Save the Season and Lockout Projection

A few weeks ago I mentioned that Buffalo Wild Wings was spearheading a "Save the Season" petition. B-Dubs has gone so far as to send letters to both the NFL and NFL Players Association urging them to come to an agreement. They're taking it a step further and putting their money where their mouth is...or more accurately, where our mouths are. If the NFL lockout ends on or before July 20, the official date when the first players are scheduled to begin reporting to training camp, Buffalo Wild Wings will celebrate by giving away six free wings to everyone in America who has signed the "Save our Season" petition. This is the kind of promotion that one could really "sink his teeth into". (cue the laugh track)



Users of the Fleaflicker.com league platform got an interesting email yesterday. Ori Schwartz, the founder of Fleaflicker, has re-acquired the site from AOL. Existing users do not need to do anything as all fantasy teams and account information will be transferred over. The site is not only sporting a new owner but a new look as well. I've played on all the major fantasy sports platforms and I have to admit that I really enjoy Fleaflicker. The real-time stats don't update as quickly as they do on CBS, but they update quickly enough and the interface is slick and clean. It's a very customizable platform and I find myself using the Message Board far more on Fleaflicker than on any other platform I've used. That's an important point considering the social aspect of the game! We wish Ori and the Fleaflicker staff much success and look forward to continued enhancements.



Speaking of enhancements, the coolest enhancement that I saw last year from any major league platform had to be the video aspect of the new NFL.com Fantasy platform. I noticed that they've opened up registration for the 2011 season.



The big news is obviously the continued lockout. Investors.com recently did an article featuring FFN on the lockout's impact on fantasy football. As quoted in the article, I remain optimistic that the season will not be impacted. Both sides continue discussions today in Boston and I believe that we've seen significant progress over the past two weeks. Barring any major setbacks, I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal done around the 4th of July timeframe. Of course, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash won't agree 100% with that statement saying "I have no idea. We have to spend a significant amount of time with the players. There's a lot of work to be done for both parties. I don't think there's any way to say it's close or not close." We'll see, but I'm sticking with my prediction of an on/around July 4th timeframe.



The players themselves would love to see the lockout lifted. A lot of movements will take place once that happens. Donovan McNabb will likely leave Washington after being benched by Mike Shanahan in favor of Rex Grossman for the final three games of last season. McNabb was practicing with other players in Philadelphia yesterday as part of a players-only workout.



Plaxico Burress, while not yet part of the FFN 2011 fantasy football rankings, may call Pittsburgh home this season. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Steeler's QB Ben Roethlisberger has spoken to Plaxico. "I've talked to Plax a number of times in the last couple of weeks," Roethlisberger said. "I told him, 'Hey, if you came back here that would be awesome, but I'm just happy to see you playing again' because he's a good guy." The addition of Burress would give the Steelers some significant height at the WR position. Frankly I'd like to see what kind of playing shape Burress is in first though.



We may not have Brett Favre fever this season, but apparently Tiki Barber wants to fill that void. I have it on good authority that there may be some interest in Barber should he decide to come back after the lockout is lifted. Teams like the Dolphins, Patriots, and Panthers are being mentioned as possible suitors. From a fantasy perspective, I would put Barber in the same category as Brian Westbrook in San Francisco last season. It would be fun to watch but there isn't room on my fantasy bench for him.

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