What is your
overall strategy heading into an Auction-style draft?
My strategy is usually to blow off
the QB position and spend the majority of my money on running backs and wide
receivers. Like everyone I want to come
out with two solid backs with minimal risk but that is sometimes easier said
than done. I will spend more than most
on high upside running back depth because often those are the guys that help
you win championships.
How is this
different (if at all) from the strategy you use in traditional snake drafts?
With a snake draft you are at the
mercy of the draft so you have to be willing to change your draft strategy
quickly and often in a direction you are not comfortable with. In an auction you have more control of what
you want to do even if it means spending a few more dollars than expected as
you can just spend less on you TE or something later in the draft.
Other than your
picks, which selection was too pricey in your opinion?
I love the Saints' offense but I
have to say that $25 for Reggie Bush
and $13 for Marques Colston seem a
little pricey to me. Obviously both
players are good but there is a lot of talent on that team that will see there
share of touches. The prices are not so
bad that the teams can’t compete but there are others in the same price range that I feel carries less risk.
Other than your
picks, which selection was a tremendous value?
My biggest sleeper of the year is Jon Kitna and $5 is an absolute steal in my
opinion. Sure there is the risk that he
might not grasp the expanded Martz offense and flops, but for $5 the reward far outweighs the risks. Brandon Jacobs is an absolute freak at running back and will make $13 look like a robbery this time next year.
Which was your
best/worst picks?
Worst: Peyton Manning was a gift at $16 that I had to take but it really hurt me when it was time to get receivers. I would have been much happier with someone like Kitna at $5 or Jay Cutler at $3 and use the extra $10 to upgrade Plaxico Burress and Darrell Jackson to Anquan Boldin and Reggie Wayne.
Best: Willis
McGahee is in a perfect offense for him to really explode if he can ever get motivated. Even an unmotivated
McGahee is worth $21 so there is little downside. Adrian Peterson at $6 is a little more than I was hoping to pay but we are talking about a player that has other-worldly talent that the Vikings will give every chance to carry the team.
Which team looks the strongest to you, and why?
I like how Cankosyan’s
team turned out, despite paying the same for Carson Palmer as I did Peyton Manning. Brandon Jacobs and Deuce McAllister are the keys to victory, as at every other position he has the cream of the crop.
Smith's Roster:
|
Pos |
Name |
Team |
Salary |
|
QB |
Peyton Manning |
Colts (IND) |
16 |
|
RB |
Joseph Addai |
Colts (IND) |
27 |
|
RB |
Willis McGahee |
Ravens (BAL) |
21 |
|
WR |
Plaxico Burress |
Giants (NYG) |
8 |
|
WR |
Darrell Jackson |
49ers (SFO) |
6 |
|
WR |
D.J. Hackett |
Seahawks (SEA) |
1 |
|
TE |
Dallas Clark |
Colts (IND) |
1 |
|
K |
Josh Brown |
Seahawks (SEA) |
1 |
|
DEF |
Green Bay Packers |
Packers (GNB) |
1 |
|
B-RB |
Vernand Morency |
Packers (GNB) |
2 |
|
B-RB |
DeAngelo Williams |
Panthers (CAR) |
8 |
|
B-RB |
Brandon Jackson |
Packers (GNB) |
1 |
|
B-RB |
Adrian Peterson |
Vikings (MIN) |
6 |
|
B-WR |
Ronald Curry |
Raiders (OAK) |
1 |