TCY Syndromes

[WSUCougar]

A handful of observations from TCY, focusing on the deceptive, the bewildering and the tantalizing:

* The negative overall rating (slightly worse or significantly worse) versus the positive (slightly better or significantly better). This has been addressed in various other threads, but I find it extraordinarily difficult to view a 90- - recruit as better than a 60++ recruit. It’s psychological and almost instinctive. Your brain says “Worse is worse – I don’t want that guy!”

* Another related issue is the lure of high consistency ratings (green/red bars) over unbalanced ones. An example: a defensive end with 40 run defense and 80 pass defense somehow can look worse than a guy with 45s for both ratings.

* Stats versus ratings. The guy is rated as a 40-, but you’re teased by those fat high school stats piling up. Little good guy on your shoulder: “He’s a 40 minus!” Bad guy on your other shoulder: “But look! He’s got 11 sacks!” Little good guy on your shoulder: “But he’s a 40 minus!” Then reality strikes when you see his actual ratings. Ugh!

* Over-emphasis on strengths, and/or ignoring weaknesses. I love corners with man-to-man defense as their strength. Give me that, and it’ll buy some love for that drooping overall score, or the crappy stats, or the poor athletic prep. Or on the flip side, there’s a juicy recruit with a good score but with a glaring weakness and very low rating consistency. Look out!

* Size matters? Maybe, maybe not, but I have a negative reflex to those 230-pound DTs. I also am a sucker for monster o-linemen.

* Names. Okay, I’d like a show of hands from all the suckers (like myself) who sometimes fall for recruits with cool names, or steer away from those with silly names. Best recent example: an OLB from New Mexico (a red-colored recruit with a poor match score) upon whom I just HAD to burn some recruiting effort because his first name was “Rattler”! Or if a player at an inappropriate position (such as QB) is named “Jumbo” I am turned off. Or (and this is a really stupid admission) I’ll sometimes back off if I already have a player of the same name on my team. What the hell is up with that?!?

* The “all indications are that I have absolutely no shot at this guy, but because I really really want him, I’ll hang in there while he visits Michigan, Texas, Florida, and UCLA” syndrome. STU-pid! Cut your losses. You’re only hurting yourself.

* The “I have all the other schools whupped on both Distance and Prestige (or Academics), so this guy is a lock” syndrome. Anyone else want to punch the monitor when you see these types sign elsewhere? “VANDERBILT?!? He dissed me for friggin’ Vanderbilt?!?” Which is similar to…

* The “All Systems are Go, but Houston We Have a Problem” syndrome. Everything looks awesome: he’s a green or blue recruit, his match score is in the high 90s, his preferences play to your school’s strengths, he says he’s ecstatic and thrilled and loves your coordinator and there are high school buddies on the team and…he snubs you. For Vanderbilt.

* The “I still have plenty of options left at that position, so I’ll wait another week” syndrome. Then you look up and they’re all gone.

* The “Oh, State X is a cheap trip, so I’ll travel there and visit all of those recruits when I have some money leftover” syndrome. Then whoops, it’s Week 10, and you missed the boat.

* The “My depth chart looks great at Position X!” syndrome. That’s when your stud player gets suspended for drugs, or you get three serious injuries at that same position.

* The Agony of the Indecisive Recruit. You know the type I mean. He tells you he’s visiting in Week 5, and then doesn’t make up his mind until your bowl game. The bastard.

* The brain-dead blue-chip. He’s the best recruit you’ve ever seen, but he’s got a test score in the 500s and is flirting with the Mendoza Line of GPAs (2.00). Damn!

[WSUCougar]

A few more syndromes to add:

* The “Please, by all that’s good and right in the world, have mercy and pull my horrible quarterback” plea. For those of you that actually watch the games sim, how many times have you seen your QB fall into the tail-spin nightmare of a 3-for-20, 6 INT type of game?!? (We won’t mention the fact that early in the S-8 years, this happens almost every week).

* The “He’s a perfect recruit, so he’ll find some reason to hate us” syndrome. Like the coordinator. Or he’s (Dist)* instead of Dist* or vice-versa. Or some monster prestige school takes a late shine to him. Grrrr.

* The “Every other recruit from the state of California idolizes UCLA” syndrome. My god.

* The “I think we may have this game sown up…whoops” syndrome. Hmmm, nothing like a INT, KR, or PR return for a TD, followed by a fumble on the kickoff or a sack/fumble combo to rain on your parade.

* The “It’s friggin’ ______!!! HOW?!?” syndrome. It’s an automatic win. But then it’s not. Fill in the blank with schools like Vandy, Rutgers (sorry cthomer), Louisiana-Wherever, etc.

* The “I’ve been worshipping this recruit for 5 weeks, and he visits Wisconsin on their first shot” syndrome. That one kills me, and it is often Wisconsin that does it to me.

[Buccaneer]

This is great and I probably have some to add.

Here's an issue with the game that I had not seen (but did not look to closely). Anyone have a player go from OUT for 7 Weeks to DOUBTFUL 2 weeks later and then GOOD the following week? Not really complaining (OC is Fair in rehab) but this seems rather strange.

[Poli]

WSU, you suck. :) Sure hope I get home soon so I can play again!

This is some good stuff, though!

[sooner333]

How about the "He's from my hometown, how cool is that" syndrome. You know, the one where you pull out all the stops to get this FB because he went to your high school. Nevermind that you really don't need a FB, or that he's halfway across the country, wants to stay close to home, or idolizes Oklahoma. You're going to get him. And, of course, you don't.

[The Orange Man]

I tend to use my scout's rating in combination with the ranking of a player at his position to determine who I'll go for (all other things being equal).

By my second season, I worked out a numerical system that I've used since then. For instance, I assigned a value to each level of scout proficiency (Excellent = 1, Terrible = 10 with the other values in-between).

So, someone rated 77++ (scout being fair) would grade out at 91 (77 + 7 + 7). An 89- (scout being good) would grade out at 84 (89 - 5). I've also found that if the scout is rated very good, rarely will you get a -- or ++ after the rating, so if I have a player rated at 90 that I haven't actually visited and the scout is terrific, I know his "real" rating will be 88-92 and I often won't have the need to visit, at least not right away.

I appreciated your comment that every other recruit from California idolizes UCLA (so it isn't my game alone!).

In fact, UCLA is why I'm here for a somewhat rare visit to these forums doing some research on recruiting. They just beat me 45-17 (they got two garbage TD's) last night in the championship game. I believe they now have 15 titles (I'm second with 3). I have decided that for me to "win" the TCY game and eventually retire it, I have to be the one with the most titles. So, that's why I'm here - I have to pull out all the stops or I'll be playing TCY for the rest of my life trying to catch up. It certainly will be a challenge, that is for sure.

Step one was upgrading a few of my scouts this morning as I have to do even better at recruiting since UCLA never seems to slack off any (although this past season they only got 2 of the top 100 when they usually get about 10 of them).

Talking about having games sewn up, I led UCLA 38-13 in the third quarter of another championship game four seasons ago and lost 39-38 - to say that was unreal doesn't really describe it.

Anyway, trying to figure out what matters in recruiting. I think there are probably a lot of subtle nuances that all play into the end result (with probably an element of randomness as well).

Things that could matter (some obvious, some not):

- distance, prestige, academics
- how soon you contact them
- how often you contact them
- ratio of contacts (phone/visit)
- whether your first contact is phone or visit
- how soon you offer them a scholarship
- coordinator's likeability
- how many players you already have at that position
- how many players being offered a scholarship at that position
- how the current season is going
- whether you are offering a scholarship to another "superior" player at the same position (lower ranked seem to wait for higher ranked to decide)
- fit score

Anyway, trying to get a handle on what might be holding me back from doing a little bit better - for instance, maybe you get a big edge with players that you visit the first week and also offer a scholarship to.

[The Orange Man]

One more thing that could possibly affect recruiting that has recently concerned me:

Is it possible that recruits also take into the happiness of players already on your roster?

Because I don't have the happiest bunch!

It would be just like Mr. Gindin to slyly have that come into play!

[illinifan999]

Originally posted by sooner333
How about the "He's from my hometown, how cool is that" syndrome. You know, the one where you pull out all the stops to get this FB because he went to your high school. Nevermind that you really don't need a FB, or that he's halfway across the country, wants to stay close to home, or idolizes Oklahoma. You're going to get him. And, of course, you don't.

So know what that is. Since my HS is small, only one recruit every couple of years is from there in TCY. Even though they always suck, they are always super smart, so I try to get them.

[Buccaneer]

I've been playing many hours of TCY over the past week or so. Some more syndromes to add:

* "Don't let the AI do anything" syndrome. By about the 7th or 8th week in recruiting, it can get very frustrating, esp. for a low prestige team. You have to resist the urge to let the Assistants take over (even temporarily). It does such a horrendous and potentially damaging job that you end up spending more time undoing that if you had stuck with it.

* "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" syndrome. Adding to the above, I am forced, by choice, to have assistants do all depth charts, gameplans and minor decisions because they are not much fun and would cause me to stop playing. BUT, just like with recruiting, you know it would do a poor job and could have some long-term consequences. I just look at this as a house rule so I can concentrate on those few elements of the game that are fun to do.

*"The devil is in the details" syndrome. There are a lot of details that, if you care to look, do work well together and can provide several levels of gameplay. Just don't trust the AI to do anything right (same with FOF).

WSUCougar's list is fun to read. I can relate to some of them, esp. the recuiting ones.

[Buccaneer]

Saw another one:

* "Abolish the Computers" syndrome - After 3 weeks into the season, most teams have played 2 games. The Minnesota Gophers, coming off a 6-6 season ranked #70 and not that much higher in the pre-season polls. However, they are now 2-0 (like a lot of teams) after wins over #84 UTEP and #34 Utah. The voter polls have them #33 and #34, which is about right. BUT, three computer polls (Solecismic, Angela and Dorf) has them #1. WTF?? Is this level of attention to detail acceptable?

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Buccaneer
Saw another one:

* "Abolish the Computers" syndrome - After 3 weeks into the season, most teams have played 2 games. The Minnesota Gophers, coming off a 6-6 season ranked #70 and not that much higher in the pre-season polls. However, they are now 2-0 (like a lot of teams) after wins over #84 UTEP and #34 Utah. The voter polls have them #33 and #34, which is about right. BUT, three computer polls (Solecismic, Angela and Dorf) has them #1. WTF?? Is this level of attention to detail acceptable?

For me, yes.

[Hijinx]

I absolutely HATE it when I find those underrated gems (in the 250-500 ratings range) early, recruit 'em up, then watch some team with 100 prestige come in and snatch 'em up at the last minute.

bastages.

and recruiting against dirty coaches, what a pain. I wish there were a way to turn these guys in!

[WSUCougar]

The “Sift Through the Evidence” syndrome. This is when the recruit’s response to your visit is a massive paragraph filled with all kinds of goodies. Such as…

Fred was ecstatic about your visit.
Which I think means he was a greenie who wasn’t expecting a school of our caliber to recruit him.

He was very concerned about your major (or proximity), since academics (or being close to family and friends) are (is) very important to him.
Yeah, yeah, so we’re not rated a 96 in Random Number Theory like !@#$% Michigan. And proximity isn’t a recruiting strongpoint for a university in Pullman, WA. So it’s a good thing you’re so ECSTATIC about my visit, eh?

He was a little surprised at your visit, since other more prestigious schools have already expressed interest.

OR

He was a little surprised at your visit, since scouts have told him to expect interest from more prestigious schools.

In other words, “I’m ecstatic you’re here, but I’m holding out from something better, Jack.”

He was happy to see high school teammates on your team.

But he has always dreamed of playing for UCLA.

He doesn’t like your coordinator at all.

He laughed. He cried. It was a roller-coaster of emotions for him.

And then you throw in a visit request…

He will consider your offer, but it is unlikely he will attend.

…the bastard! But I’ll throw in a scholy!

He thanks you, but there is at least one other school ahead of you right now.

He is seriously considering interest from freakin’ Wisconsin, and will likely accept an offer from them.

BUT YOU WERE ECSTATIC!!!

[The Orange Man]

How about the "Let's always try for a Field Goal instead of a Touchdown" Syndrome:

This is characterized by running the ball on every down when the time is running out at the end of the first half, using up all of your timeouts, and making sure your only choice ends up being to kick a FG on the last play of the half.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, the other team stupidly pays extra attention to the pass in these situations and you can then run it in for a score instead.

[Leonidas]

So I'm not the only one with the "UCLA Syndrome". I was starting to wonder. Another one in my Rice dynasty is the North Texas syndrome. They aren't even that good in my dynasty, and yet they get almost as many lifelong fans as Texas. And here I am at Rice, with my team prestige built to 80 and have never, in 5 years, had a recruit idolize my team. BTW, North Texas has a prestige of 78.

[gstelmack]

Here are my two:

- I know I play in Tampa, FL, but does it have to be a raging thunderstorm for EVERY home game?

- So I've built up my roster, have solid recruiting classes coming in every year, my academic and prestige ratings are finally up there, I've supplanted Notre Dame as the #1 independent, can schedule good teams, and finally make it to the championship game, only to find out

(drumroll please)

that it's in Amherst, NH ... in January! What a reward for all the hard work those guys put in during the year. I think I'll tank next season just enough to go to the Orange Bowl or something a bit less prestigious but much warmer and more fun.

[WussGawd]

ROFL.

A few of my favorites...

1. Like everybody else so far, every other recruit in California wants to go to UCLA. My first thought is where is the love for USC?

2. Temperature in the 80's for September day games in Tempe, AZ. Uh, guys...it's in the hundreds or high nineties sometimes here until mid-October.

3. Every year, my beloved Sun Devils get to face the moribund San Diego State Anemics, er, Aztecs. Never mind that I've kicked the Aztecs a** 37 times in 38 tries in my longest running dynasty, never mind that the real life Aztecs actually backed out of a game this year because they knew we were going to kick their a**es, we still get the Aztecs each year.

4. No matter how high the beginning prestige of the team I take over, in the 2003 season, I have a thousand senior scholarship players, and like three in the underclasses...what did my predecessor do during the last three years, go on a four month drinking binge during the recruiting season? They shouldn't have been fired, they should have been executed.

[The Orange Man]

The "Let's try for a long pass in the last few seconds of the first half and get it returned for a TD against us instead" Syndrome.

Occasionally, you will get a long pass completed to set up a FG attempt but I've never gotten a TD on one of these plays.

In response to a previous post about weather, I'd like to see it actually matter a little bit. You can pass for 400 yards a game just as easily in a driving rainstorm as a sunny day! Here are the only effects I can see of the weather:

Once in awhile, someone fumbles or slips down.
The FG kicker shanks a kick (that's a decent one).

OR, my favorite:

If it's really cold, the defense will feel sluggish for one play out of the game - LOL

[Dutch]

Great thread WSUCougar! This stuff is awesome!

Almost has me hoping Jim is working on TCY2 now. I've been playing TCY as the Mississippi State Bulldogs and have experienced a ton of these syndromes just the last few days. :)

[alterra]

Originally posted by WussGawd
ROFL.

A few of my favorites...


4. No matter how high the beginning prestige of the team I take over, in the 2003 season, I have a thousand senior scholarship players, and like three in the underclasses...what did my predecessor do during the last three years, go on a four month drinking binge during the recruiting season? They shouldn't have been fired, they should have been executed.

I especially love it when I start a career and I have 8 stud cbs and safeties... all of them graduating this year.