Answers from Jim

[Noble_Platypus]

Question: I saw there is a 4C patch coming out this summer. I was wondering if it would address the AI's probles with draftibg and lineups. I repeatedly see teams reach for QB,OT and DE when they dont need one,or list another position as a bigger need. I saw a team that listed LB as top need pass a LB
with a 8.9 rating for an OT with a 7.7 rating, and both of its OTs were 1st round picks the previos 2 years. This almost always leads to highg draft picks riding the bench,while the need areas are filled with 1st year undrafted FA's,who start. My current season has the #1 pick on the bench for 1 team,while it starts 5 1st year undrafted FA's. Also, I many times see rookies ride the bench behind lesser vets. Especially the #1 pick. I know Mike vick rode the pine for a year, but these #1 picks do for 3-4 years.And
many of the RB's drafted in the first round never start,either due to the team drafting a rb and not needing it,or a lesser vet is started instead.Also,I often see Stud DT's ride the bench because they are LDT or RDT,and the team runs a 3-4.The #1 pick for the Texans doesnt start because he is a RDT,while an 2 year undrafted scrub starts at NT.I also see teams drafting QB's wih little potential really high,then starting an equally
rated 1st year Fa.If they both suck you would think the kid they drafted high would.Hopefully this will be some of the things addressed in the upcoming patch.I love the game and see this as the only area of weakness. thanks

Answer: Comments like these are on the list of items I'll take a shot at with 4.0c/4.1. No question that this is the key to computer-controlled teams becoming more competitive.Conflicts and affinities have almost as much effect as cohesion, which is
difficult to quantify as both affect groups of players rather than one individual. Players will eventually reach their potential regardless of the coach, but will do so more slowly with bad coaches. The AI for ratings changes is largely unchanged from prior versions, but the scouting algorithm is very different and should be more consistent with regard to individual player opinions. the documentation is incorrect, as 2 FBs are required. The scout can still help you draft, you just need to sort by his recommendation in the main draft window rather than the FA screen. This wasn't so much removed as it was accidental in previous versions.



I tried and even when drafting I still cant get the scout to give recommendations. Anyone else notice this?

[Bee]

I think he means to sort the draft list by the scout rating...you can kind of use this as your scouts draft board during the draft.

[Noble_Platypus]

Oh, ok. I was used to doing it by recommendation likein FOF2001.

[Marmel]

That was extremely hard to read.

[Noble_Platypus]

I just cut and pasted what I wrote and his answers.