ESPN.com's Interactive, Multimedia "Fantasy Football 101" Teaches New Fantasy Players All the Right Moves

ESPN's Trey Wingo Gives Users the Tools to Succeed in Their First Fantasy League

As football season approaches, ESPN.com introduces Fantasy Football 101 http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage/ffl101 , an interactive, multimedia web site designed to give new fantasy players the tools to succeed in their league, or serve as a refresher for veteran players who want a little pre-season warm up.  The site, hosted by Fantasy Football aficionado and ESPN host Trey Wingo, teaches aspiring fantasy players the basics of Fantasy Football through a fun, humorous and in-depth training module that includes dynamic instructional content, tips and tools, videos, a comprehensive Fantasy Football glossary and editorial straight from ESPN’s award-winning fantasy football experts.  After completing ESPN.com’s Fantasy Football 101, users will be fully equipped to compete in their own free ESPN Fantasy Football League.

The tutorial consists of four main sections that follow the actual stages of the game: pre-draft, draft, regular season and post season. From how to value players to how to draft a team, to how to manage a team in the regular season and changes necessary for the post-season, Fantasy 101 arms the user with all of the basics and combines them with the insights from ESPN’s team of award-winning fantasy football experts.  Players can navigate section by section or pick and choose the content they want.  They can also take optional quizzes to test what they’ve learned.  Downloadable desktop tools loaded with reminder tips and cheats are available for when the season really gets going. 

Building online communities is at the heart of Fantasy Football, and as they start and build their leagues users can send the tutorial to friends who may not be familiar with the rules of the game.

“I have played in the same Fantasy Football league since 1983,” said Matthew Berry, ESPN.com’s Senior Director of Fantasy Gaming (a.k.a The Talented Mr. Roto).  “I think Fantasy has been the reason I’ve kept in touch with half of my buddies.  It’s a great way to stay connected and, more importantly, earn bragging rights when I take home the trophy at the end of the season.”

Students of ESPN’s Fantasy 101 will learn overall skills like:

• How to value players
• How to use ADP (Average Draft Position)
• How to make a trade

Additionally, fans will get specific insights on how to:

• Assess Role Changes:  Whether it is Travis Henry to Denver, Jeff Garcia to Tampa Bay or the absence of Thomas Jones in Chicago (and his presence on the New York Jets), it is important to do the homework on not just the player, but the new system, coach and his coordinators, offensive line and other players on the roster that could steal away playing, touchdowns or both.  
• Plan for Bye Weeks:  Be aware of the significance of bye weeks in the schedule. If you draft Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler as your quarterbacks, you may end up with nobody to play at QB in week 6 of the season (both the Colts and Broncos don't play that week).  Don't go overboard, but don't forget about it either. There are multiple viable strategies, just make sure you have one at draft time.
• Clear Space for Free Agents:  If you are trying to pick up a QB, RB, WR or TE as a free agent and struggling to determine which player on your roster to cut in order to free up space, go with the one owned in the lowest percentage of ESPN.com leagues. You're more likely to be able to get that player back later if you need to.

ESPN.com offers Fantasy Football players free leagues, as well as the most useful and comprehensive collection of free information, analysis and insights in the industry.  ESPN offers fantasy-related content across all of its platforms; from weekly television programs, to daily and weekly podcasts, to live expert chats, ESPN Radio programs and fantasy ESPN Mobile TV -- everything a player needs to excel in Fantasy Football. 

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