What's Your Fantasy?

Mine's Football. No I don't fantasize about playing football or being a football player or even some homoerotic dream of being with a football player (shiver). I love Fantasy Football. For years I have been playing Fantasy Football and what was originally mocked for being silly has become a multi million dollar industry that almost everyone plays. I mean everyone knows someone who plays fantasy football, men and women. While their reasons for playing may differ, the joy of playing is still there. Here are my Top 5 Reasons for playing Fantasy Football.

#5 - Every game means something.

Used to be you may love watching football but many just watched their home team or the marquee matchups. With fantasy football every game now has meaning. That Thursday night game with Detroit playing Cleveland? I got a running back in that game and I need the points. All of a sudden that game means something to me.

#4 - Women play too.

As I mentioned above, fantasy football has this unique ability to bring men and women together in liking football. How many guys have lost to a girl in their fantasy leagues? Yeah I thought so. Me too.

#3 - It's more fun.

It's great watching a game now and even though it's your team playing, one of your fantasy players is on the other team. You route for the player but not the team because you want to pad your stats. It's a catch 22 and it makes it a lot of fun.

#2 - It's Free.

While many leagues can be played with an entry fee and have year to year leagues where you keep your players, most are free. As in zero cost to get more enjoyment out of something you already love.

#1 - The players are aware of the game too.

I have seen multiple players in interviews, sound bites, etc. talk about their awareness of FB and their stats. One player last year went down early before the goal line to run out the time on the clock and preserve a win. After the game he mockingly apologized to the fantasy football owners out there who he cost a touchdown. The self awareness is awesome and sometimes really funny.

Top 5 San Diego Chargers 2009 Mock Draft

Okay, so I know next to nothing about the draft this year. As opposed to other years when I at least cared to follow the players, I think this year is kind of a bum year. What that means is that all the sizzle will be at the top, but the meat will be later in the draft. Being the Charger fan that I am I am going to make wild picks and see what happens tomorrow. Maybe I will be the next draft guru and get paid cash next year by ESPN.....yeah right. Here is my Chargers mock draft based on needs: (oh and this is in reverse order because this will be by pick)

#1 - First Round Pick 16 - Ziggy Hood DT. I think the Chargers need some push on the D-Line this year with a returning Shawne Merriman to help get our pass rush back in line. And this kids name is cool.

#2 - Third Round Pick 13 - LeSean McCoy RB. Okay so not picking in the second round is really going to hurt, and there is a good chance the Chargers will trade some of their later picks in the 4th for a spot in the second. But as we have seen with LT getting older, the Chargers need depth at Running Back. If this kid is still around, I could see him in the Blue and Gold.

#3 - Fourth Round Pick 13 - Ryan Durand Guard. Well we could always use more lineman. In fact if I ran a team my off season needs would always begin and end with my line. The trenches are where first downs are won and lost in the NFL.

#4 - Fourth Round Pick 33 - Xavier Fulton O-Tackle. Same thing as above, and yet this young man is actually ranked higher in draft status. But this is my draft.

#5 - Fourth round Pick 34 - Jeremy Childs Wide Receiver. Ah heck, its late in the draft already, take a flier on a wide receiver. Plus this kid is from Boise State where they throw a lot.