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Email Update 6/21/02 Volume 3 Issue # 7
IN THIS ISSUE
1. New Articles at Footballguys.com
2. Q and A about Subscription Services
3. Approximate Release Dates of Key Products
4. Bears Lock Down Marty Booker
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Our writers are working hard to bring you fresh material. Four new
articles were posted this morning:
Clayton Gray has updated his popular beginner's guide
Mark Wimer breaks down the AFC mini-camps in this first of a two part series.
Chris Smith looks at the Rookie QB class
Chase Stuart looks at the 2nd years of rookie sensations
Chris Chambers and LaDainian Tomlinson.
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Since announcing on May 1st that Footballguys.com will be a pay
website this year, we have had a lot of questions regarding this
structure, what can be expected if you buy, etc.
Deviating from the standard newsletter, we thought it would be wise
to attempt to answer many of these questions that a lot of you had.
Q1. Why did you decide to make the free/pay cutoff date for the
website August 1st?
A1. This allows us to continue to show you what we are all about. Our
interest has always been to promote the hobby of fantasy football.
This includes education through tools, articles, etc. By August 1st
we will likely have released everything for the preseason at least
once. We feel by going to August 1st, we give solid information (two
months better than most magazines) for free and have earned the right
to compete for your subscription services.
Q2. Why don't you just accept donations?
A2. We actually considered this for sometime, but in the end did not
think that strategy would offset the large server costs. Donation
strategies generally are unsuccessful as most people tend not to pay
unless they really are required too.
Q3. Why not put more ads on Footballguys.com? Certainly with your
traffic numbers you could cover your costs through ads.
A3. It's possible that other strategies could cover the costs, but in
the end we would rather create football content than work selling
ads, selling T-shirts, soliciting donations, etc. Some websites
running ads point to gambling sites and less than honorable contests.
Even normal ads have become extremely annoying as they lock down your
browser with multiple pop-ups. In the end, this just is not the site
that we want to create.
Q4. What exactly is free and for how long?
A4. The message boards will remain free all year. The daily email
will remain free up until September 8th. Website material posted
before August 1st will be free for the whole season.
Q5. Why $20? Why not $5 or $10?
A5. We have no idea how to price this actually, because we have no
gauge to how many subscriptions we could possibly sell. Some sites
that have went pay have debuted with thousands of subscribers. Others
have sold hundreds. We think less than a dollar a week is affordable
to most people.
Q6. What will I get during the preseason for free? for pay?
A6. Everything created before August 1st will be available for free
all year long. This should include versions of everything we do
during the preseason.
Everything created after August 1st will require a subscription to
access. This will include updated projections, rankings, VBD Excel
App, Online VBD App, etc.
A complete list of pre-season features can be found here:
Pre-season Features
Q7. What can I expect during the season as part of the subscriber
fee?
A7. Cheatsheets, Weather Reports, Lots of Stats, Passing and Rushing
Matchups, Waiver Wire pickups, Players in the news, Injury Reports,
Weekly Target and Redzone info, etc.
For a complete list of features and whether they are posted and/or
mailed is available here:
In-season Features
Q8. I will never pay.
A8. OK.
Q9. I mean it. I'll never pay.
A9. OK. Really, it's OK. There are some that will never pay. We
understand that. Some won't think our site is worth one dollar a
week. We disagree, but understand that too. If you are one of those
guys, enjoy our site until August 1st. It's better than that $7
magazine, and it's free.
Q10. Are you going to pay your writers?
A10. Yes we are. We understand that to get and retain premier talent
in this industry, you have to pay the contributors.
Q11. Will Footballguys.com be better in 2002?
A11. We believe by paying our help, we will have the best information
available on the internet. This includes expanded efforts regarding
defensive players, original articles, multiple projections, etc.
Q12. I want to sign up for the premium service. How do I pay?
A12. Just follow this link: Subscription Purchase
You may pay via credit card, Pay Pal, check or money order.
Q13. What credit cards will you take?
A13. Mastercard, VISA, American Express and Discover
Q14. What if I don't trust giving my credit card online?
A14. We will be using a popular system on the web (Pay Pal) for
collecting money via credit cards. We will also accept checks,
cashier checks and cash as well.
With the message boards likely costing you the most money, why do
they remain free?
We clearly understand that to charge for the message board would
substantially ruin the dynamic that has been created there. The
message boards serve a very important role to the hobby and we also
fully understand this. They are indeed costly to run, but are vital
to creating a fantasy football community. We are committed to keeping
these free and making them as robust as possible for many years to
come.
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Other popular questions include release dates of products we are
developing. Here are our best guesses when these products will be
available.
IDP Projections - Monday,June 24th
PK, Def Projections - Monday June 24th
QB, WR, RB, TE Tweaked Projections - June 24th
VBD Excel App - June 28th/29th
VBD Online App - Beta testing by June 28th/29th
Next Expert/Message Board Rankings - Tuesday, June 25th
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Bears Lock Down Marty Booker
Clipped from full story:
Bears wide receiver Marty Booker, who in 2001 became the first player
in franchise history to catch 100 passes in a season, has agreed to a
seven-year contract extension, the team announced Friday night. Terms
were not disclosed.
Booker was slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the
2002 season after being tendered a one-year deal worth $1.227
million. However, the 6-0, 209-pounder will now be under contract
through the 2008 season.
Booker, a 1999 third-round draft pick, shattered Johnny Morris'
single-season team record of 93 receptions by catching 100 passes for
1,071 yards and 8 TDs for the 2001 NFC Central Division champion
Bears. The Northeast Louisiana product finished second in the NFC in
receptions and was Chicago's leading receiver in 11 of 16 games.
In a 27-24 win at Tampa Bay last Nov. 18, Booker set career receiving
highs with 165 yards and three TDs. He scored on passes of 66, 44 and
28 yards from quarterback Jim Miller. Booker twice separated from
cornerbacks and outraced them to the end zone, proving that Marcus
Robinson isn't the Bears' only deep threat.
Booker enters the 2002 season with 166 career receptions for 1,780
yards and 13 TDs.
Friday's agreement was the latest in a series of moves that will keep
the core of a resurgent Bears team intact. Other players who've
signed long-term contracts since last December include quarterback
Jim Miller, center Olin Kreutz, defensive end Bryan Robinson,
linebacker Warrick Holdman and cornerback R.W. McQuarters.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
This is good news for the Bears especially with Marcus Robinson
slowed with injuries. Marty Booker and 2nd year David Terrell looked
to start unless Robinson can play like a few years ago.
Who will throw them the ball? Depends on who you talk to. Jim
Miller is listed as the starter on virtually every depth chart on the
web, but do not discount Chris Chandler (a cagy veteran that can be
creative.
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That will do it for tonight. Greg Kellogg will provide tomorrow's
update.
David Dodds
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