You learn something new every year (I hope so, anyway. It would be kind of sad if we didn't), and this year brought plenty of new knowledge in terms of fantasy football. Here are just a few of the things I learned.
I learned I was wrong about the Pro Bowl. Yeah, I made fun of it a couple of weeks ago, but it was actually watchable this year. That might not sound like high praise, but I don't remember the last time I could say that honestly. I turned it on for a minute and actually watched the rest of the game. Maybe televising a vacation for athletes isn't a total waste of time after all. Good job, NFL.
I learned that a great fantasy draft means nothing unless you pair it will good in-season moves. I already knew that, but there's nothing like experiencing it again to provide a good reminder. In one league I drafted Brees and Graham, which was a strong combo. But it was the waiver wire (Zac Stacy, Andre Brown, Vincent Jackson) that helped me slide through the regular season and win the title. In another league I had an even better draft with good starters and solid depth. But I was never able to grab a consistent starter off the wire and all my trade offers fell through. I was bounced easily in the playoffs, and even if I had somehow survived that round I would have been beaten even worse the following week. I paired a good draft with mediocre management and paid for it.
I learned that NFL records get targeted after week 1. When Peyton Manning threw seven touchdowns in the first game of the year, it was just a matter of counting down the weeks until that record was his again. Take a competitive athlete, a strong start and a breakable record and you've got fantasy gold. If a top running back runs for 250 yards in week 1 next year, the team's focus will probably adjust a bit to accommodate the chase. And if that happens, I hope I'll be lucky enough to have him on my team.
I learned that different fantasy games require very different fantasy insights. Hey, it was great to win the Fantasy Index Super League, which is a season-long contest. But a few weeks later I got the sobering results from the Fantasy Index Open, which is conducted before the season starts. I'd like to thank the 30-odd players whose poor choices allowed me to avoid the cellar in that game. They don't make foam fingers that say "We're Number 178," do they?
I learned that selective memory can affect how you view the previous season. When I think of the Bears, I think of Matt Forte running hard, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery making incredible catches and good quarterback play while the team waited for Jay Cutler to come back from injury. And when I think of the Packers, I think of disappointment, silly quarterback play while they waited for Aaron Rodgers to return and tepid receiving stats on many occasions. Yet the Packers made the playoffs and the Bears stayed home. I'm not knocking the playoff format or the teams involved; I'm questioning the accuracy of my own memory. I need to find my objectivity before draft day.
I learned that Chris Johnson is finished. If he bounces back and has a great 2014, it won't be on my teams. It probably won't be on the Titans, either.
I learned that Tony Gonzalez isn't finished, but he's retiring anyway. How many players have played at such a high level this late in their careers? Brett Favre had a great year with the Vikings, but he had plenty of uneven seasons before that. Gonzalez has been a pretty consistent performer throughout his career, and would be a top tight end fantasy choice if he played in 2014. Probably 2015, too. Amazing.
I learned that there's no television or radio broadcast, no media outlet, no page on the Internet where the NFL can't squeeze in one more commercial. Commercial break, touchdown and extra point, commercial break, kickoff, commercial break. It's almost an art form. A painful, annoying art form.
I learned that defense wins championships. How many times do I need to re-learn this one? Congratulations, Seattle.
I learned that I like Peyton Manning after all. I've never been a big fan (no particular reason), but you have to respect a guy who can win and lose with equal dignity. It was definitely a tough loss for him on Sunday. No matter what Brett Favre says, a win would have improved his legacy and lifted the "mediocre in the playoffs" reputation. But losing in that fashion cements the impression that he's not the same guy when it matters most, and he might never have another chance to reverse that opinion. Still, he faced the reporters and answered questions in a composed, thoughtful fashion. Maybe we expect that, but it's still impressive. Some guys don't know how to win (not talking about Richard Sherman; that was way overblown) and others don't know how to lose. Peyton Manning is the kind of guy you want leading your team during a game, and representing it when the game is over. Setting a ton of NFL records toward the end of your career doesn't hurt, either. Amazing season for Manning.
I hope to keep learning new things each year, and enjoying football (and fantasy football) more as a result. Thanks again for reading this season. Enjoy some hockey, find me on Twitter @vivamurillo and I'll see you in the summertime.
What did you learn this year? Share your lessons below.