With my fantasy draft a mere 36 hours away, I am still weeding through all of the advice of the so-called experts. If I trust anyone, it is Matthew Berry, as he seems to play a similar role to Adam Schefter. We get it. The NFL is a conspiracy.
I have the 7th pick in a ten-man league with a snaking draft. We play with two QB’s and my suggestion for an auction draft or the introduction of an IDP fell like a lead balloon.
Not going to tip my hand, but I am planning on drafting “good” players. LOL. I will say I am avoiding Trevor Lawrence and Jimmy G. like they have long Covid.
Drop the puck.
FOILED BY FOOZBALL
As a glutton for punishment, I joined a pool to increase my interest in college football. I know little about the college game, but I am always up for a challenge.
The task is to pick the winners of ten marquee match-ups using the spread. You are also asked to add confidence points from 1-10 for a potential total of 30. I do have my highest pick (10) left as Clemson takes on Duke, tonight, but my current score is zero.
That’s right. 9 chances to score and I got every single pick wrong. If there is such a thing as Beginner’s Luck, it must be with my undelivered package at the USPS.
Takeaways:
LSUOOOSER
I did not watch the game, but I gleaned the basic tenor of the game, especially the second half from Facebook posts from a fried who is. Seems like FSU made halftime adjustments, and LSU stayed in the locker room. I am not a fan of Brian Kelly (not just because he had a long tenure at ND), but he just seems like a mean man. You’re an angry Elf aren’t you?
Surprise, Surprise
There were some other upsets including the much hyped return of Prime Time to Colorado. Two-way players. Different insignia for captains. Deion is doing it Deion’s way, and for one week, it seems to have worked. It sure helps to have 24-7 access to the transfer portal. Not sure BC has the code.
Once again, Boston College failed to live up to even modest expectations. I know that BC accentuates its academics over its athletics, but this is becoming untenable. One of the reasons BC was on my short list of applications was due to the career of Doug Flutie.
I saw him play Yale at the Yale Bowl, and who hasn’t seen his Miracle in Miami. Heck, they have a statue of it outside the stadium. If the powers that be don’t think success in athletics leads to better candidates for admission, then we need another miracle. On the upside, Uconn also lost their opener and looked a bit inept on offense. There’s still hope to avoid the bagel and salvaging homecoming.
Garbage Time
One of my most confident picks was Penn State vs. West Virginia. I knew PSU would win, but I thought WV, and their noble tradition would keep it close. You know what? They did. A late, unnecessary TD for Penn State made everyone who bet against the spread, like me, a loser.
Sounds like sour grapes, but the need to run-up scores to solidify rankings and sports betting seems to be becoming more and more acceptable at the expense of sportsmanship and the psyche of the young men between the lines.
Verstappen Keeps Going
Max Verstappen won the Italian Grand Prix for his 10th consecutive victory. I have little knowledge of Formula I. Eileen used to follow it religiously and one of her prized possessions is a signed shirt from Aryton Senna. Verstappen is following in his father’s footsteps, and according to Eileen, “He may be better than his father,” and according to an article written by Charanjot Kohli for Sportskeeda, his father believes it, too. The question that remains is, will he be the best of all-time. Better than Schumacher. Better than Hamilton. The driver not the musical.
Quick Takes
- Jonathan Taylor was put on the PUP list and will be sidelined for 4 weeks. This could get ugly. May I suggest avoiding the Colts altogether during your draft
- Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald chose his wild cards including Justin Rose and Mick (I mean Tommy) Fleetwood. They already have Jon Rahm and Rory. We may be in trouble. P.S. I love the Ryder Cup. Team combat golf.
- Erin Matson is the new head coach of the National Champion North Carolina women’s lacrosse team. She’s 23. When I was 23, I was the coach of the Phoenix Suns… on NBA JAM at the Cloverleaf Bar in Enfield, CT. As a fellow coach, I wish her success except against Belle, Cassidy, and the rest of the Eagles.
- The U.S. basketball team lost to Lithuania in the FIBA World Championships and they are still playing baseball.
Thursday kicks off the NFL season with the uber talented Chiefs taking on the uber hyped Detroit Lions. I am excited. Hypocrite? No. I get excited for the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania, too.
Best of luck in your fantasy drafts, and remember to be a fan not a fanatic.
Love and laughter,
Coach P.