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.
DAN: 1-Give the "Tailgaters" some background on Jets Insider.com. How did it
all get started? What makes you guys the voice of the New York Jets fan?
SEAN: Jets Insider.com started in 1999 as one page homepage with a messageboard
and through word of mouth and increased quality content we have become the most heavily trafficked NY Jets fansite on the internet with over 10 million hits monthly. We are also the only fan site in the NFL (that we are aware of) that is fully credentialed and has full access to their team. Something we are very proud of. Recently, Mark Cannizzaro who is a long time Jets beat writer for the NY Post joined the site as a Managing Editor and Senior Writer. Another big milestone for us.
DAN: 2-Time to hit the ground running, or should I say throwing. There are many fantasy football GMs that have burning questions about the "gang green." First and foremost, what is the health of Chad Pennington? Will he be ready to go? In your opinion, is he a top 10 quarterback for 2005?
SEAN: I spoke with Chad around three weeks ago and he told me his rehabilitation
is right on schedule. At the time he was throwing lightly without any pain whatsoever. He told me he will DEFINITELY be ready for camp at the end of July and will be the starting QB for the Jets when they open in Kansas City in September.
In my opinion when healthy, Pennington is one of the best QB's in the league. He's smart, very accurate and rarely makes mistakes. I think a big misconception he has is that he has a weak arm. He had some great deep completions last year and I've seen him throw regularly in practice, Pennington can throw the deep ball. With Coles back on the team it will only help him.
DAN: 3-New Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger should bring an entire new style of play to the Jets offense. Since you guys have your ear to the ground in New York, what can we expect in terms of production? A lot of fantasy football GMs stayed away last season because of former coordinator Paul Hackett's conservative play calling. Will Heimerdinger open it up?
SEAN: "The Dinger" will without a doubt open it up. He is the Anti-Hackett. That's why he was brought here. No more draw plays on third and 8. And for the first time in decades, the Jets will run the shotgun. Something Pennington was very excited about when we spoke.
DAN: 4-You had to know this one was coming but how much does Curtis Martin have
left in the tank? Can we expect another 1000 yard season? Will the loss of Kareem McKenzie limit his production?
SEAN: Curtis Martin is a freak of nature. Just when you think his best days are behind him he comes out at age 31 and wins the rushing title. Based on his history and the fact that he is never injured and is one of the best conditioned athletes of our time, I have no reason to believe he can't have another monster year in 2005.
Whether the loss of McKenzie will affect Martin's production is yet to be seen. The team is very high on 2nd year tackle Adrian Jones who will likely be McKenzie's replacement. Whether he can fill McKenzie's shoes is yet to be seen. The team may also look for a veteran T on the waiver wire this summer to add depth at the position.
DAN: 5-Your thoughts on the Jets re-acquiring Laveranues Coles? Does he still
have what it takes? What about his injury situation?
SEAN: Coles is an upgrade over the inconsistent Santana Moss who he was traded
for. Coles had his most productive years with Pennington and he definitely makes the entire Jets wide receiving corps better. Coles and Justin McCareins on paper are a lethal duo. Hopefully they can be the same on the field.
Regarding Coles' recurring toe problem, we've been told it's a non issue and it's healed. Also, based on the fact that he caught 90 passed last year while battling the injury, it tells you he's one tough SOB. We're very happy to have him back.
DAN: 6-There's some talk around the fantasy football water cooler that Doug Jolley could surprise many people. Some say he's a perfect fit for Heimerdinger's offense. What does Jets Insider.com say? Was he worth giving up a first round draft selection?
SEAN: Yes, I believe he was. The Jets picked at 24 there was no guarantee that they would get a premier player there. Although in hindsight, Virginia's Heath Miller was there at 24, he's unproven. Add the fact that the Jets have had HORRIBLE luck drafting first round pass catching TE's in the past (ie: Johnny Mitchell, Kyle Brady and Anthony Becht), Jolley is a no brainer. He's experienced, he can catch the ball and has shown flashes of talent. He's definitely a nice fit in Heimerdinger's offense which utilizes the pass
catching TE.
DAN: 7-Moving on to a lighter side, do you have any good Jets Insider.com Tailgate stories? From some of the photos on the site, it looks like you guys know how to throw one hell of a party!
SEAN: Our tailgate party named Troop 16H (16H is our parking lot section), has grown in similar fashion to our website. What started six years ago as a few guys has mushroomed (mostly due to word of mouth on the website) into 200+ crazed Jets fans every home Sunday. We have 2 Vietnam era Army transporters that have been transformed into tailgating machines. One is the home base for our DJ who blasts out tunes before every game and the other is for the hundreds of pounds of meat and other assorted goodies that we consume before the game. We also have one of the trucks outfitted with beer taps that help us flow the half dozen or more half kegs we go through on a typical gameday. Please join us when you are in town!
DAN: Bonus question: Tell the "Tailgaters" a bit more about Jets Insider.com "2005 Girl Next door." What else should our readers check out?
SEAN: The Girl Next Door feature was started in our quest to find the hottest female football fan on the planet. We were fortunate enough to find some fine looking young ladies and will continue to do so this season. Our first winner was recently featured in FHM magazine.
We also have a bunch of other unique features including daily training camp reports, the largest Jets training camp and gameday photo archive on the internet and a lot of one on one articles with Jets players. Our messageboard is also the best place to interact with other die hard Gang Green fans. With thousands of members from all over the planet you can keep on top of everything relating the Jets and the NFL.
