Q: What is the "Website Watchdog?"
A: The "website watchdog" serves as the eyes & ears of the fantasy football industry. As we gather information from fantasy football sources around the country, we'll report it.
Q: What kind of fantasy news does the "watchdog" report on?
A: Everything! We conduct interviews. We'll take a look at various web sites and report on how creative their site is. Is it user friendly? Does it have a nice layout? Football contests? NFL happenings, fantasy situations etc. etc.
Q: How does the "watchdog" collect his info?
A: Very easy, from you! Fantasy Tailgate is blessed with the opportunity of using television, radio and the Internet as our way of communicating our message. Therefore, we are able to attract a very broad audience. Last year alone, we fielded more than 1000 questions per week (weeks 1-16) of email and telephone questions relating to starting line-up advice, fantasy football websites and general industry news.
CALL TO ACTION
PLEASE email Fantasy Tailgate if there is something you would like to see the Website Watchdog report on. For example, are you receiving great service from a particular website? Is there a feature a certain website offers that helps (or hurts) your fantasy football decisions?
Attention Webmasters
Is there something from your site (feature, contest, etc) that you'd like us to take a look at? Our goal is to be compelling, accurate and balanced. We welcome and appreciate your input.
We welcome all thoughts, comments, criticisms, compliments, etc.
did this all get started? Give us the history.
SCOTT: I really wanted to find a total Chargers site. One that dealt with the current team as well as past teams. I was a huge Air Coryell fan when I was a kid and there was hardly anything on the net about them a couple years back. In November 2002, I started the site without any knowledge on how to do it. It's always a work in progress, but I am really satisfied with where it's at today.
DAN: 2-The Chargers convinced a lot of "nay-sayers" last season. What's your
take on the reason for their most recent success?
SCOTT: The team from top down will tell you that the main reason for last year's success was chemistry. The locker room was a better place after unloading David Boston and Marcellus Wiley before mini camp last year. I believe that was the main factor, but you can't deny the emergence of Drew Brees. He faced the ultimate rejection when the team drafted Philip Rivers. He worked extra hard in the offseason, got a break with Rivers' contract stall and the rest was history.
DAN: 3-Ok, let's get into the draft. The Bolts are sitting pretty with picks #12 & #28. Look into your crystal ball, who you see them actually drafting? Ideally, who would you draft if you were in the position of A.J. Smith?
SCOTT: AJ Smith proved last year that he can handle himself during the draft. The Rivers/Manning trade was a huge success for the Chargers. AJ holds his cards pretty close to the vest so it's anyone's guess as to what he will actually do.
Here's what a couple of my Forum members say about the draft:
Brigrat on the 12th pick-
"With league rules favoring the offensive passing game over the Defensive Back, and the Chargers needing to improve in this area. A standout Defensive End is the obvious choice for on e the San Diego's early picks. Marcus had an outstanding collegiate career, and was a standout in the Senior Bowl. Spears will be the perfect weapons to line up opposite Igor Oshlansky at DE."
SoCalSportsf14 on the 28th pick-
comments, "Making strides for the Chargers in 2004 was the offensive line. In contrast to the 2003 season, the offensive line enjoyed good success due in part to a relatively injury free season. Despite its' progress, there are still some concerns, mainly LT Romen Oben, who's 31 and not getting any younger. While Oben played well, look for the Chargers to find his replacement in Khalif Barnes with their second pick of the first round. Khalif is a talented OT with great mobility who's stock is rising fast. If he is still on the board, the Chargers will waste no time in securing his services to help anchor an already dangerous offensive unit.
DAN: 4-Entering the 2005 season, what is the Chargers biggest strength? What
about biggest weakness?
SCOTT: The biggest strength of the 2005 Chargers is that they have every starter from a 12-4 team returning to the club. People have been talking about how little they have done in Free Agency, but they didn't have to do much. This team will have a year of winning under its belt when the season starts and a cohesive unit goes a long way in the NFL.
Probably the biggest need of the team would be a lock out pass defense. I wouldn't say one position's at fault; I wouldn't point the finger at the secondary or the D line alone. It is a combination of the whole unit. Opponents put up a lot of yardage through the air against the team last year, but it was more of a bend but don't break scheme. The team would give up the yardage and clamp down in the red zone. With Randy Moss, pass
happy Kansas City and Denver in the AFC West, the Chargers pass defense has got to be solid.
DAN: 5-With the Raiders making significant upgrades, the Chargers could have their hands full. Your thoughts on the some of the AFC West competition.
SCOTT: Every team in the AFC West has a shot. For years, this has been the toughest division in football. Kansas City will want revenge for last years disaster, Denver will want to build on last years success and the Raiders will want to restore their dominance.
Even with Oakland picking up Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss, I don't see them winning the division. They don't have a 'team' environment, their QB is a question mark as is their defense, and Norv Turner still hasn't proven he can be a good Head Coach in the NFL. Denver blows the way inconsistent Jake Plummer blows and it's anyone's guess on how he'll perform on any given Sunday. Kansas City will be on a mission this year and if they fix their defense, they'll give the Chargers a run for the West.
DAN: 6-Drew Brees or Philip Rivers? Why?
SCOTT: I subscribe to the theory that it's better to stay with the known vs. the unknown. At this point in time, Drew is the keeper. It's pretty hard to turn away a Pro Bowl QB. It's also is a pretty big deal that LaDainian Tomlinson is in his corner although LT has been pretty diplomatic about the whole process. Philip Rivers has the tools and the charisma to win both games and fans alike. It's tough to keep a brand new Ferrari in the garage and never take it out for a drive. Ask me again next year.
DAN: 7-And finally, in your opinion who is the greatest player to ever wear the
powder blue?
SCOTT: In my tenure as a Bolt fan, there's nobody but Dan Fouts. If I'd had watched the team during the 60's I may be saying Alworth, but Fouts is definitely the player I am most fond of. He just got it done week in and week out.
DAN: Again Scott, many thanks for your time. Good luck this season. GlorifyThePast is a MUST Bookmark for any fantasy GMS who own players like Tomlinson, Gates and any stud from the AFC WEST.
