Grudge Match

Members of the NGFFL Leagues, After discussing the idea briefly with Steve, I've decided to start an "NGFFL Grudge Match" column that will go into "The Sideline Reporter" each week. It's designed to be a means of allowing guys in different leagues to be able to go head to head in games, in an unofficial capacity. While there are still a few fine points to work out, I'll be handling the scheduling of matches, and reporting the results in the Reporter each week, with color commentary. Since the season is still a ways off yet, I'm going to begin taking requests for matches on July 1, 1999, which will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

A few stipulations on matches, to keep things manageable and fair to all:

1. Presuming each team will start their expected "best roster" each week for their officially scheduled games, these same rosters will be used for the "Grudge Match". This will keep scoring the match easy, since I can simply compare the results obtained from the "official" games at MFL, rather than having to do manual calculations on each match.
2. There will be a limit of three matches per week, total, across the leagues. This will keep my workload in doing analysis, commentary, and scoring within reason, as well as provide an incentive to get the matches going, because it lets everyone know that if you want to do it, you better get on it before things get booked too far in advance.
3. Going in line with stipulation number 2, no individual team may participate in more than one grudge match every three weeks, or as the schedule allows. This will help avoid the complete ownership of the Rooney and Halas leagues from all challenging me to a grudge match in a single week. ;-)
4. I will make every effort in scheduling games to avoid setting up games that will favor one team over another because of bye weeks, but I won't make any promises, it will depend on how much response I get.
5. Matches may be arranged one of two ways:
   • Team owners can decide themselves that they wish to have a match, and each contact me stating their desire for such. Upon receipt of confirmation from each owner, the match will be scheduled.
   • A single owner can inform me that he wishes to engage another owner in a contest, at which point I will send an invitation to compete to the other owner, and upon confirmed interest from the owner that's been challenged, the match will be set up.
6. The NGFFL is a FREE league, and therefore there are no prizes or rewards that will come of these matches from the league. However, owners that wish to have "fun" side bets on their matches may do so. I'm hoping that anyone wishing to do this will let me know, so the results of that bet can also be included in the Reporter. Note, however, that "fun" bets will be all I will report on - drinks, dinner, a box of Flutie Flakes, things like that. No monetary bets will be reported, that is between each owner to work out and enforce. The league will not sanction or condone that type of betting. Please leave any mention of that type of bet out, remember that the true purpose of this league is based in fun, and bragging rights.
7. As of now, the "Grudge Match" is being designed to be an inter-league function. However, if scheduling and time permits, and there is sufficient interest, I may also institute a single match per week in each league for members of the same league, to "settle the score" so to speak, especially for teams that will play each other twice during the season, a "rubber match", if you will. Presumably, these would mostly be scheduled for later in the season, to see if it's necessary (if team A takes both games, a third is unnecessary). Again, this would have no bearing on "official" stats, it's designed more to stimulate interest and rivalry between teams in the leagues. It can also be a kind of "Revenge Match" thing, for teams that only play each other once, where (presumably) the loser of their one match wants to try and get revenge for the loss.

I think that's enough for now, it sets down guidelines that I'll refine a bit as we go on. I'm willing and happy to hear any input you guys have to make this better. I'm hoping it will become a fixture of the league for years to come. So, let's hear that feedback, and good luck with your drafts, and your seasons!