Taking the Zero (1 Viewer)

[Church of Iggy Pop]

Peyton Manning is the only QB on my roster. Gambling on Manning's continued durability is a calculated risk on my part, and I used the draft picks/ roster spots normally devoted to backup QB to bolster my TE and WR positions. Week 6 is where my gambit catches up to me, since Manning is on BYE.

I've taken a hard look at my roster, and cannot find an expendable player to cut. Seriously. Trades are painfully rare in my league, and the waiver wire has been picked clean, to the point where none of Dodds' top 20 ranked week 6 starters are available. My team is [5-0], so I'm thinking playoffs, and managing my roster accordingly. At what point does it make sense to just take the zero at QB this week, accept that a loss is likely, and move on to week 7?

Is intentionally taking a zero akin to "taking a dive"? Is it poor sportsmanship? I'm up against the other [5-0] team in my league, so it's not like it's an attractive risk to handicap myself by 13-20 points.

Before this season, I would NEVER have taken a zero if it could be avoided. Last season, I rostered Rex Grossman all season, just so he could cover Manning's BYE week, and the one time I needed him, he melted down against the Cardinals on MNF, delivering negative fantasy points due to turnovers. You can bet I would've rather had a safe zero that week!

Granted better team management could have avoided this dilemma entirely, but here I am. What do you think?

 

[Cerwin]

I'd rather take the 0 point hit at the WR or TE position for a week. QB's generally score the most points depending on league scoring rules. TE's generally score the least amount of points, again, depending on league scoring rules. So why risk not getting 25 points for a measly 5 points that you can expect from a TE on a good week?

 

[suchislife]

Is intentionally taking a zero akin to "taking a dive"? Is it poor sportsmanship? I'm up against the other [5-0] team in my league, so it's not like it's an attractive risk to handicap myself by 13-20 points.

As long as its not breaking a rule I see nothing wrong with it. You're managing your team as you think is best for the long haul, which is the goal.

 

[BeachBums]

I'm doing the same thing in one league with ALL of my RBs on bye. Although i didn't really do it intentionally, I've heard it referred to as 'stacking byes,' basically getting as many players with the same bye week as possible and essentially throwing that game to maintain a consistently strong team throughout the rest of the season.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

I pulled off this week without starting a bye week player.

My ENTIRE BENCH is on bye this week. The whole thing.

 

[enfuego]

First, it would help to know if this is dynasty or redraft ......HUGE difference here. Redraft: cut Grossman and p/u the Q with the best match up. Maybe have the mods pull this over to the Asst Coaches forum for more detailed analysis of your free agents available. I would pick up Cleo Lemon. He will surely put up some more numbers than Grossman this week!

 

[Phurfur]

I will occationally do this at TE or DEF but NEVER at QB.

 

[snogger]

I've never done it for a RB/QB or WR position..

But have for DT, Kicker & a TE.

If my bench players are worth more than some scrub I can pick-up for a 1 week fill-in I'll take the zero for that week.

I just make sure I let the rest of the league know I'm doing it so they don't think my team became

 

[enfuego]

I'm doing the same thing in one league with ALL of my RBs on bye. Although i didn't really do it intentionally, I've heard it referred to as 'stacking byes,' basically getting as many players with the same bye week as possible and essentially throwing that game to maintain a consistently strong team throughout the rest of the season.

You guys ever heard of DRAFT DOMINATOR from FBG? It helps avoid these kind of issues while still maintaining a consistently strong team throughout the season.

 

[Tom Baker]

With Big Ben on bye, I'm starting Drew Brees this week. It's kind of like taking a zero . . .

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Thanks to injuries and byes, I have four starting spots to fill this week that my bench won't cover. I don't have that many expendable players so I have to determine which places can strategically take a zero. So I think it's okay to take a zero if you think it would hurt your team long-term to pick up a one-week scrub at the position.

 

[faux_bear]

With Big Ben on bye, I'm starting Drew Brees this week. It's kind of like taking a zero . . .

a team in my league did this last week and still managed to score the most points in the league for the week.He started Kenton Keith, Dennis Northcutt, and Jacoby Jones knowing he was injured...this is a strange game we play.

 

[rowediggy]

You guys ever heard of DRAFT DOMINATOR from FBG? It helps avoid these kind of issues while still maintaining a consistently strong team throughout the season.

Used it, considered it, and still dealing with the issue, due to roster churn, injury, and Trades. New Strategy: draft best team possible and ignore bye unless extreme.

(Thumbs down on the comment, not on DD itself which is a must-have for an in-person draft)

 

[jdottdot]

Our league penalizes you for not having a full lineup of starting players...

Commish will adjust the score accordingly if a roster slot is left blank...minus 10 points for that week that a slot is left "empty" and another -5 for the following week.

Helps to enure a lot of things...collusion, bad manager skills...etc.

It may be harsh, but you should make plans for this weeks in advance...

 

[Ron_Mexico]

First, it would help to know if this is dynasty or redraft ......HUGE difference here. Redraft: cut Grossman and p/u the Q with the best match up. Maybe have the mods pull this over to the Asst Coaches forum for more detailed analysis of your free agents available. I would pick up Cleo Lemon. He will surely put up some more numbers than Grossman this week!

I normally start a player on BYE if I haveno players worth dropping. I also have Peyton Manning,and Brady Quinn as my starting QBs.I picked up Miss Cleo.I want to recoup as many of Manning's pointsas possible this week.

 

[mad sweeney]

All my leagues have a rule about fielding a complete team. I think is is definitely an unsportsmanlike thing to do and goes against the competitive aspect of the league.

 

[sholditch]

I am facing the same dilemma. I have 3 WRs of 4 on my team on week 6 bye and they are all too good to drop (Harrison, Walker, Holmes) so I have been trying to work a trade of a WR swap that will get me one of relatively equal value for this week. If nothing happens I will likely just take the hit at WR this week, even though I'm 1-4. If I were 5-0, I wouldn't even think about it. But chances are you have someone on your team who is merely depth at this point. Take a closer look at your roster.

 

[AcerFC]

We dont allow it in our league. It really disrupts the competitiveness. If I am fighting for a playoff spot in week 10 and my competition is playing a team with guys on bye, how is that fair.

Now having said that, as long as there is no rule against it then there is no problem. I could have taken three zeros last week and won. Its a chance you take

 

[jdottdot]

All my leagues have a rule about fielding a complete team. I think is is definitely an unsportsmanlike thing to do and goes against the competitive aspect of the league.

Agreed.... See post above about suggested penalty...

 

[JAA]

:confetti:

 

[Butters]

Our league penalizes you for not having a full lineup of starting players... Commish will adjust the score accordingly if a roster slot is left blank...minus 10 points for that week that a slot is left "empty" and another -5 for the following week.Helps to enure a lot of things...collusion, bad manager skills...etc.It may be harsh, but you should make plans for this weeks in advance...

Yes, but if HIS league doesn't penalize for it, I see no reason to dismiss a strategic goose egg outright. The goal is to win the league title. If he feels taking a zero at a spot this week is a better option than losing a player on waivers, as long as it is within the rules, go ahead.

 

[JAA]

We dont allow it in our league. It really disrupts the competitiveness. If I am fighting for a playoff spot in week 10 and my competition is playing a team with guys on bye, how is that fair.

If your roster is full of productive players, where as when you dropped one they would get picked up instantly, you would understand.

 

[Swampy]

Its still early. You dont play a Qb, you know you have like a 85-90% chance of losing. Your now 5-1, a couple more loses and your treading. Just find a player that has no team value. Many mentioned a TE, Id go with that or De or St.

 

[Ranethe]

Peyton Manning is the only QB on my roster. Gambling on Manning's continued durability is a calculated risk on my part, and I used the draft picks/ roster spots normally devoted to backup QB to bolster my TE and WR positions. Week 6 is where my gambit catches up to me, since Manning is on BYE.I've taken a hard look at my roster, and cannot find an expendable player to cut. Seriously. Trades are painfully rare in my league, and the waiver wire has been picked clean, to the point where none of Dodds' top 20 ranked week 6 starters are available. My team is [5-0], so I'm thinking playoffs, and managing my roster accordingly. At what point does it make sense to just take the zero at QB this week, accept that a loss is likely, and move on to week 7?Is intentionally taking a zero akin to "taking a dive"? Is it poor sportsmanship? I'm up against the other [5-0] team in my league, so it's not like it's an attractive risk to handicap myself by 13-20 points.Before this season, I would NEVER have taken a zero if it could be avoided. Last season, I rostered Rex Grossman all season, just so he could cover Manning's BYE week, and the one time I needed him, he melted down against the Cardinals on MNF, delivering negative fantasy points due to turnovers. You can bet I would've rather had a safe zero that week!Granted better team management could have avoided this dilemma entirely, but here I am. What do you think?

I'm in a similar situation this week. 16 team dynasty and nothing available. My #2 was Matt Leinart. Low on WW priority list so Cleo Lemon was scooped, even Matt Moore. I had to pick up Vinnie Testaverde lol. Pluggin him in and hoping for the best.

 

[Black]

I think it's not really an ethical point; some leagues penalize you some $ if you do it (so what).

To me the point is, can you drop someone that:

1. you don't need (your 3rd #4 WR)...

2. that noone will pickup (injured player, upside player that has done nothing yet)

3. that is fairly replaceable (Kicker, #4 WR)

In my 10 team keeper league;

I dropped Reed at kicker...replaced him with S.Graham for this week. I would prefer Reed again later, but if somone grabs him and holds him over the week, Graham should be fine the rest of the year (most kickers go through cycles I think).

I kept the MIN DEF, because a quick search for points in my league shows them right with CHI, even though I think it's mostly because of their early weak schedule. So, someone would have grabbed them.

I dropped Betts, Chester Taylor to cover my QB problems. Noone picked them up (yet). B. Leonard got picked up, as did S. Young, but not those guy.

So, ethically, I think it's no big deal, and you still might win. Don't hurt your roster for one week (unless you are 1-4, 0-5).

Other teams have struggles for BYE week two, so players might sit there on the Wire for a week. Be ready to grab back your guy Monday if you want him back.

 

[AcerFC]

We dont allow it in our league. It really disrupts the competitiveness. If I am fighting for a playoff spot in week 10 and my competition is playing a team with guys on bye, how is that fair.

If your roster is full of productive players, where as when you dropped one they would get picked up instantly, you would understand.

I am not debating that. In fact I told OP to do it if you could. The point is we have the rule in our league and everyone knows about it so they draft/trade and pick players up accordingly.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

The following happened in one league this week. In this case, it was taking a zero at the K spot. After the league waivers ran, the following poll went out:

Would you take a zero score at K for one week, if it meant picking up a potential one week wonder fill-in RB? Poll Results Yes, I'd rather get a potential 15 points from the RB and zero from K. 1No, I'd never take a zero. I'd pickup the K and play a different RB. 4

So 4 to 1 against taking the intentional zero. Here was the situation, and the comments:

Thanks for the votes. So the deal is, I decided to pickup Jason Wright, who would be a good start (in my opinion) against Miami if Jamal Lewis can't play. Wright is a dual threat rusher/receivier, and the way Cleveland has been throwing the ball I think Wright is a actually better fit for the offense overall than Lewis. But, Vinatieri is off week 6, so my decision was to pickup a K or Jason Wright. I didn't expect to get Wright, so I listed him first and a bunch of Ks after him. Once the waivers ran and I got Wright, I checked the rosters and every team owner has only one K that's playing this week. So literally, in a 12 man league there are only 11 starting Ks active this week on rosters - which means that 1 team is taking a zero at K this week. That team would be me. I am, however, open to any trades that would net me a K for this week. It would mean the other team takes a zero at K, so I expect to be reamed accordingly. I considered how precious points have been this year. I also considered that Josh Brown got a zero last week, and that the team of the K I picked up might only score 2 TD's, or 1 FG. Anyway, I thought it was a halfway interesting predicament and we'll see what happens.

Although I know this is fantasy and players don''t really affect each others performances, historically speaking, purposely taking a zero has almost always resulted in that team ending up near the bottom for that week. Considering how close in score everyone is right now, I'd never take a zero on purpose.

So the owner decided to take the zero at K for week 6. However, taking a zero at QB seems a bit too much into that philosophy. Kickers can get 3-5 points some weeks, QBs tend to score much higher than that in most scoring formats.

 

[sandlotshrink]

Yep, we have to start a TE in our league and I do not typically want to drop a rostered player such as an RB with upside in order to take a chance on a WW TE actually scoring for me thus I start my TE on his bye week.

 

[CrossEyed]

In our start 2 QB league, pickin's are slim at the QB spot. I have Anderson and Rivers both on bye next week and will likely only be able to start 1 QB (we can only roster 3). It all depends on your league.

 

[Shiggy Shaol]

This past weekend, my starting lineup had a QB, K, and Defense all on bye week. I headed into the weekend with plans on making the necessary pickups before Sunday's games but then went on a bender that started early on Friday evening and ended late on Sunday evening. So I never got a chance to fix my team/lineup.

I won the matchup, with Kenton Keith and Jason Witten leading the way.

Lesson.....NOT LEARNED.

 

[einstein2u]

i am not changing my roster and taking two zeros. one for a WR the other for a defense.

i am looking at the big picture...not just this week.

sitting at 4-1 helps.

 

[Hugonel]

I am 5-0. If my record allows it I will not pick up a defense or a kicker in week 10 (I have Gostowski and Patriots). I only have a 12 man roster.

I'll catch hell for it, but if I can I will.

 

[largentslovechild]

I know a lot, if not most of us have played enough FF to value one win. The one win that got us into the playoffs, the one win that got us the division championship and in turn the bye in the first week of postseason play.

One win can be all the difference. My experiences are such that I would never sacrifice the chance at a victory to maintain depth on the bench.

 

[suchislife]

I know a lot, if not most of us have played enough FF to value one win. The one win that got us into the playoffs, the one win that got us the division championship and in turn the bye in the first week of postseason play.One win can be all the difference. My experiences are such that I would never sacrifice the chance at a victory to maintain depth on the bench.

What if this one win this week costs you 2 wins later in the season?

 

[fsufan]

had a guy last week start 4 players on a bye, McNabb, Westy, Kurtis, Akers, Philly homer. He still beat me. He said he made no attempt to pick up other players and decided to take a lose. Just shows the luck in good and bad luck in FF.

 

[mwaldo13]

Our league put in a rule that charges you $10/player for starting someone on a bye or a definite out for the week due to injury. That's equal to two add/drops. The thought being that in our 12-team (start 1/2/3/1/1/1) leauge that since the WW is picked clean this would put someone back out there. If you would prefer not to, that is your right, but we get some additional $$$$ for the payouts.

So the question becomes do you want to risk the loss and $10? Or would you rather give up a #6 RB or #2 TE? Well, that's my

 

[Angry Beavers]

Doing it this week at TE;

I have Clark and no one else;

there is nothing on the WW

I am 5-0 and have a favorable matchup otherwise..........

 

[The Noid]

I've done it with a K, IDP or TE spot before. If your league has no rule against it, then it's a calculated risk you can consider.

In a money league I'm in it's a forfeit if you don't field a complete team and one team this week has already informed everyone he plans on taking the loss rather than dropping 5 or 6 of his players to field a full team for this week.

 

[wraith5]

Week 4 - MJD (BYE), Ahman (inj), Boldin (inj), J. Walker (inj.) - Going into the Sunday night game I had already won my matchup, so left Westy in my line-up rather than pick up Droughns ( ) and drop someone I didn't want to lose.

Week 5 - Westy (BYE), MN Def (BYE), Ahman (inj), Boldin (inj), J. Walker (inj.) - Ahman was maybe going to play, and I'd already picked up the WAS Def ( ) so I had no room to pick anyone else up. Again, left him in and got lucky.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I was going to start a thread on this. The bunched bye weeks this year are just brutal.

 

[largentslovechild]

I know a lot, if not most of us have played enough FF to value one win. The one win that got us into the playoffs, the one win that got us the division championship and in turn the bye in the first week of postseason play.

One win can be all the difference. My experiences are such that I would never sacrifice the chance at a victory to maintain depth on the bench.

What if this one win this week costs you 2 wins later in the season?

Then it was the wrong decision? Frankly, I can't imagine having the kind of bench depth to not want to cover a QB bye. If it got to that point I'm looking to trade up and improve a starting spot and clear a bench seat to make a QB claim for that week.

To answer your question with another question, what kind of transaction would garnish me to win one week but lose two games?

 

[bollocks28]

I can understand having a rule against this in a redraft league but in a keeper it doesn't make sense. We keep 8 guys... obviously our best 8 guys which makes up the bulk of our rosters. This week I have 9 guys on bye. I have done the best juggling job I can but I just have to go kickerless this week. Clearly we can't foresee the bye weeks of our keepers in years to come so the idea that you draft with bye weeks in mind is really not that legit in this case... imho.

btw I have tried trading quality bench players (a WR currently ranked #17 in my league) for future draft picks just to clear the spot on my roster but no one is biting. I just can't bring myself to cut him loose for a bye week kicker and get nothing in return.

 

[Moe Green]

Might have to take the zero at the WR3 position this week in a deep league -- I have no one I want to drop, and my options at WR3 are Issac Bruce and Jurevicius, who are both hurt.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

had a guy last week start 4 players on a bye, McNabb, Westy, Kurtis, Akers, Philly homer. He still beat me. He said he made no attempt to pick up other players and decided to take a lose. Just shows the luck in good and bad luck in FF.

I heard skill was 60%. You must have had a rough 40% then.The post illustrates one thing. Passing up good player or the players you want in the draft because of bye week issues is silly. Better to take the one potential loss and have the entire team most weeks then to constantly have someone on bye.

 

[moleculo]

I drafted most of my team with a bye week this week intentionally, with the aim of being strong the rest of the season. looking at things now, my opponent is weak right now. i am working to scrape enough starters that I might be able to squeak out a win. I've dropped a LB (mine was underperforming anyways and on the chopping block) and I will drop my kicker soon - in order to grab viable back-ups. (note: this league has only two bench positions). If I take a zero @ LB and K instead of QB and RB, I might be able to squeak out a win.

ETA: I also have a high WW priority. I may cut someone important on Sunday (someone like Big Ben) to clear another roster spot, knowing full well that I will be able to claim him off the WW. The holder of #1 WW spot has Manning, so he is unlikely to put in a claim for Ben.

 

[SlaX]

I did it a couple of times last season. We only had 4 man benches and I didn't want to give up depth to fill in bye weeks, so I took zeroes in a couple of positions. I think I was 2-1 on weeks I did this thanks to strong days from my supporting cast. I finished 2nd in the league, so it wasn't all lost, but it didn't help me win either. Thankfully, I don't have to do it this year at all.

 

[Christo]

Our league penalizes you for not having a full lineup of starting players...

Commish will adjust the score accordingly if a roster slot is left blank...minus 10 points for that week that a slot is left "empty" and another -5 for the following week.

Helps to enure a lot of things...collusion, bad manager skills...etc.

It may be harsh, but you should make plans for this weeks in advance...

If it's a team's intent to throw a game. How is taking more points away from that team discouraging the conduct?

 

[Wu-banger]

THis is why I like leagues that give a prize for the team who scores the most points in the season .

 

[Bermuda_Chub]

I'm in almost an identical situation as you are: deciding whether to pick up a replacement for Manning or take the zero. I value every component on my bench and am loathe to drop anyone. I'm playing against a godawful team, and the Sportsline Guru has me favored by 25 even if I don't start a QB.

Despite all of this, I've decided to drop one of my rotating D's and pick up a starting QB. My reasoning is that I am in an early season dogfight with three other 4-1 teams to secure two coveted playoff byes in Week 13. Can't afford to chance taking a stupid loss. Yr situation is a little different, but I don't think there is anything ethically wrong with taking an intentional zero.

 

[Sid G]

With Big Ben on bye, I'm starting Drew Brees this week. It's kind of like taking a zero . . .

Zero if you're lucky...I've done this at TE, where the chance that any waiver wire hack gets more than 4 points is practically zip. But at QB it's a huge concession, except possibly if you have major negative point penalties for turnovers and/or sacks.That said, the commissioner should not intervene. You're not trying to lose the game.Incidentally, in the league I'm in, there's a special rule that allows you to pick up a kicker (resp. defense) for one week only without dropping anyone if you have a kicker (resp. defense) on bye that week, so that you don't have to burn a roster spot.