In a week where my beloved Browns and my behated Steelers both managed to pull off the ugly win (which are still wins; by virtue of PF and PA, the Brownies are ahead of the Steelies in the AFC North), several of my fantasy teams suffered ugly losses this week.

Injuries played a part, as Foster and Hillis were last minute scratches, and Vick and Romo were both iffy (I took chances on both, much to my disappointment). My replacement choices were ill-advised, as was my decision to keep the Other Manning on the bench in favor of Michael Vick.

Let’s see how we fared:

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (1-2) Angus’ No Stars 64, RimRats 106
Chix & Dix League: (2-1) Stratoblasters 196.98, Chicago Grinders 105.55
Purple Pride League: (2-1) 4th And 10 262.34,  Nordic Nightriders  196.21
Panther Power:  (2-1) Tazo Zen 232.06, Hurricane Hurleys 170.61
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (0-3) The New No. 2 90.84, RoughRiders 153.46

NFL.com

League 337126: (2-1) Ram Air 117.52, SteelerTown 125.16
League 337241: (1-2) Tazo Zen 59.42, SEAHAWKS 142.08

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (0-3) Lehigh Valley Genesis 65, Memphis Blues 82
Football Paradise League: (1-2) Vodka Martinis 71, Team minnesota 92

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (0-3) Martini Time 96.4, John’s Team 112.7

So I’m a combined 3-7  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 11-19 for the season

Week 2 is, as they say, in the books.  I don’t know exactly what books it’s in. The history books, I suppose. Or the statistic books. Probably an accountant’s books. I can’t says what books, but Week 2 is now in there.

Who would have thought there would be so many amazing storylines in the NFL after only two weeks, not the least of which is the Baltimore Colts, usually mentioned in the same sentence as “next year’s Super Bowl”, are now being mentioned in the same sentence as “the first pick in next year’s draft” because one player is hurt. Eggs, basket? Can Peyton make it back to save their season?

As long as we’re discussing fantasies, let’s see how I fared in Week 2 of my various fantasy leagues, none of which are in the books, because they’re on the Web.

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (1-1) Angus’ No Stars 77, OM Rules 79
Chix & Dix League: (1-1) Stratoblasters 193.58, FairlyNiftyBastards 267.45
Purple Pride League: (1-1) 4th And 10 190.41,  GoldRushNiners 234.71
Panther Power:  (1-1) Tazo Zen 189.66, Patriots 1960 159.09
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (0-2) The New No. 2 111.79, So Jersey Eagles 196.70

NFL.com

League 337126: (2-0) Ram Air 111.56, New York Beasts 89.70
League 337241: (1-1) Tazo Zen 110.80, super batman team 62.54

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (0-2) Lehigh Valley Genesis 100, Timmy’s Rams 104
Football Paradise League: (1-1) Vodka Martinis 75, Usa Niners 2011 108

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (0-2) Martini Time 128.3, Some Ole Boys 136.8

So I’m a combined 3-7  for the week for my head-to-head contests, and 8-12 for the season

Time to hit the waiver wires!

Almost as exciting as the return of NFL football is the return of Fantasy Football. Millions of armchair quarterbacks and coaches out to prove that they know the game better than anyone else. Some pay for the privilege, most (like me) seek out the free games and play for bragging rights. I know one guy who’s played in the same fantasy league for several years; the last weekend in August, he travels from his home in Alabama to his league’s Fantasy Draft Day gathering in Missouri. I know another that will literally laugh with sinister glee if, say, Drew Brees has a horrific game, not because he hate the Saints, but because Drew’s the quarterback on his opponent’s fantasy team.  I think it not unlikely that many people care more about Fantasy Football than they do about real-life football (I suppose in the way many people’s online life can be more important to them than reality; but that’s not the topic here today).

I’ve been a fantasy fanatic for about 14 years or so. I play several leagues each year, always free, with which I have average success: I’ve been League Champion, I’ve been a cellar dweller, often in the same season.

Like last year, this season I’m going to post the results of my games every week. No particular reason I’m sharing this with you. Just that it’s my blog and I feel like doing it.

Yahoo Teams

RTVP League: (1-0) Angus’ All Stars 94, Dundee’s Devils 50
Chix & Dix League: (1-0) Stratoblasters 231.76, i’m here 217.08
Purple Pride League: (1-0) 4th And 10 173.25,  ALWAYS 154.38
Panther Power:  (0-1) Tazo Zen 187.67, Memphis Tigers Rule! 197.55
Pros Joes & Schmoes League:  (0-1) The New No. 2 109.08, Hanlon’s Revenge 135.67

NFL.com

League 337126: (1-0) Ram Air 102.00, Luftpumpe 82.28
League 337241: (0-1) Tazo Zen 73.50, Swiftoo 118.66

ESPN.com:

ESPN’z #1 League: (0-1) Lehigh Valley Genesis 83, Team Houston 88
Football Paradise League: (1-0) Vodka Martinis 77, NOR CAL ROCKDOGGS 70

Fox Sports Public League 29622: (0-1) Martini Time 56.8, colt’s browns 90.5

So I’m a combined 5-5 for the week for my head-to-head contests.

An inauspicious start, but still: happy to see football back!