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Kristen McNamara plays football in the backyard with the guys, loves the Vikings and watches 10 or 12 hours of football every weekend, but when she tried to jump into the world of fantasy football leagues, she was greeted with a no-girls-allowed sign.

“My reaction was that I can . . . belch just like the rest of them,” the 28-year-old Rockford resident recalled. “But they told me I couldn’t (join) because I was a girl.”

Now that she’s found a couple of male-dominated leagues of the virtual games that she could join, she’s holding her own and determined to go to the top.

“There’s something about whupping the boys that’s appealing to me,” McNamara said.

Showing up men isn’t necessarily their motivation, but many women are passionate about playing fantasy football, a game that puts you in the position of “owning” your own National Football League team.

It’s fantasy in that you draft players from throughout the NFL to form your team. Then you decide which of your team members will play in a given week. Your team scores points based on how those players perform – touchdowns, yards gained, etc. – in actual NFL games.

Fantasy games are played in various sports, but the 21 million Americans who play fantasy football make it the most popular fantasy sport, according to a 2008 survey.

About 20% to 25% of those fantasy football players are women, estimated Paul Charchian, the association president of the FSTA.

Fantasy sports are appealing to fans because the gaming gives them a greater stake in sports they already love, said Erica Halverson, a fantasy football player who has made fantasy baseball part of her research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“It’s kind of an intellectual fandom,” said Halverson, an assistant professor of educational psychology who won the first fantasy football league she played in.

On one level, fantasy players become more invested in football because they care about players on many different NFL teams, not just their hometown team, Halverson said.

Then there’s the strategic and competitive element – an owner can pick and manage the best fantasy team, she said.

“It’s closer to the stock market than it is to a video game,” Halverson said. “I think that mixture is just really tantalizing to people.”

Invite the ladies to join and may the best man… er, person.. win.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Some familiar names top this year’s TenYards.com Fantasy Football Rankings.

Quarterback Rankings

Aaron Rodgers is the top-ranked quarterback, but not by a wide margin.  Rodgers is only slightly ahead of New Orleans’ Drew Brees and Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts at the league’s marquee position. 

There remains value beyond the top three, however.  Tony Romo, Brett Favre, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are all capable of putting up big numbers, while Chicago’s Jay Cutler sneaks into the top ten in the preseason rankings based on expectations that a Mike Martz passing attack will make a significant difference in his game.

Running Back Rankings

Running back has long been the most important position in fantasy football and, while it remains important, there aren’t as many workhorse backs as there would have been a decade ago, making the most productive runners even more valuable.

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Tennessee’s Chris Johnson seem to be at the head of the class, and could go 1-2 in Fantasy drafts, but Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew aren’t far behind. 

Beyond the top four, there are 16 others projected to run for more than 1,000 yards this season, which does give some depth at the position, but injuries will inevitably prevent that many from achieving that mark (In 2009, 15 runners exceeded 1,000 yards).

Wide Receiver Rankings

As the importance of individual running backs has decreased somewhat, there are more options available in the passing game.  20 wide receivers gained more than 1,000 yards last season and Houston’s Andre Johnson, Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and New England’s Randy Moss are at the top of the class.

The challenge with some wide receivers is that their production could be limited by poor quarterback play; something to consider for Miami’s Brandon Marshall, Carolina’s Steve Smith and San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree.

Tight end has evolved into one of the deeper positions for fantasy football, with a dozen tight ends gaining at least 593 yards last year.  That means, while San Diego’s Antonio Gates, Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez and Indy’s Dallas Clark are the elite at the position, there are many good options to be secured later, if need be.

Certainly, there is value to defense and kickers, but the unpredictability involved tends to make them worth consideration late in the draft process.

Some of the top team defenses include Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and the New York Jets.

In the preseason projections, the top kickers are Houston’s Neil Rackers, Indianpolis’ Adam Vinatieri and San Diego’s Nate Kaeding.

When it comes to leagues that take individual defensive players into account, linebackers like San Francisco’s Patrick Willis and Carolina’s Jon Beason are standouts at the position, while Jared Allen leads the defensive linemen.  Productive safties Tyvon Branch (Oakland), Yeremiah Bell (Miami) and Louis Delmas (Detroit) are the best of the secondary.

Good luck!

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

The Wide Receiver position can be tough to draft. You need to pay attention to how your league does their scoring. Certain receivers may be more valuable in a PPR league (point per reception) and others may be more valuable in a TD only league. This ranking list is based off of yards and touchdowns, not PPR. Please keep that in mind when drafting.

1. Andre Johnson – HOU He’ll be targeted over 100 times this season, and if they finally start taking advantage of his size in the red zone, he could finally break double digit touchdowns. I think this is the year they start doing that.

2. Larry Fitzgerald – ARI Matt Leinart has to throw to someone, and with Boldin gone, look for Fitz to get targeted even more than he did when Kurt Warner was tossing the rock.

3. Randy Moss – NE Yes, he’s 34 years old. But he’s still physical freak, and he’s playing for a contact this year. Look for huge numbers, barring injury.

4. Reggie Wayne, IND Peyton’s favorite target will have another solid season this year. Expect 10+ TDs.

5. Miles Austin – DAL Had a breakout season last year, and Romo trusts him. Austin is great at getting yards after the catch, which only enhances his fantasy value in leagues that give points for yardage.

6. Calvin Johnson – DET  Time for big Calvin to have a big year. Matthew Stafford is in his second year now, and I think they’ll let him throw a bit more this year.

7. Greg Jennings – GB Rodgers does a great job of spreading the ball around, but there is no doubt that Jennings is his favorite target.

8. Brandon Marshall – MIA They didn’t trade for him to not throw the ball to him, but he won’t have the same kind of numbers he’s put up in Denver the past couple of seasons.

9. Anquan Boldin – BAL He’ll get several opportunities to catch the ball in Baltimore this season. Don’t forget, before Fitzgerald arrived in Arizona, Boldin caught over 100 passes as the #1 receiver there.

Note: Sidney Rice will miss at least half the season after surgery

10. Sidney Rice – MIN If his hip is healthy, he’s Favre’s favorite target in the red zone. At 6’ 4” with a huge vertical leap, Rice is deadly at the goalline.

Best of the Rest

11. Roddy White – ATL
12. Marques Colston – NO
13. DeSean Jackson – PHI
14. Steve Smith – CAR
15. Vincent Jackson – SD (Note: currently holding out, keep an eye on this guy)
16. Percy Harvin – MIN
17. Chad Ochocinco – CIN
18. Hakeem Nicks – NYG
19. Hines Ward – PIT
20. Mike Sims-Walker – JAC
21. Wes Welker – NE
22. Mike Wallace – PIT
23. Michael Crabtree – SF
24. Donald Driver – GB
25. Pierre Garcon – IND
26. Malcolm Floyd – SD
27. Dwayne Bowe – KC
28. Terrell Owens – CIN
29. Lee Evans – BUF
30. Santana Moss – WAS
31. Dez Bryant – DAL
32. Johnny Knox – CHI
33. Steve Breaston – ARI
34. Devin Hester – CHI
35. Jeremy Maclin – PHI
36. Roy Williams – DAL
37. Kenny Britt – HOU
38. Bernard Berrian – MIN
39. Robert Meachem – NO
40. Devin Aromashodu – CHI
41. Julian Edelman – NE
42. Santonio Holmes – NYJ
43. Nate Burleson – DET
44. Derrick Mason – BAL
45. Braylon Edwards – NYJ

As most fantasy football geeks will tell you, running back is the key position in FF. Typically, RB’s touch the ball more than anyone other than the QB. RB’s are the “make or break” part of the draft, so choose wisely.

1. Adrian Peterson – MIN Yes, the fumbles are a concern. But, with Favre in the fold now, teams can’t commit 8 guys in the box to slow him down, and that means another 15+ TD season could be coming…

2. Chris Johnson – TEN Yes, the guy put up huge numbers last year. But the “rule of 350” applies here. Johnson touched the ball over 350 times last year, and RB’s usually drop off the following season when that happens. Look for good, but not great, numbers from Johnson this year.

3. Ray Rice – BAL Rice could be looking at a big year. With Flacco now having Boldin to throw to, teams have to be more aware of the passing game in Baltimore, which could open some nice running lanes for Mr. Rice.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew- JAC Simply a solid fantasy performer. Gets TD’s on the ground and in the air. Didn’t have a great year last year, and still had 10+ TD’s. Look for a bit of a bounce back year.

5. Michael Turner – ATL Coming off a down year, as the “rule of 350” hit him hard. May not havie another 2008 season in him, but look for a better year.

6. Frank Gore – SF Should get plenty of opportunities once again. SF is a run first offense, and really, the 49ers have no other backs right now.

7. Shonn Greene – NYJ Look for a break out season from Greene. Thomas Jones is gone, LT has nothing in the tank, and the Jets want to run first and second, pass third. Could mean a lot of opportunities for Greene to shine…

8. Steven Jackson – STL He’ll get a lot of touches, but the STL offensive line has been pretty bad, so this could be a risky pick.

9. DeAngelo Williams – CAR No matter who plays QB in Carolina, this is still a run first offense, and Williams has had a nose for the end zone the last couple years.

10. Rashard Mendenhall – PIT With Big Ben out for the first 6 games, Mendenhall should see a LOT of carries in the meantime

Best of the Rest

11. Pierre Thomas – NO
12. Ryan Grant – GB
13. Ryan Matthews – SD
14. Knowshon Moreno – DEN
15. Cedric Benson – CIN
16. Beanie Wells – AZ
17. LeSean McCoy – PHI
18. Matt Forte – CHI
19. Brandon Jacobs – NYG
20. Jonathan Stewart – CAR
21. Joseph Addai – IND
22. Thomas Jones – KC
23. Ronnie Brown – MIA
24. Justin Forsett – SEA
25. Felix Jones – DAL
26. Clinton Portis – WAS
27. Jamaal Charles – KC
28. Cadillac Williams – TB
29. Ricky Williams – MIA
30. Marion Barber – DAL
31. Laurence Maroney – NE
32. Reggie Bush – NO
33. Darren McFadden – OAK
34. Jerome Harrison – CLE
35. C.J. Spiller – BUF
36. Steve Slaton – HOU
37. Michael Bush – OAK
38. Tim Hightower – ARI
39. Ahmad Bradshaw – NYG
40. LaDainian Tomlinson – NYJ
41. Fred Jackson – BUF
42. Chester Taylor – CHI
43. Donald Brown – IND
44. Jahvid Best – DET
45. Darren Sproles – SD

Here they are folks. The official quarterback rankings of www.tenyards.com. We’ll expect a cut of your winnings at season’s end.

Quarterbacks.

1. Aaron Rodgers – GB Despite being sacked 50 times last year, Rodgers still had great numbers. Expect more of the same in Green Bay, as the running game will still be lacking. Rodgers quick release and rapport with his receivers could lead to another big year.

2. Drew Brees – NO Brees had a fantastic year last year, and is arguably the most accurate passer in football today. With Sean Payton’s wide open offense in NO, another big year could be coming for Brees.

3. Peyton Manning – IND Not much needs to be said here. The guy just continues to put up impressive fantasy numbers. The only thing you worry about in drafting Manning is will he play a full season if the Colts are having another great season?

4. Tony Romo – DAL Romo should put up good numbers, with Miles Austin and rookie Dez Bryant in the fold. But the offensive line is a big concern. Can Romo stay healthy if he takes another beating this season?

5. Brett Favre – MIN Can he duplicate last season’s numbers? Probably not. But he should still be good for somewhere between 25-30 TD passes.

6. Matt Schaub – HOU Schaub finally stayed healthy last season and his numbers showed it. He has Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels to throw to, and really no running game at all, so he should have plenty of passing attempts.

7. Tom Brady – NE His numbers were down last year, and favorite target Wes Welker is coming off major knee surgery. But Randy Moss is on a contract year, so look out. Brady could very easily have another 40TD season in him…

8. Philip Rivers – SD LT is gone, and this is officially Rivers’ team now. But top wideout Vincent Jackson is in the middle of a bitter holdout. Other than Antonio Gates, who does Rivers throw the ball to? Rivers should be ranked higher, but there are too many questions about the SD offense right now.

9. Donovan McNabb – WAS Probably won’t get as many passing attempts as he did in Philly, but McNabb is on a “contract year” so I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up 30+ TD passes this season.

10. Jay Cutler – CHI Yes, he’s got a great arm. Yes, his arm tends to get him in trouble. But you can’t argue with the fact that QB’s simply put up huge numbers in Mike Martz’s offense. If Jon Kitna can put up big numbers, there is no reason Cutler can’t.

Best of the Rest.

11. Joe Flacco – BAL.
12. Matt Ryan – ATL
13. Kevin Kolb – PHI
14. Carson Palmer – CIN
15. Eli Manning – NYG
16. Matthew Stafford – DET
17. Matt Cassel – KC
18. Matt Leinart – ARI
19. Vince Young – HOU
20. David Garrard – JAC
21. Jason Campbell – OAK
22. Alex Smith – SF
23. Kyle Orton – DEN
24. Matt Hasselbeck – SEA
25. Chad Henne – MIA
26. Jake Delhomme – CLE
27. Matt Moore – CAR
28. Josh Freeman – TB
29. Mark Sanchez – NYJ
30. Trent Edwards – BUF

NOTE – Ben Roethlisberger is suspended for the 1st 6 games of the season. You could draft him late and store him on the bench, but make sure you have a solid starter in place before you do that. You can always use one of them as trade bait later in the season.

As most of you know or have learned, you can’t win your league in the first couple rounds, but you sure can lose it. Let’s take a look at some players rated as top rounders that may make or break your season.

1. WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota

Rice continues to sit out training camp and reports have surfaced that two of the three hip specialists Sidney Rice consulted this offseason recommended he undergo surgery. He decided against surgery but the hip injury could linger into the 2010 season. There is speculation that the decision to avoid surgery was because Rice and agent Drew Rosenhaus are postering for a big pay day as he’ll be a free agent in 2011.

2. RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego

With your draft not too far over the horizon, you should be thinking of how get the best out of your draft day party. If you’re not, shame on you. Your Fantasy Draft Day should really rival Thanksgiving, The Super Bowl, and St. Patrick’s Day as the most anticipated holidays of the year. This is the day you’ve been planning and prepping for – don’t let it go to waste and make sure you’re prepared. Someone in your league needs to be the event planner and it looks like it’s going to be you. So strap in and get ready to make your league the envy of all onlookers.

Location, Location, Location.

First choice you have to make is – indoors or outdoors? If you choose outdoors, make sure you have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. You need to be able to take this sucker mobile if Mother Nature decides to do her version of “stepping in front of the TV while you’re watching the playoffs” by dumping 14 inches of rain on your hopes and dreams of a winning season. If you luck out with the weather, a nice big deck or a patio will be your base of operations. Make sure there is a good looking grill handy as you will need it.

Wherever you decide to have your party, you need to make sure there is ample space for everyone involved in order to have enough personal room for each manager and their resources. A boardroom style table is probably the best, however do what you can. When having everyone sit around the table, try to get them to sit in draft order as this will cause less confusion as the draft goes on and you all get a little more half in the bag. If you are hosting your league online (and who isn’t nowadays?), try and have some Wi-Fi capabilities available as you draft so you and all the other managers can utilize the internet whenever necessary information is needed (injury updates, etc.).

If you’re doing your draft indoors but don’t want to use someone’s house, then perhaps reserving the back room at one of your favorite local bars is the call. You could even rent out some space at a local Firehouse or Legion Hall if your league is up for it. You really just need a great place to sit back and relax when the drafting is through, in order to really let loose and party.

Atmosphere

When your guests arrive, have everything already laid out for them: Notebook, index cards, pens, and seating assignments all ready to go. As they walk in they should also be greeted by the sweet sounds of Football glory. Either a TV in the background playing highlights from the past season or my personal favorite – The Power and The Glory…. Oh you’ll recognize it when you hear it… gets me all teary-eyed just thinking about it again.

Man’s Gotta Eat

When talking food, there really is only one option… BBQ. Try to emulate a tailgate party as much as possible. Cold beer, hot grill, and plenty of meaty goodness to go around. If there are any vegetarians in your league… honestly… I don’t know what to tell you… maybe find some new friends. Pizza just won’t cut it in my book. You really need to slap down a slab of something on the charcoal and loosen the notches in your belt when you’re done eating. Ask everyone in the league to bring with them the best tailgate recipe they own. Maybe someone can make a chili that after digestion will upset your downwind neighbors. Perhaps one of the guys can get some Omaha Steaks and fire those bad boys up to perfection dripping with juice and love. And if you don’t have any of those options, here is recipes for some never fail burgers that everyone will salivate over. They are called “Fenza Burgers” as I got the recipe from an old college buddy:

 
Devil Is In The Details

So now you have a killer draft location and some perfect food and drink to go around. Great… sounds like every draft party I’ve ever been to. So what else is there? This all depends on how nuts you want to get. To set you apart from the rest of the boring leagues you hear about, you are going to want to add something extra. Something that will really get everyone psyched about throwing down that entry fee. Not only that, but if you create enough buzz, other people will be begging to get into your league year after year wanting to be a part of the fun. Here are a couple of cool things you can add:

Fantasy Draft Board – Probably the greatest 30 bucks you’ll ever spend. It makes your league seem professional, it’s great eye candy, AND it will help everyone be as organized as possible during the draft. For me, it’s pretty much a necessity every year now.

Fantasy Trophy – For the hardcore enthusiasts, it’s time to invest in a piece of bragging rights hardware. A firm warning however – DO NOT brag about your trophy to the opposite sex. They will look at your funny and you WILL be going home alone. Just trust me on this.

Draft Day Clock – For the best way to keep the draft moving along, invest in a draft clock (with remote control!) Laugh now… but get ready to be amazed come draft day when you hustle along the slow motion pickers into making up their minds on their stupid 12th round pick… Come on man! There is beer to drink!

Draft Day Emcee – If you are organizing the draft as well as participating in it, the best idea for you is to get a neutral person to be the draft day emcee. This person will play the part of commissioner during the draft. They will read out the picks, post them on the draft board, and be in control of the draft clock. They also should be well versed with your league’s rules and regulations, as they will be clarifying any scoring questions or settling any meaningless rule debates you may come across during the day. You want them to be in control as much as possible.

After the 2009 draft is in the books, sit back and bask in the glow of a promising new season. But don’t relax too much. Because if you’re smart, the rest of your crew should be showing up moments after the draft ends to start in on this whole other keg that you haven’t even touched yet. If you have anything you want to add that you think makes a draft party even better, feel free to post it. Football season is near my friends… and it deserves the warmest of welcomes.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Fantasy football can get expensive, but no one has paid more for it than Cameron Pettigrew.

Pettigrew was fired from Fidelity Investments in Westlake, Texas for running an office league, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The smoking gun wasn’t even an obnoxious trash-talking email.  Pettigrew was smart enough not to send any emails from work, but “investigators” found two instant messages with fantasy football-related material.

“One of my buddies sent me something about how bad Trent Edwards was playing or something like that,” Pettigrew said. (If complaining about Trent Edwards was a crime, no one could work in Buffalo.)

“So they called me in and talked to me for about 90 minutes on everything I ever knew about fantasy football,” Pettigrew continued.  “They interrogated me as though I was some sort of international gambling kingpin. Then they released me for the day, and I was like, ‘OK.’ I never thought they’d fire me for this, but, the next day, I get the call saying I had been terminated.”

Pettigrew says there were at least ten leagues in his office and four commissioners were canned.  There’s a lesson here: Being the commish is a thankless job with no upside.

While the firing sounds heartless, the corporate culture was pervasive enough at Fidelity to scare Pettigrew from emailing in the first place.  We’ve heard separately that Fidelity employees know that fantasy football is taboo and are very careful not to openly break the rules. 

(Of course, the same corporate culture seems fine with part of the New York office showing up to work in the morning so hungover that a nap under the desk is required, but that’s another story.)

A Fidelity spokesman said the company has clear policies related to gambling and Pettigrew violated them. Fantasy football has legal protections that sports gambling doesn’t, but Fidelity doesn’t see it that way. From the outside, the firings look like a convenient way to cut costs during lean times.

We just hope Pettigrew found a good replacement for Edwards so he can recoup some money as a league champion.

Matt Field
TenYards.com Sports Editor

Here’s a site you will be interested in if you’ve ever been jipped out of your hard earned fantasy winnings. The site is called League Safe and it is the perfect insurance to protect your leagues winning pool from stick-fingered commissioners and deadbeat team owners.

What they do is collect and handle all the cash for your “league” and keep it “safe” until its time for payout (clever aye?). Then – when the dust has settled – they simply pay the winners regardless of whether or not everyone in your league has paid their dues.

It is that simple.

Now just so you know, I have had the chance to try it myself and I have sent it to the commissioners in my other leagues for review. You can’t go wrong, the concept is solid and the service is free so you have nothing to lose and everythign to gain. Oh and it is also the brainchild of former Fanball owner Paul Charchian, so you know it a quality site built and run by a fantasy freak like yourself.

Go check it out and let me now what you think.  www.leaguesafe.com

If you are not willing to host that wild, messy and loud group of friends in your home, take your fantasy football draft out on the town. TenYards.com has and will continue post local venues that welcome you and your league. Take a look at what we have found so far and tell them TenYards.com sent you.

Dave & Buster’s 763.493.9815 www.daveandbusters.com

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Dave & Buster’s and get:

10% off all food and non-alcoholic beverages

$20 Power Card for Event Host

FREE Wings and a $10 Power Card

FREE Draft Kit and Fantasy Magazine (limited qty)

Scratch & Win card from CBSSports.com

Joe Senser’s 952.835.1191 www.sensers.com

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Joe Senser’s and get:

FREE Senser’s wing platter for groups of 8 or more

FREE pitcher of beer for groups of 8 or more

Dedicated big screen TV for your draft party (based on availability)

Champps 612.335.5050 www.champps.com

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Champps and get:

Happy Hour specials from 3pm – 6pm

Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar 612.379.3379 www.macsindustrial.com

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Mac’s Industrial and get:

Your fantasy league fee will be paid in full by Mac’s (limited sponsorships available, make contact early, staff@macsindustrial.com)

Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3pm – 7pm

Check their website for food and drink specials every night of the week

Park Tavern 952.929.6810 www.parktavern.net

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Park Tavern and get:

FREE private room to conduct your draft

FREE wireless internet access

Happy Hour food and drink specials Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm

Majors Sports Cafe 952.835.8308 www.majorssportscafe.com

Host your Fantasy Draft Party at Majors and get:

$9 draft pitchers of Miller Lite or Coors Light

Monday-Friday 4pm-6pm  2-for-1 drink specials

Monday-Saturday 8pm-10pm $2 You call its

FREE bucket of 20 bone-in wings. You pick the flavor! 

$10 Majors gift card for each member of your league

FREE mug – use it for specials during NFL games throughout the season