There Are Mistakes... and Then There's You.

If you can tell me week to week who will be the highest scoring players in fantasy, then I will call you a genius and soon-to-be millionaire.

That said, we can make educated guesses based on production and matchups. That’s where the phrase “Always start your studs” comes from. It’s why you start Matt Forte over Robert Turbin. Sure- Turbin may bust off an 80 yard touchdown run. But you’d still be an idiot to start him if Marshawn Lynch is healthy. Matt Forte catches and runs in a pretty good offense – his talent, opportunity, and production make him the obvious start.

Because we have this relative predictability, you can pretty much always tell when someone has made a less-than-intelligent move. You know what I’m talking about – when someone trades a stud for two scrubs who have had big games. You look at it, scratch your head, give a sigh and move on. Unless you’re on the receiving end of that trade. That’s when you watch your season tank.

This column is dedicated to the mistakes.

Since I began writing this blog, our readership has steadily grown. This is the first article that includes reader letters. If you recognize something from your league, chuckle along. If you’re the guy who made the bonehead move… sorry ‘bout it. Here we go!

Dear TOFFG -

I have a buddy in a two quarterback league. The guy he's playing dropped Tom Brady in order to sign ... Charlie Whitehurst. Bonehead move?

-JM

You know what – I don’t hate this move. Brady has looked terrible and the Titans have weapons. However, it’s Tom Brady… and it’s Charlie Whitehurst. I would drop Tom Brady in a standard league, but not necessarily in a two-quarterback league. And certainly not for Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst didn’t choke this week, but some other available QB’s I like better than him include Blakes Bortles, Brian Hoyer, and maybe even Joe Flacco. Charlie Whitehurst is a backup quarterback.

Here’s another:

I traded Peyton [Manning]  for Aaron Rodgers and AJ Green after the Rodgers injury last season.

-CS

I know that this didn’t work out for the guy. He toughed it out, but Rodgers was out for a lot longer than anyone thought. On its face, it doesn’t look like as much of a boneheaded move. However, once you break it down – you should have avoided this. 1^st mistake – trading for an injured quarterback. 2^nd mistake – trading away the number 1 quarterback. When you trade Peyton Manning away for an injured QB, even if that QB is Aaron Rodgers, you’re going to lose. At least you got AJ Green out of it – he probably helped you make the playoffs, even if you weren’t going to win the league.

Here's a truly dumb move from about two weeks ago, when Jamaal Charles missed a week with what was called a "high ankle sprain."

Dear TOFFG -

Just got offered Jamaal Charles for Terrance West. Thoughts?

-JS

My response - "Jesus Christ, take the trade. Take the trade and run. Seriously, do you play with drug addicts?"