NFL.com Fantasy Football another Free Fantasy Football game and League Manager 2005 (not free)

OK, now that I've finished trashing Dolphins TE Randy McMichael, it's time to continue with our pre-season look at the Fantasy Football games for which we will be performing our unique brand of analysis and point prediction.

Today's games (like you couldn't figure it out from the title of the post) are NFL.com's Fantasy 2005 and League Manager 2005.

Starting with the price. While NFL.com Fantasy 2005 is free, League Manager will run you $129.95 per league through August 17. After that the price goes up to $149.95.

You can sign up for the Fantasy 2005 free game at:

http://football.nfl.com/splash/football/nfl/single

or, League Manager 2005 at:

http://football.nfl.com/splash/football/nfl/mgmt

We will be covering only the default scoring system used by both Fantasy 2005 and League Manager 2005. (Note: League manager 2005 asks you to set your scoring system as part of the league creation process. The default will come up automatically. If you want our analysis and projection to work for you specific league, make sure the setting match the ones listed below. This includes the fact that no bonuses are to be used).

The scoring system:

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Passing:

• 1 point for every 25 yards passing
• 6 points for every passing TD
• Minus two points (-2) for every interception thrown
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble lost

Rushing:

• 1 point for every 10 yards rushing
• 6 points for every rushing TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble los

Receiving

• 1 point for every 10 yards receiving
• 6 points for every receiving TD
• 2 points for every 2-point conversion
• Minus two points (-2) for each fumble los

KICKERS

• 1 point for every Extra Point
• 3 points for every FG: 1 - 49 yards
• 5 points for every FG: 50+ yards

TEAM DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS

• 6 points for a 6 TD
• 2 points for each interception
• 2 points for each fumble recovered
• 2 points for each safety
• 1 point for each sack
  
• 8 points for 0-6 points allowed
• 6 points for 7-13 points allowed
• 4 point for 14-20 points allowed
• 2 points for 21-27 points allowed
• 0 points for 27+ points allowed
• 12 points for less than 0-49 yards allowed
  
• 10 points for 50-99 yards allowed
• 8 points for 100-149 yards allowed
• 6 points for 150-199 yards allowed
• 4 points for 200-249 yards allowed
• 2 points for 250-299 yards allowed
• 0 points for 300+ yards allowed

Oh, and one more thing, this game awards prizes, To the top three "Championship Ratios" (a mathematical formula almost worthy of Rocket Man) for all leagues will win:

• First Prize: A trip for two to Super Bowl XL (That's 40 for our Miami fans) in Detroit (wow...),
• Second prize: A trip to NYC for the 2006 draft
• Third Prize: A VIP trip for two to the 2006 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

As usual, we will provide you with all the customizes ranking and player point projections as part of our "Member's Only" draft package.

As for the next game we will be examining - Last year's new kid and one of the most successful on the block, Best Buy Fantasy Football.

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