[Reginald Rutledge]

(Disclaimer) This again is one of the long-thought out post that I wrote based on my experience in this area. I think I know a little about what you guys are talking about. However, if you feel this is too long for your perusal, don't waste your time reading it.)

One of the reasons we created FF.COM players in the way we did was because of the natural weight distribution. For instance, if you look closely at our lineup of 24 players, their weight is based on what we formulated as average weight of players at each position from the high school, college, and NFL perspective.

The linemen are the heaviest. The O-Linemen and D-Linemen are the heaviest players. The LB's are the next heaviest. RB's are next in line. WR's, DB's, and QB's are similar in weight.

Weight distribuition among these players were calculated to reflect NFL-type standards. The Linemen were to range from 300-275 lbs all the way down to WR's, RB's, QB's ranging from 220-180lbs. We tried to get a general perspective on average weights.

Now, our figures are coming up on 10 years running and even we, in the DFW League see different figures in different manners. Some guys don't see the RB's that I created from real-life NFL players as RB's and linemen as the real life stars I used them from. Everybody see things differently!

With that being said, we tried to formulate a weight distribution concept no matter whether you use FF.COM, Miggle, Buzzball, Wellington, Coleco, Gotham, or anyone else's figures. Mind you, this is about 10 years ago! What we saw as the problem was simply "A Way to Police the Figures".

This is a discussion I had on the Miggle board many years ago with people. I felt there should definitely be some type of difference in weights among positions. The concern was always with how to implement that. Most people thought very negative to most things I was talking about. Maybe now, guys will see more diversity in what I say here.

For instance, we took 3 approaches. One approach was the individual weight concept. This was the concept that was based on our weight charts, all linemen had to be 4.0-3.8 grams. All Tightends had to be 3.6-3.4 grams. All WR's had to be 3.4-3.2 grams. All RBs had to be 3.5-3.3 grams. All DBs had to be 3.4-3.2 grams. All LBs had to be 3.6-3.4 grams. All QBs had to be 3.2 - 3.4 grams.

The other approach was the Unit Approach:
The Offensive and Defensive Unit had to consist of a combined weight of 420 grams. It made no difference how that weight was distributed. If you wanted your DLinemen to weigh 5 grams per player, that meant you would suffer in some other area, whether it be at LB or DB. Or if you wanted a dominate DB, you could have one weigh as much as 6 grams. But do understand that your running game may be the most porous in the league! You follow me?

The 3rd approach was to have a Team Approach:
This consisted of having a cummulative weight of players which could be limited to a certain amount of players. This would allow backups to be counted in as a part of the process as well.

I found that each method had flaws with the "police issues". However, each method works in a solataire environment. When I play alone, all of these methods are used. One of the great things that occur when you combine something like this with the DFW concept of injuries is that such weight distribution approaches can impact the team's ability to win games during the season. If one of your dominate linemen that weighs 5 grams get hurt in week 1, you are SOL because your second teamer may only possibly weigh 3 grams! So careful planning of where you would distribute weight among teams is important. The next question becomes, how would teams know that a certain player can only be used in a certain position? This is simply an issue of registration of all players with the knowledge that such and such player can only play this position during the season.

Again, these are issues we had to deal with as a league. It becomes complicated. The question of honor and ethics always came into play. Not that individual guys are dishonest but everyone wants to win and may illegally put another O-Lineman in for a D-Lineman. You can only injure so many linemen during a season.

So anyhow, from a solataire perspective, I love weight limit concepts. I use it whenever I get the chance to play. But from a league and tournament concept, let me know when this mountain has been scaled. I try to "Think outside the Box" with my league and we would love to incorporate something new to keep the spirit alive.

Again, sorry for the long detailed look at what we do. I think it was important information.

Reginald Rutledge