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The NFL Network another weapon in the fantasy info arsenal

Bob Harris, Special to SI.com

There's only one way to get "All Access" with coach Chuckie. AP

Of all the ingredients vital to fantasy success, information is first and foremost. Information is the foundation upon which your team is built on draft day. And it's just as important when managing your roster during the season.

But fantasy owners aren't looking for just any information; they want quality.

Of course, most of us have already made decisions regarding our sources of information, whether it's fantasy magazines, specialized on-line services, local online outlets or, most likely, a combination of the above, along with mainstream media. All of which I highly recommend.

But don't forget the new kid on the block, an outlet that I believe will change how fantasy fans access information in the future.

That's right. I'm talking about the NFL Network, a 24-hour television network dedicated to coverage of the league by the league itself.

I know. You're wondering what the NFL has to offer that you can't already get from any number of outside -- and more independent -- sources.

One word: access.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a fantasy owner can turn to NFL Network and know he's receiving information and insight straight from team headquarters, league offices and anywhere else the NFL is making news.

It began in earnest this summer with the network televising 54 games during the NFL's four-week preseason -- every game played (other than the 11 televised nationally by the NFL's four network partners, ABC, CBS, ESPN and FOX).

In other words, for the first time ever, every snap of all 65 NFL preseason games was available to all fans across the country.

I can't remember even changing the channel once preseason play started.

But more than that, as a fantasy owner, I can't wait to take full advantage of the network's access to the people who count the most. The coaches, players, team executives, trainers -- all able to speak directly to me rather than being run through the filter of mainstream outlets.

I'm not alone in that belief. In April, SI.com's Peter King said: "I think the reason NFL writers' jobs are going to be harder -- and the non-NFL Network media people will have a more difficult job being insightful -- is that once the season starts, coaches and players are going to set aside only so much time for the press, and most guys are going to be inclined when they have a choice to choose the NFL Network, which will portray them as white knights."

King went on to describe the NFL owners meeting in March, where Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden was entertaining a handful of reporters.

Gruden first pointed at the NFL Network fellow and said: "All access." He pointed to ESPN's Chris Mortensen and said: "Some access." He pointed to FOX Sports insider John Czarnecki and said: "No access."

King said he was conflicted about the NFL Network: "On the one hand, I'm bitter that I've covered the league meetings for the last 21 springs and never had the access the league gave the network last week at the meetings. On the other hand, I was very interested in the network's six-minute piece that featured cameras inside the debate over instant replay. It's stuff I've always wanted to see. ...

"Coming out of the video inside the meetings, NFL Network host Rich Eisen said: 'It's like NFL C-Span.'"

Do you know any political junkies? Ask them how C-Span has changed the way they scratch their itch -- if you have a day or two to sit around and listen.

Don't get me wrong here: It's not like I believe league personnel will suddenly start spouting the truth, automaton-style, whenever the NFL Network camera turns their way. They won't. They'll continue selling us the same stuff they've been pawning off on the mainstream media for years.

However, the opportunity to watch players, coaches, team and league officials spin their yarns directly, without a reporter, publication, network or other intermediary framing quotes and comments or skewing perspectives to suit their needs is going to be very hard for the average fantasy owner to ignore.

That said, I don't believe the NFL Network is a threat to hard-working, traditional media favorites, like King. I seriously doubt any fans, especially hardcore fantasy participants, will quickly give up on their favorite media voices -- writers they've come to know and trust.

In my opinion, there will always be value in the opinions of experienced, knowledgeable, well-connected sources who have earned our confidence by helping us read the tea leaves, translate the coachspeak and validate our own opinions in the past.

Just like most folks who prefer getting their political information in the raw from C-Span still tune into cable news channels or read the New York Times on occasion, fantasy owners will be reluctant to give up on proven sources.

That aside, I for one am eager to enjoy my prevarications without additional prevarication as the mood moves me.

Is there a potential downside to the NFL doling out info?

Of course, there is. But until I see concrete evidence that Total Access is turning into total control, it's a danger I'm prepared to live with.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.