Newbie Recently got FOF2004

[Clodhopper]

Hi,
Im not certain if this is the correct forum or not for this post and I apologise if it isn't. Just wanted to let everyone know I recently downloaded the full version of the game, and having read some of the posts, and the guides I am slowly feeling my way through the game getting used to the screens, and stats.
I have started as Kansas (dont ask why ,Ive always liked them !), and I'm slowly playing through the Exhibition games. I'm uncertain if its best to simply simulate all the games and examine the game-logs and box-scores to determine my team and players strengths and weaknesses ,or am I best just diving in and calling plays? I suppose I can always start again if it goes belly up.
Still early days and any advice welcomed.
I have noticed there are a huge number of posts with nothing to do with FOF . Its the only thing I find off-putting, the humour is great but it dont help a newbie overmuch.

Clodhopper

[Buzzbee]

I'd say just dive in. Dive in and play the game. Don't let one game affect how you view your team. There is enough randomness built in that how players do or how your team does in one game aren't necessarily going to be great indicators. However, over a season you should be able to identify trends and stats and such to get a feel for what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong.

This is especially true for gameplanning. A gameplan may not work anywhere near your expectation in one game, but that doesn't mean it may not bea good gameplan.

[Icy]

Use the search feature in the board, this board has tons of members and daily posts and it's not just the fofc game board as you have noticed. This a community for text sims fans so yeah, the FOF2k4 info is hidden in the mix. Do a search for the stuff you want to know and also read all the posts linked from here:

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=16523

[Passacaglia]

Welcome to FOF, it's a great game!

As for how you should play, that's all up to you! Some people don't even look at game logs, just simming each season as fast as they can -- in that case, it's more of a General Manager sim. Others get into the gameplans and analyze each game on a week-by-week basis, playing more like a head coach. And others call every single play in every single game -- more like offensive and defensive coordinators. You've just got to find your own style, so that you get what you want out of the game.

Feel free to ask any questions you have!

[Vinatieri for Prez]

By the way, there is a way to play with the real NFL player names and teams, just dowload the files from the stickied thread related to all things FOF in the general discussion thread.