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BEING UP-TO-DATE A HUGE PLUS...

1. Don't Diss Peyton - I was scheduled to draft fourth overall in a draft that was postponed earlier in the week. And this year I can't think of a worse spot to draft, since LJ, SA, and LT are the no-brainer top-three. However I was very set to pick Peyton Manning for the following reason - he's the closest iron-clad guarantee to produce and stay in one piece all year. I just like him better than some of the other running back options at this point. The Redsking sgetting T.J. Duckett speaks volumes on the health of Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber gets pulled at the goal-line, and I'm not sold on a Ronnie Brown at #4 overall. In the rescheduled draft I drew the #8 position - which I liked better figuring Peyton would be there as well. I was correct there, but so was Ronnie Brown. I decided to take Brown figuring there was a much better chance that he would be gone when I drafted again at #13 than Manning. The strategy backfired when Manning went at #10 - but not a catastrophe, for I had a plan B.
2. And Plan B: I actually took Tom Brady in Round 3, simply because he's one of the safer top flight QB's around. It's my #2/#3 QB's where I feel I got a steal. Kurt Warner is not a top-five quarterback, but he and Matt Leinart should equal a top-five QB. And I took the two in Rounds six and eight. Sure I raised some eyebrows when selecting Leinart, but you must grab essential handcuffs earlier than they appear in any cheat sheet. Even though I did not have Priest Holmes last year, I took Larry Johnson in Round 9 - which was earlier than where he was ranked pre-season. In the end I won a championship with him.
3. Don't Beat Around the Bush: I decided #13 was too early to pick Bush, I wound up with Willis McGahee instead. I was locked and loaded to take Bush at #28, but went two picks earlier - which was exactly where I expected him to go. And it sounds like Reggie is going top-25 in most draft formats, and he should be worth the high pick.
4. Mild Sleepers: I love the mid and late rounds of fantasy drafts, while my rivals get slowly wasted one Rolling Rock at a time, this is where I start to make hay. Considering how seemingly every running back with a pulse is supposed to go in the first three rounds, I consider Kevin Jones in Round 5 to be a heist - it's said that OC Mike Martz is treating him as his new Marshall Faulk. Frank Gore is another great pick in Round 7, and another example on how to follow the latest news. With Gore excelling in camp, and coach Mike 'Hitler' Nolan shipping Kevan Barlow out of town gives Gore a fill endorsement. Besides if you have McGahee you have to have Gore - because it's all about the 'U'. And Gore might even be better than Bush, at least this year.
5. And the Deep Sleepers: In the final few rounds, after taking the obligatory kicker and team defense - we go higher on the Glasgow Coma Scale, and seek out the best hidden treasures of all. Hello Vinnie Jackson and Jerious Norwood. If you watched last weeks national telecast where the Chargers lost in Chicago, you did not see Jackson. But if you caught the Chargers previous game the week before, you definitely saw a couple blinks out of Vince, who made two spectacular touchdown catches, the first of which was nullified by a replay reversal. Jackson did suffer an injury that night, termed as a 'lung scratch' (just in case you thought you've heard of every possible injury) but will be ready for the season opener. 6'5" 240, and speed to burn, trust me, this guy is paranormal and will be a factor in San Diego's offense. My final pick was going to be Tampa Bay tight end Alex Smith, until I saw Jerious Norwood out there. If you saw his pre-season performance v. New England, you already know about his blazing speed. The T.J. Duckett trade quickly moves Jerious to #2 on the depth chart, and you know Warrick Dunn is not an every down back. There were still some reliable starters out there (Isaac Bruce among others) but I like to gamble with upside late, if you hit just one out of your three last-round picks it's worth your while.
6. Stay Away List: I had already dropped Terrell Owens to #47 overall, and that was before he 'reaggravated' his hamstring yet again. Also note that Deion Branch still has not reported to Patriots camp. Colts RB Joseph Addai has gotten some pre-season run but has not impressed in the games. Dominic Rhodes is a much better selection for now. Julius Jones also continues to lose ground to Marion Barber in Dallas. Jamal Lewis has a bum hip and appears to be breaking down.