Did you miss this week's Fantasy Playbook as I go on with Lance McAlister on 1530 Homer the Sports Animal? Either way here's my notes from the show...

LESSONS LEARNED - Things I will take with me into next season
First Round Picks Are No Longer Locks – From L.T. to Tom Brady, there are plenty of examples of first round disappointments. In fact, if you look at the top fantasy players at each position from this season many of them were taken in the third round or later…LESSON – LEAGUES ARE NOT WON IN ROUND 1.

There Are Plenty Of Good QB’s – After watching Tom Brady and Carson Palmer go down, owners were left scrambling but guys like Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel, Jay Cutler, Brett Favre, and even rookie Matt Ryan were able to carry owners deep into the playoffs…LESSON – YOU CAN AFFORD TO WAIT ON DRAFTING A QB.

Young Running Backs Produce – It becomes more evident to me every year that the younger the back the better. This year’s crop of rookies offered some mid-to-late round gems in Matt Forte, Steve Slaton and Kevin Smith. In addition, younger backs like DeAngelo Williams and Adrian Peterson took their games to another level…LESSON – ONLY DRAFT RB’S 26 AND YOUNGER.

Auction Style Format Is Worth Considering – I had done mock auctions, but for the first time this year did a real auction league. It’s takes draft night to another level and for guys like me that have been playing for over a decade has brought a breath of fresh air to fantasy football…LESSON - DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

IDP Is Better Than Using Team Defenses – Team defenses can make a huge difference in many fantasy leagues. However, I still think there is more luck involved with team defenses and there are only a couple of units that are weekly locks. Playing with Individual Players not only do you put more skill into it, but you welcome in a whole new mix of games weekly that impact your fantasy match-up…LESSON – THE MORE FANTASY PLAYERS GOING IN YOUR LINE-UP THE BETTER.

**STAY TUNED FOR ALL MY LESSONS LEARNED COMING NEXT WEEK**


INJURIES TO WATCH
Reggie Bush (knee) – Bush is headed to the I.R., making Pierre Thomas a top-five option over the season’s final two weeks in including this week’s match-up made in heaven against the Lions.

Frank Gore (ankle) – He didn’t play last week and will be a game-time decision here. If he goes, Gore is a great option against the Rams. If he sits, DeShaun Foster becomes relevant.

Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison (shoulder, hamstring) – Harrison did not make the trip to Jacksonville with the team and Addai is iffy at best. That should translate into strong fantasy performances from Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and even Dominic Rhodes.

Brandon Jacobs (knee) – He looks better than Gore, but he is certainly questionable. I’m not crazy about the match-up with the Panthers and even if Jacobs goes it is unclear how much of the workload he would carry. He has headache written all over him this week.


WEEK 15 VALUE PACK
QB – Matt Cassel (vs. Ari) – Arizona gave up four touchdowns to Tavaris Jackson last week and Cassel is much more capable. He threw for a career-high four scores himself last week against the Raiders. I’m not expecting quite that many TD’s this week, but he’s more than capable of having a nice game on Sunday.

RB – Steve Slaton (@Oak) – Slaton has run for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games, including a 100-yard effort against the Titans. This week he gets the Raiders who allow 26.4 fantasy points per game to RB’s.

WR – Lance Moore (@Det) – One of fantasy’s streakiest receivers is due for a big game. I look for it to come in the dome this week against the Lions. Moore will catch at least one of Drew Brees’ multiple TD’s.

TE – Dustin Keller (@Sea) – Seattle has allowed about 60 yards per game to tight ends over the past month and no team has allowed more points to the position in that span than the Seahawks. Look for a bounce back from the rookie this week.

DEF – Jets (@Sea) – The Seahawks are hurting. Matt Hasselbeck is out again and Walter Jones’ season is also over.  Seattle has allowed the third most sacks in the league over the past month and the Jets are coming off a four turnover, three-sack effort last week and are a solid option this week too.

**CATCH THE SHOW ON 1530HOMER.COM - Click on Thursday's 4:00 hour (4:30 weekly). This was the final show of the season. It wraps up my sixth year on with Lance. I can't thank him enough for making me a part of the show and the friendship he has shown.**

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