| Whether you already know every professional | | | | it is time for you to "draft" some football players. |
| football team and player like the back of your | | | | Using your basic understanding of football, and |
| hand, or you just want to learn enough to look | | | | drawing on your NFL savvy, or some free or paid |
| less blank when conversing with friends, family or | | | | information sources to review, you'll rank real NFL |
| coworkers, fantasy football can enhance your NFL | | | | players before your league draft. You may also |
| viewing experience.As a lottery commercial says, | | | | be able to use the players as "pre-ranked" by |
| "you have to be in it to win it". In order to join | | | | your host.You'll also need to decide whether you |
| the fun, you have to pick a "host", select your | | | | want the excitement and time commitment of a |
| preferred NFL players, and join or start a | | | | live draft, or the relative ease and less time |
| league.You have a ton of options when | | | | offered by an automated draft. If you are a |
| considering where to host a fantasy football team. | | | | beginner, the automated draft is highly |
| Some of the most commonly played "hosts" | | | | recommended.During the season, there are "BYE" |
| include CBS Sportsline.com, SportingNews.com, | | | | weeks, during which an NFL team and its players |
| YahooSports Fantasy Football and CDM Fantasy | | | | get the week off to recharge. Real players also |
| Sports.Depending on the host and league, you'll | | | | can be injured, so you lose their productivity. On |
| play one of several formats. One requires an | | | | the other hand, you and your team don't get any |
| upfront payment to enter your league, but | | | | time off, so you'll probably have to make trades |
| doesn't charge you for players you pick up during | | | | and perform waiver wire moves to ensure that |
| the season from a free agent or "waiver" pool. | | | | you have a full, strong team playing every |
| Generally, the higher you pay as your upfront | | | | week.Those are the basics. Now, it is up to you |
| fee, the larger your prize if you win your league | | | | to apply your special knowledge, instinct or |
| for the season.The second format is free to join, | | | | hunches, and "Win one for the Gipper". Before |
| but will cost you for most or all players you claim | | | | your draft, you might want to challenge friends, |
| off waivers or as free agents after the initial | | | | family members or co-workers who have similar |
| draft period ends. Generally, trades with other | | | | skills to yours to join your league. Some healthy |
| players are free of charge. Be careful, though! | | | | competition can make your fantasy football |
| Those trades can be costly in another way to | | | | experience even more enjoyable.As with any |
| you if you give away too much to get that | | | | game, keep in mind that it is only a game. You will |
| must-have player.The most common formats | | | | not become rich or popular dependent upon how |
| allow you a team made up of one or more | | | | well you play. It is mostly purely entertainment. If |
| quarterbacks, one or more running backs, one or | | | | you keep this in mind and don't take yourself or |
| more wide receivers, one or more tight ends and | | | | the game too seriously, you will have a great |
| one or more defense/special teams (DST) units. | | | | time. It is a great game and you should have no |
| Depending on the league, you may play all of your | | | | trouble finding others with your passion and skill |
| players at once or pick some players as | | | | level. Have fun and good luck!Kevin is the husband |
| "starters" and assign others as "reserves". Only | | | | of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and |
| your active players (starters} earn you points for | | | | Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good |
| that week. You get points for their league-defined | | | | guy. He has taken his love of sports and |
| accomplishments each week. What and how | | | | developed web sites that offer that love of |
| much your team will score will vary from league | | | | sports to others. |
| to league.Now you need players on your team, so | | | | |