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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

High Stakes Fantasy Football

Do you think you're good at fantasy football? Do you always seem to do well in your local league or free Yahoo or ESPN league? Eventually, the really skilled fantasy players get to the point where they crave a challenge that goes beyond beating up on their local buddies. Let's face it, the "dope factor" can be pretty high in these leagues sometimes. Sure it's fun to take their money and run, but don't you crave something more of a challenge? It may be time you promote yourself to the big leagues and take on some of the "big boys" of fantasy football. If you have the means to do so (meaning cash), it can be a fun ride knocking heads with some seasoned fantasy players. There is an opportunity for a big payday, but the overall experience is priceless. It is important to note that just because these are national competitions, it doesn't mean that everyone's skill level is off the charts. Rather, these are open invitation type leagues where anyone with enough money can get into them. You will find players with different levels experience, so if you are at all intimidated, don't be. Jump into the ring. If you do well in your "smaller" leagues, you are likely to fare well in one of these high profile competitions as well.


There are three well known high stakes leagues:


The number of high stakes leagues is growing (and some others have previously been started and failed), but these three represent the ones that are most established. Each one has, at its core, a "main event type" competition where hundreds of teams compete against each other for a chance at a big payday. They all follow a similar model. Quite simply, win your individual league, then move on to the championship round where all of the league champs (and high point scorers) are lumped together to battle for the grand prize. Each offers a consolation championship round as well, where entrants battle for lesser prizes. Consider it an NIT bracket.


All the gory details of fees and prizes are available on each event's website. In this article, we'll try to touch on the items which distinguish each from the other.


AFFL - American Fantasy Football League


    Draft


    This is an on-line only league, meaning that the draft is conducted exclusively over the internet. The draft engine itself is pretty slick (and powered by MockDraftCentral by the way). When you register for your league, you are assigned to a 12 team league and are generated a random draft slot. Various dates and times are available for the drafts, which makes it convenient to fit into one's schedule.


    Prize Payouts


    There are various levels of play, distinguished by their entry fee and total prize payout. AFFL prize payouts are top heavy. In other words, a higher percentage of the overall league fees taken in are put toward the overall top prize in each level. Here is a cross reference of how things were distributed last year.







































Level Entry Fee #Leagues Filled League Champ $$ Overall Champ $$
Platinum $1,200 7 $3,300 $47,000
Gold$50011$1,350$31,600
Silver$15077$400$40,000
Bronze$10020$250$25,000


    Note: It seems they actually lost money on the bronze payouts last year given the number of entrants. But that's the cost of building a strong reputation and business sometimes.



    Scoring


    Notable scoring elements include point per reception, 6 points per passing TD, and signifcant points given (or subtracted) for points allowed on defense.


    Intangibles



    If you can't swing the travel expenses and time committments associated with the other two events, this is a good alternative. However, it doesn't have the same feel as NFFC or WCOFF, in that it lacks the personal attachment you get with the other ones because you are drafting live, are part of a weekend long event, and can establish relationships with all the other fantasy football enthusiasts.



WCOFF - World Championship of Fantasy Football


    Draft


    The draft is held live in different cities. Originally offered only in Las Vegas, it is now offered in Atlantic City and Orlando as well. Because the draft is held on the first Saturday of the football season, there is already one game completed of the NFL season. This is somewhat odd in that you know the results of certain players, albeit for just one game, before you draft them. The draft is held in a large ballroom, with each league set up side by side, all drafting at the same time. It is quite a spectacle and you really feel part of something special. As your league drafts, you can't help but be distracted (in a good way) by the names of the same players being called out at the table next to you. It's interesting to walk around and see the differences in position runs, and overall draft spots of various players. Who went at #4? How early did Peyton Manning go? How long did Tony Gonzalez last until? Each league is different.


    Prize Payouts


    WCOFF offers the single largest prize payout of the three leagues discussed. Last year the winner took home $200,000. This year, they are targeting a payout of $300,000. Last year there were 70 leagues in the main event. Entry fee is around $1600 per team. There is also an additional fee if you want to bring along a co-owner.
    The top 3 winners of each individual league take home $7,000 , $2,500 , and $500 respectively for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes, after they have competed head to head for the first 11 weeks of the season. As mentioned previously, league finalists advance to the championship rounds to compete for the overall top prize of $300,000.
    It is worth noting that WCOFF pays out prize money for various other accomplishments during the season. Overall top scoring league, for instance takes home $11,000 for distribution among teams finishing 2nd thru 12th. And if you are the overall high point scorer in the event, there's and extra $5,000 waiting for you.


    Scoring


    The system for this competetion is based on a point per reception model. It has widely been adopted in fantasy circles and is simply referred to as the WCOFF system.


    Intangibles


    WCOFF provides several offshoot competitions that you can participate in beyond the main event. They also have auction leagues and draftmasters leagues that you can participate if you like. But even if you just stick to the main event, your fantasy football season will extend beyond the regular 11 week season. Anyone not qualifying for the championship brackets will be put into the giveaway bracket with a chance to win free entry into the following year's event. Plus, everyone in the main event also gets to participate in One and Done contest as well as a Postseason contest. A $500 prize is awarded to top finishers in either of these events.


    Participitation in WCOFF comes with a whole lot of fun beyond the actual fantasy football leagues themselves. There are scheduled parties before and after the draft as well. These provide additional opportunity for getting together with the competition.


    The Atlantic City event is less of a spectacle based on reviews by past participants. So if you're thinking about entering, shoot for Vegas. It's the perfect setting for this event.


NFFC - National Fantasy Football Championship

    Note: We've never actually participated in this event, so we'll just stick to some of the key differences from the WCOFF. However, based on the feedback from participants, this event is every bit as enjoyable as the WCOFF. It's a bit smaller, about half the overall size in terms of participants.

    Draft


    The draft, like WCOFF, is held live in different cities, including Vegas. However, this event is held BEFORE the season actually starts, so there's no influence from actual results. Each league consists of 14 teams, instead of 12.

    Prize Payouts

    A bit less straightforward for league payouts than WCOFF, but first place gets $5,000, second gets $2,500 , third gets $500. Another $2,500 is awarded to whomever is the overall Head-To-Head and points scorer in their league. (See their site for more specifics on this).

    Scoring


    Scoring twists include 6 points per passing TD, and only a half point per reception for running backs.

    Intangibles

    Give points to NFFC for innovation. They're not just out there trying to copy the WCOFF. They're forward thinking and applying some new techniques that hard core fantasy footballers will appreciate. In an attempt to minimize the fabled advantage of having the top picks in the draft, this year they are implementing a "Third Round Reversal" pattern in running the draft. This allows the bottom of the draft order to begin Round 3 after also starting Round 2. It's one way to balance the talent in a 14-team league. See their website for more details


To sum it up, the choice is yours with where you would like to head. If you just want to get your feet wet with WCOFF or NFFC, you might want to try some of the various on-line satellite leagues that they also offer.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Patriots + Randy Moss = Deadly


Holy MossMask Batman!


Talk about the icing on the cake after an impressive NFL Free Agent season. People have talked about Tom Brady in "Montana-Like" terms in the past, but now the Patriots have surrounded him with an arsenal as potent as the legendary 49ers.


For a meager 4th round pick, the Patriots picked up a potentially deadly receiver. Put this bargain into perspective; the gave up a 2nd AND 7th round pick for Wes Welker.

We saw what the Patriots were able to accomplish last year with 2nd tier wideouts like Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney (who the Eagles discarded like rotten milk earlier in the season). Now they have more receivers than they know what to do with. Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Kelley Washington, Wes Welker, and toss in Gaffney and Caldwell at the bottom.


Not only does this make their receiving corps fearsome, but this takes the radar off of Ben Watson, who underachieved last year somewhat. Laurence Maroney benefits as well. Defenses won't be able to concentrate on Maroney, having to cover explosive receivers all over the field.


Don't expect Moss's production to look like it did during his Minnesota years, however. He'll be good for 60-70 catches and 8 TDs, and has returned to legitimate No. 1 receiver status. The fantasy jackpot previously forecasted for Donte Stallworth needs to be reigned in a bit. Brady can only throw the ball so much. Factor in Donte's perrenial injury bug, and he'll be looking at around 50 balls and 4-6 TDs (but they'll be long ones for those of you who benefit from long TD's).


Kudos to the Patriots, the odds on favorite to win it all. I hope the Colts enjoyed their moment in the sun.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Brady Quinn - Notre Dame Loser


As a long time critic of the Notre Dame propaganda machine, it was enjoyable to watch Brady Quinn sit there and rot as team after team passed him over in favor of players with genuine talent.

I'm pretty sure I caught his girlfriend Lindy catching the eye of Jamarcus Russell and giving him a wink once or twice, in attempt to "trade up" herself to a bigger meal ticket for the future.

Eventually, Brady was selected, and although he claims that the Browns are the team he wanted to go to, I'm not buying it. Cleveland is quarterback purgatory. Even quarterbacks with real talent, like Jeff Garcia, can go there an look bad. Brady will follow a long line of losers....Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Charlie Frye, and whatever other stiffs they threw out there in between those "starters".

We predict Brady's career to follow a similar career path of another overhyped Notre Dame loser, Rick Mirer.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Jeff Garcia...He's No Homo

Despite circumstantial evidence like this picture, and the fact that his NFL tenure began in San Francisco, his play at the end of the season suggests some manliness after all.

Meanwhile, his biggest "fan", Terrell Owens was taking it easy in his hyperbaric chamber, watching Jeff lead the Eagles on a strong playoff run. Garcia is off to Tampa to spread some love there, but the Eagles picked up that stud Kelly Holcomb, so there is some worry about QB depth.

Speaking of T.O and hyperbaric chambers, doesn't Michael Jackson use one of those? Maybe the next installment of the "Little T" childrens books series will be, "Little T Visits Neverland."