However, since you didn't let people who were late to the party have a shot at their favorite teams via lottery (or whatever else) and If you won't let people choose a second favorite team because you don't want people to choose "the best team left," seems like a fair option might be to go ahead and let people choose their second favorite team and have a fantasy draft to fill the teams.
Of course, that's probably more trouble than you want to deal with and maybe I'm the only guy who is less than satisfied with how the process was handled. But by handing me a team I don't care about, I have no compunction with trading or gutting as I see fit, within the league constraints already laid out, of course. I feel no sense of loyalty to anybody on the Jets. Seems like that was part of what you were looking to avoid in this league.
Just wanted to address this too. All of this was discussed. When the idea came up of how to make the league the most fair and balanced, the thought of doing fantasy rosters was brought up. But then it was stated that it wouldn't be as enjoyable for those of us playing along with our favorite team. And that's when the idea of having everybody use favorite teams came up. Several of us have been using our favorite teams for years...while others come in and say "Hey the 49ers are good...hey the Patriots are good. I want them."
Hell, even what Mile High Von was doing last night is essentially this same thing. He's a Broncos fan...the Broncos are taken. "Hmm...Atlanta is good and will give me a good chance at winning. Can I have them?" That's not a knock on him. I just hated the feeling that the people picking their team for "the right reasons" are at a disadvantage in most cases.
As for how teams were given out, in general, they were done by seniority. I had no idea who your favorite team was. I knew Matt Young was a Packers fan, and when trying to do a rough count of how many fans we had and if the idea was feasible, I counted him as our "Packers guy". Other than that, everybody here had the exact same opportunity. Nobody received a private message that there was a new thread. People just saw it, stumbled in here, and asked for their favorite team. You make it sound like this information was conspiratorially kept away from you.
As for you gutting the Jets, I don't blame you. The thing is...that was happening anyway. I don't expect to go from "lots of gutting" to "no gutting". I'm just trying to reduce it. Like Superstar said, unless we had a fan for all 32 teams come in here, it was going to happen. And I don't disagree that people would feel more attachment to their 2nd or 3rd favorite team...but I am not confident in my ability to be able to discern when someone is lying about that. People were already questioning if believing someone's "favorite team" was possible. Like I've said, if we reduced it to "You may choose your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd favorite team" we might as well say "pick any team" because that statement is laughable in my opinion.
I'm sorry that you're not happy with the team you were given. Honestly, I can tell you that because of this format we're doing this year, I'm much more likely to consider allowing people to switch to their favorite team if the owner of it drops out (especially since we have trade limits this year). Basically, what this means is that if you leave your team, they're not "yours" anymore. Not sure how everyone else would feel about this, but I think it's reasonable.
Back in the spring, I took over the Browns in the other CAG league. I went about my business and completed multiple seasons in the league and contended for a playoff spot. My second season featured a balanced offense and an improved defense. I abided by all rules and was a stand up opponent and contributor to the league. I have played with people who have been in both your league and the other CAG league. I feel that if you were to ask any of the former commish's of that league or contributing users about my participation and my style of game play, they would all say I was more than fine. I want to be a part of an active madden league with good competition and I believe this league gives me both those things. All I am simply asking for is an opportunity, something I have yet to be given. All I need is a chance.
Of course I can read the rules and I did go over them. Yes I am a Broncos fan first and foremost but I also like the Falcons as they are my NFC team if you will. I would be more than active with them if I did land them. I read the rules from top to bottom and I have familarized myself with how the league functions and operates.
Thanks for your time.
I think that's fair. I'm willing to give people a chance this year (provided they're not head and shoulders above the talent here). There will also be much less leeway given this year. If multiple people find you unpleasant to play against, you'll be gone. Not saying that as anything against you. Just a general statement that applies to everyone. That said, we're not allowing people to just pick whichever team they want. The purpose of this league is not to be full. It's to give fans a place to play out their teams seasons without having to worry about "mercenaries" coming in with their eyes set on virtual championships. So, if you're ok with being randomly assigned a team, then you can have that chance you've been asking for. Entirely up to you though.
I'll take the Falcons, Saints, or Vikings.
EDIT: My favorite team is the Redskins, but they are taken. Does that mean I can't join?
Same as my last sentence to Mile High Von. We're randomly assigning teams for anyone whose favorite team has been taken. This was the compromise between closing the league off entirely and just having the free for all that we always have.
Now it does sub the starting receiver in the slot on certain formations like it did last year, and while it does lead to mismatches and its BS that there are no defensive assignments again I don't see there being much that can be done on a grand scale without really slowing down the flow of the game. If your opponent starts going heavy to the slot mismatch you can quickly assign a deep zone safety to double cover the slot receiver. That was how i combated the TE throws last season. It isn't a perfect solution, but players who tend to lean on those mismatches constantly usually end up throwing the ball to that receiver even if they are double covered. So you can sort of use their own tactic against them with a little bit of practice. Shading your corner or linebacker inside our outside can also take away the slot mismatch because of the routes the slot usually runs.
Again, not perfect solutions, but maybe it will help out some people who really struggle with those mismatches.
This is why I thought of a possible "no quick snap" rule last night. It's sad, but for the most part, if you're not altering your coverage at the line of scrimmage, you're
ed. I guess we could say that you have to let 10 seconds tick off the playclock before snapping the ball. The problem here would come when people take longer to choose their play. And then again, late game situations. Ahh...this is so damn frustrating. All EA had to do was let us assign coverage. How
ing difficult is it???
