[ranallo10]

what about the proposal of new divisions?

Please synopsize the proposal, I fear time and discussion have diluted the idea so that we're not all on the same page with regards to what you want.

I've heard of a division draft system. Here are some questions I've come up with off the top of my head:
When would you expect this to happen (tomorrow, after rookie draft, after veteran draft, the week before the season starts, etc)?
How do we determine the order for drafting?
Would the divisional winners be included, or are they stuck in their division?
Can a manager "opt out" of being moved from their division via this draft?
Would it make you happy if there was simply a division re-alignment to put specific people into your division, and the rest of us deal with our "random" assignment?

I like continuity when it comes to such things so my preference is leaving things as they are...but...I'm open to the idea if everyone agrees to it.

[D@ngermaus]

Again, I just would like to see an annually re-alignment of the divisions. We can do it by draft or draw it.

Martin proposed a 3rd draft by the divisional champions. All other teams will be drafted by the champions. The draft order would be based on the regular season record and the highest ranked team picks last in serpentine modus.

The problem is that the draft will be only for four people and then it's just those people picking the “worst teams” available to improve their chances to win again which would end up in unbalanced divisions too.

In terms of simplicity I would prefer to toss up.

@ Martin, Uwe: How we continue here?

[Dan_the_Man]

I have no idea how to solve this...

I am not big fan of the re-alignment idea, thus the little rivalries between the owners in one division are eliminated.
On the other hand, it might be more competetive to jumble the owners every season, dunno what's best here.
I also think, that the teams will become more even in the next two or three years, because of the draft process.

First of all I would like to have a poll, wether the re-alignment of the divisions is desired by the majority of the league.

If the majority of the league is in favor of the re-alignment, than there are several possibilties to handle the re-alignment:
One possibility would be to virtually roll the dices and the four highest numbers go into the divisions yellow, red, blue and green
and so on...
if it has to be a draft kind of thing, the four owners with the lowest points could draft the other owners in there leagues,
but that also would result in unbalanced divisions...
We also could fill up the divisions using the total points of each owner, similar to the first proposal...

I think we should first have a poll on this topic.


EDIT: I saw that I can create a poll by myself... I will give it a try...

[ranallo10]

7 answers on the Poll thus far that state no. In fairness the wording "every season" is probably a point of contention.

I've talked to some people in our league about this and I think there are a few ideas that we could still explore, depending on how people feel with the divisions as they are now:
1 - Re-align the divisions once more, for the final time.
2 - Re-align divisions on a bi-annual basis.
3 - Re-align the divisions into two "conferences" where the top 4 players from each conference qualify for the playoffs.
4 - Generate a protocol for yearly re-alignments, that doesn't involve managers. (i.e. based on win/loss record or points scored, and placing teams into more "balanced" divisions annually).
5 - *An outside the box idea* Change the keeper restrictions for the league so that a player cannot be kept more than 2 consecutive seasons.

I don't necessarily support any of the above ideas, but they are merely thoughts that I've had or heard that we can use to continue this topic. I don't want people to be unhappy with their divisional alignments to the point of losing the fun in the game, so I'm willing to make reasonable accommodations to help create "parity" in the league.

Supporting arguments for each idea:
1 - It mixes our current divisions up, to appease those hopeful of being placed in a division with their friends. Perhaps those interested in a new division are placed together, and the displaced teams fill up the open spots in our remaining division.
2 - Creates change but not annually, to appease those people unhappy with staying in the same division forever.
3 - Removes the concept of "undeserving" division champions getting an automatic bid for the playoffs, and bases the seeding on those that perform the best throughout the season.
4 - A somewhat "automated" format to change the divisions annually, without requiring a "Division Draft".
5 - Changes the concept of thinking "extremely long term" and would open up blockbuster trades to all teams. For an example my team would be forced to deal Johnson after next season, because I could not flag him as my keeper three years straight. This could make manager interaction much higher than it is today.

[Dan_the_Man]

My understanding of Martin's proposal was, that the re-alignment should take place every season...

Anyway, I would like to see the final result of the poll.
Maybe I will contact everyone, to make sure that everyone votes.
Pretty close right now, so the remaining voters could make a big difference.

I like the idea to restrict the number of seasons for a keeper to two, although this would be a desaster for me after this season... (ADP, CJ3 and Rodgers would have to leave), maybe we could prolongate it to three years ;-)
On the other hand, I would have kept Rice instead of ADP this season, so if we could agree to change the restrictions for keepers it should be started next season, so that everyone could attune to the new rules.

I also support to have an "automated" system to fill up the divisions, I don't like the idea of drafting the owners into the divisions.

[ranallo10]

I imagine any changes made would not be retroactive, so you'd be fine with Peterson and Johnson (CJ3? as in the 3rd behind Chad Johnson and Calvin Johnson, or something else?) for another season.

Considering you wanted a majority vote, with 4 no's there is only room for one more no before it's voted down. Rene might have to start trading picks for votes

[skee]

ok, thank you guys, there are some interesting proposals. The poll is now 6: NO 3: YES only 3 votes left - this means the result can't be a YES. In other words: there will not be a realignment of divisions.
On the other hand we have a proposal to keep the keepers just two (or three) years - a very good idea. Let's make a poll

[D@ngermaus]

It seems as if my suggestions will not come to fruition. Honestly it was a predictable result but in MY opinion it left the divisions still unbalanced.

Let me summarize why I’m personally scared to play in the Greene division.

My assumption of success in FF is based on matters which can be influenced by the manager:
1) obviously a good draft strategy for instance it’s too simple to load up on RBs early, but understanding when it’s time to go a different direction is key
2) activity level (reading news, injury report to make wise waiver decisions, interaction level between managers to improve (very important)
3) How to make wise trades with competing managers and maybe several other points…

Now I can rank the managers “all subjective” and based ONLY on MY assumptions like Fabiano rank Runningbacks on nfl.com based on the points above and the experience they have in FF. Please don’t take this ranking personally.

Tier 1: Uwe, Chris
Tier 2: Broncos, Warriors, Patriots, Cowboys, Mike, Skee
Tier 3: Bulldogs, Mambas, Titans, Basher

In consideration of the fact that our rules intended to face division rivals 2times a season my team will have lower chances to reach the poffs compared if I would play in seemingly less competitive divisions.

Anyway, don’t call me a flamer about competition or something like that and I also know it’s ONLY a game and it makes fun though! But it cost money and effort in time so I would like to continue this discussion because a poll (alone) cannot provide satisfaction for this more detailed issue.

I don’t have a problem to let the toss decide nor as Chris mentioned two divisions where top 4 players qualify for the poffs.
Thanks all,
Rene

How many friends i still have here?

[Dan_the_Man]

nah, I think you overestmiate the abilities of Chris and me.
I had the doubious luck to tank the first season with guys like ADP, CJ3, DeAngelo, Marshall and Royal on my Roster.
Therefore I got early picks in the second season and I had trade bait in DeAngelo and Royal, not unearthly great management but a lot of luck with my three draft picks in round 3 together with my keepers led to the 16:0 season.

With my draft spot this season I don't think that I will have an immediate second shot on the title.
If you have a look to the potential keepers and who is still available in round 1, I doubt that I will get an extraordinary team this season.

With regard to the draft strategy and the WW options, I simply follow closely the recommendations of the following web sites:
http://www.footballguys.com/ (OK, I am subscriber to this site, about 25 USD per anno)
http://www.kffl.com/
http://www.fftoday.com/
http://www.fantasyfootballcafe.com/forums/index.php
http://games.espn.go.com/frontpage/football
http://fantasyfootballcalculator.com/
http://dynastyrankings.blogspot.com/

the information of those sites together with some gut feeling and from time to time a question on the assistant coach forums on those sites, that's the whole secret...

[maximus13]

FYI - Regular Season Standings 2008 and 2009 combined:

Team W L T PF Back PA
Marburg Crusaders 18 8 0 3.567,1 276,9 3.124,1
Berlin Basher 17 9 0 2.962,8 881,2 2.866,3
Gehrden Warriors 16 10 0 3.495,1 348,9 3.102,4
Küpersteger Titanen 16 10 0 3.230,1 613,9 3.006,7
Berlin Patriots 14 12 0 3.056,9 787,1 3.118,4
Kirchrode Knights 13 13 0 3.284,0 560,0 3.199,9
Wiener Schnitzels 13 13 0 3.005,6 838,4 3.090,4
Steglitz Hawks 12 14 0 2.947,6 896,4 3.140,2
Stockerau Bulldogs 11 15 0 2.856,2 987,8 2.969,0
Red Mambas Hannover 10 16 0 2.781,0 1.063,0 2.958,2
Lichtenberg Cowboys 9 17 0 2.958,8 885,2 3.093,3
Atlanta Pretty Pink Ponies 7 19 0 2.774,8 1.069,2 3.251,1