Kate Wiesner discusses the ups and downs of her fantasy football season: Spirit FFB
Everything you wanted to know about Weezy F. Baby (the fantasy football team).
The Washington Spirit's fortunes have turned of late, with wins over the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC coming alongside confirmation that the team has clinched a playoff spot.
Another point will guarantee a home playoff game, and with the NWSL Championship set for Audi Field, there's still a chance that the path to a title runs through Buzzard Point.
In the meantime, though, outside of their prep for the playoff run, players have downtime. Spirit FFB is back with another update, this time talking to defender Kate Wiesner about her team's prospects, her strategies for success in the league, drafting when very sleepy, and how her team name hopes to harness the powers of Lil Wayne.
In case this is your first encounter with whatever this series is supposed to be, here's the full Spirit FFB catalog in chronological order:
Sam Pittman: Guess who's not in last place any more!
Green Line Soccer: I assume you beat Jordan [Small, the Spirit's equipment manager whose team I am bound to root for given how far we go back]?
SP: I beat Jordan!
Kate Wiesner: Sam Pittman! (drums on table)
SP: I'm still in relegation territory.
GLS: Well, you need the team to start a second league.
SP: Yeah, right now I'm just relegated out of the league.
GLS: In the first chapter of this series, you were in 1st place. How is your team doing, what's going on for you in the league?
KW: So I'm not in first anymore. That's a little disappointing. I'm tied for 5th place, 3-3. So I'm I'm hanging on. Consistency has been an issue, running backs have been an issue. I have Josh Allen, so he's kind of like my saving grace at the moment. But, it's his buy this week, so it might be it might be a tough week. I had Davante Adams*, which is tough. Tough one there. That hurts a bit.
(*: Adams suffered hamstring damage that will require surgery late last week. The transcription app I use chose to capitalize the first usage of "tough" as Wiesner spoke.)
GLS: Who are you playing this week?
KW: Who am I playing this week?
SP, going to his phone: I can figure it out.
KW: It's a staff member, I think it might be Mike? Mike Trinh?
SP: Oh god I've got Esme this week.
KW: Oh no. Es is...Es and Wojo. I've lost to Es.
GLS: Did you have to hear about it at the next training? Or was she low-key about it?
KW: Honestly, she was pretty chill. She was pretty chill. There was some like mutual respect going into the week. It was very 50/50 in the [score] projections, and it was a tight game. She edged me out, but it was tight game.
SP: You've got Mike Trinh, and you've got many roster spots to fill.
KW, laughing: I know Josh Allen's on a bye, but who else?
SP: Davante Adams. Ladd McConkey's on a bye.
KW: He's been...not doing it for me this year, though.
SP, now looking at Wiesner's bench for options: If Saquon Barkley comes back...Baker Mayfield might come back.
KW: Saquon Barkley is like my Penn State plug. I put all my hope in Saquon. It's not been a great year for Saquon, unfortunately. He was one of the ones I went after really early in the draft. I don't know, maybe a mistake? (laughs)
GLS: Well, he's been among the best running backs for a long time now, so it's not like a crazy choice.
KW: Yeah, true. He can make a comeback.
GLS: You mentioned the loss to Esme, that it was a close one. Have there been any other close games, either big wins or a tough loss where it came right down to the end?
KW: I've found this year that I'm either — besides the Es matchup — I'm either smashing people, or getting smashed. (laughs) Like last week, I scored 66 points...
GLS: I've heard the point-scoring norms in this league. That's...that's not good.
KW: That's definitely not good. And I think Ben Berzeck, who I was playing, had like 130. So that was not a great week for me. But then I've been on the flip side of that, where I've been in the 130s playing against someone who's in the 70s (Wiesner turns her entire upper body to look at Pittman).
GLS: I've heard about Sam's low scores a few times. He's had a few games where he's told us in the press box that it's just not going to go his way that week. Which, maybe it's better to finish the 1pm window Sunday and know it's over rather than lose late on Monday night.
KW: Yeah. Just, 'it's over.'
SP: I prefer that.
(At this point Spirit comms director Ben Kessler, who is in five different fantasy leagues and has the FFB demon lurking in him more than most, happens by with a tale of woe. He lost by 0.8 points after suffering an early injury on a Monday night game, and then spending the final moments hoping the Washington Commanders would score quickly just to get the San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro — who had missed an extra point earlier in the game — one more chance to attempt a field goal)
GLS: This is what happens if you get into too many leagues, it begins to take over your life. Kate, are you in any other leagues?
KW: I'm in another league, and this is my first year where I've been in two at one time, and it's been quite a challenge in my brain to figure out who I'm rooting for.
GLS: Do you have any overlapping players on both teams?
KW: I don't think I have any overlapping players, and quite often I'm finding myself in a scenario where a player that I have in one league, is playing against me in the other. And so then it's just like, well, what what do I do? How do I cheer for here? And every week, I've either won in both leagues, or lost in both leagues. I'm not really sure how that's happening, considering that there's no overlap, but here we are.
GLS: Two leagues, that might make you one of the most serious players in the Spirit league.
KW: Potentially, potentially.
GLS: You mentioned knowing you wanted to pick Saquon Barkley earlier due to the Penn State connection. Did you have a full-on draft strategy? Any positions you were prioritizing?
KW: So I have to admit that...this is our third year doing this as a team. In my first two years, I was locked in: I did all the research, I had my little cheat sheet, I was ready to go for the draft. Try to have some sleeper picks, take a couple risks, and it has not worked out well for me. So, this year I was a little bit more hands-off. Did a little bit of research enough to know what I was doing, but not so much that I was trying to make the unpredictable [pick], 'oh, this might turn out well.' So, I played it a little bit safer, I would say. Also the draft was happening while the team was in Portland, I think?
GLS: That's what Paige said. During a team meal?
KW: At around 7 p.m. West Coast time. So I was like (mimes being asleep with one eye just barely open). I had one eye open trying to do the draft, which was tough. So I picked my starters, and then I auto-picked my bench. Sorry.
GLS: I'm convinced that I'm way better at picking players than the algo. Have you had to make a lot of changes?
KW: Honestly, no. I've kind of stuck with what I got. Maybe I need to be making some more changes? I don't know.
GLS: Are you...look, in full disclosure, while you were finishing your session, I was out here checking my team to see if my waiver claims went through. I had a couple of back-up plans if they didn't, because I want to beat my dearest friends–
KW: 100%!
GLS: They have kids, so they're a little more distracted. I have an advantage.
KW: Yeah, that's a big advantage.
GLS: So are you like me? Do you find yourself going to the app kind of often to check for news?
KW: Yeah, I'm definitely checking often, and trying to sneak in and get like people in the waiver wire before somebody else does or whatever. If someone gets hurt, I'm like, who's the backup? I'm looking up those sort of things, which I feel like I'm one of the few players in the league that's doing that. I feel like our staff's maybe a little bit more in tune with that, but I'm trying to...any advantage I can get, I'm looking for it.
GLS: I can't not do it that way.
KW: Yeah. I'm too competitive. If I'm in the league, I'm going to be all in. There's no halfway. I'm not going to not try. That's not on the table.
GLS: Have you been a fantasy sports person for a while, or is this newer to you?
KW: Honestly, since I've been at the Spirit, and I feel like Paige Metayer is to thank for this newfound hobby. I did a little bit of English Premier League fantasy, but that, it works a little different. There's no draft, you just have your money to pick your team, so it's not as...
GLS: It's your score against everyone, so you don't have that head-to-head. Which, I don't think it's as rewarding.
KW: No, it's not. It's not. It's really satisfying to be able to come in the locker room on a Tuesday like 'Take that.'
GLS: When I talked to Paige, she listed off the names of everyone participating, but when she mentioned you, she did not say Kate Wiesner. She just said Weezy F. Baby, and that was it. I'm to understand that is your team name.
KW: That is my team name.
GLS: For the readers who are sticking this whole series out, is there anything you'd like to say about how you landed on that name?
KW: Well, I feel like last name Wiesner lends itself to Weezy, which has been a nickname of mine for a while. And when it comes to picking a fantasy football name, I feel like Weezy F. Baby just fits. Don't really have a better explanation than that. Trying to channel some inner Lil Wayne maybe, and hope that gives me some good luck.
GLS: I like that the mentality is, 'This is me, I'm the one making the choices, I'm naming it for me.'
KW: Named after the manager, not the players. Players can come and go.
GLS: Paige explained that at least in her mind — I don't know if she spread this to everyone — that there is a staff vs. players rivalry. Is this news to you?
KW: No, I would say that there's definitely a staff vs. players rivalry. I think there's kind of like an unspoken...obviously I don't like losing to Esme ever, right? Don't want to lose to her, but losing to Ben Berzeck this week, that stings a little bit more because it's a staff member. In my mind, players should be rocking and rolling.
GLS: Is that how it's going?
KW: I think Wojo and Es are holding down 1st and 2nd for the players, so that's good.
GLS: At 3-3, you're not far off.
KW: I'm not far off. I'm in the playoffs [as of now]. There's still hope for me.
GLS: You're not at 0-6 or 1-5, where it's like 'I don't know what I'm gonna do here.'
KW: Which, that has been me in the past. [New draft strategy] is paying off, it's paying off.
GLS: Beyond the staff vs. players rivalry, is there anyone else that you're see as being like the Gotham FC of this league, where you have to beat them?
KW: I will say...this may make a few of my teammates a little upset: Football — American football — is very American, obviously. So I feel as though the American players need to be beating the international players in our league. So (now laughing) losing to Es stings a little bit more too, because truly, a Brit can't be beating me at American fantasy football, right? So there's players vs. staff, and then there's the Americans vs. Not Americans. This is America's game, the American players should be winning... I don't know if everybody feels that way.
GLS: She is notoriously an actual NFL fan, though.
KW: She totally is. She totally is. She's tough to beat.
Bonus update from Gabby Carle
At this point during interview, which was conducted in a shady spot outside the Spirit's wing of Inova Performance Center for sound purposes, Trinity Rodman, Leicy Santos, and Sandy MacIver emerged to film something on the pitch for the team's socials. While Wiesner had been glad to cool off after going hard in the gym, Rodman immediately found the spot too cold.
The brief interlude as she was offered a team jacket that wasn't being used is a good moment to slot in bonus Spirit FFB coverage. Just for fun, when Gabby Carle was wrapping up her media availability ahead of the Spirit's game against Gotham FC I tossed in a question about how her team was doing.
The reaction below came with a big sigh, mainly because Carle had fallen afoul of league rules, and was ruing the outcome.
"Well. We get fined. I got fined for starting a player that was out, so that's how it's going. I picked up some wins, I'm doing decent. I have a winning record at the moment, but barely."
Generally, being 3-2 at the time (3-3 now, my apologies for bringing it up Gabby) gives you a good shot at the playoffs, especially in a 14-team like the Spirit have. But, Carle has the high standards of a professional competitor, so there's always more to aim for.
GLS: Let's get to the big question that is coming up whenever this league is the topic. Paige explained the fine system, and Gabby told us last week she had been fined. She was still a little beside herself over it. Have you been fined?
KW: I have not been fined. No fines.
GLS: Gabby got fined I think when she was away with Canada...
KW, not buying the excuse: Okay.
GLS: This week, with the injuries and byes, it sounds like it could be a challenge.
KW: This week I may get fined. I may just have to eat the fine this week.
GLS: Do you think there's a way — if you can explain the decision strategically, like preferring to not drop a player to make a move for one week balanced against your long-term prospects — where you could get the fine waived? That's playing with full focus.
KW: So Kaylie Collins did try this strategy a couple weeks ago, and made her petition to Paige the fine master, that it was an intentional decision to play this guy. She felt as though she was going to win regardless, and Paige said, 'So, here's your Venmo request for your fine.'
GLS: I'm editorializing here but if this were my league, this would just...we would have to have a discussion about what constitutes trying and good strategy.
KW: I mean, definitely worth having the discussion, I think, and I think there's merit to [a strategic argument]... It's a one-person review panel. I think that eating the fine is just now part of your strategic decision. I'm gonna leave this player in because I don't want to lose them, but that also means I have to pay the fine.
GLS: Fantasy football, it can be tough.
KW: It can be humbling.
GLS: Going back to your matchup this week, you play Mike Trinh. What are your prospects?
KW: Well, I have to fix my team. Mike Trinh, he's 3-3 as well, so we're neck-and-neck. Last season, I had one of those games where it was the last play and someone threw a pick, and I had that team's defense and beat him by like, 0.3 on the last play. It's in the back of my mind, and potentially it's in the back of his mind as well.
GLS: If you lose one of those, I think it sticks with you longer than if you win one of them.
KW: For sure. That's some added motivation for Mike that might come back to get me. We'll see.
GLS, unable to resist talking about a favorite win: I mean, I had a win in 2004 where Keyshawn Johnson scored a touchdown that should have been called back, and that forced overtime in the actual game — it was Seahawks vs. 49ers — and then in OT he scored again, and I won by 2 or 3 points. I don't know what that says about me that I remember it so vividly.
KW: I'm right there with you. I'm right there with you.
GLS: Paige was saying that there is a possible punishment for last place that was not settled yet. Any update there?
KW: We have not settled on a punishment. There have been some talks, ideas thrown around [where] the rest of the league would get to choose your arrival outfit at Audi Field for a game, so that's potentially [what's coming], but it's not been voted on, yes or no. I feel like that might be a 'let's go to the thrift store and pick this out' situation.
GLS: Is there anything else you want to say on behalf of your team?
KW: Weezy F. Baby. (pats at the Spirit badge on her training shirt as if it is the Weezy F. Baby badge) That's my crew.
Spirit fantasy league standings — Week 6
- Sara Wojdelko (5-1)
- Esme Morgan (5-1)
- Patrick Lyle (4-2)
- Adam Donaldson (4-2)
- Gabby Carle (3-3)
- Kaylie Collins (3-3)
- Madison Haugen (3-3)
- Mike Trinh (3-3)
- Ben Berczek (3-3)
- Kate Wiesner (3-3)
- Sean Warrington (2-4)
- Paige Metayer (2-4)
- Sam Pittman (1-5)
- Jordan Small (1-5)
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