Jun 20, 2007, 11:34 AM ET
FFL07 Rules Index
STANDARD GAME
All 10-team standard leagues play with the same roster settings, as seen here:
Standard game roster rule changes from 2006:
1) There are now two starting running backs on the active roster, bringing the number of total starters per team to nine.
2) The bench size of teams has been reduced from eight to seven players.
3) Teams are now allowed a maximum of eight running backs, up from the six allowed last season.
4) Teams are now allowed a maximum of three defense/special teams units, up from the two allowed last season.
For a full list of rules changes from the 2006 to 2007 season click here.
CUSTOM GAME
The Roster Settings page in League Setup allows the League Manager to customize these roster settings:
#1 - The roster positions (slots) used in the league
#2 - How many players start at each position
#3 - The maximum number of players allowed from each slot
The maximum amount of players you can have on your roster (active and bench) is 40.
When setting the number of 'STARTERS' and 'MAX ON ROSTER' for each slot it is important to carefully consider the number of teams in the league versus the number of available players in the game. For example, if you're in an 18 team league and select two (2) starters at the QB slot, there will not be enough actual starting NFL QBs for each team in your league (18 x 2 = 36, and there's only 32 teams in the NFL). Likewise, if the league has a high number of teams in it and the league manager sets a slot maximum to a large number, teams in the league could hoard all the players from that position so there's none available in free agency. In short, select your roster settings wisely! These are controlled via the pulldown menus in the 'STARTERS' and 'MAX ON ROSTER' columns.
Note: Roster settings can be edited until the draft begins. After the draft is complete roster settings can not be changed. If you MUST change your roster settings the League Manager does have the ability to RESET DRAFT afterwhich roster slots can be edited.
OFFENSIVE ROSTER SLOTS
Quarterback (QB): If this option is selected the league will draft individual NFL quarterbacks. If the QB slot is selected the league cannot use the TQB option. The maximum number of starters at the QB slot is six (6).
Team Quarterback (TQB): All quarterbacks from a specified NFL team are included in this unique scoring option. If selected, the league will draft a team and will receive stats for all QBs who play for the NFL team. So if you have the Patriots QBs and Brady gets hurt in the first quarter, you'll get all the points put up by his replacement(s) for the remainder of the game. The maximum number of starters at the TQB slot is four (4).
Running Back (RB): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL running backs. Fullbacks are considered Running Backs in the game. The maximum number of starters at the RB slot is eight (8).
Running Back/Wide Receiver (RB/WR): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start either a RB or WR each week during the season. The maximum number of starters at the RB/WR slot is five (5).
Wide Receiver (WR): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL wide receivers. The maximum number of starters at the WR slot is ten (10).
Wide Receiver/Tight End (WR/TE): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start either a WR or TE in it each week. The maximum number of starters at the WR/TE slot is five (5).
Tight End (TE): If selected the league will draft individual NFL tight ends. The maximum number of starters at the TE slot is five (5).
Offensive Player Utility (OP): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start any offensive roster slot. The maximum number of starters at the OP slot is fifteen (15).
DEFENSIVE ROSTER SLOTS
Defensive Tackle (DT): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL defensive tackles. The maximum number of starters at the DT slot is five (5).
Defensive End (DE): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL defensive ends. The maximum number of starters at the DE slot is five (5).
Linebacker (LB): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL linebackers. The maximum number of starters at the LB slot is five (5).
Defensive Line (DL): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start either a DT or DE each week during the season. The maximum number of starters at the DL slot is six (6).
Cornerback (CB): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL cornerbacks. The maximum number of starters at the CB slot is five (5).
Safety (S): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL safeties. The maximum number of starters at the S slot is five (5).
Defensive Back (DB): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start either a CB or S each week during the season. The maximum number of starters at the DB slot is six (6).
Defensive Player Utility (DP): If this utility slot is selected, team owners have the option to start any defensive roster slot. The maximum number of starters at the DP slot is fifteen (15).
TEAM ROSTER SLOTS
Team Defense/Special Team (D/ST): This roster slot combines both the Team Defense and Special Teams. The maximum number of starters at the D/ST slot is four (4).
OTHER ROSTER SLOTS
Place Kicker (K): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL place kickers. The maximum number of starters at the K slot is five (5).
Punter (P): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL punters. The maximum number of starters at the P slot is five (5).
Head Coach (HC): If selected, the league will draft individual NFL Head Coaches. The maximum number of starters at the HC slot is four (4).
BENCH AND IR
Bench (BE): The NFL players designated to be on reserve by the fantasy owner. These players will be inactive and unable to accumulate points after their weekly game has started. The maximum number of BE slots is determined by the number of starting slots in your league. The maximum amount of players you can have on your roster (active and bench) is 40.
Injured Reserve (IR): NFL players can be put on the IR if they cannot play because of a season-ending injury. Players can also be put on the IR if they are inactive in the upcoming game(s) because of injury or other reasons. ESPN's system determines who is eligible for IR. If a player is listed with a * next to his name he is eligible for your league's IR slot (Customizable Leagues only). The league manager can decide if the number for the IR slot will be 1-4 or none at all.
