The incredible, frustrating tale of "The Devasator" (FOF 2004) [Archive]

Honolulu Blue

11-18-2003, 12:47 AM

Deon Roberts was our first draft pick in 2004, taken with the 15th selection. A 6'3", 254 lb strong-side LB from East Carolina, our scouts promised us a broad level of skills at a high level. And did he ever deliver. He made the Green List his first season, and the honors did not stop there. Quickly the coaches noticed that he was a disruptive force in every game he played - disruptive to the opposition, that is - and nicknamed him "The Devastator". He had a nose for the ball, and anyone in his way was flicked aside like a piece of lint.

His first season he performed a rare trifecta - 1st team OLB, Defensive ROTY, and Defensive POTY. He earned it with his 106 sacks, 35 assists, 14 (!) sacks, 7 hurries, 3 picks and 6 passes defended. He still holds the record for tackles and sacks. The next season he did it all again with 101 sacks, 43 assists, 10 sacks, 8 hurries, 3 interceptions, and 11 passes broken up (still the team record).

Then the injuries started.

The Devastator was injured in preseason '06 and was hobbled on and off throughout the season. He only played in 7 games and turned in his worst season - only 30 tackles, 8 assists, 4 sacks, 1 hurry, and 2 defensed passes. The team went 9-7 and missed the playoffs. We had high hopes in '07 that he would come back strong, which he did, but those injuries kept coming back. He played in 11 games anyway, leading the team in tackles with 75, and coming in 2nd in assists (30), sacks (9), and hurries (7). He also contributed 2 INTs and 5 defensed passes. He probably would have been All-Pro again had he been able to play in all 16 games. He was healthy at the start of 2008 and we hoped he could make it through the year in one piece. He didn't. A series of nagging injuries kept him out of 5 games and I can't recall how many games he played while hurt. He led the team in defensed passes with 8, but an improving supporting cast kept him down in the other categories - 59 tackles, 19 assists, 4.5 sacks, 3 hurries, and 2 interceptions.

Fortunately, none of his injuries have slowed his development and he grades out as a 72/73 - the best LB in the league, though he may lose that honor in a year or two.

Consider this stat:

Record with The Devastator in the lineup (2006-08): 20-9
Record without The Devastator in the lineup ('06-'08): 8-11

Overall we're 43-17-1 with him, and 16-19 without. You wouldn't think that anyone but a QB or a Hall of Fame RB would make such a difference to the team. But he does.

Anyway, his contract is up, and he's likely to demand half of one of our casinos. I'm leaning toward not giving it to him. Much as I love having The Devastator around, he's a bad risk. One of these days I fear his going to get hurt seriously and miss some serious playing time - or worse, lose his skills.

Honolulu_Blue

11-18-2003, 05:22 AM

Great story. This is the kind of thing I love in a text sim. I don't think I could pass on The Devastator. I like linebackers too much, especially dominating ones.

Way to go bro!

Ben E Lou

11-18-2003, 05:27 AM

Jim confirmed (I think in the Q&A) that there is a hidden "injury-prone" rating. Sounds like the Devastator has a high one. Makes for a tough decision (which is the kind of think I love in a text sim). Good luck!

SnowMan

11-18-2003, 06:21 AM

Yea, let us know how it turns out. Stories like this make me love text sims.

Pacersfan46

11-18-2003, 06:23 AM

I'm very much a sucker for the "high risk/ high reward" type of guys.

We need to figure out how to import this guy into my game.

= )

Senator

11-18-2003, 06:37 AM

Julius Peppers is like that for me. He is costing me an arm and a leg, and when he plays, he is amazing. But he is hurt ALL THE TIME.

I like having to make tough decisions. Makes the game fun.

Ben E Lou

11-18-2003, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by Senator
I like having to make tough decisions. Makes the game fun. See this thread (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16972).

wbatl1

11-18-2003, 07:41 AM

What kind of defense do you run. Blitrz %? I almost never get numbers anywhere close to that for my lb's

Honolulu Blue

11-18-2003, 08:42 AM

But first I'll answer the question that was posed to me:

Originally posted by wbatl1
What kind of defense do you run. Blitrz %? I almost never get numbers anywhere close to that for my lb's

I let the coaches handle that. I haven't looked at it since I started, since (at least in theory) it should change from game to game.

It's almost certainly a high-risk, high-reward defense as our secondary gets torched for a high yards per pass average almost every year. As compensation we get lots o' sacks and plenty of picks. It's much the same story on offense - we throw more passes to the wideouts than anyone in the league and the RBs barely catch any.

Anyway, back to the story.

I took a second and third look at The Devastator's record and decided to compromise by franchising him. It would cost a bit over $5 million for the season, but at least I don't have a signing bonus to worry about.

He's still the same old Devastator through training camp. But then I get a letter from the league office. The Devastator has been suspended for illegal drug use. THAT explains a lot.

I review my options and decide to cut him, saving all that money under the cap. I'm sure someone will take a chance on him next year, maybe even us (though I am about 99.9% sure I'll get the "past injustices" message - deservedly this time).

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'll keep you updated on The Devastator's story when I can.

Raiders Army

11-18-2003, 09:15 AM

Here's a good question: if you signed the Devastator the next year, would he still be suspended by the league? Isn't that how it works in the NFL?

I don't think this is built into the game, but it would be cool if it was.

Nice thread. Give us another update!

Honolulu Blue

11-18-2003, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by Raiders Army
Here's a good question: if you signed the Devastator the next year, would he still be suspended by the league? Isn't that how it works in the NFL?

For the NFL, it depends on the term of the suspension. I think their year suspensions are for a calendar year, so if I player is suspended before the 1st exhibition game one year, he is off suspension one year later and is free to play, practice, sign, whatever.

In the game all suspensions that I know of are for the season only. The Devastator can't play in any games this season, but his status should be clear once the season officially ends. So if I (or anyone) signed him for the next year, he should be able to play - unless he gets suspended again.

Eaglesfan27

11-18-2003, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by Honolulu Blue
But first I'll answer the question that was posed to me:

I let the coaches handle that. I haven't looked at it since I started, since (at least in theory) it should change from game to game.

It's almost certainly a high-risk, high-reward defense as our secondary gets torched for a high yards per pass average almost every year. As compensation we get lots o' sacks and plenty of picks. It's much the same story on offense - we throw more passes to the wideouts than anyone in the league and the RBs barely catch any.

Anyway, back to the story.

I took a second and third look at The Devastator's record and decided to compromise by franchising him. It would cost a bit over $5 million for the season, but at least I don't have a signing bonus to worry about.

He's still the same old Devastator through training camp. But then I get a letter from the league office. The Devastator has been suspended for illegal drug use. THAT explains a lot.

I review my options and decide to cut him, saving all that money under the cap. I'm sure someone will take a chance on him next year, maybe even us (though I am about 99.9% sure I'll get the "past injustices" message - deservedly this time).

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'll keep you updated on The Devastator's story when I can.

It's stories like this that bring a tear to my eye ;) I love this game, and find myself playing whenever I have free time.

Honolulu Blue

11-18-2003, 12:40 PM

ROBERTS APPEALS SUSPENSION, WINS!
ROBERTS SIGNS 5-YEAR, $35 MIL CONTRACT WITH JETS!
ROBERTS: LIONS TREATED ME UNFAIRLY, WILL PAY THE PRICE

I took a quick look at my league and found that not only had The Devastator signed somewhere else, the suspension tag was off! I'm not a happy camper. I will be reporting this bug elsewhere.

Anyway, the Jets gave him a bonus of just under $10 million, with an $890,000 salary this season, $4.1 million next year, followed by $5.3 mil, $6.4 mil, and $8.3 mil. And we play each other in the first preseason game. I'll be sure to keep everybody out that I don't want to lose. The man can HIT.

This is the man we've been talking about. Don't be fooled by the modest ratings; he is a stud. He is The Devastator.

http://members.fortunecity.com/newking/Devastator.JPG

Raiders Army

11-18-2003, 12:44 PM

Not to nitpick, but I thought you said he received Defensive Player of the Year his rookie year. Also, I'd guess that he'd get all these accolades after achieve over 100 sacks in a year :)

SnowMan

11-18-2003, 12:47 PM

His rookie year maybe be scrolled out of the bottom of the Honors box. Just a guess...

Noop

11-18-2003, 01:00 PM

Look closer he did win it in 2004

BigJohn&TheLions

11-18-2003, 01:05 PM

I would assume that you meant he had over 100 TACKLES per season...

Raiders Army

11-18-2003, 01:12 PM

My bad...not reading correctly.

cthomer5000

11-18-2003, 01:15 PM

Wow, I'm stunned by this development.

korme

11-18-2003, 02:18 PM

If anyone noticed, players seem to get injured or their injury prone rating rises as they age.

Sidhe

11-18-2003, 02:30 PM

I started a 1965 league with your OPU, Shorty, and three years in I have noticed that quite a few players get hurt a lot.

I suppose this means something but I don't know what.

:)

korme

11-18-2003, 02:55 PM

lol

great!

Senator

11-18-2003, 03:10 PM

Maybe he wanted to get away from those hot pink and baby blue team colors.

Honolulu Blue

11-18-2003, 07:21 PM

We're no slouches in the PR department; we hyped up the return of The Devastator to Ford Field for all it was worth. We nearly sold out the place (only 900 empty seats of 65,000) and the fans looking for a defensive battle got their money's worth. Our second stringers eked out a 7-3 victory against the invaders from Joisey. The Devastator did his usual thing, racking up 6 sacks, 6 assists, and half a sack. Best of all, he stayed healthy. Only a matter of time guys...

And right on time, during the exhibition season, The Devastator pulls his groin. He's doubtful going into opening day, with full health coming in 4 weeks or so. He played anyway, getting 5 tackles and 3 assists, but paid the price with a strained foot ligament. He'll be back in a month or so.

Three weeks later he was back in action. He played in 2 games and racked up 16 tackles, 4 assists, and a sack before getting hurt again - this time with a dislocated elbow. Looks like he'll be out another month.

He came back again in week 10 and played 2 more games, racking up 15 tackles, 2 assists, 2 sacks, and a hurry before going back on the shelf with a limp wrist - er, severe wrist sprain. He should be at full health in another month.

He played 2 weeks later against San Diego and had 4 tackles and 4 assists. But he went on the shelf after that game with a bruised sternum. That injury would last him until the end of the season.

He came back for the last 2 games when the Jets were just playing out the string. He did play well, however, with 11 tackles, 9 assists and a sack in those games.

Final stats: 8 starts, 53 tackles, 22 assists, 4 sacks, 1 hurry. And the Jets lost 6 of the 8 games he played (4-4 in the others). But at least his ratings are still good - he's still the third best LB in the league.

We, on the other hand, went 11-5, won the division and went to the conference finals. I can't say we missed him very much at all.

Eaglesfan27

11-18-2003, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Honolulu Blue
I can't say we missed him very much at all.

Don't you have any sentimentality? Maybe that is why my teams sometimes don't do so well :(. I get too attached to my stud players.

Sidhe

11-18-2003, 07:56 PM

This story was great! I haven't had anything that cool happen yet, but I'm still early in a created league. Not too many stud players out there at all..

Here's something I've noticed about stud players. In the first draft I was given the honor of picking third. I needed a QB, but the awesome one went #2. There was another guy, but he would be a major reach at 3 (he went 20something..) But there was this cool looking RB just sitting there at the top of the screen, calling me.. So I picked 'im. I picked 'im rotten.

You'd think, among all those 30s and 40s, a 70 RB would basically own the field. But he doesn't. He gets consistently good yardage, but you can't just do whatever you want with him. Of course, he's the best thing happening for my team by any stretch.

tucker342

11-18-2003, 10:44 PM

Great story! I would have a really hard time cutting my stud players that fall on hard times, cause in every single game I play, I always get too attached to them....

Eilim

11-18-2003, 11:47 PM

I have no problem cutting declining "stud" players anymore, just as they seem to have absolutely no problem turning things around immediately after I let them go and throwing up HOF numbers...

*grumble* Those no good sunava....

MrBug708

11-19-2003, 12:03 AM

I have a WR who never had awesome ratings, but good one's, enough to be the best WR on my team, but he was a mid first round pick. He managed to amass over 20000 career receiving yards

Honolulu Blue

11-20-2003, 05:08 AM

Another day, another season.

We hosted The Devastator and his New Jersey Jets in week 16. We had been on a roll, winning 10 in a row after a 2-2 start. The Jets were having another humdrum season at 5-9. So, of course, we lost 17-14. The Devastator was his usual self, despite battling a broken hand - 8 tackles, 3 assists, and a forced fumble. That fumble was key since it gave the Jets the ball inside our 20 and they promptly scored the TD that put them ahead for good.

He played in every game for the first time in 5 years, piling up 118 tackles, 40 assists, 12 sacks, 3 blocks, 8 hurries, 1 interception, 9 defensed passes, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble. He made the 2nd team All-Pro for the 6-10 Jets.

As for us, we went 12-4 in the regular season and won the Front Office Bowl. I still can't say we missed him.

Subby

11-20-2003, 06:45 AM

You know in your heart of hearts you missed him!

Sidhe

11-20-2003, 09:16 AM

Oh you *so* missed him! DENIAL aint just a river in Egypt, brother..

Honolulu Blue

11-20-2003, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by Subby
You know in your heart of hearts you missed him!

Originally posted by Sidhe
Oh you *so* missed him! DENIAL aint just a river in Egypt, brother..

Statistically speaking we did quite well without him, thankuverymuch.

But on a personal note, yeah I miss him. Though I have other guys who are pretty good, he's the only one I call The Devastator.

Anyway, there are or have been about a dozen stories with my current career, and The Devastator is just one of them. Others have included:

* The 4th round punter that made the Green List, was rated 100, and maxed out in everything but holding (12).
* The QB that started 98 straight regular season games before being sidelined with an injury.
* The starting QB that was yanked after two straight losses to end the regular season, and the backup that led us to Front Office glory.
* The 7th round DE who made the Green List and is the anchor of my line.
* The undrafted free agent kicker who impresses me with his big leg, but has me shaking my head at his constant inaccuracy.
* The backup CB who doesn't do anything well besides intercept the ball gets a chance to start and gets 5 picks in 8 starts.
* The QB who usually ends up third in rushing yards and first in YPC.
* The safety who singed a big contract, then suffered two ACL injuries in three seasons, reducing his ratings to nothing after only making 9 starts for us.
* The running back by committee - the rotating cast that gets about 4 yards per carry and close to 1500 yards for less than a true star back.
* My bust of a 1st round tackle that I traded for a handful of "magic" beans.
* The mediocre flanker that bounces in and out of the starting lineup and I can't release because I have so much bonus money invested in him.

Honolulu Blue

11-21-2003, 07:45 PM

The Devastator had another injury-plagued season in the Big Apple. He started 11 games and had 85 tackles, 25 assists, 4.5 sacks, 2 blocks, 4 hurries, a pick, and 6 passes defensed. Those are All-Pro stats had he been able to keep up that production for all 16 games.

The Jets finished 7-9, while his old team ended up 8-8. I guess we could have used him, a little.

EagleFan

11-21-2003, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by SkyDog
Jim confirmed (I think in the Q&A) that there is a hidden "injury-prone" rating. Sounds like the Devastator has a high one. Makes for a tough decision (which is the kind of think I love in a text sim). Good luck!

Excellent, I suspected so when my top rookie WR keeps getting the same nagging injury. It doesn't keep him out but slows him enough that I didn't start him a couple games per season. In 4 seasons he's averaging amost 100 catches a season, over 1500 yards a season and 12 touchdowns a season. That's all with playing through the injury. I have seen his numbers come down though as each injury has hit, not a lot but enough to see there could be a wall hit quicker than I would like to see with this guy.

Honolulu Blue

11-22-2003, 06:25 AM

The Devastator was hurt all year but started 3 games anyway. He ended the year on the shelf with a high ankle sprain but so far his ratings are unaffected. He had 13 tackles, 3 assists, and a sack. The Jets finished at 7-8-1. We ended up at 10-6, got the #3 seed and won a playoff game.

Honolulu Blue

11-23-2003, 05:31 AM

The Devastator tried to play in 3 games in the 2013 season, his 10th in the league. He battled plantar fascitis all year and had a grand total of two tackles. His ratings have eroded a little, but not much. The Jets have so much bonus money invested in him that it's hard to release him. I can sympathize, because I took over the Vikings and their financial situation was a mess. It's not a lot better now, despite my efforts. We went 5-11 and sure could have used The Devastator, but I doubt we'll get the chance before he retires.

CHEMICAL SOLDIER

11-23-2003, 02:34 PM

Poor guy ..... think what could have been .

Honolulu Blue

11-24-2003, 05:48 PM

We faced The Devastator twice in 2014, once in week 2 of the preseason, and once in week 2 of the regular season. They beat us at home in the exhibition season 31-20, but the Devastator only got one tackle as he went out early with a broken clavicle. He was healthy enough to play (kinda sort of) got 2 tackles and a forced fumble in the regular season as they defeated us 24-17 at New Jersey. He strained his deltoid muscle in that game and went on the shelf for a bit.

He only played in 3 other regular season games. Overall his stats were hardly devastating - 7 tackles, an assist, a hurry, and a forced fumble. It can't be very much fun to always play hurt and I half expect him to retire soon.

Honolulu Blue

12-06-2003, 03:33 PM

The Devastator was traded from New Jersey to Jacksonville in the offseason for a 5th round pick in the 2015 draft, #160 overall. Dang, why didn't they give me a call; I would've given them at least a 4th rounder.

It turned into T Cary Shields of Northern Michigan. He played 8 games and started 5 and wasn't very good. He does have some potential, so he might be useful in a few years.

Shields will not, and never will be, The Devastator. He played 9 games and started 8, with 35 tackles, 8 assists, 4 sacks, and 2 passes defended. He's either starting to slow down or the injuries are taking their toll, as my scouts rate him now as a 55/55. This is down from 73/73 at his peak.

The Jaguars won their division at 10-6 and made it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they were promptly upended by Miami in the first round. I can't tell if The Devastator played in that game or not. Probably not, since he didn't play in the last game and ended the season on the inactive roster. Too bad for him if he didn't.

It's clear The Devastator is in the twilight of his career. In a few years, perhaps he will tell us all about the drugs and hookers and money floating around professional football.

cthomer5000

12-06-2003, 03:34 PM

Why don't you try to trade for him or sign him? I love bringing home some wayward players who I wished had been with me my whole career....

Honolulu Blue

12-07-2003, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Why don't you try to trade for him or sign him? I love bringing home some wayward players who I wished had been with me my whole career....

I had thought of that just before you posted this, so I took a look at his contract. It was more modest than I expected ($1.8 million with no bonus). He will be a free agent at the end of this season and worth looking at in the market. The one problem is he still has starter-type skills and may demand a starter-type salary. But we could use him and will take a serious look at acquiring his services.

Peregrine

12-07-2003, 01:54 PM

Anyway, there are or have been about a dozen stories with my current career, and The Devastator is just one of them. Others have included:

I love tracking these stories in my league. One of the most interesting ones was QB William Priester of St. Louis, who played 15 seasons for the Rams and basically had racked up top 3 positions in nearly every career QB record, including over 50,000 career passing yards. He was eventually signed by Cleveland after the Rams finally signed a hot new prospect. He had two injury filled seasons with the Browns, ending with a massive ACL injury that would put him out for over a season and a half. Incredibly, though in his 17th season, he didn't retire, sat through his injured year, then came back for one more triumphant year of excellent numbers before retiring. Not many QBs who would do that (or be allowed to do that) today!

Sidhe

12-07-2003, 03:49 PM

In my newest restart of my 1965 all fictional league, I got real lucky with a 3rd overall pick in 1968. (For some reason, I've had great success with the #3, because my other great --now completely erased-- player was a 92 overall QB I picked up at #3..My one try at a #1 overall turned out so poorly I can't recall who or what it was.)

This time I got a SLB named Vince Carpenter. At 6'6" 277# he must have been an imposing spectacle indeed, but he wasn't just a guy who looked good in his pads. He was amazing. At the height of his career, he was something around an 85 overall, though he'd eroded to somewhere in the 70s by the end of his 12 years.

Over that span, he missed a total of 6 games. He was super-dependable, and could take over a game three different ways.. He could rack up the tackles, or he could turn into a sack monster, or he could even grab multiple INTs to change the course of a game. Many times he did all three in one game.

He racked up the honors too. He was a three-time Defensive MVP, and also Defensive Rookie of the year. He won 1st Team honors 8 times, and settled for 2nd Team twice. He was voted into the HOF with a 90% rating (a little low IMO!) The only down-side was that he retired too soon. He was still great when he hung it up.

Having tasted the glory with Vince, I have many times tried to grab up the top rated SLB when he comes on the market, whatever he costs. I got a real good guy in his 5th year, but his best rating was 81 and he's down to 70 already in his 12 year, so I've switched him over to MLB. He will play longer than Vince, but he's only a pale imitation IMO.

Isn't this game cool? :)

Honolulu Blue

12-08-2003, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by Sidhe
Isn't this game cool? :)

Oh, of course.

DEVASTATOR FORGIVES PAST INJUSTICES, SIGNS WITH LIONS

DETROIT (API) - Deon Roberts, a 13-year veteran linebacker who is better known as "The Devastator", signed a 2-year deal with the Detroit Lions. The contract is rumored to be for $16 million. Roberts played in 9 games with Jacksonville last year, and prior to that played 6 seasons in New Jersey and 5 seasons in Detroit.

DEVASTATOR: I'LL NEVER FORGIVE BLUE

DETROIT (API) - The war of the words between Deon Roberts, aka "The Devastator", and Minnesota GM Honolulu Blue continues.

"I never would've signed with the Lions if that idiot GM had still been there," confessed The Devastator. "I can't believe he cut me in the middle of my career. I love Detroit and hope to kick some Minnesota [buttocks] twice a year!"

There was no official comment from Blue, but a source in the Vikings front office said that Roberts was slowing down and is so injury prone that he would be lucky to play 6 games this season.

---------------------------------

OK, here's how this latest development went down:

At the end of the previous season Jacksonville decided not to renegotiate The Devastator's contract and left him available for any team to sign.

We took a look at him - he was one of the best outside LBs available in free agency, but he was demanding nearly $18 million with a $10 mil bonus. That's outrageous for someone who only figures to play half the time. We tried to wait for his agents' demands to go down, and take a second look at that time, but it never happened. Both Arizona and Detroit made offers in the $16 million range for 2 years. He chose Detroit to (presumably) finish out his career. The bonus was $11,160,000. His 1st year salary is $1,580,000, and if he makes it to his second year without renegotiating, he'll earn $4,070,000. Nice for him, but too rich for our blood.

Honolulu Blue

12-08-2003, 04:26 AM

I - er, ahem, a member of our front office - said The Devastator would be lucky to play in 6 games this season. They were wrong - he played in 7. He had 32 tackles, 11 assists, 4.5 sacks, 3 defensed passes, a forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. He was dogged by severe depression for much of the season, and then it got worse when he tore his rotator cuff and knocked him out for the season - just before he was to play us for the first time. Poor baby.

Vince

12-08-2003, 04:56 AM

Originally posted by Sidhe
Having tasted the glory with Vince, I have many times tried to grab up the top rated SLB when he comes on the market, whatever he costs. I got a real good guy in his 5th year, but his best rating was 81 and he's down to 70 already in his 12 year, so I've switched him over to MLB. He will play longer than Vince, but he's only a pale imitation IMO.

Often imitated, never duplicated ;)

Honolulu Blue

12-08-2003, 06:35 PM

THE DEVASTATOR RETIRES!

After 13 seasons in the league, Deon Roberts, aka "The Devastator", calls it quits. He was the career tackle leader for the Lions and among the top 5 in sacks for both Detroit and New Jersey. He made the All-Pro first team his first two years in the league, as well as collecting the Defensive Player of the Year honor both years. He was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year his first year in the league. However, he only played a full season only one time after his first season (2010) when he was named to the All-Pro second team.

http://members.fortunecity.com/newking/Devastator-career.jpg

It's hard to imagine him making the Hall of Fame (he'd have a better chance in real life), but if he does, I'll report it. Otherwise, thanks everyone for reading and caring about The Devastator.