Basic rules & a calendar of events have been posted, I will try to have everything else posted over the weekend.
Hate to be that guy..........but. Why is UFA starting after real free agency? Takes half the strategy out of it when people got a real life cheat sheet to use. I remember 2 years ago where I nearly had Philip Wheeler for cheap (Under $1 million)...FA opened and Miami signed him. Within mere minutes to go he shot up and ended up over $5 million. That's why I liked how Paul did it earlier before FA launched and got Earl Mitchell cheap because no one saw him as a $4 million tackle.
I adjusted the schedule a little bit (more like rearranged) because while I don't think it has a huge effect on free agency, I imagine many have the perception it does. A lot of your steals in free agency have a lot more to do with the fact that people only had a limited number of bids they could use. I remember losing out on people that I wanted simply because I didn't have enough bids. I'll likely do a 24/8 format this year.
I like the 4 hour window for drafting. For those of us working it gives us enough time to jump on and make our selection. One question - I'm assuming all times are EST?
It's funny... doing some research on some teams... and you realize that a player retired last year before the season started. I was thinking to myself, whatever happened to that guy? Well, now I know. crazy...
Forsett was on the market for a long time before I picked him up. I remember Boik saying afterwards he was interested in Earl...but even he admitted it was as a '2nd or 3rd' tier FA where I made him a day 1 priority. And I like the limited bids because it's the only thing that prevents people from doing a slash and burn to their payroll and forces them to make strategic moves at the beginning rather then blow their load all over the face, neck and chest of every FA out there. With a more active crew 5 should be just fine. Does the league no good to have teams with $60 million in cap room dragging crap out blind spitting at bids. Just my opinion. Thanks for moving UFA though. Should hopefully allow us to sneak an under the radar guy or 2 before they sign and drive up prices....or god forbid...Miami signs em ;p
Interesting first 2 picks. Showing that people really are different. 2 teams that wouldn't have been in my top 10. Really curious how this shakes out.
In reality, most players won't cave after the first 24 hours of a low-ball bid. I felt 5 bids was too little and you would have had to work the system. I think the 24/8 will keep things moving but at the same time you won't have to pull things like "well player C is due in 12 hours so I should just make a minimum bid on player F real quick to extend him because I know that GM will bid again quickly."
Keep in mind that in the past, I was generally able to get most people a team in their top 3 list. I think the majority of teams will be happy with the team they've gotten except a few (ie, myself and Boik).
I pick 26th. If I get one of my top 5 I'll be damn shocked ;p The problem with 24/5 last year is that really...only 14 people were highly active. I think this year were going to probably be 24-26 active. Got a good feeling about this group.
I had both in my top 16 (I pick 16th) but it depends if you want a team with alot of cap flexibility or a team with alot of trade assets. I know you'd definitely prefer the trade asset route
Actually, I was planning on getting out of the reclamation business and was going to aim for a 'just' out of the playoffs team. Then we went this route and got 26th lol. 3 years of reclamation projects coming up! ;p
I'm speaking from many years of experience (not just last year's FA)... keep in mind that I started playing this at Finheaven in 2004.
http://overthecap.com/general-manager-league-offseason-roster-adventure/ Good luck Mach! A league of complete strangers. It's going to be a zoo!
I noticed a couple names from here that are over there. Gluttons for self punishment. I saw what it did to some folks running 2 teams last year. On another note. Is there a section that has the cap numbers without the rollover? OTC's list looks like they include the rollover.
we looked at cincy, indianapolis, minnesota, seattle and cleveland. Our thought process, was if we took seattle, we'd be judged against what Todd did last year. Whether you like him or not, he was very intricate and incredibly, did make that team better. For Cincinnati, we really didnt like dalton. Their cap space is nice and they already have a good plan in place for success, so the challenge might not have been there to really transform them. Indy was a team i thought would be nice to own. Great QB, good line, good setup....Bryan really liked Minnesota, and i really liked them last year, but i didnt want to deal with the AP mess. Now, cleveland....they have 10 picks, lots of cap space, have a huge ? at qb, monster oline, pretty good defense. but that team is built for Van or someone who's going to do something good with all those picks.
I'm taking Oakland in here if I don't get the team I want there...... And there will be a FIRE SALE!!!
A wise man once said "don't get on the sinking ship" Well folks, I am not a wise man. Chicago, here we come!