Accept a loss in a week for the sake of depth? (1 Viewer)

[solorca]

In week 7, I am going to have a tough decision to make on my team, and I'm looking for some strategic thoughts from the Shark Pool for opinions on what to do in situations like this. Do you drop a player that you have high hopes for a chance at getting a few points from a bye week fill in or two, or do you just accept the loss and hang on to the players that may help you win down the road?

My situation looks like this (I've already made my decision, so I'm just including it for purposes of discussion)...

All season, I've been looking at week 7 and thinking that if an injury or two hit, I could be in a bad spot. With only five running backs and my top two guys on bye (Jackson and McCoy), I planned on playing Best, Jones, and Thomas as my two and a flex. Instead, Jones is definitely out, Best is most likely out, and Thomas will hopefully be able to play. I'm probably looking at only having one RB available for me to use at best. On the WR side, I have Crabtree, Little, and Ford sitting at the bottom of my WR group...all of which I think have high upside and I would like to hang on to. I could drop one for a player like Tashard Choice who gives me little hope of getting more than a few points...but he would at least let me fill out a team and have a chance. In my case, I'm 5-1 and could afford to absorb a loss...but at 6-1, I probably put myself in a position to make the playoffs almost guaranteed (six wins has gotten the playoffs the past three seasons).

In my case, I sent out one trade offer of Jacoby Ford for Demarco Murray...but other than that, I'm just going to accept the probable loss and drop to 5-2.

 

[ponchsox]

I would have cut Ford and picked up Choice. Never assume a loss, crazy things happen every week.

 

[Kenny Powers]

In general if your near the top of your league record wise, I think its better to stand pat, and take a (more probable) loss.

In your case, Id do whatever I could that was reasonable to get Murray. DHB is likely the only OAK WR worth owning with OAK having Boller or Andre Pryor at QB, so Id drop Ford anyway if it came to that in your case.

 

[habsfan]

I doubt I would be a certain as you appear about a loss in an upcoming week and I would have a hard time taking a zero at RB.

 

[footballnerd]

I've been toying with this decision in my leagues, one time I submitted an incomplete lineup and dumped all my DL IDPs to pick up some LBs. Another I have so many on bye I might just roll with what I have rather than drop anyone, and may have to run short the following week too. Prob will drop a few seed spots, but my team is pretty strong and just needs to make playoffs.

 

[T J]

Take the loss now and hang onto your depth if you believe you're a contender. If it's a must win for you, you've got to play for the points now.

 

[Captain Hook]

Sorry I don't see how this is not an Asst Coach Forum post

 

[solorca]

I doubt I would be a certain as you appear about a loss in an upcoming week and I would have a hard time taking a zero at RB.

Well, unless Daniel Thomas has another setback (which is certainly possible), I would be starting him...so it would just be one RB that I would be without. Regardless, I actually got the Murray owner to take Ford for him, so I'll be starting him instead. I was honestly planning on losing this week anyway, because of Jackson and McCoy being on a bye and VJax playing against Revis. At least now I'll be able to put out a starting lineup (again, as long as Thomas doesn't get hurt)

 

[footballnerd]

I doubt I would be a certain as you appear about a loss in an upcoming week and I would have a hard time taking a zero at RB.

Well, unless Daniel Thomas has another setback (which is certainly possible), I would be starting him...so it would just be one RB that I would be without. Regardless, I actually got the Murray owner to take Ford for him, so I'll be starting him instead. I was honestly planning on losing this week anyway, because of Jackson and McCoy being on a bye and VJax playing against Revis. At least now I'll be able to put out a starting lineup (again, as long as Thomas doesn't get hurt)

Thats the best you can do. Nothing like the Bye Week Blues

 

[bonesman]

I'll submit an incomplete lineup if I think I would be dropping pieces that might be important to my team later on. In your case, unless it's a dynasty I see an easily droppable piece.

 

[solorca]

I'll submit an incomplete lineup if I think I would be dropping pieces that might be important to my team later on. In your case, unless it's a dynasty I see an easily droppable piece.

I assume you mean Ford? I know that some are mixed on Little and Crabtree, but I like the potential both of them are showing.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Now that I think about it, I was in the same situation for week 6. In 1 league, I dropped Baldwin for DHB, it wouldve cost me a win as Im going to win by only 6. In another league (only 8 teams, short benches, start 2QBs), I dropped Gates for Pettigrew and that also was the difference between a win and a loss

 

[bonesman]

I'll submit an incomplete lineup if I think I would be dropping pieces that might be important to my team later on. In your case, unless it's a dynasty I see an easily droppable piece.

I assume you mean Ford? I know that some are mixed on Little and Crabtree, but I like the potential both of them are showing.

Yea, Ford is expendable unless you get big points for return yards. Chances are he'll be waiting for you on the wire after week 7 anyway.

 

[J. Cyrus]

Sorry I don't see how this is not an Asst Coach Forum post

^it's not.. #1. the OP said he's already made this decision and is posting this scenario/type of dilemma as a broader discussion topic rather than framing it as any sort of specific advice he is seeking.#2. I'm sure many ppl have given this topic some thought, and having a worthwhile discussion on it develop benefits The Shark Pool IMO.. which is why we all come here, to discuss meaningful fantasy football-related subject matter.

 

[Luke Skywalker]

I've got Brady, Welker, Gronkowski, Fred Jackson and Gore all out this week. I'm just going to bite the bullet and take the loss.

 

[De Novo]

In a redraft, I can't think of many realistic situation where I would take a 0 at a position. I've seen teams start out 5-0 and miss the playoffs. If you're 5-0 and giving up points to save depth for later, you may not have depth. It's a long season and a lot can happen.

I'd rather take the sure points now in exchange for the improbable likelihood the guy I cut might be worth 2 points per week. Go back and look at the "last guy" on your roster each week. Usually, they don't amount to much; even when they do, they still may not crack your starting lineup.

I have bye week problems this week in one of my leagues and I wasn't able to find a taker for Jackie Battle in a 2 for 1. So I cut him. I have some RB depth and don't want to take a 0 at QB, TE, or WR.

 

[Kenny Powers]

In a redraft, I can't think of many realistic situation where I would take a 0 at a position. I've seen teams start out 5-0 and miss the playoffs. If you're 5-0 and giving up points to save depth for later, you may not have depth. It's a long season and a lot can happen.

I'd rather take the sure points now in exchange for the improbable likelihood the guy I cut might be worth 2 points per week. Go back and look at the "last guy" on your roster each week. Usually, they don't amount to much; even when they do, they still may not crack your starting lineup.

I have bye week problems this week in one of my leagues and I wasn't able to find a taker for Jackie Battle in a 2 for 1. So I cut him. I have some RB depth and don't want to take a 0 at QB, TE, or WR.

Bad call. Something tells me JACKIE BATTLE wasnt the last guy on your roster, so you didnt even listen to your own advice.

 

[killrobotkill]

How strong is your opponents team? Is it possible you could win the game anyway, even with a short roster?

Are total points a tiebreaker in your league?

 

[solorca]

How strong is your opponents team? Is it possible you could win the game anyway, even with a short roster?Are total points a tiebreaker in your league?

In my case, the answer is yes for both. With that said, the options on the waiver wire would be at the Dexter McCluster or Ronnie Brown level.

 

[netnalp]

I'd drop Ford, he's not likely to be consistent enough where you'd ever put him in your lineup. It's also very possible that he doesn't get picked up.

 

[solorca]

I'd drop Ford, he's not likely to be consistent enough where you'd ever put him in your lineup. It's also very possible that he doesn't get picked up.

I was actually able to trade Ford for Murray. He should beable to givr me something for a week.

 

[the_Truth]

There are certainly situations where this is the shark move, but this sure as hell ain't it.

The value of Ford as your 7th WR over whatever FA is the flavor of the week next week is neglible.

Choice might not put up many points, but every point he does put up is huge for win expectancy.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I'd drop Ford, he's not likely to be consistent enough where you'd ever put him in your lineup. It's also very possible that he doesn't get picked up.

I was actually able to trade Ford for Murray. He should beable to givr me something for a week.

Gotta say Im shocked he accepted this since Felix is probably out at least 2 weeks, likely 3-4, but good job my man

 

[Utter Chaos]

I learned my lesson the hard way last season to always put out the best team you can.

I'm between jobs and transactions are $5.00 in our league. I carried one kicker and when he had a bye I decided to take a zero and not pick up anybody else. I was 6-1 and had the most points in the league. I ended up losing by 3.7 that week.

At the end of the season I had scored the most points and tied for the best record in the league at 11-3, at least three games better than the other 10 teams. Problem was the other 11-3 team was in my division and beat me twice during the season. I ended up playing in the first round of the playoffs and had my worst week of the season and got beat.

So by saving $5.00 I cost myself the #1 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, the $50 prize that goes to the #1 seed, and most likely a percentage of the prize money which goes to the top 3 teams (65/25/10).

Moral of the story is don't accept a loss.

 

[Bud]

For the integrity of the league, it is your duty to fill out a complete starting roster.

 

[Frank Black]

I have mixed feelings on the topic.

Interesting to see the comments about Ford. I dropped Ford (the least valuable long term person on my roster) to pick up a K because I didn't want to drop Novak and have to re-bid on him later. I am near the top of my league and I thought about not picking up a K and gambling on the loss. If I had known that (1) I would lose by 3 points anyhow and (2) that Palmer would sign in Oak, I may have kept the depth instead of submitting a full active lineup. On the other hand, the fact that I lost by 3 points shows why I needed to pick up the K.

To me, unless the rules have guidelines on this, there is no obligation to submit a full lineup with active players. From that point, it depends on what the standings are and how competitive the league is. In my league, regardless of how lopsided standings may be earlier in the season, the last 1-2 playoff spots are always determined in the last 1-2 weeks of the season.

If you play in such a league where the season-end standings are close, you snould probably do your best to win each game. I have seen too many strong teams quickly fall apart due to multiple injuries at once and then plummet in the standings. In that event, you may wish you had not gambled by not submitting a complete lineup.

 

[habsfan]

For the integrity of the league, it is your duty to fill out a complete starting roster.

I bristle every time I hear this platitude. It implies there's absolutely no difference between an engaged, competitive owner doing what he thinks is best for his season versus some guy that forgot to set his line-up.

 

[spodog]

I'd drop Ford, he's not likely to be consistent enough where you'd ever put him in your lineup. It's also very possible that he doesn't get picked up.

I was actually able to trade Ford for Murray. He should beable to givr me something for a week.

That was a good move. Since your question was hypothetical anyway (you stated you'd already made up your mind before even asking), if you couldn't have swung the trade, you should've cut Ford and acquired whatever RB that was available to get you a shot at some points. Yes, there is some potential at the end of our WR bench with Little, Crabby and Ford, but why hold all of three of these guys and take a zero in an RB spot?

 

[solorca]

I'd drop Ford, he's not likely to be consistent enough where you'd ever put him in your lineup. It's also very possible that he doesn't get picked up.

I was actually able to trade Ford for Murray. He should beable to givr me something for a week.

That was a good move. Since your question was hypothetical anyway (you stated you'd already made up your mind before even asking), if you couldn't have swung the trade, you should've cut Ford and acquired whatever RB that was available to get you a shot at some points. Yes, there is some potential at the end of our WR bench with Little, Crabby and Ford, but why hold all of three of these guys and take a zero in an RB spot?

I think that in the end, I probably would have done that. When I actually started to think about my opponents roster, I started to see an opportunity to steal a win if everything falls into place...so I think I would have had to play for the win. It's easy to say that I'm going to ride with just Daniel Thomas and a 0 in the other spot, but since my opponent is starting Aaron Rodgers at QB and very little elsewhere (Deangelo, James Starks, Santonio, and Tony Gonzalez are his best players for next week), I may actually have a shot to beat him. I think if I was playing a better team, I probably would have accepted the loss a little easier. Plus, Ronnie Brown is available on our waiver wire, so I probably would have dropped Ford for him, since I have Jahvid Best (I think I'll keep Murray over Brown, given the strong week 7 matchup).As it stands, I'll be starting Tony Romo at QB, Murray and Thomas at RB, VJax, Moss, Little, and Harvin at WR, and Olsen at TE. I will have a shot to beat him, or at least keep it close.

 

[haterade]

Losses are unacceptable

Period

 

[De Novo]

In a redraft, I can't think of many realistic situation where I would take a 0 at a position. I've seen teams start out 5-0 and miss the playoffs. If you're 5-0 and giving up points to save depth for later, you may not have depth. It's a long season and a lot can happen.

I'd rather take the sure points now in exchange for the improbable likelihood the guy I cut might be worth 2 points per week. Go back and look at the "last guy" on your roster each week. Usually, they don't amount to much; even when they do, they still may not crack your starting lineup.

I have bye week problems this week in one of my leagues and I wasn't able to find a taker for Jackie Battle in a 2 for 1. So I cut him. I have some RB depth and don't want to take a 0 at QB, TE, or WR.

Bad call. Something tells me JACKIE BATTLE wasnt the last guy on your roster, so you didnt even listen to your own advice.

As I wrote above, I have bye week problems. For the avoidance of doubt, problems is plural. I had to fill 4 empty roster spots (QB, WR, WR, TE). Battle was one of 4 people I cut. Thus, I did follow my own advice.

 

[Instinctive]

For the integrity of the league, it is your duty to fill out a complete starting roster.

That's bull####. For the integrity of your league, you should do whatever is in the best interest of your team. If I drafted a team of week 5 byes in my entire starting lineup (I did, by the way in one league - Ray Rice-SJax started it off, Romo/Witten were good values...Boldin, SMoss, Little, Marshall)It's actually an intelligent strategy if the values are right. I went for Santana over some guys I had in the same tier at his spot because I was os heavy on week 5 byes already. I'd have lost my #### if I had to drop any of those guys to fill out a lineup for one week to the detriment of my season.I like the strategy. Puts you at 100% for all the bye weeks while others are usually somewhere between 70% and 90% of their full strength.

 

[solorca]

For the integrity of the league, it is your duty to fill out a complete starting roster.

This may be true if you have the opportunity, but sometimes you just don't have the ability to do so without hurting your team. Now, thanks to a rash of injuries and bye weeks, I have my RB situation worked out. With today's news of injuries though, there is a possibility that I could be without two additional receivers and my tight end. So, looking at my team, I would have this if all three of them are unable to go (unlikely at this point, but for the sake of argument, I'm listing this as an example).RB1 - Daniel ThomasRB2 - Demarco MurrayWR1 - Santana MossWR2 - Greg LittleWR3 - None (Vincent Jackson hurt)Flex - None (Percy Harvin hurt)TE - None (Greg Olsen hurt)So, in order to "do my duty to fill out a roster", I am going to have to drop three of the following in order to pick up one week rental players in a game that I probably have no chance of winning anyway because of the poor team I'll be putting out...Vincent JacksonPercy HarvinGreg OlsenMichael CrabtreeMario ManninghamJermaine Gresham (leaving me without a TE next week, when Greg Olsen is on bye)Mark Sanchez (leaving me with just one QB in a league where all 32 starters are rostered)I don't know about you, but I think it's my duty to give my team the best chance of winning and making the playoffs...and I'm probably not making the playoffs if I cut three of these players.Screw the integrity of my league...I want to win.

 

[stubby]

I did this exact same thing last week. I know you don't care about my roster, but I have to illustrate my point, and how else can you do illustrate your point to the OP?

WR on my roster were (start 3 each week).

Santana Moss vs Phi

Larry Fitzgerald bye

Eric Decker bye

Sidney Rice bye

A. Johnson injured

The rest of my bench consisted of:

Ingram

Ridley

Tolbert

O.Daniels

The only one of those I considered dropping was Ridley, and I still would be down one WR. I decided not to do anything, as I liked all my players going forward.

It helped that I was playing the overall points leader, who was 5-0 at the time, and he was already heavily favored. His lineup last week was....

Matt Ryan

R.Rice

Fred Jackson

Welker

James Jones

Burleson

Jimmy Graham

Janikowski

49ers Def/ST

He crushed me, 124 to 72.5

The rest of my lineup was:

Stafford

Felix

S-Jax

Gronkowski

Hanson

Bengals

The 8 points or so I would have picked up for each Waiver Wire WR (if I picked correctly) wouldn't have made a difference, and I would have lost players I wanted to hang onto. Second guess me if you want, but I knew Felix and S-Jax weren't going to do that much, and I was the predicted to be the "underdog" by 30 going into the game.

 

[Mikey16x]

I agree with those that stand pat. I was in the same situation last week and took a few loses in some of my leagues (I targeted a lot of the same players). I'm in first place across the board with only one of the losses knocking me down to 2nd. I couldn't drop any of my players, nor would I. Take the loss in week 6, win a championship later.

 

[Tony Reali]

I'm about to have that major issue this week. We only have 5 bench spots plus an IR spot. I have McCoy, FJax, Eli, Hernandez, and Reggie on the bench with Felix in my IR slot. I decided to pick up and start Demarco Murray along with Starks (with Marshall, VJax, and Little at WR/flex0 rather than replacing the Bengals defense that's currently on a bye with the Browns.

I just don't know if Felix or Reggie are droppable yet. I spent a damn 3rd rounder on him FFS.

 

[killrobotkill]

In situations like this, if there's no rule in your league that forces you to field a complete roster (and it sounds like there isn't), you should be allowed to do it if you choose to. Personally, I prefer leagues that force everyone to field complete rosters. The leagues I'm in are all like that, and if I were the commish of your league I would've made it a rule before the season started. But if there is no rule, nobody can fault you for exploiting this to your advantage. It's kind of similar to NFL teams resting their starters in a Week 17 meaningless game before the playoffs start - there's no rule or ethics forcing the Patriots to start Tom Brady in that situation. If you decide to do this, and there's a huge stink in the league over your move next week, just tell them to make it a rule to field complete rosters, starting next year.

 

[spodog]

For the integrity of the league, it is your duty to fill out a complete starting roster.

There are other circumstances where this falls apart as well. Lets say you're in your final week of your regular season. You're up by 1 point on our opponent, who you're battling for the final playoff spot in your league. All his players are done as of Sunday's games, but you have a your QB still to go on Monday Night. Your QB is Romo, who has been wearing a protective jacket all week to protect broken ribs. You could start Romo, and probably be fine. But there is a chance that you start Romo, he throws 2 picks on his team's first two possesions, and on the 2nd pick he also gets nailed in the rib cage and has to exit the game for the night. Now you're sitting on a one point loss and you've missed the playoffs, when simply leaving your QB spot empty would have guaranteed you the victory and the playoff berth. Granted, these situations are rare, but they do occur.

 

[footballnerd]

I'm about to have that major issue this week. We only have 5 bench spots plus an IR spot. I have McCoy, FJax, Eli, Hernandez, and Reggie on the bench with Felix in my IR slot. I decided to pick up and start Demarco Murray along with Starks (with Marshall, VJax, and Little at WR/flex0 rather than replacing the Bengals defense that's currently on a bye with the Browns. I just don't know if Felix or Reggie are droppable yet. I spent a damn 3rd rounder on him FFS.

ya if you have a roster with the same byes like that you usually take the loss. ive seen teams with 5 or 6 guys on bye, no way to recover from that. it has to be avoided during the draft.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

I learned my lesson the hard way last season to always put out the best team you can.

I'm between jobs and transactions are $5.00 in our league. I carried one kicker and when he had a bye I decided to take a zero and not pick up anybody else. I was 6-1 and had the most points in the league. I ended up losing by 3.7 that week.

At the end of the season I had scored the most points and tied for the best record in the league at 11-3, at least three games better than the other 10 teams. Problem was the other 11-3 team was in my division and beat me twice during the season. I ended up playing in the first round of the playoffs and had my worst week of the season and got beat.

So by saving $5.00 I cost myself the #1 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, the $50 prize that goes to the #1 seed, and most likely a percentage of the prize money which goes to the top 3 teams (65/25/10).

Moral of the story is don't accept a loss.

Thanks for this. It helped me win my matchup and gave me the high score in my league this week. Was struggling with dropping Julio Jones or taking the 0. Already had Nicks on Bye, so I picked up Demaryius Thomas and dropped Jones. Helped me overcome my 0 from Torain.

 

[Walton Goggins]

I've always played a full roster but this week is causing issues. 1. There's not any decent FA RB available 2. My opponent so far has S Green starting but there's a bye week which makes me believe 3. He is waiting for me to drop one of my RB on the bench and 4. The best FA WR available is Manningham. My bench including all RB which I can only start two (this is a $ 10 team league):

DeMarco Murray

Ryan Matthews

Tolbert

Blount

Beanie

Aaron Rodgers

Battle

Roddy White

I am starting WR Mike Wallace, other WR is Roddy (bye)

I am in first by a game and so far highest pt total. My opponent isn't the only team hurting bad for RB and I would try and make a trade but all but one team seems to be willing to deal. The only team willing to deal is last and nobody I'm interested in.