Big Blue Huddle

Question to my fantasy football brothers.

This is my first time playing in two different leagues.  One was an auction draft.  Second is an upcoming snake draft.  If you have played in multiple drafts, do you try to still target your same players or do you try to draft a different team and players?  I am leaning toward different players and strategy.  Thoughts?

One crom the Greek philosopher I really like:

A man's character is his fate."

How true in today's world

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on August 08, 2023, 01:21:59 PMI am just getting back to fishing in a big way. I live alongside the beautiful Tioughnioga river and live just a few miles from a big reservoir teaming with walleye, bass, and tiger muskies. Also, I like fishing Oneida Lake which is a premier walleye lake in the country because it has a sand bottom and shallow (about 20' on average which also makes it treacherous when wind picks up) for drifting with Jixie spinners or jiggin, as well as it has the largest Walleye hatchery in the world on its shoreline that dumps 150 million Walleye fry in the lake each year. The hatchery also stocks lakes from here to Minnesota with Walleye. I'm close to the Finger Lakes (17 miles from Cayuga Lake, 14 miles from Skaneateles Lake), but rarely fish them, although I used to go at night to Owasco Lake for smelting, but haven't done that in 40 years. For fly-fishing for trout, it's about a 40-mile jaunt to the West Branch of the Delaware, and if I want to travel for another hour, I can fish the Beaverkill or Willowemoc near Rosco, NY (the best trout fishing in the world). I used to fish for Salmon on Lake Ontario when my father-in-law had a big boat up there, but he no longer does, so my buddy and I go up to Pulaski or Oswego with our noodle rods and fish the Salmon River or Oswego River

Anyway, there are two things in my arsenal that are changing:

First, I've picked up two bait casting reels along with a light and a medium rod (thinking bass with these). I've never cast a bait casting reel, so this is new to me

Secondly, I've re-lined most of my spinning rods (I have 9 set-ups) with braided line instead of Monofilament (stronger, no twisting or line memory, etc.). I have discovered that braided line is really a bitch to work with when tying off and especially getting knots to keep from slipping. Some articles insist you put a drop of superglue on the knot... Now, instead of my old faithful clinch knot, I'm learning how to tie the vaulted Palomar knot

I'm a catch and release guy except for Walleye and Perch, which are downright delicious. And in the rare occasion that I actually reel in a Salmon...I eat it!

So...any advice on bait casting reels and dealing with braided line would be much appreciated. I hope to show some nice catches on here before winter sets in

I just returned from a tarpon fishing trip in the Florida Keys.  My friend and I each one about 40 pounds.  Bigger ones leave by August to head north.  Super fun.  3x fishing with same captain out of Islamorada.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 21, 2023, 03:50:18 PMNeither is high on my target list but I don't disagree with any of your points.

The Jets' O line does worry me though, and Rodgers wasn't very good last year. I could see him blowing up this year, but there is risk with the pick IMO.

Tua should be a huge fantasy points per game guy but he just never stays on the field, and people question whether his career can continue if he gets concussed again.

Think both are good picks relative to the price, but I'd want a dependable solid backup like Goff or Cousins if I took one of those.

All fair points.  I can't disagree.

Cousins or Goff would be very good.

As you and PSU, it's all about matchups that week. 

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 21, 2023, 02:27:08 PMPhil-

Love the endorsement. Good to hear.

See I'm picking 12th in a 12 team snake league, and I'm in a league where passing TDs are 6 points. Also, we have this stupid bonus system where you get a 5 point bonus if your QB gets 300 passing yards. QBs get taken early and often in my league, and it's important to have a good one.

I have two choices: I can go QB with the 12th or 13th pick overall and maybe get either Mahomes or Allen.

Or I can wait until the 3/4 turn, and just take the best available. If I do that, not only will Mahomes and Allen be gone, but I think Hurts, Burrow and Herbert will be too. Probably Lamar as well. So I'll most likely be looking at guys like Lawrence and Fields if I go in that direction. I don't really want Fields that badly because he just doesn't give you the passing yards or passing TDs that you need in my league, so my working assumption is I'll get Lawrence. I think there is an outside chance I get Herbert, but I doubt it.

I could just take a QB with one of my first two picks, but then I'm really sacrificing the chance to get an elite RB or WR. Since those positions drop off faster than QB, and since I need to start multiple ones of those each week versus just one QB, I'm inclined to wait until the 3/4.

If I were in a league with more traditional QB scoring, I'd wait later than that, but my league is very QB-centric. You can't mess around too much with that position.

Dave - what are your thoughts for your fantasy league of Aaron Rodgers?  If the Jets OL holds up, I can see him throwing for 4,000 yards and 36+ TDs.

Also consider Tua.  Sacked only 21 times, great playmakers and now entering 3rd season.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 20, 2023, 06:41:39 PMI think getting Ridley could be meaningful.. apart from that I think he has solid but not great skill guys. Kirk isn't bad, but he's not exceptional in any way. Same thing with Engram. Etienne is a very skilled player who is a big help to Lawrence. I think he was part of the reason for Lawrence's big improvement last year. Obviously the coaching change was a huge reason too.

I guess when I look at Lawrence and kind of the macro view of him, I see a QB who had an elite level billing coming into the league and struggled mightily in year one, only to get significantly better in year two. Like you, I suspect that process will continue this year. By how much, I don't know. What I will say though is Josh Allen had a crappy year in year one, and he made a meaningful step forward in year two. Lawrence's 2022 was decisively better than Allen's second year. So I'd like to think Lawrence has a chance (not a guarantee obviously) of making the jump to Pro Bowl level production this year, potentially. He has all the tools to be great.

As to his rushing, fair enough, but he gets more with his feet than some QBs. 300-ish rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs isn't that bad at all if it's someone who throws for 4500-plus yards and 30-plus TDs. So I guess we'll see if he's capable of that.

Dave - I am completely coming around to your positive view of Trevor Lawrence.  For one, I dont think there is any risk of him regressing.  Second, he's a big bodied QB so I think he will hold up for 17 games.  Third, he is a sneaky runner.  He may not rush for 800 yards, but he will break for an endzone.

I think my negative view was colored by the fact that I viewed him as the 2nd coming of Andrew Luck.  Unfortunately Urban Meyer coached him and hurt his development however now with a top flight HC, he showed his talent in that first year under Coach Doug.

Grab him.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 20, 2023, 06:06:22 PMQuestion to everyone:

What do you think of Trevor Lawrence this year?

Lawrence made a huge leap in his first year in the new system.  Every throwing stat was markedly better.  I've got to think it will improve again though maybe not as much.  My problem with him is that I want a QB who runs more.  When I think of TL he reminds me of a younger, more talented Jared Goff.  Similar production last year I think.

If yiu are looking for a player who makes a huge leap in production, I think did that already so more marginally better IMHO.

Do you like his skilled position players?

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 20, 2023, 03:07:12 PMLaPorta was always going to be my TE2 if I don't get Kincaid or Dulcich, but I am starting to like LaPorta more and more. I don't know how Jameson Williams' return will ultimately impact any sort of target share that he establishes in the first 6 games, but if he does well, I'm sure he won't be phased out. Dan Campbell (as we all know) was a TE himself, so I'm sure he values having a good one.

I always like to have a TE2 because tight ends get hurt so often, and once the season gets rolling it is hard to get anyone decent off the waiver wire. Any good TEs who don't get drafted are usually picked up by week 2 or 3, so if you only have one and your guy gets hurt in week 6, it's usually problematic. QB on the other hand is usually less of an issue in that respect IMO.

I think you're going to be fine at WR2. Good chance you'll be better than fine. My only potential concern was the first few games, but even that may not be an issue.

I like Achane a lot from a talent perspective. Do you think he'll get material year one touches in that crowded backfield though? He is definitely a guy I'm looking at late.

DB - I think Achane is more explosive and faster than Raheem Mostert.  I also expect him to be a very viable pass catcher out of the backfield.  He does have a shoulder injury so he may be out for rest of preseason which could impact early season touches.  Great point.

Given my strength at RB, he may be who I sacrifice for LaPorta.

Thanks DB and PSU for your thoughts.  I had Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields last year and as Jackson got cold during season I played Fields to huge success but feel positive line DB a d unsure like PSU.

I feel like combo of Ekeler and Barkley more than make up for an unproven WR2.  Ultimately one will rise from my rookies.

Funny but I did not write it but DB you were reading my mind.  LaPorta is tearing up Lions camp and I thought of dropping someone to grab him off available list so I have every backup covered.  I cant figure iyt who to drop.

Appreciate the feedback guys.

Ok, I just completed am auction draft for a ESPN league I joined.  I want feedback - if you think it sucks tell me.

QB - Justin Fields
RB - Austin Ekeler
RB - Saquon Barkley
WR - Amon Ra. St. Brown
WR - Jaxon Smith Njigba
TE - Darren Waller
D/STs - Jets
K - Graham Gano

Backups
QB - Tua Tagliovoa
RB - Isaiah Pacheco
RB - De'Von Achane
WR - Sky Moore
WR - Rashee Rice
WR - Zay Flowers
WR - Jalin Hyatt

My thinking

1) my fantasy strategy is always to get to 120 points consistently with an average of 13 points from starters  and getting all starters to 10 points in a game.
 
2) I went heavy with unproven Kansas City Chiefs WRs because I think 1 will step up to be WR1 in a high powered offense.

3) I went heavy with rookie WRs because I think one will emerge in a big way.  JSN has looked fabulous and is already penciled into slot.

4) Giants heavy was just the way it played out.  Was not being a homer.

Question

Jared Goff is still available.  Should I waive say Fields to pick him up?  This has been my biggest question.

1) 0-10 , rate my team

2) like my thinking or not

3) should I pick up Goff?

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on August 09, 2023, 10:01:37 AMHe's on my list as well. He was frankly on my list for the Giants at 21st overall. I think he's a legit talent. I could see him eating into Lockett's targets.

Seattle's offense has plenty of weapons both on the ground and in the air.

Agree however I think his success in the NFL will be as a slot WR.  He played outside a bit at OSU but I think he will not be successful outside in the NFL.

I was checking out some preseason camp news and it looks like Jaxon Smith Njigba is looking outstanding for the Seahawks and is playing almost 100% slot WR.  He's a target of mine as I think he can flourish there with DK Metcalf on the outside.  Keep an eye on him.  He will not be highly priced.

Parris Campbell sounds like he's going to be a starter for us given his camp so far.

I really believe Hawkins, Banks and Jackson become the starters with one olaying slot.  They wont keep Hawkins or Banks on the bench behind Flott.

I am surprised at Thibs in this camp.  Expected him to dominate in practice.  That has me a bit concerned he has not developed more.  Hopefully that is an aberration.

Not worried about McKinney at all.

Happy to read McFadden is rising up at ILB as oppose to everyone is falling but the best of the worst is.....

As always, thanks Rich for your thoughts.

Quote from: True Blue on August 03, 2023, 02:27:10 PMI wouldn't be so quick to rule out Hodgins as a starter, he was our top WR basically since he arrived, runs good routes and gets plenty of separation despite not being a burner. Good hands and is 6'4

Either way all 4 of those guys should see the field plenty.

Now that we have Waller at 6'6" who runs like a WR does that make Hodgins 6'4" frame less necessary as oppose to more speed on the outside?  Just a question.