Fantasy First-Timer: Week 14: Shah vs. Fabiano: Fantasy Grudge Match

Published: Nov 30, 2013 at 07:00 PM

*Our Digital Features Editor, Amar Shah, never played fantasy football until this year. Somehow, he made it to the semi-finals and faces Senior Fantasy Editor Michael Fabiano in a battle for the ages.
*

"To be 'The Man', you gotta beat the man!" - Ric Flair

(Our Rosters)

The Art of Fantasy War

"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected." - Sun Tzu, 'The Art of War'

Fab's can't handle the pressure. You can see how nervous he is.

I continue the intimidation tactic. It's working.

We then prepped for the weigh in. Fabiano questioned my svelte physique. It's a sensitive topic. I hit back.

For the record, I weigh 157 pounds without shoes. I can't say the same for Fabiano.

Another ploy of mine was using social media to facilitate fear.

@amarshahism It will take more than trash talk to knock off the defending champ...
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) December 11, 2013

Again, the tone of the tweet indicates he's trembling.

Fantasy Stagecraft

"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." - Niccolò Machiavelli

As I prepared, I also studied the work of another great philosopher, and Tupac stage name, Niccolò Machiavelli. Hence, the interviews with those who sit around Fabiano.

He's like a Swiss Bank.

Perhaps Dave Dameshek, the fantasy sherpa, would have the answer.

Indeed, the entirety of America is cheering for Team Amarica.

Jason Smith had another suggestion. A bit more diabolical.

Sabotage remains an option.

The Twitterati weighed in as well.

@amarshahism @NFLfantasy @Michael_Fabiano uhh just be better? Pretty sure that will work.
— ILLENIUTE (@itz_a_meee) December 10, 2013

That works sometimes.

@amarshahism @NFLfantasy @Michael_Fabiano score more points.
— D (@Poolside_25) December 10, 2013

Sound advice.

Revenge of the Shah

Fabiano crushed me in Week 5. But that was another lifetime ago. I'm riding an eight-game winning streak. Alas, I'm facing the best in the game. It's going to be a cosmic battle, like Anakin vs. Obi-Wan. Time for me to become the Jedi Master

Next Week: Will Team Amarica upset Michael Fabiano?

Amar Shah is the Digital Features Editor at NFL.com. He writes weekly about his first-time fantasy adventures throughout the season. You can reach him at @amarshahism. If you have trade or marital advice, let him know.

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