Hosting a Playoff or Super Bowl Party?
The 2011 regular fantasy season has come to an end and for me it was a season to remember. I won two Championships in both my leagues and brought in over $1400 (one was a defending title from the 2010 season). This brings my total to four titles in six years (three in the past two years) – a very satisfying 2011 season for me. I would like to thank Tom Brady, @RayRice27, @Bigplaycj, @dmcfadden20, @ArianFoster, and @NathanZeguraTFC to name a few for helping making this year possible.
What’s next for The Huddle Honey? For starters, it’s playoff time which means a world without the anxiety, stress, and the pressure that comes along with owning a fantasy team. A world where I can watch the games and simply enjoy them in their purest form. No longer having the distractions of setting a lineup, worrying about who is injured/ starting, and if I made the right decision. For me, playoffs are relaxing and a time to savor each individual game in its entirety.
For most people the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl is an opportunity to gather with your friends, drink beers, and most importantly eat great food. I thought it would be nice to share a few recipes and cute ideas should you be hosting a party this post season.
I would like to thank my fellow pinners on www.pinterest.com for sharing some of these wonderful ideas. Please click on the images below to see how you can replicate or purchase these delicious game day eats!
Homemade Root Beer
32 NFL Team Inspired Cocktails
Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
Healthy Chicken Quesadillas
Quick Chicken Satay
Avocado-Corn Salsa
Mini Deep Dish Pizzas
Healthy Portabella Pizza Bites
All-American Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Slow-Cooker Beef Pot Roast
Easy Barbecued Ribs
Swiss Cheeseburger Sliders
Vegetarian Chili
Chocolate Covered Football Strawberries
Football Cupcakes
Follow my Pinterest boards for more recipes, entertaining ideas, and everything Huddle Honey.
How Many Fantasy Football Leagues Are You In?
The 2011-2012 Fantasy season is slowly creeping up and I can barely contain my excitement. I have been waiting patiently since the end of last season through the lockout. The anticipation is killing me, but in less than 3 weeks the wait will be over.
This year I have decided to run two leagues. The first, is a new league I’m running through my office- The TT High Rollers. I (Sacks and the City) I have recruited 9 other owners (I always wanted a 10 man league). The key when creating a new league is to ensure that all owners are fully committed! So during my recruitment process I emphasized that quitting mid-way through the season would not be tolerated. Owners were clearly told that – if they signed up to play they better play all season long. I don’t do fantasy for free… it’s not charity- it’s a job. You pay to play so man up and play.
That being said, just yesterday an owner dropped out. Why? Because he felt that he would not be as committed to the league as I would like him to be. My response, “Thank you”. Thank you 10th man for manning up and not wasting my time and the time of other owners. I respect his decision far more than some crumb bum owner who joins the league- and when week six rolls around gives up because they have three losses. That crap is not tolerated in the leagues I run. So now I am on a mission to fill that last spot for this league. Shouldn’t be hard to do …
Half-Assing League Ownership Will Not Be Tolerated
Now would be a good time to transition into the second league I run (which is actually my first league). The GTL league, or as I affectionately refer to it as “my bread and butter league”. The Gridiron Gal (Me) has been part of this league for six years, and five out of those six years I have been commissioner. This league is a staple in my life, a second job, my main focus during football season. This is the league where I won my first Championship (2007). I take pride in all my leagues, but this one… this one is truly special.
GTL has been a 12 team league for six years. It all started while I was working at a company in Hoboken, NJ. I was sitting at my desk one day and my VP asked… “Hey, you like football…right?” to which I replied, “Hell yeah I do…” to which he replied… “Good, than you are our 12th man for fantasy this year. Be here at 6pm tonight for the draft.” Without any knowledge of what fantasy football was I went into a panic. I called my boyfriend (now husband) and said, “Hey.. you do fantasy right? I was asked to be in a league, and they draft tonight- can I have your FF magazine?” to which he said, “You got it- pick it up after work and good luck.” Little did I know the addiction that would follow, and six years later here I am.
Over the years GTL has seen a owners come and go, but 9 out of the 12 teams have been there since the inception of the league. This week an owner informed me that she would no longer be in our league. Personally I am trilled! For the past two years she has not contributed one thing (other than her league fees). That being said, the first slot in two years was now open and I needed to fill it.
The selection process of a new owner in an established league can be tricky. Any owner in a league knows that leagues are more fun when all the owners know one another. That being said, after six years the owners of the GTL no longer work together or even live in the same state. It’s only during the NFL season do we come together for 16 magical weeks of fun. So the question was- who could I get to be our 12th man? I needed someone that not only knows most -if not all the owners but also knows the history of the league.
After several days of deliberation it finally came to me. My husband. Yeah I said it… yes this could get messy… but he is the best option we have. He is a fierce competitor, loves to shit talk, active on the wires, always looking for a good trade, and is about as passionate as they come. Best of all… he knows the guys in the league and he knows the history of the league.
I have avoided this situation for as long as I can. I never wanted to be in a league with my spouse for fear of the arguing, competition, but most of all -fear of losing the exchanging of fantasy knowledge without the possibility of it being used against me. But, his resume was hard to ignore- he has been in his own “bread and butter” league for over 10 years and has two championships under his belt. Between us we have had four championships in the past 4 years. He seems like the perfect fit for GTL. One thing is for sure… it will be interesting come Sunday’s in my house.
Home Life Just Got Interesting This Fantasy Season
So here I am a few weeks from draft night- lord knows why lies ahead of me this fantasy season (particularly when mixing fantasy and home life). But all I do know is that I am ready for the insanity to being… the question is, “are you ready for some football?”
I may have been gone… but I have not forgotten!
It’s been too long since The Huddle Honey has posted her thoughts on life and her love of the game. My goal this summer- get back on track. Keep checking back as I claw my way out of the blogger graveyard! I may have been gone, but I have not forgotten.
2010 NFL Playoffs: Eagles vs. Cowboys
So here I sit, watching the clock… waiting for an 8 p.m. kickoff. There is nothing like the NFL post season. Especially when your home-team is in-it-to-win-it!
After last weeks spanking by the Cowboys I believe the Eagles are fired up and ready to go! I need this Eagles team to get-her-done this week. I need them to win this game and keep hope alive in Philadelphia. With my fantasy season being less than perfect (to say the least), the Eagles post season appearance is all I have left to root for.
Fantasy Football: Week 9 Matchup
“Don’t call it a comeback… I’ve been here for years.”- LL Cool J. After starting the season 0-3, I have managed to claw my way back to 4-4. I contribute my success to swinging on the waiver wires like a wild woman each week, finding the hot pickups, playing the matchups, and endless fantasy football conversations with the hubby has all contributed to my comeback.
While I am still relishing in my week 8 win over my nemesis Jerome from Southeast DC, I need to remember I still have a long road ahead of me.
This week The Gridiron Gal will go head-to-head with Kurt Warner and the rest of team Cheri. I feel like I have a good shot this week, but at 3-5 Cheri also has the hunger for a “W”.
Every fantasy owner knows that coaching your line up each week is key to earning championships. Making sure you activate the best roster possible is crucial. Right now I am looking at matchups, weather, home vs. away, and past performances of players.
WEEK 9 Matchups: The Gridiron Gal vs. Cheri
|
Position |
The Gridiron Gal |
VS |
Cheri |
|
QB |
A. Rodgers |
|
K. Warner |
|
RB |
M. Forte |
|
B. Jacobs |
|
RB |
J. Jones |
|
D. Williams |
|
WR |
A. Collie |
|
M. Colston |
|
WR |
R. White |
|
M. Austin |
|
FLEX |
M. Crabtree |
|
V. Shiancoe (BYE) |
|
TE |
T. Heap |
|
A. Gates |
|
K |
M. Crosby |
|
N. Folk |
|
DST |
49ers |
|
Seahawks |
|
BENCH |
|||
|
QB |
E. Manning |
QB |
B. Farve (BYE) |
|
RB |
D. Brown |
RB |
L Maroney |
|
RB |
R. Moats |
RB |
W. McGahee |
|
WR |
M. Floyd |
RB |
F. Taylor |
|
WR |
D. Henderson |
WR |
K. Walter |
|
DST |
Eagles |
RB |
L. McCoy |
Notable Moves: Dropped Chad Simpson (RB-IND) and added Ryan Moats (RB- HOU) It was more strategic than for a starting RB option. Dropped Sam Aiken (WR-NE) added Malcom Floyd (WR-SD). Also note, last week I finally cut ties with Roy Williams (WR-DAL). It was an easy decision when I have other guys outperforming him each week… it just stinks because I used a high pick on him during the draft (but hey it happens!).
Moving On Up….
The Huddle Honey is currently in the process of moving to her new condo. A recap of her matchup vs. her nemesis Jerome from Southeast DC will be posted on Tuesday afternoon. Please check back for all the juicy details from her matchup in week 8.
Is It Monday Yet?
It’s Monday morning and I am still reeling from the games yesterday. I am currently down 9.6 points in my fantasy game with the Eagles Defense/Special Teams still to go. If the Eagles DST can hold tonight against the lame Washington Redskins, I will go to a tolerable 3-4. I am confident the Eagles will get it done. They are beasts, hungry for a win after last week’s embarrassing loss to the Raiders.
On The Road Again
Heading to Boston for a few days. Back before the weekend. In the meantime… follow me on Twitter for updates from Beantown @TheHuddleHoney . Go Eagles!!!
Fantasy Football: Week 7 Matchup
Am I out of my Faulking mind?
Well, I am still recovering from my week 6 matchup where I faced both Tom Brady and Randy moss who combined for an astounding 9 touchdowns. My 170 to 89 loss dropped me to 2-4, but I am fighter and I’m hungry for a win!
This week The Gridiron Gal will go head-to-head with Matt Ryan and the rest of For Obvious Reasons whose record is an envious 4-2. It will once again be an uphill battle, but I believe I can get it done this week.
Every fantasy owner knows that coaching your line up each week is key to earning championships. Making sure you activate the best roster possible is crucial. Right now I am looking at matchups, weather, home vs. away, and past performances of players.
There are a few starts I am making this week that could really payoff or really hurt me. But at 2-4 I feel it’s time to shake things up a bit and try something different. I am starting three new faces on the roster this week. First up, Austin Collie (WR-IND), making his debut for The Gridiron Gal this week. GG is looking for a solid #2 WR and believes that Collie could be that player. He has proven to be a beast in the slot, and I believe that over the next few weeks he could develop into a Steady Eddie player who will produce decent numbers for you (especially in PPR leagues).
Moving on to my bold start at flex this week, Kevin Faulk (RB-NE). With Sammy Morris out this week, Faulk has the possibility of seeing decent action in both the running and passing game. Yes, I know Maroney will be splitting carries with him, but that’s why it’s my bold start this week. I think that Faulk will get a ton of looks against the Bucs who are ranked 31st against the run.
Finally on to my sleeper start this week Sean Ryan (TE-KC). With Todd Heap (TE-BAL) on a bye I needed a replacement at TE.
Being in a 12-man league there are not many tight ends out on the wire so you have to get creative. Sean Ryan (TE-KC) has scored two touchdowns this season. The first came in week 1 vs. Baltimore and the other was week 4 vs. the Giants where he went for 58 yards and a TD, his best game this season. This week Ryan faces the Chargers who have given up four touchdowns in five games to opposing tight ends. He is my (and TMRs) sleeper play this week. We shall see…
WEEK 7 Matchups: The Gridiron Gal vs. For Obvious Reasons
|
Position |
The Gridiron Gal |
VS |
For Obvious Reasons |
|
QB |
A. Rodgers |
|
M. Ryan |
|
RB |
M. Forte |
|
R. Brown |
|
RB |
D. Brown |
|
J.Fargas |
|
WR |
A. Collie |
|
A. Johnson |
|
WR |
R. White |
|
H. Nicks |
|
FLEX |
K. Faulk |
|
M. Manningham |
|
TE |
S. Ryan |
|
T. Gonzalez |
|
K |
M. Crosby |
|
R. Longwell |
|
DST |
Eagles DST |
|
Giants DST |
|
BENCH |
|||
|
QB |
E. Manning |
QB |
C. Henne |
|
WR |
R. Williams |
RB |
F. Jones |
|
RB |
J. Jones (BYE) |
RB |
K. Smith |
|
WR |
M. Crabtree |
WR |
D. Hester |
|
TE |
T. Heap (BYE) |
WR |
C. Johnson |
|
DST |
49ers DST |
WR |
N. Burleson |
Notable Moves: Dropped: Nate Washington (WR-TEN) and added Michael Crabtree (WR- SF). Dropped Michael Bush (RB-OAK) added Sean Ryan (TE-KC). Dropped Donnie Avery (WR-STL) added Kevin Faulk (RB-NE)
On The Road Again
Heading to Boston for a few days. I’ve got a smile on my face and a fantasy win! Thanks to the Eagles DST and Roddy White for making my second win possible. With a 2-3 record I am still in contention. Back before the weekend. In the meantime… follow me on Twitter for updates from Beantown @TheHuddleHoney
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