Why mock? (1 Viewer)

[Sweet Love]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

 

[MikeApf]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Sports fans just like discussing sports and making predictions I guess. After all, what is the point in depating who is the greatest fighter -- Ali or Tyson. Who is the best hockey player -- Crosby or Ovie (answer: Ovie...lol)? Why do we fill out NCAA Tournament brackets? All of these things are speculative or unpredictable yet they are fun diversions for sports fans, I guess...M

 

[nlgb1]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Sports fans just like discussing sports and making predictions I guess. After all, what is the point in depating who is the greatest fighter -- Ali or Tyson. Who is the best hockey player -- Crosby or Ovie (answer: Ovie...lol)? Why do we fill out NCAA Tournament brackets? All of these things are speculative or unpredictable yet they are fun diversions for sports fans, I guess...M

why talk sports in a forum? same reason people make mocks. allows people to express their opinions and hear others as well

 

[Couch Potato]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Personally I've never done a mock draft in my life and if I did I would only be mimicking some amalgamation of those I've seen. I don't have all that much interest in keeping up on defensive players, so that doesn't help. And the minute a trade takes place or a team makes a surprise pick the domino effect shoots the mock all the heck. So, I just skip the exercise. I do enjoy looking over those done by others though.I understand guys doing it, as it's a way of learning about the players and team needs, and being more aware and connected to the actual draft when it takes place. In a way it's sort of like filling out the NCAA brackets. You know you'll be wrong, it's just a matter of seeing how wrong, and it's something that can be done by anybody willing to go to the effort, from Kiper to a regular old FBG poster.

 

[Honda]

I read and do mocks because it gets me to learn who the guys are that are coming into the league as well as learn about the needs and philosophies of the teams that aren't the Vikings.

As far as accuracy goes, if I really had any prognositcating powers I'd be using it to make millions in the market. Coming down on Kiper or any mock drafter (Except for McShay - god I HATE that guy) because they're inaccurate is silly.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

This is a question better made for the FFA. They mock everything over there.

 

[coolnerd]

I don't do the 32 team mocks, but do read them. It gives me insight to the needs of teams and better feel for prospects. I do participate in the GM mock drafts because i follow the Texans closely and have a feel for the organization.

 

[Sweet Love]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Personally I've never done a mock draft in my life and if I did I would only be mimicking some amalgamation of those I've seen. I don't have all that much interest in keeping up on defensive players, so that doesn't help. And the minute a trade takes place or a team makes a surprise pick the domino effect shoots the mock all the heck. So, I just skip the exercise. I do enjoy looking over those done by others though.I understand guys doing it, as it's a way of learning about the players and team needs, and being more aware and connected to the actual draft when it takes place. In a way it's sort of like filling out the NCAA brackets. You know you'll be wrong, it's just a matter of seeing how wrong, and it's something that can be done by anybody willing to go to the effort, from Kiper to a regular old FBG poster.

Couch,I think this is what I was looking for. After I posted, I had to run an errand and the first thing I thought about was how trades even further cloudy the situation. I also thought about the Brackets, but I think the reason we do this is (1) to win the pool and (2) to see whether you can beat the competition...I would liken it more to FF than to NFL mocks. I do appreciate the thoughts everyone had and it is a good way of assessing team needs...just think that there are so many variables, that there is little satisfaction in being right one out of three times.

 

[Sabertooth]

Fun.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Fun.

this

 

[Masked Vigilante]

passes the time

 

[Titans_fan]

There are actually some sites out there that pay out real money if you win. That's why I posted mine because I actually entered it in a contest and wanted to see what others thought.

Also, I enjoy having a reason to "root" for something during the draft!

 

[FUBAR]

This is a question better made for the FFA. They mock everything over there.

and another for the double meaning.

 

[Eminence]

My only gripe with mock drafts is draft-day trades... last year Jets trade up to take Sanchez. Almost EVERYONES mock gets messed up.

 

[Catbird]

If you are just counting the number of guys you got right, I wouldn't see much to it either. But when the Jets trade up and take Sanchez and the next 4 teams take the last four guys you (and few others) had listed just ahead of Sanchez, there is a joy in your analysis being close to the best minds in football, another satisfaction in making better picks in some cases than they do (although this is a time-will-tell kind of success) and its great to peg a player better than the 'experts' do.

If you analyze it as either a correct player and team or mistake, don't do it. That would be like not feeling good about taking Sidney Rice as the #5 overall WR last year because he came in 7th in WR points. If you can't enjoy the great foresight in going against the grain and being really close ... even if technically 'wrong' as to the exact result, you probably shouldn't make yourself sick playing at either the game.

 

[Heatman]

Fun.

this

 

[Novice2]

Fun.

this

 

[BuckeyeArt]

Fun.

this

Yep, and this:

I understand guys doing it, as it's a way of learning about the players and team needs,

 

[daveR]

Another reason I do it, is to try to figure out how my NFL team can improve. Despite FF, I'm still a football fan!

 

[a_rackowski]

Cause its fun and nothing really fills me into the needs of a team more than looking at how they will be filling holes through the draft. Also - if you enjoy the draft, you will enjoy it that much more when you dont have to go running to the website to read about the guy who just went off the board. Above all - its just dang fun.

 

[Reaper]

I read and do mocks because it gets me to learn who the guys are that are coming into the league as well as learn about the needs and philosophies of the teams that aren't the Vikings.

I don't even mock - I have in prior years and played around in the Shark Pool mocks - but, overall it's an excerise that is fun and allows you to learn the players coming in... I think the draft is becoming less and less of the crapshoot peopel thought it was 15 years ago as more and more info is available about every single player down to the smallest school in the country.It's also fun to look back and see where you were right or wrong and question WTF teams were thinking... I nailed that draft with Mario Williams being the top pick and Reggie Bush being overhyped - Mario is still my avatar for the Jets as I was hoping he'd fall to 4.When the Jets went off of every internet mock, "expert" and board available and picked Anthony Shlegel in round 3 - I think every mocker out there was thinking WOW, and they were 100% right.Meanwhile on Jets fan boards you had people who were anti-mock and Anti-following the draft talking about how internet geeks knew nothing and you had to gove Mangini the benefit of the doubt... They trotted out the same ole "the draft is a crap shoot, you guys don't know" stuff..... But, BULL!!!!That pick was Absolutely INSANE...All in the fun.

 

[Reaper]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Personally I've never done a mock draft in my life and if I did I would only be mimicking some amalgamation of those I've seen. I don't have all that much interest in keeping up on defensive players, so that doesn't help. And the minute a trade takes place or a team makes a surprise pick the domino effect shoots the mock all the heck. So, I just skip the exercise. I do enjoy looking over those done by others though.I understand guys doing it, as it's a way of learning about the players and team needs, and being more aware and connected to the actual draft when it takes place. In a way it's sort of like filling out the NCAA brackets. You know you'll be wrong, it's just a matter of seeing how wrong, and it's something that can be done by anybody willing to go to the effort, from Kiper to a regular old FBG poster.

Couch,I think this is what I was looking for. After I posted, I had to run an errand and the first thing I thought about was how trades even further cloudy the situation. I also thought about the Brackets, but I think the reason we do this is (1) to win the pool and (2) to see whether you can beat the competition...I would liken it more to FF than to NFL mocks. I do appreciate the thoughts everyone had and it is a good way of assessing team needs...just think that there are so many variables, that there is little satisfaction in being right one out of three times.

It's more about learning the players and team needs than exactly nailing where they go.... Then we can sit back and try to understand why a team zigged where we thought they would Zag and wether or not we think they made the right move or they are out of their minds. (Raiders)We prognosticate on the NFL W/L record or Player Stats all the time and wind up horribly wrong - Does that mean we shouldn't do it?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Cuz the season is still almost 5 months away

-QG

 

[HAM]

yea, as many posted.. its fun

get a couple of guys together, each throw in a mock and make some bets. just makes nailing a pick that much more fun

 

[JamesTheScot]

I have been playing FF for 14 years and am a true . I enjoy the draft, I enjoy FF mocks, but I just have never seen the appeal of doing an NFL mock draft. Part of that may be due to the fact that in FF, rarely do things go "off plan"...i.e. If you draft Manning in round 1, are you really going to draft Rivers in Round 3? Yet in NFL football, often times, picks do not "make sense" to the outsider...some may find appeal to that (and I am guessing that is what spurns them to do mocks, but for me, it is too much of a wildcard, so why bother??). I would be interested to see if the folks who put so much time into their mocks would post how they did. My guess is that in Round 1, no one will get more than 12 correct (out of 32). Again, please don't take this as a "shot", I am just curious as to why folks do this...

Put two guys on a desert island with one palm tree and within 24 hours they'll be trying to see who can climb it the fastest. Make it one guy and he'll be trying to better his time.Prediction vs. reality = competition.I don't get into the NFL mocks either. But that's just because I have other equally meaningless things to hold my attention for some reason.

 

[Sweet Love]

yea, as many posted.. its funget a couple of guys together, each throw in a mock and make some bets. just makes nailing a pick that much more fun

See, this I can see. Make it fun in a way with other people. Yet, there were no sig bets that I saw on the board (mine will be more accurate than yours) and as I mentioned, I doubt anyone got 12 or more right. To those that mentioned "it gives me a chance to see what teams needs are", how did Tebow going to Denver show you what they need?? They had a lot more needs, it was just their "preference" to go with Tebow. Again, not trying to be a #####, but I have never filled out an NCAA bracket only to keep it to myself (by this I mean not entering some type of pool) and reflect back on how I did. Have you?

 

[Honda]

yea, as many posted.. its fun

get a couple of guys together, each throw in a mock and make some bets. just makes nailing a pick that much more fun

See, this I can see. Make it fun in a way with other people. Yet, there were no sig bets that I saw on the board (mine will be more accurate than yours) and as I mentioned, I doubt anyone got 12 or more right. To those that mentioned "it gives me a chance to see what teams needs are", how did Tebow going to Denver show you what they need?? They had a lot more needs, it was just their "preference" to go with Tebow. Again, not trying to be a #####, but I have never filled out an NCAA bracket only to keep it to myself (by this I mean not entering some type of pool) and reflect back on how I did. Have you?

It showed me they need a new head coach and general manager.

 

[Sweet Love]

yea, as many posted.. its fun

get a couple of guys together, each throw in a mock and make some bets. just makes nailing a pick that much more fun

See, this I can see. Make it fun in a way with other people. Yet, there were no sig bets that I saw on the board (mine will be more accurate than yours) and as I mentioned, I doubt anyone got 12 or more right. To those that mentioned "it gives me a chance to see what teams needs are", how did Tebow going to Denver show you what they need?? They had a lot more needs, it was just their "preference" to go with Tebow. Again, not trying to be a #####, but I have never filled out an NCAA bracket only to keep it to myself (by this I mean not entering some type of pool) and reflect back on how I did. Have you?

It showed me they need a new head coach and general manager.

Honestly, did you really need to wait for the draft to determine that?

 

[Sweet Love]

If you are talking about professional mock drafts written by insiders and noted experts in the NFL, I think it's useful for franchises.

Insiders and experts base part of their mocks on intel they receive from multiple sources. The families of the draftees, current players and front office personnel. Agents. People who work administration in general for the NFL and these franchises. College coaches and players. Players girlfriends and wives. Janitors. Locker room equipment guys. Secretaries. Everyone is fair game.

Part of the "game" if the draft is to find out what other people are thinking and to hide what you are really thinking. Some of the mocks are inaccurate on purpose ( franchises "trade" something of value, an exclusive interview, some insider knowledge, etc for a reporter or expert to be part of a misdirection or to posture a certain way) When an insider breaks some new story first, that didn't happen out of the blue and it didn't happen for free. Everyone has an agenda. Often sportswriters and experts can serve as "mouthpieces" for what players or GM feel without having to say it themselves ( Ian Thomasen of SI is a good example. He is probably one of the worst sports writers I've ever read in my life. But he gets first hand intel from players because he will pretty much say whatever they want to the public by proxy as long as he gets to be an insider. Many pro athletes are very insecure, part of the celebrity culture, and they read what people write and know that sports writers can change the perception of them to the public eye)

What do you think pro sports franchises and players deal with the basic sports writing jock sniffing parasite looking to trash a player or franchise for a controversy ( real or imagined) the first chance they get? Because the media used properly is a weapon ( i.e. how Phil Jackson and Bill Parcells use the media)

Why is it useful for FF people in general? Well if you draft yourself, part of the skill set to be a good FF drafter is to have an idea of how the tides sway from your other competitors. If you understand what motivates and the tendencies of another team in your league, that may serve as a slight advantage. Given the wealth of information out there, more FF players have more information and more opportunity to be informed, with so much data, the importance of a slight edge grows. It's easy to dominate when you are smart and everyone else is dumb. What happens when everyone is smart and the tools to stay smart are easily accessible?

Winning in the NFL or in FF is just as much about understanding how people behave as much as understanding every other aspect of draft value.

But doesn't this prove mey point?? Unless someone here is sweeping the floors of The new Dallas stadium, what "intel" do we have. Couple that with the fact that much of it is a smokescreen, we are even further lost. As far as the "tides swaying" and understanding other drafters, unless Josh McDaniels enters my local FF league, I don't see how it is applicable. If I am in a draft, picking at #4 and the guy at number 3 takes Shonn Greene, what have I learned? Obviously he like Greene, but that does not necessarily mean he is going to reach on his next pick. If it is fun in a solitary Dungeons and Dragons way, that is fine (again, no disrespect meant), but I just don't see where people "get" anything out of it except for personal amusement.