JStarr

This man speaks truth. I have a lot of $1 and $2 specials that I think might be nice players, but nothing to consider a third option on a fantasy team. I'd be ready to dangle LeBron and Pau in trades, but I doubt I'd get enough for them to make marked improvements.

I'll feel a lot more comfortable about that when Ray Rice goes strolling in with his second or third TD. Besides, I need him to show out huge in another league, too. So, how's everyone done in their other leagues this season? I've got five (yeah, I need a support group), and I was shocked to have all five teams get to the playoffs. Already in the final for my money league (in which I'm beating all the "experts" at Athlon Sports), have two first-round byes this week, and trying to beat a guy who called me out for being a shady trader in my trophy league at home. It's been a hella season, and I need to send Ray Rice and Shady McCoy some Christmas cards for most of it. No you don't, Mike Wallace won't come close to closing the gap. He'd better, he's the other guy I need to beat the dick that assaulted my integrity. His team's done, I have Rice and Wallace. I need about 45 between the two. I also need several adult beverages.

I'll feel a lot more comfortable about that when Ray Rice goes strolling in with his second or third TD. Besides, I need him to show out huge in another league, too. So, how's everyone done in their other leagues this season? I've got five (yeah, I need a support group), and I was shocked to have all five teams get to the playoffs. Already in the final for my money league (in which I'm beating all the "experts" at Athlon Sports), have two first-round byes this week, and trying to beat a guy who called me out for being a shady trader in my trophy league at home. It's been a hella season, and I need to send Ray Rice and Shady McCoy some Christmas cards for most of it.

It was the Division II Title game, They showed Highlights during the Ohio/Utah State game. They both sounded like D1-AA programs and I didn't expect any lower division from Local TV. But Pittsburg State from Kansas? Definitely sounds like a D2 program, Like the University of California in Pennsylvania. Or Indiana (Pa.)...I'm never quite sure who stole what name from who.

Fantasy basketball was the first game I ever played seriously online, and that was back in, I think '98. Back when Steve Nash was a shitty second-round pick, but I took him anyway. I think I've improved a bit since then. All that said...in all these years, I've never done an auction draft, so hopefully we can manage to keep it that way.

Is it full yet? If not, hello. jstarr2k3@hotmail.com

The league, er, Hornets might have stumbled into an even better deal than the one that got shot down. The guys here are six years younger on average, and the payroll tab is about half what Odom/Scola/Martin would have pulled down. And Kaman's expiring, which could make him an attractive trade chip if he stays healthy. That Minnesota draft pick could be the biggest piece of all. This draft class could be truly hot, and the Hornets could have a pair in the top five or ten. Add an Andre Drummond/Anthony Davis/Jared Sullinger big man with a swingman like Kidd-Gilchrist or Harrison Barnes? Or trade down and find a true point like Kendall Marshall? The Bugs could get interesting quickly. With all the solid two-guards that could be in this draft, the Clippers are really going to miss that pick. This was all about straight cash, homie, and the league saved money while still finding a taker who could pony up a potential star to sell to a new owner. Really, both of these teams came out pretty solid in this one. Unless, of course, Chris Paul's knee explodes, which would truly be par for the course with the Clippers.

This is the misguided attempt to emphasize "competitive balance." Sacramento probably could get CP3 for Jimmer, John Salmons, and Tyreke Evans (it works on the Trade Machine). Bunch of spare parts, but it'd be a small-market team getting the star player. The issues that have come up already are going to make everyone else say, "Eh, it ain't worth it" and have Paul staying in NOLA for the year, while Stern tries to beat the bushes for a really stupid billionaire who won't notice that CP3's about to walk, no matter what. Good luck with that.

The idea was to get minority candidates in the door and it has worked. Marvin Lewis was mentioned for how many openings before he finally got a shot? Same with Romeo. Heck, Tomlin is the poster boy for that rule. Weren't the Steelers going to name Wisenhunt as the coach but were blown away by Tomlin in the interview? It was actually Grimm I believe, but yes they were absolutely blown away by Tomlin during his interview. I believe I remember reading that Ron Rivera had a dozen interviews for various head coaching gigs. After that many interviews, you'd have to wonder what the teams are or aren't seeing to decide the guy's not the one to hire.

You know it's an odd group when a Kardashian spouse is well-adjusted by comparison.

And spread the gospel of Belichick throughout the land. If the Chefs show any signs of life over the last three weeks under Romeo, Pioli's handing him a nice fat contract, thinking they can put together Patriots West.

Hey naiwf, could you go to Dallas and do something to goad Dez into getting ejected? I have two leagues riding on him taking a donut. Thanks.

Brandon Pettigrew's hands of stone cost me a win. First time I've ever had a fantasy football tie in 12 years of playing. Feels weird.

There is also the option of affording a little bit greater flexibility with a team's starters. In my leagues I started with friends back home, only one RB is required to start, and a team can go with 1 RB/3 WR/1 TE or 1 RB/4 WR if they see fit. In my radio show's league, we've stretched it even further, allowing 1 RB/2 WR/2 TE, owing to this year's TE group being as deep as I've ever seen. Any RB/WR spot should allow for TE's, as well. And yes, there should probably be some contraction here. 14 teams is just too much, the waiver pool becomes the waiver puddle. 12 usually works perfectly, from my experience. 10 could be good, if you add a couple of spots to the starting lineup (extra flex position, 2 QB's, etc.) On second thought, forget I said anything about 2 QB's. This week, I had to make that traumatic choice between Christian Ponder and A.J. Feeley to fill a spot because of byes. Needless to say, I chose wrong.

Downside of five leagues: three straight weeks of getting screwed by teams with little going for them aside from Tom Brady going completely insane. Although, to be fair, I did screw myself today by panicking on Brandon Pettigrew this morning. Dammit all.

While I'm not trying to pick an argument and in regards to these two schools basketball probably is helping the decision .... none of this is about basketball. Even the ACC is shifting, and has been for a few years now. NC football is just as prominent as NC basketball the last 5 years, same with Wake Forest. Outside of Duke, none of the ACC basketball powers have a football program that seriously trails the hoopsters anymore. Even Maryland has evened out. Simple enough for the Big East schools. Outside of the Big 12, the Big East is the conference on life support. There's no more room in the Big 10, and the ACC is probably looking for back up plans. The ACC is much more attractive overall and at least this way you're being proactive and not ending up "in a Baylor." King, you're my boy and all, but put the pipe down. Oklahoma football isn't as prominent as UNC basketball, let alone UNC football. Soon as Carolina football's ranked preseason top-5 every season, wins a couple of titles, or Everett Withers starts challenging the upper reaches of the all-time win lists, then we can talk. College football's about to make me completely puke.

Teddy Ginn did one thing that everyone's mentioning, and one thing that they're not. And I really need Brandon Lloyd to lose about three fumbles tonight. Who do I talk to about that?

I'd hate to hear what they sound like now... The sizzling of frying canola oil, I'd wager, because Teddy just fried dem bitches up extra crispy.

That squawking sound was Ted Ginn breaking the Seachickens' collective necks.

I know that no one gives a shit about basketball in the whole realignment orgy, but considering the $15 billion tied up in March Madness, it should become some kind of factor sometime. Kansas isn't likely to want to have its basketball team suffer from any "Little Sisters of the Poor" demerits of playing in the MWC, so the Big East will probably have its hand out to KU, KSU, and Mizzou (if the Tiggers don't follow the wagon train to the SEC). That would give the Big East 12 football teams and 20 (dear God, where does it end?) in basketball. Either that or the Kansases try to join the Oklahomas in the Pac-16. The conferences just all need to die in a fire, and the map needs to be redrawn strictly based on location. I've done it, you can actually divide 120 teams into six strictly geographic regions of 20 with only one state (Idaho) being split. And there are still some compelling football matchups involved, too.

WR Deion Branch, Pats.

You forgot that a major component of GPA at OSU is the number of wins you bring to the team. Plus, he got tons of extra credit points in Automotive Appreciation. It's an extra letter grade for each different car one drives. Dude was one Miata away from the Dean's List.

I was more than happy and ready to make that last pick, but I think I was probably going to pick Pettigrew anyway. The Magic List saved me some time and effort! Thanks, Magic List! I can count four just off the top of my head. Plus, you've also given out a couple. Heh.

Good, now I can officially say this. Bastard. Anyway... RB Darren Sproles, Saints.

Packers D was already taken.