Is joining a pay ff site really a good idea? (1 Viewer)

[FF EGGHEAD]

I've been playing FF for about 6 or 7 years and for the first time may not join a big $ legue, only some fun family & friends' leagues. I know this sounds boring but with time constraints and the economy....

There are tons of free sites and most rank lists seem similar.

Anyway, I used to subscribe to ANOTHER site and was quite disappointed with them last year. I had better success using my "gut" as well as this forum!

So, my question is what benefit would a pay subscription to this site (or any other) give me at this time?

Thanks

P.S. Any promo discount codes available, especially for making a switch?

 

[benbadman]

You've been playing fantasy football for 6 to 7 years now--how many championship caliber teams have you managed? My guess is maybe 1 or 2 years where you got lucky. It's time to take Luck out of the equation. If you're playing in a league where nobody else is using FBG tools, you will field a top 4 team every year. Instead of just making the playoffs, or playing for the consoliation bracket, you'll be in title contention every season with a deeper roster than other team.

On draft day, the Draft Dominator software will give you total battlefield command--seeing the upcoming position runs, knowing what kind of players will be available to you at later picks, weekly point projectoins, team starters remaining, great cheat sheets you can print out, and more. You'll stop playing checkers and start playing chess.

A FBG sub is great value and not just before you draft your team. During the season the matchup articles, staff rankings, and other tools will help you manage your team to its maximum potential.

2009 will be my 3rd year using FBG tools. Thanks to all the information FBG puts out there and applying myself and understanding it all I am dominating most leagues, definitely making the playoffs in all, and last year I was even in 3 title games.

Dont look back.

 

[KCC]

I've been playing FF for about 6 or 7 years and for the first time may not join a big $ legue, only some fun family & friends' leagues. I know this sounds boring but with time constraints and the economy....

There are tons of free sites and most rank lists seem similar.

Anyway, I used to subscribe to ANOTHER site and was quite disappointed with them last year. I had better success using my "gut" as well as this forum!

So, my question is what benefit would a pay subscription to this site (or any other) give me at this time?

Thanks

P.S. Any promo discount codes available, especially for making a switch?

If you don't have the time or interest to do your own research, then it can be a good investment. However, more information isn't always in and of itself a good thing and simply having more information and opinions can actually hurt your ability to make better fantasy decisions.

 

[baconisgood]

The data dominator is worth the price of the subscription at football guys imo. I haven't found anything else as good yet and for 30 bucks a year you get access to it. Everything else is just gravy.

 

[Lowen1]

I dunno. There were 2 guys in my league who used FBG - me and my buddy. In the 7 years that I've been a member of FBG I've been in 4 superbowls and won 3. I made the playoffs every year (12 team league, 4 make playoffs). My buddy also made the playoffs all 7 years and made 2 superbowls, winning 1. Now, it is not all FBG, but a large part of it is - the information is better, more timely and more well thought out. If all you want is a set of rankings, you can get that here. If you want tte rationale behind the rankings you can get that here also. If you want to know what half the NFL players ate for dinner last night - you can get that here also (just kidding). I guess without this site I may have lucked into a superbowl or the playoffs on occassion, but instead I chose to dominate my league. This is one of those things that is worth the price.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

The data dominator is worth the price of the subscription at football guys imo. I haven't found anything else as good yet and for 30 bucks a year you get access to it. Everything else is just gravy.

Playing with it for the first time now. What do you use it for? Is it a WDIS helper? Looks cool just not sure what to do with it.

 

[jurb26]

I dunno. There were 2 guys in my league who used FBG - me and my buddy. In the 7 years that I've been a member of FBG I've been in 4 superbowls and won 3. I made the playoffs every year (12 team league, 4 make playoffs). My buddy also made the playoffs all 7 years and made 2 superbowls, winning 1. Now, it is not all FBG, but a large part of it is - the information is better, more timely and more well thought out. If all you want is a set of rankings, you can get that here. If you want tte rationale behind the rankings you can get that here also. If you want to know what half the NFL players ate for dinner last night - you can get that here also (just kidding). I guess without this site I may have lucked into a superbowl or the playoffs on occassion, but instead I chose to dominate my league. This is one of those things that is worth the price.

You see to me, paying for the info is overrated. You are probably only here at FGB and paying because you are already a fantasy and football fanatic as is everyone else who is here. It's being a fanatic and making this hobby such a priority that wins, not paying for the info IMO. The other guys in your leagues probably just don't put as much time and effort into as you or anyone here and that is why you tend to be successful vs. them.

 

[baconisgood]

The data dominator is worth the price of the subscription at football guys imo. I haven't found anything else as good yet and for 30 bucks a year you get access to it. Everything else is just gravy.

Playing with it for the first time now. What do you use it for? Is it a WDIS helper? Looks cool just not sure what to do with it.

I use it for sorting things like redzone targets. Its why I have AJ a few spots lower on my receiver list than most people seem to. Knowing that hes got 88 Redzone targets in his career with only 21 TDs makes me concerned that 10-11TDs is going to be his max for a season. His stats look a lot like Chad Johnsons- an excellent between the 20s receiver but average in the redzone limiting his TD upside.

 

[elshagon]

I think you can get all the info you need just coming to the forums here and other places. A subscription can help put all that info together so you're prepared on draft day. A couple of the apps here really help a lot. The draft dominator is a must if you bring a laptop to the draft. You can always change the projections to your liking. I'd say a subcription is worth it, but if you prefer to spend your own time putting all the info together you can get by without it.

 

[smackdaddies]

Are you in one of my leagues?

Then it is definitely not worth it. Save your money. Much better choice.

 

[FF EGGHEAD]

You've been playing fantasy football for 6 to 7 years now--how many championship caliber teams have you managed? My guess is maybe 1 or 2 years where you got lucky. It's time to take Luck out of the equation. If you're playing in a league where nobody else is using FBG tools, you will field a top 4 team every year. Instead of just making the playoffs, or playing for the consoliation bracket, you'll be in title contention every season with a deeper roster than other team.On draft day, the Draft Dominator software will give you total battlefield command--seeing the upcoming position runs, knowing what kind of players will be available to you at later picks, weekly point projectoins, team starters remaining, great cheat sheets you can print out, and more. You'll stop playing checkers and start playing chess. A FBG sub is great value and not just before you draft your team. During the season the matchup articles, staff rankings, and other tools will help you manage your team to its maximum potential.2009 will be my 3rd year using FBG tools. Thanks to all the information FBG puts out there and applying myself and understanding it all I am dominating most leagues, definitely making the playoffs in all, and last year I was even in 3 title games.Dont look back.

Actually I've managed quite a few championship caliber teamas and seem to win a few each year and lose in the finals as well. I play in about 6-10 leagues for the past 4 years and seem to always be a contender. Yes I've been knocked out of the playoffs a time or two in the first round with having the #1 seeded team but that's just how it goes.For me, I don't use a laptop on draft day as I am legally blind. I use my cheatsheets and simply scratch off players who are drafted using a magnnifying machine to see. Perhaps if I had perfect vision I'd be able to utilize some of the fancy drafting tooss but I don't and I can't. But I manage my teams quite well through FA and occassional trades.dMy computer does speak to me and enlarge my print material but it would be way to slow for me to try to handle a computer on draft day.I just fell out of love with my previous ff site as it seemed to get slower with their info, especially on FA's to target. I mean I'd have to make my own decisions on who to pick up before they would post their info to consider many times. Of course my final decision is always mine to make but info from my ff site is why we pay.So, for me, is a sub at Football Guys worth it?I'd still like to know what the Data Dominator is and if there is a WDIS type of tool.Thanks again

 

[benbadman]

You see to me, paying for the info is overrated. You are probably only here at FGB and paying because you are already a fantasy and football fanatic as is everyone else who is here. It's being a fanatic and making this hobby such a priority that wins, not paying for the info IMO. The other guys in your leagues probably just don't put as much time and effort into as you or anyone here and that is why you tend to be successful vs. them.

I disagree. You definitely get what you pay for with FBG. If anything time is better spent reading FBG analysis than aimless drivel from NFL.com/yahoo/fantasySharks/CBS/espn. Projections mean something here. Player spotlights are basically full on essays talking about a player and their situation.In the preseason, the weekly camp updates are top notch.The subscriber contest is fun too.

 

[RookieBlitz]

http://www.footballguys.com/whysubscribe.htm

Check this out, and you might change your mind. Draft Dominator, Lineup Dominator, Weekly Rankings, the Audible, Deep Sleepers, Buy Low/Sell High

I could go on and on, it's worth every penny

 

[Black]

Long time listener to the Audible podcast, been on the Sharkpool a couple of years (I think), and just paid for a subscription this spring for the first time. I look forward to the paid articles each week, and already appreciate the stats you can dig up. The Draft Dominator is very cool, I'll even use it to help run my draft. Looking forward to the in-season content.

For 20-30 bucks a year, if I can find information I trust all in one place, I'll do it.

Why pay for it? I don't know...premium content, organized stats, research and recommendations from people I trust and it's all in one place. Plus all the applications which already are beyond what I thought they could be. Worth it to me.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

At a certain point, more information is not going to help you field better FF teams. With so many sites and resources like this board out there, if you can find a few sites that seem most reliable to you you'll do fine.

The free FBG magazine really impressed me. And the amount of content they sell looks impressive, and probably mostly the same high quality (a few things posted free here have been kinda screwy), but I don't think it would markedly improve my performance - or, more importantly - enjoyment of FF.

The amount of study and preparation involved in this hobby offers a timesink that is pretty much bottomless. If you want to "invest" more in it (or alternately if you don't have any time for it and just need a shortcut) it's probably great. Also creates some camaraderie amongst boarders here. Just doesn't seem worth it to me, personally.

 

[madd futher]

Consider this my testimonial:

This is the 1st year I paid a subscription. Last year I bought Waldman's RSP elsewhere online - before he hooked up with FBGs - and I bought FBGs magazine at a newsstand. I also bought 3 other football mags just because I was bored on vacation at a total of $21 plus tax. I also read almost all the subscriber content here because they put it in the forum as free material before they lock it down as subscriber only.

This year I bought a FBGs subscription ONLY. I resisted the temptation to buy a single football magazine and read two novels on vacation instead. Not only am I able to access subscriber content at any time (not just when it is free on the board), but I got the FBG mag online, RSP....AND a composite of position ratings of SIX magazines (rather than just the 3 I bought last year - not that they were worth a rip). And oh yes, I've ALWAYS been disappointed in myself everytime I've absorbed all the articles in the typical fantasy magazine in 1/2 hour only to realize that I'd already come to the same conclusions by reading this - and other football forums.

In the past I have won my share of leagues when going 'cheap'....but as you get older and wiser you usually realize that going cheap almost always costs more if you add it all up, and you actually get much less.

I play in 5 leagues....my FBG subscription works out to about 5 bucks per league. You just can't beat the value here.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

See most of the time I'd still rather be reading novels. But that's just me.

 

[Pictus Cat]

The Dominators are a nice to fall back on when you don't have time for an opinion on every player and how they relate to eachother. Great time saver.

Plenty of info to form, discuss, organize, customize and strategize with them too.

It would be interesting to see how much time people think it would take to organize their projections/predictions in a format as specific as the dominators without them. I like the starting place it gives me. My opinion likes a little reference.

 

[Knobs]

Honestly, I've paid for fbg's for several years now. It's great information but most of it isn't anything so mind blowing you'd be screwed if you didn't pay. For the casual ff player, it's fantastic. For those of us who hang out in the Shark Pool regularly, it's not going to be any better than free info or stuff you can find in this forum.

But I keep paying because it's a reasonable price, the info is great if I get busy at work and can't keep up with everything throughout the week, but most importantly, I feel it's my small way to help keep the forums running...and imo that's what truly makes this place so great.

 

[notdarkyet]

The Draft Dom app for mocking is well worth the price for the sub for me. I love going through and picking for each team as I feel that person would pick. Coupled with the rate my team feature, it is killer. I could spend countless hours on it really.

 

[Sweet Love]

I have been a FBG suscriber for the past 5+ years, except for the 2007 season (financial constraints and had to give up something). I did what you do (read the forums at FBG and the other cheatsheets for other sites that were free leading up to my draft. I created a spreadsheet with about three separate rankings and came up with a consensus ranking. Honestly, I drafted very well using this method. It was the year R. Brown went off and then blew out his ACL, but losing a third rounder should not kill a season...well, it did for me. The forums are great, but nothing beats the constant updating of who to go after in FA and that is where I struggled w/o the subscription. I always seemed to be a step behind, instead of a step ahead. I subscribed last year and ended in 5th, 3rd, and 1st place in my 12 team leagues with some pretty knowledgable people (probably 4 guppies in all the leagues combined).

 

[BringItOn]

The entry into the Subscriber contest alone is worth the cost of admission...

Draft Dominator,DataDominator,Rankings,etc etc all in one place, sortable, linkable, Fantasy news and stories all hotlinked, and at your fingertips... Completely worth it

 

[VonRomig]

Paying for fantasy football advice is the silliest thing a person can do. Regardless of the bells and whistles a site may have to appease the easily amused, it is still all just opinions and made up theories. The amount of free opinions; with charts, graphs, and mathematical algorithms, on the web is far more than anyone will ever need.

People may pay for a site, and a team or two of theirs may get into the playoffs, some may win a superbowl or two. These people then may claim it was because of the stuff they learned from the paid site. But what about the teams they ran that did not make the playoffs, the ones that had losing records, and even the ones they quit because they were doing so bad. Also, think of the people willing to pay for fantasy football advice... these are the fanatics, these are the types who will try and get as much info as possible. So they will also buy the mags, search the free sites for info, and be very active in more than one message board. So how can they then turn around and say that their team won only because of the paid site they joined?

I have never paid for a site... I use the free stuff out there for my ongoing information over the season. Yet I get into the playoffs each year, with one or two of my teams winning the superbowl each season. I can take losing dynasty teams that I pick up and have them in the playoffs by the second year. (happened in both of my dynasty leagues, and I just started my third dynasty league this year). And I do all this against several players in each league who actual pay for their fantasy football advice... even Footballguys.com

Now is this saying that the free stuff is "better" or that I am a fantasy master? NO. I just don't think it has anything to do with the information that you get, where you get it, or how detailed that information is. It has to do with how you use the information. I mean, there are owners out there who can have a guy come from the future and tell him the stats of every player for every game, and that owner will still draft the wrong roster.

As it is all opinion (paid or free) is all up to how you use it.

Von

 

[Buckeyedawgs]

You've been playing fantasy football for 6 to 7 years now--how many championship caliber teams have you managed? My guess is maybe 1 or 2 years where you got lucky. It's time to take Luck out of the equation. If you're playing in a league where nobody else is using FBG tools, you will field a top 4 team every year. Instead of just making the playoffs, or playing for the consoliation bracket, you'll be in title contention every season with a deeper roster than other team.On draft day, the Draft Dominator software will give you total battlefield command--seeing the upcoming position runs, knowing what kind of players will be available to you at later picks, weekly point projectoins, team starters remaining, great cheat sheets you can print out, and more. You'll stop playing checkers and start playing chess. A FBG sub is great value and not just before you draft your team. During the season the matchup articles, staff rankings, and other tools will help you manage your team to its maximum potential.2009 will be my 3rd year using FBG tools. Thanks to all the information FBG puts out there and applying myself and understanding it all I am dominating most leagues, definitely making the playoffs in all, and last year I was even in 3 title games.Dont look back.

I disagree 100% with these comments. I had no worst then a 85% playoff rate and 25% winning championships rate before joining FBG 6 OT 7 YEARS AGO. Them numbers got seriously worst just as this guy claims he got better above. Part of the problem is everyone knows FBG and its not really an advantage if you do go by there books and advice as most do anyways. I always thought I was smarter and prove it beating them in leagues year in and year out but paid anyway for the contest and stuff. I am going back to my old ways and get my % back up to 85 or 90% playoff qualifying and 25 to 50 championship wins. And I have around 25 to 30 $$$/expert leagues. I just feel I was falling into a FBG trap. Time to pull myself out.I always said I was too good for any subscribtion but FBG had me hooked there a while. I did learn one thing. I am defintely smarter then any SO CALLED expert. I prove it year in and year out! And will continue to do so. For those of you that got to enjoy this read it is true! I am not trying to tell readers to leave FBG or not to join. The contest alone is worst the $$$$ and its all good reading no matter what you chose. But NO pay site is gonna help you win a championship and FBG MIGHT JUST HURT YOU more then help you. They did me over the last several years. I am on FORCED withdraw and my % will be back up I bet!

 

[bonesman]

Paying for fantasy football advice is the silliest thing a person can do.

No it isn't! Making hyperbolic statements that one KNOWS is not true is the silliest thing a person can do, silly.To FF EGGHEAD, if you're blind and don't plan on joining any seriously competitive leagues this year (and if you have any kind of budget) you're probably better of passing on a FBG subscription this year.I with whomever said that the Survivor Contest alone is worth it though.Edited for grammar/spelling.

 

[stickboy]

Paying for fantasy football advice is the silliest thing a person can do. Regardless of the bells and whistles a site may have to appease the easily amused, it is still all just opinions and made up theories. The amount of free opinions; with charts, graphs, and mathematical algorithms, on the web is far more than anyone will ever need.

I must be pretty silly then.I pay for advice, tools, and information because I don't have the time or inclination to do all the work myself. I very much enjoy the game, and like to focus on the strategy and how to use the tools and information to win rather than hunting and analyzing it all myself. I do not just use the FBG tools and data out of the box, but apply my own best practices and tweaking on top. In shark leagues I've missed the playoffs once in the last 7 years.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

if you buy a subscription, Jason Wood will draft for you.

 

[AcerFC]

Paying for fantasy football advice is the silliest thing a person can do. Regardless of the bells and whistles a site may have to appease the easily amused, it is still all just opinions and made up theories. The amount of free opinions; with charts, graphs, and mathematical algorithms, on the web is far more than anyone will ever need.People may pay for a site, and a team or two of theirs may get into the playoffs, some may win a superbowl or two. These people then may claim it was because of the stuff they learned from the paid site. But what about the teams they ran that did not make the playoffs, the ones that had losing records, and even the ones they quit because they were doing so bad. Also, think of the people willing to pay for fantasy football advice... these are the fanatics, these are the types who will try and get as much info as possible. So they will also buy the mags, search the free sites for info, and be very active in more than one message board. So how can they then turn around and say that their team won only because of the paid site they joined?I have never paid for a site... I use the free stuff out there for my ongoing information over the season. Yet I get into the playoffs each year, with one or two of my teams winning the superbowl each season. I can take losing dynasty teams that I pick up and have them in the playoffs by the second year. (happened in both of my dynasty leagues, and I just started my third dynasty league this year). And I do all this against several players in each league who actual pay for their fantasy football advice... even Footballguys.comNow is this saying that the free stuff is "better" or that I am a fantasy master? NO. I just don't think it has anything to do with the information that you get, where you get it, or how detailed that information is. It has to do with how you use the information. I mean, there are owners out there who can have a guy come from the future and tell him the stats of every player for every game, and that owner will still draft the wrong roster.As it is all opinion (paid or free) is all up to how you use it.Von

I respect your opinion but I think you may have skimmed what a lot of people have been saying. The content is nice but it's the applications that most people enjoy. It is the best in the business for a great price with all the "opinions" thrown in. I would pay $30 for Draft Dominator alone. Plus we probably would not have The SP without people paying (although I would love to see a subscriber only SP but that will not happen)

 

[bonscott]

Since you really can't use the draft tool applications I'll give you my advice since I don't really use them either, although it's a choice of mine. I personally find using something like the draft dominator during a live draft actually distracting. The one year I tried it I couldn't concentrate as much and I actually had the worst draft ever. I do tend to use it in the slow online email type drafts though.

Guess I'm just a pen and paper guy from the old days and can't change my ways. Anyway, I *do* use the VBD app. A LOT. Morning of my draft I use it to make a print out of my custom cheatsheet which I take with me to the draft. To me the VBD app alone is worth the price of the subscription.

But where the value comes to me is the pre-season and in-season articles and information.

The first site I ever paid for was good old Red Eye Sports as it was the only service that had IDP info. When Footballguys bought them out that brought me here paying for a subscription instead (although I was around here before then, back in the Cheatsheet.com days)

To me the pre-season and in-season Eyes of the Guru (IDP) is enough for me to always pay a sub. Beyond that the Bob Henry camp updates are right up there as are several of the other articles.

In season there are the weekly hot free agents, dynasty articles, roundtable discussions, etc. that are all worth it to me. It's only the cost of a couple large pizzas.

I would not, however, go so far as to say it's a key to winning. I think it can help, but I don't think by any means it's a guarantee to get you in the championship game unless you play against a bunch of chum. Both my local leagues are highly competitive so it's no ticket to the playoffs to be sure.

But is it worth it? I think yes. If anything for Joe's weekly article that leaves me ROTFLMAO each week.

 

[PantherPower]

You don't NEED a premium service to win leagues, I've won over half a dozen leagues over the last 3 years where I wasn't a premium member here. BUT, it sure doesn't hurt your chances by being a member. I decided to join this year so I could compare my success vs the last few years and see if there was a difference.

 

[comfortably numb]

I have come to realize that I mainly use the rankings on this site, and even that, I mainly use them when they are free. (in the offseason)

As corny as it sounds, at this point, I think I mainly subscribe to show support to the site, and its excellent staff of which I have come to know a few on a more personal level.

Even though it is mainly opinions and theories as mentioned above, even if you will form your own opinions, being most of my league mates are here anyway I can use that to my advantage.

i.e

I am not high on player X, but this site is seriously pimping player X

My league mates are trying to get player X from me.

Well...his price tag just went up now that I know the expectations are higher; due to the knowledge I received from this site, that i know my league mates are using as well.

 

[fsufan]

FGB is worth the $

best site on the net is the shark pool

 

[jwb]

I pay more or less to support them, because I really like these (free) forums. I figure I spend enough time here (and get enough enjoyment out of them, especially the FFA) to justify 20-something bucks a year. The subscriber content is gravy.

 

[Philo]

FGB is worth the $best site on the net is the shark pool

It's worth the $ because the best part about it is the free content?

 

[fsufan]

FGB is worth the $best site on the net is the shark pool

It's worth the $ because the best part about it is the free content?

i think you read it wrong. the best part about FBG is the shark pool. FBG's subscription is worth the $

 

[massraider]

Draft dominator and subscriber contest alone make the fee a straight up bargain, IMO.

As to their rankings and projections, I am sure they don't stray too far from the norm, but anyone paying for rankings is being real lazy. You win titles by disagreeing with rankings, and drafting accordingly.

Also, I am unaware of anyone covering IDP as well as Jene and the boys do.

 

[Riffraff]

You can find everything you need without a subscription to a service. If you take the time to do it yourself.

The messagebords usually offer more worthwhile information than paid info. What were staffers before they were staff? People who posted their info on messageboards (or old school Usenet). Where do staffers get most of their material for articles and such? From messageboard posters.

But if you want a little more bells and whistles, subscriptions to your website of choice is fine.

The websites are like fast food restaurants, a quick one stop shop. Great if you are hungry and need it now. But if you leave the food out a little too long, it gets pretty nasty. You could buy all the ingredients and cook it yourself, but perhaps you don't have the time, patience, or talent to even boil water. For a price, why not have them do it for you?

One must eat. One must have a hobby.

If you can blow $10 at a chinese buffet and knowingly accept that you'll be hungry again real soon. Purchasing FF advice is the same concept. It's a service, an expendable one at that.

FBGs has lots of bells and whistles. If you like to read, they have the most material. There's some independent website that ranks how some of the sites do in projecting stats compared to each other, so I doubt that any one site is overly better than another in what matters most.

 

[jwb]

FGB is worth the $best site on the net is the shark pool

It's worth the $ because the best part about it is the free content?

I think so. To each their own. I also send my local NPR station a few bucks every year, too. I realize it's "free", but I support it with a few bucks anyway.

 

[Christo]

Projections are a dime-a-dozen. And I still draft from paper rather than a computer.

But I like FBGs for the strategy articles.

This year I've particularly liked Waldman's articles on risky drafting methods. Also Dowling's dynasty strategy.

 

[Traders2001]

I have been playing FF for over 20 years and never joined a pay site .

It s not worth it . They dont get more info then you do , they heve their

way of analyzing it and you have your ways .

Is their expertise better then your , No.

 

[comfortably numb]

I have been playing FF for over 20 years and never joined a pay site .It s not worth it . They dont get more info then you do , they heve their way of analyzing it and you have your ways .Is their expertise better then your , No.

I guess I will be the 1st to say "yes" their expertise is better then mine.I am in a couple of leagues with Bloom.This spring after our rookie draft, and FA opened.I scooped up many rookie UDFA.Bloom IMed me saying congrats, those were some nice FA pick ups.I told him not to congratulate me, as I have not heard of half of these guys. I simply went off your lists.Bloom my be touting a young WR who came from a D3 school who has a chance at making a roster.I have never heard of him, meanwhile Bloom has personally seen him play/practice.So, yea, I have no problem admitting many staffers expertise is better than mine.At the end of the day I make my own decisions, but I can't possibly have the time or resources to know and see some of the games/practices/video some of the staffers (and some posters).I generally have leaned on a few staffers, and even a couple of posters who I have grown to respect their views. (even if I don't always agree)But yea, I have no problem admitting their expertise is better than mine.

 

[fsufan]

Draft dominator and subscriber contest alone make the fee a straight up bargain, IMO.

As to their rankings and projections, I am sure they don't stray too far from the norm, but anyone paying for rankings is being real lazy. You win titles by disagreeing with rankings, and drafting accordingly.

Also, I am unaware of anyone covering IDP as well as Jene and the boys do.

good point here

 

[VonRomig]

No it isn't! Making hyperbolic statements that one KNOWS is not true is the silliest thing a person can do, silly.

Hmmmm.I went and got a Footballguys.com mag from someone I know and looked over their Top 220 Expert Rankings for the 2008 season:Some interesting things I found from this list from the "experts"...Based on their list they had Jamal Lewis (23) and Laurence Maroney (24) ranked above Brandon Jacobs (37), Michael Turner (39), DeAngelo Williams (69), Matt Forte (71), and Chris Johnson (142).Condering where they placed those mentioned above they had higher ranks on Marshawn Lynch (10), Willis McGahee (13), Edgerrin James (30), Earnest Graham (34), Darren McFadden (41), and Julius Jones (62).Now these are just some of the more obvious aspects of their RB placements, but these are suppose to be their Expert Rankings. Now if the opinions of these expert are so good that it's worth paying for, then they should be a whole lot closer to the actual placement of the players stats for that year. Instead, just like every other site out their, they base their projections so much on the past season's performance that one wonders why not just show last season's FF point totals and say here are our rankings.In 2007's list they had Marshawn Lynch ranked 43rd (3 spots OVER Adrian Peterson), then after Lynch had a 1115 yrd / 7 TD season Footballguys.com experts jumped him up to 10th overall in their 2008 list. This year he is ranked as the low 20s RB... not overall, just among RBs. They don't even take an injury season into account; The most glaring was how they 'treated' Steve Smith WR, CAR. In 2003 Smith brokeout, so for the 2004 season he was ranked in the top 10 among WRs. Then he got hurt at the start of the 2004 season. So for ranking the 2005 WR class Steve Smith was dropped down into the mid-20s... he only ended up getting 103 rec / 1563 yrds / 12 TDs. ( I remember this very well as I drafted Steve Smith in most all of my leagues during 2005, and raked in the winnings)Now if you can't really trust the rankings from these "expert", the ones who are suppose to be so good at fantasy football that you should pay, how can you trust all the bells and whistles they used to select them. What makes their draft tips, draft strategies, and evaluation techniques any better then the common player? Afterall, they are suppose to be doing all this indepth analsys, judging all known aspects of each player, and as one guy wrote, even seeing these players up close and personal... and yet they can't tell their subscribers that in 2008 they must grab Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and/or DeAngelo Williams at all costs. Instead they will say-so after the fact, just like every other site, free and pay.I don't trust anyone's opinion enough to pay, and I don't trust their bells and whistles to be any better. Most season's I don't even trust my own...But oh well, even though you can get water out of the tap you still have people willing to pay over a $1 to drink from a bottle. So you can always find 'suckers' to pay for other free things... fantasy football opinions included.Von

 

[GridironMenace]

Been a subscriber for 3 (maybe 4) years. I subscribe for 1 main reason. Draft Dominator. Helps me keep the draft tidy and organized. I love the DD. Besides for that, I'm not really sure as I don't read the articles. There sure are a ton of them, and I'm sure they are well thought out, but I'd rather use my opinions and make my own rankings. Isn't part of the fun of fantasy sports to do it yourself? To make your own opinions and follow them? I'd rather lose using my own opinions and ranking than win copying someone else's.

 

[RookieBlitz]

This thread has quickly become eye opening. The amount of haters of paid material is astounding. It goes without saying that if this was not a pay site, this message board would be filled with trash like those 4 letter networks. If your goal is to view all of the free information on the web, it won't be worth your time.

There are several posters on this board that very well could staff writers, but do not have the time commitment to do so. I would imagine you visit this message board to take advantage of this "free" information

The FBG membership gives you the tools to succeed, all the relevant information boiled down into one spot which saves you time, and the track record here over other sites is astounding.

If you disagree with the player values or projections, the programs allow for you to enter your own. The potential for customization is really endless

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Group: Street Team

 

[ajopiela]

It's $20... I'm broke as @#$% and i'm not complaining.

FBG is one of the best values on the internet

 

[ravnzfan]

No it isn't! Making hyperbolic statements that one KNOWS is not true is the silliest thing a person can do, silly.

Hmmmm.I went and got a Footballguys.com mag from someone I know and looked over their Top 220 Expert Rankings for the 2008 season:

Some interesting things I found from this list from the "experts"...

Based on their list they had Jamal Lewis (23) and Laurence Maroney (24) ranked above Brandon Jacobs (37), Michael Turner (39), DeAngelo Williams (69), Matt Forte (71), and Chris Johnson (142).

Condering where they placed those mentioned above they had higher ranks on Marshawn Lynch (10), Willis McGahee (13), Edgerrin James (30), Earnest Graham (34), Darren McFadden (41), and Julius Jones (62).

Now these are just some of the more obvious aspects of their RB placements, but these are suppose to be their Expert Rankings. Now if the opinions of these expert are so good that it's worth paying for, then they should be a whole lot closer to the actual placement of the players stats for that year. Instead, just like every other site out their, they base their projections so much on the past season's performance that one wonders why not just show last season's FF point totals and say here are our rankings.

In 2007's list they had Marshawn Lynch ranked 43rd (3 spots OVER Adrian Peterson), then after Lynch had a 1115 yrd / 7 TD season Footballguys.com experts jumped him up to 10th overall in their 2008 list. This year he is ranked as the low 20s RB... not overall, just among RBs. They don't even take an injury season into account; The most glaring was how they 'treated' Steve Smith WR, CAR. In 2003 Smith brokeout, so for the 2004 season he was ranked in the top 10 among WRs. Then he got hurt at the start of the 2004 season. So for ranking the 2005 WR class Steve Smith was dropped down into the mid-20s... he only ended up getting 103 rec / 1563 yrds / 12 TDs. ( I remember this very well as I drafted Steve Smith in most all of my leagues during 2005, and raked in the winnings)

Now if you can't really trust the rankings from these "expert", the ones who are suppose to be so good at fantasy football that you should pay, how can you trust all the bells and whistles they used to select them. What makes their draft tips, draft strategies, and evaluation techniques any better then the common player? Afterall, they are suppose to be doing all this indepth analsys, judging all known aspects of each player, and as one guy wrote, even seeing these players up close and personal... and yet they can't tell their subscribers that in 2008 they must grab Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and/or DeAngelo Williams at all costs. Instead they will say-so after the fact, just like every other site, free and pay.

I don't trust anyone's opinion enough to pay, and I don't trust their bells and whistles to be any better. Most season's I don't even trust my own...

But oh well, even though you can get water out of the tap you still have people willing to pay over a $1 to drink from a bottle.

So you can always find 'suckers' to pay for other free things... fantasy football opinions included.

Von

well, the mag info is from May---what the hell do you expect in May?guys like me pay so that guys like...

wait--not getting banned over this

suffice it to say those of us that pay allow this free message board and all the other free content that rolls out over the course of the "off" season to exist---you understand there is a price for this to be an ongoing concern, don't you?

from all my friends here and I...

...your wlecome

 

[Winning IS Everything]

Honestly, I've paid for fbg's for several years now. It's great information but most of it isn't anything so mind blowing you'd be screwed if you didn't pay. For the casual ff player, it's fantastic. For those of us who hang out in the Shark Pool regularly, it's not going to be any better than free info or stuff you can find in this forum.But I keep paying because it's a reasonable price, the info is great if I get busy at work and can't keep up with everything throughout the week, but most importantly, I feel it's my small way to help keep the forums running...and imo that's what truly makes this place so great.

This is pretty correct. I have been a paying subsciber for 4 years now and have won 2 titles in 12 possible opportunities, 3 2nds and 2 3rds (3 leagues, 4 years).The guy who has won my main league 3 of the last 4 years is NOT a FBG subscriber, but gets info from many sources and has I-net access all day so he can still beat us FBG subscribers out for FA pickups.Long story short, I have made quite a bit more than I have spent, and the info gets sent to me, I do not have to scour looking for it. Money well spent.

 

[noneother]

I feel it honestly depends on "what you want the subscription for?" just for one 3hour draft?? maybe you don't just go find a depth chart, and pick off the top...

HOWEVER.. if you want insight? rationale supporting conflicting opinions,, and some enjoyable daily reading.. then YES>> most definitely yes..

I have been following this sight since 2002.. i think.. enjoyed it the whole the way... if you have any magazine subscriptions at home.. this is the same idea, for me, but better, more timely.. and more focused directly to my interest..

as the Internet and news sources explode,,, some immediate news stories may not come out of FBG first.. Twitter and the facebook and RSS... BUT helping me understand what the impact of news has, comes from FBG.. of course, I can comprehend it myself.. but oddly, as my wife reminds, me, I don't know everything.. so have the this "BrainTrust" at my call is worth the cost...