Hometown Over Fantasy Team

With fantasy football rapidly growing in popularity, I feel that some pressing issues in terms of fantasy over hometown team need to be addressed. The debate over whether or not you should draft someone who is a member of a team that you hate has long been discussed and drawn out on various sports radio and tv programs. Here are my feelings on the subject.

 Imagine this scenario. You’re constructing your perfect fantasy team. In the first round you drafted a premier running back, in the second you snagged a top notch receiver, and in the third round you got the steal of the draft by drafting another quality running back that everyone seemed to forget about.

 But when the fourth round rolls around you know that you desperately need a quarterback. But Mike Vick, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning are long gone. Your eyes slowly glance to the top of your computer screen and Tony Romo’s big goofy face is smiling back at you.

 Here is the moment of truth: do you take him? After years of bleeding green, appointed by your friends and family as an absolute Eagle nut, do you go against every insticnt in your body and draft a Cowboy for the sake of your fantasy team? Personally I say no. For the sake of my argument I have constructed a very intense fantasy situation for you to consider.

 It’s the final week of the regular season and you’re in the championship game going up against one of your buddies. All of his guys have played and they managed to put up 100 points. You have 80 points and have one guy remaining left to play: Tony Romo. On any given Sunday, Romo is good for 20 plus points. Only problem is the Boys are playing your beloved Birds who absolutely need a victory in order to clinch a playoff spot.

 So I ask you this simple question: in the final week of the regular season, will you be rooting for your beloved Eagles so that clinch a playoff spot, reach the promised land, and finally bring a Super Bowl trophy down Broad Street? Or will you be rooting for the Boys and Romo so that you can win your fantasy league and earn a couple bucks off your friends?

 For me it’s hometown team over fantasy team every time. Don’t give me the “well I hope Romo throws for 5 touchdowns but the Eagles win” excuse. Nope, don’t give me that. That is extremely luke warm and soft. You either root for your team or you don’t, there is no gray area. And for this year, if you are even considering drafting Tony Romo or Eli Manning for your fantasy team, then I think you need to stop, and reevaluate your standing as a sports fan in this city. I

f you must draft a player from a division rival, I feel that it is your obligation to sit them when they play the Eagles. Never put your fantasy team over your hometown team. It is a very serious violation and you will lose every time. Because in my mind you either bleed green, or you don’t bleed at all.