Name: Mark Wimer (Last name pronounced Why-mer)

Home: Macon, Georgia

Credentials:

- Sportstalk.com FantasyTalk and NFLTalk columnist 2000, 2001

- Fantasy football owner of the HFL Dragons from 1990 - present, Playoff franchise 5 straight seasons 1996-2000 (Champion in 1999, Runner-up 2000).

- Co-Owner of the DYFFL Pioneers from 1995 - present, Playoff franchise 4 of 6 seasons, Scoring leader in 2000.

- Eagle Scout, B.S.A.

- A frustrated bowler (lifetime league average under 100 pins) turned Rabid Fantasy Football Maniac.

Keys to FF Success:
  1. Understanding your league's scoring system is vital. There is a HUGE difference between a league where running backs combine rushing and receiving yardage to determine bonus points, and one in which only rushing yardage counts.
  2. Use a Value-based drafting strategy once you have thoroughly digested the scoring quirks of your league.
  3. Out-researching the opposing owners after draft day is another must. If someone is letting a high-scoring player ride the pine because they aren't paying attention, make a trade for him.
  4. Never say die! If your team loses multiple starters to injury, retool through free-agency or trades. Seasons can turn around in a hurry.
Quotes:

"Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending�" --Homer, The Odyssey

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." --Vincent T. Lombardi

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." --Henry David Thoreau

Post-Game Ritual: Call the opposing owner for the current week and trash their team's miniscule score. Call next week's opponent to issue dire warnings about the coming thrashing, and inquire if they would like to save themselves the humiliation and concede in advance.

Favorite Players:

  • Walter Payton: Sweetness! The very best, ever. He set the standard by which all NFL players should be measured, on and off the field.
  • Kurt Warner: I love the rags to riches mystique - and his laser-like accuracy on the field.
  • Lawrence Taylor: The man who defined the modern NFL linebacker.
  • Trent Dilfer: Overcame years of unfair criticism (not to mention starting the 2000 campaign backing up Tony Banks) - when called on to be the man, he just won, baby. Now he has something Dan Marino doesn't - a Super Bowl ring.
If I were Paul Tagliabue I would: Strive to institute a graduated rookie salary cap similar to the NBA's. It's fair, and it works - no more rookie holdouts!

Best Call of 2000: Drafting Jamal Lewis to be my #3 "insurance" RB. When Ricky Williams went down in week 10, Lewis carried me into the playoffs.

Favorite FF Team Names: Punitive Damages (a lawyer owns this one, surprise, surprise), The Black Watch.

Dennis Miller or no Dennis Miller? Just say no! His stand-up act used to be funny�

Ginger or MaryAnn? Ginger, every day and in every way.