News, Notes and Lessons Learned from the 2011 QFL Auction

1. The consensus steal of the auction was Drew Brees for $12. Many wondered how this happened. Brees was dropped immediately before the auction (we’ll get to this below). About 2/3 through the auction, when everyone except three teams were short on money, only one QB needy team had money. The other teams watched him go.

2. The biggest theme of the QFL was the devaluing of RB’s. As one keen observer put it, QFL owners seem to be scared off by the potential of a double dip recession, so they aren’t spending their fake QFL money (although everyone has a $100). Examples of lower salary include Gore for $17 (was $29), Steven Jackson for $18 (was $27?), MJD for $19 (was $22?), Jonathan Stewart for $7 (was 12?). Some transition players did not go over $20 bucks: Bradshaw $14, Felix Jones $14, and most expensive of the auction Forte for $18.

3. In related news, HepQ—the team that invented the shotgun approach to drafting (drafting 30 players and hope one hits)—continued its philosophy, albeit with RB’s instead of WR’s this year. This team picked up 7 RB’s at the auction – Hightower, Wells, Addai, Felix, Bush, Benson, and of course Ryan Williams (see below).

4. WR1’s were priced favorably too, although the difference in pricing this year compared to last was marginal. Of course Fitz, Wayne, and Andre Johnson were big money guys. Surprisingly, a team paid $14 for Colston ($15 last year).

5. The team with the best core WR’s – Qtang  Miles Austin, Dwayne Bowe, and Andre Johnson (add in Jahvid Best and Jermichael , and you have a quality run and shoot offense).

6. For 8 years of the league most TE’s were ignored. This year, no less than 15 TE’s were selected. It’s no surprise that Jimmy Graham is not a sleeper to the learned QFL group. If you think I just ruined your sleeper pick by announcing Jimmy Graham’s name, you’re wrong.

7. Top Defenses have a $9-12 value. Jets (transition) went for $11.

8. With very few exceptions, the age of the reliable 2nd receiver for $5-8 is over. There are no more Hines Wards and Donald Drivers of the world it seems. It is speculated that the relatively high prices for Lance Moore ($6), Malcolm Floyd ($5), and Steve Smith ($5) were driven because 1) teams had spare money at the end of the auction and/or 2) teams are looking to hit a home run on guys who may be good in the right circumstance.

9. Annoyingly, teams threw out kickers beginning in the second round of the auction. We should agree (a gentlemen’s agreement) to leave this until the end of the auction.

10. This has got to be the worst rookie pool in years. After the top 5, I can’t say I had a feeling about any player. This is not to say that Kendall Walker doesn’t go on to stardom (esp if Gore is traded – read it in the news today), but you cannot honestly say that any guy between #6 and #24 will surely pan out.

11. For the first time ever, we almost had a even number of teams remotely participating as in person. Google+ Hangout delivered a remarkable solution. Video conferencing, while still not as good as attending in person, allows everyone to see facial expressions and other visuals. This void cannot be replaced by conference call or IM. You should have seen the reactions in the room and Hangout when HeqQ took Ryan Williams in the rookie draft at #4.

12. Another trend at the auction, which has not been tested quantitatively, is that teams seemed to have auction plans in place. Every team appeared prepared, and seemingly had their super sleeper selections ready. Josh was ready to pounce on Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown, for example.

13. It’s fair to say that most players thrown out during the auction were known by every team. There are certain exceptions, however. We invented the QFL Litmus test: 1) Players not recognized by Duggan and Seth, which may include 1-2 players tops; 2) Players not recognized by Benny, which probably included 3 players tops; and 3) Players not recognized by Ian, which conservatively included about 30 players, certainly including Dezmon Briscoe, Jared Cook, Denarius Moore, Jerome Simpson, and probably even a defense. The corollary to this litmus test, is the “Ian likes to pick up older players because he recognizes their name” theory, which is evidenced by pick ups of Tomlinson, Kitna (seriously!), Colston, and Driver.

14. FRNQ (with a name change pending) dropped Brees $19. He argued that he needed to spend that amount and roll with Sam Bradford. What did he do with the extra $19. He picked up Boldin for $12, Roy Williams $4,Kellen Winslow $1, Jason Campbell $1 and Ryan Fitzpatrick $1. Winner?

15. At least one team had a busy auction, mostly defending himself from Vulchers. Coming into the auction (after dropping Beanie Wells for $16 well before Ryan William’s injury was announced), QU had to defend Rivers (F), Flacco (T), and Jets (T). Well, he kept Rivers. Lost on Flacco ($9) for the #17, and lost Jets D for ($11) for the #23 pick. Because of the run on transition players, he could not use the second rounders to pick other transitions. He picked KC $5 as the best available Defense, and then picked every possible RB in the rookie draft. He now has 23 players on his roster.

16. The most players on a team is 24 to HepQ; Least players is 16 to Qtang. More teams have 20+ players than <20 players. 17. Felt like auction rookies for SOQ and BQP who for the first time in a long time had money to spend at the auction. 18. It has been suggested that ComComm investigate a rule, whether implemented by each QFL or the entire QFL nation, that would penalize teams for participating remotely. I suggest that the fine be related to distance. For example, this is my initial proposal, assuming the initial fine is $50: • a team more than 1000 miles from the auction location would receive a $45 credit; • a team between 750 and 1000 miles from the auction would receive a $40 credit; • a team between 500 and 750 miles from the auction would receive a $35 credit; • a team less between 250 and 500 miles from the auction would receive a $20 credit; and • a team less than 250 miles from the auction would receive no credit. 19. A competing piece of legislation is that any one attending the auction in person is able to access and choose players from a 3rd round of the rookie draft. Do you have thoughts on this proposal versus the previous one. Personally, I like them both. 20. Despite the improvements in auctioning, we are still stuck with A.S.S. This system causes a number of delays, particularly slowing down the auction and potentially slowing down free agency and QFLE (thanks Scott for saving the QFL from these issues). If you have any suggestions for Commissioner services, please let Seth know. Remember, we have to have blind free agency, contract functionality, waiver wire, salary input, and ways to create the practice squad and IR. 21. Every year, the QFL auction starts at least 1-2 hours after the scheduled start time. This year was absolutely no difference. As best as I could construct, here is a hypothetical analysis of one of the owners who was holding up the auction. • It’s Friday night, I should go down to DC since I am not doing anything and I haven’t seen my college friends in a year or more. Oh, I should also go down there because my girlfriend is going down. Nah, I won’t go down today. I will go down early tomorrow • It’s Saturday morning at 10, I just woke up. I can get on the MegaBus now and be there in 4 hours. I should check the schedule on the internet. Forget that. It’s too hard to and open a new browser screen while I am reading The Onion online.
• It’s Saturday at 12. I need to leave now. I am already an hour late. Oh wait, Sportscenter is on again.
• It’s Saturday at 1 and all the buses are sold out. I better get to Penn Station and get a train. There’s a train leaving at 1 which should get me into DC at 5. Perfect, I will be on time this year
• I am more than an hour late to the auction. I just got here. I really should go in. Wait, I better get one last smoke.

22. Take a look at the Rosters for the QFL. In the comments, let us know who has the best team.