Adopt an Oyster

So while drinking at the Eastport-a-Rockin festival in Annapolis and checking out a super funky band, The Big Hurt, I came across some good peops with an interesting approach to saving the world.

The Adopt an Oyster program is a plan to clean up the Chesapeake Bay by increasing the oyster population. Oysters, I was told, act as a natural filtration system and actually clean the water in which they live (so basically the Chesapeake needs an infinite supply). It was actually pretty cool, one of the people at Oyster King 1, had a bunch of oysters in glass jugs that he has filling up in bay and within a few hours the oysters had changed the water from brown to Brita-like.

You can help by adopting an “Oyster Hotel” which is a cage that floats in the nutrient-rich top water and protects the “spat” (baby oysters) from predators. You just need waterfront property around the Chesapeake Bay and $500 (neither of which I have). You get a $500 tax credit if you participate though so go on out and be good family.

Keeper League Rules

Q: I am in a 10-team keeper league and have been for over 5 years. Two years ago we made it a keeper league where you can keep up to two players as long as you drafted them in the 3rd round or later. Each keeper can be kept for a maximum of two years. Last year, I took a shot and drafted Larry Johnson with my sixth round pick. Well, that pick definitley paid off as I can now keep him for the next two years. Some people in my league want to change the keeper rule effective this year. They say we should put it to a vote. How is this fair? Please help!!

A: This one is a no-brainer. You did not simply draft LJ with your sixth round pick, you drafted the option to have LJ on your team for the next three years. Before last season, no one could have predicted how well he would play. For all you knew you were taking a chance on a backup running back before you filled out your starting roster. A very risky play. The potential reward that helped you make your decision was that if LJ panned out, you would have him for three years. That is why you took the risk of drafting him and you are absolutely entitled to keep him for the next two years. If your fellow franchise owners are that set on changing your league’s keeper rules, any changes passed now should only go into effect three seasons from now. Nice pick by the way.

Running Back Platoons

Q: So here’s my question. with the two-headed running back monsters being the latest rage in the NFL, my league-mates and i have been discussing amending our draft rules for next year. As someone who had Tiki losing touchdowns to Brandon Jacobs and Ronnie Brown losing carries to Ricky Williams, I proposed the following:

1. We will determine the starting running back for each NFL team next year prior to the draft
2. Whoever picks that RB will have first dibbs at picking up his back-up as a free agent after the draft

This will eliminate all of the “hand-cuffing” that goes on during the draft. Not to mention the headache of choosing who to start b/w Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.

A: We understand your apprehension in regards to choosing b/w two RBs on the same team, but what you call stress, we call strategy. Each year fantasy franchises are made and broken when previously unheard of RBs emerge to statistical stardom. Your proposed rule, for lack of a better word, would neuter the waiver wire and greatly decrease the chances of finding that “diamond in the rough” midseason.

Two Quarterback Leagues

Q: Alright this is ridiculous. I play in a 10 man, I mean, person league (there is actually one female, but that is a whole other issue). Anyway, here is the deal. One flippin QB. That’s right: one, uno, whatever the french word is for ONE. Here is some more math for you. That means every sunday, 20 QBs are on the bench in our league. Last time I checked that is the premier position in sports, and all those stats are wasted. Why?

A: Not sure about the french word for one, but our vote is DEUX, as in Hot Shots Part ___, and the number of starting QBs per roster in a 10 person league. Nothing better than watching a football game when your fantasy quarterback is playing. He touches the ball on every offensive play. Starting two QBs can double your pleasure. Just watch out in those 12-team and up leagues. There is nothing pleasurable about watching J.P. Losman toss 4 picks, single-handedly costing you a ‘W’.

Player Drafted Twice

Q: Hey guys, quick question: We had our draft the other night and Nate Burleson was drafted twice. We didn’t notice until after a few more picks. The owner who drafted him the second time thinks we should’ve let him pick again in that same spot and have the option of selecting one of the players that was selected immediately after the pick in question. It’s his fault and he should forfeit that pick, right?

A: Yes, its his fault. It sounds like he actually requested a ‘do-over’. Well this isn’t wiffle ball in Aunt Janet’s backyard. This is fantasy football and there are rules. You will get no sympathy from our staff in terms of bungled draft selections. How hard is it to cross out each player as they are selected? Hope you get to play this novice a few times this season and pad your record.