Talk me off the ledge (1 Viewer)

[2short13]

How do you guys handle gamedays? Seems like I can't get away from TV or computer. Games aren't fun to watch anymore. Is there a point where it gets to be too much? What is your gameday ritual? ie How do you enjoy yourself? Especially if your team hasn't been performing this year. Just looking for other opinions. Anyone get burned out and quit for a year? Looking for fellow shark opinions.

 

[Godsbrother]

I love Sunday and it is great when there are good games at 1, 4 and 8 -- I watch football the whole day.

I do feel a little guilty when it is nice outside and I am in the house but I get over it.

 

[PsychoMan]

I know what you mean. It's easy to take Fantasy Football too seriously sometimes ... I was pissed half the day yesterday when my opponents yahoo auto drafted team (his java wasn't working during the draft) completely went off and beat me.

I haven't quit yet, but there's times I think maybe I should.

 

[Mole]

Don't take it too seriously...

Afterall it is only a game, a hobby for most.

 

[TitusIII]

How do you guys handle gamedays? Seems like I can't get away from TV or computer. Games aren't fun to watch anymore. Is there a point where it gets to be too much? What is your gameday ritual? ie How do you enjoy yourself? Especially if your team hasn't been performing this year. Just looking for other opinions. Anyone get burned out and quit for a year? Looking for fellow shark opinions.

Stop taking the game so seriously, seriously...

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Well I think it helps to be a big fan of one specific team, then to be a fan of the NFL and the game itself and then thirdly be a huge Fantasy geek.

Sunday mornings are great, grab the beverage of your choice, read the paper or online articles that you want. Then take the wife, kids, girlfriend or whomever you are going to ignore for the next 10-11 hours out for a nice breakfast and enjoy your time with them.

After that sit back and enjoy your NFL team and then hope that your fantasy players score some points. If Sunday Nightfootball is looking bad, earn some family bonus points by tossing in a DVD and then tell the family you would rather spend some time with them... **BONUS Points with the family can be used at a later date**

 

[rolliehouliranson]

I struggled with this early. You need to shut down the instant scoring and focus on your favorite NFL team. If they are not on, do something else. Check scores at 4:00, 7:00, & 11:00. Watching every point develop in your fantasy game every minute of Sunday will wear you down and make you very irritable. From experience.

 

[Todem]

Just watch football and have a blast. Forget about your Teams till after the 4 O'Clock game and see how your doing and what you may need to root for in the Sunday night and Monday night games. When you can't just watch football and enjoy the game then it is time to take a step back and maybe consider either not playing FF anymore or simply cut down the number of teams you own.

 

[corpcow]

Best way to forget is to GO to a game. hell, go and tailgate at the stadium even if you don't have tix. Makes it easier to focus on one team

 

[Da Guru]

This year it has worked out great for me.

My daughter has volleyball training at University of Michigan every Sunday from 1-3, the she does plyo and weight training from 3-4:30.

I drop her off at the arena.. go to a sports bar with a few other dads who play FF and watch football for 3-1/2 hours undisturbed with my laptop to keep track of scores.

If I was at home I would never get a whole afternoon to drink beer and watch football. The best thing is that now she has her permit and can drive me home.

 

[RBM]

Don't take it too seriously...Afterall it is only a game, a hobby for most.

Football is fun, enjoy it

 

[LHUCKS]

Use your frusteration in a constructive manner. There are some relativlely easy steps here:

a) find out why you're losing

b) brainstorm on what you can do to impove your ff game

c) execute

d) monitor your success/failures and continue to improve in your weaker areas

It's really that simple. If you don't have the smarts, skill or the time to do so, then play in less competitive leagues and know going in you're not the best at what should only be a hobby for you.

I play bridge against my my great uncle who continuously owns me...but I still have fun with it. I have no problem admitting that he has superior bridge skills than do I.

 

[2short13]

thanks for all the replys.

I agree that you can't take it too seriously. I think the hardest thing to take is when less knowledgeable teams beat the pants off of you week after week.

Nice to hear everyone's gameday approach. I have tried numerous ways and I think for the rest of this year I'm going to a (don't check the points until later) approach. We have season tickets to the Chiefs so some home games will help. Good luck to all.

 

[Eviloutsider]

I just watch the games on the TV as well as the internet with the laptop. I also have the live scroing up for my two main money leagues. I watch every point go in and life or die with every redzone attempt. For some that may be too much but I love it.

Plus at halftime of both games I play catch with the wife.

 

[kutyadog]

geez guys, if you dont like it...dont do it... I LOVE GAMEDAYS! I love checking on the stats, I love looking for trade possibilities...

if you dont love it, then jump off the ledge! JUMP...

One suggestion btw, if you are bored, make a trade with someone... even if it isnt fully in your best interest... as long as it will get you excited and give you someone knew to watch, it might be worth it.

 

[Two Deep]

I think you should just jump and end it now so we don't have too listen to this nonsense of quitting fantasy football.

 

[Sack-Religious]

I was upset yesterday after the early games and pretty much knew I was getting my rear handed to me in pretty much every league I play in. Then, my 2.5 year old son woke up from his nap and just wanted to watch football with daddy and was happy watching guys running, scoring TD's and being tackled. Put things in perspective for me.

Once your rosters are set, just try to relax and enjoy the games. You can't do anything about it and getting upset over a guy scoring 4 TD's against you isn't the best use of your time. It's frustrating, yes, but things could be much, much worse.

On Sunday's I generally make a big breakfast for my wife and son and I, do a little cleanup around the house and then sit down and watch with 1:00 pm games when my son is napping. After he wakes up, we watch some of the 4:00 pm games, eat dinner and then my wife and I watch the Sunday night game.

I'll usually check the stats at 4 and before the night game, but that's about it.

 

[Dreamer]

Don't take it too seriously...Afterall it is only a game, a hobby for most.

 

[Sweet Love]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

 

[hammerd]

We have season tickets to the Chiefs

this is most likely the source of your frustration, not fantasy football.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I think you get the most out of Footall on Sundays if you watch a couple of the better games.

I watched Philly-NO, and Seattle/St.Louis, all teams with winning records and both games were a lot of fun to watch. The others I might glance at or watch if I have a player in the red zone but you just cannot watch all 8 games at the same time and get into the flow of the games. Philly-NO in the 2nd half had a great back and forth flow to it.

 

[hammerd]

Seriously, though, after playing ff for the last 11 years, I've found the best way to not let it ruin your entire Sunday is to only look at your team's performance after all the Sunday games have been played. If you can train yourself not to look at the actual score of your team until then, I guarantee you'll be more well-adjusted during football Sunday.

 

[Ibis81]

One of my leagues has open access to the FA pool and limited roster size. That is the single biggest source of frustration on Sundays because you have to babysite the Free Agents in case someone blows up or a guy gets injured.

A much better approach is to not allow any moves on Sundays.

 

[Flyin Pigs]

I love the game of football but never really followed the pros. FF gives me an opportunity to follow teams I would never have given a rats ### about. Take it for what it is. Follow some good football in cities that you wouldn't otherwise pay attention to. I enjoy football more because of an increased knowledge of different teams and palyers that FF gives me.

You know yourself better than any of us - if watching the games kills you, do something else. If you love the NFL and FF is ruining that for you, don't play FF. Not worth it. Or maybe lock that laptop up before the first kickoff. Enjoy the games for what they are, follow your guys, then check on it after the games to see how your team, your opponent, and your buddies in the league have done.

 

[Cowboys#1]

i take joy in watching the cowboys win and the rest of the nfc east lose.

ff comes second.

sportsline is always running but i dont check it that often.. maybe at halftime of the games.

 

[glumpy]

I'm in the opposite end of the spectrum--I'm generally working, and yesterday was the first time I've gotten to watch any of the games!!

Best way to forget is to GO to a game. hell, go and tailgate at the stadium even if you don't have tix. Makes it easier to focus on one team

I generally get down for 2-3 each season--still working on that this year....

 

[mojorizin]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

I've done this before with 4 leagues and didn't know if I was coming or going. "Yes TD!, crap that hurts me in two other leagues!"

Exactly. You have so many players on so many teams that there is good mixed with the bad. You will still pay more attention to your "main league", but the pain is lessened when you have some good results coming in from other sectors.

 

[Wingnut]

If your FF team is losing, its hard to enjoy football. If youre like 1-4 or 2-4 just try to enjoy watching football by keeping it on one game and watching the chess match between the coaches develop throughout the game. Flipping around game to game to see scoring plays can only add to your frustration, which is why I like it when theres only a couple of 4:00 games - I pick one and watch the whole thing and usually enjoy the heck out of it.

The flip side of course is when youre FF team is doing well, football is really easy to enjoy.

 

[Preds]

I'm undefeated in my local league, as well as 4-2 in one cap/contract league and 2-4 in the other.

Personally, I'm bored to tears with FF. Thank god for HOCKEY season!

 

[a_rackowski]

Next sunday - prepare your team ahead of time. When sunday morning comes around, go do something else. Go visit your relatives or go to a bar and watch the games. Get away from the computer.

Then next monday - sit down and form your own decision on how you like to enjoy yourself.

 

[Bonzai]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

 

[inca911]

Let go of the watching every minute of the games and scores and you'll feel better.

I watch only one afternoon game, and only either the MNF or SNF game. I check scores moderately frequently as my computer is generally on. Once you give up on the micromanaging kind of focus, you'll have more time and feel better.

 

[The Future Champs]

How do you guys handle gamedays? Seems like I can't get away from TV or computer. Games aren't fun to watch anymore. Is there a point where it gets to be too much? What is your gameday ritual? ie How do you enjoy yourself? Especially if your team hasn't been performing this year. Just looking for other opinions. Anyone get burned out and quit for a year? Looking for fellow shark opinions.

Yesterday was an eye-opener for me. My wife and 4-year old daughter are out of town, just leaving me and my 6-year old son. We took off at 10:30 to go to San Antonio. After an obligatory phone call from the road to one of my league-mates checking to see if Roy Williams would play, my son and I did museums, the Tower of the Americas, an IMAX movie, boat ride on the river through town, etc. I even resisted calling for a score update on the drive home, I had no idea how my team did until I got home and checked instant scores at 8:00. I love fantasy football. A lot. Combing stats, ferreting out sleepers, reading forums, develpping strategies, etc. Draft day is huge for me. The more FF the better. But I work five days a week, and the opportunity to do something fun like I did yesterday only presents itself two days a week, max. I usually spend Sundays dinking around the house, never too far from the TV or computer, cursing, worrying about scores, etc. After yesterday I will spend more Sundays out, doing something I like to do, away from football games, not worrying about how my fantasy team is doing, well OK, not *actively* worrying about how my team is doing. If I was single or didn't have kids, it would be the same thing to be honest.TFCPS- Unless Cedric Benson scores 65 tonite, I won handily yesterday.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

This is the first year that I felt exactly like you are describing. I went overboard in draft preparation and drafted what I thought was a great team. First two games I lost by a combine 2 points. I thought, those are the breaks, I'll come back. Lost week 3, after turning in the other guys lineup because he was out of town at a funeral and he wound up beating me....starting to get pissed. Lost week 4, panic mode....ready to quit, tired of all the work I put into the league that is not appreciated (I manage IR and a few other things for the commisioner). Lost week 5, and then it hit me...I was letting a hobby affect my personality and was allowing a game to tick me off.

So, I decide it's just a game- have fun with it. Try to be a spoiler for the other teams. This week, I got my first win...maybe. I don't care, it will be fun trying to knock off playoff contenders.

 

[einstein2u]

relax. it just a hobby.

you in trouble when your team wins and you feel relieved.

 

[dotman]

This year it has worked out great for me.My daughter has volleyball training at University of Michigan every Sunday from 1-3, the she does plyo and weight training from 3-4:30. I drop her off at the arena.. go to a sports bar with a few other dads who play FF and watch football for 3-1/2 hours undisturbed with my laptop to keep track of scores. If I was at home I would never get a whole afternoon to drink beer and watch football. The best thing is that now she has her permit and can drive me home.

You take your laptop to the bar?

 

[Brewzers]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

Interestingly, we had an opening in our league about 6 years ago and I invited my wife to play. To my surprise, she truly enjoys FF, does her research and is a good owner. She won the league a couple of years ago. Our Sundays are really fun!

 

[Preds]

I'm undefeated in my local league, as well as 4-2 in one cap/contract league and 2-4 in the other.Personally, I'm bored to tears with FF. Thank god for HOCKEY season!

Hockey!?! You're bored with FF and happy about hockey? You're either from Canada or Buffalo. I guess someone has to watch the OLN network.

Yes, I'm from the Buffalo area... and it's VERSUS now, not OLN. LOLVersus' coverage still sucks. It's all MSG or hockey night in Canada for me.

 

[Franknbeans]

end it

 

[The Duff Man]

watch football for 3-1/2 hours followed by a lapdance at Scores.

You take your laptop to the bar?

Fixed for a better Sunday experience.

 

[H.K.]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

I've done this before with 4 leagues and didn't know if I was coming or going. "Yes TD!, crap that hurts me in two other leagues!"

Exactly. You have so many players on so many teams that there is good mixed with the bad. You will still pay more attention to your "main league", but the pain is lessened when you have some good results coming in from other sectors.

The key to it is to join leagues with different scoring requirements, size, and roster set-ups. This way you'll have players all over the map and use differnt strategies for each league.

 

[fsufan]

This is going to sound crazy, but join more leagues. I used to only play in two and my wife just commented yesterday that I am not as crabby when I lose. I am now up to five teams and every week, I will win some and lose some. The good news is, there is always a silver lining. I think I may lose three out of five this week, but just went to 6-0 in one of my leagues. I was really happy and it made those other losses a lot easier to bear.

I recommend this as wellI play in 5 leagues, $600 on FF.one team is 6-0two are 4-2one is 3-3one is 2-4If you only play in 1 league and that team sucks, then your season is over before it started.With multiple teams, you will have a team or 2 with a winning record, some about .500 and some that are below .500. You have something to look forward to each week.Also play in different league types.Redraft, dynasty, keeperLeague size 10 teams, 12 teams14 teamsDifferent scoring I play in two 10 team dynasty leagues, two 14 team dynasty league and one 12 team dynasty league

 

[Slum Lord]

How do you guys handle gamedays? Seems like I can't get away from TV or computer. Games aren't fun to watch anymore. Is there a point where it gets to be too much? What is your gameday ritual? ie How do you enjoy yourself? Especially if your team hasn't been performing this year. Just looking for other opinions. Anyone get burned out and quit for a year? Looking for fellow shark opinions

.I ran into a situation about 5 years ago when i was just like you, sweating game days, looking for stats, praying for scores, etc. Then I come to work on Monday, and this guy in my league was out of town all weekend, drinking/partying, no time to catch football or see any scores. He had the time of his life that weekend, care not at all about his team, which went on to blow out whoever he was playing that weekend. So I think to myself, I sat there all day only caring about my team, praying for TD's, not having any fun at all, and here's this ##### (meant in a kind way ) who didnt care at all and still won bigtime. So from that day forward i said screw it, i cant control anything, i dont care anymore and what ever happens happens. Sundays have been much better since.

 

[Angry Beavers]

I have 5 teams - glance as who my oppoent is playing and don't worry about a single matchup until the sunday night game when i watch the game the check the stats.

This is easier said than done when playoff time rolls around.

 

[Christo]

How do you guys handle gamedays? Seems like I can't get away from TV or computer. Games aren't fun to watch anymore. Is there a point where it gets to be too much? What is your gameday ritual? ie How do you enjoy yourself? Especially if your team hasn't been performing this year. Just looking for other opinions. Anyone get burned out and quit for a year? Looking for fellow shark opinions.

There's this thing. It's called a woman. Get yourself one of them. And in no time, you'll be dying for some alone-time in front of the tv and computer on Sundays.

 

[Payne]

I felt the same way about 3 years ago. Before my 2 daughters were born. My wife would complain about how crabby I was, etc and she was right. I went from enjoying Sunday's to dreading Sunday's.

Then I decided I either needed to quit the hobby or relax.

I decided to relax and enjoy the games and check on scores "whenever". My 2 daughters now get a lot of my attention on the weekends though my 3 year old actually will turn the game on and say "football for you daddy". And as exciting as that sounds to have your daughter understand football, I usually follow it up with a big hug and a "let's read a book or play with some toys".

Football and fantasy in particular are down on my list now.

 

[pacman_fl]

This year it has worked out great for me.My daughter has volleyball training at University of Michigan every Sunday from 1-3, the she does plyo and weight training from 3-4:30. I drop her off at the arena.. go to a sports bar with a few other dads who play FF and watch football for 3-1/2 hours undisturbed with my laptop to keep track of scores. If I was at home I would never get a whole afternoon to drink beer and watch football. The best thing is that now she has her permit and can drive me home.

You take your laptop to the bar?

A guy in one of my leagues took his laptop to the Dallas/Philly game

 

[fatness]

Never look at what team you're playing against or who is in their lineup, and never look at your team score, until after the Sunday night games are done.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I agree with the guy who said you've got to be a team fan first.

Getting destroyed in your fantasy league

Losing another game because you started the wrong guy

Watching the Buccaneers finally get a win with a promising rookie QB

Guess what? That makes it a good Sunday.

 

[2short13]

I think everyone has good points. Certainly time to step back and enjoy Sunday. I have done pretty much everything most people suggested and always look to improve my teams.