Strategy Help - having lunch with a leaguemate in an hour (1 Viewer)

[Rounders]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot.

Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.

I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways? Would you help out if he asks? Would you be honest and let him know which players he should be looking at?

What would you do?

 

[Brutis]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot. Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways?

Yes

 

[AnonymousBob]

I've never received much enjoyment when I beat the lousy owners in our league. Sharper and smarter competition makes things more exciting...help him out. Heck, give him fbg's website and tell him to check out the forums. You don't have to share everything you know but you should educate the guy.

 

[DenverBroncos]

10 team leagues are gay!

 

[Rounders]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot. Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways?

Yes

How?

 

[Rounders]

10 team leagues are gay!

Thanks for sharing, now, GO AWAY!

 

[John Mamula]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.

maybe you are not cut out for that.

 

[NFZ]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot. Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways?

Yes

How?

Wear a Michael Vick jersey.

 

[AnonymousBob]

10 team leagues are gay!

They are not any harder or easier than 12+ team leagues. If I were in a four team league each owner might score a boatload of points but it would still be equally difficult.

 

[Sweet Love]

I would just bring up general info to gauge how on top of things he has been. If he has not heard about Gore or Taylor being carted off, then you do not have much to worry about and I would give him some pointers (to an extent). If he knows all of this be careful, because as you may be trying to fish around to see what he will do with the 7th pick, he may be trying to fish to see what you will do with your second round pick before it comes back to him.

 

[Rounders]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.maybe you are not cut out for that.

I agree Bagger. I acutally think that this is the most difficult spot for a commissioner to be in. I don't want to deceive him, but when do you take the commissioner hat off and put on the team owner hat?So if you were in this situation and get asked "So who are you thinking about drafting in round 2?" How would you answer this without deceiving the owner?

 

[perry147]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot. Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways? Would you help out if he asks? Would you be honest and let him know which players he should be looking at?What would you do?

Is this league for fun or for money? If it is for fun then I would help him. Everyone at one time needs some help especially when first starting out. Give him some links, places to go for draft sheets, explain some basic drafting strategy - give him the tools but don't do the work for him.

 

[gianmarco]

I've never received much enjoyment when I beat the lousy owners in our league. Sharper and smarter competition makes things more exciting...help him out. Heck, give him fbg's website and tell him to check out the forums. You don't have to share everything you know but you should educate the guy.

Agreed. As stated, there's no satisfaction from beating inferior coaches. The better he gets, the better the draft is, the better the league is, the more fun it is. Secondly, he's obviously trying to make an effort to get better and learn and you want to deceive him or shut him down? Wrong thing to do, especially as a commish. Third thing is, as he is learning, he may get to the point where he does know a thing or 2 about FF and will realize how you led him astray. Good luck with that situation.This is a perfect opportunity to try and teach someone something about fantasy football. If you consider yourself pretty knowledgeable, you should love that chance. I love when people come to me asking what I think about this stuff. Explain to him that you're obviously drafting 2 spots away, but be interactive. Ask him who he likes and why he likes them. Don't give him a list of players. Make him come up with his own list, go over it with him, critique it, teach him some stuff about value. This way you don't necessarily hurt yourself and you create a better owner. You'll take a huge step in improving your league if you do so.

 

[Lowen1]

Give him Clayton Gray's bogus Expert Top 200 list. Tell him you use that list every year.

 

[Rounders]

So a leaguemate has asked me to go to lunch with him in about an hour to talk some ff. He drafts in the 7 spot, while I'm sitting in the 9 spot. Some background information: 10 team league, this owner has never finished higher than 4th. He teams the last two years have been better than in the past, however this owners has a rep as being a "bad owner". Often he would draft injured players without knowing and generally was viewed as an easy target. I'm the commish of the league and I have noticed that over the last 2 years he has been asking more questions, and trying to get more involved.I'm thinking that he wants to pick my brain at lunch, so with that in mind, how would handle this lunch conversation? Would you try to decieve this owner and try to continue his losing ways? Would you help out if he asks? Would you be honest and let him know which players he should be looking at?What would you do?

Is this league for fun or for money? If it is for fun then I would help him. Everyone at one time needs some help especially when first starting out. Give him some links, places to go for draft sheets, explain some basic drafting strategy - give him the tools but don't do the work for him.

It's a money league and is in its 13 year. I would hate to show him FBG, would it be wrong to tell him about websites without mentioning this one?

 

[IM666]

Print out the Bogus Top 200 and accidentally leave it on the table as you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. Highlight players you have no interest in.

 

[Rounders]

I've never received much enjoyment when I beat the lousy owners in our league. Sharper and smarter competition makes things more exciting...help him out. Heck, give him fbg's website and tell him to check out the forums. You don't have to share everything you know but you should educate the guy.

Agreed. As stated, there's no satisfaction from beating inferior coaches. The better he gets, the better the draft is, the better the league is, the more fun it is. Secondly, he's obviously trying to make an effort to get better and learn and you want to deceive him or shut him down? Wrong thing to do, especially as a commish. Third thing is, as he is learning, he may get to the point where he does know a thing or 2 about FF and will realize how you led him astray. Good luck with that situation.This is a perfect opportunity to try and teach someone something about fantasy football. If you consider yourself pretty knowledgeable, you should love that chance. I love when people come to me asking what I think about this stuff. Explain to him that you're obviously drafting 2 spots away, but be interactive. Ask him who he likes and why he likes them. Don't give him a list of players. Make him come up with his own list, go over it with him, critique it, teach him some stuff about value. This way you don't necessarily hurt yourself and you create a better owner. You'll take a huge step in improving your league if you do so.

That's some good advice. Thanks Marco.

 

[ImTheScientist]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.maybe you are not cut out for that.

Being commish is separate from being a team owner IMO.I currently have the 9th pick in my redraft 12 team league and my best friend has the 7th pick. We talk a lot. We have been in the same leagues for 13 years. He knows what players I like and don't like so Im just honest with him about the first round. Talk about the first round a lot with your buddy....what do you have to lose....although I wouldn't go into conversations about much more than that.

 

[John Mamula]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.maybe you are not cut out for that.

I agree Bagger. I acutally think that this is the most difficult spot for a commissioner to be in. I don't want to deceive him, but when do you take the commissioner hat off and put on the team owner hat?So if you were in this situation and get asked "So who are you thinking about drafting in round 2?" How would you answer this without deceiving the owner?

i would tell him he would find out at the draft.

 

[Rounders]

Print out the Bogus Top 200 and accidentally leave it on the table as you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. Highlight players you have no interest in.

That's funny, but I'm really leaning towards helping the guy out, I would think that this falls under the "Bush League" area

 

[AnonymousBob]

I've never received much enjoyment when I beat the lousy owners in our league. Sharper and smarter competition makes things more exciting...help him out. Heck, give him fbg's website and tell him to check out the forums. You don't have to share everything you know but you should educate the guy.

Agreed. As stated, there's no satisfaction from beating inferior coaches. The better he gets, the better the draft is, the better the league is, the more fun it is. Secondly, he's obviously trying to make an effort to get better and learn and you want to deceive him or shut him down? Wrong thing to do, especially as a commish. Third thing is, as he is learning, he may get to the point where he does know a thing or 2 about FF and will realize how you led him astray. Good luck with that situation.This is a perfect opportunity to try and teach someone something about fantasy football. If you consider yourself pretty knowledgeable, you should love that chance. I love when people come to me asking what I think about this stuff. Explain to him that you're obviously drafting 2 spots away, but be interactive. Ask him who he likes and why he likes them. Don't give him a list of players. Make him come up with his own list, go over it with him, critique it, teach him some stuff about value. This way you don't necessarily hurt yourself and you create a better owner. You'll take a huge step in improving your league if you do so.

Well said. If the guy asks who you are looking to draft with your second pick you shouldn't tell him who you are looking to grab. Be upfront with the guy-tell him you're willing to help him out but you won't give him the players you are looking to grab.I see no wrong that would come if you showed him this site. You don't have to tell him you post here, you can simply say you check it out from time to time. Let's face it-while this place has loads of helpful information, there are always different opinions. Just because he visits this place doesn't mean he'll start taking all the guys you like.Besides, if someone is trying to improve their level of play can you think of a better tool to help them than fbg's?

 

[The Kansas Comet]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.

maybe you are not cut out for that.

I agree Bagger. I acutally think that this is the most difficult spot for a commissioner to be in. I don't want to deceive him, but when do you take the commissioner hat off and put on the team owner hat?So if you were in this situation and get asked "So who are you thinking about drafting in round 2?" How would you answer this without deceiving the owner?

I would tell him that it depends on whom I've picked and which players are left.Apart from that, I would ask him what he is doing to prepare for the draft, then give some general pointers (do your own rankings, try to do a few mock drafts to see how they go etc.). If he asks about specific players, that's where I wouldn't be as forthcoming. If it was a player I liked, I would give a positive or two, but play up more of the player's downside. You haven't given him false information, but you haven't given away information he could use against you in the draft either.

 

[IM666]

Print out the Bogus Top 200 and accidentally leave it on the table as you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. Highlight players you have no interest in.

That's funny, but I'm really leaning towards helping the guy out, I would think that this falls under the "Bush League" area

Good for you in helping him out. I have always asking other owners for help as taboo honestly. Given all the resources available, relying on other owners is a bit of a copout. But that is me. Maybe you can groom him to be shark.

 

[Big_O]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.maybe you are not cut out for that.

Being commish is separate from being a team owner IMO.I currently have the 9th pick in my redraft 12 team league and my best friend has the 7th pick. We talk a lot. We have been in the same leagues for 13 years. He knows what players I like and don't like so Im just honest with him about the first round. Talk about the first round a lot with your buddy....what do you have to lose....although I wouldn't go into conversations about much more than that.

I think I get better when I face competition. Remember, anything you do to help this guy now could turn into a valued perspective later. It's not like it will be a one-sided conversation forever...

 

[RebelINS]

You should definitely help him out. Anyone trying to make an effort to get better may just need a push in the right direction. Stronger leagues are always more fun than beating inferior opponents.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

I agree Bagger. I acutally think that this is the most difficult spot for a commissioner to be in. I don't want to deceive him, but when do you take the commissioner hat off and put on the team owner hat?So if you were in this situation and get asked "So who are you thinking about drafting in round 2?" How would you answer this without deceiving the owner?

I don't think deception is the way to go, whether you are commish or "just" a team owner -- and I'm not suggesting you do, either, btw. You don't need to tell him who you are drafting round two and he cwertainly shouldn't expect that. Give him resources, tell him it is a good idea to check injury reports, etc. I agree with the others that there is no glory in beating an inferior owner or beating someone you deceived.Anyone who (seriously) suggests providing falsoe info is probably not old enough to drive.

 

[-Crippler-]

as commish you shouldn't be trying to deceive anyone.

maybe you are not cut out for that.

I agree Bagger. I acutally think that this is the most difficult spot for a commissioner to be in. I don't want to deceive him, but when do you take the commissioner hat off and put on the team owner hat?So if you were in this situation and get asked "So who are you thinking about drafting in round 2?" How would you answer this without deceiving the owner?

"Your mom"

 

[Rounders]

Thanks guys, I'm off to lunch. I appreciate the good ideas. I will report back for those who care.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Thanks guys, I'm off to lunch. I appreciate the good ideas. I will report back for those who care.

Just be wary if he offers to buy you a drink.

 

[Rounders]

Alright guys, just got back. Here's a summary.

We start off with some small talk, nothing big since we haven't seen each other in a little while. He then starts talking about the rule changes that were made this year, asking for a summary. I took this to be a good sign because he was clearly preparing more than he has.

After we get done with that, I ask him who he's thinking about taking with his 1st pick. He immediately says "well not Gore he broke his hand", again I take that as a positive that he's keeping up with some news in the NFL and then he starts talking about some other RBs (Parker, Rudi, McGahee). He then asks me who I'm thinking about, and I tell him that I have not made up my mind and that I'm deciding between some players.

He then says to me that his biggest problem in FF is not knowing when to take players. He goes on to explain that he knows that he has made mistakes in the past and he doesn't want to make them again. I immediately tell him about fantasyfootballcalculator.com and tell him it's a great website to practice with some mock drafts. I could tell he was impressed that I knew of something off the top of my head.

All in all it was good. He clearly wants to get better and I think that I gave him some pointers. I didn't tell him about FBG, but I think he gained some insight about our favorite hobby and I hope that he uses the fanasyfootballcalculator.com

Thanks to those again for some good advice.

 

[perry147]

Alright guys, just got back. Here's a summary.

We start off with some small talk, nothing big since we haven't seen each other in a little while. He then starts talking about the rule changes that were made this year, asking for a summary. I took this to be a good sign because he was clearly preparing more than he has.

After we get done with that, I ask him who he's thinking about taking with his 1st pick. He immediately says "well not Gore he broke his hand", again I take that as a positive that he's keeping up with some news in the NFL and then he starts talking about some other RBs (Parker, Rudi, McGahee). He then asks me who I'm thinking about, and I tell him that I have not made up my mind and that I'm deciding between some players.

He then says to me that his biggest problem in FF is not knowing when to take players. He goes on to explain that he knows that he has made mistakes in the past and he doesn't want to make them again. I immediately tell him about fantasyfootballcalculator.com and tell him it's a great website to practice with some mock drafts. I could tell he was impressed that I knew of something off the top of my head.

All in all it was good. He clearly wants to get better and I think that I gave him some pointers. I didn't tell him about FBG, but I think he gained some insight about our favorite hobby and I hope that he uses the fanasyfootballcalculator.com

Thanks to those again for some good advice.

fantasyfootballcalculator.com

 

[AnonymousBob]

Once he becomes a good owner, THEN you can deceive him with the fake 200 list.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Once he becomes a good owner, THEN you can deceive him with the fake 200 list.

Glad the lunch went well.

 

[Routilla]

I always give both sides to a player. If he asked about Lee Evans I would say I love his potential but I worry about Losman. If it's a RB like Portis I say I love the pick if he's healthy but make sure you spend a middle rd pick on Betts so it will really cost you 2 picks if you want Portis. By discussing both sides you have not done anything materially wrong and in fact you have put it back to him to make a decision. Now if he brings up a player that you are salivating about as a sleeper or value pick then you say something about other guys that are likely to be drafted in similar rounds. Many are hyped about AP so I would say he could be good but you also have guys like DWill, MBIII, Norwood etc so there is no reason to reach for him since there are other RBs that have similar situations. Then of course you reach for the guy on draft day and watch your buddy glare at you for a few rounds.