Column: Nuse Sense

Pod in fantasy world

By: Bob Nuse
   Have you asked anyone lately if they’re in a Fantasy Football League?
   Chances are you get one of two responses. Either the person replies with a quizzical, "What’s that?" Or the more standard reply, "I’m in three leagues."
   The tough part about being part of a fantasy football league is that you actually have to pay attention to the sport and know the players. If you don’t, you run the risk of making shaky picks and going 1-12 and setting every league record for futility.
   With that in mind, why not have a fantasy league involving the teams and players you actually get a chance to follow? This line of thinking is how the first Packet Sports Pod Fantasy Football League came into being.
   In this league, you need not worry about Peyton Manning’s touchdown passes, Larry Johnson’s rushing totals or whether or not Terrell Owens ever plays in a game. In this league, the bigger questions involve whether or not Montgomery High decides to pass the ball more this year or will Princeton High have another high-powered offensive year.
   The league is a modest one with just three teams. The pool of players to choose from is a small one as well — the six football teams in the Princeton Packet coverage area. There is nothing at stake as far as a prize, just something different and hopefully a little bit interesting to some football fans out there.
   The Packet Sports Pod League, named after the glamorous area the Packet sports staff calls home, isn’t a week-to-week league. At the end of the year, we’ll add up the totals and report back with the results (maybe there will be a mid-season update along the way). One of three teams will emerge the winner.
   The Feil Cabinets, under the direction of Packet Assistant Sports Editor Justin Feil; the Andy Cap All-Stars, under the direction of Packet reporter Jake Uitti, who covers Montgomery Township and is a PHS grad and was a classmate of former Little Tiger quarterback Andrew Caprariello, for whom the team is named. And the Bad Nuse Bears, under the guidance of yours truly.
   The rules are quite simple. Each team has seven players — a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a kicker and a team defense. Points will be awarded based on stats compiled through the year. QBs earn points for yards passing and touchdowns, but lose points for interceptions. Running backs get points for yards and touchdowns, while receivers score points for receptions and touchdowns. Kickers earn points for field goals and extra points, while defenses earn points based on points allowed, sacks and interceptions.
   The whole idea is to just have a little fun with the high school football season. The teams were selected before the previews were done for the actual teams. So hopefully everyone that was picked will actually play this year.
   Some players who weren’t picked will have big seasons. And some of those picked will do even better than expected.