AgustusM
09-15-2015, 01:14 AM
I have purchased every version of this game Jim has ever released and if he released a new one tomorrow I would pre order immediately. I love the game and it has changed forever the way I watch and understand sports. So clearly I am an A+ fan boy of the game.
Having said that I must say I really dislike the current scouting model.
I have read through all of the threads concerning scouting and I do believe I understand how it works at least on a basic level. <Also worth noting, I only play solo. The nature of my work and family life makes my game playing time sporadic and non-predictable, so MP isn’t an option for me.>
I am also a long time player of OOTP and a new player of FM. I think the approach to scouting in both of those games is far superior to what we have in FOF. OOTP in particular is outstanding in its flexibility and customization options.
My Specific thoughts on scouting in FOF
- I do NOT like the idea of a league scout. A team scout or scouting department that was part of your staffing hire would make a lot more sense. I actually think FM makes this too complex with far too many scouts and scouting reports. Something like the OOTP system with one league wide generic scout (that doesn’t change every year, but is simply what the consensus opinion of the league is) and then your own specific scouting department.
- There should be a differentiation between scouting and evaluating. When you are considering players that are not on your team your scouts are the ones who should be grading the players. But players you have every day in practice should be evaluated by the coaches that coach them every day and watch their specific film every day.
- expanding on that idea and understanding this would be an enormous change but it would make a lot of sense if player that are not on your team were “scouted” but your own players were “graded” after watching the film. I think this would be a much better way of evaluating players.
-I do like the ranges in the pre-draft I think that makes a lot of sense. However I would like to see more “interviews” or areas of focus. I feel like the current amount does not give us enough information and we are throwing darts on most of our draft picks.
- scouting that matched a player to a system would be outstanding as well. Also probably a complete overhaul – but of all the sports the NFL is the most system specific match there is. If you are a gold glove 3B you are pretty much great no matter who you play for. But some guys make great zone blocking OL and some are more suited to power blocking. Some guys are incredible 2 gap DL and some are only great at setting the edge.
-I do NOT like some of the ratings - specifically endurance. far too many players have terrible endurance and I don't feel like that matches reality. IMO- 90% of NFL players have the needed level of endurance, 5% are out of shape and cant hack it, and 5% are freaks of nature with non stop motor. (I recognize this is probably more general feedback and not scouting specific)
- I would like to see some customization options on scouting similar to what OOTP does, especially in terms of scouting accuracy. Ideally I also like OOTPs option to change the rating systems. (1-10, 1-100, 20-80…)
How do you guys feel about scouting in FOF - is it working for you? What would make it better? What do I not know that would improve my understanding.
Having said that I must say I really dislike the current scouting model.
I have read through all of the threads concerning scouting and I do believe I understand how it works at least on a basic level. <Also worth noting, I only play solo. The nature of my work and family life makes my game playing time sporadic and non-predictable, so MP isn’t an option for me.>
I am also a long time player of OOTP and a new player of FM. I think the approach to scouting in both of those games is far superior to what we have in FOF. OOTP in particular is outstanding in its flexibility and customization options.
My Specific thoughts on scouting in FOF
- I do NOT like the idea of a league scout. A team scout or scouting department that was part of your staffing hire would make a lot more sense. I actually think FM makes this too complex with far too many scouts and scouting reports. Something like the OOTP system with one league wide generic scout (that doesn’t change every year, but is simply what the consensus opinion of the league is) and then your own specific scouting department.
- There should be a differentiation between scouting and evaluating. When you are considering players that are not on your team your scouts are the ones who should be grading the players. But players you have every day in practice should be evaluated by the coaches that coach them every day and watch their specific film every day.
- expanding on that idea and understanding this would be an enormous change but it would make a lot of sense if player that are not on your team were “scouted” but your own players were “graded” after watching the film. I think this would be a much better way of evaluating players.
-I do like the ranges in the pre-draft I think that makes a lot of sense. However I would like to see more “interviews” or areas of focus. I feel like the current amount does not give us enough information and we are throwing darts on most of our draft picks.
- scouting that matched a player to a system would be outstanding as well. Also probably a complete overhaul – but of all the sports the NFL is the most system specific match there is. If you are a gold glove 3B you are pretty much great no matter who you play for. But some guys make great zone blocking OL and some are more suited to power blocking. Some guys are incredible 2 gap DL and some are only great at setting the edge.
-I do NOT like some of the ratings - specifically endurance. far too many players have terrible endurance and I don't feel like that matches reality. IMO- 90% of NFL players have the needed level of endurance, 5% are out of shape and cant hack it, and 5% are freaks of nature with non stop motor. (I recognize this is probably more general feedback and not scouting specific)
- I would like to see some customization options on scouting similar to what OOTP does, especially in terms of scouting accuracy. Ideally I also like OOTPs option to change the rating systems. (1-10, 1-100, 20-80…)
How do you guys feel about scouting in FOF - is it working for you? What would make it better? What do I not know that would improve my understanding.