Subject: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:56 am
Hey everyone, my name is Jon and I would love to be considered as a new owner in your league. I am 30 years old, married with 2 young daughters, and currently live in the Dallas, Texas area. I grew up in New Hampshire and went to college in Iowa where I played college football and wrestled. I moved to Texas 5 years ago to attend grad school and got a job in the area after graduation. I work as video game artist at a small studio developing mobile games.
1 Tell us about your fantasy football experience, including the types of leagues you play in and where they are hosted I started playing fantasy football for the first time as a college freshman and fell in love immediately. I have always been a football nerd, watching every game I could, reading and studying the sport as well as pursuing a career as a player. As a kid, I would make my own draft rankings to see how I stood up with the Mel Kipers of the world. Naturally, I gravitated to dynasty leagues pretty early in my fantasy football career. I have always loved the idea of being the GM of my own team, drafting rookies and having to live with my choices for years to come. I have always been one of the most active owners in every league I have been a part of. I have never abandoned a team or league during the season and never failed to submit a lineup. In all may years of playing fantasy football, I have very rarely had a losing season, in any format.
I am currently the commissioner of two leagues on MFL.com. You can visit my leagues at the links below. The first is a dynasty/keeper league with a Middle Earth theme. I designed all the logos myself. The second is a redraft league with a unique concept that I came up with last year.
I have also been a member of a dynasty league at EFSports.com for the last 5 years. This is a site with 53 man rosters, 8 man practice squad, 11 man offense/11 man defense, punter, kicker and even offensive linemen. We also had contacts and cap year limits, UFA, RFA and rookie draft and participation is year round. I took over this team when they were one of the worst in the league and quickly turned it around through solid drafting and good roster management. I have had a winning record for the last three years. Unfortunately the EFS site has had major problems over the last year, is having trouble holding onto owners and my league may be disbanding.
2 Why do you want to be part of RW, what drew your interest? This brings me to my current situation. I love being the commissioner of my two MFL leagues but neither are as advanced as my EFS league was. (my owners are not really open to salary caps and a year round schedule) I would love to join one more league that can replace my EFS league as a year round experience that closely mimics the responsibilities of an NFL GM. I love everything about RW. It is very close to what I have been used to over at EFS. I love the payouts and incentives for active owners. As an artist myself, the professional look of the RW site is very appealing to me. In fact, I could probably save the RWC some work by designing my own logo/banner if that would be okay.
3 How much time in a typical week do you spend on your fantasy football hobby? I have always been a very active owner in every league I have ever been a part of. Now as commissioner of two leagues, I spend a fair amount of time on my fantasy football hobby, probably at least 5 hours a week several more hors/week reading about football or commenting on football forums. Let me reiterate that fantasy football is my top hobby. I absolutely love the strategy of building a team as well as just talking about he sport I love. I could talk about football for hours and intend to be an active member of this league's discussion boards.
4 Talk about a favorite memory or crazy fantasy football related story I mentioned that I played college football. One memory from my playing career that sticks out is my first extensive game action as a true freshman. I played safety and we were facing Coe College who had a running back by the name of Freddie Jackson. Yes, the current starter for the Buffalo Bills. On the first play I was in the game, Coe ran a toss sweep to Jackson who got the edge and was turning the corner. I was barreling down on him and thought I had a great angle. I ran a 4.5 forty and at the division III level that is good enough to run down just about anyone. Well, as I closed in I realized that my angle was not as good as I thought. This guy was freaking fast! I had to dive for him and was able to make a shoestring, touchdown saving tackle. It was my first recorded tackle as a college player and it came against a future NFL star. On the fantasy football side of things, I was in a league a couple years after graduating college with a bunch of my former teammates. One of my teammates was on an NFL roster at the time so he was in the league database. He wasn't expected to make the team, much less contribute, but I actually considered taking him with my last pick just so he could say he got drafted in fantasy football. But then I came to me senses and picked a kicker instead.
5 What do you think members of your other leagues would say about you as an owner? As an owner and commissioner, I have always been very active and tried to make my leagues a fun experience for other owners. I enjoy creating new polls and message board topics that help to foster discussion among owners. As a commissioner, I have always tried to go above and beyond, such as writing league articles and creating a league preview magazine. If I make a mistake, I own up to it and apologize. I believe in treating people the way they want to be treated, and believe this applies to strangers on the internet as well. I enjoy healthy trash talking on message boards but am careful to keep it respectful. I have received nothing but praise from other owners.
6 Anything else you would like to add? As a Green Bay Packer fan, please don't tell me that Jay Cutler is my QB? Just kidding! I am willing to take over any team available. I have to say that this league looks awesome and I would love to be a part of it. I believe I am the type of owner that you guys are looking for and promise that you won't regret adding me to the league (that is until I build my team into an unbeatable juggernaut).
Looking forward to hearing from you guys!
Jon
Baja Beatniks
Posts : 3592
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:02 am
Welcome, Jon. I lol'd at Russell Wilson stepping through a Hobbit door on your league site. Funny shit. Hope you'll stick around and post a lot so we can get to know you. Good times to be had here on the forums.
Hamilton Steel Cats
Posts : 8412
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:17 am
Welcome Jon,
Good read, man.
Oh the shame, to be ousted for a kicker, a Kicker? Really? Call suicide prevention hot line ...
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:19 am
Thanks Beatnicks, I found that image on NFL.com last year and thought it would be perfect for my league. I think it was some article about short QBs that they came up with as a promotional piece for the first Hobbit movie.
Vegas Beach Tiger Sharks
Posts : 4143
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:22 am
Impressive stuff, Jon, welcome!
Philadelphia Pigskins
Posts : 17321
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:23 am
Welcome Jon. Glad to hear that Dallas is only where you live, and not who you root for! Hang around the forums and make yourself known!
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:26 am
If I live in Texas for the rest of my life, I will never root for the Cowboys. As a Packer fan, I have hated that team since I was a kid. America's team my ass!
England Dragons
Posts : 15072
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:27 am
Welcome to RW Jon - enjoyed your post. Dive in to other threads and post often so we get to know you better.
First problem is your name. It's the same as mine and I was here first...
Philadelphia Pigskins
Posts : 17321
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:30 am
gridirongamer wrote:
If I live in Texas for the rest of my life, I will never root for the Cowboys. As a Packer fan, I have hated that team since I was a kid. America's team my ass!
That's what I like to hear!
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:32 am
Jon, I don't mind going by Jonathan to avoid confusion. Please don't hit me!
Utah Spazz
Posts : 3490
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:42 am
Welcome Jon!
Nice to see a few new faces on the boards and you must be a diehard if you are finding us in mid January.
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:54 am
Yes, I would say I'm a diehard. I need a league that can give me my fantasy football fix from January to July!
You need a nickname. You can't be Jon and Jonathan is way too much to type. Like I call Stylianos Styles.
Hmmmm
Although I do call the other Jon Johnny English instead. Which is a weird nickname since it's far harder to type out English or Johnny English. But there you have it.
You can be Snoop if you want. Snoop Dogs. Yeah I like that.
What's happening Snoop?
Not much eh?
I absolutely love your story about drafting a kicker over your friend. Real dick move. Can't stop laughing. You I like.
I am thinking about a military theme for my team. (Devil Dogs is a nickname for U.S. Marines) I noticed that you guys pick a head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators. I am thinking of these guys for my coaching staff:
Head Coach: Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men) Offensive Coordinator: Major Payne (Damon Wayans, Major Payne) Defensive Coordinator: Sergeant Hartman (Lee Ermey, Full Metal Jacket)
Jon, I don't mind going by Jonathan to avoid confusion. Please don't hit me!
See, you're redeemed already. I'm a Jonathan too and the amount of people who can't even spell it properly is scary. O's I the wrong place, A's I the wrong place, extra H's... sad.
So, Justin can come up with a new name for you that you can live with. I doubt it'll be one you'll like but you never know...
I'm just calling the new Jon "Joker" cuz I think it's a pretty badass handle, considering Batman and all, plus the organic way it came about via Justin's stream-of-consciousness nickname freestyle.
Geez....47 posts in before the RWC can drag his ass to the party? Wow.
Welcome Jon. I enjoyed your intro and was impressed with the work you did on your site..very well done. As the other guys have said, jump right in on any of the boards you can access and partake in the madness. We like to just see how things go with prospects before we ever approach the topic of actual ownership and such so try to look at like "no news is good news" if you will.
I just came in from playing outside and dinner is soon so I will have to throw some questions at ya later.
I think that story about tackling Fred Jackson is really cool. Wish I could claim that feat.
Thanks commish. I look forward to getting grilled! I've never seen a league with such an intense interview/evaluation process. I love it! As a commisioner myself, I wish the owners in my leagues were this active. You do great design work yourself. Are you an artist by trade?
Thanks commish. I look forward to getting grilled! I've never seen a league with such an intense interview/evaluation process. I love it! As a commisioner myself, I wish the owners in my leagues were this active. You do great design work yourself. Are you an artist by trade?
Thanks man...nope, just a nerd who has gotten into things more and more since day one.
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sat Jan 18, 2014 12:27 am
Everybody, stop calling him Jon, it's really confusing...
His name is Joker!
Mohawk Ridge Marauders
Posts : 21507
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:54 am
England Dragons wrote:
Everybody, stop calling him Jon, it's really confusing...
His name is Joker!
Or Jon Snoop Jonathan Joker for short.
San Francisco Golddiggers
Posts : 7517
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:08 pm
Welcome Jon
Hamilton Steel Cats
Posts : 8412
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:24 pm
Jersey Legionnaires wrote:
Or Jon Snoop Jonathan Joker for short.
Musical Interlude, pop a Quaalude
Hit it Maestro ... I'm going with Sloop John B
Or it's gonna be Space Cowboy, Gangster of Love, Maurice, Joker, Smoker, Midnight Toker
Atlanta Africans
Posts : 11213
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:08 am
Wowza - way to make the new guy feel welcome guys!
Tackling FJax - best (fantasy) football story on one of these applications hands down
Minnesota Eternals
Posts : 35237
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:22 pm
Same question I asked Craig. ...
Biggest pet peeve in regards to fantasy football?
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:26 pm
My biggest pet peeve in all my days of playing fantasy football would have to be lack of participation from other owners. There isn't much joy to be had from winning a game against some guy with a lineup full of players on bye week or injured reserve. I gave up on playing free leagues years ago because I just can't stand it when the casual owners don't keep up with their responsibilities. Now as a commissioner in several leagues, this pet peeve of mine is compounded due to the fact that it is me that has to deal with these types of owners. This is why I love your penalty system and participation requirements. I'm now thinking about instituting similar ideas in my leagues. A commissioner shouldn't have to be a babysitter.
Las Vegas DeGenerates
Posts : 6412
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:13 pm
Welcome Jon. Stick around, be involved... Who knows what will happen. You definitely stumbled across a league unlike any other out there.
New England Nineties
Posts : 5587
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:34 pm
I have no further questions.
Decatur Freakshow
Posts : 6574
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:36 pm
Welcome Jon
England Dragons wrote:
gridirongamer wrote:
Jon, I don't mind going by Jonathan to avoid confusion. Please don't hit me!
See, you're redeemed already. I'm a Jonathan too and the amount of people who can't even spell it properly is scary. O's I the wrong place, A's I the wrong place, extra H's... sad.
So, Justin can come up with a new name for you that you can live with. I doubt it'll be one you'll like but you never know...
In your case...Jonny...we could just call you Knobend.
Minnesota Eternals
Posts : 35237
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:16 pm
gridirongamer wrote:
My biggest pet peeve in all my days of playing fantasy football would have to be lack of participation from other owners. There isn't much joy to be had from winning a game against some guy with a lineup full of players on bye week or injured reserve. I gave up on playing free leagues years ago because I just can't stand it when the casual owners don't keep up with their responsibilities. Now as a commissioner in several leagues, this pet peeve of mine is compounded due to the fact that it is me that has to deal with these types of owners. This is why I love your penalty system and participation requirements. I'm now thinking about instituting similar ideas in my leagues. A commissioner shouldn't have to be a babysitter.
I can obviously relate with that answer.
Minnesota Eternals
Posts : 35237
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:46 am
Jon, are you or were you in the military? You didn't mention it but obviously your concept for a team is heavily into the military so I was curious the origin of that...
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:58 am
Minnesota Eternals wrote:
Jon, are you or were you in the military? You didn't mention it but obviously your concept for a team is heavily into the military so I was curious the origin of that...
No not personally. My brother is an active duty Marine and earned a purple heart in Afghanistan and my dad, uncle and grandfather were all marines. I suppose it's more an homage to my family.
New Berlin Blitzkrieg
Posts : 1311
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:00 am
gridirongamer wrote:
Minnesota Eternals wrote:
Jon, are you or were you in the military? You didn't mention it but obviously your concept for a team is heavily into the military so I was curious the origin of that...
No not personally. My brother is an active duty Marine and earned a purple heart in Afghanistan and my dad, uncle and grandfather were all marines. I suppose it's more an homage to my family.
Very cool... and fits right into the general RW theme to boot.
Minnesota Eternals
Posts : 35237
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:00 am
gridirongamer wrote:
Minnesota Eternals wrote:
Jon, are you or were you in the military? You didn't mention it but obviously your concept for a team is heavily into the military so I was curious the origin of that...
No not personally. My brother is an active duty Marine and earned a purple heart in Afghanistan and my dad, uncle and grandfather were all marines. I suppose it's more an homage to my family.
Very cool. Is your brother overseas now?
gridirongamer
Posts : 38
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:12 am
Quote :
Very cool. Is your brother overseas now?
Not at the moment. He will be starting his third tour of duty in April. The family is planning on getting together next month before he ships out. This time he will be in Australia though so it's not as stressful for us as him being in Afghanistan. In Australia, the biggest danger is probably the wildlife!
Whiskey Creek Gadabouts
Posts : 11545
Subject: Re: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:14 am
gridirongamer wrote:
Quote :
Very cool. Is your brother overseas now?
Not at the moment. He will be starting his third tour of duty in April. The family is planning on getting together next month before he ships out. This time he will be in Australia though so it's not as stressful for us as him being in Afghanistan. In Australia, the biggest danger is probably the wildlife!
Subject: Dubuque Devil Dogs (Jon) 
This is why I love your penalty system and participation requirements. I'm now thinking about instituting similar ideas in my leagues. A commissioner shouldn't have to be a babysitter.
