NFL VSDT Cash Comp 1

Hey guys,

First of all thanks to everyone for being keen to make this happen & for the prompt payments. Im looking forward to this and its perfect timing with the completion of the NRL fantasy season. So while this is the first time we will have done this Im hoping it can be an annual thing to tie us crazy fantasy fanatics over until the next NRL season.

This thread

I've created this new thread as a bit of a clean slate from the 'registration' thread so we can start discussing teams, strategies, and having some banter. I've started with a few posts about VSDT strategy so that everyone is on the same playing field to begin with. Feel free to add to my posts. I know the platform well but I'll be honest I dont know a great deal about NFL so others hopefully will be able to provide insight into strategy from that perspective!

Update on numbers:

Currently we have 13 paid up entries, but likely to get at least one or two more. So based on 14 entries this will be the prize structure.

1st = $350
2nd = $150
3rd = $100

Top weekly score for the season = $100

This was largely agreed upon when we initially discussed things but to make things simple my executive decision is final on this one. Hopefully by having 4 prizes we keep the majority interested for the season and everyone has an enjoyable experience!

VSDT platform

A number of us have played this platform before either in NFL, NRL, or other sports they offer. In order to make sure we are all on the same page please see the following posts. They are quite important in terms of how to utilise the best strategy for the VSDT platform.

Lets get cracking!!!!

UPDATE: 14 paid.

1. @Pacey's_Best (PAID)
2. @Russ (PAID)
3. @Krump (PAID)
4. @Rippin and Tearin (PAID)
5. @Ti - non-forum member (PAID)
6. @Revraiser (PAID)
7. @concussed (PAID)
8. @Krump's Mate (PAID)
9. @Verbal Kint (PAID)
10. @Enchanted Glossy Flamingo (PAID)
11. @Thickshake (PAID)
12. @Pain (PAID)
13. @wolfking (PAID)
14. @welshy (PAID)

15. - 16. 2 others who have expressed interest.

website link:

https://sportsdeck.com/au/nfl/dreamteam#/lobby

Scoring, Subs, and AEs

You have a team of 16 starters and 8 subs.

Your 8 Substitutes will act as automatic emergencies in their matching position only. If one of you 16 starters doesn’t gain any fantasy stats your lowing scoring sub (with fantasy stats) will substitute in for their place.

I believe you can technically have an AE score for you in each of the 6 fantasy positions.

Captains Loophole

Like NRLF it is rolling lockout (i.e. players lock as their games start). But unlike NRLF your captain (c) and vice captain (vc) do not lock at the start of the round and you can change who you have them on up until the individual players lock out.

This means that there is the potential to utilise the so-called ‘captains loophole’.

How to do this:
1) you must have a red-dot (non playing person in your team).
2) Place the vc on a player playing early in the round (for round 1 this might be Matt Ryan for example).
3) Place your (c) on someone playing later (Todd Gurley for example).
4) Make sure you’re your red dot can be subbed into your team after Ryan has played (remembering how players lock out as their games start).
5) If Ryan goes really well and you want to take his score as your captains score, substitute in your red dot and put the captain on him. He will not score for the round therefore defaulting your captain choice to your vice captain.
6) You will get an AE for your red dot.
7) If you don’t want to take Ryan’s score as your captain, leave as is and Gurley will remain your captain.

Like it or not, this is a strategy employed by most who have played the VSDT platform and I have had a quick chat privately with some of the long term members on the site who have signed up for this comp and consensus was that the best way forward on this issue was to be 100% transparent about it, make sure everyone understand it, can use it if they want, and then at least everyone is on the same page.

I’d also point out that the strategy only works if you have a red dot. It would be a risk too purposefully have a red dot in your team to start the season to employ this from day 1 as you would potentially have no cover in a particular postion and also would be sacrificing a potential CC which I would argue is more important for the long game than the potential to be able to loop. That’s just my opinion though – each to their own.

Price Changes

Another important thing to understand about the VSDT site is that player prices change in a similar way to NRLF, i.e. based on their fantasy performance in relation to their price BUT player’s prices do not change until they have played 3 games.

This is very important from a strategy perspective and IMO makes the game a little bit more forgiving. It means that prior to round three you can trade up to four times to fix any mistake you have made with your initial squad. I would argue that everyone should take advantage of those four trades.

Starting Prices

The basis of doing well in this game is about finding ‘value’ particularly in your starting squad. The 2018 prices of players is mostly a product of their 2017 average scoring. So someone like Todd Gurley is expensive cause he went well last year, and someone like Jaquizz Rodgers is cheap cause he scored poorly last year. Value can be found therefore if you think a player will improve on last year.

Also, in NFL there are typically a bunch of fantasy relevant rookies. Rooikies can range in price but they will always be priced relatively low. So if you can find a rookie in a skilled position that will start, it is likely that they will offer some value. There are a number of QBs this year that might fit that bill. I might show my ignorance here but an example might be Baker Mayfield Im thinking he starts over Tyrod Taylor.

Lastly, like NRLF there is a discount on players prices if they played 6 or fewer games (I think that’s the number). An example from last year I David Johnson. He only played 1 game I think.  This is where it gets a little complicated because it seems like they have priced DJ with no relation to his 2017 average. I suspect what they have done is priced him at a discount to his 2016 average. Either way, his price is not reflective of his 2017 average and that is because of the number of games he played. The point here is that value can be found in those players who played 6 or fewer games.

Thanks R&T

You mention red dots, I assume this means we get green dots for players named in line ups? I just want to check that I have an easy way to see if I have a full team named. Also, is there a handy link for where line ups are usually posted?

I think I'm on the right track. I've done my rookie research, discounted players, breakouts and projections etc. Spreadsheets are GO GO GO. Lets see if it is a stinking pile of shite......

Verbal Kint wrote:Thanks R&T

You mention red dots, I assume this means we get green dots for players named in line ups? I just want to check that I have an easy way to see if I have a full team named. Also, is there a handy link for where line ups are usually posted?

I think I'm on the right track. I've done my rookie research, discounted players, breakouts and projections etc. Spreadsheets are GO GO GO. Lets see if it is a stinking pile of shite......

No problem. Good point. I was using that term loosely - short hand for a player who is not starting.

Lineups are a funny thing in NFL, basically they dont get confirmed until an hour before kickoff (I think) but the NFL and the teams have a pretty good rating system for the likelihood of players playing. likely, doubtful etc.

So in short, no, Im not sure there is an easy way to see you have a full team.

Im not sure the best place for team updates - @welshy?

Great write up RT.
The NFL are really good with regards to injury updates compared to the NRL so it isn't as big an issue having team lists an hour before the game. It's lucky they are as 3am Monday morning isn't a great time to be checking your fantasy lineup.

That's a great summary R&T. I'd forgotten that the AE used is from matching positions. Thanks for reminding me.
With regards to the best place for team lineups and updates, there were 2 sites I used last year;

https://rotogrinders.com/   At the top click on Starting lineups. Not good at final lineups.

https://www.rotowire.com/  I used this site last year and it was great for initial starting lineups and for the final lineups 1 hour before kickoff but looking at the site now, it has changed, as in I can't even find the week 1 starting lineup now and it is asking for a subscription fee which wasn't there last year. I'll keep looking to see if I can find it....................


Found it. Click NFL, (far right), click All NFL>, Scroll down to lineups, then click NFL lineups. Bloody hell, it wasn't that complicated last year, anyway this was the best site I found for final lineups abt an hour before kick off.

Don't know how much we can trust the Rotogrinders website. It still lists Dan Bailey as Dallas's kicker for week 1.

Thanks gents, you're increasing my chances by a few % with each reply

Verbal Kint wrote:Thanks gents, you're increasing my chances by a few % with each reply

Mate this isn't the NRL you're playing with the big boys now.

I had a stinging and hilarious reply typed out there. Holding it back as I need help early doors

Verbal Kint wrote:I had a stinging and hilarious reply typed out there. Holding it back as I need help early doors

I'm no help to anyone...

Haha

Just paid bro!

Looking forward to another fantasy adventure with you shower of bastards!!

Rippin and Tearin wrote:

No problem. Good point. I was using that term loosely - short hand for a player who is not starting.

Lineups are a funny thing in NFL, basically they dont get confirmed until an hour before kickoff (I think) but the NFL and the teams have a pretty good rating system for the likelihood of players playing. likely, doubtful etc.

So in short, no, Im not sure there is an easy way to see you have a full team.

Im not sure the best place for team updates - @welshy?

sory mate missed all this, get most of mine of NFL.com bud, player list tells you whether they are active inactive, probably doubtful etc etc

Like a few have said they are not allowed to fuck over the injury reports like they do in NRL, so a day or 2 out you should know if your guy is suiting up. Lineups rarely change either minus major injuries so a starting WR will be a starting WR for the year, RBs might move around and become slightly more game flow dependant, like a pass catching back will become more involved if a team falls behind heavily early, so pass catching backs on teams not slated to do well are a decent option to rack up some decent scores

I know it's a cash league and some might be opposed to this but does anyone mind me putting up what i consider to be some value picks, some potential cash cows??

Welshy wrote:I know it's a cash league and some might be opposed to this but does anyone mind me putting up what i consider to be some value picks, some potential cash cows??

I think that's cool. In the spirit of why we're all here in the first place.

Pain wrote:

I think that's cool. In the spirit of why we're all here in the first place.

Will wait on a response or two more mate just incase others want players to be kept to themselves

Who you going with captain week 1?

Week 1 is a crap shoot, new offences, new defences new schemes, new hope!!

I edging towards D Johnson against the Redskins, based on a predicted huge workload

Welshy wrote:I know it's a cash league and some might be opposed to this but does anyone mind me putting up what i consider to be some value picks, some potential cash cows??

Great idea, reckon you should do it