Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fantasy football: Q&A with Steve Rannazzisi of 'The League'

Steve Rannazzisi is perhaps the best-known fantasy football commissioner around.

On the FX adult comedy “The League” (Thursdays at 10:30 p.m.), the Long Island native plays Kevin, the commish of a Chicago-based fantasy football league filled with characters who engage in antics so racy that it's probably best for my job security that I don't list any examples here.

I recently talked with Rannazzisi — already an avid fantasy player before he was cast on the show — about the fantasy football season:

“The League” itself has a real-life fantasy football league. Does anyone stand out as the person to beat?

It's only an eight-man league — the six regular cast members and our creators. First year, the girl who plays Jenny, Katie Aselton, won. And last year, [co-creator] Jackie [Marcus Schaffer] won. So there are two women in the league, and they've won the first two years.

How is your team doing?

Horrible. I'm like the New York Giants. You watch the games with your eyes closed, just hoping that bad things don't happen. ... There is no consistency whatsoever. I feel like I'm talking to my therapist.

Is there a move you've made this season that you're particularly proud of?

Everyone told me to stay away from Darren McFadden. And he has consistently been my best player every week.

What pick did you use to get him?

I got him in the second round.

What would you say is the most frustrating thing to happen to your team so far?

I traded Dwayne Bowe and Ryan Mathews for Andre Johnson. At the time, it was talked about as a steal for me. … But then Andre Johnson literally got hurt the first week I started him. Yeah, bad luck.

Let me ask you a Giants question, since that's your favorite team. Should we think Victor Cruz is for real?

Look, I don't know if he'll become Hakeem Nicks, but I would like it if he became Steve Smith. … I think he ends the year with between eight and 10 touchdowns.

Ryan Chatelain (ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com) is amNY's fantasy football columnist.

Source: http://www.amny.com

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