PRESS BOX AUDIBLES
We're going straight to the mailbag this week, folks! Robert U. from Austin writes, "I drafted a subpar team this year. What can I do to turn my team around and make the playoffs in my league?"
There's no doubt, Robert, that a blockbuster trade is in order for you. I checked out the rosters in your league on the tlcsports.com website and it would appear that your strength is at the QB position. You need a RB in the biggest way. A quick glance at the rosters of the other players reveals to me that Rayne's "Bin Taliban" team would benefit the most from a productive QB--of which you have 3 who are in the top half of the league.
The problem with trading for a good RB is that it's probably gonna cost ya. QBs are relatively cheap compared to RBs. You may have to give up more than just Peyton Manning to land a big fish like LaDainian Tomlinson or Eddie George. You may want to offer #1 or #2 receiver as well to seal the deal and you appear to have 3 good WRs from which to choose--and Rayne looks as if he could use a good #2 receiver behind Keyshawn Johnson. You have nothing to lose since you can start only one QB and 2 WRs on any given week.
As for your defense, the waiver wire is your oyster. Every week features another new DL, LB, or DB whom nobody owns, but everyone suddenly wants. You've got first pick of ALL of these guys each week. Make them count! Look at tackle totals. Interceptions, fumble recoveries, and touchdowns are sexy stats, but aren't reliable point production. Same goes for QB sacks for defensive linemen. Does the name Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila ring a bell? He piled up a respectable number of sacks for the Packers last year, but rarely had a tackle or any other stat during the games and as a result, wasn't dependable to score points every week.
A website I found called redeyesports.com has a feature every week showing points production for all categories of players--which is especially helpful for individual defenders. It was on this site, 4 weeks before the beginning of the season, that I found out about supersleeper (18th round draft pick in the TLC) Seahawks LB Isaiah Kacyvenski.
Be sure to check out their weekly up-to-date stats leaders at http://www.redeyesports.com/Stats-ytd.htm [they use a points system that gives only one point per solo tackle and assist, but it's a pretty solid site since it's hard to find this stuff for individual defenders] and notice how after week 2 that two of the top five DLs are on NOBODY'S TEAM, notice how five of the top 15 LBs are on NOBODY'S TEAM.
And there are available DBs aplenty with double-digit solo tackle totals littered across the list of Defensive Backs who are putting up points. Some of these DBs you may have heard of (Ty Law, Todd Lyght, Chad Scott) and some of them may not be familiar to you (Reggie Howard - Carolina - tied for 4th in solo tackles among DBs; Brian Kelly - Tampa Bay - one solo tackle behind Reggie Howard; Ken Lucas - Seattle - one solo tackle behind Brian Kelly, but plenty of assists as well).
There you have it, Robert. Your formula for a huge turnaround--and in plenty of time to salvage your season.
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Brandon West. TLCsports.com contributing. Campaign organizing. Big Pimpin'.
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