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Has the advancement in technology changed drafting location and process? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter agame2323
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Hawkeye21
Footballguy
Both of my serious leagues are in person drafts and take the rule pretty serious. I actually fly from Iowa to Houston to do my main league's draft and visit my brother. My other draft is local and this year we are trying something different, we will be holding it at a local campground making it an all day event.
I look forward to the draft all year as it's my favorite part of fantasy football and doing it live with everyone makes it the best experience.
I look forward to the draft all year as it's my favorite part of fantasy football and doing it live with everyone makes it the best experience.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
We have one or two people each season that draft remotely but since our league is in it's 21st season and part of the appeal is getting together with old friends for beers, laughs and football it will always be an in person event.
If that's "old fashioned" I can live with that.
abbottjamesr
Footballguy
My main league is with old college and high school friends. We are pretty scattered around the country no days. For the last 6 or so seasons we have been doing the Draft online. We then try to meet up during the season in vegas as the get together.
Auctions seem like they would be hard to do in person as there are a bunch of moving parts. We did snake drafts last we did them in person. Switched to auction 4 years ago.
Auctions seem like they would be hard to do in person as there are a bunch of moving parts. We did snake drafts last we did them in person. Switched to auction 4 years ago.
Hankmoody
Footballguy
My homer league has one owner in Chicago and another in Philly. They get here probably 75% of the time. Both have families so travel that holiday weekend isn't always possible.
I wouldn't allow a local owner to draft remotely barring a family health emergency. If he's not here he's not drafting and can pick his team on waivers after the fact. 21 years and we have had two total times a local guy wasn't here.
I wouldn't allow a local owner to draft remotely barring a family health emergency. If he's not here he's not drafting and can pick his team on waivers after the fact. 21 years and we have had two total times a local guy wasn't here.
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
Live draft is the best way to do it. We make a day of it and have everyone bring food and drinks and then move on to playing poker after the draft is over. The draft is the best part of the season and seeing everyone in person is much better. With distance it is sometimes the only time I see a couple of my out of town buddies.
Drafting online is a terrible way to go and should be avoided at all costs. I understand sometimes it just doesn't work with people scattered all over and in my long time league (32 years) people are scattered all over but 90% make it back for the draft as it is a great way to see old friends. Every year there will be a couple teams that can't make it out and they draft on-line but they are always disappointed on missing out on the in person experience.
For the person that mentioned the auction, it may take a little longer because it's tougher to force the time limit but the talk back and forth and the crap slinging is well worth the extra time for doing it in person. We actually do a restricted free agent auction to start and then roll into the rookie draft so we get the best of both worlds. Doing it live with everyone in the room is much better than online.
Drafting online is a terrible way to go and should be avoided at all costs. I understand sometimes it just doesn't work with people scattered all over and in my long time league (32 years) people are scattered all over but 90% make it back for the draft as it is a great way to see old friends. Every year there will be a couple teams that can't make it out and they draft on-line but they are always disappointed on missing out on the in person experience.
For the person that mentioned the auction, it may take a little longer because it's tougher to force the time limit but the talk back and forth and the crap slinging is well worth the extra time for doing it in person. We actually do a restricted free agent auction to start and then roll into the rookie draft so we get the best of both worlds. Doing it live with everyone in the room is much better than online.
Wrigley
Footballguy
This is us(24th year)
one guy drafts from TX via speakerphone.
Live is is the only way to draft imo
How so? Every comment to this topic has said that live is far superior than online. The best part of the season is the draft and seeing everyone, talking crap and drafting your team. Any on-line draft I have ever done is boring and has no character to it.
I stand by that all drafts should be live and you should do what you can to attend. Obviously, there are unforeseen circumstances that can cause you to have to draft online if you need to travel a distance but it doesn't change the fact that a live draft is much better than an online draft.
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
You're statement came off as needing to be live or don't even play fantasy football. I think we can all agree that doing an online draft is much better than not playing at all.
For one, it sounds like you actually do use online drafting since 10% of your leaguemates who can't be present draft online. Which means you're all using the online interface, but you're together in person. But obviously it's not a terrible interface or you guys wouldn't use it.
Second, just because one option is personally preferable to you doesn't make the other option "terrible." That's the real disconnect that make the statement so dumb. The reality is that both options are totally fine while one is preferable to you. Sometimes, for other people, having an option that is convenient and quick is best.
I've done (A) live drafts and I've done (B) online drafts where we're all together and I've done (C) online drafts where everyone is at home. Personally, I hate pure live drafts (A). They're always either slow or disorganized AND slow (sorry, but an online clock is needed, or someone with a stop watch and a large stick). If I enjoy the company of everyone, then getting together with our laptops to do a "live" online draft can be fun (B). I've got time for maybe one of those per year. But all the rest of my redraft leagues fall under category C and (shocker) they're all totally fine and not "terrible" or to "be avoided at all costs."
Gotcha. I see where you took it the way you did. I just think a solely online draft is boring and makes for a terrible draft. The on line tools are fine and there is nothing wrong with the interfaces. it's just it takes away from the event to start the NFL season that is the draft. The draft is the best part of the season so having the league together makes it a lot better.
It can be fun, but the worth varies to each person. Personally, it's not a big deal to me. If I want to see friends I'll throw a party. I don't need a fantasy draft to do that. I don't really like to have set schedules, so having to go somewhere at the same time every year would feel restrictive. Plus, some of my best friends don't play FF... but if they all did and we were in a league together, I could see how it would be worth it. But just one league. I can't imagine traveling several times in August solely for fantasy drafts and I can't imagine playing in only one league, so online drafts and their ultimate convenience will always be appreciated by me.
I have 4 leagues.
- One original league (32 years) of high school friends, dads, and other friends. We all meet back at the home town and draft/watch the first weekend of games. It's a 2 hr drive and my parents still live there so a nice excuse to come for a visit. Champion from the previous year has to provide a meal for the draft.
- One work league (20 yrs): draft the Thursday of the first game. Start during the day via email and finish at someone's house prior to and during the game. Great way to kick off the season.
- Dynasty League (14 yrs): This has an auction and rookie draft. It is an all day event. We always have the draft on the Saturday of the weekend before labor day and usually involves a poker game or two and a golf outing. Most of the owners make it to the draft with one or two exceptions. Most owners live within 1-1/2 hr drive so not too difficult to carve out some time.
- Kids/Parents league: started 2-yrs ago with a bunch of friends and their kids (range 10 yr old & up). Each kid has a team and each mom or dad has a team. Really fun, simple league. Live draft with the kids drafting their own teams. All teams are local so getting together is simple. Great family bonding.
ghostguy123
Footballguy
I don't have enough friends who care about fantasy football. I would say 90% of them don't play at all.
Not really even possible to do live drafts with everyone attending. People aren't gonna drive/fly in from a thousand miles away for a FF draft.
Without the technology we just wouldn't have our leagues.
Not really even possible to do live drafts with everyone attending. People aren't gonna drive/fly in from a thousand miles away for a FF draft.
Without the technology we just wouldn't have our leagues.
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
This is how I originally got into my brother's league. I didn't have any friends that wanted a serious league and my brother's league had an opening. The first year I shared a team with someone that was there and I joined over the phone. Every year since then I've flown there to do the draft. It's a great way to spend time with my brother and the only time I get down there to see him. It's by far my favorite league.
I was eventually able to get into a local league a couple years ago through a friend. I didn't know half of the people in the league but have really enjoyed being in it and meeting new guys that love fantasy football.
Ramblin Wreck
Footballguy
Yeah mine are all online because we are spread out across multiple states. No one is spending airline money for a fantasy draft. As fun as it would be to do them in person like we did before people got married and moved and spread out it's not just logical.
Gottabesweet
Footballguy
We still draft in person, but less and less show each year. We average about 7/12 the last few years. Others draft from home who are local. No more stickers on a draft board. We all meet at a bar, have it on a projector screen and it's done so fast like 1.5 hours. Hate it. Everyone has their computer up and picks on the computer and you see it on the screen. Might as well be one. The one year we had it in a big conference room maybe ten years ago, announced the picks at the podium, everyone heard them. Went real smooth.
Miss the old stickers on the board and able to have time to eat while drafting.
Miss the old stickers on the board and able to have time to eat while drafting.
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Stinkin Ref
IBL Representative
main league rule....if you can't make it, you must send a representative to the draft...if you communicate with them during the draft, fine, but somebody has to actually be there
drunken slob
Footballguy
Stinkin Ref said:
Next month will be our 15th Live Draft.
I have a dude that keeps up with our league and is the, "Official Stand-In Drafter," for any team that can't represent. To show my appreciation, I provide him with draft and take home drinks whenever his services are required. With exception to one owner, all the other guys are local and this dude is #1 on the waiting list to join our league.
One time, we had an owner Skype for a draft. Dude lived in Miami at the time, but now lives in Virginia and drives here for our live draft.
We were all friends before I started the league. Initially, the goal was to pick players and then stay up till the next morning. Now, it's a family affair with kids, wives and owners catching up and enjoying the killer eats that I and others put together.
What I miss the most, the weekly waiver wire meetings that occurred Thursday evenings. I blame that on Thursday Night Football. Don't get me wrong, changing family situations and technology are also a factor, but TNF is the suck. We had an arrangement with a wing shack that reserved the biggest table in the building each Thursday from 6 to close for us because the owner knew we would drop massive coin and not be dooshes. Those meetings were as good as the draft. Oh well.
TNF sucks
NYRAGE
Footballguy
Our league has been drafting in person for 20 years. If you move away, you need to fly in or you're out. We're in Texas.We have a guy flying in from Atlanta and one drives from Louisiana. With the exception of these two guys, we also meet a month ahead of time for a rules meeting and once during the season.
My other leagues are online because we're all scattered all over the States and Canada.
My other leagues are online because we're all scattered all over the States and Canada.
Da Man
Footballguy
25th year. We do live every year in Pats country. One of my buddies flies up from Florida every year for it...rest of us are local. Draft is always on a Friday night...this year in a private room at one of league members restaurant. Saturday after draft, I hold a golf tournament with league members (and friends) usually 28-36 guys at a local golf course. Usually a scramble or bramble format. Following the tournament, we have a barbecue at my house with the gang. We have been doing draft "weekend every year". The only thing that changes is the draft venue ( have done at Foxwoods casino among other venues) and the golf courses change. It is always a very memorable weekend with great memories..
Val Rannous
Footballguy
28th year for us, and we're still doing the in-person thing. For lesser drafts, online is fine, but it doesn't have the impact of getting together and making an afternoon of food, beer, and smack talk.
MattFancy
Footballguy
One thing I haven't seen talked about is the popularity of apps like Draft Dominator that are being used more and more. Kinda takes all the research out of it. Last couple of seasons, guys have showed up and downloaded the app right before the draft starts and just let the app make their picks.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
We have one or two people drafting remotely each season but not all of us are on our laptops drafting. Some people do follow along on their laptops but there's only one laptop that has commisioner powers that will enter the picks in the draft room as they are made "live" so that those drafting remotely can take part and follow along (plus rosters get loaded). Some years the same person is ok doing the entire draft, sometimes we take turns of a few rounds.
For me personally, my one redraft league is a bunch of college buddies and if we had to move to totally on-line I could see the league not lasting that long since it's one of our favorite days of the year (us older guys don't get to cut loose as often as we did in the past).
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
I download the app each year but never use it during the draft if that makes sense. I like it for the mock, auction drafts it allows me to do anywhere and quickly. There are a few people in my drafts that do them and I question some of the picks they make based on them. I myself find much more joy in compiling my own cheat sheets and using them during the draft. I prefer to see the entire list of players in front of me instead of scrolling through players on a device.
MattFancy
Footballguy
I do the same. I'll use it for mocks and stuff just to get an idea of where guys could go. But once the draft comes, I have my own print out and go off that. It just takes the "skill" out of it when someone can just get an app and have the app basically make all their picks for them.
Hawkeye21
Footballguy
I tried using it once and still had my cheat sheet as a backup. I was actually more stressed out trying to keep everything straight on it. I had troubles keeping track of players being taken and I would lose track of players I wanted to take instead of what the app suggested. I ended up going with my cheat sheet and it was much easier for me.
My brother uses and app each year and he's a mess with it. He's always having to ask me who was taken and who's available because he's constantly messing with the app. He's always frustrated and doesn't seem like he's having fun. When the draft is over he usually has like two QBs and two TEs or even three TEs the one year because he loses track of what his roster looks like. He relies on this because he's not prepared going into the draft.
mphtrilogy
Footballguy
long time league with a lot of work friends that have since dispersed to other locales and jobs.. a few years ago we did have a 100% online draft as that year was a tough year to get together
it was awful.
we have since made a pretty strong effort to get as many folks together as possible, its very enjoyable part of the year, those that cant make it we dont bust balls, we have a conference call to hear each other speak and enjoy the rapport of the live draft room, and we also do it online to follow along.. everyone chips in for the conference call.. it has worked out great.
In person adds a lot of value for the overall season imho
it was awful.
we have since made a pretty strong effort to get as many folks together as possible, its very enjoyable part of the year, those that cant make it we dont bust balls, we have a conference call to hear each other speak and enjoy the rapport of the live draft room, and we also do it online to follow along.. everyone chips in for the conference call.. it has worked out great.
In person adds a lot of value for the overall season imho
ghostguy123
Footballguy
bonscott
Footballguy
My two local leagues been going 20 years+. If you don't show up or make other arrangements you're out. Only exception is I have one owner who was transferred about 800 miles away but he still flies up every 2-3 years for the draft. Draft weekend is Christmas for us. We go out Friday night to catch up and just shoot the poo. My draft is all day Saturday from about 11 to 6 and my buddy's draft is all day Sunday from 9 am to 5 (auction on that one). My one guy that may do remote just calls in or via Skype. I don't enter the draft in live on the web site as it happens because I have no fun when I've tried that so I record the draft on paper just like the old days and enter it in when I sober up in the evening.
All in all, it's a weekend everyone looks forward to all year and for some is the only time we see them.
All in all, it's a weekend everyone looks forward to all year and for some is the only time we see them.
BlueMeanie
Footballguy
We started our league 20 years ago with 12 friends and neighbors. There are still 4 original owners as well as 5 others with 10+ years of tenure. Ages run from 25-69 and is 60/40 males to females. Needless to say, quite diverse. We used to have great auction draft parties when we were all local up until about 3 years ago. Now in addition to the aforementioned diversity, we have owners in every US time zone and have used on line auction at CBS for the last 3 years. It's not "great" as the party, but it has worked out well. Sure makes after draft roster loading easier for this Commissioner.
