THE COLLEGE COMPETITOR Edition 4.6

The Season is two-thirds over and we have many teams still in the play-off hunt. There are still nine points up for grabs, so it should be an exciting home stretch. I am going to take a break from the usual recap of games. Instead I want to reflect on this Fantasy game we play, and the spirit of fair competition. Although this is a very competitive league in which we all want to win, we must all remember it is still just a game. Yes some Money is involved, but I would venture to say most of us play not for the money, but for the enjoyment and thrill. The thrill of watching our guy run for the TD, or the agony of the tackle on the one foot line. It’s a game of both strategy and pure luck. Above all it’s a game in which middle aged, slightly overweight men can watch real athletes perform and feel involved.

This is a special league we have here, many of us have been at it for years. This makes my eighth campaign, and some of you are the true pioneers of fantasy ball. You harken back to the days when all stats had to be received from the Sunday paper. The great age we live in now lets us get instant scores on the internet. We can exchange e-mails, do research, and create our own website. Great care and time has gone into this league, and it is rich with history. I would like to think some very good relationships have been formed along the way as well.

I look forward to this league every year; it is a chance to share an activity with both my Father and Brother. It is now a yearly tradition that I fly to Denver for the Draft. I always write at the end of my editions, “I Love This Game!” It is still true, but I feel our league needs a change in culture or it is in danger of losing its spark…that would be a shame. I would like to remind all of us, that it is just a game and we are among friends.

As the Co-commissioner of this league I have adopted a philosophy when it comes to league rules. I am not speaking for my Father, but I know he shares the same thoughts. The rules have been written with great care, but with the great effort we still have scenarios that are not covered. When it comes to decisions governing our league, we will always try to rule on the side of fair play and decency. We will always try to protect the integrity of the league as a whole. That is a great responsibility taken on by the Commissioner. Of course there are rules spelled out in Black and White that will be followed without fail, but there are instances where fair judgment and a look at the big picture comes into play.

It has been noted by an owner who defended a no leniency stance with “I have seen league championships lost by one point”. I could not agree more!!! That is why our decisions must be made with a fair hand because they affect the play-off hopes of all. If we were to rule on the “Punitive” side by making a team take a Zero, that decision could have a powerful rippling affect on the outcome of the League. Let’s imagine the penalized team loses by two, and the team winning now bounces another from the play-offs. The punitive ruling now hurt this innocent team because they were tied for the last play-off spot. The integrity of the league demands that every game remain competitive. That is why, if possible, we do not force teams to take a zero. Of course there are times where this cannot be avoided as the rules are implicit. In those cases, no leniency will be shown. That said, sometimes we all make innocent mistakes that can be dealt with in a fair manner. The competitive nature of the league demands it.

I hope we can get back to the spirit of friendly competitiveness. This league is special! There are many leagues on the net that are cold and impersonal. Some of you have mentioned you may leave because of the bickering, I hope you remain as I know we can get back to where this is a friendly, fun… Game! I look forward to many years of competition. I hope one day to share a team with my 10 month old son Aidan. When that day comes, I hope I can experience it with the friends I have made here.

I Love this Game!

Good Luck in the final stretch for the Play-offs.

Jeff Myers

Week Six Prognostication Results

Jeff Maze Snyder Actual
Cocks/Predators Predators -4 -6 -7 Cocks - 64

Sacks/Spartans Sacks -7 -9 -4 Spartans -6

Venom/Farts Venom -2 Farts -11 -7 Farts -26

Contributors/Shamrox Rox -1 Contr -7 -10 Rox -37

Elephants/Browns Browns -5 Eleph -10 -3 Browns -16

Stallions/Lightning Stallions -25 -19 -37 Stallions -53

Week Seven Lines Jeff Maze Snyder

Cocks/Farts Farts -10 -13 -8