But Are You Still Having Any Fun...

renman · Post by **renman** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:46 am

Greg,

Great post. I can say personally the NFFC has become a huge part of my life. I passionately enjoy every single thing about it. Each year I have entered more events. I can remember before year one when I was on the phone at my work listening to Greg sell me on his event. I had never done anything outside of my home leagues and was ready for a bigger challenge. I had gotten shut out of the WCOFF and bought into whta Greg was selling.

I could not be happier. Though I have had times of frustration with results (bad year in 2005 and missed playoffs) or bad luck where I was a high or top scorer in several leagues only to get hurt by bad H2H fortune, or frustration with the hurricane fiasco, I have always been able to look at the bigger picture regarding how amazing this event is and how much I look forward to it each year.

I love the pre draft preparation. The analysis.. the debates and discussions with friends about player value and projections... I love draft day. It truly is a spectacle and amazing event. I love the buzz in the room. I love the meeting of friends who you never get to see but understand the passion for the game. I love the moments before the draft when everyone looks around the table wondering who the guy to beat is. I love the draft process... To some it is slow and agonizing.. for me.. I could do it for 10 straight hours... Because of this I loved the NBC event so there was not a huge depression at the end of the NFFC classic knowing I had another draft to enjoy... Then the football season begins and we get to enjoy that process and the weekend games and on and on ...

So to answer the question...

Yes.. I am absolutely having still having fun.

Greg also makes a great point about how the economy contributes to the stress and frustration level for many. However, as I have said before.. when it stops hurting, you should stop playing. This game is only fun if there are serious consequences to winning or losing....

Jersey paul,

I have said many times on this board that nothing hurts a fantasy football league or experience like an owner who dumps his team and hurt the integrity of the competition. I have started or been part of numerous threads to discuss that issue and ways to address it or improve it.

Sorry that happened to you...

Route Collectors · Post by **Route Collectors** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:41 am

2
65
53
214
204

These are my 13 week positions for the last 5 years. I've only won $$$ twice for a total of $7500.

According to the MB community that makes me both a horrible player and a bad investor who had one lucky year.

That may well be true but I still find myself having fun. Even if I'd cashed big every single year it couldn't buy the friendships I've gained along the way.

Where else can you go in March and still have a lively football discussion besides right here with your NFFC buddies. I'll be back and with a little luck...I'll win some entry fee $$$ for 2009 in the next 3 weeks.

Hammerheads · Post by **Hammerheads** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:16 pm

Greg,

I'm having a great time, it does help that I'm winning but I had a great time last year and won nothing. I told you at the draft what a good time this is and that I would see you in Vegas again next year. I'm looking forward to the 09 draft and seeing some of the guys that I met this year. This is a class act. You and Tom have always bent over backward to help. Thanks

BillyWaz · Post by **BillyWaz** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:12 pm

I agree with Jeff that one of the best things about the NFFC is the friends that I have made over the years.

Going to football games, talking COUNTLESS hours on the phone about football to the point that my kids know ALL my friends "usernames" (on my phone) by heart. They know where they live, how many kids they have, and tell me I have a "bromance" with all of them! Draft weekend in the NFFC is by far my most favorite weekend of the year. Catching up with friends and meeting new ones, along with the weekend packed with drafts.... not sure what heaven is like, but NFFC weekend has to be close!

The 14 team format is AWESOME. It is extremely unique in the fact it will test ALL of your fantasy skills over a full season (much more than a 12 IMO).

I know some get upset about H2H from time to time (and getting burned by it is not fun), but I don't think there is any way that you can EVER consider getting rid of that. One of the best features of the NFFC is to win the first place cash, you have to win BOTH H2H and total points to win it all, or play a 3 week playoff. I don't know of ANY pther contest that does this, and I have been burned NUMEROUS times in a one week playoff for all the cash that most other leagues offer.

Greg and Tom, you both have gone to extreme measures to make this the best game out there. This is from someone who has played in almost EVERY high stakes contest out there, and from top to bottom this is clearly the best!

Thanks to the both of you for making this an unbelievable experience each and every year!

[ December 03, 2008, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: BillyWaz ]

Bodie · Post by **Bodie** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:34 pm

My partner and I have just completed our 3rd season of the NFFC. We have finished 59th, 90th and now 93rd overall having never made the championship round. It is extremely dissappointing to say the least, but the thrill of the chase is what gets me. To be honest Greg, we felt pressure every week to make the right roster choices because we just believed there was little or no room for error when playing against the best of the best.

With all that being said though, the NFFC is without a doubt the best fantasy game experience a fan can enter. I will certainly endorse this contest to anyone who will listen.

Already planning for '09!

pizzatyme · Post by **pizzatyme** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:38 pm

Greg, great contest and thanks for bringing this to the table.

I've personally had my worst year in FF. The economy is kicking my arse. I just took a new job and the company I work with sold their bank branches to a competitor. This leaves me without a position. Yippee!

With that said, I have enjoyed this season more than most. Why? Because of the people I've met either in person, over the phone, or through countless PMs.

Noone can take away the nice feeling I had going to dinner with a bunch of great guys between drafts! Sitting there seeing Mr. Kerker and his son talking fantasy football was a beautiful thing. Discussing strategy and the draft with John Piontek, Glenn Karant, John Kistler, et al was awesome! Not to mention drafting besides Danny Dietrick and Rick Hart and the humor they brought to the draft. There are others that shall go nameless.

It was this that makes me come back. The money is nice, but the friendships and thrill of draft day are the essence of this league.

Thanks for an enjoyable, yet unprofitable event!

pizzatyme · Post by **pizzatyme** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:40 pm

P.S. If anyone knows anyone looking for a seasoned sales person, please hook a brother up!

Team Canada · Post by **Team Canada** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:50 pm

The first time I read the rules 3 years ago I said to my self, I don't know if I'll ever win but I'm playing every year from now on...

The first 2 years were a blast and I didn't win a thing

Now that I have won first and second and made it to both playoffs it just made it that much sweeter

So if ya had a bad year don't quite cause quitters never win

Dirty Deeds · Post by **Dirty Deeds** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:13 pm

As you all well know I am a Super Ghost when it comes to posting on the message boards in the four years that I have been a member of the NFFC. This topic DEMANDS my very first post!!

I truly do not think that we players will ever be able to appreciate or ever even begin to understand the personal sacrifice and commitment that Greg, Tom, and their staff have made in order to provide us the VERY BEST Fantasy Football Leagues in the World!!

I personally have emailed Greg several times over the years in regards to a rule or a question at some of the oddest times of day/night and he constantly amazes me with a response in a matter of moments!! Greg...do you ever sleep?

I wish more players would consider it a privilege to play in this league rather than their personal dumping ground for their own inadequacies and paranoia.

For the past ten years I have played in two Private High Dollar Central Florida Fantasy Leagues (Commish One) that have only 12 owners per league and can tell you that the only way anyone will ever get into one of these leagues is when one of the owners dies.

There is no question in my mind that this will be the same with the NFFC in the future. I know that I will never give up my spot and I am confident that there are many class players that feel the same way.

I know that these are tough times for everyone and I am not exempt. I can say though that at the end of any rough day I find solace in the escape to the thrill of the competition and excitement of playing Fantasy Football in the NFFC. I so look forward to playing the Best of The Best that I find myself studying all year to be able to compete at this level.

In the four years as a member I have watched Greg and Tom constantly fine tune the NFFC based on the input and advice from the players. While their have been many excellent suggestions in regards to the rules due to very strange events this year I find it especially troublesome that some players want to pay less to enter and receive more in prizes. Do the math…what are these players thinking?

More importantly I feel that this has been the toughest year for the NFFC and that we should be supporting Greg and Tom with our highest respect and appreciation for everything that they have done to provide us with the ULTIMATE FANTASY FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE!!

Sincerely Dirty,
Deeds

weber7777 · Post by **weber7777** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:40 pm

i enjoyed league this year.. but it is very frustrating when you work your ass off for 11 weeks, then in week 12, you trust that brandon jacobs will play when he's probable every report says he will start, you ride him all year, you have to goto a 5yr old's b-day party and have no access to computer for 4pm games. im fighting for 2nd place in points and for 1st place in head to head, he goes inactive, mcnab gets benched and i plummet and can't catch up even with a good attempt with westy and mcnab the following week..

i blame myself but is it worth the money you put out.

i really do wish these leagues the big ones had 4 team playoffs for 1st 2nd and 3rd place. at least for league titles.

for the tourny, just take the top 45 teams in points after week 13 and be done with it.

There should be no automatic bids into main tournaments.. you should get in on total points period. it honestly blows my mind how many don't see the fairness in doing that and people feel that a guy who wins head to head title with crappy points deserves auto bid into main event ..

if he is truly a good team and does well, he'll get in anyway with his point total. if his team is all that.. this rule change wouldn't scare anyone.. it will reward the best teams.. while keeping the individual leagues fun ..

I just don't know about next year.

im pretty sure i'll be back.. like the people .. doubt i'll do both wcoff and nffc though.

It's just too much. causes too much stress and then when your hit with an event in week 2 that actually cost a team a chance at 100k like fudgie, thats nuts.. he's taking it alot better then i would i have to tell you.

i give him credit.

i've said my peace, maybe i'll prove my team's strength by winning consolation bracket.