Fantasy Football

So I apologize for failing to post yesterday. It’s just that, when you write a fantasy football blog and you’re trying to make your efforts solely dedicated to fantasy football, that can be a little trying in the middle of February. There just isn’t that much happening. We still have about a month before the draft heats up, at least for semi-normal people. Those who follow draft combines in the middle of February and aren’t getting paid for it really need to be committed. Just watch college football if you’re that fucking curious. Honestly. It’s much more entertaining than watching people exercise.

But this might be how things are for the next couple weeks because unless we completely transform this into a general NFL blog (which we kind of did during the playoffs), there just isn’t that much to comment on.

For today however, there is a bit of news that might be cause for concern as it pertains to the Titans defense: Albert Haynesworth is going to be testing the free agent market. I’m not sure if anyone recalls what the Titans defense looked like in the weeks during and shortly thereafter his injury, it was still pretty impressive but they lost three of four games from week fifteen if you include their playoff game against the Ravens. The one game they did win during that stretch was, naturally, The Steelers.

But if their team is so vulnerable to lose that many games because of an either absent or banged up defensive tackle, it should definitely make you reconsider drafting them. They’re well coached, and whether or not Haynesworth comes back they’re still loaded with talent. But let’s be honest, that offense generally got by with the skin of their teeth last season. They’re not going to be able to keep from turning the ball over with such a non-productive passing game again. And more turnovers makes for better field position makes for more points allowed in 2009 vs. 2008.

It’s not absolutely imperative that they bring him back, but I’m feeling a lot better about them fantasy wise if they do. I’m always hesitant to draft my defense too early, and I generally pull the trigger when the best available defense is ranked significantly higher compared to the remaining skill players.

For example, a couple years ago I drafted Baltimore’s defense in the eighth round because there was so little separation on the board from the highest running back and receiver to the 20th running back and receiver. So why not draft (at the time) what was considered to be a top three defense? It does warrant mentioning that in hindsight this didn’t exactly work out (for the same reason I am hesitant on Tennessee’s defense in 2008 actually: unreliable quarterback play). But I did win the playoffs that year and came in second during the regular season.

In stark contrast, I waited until about the 12th round to draft my defense in 2008 and ended up with (gulp) Seattle, who I knew wasn’t great but I thought would at least be serviceable (I had just drafted Hasselbeck in the 9th, after all). But for all the rounds leading up to it I thought that I could find either a receiver or running back that had too much value at where they were available. And, if you read this site, you are at least somewhat aware of the tribulations during my 2008 fantasy season. So…take that for what it’s worth.

But back to Tennessee’s defense, even if you do have a penchant for drafting one high, don’t you have to take into consideration the other prospects out there? Minnesota (though they need a new QB but seem prime to snatch up Garcia), Baltimore (though they’re getting old), Philly (occasionally inconsistent) and Pittsburgh (probably the most reliable but the least flashy, which means fewer fantasy points), are all viable candidates for best defense in 2009, not to mention Green Bay, Jacksonville, New England, Miami, etc. There is so much uncertainty from season to season, putting too much stock into an entire unit (as opposed to just one player) seems hasty and ill-advised.

On the flip side, if Haynesworth goes to the right team he could drastically alter their course of direction. Given the economy, the team is going to need deep pockets and a willingness to reach into them. That pretty much narrows it down to Washington (probably the most likely fit, as are all players looking to be overpaid), Dallas (though they might take that whole “head stomping with cleats while offensive player isn’t wearing helmet” thing personally from a few years back) and the two New York teams (the Jets might spring for him, the Giants won’t).

Point being, it’s rare you see a defensive tackle, as big of an asshole that he is, have such an effect on the makeup of the league. He’s reportedly looking for $12 million a year, and while I would be apprehensive to pay that to any one defensive lineman, this may be one of the exceptions to the rule. Besides, it beats the shit out of giving that to a running back.

Hopefully back with more tomorrow.