Fantasy Football Radio

The term fantasy football radio probably seems pretty strange to people who aren't familiar with fantasy football leagues. Is there really entire radio broadcasts dedicated to talking about fantasy football? The answer is yes, and the number is growing every year.

That's because as NFL fantasy football grows in popularity, fantasy football radio is gaining popularity as well.

What is fantasy football radio? Basically, it's like a regular sports radio program. Only instead of hosts and experts giving their opinions and picks for games, they're giving opinions and picks for fantasy football.

The popularity of NFL fantasy football has spawned fantasy football radio, treating fantasy football as if it were another sport. Radio stations have learned that just as people are interested in sports commentary, they're interested in getting an edge for their fantasy football leagues. As a result, many stations feature regular segments to provide updates for fantasy football players.

Usually the fantasy football radio segments are broadcast on Fridays or Friday afternoon. That's because most owners wait until the end of the week to update their fantasy football rosters. Many stations have their regular commentators team up with a fantasy football radio "expert." This person is available to field calls from listeners on a variety of subjects. People call in and ask about specific players and fantasy football matchups with the expert giving them the advice they're looking for.

To make it easier for you to get your fantasy football radio fix, Fantasy Football Starters.com will be offering selected clips from our resident expert, Russ Bliss's radio show. A new show will be "on air" each week during the season.

Shortly after the NFL draft, held in late April, the first of these fantasy football radio programs will start to pop up, usually handing out advice on which rookies to look for. Trying to predict which rookies will be fantasy football success stories in their first year is one of the hardest things to predict. Many times a rookie will look excellent at the NFL Combine and even the preseason, but things change when they get to the next level.

Usually, as many fantasy football radio hosts will tell you, the best NFL rookies are at the receiver and running back position. That's because they have an easier time transitioning to the NFL. For a quarterback, no matter how talented he is, there is always a learning curve going from college to the NFL. In recent years, the Colts' Peyton Manning has been the only NFL rookie to make an instant impact. Conversely, many top running backs and receivers broke out starting their first year. Then again, there are rookies such as Arizona Cardinal receiver Anquan Boldin that seemingly came out of nowhere. Boldin was a good, sometimes great college player at Florida State University. Once he got to the NFL, many fantasy football radio hosts probably didn't think much of him. Boldin responded with more than 1,000 yards receiving and led all rookies in yards and touchdowns.