Why I Love Sports

Okay, I admit it.

My favorite pastime in life is meaningless, over-hyped, and admittedly unintellectual.

I love sports. And what's more, I love fantasy sports, which makes me look like even more of a simpleton.

But in a week when my entire university is ripe with heated political and personal debate over a controversial editorial in the campus newspaper, I find it a nice escape to head to football practice and talk about an effective pass rush or the demands of a long-snapper.

This week I was reminded of covering the Cal-Colorado State football game on Sept. 8 at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, Colo.

It was a competitive, physical game. Several of the players commented afterwards how hard each side was hitting.

The game came down to the very wire, with the Rams scoring two touchdowns in less than a minute to pull within striking distance of a win only to watch the Golden Bears pull out a tight victory.

After the game, I marveled at the fact that there was not one argument between opposing sides; not one Cal player was showboating and not one CSU athlete was found cutting down their victorious opponents.

In fact, several Rams and Golden Bears were talking to each other, shaking hands as they walked off the field, complementing each other on what was a good football game.

Cal stud wide receiver DeSean Jackson gave credit to the Rams and even admitted they deserved a better fate than a loss.

These guys had just spent 60 minutes trying to kill each other (athletically-speaking) and yet they were smiling as they talked to each other like real human beings.

Mutual respect carried the day.

I know. It doesn't always happen like that. But it certainly happens far more than it does in the world of politics, or in our daily lives with friends, family, and peers.

Come on, people. We will always be in competition with each other over ideals, right versus wrong, social issues, politics, journalistic dilemmas, and a whole host of other things.

But why can't we take those football players' actions to heart?

They give everything they can to beat their opponent but, in the end, no one has to lose their pride.

No one has to lose their humanity.

Driving the Pick-Ups

A lot of people think that fantasy football is won simply by drafting the best team, then watching each week as your players dominate the competition.

Ah... if only it were so simple.

The secret is, the best fantasy football players win on Monday through Friday, when they ignore their work, the untrimmed lawn, and the annoying squeal of the breaks on their pick-up trucks for something far greater:

Fantasy pick-ups.

Finding players mid-week has won me many a fantasy match-ups.

For example, picking up Maurice Jones-Drew in Week 3 last season proved to be money. Jacksonville's starting back, Fred Taylor, had been struggling with injury problems, and Jones-Drew was left to go off for 133 total yards and a touchdown.

This season, I picked up the Minnesota defense literally days before the season began, expecting good things against a dismal Atlanta offense.

They were great, giving me 31 fantasy points, the most I had from any spot in Week 1.

This week, don't just wait around for Deuce McCallister and Donovan McNabb to explode miraculously. Be proactive, and pick up some players who you expect will have a big day in Week 3.

Here's Yahoo's top Week 3 pick-ups.

Go ahead and be bold. Your pick-up just might drive you to a victory.

Derek who?

According to ESPN.com, 0.1 percent of ESPN fantasy football teams owned Cleveland Browns third-year quarterback Derek Anderson prior to Sunday.

I'm willing to bet that half of those were either close friends or family, and the other half were Oregon State alumni.

But Anderson, in just his fourth career start, shocked the NFL world by throwing for 328 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 51-45 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

In other words, Grandma Anderson and Benny Beaver dominated their fantasy opponents in Week 2.

In one week, the guy nearly equaled his previous career touchdown total. He had six coming into Sunday's game. He had five more a few hours later.

It just goes to show, don't be afraid to roll the dice every once in a while. In the NFL, where the "any given Sunday" rule applies, even Derek Anderson can win you a fantasy matchup.

Unfortunately, for those of us without Mr. Anderson on our speed dial or a Corvallis zip code, we missed this one.

Patriot Games

Thank you, Bill Belichick. Or is it Belicheat?

The "genius" coach of the New England Patriots, seen at right, has given all us fantasy footballers the inside information we need with his team's alleged sign-stealing in a win against the Jets last Sunday.

So, apparently, we should all go out and sign up some Patriots!

Pick up running back Kevin Faulk, tight end Kyle Brady, heck - maybe even left tackle Matt Light will get into the fantasy action!

If you know the defense's every move, why not?

Then again, maybe you're of the opinion that either: a) the Patriots are innocent and the guy on the sideline with a camera was just putting together a youtube compilation or, b) just about every team in the NFL does this sort of thing, so what's the big deal?

If that is the case, here are the non-Patriots players you should consider starting this Sunday:

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh QB - Big Ben threw four touchdowns in Week 1, and this week he goes against a Buffalo defense that allowed over 300 passing yards to Denver last week.

Seattle defense - The Seahawks surprised with 18 points in my league last week. Sunday they face the Cardinals, who managed only 261 total yards and turned the ball over three times in Week 1.

Brandon Marshall, Denver WR - Marshall continues to look more and more like a playmaker, and is a solid fantasy option this week against a Raiders defense that allowed 285 yards and 3 TD's against the Lions's pass offense.

Also, are Yahoo's Week 2 targets, and FFToday's QB/RB rankings.

Good luck this week and, remember, if you ain't cheatin', you ain't on the Patriots payroll.

Don't Panic

As week one of the 2007 fantasy football season comes to a close, chances are you fall into one of two groups.

If you're one of the lucky ones, you are celebrating your good fortune; handing out digital high-fives to Tony Romo, Adrian Peterson and Randy Moss.

But if you're like me, you've already got your finger on the trigger (or, in this case, the mouse) ready to send players like Philip Rivers, Reggie Bush and Tony Gonzalez packing for a new fantasy pad.

Wait! Don't do it! There is reason for hope.

For one, there are still 16 weeks of NFL football left, leaving around 12 or 13 fantasy weeks until the playoffs.

But more than that, it's not unusual for good players to struggle in week one, as the handy game log at ESPN.com shows.

In his first game last year, Rivers went 8-for-11 for 103 yards, but finished the year as one of the top fantasy QB's in the league.

Similarly, Shaun Alexander rushed for just 73 yards and no touchdowns in his 2005 opener, then went on to set (for a year's time) the NFL's single-season touchdown record.

In other words: take a deep breath, take your finger off the mouse, and go play some sudoku or something.

But if you are still sure you need to drop someone or have a player with a serious injury, read on.

Here's the top Week 2 pickups from FFToolbox.com. My favorite? Giants running back Derrick Ward, who will carry the load offensively after the loss of Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs to injury.

Also, check out CBS Sportsline's updated position rankings.

Remember, fantasy football isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. Or at least a 5K.

Fulfill Your (Baseball) Fantasy

It's that time of year again. The leaves are beginning to fall, the air is getting a bit crisper, and almost all fantasy sports talk is turned to the world of fantasy football.

Lost in the shuffle is the fact that September is also time for fanatasy baseball playoffs.

I have always had a problem with the fact that fantasy playoffs (whether it be baseball, football, hockey or just about any sport) are played out in the final weeks of that particular professional league's regular season.

For example, we are determing the fantasy baseball champion at a time when only a dozen of 30 Major League Baseball teams are playing meaningful baseball and when many big-name players (including San Francisco's Barry Bonds and Florida's Miguel Olivo) are being benched to make way for minor league call-ups who need some regular season experience.

Luckily, you can still succeed amid the roller coaster-like changes in the September MLB scene, but you have to stay alert.

Here is CBS Sporstsline's updated position rankings, with a list of players on the rise and on the fall. And here is a great article from Ray Murphy at BaseballHQ.com on stretch run targets - players who have the potential to ignite or deflate in the final weeks of the season.

The bottom line is: pay attention. If you've got a player on the Cincinnati Reds' roster, be aware his team is playing for nothing more than respect. Has the team brought up a minor leaguer recently to take his place?

On the flip side, players on playoff contending teams have a higher potential for a big September because their production will be needed (see: Carlos Delgado for the Mets, Jayson Werth for the Phillies, and Jason Marquis for the Cubs).

Remember, you'll still have three months of fantasy football when this month is over. Make the end of your fantasy baseball season count.