Rule #1 - Teams: Team names must be approved by the commissioner and must be located in actual cities.
Rule #2 - Draft: The draft shall last 16 rounds. In the first round only, the Super Bowl runner-up from the prior year will automatically be given the 9th pick in the draft, while the Super Bowl champion will be given the 10th pick. The draft order shall be randomly determined for the first eight picks of the first round and for rounds 2-16, with each team being guaranteed a first pick selection in one of the first 10 rounds. Each franchise owner must select players from the following categories: QB, WR, RB, TE, K, DF, SP. The roster limit for each position is the following: 2 for QBs, TEs, Ks, defenses and special teams each - 3 for RBs and WRs each. Players listed at more than one position may be selected for one category and receive points for only that category.
Rule #3 - Lineups: Each franchise owner shall submit a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 WR's, 2 RB's, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DF, and 1 SP to the league commissioner or to the VP of Stats & Reports by 1:00 pm on Sunday of the week's games. In the event of a Thursday game, only teams having players active in that game must submit lineups prior to that game. If no line-up is submitted, it will be assumed that the starting line-up of the previous week shall be used. If line-ups are not submitted, the offending owner shall be penalized: (a) Three offenses during the regular season shall result in the loss of eligibility for the playoffs, despite record. (b) Five offenses during the regular season shall result in expulsion from league, forfeiture of team to League Offices, which will conduct the team's business for the remainder of the season. Return of the owner to the league shall be decided during the offseason by a vote of owners in good standing, of which a majority is needed for reinstatement. (c) Any owner who accumulates two offenses during the regular season and commits his third during post-season play shall face a suspension for the remainder of the playoffs, forfeiture of the team to League Offices, which will conduct the team's business for the remainder of the playoffs. Should the team exit the post-season on the game in which the offense was committed, the owner shall forfeit his first round pick from the following season's draft. (d) Any owner wishing to use the same line-up should inform either the commissioner or his assistant of this fact so that no punishment will be levied.
Rule #4 - Scoring: (a) Offensive touchdowns shall be worth 6 points. Every 10 yards for an offensive player shall be worth 1 point. Two point conversions shall be worth 2 points. Touchdowns scored in any manner shall be counted for any player, and every yard gained by an offensive player (QBs, RBs, WRs, and TEs only) via rushing, passing and receiving combined will be counted. The defensive team shall be an entire NFL team. It will be awarded 1 point for every sack, 2 points for each interception, 2 points for each fumble recovery, 5 points for each safety, and 10 points for every touchdown (which include interception returns, fumble returns, blocked punt returns and blocked field goal returns). (c) Kickers shall be awarded 3 points for each field goal, 2 points for each 2 point conversion and 1 point for each extra point. (d) Special team players shall be awarded 10 points for each touchdown and 1 point for every 10 yards accumulated via combined punt and kickoff returns yardage.
Rule #5 - Trades: If two or more franchise owners wish to make a trade they may do so. A trade becomes official when all parties involved have contacted the commissioner and verified the terms of the deal. The VP of Stats & Reports can only relay the terms of the deal to the commissioner; the VP can not finalize any deal. No trades will be permitted after 12:00 pm on November 9, 2003.
Rule #6 - Free Agency: A player not on a fantasy team roster is considered a free agent on the waiver wire. Free agent signings are first come, first serve from Tuesday morning until Sunday at 1:00 pm each week. For each player signed via waivers, a player must be released. Any player who is released must remain on the waiver wire until Tuesday morning of the following week so that all parties can be notified of his availability. Waiver moves are allowed all season until the playoffs begin and the rosters are frozen. If during the playoffs a team loses all players at one position due to injuries or said players are cut by their NFL teams, one player for that position may be selected to the roster from the free agency wire. As with any transaction, this must be approved by the commissioner. Players may not be replaced for inactivity because of a bye week.
Rule #7 - Injured Reserve: Any player who is listed as "Out" or "Doubtful" may be placed on one of two spots on the injured reserve list. Once there, a replacement may be signed to the active roster. The maximum amount of time a player can remain on the IR is 6 weeks. Once a player becomes listed as "Questionable" or "Probable", or he has maxed out his time, he must either rejoin the active roster or be released. The maximum amount of players allowed on the active roster is 16. Any violations shall result in forfeiture of any games played with an ineligible roster. No player on IR can be released.
Rule #8 - Season Play: The teams shall play 13 regular season games with weeks 14, 15, and 16 reserved for playoffs.
Rule #9 - Tie Breakers: The following is the tie-breaking scheme that will be used should two or more teams have identical overall records at the end of the regular season: 1) Head-to-head record and results, 2) Conference record, 3) Most points scored, 4) Fewest points allowed, 5) Coin toss.
Rule #10 - Postseason Play: The playoff format is as follows: 2nd and 3rd place in each conference will play each other. The winners will play their respective conference champions, and the winners of these conference final games will advance to the Torn ACL Super Bowl. For the Toilet Bowl, the 4th and 5th place teams in each conference will play each other. The losers will advance to the Torn ACL Toilet Bowl.
Rule #11 - Reports: The Torn ACL League has created a website for owners to get updated information on scores, standings, and availability of free agent players. On Tuesday mornings before 8:00 AM, the league's website will be updated by the VP of Stats & Reports to reflect the correct scores and stats, plus give an updated listing of available free agents. These same reports will be turned into the commissioner's office on Tuesday evening for his review and for validation. Fantasy League Manager will be used in all reports.
Rule #12 - Amendments: Rules may be revised by the commissioner during the off-season, and only can be overturned by 3/4 majority vote of the owners.