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Newbie looking for advice (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JezCat
- Start date
rizzler
Footballguy
a) buy a subscription here and put aside about 1 month of pure reading
b) do as many mock drafts as you can once you get some knowledge
c) toughen up. you're gonna get smack talked from every angle. get used to it and dont cry about it.
d) ask questions (AFTER youve done a lot of reading)
e) dont join pools with anyone here for a few years
enjoy.
b) do as many mock drafts as you can once you get some knowledge
c) toughen up. you're gonna get smack talked from every angle. get used to it and dont cry about it.
d) ask questions (AFTER youve done a lot of reading)
e) dont join pools with anyone here for a few years
enjoy.
butcher boy
Footballguy
You've come to the perfect site.
Assuming you already know the generals of the game, I would start with some of the more basic articles on the site, particularly this one and branch out from there.
Just stay away from the heavier articles until you get a good grasp of VBD.
You should also try out some mock drafts over at www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com for practice to see what drafting is like.
Assuming you already know the generals of the game, I would start with some of the more basic articles on the site, particularly this one and branch out from there.
Just stay away from the heavier articles until you get a good grasp of VBD.
You should also try out some mock drafts over at www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com for practice to see what drafting is like.
Sabertooth
Footballguy
Get a subscription. Download the latest draft dominator. Get used to it. Then get the update right before your draft. This will help you a lot. Once you get your feet under you, then you will have a feel for things you like and don't like.
Shutout
Footballguy
We can (and probably will) give you mountains of advice so I will try to keep mine very short to get you started:
1. Realize that fantasy football is not real football. What makes someone good or bad in the NFL does not always parlay to Fantasy.
2. Understand the scoring rules of whatever league(s) you join backwards and forwards.
3. Learn and study the Theories of value in FF. Educate yourself on real value, perceived value, average draft positions, tiering of players, etc. FF is more business than fandom. Never forget that.
4. Use sites like these as educational resources, not Universal churches of truth.
5. Embrace (don't merely accept) flexibility. In drafts, in trade discussions, in lineup decisions, etc, etc.
6. Enjoy it for the rest of your life.
Best of luck to you.
1. Realize that fantasy football is not real football. What makes someone good or bad in the NFL does not always parlay to Fantasy.
2. Understand the scoring rules of whatever league(s) you join backwards and forwards.
3. Learn and study the Theories of value in FF. Educate yourself on real value, perceived value, average draft positions, tiering of players, etc. FF is more business than fandom. Never forget that.
4. Use sites like these as educational resources, not Universal churches of truth.
5. Embrace (don't merely accept) flexibility. In drafts, in trade discussions, in lineup decisions, etc, etc.
6. Enjoy it for the rest of your life.
Best of luck to you.
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
below is a link to the 2009 articles archive*...
scroll down the left column, near the bottom, is a 12 part beginner's series overseen and principally written by chris smith, which should give you a solid foundation to build on...
* http://footballguys.com/09articles.php
scroll down the left column, near the bottom, is a 12 part beginner's series overseen and principally written by chris smith, which should give you a solid foundation to build on...
* http://footballguys.com/09articles.php
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Creed Bratton
Footballguy
I know it's been mentioned before, but I'm going to say it again because it's just that important.
Know your league scoring system and format. It's the single most important thing you can do.
I think the best way to do that is by going over data from previous seasons according to your specific league's scoring and rules. I would probably try to stick to a reliable source for your rankings and cheatsheets. I think no matter what you do, there's going to be a bit of a learning curve, so by sticking to a reliable set of website rankings you'll limit the damage you do to yourself. Just trying to stay as well informed as possible will also pay a lot of dividends.
Know your league scoring system and format. It's the single most important thing you can do.
I think the best way to do that is by going over data from previous seasons according to your specific league's scoring and rules. I would probably try to stick to a reliable source for your rankings and cheatsheets. I think no matter what you do, there's going to be a bit of a learning curve, so by sticking to a reliable set of website rankings you'll limit the damage you do to yourself. Just trying to stay as well informed as possible will also pay a lot of dividends.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Have fun, that's the most important thing. I've seen more newbies win titles by just doing their thing and not listening to people and have a lot of fun in the process.
We get caught up on every word Goofus McDoofus says over on ESPN or NFLN and we lose sight of having fun sometimes.
We get caught up on every word Goofus McDoofus says over on ESPN or NFLN and we lose sight of having fun sometimes.
Reaper
Footballguy
Also - Along with Have fun, I'd say Identify the players you like and players YOU like to watch...Over the years I fell into traps where I'd pick the guy everyone at FBG's liked over somone else and it hurts that much more to see your guy do much better The guy maybe on your favorite team you watch each week. There's nothing wrong with being a Homer and nothing better when it pays off while it stinks to see your guy on someone else's team...I remember the year the Pats went off statistically and the mocking the Boston-guy took all year when he owned none of the players involved - He's said he would marry Tom Brady but, heck he didn't draft him when it counted.I'd also leave the Draft Dominator at home for Live drafts and Keep it simple - Start with an ADP list and highlight ranges of guys at your draft spot that you want/like - Come to the draft with that and a cheatsheet based on your scoring with your guys highlighted....Trying to keep up with a draft with the Dominator can throw you off if you're new to the game and the draft is decent speed. I practice and mock with the dominator, use it for slow drafts but, have ditched it recently for fast drafts.I don't neccesarily agree with Reaper's advice 100%. Just to clarify his points, don't make a homer pick just to root for your guy. Make sure the value is right and the ADP is at least in the ball park. You can reach a little bit for a player you really covet, but don't get him 2 rounds early just because he's "your guy" In other words if the your guy is in the same tier of players being drafted, then go for it, but if there's players in higher tiers still available, then taking your homer guy doesn't make sense. I like using Draft Dominator at fast drafts. It all depends on how comfortable you are with it, and how strict your leaguemates are about the amount of time given for each pick. If you are pretty computer savvy, and have practiced with DD and gotten comfortable with it, then why not try it. (you might want to sign up for some free league with an online draft to practice before using it in your important league) Conversely (and probably the reason Reaper made this point) you don't want to be fumbling around with your computer with a program you're not comfortable with during your live draft. Only you know how comfortable you are with computers and Draft Dominator.Like has already been said, Rule #1: Have fun! Rule #2: Know your scoring system and which players it gives the advantage to.Also - Along with Have fun, I'd say Identify the players you like and players YOU like to watch...Over the years I fell into traps where I'd pick the guy everyone at FBG's liked over somone else and it hurts that much more to see your guy do much better The guy maybe on your favorite team you watch each week. There's nothing wrong with being a Homer and nothing better when it pays off while it stinks to see your guy on someone else's team...I remember the year the Pats went off statistically and the mocking the Boston-guy took all year when he owned none of the players involved - He's said he would marry Tom Brady but, heck he didn't draft him when it counted.I'd also leave the Draft Dominator at home for Live drafts and Keep it simple - Start with an ADP list and highlight ranges of guys at your draft spot that you want/like - Come to the draft with that and a cheatsheet based on your scoring with your guys highlighted....Trying to keep up with a draft with the Dominator can throw you off if you're new to the game and the draft is decent speed. I practice and mock with the dominator, use it for slow drafts but, have ditched it recently for fast drafts.
Balance
Footballguy
did you type this with a straight face? i mean you had to snortle a couple times.
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Reaper
Footballguy
Correct, I meant in certain tiers for getting your guys... For instance, one thing I'll do is keep a list of "My Guys" and then figure out with ADP and past drafts where and how I can get as much as my targets as possible.As for the Dominator - I've been doing the Live FFPC 77 Mocks that are set up similar to the FBG Championship on RTS... That has a 90 second clock and most people use about 20 seconds.. You miss one pick on the Dominator and have to back track it could mess you up... Drafting at the ends helps... I just like keeping it simple these days.. Along the same lines... KNOW YOUR SOFTWARE. Wether it's CBS or RTS or MFL - Try to get Your rankings into that program so the players are at your fingertips.... Keep your Que stocked with your targets and IMO, quick pick yourself, might as well get your pick in and make the next guy fumble if you have your #### together.I don't neccesarily agree with Reaper's advice 100%. Just to clarify his points, don't make a homer pick just to root for your guy. Make sure the value is right and the ADP is at least in the ball park. You can reach a little bit for a player you really covet, but don't get him 2 rounds early just because he's "your guy" In other words if the your guy is in the same tier of players being drafted, then go for it, but if there's players in higher tiers still available, then taking your homer guy doesn't make sense. I like using Draft Dominator at fast drafts. It all depends on how comfortable you are with it, and how strict your leaguemates are about the amount of time given for each pick. If you are pretty computer savvy, and have practiced with DD and gotten comfortable with it, then why not try it. (you might want to sign up for some free league with an online draft to practice before using it in your important league) Conversely (and probably the reason Reaper made this point) you don't want to be fumbling around with your computer with a program you're not comfortable with during your live draft. Only you know how comfortable you are with computers and Draft Dominator.Like has already been said, Rule #1: Have fun! Rule #2: Know your scoring system and which players it gives the advantage to.
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Buddy Ball 2K3
Footballguy
Being on this site is the best start. What to do next...
1 - Listen to the Audible Pod Casts and any other fantasy football podcasts that you can. Listening to a conversation about the topic is often times more informative than reading individual posts
2 - When you do join a league, learn the scoring and the rules inside out.
3 - Do not be a homer. Do not pick your favorite players
4 - Study the offensive NFL rosters. It's important to know much more than just who the starters are
1 - Listen to the Audible Pod Casts and any other fantasy football podcasts that you can. Listening to a conversation about the topic is often times more informative than reading individual posts
2 - When you do join a league, learn the scoring and the rules inside out.
3 - Do not be a homer. Do not pick your favorite players
4 - Study the offensive NFL rosters. It's important to know much more than just who the starters are
Black
Footballguy
If you need REAL basics (what positions are there on a fantasy team? what and how do you draft? what do you do during the season), send me a personal message (click my name and hit 'send message'). I'll send you what I sent a new guy in one of my leagues last year.
If you know what constitutes a team, how to 'do' a draft, and are just looking for advice on how to rank and choose players in your draft (and later setting your lineup in-season), then just I have one big piece of advice: choose one main provider and just go with their advice. You can use Football Guys if you want, or if you are not interested in paying yet, find a Yahoo or ESPN, but just try one. Otherwise you'll receive conflicting guidance and lose your mind.
Regardless of what you read online, I do recommend listening to the free Football Guys 'The Audible" podcast, either download to iTunes or listen streaming. You'll learn very quickly the types of players to target in your draft and week-to-week in-season player pickups. You'll get advice on starting players, etc.
My second bit of advice...realize there is alot of luck involved, so don't get too frustrated (or too cocky!)! Always look to improve your team and set a good lineup. You never know what might happen.
If you know what constitutes a team, how to 'do' a draft, and are just looking for advice on how to rank and choose players in your draft (and later setting your lineup in-season), then just I have one big piece of advice: choose one main provider and just go with their advice. You can use Football Guys if you want, or if you are not interested in paying yet, find a Yahoo or ESPN, but just try one. Otherwise you'll receive conflicting guidance and lose your mind.
Regardless of what you read online, I do recommend listening to the free Football Guys 'The Audible" podcast, either download to iTunes or listen streaming. You'll learn very quickly the types of players to target in your draft and week-to-week in-season player pickups. You'll get advice on starting players, etc.
My second bit of advice...realize there is alot of luck involved, so don't get too frustrated (or too cocky!)! Always look to improve your team and set a good lineup. You never know what might happen.
greenheads
Footballguy
This seems obvious but you win by having the most elite (top ten in your scoring system) players (qb, rb, wr) regardless of their position.
In a draft don't get caught up in runs too much, if everybody is taking a RB (after the first rd) it might be be better for you to take a player at another position You don't want to take a weaker player at the expense of a great player at another position just because it feels like you'll be left out at that position if you don't take that position now.
You can't be strong at every starting position and you don't have to be.
Don't get caught up in magazines too much (they are written months before training camp and are out of date with injuries and traded players and hold outs etc..)
Get a set of rankings from a credible current site like this one and use it as a guide, BUT realize that almost all rankings are wrong and very wrong about 50% of the time. Identify which players are good candidates to have their stats drop from last year and avoid those. Age, recent injuries, changing coaches etc..
take mostly younger starters after the first few rounds that have some NFL experience that have an opportunity to do better than last year, more touches likely coming etc.. (except at qb experience counts at qb)
avoid players (like LT last year) that are clearly at the down side of their careers and their stats have fallen from their glory years recently.
Have a plan going into a draft but be flexible depending on how the draft goes. In other words don't think you must have a certain player and take em way too early. You'll likely suffer at other positions.
Have fun with it!
In a draft don't get caught up in runs too much, if everybody is taking a RB (after the first rd) it might be be better for you to take a player at another position You don't want to take a weaker player at the expense of a great player at another position just because it feels like you'll be left out at that position if you don't take that position now.
You can't be strong at every starting position and you don't have to be.
Don't get caught up in magazines too much (they are written months before training camp and are out of date with injuries and traded players and hold outs etc..)
Get a set of rankings from a credible current site like this one and use it as a guide, BUT realize that almost all rankings are wrong and very wrong about 50% of the time. Identify which players are good candidates to have their stats drop from last year and avoid those. Age, recent injuries, changing coaches etc..
take mostly younger starters after the first few rounds that have some NFL experience that have an opportunity to do better than last year, more touches likely coming etc.. (except at qb experience counts at qb)
avoid players (like LT last year) that are clearly at the down side of their careers and their stats have fallen from their glory years recently.
Have a plan going into a draft but be flexible depending on how the draft goes. In other words don't think you must have a certain player and take em way too early. You'll likely suffer at other positions.
Have fun with it!
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fsufan
Footballguy
read most/all threads on this MB(shark pool), great info here. pay for FBG fantasy subscription as well
Chairshot
Footballguy
The best thing you can do for yourself is not take yourself or your team too seriously the first year.
If you haven't joined a league yet, definitely look for a low dollar buy in or free league, if you can find one that has somewhat serious players.
If you can view your first year as a learning experience and just try to have fun with it while picking up different aspects of the game, you will have a good time. If you expect to win out of the gate, you will probably only get frustrated.
There will be plenty of good advice in this thread. In my opinion, though, experience will teach you more than any advice will.
I think the first year is more about learning the mechanics of how a league works, how a draft works, how to make trades, how to make waiver wire pickups, etc. Just try to pick that stuff up the first year and try not to worry too much about winning. Put your best foot forward and if you win, great. If you don't, have fun learning about a fun hobby.
If you haven't joined a league yet, definitely look for a low dollar buy in or free league, if you can find one that has somewhat serious players.
If you can view your first year as a learning experience and just try to have fun with it while picking up different aspects of the game, you will have a good time. If you expect to win out of the gate, you will probably only get frustrated.
There will be plenty of good advice in this thread. In my opinion, though, experience will teach you more than any advice will.
I think the first year is more about learning the mechanics of how a league works, how a draft works, how to make trades, how to make waiver wire pickups, etc. Just try to pick that stuff up the first year and try not to worry too much about winning. Put your best foot forward and if you win, great. If you don't, have fun learning about a fun hobby.
Wow!!! I'm blown away here guys. Either you guys are great people or you're all just drooling on your keyboards the minute I mentioned I'm a newb. 
I feel like the hardest thing for me to get past is trying to cheer for a player from another team besides my favorite. I've done the GM mock drafts, pick em', etc... so I guess I need to suck it up and get to kickin' everyone's butt! 
I feel like the hardest thing for me to get past is trying to cheer for a player from another team besides my favorite. I've done the GM mock drafts, pick em', etc... so I guess I need to suck it up and get to kickin' everyone's butt! 
gethugefast1
Footballguy
Get all the info you can about camps that just started (you can get much right here in the Shark Pool) & as mentioned above watch as many Preseason games as you can.
fsufan
Footballguy
you have had to many beers
gethugefast1
Footballguy
Nice call bonesman 
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
I honestly haven't been playing too long, maybe 6 or 7 years. I started doing Yahoo and espn league and with research I dominated those leagues after my 2nd yr. I suggest starting up with those.
And join a cheap dynasty league.. if even your not into dynasty it will still help you learn about the value of rookies.. I used to always pass up rookies in re-draft until I did a couple of yrs in a dynasty, then I learned to draft them if the value is right.
Read the advice give in the Assistant Coach forum and you'll gauge people values on players
And join a cheap dynasty league.. if even your not into dynasty it will still help you learn about the value of rookies.. I used to always pass up rookies in re-draft until I did a couple of yrs in a dynasty, then I learned to draft them if the value is right.
Read the advice give in the Assistant Coach forum and you'll gauge people values on players
Tick
Footballguy
If you read only one article before your draft, make it the Perfect Draft article by David Dodds here on FBG. It slims down the amount of work you need to do in ranking players dramatically by basically ruling out a lot of players since you know they'll get drafted before they're worth taking.
senor peso 2006
Footballguy
It's easy to get excited about the first few rounds where you are picking up the studs, but my drafts are made by the value that I get at the end of the draft. I've seen a lot of guys mentally check out after the 10th round of an 18th or so round draft and just go through the motions. Stay focused and look for the guys who are future studs. Its great to find a guy in the late rounds like a Miles Austin last year.
That's not an advertisement bones, it's just a survey. I'm just seeking as many P.O.V.'s as I can get for something I've been doing for the past several years. Back to the topic.... From what I've gathered so far, different leagues base their systems on different criteria so I just need to study how people draft based on each type of point system. Is there a simple answer for how many basic scoring systems there are and which would be the most popular?
Now I've never heard of a "dynasty league".
That's my goal. Just have fun and learn on the job. How many players do you usually draft and what positions? I know you draft several RBs, WRs, QBs, etc.... so you have to pick one RB and QB to play each week or you just gather points for all of your drafted players?
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
Gotta admit, I noticed it right away. Was kinda upset to see the rook get a big money endorsement deal while us veteran FBGs are always in fear of getting cut with nothing
Lots of good for newbies of all stripes in this thread btw
Value Based Drafting (VBD) is definitely the best starting place. Take your heart out of it as much as possible (that is don't be drafting up your Cowboys 3 rounds too soon so you can feel "good" about your team - it'll cost you in the standings. If you still need to grab one to feel good do it at a more fungible position like Kicker
-QG
Tick
Footballguy
Most scoring systems are very similar. First, I'd say there are two main branches - leagues that score individual defensive players and those that score team defenses. Team defenses are way more common, IDPs are way more fun... but it's best to start with team defenses until you're comfortable with the basics of FF and know the offensive players well for fantasy. Throwing out IDP leagues, 95% of the leagues out there only vary in the number of starting running backs and wide receivers, the points per passing TD, and whether you get a point per reception or not. Just about every league falls into this:Start QB, 1-3 RBs, 2-4 WRs, TE, PK, TD. Often one of the positions will be called a flex position, where you can start a RB, WR, or TE.Scoring is generally:.1 point per receiving/rushing yard.04-.05 points per passing yard6 points per receiving/rushing TD4-6 points per passing TD0-1.5 points per reception.Points per reception can be different by position... maybe RBs get 0.5 per reception, WRs 1, and TEs 1.5Team defense scoring can vary, but it's usually some combo of points for TDs, INTs, fumble recoveries, sacks, and sometimes points and yards allowed. Return TDs are generally scored with team defenses as well.Most leagues run serpentine drafts, where the draft order goes 1-12, 12-1, 1-12, 12-1, etc. There are variants of this. Some leagues do auctions, but that's another thing to think about down the line after you're comfortable with standard leagues.
Tick
Footballguy
There are three types of leagues: redraft, keeper, and dynasty.In a redraft, each year you draft players, then at the end of the year you're done with those players. You start fresh each year.In a keeper, you can keep some number of players from the previous year, then draft the rest of your team. There are lots of variants on this, such as only being able to keep a player drafted after the 6th round, or having to sacrifice your draft pick one round ahead of where the guy you kept was drafted, or only being able to keep a player for three years.Dynasty leagues are where you keep a significant part of your roster every year. The line between keeper and dynasty leagues is a little blurry. Most dynasty leagues will let you keep something like 75% of your roster, and the 25% dropped by everyone goes into a free agency period. Rookie-only (or rookie plus free agent) drafts are the main way to get new talent into the league, since most decent veterans are already on rosters.Start with redrafts until you're comfortable, then think about others.
Tick
Footballguy
In almost all leagues, you pick your starters each week. There are a few where you don't decide - best ball is a general name for leagues where the top-scoring QB on your roster for the week is the one that counts for your team. I don't know of any leagues that give points for everyone on the roster.As for how many players you draft, that varies a lot by league. Some have deep benches, others very shallow. I'd say a general rule is to double the number of starters.
DropKick
Footballguy
I thought the exact same thing. Sounds like BS to me. "Completely new to FF" but wants to survey something he's been doing for a couple years? Doesn't add up... but that's just me.
Abraham
Footballguy
FaNTasy football is a quadrillion dollar a year business. There are a gazillion mock drafting apps and sites out there. And there is just one FootballGuys and just one Carlton Gray. I don't see the problem.
I don't see why a few of you have a problem with asking for everyone's opinion. "Killing two birds with one stone" as they say.
If you don't want to spend 15 seconds taking a 3 question survey then don't. I could understand if I was peddling stuff to you guys. However, I could replace it with an ad to buy my car though. 
I've spent the past several years building up a completely free event on another site but the owner left the forum and started a new one. So I'm looking into new hobbies like FF, and.... what the survey concerns but for that I need to know if people are interested first. Again, back to FF.... So would you guys have a problem with me joining a free league like Yahoo or whatever but coming here for advice and info? I'm pretty confident I'll be successful with FF but no need to pay if I don't have to. I've joined a few other FF sites also but you guys seem pretty cool here despite a few hard cases.I hope one of those guys aren't the owner of this site and think I'm trying to squeeze into his FF empire. I just borrowed my friend's surveymonkey account to make a survey to get an idea how viable my new hobby may be that's all. I've sent the survey to everyone who's participated in my previous hobby and I thought I'd get an "outside" opinion.FaNTasy football is a quadrillion dollar a year business. There are a gazillion mock drafting apps and sites out there. And there is just one FootballGuys and just one Carlton Gray. I don't see the problem.
