“If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often.” – Leonard Cohen
Although Cohen was answering a query about being a good songwriter, his response was similar to what one might say if asked a question about being a successful fantasy owner; “If I knew where the good players came from, I'd go there more often.”
That fictional response underlines a factual truth about fantasy football — no matter how much preparation and analysis is done before draft day, a lot of what determines the difference between success and failure is luck. “Good” players turn out to be busts and players who were mere afterthoughts on draft day turn out invaluable by Week 5. With that in mind, here’s a look at what five of the most compelling players in fantasy football should be rocking as their early-season theme songs.
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or "like" CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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Football Theme Songs
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Doug Martin: “Blurred Lines” - Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharell Williams
After rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, and tacking on 472 yards and a score the through the air in 2012, Martin has come crashing back to earth through the first four weeks of 2013. Martin has less than 400 combined yards and just a single score on the young season and it remains to be seen whether he will regain the form that made him such a fantasy star last year. Being the only player that opposing defenses need to scheme against certainly isn’t helping anything.
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Jordan Cameron: “Get Lucky” - Daft Punk featuring Pharell Williams
Even though he was a favorite of many people’s sleeper lists, no one saw this coming for Cameron. Currently on pace for 120 catches, 1,440 yards and 20 touchdowns, Cameron is far-and-away the second-best tight end in fantasy behind Jimmy Graham and it’s not even close. Even with Brandon Weeden back in the picture (at least temporarily), the good times should keep rolling for Cameron and his fortunate owners for the foreseeable future.
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Knowshon Moreno: “Thrift Shop” - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
With 238 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season, Moreno has more fantasy points (in most leagues) through Week 4 than Doug Martin, Alfred Morris, Trent Richardson, Lamar Miller and Ryan Matthews, among others. The ultimate value pick, Moreno was widely regarded as the third-back in a committee that was going to be led by Montae Ball and/or Ronnie Hillman. Once thought to be irrelevant and taken late in drafts (if at all), Moreno is now the lead back in the NFL’s most dominant offense.
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Peyton Manning: “Holy Grail” - Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake
A rap/pop fusion hit featuring two of the biggest stars of the day that draws from one of the most popular songs of the ‘90s seems like an apt theme for the juggernaut that is the Manning-led Broncos offense. With the “Four Horsemen," Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Julius Thomas and Eric Decker, doing his bidding, Manning has a legitimate chance to break Tom Brady’s single-season touchdown record (50) and throw for more than 6,000 yards in the process. Fantasy owners to Manning: “Here we are now, entertain us.”
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Philip Rivers: “When I Was Your Man” - Bruno Mars
Don’t call it a comeback…actually call it just that. After Rivers passed for only 3,606 yards and 26 touchdowns while turning the ball over 22 times in 2012, the 10-year pro is off to a hot start in 2013 and has already thrown for 1,199 yards and nine scores. Thanks to his resurgence, Rivers has owners who had written him off as a washed-up bum and kicked him to the curb crawling back in droves, swearing they’ll never doubt him again.
