SECTION #1  -  GENERAL RULES
 

1 - The AS REAL AS IT GETS SIMULATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE (ARAIG) is just one of a collection of football leagues in the SPORTS ATTIC. It will always use the latest version of the Action! PC Football (Currently, ActionPC 2006 for Windows).

2 - The "AS REAL AS IT GETS" simulation football league is a unique format that allows any and all to get involved in the replay of football history.  You can select a single team and play them for an entire season OR play a different team each and every week!  In any case, you will be part of a project that will simulate the NFL of the past throughout 75 plus years of football history

3 - The ARAIG is a league that allows for both HEAD TO HEAD and COACH VS COMPUTER play options (PLUS also includes a LEAGUE GAME option where you can coach the offenses for both competing teams while the computer controls the defense).  We do strive to play all games live over the internet, however, whenever possible.  

4 - The league exists for the enjoyment and sportsmanship of its members. It is intended to supply an outlet for fellowship, fairness, and competitiveness.

5 -Changes to this Constitution may made at any time by the Commissioner.  All changes, however, will be in the BEST interest of the ENTIRE league and ownership community.

6 - LEAGUED DUES: NONE, NADA...........FREE!

7 - The ARAIG will consist of a number of leagues, representing NFL STOCK TEAMS.  Leagues from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's will be offered.  REAL NFL rosters will be used in game play and this will be a coaching league only...NO TRADING, NO DRAFTING, NO GM OPTIONS....just strictly your chance to coach your favorite teams of the NFL.  All statistics (including your personal coaching performances) will be compiled to establish our own stats record book! 

8 -The ARAIG plays the REAL NFL schedule as produced for the appropriate playing season.

9 - All statistics (including your personal coaching performances) will be compiled to establish our own stats record book!

The following is REQUIRED to play in the ARAIG Simulation FB League:

1) You must OWN Action PC 2005 software
2) You must OWN the current season disk being played (proof of ownership required)
3) Working e-mail address and internet connection for Head to Head play
4) An updated MEMBERSHIP page.....click here to register: MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION
5) You will be required to PAY your annual league dues.  Dues can be paid via check or Paypal  but PAYPAL is preferred

1) Go to the appropriate season you wish to play (EX: 1970's link).  Check the SCHEDULE/RESULTS link to see what games do NOT have human owners.

2) Select your team(s) you would like to coach for the week.

3) Send the following information to the commish cweyenberg@comcast.net : 

     a) YOUR FULL NAME as stated on your MEMBERSHIP PAGE
     b) The Season Year (ex: 1970) and what team you would like to coach

4) PAY for your annual league dues.

5) All registrations and payments need to be collected by Sunday 9pm EST BEFORE each weeks play begins.  League disks will be sent out on Monday's.

1 - Each teams roster is dictated by the REAL NFL rosters as included on the appropriate seasons ACTION PC league disk.

2 - There will be NO TRADING, NO DRAFTING or NO FREE AGENT acquisitions.  The REAL NFL rosters will be used throughout the entire game play season.

1 - Only the current version of Action PC Football software may be used (currently Action PC 2003) to play your games.  Only the master ARAIG league disk may be used (as sent to you by the commish each week) to play your games.  YOU MUST OWN the current season league disk being played or you can NOT participate

2 - Overtime/Sudden Death: overtime/sudden death was instated in the NFL in 1974.  So, before 1974, NO OT.  AFTER YES!.

3 - All games are played in one of the following formats:
      a) - Face to Face versus the opposing coach (RECOMMENDED)...make sure you double check the SCHEDULE/RESULTS link to see    who your opponent is.  CONTACT your opponent by TUESDAY 9pm EST of each week to set up your game play.  HOME team will be the HOST team, but can designate the VISITING team to HOST if agreed upon by both parties.

       b) - Solo versus the computer if there is NO opponent for the week, play the game using the computer manager.

       d) - Computer vs. Computer  the commissioner will simulate (computer vs. computer) any games, each week, that do NOT have a registered coach for the week

4 - GAME PLAY CLOCK: is required for game play set at 40 seconds...for Head to Head play only

5 - TO PLAY  A LEAGUE GAME!!!!!!
-- first you must be sure to have created the following subdirectories under your main Action PC game directory:
    a) Subdirectory labeled 1970 for whatever season being played) (Ex: c:\program files\action2003\ARAIG70
    
-- every week I wil send you a new master disk called ARAIG70 (or whatever season is being played) (week 1 thru 16 depending on
    the play week) EX: ARAIG70wk1.zip

-- Unzip this file into your ARAIG subdirectory and make sure you select ALL when it asks to copy over any info.

-- You must update your data disk EVERY week with the new master disk that will be sent to  you.

-- Master disks will be sent to all on Monday and All games must be turned in by the following Sunday at 9pm EST.

-- Please contact your opponent and set up a date/time to play your game.
   Determine who will be the HOST of the game.  Generally, the home team will host but it is better with the individual who has the fastest computer/internet connection to host.  Using AOL IM can be beneficial to the league as it will be easy for all members to contact each other.  If you do not have AOL IM (it is FREE), please let me know and I will forward it to you.

-- The host will need to find his IP address.  This is located by loading the game and going to UTILITIES from the main page.  Click on "FIND IP ADDRESS", send the address, EXACTLY as it is shown to your opponent.

-- The HOST must set up the game with the proper Home and Away teams.
    Setup the GAME PREFERENCES screen and wait for your opponent to
    connect to your computer.  Connection can be made by your opponent by
    going to: Play/Internet Join Game and typing in the IP ADDRESS exactly
    as it was sent to you.  Host will accept your contact and begin play!

--  After your game is completed a screen will appear asking you what to do. Choose the
    Exit button to return to the games main screen....this will be the HOSTS responsibility!
    a) Click on Utilities/Export Game.
    b) Double Click the game you just played to Export, make sure it has an asterisk (*)
        placed in front of it. This tells you it is selected..
    c) Now choose the Export Location by double clicking on the directory as chosen by you.
    d) Click on the "Begin Export" button. A box should come up saying "Export Complete"
        with OK for the choice. The stats, in the form of one file, (Ex: BOS 23 GB 42 XBX)
        will go into the Temp directory. You may now exit out of the game.
    e) Now, ZIP the one file with the .XBX extension, in the directory you chose, so you can
        send it to me and your opponent.
    f) The zipped file should include your team abbreviation followed by opponent team abrev.
        and the week number.
       EXAMPLE, for the above exampled game in Week #3,  I would name the Zip
       file : GBNEWwk3....send to cweyenberg@comcast.net.
 
 

SECTION #6  -  PLAYER USAGE

Modified player usage.  Let Action PC fatigue system work by eliminating  all player usages limitations, EXCEPT for, minimum valued categories.   (EX: for rushers under 50 carries, receivers under 20 receptions, QB's under 50 atts. would be restricted to ACTUAL numbers).  Place Kickers,  Punters, Kicker Returners and Punt returners would be restricted to usage  rules as listed under the RULES page (I do not believe that Action PC sets  a fatigue factor at these positions). Action PC 2004 player USAGE values MUST be set at (located under the RULES section in the game): AMENDED PER LEAGUE VOTE 11/28/04 active immediately (see individual numerical listing below: 1-8)

OFFENSIVE SEASON FATIGUE RULES:
1. SEASON : (Changed 2/26/06) Mild - 105% Moderate - 110%  Major - 115%  
2. GAME: Mild - 20%, Moderate - 20%, Major - 20%
3. QB game fatigue - YES (check mark in box)
4. Special Teams Season fatigue - YES (check mark in box)
5. Injuries set to normal frequency

1 - RUSHES - AMENDED PER LEAGUE VOTE: No restrictions on seasonal rushing attempts.  All rushers will be monitored by Action PC Fatigue system listed above.
DEFUNCT: Any rusher who has over 49 or more NFL carries will have no restrictions.
a. Any runner who had less than 50 carries is limited to his actual NFL attempts.
b. No rusher may attempt more than 50 rushing attempts in a game.

2 - RECEPTIONS - AMENDED PER LEAGUE VOTE: No restrictions on seasonal receptions.  All receiver catches will be monitored by Action PC Fatigue system listed above.
DEFUNCT: All player who had 20 NFL receptions and over will have no restrictions.
a. Any player with LESS than 20 Receptions is limited to his actual NFL catches.
b. No receiver may have more than 20 receptions in a game.

3 - PASSING - AMENDED PER LEAGUE VOTE: No restrictions on seasonal passing attempts.  All QB attempts will be monitored by Action PC Fatigue system listed above.
DEFUNCT: QB's with an actual NFL attempts of 50 or greater OR any QB with an average season passing rating of less than 60.0 will have no restrictions.
b. - QB's with actual NFL attempts under 50 can use up to 110% of his actual NFL total attempts.
c. No quarterback may attempt more than 75 passing attempts in a game.

4 - Trick Plays - Skill position players used on trick plays are limited to their actual number of NFL attempts.

5 - PLACE KICKERS and PUNTERS - Any kicker who attempted at least 14 FGs may be used without limit. Any punter who attempted at least 30 punts may be used without limit. Otherwise, they are limited to their actual NFL attempts

6 - KICKOFF RETURNERS: A player is considered "unlimited" if he had in the previous NFL season EITHER 16 Kickoff Returns OR had a Kickoff Return Average Yards Per Return of 19.9 or LESS yards WITHOUT a touchdown return. All other players are LIMITED to their actual number of NFL Kickoff Return Attempts. If you have only one unlimited returner, you should have limited returner's that total at least ten returns on your team.

7 - PUNT RETURNERS: A player is considered "unlimited" if he had in the previous NFL season EITHER 16 Punt Returns NOT counting Fair Catches OR had a Punt Return Average Yards Per Return of 8.0 or LESS yards WITHOUT a touchdown return. All other players are LIMITED to their actual number of NFL Punt Returns NOT counting Fair Catches. If you have only one unlimited returner, you should have limited returner's that total at least ten returns on your team.

8 - NEW (adopted 2/19/05) Quarterbacks will be a given a time served adjustment. Any game in which the QB did not play will be counted as a game injured. When the quarterback has sat as many games as they missed that season, their durability rating will be increased to a 5. Rational: Since Quarterback’s durability ratings are based on games played, they often are never injured during the season but simply benched and therefore receive low durability ratings. If these quarterbacks are used during the second half of the season they may be injured for the rest of the year and all their remaining attempts are lost with them. The Bears and Vikings have had this happen to them and as a result, their remaining QBs will be fatigued prematurely. Additionally, some teams carried only two quarterbacks with durability ratings of less than 5. Denver has only 2 QBs and have a three rating. It could be conceivable that both quarterbacks could be hurt for multiple games, leaving them without a QB.

9 - Playoff Usage will be 10% of actual NFL usage, rounded off to the nearest whole number, per game for all limited players.  Players effected by the playoff 10% ruling:
LIMITED PLAYERS FOR PLAYOFFS:
A) Running Backs: 49 and below rushing attempts
B) Wide Receivers: 19 and below catches
C) QB's: 49 and below passing attempts
Adopted 2/19/05 - Any player with 1 to 5 attempts may have 1 attempt per the entire playoffs.

PER LEAGUE VOTE: APPROVE 11/28/04.  Effective Immediately

1 - FATIGUE AND INJURY RELIEF: Any skill player or QB with a durability rating of 2 or 3, will have their durability rating increased one point for the rest of the season when they return to health. This would apply to this season and all future seasons. Justification, The injury system in Action is very punitive for these players. Players who are rated a 2, can miss up to eight games. Players rated a 4 can miss up to 4 games. Currently, a player who played eight games will be given a two rating; therefore it is possible they can with ONE injury miss two more games than they did in real life. Then they also face the possibility of becoming injured AGAIN. It could be possible for a player who played in eight games to only appear in 2-6 games and miss the rest of the season injured. Players who have a 3 rating can miss up to four games. This rating is awarded to players who played in 9-11 games. Therefore a player who is a 3 and played 11 games can miss up to EIGHT games. With the season fatigue system in place the loss of carries and receptions for theses players would cause a severe hardship on the team, not to mention overuse of the remaining skill players. The system really assumes the player will only be hurt ONCE and injuries them for the entire period or they missed during the season. However, these players can be hurt AGAIN and raising their durability rating one point would limit the number of games they miss. I would limit this to skill players and QBs since this would limit Chad's time tracking this and season fatigue rules apply to skill positions. Sure, you might say they could get hurt twice. That's why I'd only raise their rating a point. Plus, most of them didn't get hurt twice. Players who are a 4 aren't penalized as severely and can be left alone..

2 - FATIGUE AND INJURY UPGRADE - DURABILITY. In order to create a more realistic simulation of game play: ANY player injured for more time that what would exceed his REAL games played in the NFL, will have his durability rating changed to a 5. Basically, this would allow ALL players to play at or near their REAL NFL games played and injuries would only affect a player at or near their actual NFL games missed (or not played in). This will require MUCH help from our ownership group, as I will NOT be able to consistently keep track of ALL players in 2-3 leagues on my own as commish.

1 - PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: playoff format as it actually was in the era. three division winners and 2 wildcards. The winner of the wildcard plays the team with the best record that is NOT a divisional foe. Then the other teams play. Of course, the two winners play for the conference championship. EX: Let's say green bay, dallas, and san fran are the divisional winners (simply grasping straws here for example). Chicago and atlanta are wildcards. San fran finishes with best record, followed by dallas, then green bay. Atlanta wins the wildcard game, so they play the team with the best record that is NOT a divisional foe. Even though san fran had the best overall record, they would play dallas (who had the second best record), because san fran is a divisional foe. san fran would then play green bay. if chicago wins, they play san fran because san fran has the best record and is NOT a divisional foe..

2 - Playoff Usage will be 10% of actual NFL usage, rounded off to the nearest whole number, per game for all limited players (see #8 under Section 6: Player Usage). Adopted 2/19/05 - Any player with 1 to 5 attempts may have 1 attempt per the entire playoffs.

Adopted 8/05 - For the playoffs, modify the player usage rules as follows: Set game usage penalties to 15% Mild, 15% Moderate, 15% Major for all receivers, and for rushers and quarterbacks with 50 or more attempts. Runners and quarterbacks with 49 or less attempts are still subject to the current 10% usage rule. The 10% across the board for all players in the previous proposal was too restrictive. The current playoff rule for players with 5 or less attempts will still apply if proposal 6 does not pass.

3)  Super Bowl: Super Bowl site is played on a NEUTRAL site, which will be determined by the actual NFL Super Bowl site for that appropriate season (meaning, if we use the 1999 player disk, we would use the SB site for 1999. Home field advantage would be turned OFF.

NFL PRESET PLAYOFFS: 1974 (per Sporting News 1974 Guidebook):

NFL Post season site plan for 1974

AFC

On the weekend of December 21-22 the Eastern Division champion will play at
the home of the Western Division champion and the conference team with the
highest percentage among the second-place teams will play at the home of
Central Division champion, unless the second-place team is from the Central
Division.

In that event the second-place team will play at the home of the Western
Division champion and the Eastern Division champion at the home of the
Central Division champion.

The Conference Championship Game will be played on December 29 at the home
of Western Division champion, if the Western Division champion wins in the
Division Playoffs.  If not, the Central Division champion will be the home
club.  If both Central and Western Division champions lose in the Divisional
Playoffs, the Eastern Division champion will be the home team for the
Conference Championship game.

NFC

On the weekend of December 21-22  the Eastern Division champion will play at
the home of the Central Division champion and the conference team with the
highest percentage among the second-place teams will play at the home of
Western Division champion, unless the second-place team is from the Western
Division.

In that event the second-place team will play at the home of the Central
Division champion and the Eastern Division champion at the home of the
Western Division champion.

The Conference Championship Game will be played on December 29 at the home
of Eastern Division champion, if the Eastern Division champion wins in the
Division Playoffs.  If not, the Central Division champion will be the home
club.  If both Eastern and Central Division champions lose in the Divisional
Playoffs, the Western Division champion will be the home team for the
Conference Championship game.

1)We will use REAL NFL tie-breaking procedures -http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakers

 
 Last Updated: 11/29/06
Contact commish at: cweyenberg@comcast.net