Message Board Nomination Thread (1 Viewer)

[ConstruxBoy]

I'd like to be considered for this contest. I've been around this board and the others before it for awhile. I play in several different kinds of leagues (Dynasty, IDP, Survivor, Auction) with folks from this site and I commish a local Charlotte league in which my biggest job is to keep BassNBrew from skirting the rules. I've had some success in fantasy football since I started in 1996, but I certainly don't win every year. I usually back up my opinions here with facts, but sometimes I just stick to my gut feeling and declare victory when people stop responding to me. I've already participated in the WSL2, PDSL, SSL4 and SSL5 survivor leagues this year and was recently honored to be asked to participate in a H2H Invite only league with some guys here.

I've had my freelance articles chosen all three years you've accepted them, although last year's entry didn't make it onto the site.

You can read my 2003 article here.

You can read my 2004 article here.

You can read my 2005 article here.

For 2006, I am finishing up a freelance article on examining the injury report to see if there are trends that can help fantasy owners.

Finally, as sad as I am that Couch Potato can't make it (good luck with everything man), I believe that you can see my qualifications to replace him as the comedian of the group in this post.

Thanks for consideration.

 

[Chris Black]

I’m an unknown to the Board regulars; I tend to lurk rather than post. I’m not going to waste space posting how long I’ve been playing, how many league title’s I’ve won, or which projection I really nailed 3 years ago. Most everyone on the Board is competent and qualified and would do a fine job against the staff (as evidenced by their performance the last 2 years). However, I do think I can bring a few unique qualities and insights to the competition.

First and foremost, I tend to think “outside the box” with regards to my drafting strategy and roster make-up. I try and develop and employ new and different drafting strategies every year to maximize value. I do a ton of research and statistical analysis (its part of my job) every year to derive better projections and find where others are “over” and “under-valuing” players.

If this contest is to serve as a forum to discuss “expert” strategy that could help you win in a highly competitive league (and is there anything more enjoyable than wiping the floor with other knowledgeable owners?) then I think I could be an asset if included. I enjoy nothing more than talking draft strategy and analyzing team strengths and weaknesses (ok, maybe it’s a close second to snatching the one player the guy picking after you really wants right from under his nose, and listening to him stammer like a helpless child….but I digress).

Thanks for the consideration!

Chris

 

[Duckboy]

I would like to be considered for the Staff vs. Message Board Triathlon.

I’ve been on the Footballguys boards for the past three years. My first involvement with the boards was finishing tied for second in the Second Annual Stategist Trivia Contest (hi Jason). Last year, I participated in Capt Hook’s QSL (5th of 14). This year, I have participated in WSL2, SSL4, and SSL5, and I look forward to joining MBSL during the summer.

I have played in several leagues with different formats over the past eight years, including: standard redraft (3rd, 2nd, 3rd of 12 last three years); PPR auction redraft (3rd of 8 and Super Bowl winner last year); Zealots auction contract; and standard, IDP, and high performance dynasty including Zealots (hi Tick).

Being an engineer, analysis in both statistics and methodology comes naturally. Being a public servant and a “glorified” technical writer, I have to be able to communicate my analysis to people on a variety of levels. Here is an example of a posting I have made discussing draft strategy (though the accuracy of the picks is questionable in retrospect).

I am currently writing and editing my first two freelance articles, which will discuss draft strategies in the survivor format: which positions are of the most importance (variances between positions) and which type of player is the best selection (variances within positions). Participating in this contest will (hopefully) lend credence to the research and conclusions I have discovered.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[sanders2021]

Although I am a relative newcomer here in The Shark Pool, I believe that I have a lot to offer. I post in WDIS threads consistently, try to contribute to ranking threads, and I’ve made my own website dedicated to providing FBG’s with rankings at each position.

Even though mine may not be a recognizable name, I’d like to say that I believe my fantasy football skills and knowledge give me more than a good chance at being a great contributor, and I’d really appreciate being given a shot at proving myself.

I haven’t been in any big money leagues, mainly just small-time stuff with some friends, but I’ve never finished outside the top three in any league. I think that this would be a great opportunity for something of a “coming-out party” for me, and maybe I could start getting some respect and building a reputation for myself around these boards.

So… 100 words short here, don’t really know what else to say. I’d really like to be included, but I don’t think I will. There are a lot of top-notch guys here, and I think I measure up to them, I’m just unproven. Umm… I’ve played a lot of different formats, I’ve got great knowledge of all types of scoring systems, and I’ve got personal rankings for PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Bottom line – pick me because I’m something of a noob, I’m a strong contender coming out from nowhere, and I really want to play. Ha, 250 words.

 

[BassNBrew]

The faxes have been pouring in..."When are you going to apply BnB?" If you thought I'd miss an opportunity to participate in handing the Staff it's 3rd consecutive thumping...you don't know me very well.

Qualifications:

Solid insight...

Smith

Colbert/Carter

Mythbuster: Exposed the "QB Squeeze" as a flawed strategy.

I bring entertainment to the hobby according to my peers...

Keeping good company

Help with the ladies.

I've fared well v. the competition placing in the finals of the 2004 FBG Auction, winning the EBF Invitational, and keeping Lhucks in check. Beyond that, I've been active in organizing the various messageboard survivor leagues. Several people here tout their out of the box thinking. It's not rocket science; a combination of history, AVT, and scoring/rule analysis pretty much dictates a winning strategy. Sure KK can occasionally beat AA. There's a reason why guys like Bostonfred and Lhucks fare well in these leagues repeatedly.

Two major drawbacks regarding any nomination of myself. First, been here before and some new faces should get a crack at further humiliating the Staff. My schedule is totally open for summer drafts and write-ups, my fall habit of chasing my bird dogs would not make me a viable FFTOC candidate.

Regardless of whether I'm selected, I'd be very happy to offer startegy insight to the messageboard team.

Good luck to all.

Edit to add - I'm dating a lingere model (pics to the selection committee if I'm picked).

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Skillz

I write for a living and my detailed posts (Especially Super Bowl and anything Seahawks, or draft related) are usually statistic and link packed to show proper perspective, lend credibility, and reinforce my discussion points.

Commitment

The past two years I’ve hosted my popular “Last Minute Questions” thread in the Assistant Coach which drew the praise of many paying FBGers while sending many other inexperienced FF players in the right direction on Sunday. I also hosted a weekly start’em/sit’em thread in coordination with Keys that actually answered questions same day (usually immediately) while the pinned thread there was often hit or miss. I always enjoy giving a little back to whatever community I live in and here at FBG things have been no different.

Excellence

Just like my Assistant Coach contributions the user name “Lombaowski” has a proven playing track record. At ESPN I finished 6th overall in 2004 of more than one million fantasy football entries. In other years I’ve faired just as well as demonstrated below:

'05 99.11 percentile ESPN Uber ranked (email for proof)

'04 98.08 percentile ESPN

'03 99.23 percentile (Team finished 6th overall out of several million)

Expert $ League Champion at CBS/MFL:

2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996

Add in 12 years FFL experience, the fact I’ve played in every format imaginable, been a commissioner of several leagues, and my general love for fantasy football and you have someone who will contribute greatly to the FBG Posters team or as a reviewer.

 

[bostonfred]

I participated in each of the two staff vs. message board events, because my finish in the first made me captain of the second. As last year’s captain, I would like to return for my third.

The last two years, I spent a lot of energy helping my team prepare for the draft. I introduced and discussed survivor strategies with my team that are now widely used such as taking kickers that have a certain job over ones that don't, the appropriate mix of receivers to come up with three solid starters, the importance of having quality starters at each position, and the always controversial topic of ignoring bye weeks for your early picks.

I've done plenty of write-ups for FBG, so I know what you're looking for. I've participated in many survivor drafts (Survivor II, MBSL, SSL, PDSL, etc.) and do a write-up for my team, as well as others, each time.

If selected, I'll ask Tick to put me in either the best ball or FFTOC league. I think I can add a lot of value in a strategy discussion to a newer format. I don't want to deliver the same content that I have in previous years.

If I am selected , I will donate any winnings to charity. My interest in this league is not money, but a chance to draft against other top minds in the industry and to talk strategy and get feedback after the fact so I can continue to improve.

Thanks

Fred

 

[Davej626]

Well, I could be like the rest of the smooze artists around here and boast how I did in Zealots, or that I am dating lingerie model X, or I've won this league and that league every year. None of that would be true. That being said, you couldn't confirm it either way. Fact of the matter is that I have passion, experience and I've had enough of the staff around this place to be motivated to kick their FILTERED backsides in just about anything from darts, to water ballons, to russian roulette.

So, in the final consenses, think about what you want on the team. You want someone who is such a geek that he eats and breaths ffl, or do you want a geek that eats and breaths ffl AND wants to defeat the FILTERED staff in their own game? Choice is up to you.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Capt Hook]

To: David Dodds & the selection committee and Tick

Re: Nomination of Perry Van Hook (aka Captain Hook)

to the MB Team for the Auction League

Background of nominee - Internationally recognized wine expert and now paid staff

writer at www.fantasybaseball.com (formerly with Mastersball.com) Former tournament bridge champion now concentrating soley on FB & FF

Location - Valley of the Sun (just a few miles from the UFO masquerading as the new home of the AZ Cardinals)

Site qualifications - 4th year subscriber, message board drafter and frequent poster

- 2005 SSL - 3rd Place in SSL3 with 4th highest score of all four SSLS

- Created/organized Quorum Survivor League

Highlights from other competitions -

WCOFF - 2005 Highest Total Score of 24 teams in "Hall of Fame Leagues"

- 2004 League Champion

NFFC - 2005 21st Overall Score

Most interesting FF Article Published

- Authored "$pice Up Your Draft League" (FFChamps, 2005)

Detailing a method of eliminating any luck in a league's draft positions by auctioning off the draft slots (not players) for the first two rounds of a draft.

- This format will be used this year by both WCOFF and NFFC for new High Stakes Leagues

 

[ScottNorwood]

I'm not that good at drafting, but I'm pretty good at ripping people's picks and making fun of their haircuts. I'll add great entertainment value to the draft, and since fantasy football is about 90% luck there's still a decent chance I'll win.

 

[cougaral]

Why pick ME?

Mainly because I LOVE THIS GAME!!! I am the only person I know of who decorates for the start of the regular season. I’ve been playing Fantasy Football for 7 years now. I almost always make the playoffs. I’ve also won the League Championship in my most competitive league 2 of the 4 years it has existed – second and third the other two years. I am also the undisputed Weekly Smack Haiku Champion for that league as well.

I do not believe in winning at ALL costs. I will not cheat to win. I believe you can be competitive through a lot of hard work and study. That’s what I do – I work at this. It allows me to dominate the idiots in my leagues. That’s a lot of fun! For the other coaches that use their brains and actually work their teams not just on draft day, well that is where the real fun comes in – those are the guys it is a challenge to beat. Beating those guys is what make you a Champion.

So why do I love this? It’s just fun – all of it. Off Season moves. Draft day. Opening Weekend. Free agent signings. Trades. Week 1 through week 17. The Playoffs. THE BIG GAME!. EVERY ASPECT OF THIS IS A BLAST!. And the better the competition, the more fun it is.

My Submission Haiku!

Hey you Football Guys,

I make your defeat my fun.

Happy is my name!

 

[ookook]

Similar to many others who have posted, I have been active on this site and all predecessors (Mr. Football, Cheatsheets, Old Yeller) and I have been playing fantasy football for almost two decades. I may not be the fastest learner in the west, but experience counts.

I have published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals based on methods for selecting the best the employees from pools of applicants. I also teach multivariate statistics courses and routinely apply these techniques to both projections and drafting. This provides both unique perspective and demonstrates technical writing skills.

I am not afraid of taking unpopular positions (e.g., kickers in the first round). More seriously, I often argue against the zeitgeist and dislike modern “innovations” in the sport such as PPR and flex positions. Sure, I win in leagues that use these all the time, but they still irk me.

I take risks (and risk-taking) seriously. There are times when being unconventional in fantasy football just plain makes sense, but the costs and benefits need to be carefully scrutinized.

I am a psychologist and study the behavior of other owners constantly in my leagues. I cannot say with a certainty it helps me win, but it is very entertaining. Unfortunately, I specialize in making “can’t lose” trade offers and in these league formats that will not help.

I generally play in about five leagues per year. I wish I could say they were famous leagues and I always win but neither would be true.

[249 words]

 

[wongtonyt]

Background:

A long-time baseball & hockey pool participant, I have only participated in NFL pools for three years. Despite little to no knowledge of the NFL prior to 2003, I have been able to find success in my local pool as well as entries into CBS Sportsline Gold and Platinum leagues - being lucky enough to win eight league titles and finish third (lost in the semifinals) in the other one.

Yes, this may be the minor leagues of fantasy football, but I've managed to progress and show success in what is the most popular forum on the internet.

Being from Canada - I don't have the fortune of seeing games or practices live, save for an annual trip to a Seahawks game. So I gather information both from watching games (NFL Network) and the internet. I've found footballguys.com one of the more useful sources of information, but not the ONLY one.

I feel that I can be a strong contributor to the team simply because I understand how to win pools.

1. Have a strong knowledge base (collect relevant information)

2. Know your competition - understanding what others think and believe is just as important as your own foundation - it allows you to find where you have a difference in opinion and subsequently an opportunity for a "steal"

3. Have the ability to discern weak analysis from strong analysis - with the amount of information that is out there, you need to know who to listen to and who NOT to listen to. Sometimes the second skill is MUCH more important.

Sometimes we look too deep for meaning - a spade is just a spade (see the Texans' pick of Williams over Bush). As a mainstream (CBS Sportsline) player - I think I bring a simplier perspective that is valuable to your readers. And hey, wouldn't it be cool to have a Canuck (who "doesn't know anything about football") beat a team of "experts"?

Expert pools are often won not by who makes a spectacular pick, but by which one makes the least mistakes.

To use a fantasy football analogy - if you're looking for Michael Vick - look elsewhere. If you're looking for Marvin Harrison - I'm your man.

Thank you to all in the forum for your time.

 

[AB in DC]

Although I have not been among the most outspoken participants in the Shark Pool, I think I bring more to the table than most applicants.

Like most people here, I've had success in plenty of leagues among friends and in random on-line leagues. But I've also proven it against the best that Footballguys message boards have to offer -- I've been the high scorer in message board survivor leagues three times in the past three years (see sig).

I'm also the author of one of the only Footballguys articles devoted to dynamic drafting.

In my time here, I believes I have demonstrated a keen analytical mind, with a sound grasp of both drafting strategy and of player valuation. And I can assure you all that if I'm chosen, you'll see some quality analysis on both counts.

Frankly, though, you'll see that even if I'm not chosen, in whatever Shark Pool threads cover these drafts.

So either way, I look forward to participating.

 

[Hear-the-Footsteps]

Dear Staff,

You hear that? You Hear-the-Footsteps? They’re coming for you.

Picture this: 1985, MNF, Theismann. (No, I don’t wish that on anyone.)

Staff = Theismann

Me = LT (the real LT)

LT was looking for Theismann. He wanted him. He would stop at nothing.

That’s me. I’m looking for you. I want you. I will stop at nothing.

Truth is, I’ve wanted to go up against the staff since the 2003 season…my first year with FBGs (despite what it indicates to the left). Last year, I asked some of the guys who get invited into staff contest after contest how they get selected. The general advice was to join some forum leagues, do really well, and then hopefully I’d get noticed.

Well, I did just that. Joined 3 leagues in total:

Anarchy2 - Overall Champion of 16

MBSL2 – 4th of 16; 3rd in points

QSL – 3rd of 14; 2nd in points

(In addition, I even submitted in every round of the haiku contest.)

Bottom-line:

- I am truly addicted to FF. I check this site literally everyday – doesn’t matter if it’s March 7 or September 7.

- I enjoy doing analytical write-ups of my drafts or anything else I have a strong FF opinion on.

- Never been in this contest before.

- You don’t have to pay me for participating. Seriously. That’s how bad I want to go up against you.

So watch out. Those footsteps you hear, they’re coming for you!

Sincerely,

HTF

 

[kook178]

Well, given the above and below posters, some may think that I bring a thin, FBG resume to this competition. It includes Toilet Bowl wins, first picks in dynasty drafts and a team with a top keeper of Eddie Kennison in 2004. It also includes a few playoff runs, Super Bowl wins and League Championships.

Written in its pages are roughly twelve years of fantasy football trials and tribulations, from season-ending injuries to smart and timely waiver wire pick-ups. First round busts to eleventh round scoring champions. It contains membership statistics from numerous fantasy football sites, obviously including this one.

It contains records from a local FF redraft league, FFF, Fayetteville Fantasy Football. This league is the first entry on the resume from 1995, a simple redraft league consisting of ten close friends who easily hooked a rookie with stories of draft parties and poker. Little did the owner of this resume know that FF would become a life-long hobby with the ability to bandage an open wound that is Detroit Lions loyalty. It continues to outline leagues, from redrafts to auctions, keepers to dynasties, leagues with contracts or salaries. About the only thing the resume doesn't chronicle is an IDP league. Chronicles about being involved in a league from owner, co-owner, treasurer and commish are listed in the resume. Live drafts, email drafts, local leagues, internet leagues, free, bragging rights leagues, high stakes leagues. All of these are printed in its pages. Sixteen leagues, at last count, for the 2006 season round out the final entries in the experience section.

As the owner of this thin FBG resume, I bring to the table myself, a 32-year old attorney from the Midwest, with two NFL teams within four hours. I bring the NFL Ticket and a 65" big screen. A leather chair and a wife that loves weekend football. I also bring a brand-new (two day old) first daughter. I bring what everyone likely has, the ability to juggle a fierce passion for fantasy football with a family and new daughter, career, spouse and life outside the NFL. I bring the perspective of the "Everyman" who enjoys many things in life, with fantasy football in the front portion of the line. I also bring the ability to write an article in a concise, informative and humorous fashion. Anyone can draft a team, it takes an individual capable of communication to explain why Chicago's defense is the right choice in the first round because of the weakness of the NFC North.

All that I and the resume need is a forum. Footballguys' offer to play fantasy football gives me that forum.

 

[thepiranha]

I won't bore you by telling you that I took first in the inaugural season of the Taylor's-Stonewood Memorial League and third place in the third season. I'll also skip over the fact that I won the Super Bowl in the West Coast Players Fantasy Football League in three of our five seasons. I won't even mention my winnings in the ten years that I participated in the Maui Fantasy Football League. I'm sure that everyone who is vying for a spot has credentials similar to mine.

What I DO want to tell you is that I live, breathe and bleed fantasy football. Some people know where they were when Kennedy was killed; I know where I was when Franco Harris caught the Immaculate Reception. Some people remember what they were doing when they heard that John Lennon was killed; I remember where I was when Kellen Winslow shredded the Miami defense in the playoffs.

As a Psychology major in college and a writer of grant applications I am skilled at analysis as well as writing. I've been playing fantasy football long enough to be able to separate the truth from the hype and I am able to convey my analyses with succinctness and a great deal of humor.

Finally, choosing me to participate will really PISS MY WIFE OFF, and that's worth more than you could possibly imagine!

 

[David Dodds]

Thanks everyone for the nominations. We had an extremely tough time narrowing this field with so many qualified applicants. We selected people based on these factors:

1. FF skill displayed

2. Writing ability

3. Message Board presence/knowledge

4. Strength of application

Here is the team, alternates and reviewers:

Listed alphabetically after Tick

Tick (Captain)

abrecher

BassNBrew

bostonfred

Capt Hook

ConstruxBoy

diesel7982

Doctor Detroit

Duckboy

EBF

Fullback Fro

jdoggydogg

jurb26

LHUCKS

Psychology Kev

Radballs

Spike

Team Legacy

Alternates if someone can't do this:

1. Sinrman

2. Bagger

and these three for commentary:

Evilgrin 72

Family Matters

Gatorman