Live Chat With Greg & Tom, Friday 2 pm ET

[Gekko]

Greg - do you envision any owners crying during tonight's DC express; either from the realization they weren't prepared to go 750 players deep or from all the pain I will be inflicting?

[Walla Walla]

Is there going to be a basketball get together Thursday night on the second weekend.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Nobody asking about the weather in Wisconsin??

It's cold. It's REALLY COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, let's kick this off. I just got back from lunch and it's warmed up to minus 11 now!!! Woo-hoo!!!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Can a team win an overall championship by starting SP/SP?

You can win an overall championship in a number of ways, but I don't remember anyone ever doing it that way. You definitely need to hit on speed and power after those first two picks to pull it off, but of course anything is possible. Finding a Yasiel Puig later on sure makes up for taking that 2nd pitcher.

Are you ready to do it that way this year?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Have you posted room rates for the Bellagio in March?

We definitely have to show you guys how cool this site can be. In the green navigational bar there is a link called Cities, right next to Home. The Las Vegas Weekend 1 and Las Vegas Weekend 2 links have had the Bellagio room rates since November. Here's what it says:

The NFBC has a special room block at the Bellagio until Feb. 23 for $159 per night on weekdays including Thursday, March 27 and then $209 Friday through (3/28-3/30). Call the number above and use Group name: NFC or Group Code: GREGAM.

Our deadline for this room block is Feb. 23rd and I don't think we'll get an extension this year. If it looks good to you, take it. Thanks all and we'll see ya at the Bellagio.

[Yah Mule]

Hi fellas, thanks for taking the time. This year I'll be entering my first Draft Champion leagues. Any advice on the best roster construction methods to combat attrition as the year progresses?

[Greg Ambrosius]

All the scouting reports are saying tanaka doesn't have the ultra high K potential as darvish (not many do) but is considered a better "pitcher" than darvish. Look into your crystal ball...rank these 4 SP...

Darvish
Tanaka
Hamels
Wacha

Yeah, just looking at the 7 year career numbers it's easy to see that Tanaka doesn't strike out opponents like Darvish did. I just wrote my BaseballHQ piece on him and in 7 seasons he struck out 1,238 batters in 1,315 IP compared to Darvish who struck out more than a batter per inning over 7 seasons. Still, going 24-0 last year with a 1.27 ERA is pretty amazing, even in Little League.

Darvish
Hamels
Tanaka
Wacha

[Greg Ambrosius]

This is all you have for us?? Nobody asking about the weather in Wisconsin?? Or our predictions for Sunday's game?? C'mon, I'm disappointed. Bring it on!!!

So what's the weather like in Wisconsin? I find it hard to believe it's colder there than here. Also, who wins Sunday?

One more quick question, do you guys anticipate any of the requested improvements in the FAAB back end to be implemented for this season?

Glenn, I've lived here 50+ years and the forecast for Monday seems to be as bad as I've ever seen it. The high temp on Monday is going to be minus 15 and the wind chill could be anywhere from 55 below zero to 75 below zero. I've never experienced that before. It's been 5+ weeks of snow and cold and the forecast just keeps getting worse. The Packers haven't had a good weather game yet this year (even the Opener had torrential rains before kickoff) and their last three games vs. the Vikings, Falcons and Steelers have been in below zero weather. It sucks.

All or the FAAB suggestions have been looked at and IT is going to reprogram all of our FAAB setup going forward. We can't just make small tweaks anymore there; it has to be totally redone and it will be. It's a good move for all of our contests and will be done for NFBC 2014. It's one of the reasons we just can't do the NFBC Cutline Championship because we have to redo this, redo the Online Draft Room and more. Lots to finish up first.

[Glenneration X]

This is all you have for us?? Nobody asking about the weather in Wisconsin?? Or our predictions for Sunday's game?? C'mon, I'm disappointed. Bring it on!!!

So what's the weather like in Wisconsin? I find it hard to believe it's colder there than here. Also, who wins Sunday?

One more quick question, do you guys anticipate any of the requested improvements in the FAAB back end to be implemented for this season?

Glenn, I've lived here 50+ years and the forecast for Monday seems to be as bad as I've ever seen it. The high temp on Monday is going to be minus 15 and the wind chill could be anywhere from 55 below zero to 75 below zero. I've never experienced that before. It's been 5+ weeks of snow and cold and the forecast just keeps getting worse. The Packers haven't had a good weather game yet this year (even the Opener had torrential rains before kickoff) and their last three games vs. the Vikings, Falcons and Steelers have been in below zero weather. It sucks.

All or the FAAB suggestions have been looked at and IT is going to reprogram all of our FAAB setup going forward. We can't just make small tweaks anymore there; it has to be totally redone and it will be. It's a good move for all of our contests and will be done for NFBC 2014. It's one of the reasons we just can't do the NFBC Cutline Championship because we have to redo this, redo the Online Draft Room and more. Lots to finish up first.

This is excellent news Greg, thank you. Well just to clarify, the FAAB news is excellent, your weather on the other hand....yikes!!!

[Greg Ambrosius]

How do I use ADP to my advantage? can I predict how soon (or how late) I should/can take a player?

To me, it's the best road map to prepare for your upcoming draft. When I see the ADP and see a guy I love -- let's say Chris Archer -- it just tells me when I better be prepared to grab him before others get their sights on him. If he's at pick 165, then I better jump him around 150 or get sniped. That's what it does for me. Now sure, someone else could be thinking the same thing and take him at 149, but having an idea of where players are going let's me decide how to build my team by possibly diving in sooner than I originally expected.

[Money]

Football Playoff Predictions? Do you have an opinion on how to go about winning the NFFC post season contest?

Can you believe there are teams out there taking Trout over Cabrera?

[ToddZ]

All or the FAAB suggestions have been looked at and IT is going to reprogram all of our FAAB setup going forward. We can't just make small tweaks anymore there; it has to be totally redone and it will be. It's a good move for all of our contests and will be done for NFBC 2014. It's one of the reasons we just can't do the NFBC Cutline Championship because we have to redo this, redo the Online Draft Room and more. Lots to finish up first.

Just wanna say that even before the changes, the STATS FAAB room blows away everything else out there -- trust me I know cause I have used them all so PLEASE keep some of the current features like just being able to click a box for all conditionals/contingencies and not have to go back to the beginning like most of the other sites.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Oh yes, one more. I haven't heard much about the Main Event "side bet" since the initial discussion that resulted in the raising of the Grand Prize. Is this still a possibility?

You are right, it did quiet down. Sure, anything is possible if the demand is there to do it. We have a lot of work to sell out both of our Main Events, so whatever helps us reach our goals is good by us.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Greg - do you envision any owners crying during tonight's DC express; either from the realization they weren't prepared to go 750 players deep or from all the pain I will be inflicting?

The only one I see crying tonight is Tom from the pain of this cold weather. He's definitely not taking this upcoming forecast well. When he saw minus 75 on the map for Monday he was either laughing or crying hysterically.

[Walla Walla]

No Thursday room? the 2nd weekend?

[Greg Ambrosius]

Is there going to be a basketball get together Thursday night on the second weekend.

Yes. Thursday, March 28th at the Bellagio I have a private suite reserved for those of you coming in early. I don't have all of the details yet, but I have the room for drafts on Wednesday and some fun on Thursday. We'll see if we can line up a sponsor to make it all happen and we'll provide some food and drink. Those of you who have been in this Executive Suite before know what a nice setup this is. Make your bets for the 4 Thursday Night games and come upstairs for some fun and hoops. And we're trying to fill a few Thursday Night drafts/auctions too, so if you want to come in early and compete just let us know.

[Glenneration X]

All or the FAAB suggestions have been looked at and IT is going to reprogram all of our FAAB setup going forward. We can't just make small tweaks anymore there; it has to be totally redone and it will be. It's a good move for all of our contests and will be done for NFBC 2014. It's one of the reasons we just can't do the NFBC Cutline Championship because we have to redo this, redo the Online Draft Room and more. Lots to finish up first.

Just wanna say that even before the changes, the STATS FAAB room blows away everything else out there -- trust me I know cause I have used them all so PLEASE keep some of the current features like just being able to click a box for all conditionals/contingencies and not have to go back to the beginning like most of the other sites.

Todd, I hate to say this but you're wrong and I believe STATS sees that now. There was a long thread on this previously and I believe I am not alone in being very happy that STATS is looking to improve in this regard. Kudos to Greg, Tom, and STATS for striving to improve the FAAB experience for their loyal customer base.

[Greg Ambrosius]

[quote="Glenneration X"][/quote]

The weather is insane. I know the East Coast is getting pummeled as well, so I feel bad for you folks too, but this cold just goes right through you. You actually ache from wind chills this cold.

The FAAB setup is 10 years old and needed to be reconstructed. We realize that. We know that if it's done well for all sports and saves you folks time that it will lead to more repeat business. It's a very big focal point for us this off-season, but it's not due just yet so we're working on Draft Prep and the Draft Room now. As you can see from the NFFC Post-Season contest software, the online draft room will look very different when we debut that. I like it.

[Gekko]

Better buy and hold in DC leagues:
Mark Appel, Kevin Gausman or yordano Ventura

[Walla Walla]

Greg, Go back to work! We need more money!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Football Playoff Predictions? Do you have an opinion on how to go about winning the NFFC post season contest?

Can you believe there are teams out there taking Trout over Cabrera?

The last three Super Bowl champions have played in the Wild Card game: Green Bay as a 6th seed in 2010, Giants as a 6th seed in 2011, Ravens as a 4 seed last year. As great as Seattle and Denver look this year, history tells us that some team is going to get on a roll starting this weekend and win it all. It could be San Francisco, it could be Cincinnati, but I'll pick Denver vs. the winner of Sunday's game at Lambeau!!!

Yeah, you need to pick the two Super Bowl QBs from the beginning and get 4x by the Super Bowl. Chris Schinker won two of the first three NFFC Post Season contests by taking Ben Roethlisberger in 2005 when the Steelers were a 6th seed and in 2007 when Eli Manning and the Giants were a 6th seed. That's how you win.

[ToddZ]

Todd, I hate to say this but you're wrong and I believe STATS sees that now. There was a long thread on this previously and I believe I am not alone in being very happy that STATS is looking to improve in this regard. Kudos to Greg, Tom, and STATS for striving to improve the FAAB experience for their loyal customer base.

Glenn - you're misunderstanding. I'm aware of (and agree with) most of the suggestions in that thread. What I'm saying is even with the issues, it's still the best out there (expect maybe myfantasyleague but they don't do baseball). This just shows how absolutely shitty the other mechanisms are.

[Greg Ambrosius]

No Thursday room? the 2nd weekend?

We have it John and you'll love it. Consider this my personal invitation to join us.

[Greg Ambrosius]

All or the FAAB suggestions have been looked at and IT is going to reprogram all of our FAAB setup going forward. We can't just make small tweaks anymore there; it has to be totally redone and it will be. It's a good move for all of our contests and will be done for NFBC 2014. It's one of the reasons we just can't do the NFBC Cutline Championship because we have to redo this, redo the Online Draft Room and more. Lots to finish up first.

Just wanna say that even before the changes, the STATS FAAB room blows away everything else out there -- trust me I know cause I have used them all so PLEASE keep some of the current features like just being able to click a box for all conditionals/contingencies and not have to go back to the beginning like most of the other sites.

Thanks and we will on some of this.

[Yah Mule]

Football Playoff Predictions? Do you have an opinion on how to go about winning the NFFC post season contest?

Can you believe there are teams out there taking Trout over Cabrera?

The last three Super Bowl champions have played in the Wild Card game: Green Bay as a 6th seed in 2010, Giants as a 6th seed in 2011, Ravens as a 4 seed last year. As great as Seattle and Denver look this year, history tells us that some team is going to get on a roll starting this weekend and win it all. It could be San Francisco, it could be Cincinnati, but I'll pick Denver vs. the winner of Sunday's game at Lambeau!!!

A SB XXXII rematch sounds good to me.