I’ll keep this as simple as possible, with useful tidbits thrown in.

A group of people get together and form a league. Yahoo and CBS Sportsline both offer popular, free league management. I prefer Yahoo because the free product is customizable.

Before the season starts, your league holds a draft, very similar to the actual NFL draft. Every player is available to be selected however, not just rookies. Draft order is typically random in the first round, and follows an “s-curve” or “snake” format in subsequent rounds. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12,11,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4…and so on until you have a complete team (the number of players on a team varies from league to league).

Basically, you’re playing general manager, and trying to put together the sickest all-star team possible. You choose players based on individual statistical production. Once a player is chosen, he is no longer available to be selected by other owners. A typical league requires some combination of quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and an entire team defense/special teams (that accrues stats as a unit). Sometimes, a league uses a “flex” position as well that can be filled by multiple positions. The most common flex spot can be filled by either a RB or a WR.

Point values are set for each statistical accomplishment. Depending on the kind of league you participate in, different points are awarded for different accomplishments. Here are a few of the more popular formats.

TD Only–Pretty obvious, and pretty boring in my opinion. There’s a lot that happens between touchdowns in the NFL, don’t skip the meat for the sake of the potatoes.

Standard/Performance–The most popular format, it provides a lot of action without being too complicated. Points are awarded for TD’s, yardage production, and a few other categories, including negative points for “bad” statistics like fumbles or interceptions. A great choice for your first league.

PPR (point per reception)–This is merely a standard league that also gives points for making receptions. Some leagues give a full point, some fractional points for each catch. This may seem like a minor difference, but it changes the value of certain players significantly.

IDP (individual defensive players)–These leagues include individual defensive starters. Some leagues have roster spots for defensive linemen, backs, and linebackers, while any defensive player will suffice in others. Defensive scoring can include TD’s, interceptions, forced/recovered fumbles, sacks and many other scoring categories.

The Fantasy Addict Mixed League–Our personal lobby for the one league that will rule them all. Roster-QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, Flex, K, D, D, D, Def/St, BN, BN, BN, BN. “D” is any defensive player, “BN” is bench. If you can’t figure out the rest, fantasy golf might be more your style. Basic scoring system (1pt for 25yds passing, 10yds rushing/receiving, yada yada) with the key differences being: 1. 6pts (as opposed to 4) for passing TD’s, making all offensive TD’s 6pts. 2. 1pt for every 2 receptions. We like PPR, but a full point per reception is too much. Should 6 little catches really reward you as much as a TD? With .5pts per reception, more guys become productive without throwing off the balance.  3. Bonuses. I love bonuses for certain levels of production.

Each week, you use the pool of players that you drafted to field a starting roster that you hope will accumulate more points that week than your opponent.  Most leagues are head-to-head, meaning, you play against only one other owner each week.  How you perform compared to the rest of the league is meaningless.  The other option is to join a Cumulative Points league.  In this style, you add up your scoring each week, and at the end of the season, whoever has the most points win.  I prefer head-to-head because the winner is decided by a playoff system.  Most cumulative leagues I’ve been in have been all but decided before the end of the season.

Weeks 14, 15, and 16 are typically the playoffs for Fantasy Football.  You’ll enter a bracket style tournament with the elite teams in your league.  It doesn’t matter if you crushed people all year, if you drop a game in the playoffs because the Colts sat Peyton for some rest before the real playoffs, you’re done.

If you’re playing for money, there’s a range of different payouts, so know your league.  This year, we’re doing a $200 head to head league.  Each week, the highest scorer wins $50.  The winner wins $1000, second gets $200.  And make sure, pay attention now, to pay immediately if you join a pay league.  There’s nothing worse than being the guy that holds his money until February.  If your commissioner is doing things right, he’ll have you forfeited by November if you’re holding out anyway.

If you’re playing for fun, good for you.  You’ll learn to love the NFL on a whole-nother-level.  All of a sudden, you’ll be watching every game, every week, instead of just watching your favorite squad.  And if you’re like me (I’m a Lions fan) you’ll even have something to cheer about if your favorite team craps the bed again this year.  Be prepared though, we don’t use the term Addict loosely.  Once ol’ Fantasy Football has her hooks in you, you’ll be sweating her for the rest of your life.

Feel free to email or comment if you have any other questions, and good luck in 08.