CBS and MFL - Add a "contingent starter" (1 Viewer)

[Wilbur Wood]

What do you all think?

Dear CBS/MFL:

I would like you to add a feature to your host sites for the 2009 season.

I play in 3 of your leagues (3 each in my case, but I'll omit that from the letter) and am Commish in one of these leagues. The majority of the owners in all of these leagues are experienced owners who also play in multiple leagues. Most of us need to balance the time we spend on this hobby (in additon to the essential time we spend watching real NFL games) with time for higher priority areas such as family, work, church, exercise, etc. It would greatly improve my and my league-mates "Fantasy Productivity", thus making it less likely that some of us may have to reduce the number of leagues that we play in (and thereby reducing your revenue base), if you could add a feature to your "Set Lineup" function that would allow for the insertion of a "Contingent Starter" that would be designated as a specific backup starter for a given player otherwise in the starting lineup, but who's status is "questionable" (or "doubtful" or "probable" for that matter). The "contingent starter" would only get inserted into the lineup if the designated starter was declared "inactive". So this would not cover a situation like occurred with McGahee earlier this year in which the player did suit up but simply wasn't put in the game. However, it would cover 90%+ of the "injury dilemmas".

This programming enhancement on your end would free up otherwise wasted time that many of us try to squeeze in late Sunday morning (also on Thursday and Monday nights) surfing the internet, wathcing pregame shows, etc simply to find out if Clinton Portis will play this weekend or whether we need to replace him with Cedrick Benson. There is no skill involved in this type of activity, simply an additional investment in time or as has happened to all of us on many occassions we just "fly naked" and make a guess and leave it to fate as to whether we will garner a zero or not in a particular lineup slot.

I know that per some leagues allow this type of feature and that the Commish administers it manually. To be clear I am not interested in taking on that task in any of the leagues that I run as it should be simple enough for the host site to program it into the lineup functionality (much the way the ability to switch lineups for players playing in the late games was added several years ago).

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Nate]

The computer sets your lineup to cover injuries? No thanks.

If I've got a guy that's questionable, I always put my contingent starter in the lineup just in case something happens and I don't set my lineup immediately before kickoff. That way I've got a guy starting no matter what but I can put in my questionable starter last minute if I decide.

In my leagues there are guys that know about any news within about a half hour and can give you the injury status of just about any player at any point during the week. That guy deserves an advantage.

In one league, I do something like this manually as commissioner but it's only because the guy has a legit reason to not have access to the internet prior to Sunday kickoff.

 

[SuperJohn96]

The computer sets your lineup to cover injuries? No thanks.

If I've got a guy that's questionable, I always put my contingent starter in the lineup just in case something happens and I don't set my lineup immediately before kickoff. That way I've got a guy starting no matter what but I can put in my questionable starter last minute if I decide.

In my leagues there are guys that know about any news within about a half hour and can give you the injury status of just about any player at any point during the week. That guy deserves an advantage.

Listen, not every league is hardcore. The OP's suggestion is a good one, just not for everyone.

In one league, I do something like this manually as commissioner but it's only because the guy has a legit reason to not have access to the internet prior to Sunday kickoff.

That's nice of you. Now what if half the teams in your league were in the same boat. As commish, you really want to put that on your shoulders?GB you, cuz some people have lives to lead.

 

[dirty_martini]

I think the idea has merits and will appeal to some. But I find your explanatory sentence to be a mouthful and hard to understand.

- It would greatly improve my and my league-mates "Fantasy Productivity", thus making it less likely that some of us may have to reduce the number of leagues that we play in (and thereby reducing your revenue base), if you could add a feature to your "Set Lineup" function that would allow for the insertion of a "Contingent Starter" that would be designated as a specific backup starter for a given player otherwise in the starting lineup, but who's status is "questionable" (or "doubtful" or "probable" for that matter).-

Maybe a little rewrite there?

 

[GregR_2]

MFL already has a backup starter functionality, though it doesn't work exactly how you're proposing. The lineup can identify the backup, but the commish still has to go in and move them from backup to starter after the fact based on whatever the league's criteria is.

Ok, now that said, my dynasty league has experimented with such a rule this year. We allow a backup to be set for a starter who is Questionable or worse... and the backup only goes in if the starter is Inactive or Did Not Play in the NFL.com gamebook.

It's been used very seldom. Even though we have huge rosters with twice as many players as starting spots. In fact it's only been used about 12 times so far based on the posts on the message board (which is where we clarify which starter is being backed up since the interface just sets a backup with no other info and I wanted a time stamped way of making sure no one changed things up after results are known). Too often people don't want to start a guy who is questionable because even if he does play a snap, he may only see spot duty. And even with a lot of roster spots, you don't always have a backup at a position to cover him with.

I imagine we'll drop the whole thing for next year.

 

[belljr]

Just post it on the website. As the commish you can change it later that day. We do this in one league. I'll post Friday - play Tomlinson if not play Sproles.

I'm not sure I would like this as an automated feature though

 

[Restricted]

Can you also ask for a feature that gives me the best waiver wire move each week? Just in case I forget to put a request in? I know it's done before a set day/time but as you said, some people just have things to do.

 

[PosterNutBag]

Just post it on the website. As the commish you can change it later that day. We do this in one league. I'll post Friday - play Tomlinson if not play Sproles.

I'm not sure I would like this as an automated feature though

Agreed. It seems unnecessary to force them to program this in some way. There is no way you can get Sportsline to do this since they won't even change their waiver set up to make it as flexible as MFL.I think belljr's suggestion is a good one. Just create a thread on your league message board and post to that if you have a potential last minute injury issue.

 

[Firekaps]

Not sure why this suggestion is getting hammered. I think it's a good idea. And for CBS to offer it as a choice does not mean people have to use it, hence the word choice.

I hate having to scroll my blackberry at 11:40 on Sunday checking the inactives. This would be a great enhancement.

 

[3C's]

MFL already has a backup starter functionality, though it doesn't work exactly how you're proposing. The lineup can identify the backup, but the commish still has to go in and move them from backup to starter after the fact based on whatever the league's criteria is.

We've been using it since last year. We designate a backup player, if needed, and in the comments section of the lineup submission state who the player is backing up. If the starter doesn't play, I go in and insert the backup after the starter's game is over.

 

[glumpy]

I like the concept, and we do something like that in mylocal league. The standing rule is--if a player does not see the field then his backup's points count. Doesn't matter if it's due to injury, hailstorm, accident on the way to the game...whatever. If there's an option of more than one backup for any particular position then we have to list them in order or priority before the games start--but with limited rosters that's most often the case with just our flex player.

It's an awesome rule which we all fully make use of.

We're all adults, mostly family men with plenty of other obligations which might interfere with following the pregame reports or even watching the games, and this procedure resolves any problems. After the games if a player didn't play then we have to notify the other owners and the commish makes the switch.

 

[Restricted]

If I forget to set my roster and leave in someone on a bye, will it change it to the best available player for me?

 

[Wilbur Wood]

If I forget to set my roster and leave in someone on a bye, will it change it to the best available player for me?

The "concept" would be an option, so leagues could "opt" for it or not. Similarly, individuals could choose to designate a "contingent" starter, or NOT. Agree that there are many ad-hoc work arounds that can accomplish the same thing, however I prefer full functionality in the leagues that I run. If I'm fotunate enough to be home Sunday afternoon watching 8 hours of football, I don't want to have to worry about checking league message boards and making lineup adjustments. Owners would prefer when they briefly check the "live scoring" updates that it be correct and not have to double checking if adjustments are needed and performing side calculations. For $139 a year I think this should be hard-wired into the software.If you don't like it, then don't play in leagues that would use it. Free time is not at premium for everyone, especially those with enough of it to post multiple times on a message board thread that they have no interest in.

 

[LAUNCH]

In my league we have the rule that if the player is listed as questionable or doubtful then you can put in a backup player. If your primary player gets a stat then he is kept in, if not then the backup guy gets inserted. It's great because you never have to wait until Mort shows up to tell you that the Denver RB is going to be starting and in reality is the 3rd running back.

 

[george]

I like the concept, and we do something like that in mylocal league. The standing rule is--if a player does not see the field then his backup's points count. Doesn't matter if it's due to injury, hailstorm, accident on the way to the game...whatever. If there's an option of more than one backup for any particular position then we have to list them in order or priority before the games start--but with limited rosters that's most often the case with just our flex player.

It's an awesome rule which we all fully make use of.

We're all adults, mostly family men with plenty of other obligations which might interfere with following the pregame reports or even watching the games, and this procedure resolves any problems. After the games if a player didn't play then we have to notify the other owners and the commish makes the switch.

Back in the paper/pencil days, my league had the same rule. Designate a backup at each position. If your starter didn't take the field, your backup was inserted. I liked it. I'd be glad to have the option now that we have online league hosting. Good idea/suggestion.

 

[Nate]

That's nice of you. Now what if half the teams in your league were in the same boat. As commish, you really want to put that on your shoulders?GB you, cuz some people have lives to lead.

Give it a rest. I've probably invested all of 5 minutes with this guy's lineup this season.I suppose if I were running a league full of homeless men who are either normally mid-bender on Sunday mornings or have no internet access, I'd look at a contingent starter option.

 

[BusterTBronco]

Dear CBS/MFL,

I am too lame to keep up with injury news on Sunday morning. Please add a "contingent starter" for those of us lazy bones.

Sincerely,

Buster

 

[puckalicious]

Can you also ask for a feature that gives me the best waiver wire move each week? Just in case I forget to put a request in? I know it's done before a set day/time but as you said, some people just have things to do.

If I forget to set my roster and leave in someone on a bye, will it change it to the best available player for me?

Dear CBS/MFL,I am too lame to keep up with injury news on Sunday morning. Please add a "contingent starter" for those of us lazy bones.Sincerely,Buster

Give it a rest guys. Some of us have a life and interests that don't revolve around sitting in front of a computer 24/7 in our parent's basement. If this is what you like to do then be sure you are in a league with like minded individuals, where the "good" teams are the ones that are able to click a mouse button the fastest.

 

[footballsavvy]

Dear CBS/MFL,I am too lame to keep up with injury news on Sunday morning. Please add a "contingent starter" for those of us lazy bones.Sincerely,Buster

Lame? Lazy? You don't make sense. You honestly think that he is propsing this idea so that people can sit on the sofa eating potato chips instead of checking their starting lineup an hour before kickoff? The purpose of this is for NON lazy people (who are actually out doing constructive things on Sunday) not to have to make a special effort to be at a computer at noon on a Sunday. They way I see it is that truly "lazy" people are the ones who are sitting at their computer for hours leading up to the games on Sunday. Anyway, I like the idea. You could set your lineup on a Wednesday, specify backups for each slot that may be in question, then go about your business. You either enable or disable the "contingent" option in the commissioner setting. I would envision an option like this being unactivated by default - but it would be nice to have the ability to activate it if you wanted to use it.I find it amazing that most people in this thread can't imagine that people may not check fantasy news 10 times a day. The OP is correct in that there is no skill at all in setting time out of your Sunday to verify that all of your players are active. Most of the time this news only appears between 11 and 1 pm est. So if you happen to be at the park with your family, you are considered unskilled at fantasy football? Or lazy? The skill involved in this is setting your primary starter and deciding who the contingent starter would be in case your main starter wasn't active. Whether you do this on Wednesday or Sunday at noon doesnt make you a better or worse fantasy football player.

 

[thayman]

I'm in a league that alows backups. If a player doesn't qualify you get the backup you designate. The feature is seldomly used but it's very good for me because of my time difference.

 

[rgmnchr]

So you're asking CBS to add a feature that would essentially decrease the web traffic to their website and viewership of their pregame shows? I like the idea but no way CBS does it. Website traffic and TV ratings = Money$$$$.

 

[teamroc]

Seems a little lame to me.

Here's a tip, if the guy is a GTD, you don't even start him even if he is active. Good way to get burned. If I read he's 50/50 to play, he's 100% on my bench. Studs lay eggs when FULLY HEALTHY, that's all I need a starter who is BARELY able to go. It's called depth.

I'm in a few leagues and I almost never make a late switch in my lineup. I'd never start a guy who was doubtful and missed practice. Game time decision, again on my bench. Questionable late/sunday/monday games, again on my bench. I just don't see a reason to gamble with a guy who's barely able to play. Guys like SJAX/Portis are on my bench. Even if they might start, they're not healthy. If the coach thinks they can't "explode", they get benched and you get a zero.

There's just no upside trying to guess a guys health and a coach's mindset. Avoid the situation entirely, and you don't need to be on the computer at noon.

 

[belljr]

Seems a little lame to me. Here's a tip, if the guy is a GTD, you don't even start him even if he is active. Good way to get burned. If I read he's 50/50 to play, he's 100% on my bench. Studs lay eggs when FULLY HEALTHY, that's all I need a starter who is BARELY able to go. It's called depth. I'm in a few leagues and I almost never make a late switch in my lineup. I'd never start a guy who was doubtful and missed practice. Game time decision, again on my bench. Questionable late/sunday/monday games, again on my bench. I just don't see a reason to gamble with a guy who's barely able to play. Guys like SJAX/Portis are on my bench. Even if they might start, they're not healthy. If the coach thinks they can't "explode", they get benched and you get a zero. There's just no upside trying to guess a guys health and a coach's mindset. Avoid the situation entirely, and you don't need to be on the computer at noon.

Yeah I don't like the option to start A over b myself. But it's a relaxed league and I've been in it for so long. All our others it's a set lineup is law. And I say 95% I would never start a GTD anyway.My problem is now we tee-off later during the fall and I don't get home until 1:30 - I missed all the news

 

[Restricted]

Give it a rest guys. Some of us have a life and interests that don't revolve around sitting in front of a computer 24/7 in our parent's basement. If this is what you like to do then be sure you are in a league with like minded individuals, where the "good" teams are the ones that are able to click a mouse button the fastest.

Oops. I was talking about logging in for 5 minutes on Sunday or calling someone. Especially if you know if someone on your roster is questionable to play. Don't you want to see what your opponents final line up is? Didn't want to play the lazy card but, yea.

 

[mozzy84]

Just post it on the website. As the commish you can change it later that day. We do this in one league. I'll post Friday - play Tomlinson if not play Sproles.I'm not sure I would like this as an automated feature though

I was in a league like this before, it sucked, some teams would list there entire team/backups some weeks just in case....and it would ruin the real time scoring for sunday if the commish wasnt around to change it.

 

[mozzy84]

Dear CBS/MFL,I am too lame to keep up with injury news on Sunday morning. Please add a "contingent starter" for those of us lazy bones.Sincerely,Buster

Lame? Lazy? You don't make sense. You honestly think that he is propsing this idea so that people can sit on the sofa eating potato chips instead of checking their starting lineup an hour before kickoff? The purpose of this is for NON lazy people (who are actually out doing constructive things on Sunday) not to have to make a special effort to be at a computer at noon on a Sunday. They way I see it is that truly "lazy" people are the ones who are sitting at their computer for hours leading up to the games on Sunday. Anyway, I like the idea. You could set your lineup on a Wednesday, specify backups for each slot that may be in question, then go about your business. You either enable or disable the "contingent" option in the commissioner setting. I would envision an option like this being unactivated by default - but it would be nice to have the ability to activate it if you wanted to use it.I find it amazing that most people in this thread can't imagine that people may not check fantasy news 10 times a day. The OP is correct in that there is no skill at all in setting time out of your Sunday to verify that all of your players are active. Most of the time this news only appears between 11 and 1 pm est. So if you happen to be at the park with your family, you are considered unskilled at fantasy football? Or lazy? The skill involved in this is setting your primary starter and deciding who the contingent starter would be in case your main starter wasn't active. Whether you do this on Wednesday or Sunday at noon doesnt make you a better or worse fantasy football player.

ohh its for lazy people too don't kid yourself, couple of the hardcore drinkers in my leagues would love this.