With the way we score the Fantasy Index Open, it wasn’t crucially important whether you made Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck or Cam Newton your No. 1 quarterback (even though Rodgers killed those guys). More important was avoiding using all-important picks on statistical flops like Tony Romo, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Teddy Bridgewater.

Over two thirds of the entries included Romo, who went on to hurt his back in his first preseason game. And over two thirds included Fitzpatrick, who struggled mightily for the Jets. With the way we score this thing, if you had those two in your top 15 at this position, you were dead.

Paul McCann, a letter carrier from Hopewell, Pa., found the right balance. He got his list off to a good start with Rodgers as his top quarterback, and he had the smarts to stay away entirely from Romo, Fitzpatrick, Bridgewater, Brock Osweiler, Robert Griffin III and Jay Cutler.

He was also higher than most on Matt Ryan and Marcus Mariota, which helped, and was one of the few with the smarts to move Cam Newton down to 3rd.

You might say, “he delivered”. He’s the winner at this position. The state of Pennsylvania also took 2nd in this category, with Ryan Murphy, a teacher from East Berlin.

It was a good position for the magazine. Ian Allan (hey, that’s me), took 3rd place in this category. Earlier he/I took 2nd in running backs, so it’s been a successful run this time around. But it will be tough to dig out of the hole made at wide receiver, where undervaluing Jordy Nelson and Kelvin Benjamin (among others) caused a 198th-place finish.

I’m not sure that the scoring system for this tournament is ideal. Especially at the quarterback position, it tends to put too much of a premium on attrition. Tom Brady, for example, had a fine year, but with his four-game suspension finished as just the 20th-best cumulative scorer.

The Romo pick was particularly crucial. Suppose, for example, you ranked him 16th. You would take almost zero at that position. Had you instead put a lukewarm body there – Alex Smith, for example – you would have received 2,820 points (282.8 x 10). That’s a big chunk of points at a position where the spread from first to worst was about 17,000 points.

I’ve tinkered with multiple scoring formats, and this one seems to be the best. The 20-1 grading scale puts too much of a premium on the top picks (it doesn’t matter so much if you cleverly stick a breakout running back in at 17th on your board). With the 30-11 scoring scale, which I’ve also tried, the ordering in the top 10 doesn’t seem to matter much as all – it’s all about just getting guys with a pulse.

So this is how we score it. I have made it through the six positions, so now I will go back through and add up the total scores.

The overall winner takes home a really huge and really cool trophy from the team at Affordable Trophies. They’ve been partnering with us on this contest for years.

The winner and the runner-up also earn berths in the Experts Poll in the magazine, competing in a similar contest in a 20-man field composed mainly of industry experts.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, QUARTERBACKS (top 10 percent)
EntryOccupationPoints
Paul McCannLetter Carrier109,199
Ryan MurphyTeacher108,863
Ian AllanFantasy Writer108,860
Kevin CuozzoSales Professional108,845
Richard JacksonAttorney108,817
Michael MenkeBuilding Products Estimator108,702
Mark BeckerMarketing108,498
Tom DeskovitzConsultant108,461
Bill RehorHospital Administrator108,460
Chris HertzbergAttorney108,348
Don P McKendryCrewleader/Electrical108,335
Jacques DuggerI.T. Professional108,257
Dave CohenSales108,237
James CarvinInsurance108,064
Bill DallesandroLoan Officer108,004
Craig LeedyRetired107,938
Steven SchindhelmAttorney107,896
Scott LilesJournalist107,848
John WhitneyPediatrician107,643
Ellis KilgoreBand Director (Teacher)107,610
Michael S. LivengoodPage Designer107,599
Aaron LanceBank Employee107,556
FANTASY INDEX OPEN, QUARTERBACKS (alphabetical)
EntryHometownPointsRank
Aaron GreenMaple Grove, Minn.106,84244
Aaron LanceYakima, Wash.107,55622
Adam BergeronSalem, N.H.100,684202
Adam HoltzRochester, Minn.97,604215
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.99,022212
Adam RenzoniBuffalo, N.Y.103,686147
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.102,750168
Adam TaylorMedia, Pa.98,061214
Adam ThygesonOregon City, Ore.104,769110
Allen MartirossianAshburn, Va.107,21331
Andrew LeahyAudubon, N.J.104,779109
Andrew SouthworthWilkes-Barre, Pa.104,052132
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.105,007102
Anthony DifranceiscoTurnersville, N.J.94,709219
Arden VosEdmonton, Canada103,956135
Barry St PeterPittsfield, Mass.101,823190
Ben WeisnerWausau, Wis.106,08470
Bill DallesandroHuntington, N.Y.108,00415
Bill RehorCulver City, Calif.108,4609
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.106,77646
Brack VarnonHouston, Texas106,36760
Brandon BarnesPortland , Ore.106,39059
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.105,17995
Brett WattsFlorence, S.C.105,79177
Bruce AlwineHavertown, Pa.105,46084
Bruce BoaseOgden, Utah106,28261
Charles RaifmanShort Hills, N.J.104,051133
Chris BrookeSan Diego, Calif.105,51381
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.106,11169
Chris EricksonSparta, Wis.105,92774
Chris HertzbergAustin, Texas108,34810
Chris SullivanOttawa, Canada103,938137
Chris WeberAppleton, Wis.102,173184
Chris WinderSan Ramon, Calif.100,183205
Chris WrightLynchburg, Va.103,897139
Craig BarltropAdelaide, Australia107,50224
Craig LeedySacramento, Calif.107,93816
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho106,93541
Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.105,053100
Dan MartinezYuba City, Calif.94,777218
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.102,418178
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.103,866140
Daniel MacDonald Torrance, Calif.107,03939
Darrell SooyWest Chester, Pa.104,932104
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.108,23713
Dave PizzicaSpringfield, Pa.103,646149
Dave RenstromApple Valley, Minn.106,47054
Dave SjogrenVienna, Va.105,84476
Dave WildeMukwonago, Wis.104,893107
David BattersbyBellevue, Wash.93,973221
Dennis ThomasWatsonville, Calif.106,48253
Dominic RomeoSacramento, Calif.105,68279
Don P McKendryOrland Park, Ill.108,33511
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.107,14635
Doug BrownFort Gratiot, Mich.103,090161
Dr. Billy FriedrichRaleigh, N.C.104,069130
Drew EnglebrightLondon, U.K.104,342122
Ed O'HairKaty, Texas106,24963
Edward BurkePhiladelphia, Pa.104,168127
Ellis KilgoreVon Ormy, Texas107,61020
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.103,059162
Eric TitusPort St. Lucie, Fla.104,556117
Fabrizio DanovaLos Angeles, Calif.106,89343
Frank ReadPittsburgh, Pa.103,711145
Frank RotellaSewell, N.J.105,09499
Frank ShinnickMilford, Mass.104,750111
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.105,34289
Gary BorgesToronto, Canada106,21264
Gary FortierMarietta, Ga.107,22530
Geoff GreggsRoy, Wash.103,355154
George TaylorMoosup, Conn.107,05338
Gerald M. HoehnWest Liberty, Iowa106,00572
Grant HubbardRochester Hills, Mich.106,80245
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.106,20166
Greg ResinHermosa Beach, Calif.105,28893
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.102,249183
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.108,8603
Ian MacEwenAkron, Ohio105,64480
Jacob FloriolliChico, Calif.102,976164
Jacob WilsonCrandall, Texas102,748169
Jacques DuggerWestland, Mich.108,25712
James CarvinMt. Laurel, N.J.108,06414
James FrauelWalworth, N.Y.101,638194
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.103,486152
Jared SmolaRochester, N.Y.107,46525
Jason FlatleyCohoes, N.Y.102,744171
Jason MatternWintersville, Ohio106,90542
Jason PilonRoseville, Minn.104,183126
Jay HardingPortland, Ore.105,47083
Jay WimmersLincolnton, N.C.104,992103
Jeff FriedrichGreenville, N.C.99,782209
Jeff ZwiersBellingham, Wash.103,295155
Jeremy MarzofkaSeattle, Wash.104,137128
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.105,33190
Jesse McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.98,837213
Jim CostelloPortland, Maine106,57552
Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.103,145160
Jim KovacTucson, Ariz.100,704201
Joe LoebAloha, Ore.103,208158
Joe PizzicaWynnewood, Pa.105,40786
John D. SmithWillow Grove, Pa.100,847200
John DentAnn Arbor, Mich.105,30692
John DugginsGreenville, S.C.102,595174
John M. SmyczynskiBuffalo, N.Y.100,559203
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.104,377121
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.107,20132
John WhitneySan Jose, Calif.107,64319
John YarsinskyMarlton, N.J.102,707172
Johnny BazzanoSanta Rosa, Calif.106,72949
Jon HansenReno, Nev.99,814208
Jonathan MoraChicago, Fla.99,188211
Josh ShupienTacoma, Wash.96,266217
Ken NormanChanhassen, Minn.104,600116
Ken ValisGaithersburg, Md.107,14734
Kenneth JonesNew Orleans, La.102,653173
Kenneth YuenArlington Heights, Ill.107,33529
Kent StewartPoplar Bluff, Mo.104,651113
Kenzie MacNeilHalifax, Canada102,747170
Kevin CuozzoConcord , Mass.108,8454
Kevin SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.103,147159
Kirk KennedyBeulaville, N.C.99,338210
Kyle SoppeBristol, Conn.101,923187
Kyle WellsLynnwood, Wash.103,947136
Larry WeinhauerAndover, N.Y.102,098185
Marc MayfieldLongview, Texas107,11437
Mark BeckerLos Angeles, Calif.108,4987
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.102,884165
Mark ChristieFairport, N.Y.104,392120
Mark MaloneyAndover, Minn.104,217125
Mark StoeckerMansfield, Texas103,732144
Matt MenghiNiantic, Conn.92,743222
Matty Strothman-EvansWinston-Salem, N.C.106,76348
Michael CrowOrion, Ill.103,777143
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.102,771167
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.106,66050
Michael MenkeNew Berlin, Wis.108,7026
Michael O'BrienLakewood, Colo.104,262124
Michael S. LivengoodWard, Ark.107,59921
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.105,93873
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.105,38587
Mike ClarkLas Vegas, Nev.100,259204
Mike ClayCheshire, Conn.104,624114
Mike FreemanHamilton, Canada107,45126
Mike LenettSilver Spring, Md.101,866189
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Texas105,77778
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.103,676148
Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho105,32491
Mike WhitlaOttawa, Canada96,944216
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.107,35028
Monte McDonaldLas Vegas, Nev.105,21194
Nathan BileckSan Diego, Calif.106,46056
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.102,514176
Nick HeutonCarroll, Iowa104,906106
Nick PetrevskiLos Angeles, Calif.103,961134
Patrick WentzColumbus, Ohio100,009207
Paul McCannHopewell, Pa.109,1991
Pete CollinsOrland Park, Ill.105,10098
Pete GouldNottingham, U.K.94,308220
Pete RichmondAlexandria, Va.100,129206
Phil MazurowskiHuntingdon, Pa.103,236157
Phil MontalbanoNapa, Calif.102,807166
Ponce HatchHaddon Township, N.J.104,730112
Ray CalistoFishers, Ind.104,270123
Rey DiazMiami, Fla.106,77447
Rich DooleyArlington, Va.105,16296
Richard FechterCoral Gables, Fla.106,18767
Richard JacksonBerkeley, Calif.108,8175
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.106,14968
Richard SpinellaNorth Providence, R.I.101,213197
Rick StarkManchester Center, Vt.106,03471
Rick WieganChesapeake, Va.102,399179
Riley MayDenver, Colo.104,620115
Rob MilelliCherry Hill, N.J.105,37288
Rob ReiberRandolph, N.J.103,559151
Robert YangSimi Valley, Calif.106,61651
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.106,43157
Roy ShermanColumbia, Tenn.107,19633
Russell DawsonEl Dorado Hills, Calif.102,280182
Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.102,048186
Ryan DealWest Mifflin, Pa.104,065131
Ryan MurphyEast Berlin, Pa.108,8632
Sam DuganPittsburgh, Pa.107,52223
Sam HendricksLynchburg , Va.104,401119
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.101,729192
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.103,693146
Scott LilesMountain Home, Ark.107,84818
Scott SachsHuron, Ohio102,557175
Scott SintkowskiWaterford, Mich.106,46755
Scott WilkinsonPortland , Ore.107,01540
Seamus McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.102,375180
Sean ChiNew York, N.Y.104,930105
Shane ScottToronto, Canada102,317181
Shelby TeagardnerPittsburgh, Pa.103,245156
Steve BlenkerCheektowaga, N.Y.105,43985
Steve MathAustin, Texas101,346196
Steve MoyerOakland, Calif.101,718193
Steve TortoraWallingford , Conn.101,901188
Steve WeberPaso Robles, Calif.105,13997
Steven AlessandriniFlanders, N.J.103,452153
Steven SchindhelmMilwaukee, Wis.107,89617
Steven TorresNipomo, Calif.105,91875
Stewart KuehneRedmond, Wash.105,48982
Terence LarroWoodland Hills, Calif.101,800191
Thomas OliverSilver Spring, Md.102,477177
Tim WandlingRohnert Park, Calif.106,28262
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.104,779108
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.108,4618
Tom GroomeDuncannon, Pa.103,846141
Tom MorandeTinley Park, Ill.106,20365
Tom OverbergerBedminster, Pa.101,056198
Tommy LibrettiMalverne, N.Y.105,031101
Tony MavrelesReading, Pa.103,899138
Trevor RossEdmonton, Canada107,14336
Trey QuinnAnnapolis, Md.104,449118
Troy McGovernMelbourne, Fla.103,633150
Tyson TravellerMcKinney, Texas103,017163
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.107,38327
Vince CorbinNaperville, Ill.100,897199
Wade BoothTulsa, Okla.101,469195
William TrostleFort Rucker, Ala.106,41058
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.104,126129
Zach NizolekKansas City, Mo.103,819142

—Ian Allan