I'm talking American NFL football here, not some soccer game.

We did this last year and at least a few of us had some fun. Ten people signed up last year, but only four or five really played the entire season. It would be great if we could get a a good, solid group together for the coming season.

Shaun? Rodger? Mary? Wanna try it again?

For anyone sitting on the fence, below is a link to the ESPN Fantasy Football site. Check the league rules, etc. to get an idea of what it's all about. Last year was my first try at fantasy football and I ended up winning the league! Beginner's luck? Perhaps -- but maybe it will be your's this season.

http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/frontpage

I've taken the liberty to set up the league"Armorama 2006" as a standard league with an autopick draft date of Aug. 15. That's more than a month away, and a few games into the pre-season so you can get a feel for the rookies and the status of the veterans before finalizing your draft wish list. To play, you have to be a registered member of the ESPN site, but it is free.

If you want to join, here's the league page:
http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leagueoffice?leagueId=45405

It's really simple -- and fun!

Hi Bob,
I know this is a little of topic but, How about a Football Pool for real football. The English Premier League that is. 38 games and a good league to do it with. Starts in August and runs until next spring.

It is the only football I care about anymore

Just a little fun here!

Chris

Now, now, Chris. I don't want this to turn into an American football vs. rest-of-the-world football debate.

Of course, because you live in Minnesota, I can understand why you might not want to have anythng to do with the NFL.

I'm in Bob. Site is down for maint right now. When you set up the league make sure you don't screw up like I did. We need to have a way to do something about owners that quit thrre games into the season. You also ought to make it so you have control over who joins. I think last year we had to people who were not from this site and we did not have any way to contact them.

Shaun

Oops ... guess I should have contacted you before starting the league. I made it a public league, so anyone can join. Now it looks like I can't change it. There should be a way we can contact folks, but otherwise we'll just have to do our best on the message board. EDIT: I looks like there is now a feature to send e-mails to league members, either invidiually or all at once.

I didn't save a roster from last year, but maybe we can have some vets return and add some new blood.

Okay, I'm in.
Once you register go to the link below to join the Amorama 2006 league...

http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leaguesetup/st/ownerinfo?leagueId=45405&mode=join


Shaun

Come on kids and kidders -- There have to be more NFL fans out there who want to join. It's free and it's fun.

All right, look out kids! The War Machines are coming, and you can't stop The War Machines, you can only hope to contain them! Unless my best players have a bye week, then my teams tend to suck. But otherwise, just you wait and see!!!!!

Alright, Ed!

You played last year, but I couldn't remember your Armorama handle.

We need seven more teams to make this a league. Come on, folks, this ain't rocket science!

And if you don't know much aboout football, don't let that stop you. (It hasn't stopped me. ) Who knows -- you might learn something. For instance, did anyone know Arizona had a professional football team? Well, at least they had a professional place kicker -- Neil Rackers! That guy saved my team several times last year in fantasy football ... then he got hurt.

Is this game open to Limies as well ?

If so do you mind if i join in?

Andy

You are more than welcome Andy. But remember, this is footabll with the odd shaped ball...

Shaun

Bob,
Maybe we should cross post something in the "Games" forum?

Shaun

I'm fully aware this is proper American Football - not soccer - and i may be i n a small minority, but i'd rather watch it than soccer any day. I visitied the states a couple of years ago on Honeymoon, and had convinced swmbo to come to a game with me, but unfortunatley our itinery did not put us in the right place at the right time.

I'm off to sign up now - wish me luck

Andy

OK guys..i'm in again this year. I didn't come out to well last year..but..watch out this season..the Armorama Angels are gonna kick butt. ((okok..i know.kinda a frufru name for a guys football team, but its what it is..lol))).

Looking forward to a great season..

Mary

I would suggest that the armorama angels are gonna get eaten by the Maidstone Kestrels

Andy :-)

Welcome aboard Andy! This is not an "American only" thing -- just good fun. If you are not familiar with the players and the teams, you might want to surf around the NFL sites a bit. Good luck!

And welcome back, Mary! IIRC, you started out great, then kind of fell apart after you lost a few players to injuries. I think you might have tried too hard to play the "big names" and those guys weren't exactly the big playmakers last year. Don't be afraid to trade or pick up players off of waivers. And remember -- the guys who were really good last year might not be as good this year.

Come on, folks. This is starting to become a league. We're halfway there! Tell your friends -- and keep in mind that this league does not involve money (unless you want to buy into ESPN's "Edge" premium service).

And if anyone has any questions about how this works and what the rules are, I'm sure that Shaun, Ed, Mary and I can cobble together an answer.

Great idea! Done.

Bumpity...

Shaun

Looks like we picked up someone from outside Armorama, which is OK.

Still need four more teams to fill it out! Don't be shy!

When is the draft?

Shaun

August 15.

It's an autopick, so everyone needs to rank their players ahead of time.

One of the guys I work with signed up today. He doesn't build models, but he doesn't make fun of mine, so I let him in.

Only three slots left! Come on, you football fans!

Hi Bob,
OK this sounds like fun but it's stupid question time. Between work and just everyday life I sometimes find it hard to find time to actually watch the real games, so how much time does this really take to play and do it right? By do it right I don't mean win, but it doesn't sound like something that just runs itself, and I wouldn't want to join then end up doing things half-a$$ .

Thanks,
Mike

P.S. Good luck with the Nats, I had hoped to be able to make it but it's not going to work out.

It really depends on how much time you want to put into it. I would say you would be okay with about half an hour a week, to check and change your roster late in the week to make sure all you active players have games (not on a bye week) and aren't beat up. We did not do much trading or anything like that last year.


Shaun

Mike:

Like Shaun says, it really depends on how much you want to put into it. You don't have to watch any games at all, if you don't want to (and unless you have that NFL deal on Direct TV, you won't be able to). I think I spent about an hour a week checking injury reports, stats, etc., each week durig the regular season. It can get interesting during Bye weeks, so you just need to make sure you shuffle in available players off the bench.

Also, as Shaun said, we didn't do much trading last year. When we needed players (lost to injury or just sucky play), we'd drop them and pick up a replacement off waivers.

As a team owner, all you really need to do is keep track of your team and make sure your roster is set before the week's games begin. During the regular season, I usually watch 2-3 games each weekend and I like to keep track of how "my guys" are doing. If family or other demands keep me away from the TV and the internet, it doesn't matter -- Once the games start you can't make any roster adjustments, and the stats and the scores will all be updated automatically by each Tuesday morning.

Three slots left...

Bernard Keene of the "Eastern Bulls" bought the "Edge." Click on his profile. This guys has participated in 122 fantasy leagues. He must live this stuff...

Shaun

No slots left. We filled up today!

I also noticed Mr. Keene's experience -- he didn't win any leagues, so we'll see how his experience stacks up this time around.

Good luck to all!