What is Fantasy Football?

It is almost that time of year again, football season. Football is the most popular sport in the United States and every year generates a ton of interest and creates a lot of excitement. Over the past several years it has even spawned a very popular game, fantasy football. Perhaps you have heard of fantasy football, but do not really understand what it is. You may think that it is everyone's fantasy to play football and that it is some sort of daydreaming thing that people waste their time with. However, this is false. Fantasy football is a complete game that is available to be played by hard core football fanatics as well as casual fans. Below is a brief introduction to fantasy football so that you can become a little more familiar with it.

Basic Structure

In fantasy football, the players are called owners. These owners "own" a team. The owners do not own a specific football team (such as the Tennessee Titans), but instead have the opportunity to put players from all different teams onto their one team. This is why it is called fantasy football, because you get to build your own fantasy team, trying to put your favorite quarterback and wide receivers together and so forth.

In most leagues, the owners put together their teams through a draft. The owners take turns drafting the players, once a player is drafted no other owner may have that player on their team. The draft lasts as long as the owners agree to have it last, with the typical draft lasting 12 - 14 rounds.

The owners agree as to what the roster limit will be. The owners also agree what the starting lineups should be. For example, they can agree to have the starting lineup be a quarterback, two running backs, three receivers, one tight end, a kicker, and a defense. The owners are free to adjust this how they see fit.

One of the owners is designated as the commissioner, and it is his duty to oversee the fantasy football league and make sure that everything runs smoothly. He will settle any disputes and help the other players as needed.

Points

The players on the teams score points for the actions taken by the real players on the football field each week. For example, running backs will get points for how many yards they run and for how many touchdowns they score. The owners agree as to what it takes to score points and how many points to award for certain actions.

In Person League or Online

There are two choices to joining a fantasy football league. You can join up with friends and acquaintances and create your own league. Or you can join an online league and play with people you may not know. Two of the more popular fantasy football leagues are Yahoo and ESPN. You can go to their websites to get more information and sign up for a league if you would like.

Top Fantasy Busts So Far in 2008

So far through 2008, here are some early fantasy football busts. A couple of these players have the ability to bounce back, but some should be dropped or traded from your team. Unless you are in a keeper league, and you think some will bounce back next year if you drafted or bought low on them in a draft or auction.

Probably a bust:

Reggie Williams, Jacksonville, avg. 1.6 points per game. He was supposed to be passed up this year by previously troubled free agent additions, Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson so I feel a little hesitant putting Williams on the list. But he has stayed in the lineup, but is no longer the Jags top option. Matt Jones has put his recent legal troubles behind him and has risen as the top option in Jacksonville.

Chad Ocho Cinco, Cincinnati, avg. 3.8 ppg. Has had a horrible year so far, and it doesn't look to stop. The Bengals are terrible all around, especially the offense, and not much will change this year. At 30, he could be on the decline for his career.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati, avg. 8.5 ppg played. Has been banged up this year but also had a terrible start before his injury. He will probably play most of the year, but look for him to be ineffective playing with a throwing arm below 100%.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland, Avg. 3.5 ppg
Derek Anderson, Cleveland, avg. 5.8 ppg
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland, avg. 8.25 ppg played.

A pattern has emerged in Cleveland. Most of the team is playing poorly, and the league has figured out Derek Anderson. Look for Brady Quinn to start soon, which will detract from Lewis' numbers when teams force Quinn to beat them. Edwards' needs to remember how to catch the ball and surpass his preseason hype the rest of the year as a budding elite receiver and dominate to justify he preseason fantasy ranking.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville, avg. 9.2 ppg and only more than 7 touches in one game. Has played tough defenses, but it appears Fred Taylor will get a majority of the carries.

Laurence Maroney, New England, avg. 2.0 ppg, 0 TDs, never more than 10 touches in one game. The Patriots are spreading carries around, which is killing Maroney. Maroney is starting to look like a first round bust instead of just an '08 fantasy bust.

Can bounce back:

Thomas Jones, avg. 7.8 ppg, 1 TD, has not scored more than 7 fantasy points or 20 touches in a week since week 1. Games upcoming are Cinci, Oakland, and KC, which could allow him to finally put up consistent numbers. Maybe sell high if he performs because he could have a repeat of his disappointing season last year.

Fred Taylor, avg. 4.4 ppg, 0 TD, only scored more than 4 points once, but has played some tough defenses. Taylor has been given the load in Jacksonville, and their next 4 games are against easier run defenses, Denver, Cleveland, Cinci, and Detroit. After that, probably sell high.