FOF2K4: How would you use this guy?

[Ben E Lou]

Just drafted this RB and had an immediate boom. I'm torn as to how I want to use him. Thoughts?

http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/fof/marlonspringer.jpg

[sabotai]

Keep as RB, put in WR position and as RB on Passing 3rd Downs. And obviosuly as the return man.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Keep as RB, put in WR position and as RB on Passing 3rd Downs. And obviosuly as the return man.
He's terrible running on 3rd downs though...

Save the game. Switch him to WR and see what the hit on his ratings is like... You can always go back to the saved game if you don't like the results.

[Daimyo]

Save the game. Switch him to WR and see what the hit on his ratings is like... You can always go back to the saved game if you don't like the results.
and then what is the point of playing the game?

[Ben E Lou]

Save the game. Switch him to WR and see what the hit on his ratings is like... You can always go back to the saved game if you don't like the results.:rolleyes:

[st.cronin]

I think he's too small to make him a WR. I'd use him as a traditional RB.

[Pyser]

I dont like his size for wr. id use him as a meggett. a 3rd down back, emergency rb, and special teams star.

never seen bars like that before. odd distribution.

[Ben E Lou]

More info: it looks like position-switching him would create a conflict at WR.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

and then what is the point of playing the game?
I see it as if in reality you take a look at a guy at a different position, but don't like what you see you switch him back without a ratings hit. If you do it in the game, you have just destroyed him. I do a similar thing with the draft, but just so that the top 5 QB's are at least 6 ft tall... :)

I'm interested in what he'll look like as a WR. I'm generally afraid to move a guy, even when he looks ideally suited for a different position. I've found too many times that it can say that he'll retain 92% of his ratings at a new position, only to find that with his new ratings he wouldn't even make the team.

[Masked]

How does your scout think he would handle a position switch?

[Ben E Lou]

never seen bars like that before. odd distribution.Agreed. The breakout did some odd things to him.

[WebEwbank]

Meggettize him.

[st.cronin]

I don't see him as a 3rd down back, at all. I see him as a traditional tailback, who can amplify your passing game. Poor man's Reggie Bush, maybe.

[Ben E Lou]

How does your scout think he would handle a position switch?Heh. Something else quite odd. Usually, RB's are slightly tilted toward being better at FL than SE. This guy, however, gets the "little or no change, slight experience reduction" message.

[Pyser]

I don't see him as a 3rd down back, at all. I see him as a traditional tailback, who can amplify your passing game. Poor man's Reggie Bush, maybe.

just wondering....

so you ignore hole recognition altogether for everydown rbs?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Heh. Something else quite odd. Usually, RB's are slightly tilted toward being better at FL than SE. This guy, however, gets the "little or no change, slight experience reduction" message.
This is one strange little man...

[st.cronin]

just wondering....

so you ignore hole recognition altogether for everydown rbs?

Of course not - that would definitely be a concern. And how you use a guy like that depends on the other backs (and recievers) on the roster, too. But if there's nobody else who's any good, he looks to me like a solid every-down tailback. Or, if there's another back who's good, use him as your 2nd back and 3rd reciever.

[Ben E Lou]

Clarifiction: He's little/no reduction at SE, 97% at FL.

[flere-imsaho]

Looks a lot like Luther Horner (RB, CFL, Boston Panthers), who, while not quite as good, I've used to good effect as a 3rd-string RB, and as a 2nd FL and/or SE, as well as a backfield threat in pass-heavy formations (as SB in SB-4WR, and as one of the WRs in 5WR).

[MIJB#19]

Trade him. Seriously, he's got no hole recognition, so he's useless as the 1st string RB, got no third down running skills, so he's useless as third down guy, while he's gonna be a pain to play at WR or receiving RB, because he always gets open, but hardly ever racks up the yardage.

Or you could use him as a return specialist. In that area he looks like a guy who can turn a game per season from loss into victory.

[Passacaglia]

Use him as the starting RB in formations where you plan to run outside and pass more, and use someone else for inside runs, and use your starter the rest of the time.

[Dutch]

I would convert him just out of curiosity.

[cthomer5000]

Move him to split end. You're getting nothign but green lights from the scouting department there, and he seems ideally suited for that.

All that being said, i'd be perfectly fine with using this guy as a starting RB, maybe pulling him in short yardage situations.

edit: Actually, i've already changed my mind. Keep him at RB.

[VPI97]

I would convert him just out of curiosity.
Ozzie Newsome (http://www.fof-gefl.com/player/player.php?playerid=637) hates you

:)

[Icy]

As passing down RB and returner. I would add also another field to FOF gameplanning for guys like this, "Outside plays RB".

[QuikSand]

I think I like him at split end also.

[Dutch]

Ozzie Newsome (http://www.fof-gefl.com/player/player.php?playerid=637) hates you

:)

yeah, that was embarrassing.

[cthomer5000]

As passing down RB and returner. I would add also another field to FOF gameplanning for guys like this, "Outside plays RB".

Of course in real life the defense would know exactly where the ball was going at that point....

[Icy]

Of course in real life the defense would know exactly where the ball was going at that point....
Yes if you use him only in those situations, but it happends already in real life whith some specialist in one kind of play. Also you could use that "knowledge" to fool them into thinking you are going to run outside and passing instead, lots ot possibilities in strategies :)

[Franklinnoble]

Is WR the only option?

What about FB?

[cthomer5000]

Is WR the only option?

What about FB?

And lose those kick returning skills? Crazy talk.

[st.cronin]

No way would I consider him a fullback, but I might look at him as a CB.

edit: Based on his size, cornerback is the ONLY position I would consider switching him to. I've never seen a guy that short convert succesfully to WR.

[dixieflatline]

Convert him unless you have a huge need for a starter at RB. I don't think he will perform well as a 3rd down back. If he handles the transition well then deal with the lack of affinity issue.

[Daimyo]

I voted for converting him to WR, but I wonder if he'll be startable quality there? There more I think about it I think his ideal position would be as the #2 RB with additonal slottings as the "passing down" and "near certain pass" RB, #3 or #4 WR (depending on your talent there), and PR/KR. In that role he'll likely add a lot of value to the team but still get few enough touches that his contract demands always stay small.

[Icy]

When you guys talk about making him to CB... what about the coverage ratings? When i try to move an offensive player to the defense, the coverage ratings are always all zero.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

When you guys talk about making him to CB... what about the coverage ratings? When i try to move an offensive player to the defense, the coverage ratings are always all zero.

Thats the same thing it does for me.. I never been able to switch a player from off to def, has anybody found a way to do this..???

[Ben E Lou]

I'm thin at RB, so I've decided to use him there. HOWEVER, I feel this guy is worthy of an experiment, decision already having been made. I've decided to run through his career as a RB, and also as a SE. I let the AI handle everything the first season, then switched teams at the beginning of the next season, so that he has a pretty much completely AI-controlled career. I'll be quick-simming through the rest of the way. I've already set my personal house rules regarding when I resume my real career with him:

1. No matter what, he stays at RB for his position. No position switch.
2. He CAN be lined up at WR3 or WR4, but never as a starter, since now I'll "know" somethign about his talent at receiver.

So far, after four seasons at RB, here's what he's done so far:

<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 439pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="580"><col style="width: 37pt;" width="49"> <col style="width: 23pt;" width="30"> <col style="width: 22pt;" width="29"> <col style="width: 27pt;" width="36"> <col style="width: 20pt;" width="27"> <col style="width: 19pt;" width="25"> <col style="width: 16pt;" width="21"> <col style="width: 28pt;" width="37"> <col style="width: 25pt;" width="33"> <col style="width: 17pt;" width="22"> <col style="width: 25pt;" width="33"> <col style="width: 23pt;" width="30"> <col style="width: 17pt;" width="22"> <col style="width: 20pt;" width="26"> <col style="width: 25pt;" width="33"> <col style="width: 17pt;" span="2" width="23"> <col style="width: 21pt;" span="2" width="28"> <col style="width: 19pt;" width="25"> <tbody><tr style="height: 23.25pt;" height="31"> <td class="xl24" style="height: 23.25pt; width: 37pt;" height="31" width="49">
</td> <td colspan="4" class="xl25" style="width: 92pt;" align="center" width="122">RUSHING</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 19pt;" width="25">
</td> <td colspan="5" class="xl25" style="width: 111pt;" align="center" width="146">RECEIVING</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 23pt;" width="30">
</td> <td colspan="8" class="xl25" style="width: 157pt;" align="center" width="208">RETURNS</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl27" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15">
</td> <td class="xl27">Att</td> <td class="xl27">Yds</td> <td class="xl27">Ypc</td> <td class="xl27">TD</td> <td class="xl27">
</td> <td class="xl27">No</td> <td class="xl27">Yds</td> <td class="xl27">Avg</td> <td class="xl27">TD</td> <td class="xl27">Drop</td> <td class="xl27">
</td> <td class="xl27">PR</td> <td class="xl27">Yd</td> <td class="xl27" x:str="Avg ">Avg </td> <td class="xl27">TD</td> <td class="xl27">KR</td> <td class="xl27">Yds</td> <td class="xl27">Avg</td> <td class="xl27">TD</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl26" style="height: 11.25pt;" x:num="" height="15">2010</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">184</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">804</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4.36</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">7</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">58</td> <td class="xl28" x:num="8.2857142857142865" x:fmla="=H3/G3">8.29</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">1</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">20</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">96</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4.8</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">21</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">430</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="20.4">20</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl26" style="height: 11.25pt;" x:num="" height="15">2011</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">237</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">1105</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4.66</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">10</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">21</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">130</td> <td class="xl28" x:num="6.1904761904761907" x:fmla="=H4/G4">6.19</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">3</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">17</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">38</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">2.2</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">30</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">734</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="24.4">24</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl26" style="height: 11.25pt;" x:num="" height="15">2012</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">219</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">831</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">3.79</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">10</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">26</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">248</td> <td class="xl28" x:num="9.5384615384615383" x:fmla="=H5/G5">9.54</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">1</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">20</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">73</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">3.6</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">17</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">387</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="22.7">23</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl26" style="height: 11.25pt;" x:num="" height="15">2013</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">216</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">706</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4.33</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">5</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">34</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">175</td> <td class="xl28" x:num="5.1470588235294121" x:fmla="=H6/G6">5.15</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">1</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">3</td> <td class="xl26">
</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">8</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">36</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">4.5</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">26</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">541</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="20.8">21</td> <td class="xl26" x:num="">0</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
He comes to the end of 2013 with a torn lateral knee ligament (Out 11). He may be done as a regular contributor...

[Ben E Lou]

Heh. He lost a good bit of his running talent, with elusiveness going down to 61, but he's still 84/90 in route running, 65/68 in third down catching, 42/48 in punt returns, 68/78 in kick returns. Maybe someone will pick him up and use him...

[Ben E Lou]

Unsigned in 20-stage free agency.

[Ben E Lou]

Unsigned after training camp. :(

[Ben E Lou]

Unsigned all year long, and he called it quits. Pity. Time to see him at WR.

I MIGHT do another career with injuries turned off, just to see...

[Ben E Lou]

Season One at Split End (was WR4 in beginning-of-year suggested depth chart):

57 targets, 36 catches, 630 yards, 17.5 ypc, 6 TD's, 7 drops, 259 pass plays

9 PR, 38 yards, 4.2

20 KR, 370 yds, 18.5

[Ben E Lou]

Season Two: 16-game starter

127 targets, 68 catches, 872 yards, 12.8 ypc, 7 Td's, 13 drops (!), 478 pass plays

[Ben E Lou]

He's up to 55/70 as a receiver at the beginning of year 3. Hmmmm...I guess his breakout was at that position, huh? :(

[Ben E Lou]

Actually, though, he was quite promising as a RB, too, before his injury. This makes me want to run through a career with him at RB with no injuries.

SEASON THREE:
81, 1361, 16.8, 8 TD's, 10 drops, First Team All Pro. Crappy as a punt returner, 22.0 yards per return as a kick returner.

[Ben E Lou]

This guy is a monster at SE. Season Four:

96, 1462, 15.2, 10 Td's, 14 drops, First Team All Pro. Still crappy (2.7 avg.) as a punt returner, but really solid kickoff this year: 33, 833, 25.2.

[Ben E Lou]

SEASON FIVE--81, 1079, 13.3, 4 TDs, 12 drops. Really took off as a return man, enough to earn first team all pro again despite non-elite numbers as a receiver. 8 PRs, 78 yards, 9.7, 26 KOr, 748 yards, 28.7 avg, 2 TD's.

[Ben E Lou]

SEASON SIX: 85, 1034, 12.1, 3 TD's, 9 drops

[Ben E Lou]

Copying poll results now, for braggin' rights for the eight who said to position-switch him:

<table class="tborder" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="tcat" colspan="4"> View Poll Results: How would you use RB Marlon Springer??? </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt1" width="50%"> RUNNING BACK. He needs to tote the rock. Dat boy run so good.. </td> <td class="alt2" width="50%"> http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar2-l.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar2.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar2-r.gif Critch (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=176), cthomer5000 (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1627), Cuckoo (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=102), Emiliano (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=3518), General Mike (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1076), Icy (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=2981), raf105 (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=4437), SkyDog (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=59)
</td> <td class="alt1" title="Votes" align="center">8</td> <td class="alt2" align="right" nowrap="nowrap">30.77%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt1" width="50%"> POSITION SWITCH TO WIDE RECEIVER. Great route runner! </td> <td class="alt2" width="50%"> http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar3-l.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar3.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar3-r.gif dacman (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=32), Daimyo (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=191), dixieflatline (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=2985), Huckleberry (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1660), M GO BLUE!!! (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=4507), QuikSand (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=66), WVUFAN (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=4613), Yossarian (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=2936)
</td> <td class="alt1" title="Votes" align="center">8</td> <td class="alt2" align="right" nowrap="nowrap">30.77%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="alt1" width="50%"> KEEP AT RUNNING BACK, PUT IN DEPTH CHART AS RECEIVER. Don't risk position switching him. </td> <td class="alt2" width="50%"> http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar4-l.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar4.gifhttp://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/images/styles/yellow/polls//bar4-r.gif A-Husker-4-Life (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1281), Anguscl (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=4627), azjoe_02 (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1657), fantastic flying froggies (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=2462), flere-imsaho (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=3790), GoCanes (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=1848), hawk4669 (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=4010), sabotai (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=190), sidtian (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=792), wbatl1 (http://fof.sportplanet.gamespy.com//forums/member.php?u=2856)
</td> <td class="alt1" title="Votes" align="center">10</td> <td class="alt2" align="right" nowrap="nowrap">38.46%</td></tr></tbody></table>

[Ben E Lou]

Looks like he had a minor injury in season seven. Played in 14 games, started only 11. (He started 15 or 16 every year seasons 2-6). 60 catches, 659 yards, 6 Td's, 8 drops, 10.9 yards per catch. Monster KR year: 31, 944, 30.4, 2 TD's.

[Ben E Lou]

Oh, he settled at 71/71, ratings-wise, at the end of season 3, I think, and he's been at that exact number since.

[Ben E Lou]

Big injury season eight that cost him over half the season, but no ratings hit: 7 games, 30 catces, 336 yards, 11.2, 0 tds, 4 drops, 5kr, 115 yds, 23.0.

[Ben E Lou]

Ol' Marlon bouces back a bit year 9, plays in 13 games, starts 12, and catches 60 for 840 yards and 4 Td's, with only 3 drops. Pretty good return numbers, too: 15pr, 103, 6.8, 33kr, 804, 24.3.

[QuikSand]

I think he's too small to make him a WR. I'd use him as a traditional RB.

I've never seen a guy that short convert succesfully to WR.

Just for the record, the conventional wisdom is that height is a meaningless item in FOF. Weight (but not height) seems to determine how effectively a player will make a permanent position switch. And neither seems to have any use beyond that. Height seems to have no effect at all on batted-down-passes doe DL, effectiveness over the middle as a receiver, downfield passing as a QB, nothing.

While height may play a role in "real football" planning, I haven't seen any evidence that it plays any role at all in this game. (With the possible exception of the TCY-to-FOF player conversion process)

If you have some evidence to the contrary... please post it in the Strategy Forum, as I'm sure plenty of people would be interested. I know I would.

[st.cronin]

Just for the record, the conventional wisdom is that height is a meaningless item in FOF. Weight (but not height) seems to determine how effectively a player will make a permanent position switch. And neither seems to have any use beyond that. Height seems to have no effect at all on batted-down-passes doe DL, effectiveness over the middle as a receiver, downfield passing as a QB, nothing.

While height may play a role in "real football" planning, I haven't seen any evidence that it plays any role at all in this game. (With the possible exception of the TCY-to-FOF player conversion process)

If you have some evidence to the contrary... please post it in the Strategy Forum, as I'm sure plenty of people would be interested. I know I would.

Obviously, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Most of my experience is in TCY-land, which may or may not be different. I haven't done any organized studies or anything. My observations have been that in any position switch, if a player's height and weight don't look "ideal" for the position in question, then it will be a disaster, regardless of what the scouts say.

[QuikSand]

I didn't mean to sound like I was attacking... just trying to offer up what I believe to be the consensus on this. Weight matters (in a very limited sense) and height does not.

[st.cronin]

I didn't mean to sound like I was attacking... just trying to offer up what I believe to be the consensus on this. Weight matters (in a very limited sense) and height does not.

I didn't take it as an attack. That was a genuine mea culpa on my part - I really don't know what I'm talking about. Probably what I am observing is just height/weight correlation.

[Ben E Lou]

64/68 at the beginning of preseason of Year 10, but he has a big year:

96, 1192, 12.4ypc, 6 TD's, 10 drops. 22 kr, 630 yards, 28.6, 1 TD. 2nd Team. Leads league in receptions.

[Ben E Lou]

Looks like he spent most of Year 11 injured. He's still rated pretty highly, but he only played in Weeks 8 and 9. Can he stage another comeback and perhaps be two-time Comeback Player of the Year? ;)

[Ben E Lou]

Nope. He retired.

698 catches, 9548 yards, 54 TD's. 8th all-time in receptions.

[Ben E Lou]

http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/fofc/springerse.jpg

[Ben E Lou]

I'm going to do another career tomorrow morning with him at RB, and hope he doesn't get a CEI...

[Ben E Lou]

Well, not so fast. It looks like this guy has stud potential at either position. AFter four years in a new career...

YR1: 209/723/3.45/12TD
YR2: 252/1110/4.40/7TD
YR3: 206/1108/5.37/8TD
YR4: 238/1299/5.45/13TD

[Ben E Lou]

He had a very solid test career as a RB, until the AI decided that 56/56 wasn't enough, and drafted a stud RB. He was a backup the rest of the way. He finished with 1675 carries for 7090 yards, 4.23ypc, 58 Td's. He caught 237 passes for 1902 yards. He averated 5.2 yards on punt returns, and 24.8 on kickoff returns.

I'll let y'all know how he does when I resume my real career very soon.

[fantastic flying froggies]

This whole thing kinda blows a hole in the 'hole recognition is everything' theory, don't you think?

Another example was your leading rusher in the CFL, who iirc had outstanding elusiveness but real bad hole recognition...

[cthomer5000]

This whole thing kinda blows a hole in the 'hole recognition is everything' theory, don't you think?

Another example was your leading rusher in the CFL, who iirc had outstanding elusiveness but real bad hole recognition...

I've always thought there were 4-5 key skills, and any 2 or 3 of them being really high were good enough.

[fantastic flying froggies]

I've always thought there were 4-5 key skills, and any 2 or 3 of them being really high were good enough.

We're thinking pretty much along the same line then.

[Ben E Lou]

I've always thought there were 4-5 key skills, and any 2 or 3 of them being really high were good enough.That's what I've thought, too.

[Buccaneer]

He's terrible running on 3rd downs though...

Save the game. Switch him to WR and see what the hit on his ratings is like... You can always go back to the saved game if you don't like the results.

So that ended up being good advice, in a way? Try him at RB, see what his career would be (in one run) then go back to a saved game and see what his career would be like at WR? I think you would need to run through this 10 times each to get a semi-accurate assessment of ratings and values. Also, he can get all of those yards with very little Hole Recognition and Third Down Running? Imagine that.

[Buccaneer]

I've always thought there were 4-5 key skills, and any 2 or 3 of them being really high were good enough.

Ok, that's what I was trying to say. This is what I get on Warhammer for as well as being generally critical of focusing too much on "role" players. Any number of the key skills are good enough without getting too hung up on one specific one.

[Ben E Lou]

UPDATE:

Three seasons into his real career, he has started 41 games at RB, and rushed for 4.47 yards per carry. As a return man, he's got a 7.1 average on punts, with one career TD, and a 27.0 average on kickoffs, with 3 career TD's, one in each season. Due to injuries, I've played him at WR3 some, resulting in a 16.5 yards per catch average for him.

[flere-imsaho]

Good stuff. I love it when players end up just "clicking".

[Grammaticus]

I missed this one the first go around. I would have said go with running back too. He had decent inside and outside values. He kind of reminded me of Lionel "Little Train" James. Except at 5-7 195#, he is a freakin square brick. A little heavier than Lionel. I was a little surprised that your test careers did not yield something in the 7 yards average for punt returns. But it looks like you got the PR juice out of him in your real career.

[Warhammer]

Ok, that's what I was trying to say. This is what I get on Warhammer for as well as being generally critical of focusing too much on "role" players. Any number of the key skills are good enough without getting too hung up on one specific one.

:confused:

I am pretty flexible with RBs. I prefer high HR over anything else, and then after that PI or SO. My only thing is if I don't have a good HR, then you really have to have your PI or SO coincide with your OL strengths.

I prefer to have all-around players if I can afford them, I/we just couldn't afford them before.

The best positions for role players are the DL (since you can get your pass rushers in on passing downs), secondary (since you can focus on one style of pass defense), and RBs (since you can focus on the outside/inside which best suits your RB or OL).

[Ben E Lou]

SPringer seems to have a fair share of games like the following, where one or two aspects of his game may be off, but if you give him enough touches, he's going to do something special eventually.

Week 11, 2013:

10 carries, 36 yards
3 catches, 68 yards, 2 TD's
2 punt returns, 8 yards
3 kick returns, 132 yards, 1 TD

[Ben E Lou]

...and then the following week, he comes back wtih 23 carries for 118 yards, 1 catch for 10, and 0 returns. Nice versatility!