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Fantasy Index Open (TE)

Henry Karsen wins at tight ends position

Professional handicapper from Florida is the winner at tight ends -- even though he didn't rank Jimmy Graham No. 1.

If you’re going to win at a position in the Fantasy Index Open, it would seem, you can’t have any big mistakes. But Henry Karsen of Lecanto, Fla., is evidence that’s not the case. He was one of the few who didn’t rank Jimmy Graham as the top player at this position. He also ranked Jared Cook 3rd. But Karsen was still able to outscore over 200 other competitors.

Karsen has a handicapping background. He’s placed in multiple higher-stakes forecasting contests with horses. The 2nd place finisher also has a background in the fantasy industry – Mike Clay is one of the lead writers for Pro Football Focus.

Dean Tuffie, an accountant from Aliquippa, Pa., took 3rd at this position, and he can argue for a share of the time. Using our outdated 20-1 scoring format, he would have been the top finisher.

As a refresher, this contest is different than a typical fantasy league. There’s no drafting, rosters or lineups. You’re getting scored on every player. The higher you rank them, the more they count towards your points total.

Jimmy Graham was the highest scoring tight end, with 156.8 points. If you ranked him No. 1, that would have been worth 4,704 points (156.8 x 30). If you ranked him 2nd, that would be worth 4,547.2 (156.8 x 29). Rank him 3rd and he’s worth 4,390.4 (156.8 x 28). And so on.

In the old scoring format (the one Tuffie would have won), the multiplier numbers descend from 20 to 1. We’re using 30-11 now to make the picks in the teens more relevant (that 20th pick is now worth about as third as much as the guy you’re ranking No. 1 overall).

Anyway, Karsen is the winner at this one, even after placing Rob Gronkowski and Cook too high at the top of his board.

Fewer than 10 percent of the entries put Jordan Cameron in their top 10. Karsen was one of those guys, which really helped. (The highest guy on Jordan Cameron was Jason Collington of Tulsa, who had him way up at 3rd – Collington, recall, won the defensive category last week).

Karsen’s other big picks were ranking Delanie Walker 15th and putting Brent Celek 12th. Walker showed up on the ballots of only 16 other entries, but he finished the season as a top-10 tight end, scoring 64.6 points. So using this complicated scoring matrix, the Walker selection was worth almost 1,037 points.

Karsen also helped his cause by choosing not to rank Fred Davis and Dustin Keller. Davis was a non-factor for Washington, while Keller got hurt in the preseason and didn’t even play.

We’re working our way through the six categories in this competition – QB, RB, WR, TE, K and DEF. The overall winner of the competition – the best of the 209 entries – wins a monstrously huge trophy from the team at Affordable Trophies. They’ve partnered with us on this competition.

The top 2 finishers (the winner and the runner-up) win berths in the Fantasy Experts Poll in the magazine (which runs just the same way but is limited to 20 participants). And I’ll get some revised overall standings posted on the site later today. Right now, we’re at the halfway point, with three of six positions scored.

At this position, there were 208 entries with 20 tight ends listed. All but three of the contestants scored more than 23,000 points but fewer than 28,000. Karsen nudged over 28,000 at the top. Two full entries fell short of the 23,000 mark.

You remember the name Michael Murillo? He writes a column for the website, and he won our Fantasy Index Super League last month. That’s the one where you submit a lineup for each of the 17 weeks of the regular season. He got hammered at this position, finishing in 205th out of the 208 properly filled out entries.

Looking at Murillo’s forecast, his biggest errors were leaving Greg Olsen and Jared Cook out of his top 20. Both of those guys were top-10 tight ends. Including Martellus Bennett, Jordan Cameron and Delanie Walker, he didn’t include half of the top-10 tight ends. Murillo had Ed Dickson as his No. 9 tight end, and he did very little (picks were due, recall, after the Dennis Pitta injury but before the Ravens signed Dallas Clark). Murillo had Kyle Rudolph 7th and Owen Daniels 9th, and those guys both got hurt. He had Jermaine Gresham 5th, and he didn’t do much.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, TIGHT ENDS (Top 20 finishers)
NameHometownOccupationPoints
Henry KarsenLecanto , Fla.Professional Handicapper28,184
Mike ClayFleetwood, Pa.Fantasy Football Writer27,745
Dean TuffieAliquippa, Pa.Accountant27,639
Brant HollenbeckLansing, Mich.Sales27,573
Shiaw ChiSan Jose, Calif.Attorney27,564
Brad FreemanGeneva, Ill.Attorney27,514
Kirk KennedyPink Hill, N.C.Teacher27,512
Richard JacksonBerkeley, Calif.Attorney27,460
Kevin CuozzoBoston, Mass.Payroll27,446
Aaron SucovMonmouth Junction, N.J.Student27,438
Rick CalabroStaten Island, N.Y.Financial Advisor27,409
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, IdahoExecutive Director27,319
Steve MoyerAlameda, Calif.Investment Realtor27,282
Dan SchneierWest Orange, N.J.Consultant27,253
Chad EisenhowerReading, Pa.Sales27,123
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.Network Engineer27,087
Darrell DukeSpring, TexasSales Manager27,029
Jason HoweOakland, Calif.Regional Manager27,023
Doug PawlakKnoxville, Tenn.Engineer27,019
Adam ThygesonPortland, Ore.Teacher26,977
FANTASY INDEX OPEN, TIGHT ENDS (Alphabetical)
NameHometownRankPoints
Aaron SucovMonmouth Junction, N.J.1027,438
Adam HoltzRochester, Minn.11825,784
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.13725,580
Adam RenzoniBuffalo, N.Y.7226,329
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.6326,397
Adam ThygesonPortland, Ore.2026,977
Alan KasterGreen Bay, Wis.15325,306
Alessandro MiglioSan Pablo, Calif.3626,745
Andy GoughDallas, Texas16724,964
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.13525,614
Austin LeeSan Francisco, Calif.3726,712
Bill MasonHuntersville, N.C.20722,053
Bill RehorCulver City, Calif.13225,669
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.13425,615
Bob BuchnerCoral Springs, Fla.19124,275
Bob StoneOdenton, Md.11425,807
Bob TeccaBuffalo, Minn.18124,649
Brack VarnonHouston, Texas6826,349
Brad FreemanGeneva, Ill.627,514
Brad HendersonLouisville, Ky.4826,565
Bradley WolfrumAlpharetta, Ga.3526,751
Brant HollenbeckLansing, Mich.427,573
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.8126,227
Brett SanbornRochester Hills, Mich.7426,318
Brian CarlsonLexington, Ky.16125,083
Brian GeorgeBillings, Mont.16824,934
Brian LaskiewiczRandolph, N.J.11225,840
Brian SauberDenver, Colo.5126,543
Brian StainesMars, Pa.17124,854
Bryan SweetCookeville, Tenn.15825,151
Chad EisenhowerReading, Pa.1527,123
Chris BlacksmithLas Vegas, Nev.6026,421
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.10625,948
Chris LingenRochester, Minn.3426,753
Chris WhitneySan Jose, Calif.2826,880
Chris WinderPleasant Hill, Calif.16325,045
Clifford QuinnAnnapolis, Md.12625,710
Cory BoniniSan Diego, Calif.5026,557
Craig RobinsonCombined Locks, Wis.7626,290
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho1227,319
Dan FryeHouston, Texas9026,144
Dan SchneierWest Orange, N.J.1427,253
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.4026,630
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.2226,975
Darrell DukeSpring, Texas1727,029
Dave BernhardMadison, Wis.15725,235
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.3026,865
Dave IampieriForest Hill, Md.19324,143
Dave ReadCranberry, Pa.16425,023
David AikenheadLancaster, Calif.18524,583
David DiGregorioNorristown, Pa.10425,970
David J ThorntonDenver, Colo.3126,812
Dean TuffieAliquippa, Pa.327,639
Dennis ThomasWatsonville, Calif.17324,810
Derek MathisNorth Charleston, S.C.5226,535
Dish AdamsLos Angeles, Calif.3926,655
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.20623,242
Doug PawlakKnoxville, Tenn.1927,019
Ed O'HairKaty, Texas9326,115
Ed WeissParsippany, N.J.15125,393
Eddie TietchenSicklerville, N.J.11725,787
Edward WinkloskyOakland, Calif.12125,744
Eric BuchholzDestin, Fla.19024,289
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.17024,899
Eric HotzFremont, Ohio2626,896
Eric ScolnickRedmond, Wash.15225,344
Eric StancliffMount Airy, Md.5826,455
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.3326,757
Gary StehlyHilliard, Ohio15425,272
Geoff MalemanRedondo Beach, Calif.9526,099
Gilberto BacaFresno, Calif.15025,401
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.4126,626
Hank DaBruzziOakdale, Minn.10825,933
Harriett HuntAtlanta, Ga.15625,240
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.18424,583
Henry KarsenLecanto , Fla.128,184
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.18624,426
Isaac McNallyBillings, Mont.20323,615
Jake BoegelMinneapolis, Minn.19224,236
James SutterSan Carlos, Calif.4726,571
James WimmersLincolnton, N.C.11925,779
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.14125,500
Jason CollingtonTulsa, Okla.7926,265
Jason HoweOakland, Calif.1827,023
Jason PilonColumbia Heights, Minn.18324,584
Jason SpannSt. Louis, Mo.7826,268
Jeff FellSarnia, Ont.3826,710
Jeff FossettNewburgh, Ind.16924,921
Jeff RicheyFlower Mound, Texas2426,940
Jeff SlawsonBuffalo, N.Y.19524,125
Jeffery LebeoufCrowley, La.7326,328
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.14225,495
Jim CostelloPortland, Maine20023,746
Jim DiLorenzoGrayslake, Ill.2926,867
Jim KangasViroqua, Wis.17824,696
Jim NienaberGeorgetown, Ohio16025,124
Joe VlcekVirginia Beach, Va.19823,901
John D. SmithMount Laurel, N.J.10126,032
John DugginsGreenville, S.C.11025,906
John IsettIndian Rocks Beach, Fla.16624,967
John MarinoBinghamton, N.Y.2726,896
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.12925,672
John O'KaneFlemington, N.J.11325,831
John RichmondPeoria, Ariz.12525,717
John RobertsHonolulu, Hawaii17424,762
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.19624,107
Jon Elliott HansenReno, Nev.13925,556
Jonathan MoraMiami, Fla.7726,271
Joseph MichelangeloOceanside, N.Y.7526,305
Juan NovoMiami, Fla.5326,534
Justin MorrisMidland, Ont.14925,411
Keenan RavertyNorth St Paul, Minn.9126,137
Keith MasonSumter, S.C.9726,097
Keith McGrailTinley Park, Ill.9226,118
Ken YuenArlington Heights, Ill.10525,968
Kent BaileyPuyallup, Wash.12325,725
Kevin CuozzoBoston, Mass.927,446
Kevin HallAllen, Texas16225,053
Kevin SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.4326,589
Kevin WeaklandTracy, Calif.14325,487
Kirk KennedyPink Hill, N.C.727,512
Lou SanicolaMenomonee Falls, Wis.6126,421
Louis Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.8526,179
Manny De JesusGilbert, Ariz.13025,670
Marc PriceKelowna, B.C.4426,589
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.9826,065
Mark FaberColumbus, Ohio5626,488
Mark KundrotasAtco, N.J.8926,149
Mark StoeckerMansfield, Texas4226,602
Matt BeckerReading, Pa.10925,910
Matt HayesWinder, Ga.2526,922
Matt KonsMilwaukee, Wis.14725,421
Michael CabazaCherry Hill, N.J.13325,633
Michael CrowOrion, Ill.4626,581
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.12425,723
Michael LivengoodWard, Ark.10026,046
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.1627,087
Michael McClearyRoseville, Calif.10226,015
Michael McIlraithLos Angeles, Calif.17924,668
Michael MurilloTampa, Fla.20523,354
Michael O'BrienBrighton, Colo.14025,527
Michael PhillipsWest Hartford, Conn.17624,712
Michael SarmentoSan Jose, Calif.8426,196
Michael StancoClermont, Fla.13625,587
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.13125,669
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.2326,949
Mike CarlsonSacramento, Calif.5926,445
Mike ClayFleetwood, Pa.227,745
Mike CraigKokomo, Ind.9426,100
Mike GreenDes Moines, Iowa6726,354
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Texas6926,348
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.5726,464
Mike ToddOtis, Ore.18724,415
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.19724,068
Mitch WurstCincinnati, Ohio8026,254
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.18824,379
Nathan KlineTopton, Pa.20223,696
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.10725,933
Nathan RobertsPiketon, Ohio12025,748
Paul HazenGranada Hills, Calif.14425,449
Paul KucharSchaumburg, Ill.6226,408
Peter SteinkeRedmond, Wash.2126,976
Rey DiazMiami, Fla.17224,831
Rich HodgesTacoma, Wash.17724,709
Richard BrisacherLos Angeles, Calif.17524,723
Richard JacksonBerkeley, Calif.827,460
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.4526,583
Richard MeadorsSeymour, Ind.11125,884
Rick CalabroStaten Island, N.Y.1127,409
Rob DammersRingwood, N.J.20423,516
Rob ReiberRandolph, N.J.6426,390
Robert CowartDallas, Texas8226,214
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.11625,795
Ronald John RobuckTempe, Ariz.20821,770
Russell DitnesJamison, Pa.16525,014
Rustin PaulNew York, N.Y.7026,335
Rusty StephensDallas, Texas12725,683
S. LindMonmouth Junction, N.J.14625,435
Sam HendricksLynchburg, Va.9626,098
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.20123,698
Scott BradyCollegeville, Pa.8626,176
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.14525,447
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.5526,498
Scott MartinLa Crescenta, Calif.14825,415
Scott SachsHuron, Ohio8826,152
Sebastian FalsonePhiladelphia, Pa.13825,576
Shane ScottToronto, Ont.3226,784
Shiaw ChiSan Jose, Calif.527,564
Stephen ColemanAurora, Ill.9926,050
Stephen FisseMandeville (New Orleans), La.15525,262
Stephen McKenzieRed Wing, Minn.4926,565
Steve HoytBuffalo Grove, Ill.6526,384
Steve MoyerAlameda, Calif.1327,282
Steve TortoraWallingford, Conn.18024,649
Thomas OliverNashville, Tenn.8326,202
Tim LloydNewton , N.J.6626,376
Tim WandlingRohnert Park , Calif.8726,154
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.12225,726
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.7126,333
Tom OverbergerBedminster, Pa.11525,800
Tommy LibrettiNew York, N.Y.20917,804
Tony ZellerDundalk, Md.12825,680
Travis BillmanDacula, Ga.19424,129
Travis GrayWellington, Fla.18224,627
Treavor PhippsSalem, Ind.18924,348
Troy TretolaPort Saint Lucie, Fla.19923,836
Ty TietjenBrandon, S.D.10325,998
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.5426,521
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.15925,127

--Ian Allan

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