whitey

This is the system that my league uses. Our league starts with a 4 round auction-each team has $100 to spend. In order to prevent someone from spending all $100 on 2 players, each player taken in the serpentine has an automatic salary of $1. So, here is a sample of how it shakes out: Auction: 1st round--you win Larry Johnson for $40 2nd round-you win Willie Parker for $12 3rd round--win TJ Houshmanzada for $5 4th round--win Peyton Manning for $20 So the auction ends and you have picked up four players, and you have spent $77. We have a minimum roster of 13 players, so you would have to make at least 9 picks in the draft, at $1 per pick. So, you pick 9 players, spend another $9, brining your total spent to $86. That leaves you with $14 left, and a sick feeling in your stomach because that money could have been used to get better players in the auction! That is why you don't worry about owners who have left-over money. After the first auction, they will realize that having left over money is worthless. Don't forget, that since it's an auction in the first four rounds, that is 48 players nominated in a 12 team league. You aren't limited to 1 player per round in auction-one guy in our league last year got 9 players in 4 rounds, then had no money left for the draft, meaning he had a good starting lineup, but zero depth. I don't know if this makes sense-post a question to the thread and I'll try to explain more.

Thanks for the replies guys. I get what you all are saying about eliminating the auction if we want draft picks to mean something, but that isn't what we are after. I guess what we want is for the draft pick to mean something, but maybe not everything. Or, perhaps like many others here, I'm starting to think that my league is really getting itchy for the season, and we are trying to come with ideas that foster discussion, which of course leads to insults and smack-talk, two of the mainstays of my league! We are still discussing, so if anyone has any thoughts (that don't include elimination of the auction) I am still listening! Thanks again everyone!

Hey guys- My league is thinking about a rule change, and we seem to be having trouble making it work, so I come to thee, mighty Huddlers, looking for advice and examples. We are a 12 team, salary cap, keeper league. Each owner gets to keep one player from his team each season, and that player's salary increases 10% each year. On draft day, we do 4 rounds of standard auction bidding, followed by a serpentine draft (order determined by previous year's finish) until all owners are out of money or have a full team. The problem comes in here-people would like to make trades involving draft picks, but because of the auction, the "number one" pick is actually number 49 (4 rounds, 12 players per round). In other words, offering someone your "first pick" is worthless. Also, in trying to keep a bit of parity in the league, the number one pick is worthless because all the difference makers have already been taken up in the auction. This is evidenced by the fact that the same guy has had the number one pick the last 3 years, and he actually pays attention to his team. So what we came up with was a one round rookie draft that would take place before our auction. The player with the worst record would get first crack at the rookie of his choice, with no bidding. The main issue, though, is how to determine what that rookie's salary would be. We thought of some kind of sliding scale, where the number one pick costs 15, number two costs 14, etc. The trouble is that sometimes, the number one rookie isn't going to be worth $15 when you only have $100 to start with. But you don't want to set the number too low either. So I ask all you readers out there, what do you suggest? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond!!!!

Yes, that is a lot to digest. I guess I was more looking for general opinions, maybe from those who are auction players? Instead of saying LT, perhaps I should have just substitued the phrase "top back", because that's what I meant. Basically, here is what it comes to: Would you go into the season with your starting backfield of Jones and Bell? If not, which way would you go? Big time back (LT, SA, Edge, etc.), or perhaps another second level back (Foster, Dunn, etc.). One other nugget: our league also allows us to "protect" players, which is basically the same as restricted free agency. You protect a player, then he enters the auction, and you have the right to match the bid after all bidding is done and keep that player. The other back that I have is Dom Davis, whom I got for $20 last season, and I'd expect his value to be about that again this season. Should I consider protecting Davis, and then my RB situation is in good shape? Again, I know I am throwing a lot out there (especially for a newbie), but that's why I joined this board, was for help. I will happily weigh in on other topics as I get more accustomed to this board... Thanks again!

with my screen name, one could only assume that I vote for Kevin Curtis!! Seriously, though, I think it goes: -Wilford (only WR on list with a "for sure" QB) -Curtis (Bruce or Holt will be hurt sooner rather than later) -Evans (Big talent will help him catch bad throws!) -Bennett (100% depends on Young and his progressions-if Volek plays more than a handful of games, though, Bennett FLIES up to #1 or #2) -Bryant (plays for SF-enough said!)

Ok, I will try to make this brief, but not sure if that's possible. I am preparing for my 3rd year in a auction-style keeper league. First year, I was not prepared at all, and finished 6th out of 12. This past season, I spent the entire NFL offseason reading mags, books, internet sites, etc. and finished 6th out of 12. I'd like some advice from you wise users of this forum about ways to improve this season. Let's start with a bit of background info. League is a 12 team league, 16 man roster. 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1DEF, 1K, plus bench. Scoring is performance based (CBS sportsline hosted league). Salary cap is $100. Franchised players must be designated before the draft. Min Salary of a FP is $8, with a 10% increase each season (FP's are kept on team for 3 years). Currently, my FP's are: Terrell Owens (d'oh!) for $26 (this is his final season as a FP) Kevin Jones for $20 (2 seasons left) Tatum Bell for $10 (received him in trade for Hines Ward last season) Because of the Bell trade, I actually don't get to declare a FP this season, so the rest of my roster is irrelevant (don't worry, it sucks!). So, how do I proceed? Because of the increase in salaries, most of the "big names" don't get franchised (Peyton Manning being the lone exception). All stud RB's are out there except Larry Johnson, who will be franchised this season by another owner. Even though I have 2 RB's, I'm considering spending big on another back like LT (last season LT went for $42). Is this a wise move? Or should I spread money around more? QB's usually go mid-teens for 2nd tier guys (Green, Bulger, etc.). Because I spend so much time reading, I usually am not hurting for WR help (last season I had guys like Wilford and Curtis as fill-in players that turned into starters when I traded Ward and TO got suspended). What players (rookies) are people looking at as possible franchise options? As a Cardinals fan (d'oh again!) I love Matt Leinart, but I'll pick him up in FA for free. Who else is on your radar? I know this is a lot of info to digest-I hope I don't make anyone mad! Please comment if you wish, but please remember that I now know that franchising guys like TO and KJ was a bad idea, but ideas that seemed ok last year, so try not to rip on me too much for that. Also, please be specific if possible-if you think I should try for LT, how much of my cap should I be willing to give up? 25%? 50%? Thanks again, and I look forward to your replies!

I posted about a week ago with a similar question. I think I will join Martians and sign up also. This will be my 3rd year in a keeper league, and I have finished 5th out of 12 the last 2 years--I hope that with this site and the forums, perhaps I can get as high as fourth (I do, after all, have another season with "I don't want to play anymore" T.O.!) Thanks again for all the helpful salesmanship on this thread and the one I posted earlier!!

Hey guys-I'm new to this forum, and like some opinions on TheHuddle.com. I'm considering doing the subscription, but the only FF that I play is in auction leagues. I have found that most magazines/websites usually aren't too helpful (predraft) and I'm curious about how much auction content TheHuddle.com has. Thanks for taking the time to reply!