Things to improve MockDraftCentral

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:31 am

vander,

I think you are missing the point. Many of us do not want to speed draft. Instead of us adjusting to the speed draft techniques, why don't we, as the paying customers tell mockdraft to adjust to what we, the paying customers want.

Do you have a disagreement with the points being made by the last few posts ? If so, please express them, if not, please help us be heard by mockdraft so that they can make the appropriate changes. Thank you

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:57 am

Simply trying to help moneyball be prepared for his next draft with what is already available on mdc. He may not know this stuff is there. On official drafts like the sat drafts there is always someone observing and if something has gone wrong (took the wrong guy by mistake) the draft can be paused and the pick fixed. I've seen it happen and am glad thay can fix these things on the spot. As for slowing the drafts down, I don't need the extra time, so it's not an issue with me personally. If you guys want to slow it down that's your issue.

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:00 am

we agree it is our issue- that is why we are bringing it up. again- it is about how to manipulate the websight. we are saying that this isn't- or shouldn't - be a test of how to manipulate the websight- or how fast you can draft. i think 20-30 seconds as a minimum is very reasonable. i hope enough will agree. if we don't bring it up- no one knows it is our problem. mike

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:23 am

I totally agree with Headhunters. I have found, even at the main event draft some folks want to get it over with....which to me makes no sense to me...wait all year...pay a bunch of money...then race through it like you hate it so much you just want it to end.

I want to savor it, and do it right, and drafting speed should not be a factor in who wins the league.

The mockdraft leagues go way, way too fast, speed overtakes all of the important elements of what makes a good draft.

Well, I'll leave it be after this, but I hope mockdraft will listen and hopefully make the minor adjustments needed so that skill replaces speed as the main factor in the drafts they host. Would it really hurt mockdraft to install a ding whenever a player is selected, or institute a minimal pause between selections and have a couple of short, planned breaks ?

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:33 am

No problems here. Mockdraftcentral is doing a great job.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:35 am

Be prepared to draft!! I can tell some people don't know how to prep

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:50 am

I'll let Geoff Stein from Mock Draft Central discuss the suggestions for their site since that's their baby. As far as the overall approach to the satellites we've found that using the 60 seconds we provide for the Main Event wasn't working well because it's more difficult to search on a web site for a player than it is when you have your rankings in front of you. So we added the extra 30 seconds and that seems to work fine for the most part.

The reality is that some players are going to draft faster than others and in the early rounds, for example, I would expect the pace to be pretty quick because I don't think you need a lot of time to grab the stud that's going to be available to you. My concern with adding another 30 seconds or so to the time is that it would greatly extend the length of the draft. I realize we don't want to fly through them and rush everyone but we also don't want to ask people to commit 6 hours of their time for a draft. There has to be a happy medium and at this time I think 90 seconds is a workable one.

We'll definitely keep listening to what you guys are saying and if it turns out that the majority of our participants are struggling with 90 seconds to find out what player(s) has been drafted, find the player they want and make their selection we'll look into another approach. So keep the feedback coming.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:01 am

MDC drafts go smoothly, plenty of time to make your picks with current setup.

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:13 am

tom, couple of things 1) the pace is quick because people predraft - their picks happen instantly. in a live draft that can't happen. 2) in a live draft you don't need to look up- you can hear the pick- and cross it off your sheet 3) i said this in private e-mail- people will get bashed for bringing this up- i am not suggesting every league you form has to do this. if 80% love to speed draft- fine. i was wondering if their are people that don't like the idea- obviously there are some. so like i said in my private e-mail the issue could be cost. the "cost" is- how long the draft takes- because you and/or greg are monitoring it. the " cost" is your time. so let us know what that is- is it 3 hours? whatever. i for 1 would prefer a minimum of 20 seconds and maybe a maximum of 1 minute. something that would a) get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. and 2) eliminate the instant picks. last 2 points: 1) this is not a main league issue- so all the ones that like it the way it was- fine. we are just asking if it can be an option for some leagues. if not this year- then next. 2) i don't want to debate the word "prepare" but i know if i was having brain surgery- time would not be the criteria i would use as a factor to pick the surgeon. just because someone picks in 0 seconds vs 20 seconds- does not really mean they are more prepared. this was all just a suggestion- nothing more and nothing less

JohnZ · Post by **JohnZ** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:18 am

Originally posted by Cherokee Nation:

I totally agree with Headhunters. I have found, even at the main event draft some folks want to get it over with....which to me makes no sense to me...wait all year...pay a bunch of money...then race through it like you hate it so much you just want it to end. Or.... come in 100% prepared, know exactly who you want each round, and then put pressure on those that are not prepared. Love it so much when others squirm

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:21 am

Ok Tom you've made a liar of me being done with this topic.

You didn't let us have a single break yesterday.

You made us keep drafting when people were telling you the site wasn't working right.

I'm sorry, but your actions speak louder than your words, and you were all about going too fast..100%

and please, when the wanna-bees nobodys like Gekko chime in don't take that into account as anything but his big brown nose going ever farther up NFBC butt.

Can you please have somebody other than you, somebody possibly neutral bring the issue to mockdraft ? That would be appreciated

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:22 am

Again, everything headhunters just said....totally agree

Potter · Post by **Potter** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:33 am

If there were multiple breaks or longer durations for picks, I wouldn't participate in more than one sat, and maybe none. 3.5 hours on a weeknight is pushing it as is.

I'd love to hear the details on how Tom made Whiney Nation draft when the site wasn't working right. I have done more satellites than most and mdc has frozen the draft when the occasional problem happened, and started back up when it got fixed. Yet somehow Tom refused to allow this to happen? I'm gonna have to call bullsheet.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:43 am

Tom - I can't believe the disrespect some people show you and greg. Seriously. You guys are busting your asses here, and people want to throw you under the bus. I don't get it. You are are doing a GREAT job

KJ duke, ufs, and myself have all chimed in that if you are prepared, MDC is a breeze. Cherokee apparently wants an email draft. If he's in the main event this year, nake sure you have somebody taking video of his every pick. It would be fun for all to see the sweatbeads on his face when the clock gets down to 10 seconds. LOL!

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:44 am

Originally posted by Cherokee Nation:

Ok Tom you've made a liar of me being done with this topic.

You didn't let us have a single break yesterday.

You made us keep drafting when people were telling you the site wasn't working right.

I'm sorry, but your actions speak louder than your words, and you were all about going too fast..100%

and please, when the wanna-bees nobodys like Gekko chime in don't take that into account as anything but his big brown nose going ever farther up NFBC butt.

Can you please have somebody other than you, somebody possibly neutral bring the issue to mockdraft ? That would be appreciated Great point! Tom you are also not neutral in the selection of draft spots- I need you replaced by the lady from Switzerland in customer service and I need to be able to do a full background check on her prior to March 1st to ensure she is indeed from Switzerland.

To insinuate that Tom is protecting his turf is just dumb! You can call me a kiss up all you want but I like the guy and he works hard to provide me with the entertainment of the NFBC and deserves better. Plus I know your type if we were face to face you would not say a word.

You are out of line here just like when you were out of line last week for making a reference to my mother.

I also agree with what UFS said if I sense you are a "little slow" at the table I will intentionally go fast to throw you off. The guys sitting next to you are not concerned with your level of fun, they are concerned with taking your money. Do you understand the difference? Is there anything you are not bitter about?

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:47 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

Tom - I can't believe the disrespect some people show you and greg. Seriously. You guys are busting your asses here, and people want to throw you under the bus. I don't get it. You are are doing a GREAT job

KJ duke, ufs, and myself have all chimed in that if you are prepared, MDC is a breeze. Cherokee apparently wants an email draft. If he's in the main event this year, nake sure you have somebody taking video of his every pick. It would be fun for all to see the sweatbeads on his face when the clock gets down to 10 seconds. LOL! For once I hope Gekko is being serious because I agree- thanks for all you both do for my hobby. I may not agree with every decision you make but that is life and I am a big boy. On a side note I have even officially forgiven my draft spot from 06

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:54 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell: For once I hope Gekko is being serious because I agree- thanks for all you both do for my hobby. [/QB]100% serious

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:55 am

chest, gekko. i like both your guys posts. and i know cherokee isn't the most popular guy- but where am i bashing tom or the contest? i draft every year in wcoff- i do not sweat it. i am prepared. i am not asking for them to change the big league at all.and i am not asking him to change all the mocks. all i am doing is offering a suggestion to solve what is a problem for me. if it doesn't get done- i will still be in main event. i may not do a satelite- no big deal. but they are fun and i would like to do them- but not like they are currently structured. i wasn't in last nights satelite by the way.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:01 am

Originally posted by Cherokee Nation:

Ok Tom you've made a liar of me being done with this topic.

You didn't let us have a single break yesterday.

You made us keep drafting when people were telling you the site wasn't working right.

I'm sorry, but your actions speak louder than your words, and you were all about going too fast..100%

and please, when the wanna-bees nobodys like Gekko chime in don't take that into account as anything but his big brown nose going ever farther up NFBC butt.

Can you please have somebody other than you, somebody possibly neutral bring the issue to mockdraft ? That would be appreciated We haven't had breaks in our satellites. Guys prefer to go through because it's at night and on the ET it can get late. If the majority of guys in a league want a break we'll have one. It's not a mandatory rule by any means.

As far your comment that I made you keep drafting when the site wasn't working please tell me what you are referring to? I monitored both drafts last night and there were very few glitches, certainly nothing that anybody brought to my or MDC's attention. I'm there for the entire draft. If there's a problem I'm very easy to get a hold of and I will respond promptly.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:03 am

As far as me not being "neutral" of course I'm not, this is our event. If there are going to be comments, criticisms etc. I'm going to listen to them. Same with Greg obviously.

I said in my first paragraph of this post that I will allow Geoff Stein to respond directly to issues pertaining to MDC and ways to improve their site. It's their site and I certainly am not going to speak for them on what they would like to do as far as improvements, enhancements etc.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:05 am

Originally posted by headhunters:

chest, gekko. i like both your guys posts. and i know cherokee isn't the most popular guy- but where am i bashing tom or the contest? i draft every year in wcoff- i do not sweat it. i am prepared. i am not asking for them to change the big league at all.and i am not asking him to change all the mocks. all i am doing is offering a suggestion to solve what is a problem for me. if it doesn't get done- i will still be in main event. i may not do a satelite- no big deal. but they are fun and i would like to do them- but not like they are currently structured. i wasn't in last nights satelite by the way. Headhunters nothing, zero, nada was directed at you. You seem like a great guy from what I see on these boards. I went at the guy who called Tom out, stepped in to some out of bounds and quite frankly dangerous territory with me last week. No one will ever take anything someone who is that negative ever says seriously.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:07 am

Originally posted by headhunters:

tom, couple of things 1) the pace is quick because people predraft - their picks happen instantly. in a live draft that can't happen. 2) in a live draft you don't need to look up- you can hear the pick- and cross it off your sheet 3) i said this in private e-mail- people will get bashed for bringing this up- i am not suggesting every league you form has to do this. if 80% love to speed draft- fine. i was wondering if their are people that don't like the idea- obviously there are some. so like i said in my private e-mail the issue could be cost. the "cost" is- how long the draft takes- because you and/or greg are monitoring it. the " cost" is your time. so let us know what that is- is it 3 hours? whatever. i for 1 would prefer a minimum of 20 seconds and maybe a maximum of 1 minute. something that would a) get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. and 2) eliminate the instant picks. last 2 points: 1) this is not a main league issue- so all the ones that like it the way it was- fine. we are just asking if it can be an option for some leagues. if not this year- then next. 2) i don't want to debate the word "prepare" but i know if i was having brain surgery- time would not be the criteria i would use as a factor to pick the surgeon. just because someone picks in 0 seconds vs 20 seconds- does not really mean they are more prepared. this was all just a suggestion- nothing more and nothing less There are going to be differences between drafting online and live. There's no way around that. As I said, we've found thus far that 90 seconds to make a pick has worked extremely well in terms of providing owners enough time to identify what picks were made and then make their own. However, as I also said before we listen to all suggestions to improve our events. If the majority believe that adding more time is necessary we'll definitely consider it.

I think there does need to be a balance, however, between not rushing people and not keeping people there until midnight or 1 in the morning on the East Coast. The more time you allow between the picks, the longer the draft will go obviously so we want to be conscious of that as we make whatever changes our participants believe are worthy.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:09 am

I should also add that Geoff Stein from MDC has provided his e-mail for people who want to contact him. If you have direct suggestions for the site and you believe I am an inadequate representative then you can e-mail Geoff directly at [email protected].

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:20 am

thanks tom, thanks chest. i understand. mike

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:22 am

Mike, I should also add that if issues arise during the draft please bring them to my attention and to the attention of the person from MDC who's there. We want everyone to enjoy the satellite draft experience just as much as the live event so we work hard to ensure everything goes off as well as possible. If a problem is happening while you're drafting let us know so we can get it resolved for you then.