Twitter has long been an excellent source of instantaneous news and wide-ranging opinions. We ran a series of interviews two years ago to help users new and old get to know some of our favorite tweeters.
Our series is back for 2014. Today we interview NFL.com fantasy editor Marcas Grant. Get to know him below.
Can someone ask the important question on Manziel's trip to Vegas ... where did he stay?
— Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) May 28, 2014
Who Am I?
Name: Marcas Grant
Twitter handle: MarcasG
Tweeting since: December 2008
Number of tweets: 17,900
Follower count: 3,175
Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Day job: Fantasy Editor NFL.com
Family life: I am an island of chaos in an ocean of boredom. I also have parents and a sister.
Quick bio (who you are, site(s) you represent, etc.): At an early age, I dreamed of being a writer – until hearing stories of authors dying penniless and insane (not an exciting prospect). Instead, I settled on the profession of journalism. Most of them seemed to die penniless as well. But at least they had their sanity…I thought. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1998, I spent a short stint working as an internet scribe before wandering over to radio. The next decade took me up and down the Golden State, working from Los Angeles to Stockton and nearly everywhere in between - doing everything from freelance reporting to play-by-play announcing – and eventually returning to LA as an update anchor for Sporting News Radio. In 2011, the NFL came calling with promises of bread, circus and fantasy football. Or at least fantasy football. It’s been a pretty happy partnership ever since, leading to a role on NFL Network’s “NFL Fantasy LIVE”. In the meantime, my autumns and summers are spent alternatively suffering with his beloved USC Trojans and Los Angeles Dodgers. His likes include Arsenal football, a finely crafted stout and a nicely turned double play. His dislikes include reality television, wet socks, and any Bruin victory.
What is something unique about you that few would know about? I was the fifth grade class breakdancing champion; Trojan Hall Tecmo Super Bowl champion of 1994
What you do for fun during the football offseason: Home brewing, bicycle repair, gardening and screenwriting. One day I will mesh them all into one super-hobby.
Favorite NFL team(s): 49ers
Favorite NFL player(s): Current – Frank Gore; All-time – Marcus Allen
Give us your “must follows” on Twitter: @bomani_jones; @DragonflyJonez; @OldHossRadbourn
What do you like most about Twitter? Twitter is at its best for major events when it becomes the world’s largest watch party. It’s the true definition of social media.
Years playing fantasy football: 12
How many leagues, typically? 4-6
Stevie Johnson is headed home to the Bay Area. That's an interesting array of targets for Kaepernick.
— Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) May 9, 2014
Inside the Guru’s Studio
What is your favorite fantasy word? Breakout
What is your least favorite fantasy word? Game-time decision (yes, I know it’s two words)
DC Comics or Marvel? Marvel – specifically Spiderman, who was the People’s Hero. Clark Kent wasn’t one of us. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark were trust fund kids. Peter Parker was busy trying to get through school, find a job and make the girl next door like him. He had “real people” problems.
What is your favorite film? The Big Lebowski
What is your favorite book? The Brothers K by David James Duncan
Cake or ice cream? Ice cream
Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars
What sound do you hate? “Sons of Westwood”
What sound do you love? The drop at :05 of “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik”
Film or Stats? Both. Can’t we all just get along?
Who's keeping track of draftee walk-up songs tonight? There needs to be a poll.
— Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) May 8, 2014
Predictions and Advice
Favorite fantasy style or combination of styles of play (Dynasty, Redraft, Auction, Best Ball, Daily, Survivor, etc.): Auction re-draft
Studs ‘n Duds or Value Based Drafting? VBD
What's the biggest mistake you see fantasy players make? Too often, fantasy owners lock in on one or two specific players instead of looking at tiers of players. Sure, it’s fun to have your favorite NFL players on your team, but don’t reach too high or far to get them.
How much of fantasy football is skill? How much is luck? What happens on Sunday is luck – you can put the guys in your lineup but you can’t control what happens from there. But it takes skill to build a quality roster and find the players who can best put you in a position to be successful.
Go out on a limb—give a wild prediction about the 2014 season that would shock the world if it happened: Mike Glennon and the “Tampa Towers” will win the NFC South.
Super Bowl XLIX Teams and Score: Packers 31, Colts 27 – it will serve as revenge for Stanford beating Cal earlier in the year.
2014 Fantasy MVP: LeSean McCoy
2014 Fantasy Most Improved: Geno Smith
2014 Fantasy Bust of the Year: Nick Foles