Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

It’s the one strategy that can sink your fantasy team before the year even starts…the one most “experts� avoid like the plague…the one most fantasy also-rans fall victim to year after year. We’re talking, of course, about selecting players from the hometown team.

You know what I’m talking about. Doesn’t every league have at least one guy who can’t seem to draft enough Patriots? Heck, I once had someone call Vincent Brisby’s name in the 3rd round. And this year, I saw a guy use a late 2nd rounder on “budding superstar� Ben Watson. Talk about making a donation to the league treasury!

The problem is we tend to overrate our own players. (Kind of like Theo Epstein) It’s only natural. We’re bombarded with glowing newspaper accounts and television reports about “so-and-so� working his butt off in the off-season and wowing his coaches with his tremendous training camp. Then the stiff goes out and lays an egg a dodo bird would be proud of.

My advice; avoid the locals whenever possible, unless they’re available at least 2 or 3 rounds beyond where you think they should be drafted. Let someone else overvalue them. Now I know it’s too late for that particular advice, but here’s where it could help you; identify the homer in your league and sucker him into trading you a better player for the “privilege� of rooting on the hometown hero.

In these parts, the Patriots take the example to a new level. Ask yourself; how many fantasy superstars has Bill Belichick produced?

Tom Brady’s had his moments (2005 comes to mind) but I don’t know too many owners who’ve collected cash thanks to Tom Terrific. Corey Dillon had a very good year in 2004, but chances are someone took him earlier than they should have. If not, they most certainly did in ’05. And then there are the receivers and tight ends. Even when the Pats have a potential stud at one of those spots, Belichick’s “spread the wealth� game planning will drag him down to mediocrity faster than you can say Deion Branch.

So identify the biggest yahoo in your league. Talk up that New England underachiever you have on your roster. Wait for the one week where the game plan features him and allows huge numbers. Keep the free booze flowing. Then pounce like Star Jones on a pork chop!

You just might end up with a 12-15 TD performer in return for Doug Gabriel, Ben Watson. If you're lucky, you won't have to throw in Vincent Brisby!

What are your thoughts on having Patriots players on your fantasy team? Do you welcome them with open arms, or avoid them? Has anyone ever ridden a “flying Elvis� to a fantasy league championship?