2002 NFL RULES VOTE

1)       Priority System:          We used a new rotating priority system this year, with mixed reviews. The biggest complaint in the new system was teams moving to the bottom when making IR moves. The easy fix is to eliminate team moving down the priority list when they make IR moves. Some teams still want to go back to the old system of lowest ranked teams getting priority, so that will be an option as well. Another issue was how bye week claims were settled. Even teams that liked the new rotating system did not like teams higher in the standings getting first choice of bye week claims. That would be addressed in the modified system.

Vote: Priority System
Option A        Keep current rotating priority system
Option B        Modify current system. Teams would not move to bottom of priority list on IR moves, only on free agent moves. Use lowest ranked in the standings for bye week moves

Option C        Go back to old system of lowest ranked in the standings priority system for all moves

2)       Playoff Rosters:           The scenario of a franchise player getting hurt in the playoffs came up numerous times this year. Currently teams could not replace their injured franchise player, as long as they could still field a lineup. Teams were forced to go with backup players instead of the replacement of the injured franchise player. If we were to allow moves in the playoffs for injured franchise players, the replacement could only come from the same NFL team as the injured franchise player.

Vote: Playoff Rosters
Option A        Allow roster moves for franchise players ONLY during playoffs
Option B        Keep current rule, rosters are frozen for playoffs unless a team can not field a complete lineup

3)       Scoring System:          Offense has been up significantly this year in the NFL and there was several occasions where players went above our current scoring system tiers. The issue is that we are penalizing players that go above our current system when they have a big day. This issue could be addressed by removing the maximums for the following categories: QB Total Offense, RB/WR/TE Total Offense and Pass Reception categories. We would add to the scoring system that 1 point would be awarded for additional yardage/receptions above the current maximum, using the same format as the current tiers. For example, the RB/WR/TE Total Offense would read “250 yards and above, 1 point for each additional 19 yards”

Vote: Scoring System
Option A        Extend scoring system for offensive categories
Option B        Keep current scoring system

 

4)       Franchise Player Rights:          The issue came up this year that franchise players were being listed as out, and it was commonly known that this player was out for an extended period of time. Teams chose to take a replacement for the injured franchise player from a different NFL team, but they retained the rights to the original backup until the injured franchise player returned to health. This essentially removed a quality player from the league, as the team kept the backup rights, even though they did not exercise their right to the backup. The best example of this was when Warner was hurt, teams in both leagues picked up a QB from a different NFL team, leaving the St. Louis backup unavailable to the league. Under the proposal, when teams claim an IR replacement for a franchise player from a different NFL team when the franchise player is listed as out, the backup would then be released to the league through waivers. This rule would only apply to franchise players listed as out. Teams with franchise players listed as probable, questionable or doubtful would still retain rights to the backup, even if the chose a replacement from a different NFL team.

Vote: Franchise Player Rights
Option A:      Teams must exercise rights to franchise player backup if player is listed as out, or lose rights to backup
Option B:      Keep rule same, teams retain rights to backups until franchise player returns

 

5)       Bottom 4 Scoring:       With the addition of the weekly points pool, it seems we are penalizing the lower scoring teams twice by keeping the rule that the low 4 scoring teams pay $20. This rule was originally put in place to ensure all teams would try and remain competitive throughout the year. The weekly points pool seems to do a much better job of accomplishing what the bottom 4 rule was intended to do, and seems that we are penalizing teams twice if we keep both rules.

Vote: Bottom 4 Scoring
Option A:      Eliminate bottom 4 scoring teams pay $20
Option B:      Keep current system of bottom 4 scoring teams pay $20

 

6)       Playoff Team Money:  While most people agree that having 8 playoff teams is the best way to go, it has been suggested that we only pay the top 6 finishing teams, and not all 8 playoff teams. By paying all 8 teams we are spreading the prize money out, and giving the top finishing teams a little less. While some feel that spreading the money out is good, it also is making the reward for having a top team less at the expense of teams that had a lesser team.

Vote: Playoff Team Money
Option A: Pay only top 6 playoff teams
Option B: Pay all 8 playoff teams

 

7)       Prize Money Structure:             It has been suggest that we change the structure of prize money. The suggestion is based upon the concept of rewarding teams that perform well all year, rather than teams that get breaks down the stretch and barely qualifying for the playoffs. Teams that have a good regular season would be rewarded appropriately under this new concept, while playoff teams would still have a good reward, but significantly less than the current system. Under the current system, the teams that finish high in the playoffs are not normally the highest scoring teams, as the phrase “catch lightning in a bottle” always seems to come into play come playoff time. Under this proposal, the highest scoring teams from the regular season would get a bigger reward compared to the current system, while playoff teams would still have a solid prize fund, but certainly less than they currently would have. The high scoring teams would still have a chance at a good playoff payout if they make the playoffs, but would receive a prize even if they did not qualify for the playoffs and finished in the top 4 scoring averages. Teams that would be most affected by this new system would be the lower scoring teams that slip into the playoffs and win a game or two in the playoffs. A suggested payoff for the regular season scoring prize would be 1) 300 2) $200 3) $150 4) $100. The playoff prize money would then be adjusted based upon the remaining funds. The opposing view to the new system is that fantasy leagues as in real sports do involve a bit of luck. Teams that get hot late in the season and slip into the playoffs, or get a break come playoff time, should still get a top reward and not be penalized for a mediocre regular season. This type of prize fund is used in many leagues already, including one by Eric Erdman who says it truly rewards the best teams over the course of the year, not just the teams that catch a few breaks down the stretch.

Vote: Prize Money Structure
Option A: Modify prize money so more goes to top scoring teams, and less to playoff teams
Option B: Keep current prize money structure