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Fantasy Index Open

John Moore wins defense position in all-comers competition

I’m just getting into scoring our season-long competitions. We’ve got the Experts Poll, with the 20 industry analysts in the magazine, and we’ve got the sister contest, the Fantasy Index Open, which is open to everyone. I hope to get both of these scored by the end of next week. I’ll release the position-by-position results as I go along.

Starting off with the defenses, the overall winner is a familiar name. John Moore, a real estate agent from Sea Isle City, N.J. He finished in 2nd place overall in the Fantasy Index Open back in 2012. And he’s the early leader after winning this category.

This is the competition, recall, where each participant ranks his top 20 at each position. All picks count, and the higher you rank a player, the more his on-field production counts towards your overall score.

The overall winner captures a giant deluxe trophy from the team at Affordable Trophies. We thank them for being part of this venture. And the top two finishers earn berths in the regular Experts Poll in the magazine, competing against 18 industry experts.

In this kind of competition, injuries play a huge role. If you’re higher than most of the others on a player, and he misses more than half of the season with a knee injury (or gets benched or suspended or whatever) that can really gut your score. Such situations should be more of a problem this year than they have been in the past. But at this one position – defenses – at least all of the entries had 20 defenses playing in 16 games each.

For this position, scoring is based on 6 points for touchdowns, 2 for takeaways, 1 for sacks and 2 for each safety. It includes special teams, with credit given for kickoff and punt returns and touchdowns on blocked kicks. No points, however, for holding opponents under yardage and scoring thresholds.

So for starters, we should establish the lay of the land at the position in general. Arizona, Carolina, Denver and Kansas City were the best options at this position (by far). Seattle might have a great real-life NFL defense, but it was just 13th. Buffalo, Baltimore and Miami were popular preseason picks, but they finished 22nd, 28th and 25th. So in general, the lower you ranked those units, the better.

FANTASY SCORING TOTALS, DEFENSES
RkTeamPtsFumIntSackFan Pts
1.Arizona46141936148
2.Carolina24152444146
3.Denver38131452144
4.Kansas City3872247143
5.Philadelphia38111537127
6.Pittsburgh18131748126
7.Minnesota3691343123
8.St. Louis26131341119
9.Indianapolis3281735117
10.Washington26151138116
11.NY Giants38121523115
12.Houston18111445113
13.Seattle3081437111
14.New England1491249105
15.Cincinnati672142104
16.Tampa Bay18121138102
17.Green Bay126164399
18.NY Jets012183999
19.Oakland1011143898
20.Jacksonville24993696
21.Detroit16994294
22.Buffalo208172191
23.Cleveland1810112989
24.Tennessee128113989
25.Miami243133187
26.New Orleans121393187
27.Atlanta188151983
28.Baltimore18863783
29.San Diego69113278
30.Chicago0983569
31.Dallas8383161
32.San Francisco6392858

And I should clarifying how our complex scoring matrix works. For each of the 20 defenses each person ranks, they get some kind of score. Seattle, for example, scored 111 fantasy points. Those who ranked the Seahawks #1 receive 2,775 points (25 x 111). Those who ranked Seattle 2nd received 2,664 points (24 x 111) and those who ranked Seattle 20th receive 666 (6 x 111). So it’s a descending grid of 25 to 6 (as the multiplier number).

We have used 20-1 and 30-11 ratios in the past, but both have flaws. With the 20-1 system, the lesser picks don’t seem to carry enough weight. It’s all based on who doesn’t the best ranking the top couple of picks. That is, it doesn’t really matter if you cleverly ranked Doug Martin as your 18th pick. That would have been a great recommendation, but it would have been washed out by whatever you did with your top few selections. Similarly, the 30-11 doesn’t quite work. It tends to place too much weight on simply picking guys who don’t get hurt. That is, the winner at the quarterback position isn’t the guy who does the best job with his top 5, but instead which entry lands the most guys in the teens who at least stay in the lineup for 14-plus games.

So we’ve settled on the 25-6 scale as the Lesser of Three Evils.

And at this first category, John Moore is the winner. Jim Kovac of Tuscon, Ariz., is the runnerup, and Brett Watts of Florence, South Carolina, is third.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, Defenses (top 20)
RkNameOccupationPoints
1.John MooreReal Estate Agent35,723
2.Jim KovacRetired35,643
3.Brett WattsProduct Manager35,633
4.John BroadbentImplementation Analyst35,591
5.Bill MasonOperator35,564
6.Andrew LeahySales Director35,558
7.Scott SachsHeadhunter35,554
8.Kenneth YuenAttorney35,530
9.Jason PilonOffice Grunt35,440
10.Bob AdelmanSales35,398
11.Ben MacLeodAcademic Advisor35,368
12.Michael O'BrienFingerprint Examiner35,320
13.Michael McAninchNetwork Engineer35,309
14.Johnny BazzanoDispatcher35,294
15.Kevin E. SmithStudent35,253
16.Steven AlessandriniPublic Relations35,235
17.Gary AllenEngineer35,228
18.Eric GustitusTitle Searcher35,184
19.Geoff GreggsFiscal Analyst35,176
20.Victor KitzesAccounting35,143

Here’s the rundown for all the entries. There were 194 entries this year, so you’ve got to rank in the top 97 to be above-average. Top 39 gets you in the top 20 percent.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, Defenses (all entries)
EntryHometownPointsRank
Adam BergeronSalem, N.H.33,898166
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.34,459100
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.34,50894
Adam TaylorMedia, Pa.35,11421
Andrew LeahyAudubon, N.J.35,5586
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.34,48495
Ben MacLeodManchester, N.H.35,36811
Bill D'AllesandroHuntington, N.Y.34,94833
Bill MasonHuntersville, N.C.35,5645
Billy FriedrichRaleigh, N.C.34,202140
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.35,39810
Bob TeccaMinneapolis, Minn.34,451102
Brad FreemanGeneva, Ill.33,426179
Brad HendersonLouisville, Ken.34,69961
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.34,173148
Brenton RobertsKirkland, Wash.34,66373
Brett WattsFlorence, S.C.35,6333
Brian SauberHighlands Ranch, Colo.34,82646
Bruce AlwineHavertown, Pa.34,211137
Charles RaifmanShort Hills, N.J.33,976160
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.34,205139
Chris HenkleAurora, Ill.34,367117
Chris HertzbergAustin, Tex.33,511176
Chris WeberAppleton, Wis.34,48196
Chris WhitneySan Jose, Calif.34,199142
Chris WinderSan Ramon, Calif.34,84043
Cliff ShannonMaple Ridge, B.C.34,58684
Cory BoniniSan Diego, Calif.34,98130
Craig LeedySacramento, Calif.34,77055
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho34,447104
Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.33,726169
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.34,66572
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.34,337123
Daniel MacDonaldTorrance, Calif.34,223134
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.34,200141
Dave PizzicaSpringfield, Pa.34,68468
Dave WildeMukwonago, Wis.34,77056
David BouchardFort Kent, Maine34,151151
Dennis LyonsElk Grove, Calif.34,70560
Derek IrelanRound Hill, Va.34,46599
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.34,80547
Doug BrownFort Gratiot, Mich.34,63778
Doug PaceyTempe, Ariz.34,297128
Drew EnglebrightLondon, U.K.33,691172
Duke DavisMerchantville, N.J.34,115153
Ed BurkePhiladelphia, Pa.34,79948
Ed WeissParsippany, N.J.34,265131
Eric GoetzShoreline, Wash.34,85438
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.35,18418
Eric ScolnickRedmond, Wash.34,158150
Fabrizio DanovaLos Angeles, Calif.34,56786
Frank RotellaSewell, N.J.34,61679
Frank ShinnickMilford, Mass.34,182145
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.35,22817
Geoff GreggsRoy, Wash.35,17619
Glen WilliamsColumbus, Ohio35,07325
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.34,59880
Greg ResinHermosa Beach, Calif.34,369116
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.33,164184
Henry GongState College, Pa.32,923189
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.34,208138
Ian MacEwenSeven Hills, Ohio34,303126
J.Brack VarnonHouston, Tex.35,02227
Jacques DuggerTaylor, Mich.35,07924
James WimmersLincolnton, N.C.34,78053
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.34,85041
Jared RossChampaign, Ill.34,89335
Jason HoweOakland, Calif.34,78152
Jason HowesStewartville, Minn.34,275130
Jason PilonRoseville, Minn.35,4409
Jay Harding Portland, Ore.34,95432
Jeff AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.34,357120
Jeff FossettNewburgh, Ind.34,75257
Jeff FriedrichGreenville, N.C.34,345122
Jeff NoordhoffIndialantic, Fla.34,69463
Jeff RossLake Villa, Ill.34,181146
Jeffery LebeoufCrowley, La.33,549175
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.34,77454
Jesse McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.34,66174
Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.34,380114
Jim KangasViroqua, Wis.34,192144
Jim KovacTucson, Ariz.35,6432
John BroadbentPhiladelphia, Pa.35,5914
John D. SmithWillow Grove, Pa.32,791190
John DentAnn Arbor, Mich.34,65076
John DUGGINSGreenville, S.C.34,68667
John LapertosaBethpage, N.Y.34,424107
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.35,7231
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.34,193143
John SmulowitzWilkes-Barre, Pa.33,490177
John StolzmannLas Vegas, Nev.33,343180
Johnny BazzanoSanta Rosa, Calif.35,29414
Johnny PullenTampa, Fla.33,700170
Jon HansenReno, Nev.34,70859
Jon RodningenOmaha, Neb.34,85439
Jonathan MoraChicago, Ill.34,058155
Joseph MichelangeloOceanside, N.Y.34,397110
Keen JohnsonDearborn, Mich.34,247132
Ken NormanChanhassen, Minn.34,69662
Ken ValisGaithersburg, Md.33,432178
Kenneth JonesAurora, Colo.35,08223
Kenneth YuenArlington Heights, Ill.35,5308
Kevin CuozzoConcord, Mass.34,53589
Kevin E. SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.35,25315
Kevin HallAllen, Tex.34,049156
Kyle SoppeRochester, N.Y.34,001157
Larry WeinhauerAndover, N.Y.34,64277
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.34,58385
Mark KundrotasWaterford, N.J.34,78251
Mark StoeckerDallas, Tex.34,384113
Matt WeightMinneapolis, Minn.34,68964
Michael DeSarioLas Vegas, Nev.33,675173
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.34,78550
Michael LivengoodWard, Ark.34,97731
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.35,30913
Michael McIlraithNorth Hollywood, Calif.33,986159
Michael O'BrienBrighton, Colo.35,32012
Michael StoltzGreat Falls, Va.32,381191
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.34,400109
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.34,457101
Mike ClayBlandon, Pa.33,991158
Mike CraigKokoko, Ind.34,354121
Mike KnorowskiWesley Chapel, Fla.34,367118
Mike KovacevLynnfield, Mass.34,302127
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Tex.34,236133
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.34,68965
Mike RickelIra twp, Mich.34,392111
Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho34,51691
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.33,154185
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.34,438105
Nathan KlineTopton, Pa.34,165149
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.34,292129
Nathan RobertsLucasville, Ohio33,291182
Nathan ZanonSan Jose, Calif.34,68469
Nick PetrevskiEl Segundo, Calif.34,59681
Norm ShirkRockford, Ill.34,66175
Owen KennedyMidhurst, Ont.34,86237
Paul McCannHopewell Twp., Pa.34,58883
Paul OwersLake Worth , Fla.33,697171
Paul StaasPompano Beach, Fla.33,909164
Pete CollinsOrland Park, Ill.34,386112
Pete OwersWest Palm Beach, Fla.32,975188
Pete RichmondAlexandria, Va.33,953162
Peter JohnsonFullerton, Calif.33,556174
Rich MaysThe Dalles, Ore.34,79749
Richard FechterCoral Gables, Fla.35,00829
Richard JacksonSan Francisco, Calif.34,46798
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.34,59482
Richard MeadorsSeymour , Ind.31,173192
Richard MeyersGurley, Ala.33,758168
Rob DammersRingwood, N.J.34,54088
Robert MilelliCherry Hill, N.J.34,91534
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.34,83944
Rudy FloresChicago, Ill.34,150152
Rustin PaulNew York, N.Y.33,109186
Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.34,68966
Sam WoodBoston, Mass.32,987187
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.33,269183
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.34,448103
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.34,51492
Scott SachsCanton, Ohio35,5547
Seamus McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.34,53390
Sean ChiFlushing, N.Y.34,317125
Sebastian Falsone Philadelphia, Pa.33,907165
Sergio GarciaLake Elsinore, Calif.35,02228
Shane ScottToronto, Ont.34,68370
Stephen McKenzieNew Richmond, Wis.34,74558
Steve BlenkerSloan, N.Y.35,09122
Steve ClarkLas Vegas, Nev.34,67071
Steve HorneNovi, Mich.35,07026
Steve HoytBuffalo Grove, Ill.33,950163
Steve MathAustin, Tex.33,975161
Steve MoyerOakland, Calif.34,098154
Steve TortoraWallingford, Conn.34,213135
Steven AlessandriniFlanders, N.J.35,23516
Thomas AlexanderBristow, Va.34,54787
Tim SmithHayward, Calif.34,47497
Tim WandlingRohnert Park, Calif.34,87436
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.34,84742
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.34,51193
Tom MorandeTinley Park, Ill.34,335124
Tommy LibrettiLong Island, N.Y.34,423108
Tony HolmChicago, Ill.34,212136
Tony ZellerDundalk, Md.34,177147
Travis PerryCoeburn, Va.33,308181
Trevor RossEdmonton, Alberta34,425106
Trey QuinnAnnapolis, Md.34,82745
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.35,14320
Will CarpenterSeven Lakes, N.C.34,367119
William RehorCulver City, Calif.34,373115
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.34,85140
Zach NizolekKansas City, Mo.33,817167

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index