Q:
What is the "Website Watchdog?"
A:The "website watchdog" will serve 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'll take a look at various websites and report on how creative their site is. Is it user friendly? Does it have a nice layout? Is the information accurate? Why should fantasy football enthusiasts visit? Does their starting line-up advice make tough calls? Is their live scoring reliable? What about their league management service? Contests? NFL happenings, fantasy situations etc. etc.
Q:Will the "watchdog" grade or track the Fantasy Tailgate "Starters & Slackers" suggested starting line-up advice?
A:Absolutely! No one is above the law!
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 400 questions per week (weeks 1-10) of email and telephone questions relating to starting line-up advice, fantasy football websites and general industry news.
We welcome all thoughts, comments, criticisms, compliments, etc.
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? 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.
Welcome to the fifth report of Fantasy Tailgate's Website Watchdog. Sorry for the delay this month, work has been hectic as hell for us. Also, Fantasy Tailgate has a great side gig of being on the sidelines of every home Redskins game. For those of you who are new to Fantasy Tailgate, our Website Watchdog is a segment off our fantasy football television show that monitors what's the latest & greatest in the fantasy football industry and the NFL. With so many websites offering advice, league management, contests, etc., Fantasy Tailgate has decided to take on compiling some of the information and reporting it on to you, just like your local evening news.
Now please keep in mind, the information listed is strictly our opinion and the opinions of other fantasy football enthusiasts that we've gathered. In no way do we mean to disrespect any of the following sources of fantasy football information. However, we feel it is our right to report who offers and presents the most consistent customer service in both the fantasy football and NFL worlds. In short, we try and let every one know who has the "hot hand" and who needs to try harder....including ourselves. Again, just like your local news, we report what we find.
SEE NO EVIL? FANTASY GMS GET SCREWED BY NFL COACHES, PLAYERS & SYSTEMS!
The Website Watchdog turned it's attention to the NFL for the month of November. Since we are knee-deep into our fantasy seasons, we decided to take a crack at which NFL teams are just not friendly to fantasy GMs. Through no fault of their own, many GMs are at the mercy of some of these bonehead calls and decisions by NFL coaches, players and the systems the play in. Here's a few that really chapped our behinds.
Week 11, Jacksonville visiting Tennessee. On first and goal, "barely wet behind the ears" Jags Head Coach Jack Del-Rio pulls Fred Taylor off the field thinking he would throw off the Titans defense. Guess what? LaBrandon Toefield and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala combined with Byron Leftwich's inability to pass with any accuracy didn't get the job done. Not only did that move screw over Fred Taylor GMs but Jacksonville lost 10-3! You mean to tell me that it's a wise coaching decision to take your best player off the field when it was first and goal! I don't care if his leg was broken.......bad move Coach Del-Rio. It's not like he was having a bad game or anything, nine rushes for 48 yards. The pains of having fantasy players with a rookie head coach.
Week 12, Oakland visiting Kansas City. This one is really fresh in our minds. Priest Holmes was OWNING the Raider defense. I mean, let's just call it like it is. Holmes was not being touched until he was at least 15-20 yards down field. Here we have the best running back in the NFL and Vermeil kept taking Holmes out of the game. Yes, the Chiefs won but Holmes could have had a monster game for fantasy GMs needing the win. Maybe it's just the Big 10 mentality in us but when you have a running back that is just killing an opposing defense, keep running him down their throats! No opposing team has even come close to stopping the "Priest Holmes Screen" this year, why not run it more often? On top of that, Derrick Blaylock and Omar freaking Easy were the two culprits taking touches and a TD away from Holmes owners. Raise your hands if you have either of those two starting on your roster!
Of course, we can't fail to mention Bucs Wide Receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Hey Keyshawn, shut your "damn" mouth! Do you know how many fantasy GMs drafted you as their top 1 or 2 tier receiver? Now, your "damn" mouth got you deactivated. We so wish that you would not get paid during your deactivation. Poetic justice for the fantasy GMs who play in money leagues that are now scrambling for a WR.
Hey Spurrier, your "fun-n-gun" sucks! Coles is such a top notch fantasy wide receiver but if you can't protect the quarterback, Coles doesn't get the ball. You have highly paid linemen who are highly talented placed in a very poor situation. Get it right already! Again, poetic justice for all the times you ran the score up during your college days.
Michael Vick. Yes, we know the unreal potential that you have. Yes, many of us know that it takes time for injuries to heal. However, many fantasy GMs have been storing you away on their roster. Would you please try and play this season. For some reason, we have a sneaky suspicion that you are trying to prolong this injury to last the entire season. Why? Maybe because the Falcons absolutely blow. How many fantasy players drafted Peerless Price or Alge Crumpler just because of Michael Vick?
"We got a feeling, Buffalo is not going to the Super Bowl." Of course this is not breaking news but Bledsoe and Moulds owners, we feel for you. Two solid players that have suffered with decisions of the Bills coaching staff. Henry has run well all season (when he's played) yet the Bill have consistently gone to the air. Memo to the Bills coaching staff: don't throw the ball when the running game is working. Do you remember your success in the beginning of the year?
Mike Shanahan. Although we do applaud your elusiveness when it comes to the NFL injury report and gaining an edge on your opponent but that kind of shit really makes fantasy GMs sweat.
"Hey, must be the money." Maybe not in the case Plaxico Burress and Tommy Maddox. These guys are in contract years. This was the season to step up your play and get rewarded. Instead, you won't get the big pay day and fantasy GMs that drafted you are shit out of luck.
Random shots here. The NFL's late week one ruling with Travis Henry/ Drew Bledsoe's fumble scoring. Corey Dillon's car accident on the way to the stadium. Keenan McCardell's crazy fumble recovery on MNF. San Diego losing home field advantage and having to play in Arizona because of the fires. And finally, Wlliam Green, you idiot! Enough said.
All in all, it has been a great fantasy year so far in 2003. One week of high scores, the next week full of low scores. There is no balance but each week, we fantasy football players come back for more punishment (kinda like Chris Chandler). There is a lot more football to be played and we love it. However, keep some of these small WEBSITE WATCHDOG nuggets in the back of your mind for next year's draft. It's not just luck or the talent of the player but it's the type of person they are and the type of coach or system they play for.
