It's another year of our Super League competition. As mentioned yesterday, we're concerned about the possibility of unforeseen problems this year. But we'll give it a try, and hopefully everyone will have fun.
Details were laid out here yesterday, so if you missed that column, check it out, and then come on back here.
The contest is totally free, and it's simple. Each week you pick the best 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 2 TEs and 2 PKs (scoring system: 1 point for 10 run/rec or 20 passing yards, 6 points for run/rec TDs, 4 points for passing TDs, straight NFL points for kickers). You will be playing alongside Fantasy Index writers and subscribers, and there will be weekly prizes for the reader whose team posts the best score. You can register at http://football.myfantasyleague.com/2015/FantasyIndex.
I don't recall exactly how I did last year, but I know it wasn't great. Maybe I finished in the top 25 percent or something. I had one week where I finished 2nd or 3rd. And a lot of weeks where I didn't.
But I got better, as with anything; the more you do it, the more you figure out how to be successful at it. Here's my Week 1 lineup.
Quarterbacks: Tony Romo and Matt Ryan. Both of these guys were really undervalued in my drafts this year. I have Ryan in several leagues, drafting him anywhere from the 5th to 8th round. A couple gave 6 points for TD passes, too. He'll be in a likely shootout with Philadelphia this week. Romo, well, he's pretty good, and I don't think Dallas will be able to run the ball very well until they get Christine Michael up to speed. Obviously, I wish I'd started Tom Brady last night, but what can you do.
Running Backs: Adrian Peterson and Justin Forsett. I'm starting Peterson because he's Adrian Peterson, he's going to be fired up and ticked off, and I think the 49ers are in for a tough year. Big game coming for AP. Forsett should be nearly an every-down back for Baltimore in a game at Denver that might be somewhat high-scoring. I'd like him a lot more in PPR, but he's the guy I'm picking. For now, unless I change my mind and go with Eddie Lacy against the Bears. Possible.
Wide Receivers: Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones, Jordan Matthews. Keeping it fairly simple at this position this week. All three are playing in likely shootouts against defensively challenged teams and should be the main targets. I could easily pick Dez Bryant, too, or I could have used Antonio Brown last night (although it didn't seem that way until he scored in the final seconds. Whatever, these are the choices this week.
Tight ends: Rob Gronkowski and Owen Daniels. One of the changes we wanted to make this year was to either black out certain players from being used or at least limit them. Call it the Rob Gronkowski Rule. Because seriously, if you submit a Super League lineup that doesn't include Gronkowski as one of your two tight ends, I don't know, you're either crazy, difficult, or simply don't understand the rules of the game. With no salary cap, there's no earthly reason not to start Gronkowski every week that he's not injured or on his bye. As for Daniels, I could still switch to Olsen or Bennett, but I like Daniels against the Ravens this week.
Kickers: Matt Bryant and Mason Crosby.Kickers either in shootouts or in likely wins against bad defenses, those are my general rules here.
Good luck to the rest of you.