In this blog, I'll discuss the newest B-list item: my favorite things about fantasy football, from studying to in-season stuff, in no particular order, but numbered anyways:
(7) Increased Football Awareness - I appreciate how much more people are aware of second-string running backs on teams that they would not normally follow. People watch more games and more coverage of the games than ever before. Some of that has to do with gambling, but the spike in ratings lately has to be more fantasy football related. People are watching more and becoming more aware of things going on in a game. The only thing I don't care about this is that it becomes all about fantasy and can't take enjoyment out of a good game if your player isn't doing so hot. This is a pet-peeve of mine for people who gamble as well. I've been able to find a good balance between betting and simply enjoying a game - I'd like people to do this for regular games as well.
(6) Beer - Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having a few cold ones a few times a week, but something about enjoying a good beer during the draft process seems American to me. This year will be no exception.
(5) Dumb Moves - There's always that one person in your league who makes some bad moves that leaves everyone questioning the integrity of the league (or quite the opposite: makes people happy the person is in the league). I have weeded out most of the folks who would do this, as I'd like my league to be as competitive as possible. But there's no avoiding it. It makes the league more interesting when there's at least one dumbass in it.
(4) Constant Checking of Fantasy Scores - It's hilarious to see people get worked up about their team's score from the opening kick at noon until the Monday Night game is complete. With more Thursday night games this year, this process will be extended a little longer in the week. I am one of these people when my teams are good. Last year, all of my money league teams sucked, so I didn't follow my teams as religiously. If things change this year, I will likely be one of these idiots again.
(3) The Afternoon of the Draft - I don't know why, but I've gotten the biggest kick out of setting up all the seats for the draft, buying the draft board and stickers, and all that other jazz. When it comes to fantasy football and all the leagues I enter, I take the most pride in my league, so I try organizing and setting it up as best as I can.
(2) Watching the NFL Games W/ Friends - I enjoy watching people's reactions to every play that their fantasy player takes part of. If their running back fumbles the ball, the profanities that come out of my friends' mouths is enjoyable to say the least. People (including myself) get way too serious about their fantasy football teams, to the point where it becomes annoying about 98% of the time fantasy football comes up as a topic of conversation. Yet, for some reason, I still love this aspect of it. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
(1) The Draft Itself - Nothing beats the actual composition of your team, from first pick to last. Not only that, but the bickering, yelling and teasing that comes from the draft are always priceless moments. Anyone who has never done an in-person draft and who is a big fantasy football person, I recommend doing one just to experience it once. I believe you will like it better than doing the draft in person and never want to go back. I am to the point where I do three drafts per fantasy season in person and I really don't want to do it online anymore.
