In our league we start an offensive unit: The Scoring System defined on our rule sheet that was typed in 1988: Defense: Interception for TD: 2 points Fumble for TD: 2 points Safety: 2 points INT not returned for TD: .5 points Offense: Kick-Off Returned for TD: 2 points Punt Returned for TD: 2 points And last year a team got credit for a missed FG that was returned for TD as an offensive score. Week 2: The Arizona Cardinals are my offense and blocked a FG and returned it for a touchdown, but the commisioner says it counts as a defensive score because they didn’t have a guy back to return the kick. He also said, a blocked punt that passes the line of scrimmage and returned for a TD would qualify for an offensive score. (The kick was a 46 yd attempt which was returned 83 yards, meaning it passed the line of scrimmage and is a live ball). There are 4 ways to score a special teams touchdown in normal fantasy football leagues: Kick off return, Punt return, punt block, field goal blocked. In our league 3 out of 4 scenarios count as an offensive score, but commish is saying the FG blocked is a defensive touchdown. My argument is a blocked FG doesn’t count as a turnover, it crossed the lie of scrimmage and is now a live ball so it can’t be considered a defensive score. In my interpretation ,according to our scoring, once the ball leaves the kicking team’s foot, they are no longer on offense. It was explained on draft night that Punt and Kick TDs count as offense because the other team is trying to tackle them and they have the ball. We reward $ based on weekly totals and I lost 2nd place by .5 points
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THE JUDGE RULES AS FOLLOWS:
When interpreting the rules of a particular league, the first and foremost task is examining YOUR LEAGUE’s written rules or constitution. If those rules are unambiguous, they control. Only if they are ambiguous, is it proper to consider past precedent in the league. So the first step is examining your league rules. If your league rules are silent, then it is also appropriate to consult past precedent in your league. If there is no precedent, then it is appropriate to consider external sources, such as NFL league rules, or “common law” established in most fantasy football leagues.
Per your written league rules: “Defense: Interception for TD: 2 points; Fumble for TD: 2 points; Safety: 2 points; INT not returned for TD: .5 points” and “Offense: Kick-Off Returned for TD: 2 points; Punt Returned for TD: 2 points.” Therefore your league rules are apparently silent on how to score Field Goals returned for touchdowns.
It appears undisputed that “last year a team got credit for a missed FG that was returned for TD as an offensive score,” since no reply was submitted in response to your dispute. Therefor, I have no problem deciding that last year’s precedent controls this year’s situation. To rule otherwise would allow confusion to reign.
Parenthetically, I note that per NFL official league rules, “Kicks from Scrimmage, Rule 13”: Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive team’s goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.” And certainly in most fantasy football leauges (CBSSportsline, Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), the “default” rule (which again, is subject to change in any private league like yours) is that blocked field goals are scored as defensive or special teams touchdowns. However, as stated above, your league’s precedent controls unless there is a contrary written rule adopted, which apparently never occurred. Furthermore, you state (again undisputed) that “It was explained on draft night that Punt and Kick TDs count as offense because the other team is trying to tackle them and they have the ball.”
Therefore, considering your league’s undisputed precedent and verbal reinforcement on draft night, in your league, blocked field goals count as offensive scores.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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