I'm sure there will be plenty of strong opinions about what I did out of the 8-Hole.
Even though I've been playing High-Stakes since the inaugural WCOFF, and with some success, you never see a sub-league with this high caliber of quality Drafters. Although I'm confident I can win out of any spot on the Board, it's my opinion that for 2012, the 8-Hole is very challenging, unless someone ahead of you takes Rodgers off the Board before he falls to you and forces you to think.
I was planning on drafting Chris Johnson, who went at 1.07. That left me with a decision between Rodgers/McFadden/Gronkowski. I've loved McFadden the football player for quite some time. He runs with a punishing style that I enjoy watching...but it takes a toll on him, and I don't need a guy who puts himself in harm's way as a 1st-Round pick. Gronkowski...I've learned this much about Bill Belicheck - he rarely wins the same way two seasons in a row. Subtract BJGE, add Lloyd. I'm a big fan of drafting ONE Patriot with a premium pick, and that's Brady, and I'd go Rodgers over Brady every time, so there it was...
Of course, that put me in the unenviable position of having used my 1st-Round pick on a QB. I was hoping that a few more might go through the turn, and indeed Brady did, but the combos of Brees/Graham and Newton/Foster are tough pairings to out. That's what I was faced with at 2.05, knowing that two Teams who were already set up with a premium 1st Rounder would be able to add a QB who could score in the same range as Rodgers, so I had to make a selection that would even the score somewhat. Larry Fitzgerald literally fell in my lap, and I didn't really have a decision to make. He was my WR#2, since health is such a big deal to me with early-round picks, and when Cruz and AJ pushed him back to me, I was thrilled. Get's it done no matter who's playing QB. Still no RB, but thrilled nonetheless.
Wasn't really surprised with any 3rd Round picks, maybe Doug Martin, but everything else went as expected. Was targeting AJ Green with 3.08. Missed out. Julio was my 2nd choice, and I think they're relatively the same guy. Didn't see an RB I liked enough to take over JJ, maybe Steve Jackson, but I thought he might fall back to me at 4.5. Despite having no RB yet, the Rodgers/Fitz/JuJones start was herds better than what I expected. Glad I didn't have to decide on A.P...
Through the turn went Steve and Fred Jackson, and Lynch...again fell into a situation where the pick was almost made for my by what fell. Would have loved to have added an RB at that point, but there was nothing compelling, and again, I was pleasantly surprised at what dropped into my lap with Jennings. Rodgers/Fitz/Jones/Jennings...what's not to like? No RB's? RB's and WR are pretty much the same player in this format, and at this point, I'm loading Flex with a guy who can well outperform his draft position...
Was hoping Maclin might fall to 5.08, but when it got to me and Stevie Johnson was there, again, it was like picks were being made for me, as he was my #2 Almost went Reggie Bush here, seeing that the guy drafting 10th had no RB's either, and sure enough he took Reggie, but the Dolphins are, IMO, nowhere near the Bills in terms of quality offense, or Johnson's role in his O vs that of Reggie's in his. My choice was between Johnson, Antonio Brown and Vincent Jackson. It wasn't much of a choice, really. I love Antonio Brown, but there's some uncertainty there still, and VJax changed Teams. Steve Johnson just seemed more...predictable. Still great statistical range for a mid-to-late 5th-Rounder...
Again, I was surprised that when it got to 6.05, that Pettigrew was still hanging around. I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything deal-breaking between Steve Johnson and that pick. I wouldn't have taken Mike Turner if he'd fallen. I had looked ahead and felt fairly certain that two events were equally likely to occur: either some Drafters between 1-7 were going to see I was RB light and punish me for it, or someone from Jonathan Stewart, CJ Spiller, Peyton Hillis or DeAngelo Williams would fall to me at 7.08. Not high on Gore at all, nor Helu, and not BGJE and Ridley in this format, so didn't cry to see them go. Listened to the PodCast after the draft was over. I really came close to landing Spiller, had I been listening in Real Time, I might thought twice about passing on Hillis at 7.08, seeing how I dodged bullet by him still being there having missed out on Stewart and Spiller, but again, I was faced with a player that, IMO, shouldn't have been there in Daniels, who should be a TE1 for someone. Thing is, had I taken Hillis there, I might still have landed Daniels, or Olsen, and certainly Heath Miller, who I think will all occupy the same tier at year's end. I think Daniels has the most upside of that group, but I think my Team would be slightly better with Hillis at RB1 and one of the other TE.
Fact is, though, I'm looking at starting some combination of WR and TE every week that all should be WR1 and TE1's in a 12-Team League, coupled with Aaron Rodgers, and my flex position becomes RB, stocked with a guy who has RB2 upside (DAWilliams), IMO, and some receiving specialists in high-powered offenses (Saints, Patriots), and the two most dynamic options in an offense that's going to be built around RB production (SF), with a lead back who might go down at any moment, and is no favorite to play every game.
Through the 1st six Rounds (Rodgers/Fitz/JuJones/Jennings/StJohnson/Pettigrew), given what was available at the my Picks, I don't think I could have done it any other way, and outside of the Daniels vs Hillis situation in Round 7, there are few other spots where I feel like I might have been better served by making different selections.
I'll post more later...
My web browser read:......F..xxx Guys Pla - Hers Championship - so I thought I was joining a new porn site. 
) But I'll take him in Round 11.
