Preseason Injury Roundup

It’s this time of the year when everyone starts complaining that the preseason is too long and all that happens is players are injured unnecessarily. And that may be true. But the preseason is not going anywhere. And, unfortunately, neither are preseason injuries. Here are some notable injuries to be aware of as we head into the regular [fantasy] season. I am sure I missed a few. And I might have even made up a couple. It is kinda hard to get a read on injuries during the preseason, since teams are not required to disclose them on an injury report.

QB Tom Brady (NE): Brady injured his throwing shoulder when DT Albert Haynesworth fell on him in the third preseason game. But Brady is apparently back at practice and expects to be fine for the opener. So Brady and Moss owners can breath easily.

QB Drew Brees (NO): I know, I know. Brees himself is not hurt. I am probably freaking people out by putting him on this list. But I only include him here because his starting LT is injured and will miss the first part of the season. And, just in case you did not know, the LT is a very important component of the passing game. Brees should do just fine, but it is something to be aware of.

QB Brent Farve (MIN): [Please note that I refuse to call him by his real name. That person retired a couple of years ago from the Packers.

QB Matt Cassel (KC): As if he did not have enough question marks hanging over his head, now he has to deal with a knee and ankle injury. There are conflicting reports regarding his availability for week 1, but it seems likely that he will miss some time. Keep checking on the updates as week 1 gets closer. But you should have a backup plan.

QB Matt Schaub (HOU): Shocking to find Schaub on the injury report, huh? I am always tempted by his talent, but I simply cannot bring myself to draft him anymore. He is too injury-prone. And now he will enter the season beat up. Which is not a good sign.

QB Kyle Orton (DEN): Orton has what is being described as an “open dislocation”. I am no doctor (nor do I play one on TV), but that does not sound good. As with Cassel, there are mixed reports on whether he will plan in week 1. Hopefully you drafted Orton as your QB2, so it does not matter. If you drafted him as your QB1, well, you might want to check the waiver wire and see who else is out there.

QB Carson Palmer (CIN): Palmer has been nursing a high-ankle sprain all preseason. Which is not good. But he claims to be healing and that he will be ready for Week 1. His availability will have a huge impact on the rest of the CIN players.

Auction vs. Snake Draft

A couple years ago, nearly every fantasy league in existence used the traditional “snake” style draft, where each manager picked in order — 1 to 12 in round 1 and then 12 to 1 in round 2, and so on. However, this draft has some fundamental problems that limit not only the enjoyment of each fantasy player but also the fairness of the draft.

As a result, the auction draft has gained popularity in the recent past. For the uninitiated, an auction draft provides each person with a salary cap (e.g. $200), and then asks them to bid on players. Good players (e.g. Adrian Peterson) go for as much as $75. The lowest amount a player can be purchased for is $1. You have to purchase your 15-player roster with that $200. So if you blow $75 on AP, you best know some “sleepers”  you can find later to fill out your bench.

Overall, I am convinced that the auction draft is far superior. And here are my reasons:

1. Everyone has an equal chance to draft each player. If you want Adrian Peterson, you have a chance to get Adrian Peterson (if you want to pay for him). But it a traditional draft, you will only get AP if you have one of the top picks. It is that simple.

2. It keeps everyone interested. During the traditional draft, quite a bit of time elapses between your picks. But in an auction draft,  you can actively participate in each player that is up for bid.

3. It is a more exciting draft process. Rather than sitting around, crossing off names while you wait for your turn,  you can actively compete with your friends for players. Try to out-bid them, or bid them up. Or just watch your friends do the same while you count your money and wait for cheaper players.

4. You can build “your” team. In the traditional draft, you are generally limited to the players who are available when you pick. But in an auction draft, you can actively attempt to build your “ideal” team. Obviously you are limited by how much you can spend, but you have way more control over your final roster.

5. You have no one to blame but yourself. I have said it before. And I am sure you have heard it before. “My team sucked because I had the 10th pick in my draft.” Partly this is an excuse, but in some ways, it is true. You cannot get the player(s) you want when you are slotted in a certain position. But if you do an auction draft, you can build your roster exactly how you want it. So, when your team is bad/good, you can only look in the mirror.

6. The auction draft involves more strategy. Many times, in a traditional draft, you simply look at your pre-ordered list and select one of the guys who is next. But in an auction, you have to monitor your funds, build your roster, and remember all those sleepers you want to buy for $1 at the end.