Fantasy Football Discussion: Does It Change Football For You?

by Dave Choate on Jul 28, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in Press Releases

Yes, this is another post sponsored by CBSSports.com. Yes, I'm going tell you to check out that crazy 50% offer for a Commissioner League over there. No, you do not get to object!

But that out of the way, I'm interested in an age-old discussion about fantasy football. When you first got into a fantasy football league, did it erode your support for the Atlanta Falcons? Does it consume more of your time that might have once gone only to the Dirty Birds?

I ask because it's something I've seen happen to friends. Somehow, the need to juggle a team of players from around the NFL leads to a diffusion of attention, and your actual favorite team is the one that suffers. I can't say that's happened to me, but then again, I've been a case study in devotion since I was a seven-year-old kid reading game scores in the Portland Press Herald over breakfast. Hard for a fantasy team to pull that away.

Your thoughts?

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Yes and No

I still follow the Falcons with a passion, but I do kill off some of my free time reserved for other things on random NFL games that shouldn’t really matter…

While I will always root for the Falcons, there are a couple of scenarios that have cropped up that wouldn’t but for fantasy football:

(a) Say I have Michael Turner on my team. It’s 3rd and goal from the 1. Play action. TD Gonzo! Woo hoo! I admit part of me is bummed that Turner didn’t score, especially if Gonzo is on the team I am facing…Don’t get me wrong…I will gladly, happily lose a fantasy football game for the Falcons to win…But say we’re up 28-0 in the 4th when this happens…A part of me is a bit bummed…

(b) I have a player on the other team and the Falcons are comfortably in the lead…I may root for a score…Yes, it is horrible. But if we’re up 28-0 on the Saints in the 4th quarter and I have Drew Brees, I may not be upset at a last minute TD…Yes…This may make me a horrible Falcon, but I am simply telling the truth…

To recap: Falcons first all the way…then, if things are in hand, weird scenarios/thoughts creep into my mind…

by Jman781 on Jul 28, 2010 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

FF makes pro football fun because....

-Gives you a reason to watch and player to root for even if your team is out of the playoff hunt…

-Weird situations ex: Having a QB on your team and his WR on you weekly opponent’s team so you pray he throws 4 TDs, just none to that particular WR

-I always do well… =)

Football is played with an oblong ball. Take your roundball and GTFO...

by NaGaNole on Jul 28, 2010 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

It could get out of hand

I have had to significantly scale back my FF over the past couple of years. It got to the point where it really was all that I cared about and I had like 5 teams going at once. Nerve racking and when I stepped back for a second I realized it had ruined football for me. Which brings me to a funny FF/Falcons related story.

Remember that awesome 41-38 win over the Steelers in 2006? I was at that game. I also happened to have Hines Ward on 2 of fantasy teams. Right after his 70 yard TD I jumped out of my seat in a somewhat silenced Dome and screamed “OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!”. Which of course was odd as I was donned in my Falcons jersey. I got a few harsh words thrown my way. Needless to say it was the most exciting & draining game I have been to. We won in OT and Hines Ward had like 170 yards and 3 td’s so all’s well that end’s well.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jul 28, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

That's always been a question for me

and one reason I don’t play FF, not disparaging anyone who does mind you; but say you do have Drew Brees like my man jman (who I would assume would be hard to pass up in the draft, however much disdain you have for the Saints); do you hope he passes for a thousand yards and 4 TD’s against us and we win 55-54 or something like that? Personally, I like my perspective of hoping we kill him on every play, and I wouldn’t want to muddy up that sentiment by having him on my FF team. That said, if I ever do play, I’ll probably be hooked and figure out how to justify such unholy unions like everyone else does.

by 4thabirds on Jul 28, 2010 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

say you do have Drew Brees like my man jman (who I would assume would be hard to pass up in the draft, however much disdain you have for the Saints); do you hope he passes for a thousand yards and 4 TD’s against us and we win 55-54 or something like that?

Yes. Then I hope the Falcons take the ball, march down the field, and give it to Turner for the touchdown. Those Saints/Falcons games are always quite interesting for me.

A more general stance? If a guy I have is playing against Atlanta, I root for him to do as well as he could without it making me worry about the Falcons down the road (or making them lose, naturally). So if Brees puts up two touchdowns and 200 yards, I’m okay. If he puts up four TDs and 350? Then I’m starting to not enjoy it so much.

by David Getz on Jul 28, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm with you on this

I think to some degree, that’s a natural reaction. As long as we don’t cross over into the fantasy touchdown is more important than the Falcons winning realm, I don’t think it’s any harm.

The most interesting thing that’s happened to me is that I find myself liking players I might have otherwise never watched. I had Ray Rice on my team for a couple of years and I think the guy is just a phenomenal running back.

by Dave Choate on Jul 28, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I have been able to manage it

Last year I made it a self imposed rule that I would not be anywhere near a computer when game time came around and drastically reduced the mount of teams I had.

While I am at it, I don’t think I ever got to brag about my 2nd place finish in the tlozwarlock Special league from last year!

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Jul 28, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't like it

I tried fantasy football for one season because some friends suggested it. I hated the way it changed my football watching experience, so I quit.

Now I have a fantasy NASCAR team, which is a lot more fun because I’m not so emotionally invested in NASCAR.

by Mad Molecule on Jul 28, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Never gave it a shot

I’ve had a couple of friends who played it and they always seem more interested in fantasy football than in actual football.

by ArthurDank on Jul 28, 2010 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

I love FF

but i love my Falcons more. I always look at diffrent score boards and see if Peyton threw for 4 TDs but always cheering for the Falcons. For some reason i dont draft NFC South players prob something i do subconsciously. there is always the chance a RB or WR might be playing against the Falcons i hope he has a 100Yd game but the Falcons still win

by Erihury on Jul 28, 2010 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

It does for games not involving the Falcons

Usually, like last year when I had DeAngelo Williams, I would rather the Falcons win than my fantasy player do well. Unless the Falcons are out of the playoff hunt like they were during the last few weeks.
Same thing with fantasy baseball.

But it doesn’t matter this year cuz Matty Ice is gonna be the biggest sleeper ever

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Jul 28, 2010 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

Me...

I love my fantasy sports. I play both football and baseball. It has never taken away from my love for my teams, Falcons and Braves. It has only made me appreciate and pay more attention to the rest of the league.

As far as certain athletes vs. my team, I always pull for my team in real life. I’ll gladly lose fantasy games for a Super Bowl or World Series.

by XBEARDX on Jul 29, 2010 9:29 AM EDT reply actions