here; just goes to show you how unimportant kickers are in non-touchdown leagues.
BEST PICK: When I chose Ray Rice, I was deciding between him and Steve Slaton. Slaton is going to garner a lot of touches, primarily catches out of the backfield, in Houston this season.
WORST PICK: If you’re going to choose a backup tight end, at least make sure he has some upside. Don’t take a bum like L.J. Smith.
I want to talk about Drew Bennett for a second. I participated in a touchdown fantasy draft on Friday. I can’t post the results because we changed the order every two rounds, so it would be confusing. At any rate, we had beer at this event. I chose not to drink because after five beers last year, I made some shaky picks toward the end of the draft, including an already-injured Terry Glenn in the 11th round.
Anyway, some guy in the other room apparently got plastered. When he was up in the 13th round, he took Drew Bennett. Instead of shouting “Drew Bennett” however, he yelled, “Drew Beeeeehhhh!!”
My neighbor Steve promptly began shouting “Drew Beeehhh!” the rest of the night. One of the funniest moments in fantasy football history.
ROUND 15:
(1) WalterFootball.com – Cardinals Defense
(2) VBSiena – Andre Hall, RB, Broncos
(3) Joey Potter – James Jones, WR, Packers
(4) JimmyP – Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos
(5) Puppy Puncher – Ryan Longwell, K, Packers
(6) Adam Maciasz – Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers
(7) Blazedestin – Colts Defense
(8) Matt McGuire – Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Saints
(9) NoNonsenseCoach – Justin Gage, WR, Titans
(10) GiantsFanMike – Mark Clayon, WR, Ravens
(11) Scar – David Akers, K, Eagles
(12) 49ersfan – Jeff Reed, K, Steelers
MY PICK: I’m telling you, the Cardinals defense is going to surprise a lot of people this year. They can get to the quarterback, they always intercept a lot of passes and they play the Rams and 49ers twice. Plus, Steve Breaston has the ability to score a touchdown or two in the return game.
BEST PICK: I love the selection of Andre Hall, even though that means VBSiena took a kicker before the final round. Still, Hall, who will be sharing carries with Selvin Young right down the middle, shouldn’t have made it this far.
WORST PICK: I can’t find any bad picks in this round. That said, anyone who didn’t draft a kicker here should be ashamed of themselves for not following the advice of the all-knowing Matthew Berry. I guess Berry would forgive them if they were drunk, but I didn’t see anyone type “I’m taking Drew Beeeehhh!” in the draft chat.
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