Name: Matt Adler

Position: Contributing Editor, NumbCruncher.com

Hobbies: Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, golf, Fantasy Football, poker, and Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Qualifications: Entering my 7th season in BeamLeague, a redraft league consisting mostly of old high school buddies, TeamAdler has been to four championship games, claiming the ultimate prize in three of them, including an unprecedented three-peat. Last season was a down-year for TeamAdler, who had reached legendary status amongst the other owners before its demise. Although the league’s owners are almost 10 years removed from high school, and spread across the country and beyond, we all make it a point to reunite every year for the draft on Labor Day weekend, possibly my favorite weekend of the year.

Entering my 5th season in the RFFL, a serious internet dynasty league with IDPs, the Pittsburgh Engineers have had a rough few years. The Engineers were an expansion team in my first season, and the team was created with a win-now attitude, consisting mostly of scraps from the other established teams. And win they did, getting to the Beer Bowl in their first season in this highly competitive league. But alas, it was not to be, as the Beer Bowl was lost, Robert Smith retired unexpectedly, La’Roi Glover stopped sacking QBs, and Elvis Grbac went to Baltimore and started sucking. Following a couple of years futilely attempting to compete with marginal talent, the Engineers overhauled and went into full-blown rebuilding mode. After some shrewd trades and draft picks, the Engineers are loaded with young talent and look to dominate the RFFL for years to come.

Entering my 3rd season in Steel City FFL, a local redraft league, poor draft positioning has doomed the New England Lobsters in both of their previous seasons, leaving them just outside the loop on the top players, and at the top of the list on the marginal ones. I have to say that these Pittsburgh people really know their football though. But this year is another year, and the Lobsters will rise to the occasion.

Entering my 2nd season in the Ultimate BeamLeague, the most serious and, possibly, best fantasy football league there is (auction/dynasty, with IDPs), the Maine Lumberjacks are coming off a successful season in which they claimed their division crown and rolled to the BeamBowl. They probably would have even won the BeamBowl, if only that jackass Mike Shanahan hadn’t benched Lumberjacks QB Jake Plummer at the last moment in Week 17, “resting” him for the “playoffs.” I love fantasy football, but sometimes I hate it. In any case, the Lumberjacks have major talent returning, and once again look to be favorites in the Ultimate BeamLeague.

Favorite “Real” Team: I’ll always root for the Patriots, due to family ties to New England. It’s been a good few years to be a Pats fan, although we’ve had to put up with Red Sox heartbreak as well. Also, I’ve lived in Pittsburgh for a few years now, and it’s hard not to like the Steelers in this town. Possibly the most knowledgeable, passionate fans out there, and I can respect that. And if you ever have the chance to catch a Steelers/Browns game on the 6th row at Heinz field, trust me, pay whatever that scalper wants. You won’t regret it.

Favorite Fantasy Football Memory: Ahh, there are so many. Most recently would have to be the Game That Joe Horn Balled. The Lumberjacks of the Ultimate BeamLeague were in danger of losing their first round playoff game in 2003, down by a bunch going into the Sunday Night game. Joe Horn was my last hope. As if by request, Horn miraculously caught nine balls for 133 yards and 4 TDs, a true monster of a game, including the now infamous Cell Phone TD. Lumberjacks win, thanks to the Game That Joe Horn Balled.