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
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.
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.
That works sometimes.
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.
Previous articles in the Series:
Fantasy first-timer: Here's why I decided to play
Fantasy first-timer: My First Draft
Fantasy first-timer: Week 1: My First Week
Fantasy first-timer: Week 2: First loss, marital strife, advice from who?!
Fantasy first-timer: Week 3: Breaking Bradford
Fantasy first-timer: Week 4: Losing Streaks and Sean Connery
Fantasy first-timer: Week 5: Channeling Darth Vader, Thor and The Beatles
Fantasy first-timer: Week 6: The Cam Newton Conspiracy
Fantasy first-timer: Week 7: Fantasy first-timer: Dwight Shrute, "The League" and Aloo Gobi
Fantasy first-timer: Week 8: Fantasy first-timer: Week 8: Epic Upsets and Molly-whopping
Fantasy first-timer: Week 9: Jerry Rice, Warren Sapp and back in the playoff chase
Fantasy first-timer: Week 10: LL Cool J, Percy Harvin and American Pie
Fantasy first-timer: Week 11: Champ Kind advice, trade deadlines and Gandalf
Fantasy first-timer: Week 12: Anquan Boldin, Alison Brie and Playoffs
Fantasy first-timer: Week 13: Home Alone and Playoffs