Board 8 > Sign-ups for B8's Best Project [sports]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Board 8 National Football League League (B8NFLL) has just concluded its 10th season with Wizardsfan and the Dallas Cowboys winning Super Bowl X. That also means it is now time for new blood to join our ranks!

What is B8NFLL?
It is a simulation league using Madden 06s 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)

What are the schedule of events in each season?
1. Offseason
- Ownership changes (where we are right now)
- Player retirements
- Restricted free agents
- Unrestricted free agents
- NFL Draft + signing draft picks
- Free agency
2. Preseason
3. Regular Season
4. Postseason

If you are familiar with all or most of these, whether it be in real life, video games, or both, then things should run smoothly. If not, then do not fret. I fully explain everything when the time comes, and I give users plenty of time to take care of any tasks given to them. Some of the meatier stuff I give users at least a week to do. I also have some user-friendly rules in place in the event that you forget to do something, and I always give users the option to let me take temporary control of their team in the event that life circumstances prevent you from being as active as you like.

Speaking of activity, do not feel like you have to be super hands-on and devote dozens of hours to this. Some people do, and some people like to take a more casual approach to this. Both kinds of have had various degrees of success, and we've even had a user win a Super Bowl by doing nothing. I end up doing 95+% of the work, so I hope that alleviates some concerns about the amount of time and work that you are "required" to put into this.

How do I sign up?
Post in the topic and say what open team you want. In the following post, I will list all 32 teams (some have relocated and I will include former names) in the league. Teams in bold indicate that the user who was in charge of that team last season has opted to return and to that team. Teams in italics indicate that the user who was in charge of that team has yet to inform me if they are returning or not, and if they will be with the same team should they return. All other teams are open to anyone. If there is an italicized team that you are most interested in, what you can do is sign up for X open team but inform me that you would like to go to Y italicized team if the incumbent user opts not to return to them.
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Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs Ranlom
Oakland Raiders
Washington Hawks (formerly San Diego Chargers)

Buffalo Bills stevr
Miami Dolphins KCF
New England Patriots (formerly Birmingham Cougars and yes, New England Patriots) Jukkie
New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Mexico City (formerly Cleveland) Browns VI
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
New York Giants Eddv
Las Vegas Pumpkins (formerly Philadelphia Eagles) Shonen
Washington Redskins

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

Anaheim Lightning (formerly New Orleans Saints)
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers Emerald
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Hub Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10gIP0JkVqOaoUc4aQX_NyDM8dB31FOPm_dUx6DVTWPk/edit?usp=sharing

Word Doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RVeEIyjqIiEkS0VYvbsI02dWMDXyOgdVQAgThNJyIfc/edit?usp=sharing

Wiki Page
http://board8.wikia.com/wiki/Board_8_National_Football_League_League

Previous Topics (both alive as of this moment)
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/76909539
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/76743047

- The hub spreadsheet is your go-to-place to understand the current state of the league. All the sheets have titles that should be self-explanatory. You can check out the roster sheet to see if that will influence what team you would like to sign up with. Please note that the roster sheet does not reflect retirements as those are not known yet as well as any overall rating changes to players since the previous offseason. Also, due to how much work it is for me to do, full team financials are only there for user teams, so if you have any concerns about player ages or contract situations for any AI teams that you are interested in, just let me know.

- The word doc, which has been reworked in recent seasons, should contain a lot of helpful info about how this works in the context of Madden 06. It isn't necessary to read it, but it could help.

- The wiki page, which is not fully updated for last season, contains the history of the league from award winners, stat leaders, regular season records, playoff results, and even who has participated.

- Some of the previous topics are still alive to maybe help show you how things will look once. Everything from the regular and postseason should be up in both topics.
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Little blurbs on each available team:

- The Denver Broncos have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl the past two seasons (and winning it in season 9). They have one of the league's best defenses and a terrific running game with one of the league's best HB, the best offensive-oriented FB, and best scrambling QB. Most of their starters are over 30, so many of their top players will be retiring in the next few offseasons (this one included). They are expected to be in salary cap trouble given their talent level.

- The Oakland Raiders have one of the more under-appreciated defenses in the league, and they have a nice mix of youth and veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. They finished 8-8 last season, but their offense was putrid. They finished dead last in offensive yards per game.

- The Washington Hawks almost had a wire-to-wire Top 10 defense until it slipped to 11th at the very end. Their offense was around the middle of the pack, but they were one of the worst scoring teams in the league, and some of their key contributors on offense are in the last few seasons of their career.

- The New York Jets are one of three AFC teams to make the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and are the reigning AFC East champs. Their defense is relatively young, but they are expected to lose a few starters soon to retirement. The offense might also lose QB Drew Brees to retirement who is coming off arguably his best season in B8NFLL.

- The Baltimore Ravens have been the premier defensive team the past four or five seasons, and that is not expected to change any time soon. The offense though has held them back. Former Top 5 pick Doug Martin has been great as the focal point of their offense, but perhaps a second season with a fully healthy Ben Roethlisberger under center will make lead them to a more balanced and effective offense.

- The Cincinnati Bengals took a big step back after winning the AFC North the season before. The aging offense has never been great, but it never got going last season. The defense is still effective and has a lot of youth everywhere.

- Much like the Bengals, the Pioneers took a big step back after winning the AFC South the season before. They just simply underperformed because that team has a lot of talent and a lot of youth. QB Russell Wilson has improved each season, and there a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball. The defense though still managed to be the league's worst last season. With their talent level, that looks to be a fluke.

- The Indianapolis Colts befuddled me. They are a perennially great defensive team, but the offense that I expected to be among the league's worst ended up finishing around the Top 10. After projecting them to finish as the 15th seed in the AFC, they went 8-8, good for 7th or 8th in the AFC. They will likely need a new QB and possibly other starters along the OL or secondary, but with the right player acquisitions, they could be playoff contenders next season as well.
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- The Seattle Seahawks made the playoffs for the first time despite losing their first round pick before he got to play a down and their previous 1st round pick for half the season. The defense showed signs of living up to its talent, but it still has work to do. The offense has been making strides though.

- The St. Louis Rams have made the NFC Championship game the past two seasons, including a 15-1 record with Top 5 offenses and defenses last season. There is no reason to suspect a huge drop off this upcoming season.

- The Washington Redskins have had cap issues in recent seasons, but it appears those days might be behind them, and they went from having the #1 overall pick in last season's draft to being in the playoff hunt until Week 17. They have a lot of youth and veteran starters, and they look to be one good offseason away from being Super Bowl contenders again.

- After having made the playoffs the previous three seasons, the Vikings had an uncharacteristically poor season. The defense was okay, but that offense was all HB Courtney Lewis. Former MVP QB Josh Portis has far and away his worst season as a Pro, so he's a likely bounceback candidate. This team is the league's oldest, and while most of the old guys are on the bench, you can expect to seeing many retirements ahead for this team, especially on the OL.

- The Anaheim Lightning had a resurgent season after picking around the Top 10 for awhile. They finished with an 8-8 record and a Top 10 D. The offense wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. They have a lot of youth there, so maybe it is just a matter of time before the entire offense breaks out.

- The Atlanta Falcons had a sneaky Top 5 D, but they squandered it by losing their opening round playoff game. It is possible that they will lose all three of their starting LBs to retirement, and the chronic health issues of several offensive players has started to become a problem, but this team has talent, depth, and production across the board, so it's hard to imagine this team will not be playoff contenders next season.

- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in QB Teddy Bridgewater, and the defense had its best outing in several seasons. Retirements are looming on both sides of the ball, with WR and CB being the positions in the most danger.

Should any of the italicized teams open up, I will hopefully also provide a little bit of info on them as well.
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I will have the sign-ups go on until around Halloween, so you are in no rush to make a decision. If you have any questions or concerns at all, do not hesitate to ask me.

In the meantime, here are some testimonials from some current members:

Join now before I decide to finally ditch the Titans and take the team that you were considering taking but decided to check back later.
- MysteriousStan

Its taken me three seasons to build this team, but dammit if that wasnt the finest 5-game losing streak to end the season in a playoff flop Ive ever seen!
- DoubleTangicide

Slow and steady wins this race. My race is an eternal 9-7 finish chain.
- Eddv

One of the most well run and longest running board projects. KCF is half-man,half-Madden.
- ScareChan
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Hell, alright. Pumpkins can only do better this time probably
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Also, anyone new looking at this topic should know that KCF puts a lot of effort into this project and is very fothcoming with info and help if you need it. So don't be afraid to sign up!

Also, I will go ahead and officially state that I'll be back with the Bills for next season.

I'll also take this opportunity to congratulate Wiz and his Cowboys on running through all 4 rounds of the playoffs to another championship, and also to heap praise on Bills Pro-Bowlers Cedric Benson, Chad Johnson (please don't retire! ;_; ), and Victor Hobson.

And finally thank you, KCF, for your extreme dedication to the best B8 project!

Oh, and sorry about forgetting to vote for QB of the year. Not sure how I scrolled past that one.

Man is another season done already?

How did the Falcons fare?
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Maniac64 posted...

Man is another season done already?

How did the Falcons fare?

- Won the NFC South with QB Rex Grossman starting most of their games
- Finished with a Top 5 D
- HB Lonta Hobbs won Madden's HB of the Year and was an MVP finalist
- Lost in the first round to the Giants
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KCF0107 posted...

and we've even had a user win a Super Bowl by doing nothing.

Sup brah
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So overall the AI did better than me but ended up with basically the same result lol.
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This is easily the best and most fun project that I have been part of on Board 8.

You can be super hands on with your team or you can only tinker a little bit if you wanted. KCF will help out a lot to ensure your team does as well as it can. He has even taken temporary control of teams if you get too busy and ask him too (but really you can get by with minimal input if you wanted)

My main regret is being interested in this project and then not signing up until like 2 seasons later.

As always, anyone who was previously part of B8NFLL is free to re-join. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't trying to sound like I would only accept fresh faces when I asked for new blood.
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I will be returning to KC, to the dismay of virtual Chiefs fans everywhere.

Sad to see Wiki leaving, hopefully he can rejoin someday.
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Bump
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Maniac64 posted...

So overall the AI did better than me but ended up with basically the same result lol.

Nothing embarrassing about losing hone playoff games to the Giants
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Nee will be returning to the Lions.
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I will take the bucs back.
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DoomTheGyarados posted...

I will take the bucs back.

Yussssss
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Welcome back Chris
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Evening bump
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I gave out the link to my fantasy football group so if we get some non B8 regulars sign up, that's where they have come from. A few expressed interest so may get like 2-3 sign ups

Ok, 2 for sure say they are in. One is waiting until they get home to sign up as he works on the road all day. The other created an account but apparently you can't post on Board 8 with a new account so he may have to wait until the karma ticks over to 1 tomorrow. Trying to find out off them if they had any team preference.

One of them says he wants the Bengals once he can post

And the other wants the Seahawks.

So just a case of getting them to post now

@mccheyne

I am unable to send you a PM due to having already sent out three unread ones, but I just want to inform you that I will need to know your intentions of staying or leaving us for next season by late October.

If you are on the fence, maybe I can convince you with news that I will probably be able to put in a request to move the Bears back to Chicago (would go into effect Season 12), you had a Top 7 D in the second half, you went on a tear to end the season, and some of your young players really stepped up.

If you will need your players' stats before making a final decision, I will need you to open up your old PMs, and you will have to wait until mid-October for that PM.
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Bump
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I will hopefully do an updated team list tomorrow
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ShatteredElysium posted...

One of them says he wants the Bengals once he can post

And the other wants the Seahawks.

So just a case of getting them to post now

Oh hey both of these teams were on my list! So just a reminder to those of you thinking of signing up...

KCF0107 posted...

Join now before I decide to finally ditch the Titans and take the team that you were considering taking but decided to check back later.
- MysteriousStan

Im the guy that said he wanted Bengals - but I'm also the FNG so toss me the worst team available and watch me make magic happen.

Well the bengals had the #1 pick last year and finished 5-11 this past year so...they're pretty bad! Take them!
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Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs Ranlom
Oakland Raiders
Washington Hawks (formerly San Diego Chargers)

Buffalo Bills stevr
Miami Dolphins KCF
New England Patriots (formerly Birmingham Cougars and yes, New England Patriots) Jukkie
New York Jets

Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals - Smitty
Mexico City (formerly Cleveland) Browns VI
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
New York Giants Eddv
Las Vegas Pumpkins (formerly Philadelphia Eagles) Shonen
Washington Redskins

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

Anaheim Lightning (formerly New Orleans Saints)
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers Emerald
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Chris
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The Bengals are one of the worst teams at this moment (they have a brighter future than some others) that are open. I will make a note to send you individual stats in mid-October to give you a better idea of how you wish to approach your off-season.
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Well, please make an announcement to my new team that if we don't have a winning record this year AND turn a profit then we will be relocating to Orlando, FL next season.

Just need Tony to sign up now. I'll pester him some more later

Still lots of time for sign-ups!
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And there i sit, all alone.

My cousins showed some interest, but they don't want to sign up to Gamefaqs. Damn kids.
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That's unfortunate
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Bump
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Bumpers
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Bumps
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Bumper
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Now that I see the contest discussion is in full force, that must mean the contest will be starting up soon and maybe we will get some additional signees.
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Bump
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Plenty of room in the afc west!
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Afternoon bump for purge-related reasons
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Bump
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