Mid-Season Fantasy Football Update

On August 11th, I wrote:

"The draft was last night in our Fantasy Football league. My neighbor and I co-own a team this year. We are in a 10 team league and we had the 3rd pick. LaDanian Tomlinson went #1, Mike Vick went #2, and we were able to land the best player in the draft...Peyton Manning. We sat in front of the computer, stunned at our good fortune at watching Vick go #2. Here is the rest of our team in the order we drafted them:

2. Corey Dillon RB
3. Torry Holt WR
4. Mike Vanderjagt K
5. Muhsin Muhammad WR
6. Brian Westbrook RB
7. Caolina Defense
8. Randy McMichael TE
9. Carson Palmer QB
10. Eddie Kennison WR
11. DeShaun Foster RB
12. T. J. Houshmandzedeh WR
13. Daniel Graham TE
14. Chicago Defense
15. Nate Kaeding K"

Well, it's mid-season and a good time to analyze how our draft went, and how our season is going.

I'll start by analyzing each draft pick:

#1 (#3 overall in the draft) - Peyton Manning - BUST.
We were totally wrong about Manning. He is NOT the best player in the draft, and as far as fantasy points go he is not the best quarterback on our team. We were far too patient with him and it cost us some games.

#2 - Corey Dillon - BUST.
He has also had a disappointing year. Not horrible, but he wasn't worthy of a #2 pick.

#3 - Torry Holt - A+
We had to bench him this week b/c of injury, but he has been our star receiver. A must start.

#4 - Mike Vanderjagt - BUST.
We put him on waivers this week. Our backup K, Kaeding, is having a much better year. With many kickers available, we should have used this pick to get a rb or wr.

#5 - Muhsin Muhammad - OK.
Has had some decent games, but is trapped in a terrible offense in a terrible division.

#6 - Brian Westbrook - GOOD.
Has put up some good #s, including one incredible game, but is not an elite back, yet he's our best.

#7 - Carolina Defense - BUST.
We gave them up to waivers a few weeks back because our back up, da Bears, are doing so much better.

#8 - Randy McMichael - GOOD.
Not bad for a tight end and this low of a pick.

#9 - Carson Palmer - MVP.
We got him with the 83rd overall pick, and he's the top QB, and only behind LT in points so far this year.

#10 - Eddie Kennison. OK.
Started out the year strong, but has waned of late.

#11 - DeShaun Foster. BUST.
Dropped him and picked up his teammate, Stephen Davis, who has given us some pretty good #s.

#12 - T. J. Houshmandzedeh. GREAT.
Has given us very good numbers for such a low pick.

#13 - Daniel Graham. BUST.
We dropped him fairly early.

#14 - Chicago Defense. A+
Another example of how our back up choice has excelled beyond everyone's expectations.

#15 - Nate Kaeding. GREAT.
Our back up kicker has become a very solid starter.

We have failed to put together any trades, but we have picked up some decent players from free agency and off waivers, including Antonio Bryant and Jerry Porter.

We started out as the hottest team in the league, winning our first two and scoring the most points both weeks. But then we went on a five game losing skid, including two weeks in which we only scored in the 50s. That stinks. Bad.

This week, week 8, we finally got back on track scoring more than we ever had and upsetting the comissioner's team. We have to climb two spots in the rankings to make the playoffs. Due to this week's performance, we should move up one slot and with a victory next week, we'll be in the top 6 again and poised to make the playoffs.