Would you consider quiting FF if..................

[stonewall 647]

Hey everyone. I have been on a long hiatus following FF season, and have been a stranger on the bored. I hope that everyone is well and enjoying their off-season.

 

If you have ever read any of my posts, you would understand how much I love fantasy football. Borderline compulsive about it, to be honest. I have been playing for many years now, and it would be hard to imagine football season without it. However, I have been seriously debating my involvement this year, if indeed they play.

 

Here is why: (Please do not take this as bragging, because it absolutely is not....just the facts.) Last season, I had a better finish than any I have ever been involved in. I played in 5 very competitive leagues, including one which was a ridiculously difficult champions-only league, which I was overjoyed to win. I ended up with 3 Championships and 2 3rd place finishes. If I played the rest of my life, I am confident that I could never repeat last season. FF is just so super competitive and there is always the "luck factor" that plays a roll, albeit at a lower percentage than most on this bored would consider reasonable. As Madd FM knows all too well, I put in 10-12 hrs/week last season to get it done. I am highly competitive, and cannot do anything 2nd-rate. It is all or nothing......win it all or go home. I truly hate to lose and understand that disappointment almost certainly lies ahead. Would you bow out while on top(or at least cut it down to one league) and spend more time with family, or dive right back in headlong and go full throttle? Any serious thoughts appreciated.

[MTSkiBum 1,620]

Hey everyone. I have been on a long hiatus following FF season, and have been a stranger on the bored. I hope that everyone is well and enjoying their off-season.

 

If you have ever read any of my posts, you would understand how much I love fantasy football. Borderline compulsive about it, to be honest. I have been playing for many years now, and it would be hard to imagine football season without it. However, I have been seriously debating my involvement this year, if indeed they play.

 

Here is why: (Please do not take this as bragging, because it absolutely is not....just the facts.) Last season, I had a better finish than any I have ever been involved in. I played in 5 very competitive leagues, including one which was a ridiculously difficult champions-only league, which I was overjoyed to win. I ended up with 3 Championships and 2 3rd place finishes. If I played the rest of my life, I am confident that I could never repeat last season. FF is just so super competitive and there is always the "luck factor" that plays a roll, albeit at a lower percentage than most on this bored would consider reasonable. As Madd FM knows all too well, I put in 10-12 hrs/week last season to get it done. I am highly competitive, and cannot do anything 2nd-rate. It is all or nothing......win it all or go home. I truly hate to lose and understand that disappointment almost certainly lies ahead. Would you bow out while on top(or at least cut it down to one league) and spend more time with family, or dive right back in headlong and go full throttle? Any serious thoughts appreciated.

 

10-12 hours a week is a good number in the offseason, how much time do you put in during the season.

 

 

 

 

 

[Hawkfin 32]

10-12 hours a week is a good number in the offseason, how much time do you put in during the season.

 

 

 

 

 

You're going to miss it to much to quit cold turkey, if you're truly a die hard like most all of us!

Nothing wrong with cutting down a few leagues though. Not a bad move after doing so well prior. Especially, if you're talking allot of real $$$$ on the table.

 

I would say you're probably just tired right now. Kinda like you gave it everything you had and are just spent.

You will get that blood boiling again once the season gets near. Been there. Done that.

 

If you truly only care about you're one big season and want to just run away after you succeded then it sounds more like you've never won allot before. Quiting and running is just plain weak and that thought would NEVER even cross my mind.

If you're good, then a let down next year will not scare you! You would just love to play the game. Win or lose.

 

Sounds like you should just cut down leagues a bit to me. Or if you're bored then upgrade to more competative leagues.

 

P.S. - You HAVE to defend a championship/s though. Repeating is just to sweet. Bragging rights too.

[pimptastic69 0]

I think I'm starting to get tired of it. Not just because of the current shenanigans, but even last year I started to grow weary of it.

 

It used to be right around the draft that I'd get this huge itch....then it'd go away for a few weeks....and then around late June it went into full swing. Mock drafts. Spread sheets. Couldn't get enough of it.

 

Just hasn't been like that for the last few years. I commish one league and co-commish two others, and I simply have no desire to do it anymore.

 

Maybe it's just that being a commish is such a pain in the ass and you don't get to actually enjoy playing anymore.

[madd futher mucker 36]

Wow, Stone, that's deep!

 

1st of all, there WILL be a season this year. I know, because I just made my 1st trade for 2011. If you take a year off, I think about October, you'll feel like Favre - sitting on his tractor in Kiln, wishing the phone would ring and it wasn't just Jen's manager. For myself, yes I could afford to spend a little more time with the family, but fantasy football is my outlet to relieve the stress of the day and even procrastinate a little from stuff and get away from the immediate family into my own little world for a while.

 

The whole difference with me is that fantasy football gives me a chance to connect with other family and different friends.

We do have a very competitive Family and Friends league - my son in Ottawa, CA, another son in Denver, a brother of mine in WI and his two sons in Texas, another nephew and some very competitive friends. Also two local leagues, one an auction league with a cool draft party. I wish it was just a little more competitive, but again, I connect with friends and having fun doubling as the auctioneer and then beating their ass during the season. My team name last year was "Back-to-Back" and this year it will be "Three-peat". It's kind of fun to rub their faces in it. And then there are my more competitive leagues, playing against what were strangers once, but competing against some pretty cool guys. I've read in this bored of all these guys who play in leagues that have problems, but the leagues that I'm in just don't have any problems of consequence or I would drop them.

 

And then there's this "blog" thing where I "connect" with some pretty cool people, like yourself. In fact, I was really hoping to retire from it and have you would do it this year - after all, you had a better record last year than did I. Truth is, while fantasy football is something we are both good at, if I was only in it for the winning, I'd likely have quit a long time ago. The earn rate from league winnings isn't enough to justify the time, if that's all you get out of it.

 

So yes, we're both type "A", and we both believe - and rightly so - that we are very good at this game. And we both know that we win more often not....because when it comes to fantasy football, we both can out-think and out-study our competition.

 

But I think what it really comes down to is what ex-NFL players call "missing the locker room"....the smack-talk from and to family and friends, the respect of a few other borderline compulsives like ourselves.

 

My advice is to quit half your leagues, starting with the leagues that you enjoy the least and that don't have that "locker-room" feel to them, and then beat up on "family and friends" in leagues that are fun. and maybe play in a new format that you haven't tried. Just make it more fun!

 

But I'm pretty sure that you'll miss it if you just quit.

[jocstrap 8]

Any year you get a first place is an all world year, no matter how many leagues you are in. You are feeling like this b/c the pressure is finally off your shoulders. You did it. You are truly a ff champion. Now you get to sit back and enjoy the multiple trophies that might occur. The only way to get multiple trophies though, is to be informed and do your work. Of course there is luck involved. But if you were a total dumbass, you wouldn't be in the position to win a title in the first place. Stay thirsty my friend.

[Portis26 0]

it's suppose to be fun, so if your not having any , why play. Winning is about luck and how time you have on your hands. If your putting in 10-12 hours a week, that doesn't seem like fun, more like a non paying job.

 

Pick 1 dynasty league and that's it. Build one team, work with one team. It will minimize the time u put in because once the draft is over there isn' much else to do.

 

All in all : have fun , that's all is suppose to be FUN!!

[Fantasy Noob 10]

I dont think I would ever quit but I hear you on the burning out bit, heres my 2 cents.

 

Thats a lot of time to be putting in to FF, as long as it is still fun and you would still enjoy all those leagues if you lost them, then I dont think there is any reason to quit or take a break.

 

I enjoy the one league I am in with friends, co-workers and people that I know and play for free each year a lot more than the money leagues. The money leagues are cold and aloof with very little banter back and forth and any banter that does occur frequently has a nasty edge to it that I dont like. Even winning these is somewhat unsatisfying as it is a bunch of people I don't know.

 

That said I like to gamble...a lot, way more than I should and I find that coming home on Sunday to review my teams and their standings as a several month long gamble. So I use the bankroll management rule of never risking what you cant afford to lose to ensure it stays fun (general rule is never more than 10% of your bankroll in any one session). Playing in several small $100 or less leagues keeps it interesting for me without too much of a financial cost involved.

 

That said after the draft and the first month it starts to become a bit of grind. I like to try and keep all my leagues localized in one or two websites so less navigating around and working with different rules, and navigation tools to keep the fun up. But it really is the people you play with that makes the leagues fun so I think I might be pulling back to even lower limits and fewer leagues in the future.

 

 

Good luck and I hope you dont quit because I enjoy your posts and insight quite a bit.

[posty 2,714]

LOL @ putting in 10-12 hours a week for a game that is luck...

[madd futher mucker 36]

LOL @ putting in 10-12 hours a week for a game that is luck...

 

Stonewall: "Last season, I had a better finish than any I have ever been involved in. I played in 5 very competitive leagues, including one which was a ridiculously difficult champions-only league, which I was overjoyed to win. I ended up with 3 Championships and 2 3rd place finishes."

 

Just because there is a luck aspect to the game doesn't mean one cannot become a consistent winner, even against tough competition. As someone else who puts in 10-12 hours a week on my fantasy football hobby, I can assure you that Stoney's record last year is not the results of luck. Stoney has been a winning player for years, he just never had the success he had this last year. So the 'luck' aspect meant that instead of winning one or two championships out of 5 tough leagues, he won three.

 

I know of professional poker players who put in much more than 40 hours a week and make a great living at another game that many would consider luck.

[De Novo 0]

Stonewall: "Last season, I had a better finish than any I have ever been involved in. I played in 5 very competitive leagues, including one which was a ridiculously difficult champions-only league, which I was overjoyed to win. I ended up with 3 Championships and 2 3rd place finishes."

 

Just because there is a luck aspect to the game doesn't mean one cannot become a consistent winner, even against tough competition. As someone else who puts in 10-12 hours a week on my fantasy football hobby, I can assure you that Stoney's record last year is not the results of luck. Stoney has been a winning player for years, he just never had the success he had this last year. So the 'luck' aspect meant that instead of winning one or two championships out of 5 tough leagues, he won three.

 

I know of professional poker players who put in much more than 40 hours a week and make a great living at another game that many would consider luck.

Exactly. It's only luck if everyone in your league puts in the same 5 minutes a week.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

I've finished 1st or 2nd in my league the past 5 years. 1 Championship 5 years ago. I've choked out of the playoffs before the championship game every year since I won it all. I toss out a few expletives every year when Im bounced, but thats what makes fantasy football great.

 

However, I doubt anybody will be playing NFL fantasy football this year. If that is the case, I'm done with the NFL for at least a couple seasons. Me and my friends will give fantasy college ball a shot.

[Urlacher54 0]

Uhh Hello? YOU PLAY.......TO WIN.......THE GAME. you dont play to just play it. I dont care if you have any wins, you gonna play win and if your tellin me it doesnt matter, go retire, get out!

[Mike MacGregor 20]

The great thing stone is you don't have to decide right now. Relax, take some time. Put it out of your mind. When football starts to turn the gears again, then you'll want to get back to your routine, or at least to some degree. By all means cut back if you find the number of leagues to be too much. Don't quit cold turkey and don't stop because you had an exceptional year (congrats, by the way!). You don't think you can match that again? Try. You've got a skill, so use it. Winning never gets boring. I think that is a quote from Tom Brady.

[giraldi02 474]

I agree with several sentiments here. For one, focus on maybe two leagues that have an intimate feel. Friends and family league or one with close coworkers. Another thing is possibly limit yourself during the year. I enjoy the financial aspect of fantasy...but I also do it as a relief of my stresses.

 

If I can't enjoy it when I don't win, maybe its too much. I lost my main money league in the quarterfinals but felt good afterwards and wished the best to a couple guys and was happy for the guy that won. It's a game.

 

Sadly...somewhere along the way, many of the current NFLers forgot that.

 

My problem entering this season is...I'm becoming apathetic about football. Normally Im still reading my eagles blogs and message boards excited about the draft. Right now, I just hate the players and owners alike. =\

[420allstars 13]

I agree with several sentiments here. For one, focus on maybe two leagues that have an intimate feel. Friends and family league or one with close coworkers. Another thing is possibly limit yourself during the year. I enjoy the financial aspect of fantasy...but I also do it as a relief of my stresses.

 

If I can't enjoy it when I don't win, maybe its too much. I lost my main money league in the quarterfinals but felt good afterwards and wished the best to a couple guys and was happy for the guy that won. It's a game.

 

Sadly...somewhere along the way, many of the current NFLers forgot that.

 

My problem entering this season is...I'm becoming apathetic about football. Normally Im still reading my eagles blogs and message boards excited about the draft. Right now, I just hate the players and owners alike. =\

 

I wish I could take the attitude, I still cant get enough, still watch all the draft combines, NFL network path to the draft, read Rotoworld, ect, everyday.. Obviously I have Toned it down since the seasons end but I personally find FF to be part of my routine, a way to wind down after the kids have gone to bed..

[stonewall 647]

Great replies guys. I knew that a thread of this type would be full of incoherent and unhelpful responses from yo-yo's if it was posted close to the FF season when the bored is on fire, but figured that if I posted during the "off-season" when mostly only serious FF players were around, that I would get some helpful advice.....and with the exception of Posty (which we have come to expect), I did. Thanks for taking the time. I have gained respect for several of you over the years, and consider your FF/NFL insights a big factor in any success that I have achieved in this pursuit.

 

Through your input on this topic, you have reminded me of one very important thing: You cannot quit something that you truly love and enjoy simply because you hate to lose.....and I do. Like Madd said..."type A". I truly wish that I wasn't wired that way, but there is no escaping the reality of what the good Lord gave you. Heck, I even quit a church volleyball league because I simply couldn't stand to see some of my teammates just lolley-gagging around and costing us games. Of course, I never said anything to them and simply smiled in defeat, but inside I was miserable.

 

The point is, barring a small miracle (like again finding this years Hillis and Foster in all my drafts), this coming FF season will be a let down compared to last, which I will hate......but I would hate even worse to miss the ride. I will cut out at least 1 and perhaps 2 leagues which I enjoyed the least....take Mikes advice and take some time and enjoy the off-season......then let the chips fall where they may. If I go down, it will not be without a fight. Not to mention, other guys in my leagues deserve a shot at the champ. I know that I always feel that way when I lose to somebody else.

 

Thanks again guys.......you are trusted advisers and at the top of your game.

 

Now.........lets hope they play!

[WhiteWonder 2,766]

the last 2-3 seasons have been my worst. I think I won 1 league out of 15 or so total for the 3 years (2 if you count FFToday's triumph in the IBL). And thinking back on it, these have been the years i've spent the most time doing research, analyzing, draft prep, etc.

 

i think we sometimes tend to overdo it. I experienced alot more success when i read less FF junk on the internet (rankings, cheatsheets, opinions) and just went with my own gut and my own football/player knowledge.

 

I don't think winning 3 out of 5 leagues and being competative in all of them is any reason to flat out quit. What is this? Win and retire on top? Its fantasy football. We do it as a hobby. A golfer wouldn't likely quit after breaking 80 or 70 or whatever they consider their goal.

 

If you feel the need to cut back for personal reasons, thats a different story. But I see no reason not to call this a fresh year and try to win or do your best as you always do.

[madd futher mucker 36]

the last 2-3 seasons have been my worst. I think I won 1 league out of 15 or so total for the 3 years (2 if you count FFToday's triumph in the IBL). And thinking back on it, these have been the years i've spent the most time doing research, analyzing, draft prep, etc.

 

i think we sometimes tend to overdo it. I experienced alot more success when i read less FF junk on the internet (rankings, cheatsheets, opinions) and just went with my own gut and my own football/player knowledge.

 

I don't think winning 3 out of 5 leagues and being competative in all of them is any reason to flat out quit. What is this? Win and retire on top? Its fantasy football. We do it as a hobby. A golfer wouldn't likely quit after breaking 80 or 70 or whatever they consider their goal.

 

If you feel the need to cut back for personal reasons, thats a different story. But I see no reason not to call this a fresh year and try to win or do your best as you always do.

 

Yes, but I know what your problem is, Wonder. You would do much better at fantasy, at least in our league, if you would accept my ridiculously sweet trade offers.

[archiedoggie 0]

I understand what you're saying. Being the commish is a real drag. I dont do FF for the responsibility. I do it for the joy. I think you should back off on being commish in all 3 leagues. Then see how you feel next offseason. That way you can have a less stressful role and spend less time overall and more time on your teams.

 

I also like the suggestion of having only one dynasty team and making that your bread and butter. I have never been in more than 4 leagues. It is way too much to do. I'm a public educator, so the fall is always a busy time. I guess that's part of my reason...

 

As for "Too much success" it's such a weird one to mention, but you have to get over it. In 2002, I drafted 1. Holmes, 2. JLewis, 3. Moss, and my Qb was Bulger when he was hot and McNair during his hot stretch. I had close to a perfect draft, in a highly competitive league. I won the first 4 weeks and never looked back. It was a big money league and I won like 10 weeks. My total points was like 1800 (or something ridiculous). And that was only a 2wr/no flex league. I won over $1200 and just flat ass dominated.

 

Now that I'm done kissing my own genitals, my point is that I will never have another season that good. Few people ever will. And I do consider myself reasonably good at FF, but ever since, I've been more liberal with what I do because I just wont top that. But it's ok. I love scouting. I mentioned in a previous post that I traded McFadden and Foster last year. Stupid moves. But I'm convinced I'll find another one. And at the end of the year I had Blount. Not saying he'll be it, but who knows?

 

Scouting is fun. Playing with yourself is the best! LOL. It's cool to see if you're right on guys and if your wrong try to figure out why.

 

Thats my take. Scout and enjoy the game. Forget the bs and other peoples drama.

 

I live my life one lineup setting at a time. Nothing else matters. Not the league fees, not my job, not my leaguemates and all their bullshit. For those ten seconds or less, I'm free.

[jdon 28]

Commishing can be very draining... I know that I would like to stop commishing the one league I run, but if I did it might not continue...

 

Fantasy football has, in some ways, jumped the shark, turned around and jumped the shark again. The same quarrels that were ruining leagues ten years ago are being rehashed again and again to the point where it does become frustrated. I know that for me I will be going from 7 leagues to two this year these are with close friends and family. I do this because these two leagues have existed long enough to avoid drama...

 

grown men acting like high school socs and greasers over 100$ leagues is ###### ridiculous!

jdon

 

I think I'm starting to get tired of it. Not just because of the current shenanigans, but even last year I started to grow weary of it.

 

It used to be right around the draft that I'd get this huge itch....then it'd go away for a few weeks....and then around late June it went into full swing. Mock drafts. Spread sheets. Couldn't get enough of it.

 

Just hasn't been like that for the last few years. I commish one league and co-commish two others, and I simply have no desire to do it anymore.

 

Maybe it's just that being a commish is such a pain in the ass and you don't get to actually enjoy playing anymore.

[mobb_deep 920]

As with everything else in life, moderation is key.

[Me_2006 14]

Brett Favre>>>Stonewall.

[remote controller 143]

Hey everyone. I have been on a long hiatus following FF season, and have been a stranger on the bored. I hope that everyone is well and enjoying their off-season.

 

If you have ever read any of my posts, you would understand how much I love fantasy football. Borderline compulsive about it, to be honest. I have been playing for many years now, and it would be hard to imagine football season without it. However, I have been seriously debating my involvement this year, if indeed they play.

 

Here is why: (Please do not take this as bragging, because it absolutely is not....just the facts.) Last season, I had a better finish than any I have ever been involved in. I played in 5 very competitive leagues, including one which was a ridiculously difficult champions-only league, which I was overjoyed to win. I ended up with 3 Championships and 2 3rd place finishes. If I played the rest of my life, I am confident that I could never repeat last season. FF is just so super competitive and there is always the "luck factor" that plays a roll, albeit at a lower percentage than most on this bored would consider reasonable. As Madd FM knows all too well, I put in 10-12 hrs/week last season to get it done. I am highly competitive, and cannot do anything 2nd-rate. It is all or nothing......win it all or go home. I truly hate to lose and understand that disappointment almost certainly lies ahead. Would you bow out while on top(or at least cut it down to one league) and spend more time with family, or dive right back in headlong and go full throttle? Any serious thoughts appreciated.