78 players have been auctioned off so far in the slow-crawl Fanex Auction league, including 64 of the field variety (QB-RB-WR-TE). But Ian's sitting on his wallet. So far, he's purchased only a kicker and a defense. What the heck is he thinking?

Auctions are more challenging than drafts. I’m being reminded of that right now in the ongoing Fanex Auction League. So far, 78 players have been purchased (almost a third of the total), and all I’ve got is a $1.00 kicker and a $3.00 defense.

I’ve spent only 2 percent of my $200 salary cap. Of the other 11 owners, all but three have spent over half of their money. 64 field position players have been selected, and I don’t have any of them.

I didn’t go into the auction with this strategy. That’s just the way it’s played out. What you get in an auction is dictated by the other 11 guys. You draw up your player price list, and then you buy the guys that others don’t want.

In this case, so far everybody’s been looking to buy. Players keep going for more than I think they’re worth.

There’s not much I can do except be patient and try not to panic. Trust the system. I will get 20 players, and looking at the lay of the land, I might walk away with a historically good team.

According to my numbers, so far the gang has overspent on those first 78players by over $200. Eventually that has to even out, so a bunch of the guys that are left that I think are worth $20-$30 will wind up being sold at pennies on the dollar. I’ve got by far the most money left, so I’m the guy in the best position to reel in most of those nice guys.

I’ve just got to stay patient.

Every auction is different, of course. This is just the way this one is playing out. If everyone had been cautious and sitting on their wallets for the early rounds, I would have been gobbling up players and putting my team in place. But this looks like one where the correct strategy is to hang back.

I expect some deals will start falling my way later tonight. I just need to stay patient.

Like Muhammad Ali pulled off against George Foreman in Zaire. You go with the rope-a-dope and think you’re going to knock somebody out in the third round. It takes time.

Typically when I’m in an auction with a $200 salary cap, I’ll finish with a team I think is “worth” $250-$270 using my values. The way this one’s going, if everything falls into place nicely, I might finish with $300 worth of players – a great, great team.

The rules for this auction: 12 teams, each with $200. Each team drafts 20 guys. Starting lineups: QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, Flex (RB-WR-TE), PK, Def. 6 points for TDs, 4 for TD passes, 1 for every 10 run/rec yards, 1 for every 20 passing yards – and it’s a PPR league (1 point for receptions). Defenses are pretty standard: 6 for TDs, 1 for sacks, 2 for takeaways.

--Ian Allan