2012 Auction Preview

Hi all,

Approaching kickoff here (going once, going TWICE…) and thought a little write up would get the juices flowing for us all.  Gave some thought to a top-keeper preview but I think anyone can do it (and I encourage it).  However, I have done it in the past and decided to go in another direction (or, I looked at Brett’s list, was like, hmm, a bit long, and he’s only the first team…either way).

So, without further ado, the Ten Big Questions, one for each team:

Brett: Stuck with Luck?

With three of the top six selections and, critically, two of the top three, Brett is almost certain to land Luck or RGIII.  Paired with bounce-back candidate Sam Bradford, this would solidify his QB position for little spending.

However, sitting at $94, five roster spots, and three reliable starters (Bradford, Murray, Brown), Brett seemed a major candidate to spend big on a QB or two.  Will his rookie draft positioning funnel his dollars toward more expensive options at RB and WR?

Concannon: Take Three?

For two years running, PBR has approached the auction with an identical strategy- big time dollars spent on big-time QBs.  The strategy has brought mixed returns but insider sources indicate a similar action plan is in place for 2012.  The solid base at RB and WR only hints at a third try for the dynamic duo strategy behind center.

Curran: BRADY

With a team that may have ended up over-reliant on Patriot passing, Curran will face a big decision on auction day- match? Palmer is a solid QB2 but Brady is the only true start rights player (plus Jennings, maybe).  Is Curran going all-in again in Foxboro or will there be a significant deal to hand those valuable rights over to an NFFL rival in the name of a more balanced approach?

DFlam: Pre-game meal

Rumors are swirling in the NFFL camp regarding steak tip pizzas from Conrads.  However, a heavy pre-game offering can only do so much to slow down the mind and lead to bids on such stars as Danny Woodhead and Braylon Edwards.  Does Flam fall victim to the PBR offer of two high lifes, a split of a pizza, and two butter sandwiches, or does he keep his head, eat two cups of broccoli, and dazzle the auction with his sharp purchases and savvy trade offers?

Flam has also indicated a desire to move up into round 1.  Can he pull this off without parting with prized prospects Kaepernick and Baldwin? 

Lee: 2013?

The buzz surrounding Lee regards his membership in the league- will he be voted out on the ground of continued tomfoolery via message board and the inappropriate sending of text messages during sleeping hours?  Lee, like Flam, will also be one to watch in the draft stage given his many moves to slowly climb the draft board, one SUNG at a time.

The biggest idea for Lee, though, are the stack of rights he currently holds (estimated player worth just for the QBs- $120).  These players are not all going to Lee- how will he parlay this excess into something tangible before it all slip-slods away?

Malinn- Ohhhh herroooooo!

Malinn has kept a tight leash on his wallet of late, making ‘patient’ moves like purchasing Tony Romo.  Will this continue on Sunday, perhaps in using his rational sense of the league market to justify not bidding $45 to retain Ray Rice?  Or will it be Ohhhhh HERRRROOOOO!!! as Malinn returns to his roots and fires wads of bills all over the league, at least until he has bid himself out twelve nominations in?

The moves to acquire old friends CJ and Hillis are also very intriguing.  Teams have tended to return to old formulas in a bid to capture past glories- is Malinn leading that bandwagon this season?

Nemo- I got money to blow…

Nemo sits in the ‘Yoga Position’, a term invented milliseconds ago, for the team with the most flexible approach to the auction.  A solid QB in Dalton and (projected) selection of a top-2 rookie QB or RB makes for a solid platform to literally buy whatever he pleases once the bidding begins.

Rights are plentiful, with two QBs, a potential bargain in a non-price enforceable MJD, and several talented WRs.  ANTONIO GATES!  The flexibility will make Nemo a force early and often as his dollars should surely leave their mark on many purchases.

Thompson- Vanilla Ice

Thompson leads the Vanilla Ice club of ‘rights, rights, baby’ as his pre-auction moves netted several new keepers while he retained the option on Charles, McFadden, and Stewart.  The promotion of Locker and solidity out wide could take Thompson down the RB path with his $80 million- in all likelihood, expect Thompson in their early with bids on Rice and Johnson.

Tighe- What’s the project?

Tighe has done a slow overhaul, acquiring picks to position himself to rebuild while also being very sluggish at clearing out some of last year’s letdown men.  Sitting saggy at #1 gives him a chance to ignore a reckless QB market and the lack of an established man among his promising RBs hints at a big money move or two for a runner.  We’ll see soon enough how it plays out but, like Thompson, look for Tighe to bet big on runners with an eye towards securing a QB future at the top of the draft.

TMac- My bet? I just went all-in!

TMac is truly in it to win it for 2012, a team devoid of draft picks and young keepers being pulled forward by the most impressive veteran keeper class in the league.  With just $35 available TMac will look to sprinkle his rubles around, plugging holes with cheap options and perhaps swinging some of his rights around for picks or additional cap space.  The question is whether he truly goes all-in…and deals his first for next year.

Good luck to all this year…looking forward to this auction as much as any we have ever had.  See you all soon.

Tim