Alright Boyz, Here We Go!!!! (FOF2K7 Thoughts...)

[kcchief19]

It's out ... downloading now!

[RedKingGold]

W00T!

34% down, 66 to go

[dbd1963]

I get a "page not found" error. It took my money, but I can't get a download.

Wah!

[Ben E Lou]

Real names included in release version. Will be exciting for many, I know, and HAS to help Solecismic Software, which is good for us as a whole.

[kcchief19]

Downloaded and installing!

Woot!

[Sporkimata]

Im getting the same message too...page not found...that mean the server too busy?

[MrKordell]

Installing... W00T!

[FBPro]

Got it and paid for it. :)

[SunDevil]

I downloaded the actual game from Jim's website.

[DaddyTorgo]

going straight for the draft!

[dbd1963]

I downloaded the actual game from Jim's website.

Thanks for the tip. Downloading now.

[kcchief19]

I'm sure the traffic will be a bitch for a while ... I'm uploading my exe download as mirror at my site and will post the link shortly unless Jim expresses a concern or has a problem with that.

[Solecismic]

Im getting the same message too...page not found...that mean the server too busy?

No. They have the wrong URL. The right link is on my order page and in the email you should receive from ViaTech with your license information.

I waited an hour or so for ViaTech to update that, then decided to go ahead and open the page figuring people would get that information from here.

[wade moore]

No. They have the wrong URL. The right link is on my order page and in the email you should receive from ViaTech with your license information.

I waited an hour or so for ViaTech to update that, then decided to go ahead and open the page figuring people would get that information from here.
http://www.solecismic.com/orders/index.php

[Raiders Army]

Got it. I always forget how you spell Buccaneers despite the guy on here.

[Ben E Lou]

There's a thread stickied up top with two download locations. The first is the location at Jim's site. The second is the very fast mirror we used three years ago.

[DaddyTorgo]

stage 1 of FA is JUST for renegotiations now guys. FYI

[wade moore]

Installed and it's running my preference draft with a random new player file now.

probably won't even save this, I just want to play around a bit.

[Joker]

paid for and attacking
HAPPY FESTIVUS EVERYONE!

[cartman]

HAPPY FESTIVUS EVERYONE!

I think it's FOFtivus. Festivus uses a metal pole, FOFtivus uses goalposts. Festivus has the "airing of grievances", FOFtivus has "due to past injustices". They both feature feats of strength, however.

:D

[DaddyTorgo]

another FYI...you interview during the "draft preview" stage

[SunDevil]

Got it. I always forget how you spell Buccaneers despite the guy on here.

Just went to ESPN, and then saw this post. Thanks, I could not spell the name right either :D

[SunDevil]

Happy FOFTIVUS EVERYONE!

[Peregrine]

Wow Greta's House of Football seemed pretty messed up to me, she ranked the top 10 QBs, they all showed as Dhani Jones playing for Philly, but when you clicked on that name it showed Tom Brady playing for the Patriots. Unless the whole thing is just there as a little joke?

[Capital]

Just made the purchase...what team is everyone playing?

[kcchief19]

Wow Greta's House of Football seemed pretty messed up to me, she ranked the top 10 QBs, they all showed as Dhani Jones playing for Philly, but when you clicked on that name it showed Tom Brady playing for the Patriots. Unless the whole thing is just there as a little joke?
Works fine in my game. I love her hair.

[DaddyTorgo]

the computer is definately trading draft picks like mad (in a good way)

[kcchief19]

Here's another mirror for anybody having download troubles:

http://www.mattderrick.com/fof/FrontOfficeFootball2007.exe

Should be pretty fast ... it was about a 3 minute download on my test.

[DaddyTorgo]

Nope. Greta's definately broken. Listing 10 of one player and then you click the player card and you get 10 of a different player.

[Peregrine]

the computer is definately trading draft picks like mad (in a good way)

I was pretty impressed when it offered a 7th round pick for a player I had, I rejected it, then shortly after it bumped up its offer to a 5th round pick for the same player.

[Solecismic]

Wow Greta's House of Football seemed pretty messed up to me, she ranked the top 10 QBs, they all showed as Dhani Jones playing for Philly, but when you clicked on that name it showed Tom Brady playing for the Patriots. Unless the whole thing is just there as a little joke?

Uh-oh. That was working fine in development mode. Looks like I'll need to patch after all. I hate that some things that are working for months fail when you switch to release mode - I always miss something.

[CraigSca]

Greta's working fine for me.

e.g. 10 different quarterbacks and each one has their respective player card

[Joker]

Nope. Greta's definately broken. Listing 10 of one player and then you click the player card and you get 10 of a different player.

greta is working for me!
she counts good but no evil laugh like the Count at Sesame st.

[SunDevil]

Ok it's time to select the Buzzsaw and see if I can turn this team around. I can only I hope I do not hold any press conferences looking into the bathroom mirrow while shouting, "They are who we thought they were!" :D

Wish me luck

[Ben E Lou]

Greta worked fine in my fictional league. Tried again with default rosters, and it didn't work.

[kcchief19]

I didn't see this mentioned in the demo thread, but I FREAKING love that free agents are color coded indicating who may have an affinity for your team and who would pose a conflict. Brilliant!

I'm having fun and taking my team in season rebuilding the Chiefs. I'm currently buying Tre' Stallings a one-way bus ticket back to the sticks.

[Capital]

I decided to start with the Dolphins. I always like picking a team that doesn't have a new franchise QB. That certainly applies to the Dolphins.

[Joker]

CHIEFS go 15-1 and lose to INDY again AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
gawd i hate indy....
1 small problem CHIEFS only give up 199points for the season!
WOW!

ALL KINDS OF AMAZING FEATURES:
ANOTHER FOF-ESTIVUS MIRACLE!

[Raiders Army]

I'm not so sure about Greta. Can someone make a different pic for her? Like...more sexy?

[Joker]

I'm not so sure about Greta. Can someone make a different pic for her? Like...more sexy?

I think Greta might be Mrs. JIM

[Senator]

I am wondering if Owens and Vanderjahtthaht shouldn't both be red flags.

[Galaril]

Real names included in release version. Will be exciting for many, I know, and HAS to help Solecismic Software, which is good for us as a whole.

Too bad Jim couldn't of made it so player photos could of been added:(

I might be mistaken but of the recent text sims in the last 5 years haven't all of them had that function in there? except like FBCB?

[Sweed]

Greta's working fine for me.

e.g. 10 different quarterbacks and each one has their respective player card

Worked fine for me too.

[sabotai]

Running through a draft, I see a QB down near the bottom of the screen. He's not rated high, but there seems to a total drought on QBs in the draft. (There a several stud players, including 2 CBs that are over 7 in Adjst. I believe the QB was around 5.8 or 5.9). Still, Washington takes the QB with the 2nd pick in the draft (#1 was one of the stud CBs). #3 was the 2nd stud CB. Why didn't Washington take a stud CB? Because Washington has 2 quality CBs....and they very badly need a QB.

I'd say the draft AI has been tweaked a bit.

[TroyF]

Greta has worked perfectly for me in both fictional and real rosters. ***shrug***

[SunDevil]

I concur with Troy, both fictional and real rosters, Greta works fine.

[Sweed]

Running through a draft, I see a QB down near the bottom of the screen. He's not rated high, but there seems to a total drought on QBs in the draft. (There a several stud players, including 2 CBs that are over 7 in Adjst. I believe the QB was around 5.8 or 5.9). Still, Washington takes the QB with the 2nd pick in the draft (#1 was one of the stud CBs). #3 was the 2nd stud CB. Why didn't Washington take a stud CB? Because Washington has 2 quality CBs....and they very badly need a QB.

I'd say the draft AI has been tweaked a bit.

That's the kind of stuff I like to hear. :)

[Senator]

It might be late, I might be tired. But I cannot for the life of me, find where to turn off saving all box scores and logs, except for my team. Wasn't this in global commands at one time?

[TroyF]

I concur with Troy, both fictional and real rosters, Greta works fine.

No sooner do I say that, I astart a new career and she blows up, just like the people here are saying. Oh well.

Off to do some drafting. Just going to fast sim through some seasons tonight.

[CraigSca]

Odd - in my second year, when Greta announces the best run blockers, I get the same guy listed 10 times. This is the non-fiction database, and Greta seemed to work fine the first year.

[twothree]

Returned home from work, and FOF2007 has now been purchased by me. But why was Front Office Football taped before a live studio audience? :D

[sabotai]

It might be late, I might be tired. But I cannot for the life of me, find where to turn off saving all box scores and logs, except for my team. Wasn't this in global commands at one time?

Yeah, it used to be a global option. Doesn't seem like it's there anymore. Maybe the game requires the box scores and game logs be saved now for every game.

[Joker]

ok 1st year draft: No trades in the LOG: but it looks like this?
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a221/1985bustinout/solecismicI.jpg

[Pyser]

sweet, teams that are tied in record from the previous year rotate their draft order, just like real life. thats awesome!

[sabotai]

Spending some time with the draft to make sure it's good to go. I think either Jim spent a lot of his time with the draft AI or he made a few tweaks that apparently made all of the difference in the world.

So far teams are for the most part drafting who they are "supposed" to take, but there are occasional surprises as well.

For instance, Dallas could use a QB and there's a 6.5 Adjst QB there to take. Their QB situation isn't bad, Romo has potential (45). Instead of taking the QB though, they end up taking a SS. At first this looked dumb (Roy Williams!), but then I saw they have no FS. I'll edit this post later to confirm if Dallas does move their drafted SS to FS (the drafted SS is 66/83 scouted).

EDIT: Well, they didn't officially switch him to FS, but both the rookie and Roy Williams were 16/16 on GP/GS so I guess one of them was playing FS.

So there is the occasional surprise (that is rational). So far, so good.

EDIT: Oakland who is in complete dire need of a QB pass on the 6.5 QB and take a DE instead. Haha. So realistic! :D (In all seriousness, the DE is an incredible stud, potential of 97). The QB ended up going 6th to Tampa Bay. So far I've yet to see the top QB in the draft, even if he's not all that good, slip out of the first round. 3 more QBs went in round 1, rated as low as 5.7 Adjst while there are still several players at other positions who are Adjst over 6.

[kcchief19]

It might be late, I might be tired. But I cannot for the life of me, find where to turn off saving all box scores and logs, except for my team. Wasn't this in global commands at one time?
I think all game logs are now kept; the only option is how much information you want to keep with the logs, i.e. exclude formation info. I'm assuming this maybe related to some of the new stat tracking.

[Tasan]

Just wanted to say that I'm downloading this bad boy now. I just couldn't resist. I hope the wife doesn't kill me, this plus Railrods in less that two weeks.

[Eaglesfan27]

It's early, but the SP Trade AI seems much tougher to me (playing on the highest difficulty level.) Cleveland just drove a hard bargain for their 64/64 rated 7th year RG even though he was in the last year of his contract. I had to eventually give a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder in the following year to get him.

[sabotai]

Into another draft and saw my first Matt Millen pick.

Tampa Bay has RB Williams, rated 70/79. They have the first pick in the draft, and take an RB. He was Adjst 7.9, one of two players rated over a 7, the second being an OT rated 7.4. Now, it's entirely possible this was a "Reggie Bush" moment too. I mean, the player is Adjst 1 whole rating point more than the third player in the draft. Maybe it was a too good to pass up player? I checked Willims' stats, and he's only rushed for around 750 yards in each of his first two years. Is Williams just not producing enough and they are giving up on him (going to try and trade him?)

We'll see....


A weird trade. Buffalo traded to San Fran their 1st round pick (2008) and their 1st round pick for 2010 for SF's 1st round pick (2008). They traded away a pick 2 years from now to move up 10 spots. Just seems weird to trade that pick (the 2010 1st round pick).

[DaddyTorgo]

something's buggy with this game. i have arizona at 11-1 in 2009!


LOL

[Galaxy]

A weird trade. Buffalo traded to San Fran their 1st round pick (2008) and their 1st round pick for 2010 for SF's 1st round pick (2008). They traded away a pick 2 years from now to move up 10 spots. Just seems weird to trade that pick (the 2010 1st round pick).

It's happen. The Bills traded a second and next year's first rounder to the Cowboys to move up and grab Losman. What was the trade giving the Bills, and what were the positions of the pick?

[Tasan]

Okay is it just me or do you guys miss the friendly little confines of the old box scores as opposed to the (to me at least) unfriendly jump into your web browser to see the box score? This should really be an option.

[Galaxy]

Works fine in my game. I love her hair.

Could of used his wife...:D

http://www.solecismic.com/sole/index.php

[cartman]

I just noticed that he has the Dallas team moving into a new stadium in 2009. Nice touch!

[sabotai]

I'm actually seeing quite a few pick-for-picks trades that involve draft picks for 2 years ahead.

[Pyser]

wow, way too many good players under 4 years experience being cut after the draft.

[amdaily]

Okay is it just me or do you guys miss the friendly little confines of the old box scores as opposed to the (to me at least) unfriendly jump into your web browser to see the box score? This should really be an option.

Ditto.

[Pyser]

wow, way too many good players under 4 years experience being cut after the draft.

...or maybe after the draft you can negotiate with any other teams restricted free agents?

[Pyser]

dola, thats what it is. thats a big change!

[Turd Ferguson]

This has probably been mentioned somewhere...but has anyone had an issue on the "Team Summary" page wherein "Drops" and "TDs" are incorrectly listed as the other?

[SackAttack]

This has probably been mentioned somewhere...but has anyone had an issue on the "Team Summary" page wherein "Drops" and "TDs" are incorrectly listed as the other?

Yes. Leinart threw 4 TDs his first game, and I have four drops and two TDs listed on that screen.

[Deattribution]

I haven't seen it mentioned, but when a player retires the honor box gives a list of his standings in the all-time and team record books. That's a neat little feature, I like that alot.

[Deattribution]

dola

Whoops, I just realized it does this for every player, but it's nice the retirees get it too :)

[Deattribution]

Does anyone else feel that some of the buttons were uncessarily switched around?

Like the stuff on the top bar, instead of being left to right, it's now right to left.

Free agency use to have all the roster, recommend ect at the top, and the skip stages and salary cap at the bottom... Now it's kind of liberally just spread some on top some on bottom.


Not so much an issue, I'll just have to readjust I guess.

[sachmo71]

Started a new game with a random player file and preference draft. FrFoot2007.exe was gobbling up 50% of my cpu during the draft! :D

Good news:

In the random player allocation draft, the best kickers didn't go until the 22nd round, at which point there was a run. Even though I had the preference set to null, I got the second best kicker in the league. Punters didn't go until round 23, at which point there was a similar run on them.

[jbmagic]

Spending some time with the draft to make sure it's good to go. I think either Jim spent a lot of his time with the draft AI or he made a few tweaks that apparently made all of the difference in the world.

So far teams are for the most part drafting who they are "supposed" to take, but there are occasional surprises as well.

For instance, Dallas could use a QB and there's a 6.5 Adjst QB there to take. Their QB situation isn't bad, Romo has potential (45). Instead of taking the QB though, they end up taking a SS. At first this looked dumb (Roy Williams!), but then I saw they have no FS. I'll edit this post later to confirm if Dallas does move their drafted SS to FS (the drafted SS is 66/83 scouted).

EDIT: Well, they didn't officially switch him to FS, but both the rookie and Roy Williams were 16/16 on GP/GS so I guess one of them was playing FS.

So there is the occasional surprise (that is rational). So far, so good.

EDIT: Oakland who is in complete dire need of a QB pass on the 6.5 QB and take a DE instead. Haha. So realistic! :D (In all seriousness, the DE is an incredible stud, potential of 97). The QB ended up going 6th to Tampa Bay. So far I've yet to see the top QB in the draft, even if he's not all that good, slip out of the first round. 3 more QBs went in round 1, rated as low as 5.7 Adjst while there are still several players at other positions who are Adjst over 6.

Great News

[gottimd]

So how does the HTML output look?

[Dutch]

Does anyone else feel that some of the buttons were uncessarily switched around?

Like the stuff on the top bar, instead of being left to right, it's now right to left.

Free agency use to have all the roster, recommend ect at the top, and the skip stages and salary cap at the bottom... Now it's kind of liberally just spread some on top some on bottom.


Not so much an issue, I'll just have to readjust I guess.

Yeah, the recommend buttons are in different places which mess with my muscle-memory reflexes, but in a couple of years, I'm sure my muscle memory reflexes will sort itself out.

[willoconley]

The full screen player cards are giving me a headache.

[gottimd]

Does anyone have the HTML Output to view? Just curious as to what it looks like. I'm not on my own computer so I can't d/l the game and view just yet.

[Emiliano]

I haven't seen it mentioned, but when a player retires the honor box gives a list of his standings in the all-time and team record books. That's a neat little feature, I like that alot.

Yep, I noticed that too. I love it.

[Dutch]

The Position Distribution screen really makes roster-filling much easier for speed simming. A great addition in my book.

[Dutch]

Hey, the Grey Sheet is actually a kick ass way to see how the Top 75 free agents faired that year. And it's nice to see that after the first free agency period I went through that all 75 had a contract. So no huge ammounts of quality players collecting dust on the free agency pile. At least so far. I am definately enjoying what I'm seeing with the off-season.

[Peregrine]

Has anyone done a lot of interviewing before the draft? So far it doesn't seem to do a lot for me except give you a little bit more detail on their stats, but I haven't seen anyone, for example, that looks a whole lot better or worse after you interview them.

[TroyF]

Has anyone done a lot of interviewing before the draft? So far it doesn't seem to do a lot for me except give you a little bit more detail on their stats, but I haven't seen anyone, for example, that looks a whole lot better or worse after you interview them.

Move away from the ratings and look at their info to the left. Your scout will say things like "very overrated" "underrated" "as scouted" etc.

[Anthony]

Move away from the ratings and look at their info to the left. Your scout will say things like "very overrated" "underrated" "as scouted" etc.

nice addition to the game. appreciated feature.

[Ben E Lou]

Started a from-scratch fictional league. First impressions.


I haven't had enough time to truly flesh it out, but I think I'm going to LOVE the new talent distributions. Finally, there are truly standout guys. I've heard this is true for the default player file as well. Here's hoping this holds up throughout the future as draft classes come into the league. Check out the initialQB's in my league, for example:
http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/fofc/qbs.jpg
I'm not liking the new savegame naming conventions, at least at first. I definitely want to do at LEAST two saves per year, to examine draft classes. In FOF2K4, I'd save "Atlanta 2006 Predraft" and "Atlanta 2006 Postdraft". Looks like I won't be able to do that
It appears that Primelord's Change Tracker utility will work just fine for this version of the game! Woohoo!!!More to come, I'm sure...

[Peregrine]

I hadn't checked out the save game situation but you're right, it's not pretty. And when you try to save as it says it needs 30 meg for every time you save a new game id? Ugh.

Well it's doable just a hassle, basically get ready for saving a bunch of times under new game ids with some kind of code - ATL06pre, ATL06pst, or whatever. For individual weeks you could do ATL06Ex1 or ATL07Rg3.

[Anthony]

Started a from-scratch fictional league. First impressions.


I haven't had enough time to truly flesh it out, but I think I'm going to LOVE the new talent distributions. Finally, there are truly standout guys. I've heard this is true for the default player file as well. Here's hoping this holds up throughout the future as draft classes come into the league. Check out the initialQB's in my league, for example:
http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/fofc/qbs.jpg
I'm not liking the new savegame naming conventions, at least at first. I definitely want to do at LEAST two saves per year, to examine draft classes. In FOF2K4, I'd save "Atlanta 2006 Predraft" and "Atlanta 2006 Postdraft". Looks like I won't be able to do that
It appears that Primelord's Change Tracker utility will work just fine for this version of the game! Woohoo!!!More to come, I'm sure...

i guess there's gonna be a ton of running in that league, cuz outside of like 5 QB's on that list there's a ton of CRAP :D

[Ben E Lou]

i guess there's gonna be a ton of running in that league, cuz outside of like 5 QB's on that list there's a ton of CRAP :DWhat we don't know yet, and I am VERY curious to see, is how the 40-50 current rating guys will do. QB is the position I see where this is the most prevalent. I'm going to play on one machine, and run a league out about 10 years in the other, to see how this plays out in the long-term.

[CraigSca]

I noticed in just my one season of play last night using the default rosters that scoring was really low, approximately 17 points per game vs. 20 (which I think is league average). There were a lot of teams that scored < 200 points for the year. Anyone else seeing this?

Oh - one feature I love - the ability to right-click on a player in the depth chart and it brings up his ratings!

[Peregrine]

Skydog, I did a QB list for the real NFL game I'm working with, and the distribution was very similar, just FYI. Could be a good thing here.

[henry296]

I think the 40-50 guys will be ok. In my demo league Big Ben is only rated a 36 and at least in week 1 he played fine. 18/26 for 221 and a 108 rating vs. Miami. Now that rating could be scout error too.

[Ben E Lou]

I noticed in just my one season of play last night using the default rosters that scoring was really low, approximately 17 points per game vs. 20 (which I think is league average). There were a lot of teams that scored < 200 points for the year. Anyone else seeing this?
Oh - one feature I love - the ability to right-click on a player in the depth chart and it brings up his ratings!I've started a quick sim for long-term looks, and here's what I've got so far:

2006: 16.6ppg
2007: 17.4ppg
2008: 17.4ppg

By the way, I really, really, really like that I can see those numbers on the one screen, by just changing the year. That is a HUGE addition for me, because I'm constantly looking at those numbers.

[Peregrine]

Is that overall league PPG? Where are you seeing that, that's convenient.

[CraigSca]

Maybe scoring is down the last few years? I could have sworn ~20 was league average.

Oh - and yet another COOL thing. The Superbowl winning QB and league championship MVP threw for 27 TDs and 13 Ints. My scout, who is rated as "average" rated him as a 35/35. Looking at his graph, this guy wouldn't have started in FOF2004.

I LOVE the fact ratings may not be the be-all end-all anymore. You actually have to play some guys to see if they're valuable or not. This will bring the exhibition season to an entirely new level, both in MP and SP.

[CraigSca]

Is that overall league PPG? Where are you seeing that, that's convenient.

Team Statistics, click the Scoring/Turnovers button. At the bottom is league average.

[Ben E Lou]

I've started a quick sim for long-term looks, and here's what I've got so far:

2006: 16.6ppg
2007: 17.4ppg
2008: 17.4ppg

By the way, I really, really, really like that I can see those numbers on the one screen, by just changing the year. That is a HUGE addition for me, because I'm constantly looking at those numbers.

NFL2004: 21.48
NFL2005: 20.62
NFL2006: 20.44ppg (to date)

I know that offense tended to increase and level off after about 10 seasons in FOF2K4. I'm curious to see if this is true here as well.

[cuervo72]

What we don't know yet, and I am VERY curious to see, is how the 40-50 current rating guys will do. QB is the position I see where this is the most prevalent. I'm going to play on one machine, and run a league out about 10 years in the other, to see how this plays out in the long-term.

I hope this doesn't mean that one or two teams dominate MP leagues, rather than 5-10. Though I will say that the number of talented QB's in those leagues might be a little high. I just hope the disparity between the top guy and some in the middle isn't that incredibly huge (or, that there are other routes to victory besides having a stud QB).

[CraigSca]

Yards per game on offense seems to be about 30 yards too low. I'm going to run my second fictional season on auto-pilot to see if it's consistent.

[Ben E Lou]

(or, that there are other routes to victory besides having a stud QB).That's my hope.

[CraigSca]

Now that I look at it, total, rushing and passing yardage seems to be okay. I wonder why there are less points being scored?

[Ben E Lou]

Craig: Scoring is up to 18.4 in Year 4...

[Peregrine]

Now that I look at it, total, rushing and passing yardage seems to be okay. I wonder why there are less points being scored?

Didn't Jim say something about having to tweak field goals because of the kicker seasonal rust issue (which he got rid of, I believe.) Could it be there's still a problem there? We could check the # of field goals kickers are making.

[Ben E Lou]

Didn't Jim say something about having to tweak field goals because of the kicker seasonal rust issue (which he got rid of, I believe.) Could it be there's still a problem there? We could check the # of field goals kickers are making.Good thought. He did say that, and it definitely was an 11th-hour tweak.

I'm also concerned about the Rust issue for kickers/punters. That explains why I had to tweak up field goal percentage for kickers last week. I will have to reverse that and do some testing to avoid the league making 85% of its field goals and booming 50-yard average punts.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to run a few more seasons to see what happens to scoring.

[CraigSca]

In auto-pilot, my team signed a 75/75 runningback for $510K for one year!?!

HOWEVER - he averaged 3.8 ypc as a full-timer for the Cardinals the previous year. For me, he carried the ball 356 times, for 1288 yards and 6 TDs. A 3.62 average. So - while he's looking like Mr. Stud according to his ratings, in-game I'd say this guy is mediocre, at best. My line is average, so who knows how that figures into it.

I have a feeling that, until we figure this puppy out, there's a lot of between the lines stuff in FOF2007 that will surprise some people. Just as in real football - you can't just sign a highly-rated QB and automatically win the Superbowl.

[Anthony]

What we don't know yet, and I am VERY curious to see, is how the 40-50 current rating guys will do. QB is the position I see where this is the most prevalent. I'm going to play on one machine, and run a league out about 10 years in the other, to see how this plays out in the long-term.

i'm going to be honest - that list of QB's seems to be extremely realistic. obviously the first initial reaction is to be "huh? only one QB rated above 80??? look at all these roster filler types, these guys would be lucky to be a backup in my 2k4 league", but that's really a rather accurate representation of NFL talent level re: QBs. Ken Yellope=Peyton Manning (not Mannin's age, but in the sense that Manning is *the* top QB in the NFL today by a considerable margin). Mark Wayne=David Carr (high upside, just not getting it done in his current situation, perhaps a change of scenery would help him realize his potential). Dave Ellison=Mike Vick (all things considered he's just a solid QB with the potential to be one of the top 3 in the game) the rest of the 40-50 types are what we have in the NFL - what's the difference between Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington? not much, apparently. Matt Hasselbeck any better than Steve McNair?

you can see how rather than going the old FOF route and rushing to grab a franchise QB odds are you're not gonna have a Ken Yellope type, so gameplanning and the "whole picture" (ie, strength of your O-line, how good/bad your WRs are to compensate for an average QB, etc) look like they should play a bigger factor in this game. i know i won a lot of games i otherwise wouldn't had Dean Houston not been my QB. i'm sure there'll be instances where you're forced to go with a Trent Dilfer type - someone who won't lose a game for you instead of someone like Dean who'll win the game for you.

[CraigSca]

FGs in my last season: 737/899 - 81.9% average.

In the real NFL through 6 (or 7 games if no bye): 311/390 - 79.7% average

If I pro-rate NFL teams from 6 games, that comes to about 1040 attempts for the year. Pro-rated from 7, that's about 891 FGA per year. There are only a few 7 game teams thus far, so I think the number should be closer to 1040 than 891. Are teams trying too few FGs?

[Ben E Lou]

i'm going to be honest - that list of QB's seems to be extremely realistic. obviously the first initial reaction is to be "huh? only one QB rated above 80??? look at all these roster filler types, these guys would be lucky to be a backup in my 2k4 league", but that's really a rather accurate representation of NFL talent level re: QBs. Ken Yellope=Peyton Manning (not Mannin's age, but in the sense that Manning is *the* top QB in the NFL today by a considerable margin). Mark Wayne=David Carr (high upside, just not getting it done in his current situation, perhaps a change of scenery would help him realize his potential). Dave Ellison=Mike Vick (all things considered he's just a solid QB with the potential to be one of the top 3 in the game) the rest of the 40-50 types are what we have in the NFL - what's the difference between Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington? not much, apparently. Matt Hasselbeck any better than Steve McNair?

you can see how rather than going the old FOF route and rushing to grab a franchise QB odds are you're not gonna have a Ken Yellope type, so gameplanning and the "whole picture" (ie, strength of your O-line, how good/bad your WRs are to compensate for an average QB, etc) look like they should play a bigger factor in this game. i know i won a lot of games i otherwise wouldn't had Dean Houston not been my QB. i'm sure there'll be instances where you're forced to go with a Trent Dilfer type - someone who won't lose a game for you instead of someone like Dean who'll win the game for you.OH, I agree with you 1000% here. It'll take some time to see how this plays out in the game in terms of balance, but I am *VERY* excited about the move in this direction, to be sure. If the balance isn't right already, I am completely confident that Jim will take a hard look at it.

[Dutch]

The draft is a lot tougher to figure out than before. Gone are the scouting numbers. I love that. And it looks like the intent is to add more indicators of a players ability without giving you a concrete method of evaluating. You will have an idea if you're in the right ball park (the scouting grade and adjusted grade) but beyond that, you need to evaluate blue bars and combine scores. I am curious to learn more about the positional drills, that looks like a new wild card, much like volatility. Very intersesting to say the least.

[CraigSca]

Through 6 (or 7 games), the real NFL has atttempted 44 FGs from 50+ yards. In my league, over the entire year, there were only 56.

129 in the real NFL for 40-49 yards, but 340 were attempted in my league (which seems right).

[gstelmack]

Can you print the draftee list?

[Ben E Lou]

Here's something I would have never, ever, ever seen in FOF2K4: after the renegotiation/cut period of 2011, New England has freakin' 41 players under contract. :eek: Very nice!

The range is VERY broad, from 3 to 41. It'll be interesting, as time goes on, to examine what makes a team keep 41 players, as opposed to only three. (Note that these numbers are before RFA's are re-signed...)

[Peregrine]

Craig: Scoring is up to 18.4 in Year 4...


For me Year 1 with real NFL players scoring has been 18.6 PPG in Year 1 and 19.2 in Year 2 so far

[Dutch]

Can you print the draftee list?

I don't see a way.

[CraigSca]

It seems, FG attempts are a little low across the board. The ratios between long kicks and short kicks looks good, but, for whatever reason (as there could be a myriad of them), attempts are down and accuracy is dead-on.

[Peregrine]

I've been watching the free agent signings in my first couple seasons, it definitely seems improved, but at the end of the late FA period there were still a couple of very quality players (a 77/77 safety and Deion Branch as a 66/66 WR) left on the table who ended up signing the usual one year 610K contracts. This is certainly less than before but it's discouraging.

[CraigSca]

I'm continually getting about 17 ppg. If others are seeing differently, than maybe this is just an anomaly (and a cool one).

[CraigSca]

I've been watching the free agent signings in my first couple seasons, it definitely seems improved, but at the end of the late FA period there were still a couple of very quality players (a 77/77 safety and Deion Branch as a 66/66 WR) left on the table who ended up signing the usual one year 610K contracts. This is certainly less than before but it's discouraging.

How did they perform the previous year, Peregrine? Track them! As I said earlier in the thread I had a stud ratings-wise RB slip through the free agency cracks, but he was completely underwhelming in actual performance both years.

[Dutch]

I love the player highlight feature. While drafting, you can select a bunch of folks you are interested in and then sort the combine numbers. Easy way to keep track of them while trying to determine which one you like better. Way cool!

[Peregrine]

How did they perform the previous year, Peregrine? Track them! As I said earlier in the thread I had a stud ratings-wise RB slip through the free agency cracks, but he was completely underwhelming in actual performance both years.

I did, both did quite well, Branch had almost 1000 yards as his team's second receiver and the safety Gibril Wilson had around 60 tackles and some picks. Also, as a follow on, after that season both signed high dollar deals as they should have, one re-upped with the same team who lowballed him and Branch aggressively shopped around (I love how you can see which deals a player rejected in the transaction log.)

I'll continue to track this.

[Ben E Lou]

From: Vernon Kostinko

I have decided to hold out until I receive a new contract.

Being the team's franchise player unfairly limits my income, and I will not report to camp until I have a multi-year deal.

Nice!

[Peregrine]

Well what's really great is seeing the AI getting the same treatment. There's so much stuff in the transaction log now you can see everything but the bitchslap:

Dwight Freeney

2007 - Franchise Tag
2007 - change position to LDE
2007 - Foot Injury

2008 - Franchise Tage again
2008 - Begin Holdout
2008 - End Holdout

[Anthony]

Nice!

ok, i'm ready to purchase the game.

i'll have to readjust my strategy of franchising my aging RB in the last year of his contract until his ratings start to slip, at which point i simply let him go. this is nice. i used to love looking at my player and saying "the only way you will leave this team is if you're of no use to me anymore." i would franchise the same player for years on end like nobodies business.

[Dutch]

ok, i'm ready to purchase the game.

I will be shocked if you are not pleasantly surprised.

[mauchow]

I can't view Depth Chart - Backfield, but I can for everything else. It pops up but goes away in a split second. Help?

[Ben E Lou]

ok, i'm ready to purchase the game.

i'll have to readjust my strategy of franchising my aging RB in the last year of his contract until his ratings start to slip, at which point i simply let him go. this is nice. i used to love looking at my player and saying "the only way you will leave this team is if you're of no use to me anymore." i would franchise the same player for years on end like nobodies business.The other thing that is I'm guessing is pretty cool about this is that with the rust factor in place now, every week that you wait it out, you're potentially hurting his performance once you sign him.

[Anthony]

can you keep making a guy lose weight till the point a DT is anorexic and then you can change him to a punter?

i'm sorry, i'm sadistic at times. still, inquiring minds would love to know. i want to see if i can make this guy:

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/nfl/2002/0425/photo/s_samadams_i.jpg


turn into this guy:

http://www.coattails.net/upload/tyrone_biggums.jpg

LOL

[Passacaglia]

...or maybe after the draft you can negotiate with any other teams restricted free agents?

Any compensation?

[DaddyTorgo]

so i havn't read the help file i admit, but when can you send a player to summer league? i have a ton of 2nd year guys and i keep checking and i can never figure out when to send them...

[Eaglesfan27]

What we don't know yet, and I am VERY curious to see, is how the 40-50 current rating guys will do. QB is the position I see where this is the most prevalent. I'm going to play on one machine, and run a league out about 10 years in the other, to see how this plays out in the long-term.


In my league, guys in the top 10 are at about 50 or so rating (Only Brady and Peyton are over 80.) I'll be following how they do as well.



Also, not sure if I missed this, but Pre-season playing time finally seems to be more realistic.

I used 1 PT for my QB and McNabb only played threw it 3 to 5 times in the first two games. He was 11 of 16 in the 3rd game. Then, it was back to just a few plays in the 4th and 5th game. Meanwhile, the PT% seemed to effect how much everyone else was used in the Pre-season quite well.

[dbd1963]

Just playing in my ordinary way -- not using the new game plan or Solevision features, I'm still seeing a ton of new stuff that I love. This will keep me happy for a long, long time! :)

[RedKingGold]

Loving the additions to the team statistics screen. Its nice to see how my defensive and offensive lines play as a unit throughout the season.

OMG, Amazing! Just saw that team stats breaks down your pass defense for the team, <i>by short, medium, or long pass</i>.

[mauchow]

Oh, well. I won't be playing this game until I can access my Depth Chart - Backfield..

Have a good day everyone. Time to watch some CF.

[Raiders Army]

Unfortunately it doesn't look as if you can promote your coordinators to your head coach, nor does it look like your head coach can increase your coordinators' ratings so they may become head coaches someday. :(

[Raiders Army]

After seeing some of the bugs, I'm gonna stay away from playing the game until the first patch comes out. This isn't a slam on Jim...in fact, it's a compliment. He's always been good about fixing his game rather quickly and completely.

[Logan]

Has anyone done a lot of interviewing before the draft? So far it doesn't seem to do a lot for me except give you a little bit more detail on their stats, but I haven't seen anyone, for example, that looks a whole lot better or worse after you interview them.

Can someone tell me exactly when you are able to do the interviewing? I started the draft, got to the screen of players and then remembered that players could be interviewed (but it was too late to do it now). I'm guessing it can take place sometime before you click "begin amateur draft" but if someone could tell me exactly when, and where to go, it would be appreciated.

[DaddyTorgo]

*bug*

2010 Ladies and Gentleman...your UNDEFEATED (35.5 ppg) ARIZONA CARDINALS

Matt Leinart finished with 5200 yds and 49 td passes vs 18 INT's with a 107.9 qb rating

and I have next to no rushing attack (24th in the league)

K, off my bragging horse

[DaddyTorgo]

Can someone tell me exactly when you are able to do the interviewing? I started the draft, got to the screen of players and then remembered that players could be interviewed (but it was too late to do it now). I'm guessing it can take place sometime before you click "begin amateur draft" but if someone could tell me exactly when, and where to go, it would be appreciated.

anytime during early FA.

and it's instantaneous, doesn't take any time. so i usually leave it till late when i have some idea of the positions i'm going to target in the draft.

[Peregrine]

Can someone tell me exactly when you are able to do the interviewing? I started the draft, got to the screen of players and then remembered that players could be interviewed (but it was too late to do it now). I'm guessing it can take place sometime before you click "begin amateur draft" but if someone could tell me exactly when, and where to go, it would be appreciated.

It takes place during the draft preview which is an option during initial free agency.

[henry296]

Is there a game plan setting to set how often to use nickel/dime?

[Joe]

*bug*

2010 Ladies and Gentleman...your UNDEFEATED (35.5 ppg) ARIZONA CARDINALS

Matt Leinart finished with 5200 yds and 49 td passes vs 18 INT's with a 107.9 qb rating

and I have next to no rushing attack (24th in the league)

K, off my bragging horse

they weren't who we thought they were

[Logan]

anytime during early FA.

and it's instantaneous, doesn't take any time. so i usually leave it till late when i have some idea of the positions i'm going to target in the draft.

It takes place during the draft preview which is an option during initial free agency.


Thanks guys. On to year 2...

[Flasch186]

I think I expected a little more in the way of Staff (more coaches - positional) stuff but I guess thats not a big deal.

[Raiders Army]

they weren't who we thought they were

LOL. Did someone crown their ass at the end of the season?

[SunDevil]

I do not see anything in the help file that would explain if it is a good thing if a QB should have a high Intelligence and/or high leadership value. Right now the Rookie QB Matt Leinart has low in both in the game. I have looked at the FOF2k4 Codec and searched the forums but can not find a description for the player attributes and their position specific skills. Thanks for any help.

[Joe]

question... can you fire coaches in the middle of a season?

[Caratacus]

High intelligence for QB's helps them learn new formations faster I believe

[Raiders Army]

question... can you fire coaches in the middle of a season?

No. It seems as if the coaching aspect has remained unchanged. The only difference to the Scouts I see is that there is tracking for championships, etc.

[Dutch]

High intelligence for QB's helps them learn new formations faster I believe

You are correct.

[Joe]

No. It seems as if the coaching aspect has remained unchanged. The only difference to the Scouts I see is that there is tracking for championships, etc.

how about the ability to re-name the coaches?

[Buccaneer]

I think I expected a little more in the way of Staff (more coaches - positional) stuff but I guess thats not a big deal.

That is surprising knowing there were quite a few suggestions and requests centered around this - for SP and MP. Wonder why something like this wasn't a priority?

[Ksyrup]

I'm loving the playing time modifiers for preseason. I was able to have Kitna throw 6 passes and sit for the rest of the game. The only quibble is that the 3rd QB couldn't/wouldn't play, but if I Want to give my 2 QBs extra time, I just have to set it up to make each of them the 2nd QB in successive games. Works for me!

Oh, and Lions looking great preseason.

[Peregrine]

Anyone seen an issue where a team franchises a really bad player? Arizona (heh) franchised a horrible 12 year veteran QB with no skills, who had never made more than 1.2 million in any previous season, and who basically sucks completely.

[Peregrine]

dola - In my current game I saw a veteran holdout, nothing like a 13 year veteran QB with declining skills and multiple knee injuries on his sheet trying to hold out for a better deal. I just had to laugh.

[kcchief19]

I'm loving the playing time modifiers for preseason. I was able to have Kitna throw 6 passes and sit for the rest of the game. The only quibble is that the 3rd QB couldn't/wouldn't play, but if I Want to give my 2 QBs extra time, I just have to set it up to make each of them the 2nd QB in successive games. Works for me!

I was just getting ready to mention this. I love the playing time settings -- a major step up. The only quibble is the third stringer not getting playing time each game, but as you said alternating your QBs in the No. 2 spot pretty much creates the same effect.

I also love how it works during the regular season, in that if I have an injured player I can very simply adjust his playing time so I can still keep him active while limiting the possibility of an aggravating the injury. As a side note, I also like that the player record in addition to tracking injuries notates with an X if a player aggravated his injury. Gold.

If playing time works as it appears on the surface, I would say that any MP league who turns off injuries preseason is simply a bunch of pussies.

[amdaily]

Have the AI managing my gameplan and during a playoff game I built up a 31-0 lead at the half. At the start of the 3rd it brought in my backup QB and rested my starter. Never saw it do that before.

[Joker]

#1 I LOVE IT
#2 I Cant seem to get my attendance up
every team in the league is under 60,000
we went to the superbowl twice, No increase yet?

---sorry forgot this:season 2

[Ksyrup]

One thing I don't like is the guys the game is picking to return kicks. Randy Moss and Shaun Alexander are fielding punts/kickoffs. Huh? I can control this for my team, obviously, but the AI teams are a problem.

[Buccaneer]

Do franchise finances mean more in this version than the previous? Are attendance figures better modeled?

[henry296]

One thing I don't like is the guys the game is picking to return kicks. Randy Moss and Shaun Alexander are fielding punts/kickoffs. Huh? I can control this for my team, obviously, but the AI teams are a problem.

I agree. Check out their kick return ratings. Hines Ward has high ratings too.

[Ben E Lou]

Heh. Just noticed the "Two-Mile Club" designation for QB's. Nice!

[jbmagic]

Are you guys seeing the AI teams using different game plans and style?

Or all AI teams using the same type of style and game plans when they play?

also it seems like the recommend button for game plans doesn't change much based on opponent or personal you have on your team. It pretty much doesn't change much week to week when you click on recommend

[jaygr]

It's been a while for me playing so I apologize if this is an easy answer: I am trying to do a bit of quick simming, and I want to keep one guy in as my starter at QB even though he is rated lower then another QB. If I keep the setting for the coach to set the lineup, he (rightfully) puts in the better rated guy- but like I said I want to play the lower rated guy. Is there a way I can force the guy I want to start but still have the coach automatically do the roster (basically so I can just quick sim the season and not have to keep stopping and adjusting every week for injuries)?

[Joker]

When do you hit the summer button?
I keep missing it!

[amdaily]

It's been a while for me playing so I apologize if this is an easy answer: I am trying to do a bit of quick simming, and I want to keep one guy in as my starter at QB even though he is rated lower then another QB. If I keep the setting for the coach to set the lineup, he (rightfully) puts in the better rated guy- but like I said I want to play the lower rated guy. Is there a way I can force the guy I want to start but still have the coach automatically do the roster (basically so I can just quick sim the season and not have to keep stopping and adjusting every week for injuries)?

Apparently no. I think there should be another option like "Coach resets depth chart....except for locked positions."

[amdaily]

When do you hit the summer button?
I keep missing it!

Same time you franchise players and change ticket prices.

[Arctus]

When do you hit the summer button?
I keep missing it!

Right after you roll the season over. I do mine during ticket pricing.

[cthomer5000]

I'm not so sure about Greta. Can someone make a different pic for her? Like...more sexy?

http://www.somethingwithanh.com/fofc/greta.bmp

[Eaglesfan27]

It seems like Game MVP selection still needs to be tuned a bit (Philly won 31-27):


Game MVP: Eli Manning, New York Giants


Rushing Statistics


<TABLE width="98%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=2 width="96%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TH align=left>New York</TH><TH align=middle>Att</TH><TH align=middle>Yards</TH><TH align=middle>Avg</TH><TH align=middle>LG</TH><TH align=middle>10+</TH><TH align=middle>TD</TH></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#dcdce4>Tiki Barber</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>18</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>111</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>6.17</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>50</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>2</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>1</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#dcdce4>R.J. Marroso</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>3</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>3</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>1.00</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>2</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=2 width="96%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TH align=left>Philadelphia</TH><TH align=middle>Att</TH><TH align=middle>Yards</TH><TH align=middle>Avg</TH><TH align=middle>LG</TH><TH align=middle>10+</TH><TH align=middle>TD</TH></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#e2eeec>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>22</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>76</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>3.45</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>11</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>2</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>0</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#e2eeec>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>5</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>29</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>5.80</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>9</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>0</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#e2eeec>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>5</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>7</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>1.40</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>5</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Passing Statistics


<TABLE width="98%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=2 width="96%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TH align=left>New York</TH><TH align=middle>Att</TH><TH align=middle>Comp</TH><TH align=middle>Yards</TH><TH align=middle>Sk/Yd</TH><TH align=middle>TD</TH><TH align=middle>LG</TH><TH align=middle>Int</TH><TH align=middle>Rate</TH></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#dcdce4>Eli Manning</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>32</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>14</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>127</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>4/23</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>1</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>27</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#dcdce4>65.4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=2 width="96%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TH align=left>Philadelphia</TH><TH align=middle>Att</TH><TH align=middle>Comp</TH><TH align=middle>Yards</TH><TH align=middle>Sk/Yd</TH><TH align=middle>TD</TH><TH align=middle>LG</TH><TH align=middle>Int</TH><TH align=middle>Rate</TH></TR><TR><TD align=left bgColor=#e2eeec>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>36</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>25</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>273</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>4/25</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>2</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>43</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>0</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#e2eeec>110.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Joker]

thanks guys on the "Boyz of Summer" very good timing!

[Northwood_DK]

When looking at the “player information” on the player card I have seen a few players marked with:
Character: Red Flag

Can’t find any information in the help file. What is that?

[Ksyrup]

Play callin AI still needs work. My Lions were losing 10-3 with :35 seconds left in the 2nd quarter and had just got hit with a 10 yard penalty to make it 2nd and 20 at their own 10. They proceeded to try 3 passes and ended up punting. Nothing came of it, but...!

Then, in the 2nd half, I watched helplessly as my defense continued to expect pass nearly every down trailing 13-10 for the entire 4th quarter as Shaun Alexander tore me up. Even as deep into the 4th as under 2 minutes, we were still expecting pass. And, my defense used a TO with 2:11 left (I wouldn't have, but OK), and then again with 2:01 left (um...NO!!!!!).

This is why I usually never watch games, I just quick sim them.

Of course, the moral of the story was probably "Lions suck," which the quick sim would have confirmed for me.

[NYURDRMS]

I think I have stumbled on something else that has changed. It appears that the game doesn't allow you to renegotiate a player to a lower deal if you are already over the salary cap.

I am playing the Panthers and DeShaun Foster has a huge cap number after the first season, but didn't start a single game for me. He is willing to renegotiate his cap number down, but then I hit submit offer, it tells me:

This Contract would cost an extra $2,480,000 under the salary cap. You don't have enough cap room to make that offer. You might need to release some expensive veterans to make room for a full roster.

In typing that, I noticed it said "under", shouldn't that say over?

His current cap cost is $5,250,000, his new cost with the renegotiation would be $3,480,000.

What am I missing here?

[Eaglesfan27]

Play callin AI still needs work. My Lions were losing 10-3 with :35 seconds left in the 2nd quarter and had just got hit with a 10 yard penalty to make it 2nd and 20 at their own 10. They proceeded to try 3 passes and ended up punting. Nothing came of it, but...!

Then, in the 2nd half, I watched helplessly as my defense continued to expect pass nearly every down trailing 13-10 for the entire 4th quarter as Shaun Alexander tore me up. Even as deep into the 4th as under 2 minutes, we were still expecting pass. And, my defense used a TO with 2:11 left (I wouldn't have, but OK), and then again with 2:01 left (um...NO!!!!!).

This is why I usually never watch games, I just quick sim them.

Of course, the moral of the story was probably "Lions suck," which the quick sim would have confirmed for me.


I've also noticed teams unreasonably expecting passes when they should be expecting the team to run out the clock via running at the end of the game. I almost wonder if that setting was somehow mixed up in the programming. Going to post this as a possible bug in the other thread.

[cthomer5000]

I like the M for Mentor under the "notable" category. Nice addition.

[Northwood_DK]

I like the M for Mentor under the "notable" category. Nice addition.

But what is the "Red flag"?

Edit: Found the answer in the help file

"Icons showing whether the player is a potential clubhouse disrupter (Red Flag)"

[Cap Ologist]

Just an idea I had for the multiplayer conversion in a couple of weeks. I started a test league and I'm just quick simming for 20 years or so, then use that as a test case to see how leagues transfer.

[AlexB]

But what is the "Red flag"?

It T.O., Maurice Clarett, etc...

[larrymcg421]

I think I have stumbled on something else that has changed. It appears that the game doesn't allow you to renegotiate a player to a lower deal if you are already over the salary cap.

I am playing the Panthers and DeShaun Foster has a huge cap number after the first season, but didn't start a single game for me. He is willing to renegotiate his cap number down, but then I hit submit offer, it tells me:

This Contract would cost an extra $2,480,000 under the salary cap. You don't have enough cap room to make that offer. You might need to release some expensive veterans to make room for a full roster.

In typing that, I noticed it said "under", shouldn't that say over?

His current cap cost is $5,250,000, his new cost with the renegotiation would be $3,480,000.

What am I missing here?

I don't think you're missing anything. I posted about this in the bug thread.

It won't even let you do a "Cap Out Offer".

[Deattribution]

ok 1st year draft: No trades in the LOG: but it looks like this?
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a221/1985bustinout/solecismicI.jpg


Having experienced this with other teams and my own, it looks like it's due to the tied records switching draft places in latter rounds.

[Dutch]

Jim did promise to add the tie-breaker snake for the draft if he ever released another version of FOF. He kept his promise.

[Eaglesfan27]

Solevision just adds SO much to the immersion for me. Being able to jump into any game in real time, seeing all of the leaders in various categories, etc. It is really helping me to become more interested in players outside of my own team. I think this adds so much to SP as well as MP.

[Raiders Army]

how about the ability to re-name the coaches?
No
http://www.somethingwithanh.com/fofc/greta.bmp
Niiiiiiiiice. Changed mine now. Thanks!

[Flasch186]

no offense jim but i made the switch as well.

[Flasch186]

greta just counted down the "most careful Qbs" what does that mean?

[Alan T]

My daughter just told me that she didn't like Greta.

I asked her why.

She said she didn't like the jersey.

[cthomer5000]

greta just counted down the "most careful Qbs" what does that mean?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Trojan_condom.jpg/200px-Trojan_condom.jpg

[LionsFan10]

I can't view Depth Chart - Backfield, but I can for everything else. It pops up but goes away in a split second. Help?

Anybody (Jim) care to address this problem? This post has gone completely unnoticed in this thread.

[jeff061]

Maybe would have seen more attention in a different one. (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=53742)

Edit: And he posted there as well. No reason to expect a followup here.

[henry296]

Skydog,

Any thoughts on the injury setting. From the demo, I thought it was okay, but probably a bit low.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I'm not sure if we got lucky this year, but I only had a handful of injuries that forced me to make moves. No one out for the year, and i think only Shaun Rogers missed more than 2 games.

BTW, in that first season, I took Detroit to 9-7 but we narrowly missed the playoffs. In the AFC Championship Game, it was...New England at Indy. Indy won 27-0, and Peyton Manning was Game MVP with 35/49, 337 yards, 3 TDs and a 110.6 rating!

[Pyser]

ok, i give up.

what does the (x) mean in the players injury screen? as in:

2007 Week 17 IND Mild Foot Injury (x)

[molson]

In Solevision, I can see my game's game long progressing, but I have no idea what the current down is, or where the ball is on the field. I assuming it's just me or I'm missing something, because otherwise I can't see how one could follow a game there. Anyone else?

[Peregrine]

ok, i give up.

what does the (x) mean in the players injury screen? as in:

2007 Week 17 IND Mild Foot Injury (x)

It means they re-injured a previous injury. Cool eh?

Related to this, you can click on the injuries that people get and it will tell you the chance of aggravating it, along with its overall seriousness.

[RedKingGold]

ok, i give up.

what does the (x) mean in the players injury screen? as in:

2007 Week 17 IND Mild Foot Injury (x)

It means that your player is "tired"

http://www.fof-gefl.com/upload/RedKingGold/fof212.jpg

I'm guessing its a hint to what happens if you play your player with injury

[henry296]

In Solevision, I can see my game's game long progressing, but I have no idea what the current down is, or where the ball is on the field. I assuming it's just me or I'm missing something, because otherwise I can't see how one could follow a game there. Anyone else?

It is between the PBP description and the Team Stats. I wonder if it is a color issue. What team are you playing with?

[Pyser]

hmm, i dont know.

im talking about the (x) on the actual player card, where transactions and injuries are listed.

[Pyser]

It means they re-injured a previous injury. Cool eh?

Related to this, you can click on the injuries that people get and it will tell you the chance of aggravating it, along with its overall seriousness.

thanks!

[molson]

It is between the PBP description and the Team Stats. I wonder if it is a color issue. What team are you playing with?

Interesting - I see the colored bar between the PBP and the Team Stat, but no text there. I started leagues with 3 different teams to make sure it wasn't a color issue, but no text for any of them.

I remember some other people having some text problems - not being able to see certain things. I'm running a relatively new, run-of-the-mill Dell laptop. I'll post over in the bug thread.

[jbmagic]

It means that your player is "tired"

http://www.fof-gefl.com/upload/RedKingGold/fof212.jpg

I'm guessing its a hint to what happens if you play your player with injury



also its that new fatigue thing that carries over from game to game if you play your player a lot from game to game.

[Flasch186]

solevision rox

[Joe]

do the injury settings equate pretty close to the FOF 2004 levels?

[AlexB]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Trojan_condom.jpg/200px-Trojan_condom.jpg

Matt Leinart wasn't on the list then ;)

[Galaxy]

Matt Leinart wasn't on the list then ;)

Should of had Paris Hilton instead of Greta.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on the game (trying to decide if I should wait for the first patch or not). Do you see a difference in team personalities when drafting, free agency, trading, player management? Do they stay true to getting players who fit the coaching system?

[AlexB]

I've only simmed a season and gone through one draft / FA offseason thus far, can't give you any definitive answer I'm afraid.

From what I've seen thus far, FA is tougher, the draft requires more thought, but unless I got lucky, you can find players easy enough - only one of my eight picks had future ability less than 45. Hopefully they'll all pan out.

[SlyBelle1]

For preseason games, how to did everyone set their settings to get their third and fourth stringers in?

I put my starting QB's playing time at "1", and he went 4-8 which was OK. But the 2nd string QB went 23-40 and the third QB never got into the game.

I see the same thing with the other positions as well. Besides sitting my 1st and 2nd string players, is there any way to set this up?

[Joker]

For preseason games, how to did everyone set their settings to get their third and fourth stringers in?

I put my starting QB's playing time at "1", and he went 4-8 which was OK. But the 2nd string QB went 23-40 and the third QB never got into the game.

I see the same thing with the other positions as well. Besides sitting my 1st and 2nd string players, is there any way to set this up?

ring that bell
and bench #1 player start #2 player and set him to 3

[SlyBelle1]

ring that bell
and bench #1 player start #2 player and set him to 3

But that would also prevent #1 from getting any reps...they all should get some.

[lighthousekeeper]

what am i missing about the solevision? Everyone's gushing about it, but all I can see it doing is regurgitating game logs (for games that have already been played) line by line as if they were all being played simultaneously (no MNF?). I would expect there to be at least some kind of rudimentary graphical representation of the action. This isn't a complaint, I'm just thinking there may be something to Solevision that I haven't seen - maybe haven't clicked the right button or something.

[Ksyrup]

Had a strange situation I noticed while looking at the next year's free agents. David Carr was released in week 11 the previous year after starting 9 games with 11 TDs, 8 INTs, and an 80.8 passing rating. I can understand maybe benching the guy, but releasing him 2 weeks later? Bizarre.

[Capital]

I'm playing Houston and D.Carr is very cuttable in my game. His scout rating is 21/21. I'm actually starting Sage Rosefelds.

[Dutch]

My #1 draft pick (RB) and I couldn't agree to terms before training camp. He agreed in exhibition week #2, and promptly went down in the last week #5 with an ACL tear. Wouldn't it be interesting if his missing training camp affected his injury proneness?

[Dutch]

Hmmm, that was weird, I just posted about 6 posts in a row because he reply button was being depressed everytime I hit the space bar. :eek:

[Ksyrup]

I'm playing Houston and D.Carr is very cuttable in my game. His scout rating is 21/21. I'm actually starting Sage Rosefelds.

Well sure, I understand that his ratings are bad, but he was performing reasonably well.

Warrick Dunn is also one of those names that gets cut in in week 1 that's bizarre to see on the waiver wires.

[finfan]

I just started and week 1 of exhibition I loose 8 players due to influenza.

Sean

[Deattribution]

A nice bit with the draft, in my 3rd year with Houston, I had the 12th pick overall. There was a really solid LB (nearly all maxed out except MTM) in the draft - but he didn't participate in any of the workouts so every team passed on him and he ended up falling to me at #12.

Just reaching the playoffs now (for the first time with houston) and he's considered the best LB in the league at 91/91 and the #4 player overall in the league now in his first season.

Nice little gamble.

[Hurst2112]

Well sure, I understand that his ratings are bad, but he was performing reasonably well.

Warrick Dunn is also one of those names that gets cut in in week 1 that's bizarre to see on the waiver wires.

are there waivers this year? or are you just talking about the FA list.

[henry296]

I don't know where the bug thread went, but I'll post this here.

Here the PBP: Pittsburgh: Strong formation, strength is left. The defense is in a 43 with prevent personnel and 4-deep zone coverage, keying aggressively on the pass.
1-15-PIT37 (4Q: 01:20) Omar Jacobs pass fell incomplete, intended for WR Willie Reid. CB Sheldon Brown knocked the ball out of his grasp. PENALTY: Pittsburgh was called for an Illegal Touch of Forward Pass. The penalty was declined. Pittsburgh Omar Jacobs was hurt on the play. This appears to be a minor leg injury. He should be able to remain in the game.

However, on the injury log, Jacobs' injury is a broken cheekbone. I think the PBP always says minor leg injury if the player can stay in the game.

[Deattribution]

Some encouraging things you didn't see in FOF2004 - I'm in 2010 in my season, the only 2 'major' QB changes are Michael Vick, who was released by ATL after his 1st season (they decided to draft a qb #7 overall) and has been traveling to several teams. Grossman is the other who is starting for the Jet's after trading for him in 2007. Both Mannings, Big Ben, Leftwitch, Brees, Brady, Leinart, Young, Palmer, Mcnabb, Bulger, hell even Tony Romo they're all on their original teams. I really disliked the way teams did franchise QBs in 2004, so far it seems much better.

Overall there are 8 new (introduced via drafts) QBs starting for teams, 5 of them are starters on the team that drafted them (all 1st rounders except one 7th round). The other 3 new qbs, two are from undrafted rookies, and one who was cut after being drafted in the 3rd round by Seattle two years later and then signed by Baltimore.

Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, NY Jets (via trade), Oakland, Tampa Bay and Washington are the the teams with QB changes, which to me is very believable based on the original real rosters, all of them realistically don't have a franchise QB to start with.

[twothree]

I am happy to see the general discussion forum's first page have about 50% of the threads relating to FOF.

[aran]

My very first impressions:

8-character league identifier? WTF?

There still are those lame "color schemes" that go with each team (and are usually ugly as crap)? That seems like such a 1998 thing to do... The fact that it's still around in 2007 annoys me a little.

Some random interface elements are now non-native? WTF?

The buttons that are always at the top of the screen beneath the menu bar are now right aligned. Why?

[MizzouRah]

That 8 charachter league identifier threw me off for a bit. I thought I was starting a multi player league.

[Hurst2112]

My very first impressions:

8-character league identifier? WTF?

There still are those lame "color schemes" that go with each team (and are usually ugly as crap)? That seems like such a 1998 thing to do... The fact that it's still around in 2007 annoys me a little.

Some random interface elements are now non-native? WTF?

The buttons that are always at the top of the screen beneath the menu bar are now right aligned. Why?

jim didn't have color in 98.

[aran]

There are some nice new features in the core of the game, but I'm kinda disappointed at the marginal interface changes, some of which just don't make any sense.

One thing in the core of the game that frustrates me: Why can't I "presim" for a certain number of years to provide a statistical backdrop of my league? What reason is there behind not having this feature, especially when ratings seem to be de-emphasized in 2007?

I like the new game planning screens for the most part. Now I may actually spend time making game plans.

Why aren't there mouse-overs on buttons and such to make it very clear what things do? Especially those buttons on the top right. The icons are meaningless to a new player. Also: Why are there two ways to open the simulation window? If you're going to make a button that actually says "Simulation Window", why don't you make buttons that just say "User Preferences Window", etc.?

Why make such enormous team logo spots? I can understand having them a bit larger, but their current size is much more than I'd expect.Not even madden has icons that big for the teams, and they've got professional designers to make these things for them.

Why can't I have multiple in-game windows open at once?

Why can't I click on a player's name in the "playing time" screen and see their player card?

Why does the "Exp." column's data have those weird icons?

[Deattribution]

Why make such enormous team logo spots? I can understand having them a bit larger, but their current size is much more than I'd expect.Not even madden has icons that big for the teams, and they've got professional designers to make these things for them.



IMO I like the size of the logos, the size gives people like Icy more room to work with to create unique logos like the stadium pack I'm using. It looks really good on the player card, and even better on the team schedule screen.

[Galaril]

are there waivers this year? or are you just talking about the FA list.

Waivers not in this version.

[yabanci]

has anybody been able to confirm that the so-called running back endurance bug has been fixed?

[Eaglesfan27]

has anybody been able to confirm that the so-called running back endurance bug has been fixed?


Westbrook has 100 endurance in my universe. I've run him 30 plus times in a game and had him get 7 or 8 catches. I've found that the PT % tends to correspond quite well to the split of carries that my #1 and #2 backs get. However, Westbrook is also in my 3rd and short, passing, etc.

He was starred for fatigue after the game though.

[Galaxy]

Damn dial-up. I want this game.

Could I do it in 2-3 hours?

[RedKingGold]

I still can't get over the depth now on the team statistics screen. I can spend all day analyzing and getting a better picture on why certain teams had the most success this season.

Also, I just watched a thrilling overtime divisional game between San Diego and Cincinnati on SoleVision.

While some may think that FOF 2007 is underwhelming; I am absolutely having more fun with it than any other version I've played. When Jim gets those minor bugs quashed, its going to be amazing!

[highfiveoh]

Damn dial-up. I want this game.

Could I do it in 2-3 hours?

Doesn't your browser give you a time estimate when you click and start saving a file?

[Hurst2112]

isn't there something like getright still around? something where he could stop it if needed?

[Galaxy]

Doesn't your browser give you a time estimate when you click and start saving a file?

Yes, but I would have to purchase the game first. So I don't want to purchase it then find out it will take an insane amount of hours.

[Deattribution]

Yes, but I would have to purchase the game first. So I don't want to purchase it then find out it will take an insane amount of hours.

no, there is a D/L link in the sticky thread at top.

[Galaxy]

no, there is a D/L link in the sticky thread at top.

Thanks.

I will wait until Tuesday and hook my laptop up to my bro's network.

[yabanci]

it seems like the retirement system is working better. Old players that used to hang around forever are now retiring more in line with what you'd expect.

[AZSpeechCoach]

My 1280x768 resolution widescreen laptop cannot handle the size of the windows. Even when minimizing my toolbar at the bottom, I still wind up with windows that are extending beyond the borders of my desktop. Is there anything that I can do about this? Does the retail version feature variable screen resolutions?

[Deattribution]

My 1280x768 resolution widescreen laptop cannot handle the size of the windows. Even when minimizing my toolbar at the bottom, I still wind up with windows that are extending beyond the borders of my desktop. Is there anything that I can do about this? Does the retail version feature variable screen resolutions?

I think this was something Jim fixed before the release of the game but he hasn't updated the demo with it yet. I don't have any issues with the full release now at 1024x768.

[Narcizo]

I am wondering if Owens and Vanderjahtthaht shouldn't both be red flags.

I'm guessing that Jim isn't allowed to programme in adverse commentary about real life players. It was the same with FM - you don't get negative personality comments about re-life players, only regens.

Love the draft. Pleased and disappointed with the FA tendencies of the AI - it's certainly improved over 2004 but there's still a long way to go.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Nah, he has red-flagged plenty of current real life players in the game. Plus, he has no license (nor needs one) for the player names so there wouldn't be any such condition on how to use them.

I think he just decided it would be dumb to always have the same guys red-flagged every year. I imagine he probably uses some kind of probability/x-factor for this when the game starts up.

[Galaxy]

Love the draft. Pleased and disappointed with the FA tendencies of the AI - it's certainly improved over 2004 but there's still a long way to go.

How's that?

[Narcizo]

Free Agency

In 2004 every team would release hoards of players every year at the start of free agency (a method to try and keep teams under cap with the limited AI available) and you almost always got the player you're targeting if you offer their asking price.

In 2007 they seem to release far fewer players and you sometimes have to offer over the asking price to get a player. Still not competitive enough though - it's easy to pick up 70 rated players at the end of free agency.

Draft

In 2004 it was horrible. Any mediocre DT and DE would be drafted before stellar quality QB or RB (most of the time). In the game that seems to have been taken a bit too far in the other direction as teams will draft averagish QBs with their first round despite huge holes in their roster they could address and a good QB already on the team with a lot of years left in the tank. The AI isn't perfect but it does seem a lot better.

[Celeval]

Nah, he has red-flagged plenty of current real life players in the game. Plus, he has no license (nor needs one) for the player names so there wouldn't be any such condition on how to use them.

I think he just decided it would be dumb to always have the same guys red-flagged every year. I imagine he probably uses some kind of probability/x-factor for this when the game starts up.

Yep - mutliple New Games result in different sets of red-flagged players.

[Flasch186]

you know what irritates me?

The fact that STILL, as far as I can tell, renegotiating with a player on your own team really isnt negotiating at all. You either pay what they want or they dont sign. I wouldve thought that that would have been a little more dynamic in this version.

[Narcizo]

There's room for renegotiating in terms of offering more bonus/less salary - more salary in year one/less bonus. I think setting up an AI that would be able to negotiate as you mean it would be a very complex task.

Something I've noticed about the draft. IN 2004 I used to pretty much ignore the blue/grey bars in terms of how well I generally thought a player would do (only paying attention to specific skills I was interested in) and base most of my judgement on development and, primarily, a comparison of the players projected potential and their combine scores. In 2007 (now that combines are included in the rookies' ratings) it seems that the bars are teh primiary indicator of how good a player is. If their bars are well positioned for a player in that ability class then you're likely to get "under-rated" or "very under-rated". Suddenly combines don't seem important.

Hopefully the great combine/sucky rating players will undergo more booms later on.

[Narcizo]

Dola,

that in turn means that scouts are really important in the draft. Which is as it should be - but it does seem to take some of the game players own "skill" out of drafting. I presume there's lots of stuff in there instead that I haven't even touched on though.

[Flasch186]

There's room for renegotiating in terms of offering more bonus/less salary - more salary in year one/less bonus. I think setting up an AI that would be able to negotiate as you mean it would be a very complex task.

Something I've noticed about the draft. IN 2004 I used to pretty much ignore the blue/grey bars in terms of how well I generally thought a player would do (only paying attention to specific skills I was interested in) and base most of my judgement on development and, primarily, a comparison of the players projected potential and their combine scores. In 2007 (now that combines are included in the rookies' ratings) it seems that the bars are teh primiary indicator of how good a player is. If their bars are well positioned for a player in that ability class then you're likely to get "under-rated" or "very under-rated". Suddenly combines don't seem important.

Hopefully the great combine/sucky rating players will undergo more booms later on.

I have not seen this. Even 10k short on the bonus and he says, "gimme just a lil bit mo, sir."

[Warhammer]

But what else do you expect? There's not too many different ways you can handle negotiations in a text sim.

Before renegotiating, check the agent. If he is a stubborn negotiator you're not going to get too far. If he is very low as a negotiator you can normally trim several million off the life of the contract.

[Flasch186]

....as far as ive seen, during the season, when renegotiating, like 2k4, you are not able to offer the player anything less than what they are demanding with a hope they accept. It is give into their demands or forget it. I wouldve thought that wouldve been tinkered with. The agent has nothing to do with it, UNLESS the player's asking price has the effect built into their demand price.