| One of the many cool things about fantasy | | | | depending on its ability to create turnovers and |
| football, unlike its cousins Fantasy NBA and | | | | generally shut down their opponents' offense. |
| Fantasy MLB, to play does not require you (the | | | | Other, more comprehensive, leagues will include |
| manager) to check on your team daily. Since | | | | things such as defensive players (linemen and |
| games are only held on Sunday and Monday, with | | | | defensive backs) as well as other statistical |
| the occasional Thursday contest, someone who | | | | categories like kick return yardage and passes |
| has never managed a fantasy team can ease into | | | | deflected. But make sure you have players on |
| Fantasy football without falling way behind. | | | | your weekly roster who are actually scheduled to |
| Now that games are managed on sites like | | | | play! Some teams have a week off, called a "bye |
| Yahoo!, ESPN dotcom and CBS Sports, it is very | | | | week" and if you have players from that team |
| easy to sign up for free fantasy football, provided | | | | on your roster that week, you will receive zero |
| that you have a valid e-mail address. Of course | | | | points for them! |
| there are money contests where managers pay | | | | You will notice once the season begins also that |
| to play for a cash prize or a big screen TV of | | | | some players will get injured; this is a big part of |
| some sort, but this is not recommended for the | | | | football which obviously is a high-impact, contact |
| beginner or casual player as the managers in | | | | sport. It is your responsibility to check the waiver |
| these leagues are extremely competitive. | | | | wire (players available for pickup) to replace those |
| After you have registered a team you will usually | | | | injured players. If the injury is not too severe you |
| enter a draft where you pick the players who will | | | | can bench that player until he heals up. Trades are |
| comprise your squad. Some research and study | | | | also a big part of the game, as you will find other |
| will help you here, especially after the first and | | | | managers offering you one or more of their |
| second rounds where the picks should be obvious. | | | | players for one or more of their own. These |
| The 2007-08 NFL season has LaDainian Tomlinson | | | | usually benefit one team more then the other, so |
| of the San Diego Chargers as the consensus | | | | be cautious in these dealings! |
| number one pick. His speed and strength and | | | | Finally, fantasy football depends a lot of luck. One |
| prodigious touchdown-scoring abilities are | | | | week you may have a windfall of points coming |
| second-to none at the running back position. | | | | from your best players, followed by a week of |
| Running backs are the most valuable players in | | | | drought because a lot of them had bad games |
| this game, which is why this position tends to get | | | | (consider trades to drop the dead weight if they |
| filled quickest in drafts, followed by quarterbacks, | | | | continue to underperform). It helps to read the |
| of whom this year Peyton Manning of the | | | | tips that your game site provides on each player |
| Indianapolis Colts is tops. Don't worry if you | | | | along with watching games and ESPN highlights to |
| cannot get either Manning or LT in the draft, | | | | see how they perform from wekk to week. |
| there are plenty of other high-talent players who | | | | Have fun with your team! It is great to have |
| will score a lot for you. | | | | multiple friends in a league, together, as you can |
| Most leagues tally points for touchdowns scored, | | | | fire off smack and have some pretty funny |
| yards gained, passes completed, kicks made and | | | | team names. You will find that you will understand |
| so on for the offensive side. You will select a | | | | some about football from managing your own |
| team to play defense and score points for you, | | | | fantasy squad! |