Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Hey kids, unfortunately Stephen just can't play this year. Work is going to be filling up his time and it'll just be too much.
I asked Stephen if we could call on him next year in case we need a replacement, and he said that'd be great.
I'm sorry to see him go, I really enjoyed kicking his ass on a regular basis.

Cole and I are going to begin looking for a replacement. We have a number of guys who have asked about our FF league and a bunch more that we think would be a good addition to our league.
Despite that, if anyone has a suggestion for someone we should consider, please pm Cole and/or myself.
Thanks!!! :tu

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I will not read all the rules. Just saying, this is for fun and the troops. If I need a rule book, there is problems. Its been great the last 3yrs. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just my :2.

I will still play, but I might have to get reprimanded for breaking rules. Sorry.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Sorry for the delay my dudes, is there a league ID password someone could PM me? Would appreciate it! :tu

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

You should have an invitation from Yahoo when Scott restarted the league.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Maybe if it was higher...I think the original idea was 35 moves. That would give you cushion and still allow for troop stick penalties if anyone goes over.
I agree here. In a 10 team league there is plenty of depth to field this. There is plenty of depth at TE to keep it and eliminating the d doesn't help depth and takes out some of the fun.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'm in if you need another

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Mike, you got it exactly right.
The reason there's a rule book now is because there's problems. Cole and I spend hours chasing people simply because they don't take time to read, follow the league thread to check on developments, don't make arrangements to move the pass along, don't report the winners and losers of bets, don't send their entry smokes, the list goes on and on.
The entire goal, and the reason we're taking the time to put together a short, clear, and concise set of rules is to fix those things that are broke so that he and I can also enjoy the league rather than being mired in suck, trying to keep things ironed out.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Fantasy Football, you guys, and raising smokes for the troops. This league has been a lot of fun at times.
But for lots of reasons, last year sucked. Had Cole not helped me, and not agreed to help this year, I wouldn't have started this league again.
Now that I know this year will be more of the same, I'm not going to bother.
I don't have time to reprimand anyone for breaking the rules, especially when it's caused by not having time to read a page of simple rules.

If someone would please take over the Commisioner duties, that'd be great. I'm retiring. I'll send the pass on to whoever is willing to take care of that. Tony posted that he'd like to play, he can have my spot.
Thanks for having me, gentlemen!!!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Scott, my rant was in no way to get you to quit. And by reading your reply, the problem is people not communicating. As commissioner and cocommissioner you and Cole, should just say to the people that couldn't follow the very simple rules, that they are not welcome back.
And tell the people that are in communication is the key. If they know there will be weeks at a time that they can't send an email or worse the pass this league isn't for them.
I am sorry you have had so many problems in the past. I did not realize that many people did not follow a simply rule of doing the right thing and communicating.
Thanks for all your hard work
Coach

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Scott, the league wouldn't be the same without you. If you would like, I can take over with Cole as co-commissioner to help with the league so you could just play and not have to worry about any of the other mess. I could probably do another coolidor for the entry sticks. My only issue would probably be the troop sticks...there is no way I would have room for them and I also have no connections to get them where they need to go.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'm out if Scott is out.. He's done a fantastic job on keeping everything in order.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Ok gents,

Before anyone jumps ship (anyone other than Stephen who just can't do it this year), I wanted to say a couple things...

This has been a great league over the years, and I was fortunate enough to jump in last year, so I am very excited to either be in charge this year, or help the person that is in charge. That said, I sent an email to Scott to see if I can beg him back into the league. Mike, I don't think your post was intended to make people mad...but the previous talks with Scott has allowed me to see that this is somewhat of a difficult league to run because people do not stay vested and being the "azzhole" who has to track someone down because they didn't pay up their bets, their entries, or they are stalling on the pass makes it a pain and a lot of work for someone who just wants to have a fun league that brings sticks to the troops.

That said, I don't think that the actual "rules" of the fantasy league are changing much this year. I think we should go back to the free for all waivers set up, and the rest of the rules that have changed slightly (biggest being the QB scoring) won't really require anyone to read the rules.

I think what the big concern is here is that people:
1.) Get their entry sticks in BEFORE the season starts
2.) Pay up on their bets
3.) Don't hold up, lose, destroy, or otherwise hurt the pass that is worth $400+ and a VERY COOL part of this league.

That said, we all know Scott is a generous brother, and doesn't like to upset others. I also am generous and kind...however, I think we need to be strict about the above listed rules 1-3. If you can't get your sh!t together, then we may just ask that you are not in the league the next year. We all want to have fun, and it sucks if 1 or 2 people aren't as committed to the next guy in line, or to the troops.

I think we will still have a full league this year, and hopefully everyone comes back. I will give this post about 3-5 days for comment and then I will finalize everything in the league and get everyone the results of the rule updates and pass rules. Then...we can actually have fun talking crap and playing football...and smoking some d@mn fine cigars in the process!!

Also, since Stephen is out, I would like Tony Jarvis to take his place. I can vouch for Tony, so I will send him a PM letting him know some of the "important" things.

Finally, I assure you guys that I can keep everything in order for this league. I don't have room to store sticks, but dagnabit, if I have to, I'll go get a cooler and some beads to make sure everything is taken care of :D

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Guys, I do feel bad about not being able to participate this season, but unfortunately circumstances simply will not permit me to be a dedicated member of this league, which frankly, it deserves.

Scott, you're the heart and soul of this league. If you leave, it ceases to exist. In short, get the sand out of your vajayjay.:D

Cole, thank you for stepping up and help shoulder the burden of running a far-flung league and no doubt headache filled league. An easy fix to deadbeats is until their league entry is paid, they don't get an invite email to register their team. Set a hard deadline, and if payment isn't received by that date, actively seek to replace them. Sucks, but sometimes you have to do sucky things to weed out deadbeat owners.:2

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Im still in! :tu

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Me too.

Cole...should we send the entry sticks to you, then? I sent off 100 troop sticks to Scott last week to cover my first few bets.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I think I should be able to store everything. I have a 48qt cooler that is empty, and about 7-10 boveda packs that are all 70%, so I should be able to store all the sticks this year in that.

I am really busy at work today, but tomorrow I should be able to focus on getting everything straightened out for this and I will make a post about everything, AND send a PM with the exact same info as the post that way everyone gets all the info.

This post/pm will contain the pass rules, the "small" league rule changes, and directions for submitting troop sticks and entry sticks.

Thanks for being patient guys!!!

Also, I would like to get a draft date set...any thoughts? The sunday before the season starts is also labor day weekend (and a special day my wife and I share ;) ) so, maybe the week before would work? Or the Wednesday before the season starts? Let me know if anyone has any days that DON'T work for them.

Thanks!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

ATTENTION: THE DRAFT WILL BE HELD FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH at 8:00PM EST. Please let me know if this doesn’t work, we can still change this.


LEAGUE MEMBERS, Here are the changes (for the better) this season, We have had some discussion online about these, and people have had time to express their opinions. Ultimately, a decision has to be made, and being the new Commissioner, I think these changes are for the better and these are the ones I will implement this year:

***First, the biggest change: QB’s will NO LONGER receive 1 point per completion, last year we had QBs that were basically beating whole teams! Also, QB’s will only receive 4 points per TD, not 6. This should help keep QB rankings in line with RB’s and WR’s.
***Again, this is the only change this year that could have a negative impact on your draft if you think QBs are still the big scorers…THEY ARE NOT!

And now, the rest of the minor changes:
1. Kickers will no longer incur a -1 point deduction for missed FGs over 50 yards
2. The TE position will now be a “Flex” (QB/RB/WR/TE) position, we will start 8 players now. (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, FLEX, D, Kicker), 6 bench players, and 2 IR spots
3. QBs that throw for 300-399 yards in a game will earn a 3pt bonus
4. QBs that throw for 400+ yards in a game will earn a 5pt bonus (NOTE, this IS an on top bonus...so if they throw for 400+ yards, they will earn 8 total bonus points)
5. RBs/WRs that run/receive for 100 yards in a game will earn a 3 pt bonus
6. RBs/WRs that run/receive for 150 yards in a game will earn a 5 pt bonus (Same ON TOP bonus as above)

I decided to keep the Waiver Wire the same FREE FOR ALL as it has been in the past. Why change it if it has been working…which means (if you are new to the league) you can pick up Waiver’s at ANYTIME during the week after a game has been completed…you don’t have to wait until Tuesday to pick someone up, and there is no 2 day waiting period because there is no order to pick someone up…(i.e. if you want to pick up 5 guys at one time and you are the first one to click “add” on them, you get all 5 guys). SO STAY ON TOP OF IT!

Also, I decided to keep the Defensive position. Again, why change something that works.

Basically everything else is the same…which means, these changes are pretty close to being “set in stone” unless there are huge gripes from someone. This will be sent in a PM to everyone as well as being posted on the thread, so there should be NO REASON someone doesn’t know about the changes.

Thanks guys! :tu

Remember....ITS FOR THE TROOPS!!!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Looks great, Cole. Thanks for all of the hard work.

Ha! I need to learn how to read...:r I'll be at work during the draft.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Can you draft from work Matt? If not what nights around there work for you?

Btw guys, Matt is gonna help Co-Commish with me, thanks Matt :tu

Also, welcome Malakai (John) to the group! He is stepping in Jeremy's spot.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'll have to check if I can do it on my cell phone...I'll try to do a few mock drafts to see how it works. 7 CST is right in the middle of the sort, no chance I would be able to sneak away to my office. I work 2ish to around midnight m-f so no week night really is easy for me. If I can get the cell to do it I should be fine, though.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

That's right, you're the UPS guy! I'm open to doing the draft on a weekend, just not sure which one...that Sunday (the 2nd I think) is Labor Day weekend, and to draft a week prior is taking a chance that a drafted guy gets hurt last preseason game....

Thoughts?

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Whatever works the best for the most people...the draft is more fun with everybody there. That being said, we're getting down to the wire so we need feedback on it quick. Sat or Sun the last weekend in Aug. would be the best for me but I can work around whatever.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Did not realize that is Labor Day weekend. I'm not available Fri, Sat, or Sunday. Unless we did early 7am Sat or Sunday. Monday I'm back home in morning.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'm ok with doing it whenever

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I have school from 3-10pm Mon-Thurs. any time other than that works for me. Friday night would be great.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Friday night August 30 works for me!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Any night works for me!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Trying to do a mock draft...apparently Yahoo is not on my schedule. Next Mock draft is in 5 hours and 25 minutes. Damn.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Alright, to be fair (and because we still have enough time to figure this out....

Here are the Draft dates: PLEASE POST YOUR ANSWER!!!

A.) Sunday August 25th at 8:00PM EST (note, there is still a preseason game for each team after this date.

B.) Friday August 31st at 8:30 PM EST

C.) Tuesday September 3rd at 8:30 PM EST

D.) Wednesday September 4th at 8:30 PM EST

This will not impart on anyone's Labor day plans, and will give everyone a fair shot at trying to get their allotted time slot. (Well, at least I hope it's fair! :tu )

I vote "A"

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'll vote A, too. So does Scott (sofaman). I just asked him and he says that works for him.
So that's 3-0 for A.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I choose "A" as well. I'll take the chance someone I draft get's injured in the last preseason game.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'll vote A as well

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

A- works great for me

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Well that's 6, and I know Matt doesn't work on Sunday's, so he would make 7 (assuming he is in for that as well), and Jarrod wouldn't have school on Sunday nights...so I think I'll set it at that.

DRAFT IS AUGUST 25th at 8:00 PM EST

:noon:noon:banger:banger

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

That day works here.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

I'm not available on the 25th. I'm out of town and have another draft that day. It would need to be autodraft for me. Maybe Mattso can pick my team? I hate the way autodraft fills out the roster before drafting backup RBs and WRs... Are you up for a double draft Mattso?

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Should be no problem bro. Where are you going to be?

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

A works for me boys!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Ugh, I guess I'm a Dumb$4!T, Yahoo has their time zone in PDT, not EST...and now, all the good times are taken...so we can either keep the time at 8 PDT (which is 11:00 PM EST...and I am not a fan of this) or change it to 2:15 PDT (which is 5:15 EST).

Sorry for the F up guys :(

5:15 EST works for me, hopefully it does for others as well, let me know.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

BASIC RULES FOR THE CIGAR PASS:
• First simple rule…Put in more than you take, the pass is intended to seed future passes, and future leagues.
• Get it to the next guy immediately…let us know if you can’t receive the pass, we will jump you to the end if need be, we want this thing MOVING!
• Value for value on smokes. Nothing under $8.00

HARD RULES FOR THE CIGAR PASS

1.) You MUST purchase insurance when shipping the pass box. The box is to go between recipients via Priority Mail, Insured for $499. If insurance is not purchased, and the pass is lost, the sender will be held responsible for replacement cost of the pass contents.
It costs roughly $18.00-$20.00 to ship the box, insured. If anything ever happens that causes someone to find themselves short shipping fees on their week, please let me or one of the group know so we can cover you.

2.) So far as Puts and Takes go...
• If you take a cc, put a cc. If you take an nc, put an nc.
• If a pass participant wishes to forego the nc/nc, cc/cc rule, they may do so, in either direction, but it will require of them a premium. Their replacement stick in a cc for nc or nc for cc trade must be a cigar valued significantly higher than that which he is taking. Another option is that the replacement cigar be a Rare/HTF stick, widely considered more valuable than the take.
• The goal here is for us to create and carry on an absolutely top-notch pass. Please respect that, and replace cigars with premium cigars. That's not to say there's not a place in our lives for lower notch cigars, just please, not in this pass. It's special, and when it arrives on your weekend, it should completely blow your mind (I know it did this in the past).
• In the spirit of part c, it will be considered perfectly acceptable for someone to take more than one cigar to make up the value of their put.
• As with all passes, the value of your puts should always be greater than that of your takes.
• Every time a member receives the pass box, he agrees to add a couple extra premium cigars, above and beyond his puts/takes, to seed this pass for years to come.
• Please post your puts and takes in the Fantasy Football thread so a couple guys can okay them before you ship to the next participant. Your description must be very accurate. (The League Commissioner tracks all puts and takes just in case) If you have time for pics, that'd be best. Being as time is of the essence and our schedule is so aggressive, pics are NOT mandated, but highly encouraged.
• You can take up to seven (7) cigars. If you have a situation where a take equals 2 cigars, you may take more, so long as your put for the 2 cigars is of sufficient value.

3.) If at any point you have a question concerning this pass or its rules please contact one of the Commissioners.

4.) Once the package is received, you MUST get it on it's way within 2 business days. We will not hunt you down and torture you for non-compliance, but know you're letting down a good brother who's really excited.

5.) If your schedule isn't going to work and you're afraid you won't be able to get the pass out immediately when you receive it, just let the guy ahead of you know and he can pass you up. Then let me know and we'll fit you back in when it works and I'll get a new schedule to all the guys. Doing this is not a problem at all, it's my pleasure. If we have to change your spot 20 times, still not a problem. Letting down your brothers is.

6.) Once mailed, please post the shipped date (if it's different from your posting date) & delivery confirmation or tracking number. Let us know what courier you used if not USPS, and DO NOT FORGET INSURANCE!!!

7.) If at some point this pass overfills the box, let me know and we'll figure out what to do. (i.e. Get a bigger box, or remove some of the sticks that seeded the pass…From Scott Shilala last year when the pass was started)

8.) In the box will be single finger bags. Please make sure all cigars are placed in single finger bags and marked with the cigar’s name and year made (if known). There are also other supplies in there, please use them as necessary.

9.) The person (i.e. Cole “The Commissioner) who is keeping track of the pass must be notified of puts/takes. Posting in the Fantasy Football thread is considered notification. A pm to the keeper with a link to your post would be a helpful reminder to him.

10.) The pass will start once all teams are signed on and will run until the end of February, or whatever time makes itself obvious as suitable.

11.) Each round of the pass, I will notify all participants (which is why emails and phone numbers are required if we cannot get a hold of you on CA) that the pass will go around again. You are the ability to “opt” out of any pass round if you so choose, just let me know before we start the round.

12.) The pass will run in the most basic geographic order, starting with Scott Shilala in Streetsboro, Ohio.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

League Rules (that aren't stated in Yahoo):
• All the player’s names, phone numbers (for contact), email addresses (for contact, if needed only), mailing addresses (for pass purposes) and CA names need to be PM'ed to Mattso300 and me. We need these immediately to start the pass.
• Teams who fold will immediately have manager replaced.
• Don’t be a fool!!!! Dropping a STUD on a bye week will be looked upon with stern dissatisfaction (i.e. future league consideration), reason being, another team could pick them up for nothing, and you just lost your stud and gave another team ANOTHER stud!
• ALL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED ONLY AFTER ALL ENTRIES ARE PAID!!!! hate to punish the winner, but it's only fair.

Playoff Rules: (i.e. things not stated on Yahoo!)
• The winner (1) of the Loser’s bracket (6 teams) will get a 10’er of sticks from either myself, or sticks from the pass that are duplicates/or not “on par” with the other “choice” sticks (or combination of both).
o I will track the Loser’s bracket on here (as I can't on Yahoo) and let each team know in advance who they play for the two weeks of playoffs. (NOTE: 3 teams will play the final week for the Loser’s championship, that’s just how it works with 6 teams playing in 2 weeks).

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Hopefully we can keep the time at 8 PDT as I have another draft that day and I would like to live draft my time. I guess it comes down to how many East coast guys we have and what works best for the majority.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Travis, you are not the only one that my screw up is hurting, so I am trying to figure something out that makes it good for all of us.

Scott mentioned that usually around the actual draft date more times open up, so I am going to look into that, and also look into a couple other options.

If I end up being able to get 8 EST (5 PDT) would that be good with you?

I'm also looking into doing an Offline draft, where I do everything manually, but we still participate together (i.e. having a conference call where everyone tracks players picked and I keep track of all the picks for who and what rounds).

I just want to make it fair for everyone. :tu

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

8 EST or any time after that would be perfect for me. Hopefully you can find a time that works for everyone. Thanks!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Guys, we are back on for our ORIGINAL DRAFT TIME!!!!

Sorry it changed so much, but I messed up before and I was just checking this morning. Yahoo had put back up that 5:00 PM PDT (8:00 PM EST) as an option to pick on the 25th :wo :wo so I grabbed it!

I think that this time worked for everyone other than Mark, but that Matt was going to help draft for him. :noon Just made my day!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Make sure you guys are getting your entries to me (or letting me know if you have a situation holding you up, please)

I have received:
Mine
Scott Shilala
Scott Sizer
Matt
Mark

Leaves to be paid yet:
Tony
John
Jarrod
Mike (arrangements made)
Travis

Remember, 6 premium smokes for the entry ($60) and at least 6 troops smokes

Thanks all!

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Also, I wanted everyone to know that I received the pass from Scott this past weekend when I stopped by his place after the Shack herf. I am going to go through the pass most likely on Wednesday and:
-organize it
-check all the sticks to ensure they are not damaged in anyway as they shouldn't be
-take out sticks that Scott used last year to seed the pass (other than the CCs) and send them back to him
-document all the sticks into my handy dandy spreadsheet so everything is tracked

I would like to get the pass order worked out logistically by then as well, so make sure you get me your addresses this week. Hopefully I can get the pass in the mail by Friday/Saturday this week to the first lucky recipient :D

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Who sent my entry in? I was just packing something up! I sent 100 troop sticks to Shilala so I should be good to go on that part...at least for my first two bets.

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Ah crap, you are correct. The troop sticks for you are in. The entry sticks are needed yet.


First two bets....:r :r

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

update

Re: Fourth Annual Fantasy Football for Stakes and the Troops
 

Hey Guys, just wanted to remind everyone that the Draft is coming up this SUNDAY (Aug 25th) at 8:00 PM EST (5:00 PM PST).

Also, not to be that di<k but this was in Scott's first post, and is still the rule:

Buy in will be six premiums ($60.00 minimum value, NC and/or CC) and a sixer (minimum) for the troops, due prior to the first week's kickoff. You all know the drill on sending betting smokes along with your buy-in to save money. Feel free to handle that however you like.

As of today's mail:

I have received:
Mine (Entry and Troops)
Scott Shilala (Entry and Troops)
Scott Sizer (Entry and Troops)
Mark (Entry and Troops)
Travis (Entry and Troops, UPS dropping off 8/23)

Leaves to be paid yet:
Tony
John
Jarrod
Matt
Mike (arrangements made)

I know it's not the first week's kickoff yet, but I just wanted to get the reminder out...I don't want to have to be the AZZ that has to send out the nasty reminders. Also, I actually am really chill, so if you want to make other arraignments (like Coach "Mike" did) that's totally cool with me, just let me know. Communication is the key here :tu

Good luck...and I'll totally understand if after the draft you all want to just give up after seeing my KICK AZZ TEAM!!!!!! :D :su:sl:banger