Have the meanings of Always and Never changed?

[Samdari]

Wanting to see how FOF handled TMQ's "no punt" theory, I set the "Go 4th down" adjustment to be "Always" everywhere on the page. Use these settings for first 60 minutes of game, and go to catch up and run out clock were both zero minutes per score behind.

Yet my punter led the league in punts (the offense was miserable?

I thought 2007 was supposed to give us more control of things. It seems we have no control over when our teams go for it on 4th down.

Anyone have any insight on how/if this screen actually changes things?

[MrDNA]

I thought I remembered reading that the 4th down conversion modifier only applies to times when teams might logically go for it i.e. when you're on your own 3 yard line and it's 4th and 20, you'll punt no matter what your settings are.

Or so I seeeeeeeeem to remember....

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I believe that's right. "Always" means you will always go for it when it makes sense. i.e. if you pick always, you will likely always go for it when it's 4th and 2 on the opponent's 40; not when it's 4th and 15 on your 10-yard line.

[Ben E Lou]

The Go 4th Down settings modify how frequently you try for a first down when it's fourth down. Your team will go for it based on the percentage you select. There are modifications made by the game. If it's before the fourth quarter, the limit is 30%. Also, the game will modify these attempts by the distance to go. There is no modification if there's one yard to go, but percentages drop sharply if there's more than one yard to go for the first down..

[cuervo72]

I'd been thinking of taking a similar approach, and actually have had these set to be high when trailing (aging punter, PK I didn't trust...and I remembered TMQ's previous article). Never noticed us going for it much at all. The help file would indeed seem to indicate why. The distance modification I can certainly understand. The fourth quarter limit, not as much for this specific theory, but certainly by the standard NFL way of thinking.

[Sgran]

Speaking of TMQ: It is curious that there is no commercial version of the sim software he was using. Maybe it's just FOF in disguise.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

TMQ needs new material. Like 3 years ago.