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Subject: RIFC 2005: Draft recap
Posted by: Guru
- [330592710] Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 10:47
RIFC Managers - You are each invited (though not required) to post your general reflections on the completed draft. Comments may be as detailed or as general as you wish. As a catalyst, free free to comment on any of the following:
1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
2. What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
5. If you could start over, would you do anything differently?
Non-managers are also welcome to post general comments on the draft, and to raise questions.
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| 1 | Guru
ID: 330592710
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 13:21
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I kind of wish I had read though last year’s version of this thread before starting my draft. I just did it now, and it feels like déjà vu all over again.
Once again, I used 3 of my first four picks to take a QB, WR, and TE. My only RB was Westbrook in round 2. (Last year it was Domanick Davis in round 2). I suppose my good results last year should give me hope. But I think if I had to redo the draft right now, I might forego Andre Johnson in round 3 and take a RB, perhaps J.J. Arrington. Admittedly, Arrington is no sure thing, and Johnson should be a solid #1 WR. But now I’m left with Larry Johnson as my second RB, and a supporting cast of Moats, Betts, and Moe Williams. Suffice it to say that I’ll be paying attention to RB developments in the early weeks of the season.
That said, my general strategy was to try to emphasize offense and defer on defense, both team and IDP. The caveats are that I wanted to get a solid LB if I didn’t have to overpay. So my first defensive pick was Bulluck in round 7. Maybe I was a round early on that pick, but I liked not only his point potential, but also his week 10 bye, which allows me (barring injury) to leave that slot alone for the first 9 weeks. As we got into the next round, I started coveting Terrence McGee, maybe too much. Again, I think there is good potential there, but maybe I gave too much credit to his results from last season. If he has a more pedestrian year as a returner, then a later round DB might have been comparable. (I have the same liability in baseball, where I tend to overvalue middle relief pitchers on the basis on strong prior-year ERA and WHIP, only to see them revert to the mean almost every time.) My only other plan was to wait until very late for DL and PK. Last year I took Jason Taylor way too early (round 8).
Some of the picks I really like in retrospect:
Randle El in round 9
Moats in 13
Moe Williams in 18
I’m hoping that Randle El will continue to handle a similar return load as last year, while stepping up his pass catching role. Everything I’ve read since that pick sounds favorable, including Motley’s moaning about getting scooped..
Moats is my key Westbrook protection. At the time, I thought that I might have jumped too early. But after seeing the continued pressure on backup RBs, I think I took him at the proper time. Now I have to hope that if Westbrook does get hurt, the Eagles don’t go out and hire someone else to start ahead of Moats. (I also realize that this is precisely what could happen.) In fact, a few rounds earlier I had decided that I would target Moats, Sams, and Rhodes, and if not all three, certainly 2 of the 3. But I played guts, and got only Moats. I probably should have deferred on Dante Hall in round ten, and gotten an earlier start on my RB wish list.
I had pretty much dismissed Moe Williams through most of the draft, but as the RB situation in Minnesota got murkier, I began to see the potential. It’s possible he’ll end up as a starter on my roster as early as week #1. (Obviously, I’m looking at that pick through rose colored glasses, but recognize that all he has to beat out is Larry Johnson and Ladell Betts. )
Aside from RB, my principal vulnerabilities are related to my strengths. Peyton is a critical cog, and an injury there would deal a crippling blow, especially with only Eli as backup.
Defense is also a potential issue. At the time I took the Colts defense, I was wavering between them and the Jets. In the end, I liked their schedule, and the Dungy factor. Believe it or not, they ranked #6 in this scoring format last year. I’m hopeful that the subsequent addition of Corey Simon further solidifies this pick. As the draft progressed, I had been leaning toward taking a second defense, but gradually decided that I was comfortable going with just the Colts. If they falter, I have only the undrafted team defenses (or trades) to rectify the situation. But no team can go into the season with strong backups at every slot. You pick your poisons, and adapt as needed.
If anything, I thought this year’s draft was more competitive than last year’s. I think a year of experience in this format helped. And, of course, we have 6 new managers who earned their way in by doing something right last season. There were picks here and there that I certainly wouldn’t have made, but none that I found truly eyebrow raising. And none that I can recall now.
Motley’s results last year give me plenty of hope. After his oft maligned (with 20/20 hindsight, obviously) opening picks of Barlow and Henry, he still managed to maneuver his team into a steamroller by year end. And even I found a way to effectively deal with my 2004 running back uncertainties. So I’m convinced that regardless of how my picks turn out, there will be ample opportunities to recover.
I really haven’t done any analysis of the other teams. I have enough trouble keeping track of my own.
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| 2 | I_AM_CANADIAN
ID: 41713300
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 14:41
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1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
My "early draft" strategy was to follow a more "tried and true" standard of drafting this year. Last year, I was drafting from the 12 spot and started out: RB, WR, WR, WR, RB, QB. Those two backs I ended up drafting were Barlow, & Suggs. So my idea was that by starting from the 14 slot this year, I'd be able to go: RB, RB, WR, WR, QB, then look for value. I was banking on Manning & Moss to be drafted in the first round. Especially with Bandos picking from the 12 slot, I thought he'd be certain to go for Moss. When it came my time to exectute the first two picks, only one of the two backs I had up-tired were available.
The focus to rest of the draft was to make sure that I held off on IDP. Their were only a few that I felt were worthy of being selected in the first 10 rounds, and I felt that you'd most likely end up overpaying for them. This plan worked out well, as I took my first IDP at 13.14 (pick 182). Oddly enough, I think my IDP squad looks pretty good.
2. What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
Favorites:
Donavan McNabb @ 3.04 - I think he'll win me many a game this year. Major seperation between the top 3 QBs and everyone else.
Jason Witten @ 5.04 - Once again… not a major win on the ADP level, but I see him as the least risky top tier TE this year.
Aaron Brooks @ 8.01 - True, he's not going to be my starter, but he gives my team a whole new level of depth at QB. I won't be one of those managers dreading my QB's bye week.
Do Overs:
None yet.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
The two teams I found put together the most "ballanced" squad: Kev & Bandos… No glaring ?s yet on either squad. Guru's RB2 situation has me a little concerned, but I expect big points every week from that squad too. Bonka's squad should perform pretty well also, but I'm not too fond of his choices of WR3-WR6.
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
The smoothness, of the draft. No major controversies. A few early trades. All managers conducted themselves in a very dignified maner (yeah that's right… I'm surprised about that!)
5. If you could start over, would you do anything differently?
Rig the randomize #s so that I could draft out of one of the top 2 slots? :)
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| 3 | Doug
Leader
ID: 02730280
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 14:42
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Overall I am very impressed with the quality of teams across the board. There’s no clear-cut winners or losers IMHO. Injuries, waivers, and so on will be a big factor in this very competitive league. That said, here are my top and bottom teams, based primarily upon their projected starters, with mild consideration given to bench players.
Top Teams (Other than my own!)
1. Guru – If Larry Johnson is in the starting lineup come weeks 14-16, this will likely be the team to beat.
2. Bandos – A lot will depend on the performance of Vick. Heap also needs to return to live up to expectations as well.
Bottom Teams
1. Motley Crue – For all those picks spent on RBs, I could see Edge being the sole starter on his squad by mid-season (Anderson giving way to Bell, Jones giving way to Benson).
2. kevmarbury – Solid at RB, Collins is expected to put up numbers, but WRs don’t excite me and I think IDPs (except for Peppers) are below average for our league… they’re of Flex IDP quality, but not starter LB or starter DB quality (IMHO). Even if you're a pirate, a degenerative disc and declining seasonal stats don't bode well. TE also a concern.
Draft Strategy
I always like strategies that evolve in response to a draft… like the year I had no PGs in RIHC and just punted the assists category (I came in 2nd overall). The next year we were required to have a PG!
This year in RIFC I took slot #4 to take Deuce and hope a decent RB2 would fall… but when the opportunity to trade up in round 2 came, I pounced. This allowed me to lock up my starting RBs and focus on the other positions for the duration of the draft.
I’m very happy with the overall timing of my picks too. Smith a bargain at the end of round 3 (because of punt returns) so trading for Julius cost me hardly a thing… got the stud IDPs that I wanted in rounds 5 and 8, and quality DB/DL later on… and most importantly waited JUST long enough for my QBs (it was definitely a bit nerve-wracking) to wind up with a QBBC that, IMHO, should easily combine for top-10 (possibly even top-5) fantasy QB points… assuming I play the matchups properly. I also had been eyeing BJ Sams as my RB3 for a long time and finally took him in round 13. A short while later, I found out that Guru probably would have taken him the following round (14) before I would have had another chance to pick him. I suspected as much (based on his drafting of Hall and McGee) which definitely factored into the timing of that pick for me. If he didn't take Sams before me in 12, I was going to take Sams before him in 13.
I can’t say there is much I would change looking back at it. Really happy with how both of my trades worked out too.
Draft Reaction
I was surprised at how heavily people went after backup RBs or RBBCs in the middle rounds. Even when I enhance RB ratings due to scarcity and devalue ratings at other positions due to a glut of 2nd-tier talent… I still was seeing great values at other positions being passed up for these RBs. I think it worked to my advantage though, so I’m not complaining. It seemed like Guru was the only other player heavily considering return yardage, as he snapped up McGee and Hall shortly before I would have done so myself.
Rounds 1-4
Best values – No major steals, it’s all pretty much as expected. Gates was nice in mid-4th round.
Biggest surprises – I thought a few players went a little early (espeically a few RBs… Bell, Cadillac), but nothing stands out as egregious.
Round 5
Best values – I like Barlow, just concerned about situation surrounding him in SF.
Biggest surprises – I thought Favre, Plummer, Benson, Staley were reaches for round 5.
Round 6
Best values – TEs, D/STs, Donnie Edwards… lots of good values this round.
Biggest surprises – Marshall Faulk… if you’re going to take a backup RB in round 6 it had better be Larry Johnson.
Round 7
Best values – Keith Bulluck, Rodney Harrison
Biggest surprises – Travis Henry and Ricky Williams. I understand the risk/reward tradeoff, but still seemed a bit early when you could instead be adding a stud like the IDPs mentioned above to your lineup.
Round 8
Best values – Terrence McGee, Brian Urlacher
Biggest surprises – Braylon Edwards. Come on, he plays for Cleveland! ;-)
Round 9
Best values – Another solid round… the IDPs were all good… Leftwich, decent WRs…
Biggest surprises – Pittman, Davenport… I’d understand if they were handcuffs at least. Randle El surprised since he no longer has return yards (or so I think…). [edit: it now sounds like Randle El WILL be returning punts, so I guess that was a decent pick after all!]
Round 10
Best values – Dante Hall, solid IDPs, good D/STs…
Biggest surprises – Nothing really… maybe Antonio Bryant. I’m pretty down on Cleveland’s offense in case you hadn’t noticed.
Round 11 - 12
Best values – Kerney… and Ware (if he remains DL eligible) could be a good pickup.
Biggest surprises – Nothing really.
Round 13-21
No major values or surprises from here on out… everything is just filling out roster slots, rolling the dice on guys who might emerge, filling bye weeks, adding injury depth, etc. I’m sure at some point in the season we’ll be able to look back in retrospect and see some absolute steals in these rounds, but at this point it’s anyone’s guess.
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| 4 | Motley Crue
Dude
ID: 439372011
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 16:38
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SOLILOQUY IN PIGSKIN, or what I thought of the draft
by Motley Crue
I want to talk about three main themes of my draft, as I experienced them.
1. “Take a high pick this year, if possible, but not too high so you can get a good second round RB,” I told myself. It almost worked. I knew I’d get LT, Priest, Alexander, McAllister, or Edge in the 5th slot. Figured it would be Deuce or Edge, and preferred neither. It worked out that I got Edge and I was and still am fine with that. The real reward seemed destined to come in the second round when I planned to take Barber, Martin, Westbrook, Steven Jackson, Rudi Johnson, Jordan or any number of other RB’s I had assumed would be available at 2.10. This was a miscalculation, as all of them were gone at that point, and Warrick Dunn, too, who I might have considered for about 10 seconds before I passed on him. What this meant was that there was still a glut of WR talent available. High quality stuff, too. So rather than take Cadillac or Arrington in the second freaking round, I took Holt, who I find to be more consistent than Harrison. At that time, TO was still playing Sh!thead and I wasn’t about to pick him there and then watch him be suspended for the season (or even a few games). In hindsight, I would have taken him if I had it to do again. Then a WR run started, and when it came back to me I still couldn’t stomach any of the available RB’s. Not at that point, anyway. So I took Wayne to ensure success at the WR slot throughout the season. And I think I’ve accomplished that to a large extent. By taking Bulger in the 4th I put myself way behind at my favorite position, running back, so I spent a few rounds catching up. Those who played this game last season will vouch for this fact: good RB play by itself was not a deciding variable from week-to-week. If you had it, you could win, if you didn’t you probably lost. I was starting a combination of McGahee, Nick Goings, and Maurice Hicks at the end of last season. The scoring system does not go out of it’s way to reward good RB play. There are so many other positions at which you can generate a large score by having good players; starting 3 WR’s makes them more valuable.
2. I should not have traded Guru in the 8th round. Yes, that is one of the 3 main themes. I became entirely too enamored of Mewelde Moore (I already had drafted him in 2 other drafts) and I decided I had to have him. I felt that he would go before my ability to select him. So I let the panic take hold and I made a trade that, while quite fair in it’s parameters, was entirely unnecessary. Guru had targeted McGee all along, and BoNkA (who I also leaped in the trade) took the Pittsburgh Steelers. And this cost me Randle El in the next round, as Guru moved up to my position and took him. I was planning to take him there. So the trade hurt me because I could have had both players if I wouldn’t have made it. And I dropped down 2 spots in the 15th round, but that wasn’t a big deal as I still got a guy I wanted in Cooley. But still not necessary.
My mania with Moore is inexplicable to a degree. It’s partly based on this fascination I’ve always had with the Vikings’ ability to run the ball so well (thus the Fason pick in 21). Moore probably is the most talented RB on that team and his numbers have born that out. What hurts him is that Mike Tice doesn’t give a crap about who has the most talent. I’m not sure what Tice wants from his starter. It must be something Michael Bennet has that Moore doesn’t because Tice insists that he will stick with Bennett. Regardless, I continue to hope that Tice will one day see the folly of his ways, so that I don’t have to live with the folly of mine.
3. Final theme: sleepers. ZZZZZZZ. Who doesn’t love this concept? Hey, I pulled Gates out of Round 18 last year. You pick 12 guys that are basically fill-ins at the back of the draft. Hell, maybe more. I’m trying to maximize potential with every pick. I dug very deeply with the research this year. Believe me, there are not many offensive players that could produce this season that I haven’t at least heard of and probably considered drafting. It’s hard to separate the hype from the reality. Very hard for us because we aren’t there watching Willie Parker take reps or seeing Michael Jenkins catching TD’s in a preseason game. I didn’t want to get caught up in the sleeper thing too much. I’ll admit that I did, though. I was lucky Briggs hung around for me until 16.10. He’s the only solid player I picked after round 12 or so.
For those that didn’t notice, I didn’t draft a kicker. What’s the point? The really good ones were gone by the 16th round. After that you may as well wait until the season starts and pick up “Shayne Graham/Nate Kaeding version 2005” as a free agent. But a big reason was that I needed that last roster spot for someone who could be special. This year’s sleeper crop includes Darrent Williams, Jenkins, Fason, Parker, Cooley, Arizona D, and even Moore (who you all think is going to be worthless) and Joey Harrington (who may actually be worthless).
One thing is for sure—I drafted much differently this season than I did last year. The one exception is that I took a gaggle of RB’s (more than anyone else). This draft was done extremely well by everyone. What I mean is that there were very few reaches or surprises. No one took a player that was absolutely worthless at any point. I never shook my head and said “Dumb pick.” So I think that will make things more competitive.
The draft was also handled very maturely and everyone is to be commended for their dedication to queue making and other considerate behavior. Probably the best slow draft I’ve ever been involved with.
I’m not going to pick a favorite team or teams now. If I have time I might do a breakdown like the ones I did last season for each of the 14 teams. It’s sort of worthless today, because they will be based on my opinions. But I know I enjoyed doing it in `04, and I think some people said they liked reading them.
Oh, and Doug, when one of your Big 3 go down, and Henry, Anderson, and Mewelde are tearing it up for their respective teams… make your offer real good. It should include at least a pint of blood or a minor bodily organ.
*This has been a presentation of Norm Chow. It's contents were inspired by the Rantings of Ender.*
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| 5 | Athletics Guy
ID: 87513016
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 18:42
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What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
At my draft spot, I figured to get 2 starting RBs out of my first 3 picks. And I did...sort of. That Tatum Bell pick doesn't look too good right now. I was so sure he'd be starting over Mike Anderson. I read the reports, but I thought it was just a lot of hot air and that Coach Shanahan was just trying to give his young tailback some motivation. I guess I'll have to wait a few weeks to see if this is truly a wasted pick or not. On the bright side, I got Marvin Harrison at the end of Round 2, which I thought was quite a bargain.
With the next few rounds, I concentrated on adding depth to my WR spots, and I think that went fairly well. Coles and Rogers should be solid starters. I also managed to snag Barlow in round 5, who's now my starting RB going into week 1. I really needed a pick like that.
At QB, I selected Tom Brady. The fantasy manager in me says "This is great!" The Raiders fan says "Why?!" I don't know how I can root for this guy every week. I guess if he helps me win my matchups, I'll be happy. And if he stinks it up real bad, I'll be happy too. So, it's a win/win situation.
The latter rounds of the draft were mostly used for my IDPs and I'm pleased with what I got. I was also glad to get one of my sleepers: Ronald Curry. My team probably had enough WRs at this point, but I couldn't pass on him. He's got the potential to be my 3rd starting WR depending on Rogers' health and Toomer's effectiveness.
What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
Barlow at 5.02 was easily my favorite pick. This pick was huge for me because I didn't have a 2nd starting RB yet. Of course, I drafted Frank Gore later on, so that shows how little confidence I really have in Barlow. I'd sure love to take that Tatum Bell pick back. Tony Ganzalez sure would have been real nice for my team, a lot better than the Troupe/Jolley combo.
Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
Sludge's team looks pretty well-balnced at every positon. This could be a dangerous team if the Bus can get it going, if TO can avoid any team suspensions, and Favre's arm doesn't all off.
I like Doug's team too. The combo of Deuce and Julius, along with his great IDPs should make him a consistent performer every week.
What surprised you most about the draft?
1. Taxman expecting 90 catches, 1,000 yards and 8 TDs from Jermaine Wiggins. Hah!
2. Ciatrick Fason...Who?!
3. The number of times Norm Chow's name has come up in this draft.
4. Some moron drafting Tatum Bell in Round 3.
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| 6 | Ender
ID: 406351010
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 22:06
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1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
Other than draft as strong as possible at RB I didn't have a master plan. I could have taken the 4th spot in the draft, but I felt like having 2 out of the top 17 picks was favorable to having 2 of the top 24. It was the 2nd round spot more than than the 1st that made my decision. I was able to execute that short term strategy and snagged to very solid RB's in the first 2 rounds. I suppose I can also say that I decided to put off drafting a QB and IDP's until late in the draft. I was one of the early jumpers last year and looking back I felt I could wait and still get good value. I accomplished those goals pretty well too though I still think I took Freeney a bit soon. The QB I kept thinking I could get late was Delhomme. Of course I went and drafted Brees ahead of him in round 8 which I can't really explain, but it worked out nonetheless. I should be able to play matchups pretty well all season long with those two.
2. What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
I liked: Rodney Harrison, Jake Delhomme, Chris Perry, Reche Caldwell
As I said in my rationale, I just plain like Harrison. He just brings it every down every week. Delhomme was probably my best value pick of the entire draft for me. I'm glad to have Perry handcuffed to Johnson. Recurring theme: I saw Perry just run wild against the Boilers. He is F A S T. I think Caldwell could be an absolute steal. He was off to an outstanding start last year before getting injured. If he can return to that form he will end up starting for me.
I didn't like: No one. I don't have any players I regret taking or won't enjoy rooting for each week. I have a few homers to keep me especially happy: Brees, Freeney, Colvin
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
This is tough for me. As I look over all the teams they all have strengths and weaknesses. I know that's a lame cliche' but I honestly think it applies here. Each team has a weak Big 3 position. I honestly don't think anyone put themselves in a position to run away with it early. I think most teams have a solid core moving forward and it will come down to 1) Injuries 2)Trades 3)Free Agent/Waiver additions.
I know, I know that's some spectacular analysis. I may as well have said nothing at all. It's like when a coach answers a question by talking for 5 minutes without saying anything at all.
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
I suppose it would be how quickly the backup RB's went off the board. That and how many went to people who don't have the 1st stringers. Davenport went way early. I figured I would pick him up somewhere along the way, but he was gone loooong before I would have considered it.
5. If you could start over, would you do anything differently?
Probably not. I may have grabbed a LB sooner. I may have grabbed someone other than Drew Bennett, but apparently there's some new coordinator in Tennessee name something like Herm Chew or something like that. Apparently they'll be throwing a lot. We'll see. I was able to grab Ward on the turn and I'm happy with those 2 WR at that point in the draft.
I probably could have waited on Staley, but my logic was (and still is despite Willie Parkers presence though perhaps Duce's value is less) that Duce will be the starter when he returns. Bettis may steal goal lone carries (though I thought he would break down and he has but we'll see how long that is a factor), but I won't need a bye week sub until week 6. I should have a good idea of the rotation by then and be able to decide if he's worth the start or not. I could always start Rhodes for the kick return points (assuming he has those duties at the time).
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| 7 | kev
Donor
ID: 043111845
Thu, Sep 01, 2005, 22:51
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1. My plan/strategy going into the draft was to come away from this draft solid from top to bottom of my lineup, with less importance of depth at a certain position, and more concern with talent at each position. Injuries happen. I don’t believe you can predict or plan any specific injury. The only player I handcuffed was Curtis Martin, and that is because he is 105 years old, and Blaylock made sense when I took him. I felt my plan of attack worked well. When I look over my lineup, I don’t see a glaring weakness. I don’t think you can win a draft through the first 3-4 rounds of a draft. I think drafts are won later, when cheatsheets/ranking you find online are way less of a help. From rounds 8-18, the only pick I now question is McCardell. Other than that, I think I went 10 rounds getting people I want. Even when I passed on a player for a round or 2, I would end up getting him, while adding depth beforehand. I also love my IDP’s. Peppers is going to be a beast at Dline. Brooking and Arrington, if healthy, should both post big numbers at LB. Archuleta is my wildcard, but who better to take a wildcard on than a pirate? I’m really happy with my team.
2. Favorite picks-
Kerry Collins- the main reason I took the 8th spot was because when I looked at mocks, Andre Johnson was going around this spot in round 3, but more importantly, Kerry Collins was going around here in round 4. I missed out on Johnson by one pick, and was able to grab Collins in round 4. I really think he will step up big this year.
Marshall Faulk- Last year, I hit the Jerome Bettis sweepstakes, and it helped me greatly since I had also hit the Stephen Davis sweepstakes- or lack there of. This year, I feel Faulk is a great backup to have. I mean, is it really a risky pick? If he falters, and Steven Jackson piles up TD’s and yardage, I have a backup RB that does what most other backup RB’s will do. On the other hand, if Faulk still shows he has a step left in him, I think he is a steal in round 6. Martz wont let Marshall rot on the bench. He is going to get his touches still.
Julius Peppers- It’s always hard when you have a top IDP that you feel you need on your team. I knew Peppers would be the first DL taken, so I knew I would have to be the predictor of when to take him, and not have someone else grab him ahead of me. I felt I did a good job of this, and his pick didn’t impede any of my other plans. Had I missed out on Peppers, my draft would have felt incomplete.
Marcus Pollard- When I took him, he was by far the highest ranked player on the board. Made the pick easy, and he could easily start for me above Bubba.
Picks I wish I could have back
Rod Smith- age.
Keenan McCardell- I wish I had taken more of a risk with my backup WR. Taken a flyer on someone who could produce more.
3. I like Doug’s team. Solid all over the board, and probably set IDP better than myself. If Norm Chow is the “guru” like everyone thinks he is, his team will be great, as I see his only slight weakness being at QB. I also like I am Canadian’s team. If a 2nd RB emerges from his bench, he is solid from top to bottom as well. A Priest Holmes injury, and Guru takes over his namesake, and looks amazing.
4. A couple of surprises happened- some good, some confusing. I was surprised that the draft basically went off without a catch. What a nice change! It ran smoothly, ended a week before the season starts, and gives us time to make any adjustments to our lineup that we feel are needed.
As for picks- 2 picks really surprised me- one was Cincy going right before I took Pittsburgh as my team D. I thought if a defense was taken, I would be in some trouble finding a top one. Instead, Cincy went, and I found that to be a major question mark- I didn’t even have them on my radar. The other pick that really surprised me was Guru going with Andre Johnson in round 3, which was the most frustrating round of the draft for me. With 2 picks to go until me, Guru was there with 1 RB, and JJ Arrington still on the board. I figured I would get either Javon Walker, or Andre Johnson, both who I was really high on. Walker goes, and I think I’m getting Andre Johnson. I check the board, and he is gone. Left me in a state of shock. I’m not saying this was a bad pick, or a pick that needed to be different, it just took me for a surprise. Obviously, DJax should put up good numbers, but Andre Johnson was mine, or at least I thought he was. I also was surprised that Norm Chow has become sort of a pseudo icon in our league. I mean, he is Norm Chow, not Bill Walsh.
5. I would draft ahead of Guru, so I could get Peyton Manning.
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| 8 | Bandos
Sustainer
ID: 279492419
Fri, Sep 02, 2005, 09:41
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Before getting into my draft, just a quick thanks to Guru and the rest of the managers for making this draft very smooth. I have been a part of many drafts that have really dragged on where you just didn’t know where a manager was. Very respectful group. Also appreciated the serious yet at times light-hearted rationales.
What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned? I didn’t have a choice as to where I drafted so I figured I would be on the end and I got 12th. As I was successful from 2nd and 11th last year, I knew that what we do during the season was just as important and was fine with 12th. Being at the later end of the draft you have the option of 2 solid RB’s to start and I made a list of guys I would be willing to take as high as 2.03. After that I targeted Vick in rd 4 a TE in rd 5 and a WR in round 3. I was going to wait on IDP as I felt I jumped early last year with Lewis and there were equal options available MUCH later. I wanted a solid D so I didn’t have to play match-ups and wanted NE in the 6th (although I tried to trade down) So my draft went according to my plan, almost. After looking at some other drafts, I was very hopeful that Dillon would make it to 1.12 and maybe even Tiki to 2.03. No such luck. I grabbed Tiki who I very much enjoyed having last year. I love having backs that catch the ball. I would have therefore jumped at Ahman Green at 2.03 but he got snatched up right before me. Moss seemed logical and I decided to wait til the 3rd round for my second back. (sidenote: Collins isn’t Culpepper so IAC, I waited on Moss) In the third round I got Taylor who is serviceable, then Vick, Heap and NE.
What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
My favorite picks, like many others I imagine, are the late round guys who I think have a real upside (Davis, Green, Northcutt and Robinson). Everyone else went about where I though they would (though some of you did much deeper research than I. Do Over? I wish I had taken Vinatieri in the 12th round and waited on Carr. As Bledsoe was my second choice and didn’t go until much later, I could have had Adam and Carr/Bledsoe and probably still landed the Taylor handcuff Toefield in the 14th round. A couple of times I had 3-4 guys who I saw as being equal and usually used bye weeks as the determining factor (like Stallworth over Santana Moss). We will see how that plays out. Iremember from my TSN days how important those byes can be.
Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)? It is so hard to analyze the other teams. I mean last year in #2, my starting RB’s were Emmitt and Wheatley and many thought I had no chance. So while IAC and Guru RB’s look a bit thin, a mid-season acquisition helps. Other teams (like mine) depend heavily on one player being healthy and performing (See Vick, Michael) Most teams have a quality 6 skill guys so injuries and the wire should make the difference.
What surprised you most about the draft? The speed at which 4th and 5th RB are taken always surprised me. There are “playmakers” available in these rounds who can really help you in the H2H format over the long haul. I really look for guys who can have BIG games and a smattering of solid producers (thus the Moss and Vick picks). Last year I finished first in the regular season but didn’t finish first in overall points (in fact in one league I may have been 4th)
If you could start over, would you do anything differently? I would have tried harder to trade down in the 6th round but I didn’t want to hold up the draft. I would have NOT misread Ender’s message about being a homer (since I was feeling like on after NE at 6.03) that it really was about him. This made me strangely gunshy about stretching for Adam. I know, all this angst about a kicker….
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| 9 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Sat, Sep 03, 2005, 16:36
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1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
Being my normal stubborn self, my prime emphasis was to pick up 3 RB before I did anything else. One of these days, I'll break away from that, but wouldn't bet any large sum of money on it happening in the near future.
The plan was to then take 2 WR and reassess.
I liked being in the 9 slot, so that the return choice wasn't that far away and I could still take a good look at where things were or appearred to be headed and what I thought might make sense.
As I fully expected from last year, not too many players slid much from where I had them ranked.
If you really wanted a player, you better take him at the time when he was available and near you had him ranked, or the player would not be there on your next choice.
Overall, I think Things worked out fairly close to what I was trying to do.
2. What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
JJ Arrington, Lee Evans, Kailee Wong. Just three that I picked that I think all will be value plays.
Not really happy with my self about the Carson Palmer pick. Aaron Brooks was still available and I probably would have been happier with that choice. But, already had him on another team and talked myself out of him.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
Maybe I'm being over critical, but don't really see any teams that I would being willing to jump up and say they win hands down. I would really like Challenger's team if it wasn't for his WR mix. I personally just don't like his mix.
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
Not much. I think it went a lot like I expected. Maybe one thing would be the number of people that appearred to be using the Draft Dominator. Which would lead to why everybody was taking people in the same general rounds of the draft as to where I thought they would go.
In second thought, as somebody else said, the rate at which the backup RBs were snatched up was much quicker than I thought it went last year.
5. If you could start over, would you do anything differently?
Probably not. Maybe take a QB earlier.
I think from what we saw last year that we will end up finding a lot of gems on the WW / FA.
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| 10 | BoNkA
ID: 22831511
Mon, Sep 05, 2005, 12:31
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1. What was your plan/strategy entering the draft? Were you able to execute as you had planned?
I never have a strategy going into a draft, at least nothing more than grab RBs before they're all gone and try not to jump the gun on anyone. I think I was able to get this done for the most part. I may have jumped on Braylon Edwards a round or two early, but I liked him and wanted to make sure I grabbed him before he was gone.
2. What were your favorite picks? Which do you wish you could do over?
I liked getting Hasselbeck in the 7th round. I had other needs at RB and WR to fill in those mid rounds and was trying to wait out a QB and had Hasselbeck targetted and just hoped he kept dropping. This wasn't too hard to see based on who was drafting between me when I started looking at picking him up. I also like Benson in the 5th round, but only if he takes over the starting job and performs. Picking up a starting RB in the 5th round that is able to be plugged into your lineup whenever you need is huge. The fact that Thomas Jones was taken directly infront of him is also pretty amusing.
If I could do anything over, it would be my 4-6 WRs. Price, at the time, I think was a good pick. I figured he'd have a decent year in Atlanta and he'd make a decent backup. Well, now that he's in Dallas and I also drafted Terry Glenn in hopes of some miracle, I'm pretty much screwed. I'm only going to end up keeping one of them, there's not point in keeping both, once I see who ends up higher on the depth chart after the first week or two of the season.
David Boston...well. Yeah, I make a mistake taking him, not that there was really much left as far as WRs go at that point. I took him under the impression he was moving up the depth chart, but now I see that isn't happening. I switched him for Marty Booker, Miami's current #2 receiver, but he's not exactly going to be putting up great numbers either.
3. Looking over all of the teams, which ones do you like the most (other than your own)?
I like Guru's team, but only if he has a RB emerge out of all those backups. Without two starting RBs, he's going to be hurting pretty bad at that position. He does have Manning to put up extra points, but he can't always make up what he'll miss from another RB.
4. What surprised you most about the draft?
I was surprised at how the RBs went as well. I didn't expect Ricky Williams to go in the 7th round because we were out of starters and most viable backups.
Another pick that stood out was the Patriots Defense going in the 6th round. I'd have to say it was way too early and could have been taken in the 8th or 9th round.
5. If you could start over, would you do anything differently?
The only thing I can really complain about are my WRs. They will most likely be the death of my team this year. Thing is, I'm not sure I could really have done much about it. There weren't many viable WRs left in the mid to late rounds for me to even look at and I was better of taking the IDPs and other backups.
Overall I was happy with my draft and I'll just have to do some work with the FA pool to fix my WR problems.
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| 11 | leggestand
Leader
ID: 451036518
Tue, Sep 06, 2005, 11:33
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Here goes nothin:
1. Plan/Strategy
I got the 6th choice in the draft pick draft, and after 1-3, 8, and 14 were off the board, I took the 11th selection. Unlike last season, where I thought the top tier of RB's was 5 deep, I thought the top tier this season was only 2 deep; hence me selecting the 5th selection last season, and selecting later this season.
Before I picked my draft spot, I mapped out my first 4 picks: (1) Jamal/Dillon/Portis (got Jamal), (2) Rudi Johnson/Randy Moss - based on Culpepper going, which didn't happen, (3) Tony G/Gates - Gates was there, but the holdout wasn't over, (4) Nate Burleson - went in the 3rd round before my pick.
So, my strategy misfired. The run of WR's in the 3rd round caught me off guard, and so did Gonzo going early 3rd round. I am happy with my team/picks, but I think the life and death of my season lies with LaMont Jordan and Michael Bennett...and I think a person's early picks should be sure things, and mine aren't.
Other strategy thoughts: (A) I didn't want to get a 3rd RB until the 5th or so round, but I thought way too many slid to me in the 3rd round. (B) I am generally pleased with my WR's given that I didn't take one until the 6th round.
2. Favorite/Least Favorite Picks
Favorites - My starting 3 WR's in Round 6, 7, and 8. How Chambers, Plaxico, and Moulds fell to me I will never know.
Least Favorites - Jacksonville. I wanted a back up defense, and left a queue without looking at byes. They end up with the same bye as my starting defense. Great pick. I am still unsure about LaMont Jordan. I am so afraid of him being the next Kevan Barlow.
3. Top Teams
Besides myself, here are the top 4 teams (in no particular order):
Sludge - only hole is at defense. he could use better RB's, but the combo of LT and Duckett should put up more than enough points - plus he has Horn and Owens anchoring his WR's.
Doug - His defense isn't the strongest either, but starting with Julius and Deuce...Yikes! His WR's are all solid, and he has 2 QB's to play matchups with. Plus, Ray Lewis and Urlacher anchoring his IDP's. Again, Yikes!
Motley Crue - If just one of the many RB's he drafted pans out, he will be golden. I liked the strategy of taking RB's for Rounds 5-8.
GoatLocker - Opened up with 3 solid RB's and 3 solid WR's. Big question mark is at QB...if Palmer performs, though, watch out!
4. Draft Surprises
The smoothness of the draft and the quality of the drafting. Everytime I hoped someone would slip, they didn't. I was actually very surprised by how long some people waited to get a 2nd RB.
5. What would I change?
In a perfect world, this would have been a mock, and I would get to try again:
1. Jamal Lewis
2. Daunte Culpepper
3. Fred Taylor/Michael Bennett
4. Antonio Gates
But, alas, I can't do that, and hope that my team can make and perform in the playoffs.
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