The JMFL is named after Hall of Fame and four-time Super Bowl winning San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
Last updated: 22 March 2020
Format
The league will use Action PC software with the latest NFL Season disc (See below for full explanation of format). You will also need to have an active email address and sign up to a Google Group and a Slack Group. Your email address will be published on the league website.
This is a non-salary cap league.
Google Group Email and Slack Channel – JMFL80s@googlegroups.com – This is the email address which all JMFL league members will need to sign up to, the commissioner will send you an invitation to ensure there are 16 owners registered. We will draft in the league Slack channel – joemontanafootball.slack.com
Teams – There will be 16 teams, split into two conferences and four divisions of four – paying homage to former NFL 80s superstar RBs – The Payton Conference (North and South) and The Dickerson Conference (North and South).
The trophy
The winner of the final game (Payton Conference Champions v Dickerson Conference Champions) will be crowned the SBFL champion and win the Whole Lott Trophy, named after HOF S Ronnie Lott.
Games per season
There will be 16 games in the regular season, consisting of playing your divisional rivals home and away, and then four home and four away games against other teams, including teams in your opposing conference. Unlike the NFL there is no bye week but there will be extended weeks to cover Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year if games fall then) – where the game week will be 14 days.
1982 Season
The 1982 season when played will follow the same as the registered official NFL games in that season – 9 regular season, and full playoffs as per usual.
Playoffs – 8 teams qualify overall (4 per conference)
In this 16 team format four divisional winners qualify for the playoffs, and then they are joined by the 2 teams per conference who did not win their division with the best remaining records. This means that a division could have three teams or one team in the playoffs, finishing 2nd in a division is no guarantee of a playoff place. The playoffs will have a seeding format, meaning with home field advantage the same as in the NFL.
Payton and Dickerson Conference Playoff formula
Playoff week 1 – Divisional – Seed 1 (home) v Seed 4 (away) & Seed 2 (home) v Seed 3 (away).
Playoff week 2 – Conference Championships – Winners of divisional games (home team will be best regular record)
Playoff week 3 – JMFL Championship (Whole Lott Bowl) – Winners of Conference Championships – (venue will be a neutral field and game has to be played at the neutral stadium or game will need to be replayed).
Tie breakers for playoff seeding
If there are two teams with matching win records the tie breakers start with 1) head to head results, 2) points margin if 2 games played 3) followed by overall JMFL points margin, 4) followed by total touchdowns. This tiebreaker setting is NOT the same as the NFL and is unique to the JMFL. Please ensure you understand this rule.
If there are three teams with matching win records the tie breakers is why is atop when head to head results are put into a separate table if all in same division (over the six games). If this does not separate teams then it will be overall points margin. This tiebreaker setting is NOT the same as the NFL and is unique to the JMFL. Please ensure you understand this rule.
All Star Game – There will be an optional All Star game played the week after the JMFL Championship (Blount Bowl) to be coached by the two Conference Championship losing coaches. Teams will be determined by the software after regular season.
Pre Season – All owners can arrange two pre-season games between themselves, these are optional.
Game Rule Settings
The following game rule setting are applicable for the JMFL:
Seasonal fatigue – this will be set at the Action PC Sports default (Mild 110% Moderate 120% Severe 140%). This means that if you have a running back with 100 real NFL attempts in a season he will have Mild fatigue at 110 carries (110% of 100) Moderate fatigue at 120 (120% of 100) and Severe fatigue at 140 carries (140% of 100)
Game fatigue – switched off – Do bear in mind that due to seasonal fatigue a players performance will reduce once he starts exceeding his yearly totals, but this does mean you can have exceptional individual games. An example would be say a tight end who has 42 catches in a season, he might have a career day, say 12 catches, but this means he will now have 30 catches left (an average of 2 a game) for the remaining 15 games before the season fatigue takes action.
Other settings – Injury frequency set as Normal (mid range of 5 options), Game Fatigue is ON (meaning players will take a breather on occasion due to high use, weather, and long runs), Special teams Fatigue is ON (impacts kickers, punters, and returners)
Usage rules for offensive skill players only (regular season only)
We have an 50% or over ‘use them or lose them’ rule. This applies to QB (pass attempts) RB (rushing attempts) WR and TE (catches). This means if your RB in 1983 has 100 carries (real life), you need to use him for at least 50 runs in the regular season, or if your WR has 50 catches (real life), you need him to have 25 or more catches. The 50% rule does not apply to QB, WR or TE rushing attempts or RB catches. If your offensive skill position player does not meet the 50% rule they will be cut at the end of the season (after playoffs end). You can try and redraft them.
Trading
Owners will be able to trade Free Agency Draft or Rookie Draft picks at any time, but only for the next draft, not two or more drafts in the future. Owners can also trade players, however if this is in the regular season you and your trade partner will need to remain at 50 players and both rosters will need to be valid. A list of all trades will be posted on the league website. All trades will need to be agreed in email form by both owners, and both emails must be copied into the league email group and verified by the Commissioner.
The trade deadline each season is the same deadline that the Week 9 game files are published (as in the deadline for week 8 game files).
All trades need to be agreed with by the Commissioner and any trades seen as unfair (e.g. Peyton Manning for Ryan Leaf) will not be accepted.
Trading format – The correct format for trading players/free agent picks/draft picks is as follows
Washington sends FA17 pick 1.1 and RB Walter Payton to Tampa Bay for QB Joe Montana and RD17 pick 1.1
FA17 = Free Agent Pick for 2017
RD17 = Rookie Pick for 2017
Pick 1.1 = First number is the round second number is the pick (if known)
Rosters
During the pre-season and entire regular season your roster must remain at 50 players. The only exception is injuries (see below). In season 1 rosters will be filled by the player pool draft (50). At the end of each season (from Season 2 – 1981) you drop 10 and will draft 10.
Roster player minimums/maximums
In order for teams to have an equal footing the JMFL has minimum roster requirements in terms of player positions, as well as minimum requirements overall. As the league is based on real stats, you cannot rely on a superstar of the past or a player who got injured in the NFL to carry you through the JMFL.
Roster minimum/maximum stipulations are below, giving you 50 players.
Quarterbacks – 2 – with a maximum of 3 to avoid hoarding – (Minimum overall roster total for 2 or 3 qbs is 350 attempts)
Running backs (including fullbacks and h-backs)- 4 min – (Minimum overall roster total attempts for all backs 250 attempts)
Tight ends/H-backs – 2 min – (Minimum overall roster total catches for all wr & te 150)
Wide receivers – 4 – (Minimum overall roster total catches for all wr & te 150)
Offensive tackles – 3 min
Guards – 3 min
Centers – 2 min
(Any players called OL can count against OT/G/C totals but can only count once for one position)
Defensive tackles – 3 min
Defensive ends – 4 min
(Any players called DL can count against DT/DE totals but can only count once for one position)
Inside linebackers – 3 min
Outside linebackers – 4 min
(Any players called LB can count against OLB/ILB totals but can only count once for one position)
Cornerbacks – 4 min
Safeties (you need to determine free and strong split) – 3 min
(Any players called DB can count against CB/S totals but can only count once for one position)
Kicker – 1 (minimum field goal attempts 20) min – max 2 (second does not have to meet min criteria)
Punter – 1 (minimum punts 40) min/max 1
Kick returner – 1 min (minimum 30 team kick returns – can be any positions)
Punt returner – 1 min (minimum 20 team punt returns – can be any positions)
Fair catches DO NOT count as a return in either punt or kick return total requirements.
Long snappers/holders – Like gunners it is not stipulated that you have a long snapper or a kick holder on your roster (players have LS or HLD by their name when you search the player database and filter to roster info) Again however it is advisable you have at least one of each on your squad. The holder will likely be a backup qb, or punter, and the long snapper will likely be a backup offensive lineman or tight end.
Injury pickups
Just like in real life players in the JMFL will get injured – however the software will not only inform you of the likelihood of injuries (Durability is rated out of 10 with some rated 10+, with 0 the poorest and 10+ the best), it will also tell you if a player is injured and the amount of weeks they will be out. ONLY if you do not have the league minimum amount of players from a certain position to start a game you can pick up a free agent. During that time you will be able to sign a free agent, from the same position only, who will need to be returned to the free agency pool when your rostered player is fit again. The injury free agent pickups are on a first come first served basis via the JMFL website. Please do not request to add a player unless your roster goes below the minimum requirements. E.g – do not add a 6th WR if you have 6 WR and one is injured. The injury pickups system is to help teams who have genuine injury problems, such as losing their only kicker or their #2 Center.
Annual Draft (combined FA/Rookie)
– 1980 – Prior to Season 1 (1980) everyone will be allocated 50 FA draft picks, which cannot be traded. The 1980 order was chosen by Random.org (21 spins as conducted 21 March 2020). During the 1980 Draft you can trade 1981 Draft picks only NOT 1980.
– 1981 and after – The Draft will take place in the same as NFL (worst record picks first). Season 2 (1981) onwards there will be a 10 round draft. Same order each round. You can trade these picks.
Gameplay format
The games will be played live over the Internet by opening the relevant season file in your copy of the Action PC Sports software. If you are the home team you will host the game and then your opponent will need to enter your IP address and connect. If you are the away team then you will need to get the IP address of your opponent and join a game session. Each game lasts about 1 – 1.5 hours (longer if its overtime). If you have problems hosting ask the commissioner or a fellow owner about Hamachi.
Gameplay week
Each live game will need to take place over the gameplay week, a period lasting from Monday 5pm EST to Monday 5pm EST. If you are the home team then you need to email your visiting opponent to suggest times and dates you are available to play your game. YOU MUST SEND THIS EMAIL WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE WEEKLY GAME FILE BEING RELEASED. This will be called the HTR (Home Team Request). All HTR’s will need to be copied into the commissioner (lawrencevos@yahoo.co.uk) to avoid any disputes. The away team then responds, and all emails exchanged regarding the HTR will be copied into the commissioner. Exceptions to deadline dates will be communicated weekly if needed. Once the game is played the host team is then responsible to email the league group email and the commissioner with the zipped game file (zipped xbx file).
Game Substitutes
There will be occasions when you will not be able to play a game during a week (holiday, illness, work, computer fault), however the expectation is that you will all try your best to play the game each week live. If you are unable to play a game then you can have a fellow SBFL owner substitute you. You will need to get agreement from the Commissioner 8 hours before the close of the HTR deadline that week before a sub will be activated. You will be able to have two games subbed without punishment over the 16 week regular season. Over 2 subs without a legitimate reason will result in the loss of a 3rd rd FA pick, a 4th will be a 1st Rd FA pick – so you do not want that to happen. Substitutes required will be posted on the DGFL forum and need to be agreed by the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.
Failure to agree game/play week/send game file – Punishment will be given for failure to send a HTR, or play a game, or send the game file to the league email and commissioner. Punishments are as follows –
Failure to play game without asking for a sub –
1st time – Warning
2nd time – loss of 3rd rd Rookie draft pick (if traded will be a 2nd rookie)
3rd time – loss of 1st rd Rookie draft pick (if traded will be two next Rookie picks that year)
Regarding posting game result files:
Failure to send game file to league within 2 hours of conclusion of game (first offense), will result in the loss of your 3rd round Rookie Draft pick (if you do not have a 3rd, a better draft pick will be taken away). Second offense will result in immediate removal from league. Home/host team manager is responsible for sending file. If you don’t have the time to send a PROPER yahoo group message including the game file, quickly send the Commissioner a direct email with the file as a placeholder to avoid penalty, then post the proper group message as expected, with XBX file attached ASAP (24 hours max) thereafter. Respecting the league rules and all owners’ time and effort is paramount and non-negotiable.
If for any reason your game file is corrupt after playing and provided your opponent can vouch that you played the game you will not be fined. The game will be simmed (meaning winning team may differ) unless both owners agree to replay within a game week.
Standby owners – Anyone who drops out needs to send an email to the Commisioner. They will be replaced asap by a list of coaches on a standby list. As you get to draft from the start I hope you will stay in the JMFL for many seasons to come.
Off-season activities (after end of season 1 and beyond)
1) Rosters will have 50 active.
2) You then need to cut down to 40 active or uncarded (this means uncarded count as an active roster spot). If you have a vet that is injured all of a subsequent season you can keep them but they count as an active roster spot.
3) The Free Agency draft will then take place, and have 10 mandatory rounds (1-10).
Trading Draft picks
You can trade all Free Agency draft picks but only for the next season. The only exception to this is in an FA draft itself where you can trade your picks for the next season. For example, at end of 1980 season you cut down to 40, so the 10 draft picks you have for the 1981 FA/Rookie draft can be traded (not any years after). When the actual 1981 FA/Rookie Draft starts you can trade 1982 FA/Rookie draft picks (which you will not know the pick position).
Playoff settings
The format for fatigue in the playoffs will be as follows….
1)Game Fatigue will be ON
2)Season fatigue will be increased 10% each round, on a cumulative basis.
3)Injuries will carry over
Overtime – This reflects the NFL ruling (as of 2017) for regular season and playoffs.
Game Files
The only adjustments that owners can make to rosters or the weekly game file is by readjusting the personnel that feature in the different on field formations for your team, e.g. who will be your starting QB, which 3 wrs you play in a 3 wr formation etc. If you wish to assign a different starter or different personnel in formations please do at the end of a game and resend your COA file to lawrencevos@yahoo.co.uk before the deadline that week. Under NO circumstances can you make players ineligible to play. Game personnel adjustments can also be made via the instant substitutions via the in-game settings. Anyone found to have altered ANY game file settings or made players ineligible to play will unfortunately be removed from the JMFL.
Uncarded players
In the yearly FA draft you CANNOT draft a free agent that is UNCARDED (not on the file for that year) unless he has previously played a regular season NFL game. Uncarded players WILL count as an active roster spot, so for instance if you pickup an uncarded QB he counts as one of your 3 qb maximum. An example of an invalid player would be someone who played either exclusively in the CFL or UFL and had never played an NFL regular season game. They would not be eligible to be drafted until the following year’s FA Draft.
- Change/edit of designation of player position
Starting with the 1980 JMFL season prior to Week 1 by the due date given each year by the commissioner, each team may designate one fullback, tight end, or offensive lineman, and one defensive player to have a position edit. Players may be altered in the following ways: - A tackle or guard or center may be changed to an OL.
- A tight end or fullback can be changed to an H-back.
- A defensive end or defensive tackle may be changed to a DL.
- An inside linebacker or an outside linebacker may be changed to a LB.
- A defensive end or an outside linebacker may be changed to a DE/LB.
- A cornerback or a safety may be changed to a DB.
Players are given this designation for one season, and then are returned to their Action! PC game position upon the following year’s release. Only one offensive player and one defensive player can be altered per season. If a player with a designation is traded he reverts back to his original position.
FA Draft Rules
The Rules– FA Draft has 10 mandatory rounds– Rounds 1-5 are subject to different ordering due to trades made– Rounds 6-10 are locked– Mop up round will consist of those teams who traded Picks 1-5 and need to reach 50.
You can draft anyone in the file listed as a free agent.
You cannot draft rookies or rookie free agents that are going to be on NFL rosters.
You can draft players that are uncarded providing they have previously played an NFL regular season game – they will count as an active roster slot. These are guys that may for example have been on I/R on an NFL team in 1980 but played in the NFL regular season in 1979.
You cannot draft people that have never played an NFL regular season game – this includes NOT being able to draft players who have only played in the CFL, UFL or any combination of other non-NFL leagues.
You will post your picks onto the FA Draft page on the JMFL WordPress site– You can pick early provided the team before you has made their pick– If you miss your pick slot you will be skipped but you can make up your pick/picks at anytime– If you know you cannot make a pick in your time slot you can send me lawrencevos@yahoo.co.uk a list – also good to send another league member who has already made their picks in the round you are going to miss. Mark your email e.g, PRIVATE – FA List Rd 1 Washington
REMEMBER – Check roster limits – See above on this page. You need to check roster limits, for instance you can only have a maximum of 3 QBs. Your rosters will be monitored and any invalid picks will be rejected, but the draft will continue, if you make an invalid pick you will be skipped.
Rule changes – If you want to propose a rule change this can be put to a league wide vote during the off-season. The vote must get 12 out of 16 to be accepted (75% yes).
Respect – Please respect your fellow owners. Organise your games in a timely manner, show up on time and if you cannot make it just let your opponent know in advance.
Joe Montana Football League (JMFL) 