By Dan Hill
Like all memorable moments, I remember exactly where I was that day. I was sitting on the gray leather seat of my Toyota Prius when I received a text.
“Well your fantasy team is done.” I pondered the message, then responded.
“What do you mean?”
“Jamaal Charles is being carted off the field.”
Devastated. Fantasy owners across the country were screaming bloody murder, and I was joining them.
The fantasy season is in full throttle, but I can tell you who’s not. My fantasy football team. With a formula containing injuries galore and pure stupidity, there aren’t many fantasy owners that have it worse right now. What started as 1-0 quickly became 1-3, and the future doesn’t look bright.
It all started when Steven Jackson trucked his way into the end zone after a fifty-yard breakout and tore his quadriceps. Steven wasn’t one to sit on the sidelines like a wimp, so when owners saw him sidelined, we knew we had something to worry about. Luckily, Jackson hadn’t been my top fantasy pick, but as the second pick, he happened to turn out better than my first.
Jamaal Charles.Is there really much more I have to say? A torn ACL and a final “screw you” to all those that owned him, as he was
carted off never to see the field again this season. I can’t express the disappointment he caused me, not to mention his contribution to the now 60 point average week my ESPN team now faces.
In all the injuries, I feel that it is appropriate to mention my one miscalculation; the drafting of both Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez. I presented my team with an opportunity to hold royalty; the kings of turnovers. Jay Cutler lacks an offensive line and Mark Sanchez lacks vision.
For some reason sitting in the draft room impairs the judgment of some drafters, more specifically me. If I were to relive the moments of drafting Jamaal Charles and Steven Jackson, I can’t say I wouldn’t draft them again if I had still not known of their upcoming injuries. What I can say is that fantasy football isn’t my thing. My 60 point weeks will most likely continue, and my wallet will continue to thin as I lose the money I invested. But in the end, it’s just for fun, right?
