6) Write 800 words or more on something that interests you. It could be related to statistics, to a league issue you take seriously, or a niche part of history that doesn’t fit neatly into either of the above categories. This must be directly related to the league, so don’t wax 800 words about your team’s Werewolf server. Be warned that freedom comes with risk, and this category will be judged especially stringently for anyone trying to spew complete nonsense.
I will be opting to do my Ultimus Week this season on the recent discussion that has begun to take place across the league regarding another potential expansion, and the need for more teams.I am personally against this idea, and hope to convince whoever might read this piece, that the league is not in a place where it could sustain another two teams in the International Simulation Football League at this point in time.
Firstly, lets look at the recent recruitment numbers. S22 and S25 saw us bring in two huge draft classes of talent. Indeed it is fair to say S22 is probably the best draft class the league has ever seen with so many of their ranks now holding positions around the league ranging from Head Office to General Managers to War Room members and league jobs. S25 likewise has proven to be an extremely strong class, while not the size of S22, S25 members have quickly found themselves at home in the league, and have taken to jobs. While these classes are indeed impressive, The classes between them, and now after them are not nearly as strong. S23 saw several fantastic users enter the league, but has had nowhere near the impact of some of the other classes. Likewise S24, while arguably stronger then S23, lacked the depth necessary to make it a flagship class. Looking at the current draft of S26, while there are some strong new members and recreates, its a very unbalanced class. Too many WRs and LBS, not enough of the positions a number of teams lack, specifically secondary and defensive line come to mind.
And this is the first point I’ll make. One of the primary arguments of the “we need to expand again argument” is that there aren’t enough positions for our active members to play at. I disagree with this sentiment however, and would instead suggest that we don’t have enough skill positions available. There is a large backlog of running backs, wide receivers, and even Quarterbacks at time in the league and only so many spots on each team. Most teams start 2 running backs and 3 wide receivers, these are also generally the most coveted roles across the league, as users tend to love the stats that come with them. Looking at the numbers though, using the examples above, as a league we have room for 28 running backs, and 42 wide receivers. Currently, the league shows as having 65 Running Backs and 97(!) Wide Receivers. That’s literally DOUBLE the amount of WR starting spots available to the league. Conversely, there are 151 Defensive Backs in the league. Most teams start 5 of them, meaning we have room for roughly 70ish DBs in the league, while it’s true that number is double as well… With 5 players at the position, it increases the number of players regressing and dying out at the various defensive back positions. Also, Defensive Back is a position that ideally you let sit a season in the DSFL for a season before bringing them up, whereas a Wide Receiver has the ability to be called up right away and make an impact, in fact some players have begun demanding that for their recreates in the hopes of breaking statistical records in the league.
The other point I’d like to make against expanding the league again is the harm it would do to the DSFL. While ISFL teams struggle to draft strong teams with these weaker draft classes the DSFL struggles to put together decently sized locker rooms, and maintain active rosters. Many teams have to make the tough decisions regarding drafting users vs. needs, and figuring out to move players around to fill things out. Expanding now would harm the DSFL even more then it has been already, which would be such a shame… I am a strong believer that the DSFL is the place where people fall in love with the league. Like it or not, your DSFL team becomes your first “league family” and indeed some players are closer to their DSFL family then their ISFL teams. Potentially harming that experience for a new user by expanding the ISFL, and forcing more call ups would be a mistake. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.
We’re in a period of growth right now, buoyed by two large draft classes that have drastically effected the landscape of the league, and padded our numbers with an extreme amount of active users who are absolutely incredible. That said, I think caution is to be suggested. Expanding the league too quickly will leave rosters, and more importantly locker rooms barer then they already are, and members are likely to fall through the cracks as they begin to get disenfranchised by the lack of activity in their particular locker room. I expect Head Office knows much of this already, as we’ve not double expanded…. But Ultimus week requires an 800 word post… so here we are.
I will be opting to do my Ultimus Week this season on the recent discussion that has begun to take place across the league regarding another potential expansion, and the need for more teams.I am personally against this idea, and hope to convince whoever might read this piece, that the league is not in a place where it could sustain another two teams in the International Simulation Football League at this point in time.
Firstly, lets look at the recent recruitment numbers. S22 and S25 saw us bring in two huge draft classes of talent. Indeed it is fair to say S22 is probably the best draft class the league has ever seen with so many of their ranks now holding positions around the league ranging from Head Office to General Managers to War Room members and league jobs. S25 likewise has proven to be an extremely strong class, while not the size of S22, S25 members have quickly found themselves at home in the league, and have taken to jobs. While these classes are indeed impressive, The classes between them, and now after them are not nearly as strong. S23 saw several fantastic users enter the league, but has had nowhere near the impact of some of the other classes. Likewise S24, while arguably stronger then S23, lacked the depth necessary to make it a flagship class. Looking at the current draft of S26, while there are some strong new members and recreates, its a very unbalanced class. Too many WRs and LBS, not enough of the positions a number of teams lack, specifically secondary and defensive line come to mind.
And this is the first point I’ll make. One of the primary arguments of the “we need to expand again argument” is that there aren’t enough positions for our active members to play at. I disagree with this sentiment however, and would instead suggest that we don’t have enough skill positions available. There is a large backlog of running backs, wide receivers, and even Quarterbacks at time in the league and only so many spots on each team. Most teams start 2 running backs and 3 wide receivers, these are also generally the most coveted roles across the league, as users tend to love the stats that come with them. Looking at the numbers though, using the examples above, as a league we have room for 28 running backs, and 42 wide receivers. Currently, the league shows as having 65 Running Backs and 97(!) Wide Receivers. That’s literally DOUBLE the amount of WR starting spots available to the league. Conversely, there are 151 Defensive Backs in the league. Most teams start 5 of them, meaning we have room for roughly 70ish DBs in the league, while it’s true that number is double as well… With 5 players at the position, it increases the number of players regressing and dying out at the various defensive back positions. Also, Defensive Back is a position that ideally you let sit a season in the DSFL for a season before bringing them up, whereas a Wide Receiver has the ability to be called up right away and make an impact, in fact some players have begun demanding that for their recreates in the hopes of breaking statistical records in the league.
The other point I’d like to make against expanding the league again is the harm it would do to the DSFL. While ISFL teams struggle to draft strong teams with these weaker draft classes the DSFL struggles to put together decently sized locker rooms, and maintain active rosters. Many teams have to make the tough decisions regarding drafting users vs. needs, and figuring out to move players around to fill things out. Expanding now would harm the DSFL even more then it has been already, which would be such a shame… I am a strong believer that the DSFL is the place where people fall in love with the league. Like it or not, your DSFL team becomes your first “league family” and indeed some players are closer to their DSFL family then their ISFL teams. Potentially harming that experience for a new user by expanding the ISFL, and forcing more call ups would be a mistake. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.
We’re in a period of growth right now, buoyed by two large draft classes that have drastically effected the landscape of the league, and padded our numbers with an extreme amount of active users who are absolutely incredible. That said, I think caution is to be suggested. Expanding the league too quickly will leave rosters, and more importantly locker rooms barer then they already are, and members are likely to fall through the cracks as they begin to get disenfranchised by the lack of activity in their particular locker room. I expect Head Office knows much of this already, as we’ve not double expanded…. But Ultimus week requires an 800 word post… so here we are.
