Feeding the fantasy

J's World, by Jeremiah Bartz

The sports analysis on television sports programs is changing.

Now rather analyzing a player's effect on his professional squad, the talking heads, we sports fans spend hours watching, are now gearing their analysis toward fantasy sports.

Within minutes of Keyshawn Johnson being deactivated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two guys, who have not run a mile or missed a meal since high school, were on ESPN with news on how your fantasy football team would be affected.

No news from Buccaneer camp.

No word from head coach Jon Gruden.

Nothing on how this would effect Tampa Bay's playoff hopes.

But the two fantasy football gurus, who Casey Ressler and I could pass for, mapped out exactly how this move would effect fantasy football leagues across the country.

"Jump on Joe Jurevicius immediately," one said.

Coincidently the banter between ESPN's fantasy football guys paralleled a conversation Ressler and I had Wednesday morning.

All of the major sports shows, NFL Live, Gameday, Primetime, Baseball Tonight, just to name a few, are now spending most of their time block talking stats, injuries, facts and figures.

While statistics and injuries have always been part of sports news and analysis, the information is now much more valuable with the popularity of fantasy sports.

While I am half-heartedly complaining about the trend, I am the new demographic.

Sadly I admit, I spent a good portion of my day off Tuesday, watching ESPN simply to find out the injury status of players such as Corey Dillon, Marvin Harrison and Travis Henry.

If Dillon is out, I can start Rudi Johnson, who has scored nearly 40 points for me in two weeks. If Harrison and Henry are out, I have a greater chance beating Ressler's team the Wasilla Woolly Buggers this week.

Even the ESPN "Bottom Line" which scrolls along the bottom of your television screen, and the sports tickers offered by other channels are now geared toward fantasy sports.

On Sundays during the NFL games, up-to-date stats are given consistently to inform you of the fate of your fantasy team.

The highlight shows tell you which players scored big, and which players should be waived.

If it were not for gambling, much of the information we see everyday in the newspapers and hear on television would not be available. Other than a fan's interest, who would care if Seattle's second string point guard is out or Denver's kicker has a pulled hamstring?

Those who value the information are placing and taking bets.

That trend has been passed to fantasy sports. Rather than hearing a heartwarming story about how a player who delivered turkeys to families in need on Thanksgiving, we want to hear the extent of Cory Dillon's hamstring injury.

We don't want a synopsis of Peyton Manning's career at Tennessee, we need to know who will catch his passes with Marvin Harrison injured.

Sports analysis has changed. But I suppose people like Ressler and I, who probably have too much time on our hands, will continue to watch. But it will be time well spent if I beat Casey this week.