Fantasy Football - Worth the Risk? 4for4.com Guest Blog

Fantasy Football - Worth The Risk?

The Hot Stove Blog at 4for4.com

August 2, 2009

For those of you new to the Hot Stove world, we look at fantasy differently here. As has been our mantra, we encourage interaction and it is your responses that keep us stoked. Think of us as your neighborhood tavern, and as the media tells us that we are not getting out as much these days, we’ll do our part to keep you engaged.

RYAN GRANT – POSTER BOY FOR 80%?

NFL news trickling out now has the requisite stuff that clubs wish for us to accept, and we feel particularly annoyed that the Packers now tell us that front liner RB Ryan Grant, was, in fact, limited through out the ’08 campaign with a hamstring injury, sustained shortly after returning from a pre-season hold out. The severity was news to us; it took a few weeks to realize that what we drafted as a sleeper #1 turned out to be a weak #3, with a pathetic TWO plays over 20 yards all season. Probably took one week for club DCs to notice; why do you think QB Rodgers “struggled” somewhat last season? We now are expected to accept that Grant will be fine –don’t think about what we didn’t say last year, OK?—and the next time I read that an attack player is “80%” healthy, I want to throw up.

INJURIES YOU NEED TO WATCH

2009 Players on our injury BS watch list include:

QB: Brady (NE),
Palmer (CIN),
Hasselbeck (SEA),
Anderson (CLE)

RB: Addai (IND),
Barber (DAL),
Forte (CHI),
Westbrook (dang it!) (PHI),
LT (SD)

WR: Colston (double dang!) (NO),
Branch (SEA),
Marshall (DEN),
Avery (STL)

Speaking of Brandon Marshall, we see that the WR divas are in full stride, so to speak, with nearly half of the 2009 Pro Bowler WRs in some kind of angst, usually involving money or attention. Boldin (ARI), a Stove-admired warrior but a diva by definition here, and White (ATL), join Marshall in the annual WR-thinking-they-are-the-show-and-want-to-get-paid-for-it parade. Making the Pro Bowl apparently does this to you. But divas beware; former recent ‘Bowler WRs will be jettisoned without remorse. Just look at Owens(BUF), Holt (JAC) and Harrison (F/A), banished to foreign or obscure outposts. Once the NFL exports to Canada, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, or worse (San Antonio? only joking) – with BUF and JAC first in line to move, they’ll really have their Siberia firmly in place for these guys.

The Stove Cool Link Feature:

http://www.lariotsquad.org/

Also speaking of injuries, divas, and annoying hypocrisy, we have the embodiment of all in one package, namely, futbol’s David Beckham, reacting petulantly to the LA Riot Squad’s really mean words last week. Those Yanks just don’t get the sports celebrity thing, do
they?

Stove Kudos to….

Kick ass competitor Michael Phelps, who dissed diva Milorad “I’m an Animal of Emotion” Cavic in the World’s 100-fly this weekend. Cavic offered to buy Phelps one of his really cool looking X-Glides to level the field days before the race. Phelps didn’t need it. Stud.

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For more from Joe and for some of the best Fantasy Football Information and Analysis you’ll find on the planet, visit http://www.4for4.com

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Representing 4for4.com during the Expert Fantasy Football Mock Draft at The Texas Testosterone Festival on Saturday, August 15 will be Jeff Owens. For more information on the amazing panel line-up please visit this link and then go get your credit card so you can buy a few tickets for Saturday in advance (that is, unless all your friends are in your Fantasy Football league, in which case you should tell them the Mock Draft is on SUNDAY).

Fantasy football picks for Week 9

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro makes his picks for Week 9 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Read his latest column by clicking here.

We are proud to announce Ladd Biro will be participating in the 2009 Texas Testosterone Festival. More details will be announced as we have them.

Fantasy football picks for Week 5

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro makes his picks for Week 5 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Read his latest column by clicking here.

We are proud to announce Ladd Biro will be participating in the 2009 Texas Testosterone Festival. More details will be announced as we have them.

Fantasy football picks for Week 4

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro makes his picks for Week 4 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Read his latest column by clicking here.

Offensive line injuries have domino effect in fantasy football

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro writes this week on how to keep your Fantasy Football team on the field despite all the offensive line injuries putting players on the sidelines. Read his latest recommendations by clicking here.

Fantasy football picks for Week 2

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro makes his picks for Week 2 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Read his latest column by clicking here.

Fantasy football picks for Week 1

Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro makes his picks for Week 1 of the 2008 Fantasy Football season. Read his latest column by clicking here.

Your guide to the perfect fantasy football draft

The Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro hits you up with the perfect picks for the perfect 2008 Fantasy Football season. For his latest column with the best advice on how to prepare for your upcoming Fantasy Football draft click here.

Also, Ladd gives his rankings at each position.

For Quarterbacks, click here.

For Running Backs, click here.

For Wide Receivers, click here.

For Tight Ends, click here.

For Kickers, click here.

For Defense, click here.

For Ladd’s Top 100 picks, click here.

Sleepers give fantasy football players chance to buy low, score high

It’s everyone’s favorite Fantasy Football preseason topic - the sleeper. The sleeper is the draft pick that draws snickers and question marks from the other team owners but has you laughing through victory after victory during the season. The Dallas Morning News’ Ladd Biro writes on the sleeper picks to watch for in 2008. Read his column by clicking here.