June 11, 2008

Fantasy can only compete with reality if I control it...

It's pre-school level knowledge: Fantasy football is fucking HUGE. It's a big-money enterprise, and is part of the reason the NFL is the most powerful pro sports league in the world (besides maybe the EPL). Some of you may even be "that guy..."

The one who gets as worked up about your fantasy team(s) as you do about your real NFL team... The one who won't SHUT THE FUCK UP about how some player screwed your fantasy team last week... I could go on, but it was this type of behavior that totally soured me on fantasy football for a long time.

But then I realized something.. I could play God. :-]

I started my own league, and as Commissioner I realized I really enjoyed setting things up, establishing the rules my own way, etc. My league (it's on Yahoo!) is populated entirely by people I know in real life, which also helps makes it more fun.

Last year was our first season.. 18 teams, and we all played each other once. There were no playoffs; The team with the best record was declared the champion (with points scored being the tie-breaker). So that was one weird method I used: A soccer league system for Fantasy Football.

I finished tied for the best overall record, but took 2nd based on points scored. I did this despite the fact I refused to have players from the following teams on my roster:

-Rams
-49ers
-Cardinals
-Steelers
-Cowboys
-Raiders

That's almost a 5th of the league! Plus, I was bested by a team that had Adrian Peterson, Tom Brady and Randy Moss... Hard to beat that trio.

I also set up some non-conventional rules.. I don't want to bore you, but one thing I did in the league was adjust the QB scoring so fuck-ups (sacks, INTs, incompletions) were harshly punished, making accurate, West Coast style QBs more valuable... Gee, I wonder why I'd do that? :-]

Anyway, as we get closer to leagues starting up again, I'm interested in how y'all look at fantasy football. Are you into it? Do you hate it? Do you play for money?

Discuss away!

3 comments:

SaraMichelle said...

I played last year for the first time. I was HORRIBLE at it. I think I finsihed with a .500 record and didn't make the playoffs.

It was fun, yes, but seemed awfully pointless. Maybe it would have been more fun had I played in your league. I don't really know.

Misfit said...

I've been playing since the 90's, when you did it through the mail. Now, it's become one of my favorite hobbies. I love that you didn't draft Rams, Raiders, etc. That rules! Anyway, I play to win. In my most recent draft (today), I actually drafted Ben Roethlisberger (and almost puked for doing it.) Fortunately, I promptly followed that up with a certain accurate, West-coast style QB you may know. Note: details are good. I'm far more bored with drama and divas than the details of league setups.

Ramona P. said...

For those of you who want the details on how my league works, here you go:

Draft Type: Autopick Draft
Max Teams: 18
Scoring Type: Head-to-Head
Start Scoring on: Week 1
Can't Cut List Provider: Yahoo! Sports
Max Moves: No maximum
Max Trades: No maximum
Trade Reject Time: 1
Trade End Date: November 28, 2008
Trade Review: League Votes
Waiver Time: 1 day
Post Draft Players: Follow Waiver Rules
Playoffs: None
Roster Positions: QB, WR, RB, TE, W/R, W/R, W/R, W/R, K, DEF, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN
Stat Categories: Completions (0.50)
Incomplete Passes (-0.50)
Passing Yards (15 yards per point; 10 points at 300 yards; 15 points at 350 yards; 20 points at 400 yards)
Passing Touchdowns (6)
Interceptions (-5)
Sacks (-2)
Rushing Attempts (0.25)
Rushing Yards (10 yards per point; 10 points at 100 yards; 15 points at 150 yards; 20 points at 200 yards)
Rushing Touchdowns (6)
Receptions (1)
Reception Yards (8 yards per point; 10 points at 100 yards; 15 points at 150 yards; 20 points at 200 yards)
Reception Touchdowns (6)
2-Point Conversions (2)
Fumbles (-2)
Fumbles Lost (-3)
Field Goals 0-19 Yards (1)
Field Goals 20-29 Yards (2)
Field Goals 30-39 Yards (3)
Field Goals 40-49 Yards (4)
Field Goals 50+ Yards (10)
Field Goals Missed 0-19 Yards (-10)
Field Goals Missed 20-29 Yards (-5)
Field Goals Missed 30-39 Yards (-4)
Field Goals Missed 40-49 Yards (-3)
Field Goals Missed 50+ Yards (-1)
Point After Attempt Made (1)
Point After Attempt Missed (-10)
Sack (2)
Interception (5)
Fumble Recovery (5)
Touchdown (8)
Safety (2)
Points Allowed 0 points (30)
Points Allowed 1-6 points (25)
Points Allowed 7-13 points (20)
Points Allowed 14-20 points (5)
Points Allowed 21-27 points (-5)
Points Allowed 28-34 points (-20)
Points Allowed 35+ points (-30)
Fractional Points: Yes
Negative Points: Yes