Fight the Good Fight
October 19th, 2002
Not every fantasy football season goes the way you imagined it would. Sometimes, players who were phenomenal in years past suddenly undergo an inexplicable and massive decline in productivity - in 2002, San Francisco's Jeff Garcia fits into this category. Perhaps you rolled the dice on Corey Dillon and have been burned by his up-and-down season, or lost a ton of early games thanks to Shaun Alexander's slow start. Whatever the reason, after week six, some franchises will be sitting at 2-4, 1-5, or even (horror of horrors!) 0-6. So, what do you do next?
First of all - don't give up! There is nothing more frustrating to the other GM's in your league than to watch a poorly managed team "give away" games to teams locked in a race for the playoffs. Have respect for your league - and confidence in your abilities as general manager and head coach of your team. Now is the time to build your reputation as a stand-up owner, the type of person who never says die. You can turn things around, with a little luck and some savvy moves.
Once you've resolved to stick the 2002 season out to the bitter end, sit down and take a close look at your squad. Where are your strengths, and what is costing you all those games? In some cases, the truth might be that you've just been unlucky. If your team is in the top 4 in scoring among a 12-team league, but you are 2-4 anyway, then hang on and don't panic. Keep starting your top performers, and believe that the rest of the teams can't blow up against you every week.
In other situations, early injuries might be the bane of your team - did you have Thomas Jones and Derrick Mason go down at the same time; or lose Anthony Simmons and Jamir Miller from your linebacker corps before the season began? If this type of situation has hamstrung your team, then look forward to the return of your star performers and keep playing your back-ups for now. Scour the waver wire for free agents that can fill in while you wait, if your current back-ups aren't getting the job done. Better times are coming.
Trades can also juice up your team. Perhaps you have five good to great wide receivers, but only scrubs at quarterback. Check the other teams' rosters - is somebody sitting on two good players (Aaron Brooks and Trent Green, for example)? At this point in the season, bye weeks are starting to be less of a worry, and your squad is losing anyway - why not offer a two or even three-for-one trade (two receivers + the better of your scrub quarterbacks) to upgrade your signal-caller? Such a move will definitely hurt your depth, but you can't start five receivers every week - why not get some value out of your bench? This is an especially good move if there are some decent waiver-wire players available - make the trade, fill the holes on your bench with fresh players, and cross your fingers that the injury bug stays away from your remaining starters.
Another important move you can make that won't cost you anything - evaluate your roster in terms of scoring so far this season. If you have been consistently starting Antowain Smith - waiting for him to break out - while Jamal Lewis cools his heels on the pine - well, it's time to re-evaluate your strategy. Don't lose focus and miss out on significant producers who are already available on your own roster!
Winning and losing are all part of this hobby we enjoy - but, winning is a lot more fun! If you haven't notched enough W's this season, don't give up - just get going. Take your best shot at each and every opponent, and keep your chin up. Your team could be on the cusp of a seven or eight-game winning streak - if you stay motivated and involved in team management.
Good Luck!
Mark Wimer
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