The Search for the Perfect Fantasy Team Name

We all take fantasy sports too seriously.  This is not a problem as competition is good for the soul.  Reading countless fantasy articles, following every sports analyst on Twitter and completing hundreds of mock drafts are the stepping stones to winning (and potentially madness).  In the midst of the smack-talk, the hand-wringing and the incessant trade offers, there is one thing that can relieve all the pressure of the fantasy world, the perfect team name.

I run the website BestFantasyTeamNames.com and have seen thousands of team names cross my screen and have witnessed tens of thousands of votes for fan’s favorite names.  I have also encountered some of the true fantasy team name savants, such as my friend John Sarmento (aka Rumford Johnny) through the world of social media.  This access to the lighter side of fantasy sports has given me some good insights into what makes a truly great fantasy team name.

Johnny said it best stating, “Puns are King: A play on words is the purest form of a fantasy team name.”  Puns are the most common form of team names you will find around.  “Tootsie Sproles” or “Winning is My Forte” are always solid options, particularly when that player is actually on your fantasy squad, but they also can be played out when heard too often.  “Drinking Fortes” has easily been submitted to the site over 100 times.  There are a multitude of team names based on Vick, Brees and Romo, but we also have heard them all as well.  If you are going to use a player’s name, grab a rookie or player ready to burst onto the fantasy scene.  You can also take your team name to the next level by using multiple players in the same team name.  Examples such as “Good Schaub, Good Eifert” or “Reid-ing Dwayne Bowe” use multiple names along with rookies or personnel changes.

Utilizing pop culture and themes rarely fail.  Create your league based solely on popular movies, TV shows or your favorite music artist.  Everyone loves a great Seinfeld reference, “A Mingo Ate Your Baby” or “These Pretzels are Maclin Me Thirsty” perhaps.  Game of Thrones fans may choose “The White Welkers” or “Demaryius Targaryen.”  Love your 90’s hip hop music?  Try “Bjoern Thugs and Harmony” or “You Down with IDP?”  Whatever your genre, getting the entire league to jump on board can only maximize our fantasy experience.

Topical references are great, but usually only for about five minutes.  Carlos DangerRuss Wilson was a fantastic team name submission, but unfortunately the season does not start for four more weeks and the creativity and hilarity wear off quickly.  If you are going to base your team name on current events, plan on changing your name weekly.

Almost everyone can appreciate the fantasy team name that borders on uncomfortable.  Sexual innuendos or beer and illegal substance references are commonly the basis for team names.  Players with names such as Percy, Johnson, Stafford, Ditka, Vick, Blount and Forte are usually a great starting point.  Team names can go awry though when you make light of the disabled, mentally handicapped or league member’s significant other/mother.  Funny is only funny when everyone is laughing.

If you still find yourself without a killer team name you can always check out BestFantasyTeamNames.com.  The site is dedicated to constantly delivering the funniest, most creative and original team names 25 hours a day (yes I said 25 and that shows just how hard we work for you).  Fans interact by voting for or submitting their favorite team names daily, which makes the site unique from all the other slide shows or top 10 lists.  For the first time anywhere (I think) we added the ability to search for a fantasy team name by a specific player.  With over 200 different NFL players associated to fantasy team names, the Library of Congress has deemed BFTN their official list for fantasy team names (unofficial statement pending approval from the Library of Congress).  I also highly suggest following guys on Twitter such as the aforementioned RumfordJohnny, David Gonos, Dexter Manley, Scream Puking Unicorn or Juan Elway.  These guys will always oblige fans in search of the perfect fantasy team name.

Special thanks to Rumford Johnny

This article was part of the first issue of the "Fantasy Sports Journal" -- Sign up here for the free quarterly magazine!

Football Themed Casino Games

The close season can be a drag for NFL fans, and at the moment most will eagerly awaiting the start of the new season in September, but for those who enjoy mixing there passion for football with gambling there are alternative options during the summer months. There are now a wide variety of NFL themed casino games on offer at online casino sites, and most of them can downloaded for playing on your phone via mobile casino apps, so picking a couple of the best of these is a good way combine NFL and betting.

One of the best ones is called $5 Million Touchdown found at places like GamingClub mobile casino, and when you realize that the first half of that name comes from the size of the top jackpot it offers, you will see why so many NFL betting fans are embracing it. Like many online slots, it has a five reel format, and the reels are full of familiar NFL sights – with players, footballs, whistles and cheerleaders all featuring. It also has a wild symbol (the referee) which greatly enhances the chance of you winning a payout, because it can act as substitute for missing icons to produce winning reels. However, alongside that incredible $5 million jackpot, the biggest selling point for American football fans will be the bonus game, which involves passing a ball between players – brought to life by superb video graphics – to try and score a touchdown and win a prize.

However although $5 Million Touchdown is a fine game, it is just one of the excellent American football casino games on the market – with another great example being Pigskin Payout. This is another five reel, twenty pay line slot, and again you will find plenty of NFL flavour throughout, including scoreboards, cheerleaders, umpires and footballs on the reels, and the backdrop of a stadium.  The graphics used for both the reels and the stadium background in this game are top notch, and the bonus game offering free spins (potentially multiplying your payout) is another great feature. Overall either of these games will represent the perfect way for American football fans to spend the close season.

FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM PREVIEWS FROM TOP TEAM FANTASY

At Fantasy Football Aggregator we constantly provide quick and direct access to the best fantasy football analysis and content around the web. We also look to provide an additional platform for writers and sites looking to make their mark. Below are recent fantasy articles worth your time to read, so check them out and always provide any feedback online or @FFGator.

2013 Fantasy Preview: Kansas City Chiefs
from J.D. Redemann (@JR_TopTeam)

"Kansas City: Famous for barbecue, not actually being in Kansas (the important part of it, anyway), and wallowing in utter futility in the sports world since Joe Montana’s twilight years. Last year was no surprise for Chiefs fans, as the team flubbed its way all the way to a 2-14 record and the 1st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. It got so bad last year that fans at Arrowhead Stadium cheered when their own quarterback, Matt Cassel, exited with a concussion in Week 5. Head coach Romeo Crennel had the quote of the year after Week 8, which saw the team’s best playmaker in RB Jamaal Charles receive only five carries. When asked why his offensive gameplan so scarcely used its best player, Crennel responded: “Now, that I’m not exactly sure either.”

There is literally no way to spin last season in any way other than what it was: dreadful. Clearly there’s nowhere the team can go but up. So, will the fantasy black hole that is Kansas City finally be plugged? Can the Andy Reid renaissance capture the Heartland? Let’s find out…"


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MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM PREVIEWS FROM TOP TEAM FANTASY

At Fantasy Football Aggregator we constantly provide quick and direct access to the best fantasy football analysis and content around the web. We also look to provide an additional platform for writers and sites looking to make their mark. Below are recent fantasy articles worth your time to read, so check them out and always provide any feedback online or @FFGator.

2013 Fantasy Preview: Houston Texans
from J.D. Redemann (@JR_TopTeam)

"While I was doing a cursory Youtube search the other day for “NFL Defense Highlights”, I came upon this absolute gem of a video, entitled “Houston Texans — Bulls on Parade“. The best moment in that video and most telling about the churning, chugging motor of the team comes at the 3:21 mark, where former DE Connor Barwin completely surprises Jags QB Blaine Gabbert and quite literally hunts him down all the way across the field. For you Rage Against the Machine fans, you’ll obviously recognize the backing music here, but for anyone (regardless of music preferences) it is easy to see how this is the most fitting moniker possible for the Texans’ smash-mouth, hard-nosed style of play. With the versatile and destructive production of DE J.J. Watt on the defensive side of the ball and the grinding offense spearheaded by RB Arian Foster, they seem like they’d be more at home squaring off against the 1950′s Packers in the ice and mud at Lambeau Field (thank goodness they weren’t) than in today’s pass-happy, ball-hawking league.

This is not a detriment to their production, however, as this team finished in the top-10 in the league in total yards and total points both on offense and defense. It certainly helps that they are not a one-dimensional franchise, and can still pass the ball with above-average QB Matt Schaub and elite (though oft-injured) WR Andre Johnson. This is the youngest team in the league, but one that is leaps and bounds beyond the laughable franchise they were with QB David Carr at the helm at their inception, and now they are one of the front-runners annually to contest for their first appearance in the Super Bowl. So, can this two-way juggernaut of a team be a good place to turn for fantasy value again in 2013, or will injury and age finally grind them down? Let’s find out…"

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2013 Fantasy Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars
from John Doylemason (@BerkeleyRaven)

"The Jacksonville Jaguars of yesteryear were the laughingstock of the league and, well… not much has seriously changed. The two biggest problems on the team, their poor pass rush and terrible QB play, have not really been addressed. However, even though QB Blaine Gabbert remains under center, there are a few bright spots on the horizon: the addition of 2nd overall pick OT Luke Joeckel will provide a much-needed anchor for the offensive line for years to come. Talent at the playmaking positions is beginning to form around young WR’s Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts, but those stars’ brightness are at the whim of questionable quarterbacking. If Maurice Jones-Drew comes back fully healed and in shape (which our injury expert Nick Weimer believes he will), he has a Comeback Player of the Year award in his future, so definitely give him a look during camp and the preseason. After him, the few remaining useful players will probably only provide depth for your fantasy rosters."

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2013 Fantasy Preview: Tennessee Titans
from J.D. Redemann (@JR_TopTeam)

"Well, Graceland resides in Memphis, while the Tennessee Titans hail from Nashville. Yet, the words of Paul Simon still ring true to the team’s rebuilding efforts after a season that saw them plummet from a near-postseason 9-7 to a disappointing 6-10 final record. In the wake of such a disappointing outcome, it’s fairly clear that any and all of the league’s “ghosts and empties”, players left for dead in free agency by their former teams, would certainly have received open arms in Tennessee. Fortunately, the team was able to find much more than a pile of rejected players or an “Island of Misfit Toys” to help buoy their playoff hopes for this season. A strong draft and solid free agent signing class should do wonders for the Titans’ final line in 2013-14. But will they provide enough protection to keep young QB Jake Locker on the field? Will there be enough depth to insure against one injury to RB Chris Johnson or WR Kenny Britt toppling this offense’s high-end potential? Let’s find out…"

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Fantasy Football, Music & The Lighter Side of This Make Believe World

The start of the fantasy football season (NFL too for that matter) is still a month away.  Training camps are providing some relief to the same news and discussions around player ADPs.  With 323 mock drafts already in the books, I still plan on doing plenty more and of course there is the daily fantasy analysis and Twitter musings to keep me motivated.  But in spite of all of this I wanted to break the routine and mix it up a little. 

I love music, and all kinds of music from rock, rap, jazz, you name it (except metal and country, get that stuff out of here).  I listen constantly and so I decided to ponder on what songs would best fit the fantasy players we converse about on a daily basis.  Below is a start to my quest and I am planning to continue my search for the perfect song for every player.  Feedback is always welcomed and you can find me on Twitter @FFGator for further comments and suggestions.

Joe Flacco – Gold Digger, Kayne West

Flacco got the ring and the bling.  You have to give the man credit, he could have taken a deal prior to last season but rode the Ray Lewis last hurrah train all the way to the bank.  The problem is that his contact will continue to cause financial problems for the Ravens for the foreseeable future, particularly in 2016 when his cap figure will be $29 million.  Of course his agent did not help Joe’s rep by stating the Ravens were dumb for not signing him earlier.  Also wearing fur seems a bit extravagant.  This man definitely did not drive off in a Hyundai.

Jimmy Graham – You Get What You Give, New Radicals

A lot has changed with the Tight End position in fantasy football since last season.  In 2012 the position was the deepest ever with many early round, sure-fire picks.  A year later and the position is Jimmy Graham, potentially Gronkowski (depending on final medical clearance) and then we might just wait all together on everyone else.  Graham was somewhat hampered last season with a wrist injury, but now fully healthy he is consistently being drafted in the second round of mock drafts.  You can read opposing views on drafting the Saints player maker from John Paulsen and JJ Zachariason here.  Know this, if you want the best tight end in fantasy, you will have to pay for him.

Darren McFadden – Stay Away, Nirvana

Five years in and Run-DMC has still not played more than 13 games in a season.  I don’t know if I fully believe in a player being “injury prone,” but McFadden sure is trying to make a case.  Carson Palmer left town leaving Matt Flynn as the expected starter.  Denarius Moore will try to be the No. 1 WR with Rod Streater, Jacoby Ford and who else knows to run routes.  New offensive coordinator, new scheme and to cap it all off his ADP is currently 31^st  overall per MyFantasyLeague stats making him a late 3^rd round pick.  Surprisingly there are not enough McFadden owners out there that have been burned by him so let someone else draft the Raider RB and grab guys like Sproles, Lamar Miller, Vincent Jackson or Victor Cruz.

Von Miller – Blame It, Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain

So this one might have been too easy, but Von Miller’s pending 4 game suspension for substance abuse can’t be sitting well with Elway.  Personally I believe Foxx has all the words of wisdom for Von when dealing with the media:

Blame it on vodka

Blame it on the henny

Blame it on the blue tops

Got you feeling dizzy

Hakeem Nicks – Now or Never, Outasight

Nicks has never played a full 16 game slate in his four year career and watched this off-season as running mate Victor Cruz got a nice new contract.  Talent has never been the question with Nicks, it simply comes down to whether he can stay healthy on the field.  Last season after week 2 he only averaged 6 fantasy points per game.  Constantly dealing with knee and foot problems greatly limited his upside.  Nicks is in a contract year and if wants his money it will have to be based on a solid year producing WR2 numbers for his fantasy owners.

More Fantasy Football Team Previews from Top Team Fantasy

At Fantasy Football Aggregator we constantly provide quick and direct access to the best fantasy football analysis and content around the web. We also look to provide an additional platform for writers and sites looking to make their mark. Below are recent fantasy articles worth your time to read, so check them out and always provide any feedback online or @FFGator.

2013 Fantasy Preview: Baltimore Ravens
from John Doylemason (@BerkeleyRaven)

"First, let me preface that I jumped on the band wagon when the Ravens won their first Superbowl in 2000. I am a diehard Ravens fan. I fully admit I am band wagoner, but believe me the next 12 years had a lot of heart breaking moments.

Last summer, I traveled to EDC in Las Vegas and in the fog of revelry I traveled to the Bellagio Sportsbook and slapped down $20 for Baltimore to win the AFC and another $20 for Baltimore to win the Superbowl. The roster was setup to win that season and the team did not disappoint. At 12:1 and 14:1, I did fairly well and added a feather to my cap. Although my expectations are tempered by the reality of major roster turnover in 2013, in Ozzie I trust. The defense is scary good on paper, and the offense did not lose much if you look at the math. Things are as bright as ever for the Ravens and their fantasy owners.

Roster Moves:
Added: FS Michael Huff, DT Marcus Spears, OLB Elvis Dumervil, DE Chris Canty, QB Caleb Hanie, ILB Daryl Smith, C A.Q. Shipley
Drafted: S Matt Elam, ILB Arthur Brown, OLB John Simon, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, CB Marc Anthony, FB Kyle Juszczyk, G Ricky Wagner, C Ryan Jensen, WR Aaron Mellette, NT Brandon Williams
Lost: MLB Ray Lewis, C Matt Birk, SS Bernard Pollard, FS Ed Reed, CB Cary Williams, MLB Dannell Ellerbe , NT Ma’ake Kemoeatu, OLB Paul Kruger, DT Ryan McBean, WR Anquan Boldin, G Bobbie Williams, LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, FB Vonta Leach, OLB Michael McAdoo

After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens were shredded through free agency and cap purges, especially on the defensive side of the ball, including 10 starters."

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THE LATEST & GREATEST FROM TOP TEAM FANTASY

At Fantasy Football Aggregator we constantly provide quick and direct access to the best fantasy football analysis and content around the web. We also look to provide an additional platform for writers and sites looking to make their mark. Below are recent fantasy articles worth your time to read, so check them out and always provide any feedback online or @FFGator.

Is Robert Griffin III Worth the Risk?
from Nick Weimer (@BustaWeims)

"Mike Shanahan and the Redskins are paying the price for keeping their rookie phenomenon, Robert Griffin III, on the field after tweaking his knee in the first quarter of the Wildcard game last year.

It’s no secret that the only thing limiting Robert Griffin III from being a fantasy superstar is his health. While healthy, RGIII was as dynamic as it gets, throwing for 3200 yards with 20 TDs and only 5 INT, while rushing for an insane 815 yards and another 7 TDs. However, when RGIII’s knee buckled a second time in the Wildcard showdown between the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, his availability for Week 1 of the 2013 season was in serious question."

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2013 Fantasy Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
from Ryan Downes (@Tweeteachisown)

"Here we go Black and Gold! The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be ready to roll in 2013! They should have a revitalized Big Ben and a hungry receiving corps. They may finally have a steady running game as well. It’s always hard to predict these things, but it’s looking like everything could break their way in terms of a return to the playoffs.

The 2012 season was a tough one for the Steelers as Roethlisberger was banged up and Troy Polumolu missed the majority of the year as well. This defense (which finished 12th overall) should be even better with the additions of some key rookies and the development of other young talent (which we’ll explore below). Overall, there should be some very attractive fantasy options being produced by this team in 2013."

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