Does Fantasy Football Take Away From Enjoying Football Games?

[FlacAttack]

I've recently I've reached the conclusion that fantasy does prevent me from just enjoying the football game. I mean don't get me wrong, fantasy football is fun as hell, but I can't wait until the fantasy playoffs are over and I can just relax and watch the game for what it is. Is anyone with me on this one?

[WinnipegRaven]

Nope, makes it more exciting and enjoyable for me. Gives me reasons to cheer and follow games I normally wouldn't.

[Reddawn36]

to me... i'll take a fantasy loss any day of the week if it means the ravens win... it kind of does both... because it doesn't allow you to become neutral in games that don't effect your team... i.e. I was rooting for the saints cause I have 3 or so of their players on my teams, and I was rooting for roddy white cause he is in another league for me... same with matt ryan.... yeah makes you focus more on stats... but you then take away more from any given game than you would not playing... and only rooting for the ravens

[PuRock]

Only if you allow it to. Here's my motto.

Ravens First. Fantasy second.

Fantasy Football has actually help me enjoy football further. Instead of being stuck in a Ravens world. I know players deep on other teams' depth charts, weak areas on other teams and overall quality of players.

I don't load up my team with Ravens, but I stray away from Steelers. If I'm playing somebody that has the Ravens Defense, I hope they beat me because of their defense, because that'll mean a Ravens win.

[FlacAttack]

[quote name='PuRock' date='03 November 2009 - 02:09 PM' timestamp='1257275361' post='272610']
Only if you allow it to. Here's my motto.

Ravens First. Fantasy second.

Fantasy Football has actually help me enjoy football further. Instead of being stuck in a Ravens world. I know players deep on other teams' depth charts, weak areas on other teams and overall quality of players.

I don't load up my team with Ravens, but I stray away from Steelers. If I'm playing somebody that has the Ravens Defense, I hope they beat me because of their defense, because that'll mean a Ravens win.
[/quote]

That's no motto man, that's a code to live by. Totally agree with you.

I agree that the world of fantasy has opened up my awareness to other teams' scouting reports and strengths and weaknesses.

I too don't draft or pick up any Ravens players, but I will confess that I crossed the line by taking Santonio Holmes in my draft this season. I know, I know.

I ain't tryin to bash fantasy football or anything like that at all. I was simply sayin that as a die-hard football fan it kind of takes away a certain element of the game. As a college student who takes luxury in watching football while recovering from weekend-long alcohol binges, I sit on the couch all day and watch every football game televised while trying to sober up for classes the next day. With fantasy football though, I can't enjoy football for what it is, a team sport. That's all I was tryin to point out.

But hell yeah definitely Ravens first and fantasy second, unfortunately both teams have failed me certain weeks leaving my Sunday in ruins.

[PuRock]

[quote name='FlacAttack' date='03 November 2009 - 05:21 PM' timestamp='1257286892' post='272744']
I ain't tryin to bash fantasy football or anything like that at all. I was simply sayin that as a die-hard football fan it kind of takes away a certain element of the game. As a college student who takes luxury in watching football while recovering from weekend-long alcohol binges, I sit on the couch all day and watch every football game televised while trying to sober up for classes the next day. With fantasy football though, I can't enjoy football for what it is, a team sport. That's all I was tryin to point out.
[/quote]

Before Fantasy Football. I was a Ravens fanatic. Occasionaly I would root for other underdog teams, but I was never really into anything outside the Ravens world.

Nowadays I grow attached to certain players and teams over the years, because of what they've shown me in fantasy football. Like I love the Houston Texans, why? because I love their fantasy players. They've always been good to me. Steve Slayton last year, Schaub this year. They have a special place in my football cheering.

But overall Fantasy Football increased my appreciation of the game outside of Ravens football.

[FerrariFan87]

If I have a fantasy player playing against the Ravens, my motto is that I hope the player has a huge game, but that we still win, naturally... but overall, if shutting down one of my fantasy players (like Brandon Marshall this week) means we win in reality, that's just fine with me; although, I still dominated despite Marshall giving me only two points.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='PuRock' date='03 November 2009 - 06:51 PM' timestamp='1257288715' post='272770']
Before Fantasy Football. I was a Ravens fanatic. Occasionaly I would root for other underdog teams, but I was never really into anything outside the Ravens world.

Nowadays I grow attached to certain players and teams over the years, because of what they've shown me in fantasy football. Like I love the Houston Texans, why? because I love their fantasy players. They've always been good to me. Steve Slayton last year, Schaub this year. They have a special place in my football cheering.

[b]But overall Fantasy Football increased my appreciation of the game outside of Ravens football.[/b]
[/quote]

Exactly. Before fantasy, I was a Ravens fan, now I'm a football fan! To be good in ff, you must follow all the teams to see who is doing what. You need to find the fantasy sleepers before everyone else does. Last year in my league, I grabbed Slaton, Chris Johnson and Desean Jackson before anyone else. This year, I got our own Ray Rice before anyone knew about him. Playing fantasy football definitely changed how I watch the NFL.