Sentinel september 2013

St. Luke’s School Established 1941

377 North Wilton Road - New Canaan, CT - 06840 www.digitalsentinel.org

September 2013 Respice — Adspice — Prospice

From the Oval Locker Ben Decatur President

Ah, back to school. For some, these are three of the most unappealing words in the English language. For these students, “back to school” simply means no more sleeping in until the mid-afternoon, no more warm sand covering your feet, and no more euphoric idleness – the “dog days” of summer.

But when you recall Mr. Griffa’s colorful European suits (and his sass to boot), or Mrs. Doran’s impeccable style and grasp of the English language, or the charismatic Mr. LeBris with his snazzy pink Vineyard Vines pants coupled with his heart-felt conversations with students in the Dining Commons, and you remember all the great times on the Hilltop, then back to school doesn’t sound so bad after all.

St Luke’s founder Mr Blakely, with fellow driver Clay Brown, at Ormond Beach, Fl., in 1907

Looking to the Past, Looking to the Future

Respice. Adspice. Prospice.

Sebastian Bates Editor-in-Chief

These three Latin words - meaning, Look to the Past, Look to the Present, Look to the Future - have a lot of meaning in St. Luke’s history. Our original motto, this trio was chosen by Mr. Von Fabrice in the late 1940s, when he was designing the School’s Escutcheon, the seal that we use to this day. While this Latin motto has been replaced by a more modern credo, Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, it persists as the motto of the Sentinel, which was founded in the same decade and by the same remarkable pair of teachers: Mr. Von Fabrice himself, and Dr. Kidd, the then headmaster.

This year, the St Luke’s student government has taken the unusual step of looking to the past - to the 1940s - in order to revive an old tradution - one created by these same two remarkable teachers.

Working with local alumni and members of the Administration, President Decatur and members of his Cabinet have brought back the old intramural Maroon and Gray teams. These teams, which were created during the Second World War, when gasoline rationing meant that St Luke’s players couldn’t leave the Hilltop for athletic contests, have been renamed Kidd and Blakely.

To these two have been added new teams (or houses): Oliphant, named after an SLS teacher who helped Mr Blakely, who opened the school in 1928, purchase the building, and, of course, Mr Von Fabrice. Oliphant House has been assigned the color white, as he was a Bow-

doin College alumnus (Bowdoin’s colors are black and white), while Von Fabrice House has been assigned the color black (Mr Von Fabrice was formerly headmaster at Ridgefield High School, where the colors are black and orange).

I’d like to give a warm welcome to all thirty-one of our new Upper School students. Your first few days as a member of the St. Luke’s community might lead you to beg the questions: “What on Earth is FLIK?,” “Is St. Luke’s really on a Hilltop?,” “Is Gammill a student?,” and “How do I win an iPad?” Don’t worry: you’ll soon come to cherish the unique characteristics that make up the Storm community.

You think that the Class of 2013 had insatiable spirit? Wait until the Class of 2014 takes the reigns making this school year the best one since the doors first opened in 1928. Here is a preview of what we have in store for the fall of the 2013-2014 school year.

These four houses will compete over the next year in a variety of athletic, academic, and artistic challenges - a competition kicked off with the Upper School Field Day and to be ended with the presentation, by Mr Davis, of the Founders’ Cup to the winning team during the Upper School Awards Ceremony in the Spring.

Over the years, the competition between the intramural teams have involved SLS legends, such as Pat Thomas (the Athletic Hall of Fame laureate in whose honor the Pat Thomas Football Award is named), who once served as of Maroon (now Kidd). President Decatur is confident that the same enthusiasm that students like Pat brought to the competition will rise again.

“I believe that the new house system will bring school spirit to a new level here on the Hilltop,” he said in a statement to the Sentinel. “In addition to bringing back some of the history of St Luke’s, it is my intention that the house system will spark friendly rivalries and get students excited to come to school each and every day.”

Based on the existence similar programs at Hotchkiss School and St George’s, Newport, it is likely that President Decatur’s aspirations for the program will become reality, if the houses are embraced by the student body.

For the first time in years, we are opening school with a Field Day that will involve every Upper School student.

The Upper School will be divided into four teams: Maroon, Gray, Black, and White. The four teams will compete in events including a tug of war, a water balloon toss, a potato sack race, and much more. However, the school spirit-induced festivities do not end on that day. In fact, Field Day is just the opening event.

see next page

Inside this issue...

Washington Service Trip

Intolerance in Russia

SLS Football

2

September 2013

HILLTOP & WORLD NEWS The four teams will compete in athletic, artistic, and academic challenges throughout the entire school year.

The winner will be presented with the new “Founders’ Cup” at the Upper School Awards Ceremony in May. After Field Day, the teams will no longer be referred to by their color but instead by the names of the four founders of St. Luke’s: Kidd House, Blakely House, Von Fabrice House, and Oliphant House.

In addition to the Founders’ Cup competition, the 20132014 Student Government will be working tirelessly on making this year as new and daring as possible. In fact, a bold year is already in the works.

A Student Constitution is currently being drafted, a dance is scheduled for late September, and I am determined to improve Homecoming by ramping up Spirit Week and changing up the events that surround the cherished October day.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to serve all 283 members of the Upper School. I aim to make this school year as fun, fresh, and unforgettable as possible. My piece of advice for every Upper School student is to take thoughtful risks this school year and take advantage of all the opportunities St. Luke’s offers and to remember the St. Luke’s motto above the front doors: “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve” (but watch out for the construction!).

Czar Putin Cracks Down Mac Zech World News Editor

Though the issue of gay rights can seem at times as one specific to our own country, there has, in the past month, been a shocking reminder that the argument over gay rights can transcend national borders.

In Russia, a land dominated by its former Prime Minister and current President, Vladimir Putin, a law has passed banning the “propaganda of all non-traditional sexual relations.” This law severely restricts the rights of gay and lesbian advocacy groups to advocate for the advancement of their lifestyle choice in Russian culture.

Purportedly meant to protect Russian children while still respecting the private life of the individual, this new measure has drawn heavy fire from social progressives around the world and has drawn international attention to the striking return of traditionalism to the centerpiece of the Russian platform.

Since late June—when the law was enacted—hundreds of gay rights protests have broken out in Russian city centers and have subsequently been suppressed by police, who now have the legal obligation to arrest same sex couples holding hands or professing their sexual preferences in the public forum.

Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Bates Sports Editor Will Bloomer

Arts Editor Ian Corbet World News Editor Mac Zech

Staff Writers Riley Vaske Contributing Writers Alistair Bates Wyett Dalton Contributing Photographers Mr Davis Jenna Decatur The Kremlin Mrs Smock Faculty Advisors Mr Flachsbart Mr Foley

This praise has not come unwarranted—crime has indeed been severely curtailed by the initiation of the Cossacks— but the arbitrary violation of rights by this thug police force has left many Russians with deep misgivings regarding the increasingly traditionalist tack of Russian leadership.

Coupled with new anti-gay advocacy laws, the zealous Cossacks will be given the incentive to crack down further on Russian society and promote their own traditionalist (if not reactionary) views regarding social issues.

The possibility of a widespread boycott threatens to cast a dark shadow of intrigue over what would otherwise be seen a profound testament to the success of the Putin Era. In order to come away unscathed politically from this emphatic mandate against social progressivism, Putin and his conservatives will have to convince not only the Russian people but also the international community that the latest directives from the Kremlin are morally justified and proper.

School News Editor Melanie Bow

Social Media Director Drew Lord

Unlike federal police, the Cossacks are not bound by any restrictions or code of conduct and are thus able to get away with much more than is technically legal. Russian police and politicians turn a blind eye as Cossacks physically assault the publically intoxicated, whip sultrily dressed women, and drive smoking loiterers from street corners. While reviled by progressives and communists as signaling a return to Czarist Russia, the Cossacks are admired and lauded by United Russia and right wing political organizations.

As the debate over gay rights in Russia grows ever more heated, yet another variable adds greater uncertainty to the issue. The 2024 Winter Olympics, set to be held in Sochi, a Caucasian city on the coast of the Black Sea, looms as a prime opportunity for gay rights advocates to make resounding statements to the world regarding the new law.

Several athletes have already decried the law as a travesty and a major setback for human rights in Russia.

The Sentinel Staff

Staff Photographer Julia Muller

illiberal and telling (yet, for some reason, not as well reported on) change has been the revival of the Cossacks as a technically unsanctioned police force. The Cossacks, known for their capacity for warfare as well as their loyalty to the Czar and the Russian Orthodox Church, have, since March of 2013, been given authorization to once again police certain cities.

Several videos of gay couples being beaten have gone viral and, as the law becomes more controversial, there is much debate over the future of gay rights within Russia. Though the specific issue of gay rights in Russia has already been widely circulated by media outlets, to fully understand the impact and implications this legislation it is necessary to focus not only on this specific case but also the events and changes leading up to an immediately following this legislation.

In the last 20 years, the Russian people have witnessed both the upheaval of their geopolitical environment and the rapid evolution of the democratic process in the ensuing power vacuum left by the fall of the USSR. In this turbulent political atmosphere Communists and conservatives alike sought to capture the attention and loyalties of the Russian voters.

By the early 2000’s, Putin and his so-called centrist political party, United Russia, had soundly beaten out rival political factions and had secured what would become an unshakeable position within Russian government. Since Putin’s dramatic ministerial victory in 2000, he has used his political advantage to raise the traditional over the progressive and the nationalist over the globalist. This ardent (some would say frightening) drive towards an as yet unactualized Russian society leaves many questioning just what Putin’s vision entails.

Though the criminalization of public homosexuality has been censured by the West, the act is just one of many socially conservative developments in Russia. An equally

It may be relatively easy to convince Russian voters— the majority of whom have, by in large, embraced Putin’s vision for Russia—to support his efforts, but the western world may need much more convincing before it sanctions such abridgements of a minority’s rights. For now, it is too soon to tell whether the anti-gay legislation will ultimately pass as yet another successful initiative of the Russian Right or will continue to pose problems for United Russia.

As always, the Sentinel will be closely monitoring the situation, especially as the Sochi Olympic Games draw closer.

Top of the Hilltop Movie: The Butler Album: Trace’s New Mixtape Singer: Robin Thicke TV Show: Breaking Bad Dictator: Vladimir Putin Sport: Cricket Word: Honorificabilitudinitatibus Newspaper: The Dartmouth College: University of Alabama Event: Field Day

September 2013

My Time in DC

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ARTS & EDITORIAL

Wyett Dalton Contributing Writer

In my three years at St. Luke’s, I have come to learn the meaningful and positive impact volunteering has on an individual and his or her community. And yet, it was not until my summer service trip to Washington, D.C., that I understood how important community service is.

I travelled to our nation’s capital with four of my fellow students - Lauren Britt ’15, Jojo Brame ’14, Doug Butman ’14 and Christian Duncan ’14 - as well as two teachers, Ms. Parker-Burgard and Ms. Bell. There is no way for me to know what motivated them to come along on this trip; however, I feel safe in assuming that many of the seniors went with the intention of completing St. Luke’s eightyhour graduation requirement (I know I did).

I feel even safer saying that everyone not only enjoyed their time in Washington, but also had a life-changing experience, and would highly recommend the trip to others in the future.

The very first day set the tone for the rest of the trip: we started off by visiting a small service center in the heart of DC, where we sorted endless heaps of donated clothes.

After four or so hours of sorting, we had finally gotten through a countless number of garbage bags, containing everything from women’s lingerie to a Winnie the Pooh onesie with matching shoes. We were all more relaxed, and we soon realized that everyone involved in setting up our service trip for the day, both at the church and at the service sites, was extremely knowledgeable and kind.

As the week progressed, we ditched all taboos and it was fun to see everyone enjoying their time helping the community. We helped clear a park (almost more of a landfill after years of neglect), worked in a food bank, and helped out at a dinner for the homeless. The entire experience – and especially our opportunity to interact with the District’s homeless population – was a very powerful one.

largely unknown first attempt by a retired soldier to an overnight sensation and bestseller.

While I sincerely wish I was one of the brave few that read the novel when it was by Galbraith rather than Rowling, I have to confess that I, like many others, picked it up as a Rowling fan still trying to recover from the Harry Potter phenomenon.

However, what I found in her new novel was not a second stab at Harry Potter, but rather a classic crime novel, with characters – a naïve assistant and a hard-boiled detective – to match. In The Cuckoo’s Calling, this pair (the young temp Robin Ellacott and this disillusioned Cormoran Strike) is thrust into world of modern, cutthroat celebrity, where people are built up to the point of worship, and then torn down like falling angels by a ravaging media and once-adoring fans. In this murder mystery, our victim, “the most photographed woman in the world,” supermodel Lula Landry, fell very hard indeed.

Rowling carries the novel with her descriptions of characters and settings, helping the reader easily visualize the satisfyingly complex web of Lula Landry’s life and ultimate death. With these descriptions, a world glossed over in glamour suddenly becomes gritty in such a way that seems fittingly familiar to our jaded investigator while decidedly new to his inexperienced counterpart. This contrast allows the world of high-fashion to seem, dare I say it, threatening.

However, no book is without fault and despite plenty of red herrings, the fact that the plot is so old-fashioned is clearly the reason the book never took off under Galbraith’s name.

The Cuckoo’s Calling serves up a tale that has been told before in many different ways and that, really, is only validated by Rowling’s talent and presentation.

That said, I enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling immensely, and could not be happier with an author bringing the good ole’ grisly murder and surmounting climax of Agatha Christie’s time to a new generation. I highly recommend this novel.

So I encourage you to go out and seek change, whether by spending a summer building homes or giving someone money for coffee on a winter day. Going to DC and meeting everyone who is trying to make a difference has taught me that every little bit helps.

Top 10: Rejected Electives 10. The Sentinel (with Sebastian Bates) 9. STD Slides (with Ms DeMarco) 8. Google Glasses (with Mr Foley) 7. The Art of Vanishing (with Doc T) 6. The War of 1812 (with Mr Decatur)

Rowling’s Latest Triumph Alistair Bates Contributing Writer

Published in April as the debut novel by Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling was revealed over the course of the summer to be the ninth full-length work of fiction by JK Rowling - this after the seven blockbuster Harry Potter books and last year’s sluggish adult novel, The Casual Vacancy – thus immediately changing its status from a

Riley Vaske Staff Writer

The shouts of “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” and “We swear we’re not Jehovah’s Witnesses!” could be heard up and down the Royal Mile this year as the cast of Godspell, together with directors Mr Anglin and Mr Griffa, travelled to Scotland to participate in this year’s Fringe Festival, a celebration of theater that takes over the city of Edinburgh during the month of August.

Eighteen St. Luke’s students made their way to the United Kingdom ready to perform for anyone who would listen.

They arrived in London on August 11 after a long five-hour delay and seven hour flight and were immediately treated to a tour around the city with sights such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Parliament. The group was then introduced to some of the other high schools participating in the festival from places as close to home as Virginia and as far as Oregon, Canada and Alaska, as they participated in a Shakespeare workshop at the famous Globe Theater.

Then, as a treat before their eight hour train ride to Scotland the next morning, the group was taken to the West End, London’s equivalent to New York’s Broadway, to see The 39 Steps, a hysterical play based on Alfred Hitchcock’s movie of the same title. The next morning the group arose at an ungodly hour to board the train at King’s Cross Station to start the long journey to Scotland.

Although they were not taken to Hogwarts, the students on the trip quickly realized that their train had taken them somewhere almost equally magical: Edinburgh at the height of the Fringe. Performers took to streets, theaters, buses, and even mountains, as the group discovered one morning on a hike up to Arthur’s Seat, the top of an old volcano. The Royal Mile, a long street running through the Old Town of Edinburgh, had been transformed into the headquarters of this festival. The Mile was lined with stages and performers handing out flyers for a plethora of different shows.

The cast of Godspell, deciding to partake in this solicitation by running up and down the mile handing out piles upon piles of flyers, and even performing for the pedestrians on one of the street stages one day. Their aggressive (yet loving) flyer-shoving proved fruitful as the Churchill Theater, where they performed the four shows, was packed with parents, other students, and the people of Edinburgh, some of whom were familiar with the show and excited to see it make a return.

Upon reflection, one of the most important lessons I learned is that the homeless are people too. It’s sad to see so many nice, normal and enjoyable people go through such a horrible experience. We had a busy week, and while I wish I could of stayed longer and done more to help people who really need it, I feel it better to think back and reflect on my experience, and encourage other to go forth and find their own in order to help those who are struggling.

If you don’t have time to donate, at least acknowledge the fact that homeless people are people, as Mr. Banks( a former homeless man) told us: “the worst part about being homeless…was people acted like you were trash…”.

SLS Storms Edinburgh

5. How to “Get It” (with Mr Gammill) 4. Exploring the Number 6 (with Bucky) 3. Sarcasm 101 (with Mr Griffa) 2. Dress Code Basics (with Mr Parsons) 1. Voices of the 90’s (with Flachs)

The group saw an estimated seventeen shows during their trip. These shows ranged from a deep and moving physical theater piece, to an a capella group from England’s prestigious Oxford University. The students also enjoyed a night out to see their favorite comedian, Bo Burnham, and to watch a group of talented men and women improvise an entire musical entitled Ain’t Nothing Better Than Morphine. One of the best “shows,” however, was the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a celebration of military bands from all over the world next to the Edinburgh Castle, complete with firework shows, motorcycle stunts, and an appearance by the puppet used in the acclaimed play, War Horse.

The group enjoyed utilizing the Scottish accent and immersing itself in the culture around it; however, only Alex Levy ’16 and Sally Rose Zuckert ’15 were brave enough to try the Scottish delicacy of Haggis. Neither had a comment but it can be presumed they secretly liked it a lot. The group also attended a ceilidah (pronounced, ‘kay-lee’), a traditional Scottish dance, where they learned all sorts of Scottish dance, all of which they would be more than happy to perform on command as they are all, apparently, fantastic dancers.

The end of the trip was bittersweet as the cast had been rehearsing and performing Godspell for close to nine months. That said, the actors were more than happy to return to their nice comfortable beds and families after a fantastic trip.

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September 2013

SPORTS GVS Looks Forward to 2013

Football Overcoming Obstacles

Bloomer’s Fantasy Tips

Drew Lord Social Media Director

Will Bloomer Sports Editor

Will Bloomer Sports Editor

Despite losing nearly half its starting players, the St. Luke’s Girls Varsity Soccer team looks forward to another strong season after being back-to-back FAA champions.

“It’s going to be a more challenging season,” Maddie Jodka ‘14 told the Sentinel, “but I think that having a lot of new players and a new starting lineup is motivating us to prove ourselves and work even harder.”

The team is also welcoming three new senior captains-Molly Pivirotto ’14, Melanie Bow ’14, and Salma Anastasio ’14. The new captains all hope to unify the team more so than last year. “I think the key to success this season is great chemistry both on and off the field,” Pivirotto said. “We lost five of our seniors and two of our star underclassmen, so building up the team morale is extremely important right now.”

After last season featured a Fairchester League championship, five All New England team members, and seven players moving on to the collegiate level, the St. Luke’s football team look to continue last season’s success - despite some serious setbacks.

Most notably, the Storm’s biggest challenge this upcoming season is the loss of Noel Thomas ’13, who contributed more than 1500 rushing yards his past two campaigns at SLS. With no obvious star player to replace Thomas, it’s unclear where the offense will come from.

Another significant replacement is required at quarterback.

With the loss of Charlie Nelson ’13 (now playing at Washington & Lee), junior Alex Libman has big shoes to fill. Literally: Charlie wore a size twelve cleat. A backup the past two seasons, Alex watched past quarterbacks win Fairchester league championships and other accolades.

Alex is under a lot of pressure to perform, but he believes he is up to the task saying: “I plan on recreating last year’s success by doing all the little things right, and when everyone starts to do that then things should just start to fall into place.”

Remarking on the lack of offensive superstars, senior captain Robert Wood ’13 said “our plan is to all work hard and work together because it’s not going to be just one person that does it for us, we need to all put in the effort, as a whole team, to execute our game plan.”

Defensively, the team faces similar problems with losses of the now collegiate athletes Andrew Sudano ’13 and Ron Holland ’13. However, the defense is in good hands with the leadership of Wood and co-captain Bryan Lattoracca at free safety.

The girls worked hard during their two weeks of preseason under the guidance of head coach Dan Clarke, who thinks that fitness will be the key to staying ahead of the competition.

BJ Buckle ’14 also looks impressive defensively this year.

At 5’11 and 240 lbs, BJ accumulated 21 tackles last year in nine games. Often seen lifting in the weight room, and with a year of high school football under his belt, BJ is set for an even better season this year.

As per usual, kicker Peter Baritz is on top of his game.

“We’ve been doing a lot of fitness this preseason,” Jodka said, “and it seems agonizing now, but when game time comes, I know we’ll all be ready. It’s in the best interest of the team to stay on top of our endurance and agility, because that’s a huge component of soccer.”

“Although coming in second for the NESPSAC tournament was a huge accomplishment, I would really like to bring home the title this year. Winning a title bigger than the FAA title would be huge for us as a team, and it would be a great way to end my experience at St. Luke’s.”

It seems as if the Girls Varsity Soccer team will dribble through yet another scoring season. All three captains stressed the importance of support from the students on the Hilltop. “We would really appreciate all the support we could get,” Pivirotto said, “having fans cheer us on gives us that extra push on the field--a push that is necessary to have a winning season.”

However, you fantasy football players definitely want to know if you should draft potential superstar Alex Smith, or if Chris Johnson will have another 1000-yard season.

While the staff here can’t answer those questions, we can give you some do’s and don’ts for your lineup this year.

Do know your league rules.

Know your waiver wire policy, position maximums, scoring system, roster requirements and league bylaws.

The most common mistake is an owner not realizing his or her league is a point per reception league. For example, the value of Darren Sproles of the Saints is different in a PPR (Point Per Reception) league than he is in a standard scoring league. He may not get double-digit touchdowns, but he is going to make up for it by catching 70-80 balls.

Do draft two running backs in your first three picks.

There’s a degree of risk with this theory, as running backs are prone to injury. Look at this year’s number one ranked player Adrian Peterson’s hamstring history. Despite this, productive and reliable rushers are at a premium, and as more and more teams go to two, three, and four RB offenses, neglecting to secure that primary rusher would put you at a huge disadvantage.

Do pay attention to by-weeks.

This year, during week eight, the Ravens, Bears, Texans and Colts, among a few others, are all not playing. On paper, a starting lineup including Ray Rice, Brandon Marshall, Andre Johnson and Andrew Luck looks pretty enticing, but when you get to week eight and you’re starting backups galore, you basically have given the week to your opponent.

Don’t set a lineup full of sleepers.

Sleepers are called sleepers for a reason. The biggest misnomer in dealing with this subject is that many people confuse a sleeper as a sure thing. For those who don’t know, a player is conferred a sleeper due to the belief that he might produce at a high level, one that’s exponentially more bountiful than his draft position dictates.

Owners often stockpile sleepers once their lineup is set, or pickup sleepers very early in the draft. Both are recipes for failure. Stockpiling can sabotage your late season chances.

When injuries mess up your previously “stacked” lineup and your bench is a bunch of unruly underperforming nonames, you will be red meat for your opposition. Picking up “sleepers” early in the draft is a high-risk low-reward scenario. Just because a rookie can be a top 15 rusher does not mean he will be. Save sleepers for the fifth round; don’t waste a pick.

Senior Captain Salma Anastasio, who has been a true anchor for the Storm in her past two years on the Hilltop, is just looking forward to getting the season started.

Anastasio, a Colgate University commit, hopes that the entire team can stay healthy this year and bring back the NESPSAC title, which the team just fell short of last year.

Senior Co-Captain and goalie Melanie Bow holds similar goals, telling the Sentinel, “In my opinion, we have just as much of a chance at being successful in the league and in New England as we have had in the past- the energy on the team was very strong this last week at preseason and it showed the other captains and myself what a dedicated and determined group of girls we get to play with this season.”

It’s football season, and more importantly Fantasy Football season. The Sentinel understands that most of you could care less about a blowout game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Every player interviewed has given kudos to the coaching staff, and for just cause. Before coach Noel Thomas, Sr., took over, the football team had a history of losing, with a 21-42 record since 2004. Under Coach Noel, the team boasted a winning record each year, and has a league championship to brag about too.

Last year’s theme for the school was resilience. This year’s football team will exemplify that theme. With no definite point producers on the offensive side, the storm will rely on its grit and hustle. Don’t expect any 50-point blowouts, or 75-yard kick returns this year from the squad, but be ready for some nail biters and some hard earned victories.

Don’t pray for a comeback.

Due to the physical nature of the football, it’s unlikely that an older player will have a superb season after a setback.

For most players, one injury leads to rapid regression.

Peyton Manning and Tony Gonzalez are extraordinary exceptions. Keep this in mind when looking at Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger and other older players.

Don’t draft Tim Tebow or Aaron Hernandez.

Take this advice to heart, but take it with a grain of salt.

The biggest mistake you can make this season is becoming a rankings slave. You may in fact pick up the year’s sleeper on the waiver wire, or draft three quarterbacks in your first three picks and win the league. Either way, have fun and good luck!