Expansion Thoughts

Philadelphia Freedom · May 18th, 2002, 01:45 PM

Hi Guys,

With everyone checking in because of the UFA activity I thought it might be a good time to suggest the we consider expansion. We would probably want to wait at least until next season to add new teams but it probably would not hurt to start thinking about it and discussing it now.

If we add teams, how many? How will they be stocked? How will we determine who gets the new teams. How will it affect schedules and divisions? Do we even want to add to what I would say is the best league that I have ever had the privilege of being a part of?

Anyhow, just thought I would put it out there and see what everyone is thinking.

Flaxwless · May 23rd, 2002, 06:58 PM

Well I wouldn't be opposed to expansion cause it's always great to try new things.

As for how many I really don't care how many new teams we expand but no more than two per year. I would say a 14 or 16 team league would be grreat. 14 Team league go with West, Central, South, East and divided into 4-4-3-3 teams in each division. DOn't know how that will effect playsoffs and such but a possibility. 16 teams would be easily divided into 4-4-4-4. I'd also be up for a 15 team league just adding a team to each division but that would make an odd number of teams and it would mess up the schedule.

I think we're tryinng to simulate the NFL so I say and expansion draft could be done with some variations ot make it work for us.

I say almost anyone at the FBG forums or friends and such who seem interested and dedicated could take over teams. Maybe they'd have to pay a small fee that could go towards shipping the trophy just to ensure they are serious about the league. Of course we should have applications and an interview process with the head dudes.

Also this is the best damn league ever! WoOoOoO!

Where's my trophy?!

Philadelphia Freedom · May 23rd, 2002, 11:46 PM

Insects, as I thought about this I came to some similar conclusions. One obstacle in my mind would be the number of teams. 14 would make for 2, 7 team conferences. This would mean playing each team once (13 total games) or each team in your conference twice and getting to play one or two teams from the other conference (I like this option better). We could go with an Eastern Conference and Western Conference (ala NBA). I vaguely remember there being a program that allows you to enter variables then it contructs a schedule. I prefer the second option because you would have strong conference rivalaries and could match up with a couple of out of conference teams.

Once we get past the total number of teams we need to decide when to accept them (both in same season or one at a time). The one at a time option could mean scheduling issues.

I think we could all leave 3 players unprotected for Expansion Draft before the UFA period (need to clarify contract status-i.e. must have at least one year remaining on contract, etc) and the new team(s) could select one player and then the other 2 get pulled back. If we had 2 teams this would mean both would come away with 6 players. Maybe a couple of additional draft picks (in rounds 2 and 3) and if we decide to add them for the 2003 season they could assume control at some point near the middle to end of 2002 season. This would allow them to add some unsigned players (bidding like the rest of us), go through RFA period, draft and then UFA period.

I also like the idea of expansion fee. We have all paid $10 maybe new teams should go for 15 or 20 and this should provide the money to ship the trophy for a couple of years.

That is enough of my almost midnight musing. Anyone else have any thoughts/opinions?

Royal Hawaiian Opihi · May 24th, 2002, 04:35 AM

First of all, I echo the enthusiasm of the BLOODSUCKING INSECTS... this is a pretty cool league! I like having dedicated, knowledgable opponents... it should be a very competative league!

Now, for expansion... sounds fine with me. At first I was kinda opposed to it... but I think moving up to 16 would probably work, if we did it in increments. Having 3 unprotected players should work, too... although I can't imagine the quality of these players would be much of a "foundational core." Then again, it could be a few "big contract" players, ie. Jax this year in the NFL, who "lose" a player to expansion, and thereby avoid the cap ramifications.

So... I guess I like the idea of going two new teams at a time (up to 16). I think there will be enough turn-over of solid players from year to year that it shouldn't be impossible for new owners to become competative in a few years!

Let's keep this idea "stewing"!

Nittany Dodgers · May 24th, 2002, 12:01 PM

I would not be opposed to moving up to 16 teams. I'd prefer to stay at 12, rather than move to 14 permanently though. If for no other reason, I like the format of four-team divisions. I wouldn't be opposed to adding another whole division, but I wouldn't want to screw with our current division set up (don't ask why I'm so attached to it when I haven't even played a season yet, or created any division rivalries).

I would say we could add two teams next year if we so desire, and two teams the following year to get to 16 total. To counteract the probably situation that the new teams would have slim pickings to choose from for talent, we could put the two of them in the new division, and have a two team division. This would caues schedule problems, but it would gurantee that at least one of them would make the playoffs, giving them incentive even if their talent pool is less than spectacular. The following year the two other new teams gets put into the division to round things out. To even out the fact that one of the two newest teams isn't guranteed that one will go to the playoffs, we will have experience on the expansion draft and may be able to make it better for those teams.

As for how to run the expansion draft, I think we could have a list of protected players, but we can lose no more than one each team. I would say we should be able to protect a certain amount of players, instead of having to make a list of a certain amount of players. That way, a team with a whole lot of good players under contract will lose one since they can only protect three, but a team that has say only 5 players under contract and only thee good ones, will be able to protect all three good players. This leans the balance towards the existing teams, instead of the new teams, which I would be in favor of. It will all balance itself out in the long run. If new teams complain that they don't have a good enough talent pool to compete, we can remind them this is a basically free league.

The other thing I would bring up is that we should need to adjust our rosters and rules. With 16 teams, we would need to go to a "team quarterback" type situation, where each team drafts the quarterbacks from two teams. Otherwise, if team A signs three quarterbacks, at least one team is guarenteed to only have one starting QB to choose from. Also, I would think we would need to expand, yes expand, our rosters since backups become even more valuable the larger the league. The more teams are around means fewer scraps to pick up during the season. We shouldn't need to be contrained too much in our rosters to insure our best players by being able to hold on to their backups.

Those are my thoughts.

Philadelphia Freedom · June 5th, 2002, 12:55 PM

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone else had anything that they would like to contribute?

Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers · June 5th, 2002, 01:16 PM

I kind of like it the way it is now. 12 teams with full rosters and DS and everything. Talent pool is thin enough as it is. I would not be totally against expansion but I would prefer to keep it at 12 teams. Just my opinion of course.

May 18th, 2002, 01:45 PM	#1
Philadelphia Freedom Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 6,270	Expansion Thoughts Hi Guys, With everyone checking in because of the UFA activity I thought it might be a good time to suggest the we consider expansion. We would probably want to wait at least until next season to add new teams but it probably would not hurt to start thinking about it and discussing it now. If we add teams, how many? How will they be stocked? How will we determine who gets the new teams. How will it affect schedules and divisions? Do we even want to add to what I would say is the best league that I have ever had the privilege of being a part of? Anyhow, just thought I would put it out there and see what everyone is thinking.

May 23rd, 2002, 06:58 PM	#2
Flaxwless Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 6,050	Well I wouldn't be opposed to expansion cause it's always great to try new things. As for how many I really don't care how many new teams we expand but no more than two per year. I would say a 14 or 16 team league would be grreat. 14 Team league go with West, Central, South, East and divided into 4-4-3-3 teams in each division. DOn't know how that will effect playsoffs and such but a possibility. 16 teams would be easily divided into 4-4-4-4. I'd also be up for a 15 team league just adding a team to each division but that would make an odd number of teams and it would mess up the schedule. I think we're tryinng to simulate the NFL so I say and expansion draft could be done with some variations ot make it work for us. I say almost anyone at the FBG forums or friends and such who seem interested and dedicated could take over teams. Maybe they'd have to pay a small fee that could go towards shipping the trophy just to ensure they are serious about the league. Of course we should have applications and an interview process with the head dudes. Also this is the best damn league ever! WoOoOoO! Where's my trophy?! __________________ Bay Area Bloodsucking Insects - 1st EVER Feeding Frenzy Champion Bay Area Bloodsuckers 2008 SAC'D Champions - 2nd Worst to First in Year! 2011 SAC'D Champions - #5 seed, # 2 power rankings, #1 in the end!

May 23rd, 2002, 11:46 PM	#3
Philadelphia Freedom Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 6,270	More thoughts Insects, as I thought about this I came to some similar conclusions. One obstacle in my mind would be the number of teams. 14 would make for 2, 7 team conferences. This would mean playing each team once (13 total games) or each team in your conference twice and getting to play one or two teams from the other conference (I like this option better). We could go with an Eastern Conference and Western Conference (ala NBA). I vaguely remember there being a program that allows you to enter variables then it contructs a schedule. I prefer the second option because you would have strong conference rivalaries and could match up with a couple of out of conference teams. Once we get past the total number of teams we need to decide when to accept them (both in same season or one at a time). The one at a time option could mean scheduling issues. I think we could all leave 3 players unprotected for Expansion Draft before the UFA period (need to clarify contract status-i.e. must have at least one year remaining on contract, etc) and the new team(s) could select one player and then the other 2 get pulled back. If we had 2 teams this would mean both would come away with 6 players. Maybe a couple of additional draft picks (in rounds 2 and 3) and if we decide to add them for the 2003 season they could assume control at some point near the middle to end of 2002 season. This would allow them to add some unsigned players (bidding like the rest of us), go through RFA period, draft and then UFA period. I also like the idea of expansion fee. We have all paid $10 maybe new teams should go for 15 or 20 and this should provide the money to ship the trophy for a couple of years. That is enough of my almost midnight musing. Anyone else have any thoughts/opinions?

June 5th, 2002, 12:55 PM	#6
Philadelphia Freedom Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 6,270	Any more thoughts Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone else had anything that they would like to contribute?

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May 24th, 2002, 04:35 AM	#4
Royal Hawaiian Opihi Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Palmdale, CA Posts: 16,604	First of all, I echo the enthusiasm of the BLOODSUCKING INSECTS... this is a pretty cool league! I like having dedicated, knowledgable opponents... it should be a very competative league! Now, for expansion... sounds fine with me. At first I was kinda opposed to it... but I think moving up to 16 would probably work, if we did it in increments. Having 3 unprotected players should work, too... although I can't imagine the quality of these players would be much of a "foundational core." Then again, it could be a few "big contract" players, ie. Jax this year in the NFL, who "lose" a player to expansion, and thereby avoid the cap ramifications. So... I guess I like the idea of going two new teams at a time (up to 16). I think there will be enough turn-over of solid players from year to year that it shouldn't be impossible for new owners to become competative in a few years! Let's keep this idea "stewing"!

May 24th, 2002, 12:01 PM	#5
Nittany Dodgers Feeding Frenzy Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Maplewood, MN Posts: 5,204	I would not be opposed to moving up to 16 teams. I'd prefer to stay at 12, rather than move to 14 permanently though. If for no other reason, I like the format of four-team divisions. I wouldn't be opposed to adding another whole division, but I wouldn't want to screw with our current division set up (don't ask why I'm so attached to it when I haven't even played a season yet, or created any division rivalries). I would say we could add two teams next year if we so desire, and two teams the following year to get to 16 total. To counteract the probably situation that the new teams would have slim pickings to choose from for talent, we could put the two of them in the new division, and have a two team division. This would caues schedule problems, but it would gurantee that at least one of them would make the playoffs, giving them incentive even if their talent pool is less than spectacular. The following year the two other new teams gets put into the division to round things out. To even out the fact that one of the two newest teams isn't guranteed that one will go to the playoffs, we will have experience on the expansion draft and may be able to make it better for those teams. As for how to run the expansion draft, I think we could have a list of protected players, but we can lose no more than one each team. I would say we should be able to protect a certain amount of players, instead of having to make a list of a certain amount of players. That way, a team with a whole lot of good players under contract will lose one since they can only protect three, but a team that has say only 5 players under contract and only thee good ones, will be able to protect all three good players. This leans the balance towards the existing teams, instead of the new teams, which I would be in favor of. It will all balance itself out in the long run. If new teams complain that they don't have a good enough talent pool to compete, we can remind them this is a basically free league. The other thing I would bring up is that we should need to adjust our rosters and rules. With 16 teams, we would need to go to a "team quarterback" type situation, where each team drafts the quarterbacks from two teams. Otherwise, if team A signs three quarterbacks, at least one team is guarenteed to only have one starting QB to choose from. Also, I would think we would need to expand, yes expand, our rosters since backups become even more valuable the larger the league. The more teams are around means fewer scraps to pick up during the season. We shouldn't need to be contrained too much in our rosters to insure our best players by being able to hold on to their backups. Those are my thoughts.

June 5th, 2002, 01:16 PM	#7
Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers Feeding Frenzy Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 946	I kind of like it the way it is now. 12 teams with full rosters and DS and everything. Talent pool is thin enough as it is. I would not be totally against expansion but I would prefer to keep it at 12 teams. Just my opinion of course.

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