Shaferville Stars (Sam)

1 Who are you? Where do you live?

My name is Sam and I live in Tennessee. However, I am originally from Northern KY and am a lifetime Cincinnati Bengals fan.

2 Tell us about your fantasy football experience, including the types of leagues you play in and where they are hosted.

I have played on a variety of platforms, from really terrible ones (hosted by CBS and Fox) to so-so ones (hosted by Yahoo! and ESPN!) to the best platform of all: MFL. I generally play in 7-10 leagues per year,  with a mix of both redraft, keeper and dynasty leagues. However, I have found myself still wanting at the end of the season. Even my dynasty leagues aren’t as competitive as I would like, as the owners in those leagues tend to take a break in January and then show interest again in August.  I, on the other hand, want to keep maintaining, studying and analyzing my team and the rest of the league. If I were to join Roster Wars as a full owner, then I would stop participating in all of my other leagues and would focus 100% of my attention on this league.  The only team I would own would be the Shaferville Stars. I'm all in!

3 Why do you want to be part of Roster Wars...what drew your interest?

I love the fact that the owners of Roster Wars take the league very seriously. Right now, to get my fantasy football fix, I have to be in 7+ leagues. I would rather own a team in one serious, hard-core league where I can focus my time and attention than on 7 half-assed leagues where I only need to spend a few hours a week. Roster Wars would likely require 25-30 hours/week, 52 weeks/year, of my attention, and for me that is perfect.

So what drew my interest? A dynasty league I was in folded, and I sent out a message to a fantasy football forum on Reddit asking if anyone had an opening in a hard-core dynasty league. A member referred me to this one, telling me to be sure to read the by-laws first. I read, and re-read, the bylaws, and am hooked. I desperately want to be in this league. If it means I inherit a dilapidated roster which I have to rebuild, then I will gladly take that challenge.

I also like the "Empire" format of the pool, wherein some of the pot is carried forward indefinitely and only paid out under certain unique circumstances. I also dig the "two conferences" aspect of this league and love how the season ends. I have never seen anything like it and believe it is an ingenious way to run a league.

I love the intricacies and complexity of the rules. I love the league’s rich history and the stiff penalties for owners who don’t follow the rules. Unlike other leagues which tolerate zombie owners, Roster Wars has zero tolerance for owners who don’t take their league obligations seriously. This league is exactly what I am looking for.

4 How much time in a typical week do you spend on your fantasy football hobby?

30-35. Fantasy football is less a hobby and more of a part-time job for me.

5 Talk about a favorite memory or crazy fantasy football related story.

I have several, but the big one that comes to mind happened in 2006. I started out the season 0-2 (or maybe 0-3?) in a 2 player keeper league and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. For some reason, I drafted Tampa Bay’s Chris Simms early in that year’s draft. Two days before week #3, I reached out to another 0-2 team and threw up a proverbial Hail Mary: I would give up Chris Simms and receive the plucky and underrated WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh. That Sunday, Chris Simms had a serious injury resulting in his spleen being removed and T. J. Houshmandzadeh scored two Touchdowns. That trade single-handedly helped me go deep in the playoffs.

6 What do you think members of your other leagues would say about you as an owner?

Other members of my leagues would say that I’m not only hyper-competitive, but that I am one of the most active members in the league. Whether it is friendly smack talk, posting on message boards, or other league activity, my league-mates will know that I put plenty of time and effort into the league. Other owners will say that for me a fantasy league isn’t a hobby: it is a sacred obligation. Much like holding a full-time job or being a parent, owning a team in the Roster Wars league will require my full attention. It will be a labor of love.

7 Anything else you would like to add?

This sounds strange, but I like the fact that the commissioner has a lot of power in this league. Some of the worst leagues I have ever been in were ones that were very democratic (lower case “d”). That is, everyone had to vote and agree on trades and other matters. I like how the commissioner has plenty of discretion in this league. Considering how long this league has had members and how successful it has been, I think it speaks volumes to the commish’s ability to run this league.

I want to stress that, should I own a team in Roster Wars, I will drop all other fantasy football leagues. My only team will be in Roster Wars.

8 Are you joining to be a friend of the league or do you intend to start out as a prospect?

I want to join to be a friend of the league and a full-fledged member. However, if starting out as a prospect is the best way to eventually join this league as a full owner, then that is fine by me too.

Welcome, Sam!

Welcome Sam. So I am not sure how to read that, I think you said you want to be a prospect, but I am not positive. That is the only way to the big leagues.

Either way, this is the best place for fantasy and community in the planet, stick around! Andy (commish) is the best I've seen. If you tell him you like Bishop Sankey he may even kick someone out and just put you in the league.

Oh yeah, and read through the bylaws a few times. They are pretty in depth, but the setup is freaking awesome.

My dog, who I like more than most people is named Sam.

WELCOME---hope you enjoy your time at RW

Welcome Sam!

Titletown Tyrants wrote:

Welcome Sam. So I am not sure how to read that, I think you said you want to be a prospect, but I am not positive. That is the only way to the big leagues.

Either way, this is the best place for fantasy and community in the planet, stick around! Andy (commish) is the best I've seen. If you tell him you like Bishop Sankey he may even kick someone out and just put you in the league.

Thanks! I'll date Bishop Sankey if it means getting in this league. Folks here are pretty pumped about Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry and many hope that Sankey gets put out to pasture...

Yes, I guess I want to be a prospect. Sorry. Whatever it takes to make it to the big leagues, then that is what I want to do.

Appreciate the message and look forward to getting to know you all.

Apalachicola Oysters wrote:

Welcome, Sam!

Thank you! Looking forward to it.

Muskego Muskies wrote:

Welcome Sam!

Thank you!

Welcome to Roster Wars Sam! Great intro post...you certainly sound like a good fit for this crowd. As you've heard, reading and rereading the bylaws is a good idea for sure. So you definitely want to be a Prospect so that you can earn your way onto our waitlist and eventually into our main league. The process is not quick. You will need to demonstrate a level of activity consistent with what we expect of our owners and do so for more than a short window of time.

I will shoot you an email soon for what I need from you to start but beyond that, jump in wherever you can and have fun. If we need anything specific from you we'll let you know...otherwise just become a solid part of our community man.

Welcome again...glad you found us!

Oaktown Malosos wrote:

Howdy Sam!  Glad you found your way over to RW.  From reading your Bio, looks like you were drawn here much like the rest of us...Fantasy football lunatics!  Though, I don't think you have to quit ALL your other Leagues, unless you want to of course.  Most of us carry several, so no worries.  There's a lot to digest in the beginning, so take a look around, ask questions, and dive in.

I appreciate that! So far I love what I see. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I mean what I said before: I want one league to focus all of my attention, and I think this is it. Look forward to getting to know you.

Indiana Mayhem wrote:

My dog, who I like more than most people is named Sam.

WELCOME---hope you enjoy your time at RW

Thank you! Love that your dog and I share a name. Appreciate the greeting and look forward to working with you.

Minnesota Eternals wrote:

Welcome to Roster Wars Sam!  Great intro post...you certainly sound like a good fit for this crowd.  As you've heard, reading and rereading the bylaws is a good idea for sure.  So you definitely want to be a Prospect so that you can earn your way onto our waitlist and eventually into our main league.  The process is not quick.  You will need to demonstrate a level of activity consistent with what we expect of our owners and do so for more than a short window of time.  

I will shoot you an email soon for what I need from you to start but beyond that, jump in wherever you can and have fun.  If we need anything specific from you we'll let you know...otherwise just become a solid part of our community man.

Welcome again...glad you found us!

Thanks so much Mr. President! I've read the bylaws twice and have a handful of questions that I will ask on the forum soon.

I'm fine with the process not being quick. I look forward to not only gaining from this forum, but also contributing to the collective knowledge of the league.

Thanks again and look forward to getting to know you!

By the way, Andy, was Nick serious when he said you were a Bishop Sankey fan? Not passing judgement, just making sure.

Titletown Tyrants wrote:

Oh yeah, and read through the bylaws a few times. They are pretty in depth, but the setup is freaking awesome.

Can do. Once the kids are in bed tonight I plan to put on a pot of coffee and read them again. I love it.

Shaferville Stars wrote:

By the way, Andy, was Nick serious when he said you were a Bishop Sankey fan? Not passing judgement, just making sure.

I own him but I am not a fan.

I am broken in some respects but not in that way, rest assured.


Just sent you an email. Feel free to jump into the fray in any of the sections of the forum that you have access to.

Welcome to Roster Wars Sam.

Bergen Brawlers wrote:

Welcome to Roster Wars Sam.

Thank you Russ! Looking forward to getting to know you.

Welcome Sam. Glad you made it over! Like others have said, the best thing you can do is stick around, be active, and post where you can.

Philadelphia Pigskins wrote:

Welcome Sam.  Glad you made it over!  Like others have said, the best thing you can do is stick around, be active, and post where you can.  

Thanks Matt. My brother's name is Matt, so you are alright in my book. Appreciate the message and look forward to getting to know you.

Welcome Sam.

San Francisco Golddiggers wrote:

Welcome Sam.

Thank you Han-Yang. I look forward to getting to know you.

Welcome Sam glad you found us!

welcome Sam

Welcome Sam. So you are a Bengals fan from Tennessee with kids and a brother named Matt. The way I worded that makes it sound like your kid's names are Matt. That would be fun. What else should we know about you? Truth or dare is next.

Welcome Sam - you sound like you'll fit right in!

Get involved in threads that interest you so we can get to know you better.

Shaferville Stars wrote:

By the way, Andy, was Nick serious when he said you were a Bishop Sankey fan? Not passing judgement, just making sure.

Andy has Bishop Sankey Pajamas.

Tarpon Springs RedKnights wrote:

Welcome Sam glad you found us!

Thank you Stylianos. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Kane County Goon Squad wrote:

welcome Sam

Thank you Eric. Glad to be here.

Morrison Minions wrote:

Welcome Sam. So you are a Bengals fan from Tennessee with kids and a brother named Matt. The way I worded that makes it sound like your kid's names are Matt. That would be fun. What else should we know about you? Truth or dare is next.

Thanks. My brother's name is Matt, and two of my children are also variants of Matt (Matty and Mathias).

England Dragons wrote:

Welcome Sam - you sound like you'll fit right in!

Get involved in threads that interest you so we can get to know you better.

Thanks Jon. Looking forward to learning more about this league.

Welcome to the league Sam.

Glad to have you onboard!

Naperville Divine wrote:

Welcome to the league Sam.

Thank you Craig. Glad to be here.

Atlanta Africans wrote:

Glad to have you onboard!

Thanks Ian! I'm in the ATL all the time. Great city.

Welcome to RWs Sam! Glad to have join us

What part of KY and TN?

I grew up in London Ky. My sister lives in Lexington. 4 years in the Army at Ft Campbell, weekends in Nashville.

Please don't say Memphis.

Morrison Minions wrote:

What part of KY and TN?

I grew up in London Ky. My sister lives in Lexington. 4 years in the Army at Ft Campbell, weekends in Nashville.

Please don't say Memphis.

Thank you for your service.

Morrison Minions wrote:

What part of KY and TN?

I grew up in London Ky. My sister lives in Lexington. 4 years in the Army at Ft Campbell, weekends in Nashville.

Please don't say Memphis.

In KY: Covington/Louisville

In TN: Chattanooga. Went to school in Nashville. Great city.

Appreciate your service.

Littleton SilverBallers wrote:

Welcome to RWs Sam!  Glad to have join us

Thank you sir! Glad to be here.

Welcome Sam... I am late as usual to these threads...

Welcome Sam!

Devils Tower Outlaws wrote:

Welcome Sam...  I am late as usual to these threads...

Thank you Chris! Good to be here. My dad lives in Gillette, WY, and I've climbed Devils Tower nearly 10 times (although its been 25 years since my last climb)...

Maple Grove Mean Machine wrote:

Welcome Sam!

Thank you Mark! Look forward to getting to know you.

Welcome Sam!

North Wales Knights wrote:

Welcome Sam!

Thank you Joe! Glad to be here.

I like the new colors.  Another great effort from Andy.

Nice!

I love those colors. Bombers esq.

And Chuck Norris is just cool.