What is going on with Fantasy Football Television??
The Website Watchdog is angry. Millions and millions of dollars are invested into football television shows every season. We at Fantasy Tailgate know this all too well. We had our own fantasy football show at one point and this season we appear each week on Comcast Sports Redskins Magazine Plus (www.redmagplus.com). However, it seems that the larger networks cannot get it right when it comes to fantasy football television. With more than 12 million fantasy football players actively looking for information, turning on the television seems like the common sense approach. We have fielded a few hundred emails over the past couple of weeks with questions and comments relating to this season's fantasy football television shows.
Let's start off with The Football Network's (www.footballnetwork.com) Fantasy Football Show which airs on Spike TV. Let's get a few things straight first. As men, we love Spike TV programming. As football fans, we love knowing there is a network devoted completely to football in The Football Network (TFN). And yes, we appreciate the sheer fact that there is a fantasy football show produced by TFN. However, this show leaves a lot to be desired. The talent that appears on the show is Jerry Glanville, Paul Crane and Danny Sheridan and reports from D'Marco Farr. What the hell does Jerry Glanville know about fantasy football? Nothing is the answer! Yes, having an ex NFL coach is not a bad idea to provide some insight and draw some viewers but educate them first about what fantasy football is. Fantasy Tailgate is blessed with the opportunity to talk with a lot of current and former NFL players. Let us tell you something outright, 95% of them know nothing about fantasy football. Many of them don't even know what it is. There are many fantasy football experts out there that more than 60% of the 12 million fantasy football players who are actively looking for information will recognize and tune in. Of course, they have to be presentable for television standards but the people who come up with these shows need to do some more research. On that same note, so do the people that provide TFN with their stats and insight. Before week 2 was in the books, this show was all about playing David Boston against Denver. Someone must have missed it that early in the week, it was already declared that David Boston was on the pine due to a bruised heel. Now of course, we know first hand that between the taping and airing of the show, news and injury status changes. But c'mon! If you are investing that much time, talent and treasure, tape later in the week! Provide accurate info! That's what the 12 million fantasy players want the most!
Fox Sports has also jumped into the fantasy football tv circle with a show of their own. The "Ultimate Fantasy Football Show" has offered advice aplenty to viewers about which players to choose in their fantasy leagues. Host Patrick O'Neal keeps the pace and patter up, while fantasy wonk Andrew Siciliano and former National Football League players Warren Moon and Erik Kramer offer commentary and recommendations. This show is off to a good start since they have Andrew Siciliano offering up his fantasy insight. Warren Moon adds a nice angle as well but Erik Kramer has got to go. His NFL career was spotty at best and so is his fantasy advice. Once again, do the networks ever educate their talent about what fantasy football is? Keep Patrick O'Neal, keep Andrew Siciliano and keep Warren Moon (to draw viewers) but then add another fantasy expert. It would offer a great give and take with Andrew Siciliano. Not rocket science here but then again it's only been a few weeks since the show got off the ground. Hell, if you don't want to add another fantasy expert, at least add an attractive female to give the latest injury report. Nothing wrong with eye candy! At least the Ultimate Fantasy Football Show offers up some great graphics with plenty of bells and whistles.
All in all, plenty of room for both of these shows to be more polished and more complete. Perhaps, talk more with the NFL about licensing actual game footage to fantasy shows. Regardless, in addition to have talent that would draw viewership, please add some known fantasy football experts (of course, the staff from Fantasy Tailgate are available!). The quest for accurate fantasy football information is never ending. The 12 million fantasy football players could always shut off the television and turn on our computers. If these shows want us to tune in, hear our requests.
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.
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 fourth 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 consistant 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
What is the "Website Watchdog?"
