I. League Organization

1.1 Organization over Time: This is a Born Of The Huddle League. Founded based on the idea that the correct political philosophy equates directly to success in Fantasy Football against the wrong political philosophy. Jumpin’ Johnnies will always be the proud founder of this league, regardless of his political philosophy.

1.1.1 The league consists of 2 16 team conferences, with each conference holding a separate draft. One conference is known as “The Senate” and one conference is known as “The House.” Each conference has 2 eight team divisions from ‘each side of the aisle:’ declared Republicans and declared Democrats, for lack of better terms. True political independents must declare, because as in real life, there is no viable third option.

1.1.2 The league will be realigned every year during the off-season: the bottom 4 teams from each division in “The Senate” will be relegated to “The House” and the top 4 teams from each division in “The House” will be promoted to “The Senate.” The inaugural year (2005) a more or less random process was used, meaning true smack talk about one’s (in)ability to effectively run a team will be tabled until the 2006 season. The kid gloves then come off.

1.2 League Commissioner: A simple majority (more than half) of the owners will elect a commissioner in the off-season before the off-season meeting begins. The commissioner should be an owner in the league. Should he accept the job, his term will start immediately and last for one full year. Any commissioner can serve as many consecutive terms as he is elected to and willing to perform.

1.2.1 The commissioner's primary function is to provide rulings in cases of dispute or discrepancy and to provide leadership and management for league functions. As a general rule, the commissioner has the final say.

Historical Listing of Commissioners:
2005: Beaumont
2006: Beaumont
2007: Beaumont

1.2.2 any of the commissioner's rulings or decisions can be overruled by a majority vote from the owner(s) not involved in the dispute. However, this can only occur over a dispute regarding the interpretation of a rule, and not a dispute of the rule itself. [Disputing a rule can only be taken up at the off-season meeting, see Rule 2.3]

1.3 Line of Succession: there will be established a "Line of Succession" in case the commissioner is unable to perform his duties after the season begins. There should be at least 2 people chosen, and these people are always owners.

II. Owners and Teams

2.1 Definition: -Team- refers to the fantasy team to which a player belongs within the league.

2.1.1 A team may have multiple owners but an owner may not be on more than one team.

2.1.2 The owners have the power to do basically anything that they want with their team.

2.2 Responsibilities: Once informed, it is the responsibility of each individual owner to remember all dates, times, and locations for scheduled events.

2.2.1 A list of scheduled events is available from league officials, and will be posted on the website. Owners are also responsible for verifying their team's score at the end of each week of play.

2.3 Voting: There will be a yearly meeting in the off-season to discuss possible rule changes for the upcoming season. A simple majority of the teams in the league must approve all changes to the constitution (i.e.: a 17 to 15 vote). A tie vote will not change a rule. Once a vote is final, the results stay in effect until the following off-season.

2.3.1 In all cases where a vote from the owners is required, only one vote may be cast per team.

2.3.2 Owners may abstain from voting.

2.4 Change of Ownership: In order for ownership of an existing team to change, the league must extend an offer to a new owner/candidate.

2.4.1 A particular candidate may be extended an offer if a majority of the teams agree to do so.

2.4.2 Teams whose ownership is in transition may not vote in this process.

2.5 Owner Expulsion: An owner may be expelled from the league, but it is rarely done. If such a situation arises all steps to make it as amicable and respectful as possible are to be taken. Any "expulsion" must be taken on a case-by-case basis.

III. Rules of Drafting

3.1 Draft Representatives: A team will be represented at the online draft by at least one of its owners.

3.1.1 In lieu of failing to provide a representative, the online draft can accommodate ‘automatic selections.’

3.2 Draft Order: The draft order for the draft will be determined purely at random every season.

3.3 Draft Date: The draft must be held before the start of the NFL regular season. The starting date should accommodate as many owners as possible.

3.4 Player Eligibility: In order for a player to be eligible to be drafted, he must have at one time either been drafted by an NFL team or signed by an NFL team.

3.5 Number of Rounds: There are 16 rounds in the draft.

3.5.1 Each team gets one draft pick per round.

3.5.2 Only one player may be selected per draft pick.

3.5.3 Due to the ability of teams to trade draft picks it is possible for a team to have more than one pick in a round.

3.6 Draft Order Progression: The even numbered rounds proceed in the reverse order of the odd numbered rounds. Known as a serpentine order.

3.7 Timed Draft Picks: All draft picks must occur within sixteen hours.

3.8 Selection: Once a player is selected by a team that is that. There is no ‘do-over.’

IV. Starting Lineups

4.1 Definition: Each week's starting lineup must consist of eight (8) players of the following positions:

1 - QB 2 - RB 3 - RB 4 - WR 5 - WR 6 - TE 7 - PK 8 - D/ST

QB = Quarterback
RB = Running Back
WR = Wide Receiver
TE = Tight End
PK = Place Kicker
D/ST= Defense/Special Teams

To put into words: you must start eight (8) players, whose positions are 1 QuarterBack, 2 RunningBacks, 2 WideReceivers’s, 1 TightEnd, 1 PlaceKicker, and 1 Defense/SpecialTeam.

4.2 Officially Logging a Starting Lineup: A team does not have to declare its entire starting lineup at one time. Players are locked at the kickoff of their game.

4.2.1 To officially log any portion of a starting lineup a team must simply relay its declarations to the Commissioner or on the Huddle web site or the MFL web site by the deadline.

4.2.2 When receiving a starting lineup declaration, the commissioner is under no obligation to inform you of any facts regarding the injury status of players.

4.3 Default Line-Ups: If a team fails to declare any or all of its starting lineup for any given week of play, then the previous week’s lineup is used. This includes players who started the previous week. You must always field a complete team.

4.3.1 A player on his bye week may be used to fill a starting lineup spot to meet this obligation.

4.4 Roster Requirements: A full roster – starters and bench players – is 16. You cannot have more. You can have less, but roster minimum’s MUST be kept. You must always have on your team 1 QB’s; 2RB’s; 2 WR’s 1 TE’s; 1 PK’s; and 1 D/ST’s. Additionally, you have 7 open spots that can be of any position.

V. Scoring

5.1 Definition: Scores are based on NFL regular season statistics as they appear at MFL.com. The points that the individual starting lineup members score are added together to produce the total team score which in turn is compared to the current week's opponent's score to determine who won the game. Ties are possible during regular season play.

5.2 Scoring Method: a modified Perfect Huddle Scoring System will be used by the League. The full system is as follows:

Rules for QB, RB, WR, TE, PK
Number of Passing TDs 1-999 4 points each
Passing Yards 1-999 .04 points each
Pass Interceptions Thrown 1-999 -2 points each
Passing 2 Pointers 1-999 2 points each
Number of Rushing TDs 1-999 6 points each
Rushing Yards 1-999 .1 points each
Rushing 2 Pointers 1-999 2 points each
Number of Receiving TDs 1-999 6 points each
Receiving Yards 1-999 .1 points each
Receptions 0-99 0.5 points each
Receiving 2 Pointers 1-999 2 points each
Length of Field Goal Made 0-100 3
Extra Points 1-999 1 point each
Fumbles Lost (to Opponent) 1-999 -2 points each


Rules for Def/ST
Number of Punt Return TDs plus
Number of Kickoff Return TDs 1-999 6
Fumble Recoveries (from Opponent) 1-999 2 points each
Interceptions Caught 1-999 2 points each
Blocked Field Goals 1-999 2 points each
Blocked Punts 1-999 2 points each
Blocked Extra Points 1-999 1 point each
Sacked a QB 1-999 1 point each
Safeties 1-999 2 points each
Total Points Allowed 0-6 10
Total Points Allowed 7-13 7
Total Points Allowed 14-20 5
Total Points Allowed 21-27 2
Number of Defensive TDs 1-999 6 points each

5.3 Rules of Clarification: All snaps of the ball on the field are controlled by the ‘offense’ with the ‘team defense’ on the other side of the ball. A kickoff formation is a ‘special team’ formation lining up against a ‘team defense’ lining up to return the kickoff.

5.3.1 Some players score points that are counted in more than one-way. When someone returns a kickoff or punt for a touchdown, he gets credit for six points as an offensive player if he is starting and so does the special teams unit for which he plays.

So in the above example, if Dante Hall were started as a receiver on any team he would have scored 6 points for the TD. He receives no credit for any return yardage. The KC DT would also score 6 points for the return. This applies only to touchdowns, and not to fumble recoveries or interceptions no matter the circumstances.

5.3.2 A field goal attempt or punt formation is an offensive play, and is scored as such. If your PK happens to run, throw or receive a touchdown pass he would score those points accordingly [including all yardage bonuses], NOT the ‘special team'.

5.3.3 The NFL does not count yardage and sacks during PAT’s thus they will not be recognized.

5.3.4 The formation of each NFL team on each side of the ball at the beginning of the play (snap of the ball) is the same throughout the duration of the play, regardless of any number Of change(s) of possession. [See the Keenan McCardell debate 2 years ago when he recovered a fumble from the opposing team after they had made an INT – we need this]

5.4 Appealing a Score: Sometimes errors occur when statistics are reported or compiled. Any owner may appeal the score of any team if he feels that an error has occurred.

5.4.1 To appeal a score an owner needs to contact the commissioner with his concerns and should present evidence to support his argument. After all of the evidence has been presented, the commissioner is obliged to make a ruling. All scores not already under appeal become final with the start of Sunday NFL play the following week.

5.4.2 If a team score is not under appeal by the start of the following week's Sunday NFL play, it becomes permanent record whether or not it is officially correct in the longer term i.e. two weeks or two decades.

VI. Schedules of Play

6.1 Regular Season Schedule: The regular season schedule consists each of the 16 teams playing one another over 14 weeks. Each team plays each other once. Week 11 is a doubleheader, allowing us to complete the games in 14 weeks.

VII. Playoffs

7.1 Playoffs: At the end of the 14 week season, four teams will enter the playoffs in both conferences. Week 15 will be a Head to Head matchup of the #1 team against the #2 team from each declared Republican or Democrat Division in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Week 16 will be the Senate Championship and the House Championship, where the winner from the Lieberals and the Republitards from the Seante will face off, while at the same time the winner from the Chickenhawks will play the winner of the Demoncrap division in the House. Also on week 16, the highest scoring of the four remaining playoff teams will be given the title "King of Good v. Evil", which is an honorary position only (i.e., for bragging rights only) and brings no further claim to cash.

7.1.1 Tiebreakers for teams with identical records are thus: head to head record if any, then total points, then coin flip.

VIII. Trading

8.1 Definition: Trades may involve players, draft picks, and roster moves (nothing else) from any number of teams. In the case of draft picks and roster moves, only draft picks and roster moves that would occur within the beginning and end of a single season may be traded.

8.1.1 Draft picks may be traded at any time during the draft.

8.1.2 The trade deadline is the start of NFL play at 10am PST on Sunday, Week 12.

8.1.3 A trade does not become official until all teams involved have notified league officials of the particulars of the trade. Due to the nature of trades, it is possible for any given team to have less than 16 players on its roster. This is allowed. Having more than 16 is not.

8.2 Team Stacking: Team stacking occurs when two or more teams conspire to put many of their best players onto one team either by trading players or draft picks. Team stacking is not allowed and if the commissioner suspects that team stacking is occurring he may restrict any further trading between the teams involved as well as reverse the effects of any trades that have
already occurred. [flip You Trading]

IX. Waiver Wire & Injured Reserve:

9.1.1 Definition: Each team has 8 waiver moves per season plus one for each of your players officially placed on the NFL's injured reserve. The 8 regular waiver moves are tradable.

9.1.1 There are 15 roster move periods throughout the season. The first waiver period opens at the conclusion of the draft and ends with the kickoff of Week 1.

9.1.2 The waiver wire closes for the season with the kickoff of Week 15’s games.

9.2 Player Availability: Beginning immediately after the draft, undrafted players are available on the Waiver Wire. Priority requests are due by 11:59pm Tuesday night.

9.2.1 A team wishing to use a roster move must submit it to the commissioner, using the designated Waiver Wire on MFL.com. For the first waiver week (draft to week 1 start), the order is inverse of draft order (#16 to #1). Following weeks are ordered based on worst record, then head to head, if any, then total points for the year, then coin flip per each conference respectively. For each player you pick up, you must release one, unless you have less than 16 players. The ‘waiver wire move’ is the ability to pick someone up to add to your team. It is not the ability to cut someone.

Priority waiver acquisition deadline:

Requests due by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) each Tuesday, determined prior to the first week by inverse draft order, after the first week by worst record, then head to head, if any, then total points for the year, then coin flip per each conference respectively ...

From that point on until kickoff of the first game, additional "non-priority" waiver wire acquisitions may be made on a first come, first serve basis ... any attempts to make waiver wire transactions after the first kickoff will be void and considered only at the next Tues "priority" deadline ...

9.2.2 Once a player is released, he is available at the opening of the following Waiver Wire. Example: Al del Greco is cut on a Wednesday. Del Greco is not available until the following Tuesday afternoon at 12pm, when the next Waiver Wire Period has opened.

9.2.3 For weeks that have Thursday games those players on those teams are off limits once the game begins until the wire opens again the following Tuesday.

9.2.4 On any given week, a team is allowed to use as many or as few of the roster moves that it owns as it likes.

X. Money:

10.1 This is not free.

10.1.1 Monies and Disbursement: Each of the 32 teams is charged a playing fee of $25.00.

There is a single, weekly payout of US$20.00 to the highest scoring team of all 32 teams each week of the regular season.

TOTAL KITTY: US$800.00 (minus expenses)
Weekly Payout: (US$20.00 x 14) US$280.00 total
#1 Team in each Conference: 35% of net remaining (x2)
#2 Team in each Conference: 15% of net remaining (x2)

These rules have been amended to reflect the rule change voted on re: starting lineup (players are not locked until their game time).

I made no other changes. Let me know if corrections need to be made.

I moved the 2x to week 11 to avoid byes ...

I modified the weekly payout to 14 x $20 = $280. We do not double pay the weekly winner for the doubleheader.

Beaumont -- who pays the MFL fees? Just curious, since it doesn't seem like it's built into the payouts.

Sure it is. See use of the term "net remaining" ...

TOTAL KITTY: US$800.00 (minus expenses)
Weekly Payout: (US$20.00 x 14) US$280.00 total
#1 Team in each Conference: 35% of net remaining (x2)
#2 Team in each Conference: 15% of net remaining (x2)

I paid MFL already and it comes off the top ...

We will be modifying the waiver language to make it clear when waivers close on weeks with early games ...