All MARVEL Fantasy Football Defense

A few weeks ago my buddy Loose and I were talking about Fantasy Football. As a nerd dad, let's just say that sports aren't my area of expertise. So Loose suggested that I make a Fantasy Football offensive team using superheroes. So I took the challegne and he said that he would do the same. To take the matter a step further, we agreed to put together a defensive Fantasy Football team to counter each other's offense. Here is a link to Loose's article for his superhero offense. Below is my defensive team.

As Loose chose to have 3 wide receivers, so his team has a focus on the passing game. So I needed to bring a defense to deal with that. I chose the Nickel defense which has three cornerbacks as opposed to two (a linebacker is switched for a cornerback, also called a nickelback). Cornerbacks are the players that cover and defend against the wide receivers.

DT – Defensive Tackle: These 2 inside players of the defensive line who defend against the run and put pressure on the QB.  I chose STRONG GUY and BLOB. Both of these guys have strength, while Strong Guy gets stronger as he gets hit and the Blob…he can’t be moved. He literally fuses with the ground.

DE – Defensive End: The 2 outside players of the defensive line who put pressure on the QB and move to either try to sac the QB or tackle a runner. I chose DRAX THE DESTROYER and RAGE. Both of these heroes have strength and agility. Both are mobile enough to hold the line against the run and mobile enough to move through or around the offensive line to sac the QB.

I originally planned to counter Loose’s Mutant offensive line with a GAMMA powered defensive line by choosing the Hulk, Doc Samson, A-Bomb, and Red Hulk.  Then I thought I’d try to pick a few more “obscure” heroes.

LB – Linebacker: LB back up the defensive line and defend against the run and pass. I chose BETA RAY BILL and HYPERION. Both of these are in response to Thor as the Tight End. Beta Ray Bill is an alien version of Thor. Has all the same powers and carries a hammer like his called Stormbreaker. Hyperion is Marvel’s version of Superman. Strength, Flight, eye beams, gets his power from the sun. With these two behind my defensive line, I don’t see Thor as an issue.

CB – Cornerback: These players cover the wide receivers and defend against the pass.  My number one CB is NOVA, “the human rocket”. This guy is meant to cover Quicksilver. He can more than match his speed and he flies. To match Spider-man as a WR, I chose VENOM. He is the perfect counter for all of his abilities: speed, strength, webbing and Venom doesn’t trigger his spider sense. So he won’t see venom coming. To cover the Slot WR Namor, I originally was going with either Rogue or Ms. Marvel. But Loose told me “he dug deep” for his team, so I chose the CAPTAIN to cover Namor. The Captain is a drunkard who was given Superman like powers by aliens. So he can match Namor in speed and strength; as long as I can keep him sober for the game.

S – Safety: The safeties are that last line of defense for the deep pass or if a runner breaks through. As my last line, I first was going to pick War Machine and Iron Man. But this was after a suggestion from Loose, so I thought I’d go out on my own and pick BOX and MACH 1. Both of these armored heroes have various sensors to keep watch of any offensive characters that make it through the first lines of defense as well as an array of devices to take them down.

That’s my defense. What do you think? Did I pick characters a little too out of the norm? Should I have “stuck to the basics”? Drop me a comment and let me know.

I have to say this was fun. I learned a lot about football. From what players functions are to what’s the difference between the nickel and dime package. I’m actually looking forward to trying my hand at ACTUAL fantasy football. Not saying I’m going to be any good…but I know I’m going to enjoy it. Hope you enjoyed the read.

Fantasy Football 101 the Nerd way

I'm a nerd dad. While I have plenty of other adults...some fathers...that share my love of super heroes and video games there are those times...those slightly awkard times when I'm with a group of guys talking about sports. Whether it is the NBA, NFL, or MBL, I'm usually pretty much SOL during those chats.

A friend of mine who I talk video games and super heores with also is into sports When our conversations turn to the game last night or when he makes a playful sports reference to a NFL player, its almost always lost on me as I pause dumbfounded. Recently, he told me of his thoughts about starting a fantasy football league. I immediantly told him I'd participate. I figured I'd support my friend even though I'd be as about successful at fantasy football as an infant is at stockcar racing. Then my buddy had the awesome idea of having me make a fantasy football team with superheroes.  We both figured I could have a little fun and learn more about football in the process; learn more about a topic by relating it to something I'm not only familiar with, but passionate about. I also figured as I'm sure I'm not the only nerd who has been in that awkward guy sports talk situation, so thus this article was born.

I'll start with "drafting" my offensive players and I'll pick them from Marvel comic characters.

QB - Quarterback: Most always the leader of the team (there are a few exceptions). Needs to be intelligent, inspiring, confident, adaptable, aware (of the field) and accurate throwing the football. 

My initial choice was Daredevil. His radar sense makes him extremeply hard to surprise and aware of his surroundings. Although with all the things going on the field and the noise of the crowd, it would probably be too much for his enhanced senses. SO I chose CAPTAIN AMERICA as the QB. There are few comic characters who are more inspiring or a better leader. As CAP is superior fighter, he is able to adapt to almost any challenger(s).  He's also mastered accuately throwing his shield, so throwing a football should come natural to him.

C - Center: Touches the ball on every play and hikes the ball to the quarterback. He calls out audibles and positions to the guards and tackles. Needs to be strong, tough, and intelligent. Doesn't move much.

I first choice the Blob as I couldn't think of anyone better to be rooted to a spot to hike the ball. I also thought of the Hulk, as Hulk is "the strongest one there is". Then I found out how the center needs to be strong and intelligent. He signals the offensive line to make adjustments and snapping the ball is an important job. My center is the ever lovin' blue eyed THING. The THING was a football star in college so he knows the game, he's incredibly strong and durable as well. Finally, while he's not a genius (he leaves the brainy work to Reed Richards), he's a thinker. He not just a dumb brute or a savage brawler.

LG/RG - Guards (left and right): Their job is simple, to protect. For the most part, it involves protecting the quarterback while also protecting the ball carriers. Guards need to be tough physically and mentally. Disciplined enough to stay still until the play starts while also being strong enough to hold back the defense. Besides being strong, they also need to have nimble hands and feet. 

I chose DOC SAMSON and SHE-HULK. I know their aren't any ladies in the NFL, but this is Marvel so let's not be exculsive. Both these gamma powered heroes have the smarts, speed, and strength to be effect in the guard position. Not to mention both of them can take a hit, and hold the line.

LT/RT - Tackles (left and right): The Offensive Tackles are also tasked with protection. In fact I wasn't sure what the difference between Guards and Tackles was. My buddy Loose, broke it down simply for me. Guards are for protection for the run, while Tackles are more for pass protection. So Tackles need the same attributes, but I also think they'd need to be aware of their surroundings to watch for the defense trying to sack the QB.

 I'm thinking I'd choose IRON-MAN and WAR MACHINE. They are a good team and complement each other. Few defensive players would get past them. Its also my understanding that where you place your stronger offensive protection players depends on whether your QB is right handed or left handed, that way you give more protection to his "blindside". So IRON-MAN and SHE-HULK are going to placed on the left side as I believe CAPTAIN AMERICA is right handed.

TE - Tight end: The tight end acts as both a pass protection/blocker and another wide receiver if need be.So the TE needs to have speed, intelligence, as well as be tough enough to block defensive opponents.

My first thought was Namor. He's got speed, strength, and is disciplined enough to follow routes. Then I thought about it and Namor is arrogant and a hot head. While Namor will take orders, his pride could keep his from following through especially if he feels his way is better. So I chose MS. MARVEL/CAPTAIN MARVEL (Carol Danvers). She also have strength, speed, and the discipline of a military officer. She'll follow her routes without question and if she needs to block,she's packing Kree enhanced strength to protect the ball carrier or QB.

WR - Wide Receivers The offense I chose has two main wide receivers, although you can have more. WR need speed...period. They need to be able to react quickly to shake and outrun persuers. They also need to be able to catch the ball. 

I chose QUICKSILVER and NORTHSTAR. Marvel  doesn't have the abundance of "speedsters" like DC does. Still, these two guys are amoung the fastest. As they're so fast, I'm sure they could catch whatever is thrown at them.

RB - Running Back: The running back is a player that runs with the ball. The RB needs speed, awareness, and finese. 

I thought speed was most important for RBs and was planning to choose Quicksilver, then I thought of Barry Sanders (former RB for the Detroit Lions). Barry wasn't the fastest player, but what he did well was find holes in the defense to run through and shake defenders away by reacting quickly and changing directions.So this prompted me to choose SPIDER-MAN as my RB. I honestly am one of the few folks I know that don't like the webhead. Still Spidey has speed, but more importantly, his agility and spider sense would help him avoid the defense.

FB - Full Back: The offense I'm using is more run based, other more pass centered offenses might not have a full back. The full back is a blocker that makes holes for the RB to go through, provides pass protection for the QB, and carries the ball for short yard runs.  

I considered the Rhino for this. He's strong, tough, and has no problem charging in. While I think that the Rhino is a good choice, I went with JUGGERNAUT. Pretty much for the same reasons, he's strong enough to charge his way through the defensive line, but also strong enough to hold the line for the QB when passing.

So that's my MARVEL fantast football offensive line up. Next time I'll post my defensive line up. I hope this helped you, even a little bit, with understanding some of the positions in football.

What do you think? Do you agree with my choices or do you have others you think would work better?