The diary of a Fantasy Football newbie

American Football or NFL, it's fanbase outside the Superbowl is mostly confined to small groups but I've found some people who are passionate about the game and their team. I've decided to jump into the deep end, and participate in a Fantasy NFL league, branching from my usual wheelhouse of NRL and Soccer fantasy also not being very good.

The first challenge for Reality Check Tech, is the draft, in real life, this is the day where all the fresh faced teenages from college found out where they are being shipped off to NFL teams, starting their long journey of being a pro footballer. In Fantasy terms, it's where the aforementioned group of fans, claw and fight for the players they want to fill out their rosters for the upcoming season.

Said draft is underway, with Reality Check Tech taking superbowl winning Quarterback Drew Brees in the first round, surprised he was on the board that long. The draft is on-going at the moment, so not much more to report back but this is the first entry of my entry into the colourful world of NFL Fantasy football.

Why the 2009 run was the worst thing to happen to Parramatta

"I think our fullback is learning. He wasn't good tonight in my opinion. Not many people will say it but he was off his game. I think he would have been frustrated at some of the decisions he made." That quote, I think sums up the Eels season thus far in 2010. obviously Daniel Anderson is refering to Parramatta's million dollar man Jarryd Hayne, who reflects how Parramatta are going, he is trying hard but the results aren't coming. Parramatta after 16 rounds of the NRL competition are sitting 10th on the ladder, with six wins and eight losses the latest being a 10-6 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.

Looking deeper though, what is happening out at Parramatta? Hayne admits "We're just not jelling. It's the coach's job ... it's for him to bring us together and to work that out." Uhh no Jarryd, you and your 16 mates are getting paid the big money especially yourself to produce results. The squad has only been strengthened from 2009, Justin Poore who was eating the metres like they were pies for the Dragons, Shane Shackleton who was doing well last year with their two losses being Kevin Kingston who was playing off the bench and Todd Lowrie who you couldn't say, was the secret to their success.

 In 2009, Parramatta fell agonisingly short of winning the grand final, so in 2010 they were expected to go that extra step and win. Their first game vs the St George Illawarra Dragons at home, with Dragons starting hooker Nathan Fien going down inside the first half, this all points to a Parramatta win right? St George held out and won 18 points to 12, thanks to two second half penalty goals. Ok they lost Shane Shackleton through the game but that game started the downward spirial for Parramatta.

They sprinkled in a few good performances with wins against Manly (via two forward passes), Souths in Hindy's record breaking game which led to a three week winning streak but that was where the wins ended for Parramatta. They have lost twice to the Sharks and just seem to have gone away from the gameplan which got them so far in 2009, or the belief that got them so far.

Looking through the stats on nrl.com, Parramatta are first in offloads with 239 but watching some Parramatta games, they are attempting these offloads but there is no one backing up, offloads from Hindmarsh and Cayless are falling harmlessly behind them. The forwards aren't making the metres, no one is bending back the line which is reflected in the stats being 11th in rum metres with 18933 besting teams who have either given up on 2010 already or have nothing to play for, so that is a major concern but one area coach Anderson an be proud of his team is they are 3rd best defensive side behind expelled Melbourne and table leading St George Illawarra Dragons.

Another problem is the superstar, superhuman, of course Jarryd Hayne who has been in the papers the last few days having a "rift" with coach Daniel Anderson. Hayne who after his superb run of form that led him to the 2009 Dally M, also earnt him a fat new contract with Parramatta for two million over four years, now this would lead you to think Hayne is a superstar, well to be honest he's played twelve really good games and scored a good origin try. Hayne is trying too hard this year, he comes into first reciever and kicks on last, tries his dance around defenders and his trademark chip for himself, none of which is coming off and giving pundits the opportunity to bash the "Haynetrain".

Although it isn't all just Hayne, the halves for Parramatta have to take some responsibility, Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson and Kris Keating have spent time in the halves for Parramatta and have been ineffective with Parramatta not scoring on two occasions and held to one try twice. This could be attributed to them trying the ad lib gameplan from last year and teams being wise to this fact but Parramatta don't have the natural halfback to fall back on to help create tries, leaving them in their current predicament. With Keating off the Bulldogs next year, a halfback should be high on Parramatta's priorities.

 Parramatta have had their byes and are on sixteen points, needing to win six of their last ten to make the finals series, this is achievable but would need a major turnaround from their last few performances and it would have to start this weekend over in New Zealand against the Warriors, who are coming off a last start victory verse the Roosters also missing fullback Jarryd Hayne which may help team unity.

I don't envy the position Daniel Anderson is in at the moment, and his future if Parramatta continue to lose, the fans will want answers and maybe Anderson's head after being the hero of last year.

Information sourced from:

www.nrl.com.au, www.parraeels.com.au and the daily telegraph.

Picture courtesy of Parramatta Eels and owned by them.