Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Potential New Rules


So we’ve got a couple of possible rules things that could be up for voting. I figure it's time to get the ball rolling on it in an organized way. Let’s get a clear view of what possible changes we're looking at. Also, here are some of the comments from our previous poll on CBS when Felipe asked "We've talked about it all off-season, so here goes. Should we change the scoring format to include points per reception (PPR)? Also, should we change the format to include fractional points (i.e., 1 yard rushing = 1/10 of a point)?"

Note: Anything implemented would be for two seasons from now (I believe). Also this is just the new rules list I came up with, and the Google Doc below needs some rewriting perhaps or revamping before an official vote. So don't vote yet, but take a look or comment away!

[[ SAMPLE GOOGLE DOC POLL ]] See bottom of post for update...

1. Fractional Scoring
The argument for is easy: each yard should be worth something. A lot of scoring systems now go with fractional scoring and it’s possible Maize and Blue should move in that direction. An alternate take is that fractions should only be used in the playoffs.

2. TE eligibility for Flex Position
With the advent of two TE sets, it’s been proposed that we allow the Flex position to include RB/WR/TE instead of just RB/WR.

3. Adding a Position, RB/WR/TE
As difficult as it is to field sixteen starting RBs already, it seems like most NFL teams use at least two RBs, even in a part time role. Could adding another required RB position better mirror that? Also, I would like to propose adding a WR position, to reflect how NFL teams now use more receivers. Or perhaps just adding a WR/TE position instead of the previous option to RB/WR/TE flex. Also, adding another skill position would also lower the overall effect of DEF and K, which is something I'm always for.

4. Points Per Reception
We all know the pros and cons. Here’s a refresher: The Case for PPR (2009). The purists think PPR is free points for something a receiver should do. What do you think?

5. Lowering FG Points
Currently a kicker is rewarded +1 point for a 40+ yard FG and +2 for a 50+ yarder. The argument is that a forty yard FG should be normal. The rule change would be for FGs of 1-49 yards to only accrue 3 points, plus an extra point if it’s 50+ yards. Additionally, I would like to nominate points off for a missed FG and extra point.

6. Toilet Bowl
Would a Toilet Bowl for the top picks each year be preferable to a lottery system? A Toilet Bowl would keep the non-playoff teams engaged longer and make them earn a top pick. For example, each of the non-playoff teams would be tossed into a seeded eight team tournament for the #1 and #2 overall picks, with the draft reverting to reverse order of standings after those two picks have been determined by the Toile Bowl winner and runner-up.

7. FAAB: Free Agent Auction Bidding (What is it?)
Currently we use a traditional waiver system that works in reverse order of standings. The FAAB system gives each team a certain amount of money each season, usually $100, to make waiver pickups. "If a team would like to add a player, that team will secretly bid a certain amount. On the next waiver process day, the team with the highest amount bid will be awarded the player, and the bid will be subtracted from that team's budget.”

In theory, FAAB adds additional strategy and levels the playing field for waiver pick ups. FAAB allows teams to compete over the hot free agents. Also, FAAB mitigates the effect of using a waiver wire pick position to grab a K on a bye week, and thus sending you to the back of the line.

8. Using league fees to buy and maintain a URL
We are looking at getting a URL for Maize and Blue, which would cost in the neighborhood of $10 a year to maintain. Chris would host the URL I believe. Pros: Email list! Cons: None?


[Update 11/19/2013] New Google Doc: Rules Ballot 2013, plus a quarterback TD vote, and also some voting rules suggested by Matt.

[Update 11/20/2013] Looks like we're voting?! Here are the current results so far: Rules Ballot 2013 Results.

Voting Rules 

  • Each franchise has one vote; co-owners of any franchise must agree on a single ballot
  • All rule changes require a majority of 9 votes to
  • Some questions include a clarifying question in case the measure is passed. Even if a franchise is voting against a change, each franchise should select an answer to the clarifying question in case the measure is passed.

4 comments:

Matt R. said...

On the ballot, I would suggest that we make each question an either/or proposition; for example, on the PPR question, since there are 3 options (no, yes, or yes to 1/2 point), that could split the vote so that none of the options wins a majority of votes. I think that we first determine if we're going to make the change, and if the answer is "yes," we then move on to the particulars. I'll work on a version that reflects what I'm suggesting.

Matt R. said...

I've created a ballot here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3VADKe5bMJQM1pCamVhaWlvXzQ/edit?usp=sharing

J.A. Yang said...

Okay, redone, check link up above! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Rdlyy06-C36_Df9oorrU0E7W_16zpSgbB-BbHuxiafQ/viewform

Matt R. said...

Not that it matters, but here's why I voted the way I did:
NO to Fractional Scoring - Even though we had one championship decided by a tiebreaker, I like the fact that ties can still come into account for playoff eligibility. If it passes, I'd say just for playoffs.
YES to Flex position TE eligibilty. Just makes sense.
NO to additional RB and WR positions, but YES to an additional Flex position with RB/WR/TE eligibility. Two flex positions should be able to account for the variations in offensive systems. But we already scrape the bottom of the barrel for waiver pickups every week, I just don't know if another starter is going to matter.
NO to PPR. I'm of the "they're supposed to catch passes" philosophy.
YES to adjusting FG scoring to 3 and 4 points for over 50 yards.
NO to missed FG penalty. If a WR drops a pass in the end zone, should he and the QB lose 6 points? I think that the adjustment to FG scoring addresses the K issue.
NO to changing to a Toilet Bowl for first overall pick. The nature of the lottery has played a big role in off-season trading, since acquiring lottery picks increases your chances of winning it.
NO to Free Agent Auction Bidding. I've actually traded my waiver wire pick before, when I was choosing first and a new player exploded.
YES to adjusting TD Pass scoring to 6 points. It just feels strange to me that a QB can through a 2 point conversion, and that's half a TD.
YES to using fees for a league URL.