MOTML Rule Changes and Ideas

[IE]

From my perspective
-extra RB slot would be bad as some of us struggle to fill the position.
-Superflex and IDP just make it a hassle to prioritize non premium positions for the sake of generating more points. If you really like those leagues, that's fine, but you can't take an existing league and convert it just to try and level the playing field. We've all drafted and traded for many years to try and build our teams according to old rules.

Thanks for the response. All I can say is dude I won the league last year by scoring more points than anyone (and went 12-2 the year before), and I am wanting changes - so this is certainly not people with bad teams wanting to level the field with people with good teams. If folks have been drafting and building a team for years and don't have two start-worthy RBs then I wonder what they're doing. I'm not sure how convincing the argument is to not change, other than just not wanting change.

A KEY point is the folks managing teams have turned over the years, as the longer-time players hung it up (which from what I've seen happens ever year to 1-2 teams). It isn't just one person coming in and whining about changes. I know me, Plank, Umbali, Ark, BFMN and a few others have only been in the league for a few years, and many/most of us have been talking about how crappy and archaic the league is (that we joined because it was a league related to this Bears site and thought that would be cool). The newer folks have been the most engaged for the past few years, from what I've seen. This league is boring AF and on a shitty platform, and could be at risk for having a large departure of players at some point without changing to keep up with the times.

Question for you: Would you stay on if the league changed - moved to a new platform and kept the core roster for folks that move over but added some starters and scoring options?

[IE]

From my perspective
-extra RB slot would be bad as some of us struggle to fill the position.
-Superflex and IDP just make it a hassle to prioritize non premium positions for the sake of generating more points. If you really like those leagues, that's fine, but you can't take an existing league and convert it just to try and level the playing field. We've all drafted and traded for many years to try and build our teams according to old rules.

I defer 100% to the person who created and/or managed the league for so long. I’m new to it and not gonna come in making all sorts of demands for changes. Like Ark, it’s not something I take seriously at all - I do it for fun and to occasionally needle people here on the board (most often myself cause my squad SUX)

It would be more fun if it the league was kept as interesting as possible to all the players. There is no tenure, and the ones that have been around a long time shouldn't have any more or less say than anyone else. As a matter of fact some seem so disengaged that it seems they're totally not into it. Let's not pretend that isn't a problem - or at least a big annoyance. There is very little activity, banter, trading or normal dynasty experience with this one.

[dplank]

I defer 100% to the person who created and/or managed the league for so long. I’m new to it and not gonna come in making all sorts of demands for changes. Like Ark, it’s not something I take seriously at all - I do it for fun and to occasionally needle people here on the board (most often myself cause my squad SUX)

It would be more fun if it the league was kept as interesting as possible to all the players. There is no tenure, and the ones that have been around a long time shouldn't have any more or less say than anyone else. As a matter of fact some seem so disengaged that it seems they're totally not into it. Let's not pretend that isn't a problem - or at least a big annoyance. There is very little activity, banter, trading or normal dynasty experience with this one.

Yea but the things you want aren't wanted by all. Some like a more relaxed, less intense deal and participate for that reason. More trades would be good, but I'm not sure the platform or format are going to fix that if people just aren't that interested in being deep into it. That's more a people thing. Personally, I could go either way but I'm not running the league and respect the person who invited me to play in their league, so will defer to their judgement. I'll roll with the consensus. And if it breaks into 2, I'll do both.

[Atkins&Rebel]

From my perspective
-extra RB slot would be bad as some of us struggle to fill the position.
-Superflex and IDP just make it a hassle to prioritize non premium positions for the sake of generating more points. If you really like those leagues, that's fine, but you can't take an existing league and convert it just to try and level the playing field. We've all drafted and traded for many years to try and build our teams according to old rules.

Thanks for the response. All I can say is dude I won the league last year by scoring more points than anyone (and went 12-2 the year before), and I am wanting changes - so this is certainly not people with bad teams wanting to level the field with people with good teams. If folks have been drafting and building a team for years and don't have two start-worthy RBs then I wonder what they're doing. I'm not sure how convincing the argument is to not change, other than just not wanting change.

A KEY point is the folks managing teams have turned over the years, as the longer-time players hung it up (which from what I've seen happens ever year to 1-2 teams). It isn't just one person coming in and whining about changes. I know me, Plank, Umbali, Ark, BFMN and a few others have only been in the league for a few years, and many/most of us have been talking about how crappy and archaic the league is (that we joined because it was a league related to this Bears site and thought that would be cool). The newer folks have been the most engaged for the past few years, from what I've seen. This league is boring AF and on a shitty platform, and could be at risk for having a large departure of players at some point without changing to keep up with the times.

Question for you: Would you stay on if the league changed - moved to a new platform and kept the core roster for folks that move over but added some starters and scoring options?

Me personally...this isn't a serious league that I need to spend a lot of time managing. I'm pretty responsive to trades and chatter in the forum. The league was mostly to help like minded Bears fans stay connected and have something positive to talk about football wise when we had a bad Bears season.

I find characterizing it as archaic a bit off. This is a true dynasty keeper league. It operates as a true dynasty keeper league. I've played in just about every format and we did bring some things out of the true dark ages like adopting FAAB in place of the last team to make a move having first dibs for in season player acquisition. We've also updated certain scoring features over the years.

As to some of your other questions: I had 3 good to OK RBs, 2 got demoted and 1 injured. I now have Zamir White, but good RB's go early in the draft and you need a later round rookie to pan out. Some teams get more lucky than others.
I think many of the core guys are still here, and some of the same teams see the turnover. IE, Plank and Ark are the only ones that weren't part of KFFL back in the day. (I think Umbali was at 1 point).

If you want a full new system, I think you'll need to have a completely new re-draft. I'm only 1 vote in the whole league so YMMV

[BearsFanInMN]

Any league that’s been around a long time could get archaic designation. When it’s a free league there’s levels of involvement that’s different for everyone. I agree with A&R that there’s been changes and with IE it’s probably not where landscape is now.

Think pushing changes to existing is always good, but also think fundamental changes is maybe better served in a new league. You can love TE premium and Superflex (which I do) but league that wasn’t needs a runway for change if it happens. League that could be 15 or 12 teams or anything in between makes it tough as more than 12 teams Superflex is screwing people.

Think it’s good we’re discussing because we’re at point where change of some nature is desired.

[BBF]

Hey Everyone! Sorry for the delay in adding to the discussion. Work and life have been busy of late.

First, I'd like to say. If anyone would like to take over the commissioner role going forward, I'd be more than happy to step aside. My life is vastly different than when I took over 15ish years ago. I can send all the word and excel files I use to create everything over, making it easier to manage, while still setting it up this year.

I agree the league could use some modernizing, and I believe having the younger members taking over might be the best idea, especially since you guys know each other better. I believe the only 2 original managers left are DD and myself, and even the person who created the league left some years ago. It has been a fantastic 25+ year run, though.

Second, as for drastic changes, I do worry that it would lead to a few older managers dropping out and then having trouble filling the spots. Also, as many said, it is a bit more casual.

Third, for specific league changes...

I am fine going down to 14. I'm not going to make an effort to remind Wance1. He was a friend of the founder that was added later but I've never really known who he is. He's always participated though, which I appreciate.

Adding a starting spot, either RB or FLEX, I am good with. I'm always good with getting rid of kicker. I am good with a 2nd IR slot.

I am very much against IDP. It's only for the very serious, high involvement managers, which this league is not.

Fourth, I would be ok with a new platform. I participate in a league on Sleeper and it's a good platform. I do worry about losing participation moving platforms, getting managers to sign up. Also, it's a lot more work for me to put in everyone's whole roster instead of just who they draft since ESPN has the keepers from the previous year.

...

So here's what I plan to do...

Make it 14 and get things up and running, have people set keepers.

Have a vote on additional RB, Flex, SuperFlex and additional IR Spot. Majority of votes cast.

Allow a transition to a new commish if someone would like.

[The Kaiser]

Rule Changes I'd like to see:

1. Move to a more mobile friendly platform. ESPN sucks. Also, the way we have too many ineffective channels for communicating and driving trades. They should be done in the app and not through the message board, imho. It's just an outdated option and there are so many better ways to transact. The inability to trade draft picks in ESPN is a real issue. The whole ESPN league is not configured well for Dynasty.

2. Move to Super Flex: The argument against it was that it puts to much of a premium on QBs. Have a look around the league, that's exactly right. The QB should have a premium to adequately reflect the game. This is why most modern leagues today are all SuperFlex. We may not have to do that this year but we can put a plan in place to do it in one or two years. Add an extra roster spot this year and allow teams to start building a Superflex Roster now for execution in 2025 or even 2026.

3. Extra RB slot. I feel there should be two RBs but I don't feel that strongly. I would be satisfied if it we were to add a 2nd starting flex spot as well. We should have one more starter.

4. No need to have IDP. I'm ok to keep DST as we do. In fact, with the new KO rule, DST may become even more material than ever over time.

5. I could give two shits about kickers. They take up space and have very little impact on the results of the season in the big picture.