Traditions, they’re like a fine wine, only getting better with age.
Wait, I don’t like wine yet still. Scratch that.
Traditions, they’re like craft beer, they only get better with age and the more you have.
Two seasons ago, when I was still very new to fantasy sports column writing, I penned a column discussing how due to teenage years filled with variability and instability, I only had one long-standing tradition – to watch the Disney Channel Original movie series, “Halloweentown” every October.
The pumpkins my girlfriend and I carved this year while watching the “Halloweentown” series.
If you’re unfamiliar, the classic series follows teenage witch Marnie Piper as she navigates a new-found magical world that’s filled with warlocks, werewolves and every creature in-between. It hit hard, back when I was a kid with an imagination as about as wild as these films. And it hits equally as hard today to a mind that has seen its fair share of monsters in real life.
Last season, although I was in my final semester of college, yet another transitional period in my young life, I wrote a follow-up column, highlighting the new traditions I began making on my own terms.
This go-around, instead of highlighting the amount copious of Busch Lights that traditionally get put back when I see some long-lost friends, the shit-talking that ensues when my family plays “Spinners” at get-togethers, or any of the other traditions that I’ve slowly developed since my original “Start, Sit & Traditions” column two years ago – I want to help others build or recognize their own.
Step 1: Realize What & Why It’s Important
There are plenty of surface reasons why we build traditions. Since we were young, we knew that we got spooky at October’s conclusion, thankful in November, giving in December and drunk on New Years’ Eve.
But beyond that, we do it for comradery. We do it for the stories to tell. And although we don’t say it much, we have our traditions because they’re fun and add another layer of uniqueness to each human being.
Step 2: Nostalgia Factor
It’s a shame that for most writers, including myself, it’s seemingly impossible to describe nostalgia. Yet when you hear the word, you know the feeling.
Undoubtedly, as we age, the effects of nostalgia become stronger. To the point where we go back to a distinct time and place in our minds – oftentimes to our childhood.
Nostalgia is the foundation of our traditions. Recognize it and bask in it.
Step 3: Cherish Every Damn Moment of It
One of the most powerful, yet underrated, aspects of life is that we only get to live it once. We are going to only get to relive each tradition so many times. And we never know for certain when that final time will come. So, cherish it and make the most of it while you can.
Step 4: Pass It On
There’s a lot to leaving a legacy. And while our traditions are just a small, lively slice of that pie, they still matter. Whether it’s your peers, family or kin, share your stories and pass on your customs. Again, they only get better with age, and the more generations they cross.
And this Halloween, although it might be a little duller than usual, don’t forget the pure magic that our traditions and “Halloweentown,” can bring us all.
Now, let’s get to it.
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee): Since becoming the starter in Tennessee (18 games ago) Ryan Tannehill has averaged 20.3 PPR points. He’s QB9 on a points per game basis in 2020 and will face the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, which warrants the start for the former Aggie.
Although the Bengals have improved some on defense this season, they’re still allowing over two touchdowns and 260 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. That’s all the confidence I need to fire Tannehill up after he’s thrown for nine touchdowns and only one interception in his three outings since the Titans’ COVID-19 scare.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco): Although it’s been a bumpy ride for the San Francisco 49ers this season due to a high frequency of injuries in the early going, they’re winning games on the same philosophy of last season – run the ball and play good defense.
That, along with how the 49ers are literally handing the ball off to their receivers instead of throwing it downfield, is why I’m benching Jimmy Garoppolo, despite the golden matchup against the Seahawks in Week 8.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
La’Mical Perine (New York Jets): While it’s tough to advise fantasy players to start any New York Jet while Adam Gase is still the head coach there, it’s a desperate running back scene outside of the top-24 this week.
Rookie La’Mical Perine has worked his way into a near-even split with Frank Gore, as both saw 11 carries in Week 7. But it was Perine who saw the receiving and red zone work, scoring his first career touchdown. He garners the start for me this week as he faces Kansas City who has been surprisingly susceptible to the ground game, allowing 119 rushing yards per game (third-most in the NFL).
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Adrian Peterson (Detroit Lions): Reliable running back production has been hard to come by this season, due to the high number of tandem backfields now present in the NFL. So much that I’ve seen veteran Adrian Peterson holding down the RB2 slot on a considerable amount of fantasy rosters this season.
And while Peterson is averaging a respectable 9.1 PPR fantasy points per game, he’s only eclipsed double-digit points in two of six games. And I don’t expect him to do it here this week when the Lions facebook against the Colts, who allow only 3.5 yards per carry, fresh off a bye week.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay): In the three seasons I’ve been writing this column, never has Mike Evans been ranked outside the top-24 at the position, questioning the validity of starting him.
But, after just a combined three receptions for 47 yards in his last two games, some are questioning what to do with the veteran. I believe that in a Monday night matchup, without Chris Godwin alongside, you have to start Evans against the Giants, who are still bottom-third in the league against opposing wide receivers. He could blow up for the first time this season and it should be in your lineup rather than on your bench.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Sterling Shepard (New York Giants): Staying in the Monday night matchup, on opposite sidelines, I’m benching Sterling Shepard. The industry once again seems to believe in Shepard after his 6-59-1 performance last week. But I’m not buying it.
In addition to Shepards’ injuries this season, the Giants have been nearly dead-last in every passing stat, including yards and touchdowns, where they are ranked 30th in both respectively.
I’m not putting my faith in a low-volume offense facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may be the best defense in the league this season.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.