'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the A-T, not a creature was stirring, not even Tony. The papers were stacked on the counter with care, in hopes that customers soon would be there.
John Montgomery was nestled, all snug in his bed, while visions of the McRib danced in his head.
With Zach holding his Kindle and Pat in his cap, we all settled down for a long winters nap.
When out of the e-mail, there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the laptop I flew like a flash, tore open the e-mail and told the fantasy owner to be rash.
You see he had learned that Ryan Mathews had gone down, and wanted to know who he should bring to town. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a list of players he could pick up without fear.
Where could this come from, so accurately and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than the Eagles, his directions they came, and he whistled and shouted the players by name.
"Now Pitta! Now Amendola! Now Battle and Wilson! On Cousins! On Shorts! On Woodhead and Blackmon! To the top of the waivers! To the top of the list! Pick them out or your chance you will miss!"
As far as defense go, it's OK to make changes on the fly, so feel free to pick up a new one, if you care to try. I like the Bengals, Chargers, Dolphins and Pats. As for the Vikings or Rams, don't even think about that.
And then in a twinkling, I pressed send on the note and hoped the reader would like what I wrote. As I closed the laptop and was turning around, in the front door, St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his feet, and his clothes were all tarnished with mud from the sleet. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back and with some more advice, he opened his pack.
Start Griffin (or Cousins) or Romo because you should. Don't think of starting Kaepernick, because Seattle's defense is good. Ridley or Woodhead should see plenty of time, while Richardson could get stopped on a dime.
Starting Amendola and Maclin should get a starting part while benching Crabtree and Nelson would be smart. Start Watson or Celek if you want to ride a hunch, but sit Gronkowski because he shouldn't be playing a bunch.
He was full of wisdom, a right fat elf, and I laughed when I saw him, then realized he looked a lot like myself. With a wink of his eye and a twist of head, he soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke no more words, saying the rest was up to me, and then began putting presents under the tree. Santa then turned on my laptop and set my lineup for the week and I knew then that this fantasy team was not for the meek.
Santa then sprang to his sleigh and to my team gave a whistle and the footballs began to fly around like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all and may you win a title tonight!"
Aaron Korte is the A-T's fantasy writer.
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