Keeper league... our auction was this past weekend. $100 cap and we could keep one IDP from last season. I am admittedly a bit of a bargain IDP shopper in our shallow league since scarcity isn't an issue starting only one guy at each spot.

DL - Will Smith $1

Mario Williams and Suggs both went to $2 and I couldn't stomach $3 as much as I wanted both. Could have gone $2 on Trent Cole and decided I'd rather have the extra buck for offense, considering I like Smith almost as much. Kampman went for $3 and Peppers went for $2. Jared Allen was a keeper. I chose Smith for $1 over Kearney and Tamba Hali who were still available.

NOTE: I'm considering offering the guy who got Mario Williams at $2, my 3rd string TE (Utecht) in a straight up deal. I already have Winslow and Greg Olsen so I think I can stomach the loss to upgrade DE. Thoughts on this??? Is the upgrade from Smith to Williams worth losing a solid backup TE? (I really like Utecht, fwiw... but can't trade Olsen because he is on a rookie contract and is salary exempt)

LB - Jonathan Vilma $1

The top 5 were keepers other than David Harris. The decision was pretty much made for me on Harris when he got bid up to $3 and I wasn't going $4. Wouldn't even have gone $3. I like Vilma way too much knowing I would get him at $1. My only guilt is that Kirk Morrison is still available too. Assuming they are both $1, do you like Vilma over Morrison (or vice versa)?

DB - Gibril Wilson $1

My keeper and very happy with him. Sean Jones inexplicably didn't get taken. I almost took him just to have. I may still.

I also have DL Chris Long and LB Keith Rivers (both salary exempt) from our rookie draft this year. I view both of them strictly as bye week fill-ins and depth so they don't really come into play too much unless I wanted to gain roster space and go with them as starters (unlikely).

Thoughts are always welcome...

I would've bid harder for some top DL talent. It is a shallow position and I'm not as high on Will Smith as you are. Cole I would've bid at least 2, probably 3, maybe even 4 to get as he is the closest thing to a lock to be a top 5 DL this year after Allen/Mario. As a Morrison and Vilma owner I like Morrison over Vilma. I am more comfortable with Morrison as a #1 and Vilma as a #2 with #1 upside. Gibril is a very nice DB I am trying to acquire him currently.

I have Morrison slightly below Vilma, so either way would be ok. Vilma has much more upside, but more risk too.

As for the Williams thing...why on earth would another owner trade a stud like Williams for a low grade TE like Utecht?

There are a number of factors that make this possible. First of all, he already has Jared Allen who shares the same bye week as Williams. Secondly, his only TE is Todd Heap who is already banged up and there are no FA pickups prior to week 1.

Williams is a luxury for him. One he can't play without sitting Allen. Not saying that makes the trade a HR, but if I include Will Smith along with Utecht, I think it is a good deal for both.

Thanks for your thoughts.