Unethical? (1 Viewer)

[AnonymousBob]

I recently sent a couple of owners a personal message letting them know about Tatum Bell (I dropped this knowledge to them as soon as it was reported in the Shark Pool). I did it for a couple reasons but the main reason is their teams suck and I don't feel threatened by their rosters. I figure it's all a part of strategy - if there's somebody out there I'll be happier with them on somebody's roster that isn't a threat to me. In my mind it's the same reason I've rostered Chester Taylor all season - I probably won't use the guy but if he gets his chance and does well I'd much rather have him blow up while my main threats don't get to use him.

I had one owner complain that what I'm doing is unethical. He's a new owner and has complained about a lot of things so I don't put as much stock in his word as I would one of the older owners but I still agreed to post it here and ask you guys.

I didn't make it a poll because people like to vote without reading.

 

[Buffaloes]

Are you the commish?

 

[Oh Yes!]

i wouldnt say unethical, but its kinda a wiener move.

 

[AnonymousBob]

No, I'm not the commish.

 

[Buffaloes]

No, I'm not the commish.

Then I don't see how it is different than telling any one of your buddies about it. Even if you were the commish, I don't think it would be a big deal but I could still see how people would get a little irritated.

 

[pantagrapher]

Not unethical at all.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Yeah, that was kinda shady. Helping other owners is a form of collusion.

To your buds in casual conversation: "Hey, did you hear about Bell?" OK.

To your competition's future matchups: "Hey, did you hear about Bell? Better go pick him up before Team X does". Shady.

Save yourself any future headaches and let other owners do their own homework.

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

Unethical IMO.

It borders on collusion.

 

[PJHawkeye]

.Save yourself any future headaches and let other owners do their own homework.

 

[Statcruncher]

Either send the e-mail to all the owners or none of the owners. Anything else is getting into shades of gray.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

not an issue at all....no different then you guys talking about it at the bar....

this hobby is after all a game and you are doing what you think you need to do to win the game...

keeping players that may score off of other teams rosters that could use them, and more importantly use them against you, is a very underrated strategy when it comes to fantasy football....to me it is a key part of winning at this game.....year in and year out I am surprised by owners who keep guys on their roster that are injured for the year etc.....while guys like Buck, Taylor, Faulk,F. Jackson, etc are still sitting out there and could contriute a little now, let alone if they get the call full time....

I agree it is much better to have these guys on your bench or on another teams roster that you know won't be a threat to you....

not unethical....it is the smart play.....

managing other teams rosters as much as you can in some way, can be just as important as managing yours.....

 

[Mr.Blonde]

i wouldnt say unethical, but its kinda a wiener move.

Agree. I would be more judicious throwing around the "collusion" word as in previous posts, but this is sort of a #### move. Not illegal, but this kind of crap does not engender good vibes and you never know whose door you might have to knock on someday to make a trade.Why #### up your own nest, I always say.

 

[Genester]

Yeah, that was kinda shady. Helping other owners is a form of collusion.To your buds in casual conversation: "Hey, did you hear about Bell?" OK.To your competition's future matchups: "Hey, did you hear about Bell? Better go pick him up before Team X does". Shady.Save yourself any future headaches and let other owners do their own homework.

Why is this collusion and how far would you take this argument? If you're at the draft and you tell one owner, "You know, Peyton Manning is probably going to blow up. I'd draft him if I were you" - is that collusion, too? What if you point out Thomas Jones' schedule is pretty cake the last 8 weeks of the season to another owner, is that collusion?Because I fail to see how sharing OPENLY available information selectively is unethical. There's absolutely nothing stopping every owner in the league from learning the news as quickly as the next guy. There's no barrier or secrecy here - would you call one guy beating the others to a hot FA pick-up because he had better info collusion? Do you always know where he gets that info? Why should it matter?Net, it isnt the best "good neighbor" policy, but this stops WAY short of collusion or unethical, IMHO.

 

[comfortably numb]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

 

[Black]

I don't think so. You aren't giving them your players for a week...you are just giving them advice on running their teams.

I am the commish of a league and often talk Football with teams saying "why do you have that guy? he's worthless...you should drop him for player X..etc, etc."

Sometimes it's guys who are new, sometimes it's guys who don't have the time to do the research. I don't care who they are playing this week or next, just that the league stays competative and teams stay interested.

I don't go knocking on the door of the top teams, since they generally are doing just fine. But, I will email them if they have a player just announced on IR.

THIS IS NO BIG DEAL. COLLUSION is something else.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

+1

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

Having conversations and giving solicited advice isn't the same as contacting other owners and telling them what they should do.

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

or hey Frank, Kurt has two picks coming between this pick and your next pick. He has a QB, already. but only 1 WR. You should grab a WR.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Yeah, that was kinda shady. Helping other owners is a form of collusion.To your buds in casual conversation: "Hey, did you hear about Bell?" OK.To your competition's future matchups: "Hey, did you hear about Bell? Better go pick him up before Team X does". Shady.Save yourself any future headaches and let other owners do their own homework.

One of the owners I told doesn't play the whiner again (unless they meet in the championship) and the other owner might have one more matchup against them but I can't recall.

 

[AnonymousBob]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

We do an auction. I have no issue with somebody yelling "Hey, so and so is still available!"

 

[AnonymousBob]

Here's what I told the two people:

If you were interested in picking up another rb I point you to Tatum Bell. He was just signed and it's already being reported he's going to get a lot of carries for the Broncos. If it can help you that's great. If it can't that's okay as well - I let some other people know about him as well and since my roster is full I figure I'd help out some others.

Best of luck!

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

+2

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

this is a good point, however most would agree the draft is a little different animal...I see this situation more similiar to someone telling an owner with a higher waiver spot to pick this guy up and then we will make this trade.....really all you are doing is using someone else's roster to gain a possible advantage during the middle of the season....not sure you can equate that to a draft at the beginning of the year (Cutler scenerio) when you do not know whether it will be an advantage or not because you do not know team records and how rosters have panned out......

 

[AnonymousBob]

i wouldnt say unethical, but its kinda a wiener move.

Agree. I would be more judicious throwing around the "collusion" word as in previous posts, but this is sort of a #### move. Not illegal, but this kind of crap does not engender good vibes and you never know whose door you might have to knock on someday to make a trade.Why #### up your own nest, I always say.

I've been in this league for a half a decade and there's only one co-owner I've ever had an issue with. This new guy has come into the league and accused me of cheating, called out the commish of being biased, called collusion on things, attacked other owners with smack talk but cried when he's smacked back and just generally been a massive pain in the ###. I'm strongly considering leaving the league if this guy is invited back.I trade players all the time and I have made trades with all of the owners in years past and am generally on good terms with everyone. I don't have any worries about screwing up my own nest. I've been awfully tempted to make trades with other owners just in an attempt to screw this guy (he's sent me private messages making it clear things are personal) but I've yet to make any moves that I considered to be of a personal nature against the guy.

 

[Phurfur]

I recently sent a couple of owners a personal message letting them know about Tatum Bell (I dropped this knowledge to them as soon as it was reported in the Shark Pool). I did it for a couple reasons but the main reason is their teams suck and I don't feel threatened by their rosters. I figure it's all a part of strategy - if there's somebody out there I'll be happier with them on somebody's roster that isn't a threat to me. In my mind it's the same reason I've rostered Chester Taylor all season - I probably won't use the guy but if he gets his chance and does well I'd much rather have him blow up while my main threats don't get to use him.I had one owner complain that what I'm doing is unethical. He's a new owner and has complained about a lot of things so I don't put as much stock in his word as I would one of the older owners but I still agreed to post it here and ask you guys.I didn't make it a poll because people like to vote without reading.

This is not new and there is nothing illegal about it but you have become "that guy". Personally I look at it as being kind of "pathetic" rather than strategy. I do not see it as collusion but some people may try to stretch the definition. We usually replace owners that play this game.

 

[arlingtonpark27]

I don't see anything wrong with it. Everyone can do whatever they want with their own teams. If they want to do research they can. If they want to take him up on picking up Bell, they can or they don't have to. I don't see this as being unethical.

 

[AnonymousBob]

I see no problem with this IF you don't mind someone yelling out during your draft.

"Hey, Frank, it's the 8th RD, you still don't have a QB and Jay Cutler has slipped, why don't you take him"

this is a good point, however most would agree the draft is a little different animal...I see this situation more similiar to someone telling an owner with a higher waiver spot to pick this guy up and then we will make this trade.....really all you are doing is using someone else's roster to gain a possible advantage during the middle of the season....not sure you can equate that to a draft at the beginning of the year (Cutler scenerio) when you do not know whether it will be an advantage or not because you do not know team records and how rosters have panned out......

The chances of me wanting Tatum Bell are incredibly slim. IF he happened to blow up then I'd possibly be interested in him but I'd have to pay as much as anybody else would offer.

 

[AnonymousBob]

I recently sent a couple of owners a personal message letting them know about Tatum Bell (I dropped this knowledge to them as soon as it was reported in the Shark Pool). I did it for a couple reasons but the main reason is their teams suck and I don't feel threatened by their rosters. I figure it's all a part of strategy - if there's somebody out there I'll be happier with them on somebody's roster that isn't a threat to me. In my mind it's the same reason I've rostered Chester Taylor all season - I probably won't use the guy but if he gets his chance and does well I'd much rather have him blow up while my main threats don't get to use him.I had one owner complain that what I'm doing is unethical. He's a new owner and has complained about a lot of things so I don't put as much stock in his word as I would one of the older owners but I still agreed to post it here and ask you guys.I didn't make it a poll because people like to vote without reading.

This is not new and there is nothing illegal about it but you have become "that guy". Personally I look at it as being kind of "pathetic" rather than strategy. I do not see it as collusion but some people may try to stretch the definition. We usually replace owners that play this game.

Is it wrong to send the Maroney owner some of the rumors that Yudkin has posted? Do I become "that guy" if I let the Addai owner know there is a completely and totally unfounded rumor that he may have hurt his hamstring?

 

[Yitbos69]

Unethical IMO.

It IS borders on collusion.

Fixed

 

[eric rymer]

not an issue at all....no different then you guys talking about it at the bar....

pretty much sums it up for me too.

 

[Garts]

Run your own teams dude.

 

[pantagrapher]

Run your own teams dude.

What, and don't talk about fantasy football with other owners?

 

[tombonneau]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

the local papers here in Colorado talked about how as of last week Tatum was selling cell phones at a mall in Denver.....I guess he has a wife and kids and he said he needed a job......2nd round draft pick, 1000 yard rusher, cell phone guy....funny how things change....now he has another chance....if nothing else, you would think he has some extra motivation since he has been on both ends....and to think, the Broncos orginally drafted him with Michael Turner still on the board.........

 

[AnonymousBob]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

That's also a part of my strategy. I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it. Last year things backfired on me when Graham was stinking it up and convinced another owner to dump him and saddle another team with a waste of roster space. I believe there is a strategy to get other owners to load up with players that suck up roster spots but will rarely, if ever, start.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

That's also a part of my strategy. I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it. Last year things backfired on me when Graham was stinking it up and convinced another owner to dump him and saddle another team with a waste of roster space. I believe there is a strategy to get other owners to load up with players that suck up roster spots but will rarely, if ever, start.

So what you're saying is you take this game we play so seriously, that you have become a piece of garbage. Seriously? Convincing other owners to pick up other players who are "wastes of roster space?" Seriously?

 

[Dexter Manley]

I personally don't see any issue with this. About a month ago, I contacted the owner of the team who's only available QB for the week was Huard, who was put on IR, and suggested he pick up Seneca Wallace, the only free agent starting qb available. It was in my best interest that this owner have a qb since he was playing the guy who was a game ahead of me in my division.

I was smart enough, however, to tell him that I expected this particular communication to be a private matter and not shared with anyone else.

 

[AnonymousBob]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

That's also a part of my strategy. I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it. Last year things backfired on me when Graham was stinking it up and convinced another owner to dump him and saddle another team with a waste of roster space. I believe there is a strategy to get other owners to load up with players that suck up roster spots but will rarely, if ever, start.

So what you're saying is you take this game we play so seriously, that you have become a piece of garbage. Seriously? Convincing other owners to pick up other players who are "wastes of roster space?" Seriously?

I've never lied to another owner. Not once. I've passed on rumors and that makes me garbage? Seriously??

 

[pantagrapher]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

That's also a part of my strategy. I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it. Last year things backfired on me when Graham was stinking it up and convinced another owner to dump him and saddle another team with a waste of roster space. I believe there is a strategy to get other owners to load up with players that suck up roster spots but will rarely, if ever, start.

So what you're saying is you take this game we play so seriously, that you have become a piece of garbage. Seriously? Convincing other owners to pick up other players who are "wastes of roster space?" Seriously?

You're overreacting.

 

[CMU37484]

The only reason I think it kind of is a jerk move is because you send the message ONLY to a couple owners privately. If you don't think there's any harm at all in sharing information, and I agree that there really isn't, then just share it in the MAIN public chat room area for your league.

What's the motive in only sharing private info. with a couple guys about this? Don't act like it's your mission in the league to show pity on crappy teams by helping THEM run their team. If I am playing someone who DOES pick up Tatum Bell and he goes off, then don't I have a right to be annoyed with you because he only picked him up because of YOUR unsolicited advice?

It's not "collusion" though......

 

[AnonymousBob]

The only reason I think it kind of is a jerk move is because you send the message ONLY to a couple owners privately. If you don't think there's any harm at all in sharing information, and I agree that there really isn't, then just share it in the MAIN public chat room area for your league.What's the motive in only sharing private info. with a couple guys about this? Don't act like it's your mission in the league to show pity on crappy teams by helping THEM run their team. If I am playing someone who DOES pick up Tatum Bell and he goes off, then don't I have a right to be annoyed with you because he only picked him up because of YOUR unsolicited advice?It's not "collusion" though......

There are only 4 owners in the league that could roster Tatum without dropping somebody of value. I let two of them know about Tatum. As far as the other two owners, one of them is new and a terrible owner who likely won't be invited back next year. He rarely makes any moves and despite people giving him advice to start the year, he's made it clear he thinks he knows what he's doing and doesn't want any advice. He has one of the worst records and his team is beyond pathetic. The fourth owner has been playing for decades and I've never once scooped him on a rumor. It doesn't matter what I hear or when I hear it, he somehow always knows about it. I don't even waste my time shooting him an email but we talk on the phone regularly. Next time we talk I'm sure I'll mention it to him but I'm willing to bet anything he's known about this for as long as I have.If I talk to any of the owners on the phone I'll probably end up mentioning the whole Tatum thing. I just informed a couple of owners about this via email rather than calling them.One of them publicly thanked me which is how this whole thing got out.

 

[Tecmo]

talking footballl is one thing, but sending out emails about available players is just wierd. Never seen that, I think you're strategizing too much.

I don't think it could ever be proved as collusion, but I can't help but think there's some other motive about helping another owner out. Weither it maybe affects a future matchup to your liking, helps your draft position, or keeps a player from a needy team... there's got to be some other motivation than just helping someone out. It's greyish collusion that will never be proved and it's best to just stay away, imo.

 

[glumpy]

Having conversations and giving solicited advice isn't the same as contacting other owners and telling them what they should do.

Maybe that's the part of this that bothers me--the private message, which would seem to be making a recommendation. Don't know that I'd call it "unethical" but it's sure pushing the edge.

 

[CMU37484]

Well, whether you agree with all these posts or not, obviously it's a "thing" if it's generating the buzz right?

Bottom line..... run your team, let others run their own teams, and if guys suck than they suck, and leave it at that and be happy there are a couple less guys you have to worry about.

Being charitable to others will just tick off the people who are NOT charitable. You're not running a homeless shelter here.

 

[GregR_2]

Having conversations and giving solicited advice isn't the same as contacting other owners and telling them what they should do.

Maybe that's the part of this that bothers me--the private message, which would seem to be making a recommendation. Don't know that I'd call it "unethical" but it's sure pushing the edge.

Yeah, when it passes from solicited advice or normal conversation... to unsolicited lobbying other teams to run their teams a way you'd like to see, I think that's when it cross the line to being at best, bad sportsmanship.I wouldn't call it outright unethical unless it was happening repeatedly and an owner was having a large role in how teams other than his own were being run.

 

[mozzy84]

if its not against the rules and you think its helps you, go for it.

 

[ratbast]

If I was the owners that didn't p/u Bell then I would be happy you left the other RB to me.

It's a cutthroat strategy. But A. You might be wrong and B. You burn bridges with others and it will come back to you. I play in a very political and cutthroat 5 keeper and I am sure this happens. I might even have done it. Whomever picks them up might actually drop a better player. An owner with internet at work and home and an owner who has to go to the library to make the p/u represents the situation you might put your paws in.

All is fair in love and war. No collusion. Your strategy may influence an owner who has horded QBs and light on RBs to pay for his lack of balance. He deserves it.

What if those owners called you for roster or lineup advice? Can you not give it to them?

If you can't handle cutthroat don't play with me.

 

[ratbast]

Having conversations and giving solicited advice isn't the same as contacting other owners and telling them what they should do.

Maybe that's the part of this that bothers me--the private message, which would seem to be making a recommendation. Don't know that I'd call it "unethical" but it's sure pushing the edge.

Yeah, when it passes from solicited advice or normal conversation... to unsolicited lobbying other teams to run their teams a way you'd like to see, I think that's when it cross the line to being at best, bad sportsmanship.I wouldn't call it outright unethical unless it was happening repeatedly and an owner was having a large role in how teams other than his own were being run.

Peer pressure is often needed. We have an owner who regularly sells way to low to the same trade partner. How do you deal with that? I often look at his underachievers and put in good words like "he's going to blow up soon". This I think is similar to the OP's topic.

 

[AnonymousBob]

If I was the owners that didn't p/u Bell then I would be happy you left the other RB to me.It's a cutthroat strategy. But A. You might be wrong and B. You burn bridges with others and it will come back to you. I play in a very political and cutthroat 5 keeper and I am sure this happens. I might even have done it. Whomever picks them up might actually drop a better player. An owner with internet at work and home and an owner who has to go to the library to make the p/u represents the situation you might put your paws in.All is fair in love and war. No collusion. Your strategy may influence an owner who has horded QBs and light on RBs to pay for his lack of balance. He deserves it.What if those owners called you for roster or lineup advice? Can you not give it to them?If you can't handle cutthroat don't play with me.

I like the way you think.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

I'm not sure I understand the big to-do. Shouldn't the other owners be thanking you now that you have saddled an opponent with Tatum Bell?

That's also a part of my strategy. I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it. Last year things backfired on me when Graham was stinking it up and convinced another owner to dump him and saddle another team with a waste of roster space. I believe there is a strategy to get other owners to load up with players that suck up roster spots but will rarely, if ever, start.

So what you're saying is you take this game we play so seriously, that you have become a piece of garbage. Seriously? Convincing other owners to pick up other players who are "wastes of roster space?" Seriously?

You're overreacting.

Maybe so. But as far as I'm concerned the dude has issues. Now, I don't play in contract leagues so I'm not wired like those of you who are. And maybe that sort of thing goes on in contract leagues. But it seems super bush to me. I mean, "I also locked OchoCinco to a massive contract then dumped him so whoever picked him up got stuck with it" is not what I want going on in my league. If I were commish and I found out that someone was purposely tainting player values by inflating their "contract" effectively rendering them un-signable for the rest of the league, said owner would not be in my league any longer. But it sounds like at least half of you subscribe to the "if you ain't cheating you ain't trying" mantra. This to me is unfortunate. I want to win as much as the next guy but I'm above contriving to do so. Call me ethical.