SETTLE DOWN

By Ross Mandel, Special To Fantasy Football Insiders

Hey you. Yes, I’m talking to you. Don’t do it—don’t hit that “Fantasy Panic Button.” Every season after week one, scores of fantasy players overreact—dumping or trading players based on their opening game performances. Don’t be this person. Need a reason? How about these: 16 for 30 for 170 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. That’s what Drew Brees did last season in week one. Needless to say, his season improved, but how many people cut or traded Brees for nothing after that debut? Roy Williams’ 2006 opener read 3 catches for 36 yards. Marion Barber III had 26 total yards in last season’s week 1. Frank Gore had 87 yards rushing. How did these guys end up doing for their patient fantasy owners, and how many people felt fantasy shame after dealing them?

Hasty decision-making has never won a fantasy title. So settle down owners of Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson, Deion Branch, Lee Evans, and the rest of the week 1 underperformers. Don’t be the one who panics—don’t let yourself give in to the anger of the Dark Side that you’re feeling because your guy had an off week. It’s only one week. Besides, even if you did want to make an ill-advised trade, you’re dealing from a weakened hand—your player’s value is low. You’re not even getting value.

So what should you do? If you feel a need to do something, I have the solution. Turn it around—buy low! Send some emails out to frustrated owners, asking what they want for their “bust” players. If you phrase your email properly and reach the right owner, you could end up getting Lee Evans for a song. You could end up getting Maurice Jones-Drew for a spare part. Jones-Drew had 2 rushes for 8 yards last season in week 1. How’d he end up doing? Jacksonville’s running game didn’t produce much yesterday—so swipe Jones-Drew from whoever owns him. Odds are they’re sitting in front of their computer thinking, ‘what was I thinking? I could have drafted Chris Brown!’ Pillage those who have no fantasy discipline and fear not the repercussions.

Stealing is legal—in fact, it should be encouraged in fantasy football! So not be afraid of upsetting someone after you steal from them—there are no friends in fantasy football. I mean, come on—I know most of you are in leagues with friends…what’s better than getting the better of your buddy in a trade? That’s what it’s all about. Your job is to win. So make an offer—what’s the worst that can happen? But whatever you do—relax. Don’t overreact. There’s nothing worse than making a trade based on one week, then having that guy turn into a stud for the rest of the campaign. Don’t do it.