One downside to the focus on fantasy football

[ctpatsfan77]

Is the fact that it focuses almost exclusively on offensive production and INTs on defense.

The fact that Jerod Mayo had 20 tackles--some of them absolutely incredible--gets almost no notice whatsoever.

This story at least starts to fix that--but doesn't go far enough, IMO.

The last minute or so of the video is dedicated to Mayo, and you can see some shots that show just how fast he really is.

Someone on SI.com basically summed up scouts' reactions to Mayo's game against the JEST as "Wow." Personally, I summed it up as "Application for DROY."

 

[signbabybrady]

Two real problems with the fantasy trend.

1) It is annoying when people route for their fantasy players instead of a team. You can sit somewhere watching a game say Steelers Vs Chargers and one guy will be routing for Hines Ward and LT in the same game WTF you can only route for one team.

2) Creates over reliance on stats. The game is about much more than numbers. But you talk to certain people about who is good in the league and you can't argue using intangibles because all some of these guys know are the numbers. You try to say one RB is better than the other because he gets the clutch tough yards but the other guy has better stats and these fantasy people can't allways seperate the two.

 

[Sicilian]

For the most part, I agree with this thread so far. However:

1) It is annoying when people route for their fantasy players instead of a team. You can sit somewhere watching a game say Steelers Vs Chargers and one guy will be routing for Hines Ward and LT in the same game WTF you can only route for one team.

There ARE players who don't do this. If a game has implications for the Patriots (or even more, if it is a PATS game), I will always root for the Pats interest ahead of my fantasy team. It's one of the reasons I never play in money leagues, so I have no conflicts.

But honestly, if the game is between Arizona and Green Bay, and I have Boldin and Ryan Grant, you're telling me I have to pick a team to root for? I don't care about either of those teams, the game could end in a tie for all I care. Fantasy gives me a reason to watch that game and take a personal stake in it.

2) Creates over reliance on stats. The game is about much more than numbers. But you talk to certain people about who is good in the league and you can't argue using intangibles because all some of these guys know are the numbers. You try to say one RB is better than the other because he gets the clutch tough yards but the other guy has better stats and these fantasy people can't allways seperate the two.

Again, it's possible to build a fantasy team around stats and still appreciate real football and the intangibles. Don't lump us all in with the ignorant fantasy fadders.

 

[Mogamedogz]

My league drafts individual defensive players and counts stats like tackles, so Mayo has been a fantasy stud for me this season.

 

[BradyManny]

Is the fact that it focuses almost exclusively on offensive production and INTs on defense.

The fact that Jerod Mayo had 20 tackles--some of them absolutely incredible--gets almost no notice whatsoever.

This story at least starts to fix that--but doesn't go far enough, IMO.

The last minute or so of the video is dedicated to Mayo, and you can see some shots that show just how fast he really is.

Someone on SI.com basically summed up scouts' reactions to Mayo's game against the JEST as "Wow." Personally, I summed it up as "Application for DROY."

I rewatched a little of the Jets game. I say a little b/c my DVR automatically switched over to tape 30 Rock and Always Sunny in Philadelphia (which are pretty worthy shows of ending my pats recording). Mayo was looking awesome in that game for the first half that I saw.

When they ran Jones to the outside on the strongisde, Mayo just exploded at him from the weakside and wrapped him up. It was awesome. It really shows you how good he is in space, obviously he'd make a great 4-3 MLB, and the area of concern is his ability to plug gaps and shed blocks in the 3-4, but even that he's making strides. He was getting off blocks better in that game and he was looking good in coverage. His progression astounds me.

Granted, he was likely the guy who blew the 3rd and 15 play, but you take the good with the bad. He's going to be an awesome player for us.

 

[signbabybrady]

For the most part, I agree with this thread so far. However:



There ARE players who don't do this. If a game has implications for the Patriots (or even more, if it is a PATS game), I will always root for the Pats interest ahead of my fantasy team. It's one of the reasons I never play in money leagues, so I have no conflicts.

But honestly, if the game is between Arizona and Green Bay, and I have Boldin and Ryan Grant, you're telling me I have to pick a team to root for? I don't care about either of those teams, the game could end in a tie for all I care. Fantasy gives me a reason to watch that game and take a personal stake in it.



Again, it's possible to build a fantasy team around stats and still appreciate real football and the intangibles. Don't lump us all in with the ignorant fantasy fadders.

Not neccessarily lumping you in but than again this is the crowd you chose to run with.

I am not saying you have to chose between one or the other in a lame game but just saying that it looks foolish to be rooting for both teams. It would be OK to sit objectively not rooting for either but enjoying football. I don't find it OK to be rooting for teams depending on which player is holding the ball. Sure no problem if a play excites you and another for the other team but to be rooting and get happy like it was your home team or even your 5th favorite team.

 

[Sicilian]

but to be rooting and get happy like it was your home team or even your 5th favorite team.

I guess here is where we'll disagree. I don't have five favorite teams. I like the Pats, and if I had to choose another team to succeed in their place I would probably pick the Browns, but I couldn't even tell you why. Just a feeling.

I don't root for my players like I do the Pats, but I do root for them, because I like the competition.

Again, I know I'm arguing points about a general population of players with points about myself, but still. Felt I needed to stand up for my gamers