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.
MATT: I've been involved in fantasy football for about a decade and first became a fantasy sports fan earlier when playing fantasy baseball, dating to about 1990. My career path was never to become a fantasy football writer, but when I was working in another capacity at The Sporting News, the opportunity became available to write about fantasy football. I jumped at the chance and things kind of took off from there, evolving from a part-time role in addition to my other responsibilities into a full-time job.
DAN: You have experience with The Sporting News, The USA Today, etc, what is it like to work in the fantasy sports industry full time?
MATT: It obviously is a lot of fun to be able to write about something that many, many people take as a serious hobby. I especially like the instant feedback and communication that comes with that job. If I ever make even the slightest error, it does not take long for readers to let me know about it.
DAN: I've asked this question to many interviewees but what do you see as the next
developing trend(s) in the fantasy football industry?
MATT: The Internet has helped to revolutionize the game and I think the next step will come in making it popular on TV as well. The problem is in finding a model that succeeds on TV. Nobody has done so and I'm not sure when or how that will happen. But when somebody does, it should help take fantasy football to even a higher plane.
DAN: Time to switch gears, more than half of the NFL season is in the books. What are the top 3 fantasy football surprises (player performances, etc.) that have just completely
shocked you thus far in 2004?
MATT: I think the numbers that Peyton Manning is putting up are completely off the charts. That's been the biggest surprise to me - not that he is good but that he has been this good and so consistent in posting outstanding numbers. Obviously, the San Diego Chargers are one of the surprise stories - not that they are winning but that they are scoring so many points. We all knew tight end Antonio Gates was very talented, but he hasn't had to worry about the Chargers' offense holding him back from being an elite player. I also have been surprised that some of the more veteran running backs - Tiki Barber, Curtis Martin, Emmitt Smith - have thrived in situations that I did not think they would thrive in.
DAN: OK, take QBs Manning and Culpepper off the table. Who are three QBs that you
would like to have on your roster, tabbed as your starter, for weeks 13-16?
MATT: Obviously Donovan McNabb. The Eagles will be playing for home-field advantage
and McNabb will remain a great start. The Bucs' Brian Griese has become a hot commodity with his recent good play. He is locked into his team's starting job and Tampa Bay's schedule is favorable, including games against New Orleans and Carolina in Weeks 15-16. I expect the Packers to be fighting like mad to get into the playoffs so I'll take Brett Favre as well. A Christmas Eve game indoors, at Minnesota, looks particularly inviting.
DAN: Many fantasy league trade deadlines are just around the corner, name a few big-name players that you should trade. Name a few players that you should trade for.
MATT: Teams that could see their seasons fall apart often worry me. For instance, I would trade away Titans running back Chris Brown and wide receiver Derrick Mason.
They are essentially out of the playoff race already and I expect they will have some ugly games down the stretch. The tide is turning on the New York Giants and I would want to ship Tiki Barber while his value is high and before Eli Manning gets into the lineup. Washington's Clinton Portis has some favorable games coming up, but the beating he has taken all season worries me so I would move him. I would trade for any Bucs - Griese, Michael Pittman. I also think the Texans' David Carr and Andre Johnson will be valuable. And you might be able to acquire Detroit receiver Roy Williams for a fair price because of his injuries. He could be a stud down the stretch once he gets to 100%.
DAN: Top 3 NFL team run defenses that you should fear?
MATT: Baltimore, Washington, San Diego.
DAN: Top 3 NFL team pass defenses that you should fear?
MATT: Buffalo, Washington, Denver.
DAN: As you are aware, there is plenty of positive talk about Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. From strictly a fantasy perspective, how do you rate him? Is he worth adding to your fantasy roster for making a playoff push?
MATT: He definitely is worth adding, even if it's just as a backup. Whether I played him would depend on who my current No. 1 quarterback was. Roethlisberger is an adequate fantasy quarterback but not yet anything special. He has thrown one or two TD passes in each of his six starts and, while his interception total is low, he also has reached 200 yards only once. But his team is winning and his job appears secure - two factors that make him worth a roster slot.
DAN: Take a look into your crystal ball: Big name NFL player that will be a complete bust for fantasy GMs in weeks 13-16?
MATT: Chad Johnson.
DAN: Your Super Bowl prediction. Which two teams? Winner will be?
MATT: Steelers defeat the Eagles 27-17.
DAN: Where can our visitors see/ read/ hear more from you?
MATT: I have a column and lineup rankings each week in USA TODAY Sports Weekly, which is out on newsstands every Wednesday. My column runs year-round in the magazine as well. I also have a column on usatoday.com and have a chat every Thursday at noon during the season.
DAN: Again, many thanks for your time Matt. Good luck to you in the future.
