10/19/06
A point per rush attempt? That’s absurd. You have to keep
two kickers on your roster at all times? How stupid. You can’t
drop a player unless he’s hurt? That’s ridiculous.
If you’re feeling similar frustrations in the fantasy football
league you’re in, maybe it’s time to run your own league
as its commissioner.
Being the commissioner of a league can cause its own headaches,
however. Here are five things to keep in mind to avoid having a
weekly migraine as a league’s commissioner:
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate:
The easiest way to get frustrated as a league’s commissioner
is having your fellow owners crying foul because they didn’t
know a certain rule. Make sure every member knows where to find
the league’s rules.
Make A Rulebook: This will come
in handy when a league member questions something. Have the rules
in writing, so if a problem does come up, you can refer to the rules.
Make the rules as detailed as possible, covering every situation
you can possibly think of. You won’t think of all the situations,
so when those new situations come up (and they will), update your
rulebook.
Stick To The Rules: Once you’ve
established rules for a season, don’t change them once the
draft is completed or at any point during the season. A change should
only be made with unanimous support from the league’s members.
Otherwise, wait to change the rule until the following season.
Do What You Want (most of the time):
It’s your league. It should have all the rules and settings
you like. After all, that’s why you’re running it, right?
However, when establishing rules and settings, consider the league’s
members’ opinions. If you propose something and all the other
owners are against it, then you’ll probably want to adhere
to what the other owners want. If you run your league like a dictatorship,
you’ll have a hard time keeping members.
When It Comes To Trades, Be A Dictator:
I know, you’re thinking, “Wait a second. You just said
don’t run your league like a dictatorship?” Well, except
for trades. You, and only you, should decide which trades go through
and which ones are denied. Putting trades up for a league vote only
creates controversy, because all the owners almost never will agree
on if a trade is fair or not. Think about it. If the NFL allowed
all the owners to vote on trades, how often do you think the majority
of owners would be in favor of a trade that they know benefits their
opponents? Almost never.
Hot Read
Roy Williams, Detroit: Wide
receivers often have breakout years in their third years. Williams
is breaking out as one of the elite fantasy receivers this season,
leading the NFL in receiving yards (552), despite playing in just
one series two weeks ago due to a stinger in his back. His owners
should be salivating at the Lions’ remaining schedule. Detroit
faces just three pass defenses ranked in the top 15, four ranked
25th or worse and six 21st or worse in its 10 remaining games.
Broken Play(er)
Jamal Lewis, Baltimore: The
running back has rushed for fewer than 45 yards the last three
weeks and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1. Lewis
has just two 100-yard rushing efforts in his last 21 games. The
Ravens fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel a week after Lewis
got just nine carries for 41 yards in a 23-21 loss against Carolina.
Coach Brian Billick takes over the offense, which likely means
Lewis will get more carries than the 16 he’s averaged, but
only enough to make him a borderline No. 2 fantasy running back.
Off The Bench
Wes Welker, Miami: Six teams
have byes this week. If you have bye-week troubles at wide receiver
and are looking for a fill in, the Dolphin could be a solid option.
Welker leads the Dolphins in receptions (33) and receiving yards
(355), and Miami takes on Green Bay and its last-ranked passing
defense at home.
Safe Bet
Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati: The
running back’s string of mediocre games will reach four
against Carolina. The Bengals are banged up on their offensive
line, with tackle Levi Jones and center Rich Braham out, and the
Panthers’ run defense has been stellar during their four-game
winning streak. Carolina held Baltimore’s Lewis to 41 yards,
Cleveland’s Reuben Droughns to 65 yards, New Orleans Deuce
McAllister to 39 yards and Tampa Bay’s Carnell Williams
to 48 yards in the last four weeks.
Extra Point
Denver wide receiver Rod Smith’s days as a solid fantasy
player are over. The arrival of Javon Walker has killed Smith’s
production, making him a player fantasy owners should drop. Smith
registered just one catch for 12 yards against pathetic Oakland
last week and has just 16 catches, 136 yards and one touchdown
in the Broncos’ struggling offense.
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