Each week the ladies of Her Fantasy Football will dive into the women and men behind some of the best fantasy football resources on the web. Fantasy Selfies will give you some insight into how each of these fantasy fanatics think (or don’t – ha!) This week we got to know a little bit more about one of our own, Courtney Kirby of Her Fantasy Football. You may have heard of it…
1. In your own words, how did Her Fantasy Football get started? Why did you decide to take on this venture?
When the idea of starting a podcast about fantasy football was brought up to me I was in a vulnerable state. Ashley somehow convinced me to go on a walk/run with her around our parent’s neighborhood. Now I am not one who loves working out, but I was in the process of really trying to lose the baby weight from my second daughter and let’s be honest, weight from the first one too. So after Ashley made me run to my breaking point, she brings up this idea that Brandon had come up with. What is a podcast? How would this all work? Can we curse? You know, all the important questions. After Ashley tried to explain to me what all was entailed, I said yes. Any reason to spend more time with my sisters and less doing dishes and laundry I was in. I simply reminded Ashley that I was not great when it came to computers. I don’t think that they knew what they were getting themselves into by inviting me. It has been quite the adventure and I have learned so much. Starting a business with my sisters is one of the best decisions I have made.
2. What is it like working with your sisters?
Eye opening. I didn’t think it would have gone as smooth as it has. We all have very strong personalities and are opinionated, but we have managed to compliment each other rather than conflict with one and other. My sisters have been a blast to work with and I wouldn’t want to share this with anyone else.
3. Who is your favorite real football team and how did you fall in love with them?
The Denver Broncos have been my one and only true love. It wasn’t until I started playing fantasy football that I even acknowledged other teams. My parents had season tickets for years and I remember when Elway retired. I cried like a baby in Mile High Stadium with thousands of other fans while cheering as loud as I ever had. I remember walking into Chipotle at 16 years of age and seeing Ed McCaffrey and thinking he will some day be my husband. Not the case, I married a wonderful man that happened to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan. When I heard that Peyton Manning was leaving the Colts I said right away I bet he will come to Denver. As soon as he signed with the Denver Broncos my husband became a Denver Broncos fan.
4. How did you start playing fantasy football?
Once again my family came up with crazy idea to do a family fantasy football league. I had never played before and was down for the challenge. Our first draft was an experiment to say the least. I don’t think the draft ended until 3 am or at least it felt that way. My new boyfriend at the time, who ended up being my husband, had never played fantasy football before either so we drafted together with him doing most of the work. Fast forward several years later and I am fully capable of doing my own drafts and helping other feel prepared so they don’t have to ask their man any questions during their draft.
5. How do you prepare for your fantasy draft? How do you research? Do you go in with a set system or does it vary by league?
I research players, new coaching staff, and watch preseason. Researching the players can help by seeing what the have done in the past and if they put up equal or better numbers from the previous years. I also look at injuries. Maybe they played 15 games last season with not great numbers but he was injured all last year and had surgery at the end of the season and looks great in OTAs. I never believe what coaches say about their players, but I see how they coach. If the new offensive coordinator likes to use his tight ends then most likely the tight end on that team will see more touches this year. Not only do a lot of players get hurt in preseason but you can see how fast they are picking up on the play book and how much confidence the coach has in them. As for the actual draft, I print off players rankings and then have a separate sheet that is a grid with each person in our league and who they draft when. I make sure to keep track of my byes and for the most part go best player available. Make sure you have good drinks and food.
6. How many leagues do you play in and what are their formats? Standard, PPR, daily, etc.
This will be my first year in multiple leagues and doing PPR. My family league is standard. Sundays are already really intense, so I can only image what it will be like this season.
7. During the season, when you need to decide between two players to start, what attribute/stat/news item will normally tip you one way or the other?
Weather is a big factor as to whether I start someone. I made the big mistake starting both Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford during the huge snowstorm against Philadelphia and that was not the right decision. I also look to see who is playing defense against my player or players. If one RB is playing against Seattle and the other is playing against Jacksonville I am most likely to play the RB that is playing against the Jags. I have been known to change my players up to the last second.
8. Please name five players you think have a major chance at stud-dom and three players that scare the crap out of you this year. Eek!
Well, that is easy; Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, and Adrian Peterson. Oh, did you mean not so obvious players? My bad. I really like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. That includes Josh McCown, Doug Martin, and Vincent Jackson. I also like Emmanuel Sanders for the Denver Broncos. He will fill the place of Eric Decker and we all remember how great Decker did in 2013. I am hoping that a change in location will only be beneficial for Chris Johnson, as well. I always like CJ2K though.
9. What are you drinking, booze or otherwise?
There isn’t much I wouldn’t drink. On game day I typically have a non-fat caramel macchiato from Starbucks in the morning or if we don’t want to go out we make Bloody Marys. During the second half of the first round of games maybe some Sam Adams Seasonal or some snakebites. Sunday Night Football is when the vodka or wine is comes out to play. Fantasy football is stressful.
10. What’s your favorite book / tv show / movie? It can’t be all football all the time, right?
I am a reality T.V. junky. Anything that people consider “bad” T.V. I probably watch it. My favorite is The Biggest Loser. I have watched every episode since the first season. Bob Harper I love you!! I even have the Biggest Loser Kinect work out cd. I also enjoy almost anything on the network Bravo. Andy Cohen is the real deal.
Bonus Round: Pimp your wares! Tell us where we can find you, follow you, read you, etc.
Well come to our website first at www.herfantasyfootball.com for our rankings and fun blogs. After that, listen to Her Fantasy Football Podcast on iTunes or on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/herfantasyfootballpodcast. I am active on Twitter during the season @CourtneyHerFFB or you can chat with all of us @HerFantasyFB
