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WCOFF Interview with Jed Michaelson
2004
On the weekend of Super Bowl XXXVIII, Alex Hayden and Jed Michaelson were in Houston, Texas. They were there to be crowned as the 2003 winners of the World Championship of Fantasy Football. Alex and Jed received a $200,000 check and the WCOFF Crystal Trophy. Lenny Pappano, editor of draftsharks.com and co-founder of the WCOFF, sat down to chat with Jed about his Championship season.
LP: I've heard that you guys are friends from preschool days. ... Is that true?
JM: We've known each other since we were four or five.
LP: Tell me how you first heard about the WCOFF, and what your thoughts were about entering. How confident were you in being able to compete for the World Championship?
JM: We do a lot of fantasy research for our local leagues, and came upon the WCOFF while surfing the web prior to your inaugural season. We didn't end up entering that first year, but were very interested. When it came time to enter in Year 2, we went for it. Working together, we felt there wouldn't be many teams that would have an advantage over us because we pride ourselves in knowing every move that happens week to week. To be honest, we felt we could win our league but never really considered the possibility of winning it all until after we won our league championship game.
LP: Describe the experience of preparing for the draft. How many hours do you think you put in?
JM: In terms of sitting down and preparing together, we barely put in any time at all. We exchanged lists over email, talked a few times, etc. If we were to include the time we put in just doing research on players, however, I think that would be tough to measure. Prior to and during the season, we scour the web for info whenever there is a free moment.
LP: What was it like drafting? Were you overwhelmed or excited to be drafting in Vegas with 1,000 other people in the room? Did the TV cameras bother you?
JM: The draft experience is just awesome. To be honest with you, we really just took it all in and went about our business (football cliché). We each had a binder full of player information, and because we were working together, we were always ready to pick when it was our turn. Regarding the cameras, they weren't really a disruption at all. Strangely enough, the team next to us in the draft was working with a film crew as part of a documentary. ...Guess they asked the wrong team to do that one!
LP: Take us through the first 10 rounds of your draft. What were your best and worst picks?
JM: We picked No. 4 and took Priest Holmes because he was available. However, if we had picked No. 1, we still would have taken him. Our best pick of the first 10 rounds was probably Torry Holt, who we were targeting to get with our third pick. Everything fell right, and we got him in that position. Our worst pick was probably Onterrio Smith at No. 5. We took him because all other good backs were going at that point, and we had to address the need.
LP: Did you have any critical free agent pick-ups during the season?
JM: We had two pick-ups that made our season… after week one, we picked up Anquan Boldin, who everyone knows turned out to be a complete stud. Moreover, we got Boldin for the third lowest price out of all the 50 WCOFF leagues-I think we paid $301. Our second great pickup was Brian Westbrook, whom we paid $11 for. We picked him up before he began to take on a larger role, and he was amazing for us throughout the year.
LP: Where was your team ranked at the beginning of the WCOFF playoffs, and when did you realize that you had a good chance to win the Championship?
JM: We were ranked fifth going into the playoffs, and that was really the first time we thought we'd have a good shot to win. Once all the bye weeks were finished, we realized that when our lineup was at its best, we would score 150+ points per week. That is when we knew we really had a shot.
LP: You were in first place heading into the final week of the WCOFF playoffs. Describe that experience. Any sleepless nights?
JM: After week 2 of the playoffs, the pressure started to mount. We felt that we were in good position (2nd place, down 20 points), and the leader had Clinton Portis, who was injured and was not going to play in week 3. To top it all off, we had hundreds of co-workers and friends following along and rooting for us. If we lost, it would have felt like we let everyone down, even though there was nothing we could do but enter our lineup. Alex, I, and a group of friends went out to dinner on Saturday night of the last week of the playoffs, just after Priest Holmes had run wild in the second half versus Minnesota and scored three touchdowns. We tried to temper our enthusiasm, but it was tough.
LP: When did you feel comfortable that you were going to win the Championship? Last year's champ, Chris Schussman, described a feeling of being relieved when he finally won.
JM: After the early games on Sunday, we felt like we would have to have a big collapse to lose it. We had a lot of players that overlapped with the closest competition going in the late games-Boldin, TO, Garcia-so there were very few areas where our lead could be cut. The feeling after winning was kind of hard to describe. ... Like we knew going in that we had a good chance to win this thing, it actually happened, it was over and what do we do now?
LP: What players came up big for you down the stretch?
JM: Aside for our consistent performers like Holmes, Boldin and Holt, the guy who really came up big for us was Jeff Garcia. He had monster weeks during the playoffs. Also, we had a hole all year with our flex player, and Anthony Thomas came up huge for us when we needed it most down the stretch.
LP: Tell us about the WCOFF Check and Trophy presentation. How was it to be in Houston on Super Bowl weekend? And what are your best memories about the weekend?
JM: It was great. The Super Bowl is crazy-like an NFL Players convention. We met a lot of the players, but meeting Priest Holmes and telling him that he won us $200,000 was great. He was so cool about it, like he was really into Fantasy Football, and was genuinely excited for us.
LP: ESPN's Suzy Kolber presented you with the check and Trophy… Is she as cute and spunky in person as she is on TV? Did either of you guys pull a "Joe Namath?"
JM: She is very cute, smart, and cool. Neither of us pulled a Namath, although that joke was bandied about beforehand several times prior to us meeting her.
LP: What's been the reaction of friends and family about your Championship?
JM: We had a huge following for the last few weeks when it was coming down to the wire, so everyone was just really happy for us.
LP: What are you plans for the $200,000 grand prize?
JM: I think Alex is putting a pool into his house, and I'm going to save a good chunk of it to put toward a down payment on a house.
LP: Has anybody commented on the WCOFF Crystal Trophy? Are you guys going to split time with the Trophy?
JM: We are going to handle it with white gloves only.
LP: Have you received any media attention?
JM:We were on FOX 5 News in NY-a three-minute segment that ended up being a very positive piece about us and the WCOFF.
LP: Sum up your thoughts on the WCOFF.
JM: A fantastic experience-one that we've recommended to all of our friends and many are entering their own teams this year. I would say it was once-in-a-lifetime, but we plan to defend our title again this year.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger Won't Request Further Reduction
(9/3 12:41 AM PT)
The Facts:
Roethlisberger and team president Art Rooney II will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Friday morning in New York, but they will not be politicking to have his suspension reduced beyond two games, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.
Diehards Line:
Reports have suggested that Rooney is accompanying Roethlisberger to the meeting to have his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy reduced from six games to three games. But that is not the case. "That door is not open," a source who is familiar with the meeting told Post-Gazette Gerry Dulac. ... This news comes after a number of observers suggested that such a request might not go over well with Goodell -- the sole arbiter of Roethlisberger's fate.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Michael Bush Could Miss Up To Six Weeks
(9/2 8:00 PM PT)
The Facts:
Based on what information is available regarding the fractured thumb of RB Michael Bush, Tribune staffer Jerry McDonald reports it’s highly unlikely Bush will be ready to play in the opener and could miss up to a quarter of the season or more.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable confirmed the thumbe was fractured and said on Monday “he’ll need a procedure on it, and whether that keeps him out or not remains to be seen.” Cable has since declined to discuss the injury and wouldn’t confirm the surgery had taken place. McDonald, however, consulted with an othepedic surgeon familiar with the procedure who suggested a 4-to-6 week recovery period. If Bush were to be out four weeks from the time of surgery, he would be available to practice for the in the days preceding the Houston Texans game on Oct. 3 in Week 4. Six weeks would mean Bush could be ready to face the 49ers on On Oct. 6 in Week 6. ... Stay tuned. We'll continue to watch for more on this one.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Big Ben To Request 3-Game Suspension
(9/1 3:55 PM PT)
The Facts:
In their meeting scheduled for Friday, Roethlisberger's representatives plan to ask commissioner Roger Goodell to reduce the six-game suspension by at least three games, bringing along team president Arthur J. Rooney II to the New York meeting to support the QB's case.
Diehards Line:
Goodell has made it clear he would consider reducing the length of the suspension if Roethlisberger complied with a number of league imposed conditions, including a comprehensive behavioral evaluation, and stayed clear of any other off field problems. As ESPN's Sal Paolantonio notes, most observers believe Goodell has had in his mind all along to reduce the suspension by two games to four. But Roethlisberger's attorney, David Cornwell, is expected to ask for a greater reduction in the suspension. ... Stay tuned. Some reduction seems all but certain. It'll be interesting to see how Roethlisberger's request is met by the commissioner.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Redskins Place Malcolm Kelly On IR
(8/31 11:54 AM PT)
The Facts:
HC Mike Shanahan said the team will place injury-plagued WR Malcolm Kelly on injured reserve Tuesday, ending the third-year player's season because of a recurring hamstring problem.
Diehards Line:
Kelly, who practiced just three times during training camp and the preseason, suffered a setback during Monday's workout, his first since July 30. Further evaluation showed that he would likely miss six weeks, Shanahan said. The Redskins could have released Kelly Tuesday, reaching an injury settlement. By putting him on injured reserve, they retain his rights for the future. Shanahan, though, made it clear that Kelly is guaranteed nothing with the Redskins -- even after his hamstring heals.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Buccaneers Release Derrick Ward
(8/31 11:03 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Buccaneers have cut Ward and WR Terrence Nunn. HC Raheem Morris announced the roster moves after Tuesday's practice.
Diehards Line:
Morris said that Ward, who signed to a lucrative, four-year, $17 million deal in 2009, didn't fit the long-term plan for the Buccaneers. Second-year pro Kareem Huggins, a 2009 undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, beat out Ward for the backup spot to starter Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. In three presesaon games Huggins has run for 97 yards on 19 carries (5.1 average) with two receptions for 16 yards. Huggins brings more speed and big-play ability to the Buccaneers backup running back position.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Owen Daniels Officially Off The PUP List
(8/30 8:14 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Texans announced Monday that Daniels has passed a physical and has been removed from the active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Diehards Line:
This allows Daniels to resume practicing with the team less than two weeks before the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. While that's good news, we'll remind you that HC Gary Kubiak said on Sunday the best-case scenario for Daniels, coming off a torn ACL, is probably that he plays 15-20 snaps against the Colts in Week 1. Those who are able might want to watch his progress this week before investing on draft day.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Bush To Have Surgery; Could Play Week 1
(8/29 7:10 PM PT)
The Facts:
Bush will undergo surgery on his broken left thumb Monday and could be back in time for the season opener.Bush broke the thumb when he was hit on the hand by a helmet on his final carry Saturday night against San Francisco.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable said Sunday there was a "good chance" Bush would be ready to play Sept. 12 in Tennessee and that he would likely not need a cast on the finger. ... Bush led the team with 589 yards rushing last season and was expected to do even more this season now that Justin Fargas has been released. Bush and Darren McFadden will share the bulk of the running load this season, although both have now been hampered by injuries in the preseason.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jason Campbell's Wrist Injury Of More Concern Than Shoulder
(8/29 7:09 PM PT)
The Facts:
Campbell's stinger that knocked him out of the exhibition loss to the 49ers does not appear to be serious, HC Tom Cable said. But Campbell hurt his right wrist on the previous series in the game, which is more of an immediate concern. He underwent an MRI on Sunday and will be evaluated again later this week.
Diehards Line:
"Usually I recover pretty fast," Campbell said after the game. "Right now there's no timetable. The thing is just to improve and continue to keep getting better. We don't know the timetable or anything, but at the same time, I haven't really missed any time before. ..." Campbell led Oakland to a touchdown on the opening drive for the second straight week, completing all four of his passes for 67 yards. But the Raiders did not get another first down with Campbell in the game.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger To Meet With Goodell Next Week
(8/29 5:45 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to FOXSports insider Jay Glazer, Roethlisberger will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell following next Thursday's pre-season game. Goodell will make a final determination on Roethlisberger's suspension, which currently stands at six games. It could be reduced to four.
Diehards Line:
The report indicates that Goodell will inform Roethlisberger and the Steelers of his decision in advance of the regular-season opener. There have been indications -- including comments by Goodell suggesting that Roethlisberger has gone above and beyond in his efforts to meet the requirements necessary -- the suspension will indeed be reduced. ... Stay tuned. We'll be obviously be watching for the official announcement.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rams Place Donnie Avery On IR
(8/29 5:44 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Rams announced that Avery, who suffered a torn ACL in last Thursday's win over the Patriots, has been placed on the injured reserve list.
Diehards Line:
The move, which officially ends Avery's season, comes as no real surprise. HC Steve Spagnuolo made no secret of the fact it was a season-ending injury on Friday. The only real question remains unanswered, however: Who replaces Avery as the starter opposite Laurent Robinson? Danny Amendola and Mardy Gilyard were the first candidates mentioned by the coach, who also suggested Keenan Burton as a possibility. Others on the roster included Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Jordan Kent and Brandon McRae.
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