Been a good run...I'm done with the FF (1 Viewer)

[dirtyjay]

I think the reason some finally get fed up with FF is that they come to the realization that no matter how much time and effort one puts in, it far too often comes down to luck.

Correct - I'm sure that is the case for many.

Thats what it is for me.

"I didnt win, I'm taking my ball and going home." Isnt that the definition of poor sportsmanship?

Luck is a part of everything, if you are not lucky in fantasy chances are you are not lucky at other things.

A lot of people who do not have success are this way. A lot is luck sure, but you create your own luck. If you mismanage your lineup, thats not luck, that is you not knowing how to set a lineup. If you missed that big waiver add, it isnt luck, its you not scooping him. Regardless of your waiver system, it all evens out.

The problem with people who are not successful is they always think its luck. Its just like anything, you put more time and effort in you will have more success. Luck evens out. Good team can always lose on any given week, see the Giants beating the Pats in the SB years back.

See you next year OP, but please next year, dont start a thread like this and being upset because you did not get lucky.

 

[Interseptopus]

It was OBJ.

It was OBJ that retired you, wasn't it?

No, he was on bye. It was Tim Hightower.

Admit it, it's just not as fun when Cam has passed your boy as the best QB in the league and the Victory Lap has supplanted the Lambeau leap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8H-33u-j0

Ah yes, I remember when my team first got good too... Thanks for the memories Bass.

 

[Interseptopus]

Saber I know how you feel. 3 years ago I decided not to commish my league I had been doing for 15 years. I was just done with the work of a commish and even fantasy football. I was all set to just enjoy my retirement from FF until a buddy asked me to be in his high stakes league.

I've found it's helpful not watching the games on Sunday except for the pack. I can't change the numbers watching them trickle in all Sunday. All that does it play with my emotions and blood pressure. Instead I try, whenever I have discipline, to not check until later Sunday or even Monday morning. I'm still getting burned out. If I wasn't winning in this league every year I'd probably quit too. But the money is nice.

I can understand what you're saying. My wife said the same thing to me a while ago that your brother did, that I hadn't done the things I enjoy/hobbies I used to participate in. I'm not at your point yet of fully quitting but I can relate to some degree. Enjoy your time! And go pack go

 

[Zdravko]

This is an amazing thread. I relate to so much of the sentiments.

I really struggled with the exact issues that Sabertooth and other describe. I almost quit as well, but thought about it some and decided it is ridiculous to throw away an otherwise fun hobby, because I have allowed it to get out of control.

Instead of quitting, I looked at my biggest problems and devised simple solutions. Here is my list of Golden Five FF Rules – maybe it helps someone.

1. Do NOT track live scores and stats ever – not even once until Monday (I figure MNF can be sacrificed). Check the inactives for the 4 pm games, if you have to, but no more. I also USE DUCT TAPE TO COVER THE STATS TRACKER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BROADCASTS


2. NEVER, never, never check your opponents lineups – you should have no idea who you are playing against in each league

3. Play in at least five leagues (more if you have good memory) – the point is NOT to be able to know from memory which player you are starting where

4. Play ONLY IN VERY DEEP leagues – the point is to eliminate the waiver wire luck + time drain effects

5. Accept that anyone can win these days with some luck and a lot of time investment -> your goal should be to be as competitive as possible with optimal (i.e., not max) investment levels

~~~~~~~~

6. (I live abroad now, so for most of you won’t be able to this, but….) Put money on games. Having $50 riding on a real outcome makes FF less interesting - fact.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think the reason some finally get fed up with FF is that they come to the realization that no matter how much time and effort one puts in, it far too often comes down to luck.

Correct - I'm sure that is the case for many.

Thats what it is for me.

Moderation is king. If you're playing with the expectation to always win you're in the wrong hobby. Enjoy ffb for what it is. Saber it sounds like you have other priorities you've been neglecting, get back to focusing on what's important and if you get time rejoin us.

gl sir!

What is it though? Watching stats compile is all it really is. Competing against people maybe but you have no control over the games.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think the reason some finally get fed up with FF is that they come to the realization that no matter how much time and effort one puts in, it far too often comes down to luck.

Correct - I'm sure that is the case for many.

Thats what it is for me.

"I didnt win, I'm taking my ball and going home." Isnt that the definition of poor sportsmanship?

Luck is a part of everything, if you are not lucky in fantasy chances are you are not lucky at other things.

A lot of people who do not have success are this way. A lot is luck sure, but you create your own luck. If you mismanage your lineup, thats not luck, that is you not knowing how to set a lineup. If you missed that big waiver add, it isnt luck, its you not scooping him. Regardless of your waiver system, it all evens out.

The problem with people who are not successful is they always think its luck. Its just like anything, you put more time and effort in you will have more success. Luck evens out. Good team can always lose on any given week, see the Giants beating the Pats in the SB years back.

See you next year OP, but please next year, dont start a thread like this and being upset because you did not get lucky.

Um...no. I'm playing in a championship game this weekend. I was only in two leagues. One I took 5th place, lost in the Wildcard round, the other I am alive and playing. Just had Woodhead go and Oakland D. So doing well this week. You make a lot of untrue assumptions. Nice try though. My decision had everything to do with the unneeded stress of watching football on wildcard weekend. Don't need it. Don't want it.

 

[Jed]

Not really. I watched a guy in a league I was in score the most points and miss the playoffs.

Victory Points leagues solve this.

 

[G-King]

I think for me its the fatigue of trying to stay on top of everything. I read all I can. Spend hours agonizing over who to pick up, who to play, try not to 2nd guess my choices but fret over last second injury news. Then when you let up for an instant, like deciding to go on a family outing Sunday morning and set your lineup at 10:30 only to find your guy was declared questionable last minute and gave you zero when he barely played. Or on Wednesday night you decided to give your kids a bath when free for all waivers ran and missed out on that sleeper prospects 2 weeks before they blow up because the other vigilant FF die hard doesnt have a family.

That's what killed me this season. A whole off season of prep, studying all year, wasting so much time on my phone and then when I needed to check the most, I didn't because of family. That's a direct conflict that could lead some people to get angry about family time and I don't want to ever get there.

Agree

 

[Interseptopus]

I think for me its the fatigue of trying to stay on top of everything. I read all I can. Spend hours agonizing over who to pick up, who to play, try not to 2nd guess my choices but fret over last second injury news. Then when you let up for an instant, like deciding to go on a family outing Sunday morning and set your lineup at 10:30 only to find your guy was declared questionable last minute and gave you zero when he barely played. Or on Wednesday night you decided to give your kids a bath when free for all waivers ran and missed out on that sleeper prospects 2 weeks before they blow up because the other vigilant FF die hard doesnt have a family.

That's what killed me this season. A whole off season of prep, studying all year, wasting so much time on my phone and then when I needed to check the most, I didn't because of family. That's a direct conflict that could lead some people to get angry about family time and I don't want to ever get there.

Agree

I agree as well. If I'm going to do it I'm going to give it my all. Its refreshing to see others having similar conflicts

 

[Interseptopus]

I think the reason some finally get fed up with FF is that they come to the realization that no matter how much time and effort one puts in, it far too often comes down to luck.

Correct - I'm sure that is the case for many.

Thats what it is for me.

"I didnt win, I'm taking my ball and going home." Isnt that the definition of poor sportsmanship?

Luck is a part of everything, if you are not lucky in fantasy chances are you are not lucky at other things.

A lot of people who do not have success are this way. A lot is luck sure, but you create your own luck. If you mismanage your lineup, thats not luck, that is you not knowing how to set a lineup. If you missed that big waiver add, it isnt luck, its you not scooping him. Regardless of your waiver system, it all evens out.

The problem with people who are not successful is they always think its luck. Its just like anything, you put more time and effort in you will have more success. Luck evens out. Good team can always lose on any given week, see the Giants beating the Pats in the SB years back.

See you next year OP, but please next year, dont start a thread like this and being upset because you did not get lucky.

Um...no. I'm playing in a championship game this weekend. I was only in two leagues. One I took 5th place, lost in the Wildcard round, the other I am alive and playing. Just had Woodhead go and Oakland D. So doing well this week. You make a lot of untrue assumptions. Nice try though. My decision had everything to do with the unneeded stress of watching football on wildcard weekend. Don't need it. Don't want it.

I don't get why people get so upset over this post, Saber. If you've been here for more than 1 yr, you know how much Sabertooth contributes and would never call him out as a "take my ball and go home" kind of guy. I know his input will be missed, but there's nothing wrong with saying FF has burned you out and ruined how you watch the game. If others have found ways around this, more power to you. Obviously, by others posting in agreement, this is an issue many struggle with and can relate to Sabertooth.

FFF (fantasy football fatigue) is real, and unfortunately some people just say it's not worth it and walk away. It's a hobby, one that many of us are good at and make a lot of money on (which makes it very hard for me to walk away), but when it becomes more than a hobby and others start seeing you change, maybe it's time to find a new hobby. Kudos to Saber for realizing this before it made him very very unhappy.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I've posted in a lot of these threads; seems like we see them every so often. Sucks to hear what you're going through, Sabertooth, but maybe it's best if you take a step back.

Like many of you, I played FF for awhile, going back to the late 90s in a league with my neighbors. I had a lot of fun and was mostly competitive, and eventually expanded into a number of additional leagues for more money. I am an ultracompetitive person, and had a lot of fun doing the research, doing Antsports mock drafts, etc. to gain an advantage. It was a lot of fun, and what drew me to the game.

As I got older, I changed and the game changed, plain and simple. The instantaneous stat-tracking meant I was watching the computer more than I was watching the game. New players joined the game, people who thought a split end was a term for women's hair. I had less free time as I entered college, and I had fallen in love with the college game. Our friends had grown up and moved to different cities, so our drafts were online rather than in-person. I'm sure the Bills sucking didn't help. To be blunt, putting in the time and effort to be competitive at FF just wasn't as fun as it used to be. And my results showed it, as I started to suck pretty bad at FF....but whereas in the past I'd beat myself up and try to gain an advantage, I just didn't care anymore.

So I slowly weaned myself off, cut down to 2 leagues, then 1 the next year, then quit 4-5 years ago. I get an invite or two every year from people looking for new leaguemates cause they know I love football, but I always decline. I don't miss FF one bit. I find I enjoy the NFL so much more now and just watch football, rather than stats. I will always be a numbers guy, but it was the game of football itself that drew me to FF in the first place. I feel like when I was in my FF heyday, the actual game of football was lost in a shuffle of statistics and sleepers. It's been the best thing for me. Plus, it's a bit of a jolt the first time you hear an FF diehard try to tell you about his team when you don't play anymore....it's like "damn, I used to sound like that?"

Good luck Sabertooth and anyone else considering quitting.

 

[Fariq]

I've posted in a lot of these threads; seems like we see them every so often. Sucks to hear what you're going through, Sabertooth, but maybe it's best if you take a step back.

Like many of you, I played FF for awhile, going back to the late 90s in a league with my neighbors. I had a lot of fun and was mostly competitive, and eventually expanded into a number of additional leagues for more money. I am an ultracompetitive person, and had a lot of fun doing the research, doing Antsports mock drafts, etc. to gain an advantage. It was a lot of fun, and what drew me to the game.

As I got older, I changed and the game changed, plain and simple. The instantaneous stat-tracking meant I was watching the computer more than I was watching the game. New players joined the game, people who thought a split end was a term for women's hair. I had less free time as I entered college, and I had fallen in love with the college game. Our friends had grown up and moved to different cities, so our drafts were online rather than in-person. I'm sure the Bills sucking didn't help. To be blunt, putting in the time and effort to be competitive at FF just wasn't as fun as it used to be. And my results showed it, as I started to suck pretty bad at FF....but whereas in the past I'd beat myself up and try to gain an advantage, I just didn't care anymore.

So I slowly weaned myself off, cut down to 2 leagues, then 1 the next year, then quit 4-5 years ago. I get an invite or two every year from people looking for new leaguemates cause they know I love football, but I always decline. I don't miss FF one bit. I find I enjoy the NFL so much more now and just watch football, rather than stats. I will always be a numbers guy, but it was the game of football itself that drew me to FF in the first place. I feel like when I was in my FF heyday, the actual game of football was lost in a shuffle of statistics and sleepers. It's been the best thing for me. Plus, it's a bit of a jolt the first time you hear an FF diehard try to tell you about his team when you don't play anymore....it's like "damn, I used to sound like that?"

Good luck Sabertooth and anyone else considering quitting.

I agree with a lot of what you wrote here and in other threads on this topic. I made the title game in both of my leagues. Both are redrafts. One is a money league. If I win at least one, it might be a great time to retire. One of my chief complaints is the quitting and the stupidity. In the money league, I am not the commissioner and had no say on the settings. 8 of the 12 teams made the playoffs. I have the 1 seed and am facing a 6-7 team in the title game. The champion gets $500, the runner-up gets only $50. Something fluky happens to me tomorrow and it will cost me $450 to some team with a losing record in the regular season.

In the other league, one owner stopped playing after Week 7 and another guy was mailing it in from the start. Those teams both sucked and didn't compete for the playoffs. But why bother signing up if you are not going to try? I like competition and I likely rewarding greatness.

I was the 1 seed in all four of my leagues in 2015. I lost the title in my baseball points league because my opponent resorted to cheap streaming tactics. There was no streaming done all season long but then this ##### went nuts in the championship week.

In my other baseball league, I "lost" in the semi-finals because I tied a lower seed 5-5. That team had beaten me 10-9-1 in regular season action. He beat me 7-2-1 in Week 4. 75% of my roster was different by Week 23 or 24 (whatever the semis were). This was a public league on Yahoo. How 'bout rewarding the higher seed in the event of a playoff tie? No, that would make too much sense.

Suffice it to say I am done with head to head baseball.

 

[Shutout]

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Just wanted to let you fellas know I'll be back for my 23rd year. Talked over with the wife and kids, they're behind me 100%.

 

[Fariq]

I won both my leagues so it would be a great time to retire. I will almost certainly play again.

By the way, the one league was a money league and I won $500. The commissioner still has to collect $225. Amazing that people did not pay. Maybe I will get my money sometime before next season.

 

[joey]

Best thing that happened to me was having 2 kids and a busy family life. Sometimes I watch the games on Sunday. Sometimes I don't and I just watch the raiders game on TiVo. When I have a game on TiVo, I don't check stats at all. Much more enjoyable to just watch the game and look at my fantasy teams later in the day when all but the Sunday night and Monday game have happened. This has reduced my nail biting factor by a million percent. So much damn luck in this game that it's not worth hovering over the stats as they happen live in real time.

 

[Jack White]

I've decided I will stay in my longtime home money league.

Instead of quitting FF, I've decided to stop watching the games.

There is so much info these days, I think it's a viable strategy.

 

[Sabertooth]

I agree with shutout. Had a nice day yesterday, got a good workout in, played a board game with the kids, got some Chrstmas stuff put away. Then watched the Packers continue their dominance. Not coming back.

 

[drummer]

Retirement thread on a FF message board. Who still can't help troll it

 

[dirtyjay]

I agree with shutout. Had a nice day yesterday, got a good workout in, played a board game with the kids, got some Chrstmas stuff put away. Then watched the Packers continue their dominance. Not coming back.

Retirement thread on a FF message board. Who still can't help troll it

Been my thought this whole thread. This is a look at me thread.

 

[JohnnyU]

Just wanted to let you fellas know I'll be back for my 23rd year. Talked over with the wife and kids, they're behind me 100%.

In order to be able to play for a 23rd year has any HGH been delivered to your wife?

 

[TheDirtyWord]

I've been coming to this board since my twenties. I'm now approaching my mid-forties. I remember being on this board on 9/11...remember discussing whether games should be played that weekend. I had a 3-digit member number - that was a big deal back in the day.

FF continues to be something I look forward to every year, but as with anything, how you interact and engage with it as a social/leisure activity changes over time. Take going out with friends...before getting married and having kids, you could tie one on, go to the clubs and be out to 2-3 in the AM. I still go out with friends...but it's different. The night likely is over by 11, midnight if the Mrs. and I get crazy. Guys Night Out? Happens every once in awhile, but getting everyone to commit to a date/time that fits in their schedule...that's 90% of the battle.

I still love FF, and to me draft day/weekend is still one of the best days of the year. 36 holes of golf and then draft 1 that night - draft 2 the next. To be honest, winning the 'championship' has become less important over time. In my primary league, I made it to the SB only to have my team fall flat in Week 16. But I didn't feel a real particular sense of loss like I might have 6-8 years ago. As you mentioned, luck has become an increasingly bigger success/failure factor. More maddening is that the omnipresence of easily accessible information renders in-depth and meaningful research/prep less useful.

Dealing with luck can be addressed to a certain extent - for instance, our league changed method of standing to breakdown + overall record; in A 12-team league, you play 12 games per week. That eliminated the prospect of someone going 1-0 in a week they won 60-55 or 0-1 in a week they lost 135-140. And FAAB also put everyone on an equal playing field for the duration of the season related to WW.

5 years ago if you asked me how long I'd be playing FF, I would tell you indefinitely. Now, I don't know if I'll quit so much as have it simply end. In a 12-team league, well it takes 12 to tango. And while I feel like most of my leagues are quite engaged in terms of the owners, I can also see the writing on the wall. As kids get older, interests diversify, lives get more hectic...I could see 2, 3...maybe 4 guys at some point over the course of the next 5 years saying 'I'm done'. And backfilling those spots...it becomes more of a numbers game to fill the league than having a waiting list of good/quality FF Owners. The leagues I'm in started around friendships/family relationships that have started to see some turnover as some league mates have reached the same conclusion. Perhaps for different reasons...but sometimes you just outgrow some things. Much like my daughter 2-3 years ago would watch iCarly religiously - now it's a memory.

I think this board/site is a perfect example of that...years ago, twenty somethings had a vision for building a business model out of a passion for FF. It seemed fresh/new/unique. Now, I do feel some it...perhaps even alot of it, has become dated. The 'breaking news' updates almost feel archaic now in the Twitter age. 10 years ago, they were essential. The presence of some of the original founders of the site have in large part vanished - which is fine. Some have gone on to bigger/better things like Cecil Lammey (i'm sure there are others)...and others are simply gone. Credit to footballguys is due...I think it helped create the monster so to speak.

As it relates to my own journey in FF, I feel like it will be ended for me one day. I was always a player who preferred a minimal amount of leagues to play every year. And so I'm sure that one year, I will be told by 2-3 owners that they are done for whatever reasons they have. It can be as simple as 'I don't want to anymore' and that's valid. And would I want to start searching for new owners diligently? Like I said, I'm approaching my mid-forties. Most of the guys/people I hang out with have made a call on FF, whether they want to do it or not. And if they are doing it...are they adding to the amount of teams they have? Likely not...

And so, I see a post like this and I recognize that I'm probably steaming to my own (forced?) retirement of the actual gameplay aspect of FF. I still enjoy the stats immersion of trying to understand patterns/trends of the NFL and how it affects FF. But I'll probably be one of those players who'll find himself one day without a league to play in and without the reason/desire to start from scratch with another group of guys.

 

[The Dude]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

 

[JMon348]

This is an amazing thread. I relate to so much of the sentiments.

I really struggled with the exact issues that Sabertooth and other describe. I almost quit as well, but thought about it some and decided it is ridiculous to throw away an otherwise fun hobby, because I have allowed it to get out of control.

Instead of quitting, I looked at my biggest problems and devised simple solutions. Here is my list of Golden Five FF Rules – maybe it helps someone.

1. Do NOT track live scores and stats ever – not even once until Monday (I figure MNF can be sacrificed). Check the inactives for the 4 pm games, if you have to, but no more. I also USE DUCT TAPE TO COVER THE STATS TRACKER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BROADCASTS

2. NEVER, never, never check your opponents lineups – you should have no idea who you are playing against in each league

3. Play in at least five leagues (more if you have good memory) – the point is NOT to be able to know from memory which player you are starting where

These 3 points are very key for me.

 

[ImTheScientist]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

yup......

 

[stbugs]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Agree completely. This year was a grind because of all of the injuries in my two short bench leagues. I wish the benches were longer, that would make the hunting every week less cumbersome. I don't think I've been through a year with so many injuries. I think I may cut back down to two leagues. I have won the top $$$ in one league 2 years in a row, so I am already bought in there, but I think I may dump my neighborhood league. They keep changing waiver rules. They cost $2 per, are reset based on reverse record (I always draft well here, so always at the bottom and never have a chance at the top ww guys) and you only had 20 for the whole season. I don't mind making ww picks, I like to make lots of moves for Ks, Ds and bye week fill ins, but I think I spent so much more time on each one this year because they were limited. You had to look multiple weeks out, pain in the ###. I also think I have to get better at not checking stats, only checking the active/inactive/news for the last minute roster checks. Luckily, the Panthers were solid this year, so I basically just watched TV and never really had a chance to just see how the teams are doing when you know the game is already over and you lost.

I think 2 leagues and ignoring in game stats is what I need to do. I don't mind the tickers, but just going to watching games or heck, doing something else.

 

[jmo87usc]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

 

[cstu]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

Fair enough, but to be good at it - especially in dynasty - that's what it requires.

 

[comfortably numb]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

https://padresteve.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/6a82edf42d1de0ca5695dbc8cbf9bbcf.jpg

 

[jmo87usc]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

Fair enough, but to be good at it - especially in dynasty - that's what it requires.

I have to disagree, especially after this year. I saw way too many guys luck out in all formats. At the end of the day, you don't increase your odds as much as you think you do with all the research. Still 50% or more is luck.

 

[JohnnyU]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

Fair enough, but to be good at it - especially in dynasty - that's what it requires.

I have to disagree, especially after this year. I saw way too many guys luck out in all formats. At the end of the day, you don't increase your odds as much as you think you do with all the research. Still 50% or more is luck.

Usually spoken from those who don't do as well in dynasty.

 

[[icon]]

Any reason we couldn't have just bumped the "I quit FF" thread from 2014... Or 2013....

 

[thriftyrocker]

It's not the game - it's how immersed you left yourself become that is the drag

Very simply, yet profoundly put. That's it in a nutshell.

Fair enough, but to be good at it - especially in dynasty - that's what it requires.

I have to disagree, especially after this year. I saw way too many guys luck out in all formats. At the end of the day, you don't increase your odds as much as you think you do with all the research. Still 50% or more is luck.

Usually spoken from those who don't do as well in dynasty.

Most leagues half the teams make the playoffs and half of those that don't are not trying that year.

 

[Todem]

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

Well I was in three finals. I won two and came in second in one. I also had a third place finish in another 12 team dynasty league. All these leagues have been 10 plus year leagues for me, including one that has been a 15 year 12 team ppr dynasty league.

After many titles and in the money finishes. I have called it a career in FF. It was a heck of a run. 26 years to be exact, since my very first league and draft pick of Jerry Rice in the first round and then Dan Marino in the second round (I won't ever forget that very first team that came in 5th place no less).

It came simply down to wanting to love football again. I watched 3 games yesterday without a fantasy care in the world and it felt great. I still think the game itself is piss poor right now as they talk for 20 minute clips at what constitutes a catch (it's insane) and replay every freaking score and turnover ad nausem. But at least now I can simply watch and enjoy the strategy of football and not question a thousand times why this RB is not being used, why this WR is not being thrown too with a purely unbiased view. I just want to relax and find the joy of the NFL again.

I feel great about my decision. And liberated. The fact I feel liberated is exactly why it was the right time to let it go. At one point in 2007 I was in 12 leagues. 11 of them were dynasty leagues. After 2012 I decided to cut it back big time and got it down to the 5 leagues I just retired from. Even if I only kept one league.....it's not about the amount of leagues anymore as I managed those 5 just fine and obviously stayed highly competitve. It's just the desire to just watch football again and free up at least 8-10 hours a week for me to do better things. Like give even more time to other interests with my son, wife and myself.

Anyway. I feel very good about the decision and it was 2-3 years coming to be frank. This is a perfect time to go out on top.

 

[ROCKET]

I'm quitting too, for 7 months right after my playoff league is finished.

 

[GROOT]

FF is too easy for JOE DUMB to win it all now. There needs to be A new FF game.

 

[JohnnyU]

I'll be back in 2016, I like the money too much.

 

[tone1oc]

I just love all of the "After x years and y championships.." lead in as if this thread is a press conference for an NFL coaching change.

 

[JohnnyU]

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

Well I was in three finals. I won two and came in second in one. I also had a third place finish in another 12 team dynasty league. All these leagues have been 10 plus year leagues for me, including one that has been a 15 year 12 team ppr dynasty league.

After many titles and in the money finishes. I have called it a career in FF. It was a heck of a run. 26 years to be exact, since my very first league and draft pick of Jerry Rice in the first round and then Dan Marino in the second round (I won't ever forget that very first team that came in 5th place no less).

It came simply down to wanting to love football again. I watched 3 games yesterday without a fantasy care in the world and it felt great. I still think the game itself is piss poor right now as they talk for 20 minute clips at what constitutes a catch (it's insane) and replay every freaking score and turnover ad nausem. But at least now I can simply watch and enjoy the strategy of football and not question a thousand times why this RB is not being used, why this WR is not being thrown too with a purely unbiased view. I just want to relax and find the joy of the NFL again.

I feel great about my decision. And liberated. The fact I feel liberated is exactly why it was the right time to let it go. At one point in 2007 I was in 12 leagues. 11 of them were dynasty leagues. After 2012 I decided to cut it back big time and got it down to the 5 leagues I just retired from. Even if I only kept one league.....it's not about the amount of leagues anymore as I managed those 5 just fine and obviously stayed highly competitve. It's just the desire to just watch football again and free up at least 8-10 hours a week for me to do better things. Like give even more time to other interests with my son, wife and myself.

Anyway. I feel very good about the decision and it was 2-3 years coming to be frank. This is a perfect time to go out on top.

See you in August.

 

[dickey moe]

I'll be back in 2016, I like the money too much.

There are plenty of ways to make money. If that's your primary motivation with FF, that's sad IMO.

 

[JohnnyU]

I'll be back in 2016, I like the money too much.

There are plenty of ways to make money. If that's your primary motivation with FF, that's sad IMO.

Not sad at all, I enjoy winning money at FF just as some enjoy poker or whatever else they like to gamble at. I like a little something to make the time I spend on this hobby worthwhile. Trophy's and bragging rights isn't enough considering the time I put into this hobby.

 

[oukurt]

I'm really close to stopping after this year. I'm sure I'll be back by June at the latest though.

I'm quitting now. I really wanted to last year but I commish a really competitive league so I got talked into staying. It truly brought me very little joy at all. All season it was more like a burden than anything. I'm actually looking forward to just watching the Packers without worrying about who I have playing against them or whatever.

I had some similar feelings a few years ago. Something you might try is trying a league that is radically different than the type of league you have been playing in. Try an IDP, 2 QB, or auction style draft perhaps. If you play primarily redrafts, switch to dynasty and vice versa. Seek out different outlets for information. Maybe instead of getting your fantasy football info online, find a couple of podcasts that provide something new and fresh. I know this got me rejuvenated.

If there is no coming back, hope you find something to replace the vice.

 

[Todem]

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

Well I was in three finals. I won two and came in second in one. I also had a third place finish in another 12 team dynasty league. All these leagues have been 10 plus year leagues for me, including one that has been a 15 year 12 team ppr dynasty league.After many titles and in the money finishes. I have called it a career in FF. It was a heck of a run. 26 years to be exact, since my very first league and draft pick of Jerry Rice in the first round and then Dan Marino in the second round (I won't ever forget that very first team that came in 5th place no less).

It came simply down to wanting to love football again. I watched 3 games yesterday without a fantasy care in the world and it felt great. I still think the game itself is piss poor right now as they talk for 20 minute clips at what constitutes a catch (it's insane) and replay every freaking score and turnover ad nausem. But at least now I can simply watch and enjoy the strategy of football and not question a thousand times why this RB is not being used, why this WR is not being thrown too with a purely unbiased view. I just want to relax and find the joy of the NFL again.

I feel great about my decision. And liberated. The fact I feel liberated is exactly why it was the right time to let it go. At one point in 2007 I was in 12 leagues. 11 of them were dynasty leagues. After 2012 I decided to cut it back big time and got it down to the 5 leagues I just retired from. Even if I only kept one league.....it's not about the amount of leagues anymore as I managed those 5 just fine and obviously stayed highly competitve. It's just the desire to just watch football again and free up at least 8-10 hours a week for me to do better things. Like give even more time to other interests with my son, wife and myself.

Anyway. I feel very good about the decision and it was 2-3 years coming to be frank. This is a perfect time to go out on top.

See you in August.

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

Well I was in three finals. I won two and came in second in one. I also had a third place finish in another 12 team dynasty league. All these leagues have been 10 plus year leagues for me, including one that has been a 15 year 12 team ppr dynasty league.After many titles and in the money finishes. I have called it a career in FF. It was a heck of a run. 26 years to be exact, since my very first league and draft pick of Jerry Rice in the first round and then Dan Marino in the second round (I won't ever forget that very first team that came in 5th place no less).

It came simply down to wanting to love football again. I watched 3 games yesterday without a fantasy care in the world and it felt great. I still think the game itself is piss poor right now as they talk for 20 minute clips at what constitutes a catch (it's insane) and replay every freaking score and turnover ad nausem. But at least now I can simply watch and enjoy the strategy of football and not question a thousand times why this RB is not being used, why this WR is not being thrown too with a purely unbiased view. I just want to relax and find the joy of the NFL again.

I feel great about my decision. And liberated. The fact I feel liberated is exactly why it was the right time to let it go. At one point in 2007 I was in 12 leagues. 11 of them were dynasty leagues. After 2012 I decided to cut it back big time and got it down to the 5 leagues I just retired from. Even if I only kept one league.....it's not about the amount of leagues anymore as I managed those 5 just fine and obviously stayed highly competitve. It's just the desire to just watch football again and free up at least 8-10 hours a week for me to do better things. Like give even more time to other interests with my son, wife and myself.

Anyway. I feel very good about the decision and it was 2-3 years coming to be frank. This is a perfect time to go out on top.

See you in August.

No you won't.

FFA is where I will be. Done swimming in the Shark Pool.

 

[dirtyjay]

I'll be back in 2016, I like the money too much.

There are plenty of ways to make money. If that's your primary motivation with FF, that's sad IMO.

Not sad at all, I enjoy winning money at FF just as some enjoy poker or whatever else they like to gamble at. I like a little something to make the time I spend on this hobby worthwhile. Trophy's and bragging rights isn't enough considering the time I put into this hobby.

Since when is money a bad thing? I play to win money and championships. Why else would anyone play, to waste time and lose money?

 

[JohnnyU]

I'll be back in 2016, I like the money too much.

There are plenty of ways to make money. If that's your primary motivation with FF, that's sad IMO.

Not sad at all, I enjoy winning money at FF just as some enjoy poker or whatever else they like to gamble at. I like a little something to make the time I spend on this hobby worthwhile. Trophy's and bragging rights isn't enough considering the time I put into this hobby.

Since when is money a bad thing? I play to win money and championships. Why else would anyone play, to waste time and lose money?

I agree with you. I think you meant to reply to the other guy

 

[joey]

This is an amazing thread. I relate to so much of the sentiments.

I really struggled with the exact issues that Sabertooth and other describe. I almost quit as well, but thought about it some and decided it is ridiculous to throw away an otherwise fun hobby, because I have allowed it to get out of control.

Instead of quitting, I looked at my biggest problems and devised simple solutions. Here is my list of Golden Five FF Rules – maybe it helps someone.

1. Do NOT track live scores and stats ever – not even once until Monday (I figure MNF can be sacrificed). Check the inactives for the 4 pm games, if you have to, but no more. I also USE DUCT TAPE TO COVER THE STATS TRACKER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BROADCASTS

2. NEVER, never, never check your opponents lineups – you should have no idea who you are playing against in each league

3. Play in at least five leagues (more if you have good memory) – the point is NOT to be able to know from memory which player you are starting where

These 3 points are very key for me.

I strongly agree with these 3 as well. When I got up to 5 leagues a couple of years ago, friends and wife were like "wow? Really?" And I kind of agreed with them at first and thought I might have gone too far. But the opposite was true. It was the right amount of leagues cuz it was too many to exactly remember every starter and bench player on every team I owned. And definitely impossible to know who the heck I was up against in every league. I'd see friends in the hallways on Monday and they'd say "nice win this weekend" and I'd say "wait. Did we play each other this weekend? Sorry I can't keep track." It's a HEATHLY level of "can't keep track" that allows me to once again enjoy the football games for the fun games that they are, as well as still indulge in my love of playing this silly fantasy football game, trying to out-draft and out-waiver-wire my friends/opponents. Winning a little cash is a nice bonus as well, but not essential to me.

So, yes, getting to 4 or 5 leagues was the key for me to balance managing my teams well with not being able to obsess over a single league or two.

In addition, having 5 leagues always meant that I won in at least ONE league each week. Something to feel good about on Monday night. When I was in "just" 2 or 3 leagues, I might have a down week where all of my teams lost. That stunk. Adding a couple more leagues to the mix solved that one

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Bumping just to ask people for updates regarding the people who were speaking of quitting after this year.

Did you and, if not, why not.

My personal update: I'm finished And I have to say it's one of the best feelings I've had in a long while. i went out on a winning note which I'm sure made it more palatable but I really paid attention to how I was feeling as it wound down and I was submitting my last lineups and making my final decisions and it was good. Last Sunday, I was perfectly at peace (that's really the best word to use here) and was enjoying family and the people around me instead of nail biting and hand-wringing over every single stat being played out.

Watching games today and thinking in terms of what the Patriots loss and the Steelers win meant in terms of NFL playoffs instead of "was that a tackle or a sack and, more importantly, did my opponent start him?" Was simply refreshing.

As I typed this I watched a six minute, thirty-two second game delay while Al and Chris discussed whether a wrist, forearm, or calf did or did not create a fumble (can't make this stuff up). Six and a half minutes later, it's 4th down...move along. Kind of sums up everything that has changed from the game I grew up loving and has turned a fun hobby into a chore. Would have been a perfect example if it was a Thursday night game and my opponent was starting the player in question because my guy was in the concussion protocol .

I have a feeling I won't miss this game nearly as much as I once thought.

In the six perennial leagues I have been in, I sent letters out to my league mates during the championship week to give the commish a full offseason to replace me as well as have a captive audience of owners that I've played with for many years, some more than 15 years. I cut my leagues in half down to 3, choosing to keep the ones with the least amount of weekly waiver activity and more of a slow and steady style (dynasty only).

 

[iamkoza]

FF is too easy for JOE DUMB to win it all now. There needs to be A new FF game.

season total points, but its boring as hell

 

[jvdesigns2002]

FF is too easy for JOE DUMB to win it all now. There needs to be A new FF game.

season total points, but its boring as hell

I agree. I tried rotisserie baseball for a season--which is a similar format to what you are saying--and I found it to be tedious and uneventful. Even though I did well in it--I'll never do it again.

 

[cockroach]

This is an amazing thread. I relate to so much of the sentiments.

I really struggled with the exact issues that Sabertooth and other describe. I almost quit as well, but thought about it some and decided it is ridiculous to throw away an otherwise fun hobby, because I have allowed it to get out of control.

Instead of quitting, I looked at my biggest problems and devised simple solutions. Here is my list of Golden Five FF Rules – maybe it helps someone.

1. Do NOT track live scores and stats ever – not even once until Monday (I figure MNF can be sacrificed). Check the inactives for the 4 pm games, if you have to, but no more. I also USE DUCT TAPE TO COVER THE STATS TRACKER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BROADCASTS

2. NEVER, never, never check your opponents lineups – you should have no idea who you are playing against in each league

3. Play in at least five leagues (more if you have good memory) – the point is NOT to be able to know from memory which player you are starting where

These 3 points are very key for me.

I strongly agree with these 3 as well. When I got up to 5 leagues a couple of years ago, friends and wife were like "wow? Really?" And I kind of agreed with them at first and thought I might have gone too far. But the opposite was true. It was the right amount of leagues cuz it was too many to exactly remember every starter and bench player on every team I owned. And definitely impossible to know who the heck I was up against in every league. I'd see friends in the hallways on Monday and they'd say "nice win this weekend" and I'd say "wait. Did we play each other this weekend? Sorry I can't keep track." It's a HEATHLY level of "can't keep track" that allows me to once again enjoy the football games for the fun games that they are, as well as still indulge in my love of playing this silly fantasy football game, trying to out-draft and out-waiver-wire my friends/opponents. Winning a little cash is a nice bonus as well, but not essential to me.

So, yes, getting to 4 or 5 leagues was the key for me to balance managing my teams well with not being able to obsess over a single league or two.

In addition, having 5 leagues always meant that I won in at least ONE league each week. Something to feel good about on Monday night. When I was in "just" 2 or 3 leagues, I might have a down week where all of my teams lost. That stunk. Adding a couple more leagues to the mix solved that one

Waivers/Lineups/Trades are too much for me at that amount and all teams suffer slightly for it... though I tend to party pretty hard most Saturdays, so getting up in time for kickoffs can be a chore and an exercise in restraint itself