Since the formation of the SFFL in 1996, we have made many changes in order to enhance competition, create a fair playing field, and to have fun.  These changes have affected the scoring system, starting rosters sizes and positions, keeper players and payouts, just to name a few.  All of these modifications have not, in my opinion, made our league any more competitive, challenging or interesting outside of the draft.  Therefore, several league members have proposed a salary cap league.  I have laid out a few of the highlights.  We will obviously need to work out the details.

Benefits to Change    Using a salary cap will make it much more difficult for teams to load up on players and dominate the league for years, creating a level playing field for everyone, regardless of your keepers.  A smaller roster will allow for more free-agent signees, which will be needed for bye-weeks.  You will have to actually pay attention to your team and look closely at every position.  It will be much more challenging and show who really knows football!

Rosters and Salaries

1)  Rosters will be a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 18
2)  All rosters must be at or below the league salary cap of $200
3)  All player salaries will be set using Yahoo's Salary Cap League and will be set prior to the draft.  Unlike Yahoo's Cap League, these salaries will not change during the course of the season.  The salaries will be rounded to the nearest .25 for ease in calculation.  Any player without a listed salary will be given a default salary of $5.
Examples
       QB's :  Salaries range from $25 for Peyton Manning to $12 for Matt Leinart.
        RB's:  Salaries range from $37 for  Tomlinson to $11.50 for Warrick Dunn.
        WR's:  Salaries range from $17 for Steve Smith to $11 for Andre Johnson.
        TE's:  Salaries range from $13.50 for M. Colston to $6 for Steven Alexander
        K's:    Salaries range from $16.25 for Jeff Wilkins to $11 for Olindo Mare
        DEF's:  Salaries range from $28 for Chicago to $11 for Houston.

Based on an 18 man roster, you have $11.11 to spend per player, or $12.15 for a 16 man roster.
The Commissioner will prepare a list of all players and salaries prior to the draft.
The Commissioner will provide a list of players and salaries at the draft along with a draft sheet to list players and salaries for a running total.
The key to success will depend on finding a "bargain" player, drafting low priced backups, and as always, a little luck.
WR's and K's appear to be a bargain compared to QB's and RB's.  Will make for an interesting draft.

Keepers    Prior to the draft, all team managers must declare their keepers based on the new season's salaries.  Up to five players may be kept at any position and may include first round draft picks or players that scored in the top three at their position.  However, the salaries for these keepers may not exceed $85.
The remainder of your salary will be spent at the draft.  Those who keep fewer keepers or lower paid players will have more to spend at the draft.

Supplemental Draft, Trades and Transactions    There will be no supplemental draft.  There is also no limit on the number of trades or drop and adds to your roster.  The only rules being, your roster must not go under 16 or over 18 and you must stay at or under the salary cap.

Once the draft is complete and the teams are posted on the Yahoo site, you may drop and add at will.  Once you make a transaction, you must post a message on the Yahoo site stating your team salary, the salaries of the player you drop and add, and your new salary amount.  It is a way for team managers to double check their math and a way for others to check for fairness.  One team manager (Shawn has volunteered) will monitor transactions.

Possible Problems  

1)  What is the penalty for going over the cap?  Monetary?  Take Points?
2)  Salary cap is set to low?
3)  Some player salaries appear extremely high or low prior to the draft.  Do we change them?  How?

Other Ideas      

1)  Injured Reserve - It has been suggested that the 18 man roster limit include one or two spots available to place players on injured reserve at either half salary or no salary in order to protect a player for next season without taking the full hit of the salary.  Example:  McNabb goes out for the year with 8 games left.  Should you be able to keep him without paying him for next season?  Example:  Michael Vick is hurt and questionable.  Should I be able to put him on IR for a predetermined number of weeks (3 or 4) without paying his salary or at half-salary so I can afford to pick up another QB or should I have to drop him to obtain a starting lineup?
I think some sort of IR should be utilized to protect keeper players.  The way the cap is structured, a season ending injury to a key player basically forces you to drop him and lose your rights.

2)  Conferences & Playoffs - Another suggestion is to create two divisons (Seward v. Lincoln) and seed a playoff based on win-loss records.  This playoff would not determine the league champion but would take the payouts from overall win-loss records from the end of the season and pay managers for playoff success.  The top 8 teams would compete in the playoff but scores would be based over a two week period.  For instance, Week #13 and 14 scores would be added together to determine round one winners.  Week #14 and 15 would be added for round two winners, and so on.
The bottom four teams would compete in the same manner with the winner taking the first round pick the following season.  There could also be payouts for division winners.
This playoff idea would hopefully stimulate some excitement at the end of the season and give those teams in mid-pack something to look forward to.