Dwight's desk in the bathroom is still the best prank of dear ol' Jim's. Though, I still find the adding nickels to Dwight's phone weighing it down until eventually they are all removed and he hits himself in the face with the receiver the funniest moment we haven't seen.
Here I go again on my own Going down the only road I've ever known Like drifter I was born to walk alone And I've made up my mind I ain't wastin no more time I'm gonna miss the playoffs ... again
Poor Eli. Losing and singing Whitesnake. A lethal combo.
Also, I wish to throw something out there. I love football, dearly, and have not left my computer during the early games in glee. That said, this is nowhere near the competitive instinct it once was, with Ed pretty much dominating and everyone else battling for second place.
Is it so far-fetched to propose a "keeper reset," thus allowing us to start anew say, every five years?
I know it sounds like sour grapes because I'm the guy whose top player is retiring, and I obviously don't want to detract from the job Ed has done to build a dyansty. We applaud. But wouldn't it be better for everyone if we just started over, re-invigorating the excitement of the league a little bit?
Certainly, we could do this in the other sports as well. Again, I really don't want to discredit the job Ed has done (or Eli in baseball, for that matter), and I'm not saying we'd have to do this for next year. But what about eventually? Can we at least talk about it?
I was thinking about something like that just this week, JR.
I'm sure that it does sound like sour grapes, but Jesus, look at Ed's team. Despite his constant paranoia about his own team, let's all realize that he has one loss this year. And I had to go off and SET A LEAGUE RECORD in points just to do it.
There's no competition anymore. And I think that interest is rapidly declining because of Ed's team; who actually feels like putting a lot of time into things when we all know that Ed is going to own the top two fantasy players for the next 5-6 years?
It's just something to think about, but I have no idea how we're supposed to maintain interest anymore. Next year will roll around, and everyone will get excited for the first few weeks, and then when Ed has 472 points and is 3-0, we'll all become apathetic and the VUFSA will continue to die just a little bit more.
Maybe the problem is not Ed's team but the system. What if we went to a salary cap-type league, where if one wanted to own LaDainian and Larry Johnson he might have to play with 7 guys because he wouldn't be able to afford a full roster after paying those two salaries.
Even as I type, I'm not thrilled about the idea but the mercy rule keeper reset takes us farther from reality.
I take pride in the fact that my team sucks balls, and I am rapidly making it not suck balls.
And I don't think it's fair to Ed, even though I'm in last place, pretty much. Why should he be penalized for taking Larry Johnson at the bottom of the draft, or for taking a chance on an injured Steve Smith?
I'm against a reset, and my vote should count for two since I should be the one all for it.
It's not like Ed is being penalized. He's won a couple football titles and will garner a third. How long are we going to throw our money away?
I know it looks like I'm going after Ed, but honestly, I'm not. It really is about having a competitive league again. How long do you want to be a bottom feeder, Tomke, before you even SNIF the playoffs?
I like Lincoln's idea of a salary cap league. It would require a little more thought from week to week, and you'd be forced to search for bargains to fill out your roster.
It makes the most sense here in football, because the talent pool is so thin.
And Tomke, your team doesn't suck balls. You've made it to the point where you're pretty much in the middle of the league -- and congrats for that.
But JR is right; we're pretty much throwing our money away in football.
So, once again, I'm on board with Lincoln's cap game idea.
I just got home and I have to say that I agree with Dave. I also disagree that this whole discussion isn't about punishing me. I didn't hear a peep the last two baseball seasons- where there were people actually losing interest, not just a vauge feeling that they were.
If you really feel like you're "throwing your money away" then keep it. If I win this football season, I'll have Drew send everyone their five dollars back.
These were the rules from the start of the league, written out and distributed to everyone. No one found a loophole nor did they exploit a rule; everything's been above the table. Only Dave and Baron started at a disadvantage, and both of them have talented rosters in each sport after a one-year initiation.
Champ's got Joseph Addai, Frank Gore and Laurence Maroney lined up for the next forever. Why should he have to give that up? People retire. (Tiki) People get hurt. (Priest Holmes) People fall off the map. (Curtis Martin) Everything is cyclical, and if this is really a long-term league then this irritation is only short-term.
Prefacing things with "this is going to sound like sour grapes" doesn't mean it isn't; this is solely directed at me.
Again, I'm not talking about next season, and I'm not talking about just football. I'm talking about the VUFSA, long term. You guys are looking at it from a short-sighted point of view.
It is not directed at you. Yeah everything is cyclical, but I'm going to be bored as shit playing for years in a league where I have no chance to win. Is that my fault that I'm not as good as Ed? Of course. Should I constantly and each year pay for mistakes I made three or four years ago? I guess what you're saying is, yes.
I think it's time we thought outside the box, no matter what. The "charter" and "rules from the start" are due to be out of date eventually. Every keeper league I know of has some form of reset ... I'm just talking about down the road here, I'm hoping the interest for some people can be restored.
Also, this 'outside the box' garbage about the rules being outdated- I update the soon-to-be-a-dinosaur charter every year and always ask for input. No one ever has any ideas then. No one's ever concerned with a budding dynasty until we're actually facing one. Very convinient with the timing.
Yes, it's because nobody wants to sift through goddamned CHARTER for a fantasy sports league. Except you. It stops being fun when there are so many rules attached, you have to consult a lawyer before starting the season.
I honestly just thought it might be fun to shuffle some players around, and maybe have a chance to land a top-tier guy.
That's why I usually compete in a Yahoo public league each year -- just so I can be in a draft where every player is "available." But I don't know those guys, so it's not as much fun as this league.
That was my only point, from the beginning -- sort of a "wouldn't that be fun?" deal.
But nevermind that sentiment. Apparently I just wanted to ruin Ed's Sunday afternoon.
Or for god sake, don't let what's written on this (ahem, blog about a fantasy sports league) site ruin your day. Did you just compare yourself to ValpoRick?
I'm coming clean, whether or not Eli wants me to. I don't think we should reset keepers (not REALLY, anyway). I drummed it up. It was a gag. Maybe it went too far.
If we did reset keepers (and it's not a terrible idea. If it were, I don't think this would have been funny), it would purely be because we had some new owners, needed a simple change of landscape and just wanted to have some extra fun. It would not be because of a competitive balance issue.
Did I know a suggested revamping to this league would pique Ed's interest? Yes. Totally. Did I know it would get him that riled up, not really. Sorry about that. I mean, it's still hilarious, just not as hilarious. It's still pretty hilarious, though.
I just like keeping everyone, Ed and all, on their toes. I have a guy in my office who takes fantasy sports so seriously, he feels personally attacked (more than anyone here does) when someone makes a trade offer he considers lopsided. HE WILL STOP SPEAKING TO PEOPLE AS A RESULT. Such absurdity. Perhaps I am just making sure we realize every now and again that it's not something that should be taken to that level.
So all I'm saying is that every now and then, we shouldn't be so married to the current way the league is operated. I think a keeper reset is a decent idea, even if I'm not interested in seeing it for a while. And I see a purpose for the charter, by the way. And no, I'm not really planning on leaving. But I did have fun pretending.
Usually when I leave the open thread and come back to 30+ new ones, I'm laughing hysterically at the end of it. Now, as I return from my walk through Hollywood and damn I wish it were 75 degrees in Minnesota, I find this unfunny thread. I fault all of you who have contributed, especially ValpoRick whose mere existence causes all of us so much pain.
Let's talk about this week. Ok, having now consulted StaTracker, maybe we shouldn't. 49 to 41? Good lord? I mean I never had a chance to begin with but for "Ed's game" to warrant nearly 100 points is ludicrious.
Hey, Stem had a damn good week and I am STRUGGLING to get past him. But yes, playing Stem is fun. Playing Dynasty Ed, next week, will be less pleasing.
Don't "dynasty" Ed just yet. Brandon Jacobs has one touchdown already, and if Ed's dream comes true with Jacobs punching in another 8, I will only be down 43.
Did I tell you about that dream I had? The one where Brandon tears his ACL? And then gets eaten by a shark, escorted to the field by my third grade recess lady, Ms. Thompson. Dreams are weird.
Am I the only one that's disappointed that this conversation about the VUFSA's future has ended? Especially since I guess it was all a joke, which in the realm of bad endings ranks right up there with The Village.
I think all anyone's interested in is parity. It's not fun to blow someone out, it's not fun to be blown out. I shouldn't be given any advantage over Ed and Eli, because they're good and I suck, no question. But if the end result is that I never contend, lose interest and leave, is that better? Maybe's that the nature of the game.
I'm not complaining about how things have been done so far, because I've had no more constructive criticism on the charter than anyone else, but I don't think anyone should take personal offense about a discussion on how to make the league more exciting in the future.
Like I said, I don't think a keeper reset is a horrible idea. There's no way, since it wasn't presented before the year, that it would work for next season anyway, with much of this year's dealings reflecting the assumed nature of next year's.
I agree, however, that it should be considered. There are several factors in play, and I will list them, knowing full well that people may get insulted. And some, turned on.
1. Voiding a keeper league will always piss someone off, such as Ed in football, Eli in baseball, and everyone except me in basketball. We would have to get over that hurdle, and owners in power would need to be willing to make sacrifices. Just a fact, not saying it will or won't happen.
2. I do think in the long run changes will be necessary to keep everyone interested. That said (again, don't hate me), I don't think the current owners will last in the long run either. Too many variables in life, liberty, and the pursuit of small properties in temperate climates. The turnover of owners (while undesirable, is almost certain) could eventually cause a de facto keeper reset. Furtermore, owners without internet are potential impeachment candidates. I may have made that last part up. May have.
3. In addition to No. 2, I'm not sure we necessarily always need to play three leagues. Eli will roll his eyes because I say it often, but I am so apathetic about basketball that I check my fantasy hockey team first. I don't care about the hockey team, either. I don't even know who half my guys are. If I didn't have to play basketball next year, I wouldn't care, and I'm sure there are others like me. Maybe the same for baseball. Probably not football. If the football and baseball (or even just football) persevered from the VUFSA by themselves, it could still be just as fun as it always is.
4. I feel, in a perfect world, every owner would take his turn at being title-competitive in a sport, and I have to think if it doesn't happen, it's either because of bad luck across the board or a lack of interested involvement. Ed has a right to say, "You aren't as good because you haven't been as involved." He may have a point, (or in Lincoln's case, may be minimizing the impact of super bad luck). Either way the question should be asked: does that natural imbalance merit a do-over, or should it simply be natural selection forever? I am on the fence. Natural selection makes me think of dodo birds.
As lt. commish, I feel I should weigh in on the matter.
I hate the idea of a keeper reset. To me, that is what makes this league so interesting and worth playing are the keepers. Virtually every trade in this league is made with the thought to the keeper value of those involved and countless other involve the leveraging of draft picks. To suddenly stop having "next year" to consider in transactions completely changes the game as a whole. Even with the idea of making it more fair and fun for everyone the next season, I find that this absolutely would not be the case. Losing teams that (for example) start out 0-3 and have no shot at the playoffs are therefore rendered a lost season. This season, I still have had fun turning over my roster and planning for next season, something I would not have otherwise been able to do if we were to reset things next season (that I've had a surge of success with poor scores is irrelevant as I am not going to win this league).
As for the interesting placement of natural selection in terms of VUFSA fantasy success, I am whole heartedly on one side of the fence and that being imbalance. The communistic sharing of talent defeats the purpose of the keeper league. Today we saw Clinton Portis break his hand and if next week we saw Ladanian Tomlinson break his, the race for the championship tightens up considerably. If Priest Holmes doesn't have his concussion, Lincoln is a different bracket and Larry Johnson is irrelevant. So much can change so fast, that I think it's silly for people to throw in the hat either this season or future ones.
Lincoln has had ridiculous bad luck and I genuinely feel bad for his plight. To have two top tier backs go down in Priest Holmes and Domanick Davis is devestating for sure. But at the same time, he still has relevant pieces and can turn guys like Boldin, McNabb, Lewis into multiple keepers next season. I did something similar in trading off Warrick Dunn for guys like Jones-Drew and DeAngelo Williams. If Lincoln chooses to hold onto his current team, that's a risk he's willing to take heading into next season. While everyone has an opinion, this blog also screams at teams when opportunity is knocking as how many times have we said Stem should take action to salvage not only this season but next? Why should their chosen inactivity be rewarded with start over to parity?
I disagree with the high turnover mentioned by JR and am not totally sure why that is pertinent to a keeper reset. I for one plan on playing fantasy sports for the rest of my life, and I prefer playing with people I know. Maybe my interest won't be as high with life changes, but I've been a sports fan for 25 years and will continue to be so regardless of moves, jobs, and children. Fantasy sports is an extension of that, and I'm not sure that changing the rules to cater to those less interested is the answer for this league. I would rather find people who want to play a semi-serious level of fantasy sports.
In closing, I don't want to sound as if I'm "that guy" in JR's office who takes this so seriously that he wouldn't speak with anyone else over it. I share Lincoln's sentiment that any discussion of league set up and rules should not offend anyone involved. I'm also not mad at the way Linocln or Stem has managed their teams, as it's their choice (perplexed at times, but never mad). There are pieces in place to make their teams better (Reggie Bush to Tomke) and we even did away with the snake draft to make those back teams better. Ed may win the baseball league next season and it's a testament to his managing during a down year that made it happen. Stem turned a last place year into a runner-up in last season's football league. Turn arounds are abundant and very doable with the current set of rules. I don't want to see Lincoln or Stem leave the league, but I would like to see them take the doable steps to improve their team so that we are talking about a competitve league within the scope of current keeper rules. However, if they aren't having fun and don't want to play, I don't want them to feel an obligation to do so for fear of the wrath of the rest of the league.
Vote no on resolution keeper reset.
And also like JR, I have been drinking, having just finished off a glass of merlot.
Instead of focusing on the first idea suggested (keeper reset), can we discuss whether or not there is room for improvement in our league by any other method? What about a salary cap league? Would that level the playing field and make the competition closer? I'm sure that some other owners have more creative ideas. Maybe we've outgrown our starter Yahoo league and could look to some of the grown-up leagues for ideas.
Anything that has a charter is more "grown up" than about 98 percent of fantasy leagues, for better or worse.
I don't know why I'm so opposed to a salary cap other than I just can't get excited about thinking through the logistics each week. Would we keep the same player values year-to-year. If so, does that penalize the owners who believed in a player when he was not worth as much? Who determines the values? It just sounds complicated. Perhaps that's me not being grown up enough, but I dont wanna.
59 comments:
Michael Scott's ringtone is "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas.
"When you took me to the hospital, and told me that you cared about me."
Dwight's desk in the bathroom is still the best prank of dear ol' Jim's. Though, I still find the adding nickels to Dwight's phone weighing it down until eventually they are all removed and he hits himself in the face with the receiver the funniest moment we haven't seen.
STAPLER IN JELLO
Moving his desk an inch per day.
Personal belongings in the vending machine.
Lots of Johnsons scoring today in KC.
The Dolphins have tried a halfback pass today, AND a flea flicker.
Flea.
Flicker.
I'm losing to Dave.
Clinton Portis broke his hand.
I'm calm.
Here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like drifter I was born to walk alone
And I've made up my mind
I ain't wastin no more time
I'm gonna miss the playoffs
... again
Poor Eli. Losing and singing Whitesnake. A lethal combo.
Also, I wish to throw something out there. I love football, dearly, and have not left my computer during the early games in glee. That said, this is nowhere near the competitive instinct it once was, with Ed pretty much dominating and everyone else battling for second place.
Is it so far-fetched to propose a "keeper reset," thus allowing us to start anew say, every five years?
I know it sounds like sour grapes because I'm the guy whose top player is retiring, and I obviously don't want to detract from the job Ed has done to build a dyansty. We applaud. But wouldn't it be better for everyone if we just started over, re-invigorating the excitement of the league a little bit?
Certainly, we could do this in the other sports as well. Again, I really don't want to discredit the job Ed has done (or Eli in baseball, for that matter), and I'm not saying we'd have to do this for next year. But what about eventually? Can we at least talk about it?
I was thinking about something like that just this week, JR.
I'm sure that it does sound like sour grapes, but Jesus, look at Ed's team. Despite his constant paranoia about his own team, let's all realize that he has one loss this year. And I had to go off and SET A LEAGUE RECORD in points just to do it.
There's no competition anymore. And I think that interest is rapidly declining because of Ed's team; who actually feels like putting a lot of time into things when we all know that Ed is going to own the top two fantasy players for the next 5-6 years?
It's just something to think about, but I have no idea how we're supposed to maintain interest anymore. Next year will roll around, and everyone will get excited for the first few weeks, and then when Ed has 472 points and is 3-0, we'll all become apathetic and the VUFSA will continue to die just a little bit more.
Maybe the problem is not Ed's team but the system. What if we went to a salary cap-type league, where if one wanted to own LaDainian and Larry Johnson he might have to play with 7 guys because he wouldn't be able to afford a full roster after paying those two salaries.
Even as I type, I'm not thrilled about the idea but the mercy rule keeper reset takes us farther from reality.
Fuck that.
I take pride in the fact that my team sucks balls, and I am rapidly making it not suck balls.
And I don't think it's fair to Ed, even though I'm in last place, pretty much. Why should he be penalized for taking Larry Johnson at the bottom of the draft, or for taking a chance on an injured Steve Smith?
I'm against a reset, and my vote should count for two since I should be the one all for it.
It's not like Ed is being penalized. He's won a couple football titles and will garner a third. How long are we going to throw our money away?
I know it looks like I'm going after Ed, but honestly, I'm not. It really is about having a competitive league again. How long do you want to be a bottom feeder, Tomke, before you even SNIF the playoffs?
I like Lincoln's idea of a salary cap league. It would require a little more thought from week to week, and you'd be forced to search for bargains to fill out your roster.
It makes the most sense here in football, because the talent pool is so thin.
And Tomke, your team doesn't suck balls. You've made it to the point where you're pretty much in the middle of the league -- and congrats for that.
But JR is right; we're pretty much throwing our money away in football.
So, once again, I'm on board with Lincoln's cap game idea.
I'm against it because I would be forced to give up Tony Romo.
And also because I have traded away shit this year for picks next year, and I would pretty much lose that.
And even though Colston is going to lose his TE eligibility, I'm pretty sure I have to keep him anyway.
Jesus. Has there ever been a waiver-wire pickup turned into a keeper? Wait, I did that with Eli last year.
What did you do with me last year?
I just got home and I have to say that I agree with Dave. I also disagree that this whole discussion isn't about punishing me. I didn't hear a peep the last two baseball seasons- where there were people actually losing interest, not just a vauge feeling that they were.
If you really feel like you're "throwing your money away" then keep it. If I win this football season, I'll have Drew send everyone their five dollars back.
These were the rules from the start of the league, written out and distributed to everyone. No one found a loophole nor did they exploit a rule; everything's been above the table. Only Dave and Baron started at a disadvantage, and both of them have talented rosters in each sport after a one-year initiation.
Champ's got Joseph Addai, Frank Gore and Laurence Maroney lined up for the next forever. Why should he have to give that up? People retire. (Tiki) People get hurt. (Priest Holmes) People fall off the map. (Curtis Martin) Everything is cyclical, and if this is really a long-term league then this irritation is only short-term.
Prefacing things with "this is going to sound like sour grapes" doesn't mean it isn't; this is solely directed at me.
Whoa whoa whoa, Ed.
You're way off.
My basketball team is far from talented.
Oh, that's garbage.
Again, I'm not talking about next season, and I'm not talking about just football. I'm talking about the VUFSA, long term. You guys are looking at it from a short-sighted point of view.
It is not directed at you. Yeah everything is cyclical, but I'm going to be bored as shit playing for years in a league where I have no chance to win. Is that my fault that I'm not as good as Ed? Of course. Should I constantly and each year pay for mistakes I made three or four years ago? I guess what you're saying is, yes.
I think it's time we thought outside the box, no matter what. The "charter" and "rules from the start" are due to be out of date eventually. Every keeper league I know of has some form of reset ... I'm just talking about down the road here, I'm hoping the interest for some people can be restored.
I think it's garbage, your perception that interest is waning.
Honest to God, the day that two people bitching leads to a league-wide reset will be my last.
My last day will be much sooner than you might imagine.
Also, this 'outside the box' garbage about the rules being outdated- I update the soon-to-be-a-dinosaur charter every year and always ask for input. No one ever has any ideas then. No one's ever concerned with a budding dynasty until we're actually facing one. Very convinient with the timing.
Yes, it's because nobody wants to sift through goddamned CHARTER for a fantasy sports league. Except you. It stops being fun when there are so many rules attached, you have to consult a lawyer before starting the season.
Christ, didn't this blog used to have a voice of reason to settle everyone down?
Also, I'm starting to think that JR is a communist.
Also, it's nice that we're getting personal now. Nice touch.
I honestly just thought it might be fun to shuffle some players around, and maybe have a chance to land a top-tier guy.
That's why I usually compete in a Yahoo public league each year -- just so I can be in a draft where every player is "available." But I don't know those guys, so it's not as much fun as this league.
That was my only point, from the beginning -- sort of a "wouldn't that be fun?" deal.
But nevermind that sentiment. Apparently I just wanted to ruin Ed's Sunday afternoon.
Apparently I just wanted to ruin Ed's Sunday afternoon.
Intentional or not, it worked.
I feel like ValpoRick.
And now I feel like an asshole.
I think JR was just trying to open a dialogue that, if anything, was started by the sole fact we are all blown away by your football team.
No one was trying to piss anyone off. I guess I had an inkling you might be a little perturbed by it, but I doubt anyone wanted to ruin your day.
So anyway, back to my original point, I wish LDT and LJ were on my team.
Or for god sake, don't let what's written on this (ahem, blog about a fantasy sports league) site ruin your day. Did you just compare yourself to ValpoRick?
I'm coming clean, whether or not Eli wants me to. I don't think we should reset keepers (not REALLY, anyway). I drummed it up. It was a gag. Maybe it went too far.
If we did reset keepers (and it's not a terrible idea. If it were, I don't think this would have been funny), it would purely be because we had some new owners, needed a simple change of landscape and just wanted to have some extra fun. It would not be because of a competitive balance issue.
Did I know a suggested revamping to this league would pique Ed's interest? Yes. Totally. Did I know it would get him that riled up, not really. Sorry about that. I mean, it's still hilarious, just not as hilarious. It's still pretty hilarious, though.
I just like keeping everyone, Ed and all, on their toes. I have a guy in my office who takes fantasy sports so seriously, he feels personally attacked (more than anyone here does) when someone makes a trade offer he considers lopsided. HE WILL STOP SPEAKING TO PEOPLE AS A RESULT. Such absurdity. Perhaps I am just making sure we realize every now and again that it's not something that should be taken to that level.
So all I'm saying is that every now and then, we shouldn't be so married to the current way the league is operated. I think a keeper reset is a decent idea, even if I'm not interested in seeing it for a while. And I see a purpose for the charter, by the way. And no, I'm not really planning on leaving. But I did have fun pretending.
I love all of you. Not Tomke.
I still think the time we fake-traded for Miguel Cabrera was better.
Actually, the time we real-traded him was the best.
Ugh. I hate you. I want Miggy back. Wait, I traded for Soriano at the end of the year, didn't I? Good work, Radcliffe.
"I fixed it! WOOOO! I fixed it.
Wow...how did I fix it?"
I agree with the Liberal Commie that things got out of hand, and I shoulder most of the blame.
I also do not love Tomke, even if he was the only one who agreed with me through the whole fake argument.
Usually when I leave the open thread and come back to 30+ new ones, I'm laughing hysterically at the end of it. Now, as I return from my walk through Hollywood and damn I wish it were 75 degrees in Minnesota, I find this unfunny thread. I fault all of you who have contributed, especially ValpoRick whose mere existence causes all of us so much pain.
Let's talk about this week. Ok, having now consulted StaTracker, maybe we shouldn't. 49 to 41? Good lord? I mean I never had a chance to begin with but for "Ed's game" to warrant nearly 100 points is ludicrious.
Tony fucking Romo, bitches.
Am I mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet? Because if not, he's taking me there.
Also, I hate all of you fuckers, too.
And so does Tony Romo.
Especially The Gun.
Romo has a particular interest in his demise.
It's times like these that I could really go for a Chicken Malibu from Red Hots.
Ah, yes. Now that my game with Dave has been decided, he opens his mouth. I'd expect nothing less.
Well to be fair, Dave did own you. Specifically, Romo.
Well, we don't all have the luxury of playing Andrew Stem every week.
Hey, Stem had a damn good week and I am STRUGGLING to get past him. But yes, playing Stem is fun. Playing Dynasty Ed, next week, will be less pleasing.
Don't "dynasty" Ed just yet. Brandon Jacobs has one touchdown already, and if Ed's dream comes true with Jacobs punching in another 8, I will only be down 43.
Did I tell you about that dream I had? The one where Brandon tears his ACL? And then gets eaten by a shark, escorted to the field by my third grade recess lady, Ms. Thompson. Dreams are weird.
To be fair, The Gun, I did about two weeks ago that I planned on going undefeated.
And I'm sorry that Tony Romo and Marques Colston are the most dominant fantasy duo of all-time. I don't control these things.
I suppose that could happen and it would be ok so long as Ms. Thompson is hot.
After I said that, I of course googled "Ms. Thompson" and came up with this.
http://www.maranausd.org/PR/Thompson.html
Am I the only one that's disappointed that this conversation about the VUFSA's future has ended? Especially since I guess it was all a joke, which in the realm of bad endings ranks right up there with The Village.
I think all anyone's interested in is parity. It's not fun to blow someone out, it's not fun to be blown out. I shouldn't be given any advantage over Ed and Eli, because they're good and I suck, no question. But if the end result is that I never contend, lose interest and leave, is that better? Maybe's that the nature of the game.
I'm not complaining about how things have been done so far, because I've had no more constructive criticism on the charter than anyone else, but I don't think anyone should take personal offense about a discussion on how to make the league more exciting in the future.
The Bears offense is the only thing harder to watch than those Cougar Mellencamp commercials.
Ed: Just put in Griese already.
Jamie: No, put in Orton. At least I don't expect anything when he's in.
Like I said, I don't think a keeper reset is a horrible idea. There's no way, since it wasn't presented before the year, that it would work for next season anyway, with much of this year's dealings reflecting the assumed nature of next year's.
I agree, however, that it should be considered. There are several factors in play, and I will list them, knowing full well that people may get insulted. And some, turned on.
1. Voiding a keeper league will always piss someone off, such as Ed in football, Eli in baseball, and everyone except me in basketball. We would have to get over that hurdle, and owners in power would need to be willing to make sacrifices. Just a fact, not saying it will or won't happen.
2. I do think in the long run changes will be necessary to keep everyone interested. That said (again, don't hate me), I don't think the current owners will last in the long run either. Too many variables in life, liberty, and the pursuit of small properties in temperate climates. The turnover of owners (while undesirable, is almost certain) could eventually cause a de facto keeper reset. Furtermore, owners without internet are potential impeachment candidates. I may have made that last part up. May have.
3. In addition to No. 2, I'm not sure we necessarily always need to play three leagues. Eli will roll his eyes because I say it often, but I am so apathetic about basketball that I check my fantasy hockey team first. I don't care about the hockey team, either. I don't even know who half my guys are. If I didn't have to play basketball next year, I wouldn't care, and I'm sure there are others like me. Maybe the same for baseball. Probably not football. If the football and baseball (or even just football) persevered from the VUFSA by themselves, it could still be just as fun as it always is.
4. I feel, in a perfect world, every owner would take his turn at being title-competitive in a sport, and I have to think if it doesn't happen, it's either because of bad luck across the board or a lack of interested involvement. Ed has a right to say, "You aren't as good because you haven't been as involved." He may have a point, (or in Lincoln's case, may be minimizing the impact of super bad luck). Either way the question should be asked: does that natural imbalance merit a do-over, or should it simply be natural selection forever? I am on the fence. Natural selection makes me think of dodo birds.
I've been drinking.
Me, too, J.R.
Me, too.
Remember when we all lived in Indiana and they would arrest you if you drank on a Sunday?
As lt. commish, I feel I should weigh in on the matter.
I hate the idea of a keeper reset. To me, that is what makes this league so interesting and worth playing are the keepers. Virtually every trade in this league is made with the thought to the keeper value of those involved and countless other involve the leveraging of draft picks. To suddenly stop having "next year" to consider in transactions completely changes the game as a whole. Even with the idea of making it more fair and fun for everyone the next season, I find that this absolutely would not be the case. Losing teams that (for example) start out 0-3 and have no shot at the playoffs are therefore rendered a lost season. This season, I still have had fun turning over my roster and planning for next season, something I would not have otherwise been able to do if we were to reset things next season (that I've had a surge of success with poor scores is irrelevant as I am not going to win this league).
As for the interesting placement of natural selection in terms of VUFSA fantasy success, I am whole heartedly on one side of the fence and that being imbalance. The communistic sharing of talent defeats the purpose of the keeper league. Today we saw Clinton Portis break his hand and if next week we saw Ladanian Tomlinson break his, the race for the championship tightens up considerably. If Priest Holmes doesn't have his concussion, Lincoln is a different bracket and Larry Johnson is irrelevant. So much can change so fast, that I think it's silly for people to throw in the hat either this season or future ones.
Lincoln has had ridiculous bad luck and I genuinely feel bad for his plight. To have two top tier backs go down in Priest Holmes and Domanick Davis is devestating for sure. But at the same time, he still has relevant pieces and can turn guys like Boldin, McNabb, Lewis into multiple keepers next season. I did something similar in trading off Warrick Dunn for guys like Jones-Drew and DeAngelo Williams. If Lincoln chooses to hold onto his current team, that's a risk he's willing to take heading into next season. While everyone has an opinion, this blog also screams at teams when opportunity is knocking as how many times have we said Stem should take action to salvage not only this season but next? Why should their chosen inactivity be rewarded with start over to parity?
I disagree with the high turnover mentioned by JR and am not totally sure why that is pertinent to a keeper reset. I for one plan on playing fantasy sports for the rest of my life, and I prefer playing with people I know. Maybe my interest won't be as high with life changes, but I've been a sports fan for 25 years and will continue to be so regardless of moves, jobs, and children. Fantasy sports is an extension of that, and I'm not sure that changing the rules to cater to those less interested is the answer for this league. I would rather find people who want to play a semi-serious level of fantasy sports.
In closing, I don't want to sound as if I'm "that guy" in JR's office who takes this so seriously that he wouldn't speak with anyone else over it. I share Lincoln's sentiment that any discussion of league set up and rules should not offend anyone involved. I'm also not mad at the way Linocln or Stem has managed their teams, as it's their choice (perplexed at times, but never mad). There are pieces in place to make their teams better (Reggie Bush to Tomke) and we even did away with the snake draft to make those back teams better. Ed may win the baseball league next season and it's a testament to his managing during a down year that made it happen. Stem turned a last place year into a runner-up in last season's football league. Turn arounds are abundant and very doable with the current set of rules. I don't want to see Lincoln or Stem leave the league, but I would like to see them take the doable steps to improve their team so that we are talking about a competitve league within the scope of current keeper rules. However, if they aren't having fun and don't want to play, I don't want them to feel an obligation to do so for fear of the wrath of the rest of the league.
Vote no on resolution keeper reset.
And also like JR, I have been drinking, having just finished off a glass of merlot.
Merlot?
Queer.
I mean. Queer Eye. Queer Eye. Important show.
Brandon Jacobs, if I saw you in the street, I would slap you in the mouth.
And you would crush me. With your pinky toe.
Okay.
This is deja vu.
Two missed field goals returned for touchdowns in two years?
Freaking bizarre.
Urule Igbavboa had 15 points and 15 rebounds in Valpo's season opening win over the Little Sisters of the Poor.
The Urule Igbavboa era has begun.
Instead of focusing on the first idea suggested (keeper reset), can we discuss whether or not there is room for improvement in our league by any other method? What about a salary cap league? Would that level the playing field and make the competition closer? I'm sure that some other owners have more creative ideas. Maybe we've outgrown our starter Yahoo league and could look to some of the grown-up leagues for ideas.
Anything that has a charter is more "grown up" than about 98 percent of fantasy leagues, for better or worse.
I don't know why I'm so opposed to a salary cap other than I just can't get excited about thinking through the logistics each week. Would we keep the same player values year-to-year. If so, does that penalize the owners who believed in a player when he was not worth as much? Who determines the values? It just sounds complicated. Perhaps that's me not being grown up enough, but I dont wanna.
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