“Are you ready for some football?”

The arrival of football season provides many things for sports fans. There becomes a reason to get up earlier on Saturday to make sure yard work is done before Lee Corso dawns his mascot head of choice. There’s extra reason to attend the 9am church service because it doesn’t conflict with anything on the NFL slate. And Friday nights can be spent in communion with thousands of crickets at your local high school football game.

Football season also allows fans to return to the imaginary games they played in their youth in the phenomenon known as FANTASY FOOTBALL.

I feel that I am a seasoned veteran when it comes to fantasy football. I can actually remember playing in a three team league with my dad and brother before the internet did all the calculations for you. With the ease of online statistic compilation, my enthusiasm for the pretend pigskin has only increased.

As the new season nears, however, I’m left pondering several questions when it comes to how fantasy football should be approached. This is not a list of questions that address draft concerns or trade scenarios once rosters are set. I would be the last person to seek advice from since I finally made my first championship game last season only to find the ultimate prize ripped from my grasp by my very own father. No, my questions will simply speak to generalities about the game that so many of us enjoy.

With that…

Question #1

Can I really join more than one league?

By playing in multiple leagues, there’s obviously more opportunity to put together a choice roster. Maybe you miss out on LT in your first draft, but there’s still hope for the others. Additionally, when you’re no doubt out of contention after week 6 in league #1, your first place positioning in league #4 will help you sleep at night.

Playing in several leagues, however, also divides your attention and rooting interests. If you find yourself playing in 3 leagues, it’s possible that you’ll be cheering for 6-8 running backs on a given Sunday if you also don’t “own” your favorite team’s backs. Some may view this as positive, but rooting confusion has a way of stressing me out on what would otherwise be a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

Question #2

Girls or no girls?

I realize that initially this concern sounds like an episode of “The Little Rascals”, but grown men throughout the country will gather together discussing this very topic.

In support of female involvement, men will mention that it’s a good way to “trick” their significant other into caring about football and therefore being convinced to watch Monday Night Football instead of “Dancing with the Stars”. Others will explain that the fun of playing in a co-ed league is much greater because the bragging rights can mean that much more.

Male only leagues contend that trash talking in a lady inclusive league is naturally kept to a minimum as an effort to be more respectful is made. The reality is, most leagues that don’t include girls do so because the fear of losing far outweighs the joy of winning.

Question #3

Is unbiased ownership possible? Is it even worth it?

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys would have no problem taking Tony Romo with the #1 overall pick. Jerry Jones has provided the Kool Aid and we’ve all had a drink. Does it make sense, however to have Romo, Owens, Witten, and Barber on the same roster?

It does eliminate the previously mentioned concern of rooting confusion. When your favorite team does well, so does your cyberspace franchise. When your team of choice has a bad weekend, the sports depression is experienced all at once. The sports highs are higher but the lows are lower.

Another difficulty is determining if you can bring yourself to cheer for players of rival teams. Being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, do you want to be in a position to need to cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles? If you have to choose between drafting spare Julius Jones or statistical giant Brian Westbrook, where do you go?

I’ll leave you to answer these questions for yourself and find the best way to enjoy your fantasy football in 2008.