My fantasy football follies

The football season is upon us. Not just the profession ranks, but the beloved fantasy football. You know, the leagues formed by fellow armchair quarterback searching endlessly for an edge before the night of their big draft.

I'm no different, but I'm not that adept at the game just yet. I've been involved with the fantasy football craze for the past three years and have loved every minute of it. I love making the call of who to start, who sit and what trades I should make.

My biggest downfall though is I tend to draft with my heart. Last season, my starting quarterback was Brett Favre and that was a leap of faith. I knew that's who I would choose and who would be my starter. Just because Green Bay abandoned him two seasons prior didn't mean I had to.

Things worked out in my favor, but sometimes they don't. With Brett not deciding whether or not he'll play, I've been looking at the crop of quarterbacks and wondering who will be my pick if he decides to hang it up.

Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady -- like Favre, I'm still undecided.

The other thing that always deals be a blow is my draft number. I always seem to be in the middle of the pack, so I don't go close to the top in any round, leaving the leftovers for me to pick through.

I've lucked out in the past by getting Favre, Michael Turner and Miles Austin, but I'm afraid this year could be different. I didn't see much during the NFL Combine, so as far as rookies go, it's a toss-up.

I also have this suspicion that this is going to be the year of the sleeper. Players you don't expect to do a darn thing bust out of the gate and shock the world, which brings me to my next point.

Commissioners, if you're going to have a waiver wire, don't set the thing up to last all week. It's stupid and only benefits a select few, so stop it. Last year, I don't know how many times I was stuck at the bottom list unable to get anyone of talent, while a few owners kept swiping up all the goodies the wire had to offer.

It only happened in one of my leagues, but it was ridiculously frustrating. I don't think it's too much to ask that all the owners be on a level playing field and have the same chance to get a player or two.

I'm actually waiting to hear who will be having a league this year and who will not. A former co-worker usually has one that's a blast, but I haven't heard from him yet, and we usually have an office league and I'm sure that's in the works. I've even tossed around the idea of having my own league with a mishmash of people from all over.

Actually, that's what we'll do. For anyone who is interested in participating in the first ever Banner Graphic Fantasy Football League or BGFFL for not-so-short, drop me an e-mail and I'll give you all the details.

There is room for 13 teams and we will publish weekly standings. Plus, when all is said and done, you might have the chance to reign supreme and be crowned the champion of the league for all of Putnam County to read.

The league is ready and my email is cgardner@bannergraphic -- what are you waiting for?