Our Annual Year-End Wrapup Party
The YEAR-END WRAPUP PARTY is scheduled for Saturday, January 10^th…this is the first round of the Divisional Playoffs so there will be two games that day.  As this is over six weeks notice, I ask that you mark your schedules NOW and keep that date open for the party.  In the event you currently know that you cannot make the party on this date, please let me know immediately.  As usual we would like everyone there as it’s a great time, but we definitely need at least one representative from each team to be in attendance so all debts and payouts can be settled. 

LINEUPS for Week #13
Beginning early morning on Thanksgiving day, the commish will be on vacation and unfortunately this year I won’t have access to e-mail or website updates from early Saturday AM until Monday afternoon.  Doesn’t that only figure it’s the last weekend of regular season games!  Anyway, here’s what we’re going to do:

• If you have starters for Green Bay, Detroit, Miami or Dallas, they must be claimed by 6:00 AM CST on Thursday November 27^th.  Sorry for the extra early time, but I will process all transactions/trades immediately on Wednesday evening so you will have time to consider any new options.

• I will request that if possible you have your entire starting lineups in by Saturday November 29^th @ 7:00 AM CST .  I should be able to create a makeshift roster report and will E-MAIL it to the entire league.

• Any changes or corrections to the Saturday submissions will be due in by Sunday November 30^th @ 7:00 AM CST .  You MUST e-mail me with these changes but you can also post on the Soundoff section if you want to let the other teams know. 

• When I return home on Monday afternoon (December 1^st) I’ll sort through the remaining messages and update the website with current preliminary scores. 

November 17th
Guys, just one important reminder about some end-of season issues.  Point totals, efficiency ratings and power rankings all END as of Week #13.  This was done to eliminate many random, frivolous matchups in the postseason for eliminated teams just to keep the stats going.  It also makes the regular season a bit more meaningful as it rewards those who have done well...if you do well in the postseason you get rewards there too!

Apparently a few people were "confused" about this, which is sad being that it was discussed at the Think Tank AND the Draft.  Also, there was a handout that everyone received at the draft which showed the rule changes, which has also been online all season (links & more section).  These changes have also been reflected in the official 2003 official rules handbook.  If you're still confused, you're truly a dumbass who doesn't pay attention!

Lineup info that EVERYONE should know:

OK SFFL league, listen up: though most of you are in full understanding of the league policies, due to a recent issue I feel it necessary to clarify the policy regarding lineups. FINAL LINEUPS ARE DUE TO THE COMMISH NO LATER THAN 7:00 AM CST EVERY SUNDAY unless otherwise noted by ME (the commish). That does not mean 10:00 AM, nor does it mean 7:30 AM, it means 7:00 AM. If I do not have your lineups by this time, your prior weeks lineup (as complete as possible) will be used...and it doesn't matter if your entire lineup from the previous week is injured and/or on bye, or if you traded former starters away. This simple rule is something that was agreed upon by our entire league. Every team has at least one co-owner and nearly a full week to submit lineups, so there will NOT be any acceptable excuse you can possibly provide. I do not give a fat rats ass if you're out of town, if your computer blows up, or if your incessant masturbation to online bestiality pics causes your keyboard to get sticky and lock up. NO EXCUSES, NO LENIENCY. PERIOD. 

Again, be sure that you address all e-mails to SFFL1997@AOL.COM, and yes there has always been a link on the website with this correct address (see bottom of this page). Note that if you're on AOL you automatically get read receipts. However, if you do not feel confident about your e-mail deliveries, I will allow postings through the SOUNDOFF page in the new WEEKLY LINEUPS section (added in the next couple days). This allows you to post, view, and edit your lineups. I will check this on Sunday mornings along with the official league e-mail address for all submissions.

I trust this has been or is now perfectly clear to everyone...but if not please let me know so I can explain it in a less friendly manner. FYI, this entire message will also be posted in the SOUNDOFF section for future reference.

September 19th
The votes are in on the future of the website...
We had quite the close vote on the website options question - actually it was almost dead even across the board. However, with that in mind the majority DID want some relief from the ads (either Tripod Plus or the completely new site). Taking into account the costs in addition to the time we actually use the site, the TRIPOD PLUS option (#2) is what we'll do. Basically this means everything remains the same with the exception that there will be no more popups or banner ads placed on our pages. This also means there is no additional work that the commish has to do!

The plan for now is that at the end of the season I'll cancel the "Plus" portion, and when the 2004 season approaches we'll start it up again. This will keep the funding to a minimum, which means more $$ for the year-end payouts to the winners. Thanks to everyone for your input, and I hope you enjoy our upcoming ad-free page!

September 12th
The following is the same message that was sent out via e-mail...please read & vote ASAP.  Thanks!

August 27th
A few more things:  the DRAFT results are now available through the Links & More page, along with the final version of the 2003 rules (including printable versions in Acrobat format).  There's still some work to do on the team/owner information page but I should have it done next week hopefully before the season starts.  Also, the SOUNDOFF board is ready...quite a bit different than previous seasons as it's hosted through hyperboards.com.  You will need to register (painless & quick) to post in most of the sections, but that's good as you can see who else is online too!  We'll give it a try & see how it works!

By the way, don't forget about the 15th round player (or rookie player) starters for Week #1.  Though it's not mandatory to participate, it IS a mandatory $10 per team...so your choice but it costs you either way. 

This is my last posting until after the holiday weekend, so I hope everyone has a great & safe Labor Day weekend.  Get ready for some football, as SPLINTERS will be rocking on Sunday September 7th!

August 26th
Thought I'd pass along a few notes...basically the same thing that went out via e-mail this evening (8/26):

• If you wish you can begin making trades/transactions, but the times will be a bit different this week & next week.  ALL trades/transactions for THIS week must be in no later than 9:00 PM on Wednesday.  There will be no Saturday trade deadline this week.  NEXT week will also have a Wednesday 9:00 PM deadline due to the Thursday NFL opening game (though we'll allow Saturday trades).
  
• The website will be updated tomorrow evening with some additional items, then it won't be updated until next Tuesday/Wednesday...this is due to a vacation & I'm not bringing my laptop (really!).
  
• Remember...Thursday September 4th is the NY Jets - Washington game, so if you have any players you wish to start they have to be claimed as starters no later than Thursday 9/4 @ 6:00 PM CST.

August 24th
OK folks, all the players have been added into the database & you can now see the full ROSTERS for every team by clicking on the link to the left.  I checked over them and it appears everything is correct, but if you spot an error let me know ASAP.

The following is interesting - I reran the 2002 player stats for our current 2003 season so that everyone could get an idea of the strength of the draft.  NOW, keep in mind that this doesn't take into account any rookie picks this year (they get a 0), and is based on last years totals which included injuries, etc.  It also doesn't take into account players injured now that contributed greatly last season (let's use Vick as a shining example).  SO, obviously this isn't a perfect system but fun to view.  Total points by player were added together, team averages/game were also added together, then an eight player average was used to come up with the PPG total:

August 23rd
The DRAFT (Friday evening, August 22nd) was another success as each team walked away griping about their picks!  THANK YOU to everyone for showing up and making it fun. Below are the conferences, and you can get the schedules for the year by clicking on the active link to the left.  Team info will be added soon...it just takes a bit of time with 180 drafted players!

The rule book is pretty much final with the "draft player +1 roster limit" we voted on before the draft started...I'll get that added ASAP.

American Conference
Blind Squirrels
Dukes
FuMunda Cheez
G-Men

National Conference
Assholes
High Tech Rednecks
Pull My Finger
Ruffy

Federal Conference
Cyclones
Painful Rectal Itches
VEGA
Venwaz

WEEK #1 Schedule:
Painful Rectal Itches at High Tech Rednecks
Venwaz at Assholes
VEGA at Dukes
Cyclones at G-Men
Ruffy at FuMunda Cheez
Pull My Finger at Blind Squirrels 

August 14th
Getting a "new" team for our league was extremely quick...I immediately had a couple owners contact me with people who would have been great fits in our league.  However, the G-Men have returned with a new co-owner, John Miguel, who has been interested in getting into our league for several years.  He also used to work with Peter Gamoff and talked him into being his partner...so in reality the G-Men never really left, just greatly upgraded their ownership ranks.  Guess we'll have to see how it pans out over the season.  Anyway, WELCOME JOHN...and Dave & Steve, thanks for the referrals.  If any other positions open up in 2004 I'll definitely keep them in mind.

The 2003 DRAFT will again be at Palatine Hills Golf Course on Friday, August 22^nd, starting at approximately 7:00 PM…we will get to use the LARGE main room again, but depending on the weather it might not be until about 8:00 PM (the actual golfers get first dibs at the main room until "closing", which is about 8:00)..  More details on that as it gets closer to the time.  We’re thinking about ordering pizzas again & just having everyone chip in for the total bill at the end of the evening.

Steve Lemke & some guys are getting together to golf on Friday afternoon.  I've been told there are about three foursomes already!  The commish is not golfing, so if you're interested contact Steve.

More news - the OFFICIAL CHANGES to the 2003 league are now available for your viewing pleasure.  There are several, but ones of note would include some scoring changes (QBs, WRs, Ks), an additional trade date, and a new playoff format.  There will also be one potential change that will be put up to vote before the draft.  Please review these BEFORE the draft day so you are aware of the adjustments.

The DRAFT copy of the SFFL rules are now available; the final copy will be posted after the draft.  This does incorporate all the "official" changes that are mentioned above.

August 14th

A bunch of things to report - first of all the OFFICIAL CHANGES to the 2003 league are now available for your viewing pleasure.  There are several, but ones of note would include some scoring changes (QBs, WRs, Ks), an additional trade date, and a new playoff format.  There will also be one potential change that will be put up to vote before the draft.  Please review these BEFORE the draft day so you are aware of the adjustments.

The DRAFT copy of the SFFL rules are now available; the final copy will be posted after the draft.  This does incorporate all the "official" changes that are mentioned above.

FINALLY, and perhaps more important, it appears we have an opening for a new team this year.  Following is the e-mail that I sent out to the league this evening.  Please help! 

SFFL Owners – the G-Men have requested an indefinite leave of absence from our league, so it appears we now have an opening for one new franchise to take their spot.  I would like to have this team added to our league by the end of this week and need your help.  If you know of anyone who may be interested, please e-mail me with their info by Friday if possible.  You should also pass on the following info:

 It is important that any prospective team understands and agrees to the following:

• Our draft is Friday, August 22^nd, and they must attend.
• The entry fee is $150, payable on draft day.
• They will take the G-Men’s draft spot, which is #7.
• They should be somewhat familiar with our league rules, primarily the fees & penalty structures.  They can access the latest rules on the website.

Additionally, and probably most important: We have all been a very trustworthy group of guys in terms of participation and settling up the tabs at the year-end party, so I would expect our new team owners to be the same.  However, if necessary I will hold the referring owner(s) responsible for any [monetary] problems that could harm the league if the new team does not act in accordance to our standards…SO, if you are unsure about the reliability of a friend/acquaintance, it may be best not to extend an invite to join this league.

Please note that all new member requests will be given fair consideration.  I do currently have someone in mind who would be a great fit in our league and has been waiting several years to join, but at this time I am not certain if he’ll be able to do it.   

We’ll hopefully make a final decision by this weekend, so please let me know who’s interested.  THANKS!

 “the commish”

August 10th

The Think Tank on Saturday August 9th had representatives from five teams; draft orders were chosen and painfully long discussions on rule additions then took over.  Regarding the rules results, those will be posted within the next day or so.  As for the DRAFT, as usual the names were randomly selected with "chances" for the top pick equal to that teams finish in 2002 (i.e., Dukes = 12 chances, Assholes = 1 chance).  Following is the draft order will be used on Friday, August 22nd.:

1. Ruffy
2. Cyclones
3. Pull My Finger
4. Dukes
5. Venwaz
6. Blind Squirrels
7. G-Men
8. VEGA
9. High Tech Rednecks
10. FuMunda Cheez
11. Painful Rectal Itches
12. Assholes

July 30, 2003

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer, as football season is only a few weeks away.  Wow how time flies…seems like it was just yesterday that the Assholes rode their unwanted keeper pick to the 2002 SFFL championship.  As you can see the site looks quite similar – if not identical - to last year’s model.  This general look & setup seemed to work well last season, so if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!  Right now the only active links now are the NFL Schedule and the Links & More (which primarily includes past site links, including the one for 2002).  I’ll have the SOUNDOFF section up soon, and will play around with some other features to make the site more interactive.

 Anyway, the Think Tank is coming up on August 9^th (4:00 PM @ Splinters), where we will pick the draft order, discuss possible rule changes and drink heavily.  Additionally, The 2003 DRAFT will again be at Palatine Hills Golf Course on Friday, August 22^nd, starting at approximately 7:00 PM…we will get to use the LARGE main room again, but depending on the weather it might not be until about 8:00 PM.  More details on that as it gets closer to the time.  We’re thinking about ordering pizzas again & just having everyone chip in for the total bill at the end of the evening.

 RULES, RULES, RULES…folks, I need some help regarding rule amendments, additions or deletions.  We have ruled against keeper players, but what else would we like for this coming year?  My agenda doesn’t really include much right now, just the ongoing issue regarding a better transaction (roll-off) process and perhaps some lineup/scoring tweaks.  Bring your ideas to the Think Tank, or if you can’t make it please e-mail me at sffl1997@aol.com.  If it helps, you may want to take a look at the rules from last year – click here for the html file. 

 In closing, the DUKES are in charge of completing the draft board, so this is another reminder to them about this all-important job.  In return for their efforts of finishing last, they’ll have the most chances to earn the top draft spot.  Here’s the final team order at the end of last season:

Good to Know:

Want to avoid utter embarrassment at our draft?  Not interested in being pelted with cans & garbage?  Though some of you can't seem to ever avoid it, here's something that will help lessen the impact.  The following players have retired, been cut or changed their team during the offseason. These are not all the players changing in the NFL, only the most notable that had at least some fantasy value as of last year.  This list was updated as of July 27th:

Changing Teams

Cut or Retired

*Rumor has it that Larry Centers has been picked up by New England.  Just thought the HT Rednecks would be interested...