"Are you ready for . . . . " You know the drill, and for a lot of wives know the drill, too. It's that time of year when advocates of fantasy football grab their pens and pencils and make ready for football season. It's only the beginning of the process and already there are controversial players to pick or let go.

Owens, Favre, football's retirement specialist, "bad boy" Roethlisberger, Charles, Andre Johnson, Peyton Manning, Ray Rice, Mardy Gilyard and others are known by fantasy players all across America. Their wives could care less for the most part. The men complain about pre-season injuries, players out of shape and the unknowns that happen in training camps that might make or break their season.

Fantasy football players took notice as ESPN held a mock draft several days ago. They assembled ten of their analysts for a mock auction Monday, applied standard ESPN rules: 10 teams, standard rosters, $200 budget, head-to-head scoring, and came up with the results (see ESPN Sports.com). Most wives spent their time developing upcoming Sunday itineraries.

Some 27 million fantasy players spent an average of nine hours a week planning their strategies. The game takes precedence over wives, the kids (unless they get involved which is highly encouraged), the boat, the car and any, repeat any list of mundane domestic activities on Sunday for the next twenty weeks. A collective female moan is being released across the nation.

One the other hand, some women are fantasy football fanatics, too. They pick with the best of them. Craftily picking and choosing their players. About twelve percent of fantasy players are women and interest is soaring. It's the "if you beat them, join them and beat them" theory. Bring it on gals.

With men and women alike scouring the charts of Yahoo, ESPN, the NFL, Rotofantasysports, and others you would think their ranking would remain close as most charts feature the top players of the game for all positions. Quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, tackles, tight ends, centers - in fact every position in the field of eleven has rated players in the top 100 list. It's when the whistle blows that all the stats and all the time spent in the fantasy draft get changed.

Football is a tough sport and season ending injuries can drastically change the field of players. Take your start quarterback out of the game and if your backup guy doesn't produce you will slide down in the rankings of your league, guaranteed.

Books have been written about why Fantasy Football matters. Frankly, it matters because it takes our minds off of the everyday schedules we all face. It provides a venue to escape reality. And it is - fun.

Are you a newbie to fantasy football? Here's a quickie starter lesson. Join a single season league at first to get your feet wet. Other leagues include keeper leagues and dynasty leagues, you'll learn about them as your first year progresses. Draft day, stay with the straight draft as first, it's the same as the NFL draft.

Position picking. Pick the best running backs first, choosing the top three in the draft. Next get a QB, pick one of the elite players (this position isn't as important as your running back). Choose a wide receiver that is consistent year after year, for it's a choice that will keep you in contention. Place kickers, again consistency rules in picking this player. Defense and special teams count, get the statistics that are compiled to award points, they include sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and defensive touchdowns. You have your team picked but stay on it. Trades during the season can make or break your chances of staying competitive or even winning in your league.

If your significant other bemoans your involvement in fantasy football, or football season itself, get her involved; otherwise, diamonds and gold might level the playing field.

Have fun.