Board 8 > Do you like the NFL, sports management, and/or board projects? [sign up topic]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Then Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) might be just for you!

What is this?
A simulation league using Madden 06’s franchise mode where users build rosters while managing the salary cap to have fun and/or accomplish something over the course of multiple seasons (no hard figure, but the game can't exceed around 30 seasons). We just wrapped up our 8th season where the Miami Dolphins defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

How do I sign up?
Post in the topic and say what open team you want. I can only change ownership of teams at the very beginning of the offseason (which is now). In the next post, I will list all the teams.

Hub Spreadsheet (go-to place to find information on all teams and the current state of the league)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10gIP0JkVqOaoUc4aQX_NyDM8dB31FOPm_dUx6DVTWPk/edit?usp=sharing

Word Document (reworked to hopefully be easier to follow)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RVeEIyjqIiEkS0VYvbsI02dWMDXyOgdVQAgThNJyIfc/edit?usp=sharing

Wiki Page (shows the history of the league)
http://board8.wikia.com/wiki/Board_8_National_Football_League_League

Previous Topics (to give you an idea of how each season will look like in the topic)
https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/75452112 (part of the regular season)
https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/75547780 (awards and postseason)
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The following is a list of all teams in the league. Some have been renamed during the course of the project, and I will include what teams they used to be in parenthesis. A bolded team means that the user will be coming back as that team. An italicized team means that the user has not yet indicated if they are coming back. All other teams are open. You can sign-up for open team with the designation that you would like to take over an italicized team if their user doesn't come back.

Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs - Ranlom
Oakland Raiders
Washington Hawks (formerly San Diego Chargers)- crazy

Buffalo Bills - stevr
Miami Dolphins - KCF
New England Patriots - Jukkie
New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens - Wiki
Cincinnati Bengals
Mexico City (formerly Cleveland) Browns - stuntman
Pittsburgh Steelers - Shattered

Columbus Pioneers (formerly Houston Texans)
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars - Sultan
Tennessee Titans - Stan

San Francisco 49ers - Scare
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams
Toronto Wildcats (formerly Arizona Cardinals)- prof

Dallas Cowboys - Wiz
Las Vegas Pumpkins (formerly Philadelphia Eagles)
New York Giants - Eddv
Washington Redskins

Detroit Lions - Nee
Green Bay Packers - Tangicide
Minnesota Vikings
Los Angeles (formerly Richmond and Chicago) Bears - cheyene

Anaheim Lightning (formerly New Orleans Saints) - Kora
Atlanta Falcons - mudders
Carolina Panthers - Emerald
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - MZero
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I highly encourage you to look through all the links I sent, but let me assure you that there is no reason for you to get overwhelmed about any of it. I just become very wordy in case people do not understand all or any of what goes with the business side of the NFL.

I end up doing 95+% of the work, and I fully explain everything and give plenty of time when users are asked to do stuff for their teams. I even give people the option to have me temporarily take over their team in case they go on vacation or you hit a busy stretch in your life.

Do not hesitate to ask me any questions that you may have.
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This is a great project and we would love to see more people in it. It's as interactive as you want it to be, and people are a great help with figuring out how things work. There's not any problem children here, and though KCF is in charge of a team as well as the commish, he does a great job remaining impartial and as fair and free of any conflict of interest as possible.

Even if you aren't sure if it's for you, you can always join up for a season and if you decide it's not for you, no problem. Also, the users involved range from super experienced, to only kind of experienced, to "was a new person last year" and one of the super experienced users hasn't had a winning season (sorry, you know who you are, but gotta give them some hope!) so don't feel like you'll be behind the 8-ball or anything. You should give it a shot, it's really fun!
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I joined up two seasons ago and turned a perennial loser into a playoff winner! That could be you, the potential newcomer, as early as next season!

We won't discuss what happened this past season, but rest assured, the Bills will not repeat the same mistakes this off-season...

But back to the point, there are several active users looking to wheel and deal. That could be you (and th Bills making deals together!) if you want it to be in the coming off-season! How exciting! So sign up today! Or whenever it's convenient for you really.

Where can I see the Colts roster? How does scouting draft picks work?
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Colts roster can be found in the spreadsheet under the Roster tab. We don't really scout draft picks. You can ask for combine results and stuff but actual scouting isn't really done.

Las Vegas Pumpkins is such a great name
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Yeah we won't know the "big board" until some offseason stuff is done already, at which point KCF will be able to fill in the draft prospect sheet. Also, the "roster" tab will show the player's ratings, while the "financial" tab will show their age and, well...financial info. Organized by years left. Right now, everyone with 1 year remaining is effectively a free agent that you'll need to re-sign or let go, once we actually start.

Also, for the record, when the draft actually happens, you are able to ask KCF about stuff about the draftees like their combine stats, and various other stats. Stuff like 40 time, interview, that kind of stuff. But he only does it on demand since laying out that kind of stuff for literally everyone would take soooo long.
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Also for anyone interested, I will be posting a quick blurb about all the available teams tomorrow. Though I encourage you to pick before then to make my life easy! =)
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Yeah, I had to rush to put this topic out there, but I have a few more things to bring up tomorrow
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You guys should sign up
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Okay, so in case anyone did not read the word doc, here is the skinny on the structure of a single B8NFLL season:

1. We start in the offseason due to this being the only time I can change user and AI ownership:

- At the same time that I do that, things like coaching changes and stadium upgrades also occur. Coaches have no effect on the on-field product and upgrades are a non-factor in terms of ticket sales, so I just let the AI handle that. If you really, really want to be hands-on about that, we can work stuff out.

- Next up is player retirements. Barring anyone suffering a career-ending injury, 100% of all retirements are based on a combination of age and overall rating. At this time, I also update the spreadsheet for the roster, team financial, and free agent sheets since they all have new information (rating changes, years left on contracts, determining new salary cap, players getting a year older, etc...). This is also when you can start making trades with other teams. You can trade any time during the offseason.

- After that, it is finally time for you to do stuff with Restricted Free Agency and Signing Your Unrestricted Free Agents. I will go into great detail when the time comes, but essentially, this is about deciding which of your players with expiring contracts you want to retain. This is also the only time during the offseason that you can sign any players that are still under contract to an extension.

- Then, we have the NFL Draft and signing those draft picks. It is a live draft and details will come when we are getting close to it.

- Finally, the offseason ends with Free Agency. This is where you bid against the 31 other teams in the pursuit of all the available talent you may find on the free agency sheet from the hub spreadsheet. Like everything else, I will provide all the details when the time comes.


2. Preseason

- A relatively meaningless slate of four games that I will sim in one night. Injuries might occur, possibly season-changing. At the end, I will also update the Depth Charts that you will see on the Hub Spreadsheet. You are free to change these as you see fit as long as they are in accordance with the game (you can't play a LB at QB, a TE at K, etc...).

I will also send you a PM about a coaching strategy that you are free to modify as you see fit (hence why coaches are unimportant).
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3. Regular Season

- 16 games across 17 in-game weeks. I typically sim two a week and post detailed game summaries (final scores,scoring plays and in what quarter, and notable player performances), and we have a midseason break. At the end of Week 17, I will send out stat PMs for all of your players and also post End-of-Season Awards info that you are free and encouraged to participate in


4. Postseason

- Much like the preseason, it is a four in-game week affair that I sim in a single night. However, this is ultimately what most of us are working toward, so typically several users appear in the hub spreadsheet's chat function to see live results.


After that, we once again do signups for the following season and start the cycle over again.
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I will remain in charge of Tampa Bay. Tough loss in the Conference Finals but we're aiming for the SB this year!
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Tell Brady to retire already
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I will take the Colts
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Welcome to the division! Which I will probably never win now between the Jaguars and the Colts ruining everything. =/

But now that just leaves the Pioneers as the only team that has never been user controlled at any point!

Welcome, profit!

Also I guess you could say that they're...pioneers in that regard? :D
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This is one of the best board projects I've ever been involved with (tied with Maria's ITD). I highly recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested. You can be as hands on or off as you want. Some people set their roster and then forget it. Others are highly active with changes, trades, requesting stats from KCF. Some people even haggle over like 10k on contracts for 7th round picks! Both approaches are fine.

There are also wild swings in fortune. I'm pretty sure the Jets went from a Superbowl one season to worst record (or close to it) the next season. We also had the AFC North look like the strongest division 2 seasons ago and then literally have a 6-10 division winner the year after. So even taking on a bad team, you have a chance to reverse their fortune pretty quickly.

KCF puts an insane amount of work into this project and you will not be disappointed. We also have fun in the live chat and topics. I really regreg not getting involved in the project earlier (This will be my 4th season but I almost joined 2 seasons earlier).

Waiting in the off-season for B8 NFL is as painstaking as the real off-season. I already want it to be september!

Bumpers
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MysteriousStan posted...

Also for anyone interested, I will be posting a quick blurb about all the available teams tomorrow. Though I encourage you to pick before then to make my life easy! =)

I will do this later unless you already have typed some stuff.
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MysteriousStan posted...

You guys should sign up

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This project is a cool project because it has resulted in a Lions Super Bowl win
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KCF0107 posted...

MysteriousStan posted...

Also for anyone interested, I will be posting a quick blurb about all the available teams tomorrow. Though I encourage you to pick before then to make my life easy! =)

I will do this later unless you already have typed some stuff.

Go for it! I'm sure you'd have better insight into the available teams as the commish anyway! I may add some things afterward.

you are blessed to join the league of weatherford
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VeryInsane posted...

Las Vegas Pumpkins is such a great name

I know right
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Emeraldegg posted...

Tell Brady to retire already

No we're never letting Brady retire. We will force him to play until he physically can't throw a football. Then we'll force him to sit on the bench and teach our new guy
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Quick Examinations of Open Teams

Denver Broncos

Perennial playoff team with an elite defense for the past several seasons that is full of starters and contributors 30 and under. Offense is aging but has spent early round picks at everywhere but HB, FB, and TE the last few drafts.


Oakland Raiders

Made the playoffs last season for the first time but is likely to see a several starters retire in the next season or two. They do have quality backups ready to step in.


New York Jets

Perplexingly had losing records of late despite producing like a playoff-caliber team. Offensive line is getting old, and there doesn't seem to be an heir apparent to Drew Brees, but the defense has overseen a successful transition from experience to youth.


Cincinnati Bengals

Gutted from recent retirements, this is still a work-in-progress. It is in a division where the winner had a 6-10 record, so it's totally possible to see a quick turnaround.


Columbus Pioneers

The offensive line and LB corps are aging, but this is a very talented team that often picks in the Top 10. It's just a matter of time before they bust out.


St. Louis Rams

A perennial playoff team, the Rams fell off a cliff last season and will pick in the Top 5 this season (I think). I hate to sound like a broken record, but the offensive line is aging. There are question marks about the future at various skill positions, chief among them QB and HB. They have enough high-end talent to go from worst-to-first next season.


Seattle Seahawks

One of three teams to never make the playoffs, the Seahawks are seemingly on the verge of a breakthrough season despite back-to-back losing seasons. They have a young, ascending defense, and when healthy, they have a quality offense. I haven't said this before, but the Seahawks offensive line is super old.


Las Vegas Pumpkins

This is arguably the best team available. They were one of the saddest-looking teams several seasons ago, but great drafting and heavy free agent sprees have made this one of the most talented teams in the league. They haven't made the playoffs yet, but they are coming off of consecutive winning seasons. The one drawback is that they play in the toughest division.


Washington Redskins

One of the most successful teams in B8NFLL history, they are in cap hell and have had to say goodbye to some high-rated players as a result. This played a factor in recording their first losing season. Still, they are uber-talented and can easily be back in the playoffs next season with better luck and health.


Minnesota Vikings

They might be the oldest team in the league, which in turn will likely result in several retirements and ratings decreases. However, they are among a handful of teams that have made the playoffs the past two seasons, and they have a lot of young-ascending talent leading the way.
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And here are explanations for teams that technically aren't open but could be if their users do not come back (or come back in charge of a different team)

Washington Hawks

Performed slightly better than their 7-9 record indicated. They have a nice balance of youth and experience among their starters, though the youth is slanted more toward the offense.


Mexico City Browns

For the third consecutive season, they made a late, furious comeback to enter the playoff race. Unlike those first two seasons, this one ended without a playoff berth. They have undergone a huge youth movement that has yielded mixed results at the team and individual level, but there's enough reason for hope of a bounceback season.


Dallas Cowboys

After being the poster child for underachievment, the Cowboys have made back-to-back Super Bowls, winning it all in Season 7. They are stacked about everywhere and are set for many seasons.


Atlanta Falcons

They missed the playoffs after winning the division for three or four straight seasons, but that can largely be contributed to losing their starting QB and HB down the stretch. They fielded the second-oldest team in the league, but they are about as deep and talented as any other team.
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Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs - Ranlom
Oakland Raiders
Washington Hawks (formerly San Diego Chargers) - crazy

Buffalo Bills - stevr
Miami Dolphins - KCF
New England Patriots - Jukkie
New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens - Wiki
Cincinnati Bengals
Mexico City (formerly Cleveland) Browns - stuntman
Pittsburgh Steelers - Shattered

Columbus Pioneers (formerly Houston Texans)
Indianapolis Colts - Prophet
Jacksonville Jaguars - Sultan
Tennessee Titans - Stan

San Francisco 49ers - Scare
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams
Toronto Wildcats (formerly Arizona Cardinals) - prof

Dallas Cowboys - Wiz
Las Vegas Pumpkins (formerly Philadelphia Eagles)
New York Giants - Eddv
Washington Redskins

Detroit Lions - Nee
Green Bay Packers - Tangicide
Minnesota Vikings
Los Angeles (formerly Richmond and Chicago) Bears - cheyene

Anaheim Lightning (formerly New Orleans Saints) - Kora
Atlanta Falcons - mudders
Carolina Panthers - Emerald
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - MZero
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Can I get a quick rundown on the Colts please? Just to get an idea of what I'm getting into
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Your offensive line is arguably the worst in the league, and your group of pass-catchers aren't much better, but you have a great defense.

You are coming off of 9-7 season, and you are in what is usually among the worst divisions in the league.
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Gracias
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Also as an FYI, it's generally better to have the good player in hand rather than draft picks. KCF tends to tells us that we overvalue draft picks. As a reference here's the ratings of my draft picks at time of picking them (I tend to pick somewhere near the middle of the round but I've traded a lot of picks too)

1st - 80, 82, 80, 80
2nd - 80, 78, 79, 79
3rd - 75, 78, 77, 75
4th - 77, 75
5th - 76

And most of my 6th and 7th I cut before writing down what their rating was (usually low 70's, my sole 5th being a 76 is higher than the norm)

Obviously those players improve over time but certainly don't expect 1st and 2nd to become guaranteed starters. Players need playtime to improve and they also need to be semi-successful (or be part of a successful unit). So it's very possible to draft high picks who don't see much improvement

KCF might be able to show you some trades that have taken place in recent years to give you a good idea of player value. Some positions are also scarce for higher rated players too (CB's spring to mind, I think MLB's too, OLB's to an extent and I think a lot of the good Guards and Centers are old)

Oh and HB's are worth virtually nothing, even highly rated ones, because they are so readily available and tend to develop pretty easily.

Bump
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Sure, I'll play

Mexico City Browns
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Do you have a backup? They are one of the teams that will only be open if their incumbent user doesn't return.
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Never saw this before, that's pretty cool.

I was briefly sad to see the Browns leave Cleveland but then again can I really blame them.
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KCF0107 posted...

Do you have a backup? They are one of the teams that will only be open if their incumbent user doesn't return.

Las Vegas Pumpkins
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Welcome, VeryInsane!

Hi, bryan. Ohio still has two teams though so that's still better than none!

bryans7 posted...

Never saw this before, that's pretty cool.

I was briefly sad to see the Browns leave Cleveland but then again can I really blame them.

They at least have a legit rivalry with divisional teams in B8 NFL rather than it being one sided like the real NFL.

In the last 3 seasons, the Steelers and the Browns have contested the same playoff place in Week 17. One of those times even in a straight up match. Browns have come out on top twice and Steelers once. NFL Browns are actually pretty good (well except last season when the entire AFC North was awful)

So I will pencil you down for the Pumpkins with the designation that you will take over the the Browns if stuntman doesn't return.
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Welcome VI!
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Welcome, you two!
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Thanks everybody! Regardless of what team I'm getting I'm hoping to do well with them!
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Like KCF said, pumps are probably the best team available. Had a record last year good enough to make the playoffs, just in a tough division so they didn't. Giants pulled a real life giants and went on a tear last second
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Bumpers
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I think that I forgot to mention anywhere in the topic that deadline to sign up is the final day of August.
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Emeraldegg posted...

Like KCF said, pumps are probably the best team available. Had a record last year good enough to make the playoffs, just in a tough division so they didn't. Giants pulled a real life giants and went on a tear last second

It was all in the plan from the beginning.
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