Living the Fantasy

What do dads and grown men do to escape reality and responsibility? Play Fantasy Football!

Now in our 8th season, the Armchair Coaches get together the last weekend in August to select their team and begin another year of pretending to know more than the real general managers of NFL franchises.

Aspirations are high (as they are every year)as each manager believes they have assembled the best team in the league. However, by the end of the day some are still holding on to that dream while for others it is quickly evident what team(s) are already vying for the #1 pick next year in the draft!

Always a good time, we gather in the 'Manbasement' at Tim's house for the 'live draft', to partake in low cal foods such as beer and chips but also to simply get away from the ladies. Just kidding. Maybe not!

A draft board shows the order of picks for each manager and provides a pseudo stage for walking up and announcing your picks (however, it is a challenge to get some of the guys off the couch to walk the five feet and write down their pick!).

Most of the managers reside in Chicago (thus vying for Chicago Bears is a strategy in itself - except for Chico who fancies himself a Packers fan), but two live abroad. Can you find them in the picture? (Headshots are actual size!) .

For those not present at the draft, they are connected remotely. Mastering the art of making efficient inefficient processes, each remote manager is emailed players selected and then conferenced in for their 'live' pick. Unfortunately, Ken doesn't read his emails so he inevitably picks players selected rounds prior! Also, missing from the picture is Bada Bing who had already departed for his second draft of the day. Perhaps in the future, we can get ESPN to broadcast our draft live so other managers will know what is going on! Then again, if Ken would just move back to Chicago, PROBLEM SOLVED!

Regardless of the outcome, FF is always a fun time. Between the trash talking, getting together on Sunday for the games, and the competition for cash prizes, what else could be better. My sleeper pick is Reinheimer, because when serious money is on the line, he comes to play!