Position switch DE --> LB
 

I recently drafted Carr in a MP league and have to make a tough decision.

I'm looking for some advice on a position change. I would ultimate like to be able to keep him at DE, but he will not gain any more weight. So, given that fact, this fellow looks to be the perfect weight for a MLB/OLB. He sure as hell won't make for a good DE at that weight...

My scout tells me that when switching him to MLB "There's reason to believe his ratings will increase." But when I make the switch his rating drops to something like 6/50 and his development shows 0% I've read in another thread that the rating is masked so we can't peek ahead, but this extreme drop gives me pause.

When looking at switching him to OLB it says he should maintain his current rating, but again when the switch is made he has an extreme drop. So I'm scratching my head a little with this guy.

Are the ratings shown after a position switch (before it is simmed) just complete BS? Should I make the move?

what does it say about experience?

Yes, the pre-simmed post-change ratings are bunk. Experience should be about the same judging by the colors.

If I change him to MLB it says he would have a slight experience reduction.

If I change to OLB it says roughly the same experience.

DE to LB is a change that can work, but there are a couple of drawbacks:

- DEs tend to have very limited pass coverage skills (in my experience), which makes them less useful as linebackers (unless you want a pass-rushing WLB in the 3-4)
- the experience issue - will usually have some experience at OLB, but will often be starting from scratch if you want them to play ILB

Martin

That sounds about right to me. I'll probably move him to OLB. Either way, he's going to be a project that will take a while to develop fully. I don't necessarily run the 3-4 right now, but maybe if he makes enough progress I can make the switch from 4-3 in a few years, or trade him to someone looking for a pass rusher for their 3-4.

The alternative of keeping him at DE... Anyone have success with a DE this far underweight?

Based on what?

I thought I read something somewhere that stated essentially that if a player is way underweight at his position he will not perform at his overall rating

Remper, there's a *very* wide range between this...

...and this...

Wasn't the Vike's DE Alan Page undersized?

All his test scores are better than average for a DE. His 40 yard dash and agility scores are better than average for the position and tend to highlight his good pass rush technique potential. He may not be a real run stopper, but a good pass rusher from the DE position is a bonus.

I'd leave him at DE...as a late second round draft choice...do you recall how many DE's were ranked higher than Carr?

He was pretty tiny at the end of his career, in comparison to modern ends. About 230lbs, I believe.

But it wasn't like he was ever the MVP or anything...

:D Legend.

Having said that, I've not had a successful end at that weight in FOF. But there's a first time for everything... I'd never had a QB average over 70% completions over a 17 year career before my current game. How things change. ;)

DE Billy Brentley is similarly undersized and has had a solid career.

Robert Mathis says hi.

dola-
I've never bothered to even look at weights. Is this something I'm just missing out on?

Jim has said it matters but I've never seen any evidence of it. I don't even bother weight training any more unless I am trying to turn a S into a CB.

I would personally leave the guy as a DE. If you switch him to OLB, you've basically wasted a pick here, as he's not likely to be good at all.

I tend to believe that it matters. Based on experience and testing, I don't believe it matters enough to pay close attention to it unless you're position-switching.

Sounds like an interesting situation. Keep us posted. Maybe his ratings will rise right after you switch him -and by that I mean the following sim.

I decided to leave him at DE. I will continue to update his progress, but I won't be able to provide solid stats right now. He will be a backup to two very solid DEs I have right now. After training camp and preseason he stands at 27/60 overall.

Coincidentally, I have a very similarly undersized DE like Brentley in Elvis Dumervil (5'11" 260) whom led the league in sacks last season.

People here seem to be saying that the difference between 260 and 248 at DE is not as significant a difference as I first thought. It'll be interesting to see the progression.

I thought size and weight only came into play when you looked to change a player's position?

The developer made it quite clear that it comes into play in performance, too. I'm suggesting that it's a small enough effect that it's not worth taking into account. I'd rather have a 5'8" 180 pound WR who is 65/65 than a 6'4" 215 guy who is 55/55, in other words.