VC's Vibes and MP's Scribes: 2010 Fantasy Football Preview by MP

As the playing days slowly go by you need things to keep the old batteries charged. I still watch sports and love all of them, but in recent years what has become a passion is Fantasy Football!

The beauty of FFL is when the network forces you into watching Detroit v. Washington while you are waiting on your game, you may have Matt Stafford as your backup QB and maybe you were forced into starting Clinton Portis at RB. That game may now go from unwatchable to interesting and you find yourself watching that even as the Pats and Colts have kicked off on the other channel.

Does that reclassify me as a fan? Am I now not a purist? Many hate Fantasy and don't understand. I love it and start studying in late May and really couldn't care less about what kind of fan that makes me. I like big time NFL players and big plays.

This is your 2010 Fantasy Football preview provided with very few predictions, you may have noticed my last few have been a bit off!!!

My Dad and I have been the co-owners of a team, the Blitz, for about 12 or 13 years now. Most of the same guys, same league, same rules. We have one Super Bowl title, and have made the playoffs maybe 8 or 9 times. All in all we are one of the most successful teams in our league, though we would both want more money and titles.

Here is the thing and this is probably totally different than my Dad's thoughts. What kills you in FFL is simple to me: over-thinking it! As more info, more stats, more stuff becomes available, you start making it very complicated. If you know players you know players. Forget who has a better record, who has a tougher schedule on the road, who has a rookie behind them and that one plays in cold weather more than another. Too much stuff! You have to keep it simple and most importantly get a system that works for you and your partner.

My take has always been that you load up on Running Backs. I have read plenty that minimizes the significance of RB's in recent years. The thought is because of split backfields the RB is now not as important. I say that makes it even more of an argument for getting a couple of big-timers at RB early. Who is Chris Johnson splitting time with? Is AP splitting time?? Not this year!! I also think QB's are not worth the high pick. I would rather go RB, WR, RB, WR in the first 4 rounds instead of taking a Brees or Manning and losing a shot at a killer RB or WR. You can wait and get a Schaub or Cassel or Palmer who have a shot at 3500 yards and 18 to 20 TD's in later rounds maybe starting in the 5th. I also get a kick every year out of guys passing on drafting starting WR's or TE's and take a defense or kicker earlier. You can rotate defenses based on matchup from the waiver wire and field a good scoring defense. And kickers? What a crapshoot. That position may be where weather, schedule and the other previously mentioned factors make a difference. Who cares anyway, they are going to get you single digit points, so why should I pass on a quality backup for that?

Let me bottom line this deal for ya. First key on guys on their way up, but not too far away and not on their way down, unless later on in the draft. Then go get a stable of starting backs, at least two top flight receivers, a good possession WR and a serviceable, durable starting QB and another behind him. Then build your bench, get a solid hard-nosed defense and grab a vet kicker. Providing you dodge injury, you are on the way to the playoffs. I think you succeed in the playoffs based on matchup of your guys, lots of luck, and you need at least one guy to go ballistic and have a huge game for you. Sounds simple huh?

Some may accuse me/us as being the Marty Schottenheimer of our FFL. Well can't be because we have a title for one thing!! But just like Marty, in order to win the Bowl you must go to the playoffs first and you must also get lucky, and for me good luck sometimes goes into hibernation for long periods of time!

Now that you have the recipe for success, here are the top 5 at each position, some sleepers, some guys to look out for, some rooks, and some busts for 2010. Good luck, thank me later when you win your league and most of all as always....thanks for reading!

QB: Brees, Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and Rivers

RB: Johnson, D. Williams, Turner, Peterson, and Rice

WR: A. Johnson, Moss, Fitzgerald, C. Johnson, and D. Jackson

DEF: Steelers, Jets, Eagles, Ravens, and Bears

Sleepers (previous letdowns or busts on their way back): Jay Cutler, Felix Jones, Steve Slaton, Thomas Jones, Matt Forte, Fred Jackson and Michael Crabtree.