Ladies of the Game: Jen Ryan and Julie Bissonnette

Posted on November 18, 2016

I would like to introduce Jen Ryan and Julie Bissonnette as I continue to showcase two more “Ladies of the Game.” Many of you may have heard of Jen (@FFdeJENerate) on Twitter and at Football Diehards. (There is a small rumor she likes the Dallas Cowboys.) I have seen her post about the Cowboys with sincere passion and enthusiasm.

You will notice Julie Bissonnette does not write for any sites, but she is on Twitter (@juliebReff4fun) and she knows football. I personally play in a league with her, and she wants to win. You will not find players on bye in her weekly lineup or any last minute “players determined out” in them either. It is possible she likes the Buffalo Bills as much as Jen likes the Cowboys. I know they both like their teams more than I like the Chicago Bears currently, however that might not be such a bold statement.

Let’s get to know Jen and Julie.

Jen Ryan

Twitter: @FFdeJENerate

Writer: footballdiehards.com

Radio: SiriusXM Thursday Shows

When did you notice you were interested in playing fantasy football and how did you begin?

A friend of mine asked me to join her league because she was sick of being the only girl in her league. I never missed a Cowboys game, figured I was a pretty knowledgeable football fan, and never turn down an opportunity to win money. That was six years ago, and I’ve become obsessed.

What type of leagues do you currently play in?

A few redraft leagues, two dynasty leagues, daily every weekend, and more best ball leagues than I care to share (over 100).

What is your common team name?

Watch My TDs Dance

What is the one league you play in with the most unique name?

My family league is called “Sh** Show”

Tell us about your most challenging league.

My most challenging league, by far, is my family league. We are all different sorts of animals when it comes to fantasy football. We’re not very nice to each other. My one sister is new this year and I’ve become her coach. I care about her team more than mine.

Longest league you have played in and for how many years?

My family league is in its fourth year. My first league dissolved two years ago. It’s my longest and the one I care about the most.

Do you write for any websites?

I write exclusively for footballdiehards.com, and join their SiriusXM fantasy show every Thursday. I’m always up for a guest article anywhere.

Details Please! Jen shares highlights of her 2016 Season

Name of League: Sh** Show (Family League)

Type of league: Redraft

Current Record as of week ten: 5-5

Playoff Bound? Despite being .500, I’m in a 3-way tie for 1st.

QB1: Cam Newton

RB1: Changes every week. Devontae Booker at the moment

WR1: Jordy Nelson or Stefon Diggs

TE1: Greg Olsen

Name of League: Junkies (Friends League)

Type of league: Redraft

Current Record as of week ten: 6-4

Playoff Bound? It’s a 10-team league, so I should be

QB1: Jameis Winston

RB1: DeMarco Murray

WR1: Mike Evans

TE1: Jack Doyle

Name of League: FLEX League

Type of league: Redraft

Current Record as of week ten: 6-4

Playoff Bound? This is a “tough” experts league. I’ll have to win out

QB1: Matt Ryan

RB1: Melvin Gordon

WR1: Dez in my heart, but Doug Baldwin if we’re keeping score

TE1: Witten

Jen shared with me that DeMarco Murray is the one player she is counting on the most. She hints that they will run away together towards victory. Although she feels she is on the bubble in all the leagues she shared, she comes to play every week and feels good about it.

Thank you Jen for sharing your fantasy experience with DLF.

Julie Bissonnette

Twitter: @juliebReff4fun

Fan of the Buffalo Bills

When did you notice you were interested in playing fantasy football and how did you begin?

I started playing fantasy football in 2005. My first pick in my first league was Tiki Barber. I played weekly pick’em games to start my football hobby in 1985, but have moved strictly to fantasy football only now.

What type of leagues do you currently play in?

I play in seven dynasty leagues, two keeper leagues, several redraft leagues, MFL10’s, and best ball leagues. I recently started playing at FanDuel. I have limited time to devote to FanDuel because of the time it takes working the waiver wire and setting lineups in my yearlong leagues.

What is your common team name?

Buff-o-Licious is my name in all leagues

What is the one league you play in with the most unique name?

In a league we all have our last names only – Team Bissonnette (I guess that is unique)

Tell us about your most challenging league.

I play in one six team league and it is my favorite. It is a local home league and it began in 2000. I joined in 2011 during a live expansion draft. We have five hour live drafts every year. It has a full lineup similar to the NFL with 45 players. It is an IDP league. As you can imagine the weekly scoring is high due to the large lineups. We even have a “Player of the Week” point scoring. There are no waivers in this league and it is total points only. We have a winner trophy that is a cup two feet high that weights 20 lbs. It is currently in my office. I am currently in first place but the overall standings are very close.

Longest league you have played in and for how many years?

I’m in a family league with my sister and brother in-laws since 2008.

Do you write for any websites?

None.

Details Please! Julie shares highlights of her 2016 season

Name of League: FP2000 # MFL23264

Type of league: Dynasty

Current Record: Second place overall

Playoff Bound? There are no playoffs in this league. We play all 17 weeks, which is challenging. We also have no waivers during the season.

QB1: Matt Ryan

RB1: Todd Gurley

WR1: Julio Jones

TE1: Jimmy Graham

Name of League: Die Hards League I #MFL48412

Type of league: Dynasty

Current Record: Third place

Playoff Bound? Yes

QB1: Derek Carr

RB1: LeSean McCoy

WR1: Odell Beckham

TE1: Rob Gronkowski

Name of League: An Eight Team League #MFL56014

Type of league: Redraft

Current Record: Sixth place

Victory Points: 20

Playoff Bound? Yes, bubble team.

QB1: Russell Wilson

RB1: LeSean McCoy

WR1: Allen Robinson

TE1: Tyler Eifert

I appreciate the time these ladies have taken to share a small part of their fantasy experience with us. They share a dedicated passion for fantasy football that many of us maintain. I look forward to discussing the outcomes of both Jen and Julie’s seasons in a follow up article after the holidays.