The very topical nature of this work lends to, even necessitates,
a first-person narrative presentation. Moreover, the employment
of the first-person in this case serves as an absolutely essential
part to the point being made. Though this style is looked upon as
juvenile, and usually rightfully so, I just hope that the crux does
not get lost in all of the "I's, me's and my's" and remains
intact, shining through to you, the reader.
Having gained not a few grey hairs enduring some of the most dramatic
and significant sagas this off-season has had to offer, not the
least of which has been the recent medical condition of WR Jimmy
Smith, allowed me to also "regain" a revitalized appreciation
for some of my favorite players, players with whom I would go to
war any day. Besides Smith, I also have on my roster RB's Robert
Smith, Priest Holmes, whom I traded for in February, and Charlie
Garner; I even had QB Doug Flutie when the whole "indecision
in Buffalo" thing was still playing out. Trust me, I lost more
than my share of good nights' sleep this off-season after waking
up in a cold sweat.
The situations of Jimmy and Robert Smith are particularly poignant.
One might think that I am going to juxtapose the two; ridicule Robert
for lacking heart and being a quitter and praise Jimmy for having
the heart of a lion and being a fighter, but that "simply"
will not be the case. That argument is for another writer who sees
it that way. I do not! So, am I going to argue kudos to Robert for
getting out of the game and the punishment it dishes out while body
still in tact and point out that Jimmy should take a hint? Not even
close! Again, that is someone else's argument to make. The truth
is their out-of-the-ordinary off-season circumstances made me think
about and realize how much I appreciate the truly standup players
as well as all of the "different characters with different
characters" in the league and how I really value having my
favorites… moreover, on my team.
Robert Smith is one of those players that I have seemingly always
had on my team and is one of my all-time favorites. His retirement
did put a chink in the armor, and I will miss him very much. But,
his retiring in part dealt with that which I like about him. He
is a well-spoken, self-confident guy who sees life and has aspirations
beyond football. He is a great ambassador for the game and role
model for young people. He had to overcome adversity early on in
his career due to injuries, but showed that he was one of the best
in the end, an end that has been somewhat tainted by the way many
perceive he left the game. Many believe that he is cowardly tucking
his tail betwixt his legs and walking away from the game because
of his frustration over, i.e. because he is being a crybaby about,
the playoff game against the Giants. He was disappointed, but one
game is not going to do in a complex and capable man like Robert
Smith, and that is discounting the money he forfeits by not playing
this year. The Giants game may have been the straw that broke the
camel's back, but his retiring is much more about the visions he
has for his life outside of football in academia and medicine. I
actually had an opportunity to trade him in my fantasy league back
in January and did not. Do I regret it? No way! I brought him into
our league in the fourth round of the 1995 draft, and I am proud
that he spent almost all of his years in our league on my team.
As for Jimmy Smith, statistically the best receiver over the past
five seasons, my argument for his being one of my favorites does
not need to be and is a little less passionate and lengthy as it
is empirically evident. I like and admire him for the same reasons
most everybody else does (or should). Regarding his most recent
bout with health, he already has gained back some of the weight
he lost and is working out… in the hospital. He may not be
the most prudent fellow when it comes to his health, but he is defined
by his "guts," literally and figuratively I suppose, and
by his perseverance and overall top-notch character.
After considering these two greats, I am left to ponder the rest
of the roster of my only team (I consider it foolish to partake
in more than one league, which is a whole other issue meriting an
article of its own.). As a huge Broncos fan, I had QB John Elway,
another one of my all-time favorites, on my keeper-league team every
year right up until his retirement, and finally in January I successfully
traded for QB Brian Griese, and, notwithstanding being a Broncos
fan, suffice it to say that like almost everybody else, he won me
over last year with that incredible performance on Monday night
against the Raiders. The guy is a stud, period.
This off-season I was also able to acquire a couple more of my favorites
QB Brad Johnson, the NFL's all-around good guy, who actually has
unfortunately never graced my roster before, and RB Curtis Martin,
who as a rookie I selected in the third round of that '95 draft.
RB Emmitt Smith has been on my team all but one season. This guy
has no quit in him, and is another one of those standup guys who
is on my all-time-favorites list.
My last favorite is somewhat odd and very particular to me. That
is QB Jeff George. He is another one of those players I almost always
have on my team. Granted, I do not know the guy up close and personal,
but whenever I see him in an interview, I like him, at least relative
to how others seem to feel about him. Perhaps my recollection of
the Philly-Atlanta game in '96 where George, in my opinion, justifiably
went off on June Jones his head coach, something which the likes
of QB Steve Young would be, and in fact was, lauded for doing, is
skewing my opinion, but I just cannot help but think that this is
a guy whose idiosyncrasies have been blown out of proportion and
who, consequently, gets the short end of the stick more often than
he deserves as once you are labeled by the hype-driven media you
are labeled for good… and for better or worse. All of that
having been said, whatever, he is a colorful character, and, bottom
line, I like him.
Just winning in and of itself is cool, but the wars I have won with
these guys, MY guys, including my two GBRFL
championships, are just that much sweeter. I would rather go down
fighting with my guys than win with a bunch of guys that do not
have any special meaning to me, the moral of the story being
do not just play fantasy football like you are trading stocks.
Do not forget or dismiss the human side; play with emotion and passion;
have your own personal favorites, even though most would advise
against it, and try to get them on your team, and then you will
"realize" the exponential increase in your enjoyment of
this magnificent hobby!
:: comments to steve
stegeman
|
