Since putting up the "Name this Blog" entry about 3 weeks ago I have gotten all sorts of correspondence from all over North America. Most of the entries were well thought out and well intentioned. I truly appreciate the effort you all put in. Even the ones that were bashing me (obviously people that have read my stuff for a while) were submitted after much thought and effort to try and poke fun or humiliate me. Love me or hate me, you guys read what I post and that's what this is all about. Having said that, it's time to announce the winner of the contest and reveal what I will call this labor of love from this point on....
ROLLIN' - WITH THE YEAST: SUBMITTED BY JASON DUKE, BILLINGS, MT
That's right folks. From the vast emptiness that is Montana comes our winning entry. It is simple, yet deep on many levels. It plays on my moniker of Yeast, and portrays what fantasy owners that follow the Yeast's advice will do - "Roll" to the title of their respective leagues.
There will be more on our winner later as I have a group of questions for him to answer so we can all get to know the guy that will be featured in my blog throughout the season. Tune in for all the answers on our winner.
Aside from all of the entries that were submitted, the second most popular subject in all of the emails I've gotten so far have been asking for me to reveal my preseason rankings for each position. Well, since I am a blogger of the people I will break down my Overall Top 10 as well as positional rankings at Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver and Tight End. If you really need my rankings to choose a kicker or defense, please go stick your head in the oven and turn on the gas right now. Seriously.
Rankings are based on 4pts for passing TD, 1 pt for 30 yards passing;6 pts for rush/rec TD, 1 pt for 10 yards rush/rec
OVERALL TOP 10
Some people feel like Addai may be too high, but I think he is going to bust out this year. Some may question Shaun Alexander not being higher, and I would agree if I knew his foot was not going to be an issue this year.
QUARTERBACK
It was tough for me to choose 8-10 because I feel that QB's 8-15 are pretty much interchangable. You could easily see Leinart, Cutler or Young up here. I really feel like Phillip Rivers is going to have a big year. If you're drafting and QB's 1-7 are gone, wait a while and snag other positions before taking one.
RUNNING BACK
I'm sure some of you will disagree with me having Addai at #3, but I really think he has so much of an advantage due to being on the Colts over LJ. If your league scores points per reception then Reggie Bush vaults into the Top 5 as well as Westbrook.
WIDE RECEIVER
I've seen each of the top 4 guys put at #1 in many lists, but for me there is no one better than Torry Holt. The guys from 5-10 could easily be swapped around in any of those spots. If I had to choose one of the second five to crack the top 5 it would be Larry Fitzgerald. I think he is going to have a huge season. The one guy I felt guilty about leaving out of the top 10 is Andre Johnson. With Matt Schaub at QB in Houston I think the sky is the limit for that duo.
TIGHT END
I know, I know....no Alge Crumpler in the top 10. Well, with the mess that is the Atlanta Falcons I just can't put him in there. I'm not high on Tony Gonzalez this year either, but I have a serious man-crush on Chris Cooley. He and Jason Campbell really started to click late last year and now that the Redskins are in their 2nd year in the Al Saunders offense I think it will only get better for them from this point on.
There ya have it....my preseason rankings. Now to the mailbag:
Yeastie - I respected you and everything you wrote about over the last few years until I saw your "The WR position is key to winning in fantasy football" post. You sir, are a retard. Josh - Blaine, MN
Josh,
Thank you for your constructive criticism. While I have had my intelligence questioned many times it has never been proven that I am actually retarded. People do say I resemble Corky from "Life Goes On" though. Hmmmm....
Mr. Yeast - We loved your columns from last year in Tampa and were disappointed to hear that you left without announcing where you were going. We thought you were cooler than that. You're lucky we tracked you down. Hector - Brandon, FL
Hector,
I'm not sure what scares me more...the fact that you refer to "we" when there is only 1 person named in the email or that you can track me down so easily. Actually, I posted on my last column in Tampa that I was relocating to the Twin Cities and that I was joining the FSF.com team. Please tell your therapist to be extra nice to you this week.
Yeastie - Could you please give the names of guys that I should target in the middle rounds of my draft? After all, that is when you say teams are made or broken, right?? Alex - Des Moines, IA
Alex,
Finally a fantasy football question!!!! As far as RB's go I would target Adrian Peterson (Minn.), LaMont Jordan and Ahman Green. Also watch the Green Bay situation and get Brandon Jackson if he is the starter. Santonio Holmes is my breakout WR of the year, get him in the 6th or 7th round and you'll be happy all year long. Other guys I would go after are Kevin Curtis, Vincent Jackson and Wes Welker.
These are my readers folks...from angry handicapped haters to paranoid schizophrenics the group of followers to this blog are the best around. That is why I call you the Yeastie Nation. A melting pot of wackos that love fantasy football. Maybe I can convince the designers here at fsf.com to come up with a design for the Yeastie Nation for those of you crazy enough to want to show your devotion to The Yeast. From the emails I've gotten so far it looks like that will be a lot of you.
Keep the emails coming to Yeastie@customfantasysports.com .
Yeastie
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Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.