Viva Murillo!

Your draft or auction can't be far away, and while I've discussed a few ways to make your off-season more productive I think there are a couple of last-minute things you should still do. Again, this isn't part of player analysis: This is the kind of stuff you have to do to make all that analysis worthwhile (and potentially lucrative). Just make sure you have all these bases covered before you walk in or log on to your draft or auction.

* Know the League Rules. I know this sounds obvious, but the more teams you own, the more important it is. It's very easy to forget the nuances of each league's scoring system and roster requirements when you have so many to remember. Is a PPR league one point for all positions, or just some? Are some positions given two points, and others half a point? Do quarterbacks get a point for every 20 yards, or is it 25? What are the penalties for turnovers, if any? Do you have to draft two defenses, or can you start out with zero on your roster and use the waiver wire to pick them up later?

And when does the waiver wire start, anyway? Does it process before the season starts, or is it only after week one? Don't assume anything, or you might find yourself very disappointed and frustrated—with yourself, because you didn't take a few minutes and study how each league operates. Even if it's a league you've been in for years, take some time and get familiar with how it works again. It will help you on draft day because every owner who doesn't do it gives you an advantage in that league.

* Budget Your Time Properly. If you know you have five drafts, make sure they don't conflict. That sounds simple, right? But how many times has an owner complained that a draft or auction is taking too long because they have somewhere else they have to be? How many times has someone tried to draft remotely because of a conflict?

Look, you know how long a draft takes. You know when they're scheduled. If you're agreeing to be in the league, that means having the time to participate fully in the most important part—Player selection. All it really takes is a little time management beforehand and mapping out how you'll be able to make each one and devote enough time so you aren't rushed. That's really hard to do the day before the draft, but you can do it in advance. I suggest you do it now. And if you can't devote enough time to it, don't play. It's not fair to the rest of the league.

Oh, and bring a check if you haven't already paid your league dues. Never draft still owing money. It's bad form and you're putting the commissioner in an uncomfortable position.

* Make Sure You Can Play in All Your Leagues. This is your last chance to drop out of leagues and let them find replacements.

Now, some have suggested that I'm trying to convince people not to play fantasy football by always mentioning reasons why they might consider leaving a league. That's not true; I want you to have as much fun playing as I do. But I think of fantasy leagues the same way I do pets: Have as many as you want as long as you can take good care of them. If you can't devote the time, attention and money it takes to do it right, maybe you shouldn't have so many. It's not fair to you, and it's not fair to them. You're better off letting someone else do it instead.

How many is enough is completely up to you. Some people can handle 10 leagues and other struggle with more than two. But whatever that number is, make sure you can pay attention all year. That includes having a bad start to the season. If you're 0-4, would you still be involved in each of your leagues? If not, let someone else have that spot. Earlier this year, I mentioned how bad it is to leave a league with just a few days until the draft or auction. But you know what's worse? Checking out (mentally) when the season has already started. Make sure—right now—that you're in the right amount of leagues for you. There's still time to find that optimal number and stick with it.

I know these things seem second-nature, and that's part of the problem. They're so obvious that we often don't devote enough time to making sure they're done right. Take a few minutes to put these items on the front-burner and you'll have a more enjoyable season—and so will the leagues in which you participate.

You can reach Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@hotmail.com.

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