FanProphet

Safe Is Not Always Sound

Undoubtedly, Michael Fabiano the fantasy football writer at NFL.com is a fantastic analyst when it comes to drafting fantasy football players and understanding the quality of talent that it requires to be drafted in the 1st or 2nd round in any league. He definitely knows his material when it comes to safe, secure, and obvious picks, however, I have a hard time agreeing with his philosophy because he is unwilling to take any risks. His safe and secure draft strategy sort of reminds me when Marty (Schottenheimer) ball was in full effect in Cleveland when he would implement a prevent defense an entire 4th quarter, and then run Metcalf up the middle. Fabiano is an awesome writer with a fan base that I could only dream of, but his style is consistent with picking the best players based on public opinion, popularity, and the previous years success. It makes sense, safe and secure so he does not have to take responsibility for being wrong.

I understand, the NFL is all about consistency, past productivity, safe and secure picks, but what separtes great players, great coaches, great general managers, and great owners from their below average counterparts, is their ability to see past the obvious by using a prophetic ability to draft the not so obvious fantasy stud. There is no difference when drafting a quality fantasy roster, you must have the capability of seeing what nobody else can, then exploit your oppositions weaknessess.

For example, out of his top 12 position players, most of his selections are the safe play. I don’t want safe plays, safe plays don’t win championships, safe plays in any sport will only get you on the golf course early, when everybody else is competing for the money and championship bragging rights. There’s nothing fun about safe plays and in Fantasy Football, safe won’t get you the money and definitely no respect.

Starting with his top twelve quarterbacks Fabiano has Matt Leinart 12th overall and (safe play and fan favorite) Michael Vick in his top 10. Vick is not even close to being in anybodys top 10 qb’s, not in fantasy or in the NFL. This is where we differ, in my opinion, Leinart is a better selection and a top five quarterback for these three reasons. This will be Leinart’s second season (first full), a receiving tandem that ranks among the top 3 in the NFL, and a bad defense which will put the Cards in many come from behind passing situations.

Once again a safe play in the running back category. I think they’re consistent, so I won’t argue them too much, however, I do have a different philosophy as for when and why you should draft a not so obvious running back. Firstly, you have to consider Brandon Jacobs on any top 10 board(Fabiano doesn’t even mention him), especially with the retirment of Tiki Barber and Coughlin’s need to prove he can run the ball. Brandon Jacobs is a beast and even if he doesn’t gain 1500 yards he’ll have over 1100 and double digit touchdowns. BTW, have you guys seen the amount of intensity this youngster runs with? With that said you also have to include Willis McGahee (not even in his top 12) in the top five or six. There’s no question that McGahee is a great back and now playing for a team with a great defense (Baltimore) and their ability to control the ball, you can only see a tremendous upside. My last big question mark is, where’s Deuce McCallister? Bush is tough but don’t expect him to control the ground game on a good team with a dangerous passing game. Somebody has to pound the ball when the Saints have the lead. Don’t worry fans the Saints are not going to risk ’superman’ Bush in ground controlling/short yard situations.

Now let’s take a look at his top 12 wide-receiver selections. No Randy Moss, case closed. Moss is no idiot, he has matured, and he has always been willing to win.