Better to be lucky than good

Why do we play fantasy football?

For nights like Monday night. The Cowboys’ epic comeback against the Buffalo Bills was not only great theater for NFL fans, but it was a great example of why geeks like us play fantasy football.

Tony Romo’s six turnovers killed many owners hoping for a big payday. Buffalo’s two defensive TDs — three if your league counts special teams — was most likely rotting on some unlucky owner’s bench. But it was Nick Folk’s game-winning field goal — which he hit twice — that proved to be the game-winner not only in real life, but in one of my fantasy leagues.

It highlights something that becomes quite apparent by this time every year. Like the NFL, fantasy football is a dash of skill and a whole lot of luck. For example, in one of my leagues my team has scored 10 fewer points than the last place club — and I’m in first place at 4-1. Do I realize my good fortune? You bet. Do I care? Not in the least.

So for the unfortunate, let’s get on with the questions:

What is the deal with Travis Henry?

Answer: The deal is the guy can’t seem to stay out of trouble. He was suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL’s drug policy and now he’s reportedly being accused by the NFL for failing another drug test. He’s now suing the NFL. Not good times. This could play out in a number of ways. He could be suspended for a full year by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell — a suspension he could delay with an appeal. Or he could be cleared if his “B” sample turns out clean, which he says it will. Throw in the fact he has ankle and knee issues and this situation looks dire for Henry owners. If you didn’t pick up Henry’s backup Selvin Young weeks ago as I advised, you need to start looking elsewhere. The No. 1 place: Cleveland. Jamal Lewis is wearing a protective boot and the Browns are playing the leaky Dolphins D this Sunday. Pick up Lewis’ backup Jason Wright and play him with confidence.

Who’s going to replace Deion Branch?

Answer: Good question, I’m wondering that myself. The best bet is Ben Obomanu. The second-year player out of Auburn looked lost on Sunday against Pittsburgh, but I think a week of practice will make him a nice bye-week replacement against a bad Saints’ pass defense. Also throw in Nate Burleson. He’s due for a big game and the Seahawks always come up big in front of a national audience (unlike, say, a 10 a.m. start in Pittsburgh).

Where have all the quarterbacks gone?

Answer: The list of opening-day starters left is dwindling. Trent Green? Concussed. Matt Leinart? Done for the year. Jake Delhomme? Ditto. Marc Bulger? Still out. Things are bad under center. If you are suffering as well, pick up Kurt Warner. He’s looked more and more like the Warner of old and the Cardinals still throw a lot. Other names to look at include: Daunte Culpepper, Byron Leftwich, Cleo Lemon and, a big sleeper, Kyle Boller. Steve McNair has looked atrocious so far and Boller’s tossed up some nice numbers in a couple of relief appearances. Ravens coach Brian Billick needs to wake up and play the 2003 first-round pick. If he does, or McNair gets hurt (a real possibility), Boller steps into what could be an explosive offense.

Why did I waste a high pick on Laurence Maroney?

Answer: The Pats RB has been killing owners so far. He hasn’t played two weeks in a row and before that he was giving up goal-line carries to the likes of Heath Evans. So what to do? I’d sit on him. His trade value is low right now, so you won’t get much for him and he’s still in arguably the best offense in the NFL. Wait out his groin injury and see if he can get untracked. My guess is he’ll end the year with 1,000 combo yards and six TDs.

How can I win this week?

First off play your Patriots and Cowboys, including the aforementioned Maroney (if he’s cleared to play). That should be a shootout in Big D. There’s a lot of big names on bye, so here’s a few replacements I like: Falcons WR Roddy White, Dolphins WR Chris Chambers, Bears WR Bernard Berrian, Ravens RB Willis McGahee and Bears QB Brian Griese.

Didn’t get your question answered? Send all questions to aswaney@heraldnet.com.

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