British Expatriate Network

I joined an office league this year, and let me tell you - it's awesome!

I had do a lot of research before the "draft", but it was worth it because this is so much better than the imitations at home. You play against other coaches head to head, so every week you either win, lose or draw and the standings are adjusted accordingly. I think this is much better than just adding the points onto a table.

Players can only play for one team, so you don't have 12 almost identical squads. Throughout the season you can negotiate trades and pick-up Free Agents, it can be very strategic.

You know me, US Football can never replace real football - but being in this league is fantastic for the competitive side of me and is a great way to make friends and learn the sport. Also, being British you're guaranteed to be an underdog so when you beat an American you can really rub it in their faces.

I was thinking about joining my company's league but don't really have the time. From the way they go crazy about it though, and from what I understand (exactly the same as you described) it does sound like a good time.

Maybe I'll have more time next year. I'm actually starting to get interested in amrican football, at least until the basketball season starts. It's not really all bad.

I think the best way to watch US Football is to be doing something else as well. Reading a magazine, writing a report - something like that, then you can just look up when the action starts.

The basic rules are really very simple and you kind of pick up on the fouls such as pass interference and offside etc. as you go along.

As far as the office going crazy, that's exactly why I joined - didn't want to be an outcast and it's a good way to socialize with managers and make contacts.

As an avid US football fan for many years I had never bothered with Fantasy leagues, mainly as they are not so good in the UK!

But this year for the first time I have put my gridiron knowledge to the test, and joined a fantasy league at NFL.com.

I have since found it way too addictive, and way too much fun. After two weeks of football I am at 1-1, but have an easy fixture this weekend.

For the record my starters are
Brady, Tom - QB - Patriots
Dunn, Warrick - RB - Falcons
Smith, Emmitt - RB - Cowboys
Booker, Marty - WR - Bears
Brown, Tim - WR - Raiders
Thomason, Jeff - TE - Eagles
Vinatieri, Adam - K - Patriots
Titans - Defence


On another note
GO NEW ENGLAND! Belicheck's Boys are for Real!

I also have Brady but start Bledsoe (Bills) (Brady could be used as trade material). My two starting RBs are Curtis Martin (Jets) and Michael Pittman RB (Buccs). I like my reveivers, after Harrison (Colts) I have Jerry Rice (Raiders), Deion Branch (Pats) and James Thrash (Eagles) and can rotate them according to who's playing. My TE is Reimersma (Bills), my K is Venderjact (Colts) smile and my D are the Packers sad

To think in June I knew nothing about American Football, the only player I could have named was Dan Marino.

Im in a few F/F teams and as was said they can be very additive .

I only started doing them 2 seasons ago and find my spare time from sep to jan is almost all consummed by the running of the teams especially on tuesdays and wed and just before game time .

I have some teams that are head to head ,head to head /stategy , and one salary cap based team .

I find if you rate your players properly you dont usually fare much better in the draft if its a automatic or live , the first 5 are nearly always ,Faulk,Warner,Holmes ,Green and Alexander, thou after thier poor starts this season it might not be like that next year ....

Dont think if you dont draft any of the 5 above mentioned players you wont win ,i won 2 leagues last season and only had one of them in one of the winning teams ......

BOC started a league this year and already it looks like it will be a hard fought exciting season of gamesmanship .


smile smile

Looks like John's starting off with a bang!!

He trounced my team last week!!!
And he's sitting pretty on top of the league!!

I think the NFL fantasy website is very impressive.

Its set out well and is well organised.There's good head to head match ups too and the statistical support is superb.

Ive followed the NFL since the early 80's but in the last few years of living over here in the US, my knowledge of the game has increased.

I enjoy the league even more now, and when I watch games I think now about fantasy points !!

...or lack of them!!!

all the best
Alan




_________________
If nautical nonsense
Be something you wish?
Then drop on the deck
And flop like a fish!!!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by boardsofcanada on 2002-09-21 1450 ]</font>