The Draft Day Manifesto

by Matthew Berry

When Barack Obama talks about "Change we can believe in!" I can only assume he means some new theories for TMR's Draft Day Manifesto for 2008.

I've been writing a version of this column for a decade, updating it every year. There are always new twists, strategies and trends, but at its core, it's always been running back/running back in the first two rounds. I've spent a lot of time talking about how fantasy football is all about minimizing risk. If nothing else, you knew a team's main running back was touching the ball at least 20 to 30 times... More.

Rest In Peace: Two-stud-RB draft approach

by Ken Daube

Here lies the venerable Two-Stud-Running-Back Draft Strategy (2SRBDS), former surefire method for fantasy football success, whose life was full of honor and whose services, talents and virtues were the pride and glory of the fantasy football nation. It expired in mathematical relevance at the conclusion of the 2007 NFL season. The once tried-and-true method for virtually assuring fantasy football success succumbed to wide overuse and parasitic-like growth of the dreaded "running back by committee" on NFL teams. Services will be private, and donations to other fantasy team owners will be sent by those who fail to acknowledge its passing.

Sadly, the mathematic... More.

Twilight Triumphs: Late-round IDP gems

by Jim McCormick

The late rounds of a fantasy draft are often called a crapshoot. In fact, it can be argued that rolling dice on green felt has significantly better odds than picking from the scraps in those finals rounds. There's no "pass" line here.

The twilight of an Individual Defensive Player (IDP) draft can be considered even more of a gamble than traditional leagues. Instead of NFL teams' third wide receivers and third running backs, fantasy owners are choosing from platoon defensive ends and random defensive backs. The final rounds of an IDP draft can be intimidating for even the most veteran fantasy nerd.

As... More.

The other side of the ball: Drafting IDPs

by Jim McCormick

Perform a Google search for the acronym IDP and the top results are fun-filled topics like Individual Development Programs, Insurance Data Processing and Internally Displaced Persons.

Scroll down some, though, and you'll find Individual Defensive Players. While almost as nerdy as Insurance Data Processing, this IDP is a growing fantasy football format for the manager seeking more control over the defensive side of their roster.

For many, the enjoyment found in fantasy football is tied to its simplicity, versus the micromanaging a fantasy baseball or basketball team. In standard football leagues, you draft your imaginary collection of football studs in late... More.