Team building strategies

[mattlanta]

These questions don't necessarily fit in the small questions thread anymore so I figured I'd expand a little bit more. I asked Ben, and he suggested I do this as well... So basically I'm wondering, what ratings do you look at the most when interpreting each position? What things matter the most to you? I'm sure each person will have a different opinion but i'm just curious what comes up from here.

[Julio Riddols]

At QB, I look for Sense Rush, Accuracy, and 3rd down passing above all. It is also nice to have a QB with a high Avoid INT rating. Just find a guy with a much higher overall rating than his visible bars suggest.

RB -> Hole recognition number 1, Breakaway speed second. I prefer a back who can catch as well as run, but those are pretty rare.

FB -> Another position I prefer a good receiver out of the backfield, but in the event you can't get that, go for a thumper who blocks the run like an O-lineman. It can make a big difference to have a stud FB who can either block or catch, or both.

TE -> I like a well rounded TE more than anything. I don't want a liability in the run game, and I don't want a useless receiver. I prefer this position be stronger in blocking in the event that there are no stud receivers with decent blocking skill.

WR-> Getting Downfield is tops, followed closely by route running. I weigh the rest of the bars almost equally. Guys who can make a high percentage pass into a big play are great when you don't have an all world QB.

OL -> Ideally, I want the whole line to be studs across the board, starting with the C position. You have to draft OL high and often, but if you keep your line stocked with studs, your offense will be a lot better for it. A stud OL with a stud RB can put together some dominant performances even if your QB is nothing more than a warm body. A stud OL also makes a big difference for a good QB. They can kill a defense with a group up front that can really give them time. One significant weak spot on your OL can be a killer in the event you run up against a strong Defensive front.

P -> Kicking power is all that matters here to me. A big leg makes up for its lack of touch when you're backed up and trying to change field position.

K-> Accuracy matters a lot now. A big leg doesn't mean much without an accurate kicker operating it. Kickoffs aren't as big of a deal as they used to be, but are a nice bonus.

DE-> For a 3-4, I want a run stuffer with good strength. For a 4-3, a pass rush specialist is preferable. Getting pressure on the opposing QB is a huge deal.

DT-> For either a 3-4 or a 4-3, I want a space eating run stuffer. Pass rush is icing on the cake. Gotta be stout up the middle, especially if you have speed rushers outside.

OLB -> 3-4 OLB should be speed rushers, coverage and run stopping are relatively optional. You want more run stopping skill in a 3-4 LB than you do in a 4-3 DE IMO. 4-3 OLB should be more well rounded, I put a high premium on coverage at this position. If you can get a cover LB who plays the run equally as well, you'll notice the difference. They can be as effective as a good DB in pass coverage.

MLB -> No matter which front I run, run stuffing is tops here. I prefer one who can drop in coverage to one who can rush the passer, but run stopping is the key.

CB -> Man coverage and run stopping. If my CB's can't play the run, I feel exposed. That said, they have to cover first and foremost.

SS -> The SS is an extra LB in my opinion. Its great if they can cover, but I want them to lay the wood and step up in the box to play the run. If they have to cover, I prefer zone to be the main bar in their coverage repertoire.

FS -> I love a zone cover man with the ability to make plays on the ball. Interception bars are high priority here as they are at all DB positions, but INT is probably the main bar I look for in a FS.

[Sharkn20]

This is simply FOF... Nothing to add to Julio's Post I think the same! Just to add the Timing bar to the QB cause I usually play a quick-tempo short pass offense and hit my WRs and TEs in stride is really important

[QuikSand]

This is simply FOF... Nothing to add to Julio's Post I think the same! Just to add the Timing bar to the QB cause I usually play a quick-tempo short pass offense and hit my WRs and TEs in stride is really important

All great, except in FOF the timing skill measures the QB's ability to take advantage of defensive miscues. It's not hitting your guy in stride as you suggest above.

[BreizhManu]

Pretty much like Julio Riddols except for CB where my priority is Interception

[Sharkn20]

All great, except in FOF the timing skill measures the QB's ability to take advantage of defensive miscues. It's not hitting your guy in stride as you suggest above.

I think you are wrong... check the game guide... :popcorn:

[Ben E Lou]

I think you are wrong... check the game guide... :popcorn:
Quarterbacks are scouted for their ability to complete screen, short, medium, long and deep passes, as well as their ability to complete third-down passes, their ability to hit a receiver in stride (accuracy) and their ability to take advantage of defensive miscues (timing). .

[Sharkn20]

.

Damn... thanks man, I needed to check the file by myself and change my QBs in the CFL after invest a low 1st Round in him...

[wustin]

I usually always prioritize my Oline first. I can have a mediocre rated runningback or quarterback perform very well because of having a great Oline.

[WebEwbank]

I find that prioritizing needs and balancing best-available-player versus filling-a-need is more critical to my outcomes than getting the absolute best guy at a single position. QB, WR, CB, DE are the key positions in my experience. It's a passing league, dude...

[garion333]

Julio laid out most of the basic stuff, but keep in mind if you want to do certain types of gameplans some things are more important than others. His points are for his gameplanning.

If you want to throw long, sacrifice run blocking for pass blocking.

A WR w/o big play are usually fairly ineffective. BPR is an absolute must if you want to throw long.

Endurance is now super important for OL. They are pretty much going to be in the entire game and a tired lineman becomes a liability. (Doesn't matter much on DL.)

Really, to effectively answer your question, what sort of team do you want? I used to run all the time and have a good defense with great DBs. Did pretty well, but throwing is and was more important than running, usually. Now, I'm more about throwing and getting to the QB. I draft and sign according to that. I'm definitely more successful now.

But, play your way. I'm bored with throwing, so I'm switching things up yet again.

[redfox000]

But, play your way. I'm bored with throwing, so I'm switching things up yet again.

I change strategies based on my personnel. I usually draft best-player-available and attempt to hit needs in Free Agency. I typically lean towards a good defense and run heavy, but have been known to be a pass-heavy offense when I get a stud QB/WR/WR/WR/TE combo. I like to have a great RB for a long period of time, but the best course that I follow more often is draft a couple OL high every draft..build a good OL...then get a solid RB in the draft or FA and keep them till their contract runs out and run them into the ground until they demand high dollar on the market. A good receiving RB and FB can be a huge plus in the passing game if you play SP and call your own plays. I typically can get several 15-20 yd passes per game to my RB and FB each.,

[irabowman]

Glad I found this thread I found it to be very helpful, and insightful. Thanks to everyone who gave their input.