Ask Your Fantasy Football Expert: Chad Scott of Dynasty League Football

"Could you imagine how good the Jaguars would be with Joe Flacco… #SarcasticTweets"

The Super Bowl ended less than 24 hours ago as of this posting. The truly deranged fantasy football fan, and I think everyone reading this qualifies, doesn’t consider it an end as much as the beginning of the next season. I saw as much content on Twitter this morning talking about next season as recaps of last night’s game.

All my interviews are fun, but I enjoy the ones with individuals whom I’ve bantered with over an extended time the most. I started chatting with Chad Scott regarding the new Seahawks’ uniforms for the 2013 season. He admitted a love of the old-school Seahawks and I knew this guy was OK. I even got him to join my dynasty league. Since the dude has recently become a staff writer at DLF, it was time for an interview with the man who calls himself “a whore of the industry”.

How did you get started in the lucrative fantasy football industry? Last July, I was snooping around on Twitter and noticed a retweet from Jim Day. The tweet was asking for anyone interested in writing about fantasy football, to contact Scott Fish. I’ve always wanted to write, but never quite had the outlet or the cajones. In my home league, I write a narrative after every draft that my friends all get a kick out of, so figured, why not? I emailed Scott about my interest and he gave me a shot to write for his website, FFOasis.com.

My first gig for the site was to write team previews covering the NFC West- which was nice because I actually knew something about that division- being a Seahawks fan and all. From there, I asked if I could do a weekly deep sleeper article called “Going Deep” and things kind of just happened from there. (It hasn’t hurt that Scott has mentioned my name to some heavy hitters in the industry, either.)

As the season went on, it seemed like more people took a small interest in my work. With a few key RTs from people I admire, I started believing this was something I could actually be decent at and have some fun with. After the fantasy season ended, J.J. Zachariason approached me about contributing for his website, LateRoundQB.com. He’s had some amazing exposure this past year and I figured it could only help get my name out there, so I said “Hell yes.” It’s just been a snowball effect since.

How’d you get into the DLF rotation? I’ve interviewed a few DLF writers but I have yet to uncover their hazing operation. I’ve kinda been the “right place, right time” guy these past 6 months, I guess. I remember about 3-4 weeks into the season, one of my “Going Deep” articles was retweeted by this guy named Eric Dickens. I had no clue who he was, but noticed he had quite a following. I was never a big dynasty guy before this year because my friends and I have always enjoyed the redraft way of life (I’m slowly turning them as we speak.) We love drafting and drinking for 4 hours, one night a year apparently. Where was I? Oh, so I saw this retweet from Eric and of course thanked him. I quickly followed him and read everything he was promoting from his website (the free stuff anyways), dynastyleaguefootball.com. From there, we had multiple exchanges about football, life, whatever. I started following anyone that had anything to do with DLF, and there were a lot of them. The thing I like most about DLF is the people. All of them are so knowledgeable and eager to help people. [Zach note: It's a heck of cult, I mean group of guys. Who says a cult has to be a bad thing?] So I messaged Eric, letting him know that if they ever had an opening, I’d appreciate an audition. A couple months later, the DLF partners asked me to write for the “Member’s Corner” section and I accepted. A few weeks later, they approached me about overseeing our site’s rankings and again, I accepted. Next thing I know, they’ve offered to promote me to a staff writer and here I am, and I’ve never been more honored.

So far, there has been minimal hazing by the guys, however, I do live in close proximity to the owners- so I’m always on the lookout.

Do you plan on making your “Pulse of the Twitterverse” a regular column? I’m hoping so, just depends on how many questions I get on a weekly basis, I reckon. The first installment seemed to get some good pub, so only time will tell. If it doesn’t work out, I’ve volunteered to do the Ken’s laundry in return for keeping me on the team. The series will be out every Tuesday from here on out, or until the well runs dry or people get sick of me…I’d expect the latter to happen first.

OK, Seattle fan, tell us how much fun you’re going to have with this team. Tell about your history as a fan, your favorite players, your favorite jerseys (better not be the Nike ones or there will be pain) and if you’ve recovered from the Atlanta game. I’ve never been as excited for the Seahawks as I am right now. They haven’t exactly been a storied franchise since their induction into the league in 1976. I wasn’t even as excited about them when they went to the Super Bowl in 2006. There’s just something about this team that people around the country are even buying into, and that’s pretty cool. There might not be a more exciting defense to watch (maybe 49ers) and Russell Wilson has taken the nation by storm. Pete Carroll and John Schneider are doing things the right way here and I’m looking forward to what 2013 and beyond has in store for us.

My favorite player right now is of course, Russell Wilson. There’s something about him that breeds confidence in us Seahawk fans. I love the style of football he plays and I love the fact he’s a film room junkie. He’s going to take us to a Super Bowl one day, I have no doubt about that.

My favorite player of all-time is Cortez Kennedy- the guy was a beast in those days, although Steve Largent is a close second.

Right now, my favorite jersey is my new NIKE Cam Chancellor- the home blue. I’ll be getting the wolf-grey Wilson soon enough though. I am actually proud to say I had a Brian Bosworth jersey back in the day as well- the real “fishnet-like” one. [Zach note: He went from the coolest to the least cool around the time that Bo Jackson trucked him on Monday night.] My mom actually shaved lightning bolts into the side of my head as well…I was THAT cool. And yes, I rocked the mullet when I was a kid…that was the original “swag” these kids speak of.

As far as the Falcon game’s concerned, I was over it until you just mentioned it. I took a break from answering these questions to have a nice little shower cry. I feel better now. Look, it turned out to be a great game when almost all hope was lost. I take solace in knowing we’ll have a contending team for years to come- which is all any Seahawks’ fan can ask for.

Tell us about the day job. How much is your job not like Grey’s Anatomy? I asked my wife because she watches the show and she replied, “You’re not a doctor.” Thanks, honey. I imagine there are nurses on the show, but apparently she can’t see past Dr. McDreamy to humor me. I work in a skilled nursing facility; we call them SNFs (sniffs) in the “biz.” Not much running around in organized chaos there- just tracking BMs and passing pills. It’s not a glamorous job, but I enjoy talking with the elderly folks on a daily basis, makes me feel like I’m doing something important in my life.

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports made you decide to fill my vacancy in Zealots 34? I’ve never played in a league with full rosters like this. Any IDP league I’ve played in was basically pick three defensive guys and you’re done. I like the challenge and figured it would put me on the fast track to being one of your interviewees. I thought I’d have to trade you Percy Harvin for Tony Gonzalez to do so, but apparently, you have integrity. [Zach note: I'll send the trade offer now.]

Have you made an offer to trade for Russell Wilson? I’ve reached out to Ben, but it doesn’t sound like he wants to trade him. I’m waiting for the Russell Wilson hype to lessen before re-approaching him. He knows he wants to trade him to me (Jedi mind tricks).

Do you feel like you have a contender right now? I only contend that I do not have a contender, which is probably why someone high-tailed it out of the league, leaving me with such a mess. I have some decent pieces (I actually like my WRs and some of my IDPs), but I’m a ways from competing, I think.

How many leagues are you in at the moment? Is there one that you want to win the most? I’m only in three dynasty leagues as of right now. Two of them are startup leagues that haven’t drafted as of yet, then there’s the Zealots league. As I mentioned before, I’m trying to turn my main money league into a dynasty. That would be the one I’d like to win most. I usually play in anywhere from 5-10 leagues during the season, but only a couple money leagues.

The spouse question: Does your wife other have any issues with your obsession? My wife actually joined the fantasy football obsession this year when my friends and their wives/girlfriends decided to do a couple’s league. She actually was the number one seed heading into the playoffs before getting her ass handed to her by her husband in the second round. I’ve been sexually frustrated ever since.

She was really into it, too. I would always hear her screaming upstairs when one of her guys did something good/bad…she’s a keeper.

She’s TRYING to be onboard with the writing. She appreciates me doing something I love, I just need to do a better job of helping out around the house more while I’m doing it. I’ll find a happy medium at some point…I hope.

Football or sex: which do you think of more? It’s probably split in half to tell you the truth. It used to be 99% sex, 1% football- but I’m 33 now and the want just isn’t there. Plus, I have a smartphone so…I’m uncomfortable answering this question with my wife standing directly behind me.

Where are you on the usual football Sunday? I assume there’s a man cave. My wife and I had our basement finished two years ago, just before the start of football season. I usually have about 6-8 guys over to watch NFL Redzone, throw darts, drink beer, chew tobacco, fart, belch, itch…whatever they want. It’s manland down there, anything goes. On a side note, I should probably thank my wife here. We have a now 14-month old son and she lets me have my Sundays “baby-free.” I come up and play with him during halftimes and when I’m grabbing another beer, but for the most part, he’s with her…she’s an enabler to my obsession. [Zach note: Kid in one hand, beer in the other...]

Tell me about a hobby/interest outside of football. I used to be a gung-ho softball player. Played in tournaments every weekend, played in 4 different leagues during the week- softball consumed my life. About two years ago, I decided to hang em up competitively. I only play in one league now with all my friends. It’s a good way to get together once a week for beers and what not since we’re all having babies now.

I used to be a good water polo player and miss playing. I was on the “All State” teams my sophomore, junior, and senior years. I actually got a scholarship to play down in California at the University of Redlands- only it was called a sports grant because it was a private school. They have men’s leagues around here during the spring and summer, but I’m not sure this body can pull off a speedo look anymore, unfortunately.

Also, video games. I’ll never give up my video games. I own a PS3, play Call of Duty Online when I can. My username is chizza13 if you ever want to play.

Which fantasy writers are on your must-read list? There are so many great writers out there right now but I always read C.D. Carter, J.J. Zachariason, Chris Wesseling, and anyone at DLF. I think everyone I follow is a must read though, at least anyone in my “Legion of Fantasy” list anyways. On a fantasy baseball side note, you really should be following Luke Taylor. He’s an up and comer himself and has awesome knowledge on the prospect front.

Why is there a “13” in your Twitter handle? I started playing water polo when I was a freshman. I made the varsity team that season and the number 13 was the only cap left so it kind of just stuck from there. Every sport I played from there on out, I had to have the number 13. All my usernames, usually end in 13…all my passwords…oh wait.

Tell me about any plugs that you’d like. Podcasts, sites that you write for, expert leagues, anything. In my twitter profile, you’ll see I’ve proclaimed myself as the “whore of the industry.” I write for DLF, LRQB, and FFO. I’m always up for a good podcast and DLF has one of the best (shameless plug) on the interwebs. As I said earlier, I’m on Twitter a lot and am always looking for more folks to ask questions for future articles.

Thanks for doing this. I’ve always enjoyed reading the various interviews you’ve had in the past and this is just awesome that I’m the one being interviewed. Many thanks to everyone for the kind words and encouragement along the way, and cheers.

Thanks to Chad for answering my questions. Follow him on Twitter.

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