Why the f@$% can't Jim get clock mgmt right??!!
 

Sometime the CPU clock mgmt works flawlessly, other times, its like you're playing a totally different game. I just played one game where the cpu was on offense with two minutes to go in the 1st half and just let the clock expire (ok I know coaches often do this in real life because they're "content to let the clock run out". Well it bugs me in real life too!). And then at the end of the game the cpu just let the clock run out on defense while trailing, without calling a TO.

How difficult is it to get this right anyway?! The logic for calling time outs seems pretty simple to me. Here's how I would do it. (Of course, all these scenarios assume the clock is running and the CPU has time outs left)

Last 2 minutes of 1st half

CPU on offense - CPU calls time out, unless its 4th down and they're going to punt
CPU on defense - CPU doesn't call time out, unless its 4th down and they expect a punt


Last 2 minutes of 2nd half:

CPU has lead - CPU calls no time outs
CPU trailing - CPU calls time outs

I know there are certain cases where coaches may deviate from this logic (especially the Redskins!), but if the CPU stuck to these simple rules, I don't think anyone would complain. These are basic IF statements. As complex as some parts of this game are, I can't understand why it is so difficult to get this right.

he does it intentionally to piss you off

Did the defensive team have TOs left?

if its not that hard, you should put it in your game

I think that only occurs if you are infected by spyware. Check your computer to see if you have a file named joegibbs.exe, also hermedwards.exe causes it sometimes too.

Of course they did. I wouldn't be complaining if they didn't.

Classic, yeah...stuff like that couldn't possibly happen IRL :rolleyes:

How much were they down? You should explain the whole situation, post a game log, something... so maybe Jim can see what happened?

They were down by 13 points. I could understand if they were down by more than 16 points, but if you're down by less than 3 scores, you have to use your time outs.

My thoughts as well. If down by 3 JimboJ's scenario would be unforgivably sloppy time management. If down by 33, then it makes perfect sense not to call TOs.

depends on the head coach playcalling rating too

That would actually make some sense. But I gotta believe even the dumbest coach in the league has to know when to call TO's.

There oughta be a test you have to pass before you get your coaches license. :)

just curious what was that team head coach playcalling rating ?

Awesome :D

SI

You'd think that, wouldn't you? And almost every time a post like this comes up, someone posts an example from that Sunday's games that exactly mirrors the FOF situation.

And for the record, you have a better chance of getting something fixed if you post nicely instead of insulting the programmer. Especially right after said programmer gave us a couple of very nice updates completely for free.

Yep.

Hey, you're supposed to have timeouts left at the end of the half/game?


Signed,

Mike Martz

Word.

salami......i mean "hear hear"

The Funny, both intentional and otherwise, is strong in this thread....

I didn't mean to insult Jim, and I apologize if that's the way it came off.

I DO appreciate the updates, and I think this is an awesome game. I'm just frustrated because this one aspect of the game still does not work right. I play out all my games, and something admittedly small like this can just ruin an individual game for me.

I do realize coaches sometimes make bonehead mistakes when it comes to clock management. But no coach at the NFL level is going to sit there and let the clock run out on defense while his team is trailing by only two scores and not use any time outs.

Again, I apologize to Jim.

I've heard that the mikemartz.dll causes your team to use all it's time outs way too early too...

FM

I think Joe Gibbs did that this season when his team was only trailing by one score, it was against the Cowboys I think. He either didn't use them or waited too long to use them, I'm not sure.

I'm not sure, but I think that was when the 'skins on offense, not defense. Its a little trickier on offense, because you have other options to stop the clock (spike the ball, get out of bounds, etc.). On defense, you only have one option - call TO.

BTW, I consider Gibbs to be one of the best NFL coaches of all time, and it baffles me that he still struggles with clock management. Must be still dizzy from watching all those race car go round in circles. :)

The Redskins' problems have been more with prematurely burning timeouts than anything else.

My thunder stolen! Great post.

That's been largely because they can't seem to get out of the huddle, get to the line of scrimmage, and get the play off before the play clock expires.

I understood Gibbs' problems with this early in the year, but watching it happen just last week was maddening. I'm really, really hoping that with a year and a full offseason to work out the bugs, Gibbs will be able to get things on track.

Fixed it for you.:p

This is one of the funniest comments I've read at FOFC in some time..

CLASSIC!!! POST HALF OF FAMER!!