Mister2 Romps Thru Fantasy Football Draft With Natalee Holloway and Maria Sharapova While Playing Poker & Doing Fantasy Football Stastistics Analysis

If you read my posts regularly, you know that on occasion, the sweeter side of my personality tends to ooze out a bit. Recently, however, I've been very good at keeping myself in check while posting the Introduction to Fantasy Football series.

I haven't even taken a single shot at some of my favorite worthless (mental) institutions like the University of MeatChicken, The"Ewe" (Miami for our new readers), The Knitting Lions of Penn State, and Condom U (the USC Trojans). I've even been nice to such undeserving organizations as the Tennessee Titanics, the Cleveland Clowns, and the Cincinnati Bungles. Shoot, I haven't even torn into those few readers who email me with an occasional differing and unenlightened (for our Miami readers that means wrong) opinion from mine.

That's why it was so unexpected when the cruelest cut of all came from within our own organization. Yes, it's true! I've been "Pearl Harbored" (Miami readers, than means snuck up on and attacked) by our own Mister2.

The cut? I've been told by Mister2 that I need to write "Better Headlines". BETTER HEADLINES! Well how do you like today's better headline 2?

Now, Mister2, I've always supported you in every possible way. For example, when you went to Vegas to cover the NASCAR races and ended up loosing the entire StatLeader budget for the next two years in the Casino, who was the first one to stand up for you? Well...it wasn't actually me but I thought about it.....sort of.

And who was it that saved you from that job of selling USC "Tommy the Trojan" Condoms outside the Rose Bowl? Well...no one since you weren't actually doing that, but if you had been I would have thought about that too.

Face it 2, you're jealous. Why? How about the following facts just for starters:

1. My Fantasy Football teams (almost) always beat yours.
2. I have more hair on my head (OK, maybe only 3 of 4 more hairs, but still more).
3. I'm older and as such command (Miami fans, that means am supposed to get) more respect.
4. I'm taller, which means I can see better at the games.

You may think you're safe since you are still back in the LA office while I'm out here in DC. But remember this, the almost fanatically devoted (Miami readers, than means they like me a lot) members of my worldwide fan club will be watching you. (The only problem is one member is sick and the only other one has to work all the time)

So you want lurid (that means shocking, Miami fans) exciting headlines 2? No problem. Now let's see, who can I link you up with next?

Drafting Your Team

We have come to the part of the pre-season where it is time to draft your team. So, what is the best way to do this? Well, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration.

First, you should have checked the rules for a description of exactly how many players you need to have on your team at each position and in total. Some leagues will be very strict as to what positions exist (exactly 4 RBs, 4 WRs, 2 TEs, etc.) while others will allow some flexibility (3RBS, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 2 RBs/WRs, 2 WRs/TEs, etc.). Now how do you pick to fill these slots? Jest hold on for a moment.

The second thing you should have done was gain an understanding of your scoring system. That will tell you who the most valuable players are (along with a little help from us) so you can fill your slots smartly.

For example, if you are in a league where the rules allow you the fill some slots with either a RB or a WR and the scoring system favors the RBs, well, I think you can figure that one out. Also, look for advantages within a position. If your scoring system favors running QBs, you probably want to draft a Michael Vick or Daunte Culpepper over a lead-footed Peyton Manning.

OK, you next question is probably "How do I know what my scoring system favors?". Just leave that one to us. Starting with our next post, we will be looking at the scoring systems of the games we follow. We'll describe each one and tell you what to look for. Then, (here is where the membership plug comes in), for our members, our Draft Package will rate all the players based on the game specific scoring system.

One more thing. Watch out for the bye weeks when you draft. Nothing worse than having half of you roster sitting on the bench one week forcing you to either dump some of them or suck it up and take the loss.

As I mentioned, our next post will start to look at the different games that we track. Expanded versions of the Introduction to Fantasy Football posts along with some parts you didn't get to see (for example changing and maintaining your roster during the season) will soon be posted on the Member side (Come on, you didn't think you were going to get everything for free now did you?)

Also for members, we will be offering an analysis of your individual scoring system should it not be one of those we track. (See it really does pay to join.)

So check back for our game specific analysis starting with the games provided through ESPN.

We'll continue in a moment but first...

Our Introduction to Fantasy Football series will contine tomorrow. In the meantime, we wanted to note a few of items of importance.

First, We are rescheduling our team-by-team player analysis for mid-July. This will allow more time to do a scoring analysis for each of the major games that we will be covering this year as part of the ongoing Introduction to Fantasy Football series. We'll provide you with an exact date shortly but look for somewhere around the 15th.

Second, Our draft package will be available to members in early August. This package will be unlike anything else you will find in the Fantasy Football market. This is because we will be ranking players based on each of the individual games we cover.

What does that mean? It means the ESPN games, Yahoo!, NFL.com, AOL and the rest will each have their own customized draft ranking list. (Not the one generic list that other Fantasy Football information providers supply and expect you to use for every game in the Fantasy Football world.)

Third, our IT folks are working on a site redesign. Can't say exactly what it's gonna look like, but I've been told it's really (really) cool.

Yep, it's going to be a great year here at StatLeader. Be sure to be part of it with us.

Know Your Scoring System

Regardless of which game or games you have picked to play, the ultimate goal is simple enough, kick the rest of the league's butts.

OK, so how do you go about doing that? Obviously, gathering knowledge about players and their teams is an important element. There certainly are enough sources of information out there, pre-season publications, web sites, radio and TV shows dedicated to Fantasy Football, and of course, the office know-it-all who is always willing to tell you why your entire lineup stinks.

This information, while essential (except perhaps for the know-it-all) is not all important. It must be used in concert with an equally critical piece of data found within the rules. It's the description of the scoring system. The information contained here can make or break your season. If you want to win, you need to understand how you scoring system works.

Why is this so important? Well, because the scoring system determines the aspect of a player's performance that are of most value. It tells you not only which players are best at a certain position but also which positions are most important. Given that each provider sets their individual scoring format, player and positional rankings can vary significantly from game to game.

Let's look at an example. In last year's ESPN leagues, KC wide receiver/kick returner Daunte Hall was a mediocre choice at best, right? Right....except for the ESPN Yardage Only leagues. There he ranked as the third best offensive player in the NFL, just ahead of Peyton Manning.

Wait a minute, Daunte Hall ahead of Peyton Manning? How can this be? Simple, the ESPN Yardage Only scoring system doesn't award points for passing or rushing TDs and does count kickoff and punt return yards on an equal basis with rushing and receiving yards. Under that format all of Manning's TDs didn't earn a single point while all of Hall's receiving and return yards did.

Not convinced yet? How about another example? One of the most popular new games on the scene last year was Best Buy's entry into the Fantasy Football world. Free to play and offering great prizes, the game allowed you to pick a new lineup every week. This was a salary cap game in which every player or team cost a certain amount. The trick is to get the best performers while staying at or below a $240 fantasy salary cap.

One of the roster slots in the Best Buy game is for a team defense. So how do you determine which team to pick? Start by looking at the scoring system. Best Buy awarded points as follows:

• 3 points per sack, interception, or fumble recovery
• 10 points per defensive TD
• 2 points per sack

Wait a minute, there's nothing here about points allowed or yards given up. Why, the other team could score 70 points and gain 900 yards and it doesn't matter. That's right, doesn't matter.

A defense that pitches a shutout and holds the opposition to under 100 yards but gets not turnovers, defensive TDs or sacks will be clobbered by one that allows tons of points and tons of yards but gets the turnovers, sacks, and maybe a defensive TD or two.

Now, let's spend a minute looking at scorings systems in general. Each game obviously carries with it some type of scoring system to translate player performances into what we all care about, "Points". Unfortunately, there are about as many scoring systems out there as there are games. Generally though they will fall into one of three categories:

1. The game providers default performance system
2. A customized league performance system
3. A salary cap system

Default performance scoring systems are set by the game provider based on what they feel offers the most realistic version of the game. There are many similarities between formats, but the subtleties in each system still provide valuable information. Two of the most important offensive categories are yards gained and TDs. Most formats try to equalize these categories between rushing/receiving yards and passing yards by requiring more passing yards to earn a point.

Some common rushing formats are:

• WCOFF, AOL: 20 passing yards vs 10 rushing/receiving yards per point (a 20/10 system)
• ESPN, CBS/NFL, Best Buy: 25 passing yards vs 10 rushing/receiving yards per point (a 25/10 system)
• Yahoo!: 50 passing yards vs 20 rushing/receiving yards per point (same as a 25/10)
• Fox/Sporting News: 1 point per passing yard, 2 points per rushing/receiving yard (again same as a 25/10)

For TDs:

• WCOFF, ESPN, AOL: 4 points for a passing TD vs 6 points for a rushing/receiving TD (a 2/3 system)
• Yahoo!, CBS/NFL: 6 points for passing, rushing, or receiving TDs (a 1/1 system)
• Fox/Sporting News: 60 points for passing, rushing, or receiving TDs (a 1/1 system)
• Best Buy: 5 points per passing TD vs 10 points per rushing or receiving TD (a 1/2 system)

What does this mean?

• For yards gained, the lower the first number in the ratio (that is 20/10 vs 25/10) the more important a passing QB is in the system, that is less passing yards required to earn a point. Conversely, the higher the first number, the greater the value of a running QB.
• For TDs, the closer the ratio is to 1 (i.e. 1/1 is better than 2/3 which in turn is better than 1/2) the more important the QB position, especially a passing QB. Conversely, a smaller ratio, deemphasizes the value of the QB position but does strongly favor the rushing QB such as a Vick or Culpepper.

Turning to custom performance scoring systems, things get a lot trickier. These are usually created by your league commissioner who, chances are either has no idea what he or she is doing, or knows exactly what he or she is doing based on who they plan to draft. In either case, you need to understand the impacts of their customizations.

During the 2003 season I was in a customized league where offensive players were awarded 1 point every time they carried the ball. Realizing the impact of this scoring option early on allowed me to stack my offense with ball carriers giving me a tremendous advantage and leading to an easily won league championship.

Why was this so important? Simple, the ball carrier (RB, QB, TE, WR) got a point just for touching the ball, even if they lost yardage. A running back who gained only 75 yards on 35 carries (42 points) would easily outdistance one with 175 yards on 12 carries (29 points). See the value of understanding the system?

Hopefully you can start to see how your scoring system will shape your lineup. In our next post we will examine just that, using your league rules and scoring system to form the best possible lineup.

Check Out the Rules

Our series on the basics of getting started in Fantasy Football continues. So far we have looked at game providers and types of leagues. Next up will be a discussion on the rules of the game.

Each game provider will post the specific rules of their game in some location on their site. Now it may not be in some obvious spot so you may have to look for it a bit, but it will be will worth your effort.

When you find the rules they will usually contain a lot of wording worthy of a high priced big city lawyer. Hidden in all these words, however, are some valuable pieces of information. Information on things such as adding and dropping players, the trading process, scoring systems (to be examined in our next post), playoffs, prizes, eligibility requirements, and so on.

It is important to have at least a basic understanding of how all these work and doing so will give you a distinct advantage over the rest of the league who, with the possible exception of the Commissioner, have never looked at nor ever will look at the rules.

lets look at one small example. If you read the rules for elligibility for Best Buy's Fantasy Football Challenge, it states that there is a limit of "one account per person/email address". It further states that "Any attempt by any person to create more than one Account by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, or any other methods will void all of that person's Accounts and that person will be disqualified."

Wow, pretty tuff wording. So what do you do the get around this if you want multiple accounts? Simple, you create multiple e-mail addresses (very easy to do) and open a Best Buy account in your spouse's name as well as the names of any other family members (18 or older). This way you could submit 2, 3, 4 or more rosters, depending on the size and ages of your household, while staying within the rules.

Again, it can be painful, but is distinctly to your advantage to know the rules.

In our next post we will look at two specific areas of the rules, roster composition and scoring systems. Be sure and check back.

Now, Let's Pick a League

OK, you have chosen your game provider, now it's time to figure out what league you want. That will be the topic of the second part of our introduction to Fantasy Football series.

Generally, you will find two types of leagues, Public and Private. Your game provider will likely ask you which one of these two you are interested in. Here are the differences between as well as the pros and cons of the two.

A Public league is open to anyone who registers with a game provider. You don't know anyone else who plays. You can opt in on a public league and the game provider will automatically place you into a league with nine or so other individuals who are in the same situation.

The pros of this are, that you don't have to be part of a pre-existing group to play (obviously) and that the basic or "default" scoring system is used which keeps things pretty simple. On the down side, you don't know who will be in you league. I've been in public leagues that were filled with some really great owners and I've been in leagues where several owners lose interest by week three (really ruins the game).

A Private is just that, Private....by invitation only. Usually one person (The Commissioner) will set the league up and coordinate the sending out of invitations to the rest of the owners. If you are asked to join, the Commissioner will supply you with the necessary information to set up your team.

The pros revolve around the fact that you know the other owners as you generally keep the same league members from year to year. As for cons, you are somewhat at the mercy of the Commish. He has the power to tailor the scoring system (in some cases to his/her advantage) and has the ability to manipulate the rules (i.e. veto power on trades). Remember, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely", even in Fantasy Football.

What's that you say? You have a bunch of friends that want to play, but not enough to fill a Private league. And...you don't want to join on the public side since everyone will likely all end up in different leagues. So, what do you do?

Well, most game providers have anticipated this situation. What happens is that they will allow you to set up a Private league but will use players requesting a public league to fill out the open spaces on your roster. Don't worry, it's all well controlled as the Commish gets to specify the exact number of slots to be filled with public owners. That keeps the roster slots you have designated for you original group locked up nice and tight.

With the above information, you should be able to get set up in a league type of your choosing. But before you do that, there are a few more things you need to consider. Tomorrow, we will look at the first of those, the ever popular and confusing League Rules.

Let's Get Started

Today we will begin our series on how to get started in Fantasy Football. Over the next couple of weeks we will provide you with all the basics needed to get set up, followed by an evaluation of many of the games available (along with some occasional unashamed self-promoting).

The first question many of you have had is "How do I actually get a team?" Good question. For the novice this can be really confusing. It leads to numerous other questions like "What if I want to play but I don't know anyone else who does?", "Which game should I play?", and "What type of leagues are there and which one should I get into?". Let's start with the basics.

Game Providers:

A game provider is the person or organization that is responsible for setting up the structure of and access to the game. By structure of, I mean both the rules and the scoring system. (By the way, we'll talk about both of these over the next few days)

Game providers can range from the giants (ESPN, NFL.com, CBSSportsline.com, FOX/Sporting News, and AOL to name a few) to the guy next door. It's important to stop here and note that you don't have to go to one of the big guys' web sites to play the game. If you have a group of 8, 10, or 12 friends, you can set up your own rules and scoring system and go from there. The drawback to this is that you will have to find someone to chug the numbers as you won't have the automatic stat calculations and fancy options available on the web sites.

If you opt to go through a web site, you will find a wide variety of choices available. Some sites offer free games, some make you pay. Some offer prizes, some don't. Some providers offer multiple games, some, only one. Generally, the "bells and whistles" (player information, stat calculations, real-time scoring, etc.)and/or prizes available to you increase as cost goes up. It's up to you to decide how much you want to spend and at exactly what level you want to participate.

For the beginner, we recommend two games, Yahoo! Fantasy Football and Best Buy's Fantasy Football Challenge. Why? Well, for one thing, both leagues are free. If you try them and decide you don't like the game, you haven't lost anything.

In the Yahoo! game you can join a public league or be part of a private league. (We'll look at those tomorrow). The calculation to determine point standings are provided for you as are a certain amount of analysis and support information. Extra features such as real-time scoring are available for an additional fee. No prizes are awarded with the first place winner securing only bragging rights. (Note: I actually played in a Yahoo! league my first year and found it to be a tremendous amount of fun).

As for Best Buy's game, it is structured in a completely different manner. Unlike Yahoo!, this is a salary cap game (to be discussed tomorrow). The goal is win one of numerous really cool weekly prizes by picking the best lineup (different every week). There are no actual leagues, it's all about trying to be one of the top 200 or so (55 during the playoffs) out of the thousands that play the game each week.

As I already noted both games are free. You can play one, the other, or both (or technically neither if you're dull and/or boring).

Tomorrow we will continue this series with a look at the types of leagues and games that exist as well as providing a few hints on the signup process.

Getting Started In Fantasy Football

We have received a number of questions from visitors to our site concerning how to get started playing fantasy football. These question have ranged from "Where and how do I sign up?" to "What are the rules?" to "How do I actually play the game?" to "Who do you recommend?".

To help those of you that are new to the fantasy football world as well as providing some good information for our existing members, we are going to do the following:

Starting later this week we will present a series of articles on basic rules, scoring systems, philosophies and approaches to fantasy football along with a detailed examination of many of the leading games that currently exist. We'll also give you our thoughts and recommendations on a variety of things.

This series should prove to be both interesting and informative for everyone from the novice to the advanced fantasy football player, so get ready, here it comes.

Team-by-Team Analysis and Customized Draft Packages

Starting July 1 we will begin our team-by team Fantasy Football preview. Each day through August 1 we will provide a top-level examination on the public site with detailed league specific player-by-player analysis on the member side.

Why is the league specific analysis so important? Because it takes into account your individual scoring system. For example, if you had to pick between Peyton Manning and Daunte Hall, who would you choose? A no brainer right? Right...EXCEPT if you were in the ESPN Yardage League where Hall actually finished ahead of Manning in the final rankings.

This is one of the reasons we give you more than the other Fantasy sites. We track each league individually and use our proprietary (for Miami fans: that means protected) formulas to project future performance.

Last year we tracked 12 leagues including all ESPN default scoring systems, FOX/Sporting News, CBS Sportsline/NFL.com, Yahoo!, AOL, and Best Buy leagues. We are adding several more this year including the WCOFF.

We will also be providing league specific draft packages in early August. Additionally our members who are in a league with its own unique system will have the opportunity to sign up for a special multi-level individualized analysis package.

It's going to be an exciting year at StatLeader.

Finally! + All Gone + And Your Point Is?

"Finally!"

• Finally, some of the fans of the college football programs I have been commenting on have started to come forward with their true feelings. I even got a couple that were clear, concise, and intelligently written (thus by deduction, not from Miami or MeatChicken Fans).
• To those of you that took the time to write with such care, I would like to say that your points were well taken and quite valid. I'd like to say it, but I just can't, because it simply isn't true. All the best writing skills in the world are meaningless if your facts are wrong. Next time, try doing some research BEFORE writing.
• Oh, and to Kim in Oxford, Ohio... I wasn't talking a your Miami. First of all, the Miami of Ohio mascot is not some type of mutated pelican-seagull like thing. Second, you are not the Hurricanes, and... Third, last I looked you didn't have a logo for the word University on your football team's helmets. Come on Kim, before you send off vindictive messages, make sure you know exactly who and what I'm talking about.
  

"All Gone"

• Also, I sorry to have to report that all the free Beltway memberships have been claimed. Thanks to all of you that emailed in. Sorry there can't be more right now. (Right Now?) Well, to paraphrase Curly (figure out which one) "Summer ain't over yet."

"And Your Point Is?"

• Kurt Kittner threw for two touchdowns as the Amsterdam Admirals beat the Berlin Thunder 27-21 in World Bowl XII. OK, and...?

Adding 10 + Preview + Miami, Penn State, and USC

The StatLeader Van has been spied by several of you on the DC Beltway. In fact, we have received enough correct responses to use up all of the free memberships plus a few. However....Given your enthusiastic response, we'll offer 10 more, but that's it. If you are one of the first ten to send the required information (see yesterday's post) you'll get a full year's membership free of charge.

Speaking of memberships, we will soon be giving you information on this year's membership package. In addition to our customized Fantasy Football stat analysis, you'll see player rankings, league specific point projections, cheatsheets, team-by-team analysis, and our special customized draft package. Get ready for the season with the StatLeader advantage.

Meanwhile, sad poorly written responses to my earlier posts continue to trickle in from the fans of "The Ewe" (Miami) and the "Knitting Lions" (Penn State). I really didn't expect much from "The Ewe", but I thought the Penn State fans would at least try to write something intelligent. Why we ever let you into the Big Ten I'll never know. Even the University of MeatChicken fans can do better that that. Guess I need to go pick on some other school. Hmmmm...how about Condom U, you know the USC Trojans.

He SoCal, I just moved from your back yard where I got ever so tired of hearing you brag about you back-to-back National titles. I'll give you '04 but in my humble opinion (the right one by the way) you never should have been in the '03 title game. I'm sure there are many fans at a certain other school that would agree with me.

For the record, will you win it again in '05? No! In fact, not only will you not win your conference, you'll be lucky to land close to a BCS slot. Stay positive though and while you're at it try getting that horrid looking band some real uniforms. No reason they have to look as bad as they play.

1 Down - 4 To Go

Last post I let you know about our offer of free memberships (a $19.99 value) for the first 5 people to spot the StatLeader.com van on the DC Beltway.

Congrats to Rebecca J. of Virginia for being the first to email me calling out four of the seven letters/numbers on the license plate in the correct order. (To Phil from WVa, sorry dude, saying CALI(fornia) doesn't count. Nice try though)

In all fairness to the rest of you, the StatLeader Van was not on the Beltway yesterday, this morning, or until about 7:00 this evening. Look for her between 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning and 5:00-6:00 in the evening the rest of this week.

Again, to win one of the remaining memberships send me any four of the seven letters or numbers IN THE CORRECT ORDER they appear on the plate at docbitters@statleader.com.

Meanwhile, in the news:

"Are we surprised since no one else in the world can play the game decently?"

• Players from 27 NFL teams will appear in the World Bowl....."Yawn"

Free Memberships + Yes I Know We Are PRO Fantasy + Announcement

Three important items:

First:

• We're putting our money where our mouth is.
  
• We are pleased to announce that we will be participating in the ProFantasySports Experts Challenge Charity League this year. This is a league comprised of teams sponsored by many of the main Fantasy Football organizations (Rotowire, GridironGrumblings, The Huddle, Football.com, and TheSportingNews, amongst others) with the $500.00 entry fee for each team being donated by ProFantasy Sports to charity. We appreciate the invitation from ProFantasy Sports and are honored to be part of such a worthwhile event.
  
• Note that this will also provide an opportunity for you to watch us use our methods against the best (ahh...other than us, of course). You can keep tabs on the league at: www.pfscharitychallenge.com/
  

Second:

• In response to my recent shots against "the ewe", the ACC, and the "Knitting Lions" of Penn State, the only response I've received worth answering comes from Brian P in Pennsylvania who "pleasantly" suggested that I remember that this site is supposed to cover PRO football.
  
• Well Brian, it's time to recognize the reality of the situation. Truth is, the mighty Penn State was never really much more than a middle of the pack Big Ten team. You can't hide from that fact by immersing yourself only in the Pros.
  
• Want proof? OK, How many years have you been in the Big Ten now? And...how many championships have you won??? (Answer: 15 years, 1 championship - 1994, best finish recently - 3rd in 1997) Even the "Mildcats" of Northwestern have done better than that.
  

Third:

• Free Memberships
  
• I'll be giving away free memberships to the first five people that email me with part of the StatLeader.com van license plate. Since the "old girl" circles the Washington DC Beltway every day (Dulles Toll Road and north inner loop in the AM, reverse at night) she shouldn't be difficult to find. Again, she is a blue and silver Ford Aerostar with a big StatLeader.com on the rear window.
  
• To win one of the 5 memberships, just email me (the address is in a couple of posts a little further down the page) with four of the numbers/letters (in order) from the plate.

Pathetic Miami Response Causes Rename

Despite repeated prodding, the responses received from the Miami Hurricane fans have been so poor as to not even be worthy of repeating. It's a shame you guys don't have the same talents as your detractors (that means "those that don't like you").

To the University of MeatChicken fan that suggested that Miami use a "lower case m" since they aren't in the same class as "The Blue", who ever said you guys had any class? The only reason you aren't being trashed right along with "the u" is that you're part of the Big 10 (with 11 teams...OK...10 teams and Penn State) and not a wimpy football conference like the ACC.

Well Miami fans, one of the great, although dubious (that means "probably not good") honors you can receive is to have an official Doc Bitters nickname assigned to your team. Joining the likes of the Tennessee Titanics, the Cleveland Clowns, the Cincinnati Bungles, and the University of MeatChicken (borrowed from our friends at the-ozone.net), you are henceforth (that means "from now on") designated (that means "called") "The ewe". Why? Because the defense you put up for your team has been about as fierce as a bunch of little baby lambs.

Once again (like they can't look down the page for it) my email is: docbitters@statleader.com

There, maybe that will wake 'em up.

Scoring Systems

Each Fantasy Football game has its own scoring system. Do you know yours? Understanding the information that resides in your league specific scoring system can bring you ultimate success just as failing to know it can bring you ultimate failure.

Starting later this week we will begin looking at some of the standard game scoring systems and explaining their subtilities. We will also offer to our members the opportunity to provide you with a customized analysis of your specific league scoring system.

Keep your eyes open, it's starting soon.

And the Clock has Started - Also Miami Mouths Silent

It's the first of June, and that means one thing to us at StatLeader, the countdown to our Fantasy Football kickoff is underway. We'll give you more information as we go along, but look for such things as our team-by-team analysis, new site design, enhanced Fantasy League stat analysis, new logo, and league customized draft packages.

Meanwhile, the usually noisy Miami mass has been strangely silent since my last post. Can't say the same thing for the anti-Miami crowd, and you would be surprised how many there are. Come on Hurricane fans, you're getting your butts kicked. Don't be shy. If you're having trouble composing a message, I'm sure there's a Florida or Florida State alum around that you can ask for help.

Remember, you can email me at: docbitters@statleader.com