Fantasy Scrambler: Year of the Injury

Well, like most of you, I figured that the inordinate amount of injuries that befell our fantasy studs in the preseason would shelter us from an avalanche of injuries during the season. However, it seems that 2013 is earning the title of “Year of the Injury.”

Now, more than in any point in the season is when preparation and waiver wire activity will decide whether your team makes the playoffs, or your dreams die a slow and shameful death only to lay dormant until next spring when draft preparation starts up again.

I’ve tried in weeks past to instill in you the strategies and work ethic it takes to become a serious contender in your leagues. Research, film study, and preying on the ineptness of lesser owners are all areas in which you can take advantage of when striving for the brass ring.

I was inspired today by a conversation I was involved in with two owners in a league I am not in. One owner was lamenting the poor performance he had to endure by his starting QB Nick Foles, to which the other owner was complaining of Tom Brady’s underachieving season. The Brady owner brought up the idea of trading him to the Foles owner and wanted to know who he had on his roster that would balance out such a trade. Since I was an unbiased bystander, I offered my opinion of the conversation. I mentioned that the Brady owner would be foolish to give up on Brady at this point in the season because of the recent addition of a healthy Rob Gronkowski. Also, upon hearing the names that the Foles owner had to offer in return, I felt that trading Tom Terrific just wouldn’t make sense.

I say that this interaction inspired me because it gave me some perspective on what goes on in other leagues amongst other owners. It gave me the idea to write this article. My advice this week in trying to maneuver through all of the injuries, to everyone from Doug Martin to Sam Bradford, is to step outside of your league or even your friends and try to get an idea of what these other owners are thinking. You just might get some differing opinions on how to deal with these roster problems.

Go to free league site blogs and see what these guys are blogging about. Get on Twitter and follow a fantasy football injuries “rabbit hole”. Maybe even involve some casual fans into what you are dealing with, like your wife, or your son who is more interested in Grand Theft Auto V. Sometimes the more uninformed observer will give a fresh or obtuse perspective which would never have occurred to the more experienced NFL fantasy player.

Although this advice may not amount to being much help, there is a chance that you could stumble on some wisdom nuggets. As far as I’m concerned, at this point in the season, I am willing to try just about anything that will give me any form of advantage.

Good luck next week and remember to “Keep On Scrambling” and hit me up on Twitter @MaahsScrambler with any advice or line up questions you may have.