Overreaction: a part of human nature for as long as mankind itself.
The Red Scare, Y2K and Trump saying he is going to build a wall, are just a few of the most notable overreactions that come to mind in the short history of the U.S.
In the even shorter history of my own life, it has been a struggle within myself, like many, to not overreact when things don’t go as planned.
Let’s reminisce back to a time not long ago, this summer in early August.
The dog days went by too fast. I was working for the MARTI-CBH institute, helping create websites such as TalkAboutAddiction.TV and PtPDrugFree.com, trying to transition The Penn to all-digital and delivering for Tom’s Pizza at night.
With only a few weeks until the semester began, I found myself in the IUP Financial Aid Office.
“It’s not time to panic yet,” said Ragan Griffin, the director of IUP financial aid.
The words of Griffin were reassuring but on the inside, I was, of course, freaking out.
By law, even though I had financially supported myself for years and had little contact with one parent and none with the other, I was still not considered an “independent.”
This meant I would not be eligible for much if any, financial assistance.
After hearing this news and unsure if I would be able to return to classes in the fall, I did what I so often did. I found comfort in my wonderful girlfriend.
“Don’t freak out,” Katie said. “Like everything, we’ll get through this.”
The next day at work I spoke about my situation with my supervisor, Dr. Erick Lauber.
I met Lauber my first semester here at IUP when I took his Journalism and Mass Media class.
After enjoying the class so much, Katie and I decided to take his Media Convergence class the following semester.
And in the fall of my sophomore year, I again managed to fit another Lauber class into my schedule, this time Introduction to the Magazine Industry.
Because of that class, I realized my passion for the magazine industry. I hope to one day possibly pursue a career in it.
At the beginning of the 2018 spring semester, Dr. Lauber asked me to join his OPACH team at the MARTI institute.
Over the past eight months, we have been able to do some great things in the community in response to the opioid crisis.
Along the way, I have had the pleasure to meet some amazing people whose stories you wouldn’t believe.
With all that being said, Lauber at this point had become a mentor to Katie and me.
So, this time, when he said, “don’t panic yet,” I knew everything would work itself out.
Thanks to the help of Lauber, Victor Garcia and Alex Heckert at the MARTI institute, Michele Papakie in the journalism department, Dorothy Gracey, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences along with Ragan Griffin at financial aid, I was able to return to classes this semester.
My experience helped me recognize two things.
It made me thankful to be a part of the IUP community as a whole, the journalism department and to work for such a great organization like MARTI.
It also taught me not to overreact and to avoid hitting the panic button until the last possible moment.
So, fantasy football team owners, I give this advice to you.
Don’t overreact after Week 2 of the season. Don’t hit that panic button and blow up your team too early.
In my most competitive league, the KEG (Kane’s Extraordinary Gentlemen) League, I have done this myself and witnessed others do this firsthand.
There are still 15 weeks remaining and at least 10 or 11 weeks left until most playoffs begin.
Don’t overreact, as good things often come to those who wait.
And on that note, let’s get to it.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Carson Wentz (Philadelphia): He’s back, baby. The long wait for the 2017 MVP candidate is over. After the Eagles suffered a loss at the hands of the Buccaneers, I think it’ll be a full send for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Although Andy Dalton and Alex Smith have both scored under 20 points while facing the Indianapolis defense, Carson Wentz is not on the same level as those guys.
Unless you managed to grab Patrick Mahomes as your backup, start Wentz, sit back and enjoy.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Tyrod Taylor (Cleveland): Although Tyrod Taylor has been within a few connected field goals of the Browns being 2-0, the Jets’ defense is better than they get credit for.
With five takeaways from quarterbacks in the first two weeks, Todd Bowles has coached up this unit.
Even though Taylor usually gets his fantasy value on the ground, the linebackers for New York, like Darron Lee and Avery Williamson, are coming on strong. I see less running room than usual for the Virginia Tech product.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
Phillip Lindsay (Denver): A popular waiver-wire add in recent weeks, Phillip Lindsay has emerged to a role of more than just a roster spot on your fantasy team, earning recognition from Denver legends.
Lindsay is third in the league in rushing yards, and while it’s only been two weeks, the Colorado native is averaging more than six yards per rush.
The undrafted free agent out of Colorado University has yet to find the end zone, but I think that ends this week as they play a Baltimore defense that looked like Swiss cheese last week against Cincinnati.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Derrick Henry (Tennessee): A potential buy-low candidate for me, I think Derrick Henry has better days ahead.
But since he’s against a talented Jacksonville defense and only averaging 2.9 yards per rush, be on the safe side this week and find a better option.
Give a non-traditional-backup back like Giovani Bernard, Austin Ekeler or Corey Clement a go instead.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Juju Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh): While this column normally focuses on players who are on the bubble between start and sit, it wasn’t long ago that the second-year Steelers’ wideout was on that list.
After pulling in a career-high 13 receptions last week, Pittsburgh might have a new great possession receiver.
With some riff going on between the organization and all-star wide receiver Antonio Brown, this is the time for Juju Smith-Schuster to shine.
We’ve already seen Tampa Bay give up 16 receptions to Michael Thomas in Week 1.
And with a poor Steelers’ defense going up against “FitzMagic,” we can expect a shootout come Monday night.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona): I never thought the day would come where I’d be telling someone to bench Larry “Legend” Fitzgerald.
But, until the Cardinals decide it’s time to move on from Sam Bradford at quarterback, he’s a very risky play.
Arizona has only 228 passing yards and 19 first downs on the season.
Better days are ahead for the Cardinals’ icon, but not against an elite Chicago defense.
Tight End I’d Start this Week:
Jesse James (Pittsburgh): Vance McDonald who? Jesse James was written off at the end of last season with McDonald seeming to be Ben Roethlisberger’s preferred target when healthy.
But with the Steelers’ now having a solid rotation worked out, we could see another big day for the second leading-scoring tight end.
If you have a more reliable option, don’t get cute, but in a tight end needy league, he’s the best option this week.
Tight End I’d Sit this Week:
Ricky Seals-Jones (Arizona): Here is another talented player I would bench because of sub-par offensive production in Arizona.
Ricky Seals-Jones, who was another possible sleeper for the season, can be benched or dropped for the time being, as the Chicago defense has been tough on tight ends.
This column was originally featured at ThePenn.org September 20, 2018.
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.