Football is back! Now, we all know it is only preseason, but after months without football and nothing but free agency and the draft, preseason football is a relief. But, after the initial excitement of the first game wears off, many fans tend to lose interest and focus on preparing for another brand of football: fantasy football.
If you are a die hard football fan, chances are you dabble in fantasy football on the side. Some of us do more than dabble. By no means will I tell you that I am an expert (and I wouldn't want to give away all my trade secrets, as I'm playing in a league as well so I don't want to give my friends a leg up on me!). But, I can say that, as a steward of the game, I do think there are some nuggets I can pass on to you to help you not only enjoy what can sometimes be a monotonous preseason, but also help improve your fantasy outcome.
Here are some of the things I look for in preseason games that may help you:
1. Watch the beginning of the games
Everyone is doing this, because this is when the starters are in. But it's good to get an idea of the chemistry of the first string. If teams are really clicking in the preseason, chances are (if the team is historically good) they are ready to get going an have a good year.
I also like to take note of new guys on teams, or guys playing in new positions. Just see how they look at that spot or at least get a good idea of where a player is currently at. If things don't look good now, I don't remove them from my board (never remove anyone from your board) it just helps me to make a better decision when I'm splitting hairs between guys later on in the draft or when waivers come early on in the year. Maybe you'll find a gem that many have not been buzzing about, but more than likely you will just get an idea of how comfortable a player is in their role with the team.
I also like to see what formations or sets the teams run. Sometimes a team has a new staff, or are putting in some new wrinkles so it's good to get an idea of what a team is doing. I know that many teams in the preseason run vanilla offenses, but the teams generally are running their basic schemes of their offensive system. It's good to take note of who a team looks toward and what a team runs as their base scheme as this is where a team will go to for their bread and butter plays during the regular season.
2. Watch the 2nd and 3rd stringers
They usually play the 2nd through 3rd quarter of game one and two, 4th quarter of game three, and then its all back ups in game four of the preseason. I like to see if there are any young guys that will be making an impact this year. I also like to see how the main backups of key players are doing so if I need to handcuff a backup RB to a star RB I can decide who to do that with if necessary. It also gives me an idea of where the rookies are and who looks like they will make an impact this year.
Sometimes I will see a guy who is a good athlete and just want to make a note of it. Some guys may be athletic but are behind on the depth chart because they do not know the playbook or they are on a crowded depth chart. It is good to see who these guys are because late in a season they may have their number called due to injury or whatnot and I like to have an idea of who these guys are.
3. See how the subs change over the preseason games
The depth charts posted on team websites are not always reflective of the real depth chart, or who may get significant reps as a backup. I like to see the rotation and how it changes for teams over the preseason, as this can once again tell you who will be getting significant reps as a backup, or who will take over for someone who gets hurt. This may be a bit harder to track, but as you watch the games just glance at some of the numbers of the players and take notes. You can always look up the name on the roster later.
Hopefully these little tidbits help! Many of them are obvious, but I hope my notes of what I look while watching the games help give you some advice as you prepare for your fantasy drafts! Happy football!
