Sports 101 is hosted by Mark Gram and Eric Pedigo Sunday mornings 9am - 11am on Sports Radio 1450. It's a discussion-based sports talk show that spans any and all sports. Eric and Mark offer up their opinions, ideas, and observations on all of sports' most intriquing topics. Whether you love it or hate it, agree or disagree, Eric and Mark love to get your take.
So call the show at 217-529-1450 and weigh in on whatever the guys are tossing around.
Mark Gram
Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois High School: Quincy High School Loves: Illinois sports, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, reading, and politics
Eric Pedigo Birthplace: Chatham, Illinois High School: Glenwood High School
Eric is a Chatham native and Glenwood graduate. He and his wife Amanda live in Glenarm with their three children. Eric started hosting a sports talk radio show on the internet in 2005. In 2008, he began co-hosting Fantasy Football 101 with Adam Stark, Mark Gram, and Nicorelli. Eric can be heard every Sunday morning from 9-11am on Sports Radio 1450.
Heading into the 2012 fantasy football season, it's best to lay out a few ground rules before assembling your team and heading into pretend battle. Here are ten basic guidelines to follow to ensure maximum success as you embark upon your fantasy journey.
Do Your Homework- It's not that hard to pick up a magazine or check out a website or two a few weeks prior to your draft. You never want to be the one drafting the guy who just retired or was released in the offseason.
Understand Your League- How many roster spots are you allowed? What's the scoring system? Is this a keeper league? What do your starting lineups look like? How many teams are in this league? Does your wife know about this? Why aren't you answering?
Arrive to Your Draft Prepared- You can show up without a cheatsheet, a writing utensil, and your entry fees if you really want to, but you may be subjected to a severe beating from your fantasy peers, and those guys are tough.
Draft the Best Player on the Board...Usually- That website that duped you into paying 50 bucks for a bunch of information you could have got from ESPN for free may tell you that you have to draft a running back first, then two receivers followed by a QB, but that might not be your best path. Usually the best player available is your best option. The trick is to draft the best player to fill out your starting lineup.
Don't Get Duped into Paying Money to a Fantasy Site- It's not that they're not good at what they do, it's that they can't give you any information you won't find on one of the major sites for free.
Don't Get Hammered at Your Draft- It's fine to have a drink or two while drafting with your buddies, but you really want to keep a clear head on draft day. However, getting your opposition drunk is both encouraged and appreciated. Try bringing a 12 pack and handing out 9 or 10 of them.
Don't be a Negligent Owner- Everyone whole-heartedly hates owners who all but abandon their teams. Respond to trade requests, maybe even offer a few yourself, and whatever you do, DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR LINEUP! Real talk
Prey on the Weak- Not all fantasy owners are created equal. Some are created super dumb. Take full advantage of these people via lopsided trades, not-so-honest "friendly" lineup advice, and all around shady behavior. Side note- this is sound advice to apply to your real life also.
Never Draft a Kicker or Defense Before the Last 2 Rounds- It just doesn't make sense. They're the only two positions that you can get top ten producers in the last round. Listen, because you chose to wait until the last round, you HAD to settle for a top ten defense. How do look yourself in the mirror?
Have Some Fun, it's Just a Game- Make fun of each other on your message boards, maybe even get a little too personal. Taking a shot at a recent divorce, or an owner's ugly kid will always get a laugh. Just don't let anything get you too upset. A known truth about the guy who takes fantasy football way too seriously is that he's the guy everyone else in the league is making fun of. Calm down.
Listen to Fantasy Football 101 Every Sunday Morning at 9:00 on Sports Radio 1450- That's the most imortant rule of all...Happy drafting!
It's fantasy football time! The Olympics are adorable, they really are, but I think it's time we enjoy our sports on a more grown up level. So, let's go to a place with good bar food and draft us some pretend football teams! And just like trades, waiver wire claims and a little too personal trash talk, preseason rankings are a part of the ritual. Because looking into the future is mostly impossible without the right deck of cards, fantasy owners should keep in mind that preseason rankings are just an indicator of who is your safest bet in the opinion of who's doing the rankings. What I'm saying is, don't get fresh with me because you think Marshawn Lynch should be higher in my rankings. If you love him so much tell him on Twitter and maybe he'll retweet you, but I don't care. Let's start with QBs...
QBs
Aaron Rodgers GB
Tom Brady NE
Drew Brees NO
Matt Stafford Det
Cam Newton Car
Eli Manning NYG
Phil Rivers SD
Tony Romo Dal
Jay Cutler Chi
Matt Ryan Atl
Mike Vick Phi
Peyton Manning Den
Ben Roethlisberger Pit
Matt Schaub Hou
Joe Flacco
Andy Dalton Cin
Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf
Josh Freeman TB
Carson Palmer Oak
Robert Griffin III Was
Sam Bradford Stl
Andrew Luck Ind
Matt Cassel KC
Mark Sanchez NYJ
Jake Locker TEN
Next in line is the RB position. Good luck because there are only about five that are any good. Side note- all of my rankings are based on a point per reception scoring system- the best sytem in the world.
RBs
Ray Rice Bal
Arian Foster Hou
LeSean McCoy Phi
Chris Johnson Ten
Matt Forte Chi
Adrian Peterson Min
DeMarco Murray Dal
MJD Jax
Darren McFadden Oak
Ryan Mathews SD
Jamal Charles KC
Steven Jackson Stl
Darren Sproles NO
Frank Gore SF
Marshawn Lynch Sea
Michael Turner Atl
Fred Jackson Buf
Beanie Wells Ari
Trent Richardson Cle
Reggie Bush Mia
Willis McGahee Den
Ahmad Bradshaw NYG
BJGE Cin
Roy Helu Was
Doug Martin TB
The perception of wideouts this season is that it's a deep position, and it couldn't be any more or less accurate. If you have a couple of guys from the top 25 in your lineup you're in good shape.
WRs
Calvin Johnson Det
Roddy White Atl
Larry Fitzgerald Ari
Greg Jennings GB
Wes Welker NE
Andre Johnson Hou
Brandon Marshall Chi
Mike Wallace Pit
Steve Smith Car
Victor Cruz NYG
AJ Green Cin
Stone Cold Miles Austin Dal
Julio Jones Atl
Vincent Jackson TB
Stevie Johnson Buf
Hakeem Nicks NYG
Marques Colston NO
Jordy Nelson GB
Percy Harvin Min
Dwayne Bowe KC
Dez Bryant Dal
Demaryius Thomas Den
DeSean Jackson Phi
Kenny Britt Ten
Pierre Garcon Was
Having a good tight end can often be the missing piece to a fake Super Bowl title. Take a look at the jerk's roster who won your league last year and I'll bet he had a stud tight end.
On the Road at Longbridge Golf Course
7:30am Mark Selvaggio, Making Strides for Breast Cancer
Thursday
On the Road at Calhoun
7:00am Krista Johnson, Voices Teacher of the Year
8:00am Girl Scout Camps, Kate Peters & Andrea Bennett
Friday
On the Road at Friendly Chevrolet Off Site Sale at Kingpin Lanes<br>
7:00am Anna McFarland, Central Illinois Blood Bank 8:00am Jim Bathurst, Private to Colonel in the Marines
Mark Gram
Eric Pedigo
