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THE DRAFT
3. This year's draft will be held on Saturday evening September 3rd, time TBA, at League Headquarters and by phone conference or private Internet "Chat Room" communication with the Commissioner.
4. Each team will randomly get a number (see "stock market" method described below). The number will become both the team's identifying number (for scheduling purposes) and it's draft order. The draft will follow the numerical sequence for the 1st round, then reverse for the 2nd round (1-10, then 10-1) and so forth in each odd and even round. Your Draft Number will also be your Team Number, and will determine your schedule and who your rookies are.
5. Draft order: Let the Stock Market decide. In Lottery-Saturday's (July 2, 2005) Seattle P.I. Dow Jones Averages (for Friday's close) look at the last digits in each number going across. In the example above, in red, they are: 2, 3, 9, 2, 7 --- 1, 7, 1, 3, 5 --- 8, 3, 2, 0, 8 --- 4, 8, 6, 3, 9 --- then (if necessary) the next to last: 7, 7, 7, 7, 4 and 1, 7, 9, 4, 3, etc.
These numbers, as they appear on Lottery Saturday, will be matched, as they first occur, to owners' first names in alphabetical order: (1)Dave F.; (2)Dave G.; (3)Dennis; (4)Don; (5)Dot: (6)Gary; (7)Jon; (8)Kent; (9)Kurt, and; (0)Mike, if those are, indeed, the owners. In this example, then, the draft order would have been: 2, 3, 9, 7, 1, 5, 8, 0, 4, 6 or: Dave G.; Don; Kurt; Jon; Dave F.; Dennis; Kent, Mike; Dot and; Ol' Beetlebomb, Gary. What will it be on Saturday, July 2nd? Good luck! (Except to "Gaffe" Gary.)
6. The draft, to be held just before the regular season begins, will consist of twelve rounds. Each franchise owner will select 11 actual NFL players and 1 defensive team. Each team must consist of: 2 Quarterbacks (QB), 3 Running Backs (RB), 3 Wide Receivers (WR), 1 Tight End (TE), 1 Kicker (K), 1 entire NFL team Defense (D), and 1 Alternate (A) of your choice (any position).
7. Unless caught immediately, your mistakes are yours. Duplicates go the first team drafting that player. Once the draft order has been determined, but before the draft has begun, it is acceptable for teams to trade draft positions and/or rookies. Any such transactions shall hold for the duration of the draft, not just for individual rounds. In addition, teams trading initial draft order have also traded team numbers, thereby affecting league scheduling. BE PREPARED! PAY ATTENTION! HAVE A SYSTEM!
Unless you announce differently at the conclusion of the draft, your week #1 lineup will be your highest draft choice(s) in each position. We play soon after, you know, so there'll be no publication of the rosters (except for on the Rosters Page and the CBS site)! If you want to know your opponent's lineup, pay attention! Take notes.
SCHEDULING
8. The League schedule of weekly match-ups has been set prior to the random selection of team numbers and the draft to ensure fairness. Based on the ten team league and a 17 week season, each team will play each of the other 9 teams (except one) twice. (Some lucky team will only have to play the LegionVII juggernaut once.) This year's team # pairings are the same as in years past (since the NFL dropped the second Bye Week).
SCORING
9. League standings will be based on the League Point System. Teams will receive 20 points for a win and 10 points for a tie (losses get what they deserve, which is nothing). Each team will also receive bonus points based on their team's relative scoring output for the week.
Each week, the team with the highest league score will receive 10 Bonus Points. The second highest league score will receive 9 points, next 8, and so on. The lowest scoring team will receive 1 bonus point. 155 "League Points" will, therefore, be awarded each week, total.
10. Individual Scoring:
a. QB's get 4 points for a TD pass, 2 points for 300 yards passing, and 1 point for each additional 100 yards passing. Rushing and receiving rules also apply, but only passing yards count.
b. And any player, not only QBs, will get the 4 points if they throw a TD pass (the Dave Meggett Rule). Laterals are NOT passes (the Keith Jackson Rule).
c. RB's, WR's and TE's get 6 points for a TD run or reception, 2 points for 100 yards, and 1 point for each additional 50 yards. Rushing and receiving yards are aggregated (that means added together, Kurt).
d. K's get all points they score: 1 for PATs and 3 for FGs. Rushing, receiving, and passing rules also apply.
e. Two-point conversions: by rushing, the ball carrier gets 2 points; by passing, the passer and receiver each get 1 point.
f. Defenses get 6 points for interceptions, fumbles or blocked kicks returned or covered in the end zone for TD's; and 2 points for safeties.
g. Special Teams' points do not count. However, if an offensive player on your active team roster scores a special teams TD, the points WILL count (a WR returning a punt, for example) but NOT the return yards.
h. The rule of thumb to follow on kicks is: As soon as the ball leaves the FOOT, the punting/kicking team becomes a Defensive team. Blocked kicks run back for TD's DO count as defensive scores, however.
11. (a) The total of all points scored by your declared 8-man starting line-up equals your team's score for the week. This score, when compared to your opponent's total score, will determine the winner of the week's match-up.
(b) Team Owners are not required to check the scores of their own games but, since mistakes can occur, they are encouraged to do so. In order to be verified and corrected, any suspected scoring mistake(s) in one week must be reported to the Commissioner prior to the conclusion of play of, and publication of the results for, the following week's games. After that, they stand as published.
12. Final League standings are determined by total "League Points" from wins and ties plus bonus points, NOT the win-loss record. Of the $750 pot, the winner gets $250; 2nd - $190; 3d - $135; 4th - $100, and; 5th - $75. The COUCHARDI TROPHY (replica of the LOMBardi trophy) will pass to the first place team; the Runner-Up Trophy to 2nd; and the Turd Place Trophy to 3rd. We now have trophies for Fort Place and Fifth Place. If last place is bad enough, they might get a Dead Last "trophy," too.
13. When determining bonus points, if two or more teams tie in weekly total point scoring, the points for those positions will be split. For example: Two teams each score 25 points which ranks as second highest in league scoring for the week. These teams split the bonus points for places 2 and 3 (9 and 8 bonus points). That is, 17 points divided by 2 = 8 1/2 bonus points each.
14. The tie breaker for year-end final standings and pay-offs will be the teams' League W/L record; then head-to-head point differential; then total team points scored. If still tied, the pay-off will be split.
TRANSACTIONS
15. Simply stated, a "transaction" occurs any time you add a player to your roster, and it costs $2.00. You can add a player either by trading with another team or by picking up a free agent. Dropping a player costs nothing. Moving a player on or off I/R, or promoting from Rookie status, costs nothing.
16. Single week replacement players may be acquired for "bye" weeks (those instances when one of your roster players will be unavailable due to his NFL team having a bye that week) at a cost of $1.00 each per week. If you later choose to keep your bye player, it will cost you $2.00 additional. A maximum of 12 players, plus 2 rookies (DEF = 1 "player") are allowed on your full team roster at any time, plus up to a maximum of 2 players on injured reserve (IR) and your "bye" guys, if any.
17. Teams that have acquired a free agent for a "bye" week retain preferred status with respect to that player. As such, the team may choose to keep the player, either permanently ($2.00) or on continued "bye" status ($1.00), by informing the Commissioner within the first hour of the Monday transaction window. Failure to so notify the Commissioner leads to forfeiture of all rights to the player. Bye players must play, they cannot simply be held on the roster.
18. The Transaction Window - the time when you may pick up/drop players - will be Monday 8:30 - 10:30 PM, Pacific Time. In practice, the Commissioner will accept proposed changes at any time, if you get hold of him, but not after 10:30 PM Monday, and players will not be awarded until the Transaction Window. (See exception - Rule #23 below.)
19. During the first hour of transactions (Monday 8:30 - 9:30), teams attempting to pick up the same free agent will be placed in a lottery, with the desired player being awarded to the team lowest in the current (the previous week's) League standings. Any players sought after 9:30 Monday are available on a first come, first gets basis.
20. No trades will be allowed after transactions close for week #14.
21. Final weekly Playing Rosters must be designated, by phone, FAX, eMail or on the CBS site, before 9:00 PM Thursday (or before kickoff of any games played on a Thursday).
If you fail to notify the Commissioner of roster changes by the deadline, your previous week's Playing Roster will remain in effect. The Monday night window for transactions is, obviously, a time "before 9:00 PM Thursday," so you may give your lineups then, at least tentatively, if you wish, and still make changes up to the Thursday deadline. In fact, we'd prefer it that way.
Teams are encouraged to have, or find access to, the Internet and an eMail address (Hey! This IS the '00s.) The active (playing) rosters for all teams will be electronically distributed by noon on Fridays. FAX service can be arranged for local-area numbers, or you could always call League HQ (or your opponent of the week) to get the information. Surely everyone can at least find a friend, neighbor or acquaintance who is "wired" online and will receive the info for you.
INJURED PLAYERS
22. Injured players listed as "out" (due to injury) in the published N.F.L. Injury Report may be placed on injured reserve and replaced by free agents. Players listed as "questionable" or "doubtful" are not eligible for IR, but one "no-stats" week is sufficient evidence of IR status. A max of two (2) IRs may be carried on a team's Roster.
23. (Exception to Rule #18 above) If (and only if) a player becomes listed as, or known to be, definitely "OUT" subsequent to close of the week's Transaction Window; and the team has a full roster but no other player with which to replace him (he is the team's only TE, for instance); then a free agent may be acquired as if under the Bye Player rules (#16 & 17) at any time prior to Thursday's Playing Roster designation deadline.
24. If a team has an IR player that becomes eligible to play and the team has not reclaimed him (and dropped another player to make roster room for him, if that's necessary) that previous IR player becomes a free agent without notice. "Eligible" means he got some kind of official stat. - that is, he handled the ball. Such players are not available to other teams until the last half-hour of the next Transaction Window (10:00 - 10:30) or, if he gets his stats in the Monday game, not until the next week's Transaction Window, at which applicable time (and thereafter) he will be allocated as any other free agent would have been. Until claimed by another team, he may remain on IR status with his original team.
25. Late roster changes (after the Thursday deadline), for whatever valid reason, can be requested by calling the opposing owner prior to game time for concurrence (The Sterling Sharpe Rule). This exception is intended for infrequent "emergency" use when late information influences a roster decision, and you must be able to explain the request in those terms. The Commissioner must also be notified ASAP, but no later than the Monday "window", for the change to be effective, and he may veto the change if, in his view, it was not made according to the sporting spirit of this exception or if this exception is being overused or abused. Non-roster players can be inserted only if you have a full roster but still have nobody to take his place.
MISCELLANEOUS
26. In some cases, players may be used at different positions. For example, a running back may occasionally line up as a tight end or receiver. If there is a question as to what roster position a given player can occupy on a team, the Commissioner and/or Rules Committee will make a ruling (the Eric Metcalf rule).
27. The role of the Commissioner is to: (a) conduct the draft; (b) track team scoring and league standings; (c:) manage and update the League's Web site; and (d) administer the League itself.
28. During the course of the season, previously unconsidered issues and controversies invariably arise. Time allowing, the Commissioner will first consult with the Rules Committee, a majority ruling. However, should an immediate decision be necessary, the Commissioner has the authority to issue situation rulings in order to expedite League business.
Situational rulings of the Commissioner are final and may not be appealed. However, rules which contradict the Commissioner's original ruling may be subsequently adopted for later application after consultation with the Rules Committee.
THE RULES COMMITTEE
29. The Rules Committee (One Owner or his/her designee or proxy from each team) has responsibility for evaluating potential rule changes and adopting new rules or rule changes in order to expedite the management of the league and ensure fairness (when it feels like it). Teams are encouraged to bring potential rule changes to the attention of the Commissioner for possible Rules Committee consideration.
ROOKIES
30. We will take the top 40 offensive players taken in the N.F.L. draft and allocate them to our teams (4 per team). These will be assigned in inverse F.F.L. draft order (final team number) so Team #1, for example, will be assigned the 10th, 11th, 30th and 31st offensive players picked.
31. Teams will keep all 4 Rookies until after the last N.F.L. exhibition game, at which time we must cut to 2 rookies. If you do not notify the Commissioner otherwise, before Tuesday, August 30th, he will drop the lower 2 picks for you.
You may trade Rookies at any time, or even play them, but you must make room for those you play on your regular roster and, having once played them, they may not subsequently be returned to your Rookie Roster until dropped and one full Transaction window has elapsed (except, if you must have one, you may use them as a bye replacement). Rookies acquired or traded-for may stay on Rookie Rosters within limits of the 2 allowed to be carried.
Rookies not originally allocated are, and those dropped or cut become, free agents.
ROSTERS
32. You are not required to have a full roster (except to use Rules #23 and #25). The numbers (Rules 6 and 16) are maximums only. You are not even required to field a full (eight-man) squad (1 QB; 2 RB; 2 WR; 1 TE; 1K, and; 1 D) each week. But if, for instance, your K has a bye, he can't kick 'em very well from his living room, can he?
When you're trying to pick up a free agent (even during "first-come-gets" time) it's a good idea to have backup choices in mind in case you don't get your first choice, especially if FAXing, eMailing or leaving an answering-machine message. Calling a few minutes early won't work, either. The Commissioner's clock is always right.
And, please, make sure the pick(s) isn't (aren't) already on another team's roster (don't forget ALT's, IRs, Rookies and BYE's). Commish will try to catch duplications and other mistakes you might try to make but, ultimately, you are responsible. (Please also try to avoid using the phrase, "We'll see," in your conversations with the Commish. This overused statement of the obvious gives him heartburn.)
EXPENSES
34. a. Transaction fees will be collected periodically during the season. Due dates are October 26th and December 30th. The "fine" for late/non payment is a deduction of one (1) point from the delinquent team's weekly point total for each dollar ($), or portion thereof, it is in arrears until paid.
b. The Commissioner will be paid a token $1.00 per week to come from transaction fees only (Franchise Fees are all guaranteed in season-end "stipends").
c. The Commissioner, and the last-place team as of that week, do not pay a transaction fee for their first transaction each week. These are referred to as the "Perk" and the "Pits" transactions.
d. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (printing, Web site management, etc.) will also be recompensed from transaction fees only. Records will be kept for any owner's scrutiny.
SCOREBOARD & STANDINGS | "LAST WEEK" Commentary
TRANSACTIONS | ROSTERS | PREVIOUS WEEKS
RULES & REGULATIONS | FFL / NFL SCHEDULES | OWNER DIRECTORY
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