Q: It’s no secret that you pride yourself on building a competitive team every year, what would you say is your main philosophy in terms of building a fantasy squad that fits your mold?

 

A: First of all, it starts with the draft.  I think where you draft is not so important, as much as what you do with your draft.  You need to go in with a sound game plan, but you also need to know when to be flexible and adjust accordingly.  I always try to build a team that has good depth & balance.  To me, every pick is about taking the best player at the best value.  My successful teams have always had a top-level quarterback & two solid running backs.  Teams that have won championships & division titles have usually had an elite passer, a stud back, & a #2 running back that was under-valued entering the draft.  Past examples have been players like Brian Westbrook, LaMont Jordan and Willie Parker.  Taking the best available players early & finding some good gems late is a recipe for success in fantasy football.       

 

 

Q: You've been criticized by some in the past for taking the game too seriously, how would you respond to those critics?

 

A: My response would be that if you're not in this to win it, you shouldn't be playing.  It’s that simple.  We've had our share of half-assed owners over the years, and most of them get weeded out pretty quickly and don't last more than one season in this league.  I'm in this to win, to dominate, and to have fun doing it. 

 

I'm an aggressive player who makes several transactions during the season and doesn't mind the wheelin’ and dealin.’   Some other owners have a more conservative approach and like to stand pat with what they have, and that works for them, but that’s not necessarily my style.  I'm constantly looking to improve my team anywhere I can, call me a perfectionist, but that’s what works for me.  

 

 

 

Q: This is your third year as the commissioner of the league, what part of that job have you taken the most pride in & do you think your league has evolved since you took over?

 

A: Oh absolutely, I think we've come along way as a league from those first couple years where it was just a bunch of guys going through the motions, lacking that passion to play well.  I think the level of organization has improved dramatically, as have the incentives to play hard to win.  My #1 goal when I took the job was to create a league with credibility and a solid nucleus of owners who would want to return every year and bring an end to this revolving door of adding new players every season.  We have some work to do yet, but we're getting there.  I've also introduced some ideas that I felt were pretty innovative at the time for our league.  I like to keep things fresh & interesting. 

 

 

Q: Innovations, such as?

 

A: Well, our league acknowledges specific achievements like highest scoring games, division awards, rookie of the year, coach of the year, etc…  Also the Consolation Bowl concept for non-playoff teams has been a great success, because it gives meaning to those games, keeps people playing and involved by giving them something to play for (top 3 pick the next season).  It is sort of like our version of the NIT in college basketball.  Before that, it was just the “Toilet Bowl,” and served no real function.  Now it means something.  I support the idea of parity, so every owner feels like they have a chance to win any given year.   The overtime player was also a popular addition and now with “Flex,” our league is continuing to evolve. 

 

 

Q: What has been the most difficult part of being league commissioner? Has any particular incident ever made you regret taking on the responsibility?

 

A: There are times when it can feel like a thankless job, as the previous commissioner once said, but I enjoy it, at least for now.  There are always little things that pop up every year that I have to settle.  I remember, early in my first year as commish, these two teams played a crazy game in which one team was awarded the win on Tuesday morning, then it got changed to a tie game, and finally it was awarded to the other team.  So you had three lead changes days after the games had ended.  So I had to go and check the official scoring to make sure the right team had won, it was crazy…but it eventually lead the installation of the “over-time” player position that we have used ever since to avoid future controversy.   

 

 

Q: So what about a Keeper League, is it going to happen? What are the benefits and potential negatives to a Keeper League, to those who are unfamiliar with them?

 

A: The idea of starting a “Keeper League” has been tossed around for the last few years, and has become a hot issue this season.  I think a lot of thought has to go into that kind of decision.  For it to work effectively, you need to have a league that is fundamentally sound & a strong foundation of owners that are committed  beyond the year-to-year basis.  It requires a long term investment by all involved.  What we need to figure out is if our league is at that point at this time.  It’s something I would be open to trying, but I believe it needs the support of all involved to be a viable option in 2009.  I don't know if we're there yet to be honest, but we'll have to look into it as a group and then go from there.     

 

 

Q: So is this the year you finally get over that playoff hump? And will anything less than a championship season be considered a failure?

 

A: Well, first thing is first, goal # 1 is to win that division.  I want that 1^st round bye, so that’s important.  I want my Juggernauts to finish with the best record also.  I know a lot of owners focus more on making the playoff and don't concern themselves with their win/loss record as much, but I take pride in that little stat.  I want and expect to be the best every year and it starts with winning your division and going from there, so that’s really my initial focus.  It also puts you at an advantage in making it to the finals.  Last year, for instance, both finalists were division winners and only had to play one game to get there.   

 

 

Q: So you like your chances?

 

A: The West (my division) should be very tough this year.  You have the defending champion here, two other teams (myself & my cousin) who are perennial playoff teams, and now you have the consolation winner as well—who will have a top draft choice in the draft.  So every game will be huge.  And with nine of ten owners returning, everyone will have that experience under their belt.       

 

 Next Week: The interview will conclude with a discussion of this year's top players and rankings.