Going into this contest I had a few objectives.
1) Use every roster spot. I think it's crazy to roll with a 20 man team. Your odds of having a bad week go up and the injury risk is even greater. The money savings between 20 and 24 players is not great enough to make it worth it in a best ball format.
2) Don't waste money on the top three to five players at any position. Now, I'm not saying that Tom Brady isn't worth $37. He's a fantastic fantasy player. But if Brady gets hurt or has a bad game, your margin for error is very slim.
3) Make sure I have enough players at each position. I think rolling with two QBs, Ks, or TEs is a huge risk here.
QB - Donovan McNabb - 24
QB - David Garrard - 18
QB - Byron Leftwich - 4
I think McNabb is going to have a big year, and I think he will outscore the three most expensive guys some weeks. Garrard isn't a cheap backup. But I don't like the thought of rolling with a Chad Pennington in case McNabb gets hurt for the year. Leftwich is a scrub, for sure. I don't even expect him to score for me, but I like having a third body there for injury insurance. Other players seriously considered: Schaub (concerned about his ability to stay healthy), Hasselbeck, Hill, Pennington, Flacco.
RB - Steve Slaton - 37
RB - Willie Parker - 16
RB - Leon Washington - 12
RB - Michael Bush - 6
RB - Sammy Morris - 4
RB - James Davis - 2
Slaton seems like a good value at $37. I think Willie Parker is the steal of this contest. I considered Mendenhall as a backup3, but I am not sold on him. Washington is a great value at $12. I had Hightower on my team, and really wanted to keep him, but couldn't. I think Bush and Morris will score for me on certain weeks and represent good value as TD vultures. I had Edgerrin James on my team for several days. But I thought that James Davis represented far more upside. Other players seriously considered: Westbrook, Jacobs, Julius Jones, Larry Johnson, Ray Rice.
WR - Roddy White - 33
WR - Chad Ochocinco - 27
WR - Chris Henry - 12
WR - Derrick Mason - 9
WR - Nate Burleson - 5
WR - Percy Harvin - 5
WR - Patrick Crayton - 4
Of all the big name WRs, Roddy White represented great value for me. I've spent big money on guys like Larry Fitzgerald before and regretted it. I think Ochocinco is a steal. I didn't intend to have two Bengal WRs on my team, but Chris Henry was a bargain. Frankly, I am surprised that people were willing to spend $7 more for Coles. Derrick Mason is a no-brainer, and could be the best value in this contest. Nate Burleson seems healthy, and I am certain he will score for me many times this year. Harvin is a popular choice in this contest, but I didn't know that going in. I think Crayton is a super value at $4. FF experts and the Cowboys themselves always seem to be down on Crayton. But I really don't care if his hands aren't that great. He will absolutely score for me some weeks. Other players seriously considered: Royal, Boldin/Walter (hamstrings already? no thanks), Welker, Gage, Driver, Berrian, Hester, Vincent Jackson.
TE - John Carlson - 11
TE - Brent Celek - 7
TE - Jermichael Finley - 3
This is my favorite group in the contest. I think it's crazy to spend $27 on Witten. Carlson may very well outscore Witten some weeks for less than 1/2 the money. I think Celek is a bargain. I know Finley is on a ton of teams, but that guy is far too talented to not risk $3 on. Other players seriously considered: Daniels, Zach Miller, Chris Baker.
PK - Josh Scobee - 2
PK - Shayne Graham - 2
PK - Josh Brown - 1
TD - Green Bay Packers - 3
TD - Washington Redskins - 3
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come Sunday night.
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My team is still unloved.
