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Fantasy Index Open (WR)

Advertising executive rides Josh Gordon to wide receiver win

Tom Deskovitz had the best entry at wide receiver -- or did he? It depends on how you score the entries. Ian Allan explains.

We’re going with a more balanced scoring format in this contest – putting more value in the picks in the teens and less at getting the top couple of guys right. Tom Deskovitz, an advertising executive from South Lyon, Mich., probably didn’t give a hoot about this when he was filling out his ballot, but he should be loving that rule right now.

With the revised 30-to-11 scoring system, Deskovitz is the big winner at the wide receiver position in the Fantasy Index Open. Under the old scoring system (where the No. 1 picks were worth 20 times more than the 20th picks) Deskovitz would have finished only 28th.

Right behind Deskovitz were a trio of guys from Minnesota. They would have finished 1-2-3 in the old scoring format. Stephen McKenzie from Red Wing is your runnerup. Bob Tecca, an IT manager from Buffalo (Minn.) takes the bronze. Mike Wells – a professor at Minnesota State – finished in 4th, and he would have been the position winner using the old 20-1 scoring format.

How is it, you might wonder, that Deskovitz can have the No. 1 entry in one scoring format, but just one of the good ones in another – just outside the top 10 percent?

Well, it comes down to how much credit you want to give him for ranking Josh Gordon 13th on his board? Gordon was the breakout player at this position, and Deskovitz was one of only 12 guys who included him on his board – only two guys ranked Gordon higher?

Using the 20-1 scoring system, the key to a good list is having a strong top 10. Deskovitz missed on three of his top-10 picks – Roddy White, Julio Jones and Randall Cobb all got hurt. The Minnesota guys all had only two blown picks in their top 10. So if you want to put the emphasis on those early-round guys, they’re you’re three winners.

But if you start jacking up the value of the guys in the teen, then Deskovitz really starts raking in the value for the Gordon gambit.

In this format, recall, everyone’s getting credit (in varying degrees) for everyone they rank. Gordon scored 227.4 points, and with Deskovitz having ranked him 13th, that pick was worth 18 x 227.4 = 4,093.2 points. The 18 there, as I’ve explained in past stories, comes from 31 minus 13 (where he ranked him). In the old 20-1 format, Deskovitz received only 1,819.2 points (8 x 227.4).

A shout out is in order for Jon Elliott Hansen, a craps dealer from Reno. He’s the guy who was the gutiest of all – ranking Gordon way up at 5th. (What did he know?) But Hansen undid that brilliance by taking too many other gambles that didn’t work out. He was one of the lower guys on Brandon Marshall, and he had four receivers in his top 11 who didn’t finish in the top 30 – Julio Jones, Randall Cobb, Danny Amendola and Roddy White. Reggie Wayne was in there too.

I haven’t re-tabulated the overall numbers, but it appears that Steve Moyer has increased his lead on the big board. He finished in 12th at this position, so only 11 other entries gained ground on him. Jason Howe of Oakland was No. 2 overall entering the wide receivers, but he finished over 4,000 points back – way down at 164th.

“I literally lay awake last night thinking about my picks at QB, RB and WR,” Moyer said. “This is my favorite hobby and I would be tickled to finish in the top 10. This is the most fun I can possibly have with my clothes on.”

There are two positions left to grade – running backs and quarterbacks – and they tend to count the most. The overall winner of this 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). In future years, I might tweak that rule. Instead take the winner of the 30-11 format and the winner of the 20-1 format (kind of like the WBA and WBC titles in boxing). Last year, though, Sam Hendricks was the overall winner, and he won in both systems. Anyway, it’s something I’m mulling over.

WIDE RECEIVERS (top 10 percent)
NameHometownOccupationPoints
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.Advertising Executive65,979
Stephen McKenzieRed Wing, Minn.Books Are Fun Sales Rep65,773
Bob TeccaBuffalo, Minn.IT Manager65,133
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.Professor64,962
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.Gentleman Adventurer64,443
John O'KaneFlemington, N.J.Catholic Priest64,412
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.Self Employed64,385
Bradley WolfrumAlpharetta, Ga.Small Business Owner64,376
Brian SauberDenver, Colo.Engineer64,304
Kevin CuozzoBoston, Mass.Payroll64,300
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.Engineer64,289
Steve MoyerAlameda, Calif.Investment Realtor64,269
Brian LaskiewiczRandolph, N.J.Attorney64,241
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.Network Engineer64,181
Marc PriceKelowna, B.C.Law Firm Manager63,880
Jason PilonColumbia Heights, Minn.Office Grunt63,868
Edward WinkloskyOakland, Calif.Attorney63,755
Paul HazenGranada Hills, Calif.Acquisitions63,749
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.Student63,693
Eric BuchholzDestin, Fla.Stay-at-home Dad63,682

Here’s the overall list in alphabetical order, with hometown, rank at this position (out of 209) and points scored.

WIDE RECEIVERS (alphabetical)
NameHometownRankPoints
Aaron SucovMonmouth Junction, N.J.11161,777
Adam HoltzRochester, Minn.12761,541
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.5063,124
Adam RenzoniBuffalo, N.Y.18159,549
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.764,385
Adam ThygesonPortland, Ore.19558,348
Alan KasterGreen Bay, Wis.17859,759
Alessandro MiglioSan Pablo, Calif.10062,107
Andy GoughDallas, Texas17759,820
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.14061,212
Austin LeeSan Francisco, Calif.7462,587
Bill MasonHuntersville, N.C.13961,238
Bill RehorCulver City, Calif.12261,607
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.16960,182
Bob BuchnerCoral Springs, Fla.15660,715
Bob StoneOdenton, Md.16760,250
Bob TeccaBuffalo, Minn.365,133
Brack VarnonHouston, Texas3763,332
Brad FreemanGeneva, Ill.16060,528
Brad HendersonLouisville, Ky.3063,499
Bradley WolfrumAlpharetta, Ga.864,376
Brant HollenbeckLansing, Mich.3163,488
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.8562,429
Brett SanbornRochester Hills, Mich.4663,176
Brian CarlsonLexington, Ky.18959,031
Brian GeorgeBillings, Mont.14860,825
Brian LaskiewiczRandolph, N.J.1364,241
Brian SauberDenver, Colo.964,304
Brian StainesMars, Pa.14161,125
Bryan SweetCookeville, Tenn.6562,782
Chad EisenhowerReading, Pa.16660,345
Chris BlacksmithLas Vegas, Nev.2463,579
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.8962,336
Chris LingenRochester, Minn.16460,446
Chris WhitneySan Jose, Calif.9962,119
Chris WinderPleasant Hill, Calif.6162,889
Clifford QuinnAnnapolis, Md.10162,102
Cory BoniniSan Diego, Calif.6362,831
Craig RobinsonCombined Locks, Wis.15060,820
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho8062,552
Dan FryeHouston, Texas2863,520
Dan SchneierWest Orange, N.J.8662,424
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.1164,289
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.2663,531
Darrell DukeSpring, Texas10961,871
Dave BernhardMadison, Wis.4163,244
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.2363,595
Dave IampieriForest Hill, Md.20057,766
Dave ReadCranberry, Pa.13861,256
David AikenheadLancaster, Calif.15760,690
David DiGregorioNorristown, Pa.20854,915
David J ThorntonDenver, Colo.13561,357
Dean TuffieAliquippa, Pa.11561,662
Dennis ThomasWatsonville, Calif.6762,724
Derek MathisNorth Charleston, S.C.14361,026
Dish AdamsLos Angeles, Calif.7262,598
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.13161,414
Doug PawlakKnoxville, Tenn.14460,923
Ed O'HairKaty, Texas10462,040
Ed WeissParsippany, N.J.14560,905
Eddie TietchenSicklerville, N.J.17160,024
Edward WinkloskyOakland, Calif.1763,755
Eric BuchholzDestin, Fla.2063,682
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.2563,553
Eric HotzFremont, Ohio12561,572
Eric ScolnickRedmond, Wash.9462,219
Eric StancliffMount Airy, Md.6662,726
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.17459,876
Gary StehlyHilliard, Ohio14960,824
Geoff MalemanRedondo Beach, Calif.16160,491
Gilberto BacaFresno, Calif.18759,349
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.14760,875
Hank DaBruzziOakdale, Minn.12961,473
Harriett HuntAtlanta, Ga.20755,324
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.18059,642
Henry KarsenLecanto , Fla.18459,416
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.11961,629
Isaac McNallyBillings, Mont.18259,544
Jake BoegelMinneapolis, Minn.4563,227
James SutterSan Carlos, Calif.14660,891
James WimmersLincolnton, N.C.4863,140
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.7162,602
Jason CollingtonTulsa, Okla.8262,510
Jason HoweOakland, Calif.11061,815
Jason PilonColumbia Heights, Minn.1663,868
Jason SpannSt. Louis, Mo.8462,436
Jeff FellSarnia, Ont.20456,655
Jeff FossettNewburgh, Ind.17559,861
Jeff RicheyFlower Mound, Texas13461,377
Jeff SlawsonBuffalo, N.Y.18559,381
Jeffery LebeoufCrowley, La.6462,795
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.1963,693
Jim CostelloPortland, Maine15860,667
Jim DiLorenzoGrayslake, Ill.7762,572
Jim KangasViroqua, Wis.11261,749
Jim NienaberGeorgetown, Ohio9762,168
Joe VlcekVirginia Beach, Va.9062,321
John D. SmithMount Laurel, N.J.7962,563
John DugginsGreenville, S.C.15960,611
John IsettIndian Rocks Beach, Fla.10562,032
John MarinoBinghamton, N.Y.20556,571
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.11361,703
John O'KaneFlemington, N.J.664,412
John RichmondPeoria, Ariz.17359,972
John RobertsHonolulu, Hawaii7662,580
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.17060,062
Jon Elliott HansenReno, Nev.5163,060
Jonathan MoraMiami, Fla.13061,427
Joseph MichelangeloOceanside, N.Y.8862,387
Juan NovoMiami, Fla.13661,275
Justin MorrisMidland, Ont.19058,940
Keenan RavertyNorth St Paul, Minn.8162,546
Keith MasonSumter, S.C.12061,616
Keith McGrailTinley Park, Ill.15160,816
Ken YuenArlington Heights, Ill.3363,475
Kent BaileyPuyallup, Wash.20157,723
Kevin CuozzoBoston, Mass.1064,300
Kevin HallAllen, Texas15260,802
Kevin SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.19758,170
Kevin WeaklandTracy, Calif.3863,312
Kirk KennedyPink Hill, N.C.5962,937
Lou SanicolaMenomonee Falls, Wis.9662,179
Louis Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.8762,409
Manny De JesusGilbert, Ariz.17659,859
Marc PriceKelowna, B.C.1563,880
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.5862,953
Mark FaberColumbus, Ohio5463,033
Mark KundrotasAtco, N.J.12661,544
Mark StoeckerMansfield, Texas4263,241
Matt BeckerReading, Pa.10262,082
Matt HayesWinder, Ga.12361,603
Matt KonsMilwaukee, Wis.12161,608
Michael CabazaCherry Hill, N.J.2163,664
Michael CrowOrion, Ill.9362,227
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.16360,450
Michael LivengoodWard, Ark.6862,713
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.1464,181
Michael McClearyRoseville, Calif.19957,919
Michael McIlraithLos Angeles, Calif.19258,679
Michael MurilloTampa, Fla.16260,456
Michael O'BrienBrighton, Colo.7862,567
Michael PhillipsWest Hartford, Conn.2763,526
Michael SarmentoSan Jose, Calif.11661,660
Michael StancoClermont, Fla.20257,642
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.9862,139
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.11461,667
Mike CarlsonSacramento, Calif.3663,335
Mike ClayFleetwood, Pa.4763,147
Mike CraigKokomo, Ind.19658,310
Mike GreenDes Moines, Iowa2963,501
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Texas9262,285
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.3463,405
Mike ToddOtis, Ore.3563,358
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.464,962
Mitch WurstCincinnati, Ohio18359,437
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.2263,598
Nathan KlineTopton, Pa.7362,596
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.10661,983
Nathan RobertsPiketon, Ohio19358,486
Paul HazenGranada Hills, Calif.1863,749
Paul KucharSchaumburg, Ill.9562,212
Peter SteinkeRedmond, Wash.7062,626
Rey DiazMiami, Fla.6262,838
Rich HodgesTacoma, Wash.16860,204
Richard BrisacherLos Angeles, Calif.6962,674
Richard JacksonBerkeley, Calif.5563,002
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.10861,915
Richard MeadorsSeymour, Ind.19458,399
Rick CalabroStaten Island, N.Y.11761,638
Rob DammersRingwood, N.J.20656,190
Rob ReiberRandolph, N.J.5263,057
Robert CowartDallas, Texas5762,957
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.8362,506
Ronald John RobuckTempe, Ariz.19858,036
Russell DitnesJamison, Pa.15460,756
Rustin PaulNew York, N.Y.4463,233
Rusty StephensDallas, Texas15560,734
S. LindMonmouth Junction, N.J.5662,998
Sam HendricksLynchburg, Va.6062,903
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.18859,256
Scott BradyCollegeville, Pa.12861,524
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.4963,126
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.564,443
Scott MartinLa Crescenta, Calif.18659,373
Scott SachsHuron, Ohio20356,890
Sebastian FalsonePhiladelphia, Pa.15360,791
Shane ScottToronto, Ont.17959,672
Shiaw ChiSan Jose, Calif.17260,008
Stephen ColemanAurora, Ill.3963,296
Stephen FisseMandeville (New Orleans), La.4063,273
Stephen McKenzieRed Wing, Minn.265,773
Steve HoytBuffalo Grove, Ill.7562,580
Steve MoyerAlameda, Calif.1264,269
Steve TortoraWallingford, Conn.19158,683
Thomas OliverNashville, Tenn.16560,422
Tim LloydNewton , N.J.13261,399
Tim WandlingRohnert Park , Calif.3263,478
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.14261,056
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.165,979
Tom OverbergerBedminster, Pa.4363,237
Tommy LibrettiNew York, N.Y.20943,048
Tony ZellerDundalk, Md.12461,589
Travis BillmanDacula, Ga.9162,319
Travis GrayWellington, Fla.10362,067
Treavor PhippsSalem, Ind.10761,968
Troy TretolaPort Saint Lucie, Fla.11861,632
Ty TietjenBrandon, S.D.13361,382
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.13761,268
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.5363,035

--Ian Allan

Fantasy Index