Ok, be gentle. This is my first post here
I am in a keeper league. This is our 4th year and we have all the same guys, which for us is amazing (12 teams). We are able to carry 5 guys (yeah, I think that's 2 guys too many for a keeper league), but this is who I had kept.....
Reggie Bush
Willis McGahee
Willie Parker
Reggie Wayne
TJ Housmanzadeh
Now, we ARE able to do off season pickups ($5), just as long as you stay within the 5 player limit. Let me know if this was wise of me to do....
I traded Wayne for Carson Palmer. Yeah, I know Wayne is a lot better than Palmer, BUT, the top QB'S left out there available (PTS wise) were.....
Favre
Warner
Eli Manning
Rivers
Garrard
I hated to trade Wayne, BUT, since I had TJ I thought getting a top 5 QB and the QB/WR combo was worth it. My other off season move was another tough choice for me. I dropped McGahee and picked up Thomas Jones. Most rankings I have seen have them within a few spots of each other. Here is my rationalization for picking up Jones and dropping McGahee
1) Baltimore has NOTHING besides McGahee, so everybody knows where the ball is going. The Jets now have a decent QB and have improved quite a bit on the O line with Fanica (which he helped Willie Parker in Pitt) and others so that might open some holes for some big runs. Since the Jets now have Favre, they can't just stack the box and block the run, the actually have to defend the pass, which Coles and Cotchery and not exactly slugs.
2) Injury bug. With McGahee doing most if not all of the offense and his recent "minor" knee surgery, I just have my reservations if he will last the whole season injury free.
3) Shape. I have been hearing quite a bit that McGahee showed up to camp quite a bit out of shape, which for a RB is not good IMO.
4) Ray Rice. I think the Ravens are looking to the future with this kid. I think he is already showing he has some skills and will be a starter soon. I think he will be getting quite a few touches and will steal some valuable yards/TD's from McGahee. I don't see Jones having this problem at all. Yes they have Leon Washinton, but he is not a big threat to steal much time from Jones.
5) I have also been reading that McGahee isn't well liked with some of the higher ups with his attitude, which could lead to a trade or possible benching?
Now, here is another question I am throwing out.... I draft 11th out of 12 spots. What should I address first with my picks. You have to figure that 60 (5 players per team) have already been taken off the board. I know the top guy is going to take McFadden with his pick (keeper league and all). I was thinking of either a top tier 2 QB, which here is the "top" of what is left...
Nate Burleson
Jerico Cotchery
Brandon Marshall
Bobby Engram
Kevin "my guts hurt" Curtis
Roddy White
Santonio Holmes
But I am also thinking of taking a top TE that's out there...
Tony G
Dallas Clark
I'm pretty sure I could get Clark if I wanted him. He seems like he is the go to guy in the red zone for Peyton. We also draft IDP, so I have to keep that in mind. I know most people say Def players are a dime a dozen, but there have been plenty of weeks my D has outscored my offense. I was thinking of MAYBE picking up a Patrick Willis (174 points last year). With not much out there for offensive players, I am thinking of going after stud IDP players to help balance out what I have.
Sorry for the book, what does everybody think?
