Why I love having the #1 pick

[mckerney]

http://www.digitalstar.com/mckerney/OriginalImages/195545ORIG.JPG

And managed to sign him before the draft.

[Ben E Lou]

How'd he turn out after training camp?

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by SkyDog
How'd he turn out after training camp?

That'll be in the thread "Why I hate having the #1 pick" :)

[QuikSand]

How does the mechanism of signing your #1 pick before the draft work? Do you just get to make an offer to the guy as you select him? Or can you use a possible pick's willingness to sign a deal as part of your decision on whom to select?

[mckerney]

If you have the #1 pick you're considered 'On The Clock' during free agency, and are allowed to make your pick before the draft starts.

You've been able to do it ever since the draft preview function was implemented.

[mckerney]

and after training camp:

http://www.digitalstar.com/mckerney/OriginalImages/195639ORIG.JPG

He could be more elusive.

[mckerney]

Dola, he's currently rated the #1 player on my team in terms of current talent, and the #4 RB in the league.

[cthomer5000]

Wow, quite a player. Also, great info about the #1 overall pick - I had no clue about that. Would have helped the two times I had #1 overall.

[mckerney]

The first drive of his career:

3 att, 22 yards, 7.2 YPC
1 rec, 26 yards, TD

Scores a TD on the 4th touch of his career. Not bad so far.

[Godzilla Blitz]

That low elusiveness scares me. I haven't had good luck with backs like that (in FOF4). I'd be interested to see how he turns out.

[Senator]

bust

[SnowMan]

ACL Blowout

[mckerney]

After 4 games only 284 yards on 88 carries with 5 TDs, with 118 yards on 18 catches and 1 TD.

[Ben E Lou]

88 carries for 284 yards. Do you have paper mache' offensive linemen??? :eek:

[tucker342]

wow, not bad, not bad at all

[korme]

I hate having the #1 for the most part..

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by Shorty3281
I hate having the #1 for the most part..

I usually don't care for it either, unless there is a player I'm completely crazy for. Generally, the signing bonus risk doesn't outweight the talent.

[Buccaneer]

Originally posted by Godzilla Blitz
That low elusiveness scares me. I haven't had good luck with backs like that (in FOF2004). I'd be interested to see how he turns out.

Why? He is above average or exceptional in all of the other categories. I certainly think the other ratings can compensate for this one perceived weakness.

[Pacersfan46]

I did that with my #1 RB, and I've abused that poor man every since.

He hasn't gotten hurt yet *knock on wood* but he has carried the ball for me nearly 400 times every year, and in his 5th year just got me nearly 2,000 yards.

The killer part for me was that I wasn't the worst team in the league, I was a playoff team with an already killer passing attack, but no RB. I only got the first pick when dumping salary, and traded for a first rounder. Dallas ended up losing 14 straight, and wah-la. I got the first pick. I was almost literally dancing in my living room when I saw there was an 8.0 rated RB who was 80% developed already.

[mckerney]

Originally posted by SkyDog
88 carries for 284 yards. Do you have paper mache' offensive linemen??? :eek:

For the most part, yes (one of the reasons I had the first pick to begin with.

Finished the season with 1330 on 324, at least he broke 4.0 ypc. Ran for 8 TDs and added 570 yard reciving with 3 TDs on 48 catches. Now to get him an offensive line...

[mckerney]

Dola

He did also pick up the Offensive rookie of the year, and the 2nd RB taken in the draft held out and is reentering.

[JAG]

Severe depression from getting the flu.

[Daimyo]

Why would you possibly waste such a high pick on a RB that you'll eventually have to give $20M/season when you can cobble together a nice FB and a RB committee and get just as much production for like $5M/season investment? :)

[Godzilla Blitz]

Originally posted by Buccaneer
Why? He is above average or exceptional in all of the other categories. I certainly think the other ratings can compensate for this one perceived weakness.

That's what I thought about these guys, too, but I have seen (and drafted) a number of backs that looked great except for low elusiveness and they always seem to suck (again, this was in FOF4, so things may have changed now). I don't think I've played enough to say whether this is consistent or not, but I stay away from these guys now.

Also, I've seen quite a few backs whose only solid quality is near maxed elusiveness crank out great stats for a number of years.

In my book, high elusiveness is a must in a RB.

[Daimyo]

Is elusiveness the replacement for "yards per carry" or did they get broken up into other things? Back in FOF2k1 it always seemed like all you needed was YPC and breakway speed and none of the other RB ratings mattered...

[mtaystl03]

Im interested to see how this guy turns out. mckerney, keep us updated.

[mckerney]

Managed to get a better line, and I now have a defense built around stopping the run, so I shouldn't have another game with around 15 minutes TOP (yes, it happend).

Preseason is done and first game is just underway, updates will come.

[mckerney]

Dola:

Also, it seems to be that my best pickup in the last draft was a QB I took in the 6th round who's starting the season opener. Game is underway, and James Taylor is playing Sweet Baby James on the sound system, so I am ready to go. :)

[mckerney]

Halfway point:

Jonassen has looked good so far, rushing for 860 yards on 185 carries, though only 2 TDs. Catching the ball though he has 197 yards on 19 catches and 4 TDs.

Eugene Moss, the QB I picked in the 6th round is still starting, and I must say having Rob Johnson mentoring has helped a lot. most of his skills that had green bars have increased by around 10 up to through 8 games. He's played well within the system that's seen him hand the ball off more than he's thrown it with a 66.5% completion, 11 TDs, but 2 picks in each of the last two games has brought his INT total up to 6. 1554 yards thrown for total.

Problems? Moss and Jonassen have combined for 9 fumbles, and the defense has been getting burned, therefore we're 3-5.

[mckerney]

End of Year 2:

Jonassen leads the league in rushing yards, gain 1705 on the ground on 356 carries for 4.1 YPC, but only 7 TDs. Gained another 380 through the air scoring 5 TDs. Fails to win any awards, though his lead blocker John Ritche is named the best fullback for the season. Moss continued to approve in the scouting report, though tailed off towards the end of the year, picking things up in the last 2 games to win both of them, finishing at 5-11. Finished with only 2928 yards, but no full time starter had a higher completion percentage.

2 Year total for Jonassen:

Rush - 680 att, 3035 yards, 4.4 avg., 51 Long, 15 TDs
Rec. - 90 ctch, 950 yards, 10.5 avg, 87 Long, 8 TDs

Totals - 770 touches, 3985 yards from scrimage, 5.1 yards per play, 22 TDs

[mckerney]

2nd year QB Eugene Moss:

http://www.digitalstar.com/mckerney/OriginalImages/196059ORIG.JPG

[cody8200]

I dont know...he may bust or just not live up to expectations. I've had 2 first round picks in 7 years...I picked 2 different RB's. The first one was a sure thing...a 70 currently and a 91 potential. Every single field he was near maxed out in after training camp. He tore his acl and never really recovered. I had to trade him away. He hasnt gotten over 600 yards since his first year. The 2nd RB the jury is still out on but he was expected to be awesome. Almost got a 1000 yards in his 2nd season but in his third year his production has really slowed down...and his ratings are better than your RB. Maybe I just need better OL. I dont know. Overall running yards in this game and TD's for that matter are hard to get.

[MIJB#19]

So, the next question comes to mind for me now:

If the #1 draft pick can be used to "select" a player in free agency, does the #2 pick get to be "on the clock" once the #1 pick has "signed" a contract before the draft?

[Barkeep49]

To me the next question is: Is the computer taking advantage of this? If not, I would be very hesitant to use this advantage (although I have yet to have the #1 pick in FOF2k4).

[cartman]

I see a new Dean Houston in the making :D

[GoSeahawks]

This thread is great. It's great reading about your RB and QB development. Keep us updated.

I am hoping this thread will hold me over until I get my high speed interenet back on friday so I can download the game.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

OMG! I feel like such an idiot! I had traded to get #1 and took a RB who held out and re-entered the draft. Why did I not think about signing him before the draft??? IDIOT!!!

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Have some fun with the Vikings. Rip down the Metrodome and build a new, open stadium. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Metropolitan stadium had a HUGE impact into the Vike's going to those 4 superbowls...

[Craptacular]

Originally posted by mckerney
... and I must say having Rob Johnson mentoring has helped a lot.

OK, this game obviously needs to be patched!

[mckerney]

Originally posted by GoSeahawks
This thread is great. It's great reading about your RB and QB development. Keep us updated.

I am hoping this thread will hold me over until I get my high speed interenet back on friday so I can download the game.

May be moving to dynasty forum shortly, I'll keep updated.

[mckerney]

Last exhibition game (though for some reason I thought it was week 1 :confused: ) of his 3rd season, Jonassen loses his starting spot due to his suffering from severe anxiety, 2nd year 7th round draft pick comes in and rushes for 105 yards on 26 carries, Jonassen gets 67 on 19. QB throws for 50 yards, having an awful game only completing half of his passes, but it's a 13 - 12 win over Kansas City.

The thing I'm curious of is how much an affect the severe anxiety has on performance. Jonassen started having it after our first preseason game, and his performance was enough to remove him from the starting spot.

[mckerney]

Guess he's getting over it. 5th week, 177 yards rushing on 35 carries and 1 TD, and he also picked up 92 yards on 11 catches with 2 TDs in the passing game with his starting position back. Also had a 53 yard TD run called back for illegal shift earlier in the season.

[Pacersfan46]

My RB that I mentioned earlier in the thread .... I just lost in free agency. Partially my own fault for not keeping 1 year ahead of it by signing all guys I want to extensions before they get to free agency.

I offered 20 million for 2 years, and Cleveland offered 29 million for 3 years. Bastards.

In 9 seasons for me he got 13,038 yards, 47 TD's, on a 4.1 average per carry. On top of 380 catches, 3,491 yards, and 30 rec. TD's.

*sniff sniff* I miss him already.


Edit: HAHA I got to the season, and after losing that player I decided to rebuild. My ranking in the "Power Ratings" is a whopping ONE, uno, ichi, single .... that's sad.

[CubsFan915]

Originally posted by Godzilla Blitz
In my book, high elusiveness is a must in a RB.

Why worry about running around them when you've got enough power to run through them?

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Pacersfan46
Edit: HAHA I got to the season, and after losing that player I decided to rebuild. My ranking in the "Power Ratings" is a whopping ONE, uno, ichi, single .... that's sad.

So much for the Ewing Theory then.

[Bonegavel]

I think elusiveness replaced the tackle for loss rating.

[Gallifrey]

Look at your RB's loyalty rating. Zero. Major pain in the future, but quite the player till then!

[kid_dynamite]

pacersfan:

although those numbers are quite good for your RB he sure didnt score a lot of touchdowns in the running game for you. your better off with him gone ;)

[Godzilla Blitz]

Originally posted by CubsFan915
Why worry about running around them when you've got enough power to run through them?

I agree, and I used to draft that way too. It just seems to me that backs with low elusiveness, whether they be power backs or not, don't live up to their hype.

Our running back in question actually has fair to good elusiveness (might be even better/worse depending on scout bias), and obviously is a solid receiver to boot. He is clearly a solid back. Whether he is a worthy first overall pick is a different question. I would be interested to see if we could get similar results (at least in the running game) from a lower rated back with higher elusiveness.

With some tight house rules playing FOF4, I would make due with AI castoff free agents at the back end of their careers whose only redeeming characteristics were high elusiveness and good stats. They would seem to crank out a couple of cost-effective 4.0+ yd/carry seasons before I would replace them with another guy. The AI would seem to discard these guys then ignore them in free agency. Not sure if things have changed in FOF2004.

Bah, you guys are making me want to go buy this game with all this interesting discussion. Stop it. Must resist. For the sake of the children.

[PraetorianX]

Well, after playing around lately, I have to agree that high elusiveness is a great thing indeed!

I have this crappy RB with about 30 rating, rushing for around 1,400 yards a season.

Sure he's not great on third down, and no...he doesn't catch the ball too often (partly my style of play, however)...but my Fullback does both of those extremely well.

Btw, he gets those stats with my fullback getting about 450 yards a season and my second back getting about 200 (who is also an alusive bugger)

The best part, he is cheap! :) Makes it easier to afford my highpowered passing attack (especially after both starting WR...Boldin and Johnson...playing as Arizona, held not long ago)

Oh, and for whomever wondered if after signing the first pick, #2 is on the clock, yes. I had the #1 and #2 (1st cuz I sucked, 2nd cuz I traded a play to TB who...amazingly in the first season blew up and finished with only 3 wins. Dunno what happened to them, injuries I'm guessing.)

So, I had my #1 and #2 picks signed and ready before the draft.

James Emmons, my QB, has been a Pro Bowler, my second pick, DE Tyrus Webster has too. Both rated in the mid 90's, :) Good draft, that one. My second round pick, a safety, just pulled in 12 INT's last year and is one of the best SS' in the league. 5th round TE is getting 800 - 1,000 yards a year, 6th round MLB is getting 120 tckls a season or so (he's rated extremely well too) and my 7th round kicker, is Vanderjadt without the mouth (then again, I happen to like Vandy's extreme cockiness.)

[mckerney]

It looks as though I may be near the end. :(

2008 and I've yet to have a winning season, losing money every year with fewer fans showing up being my new stadium doesn't open until next year.


Oh, and with a year left after breaking the single season rushing record and getting his second Offensive Player of the Year Awards, early negotiations show than Jonassen wants a 6 year deal worth in excess of $100 million.

The only way I really see to make this team a winner involves gutting the roster to get some cap space and rebuild, though I don't expect to have long enough to to that. :(

[JeeberD]

My Cowboys just won their first Super Bowl. :)

Doubt I'm going to be able to repeat, though. I didn't re-sign my stud center or tight end and I'm 23 million over the cap. It's gonna be tough to finagle my way out of that one...

[mckerney]

Originally posted by JeeberD
My Cowboys just won their first Super Bowl. :)

Doubt I'm going to be able to repeat, though. I didn't re-sign my stud center or tight end and I'm 23 million over the cap. It's gonna be tough to finagle my way out of that one...

All works out for the best!

After yet another losing season in 2008, I'm well over the cap. I've forced to lose Matt Birk who is one of the top players in the game and has a 100 in loyalty., but Jonassen does not get a single offer through both free agency stages. At this point I have cleared up enough cap space to make some moves, and Jonassen is still there, this time only asking for a 5 year deal worth $46.75 million (down from 5 years, $94 million).

To start the season our new stadium opens and we start the season 7-1. We finish slow at 10-6, Jonassen having a fantastic season. 1576 yard on 334 carries and 13 TDs while also having 54 catches for 562 yards and 7 TDs through the air. All league first team RB for the 4th time, though he fails to pick up his 3rd Offensive Player of the Year.

The team is in the playoffs for the first time ever and Jonassen and QB Eugene Moss both show up big. In the home game against New Orleans, Jonassen scores 3 TDs (a new playoff record) and rusn for 109 yards, while Moss completes 23 of 28 for 308 yards, 27-17 win.

Week 2 of the playoffs at Tampa, Moss is hot again. Starts the game 12-13 188 yards and 1 TD passing with another running. He's thrown for 210 at halftime, and when the game is over we've won 41-24 with Moss tying Jonassen's record of 3 TD runs while throwing for nearly 349 yards and 2TDs.

In the NFC Champhionship game we blow a 10 point lead when San Francisco hits a FG in the last minute to tie, and unfortionately end up losing in OT.

With the on the field part out of the way, the new stadium comes into play to fully save my job. After the season when all the money is counted we have made a profit of more than $150,000,000. That's more than we paid to get this $700 million plus masterpiece. Thank you Minnesota tax payers you magnificent bastards! And now, coming off a near Super Bowl season we have more than $20 million under the cap. Times are finally good.

[mckerney]

Dola

As far as Jonassen's overall performance, after 6 seasons he's run for 9429 yards on 2066 carries (4.5 YPC) and 61 TDs. He also has 3539 recieving yards on 366 catches and 32 TDs.