I ran cross country for a couple of years. Not by choice so much, more like the basketball coach telling us to do it if we want to play when the season comes around. Those were the good old days when you could play five or more sports a year. Now with the AAU teams and travel ball, and so much more, kids seem to be focused on one sport for the whole year.
I never took it really serious, we ran by a donut shop that a couple of us would sneak into and hang out for awhile. We then would sneak out the back cut through an ally and act like we ran miles for practice. I still wonder if the coach new about it.
Well race day would come and there I was forth on the team in a sport where the top five for each team count. The race was 3.2 miles but it always felt like 5. I actually enjoyed it due to the privacy of it. Think, how many sports do you go long periods of time with no one around, just you and your goal?
Fabber’s Believe It or Not, Finish Strong and Fantasy Week 10.
Near the end of the race my coach would be there yelling sprint in, I mean every race. The first time I didn’t know what he meant. I thought he was just trying to route us on the best way one could do in a long distance race. That was not the case, he was serious.
I found out how serious at the end of my first race. He was running and screaming while coming straight for me. I kept looking behind me to see if he was looking for someone else. I mean really it was my first race and I came in top 10. I was actually pretty pumped about doing so well. He was not on the same page.
He kept getting closer and closer till he was maybe a tongue length away. I realized it was definitely me he was talking to. He said “you know why we are going to lose this race?” and I had no idea. He said, while I was taking it easy to the finish line one of the other schools player passed me to finish one spot higher and get his team more points. He said we sprint the end and finish strong.
It was a lesson I never forgot and even in defeat I try to finish strong. I remember it now as we are 10 weeks in and the countless numbers and statistics and projections most of us have done just pile on each other. I have to finish strong for you and for me.
The same goes for your team right now. You might realize you will not be making the playoffs but do not quit, finish strong. Keep making waiver claims, trades (if the deadline didn’t pass), and setting the best line up possible. You could always play spoiler or build some confidence for next year. But even more important you are sending the message to everyone in that league that you will not quit and that’s pretty stand up.
Finish Strong!
Before we get to Week 10, let’s close the book on Week 9.
Week 9 Believes that made us look good.
| Player | Points Predicted | Points Scored |
| Andy Dalton | 22 | 20 |
| Mark Ingram | 16 | 23 |
| Dwayne Allen | 12 | 10 |
| Travis Kelce | 11 | 12 |
| 49ers | 16 | 17 |
Week 9 Believes that made us look bad.
| Player | Points Predicted | Points Scored |
| Colin Kaepernick | 25 | 12 |
| Cam Newton | 24 | 12 |
| Ahmad Bradshaw | 15 | 8 |
| Jerick McKinnon | 12 | 7 |
| Rueban Randle | 14 | 4 |
| Doug Baldwin | 12 | 3 |
| Phil Dawson | 11 | 4 |
Week 9 Nots that made us look good.
| Player | Points Predicted | Points Scored |
| Nick Foles | 17 | 9 |
| Brandon Oliver | 8 | 1 |
| Vincent Jackson | 7 | 8 |
| Antonio Gates | 7 | 2 |
| Jordan Reed | 6 | 1 |
| Josh Brown | 6 | 6 |
| Brandon McManus | 5 | 3 |
Week 9 Nots that made us look bad.
| Player | Points Predicted | Points Scored |
| Ryan Tannehill | 18 | 33 |
| Denard Robinson | 6 | 16 |
| Brandon LaFell | 6 | 10 |
| Texans | 8 | 18 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 26 |
Week 10 here we go…..
Believes
QBs
Ben Roethlisberger PIT, 28 Points: We all know that his last couple of games was historic. No quarterback has ever been so hot in back to back weeks and that will continue. What a great time to go against the Jets who give up over 21 points per game to opposing QBs in fantasy. That is the highest in the NFL by the way.
Matt Ryan ATL, 25 Points: He didn’t look bad in London and he is getting some weapons back. His receiving core is healthy again and he had two weeks to prepare for the sixth worst team in points allowed by QBs in fantasy, Tampa Bay.
Colin Kaepernick SF, 22 Points: I believe last week lost to a banged up Rams team will open this team’s eye. They have to start to win now and Kaepernick has to lead the way. What better time than on a fast surface like a dome going against the Saints who give up 18 plus to QBs.
RBs
Bobby Rainey TB, 16 Points: Looked like he could handle the load last week and now gets the Falcons this week. They are the worse in the league in fantasy running defense giving up over 26 points per game to opposing rushers.
Jeremy Hill CIN, 14 Points: Bernard looks to be out again this week. Hill is slowly building a nice resume for his rookie year. He is facing a Cleveland team that just outside the top 10 for the worst fantasy rushing defense.
Justin Forsett BAL, 12 Points: I know it’s hard to play him with so many backs fighting for carries but this is his type of game. Great match up after a tough loss; he will be ready to go.
WRs
Larry Fitzgerald ARI, 15 Points: The Rams defense hasn’t been very good versus the pass most of the year and all the injuries will make it worse. This is a Great matchup for him to regain his value as a receiver in the game.
Martavis Bryant PIT, 13 Points: He is setting one kind of standard scoring five touchdowns in his first three NFL games he ever played in. Yes it will slow down at one point but against the Jets I don’t think so.
Steve Smith Sr. BAL, 11 Points: He has fallen off recently but this week he pops back up on the scene with a solid game. I
love the bounce back and a good matchup will help him get back into double digit fantasy points.
TEs
Travis Kelce KC, 14 Points: He finally got back to business last week and that should continue this week. I am not worried about his snap count versus the Bills because they don’t defend the good ones well.
Owen Daniels BAL, 12 Points: He is a great fill in guy for bye week players. A big target in a system that stretches the field so much he could have a career type of game.
Kickers
Mason Crosby GB, 12 Points
Brandon McManus DEN, 10 Points
Defense
Ravens 14 Points
Steelers 13 Points
Nots
QBs
Ryan Tannehill MIA, 17 Points: I know he is hot right now but all good things come to an end as well. The Lions defense is extremely good and with the bye week had two weeks to prepare and rest for this game.
Eli Manning NYG, 16 Points: This offense is missing Cruz and will miss him even more this week. Seattle defense can force you to make mistakes and E. Manning makes more than most.
RBs
Lamar Miller MIA, 8 Points: He has a banged up shoulder and going against a tough defense. The Dolphins also keep switching the RBBC, which is not great for Miller’s value.
Tre Mason STL, 7 Points: He is clearly the best back their but it will not matter this week. The Cardinals are no joke in run defense as in top 5 toughest.
WRs
Terrance Williams DAL, 6 Points: Long travels and oh yea Weeden is still the QB so I’m not risking it till Romo is back, for sure.
Vincent Jackson TB, 4 Points: I will put Mike Evans in this as well. McCown is back, that means their value is back to just above nothing. Trading them doesn’t sound bad now.
TEs
Delanie Walker TEN, 6 Points: Tough matchup and a messed up QB situation will be the demise to a talented offense.
Vernon Davis SF, 5 Points: This guy is too talented to be this damn bad. They should use him like they used to but they won’t. So he ends up on this side of the list.
Kickers
Josh Brown NYG, 5 Points
Caleb Sturgis MIA, 5 Points
Defenses
Dolphins 8 Points
49ERS 7 Points
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