any thoughts??

1. League Organization

1.1 Organization over Time: This is a Born Of The Huddle League. Founded based on the idea that wine is to be the blood and ultimate trophy of the success in Fantasy Football.

1.1.1 The league consists of one 1412 team.

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:
2008:

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 8 to 6 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, but will include:
2.5.1 Transactions made for monetary promise
2.5.2 Transactions made to knowingly give unfair advantage to another team
2.5.3 One week transaction in which a player is traded between two teams to compensate for By-Weeks, Injuries, Specific Match-ups etc. to beat another specific owner (collusion)
2.5.4 Unreasonable badgering the commissioner or any other owner (particularly at work)
2.5.5 Lying, Cheating, Stealing or any attempt to Defraud the league or jeopardize its integrity in any way.
.

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 _____ 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 nine (9) players of the following positions:

1 - QB 2 - RB 3 - FLEX (RB/WR/TE) 4 - WR 5 - WR 6 - TE 7 - PK 8 - D/ST 9 - FLEX (RB/WR/TE)

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 nine (9) players, whose positions are 1 QuarterBack, 1 RunningBacks, 2 FLEX (RB/WR/TE) 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 for RB, 1 point each for WR, 1.5 points for TE
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 3 points each
Blocked Punts 1-999 3 points each
Blocked Extra Points 1-999 3 point each
Sacked a QB 1-999 1 point each
Safeties 1-999 4 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 & Special Teams 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 1412 teams playing one another over 13 weeks. Each team plays each other once and 2 teams twice (picked at random).

VII. Playoffs

7.1 Playoffs: At the end of the 13 week season, six teams will enter the playoffs. Top six teams will be seeded 1 through 6based on 7.1.1. Teams 1 & 2 will be awarded BYE in first week of playoffs. Week 14 will be a Head to Head matchup of the #3 team against the #6 and team #4 against team #5. Week 15 will be a Head to Head matchup of teh #1 team vs. the lowest ranked winner of Week 14 playoffs and team #2 against the remaining winner of Week 14 playoffs (or highest ranked team winning in Week 14). Week 16 will be the Championship, where the winners from the Week 15 will face off, while at the same time the losers from Week 15 will face off in a Consolation game (Toilet Bowl).

7.1.1 Tiebreakers for teams with identical records are thus: head to head record, then record vs. remaining playoff teams, 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 8:20pm ET on Thursday, Week 11.

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 unlimited waiver moves per season plus one for each of your players officially placed on the NFL's injured reserve. The ___ regular waiver moves are tradable.

9.1.1 There are unlimited 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 13's 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 11:00pm 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 11:00 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 and Wine:

10.1 This is not free.

10.1.1 Each team shall submit a $75 (approximate) bottle of wine.

10.1.2 Monies and Disbursement: Each of the 14 teams is charged a playing fee of $25.00?


TOTAL KITTY: US$300.00 (minus expenses)

Champion - 6 7 Bottles and remaining $
2nd place - 4 Bottles
3rd place - 2 1 Bottles
4th place - 1 Bottle

Bottle selection order - to be determined.

I modified the rules from another BoTH league - several open items deisgnated with ___ or underlined.

Let the discussions start.

Did we decide on $75 for the bottle? I thought we tossed around $40 - $50 too.

I also think we should make a deadline for "declaration of bottle(s)" that way everyone knows what they're playing for and trying to win.

The rules look good. I don't have much of an opinion on the ____ stuff


I thought we decided $75 value for TWO bottles of wine and the wine, while it has to be good, but be interesting/unique?

In spite of the wine, this is still about Fantasy Football. I'm hoping that these ideas don't make things too difficult as I don't want this to be a complicated league either. Here are some thoughts for discussion.

2.5 Expulsion.
Not that I expect it to happen, but I'd like to see something more concrete. Here's specific reasons we use in another league I'm in.

Transactions made for monetary promise
Transactions made to knowingly give unfair advantage to another team
One week transaction in which a player is traded between two teams to compensate for By-Weeks, Injuries, Specific Match-ups etc. to beat another specific owner (collusion)
Unreasonable badgering the commissioner or any other owner (particularly at work)
Lying, Cheating, Stealing or any attempt to Defraud the league or jeopardize its integrity in any way.

4.1 Lineups
I'd personally rather see 1RB 2WR 1TE 1RB/WR/TE (flex) than hard coded 2 RBs.

4.4 Roster Requirements.
16 with a 14 team league will leave a very slim WW. Do we want to trim rosters from this number?

5.2 Scoring.
.5 points per reception, really? Best would be .5 for RB 1 for WR 1.5 or 2 for TE. At a minimum, 1 point each for everyone levels the playing field for WRs better than a half a point IMO.

For defenses I'd like to see 4, 5, or 6 points for a safety.

IX Waivers
I'd like to see a bidding system for waivers v priority. 100 waiver points to be bid on players throughout the season. No points? No waiver moves. No trading waiver points.

i will take a closer look a little later tonight, but i am liking where jim is going with his suggestions.

I'd prefer a different roster than 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE.

would prefer either 1 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 flex....or 1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 flex....or just 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE

edit to add: also agree with KC on scoring:

have fun guys!

3.5= i would prefer a roster of 18

3.8= would like to ammend to "unless next owner has not picked"

4.= 1 qb, 1 rb, 2 wr, 2 te, 1 pk, 1 d/st, 2 flex (with no more than 2 rbs)

4.3= just for discussion.... have to start players even if a week is won??

5.2= scoring for pk= graduated (ie: up to 30= 3 pts, then 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc)
blocks= 3 pts
safties= 4 or 5
ppr= .5 for rb, 1 for wr, 1.5 for te

9.1.1= ammend to no limit of moves

9.1.2= another one for discussion... do we want to close waivers during playoffs?
also, add a fcfs element

9.2.1= ww through wed or thurs (except for thurs games)

9.2.2= 48 hr hold on dropped players



really dislike blind bid waivers

I like all of Kid Cid's recommendations. Particularly lineups. And I'd trim roster size to 14.

I'm up for trimming the roster down a little. Waivers will be brutal if not and it'll force people to think about who they add drop versus hoarding players.

what's wrong with hoarding? That says you did your homework.

Not necessarily.

For the most part I agree with Bier Meister's changes. Here are my recommendations.

3.5
I'm fine with a roster of 15 or 16, this isn't a dynasty league, so we don't need larger rosters.

IV Starting Lineups
4.1

I strongly vote for a starting roster of 9 players. Having that flex player than can either be a RB or WR is essential. Roster requirements that I would like to see are shown below.

1 QB
2 RB
2 WR
1 TE
1 Flex (either WR , TE or RB)
1 K
1 Def

Total of 9 starters

IX Waiver Wire

9.1.1 no limit of moves.

9.1.2= waivers should never close.

9.2.2 - If a player is released on Weds, he should be available 2 days after that. One shouldn't have to wait until next Tuesday.

I also would prefer we have waivers in worst record order rather than blind bidding.

*** Again, out of all of these, the most important to me is that we start 9 players. ****

OK, a few folks have put in their two cents about the rules. How are we going to come up with a consensus?

I'm going to repost revised rules with suggestions noted above later today.

I modified the rules based on suggestions or discussion - see changes or eliminations noted above.

May need to modify number of teams, schedule and playoffs if we go to 12 teams vs. 14 teams.

Any know of additional prospects?

i meant:
1 qb
1 rb
2 wr
1 te
1 pk
1 d/st
2 flex with no more than 2 rb's in the lineup

Based on your revisions, it appears that you're sticking with just 8 starters instead of 9?

Only 2 owners have spoken up regarding 9 starters - if more approve, we'll make the change.

Still need one more owner to make 12 teams. Any thoughts?

I would definitely say 9 starters if we're down to 12 teams.

preference would be QB, RB, WR, WR, TE, 2 RB/WR/TE flex, 1 PK, 1 D/ST. same as bier, except I don't care about 3 RBs being allowed, the graduated PPR scoring system disincentivizes that enough as-is, may as well permit the flexibility.

Yes, I completely agree.

9 Starters
The flex should include the ability to start 3 RBs.

+1



Also, I'm gone in a few hours for the weekend, so I'm giving my proxy voting rights* to electricrelish I hope we can have a final set of rules by the time I come back Monday morning.

* on any issue that nogohawk wants to put to a vote. If he doesn't want to vote on something and just move forward, I support that.

I'm cool with the 9 starters now that we're down to 12.

9 is fine with me.

+1

9 please!

whatever you guys want is good by me

Skippy bowed out ... we'll need to find a 12th quick!

Need to confirm WashD and bpwallace49

I'll modify the rules for 12 teams.

Can one of the Food & Wine Mods make an announcement in that forum?

I'll do it.

I went onto MFL today and started setting up the league.

Once we get our 12 teams, I can finish up the draft data and setup access to the league.

I have not paid for it yet ... using their free evaluation.

I'm in the office tomorrow too (8/25) but out on Wed. 8/26 golfing with a client. In on Thurs. 8/26, but travelling for vacation on Fri.

Hope we can get this finalized and maybe begin our draft soon.

TIA