Harris: Fantasy Football Bug Will Always Bite You
By Adam Harris--
(CBS) Is anyone else having a hard time generating enough self-motivation to consume their lives with fantasy football this year?
Genuine interest in fantasy football was second nature to me just last season, but this year, for some reason, it hasn't been, and now it's time for the less talented fantasy players to feast.
Sure, I put the same dedication and time into research and setting my lineups this year as last, but it's not coming as natural.
Maybe it's because the Cubs are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years and that's all I care about. It may be the appeal of the instantaneous satisfaction that daily fantasy provides, but I've noticed an energy drop involving our beloved traditional fantasy football.
I will admit that my five leagues have begun rather poorly, and that may skew my feelings on the matter. I am 0-2 in The Score league, a league I've finished first, third, second and second in previously. I'm 0-2 in another high-priority league coming off back-to-back second-place finishes. I'm 0-2 in a league that my cousin begged me to join, and I'm 1-1 in a keeper league where I own Eddie Lacy and Le'Veon Bell.
I wasn't invited back to the media league, and I'm 2-0 in a league that used to be one of my lower priorities because it's easy to dominate.
Yes, the NFL has been under scandal, and daily fantasy has pulled fantasy newbies away from the traditional, fantasy dinosaur format of season-long interest; however, I'm not seeing the same dedication, the same drive and the same love affair as I used to when owners would develop a loyalty to "their team" and "their guys."
This year Eddie Lacy has annoyed us, Jeremy Hill has confused us, DeMarco Murray has abused us, Sam Bradford has fooled us (not me -- just you), Andrew Luck has panicked us and Mike Evans has straight up angered us.
There's a flurry of running backs who promise to be inconsistent all year and the stress of needing just a few more yards from some bum who doesn't deserve to be owned but is because the rest of your team is hurt. It doesn't seem worth it.
Now, this column isn't to announce my retirement. Oh no, I can never and will never do that. This column is for all of my peeps, followers, readers, friends, family and fantasy football companions to relate to. Let's all take one big breath, in … and out.
Remember that the fantasy bug, no matter how much misery it may cause or how drastic the format may change, will never leave you.
Succumb to the siren that is fantasy football. Let it cover your pores with its beauty of celebrating a last-second, meaningless touchdown. Just suit up and play again next week, because this is a reminder that fantasy will always win.
Follow Adam on Twitter @aharrisSD25 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
