Fantasy Football Has Gone to the Spread! Top 3 Reasons for the Change

The last ten years we have seen a large change in the landscape of fantasy football.  Some of you may have even been a part of it.  Below are some of the changes and thoughts in regards to how it has evolved since I started playing, as a college freshman looking to replace my years of 'glory'.

1. Who do you root for??!?-Fantasy football has become the #1 problem for team loyalty.  As a Michigan native, and a person who is a lifetime Lions fan I have been guilty of this on more than occasion.  In fact some years I wouldn't draft a defense, and would just try to pick up whoever the Lions, Browns, Raiders were playing and bam, huge points for my squad (thank you Joey Harrington).  I have heard others say that they will in fact bench their star players when they are playing against their favorite team.  I however am not that person, I just want to see a 56-49 win by Detroit (as long as we aren't playing Matt Flynn-P.S. thank you Flynn for allowing me to win a league last year despite Schaub's injury).
2. Running back by Committee-The four most hated words for fantasy owners.  The world of fantasy football has evolved to the point where there are only a handful of featured backs in the league.  The rest of the teams split carries, have third down backs, and are often plagued by injuries.  There have been a few running backs that we think for sure they will land us automatic points only to disappoint  us when the season rolls around (see Adrian Peterson, Peyton Hillis, Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson circa 2011).  This makes you have to think about not only changing your draft strategy, but perhaps a roster format change.  Two QB's, one RB, 3 WR, TE is a format that you may see in a league near you soon.  If you have 10 teams in your league, and you have 2 RB slots per roster, are there honestly 20 running backs in the league you can depend on???  Simply not fuego...
3. NFL Distant Replay-NFL rule changes have not just effected the Patriots smothering wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.  Passing has now been the way to winning football games, and as a result quarterbacks have now taken over as the most dependable point production for your squad.  Again, going back to the previous statement, unless you have a two QB roster league you really don't have to rush to grab one, unless you want one of the elite.  Outside of the passing rule changes you have to look at the concussion rules, where players have to sit out automatically if they do get injured (definitely a good thing!).  The NFL has also revolved with technology!  You can not only watch your team, but every game in the league, from a million different angles.  With these angles the coaches get better scouting reports, tells, and can often shut down your QB by the second year (see Sam Bradford).  In fact, I would go as far as saying, stay away from Cam Newton, this will be a high volume interception year for him (and 14 of the 16 games were against a team who made the playoffs one of the last two years).

Top three reasons why fantasy football has evolved.  Not all of them are bad, but they are definitely aspects that will force you to re-think your thinking going into next years draft.  The NCL (No Contact League) will continue to change and evolve as retired player lawsuits come forward, errr umm, player safety is the league's number one concern.  Feel free to leave comments, on other ways fantasy football has changed in the past decade. 

Kansas City Royals of Fantasy Baseball

Buy or Sell (Not 'Around the Horn') Right now you are at the All Star break of your fantasy baseball season, some of you are at the top of the standings, others (like myself) are towards the bottom. Now before you begin to believe I may not know what I'm talking about...okay well you may be right. Currently I am in the 3rd year of a keeper league. Whether you are in a keeper league, or not you have to ask yourself, when is it time to sell the farm, or in this case, try to obtain the farm (system). Below I am going to give you my top 3 prospects you need to pickup for your fantasy team in hopes that they arrive this year, and if not this year...hopefully soon. 1. Will Myers (Kansas City Royals, C, OF) Hit his 27th homer of the minor league season on July 1st (2012). He has had no trouble adjusting to Double A, and many fans are hoping to see him sprinkling baseballs into the fountain in center field. There are some worries about playing time, but let me ask you this, with Billy Butler, Moustakas, and Escobar hitting at the top of the lineup, wouldn't it be nice to add a little punch (and enthusiasm?). While it is rumored that he won't be up this year, look for him in the late season call up to help spur attendance for the home stretch. 2. Danny Hultzen (Seattle Mariners, SP) Pitching for the Rainiers (what could be more rainy than Seattle?) in his first minor league start he had a rough go of it. However, he responded having a very good 3rd outing, and does have 15 strikeouts in 12 innings. With his stuff, look for a spot start, and possibly a spot in the rotation later in the season. Again, we aren't looking for Hultzen to win us our league this year, but if you are in a keeper league this is a guy you want to secure for the long haul. 3. Jurickson Profar (Texas Rangers, SS) Profar is showing up 3rd on my list, only because I don't think he will get a shot at all to play in the bigs. In a 'Top 120' prospect list he is rated #1 at the midseason (www.minorleaguebaseball.com) and has hit for average (nearly .280) and has some pop in his bat with 12 homeruns already. The problem in Texas is they will most definitely be in the pennant race down the stretch, and Elvis will not leave the building unless injured. Look for him to be a trade pawn and if he does land to a non-contender that is where we could see him shine both in the batter's box and the field. There you have it... While some of you may not be in my position, I am already looking for those keepers (4 in my case) that I can use to build a powerhouse. Here's another insider note to leave with... Don't trade Curtis Granderson after 2 weeks of the season because you had a bad week, call me Steinbrenner...