HC 09: Detroit Lions

[sabotai]

This may end up being a test career. We'll see. I've had the game for awhile, but those who just started playing, don't take this as a tutorial to skills or anything. I have not read up on the game at OS nor do I really know which skills are good or not.

Here is my coach:

Name: Sabotai Bagatur (Coach 14 appearance for those with the game)
Personality: Analyst

Skills
Team Chemistry: Skill 5 (Maxed out) - Lowers chance of players taking a negative status action and decreases chance of players retiring.
Performance: Level 3 - Everyone plays better

Special Skills
Ambition - Lowers cost of all other special skilsl by 15%

Playbooks
Offense: Steeler's Smashmouth
Defense: Spagnuolo Pressure

Of course I'm taking the Giants' defense. For offense, I wanted something that focused on the rush and gave me play action options. With Detroit, I do have a few great WRs, but Kitna is not that guy, and getting a good enough RB is easier than getting a QB that can stretch the field. We will run and we will work off of it.

[sabotai]

Off-Season 2008

NFL Draft Preview
The general strength at each position
QB: 2/5
RB: 3/5
WR: 5/5
TE: 2/5
OL: 2/5
DE: 3/5
DT: 4/5
LB: 3/5
CB: 5/5
S: 2/5

I take this to mean a combination of how good the top players are and the general depth at each position, but I may be wrong on that. Either way, it looks like a good year if you need a WR (I don't), a DT or a CB (can't have too many great defenders is my philosophy.)

Here's a rundown of my Philosophy settings for player types.

QB: Field General
RB: Workhorse
FB: Balanced:
WR: Quick/Route Runner
TE: Soft Hands/Routes
C: Size/Strength/Mauler
G: Size/Strength/Mauler
T: Balanced

DT: One-Gap Penetrator
DE: Undersized Pass Rusher
OLB: Prototype
MLB: Power/Blitzer
CB: Man Coverage/Ballhawk
FS: Centerfield
SS: Coverage

K: Balanced
P: Balanced

[sabotai]

Franchise Tag
No one

New Season Goals
Acquire a TE of 85+ Overall Rating (OR)
Acquire a RG of 85+ OR
Acquire a HB of 85+ OR

My approval with the GM (who I am going to force out next off-season) will +/- 25 with each goal.

Senior All Stars
Quarterbacks: Erik Ainge
--- I'm going to try and find a QB in the late rounds, so I'm going to focus my scouting down at the bottom.
Running Backs: Chris Johnson, Matthew Forte, Chauncey Washington
--- RB will be a big focus, both for my first pick and later rounds. Chris Johnson may be a 1st round pick.
WR/TE: Fred Davis, Brad Cottam, Martin Rucker, Kellen Davis, Jacob Tamme, Dexter Jackson
--- Dexter Jackson is the only WR on that list, the rest are tight ends. TE = big need, WR = not drafting except maybe a depth guy late
Off. Line: C Mike Pollack, RG Oneil Cousins, LG Chad Rinehart
--- The 3 best OL players available to scout here except the top two guys who I doubt I'll be able to get at #15.
Def. Line: DE Lawrence Jackson, DT Trevor Laws
--- Will be looking for some great DL players, but not a huge priority.
Linebackers: ROLB Keith Rivers, MLB Dan Connor, LOLB Jordan Dizon
--- I think the LB position will always be the most important. I'll always be looking for superstars there. Keith Rivers is a potential 1st round pick.
Def. Backs: CB Dominique Cromartie, CB Tracey Porter
--- Looking for fast, really fast, man coverage guys
K/P: P Durant Brooks, K Brandon Coutu
--- Meh


Here is how the players above look after scouting them, and my own notes. Right now, Overall Rating means very little. It can skyrocket pretty quickly.

QB: Erik Ainge (OR: 24) -Not very good accuracy, and worse awareness. He may be off my board.

RB Chris Johnson (OR 83) - Very fast, but his negatives are "Toughness" and "Durability". Not good if I'm looking for a workhorse.

RB Matthew Forte (OR 77) - Not fast, and may have ball control issues. But his top plus is "Power". I'm going to keep scouting him.

RB Chauncey Washington (OR 18) - Very slow, but big and powerful. May scout some more as a late round pickup.

TE Fred Davis (OR 78) - Can catch, can't block. I know my "philosophy" says I want a TE that can catch, but some blocking would be nice. Will keep him on the board.

TE Brad Cottam (OR 60) - Intelligent and big. Decent speed too. Will keep scouting.

TE Martin Rucker (OR 53) - Good hands, but pretty slow. Also not a good blocker.

TE Kellen Davis (OR 16) - Good catching, but terrible blocker.

TE Jacob Tamme (OR 17) - Intelligent, good catching, terrible blocker. Also lacks size for the position.

WR Dexter Jackson (OR 59) - Fast. NFL Comparison is "Devin Hester", so I guess he could be a great return guy.

C Mike Pollack (OR 70) - Average ratings, intelligent. Small size, though, so he probably won't do well in a smashmouth running system.

LG Chad Rinehart (OR 31) - High durability, intelligent.

RG Oneil Cousins (OR 29) - Big, good pass blocker, terrible run blocker

LE Lawrence Jackson (OR 88) - Speed rusher, a pretty good one, but not very intelligent

DT Trevor Laws (OR 83) - Has the speed to be a pass rusher, but not the skills.

LOLB Jordan Dizon (OR 70) - This guy can hit. And he can learn. I'll be scouting him a lot more.

ROLB Keith Rivers (OR 92) - Not good in coverage, but he's a beast in a lot of areas. Will scout him more and may be my #1 pick.

MLB Dan Connor (OR 72) - Has character issues, also not good in coverage.

CB Dominique Cromartie (OR 86) - Good in man coverage, not good in zone (don't plan on playing much zone, though). May stop scouting, though, since he won't last beyond round 1 and I'm looking elsewhere for round 1.

CB Tracey Porter (OR 77) - Fast, decent in man, bad in zone. Could be a round 2 or 3 pickup. Will scout more.

Won't bother with K/P...

[sabotai]

And this should go without saying, but I will anyway. If you've played the game a lot and know how certain players turn out, please don't not say so. IOW, no spoilers please!

[sabotai]

NFL Combine

List of players I scouted at the combine.

QB T.C. Ostrander
HB Chris Johnson
HB Rashard Mendenhall
HB Matthew Forte
TE Dustin Keller
TE John Carlson
TE Fred Davis
TE Martellus Bennett
TE Brad Cottam
TE Craig Stevens
WR Dexter Jackson
RG Chilo Rachal
C Mike Pollack
LG Chad Rinehart
LE Lawrence Jackson
DT Trevor Laws
LOLB Jordan Dizon
MLB Curtis Lofton
MLB Tavares Gooden
CB Tracy Porter
CB Terrence Wheatley

Not much to say about them, really. As I build up my draft board, I'll talk more about the players. A lot will drop off depending on what I do during free agency.

[sabotai]

Free Agent Targets

HB Travis Henry - I think he would be a great fit for my system. His overall rating won't be good enough to satisfy the Season Goal Oh well, I want to get rid of my GM anyway.

If I fail to get Henry, I' plan to go after Micheal Turner.

I may also go after Kevan Barlow as a #2 guy. Right now, the Lions have nobody at HB.

FB Dan Kreider - The guy can run block.

Tight End: L.J. Smith and Alge Crumpler will be available. I will make a play for one of them, not sure which yet.

Right Guard: Several players in the 80-85 OR region. I'll try to grab one at a discount.

C Jeff Faine - He could be a great guy to anchor my offensive line. I'll see if I can grab him as well.

Left End: Several players in the 70-80 OR range. Will grab one of them to get some depth. Will need to find a starter here, though, at some point.

MLB: Need to grab a backup guy.

CB: Need to find a second CB. Lots of them in the 70-80 OR range.

FS: Will be going after either Eugene Wilson or Ken Hamlin.

SS: Need one, but there aren't any out there. May sign a FS and move him to SS.

[sabotai]

Free Agency

CB Marcus Trufant (OR 89) - $37 million / 5 years + $6 mil signing bonus
--- This gives me two good corners, but I still lack depth. I went after Asante Samuel, but the Titans just made it too expensive. I got Trufant for about $1.5 mill a year less than what I would have had to give for Samuel.

FS Ken Hamlin (OR 87) - $16 million / 4 years + $2.5 mil signing bonus
--- Better at zone than man, but he's too much of an upgrade. Lost out on Eugene Wilson, but again, I saved a bit by getting the second best guy in FA.

Trade
To Detroit: TE Desmond Clark (77)
To Chicago: WR Shaun McDonald (78), 2008 7th Round Pick

Dumped a WR I didn't need (since I still have Furrey), and a pick that will likely get me nothing for a good player in a position of dire need.

HB Travis Henry (OR 81) - $26 mil / 5 years + $4 mil signing bonus
--- Denver and KC drove up the price, but I was getting my guy damnit!

C Jeff Faine (OR 87) - $14 mil / 3 years + $2 mil signing bonus

Trade
To Detroit: SS Lawyer Milloy (75)
To Atlanta: 2008 5th round pick, 2009 6th round pick

Probably overpaid for him, but at least I now have a decent guy at SS.

RG John Welburn (84) - $2.8 mil / 1 year - $250k signing bonus

HB Derrick Ward (70) - $1.6 mil / 1 year - no signing bonus. A few incentives he'll never get.
--- Decent #2 back behind Travis Henry.

[sabotai]

New Season Goals

Don't draft anyone with lower than an 85 Potential in rounds 1 and 2
Draft someone with 85+ potential on Day 2.

FA Recap

FA Additions: 6
FA Loses: 14

Cap Room: $25 million
Roster Size: 42
RFAs Lost: 1 (I did not tender a guy, he was the one taken)

2008 NFL Draft

Round 1

6 - NY Jets - ROLB Keith Rivers (I was negotiating a trade with them to move up, and they wanted too much. They end up taking the guy I wanted)

Trade - There is still talent on the board, but not much there that I really want. I could pick CB Cromartie, but I signed Trufant and have 2 guys there that will be good for awhile.

To Oakland: 2008 15th pick
To Detroit: 2008 Round 4 (101st), 2009 Round 1, 2009 Round 3

Hopefully Oakland will stink so that Round 1 pick is a good one.

Round 2 - Pick #45: RG Chilo Rachal
Round 3 - Pick #76: CB Terrell Thomas
Round 3 - Pick #87: DT Letroy Guion
Round 4 - Pick #101: RG Oneil Cousins
Round 4 - Pick #108: QB T.C. Ostrander
Round 4 - Pick #111: TE Jacob Tamme
Round 6 - Pick #170: LE Chris Harrington

Not real happy with how the draft turned out. Next year will be better.

[sabotai]

New Season Goals

Jeff Faine's Playbook knowledge
Calvin Johnson's Playbook knowledge
Leigh Bodden's Playbook knowledge

Add 10 new plays

Marcus Trufant plays 50 downs in preseason
Jeff Faine plays 50 downs in preseason
Ken Hamlin plays 50 downs in preseason

Training Camp

Roy Williams tore a calf muscle and will be out 3-5 weeks. Looks like he'll miss most of preseason.

Travis Henry will miss the first preseason game with a dislocated toe.

Roster (At Start of Training Camp)

(Includes undrafted free agents and invites)

QB: Jon Kitna (79), Drew Stanton (47), Andre Woodson (37), T.C. Ostander (45)
HB: Travis Henry (81), Derrick Ward (70), Brian Calhoun (64), Renardo Randolph (60)
FB: Marvin McPhearson (81), Jon Bradley (62)
TE: Desmond Clark (77), Jacob Tamme (66), Dan Campbell (56), Sean McHugh (55)
WR: Calvin Johnson (87), Roy Williams (87), Mike Furrey (76), David Givens (66), Eddie Drummand (61), Kelley Washington (57)
RT: Jarred Farms (82), Jonathan Scott (80), Rob Retitti (76)
LT: Jevon Tate (84), Jeff backus (81), Leander Jordan (73)
RG: John Welbourn (84), Chila Rachal (79), Oneil Cousins (73)
LG: Edwin Mulitalo (84), Manuel Ramirez (81)
C: Jeff Faine (87), Roger Cody (79), Dominic Raiola (76)
K: Jason Hanson (87)
P: Nick Harris (84)
LE: Jared Devries (70), Chris Harrington (67), Ikaika Alama-Francis (63)
RE: Dewayne White (80), Akbar Gbaja Biamila (72), Tyler Brayton (71)
DT: Letroy Guion (79), Cory Redding (77), Shaun Cody (74), Jay Nalen (61)
LOLB: Alex Lewis (75), Warrick Holdman (74)
ROLB: Ernie Sims (81), Anthony Connor (74), Geno Hayes (73), Caleb Miller (71)
MLB: Paris Lenon (76), Niko Koutuvides (72), Mike Smith (68), Buster Davis (64)
CB: Marcus Trufant (89), Leigh Bodden (85), Terrell Thomas (71), Dovonte Edwards (68), Jack Williams (68)
FS: Ken Hamlin (87), Gerald Alexander (78), Dwight Smith (76), Daniel Bullocks (70)
SS: Lawyer Milloy (75), Bo Wilson (69), Jason Bell (67), Javon Adams (66), Greg Blue (65)

Many of these people will be out of a job on the various cut days.

[sabotai]

Preseason

Game 1: vs. Indianapolis

The goal is to just increase playbook knowledge. I will be barely paying attention to what is going on in the game. Just simply calling plays that aren't known.

TE Desmond Clark leaves the game on the second drive.

The first half went as expected. My offense did nothing and the Colts put up 20 points. Leigh Bodden did pick off a pass on the Colts first drive, but that was it.

The highlight came, though, when Drummond returned a kickoff for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the half to make it 20-10. He earned a spot on the roster.

I let the AI pick the plays for the 2nd half. We stole a play action pass out of the singleback formation from them.

Final Score: Indianapolis 37, Detroit 10

Some injuries in this game

WR Eddie Drummond is out 4-6 Weeks
RG John Welbourn is out 4-6 Weeks
TE Dan Campbell is out 4-6 Days (will probably be ready for next week's game)

[sabotai]

Preseason Week 2: at Cincinnati

Travis Henry 1st half stats: 13 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD

The 1st half ended with Cincy up 20-10. I was again just working on play knowledge so I wasn't concentrating on the situation.

Final Score: Detroit 18, Cincinnati 26

Marcus Trufant and Ken Hamlin has played 50+ downs so their Goals are completed.

Signed LE Chris Clemons (OR 76) to a 1 year, $1.2 mil deal.

Calvin Johnson reaches his play learned goal

Added "Game Film Analysis" to my Special Skills.

Preseason Week 3: vs. Cleveland

I just simmed this game. I trimmed down my play books a lot so they should be mastered more quickly.

Final Score: Cleveland 23, Detroit 6

Jeff Faine played 50+ preseason downs and reaches his goal.

Jeff Faine reached his play learning goal

Preseason Week 4: at Buffalo

Just simmed this one again.

Final Score: Detroit 10, Buffalo 6

Leigh Bodden reached his play learning goal.


Regular Season

I told the owner that we would finish the season below .500.

Thanks to two successful "Defining Moments" in two of the preseason games (yeah, defining moments in preseason games...), my Approval Rating is at 89 right now. 91 with Fans, 99 with Media, 69 with the Owner, 87 with Players and 99 with Staff.

2008 Schedule

Week 1: at Atlanta
Week 2: vs. Green Bay
Week 3: at San Francisco
Week 4: Bya
Week 5: vs. Chicao
Week 6: at Minnesota
Week 7: at Houston
Week 8: vs. Washington
Week 9: at Chicao
Week 10: vs. Jacksonville
Week 11: at Carolina
Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay
Week 13: vs. Tennessee
Week 14: vs. Minnesota
Week 15: vs. Indianapolis
Week 16: vs. New Orleans
Week 17: at Green Bay

New Season Goals

Fans: Beat Packers in Week 2
Owner: Win 3 of first 4 games
Owner: Resign K Jason Hanson
Media: Hire a new GM
Owner: End the season with an Approval of 90 or higher

Well the fans and owner will be disappointed by week 5, I think. I am definitely going to resign Hanson and Millen is as good as gone.

[sabotai]

Before we kick off the season, a look ahead to the 2009 NFL Draft

2009 NFL Draft Preview
QB: 5/5
RB: 3/5
WR: 5/5
TE: 2/5
OL: 3/5
DE: 5/5
DT: 4/5
LB: 5/5
CB: 1/5
S: 4/5

Looks like next year could be the year of the Quarterback, Defensive End and Linebacker. I'm going to be looking for a few upgrades on defense. Andre Woodson has actually turned out nicely with a Potential of 92, so I may have my QB of the future. I'll still be looking to see what the draft has, though.

[sabotai]

Week 1: Detroit (0-0) at Atlanta (0-0)

Not playing today
HB Travis Henry (Bruised Heel - will be back next week)
RG John Welbourn (Dislocated elbow - should be back next week)
LT Leander Jordan (Severe Pulled Hamstring - 5-8 Weeks)
WR Eddie Drummond (Hernia - should be back next week)

First Half: We start off by stopping them at midfield on their opening drive. We drive the field, but stall at the 30 and kick a FG to go up 3-0. It then becomes a battle of field position. They kept up us pinned at the 20. On one drive, we started at the 1, but could only get to the 6 before having to punt. They eventually put something together and score a touchdown with just under 2 minutes to go in the half. Kitna comes alive a bit and we are able to drive to the 34 yardline before running out of time and having to settle for the long FG try. Hanson makes it (barely).

I lost two of my starting offensive linemen early in the game.

Half-time Score: Detroit 6, Atlanta 7

Second Half: C Jeff Faine is injured for the game at the start of the 2nd half. 3 out of my starting 5 O. Linemen, gone.

They start off by marching down the field and kicking a FG to make it 10-6. We answer back at the beginning of the 4th quarter by kicking a FG to make it 10-9 Atlanta. Our defense stands strong, but our offense sputters. With about 5 minutes left on a 3rd and long, Lawyer Milloy comes up with an interception and returns it to midfield. We slowly drive the field and get it to Atlanta's 20 yardline. With 1:15 left, we kick the go ahead FG. Atlanta gets it back, starts driving, but Lawyer Milloy again comes up with an interception to finish out the game.

Final Score: Detroit 12, Atlanta 10

Stats

Jon Kitna: 20 / 32, 161 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 75.1 Rating

Derrick Ward: 17 carries, 66 yards
Brian Calhoun: 7 carries, 31 yards

Calvin Johnson: 9 rec, 71 yards
Brian Calhoun: 5 rec, 17 yards
Derrick Ward: 3 rec, 16 yards
Roy Williams: 2 rec, 25 yards
Desmond Clark: 1 rec, 11 yards
Mike Furrey: 1 rec, 20 yards

Lawyer Milloy: 7 tackles, 1 sack, 2 Int

In total, 3 sacks and 9 hurries. We harassed Trent Green all game. Luckily for use, though, Atlanta has no receivers at all. Also lucky is that Darren McFadden is a rookie who has not developed yet. Still, holding McFadden to 28 yards on 10 carries seems a bit much (he split time 50/50 with another back), but it's only one game.

I wonder how destroyed my offensive line is now....

LG Edwin Mulitalo is out 5-8 weeks
LOLB Warrick Holdman is out 1-3 weeks
LT Jeff Backus is out 1-3 monts

Luckily, C Faine will be fine, as will RG Chilo Rachal who also was knocked out of the game.

[Izulde]

Milloy saved your asses.

What sliders are you using btw?

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Milloy saved your asses.

What sliders are you using btw?

These are the sliders I used for Week 1, but I am going to create a system where I adjust the sliders based on how good or bad my opponents are (and how good and bad my team is). My goal is to make the superstars look like superstars and the scrubs look like scrubs.

Human and CPU are the same

QB Acc: 20
Pass Block: 55
WR Catch: 25
RB Ability: 60
Run Block: 85

Def. Aware: 50
Knockdown: 95
Interceptions: 60
Break Block: 75
Tackling: 65

FG Power: 50
FG Acc: 60
Punt Power: 45
Punt Acc: 65
KO Distance: 50


As soon as I'm done creating my system, I'll post it here and use this dynasty as the testbed for it.

[sabotai]

Here is the system I'm testing out.

Qb Acc: Start at 25. Take QB's THA rating. For each point over 85, add 1. For each point under 85, subtract one. For each point over 95, add 2 points.

Pass Block: Start at 50. Take the average Pass Block for the 5 starting linemen. For each point above 80, add 1 point. For each point below 80, subtract 1.

WR Catch: Start at 25. Take the avergae OR for the top 2 WR and the TE. For each point above 80, add 1. For each point below 80, subtract 1.

RB Ability: Start at 60. Take the starting RB's OR. For each point above 80, add 1. For each point below, subtract 1.

Run Block: Start at 70. Take the average Pass Block for the 5 starting linemen. For each point above 80, add 1. For each point below, subtract 1.


Def. Aware: Start at 50. Take the average OR of all defensive players. For each point above 80, add 2 points, for each point below, subtract 2.

Knockdown: Start at 80. Take the average OR of the starting defensive backs. Add 1 for each point above 80, subtract 1 for each point below.

Interceptions: Leave at 50.

Break Block: Start at 60. Take the average of Block Shedding for the starting front 7. For each point above 75, add 1 point. Subtract 1 point for each point below.

Tackle: Leave at 50


Leaving the special teams sliders at 50 for now.

The ones that rely on individual ratings (QB Acc, Break Block) will probably be changed as I go.

[sabotai]

Week 2 Pre-Game

Started my college scouting by looking at Big-School LEs. My front 7 is very average and I need to focus on that for the next draft.

I trimmed the playbook again by a few plays.

For practices, I canceled practice 1 day, game planned to blitz the QB and increased play knowledge for 1 of my singleback runs.

Inactives
LG E. Mulitalo - injured
LT J. Backus - injured
LOLB W. Holdman - injured
LT L. Jordan - injured
MLB A. Smith - inactive
HB B. Calhoun - inactive
CB D. Edwards - inactive
LE J. DeVries - inactive

[sabotai]

Week 2: Green Bay (0-1) at Detroit (1-0)

First Half

We start the game off by picking off Joey Harrington and taking it for a TD (Ernie Sims). On the next drive, Lawyer Miloy was injured and knocked out of the game. They drive to the 30 and miss a 47 yard FG. On their next drive, they go play action on 3rd and medium, pick up our blitz and complete and easy pass (my defenders bit hard on the play fake) and Greg Jennings runs it 76 yards to make it 7-7.

Halfway through the 2nd quarter, we pin them inside the 10. On 2nd and long, we go all out blitz, Pennington rushes the throw and Bo Wilson (Lawyer Miloy's backup) picks it off. Kitna gives it back, though, when Al Harris picks off a pass into the endzone and he takes it 100 yards for the TD. 14-7 Green Bay. During the 2 minute drill, Kitna threw another pick that GB turned into a FG.

Halftime Score: Green Bay 17, Detroit 7

At the start of the 2nd half, Kitna threw his 3rd pick and got benched. Our D holds strong and they only get a FG out of it to make it 20-7 GB.

Ken Hamlin picks off a pass and we go on a very long drive on the legs of Travis Henry. When we get deep into Packer territory, Woodson throws pick that's taken for a TD.

With the score 27-7 GB, Woodson starts to get going and completes 2 straight passes to get us into GB territory, but, you guessed it, another pick 6. And then during trast time, Grant breaks a long run for a TD.

Final Score: Green Bay 41, Detroit 7

Stats

J. Kitna: 3 for 12, 38 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT
A. Woodson: 9 for 18, 95 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT

T. Henry: 21 carries, 76 yards
D. Ward: 9 carries, 8 yards

T. Henry: 4 rec, 40 yards
R. Williams: 3 rec, 28 yards
C. Johnson: 2 rec, 38 yards

Ernie Sims: 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT for TD

Defense: 2 sacks, 6 hurries

Ryan Grant rushed on us for 100 yards (106) on 16 carries, A lot of that was on the 1 run at the end of the game, though.

[sabotai]

Week 3 Pregame

Lawyer Miloy is out for 1-3 months
Terrell Thomas is out for 4-6 weeks

I'm getting tons of injuries, but my trainer really sucks.

College Scouting: Big School DT

I went into the Play creator and created several short passes. 3 out of the I, 1 in Singleback and 1 from the Gun.

Practices: Worked with the OL, Pressure the QB, Improve Play Knowledge (2 Deep Man play)


Slider changes:

QB Acc will now start at 50 instead of 25, Def. Knockdowns will start at 65 instead of 80. Maybe a kneejerk reaction, but in 2 games, I've seen 5 QBs look really horrible on the field.

[sabotai]

Week 3: Detroit (1-1) at San Francisco (0-2)

List of Injured players: SS Lawyer Miloy, LG Edwin Muliato, LT Jeff Backus, LOLB Warrick Holdman, LT Leander Jordan, HB Travis Henry, CB Terrell Thomas

Jon Kitna is starting the game.

First Half

We go back and forth most of the 1st quarter, but Kitna engineers a drive that has us score a TD on a 4 yard run by Ward to make it 7-0. Te 49ers answer back by driving to the 4 yardline off of Smith's scrambling ability, but we hold strong and they settle for a FG.

The first half ends with Smith putting together a 2 minute drive to take the lead.

Halftime Score: Detroit 7, San Francisco 10

SF begins the second half the way they ended the first half, by making fools of my defense.

We finally get a drive going and are able to get a FG to make it 17-10 SF at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

With 5 minutes left, we recovered a fumble in SF's territory. We had to convert a 4th down, but the end result was a Ward run for a TD to tie the game 17-17 with 4 minutes to go in the game.

They drive again. My defense have been bending a lot, but didn't break again and SF missed a FG try. We took over on our 33 yardline with just under 2 minutes to go. We drive to the 37 and are faced with 4th and 3. We convert, eventually get to the 26 yardline and kick the go ahread FG.

Ugh....on the final second hail mary, we get called for defensive pass interference. They tie the game and we got to OT.

We win the coin toss, we win the game.

Final Score: Detroit 23, San Francisco 20 (OT)

Stats

J. Kitna: 19 for 33, 195 yards (sacked 7 times)

D. Ward: 25 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD
B. Calhoun: 9 carries 30 yards

C. Johnson: 11 rec, 97 yards
R. Williams: 4 rec, 68 yards

FS Ken hamlin had 13 tackles

Defense: 3 sacks, 14 hurries.

Didn't seem like 14 hurries. Smith completed it most of the time (Alex Smith was 25 for 40, 295 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT)

Overall, much better with the slider adjustments. After spending time testing and adjusting both pre-patch and post-patch, I'm almost certain that QB Acc slider is really a QB Ability slider. Both QBs made better, stronger (more realistic looking) throws and made better decisions with the bump in the QB slider. For now on, I'll base it on the QB's OR rating rather than just Throw Acc rating.

[sabotai]

Bye Week

College Scouting: Big School HB (Henry's good for this year, MAYBE next, but after that I need a long-term solution)

Ken Hamlin earned Def. Player of the Week for his performance against the 49ers.

Practice: All spent on increasing knowledge of a few plays

Week 5

College Scouting: Big School MLB

Practices: Work with DBs, Improve Inside Running Plays, Canceled Practice to let players heal up.

LOLB Gino Hayes was put on IR (Torn Triceps)

Week 5 Game: Chicago (2-2) at Detroit (2-1)

Injured Players: SS Lawyer Miloy, LT Jeff Backus, LG John Welbourn, CB Terrell Thomas, LG Edwin Mulitalo, LT Leander Jordan
Inactive: HB Brian Calhoun

First Half

Our first drive resulted in a Travis Henry TD run after a few nice passes from Kitna. Our defense shuts down a terrible offense led by a terrible quarterback. Our offense disappears too and the 1st quarter ends 7-0.

A defensive pass interference call helps us late in the 2nd quarter. Kitna ends the drive with a TD pass to Roy Williams. 14-0 Lions. On the first play of the Bears' drive, they fumble it to us. We get the ball deep in their territory and Henry gives us another TD to make it 21-0. Orton, on the second play of the drive, throws a deep duck that is easily picked off by Bo Wilson. However, Chicago's defense shows up and we do nothing with it. They finally start to move the ball, but they fumble it to us with 20 seconds left. We had enough time to get into field goal range and add 3 more points to our lead.

Halftime Score: Chicago 0, Detroit 24

Second Half

On the Bears' second drive, Orton finally started hitting his targets, and his team stopped fumbling (well, they did have a fumble but it was overturned). They drive the field and get on the scoreboard, 24-7 Lions. On the Kickoff, Drummond nearly broke one for a TD, but the last man got him. We still got the ball at the 50 and a couple of decent plays and a few Chicao penalties give us an easy FG to make it 27-7.

The Bears started picking up our blitz. Orton had time to throw and made a few nice passes on their next drive and scored another TD to make it 27-14. Our following drive stalls at mid field, but we were able to eat up a lot of time. We get them to go 3 and out when we sacked Orton on 3rd and 3. On our drive, Kitna throws a terrible pass that turns into a pick 6 (Nathan Vasher) to make the score 27-21. We end the comeback, though, as their defense failed to stop us and we run the clock out.

Final Score: Chicago 21, Detroit 27

Stats

J. Kitna: 11 for 23, 175 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

T. Henry: 27 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD
D. Ward: 8 carries, 44 yards

E. Drummond: 3 rec, 66 yards
C. Johnson: 3 rec, 22 yards
R. Williams: 3 rec, 36 yards, 1 TD
T. Henry: 2 rec, 51 yards

Defense: 4 sacks, 7 hurries

[sabotai]

Week 6

College Scouting: Medium School HB

An early look at the players I've scouted.

HB
Joey Keller, Illinois, OR 99 (+++ Speed, --- Durability)
Steve Wright, Florida State, OR 97 (+++ Agility, --- Stamina)
Cody Dargon, Washingon St., OR 93 (+++ Power, --- Speed)
Renardo Knox, Colorado, OR 89 (+++ Power, --- Elusiveness)
Boof Freeborg, Ohio State, OR 83 (+++ Durability, --- Consistency)

MLB
Darren Watson, Ohio State, OR 81 (+++ Acceleration, --- Block Shedding)
Alonzo Sims, Michigan State, OR 81 (+++ Mean Streak, --- None)

Some ORs for LEs and REs are visible to me, but no +++ or ---.


Signed a few FAs and cut a few players to balance out my team. I didn't have enough WRs or HBs, and had too many at a few positions. I cut a tackle and a free safety to make some room. I signed HB Sammie Morris and WR Eric Moulds.

Tried to resign K Josh Hanson, but he was is pretty unreasonable.

Travis Henry is now out for 5-8 weeks with a Bruised Hip. Looks like Sammie Morris and Derrick Ward just became my running backs...what a bust going after Henry turned out to be.


We have started out 3-1, meeting one of the goals. Luckily, 3 of our first 4 games came against bad teams. We barely beat a bad Atlanta team, we barely beat a bad 49ers team, we barely held off a comeback from a bad Bears offense, and we got destroyed by Green Bay. I think we've gone through our easiest 4 game stretch.

[sabotai]

Week 6 Game: Detroit (3-1) at Minnesota (3-2)

Lucky me, Adrian Peterson is out with an injury.

First Half

We start off bad as Kitna throws a pick on our first drive. They convert the turnover into a touchdown and take an early 7-0 lead. We respond by driving the length of the field and getting a FG, but we lose three OL players for the rest of the game (Faine, Rachal and Welbourn). 7-3 Minn.

Hanson misses a 41 yard FG near the beginning of the 2nd quarter. Ernie Sims gets it back to us, though, on an interception. This time, Hanson is good from 35 yards to make it 7-6. They answer with a FG to make it 10-6. We execute a very nice 2 minute drill, getting 1st and goal at the 2 but failing to get it in the endzone. We end up back at the 9 and kicking another FG.

Halftime Score: Detroit 9, Minnesota 10

Second Half

In the middle of the 3rd quarter, Tavaris Jackson scrambles, breaks a few tackles and goes 50 yards for the TD. 17-9 Minn. At the beginning of the 4th quarter, we get down close again, but again they stop us and we have to settle for the FG. 17-12 Minn. Later in the quarter, we drive within FG range. Hanson misses a 49 yard FG.

With 5 minutes left, Kitna completes a pass to Calvin Johnson, he breaks one tackle and is gone. A 78 yard toudhdown, plus Ward running for the 2pt conversion, gives us a 20-17 lead. We stop them and get the ball back with 3 minutes left. We run out 2 minutes and 50 seconds of that time. A few failed hail mary tries later, we win the game.

Final Score: Detroit 20, Minnesota 17

Stats

J. Kitna: 17 for 31, 277 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

D. Ward: 21 carries, 109 yards
S. Morris, 14 carries, 50 yards
B. Calhoun: 1 carry, 7 yards

C. Johnson: 7 rec, 161 yards, 1 TD
R. Williams: 7 rec, 94 yards

Defense: 6 sacks, 5 hurries


Time to QQ on something about this game.....I'm 4-1 with the Lions. The LOLions. And yet, my approval rating is 36. It's 0 with the fans, and it's 0 with the media. Those who play the game probably know why. It's these silly, idiotic "Defining Moments". So far, I've been told to onside kick it at the beginning of the 4th quarter twice (both times I was within a score). I've been told to go for it on 4th down 3 times (twice in the first half deep in my own territory, once in this game when there was 55 seconds left, the clock was ticking, and it was 4th and 4 at my own 30. Up by 3. Clock ticking. At my own 30. They wanted me to go for it.). And there have been a few others that simply made NO sense.

My Approval Rating is destroyed because I refuse to basically throw games in order to do what they want me to (and if I fail, which most of the time would happen in the impossible situations they want me to go for it, it goes down anyway).

/QQ

[sabotai]

One of the issues with adjusting the sliders based on talent is that it takes time. I'm dropping it and going with default sliders with some modifications. WR Catch at 25, Run Block at 65 and Break Block at 70. The rest will be on default 50 for now on.

[sabotai]

Week 7

College Scouting: Medium School ROLBs

Practices: Improve Standard Pass, Improve Run Plays, Focus on Run Blocking

Oakland Watch: Oakland is 1-5. raider's pick looking good for me.

Week 7 Game: Detroit (4-1) at Houston (2-4)

First Half

Derrick Ward starts us off with a 97 yard KO return for a touchdown. 7-0 Detroit. Houston responds by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown to tie the game. For the rest of the 1st quarter, both offenses looked inept. At the start of the 2nd quarter, our offense gets rolling with 3 big passes from Kitna to Roy Williams, the 3rd scoring the touchdown. Houston responds again by running it down my throat and then scoring on the pass. 14-14 tie. They kick a FG with a minute left in the half to make it 17-14 Houston. We get some nice plays in our 1 minute drill, but run out of time at the Houston 40.

Halftime Score: Detroit 14, Houston 17

Second Half

We are fortunate to get a fumble recovery and drive the field. I get another dumb Defining Moment when they want me to go for it on 4th and 8 at the 10 yardline. I'm not a total idiot, so I kick the FG to tie the game. In the 4th quarter, our defense gets another takeaway (Bodden INT) and we drive for the TD (Sammie Morris 16 yrd Run). I used up a bunch of my gameplan options on the drive. We make it 24-17 Detroit. And then Houston responds right away with a KO return for a TD to tie the game back up at 24. We drive down the field, but Woodson throws a pick at the goal line with about 3 minutes left in the game (I don't know why Woodson was in the game - I was not told about an injury to Kitna). We force a 3 and out. Kitna is back in the game. We go 3 and out and have to give it back. They go 3 and out and we get a chance with 1 minute left and the ball at midfield.

I end up with a 4th and 1 at the Houston 36 (just outside of FG range) with 38 seconds left. Do I get a Defining Moment? You know, one that would make sense? Of course. I go for it and make it. 1st and 10 at the 33 with 29 seconds and ticking. Kitna completes a 13 yard pass to Calvin Johnson. We rush our FG unit on and kick the game winning FG as time runs out.

Final Score: Detroit 27, Houston 24

I won the game mainly because Houston kept calling the same plays in the 3rd and 4th quarter that worked for them in the 1st half. I figured out how to finally stop their run, and that stopped their offense completely.

Stats

Kitna: 19 for 29, 235 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Woodson: 2 for 4, 28 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

D. Ward: 17 carries, 90 yards
S. Morris: 9 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD
B. Calhoun: 2 carries, 4 yards

R. Williams: 9 rec, 115 yards, 1 TD
C. Johnson: 3 rec, 30 yards
several players with 1 or 2 receptions

Defense: 2 sacks, 8 hurries

[sabotai]

Week 8

College Scouting: Medium School TEs

Travis Henry had a "Career Breakthrough". Good, even though he's gone for atleast a few more weeks.

Practices: Canceled Practice to regain Health, Improve Running Plays, Blitz the QB

[sabotai]

Week 8 Game: Washington (3-4) at Detroit (5-1)

First Half

We score on our opening drive. A huge pass to Calvin Johnson set us up for the touchdown. 7-0 Detroit. An Ernie Sims picked off Campbell that gave us great field position and a FG. 10-0 Detroit. Most of the 1st half after that becomes a battle of territory, which Washington is able to turn into a FG. Our offense gets going after that and we respond with another touchdown to make it 17-3 Detroit.

Halftime Score: Washington 3, Detroit 17

Second Half

Washington returns the opening KO for a touchdown to make it 17-10 Detroit. We go 3 and out, and they drive the field. On 3rd and goal at the 8, they tried a draw, but my defense stopped Portis on the 1 yard line to force the FG. 17-13 Detroit. We're able to get a FG at the beginning of the 4th quarter to make it 20-13.

On our next drive, we convert on a 3rd and 10 on a pass to Calvin Johnson. On the next play, another pass to Calvin Johnson results in a 48 yard TD. 27-13. On Washington's next drive, Ernie Sims comes up with the pick. We don't do anything with it, though, and Hanson kicks a long FG. 30-13 Detroit. Washington answers right away with a huge pass to Doucet for 78 yards. We drive the field on our next drive and get another TD pass to Calvin Johnson to make it 37-20. Washington pulls off another touchdwon drive. 37-27.

We recover the onside kick, go a few yards and kick a FG.

Final Score: Washington 27, Detroit 40

Stats

J. Kitna: 17 for 26, 304 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
A. Woodson: 1 for 2, 11 yards

D. Ward: 18 carries, 65 yards
S. Morris: 12 carries, 11 yards

C. Johnson: 6 rec, 152 yards, 2 TD
R. Williams: 5 rec, 67 yards, 1 TD

Defense: 3 sacks, 7 hurries

Our defense allowed 143 yards rushing. Houston and Washington have exposed our weakness, but have not capitalized on it.

[DeToxRox]

How awful is Detroit's training staff.

Ugh.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

How awful is Detroit's training staff.

Ugh.

Judging by my list of injuries, awful. As inept as the GM.

Which is some concern to me. My team should not be 6-1. I am without half of my best offensive line players, I am without a good RB, and I have a few defenisve players banged up as well. I should be getting destroyed, but I'm not.

I did read on OS (and it was indirectly confirmed that I saw, maybe directly confirmed elsewhere) that the devs made it so that you will generally do well in your first year to avoid getting prematurely fired after just one season. With how razor thin some of my wins have been, I think that's what's going on here.

[sabotai]

Week 9

College Scouting: Medium School LEs

I locked up Andre Woodson for the next 6 years with a big contract. He's already nearly as good as Kitna based on overall rating, and his potential is 92.

Oakland Watch: 2-5

Jon Kitna and Ernie Sims got Player of the Week honors.

Week 9 Game: Detroit (6-1) at Chicago (2-5)

First Half

We march down the field and stall at the 11 yardline and have to kick the FG. We shut down the Chicago offense for the entire first half. We were able to get a few more field goals, plus one missed FG.

Halftime Score: Detroit 9, Chicago 0

The second half was mostly uneventful. We got one more FG, even though we were putting up a large amount of rushing stats. We could move the ball easily from our territory to their 30, but stall so many times. Once, inside their 5, we went for it on 4th and goal and failed to make it. With 1 minute left, they got a long TD pass, but we recovered the onside kick to preserve the win.

Final Score: Detroit 12, Chicago 7

Stats

J. Kitna: 18 for 26, 197 yards

D. Ward: 18 carries, 117 yards
S. Morris: 12 carries, 70 yards

C. Johnson: 7 rec, 57 yards
R. Williams: 5 rec, 86 yards
D. Ward: 3 rec, 29 yards

We were all over Grossman all game long. 6 sacks, 7 hurries.

[sabotai]

Week 10

College Scouting: Medium School DT

As said in other HC threads on FOFC and on OS, the first season of this game is intentionally easy. I'm going to sim the rest of the season. If I make the playoffs, I'll go back to calling plays, but, despite having a few nail biters, it feels artificial at this point.

Week 10 Game: Jacksonville (5-3) vs. Detroit (7-1)

Final Score: Jacksonville 19, Detroit 18


Week 11

College Scouting: Medium School WR

Game: Detroit (7-2) at Carolina (3-6)

Final Score: Detroit 24, Carolina 0


Week 12

College Scouting: Medium School LG

Game: Tampa Bay (7-3) at Detroit (8-2)

Final Score: Tampa Bay 34, Detroit 7


Week 13

College Scouting: Medium School MLB

Game: Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (8-3)

Final Score: Tennessee 28, Detroit 8


Week 14

College Scouting: Big School SS

Game: Minnesota (5-7) at Detroit (8-4)

Final Score: Minnesota 19, Detroit 6


Week 15

College Scout: Medium School CB

Game: Detroit (8-5) at Indianapolis (11-2)

Final Score: Detroit 14, Indianapolis 38


Week 16

College Scouting: Medium School SS

Game: New Orleans (8-6) at Detroit (8-6)

Final Score: New Orleans 21, Detroit 14


Week 17

College Scouting: Big School RG

T Javon Tate, OLB Ernie Sims and FS Ken Hamlin made the Pro Bowl

Game: Detroit (8-7) at Green Bay (10-5)

Final Score: Detroit 6, Green Bay 12

We miss the playoffs.




Staff Decisions

The owner wants me to stay. Hurray!

GM: FIRED!

Everyone except the Running Backs coach was fired.

New GM: Guy Torrent

New OC: Hue Jackson (Playbook: Cameron Power Run - took some plays in order to sign him.)

New DC: Robin Matthews


Wildcard Weekend

Jacksonville 14, San Diego 30
New Orleans 14, Seattle 27
Indianapolis 34, Cleveland 22
Dallas 24, Green Bay 31


Divisional Round

San Diego 28, Tennessee 35
Green bay 21, NY Giants 16
Indianapolis 24, New England 27
Seattle 24, Tampa Bay 21


Conference Championships

New England 27, Tennessee 24
Green Bay 24, Seattle 21


Super Bowl

Green Bay 24, New England 37

[sabotai]

Offseason

New Season Goals: SS, TE and LOLB - need to find 85+ OR players


Free Agency

TE Tony Gonzalez (93) signed a 2 year, $16 mil contract ($2.5 mil signing bonus, $1 mill in bonuses)

RT Jeromey Clary (85) signed a 4 year, $15 mil contract ($2.5 mil signing bonus, $500k in bonuses)


NFL Draft

We have the 4th pick in the draft thanks to Oakland.

Jack English went #1 to the Baltimore Ravens

With the 4th pick in the 2009 Draft, the Detroit Lions select Will Barkley (OR 91), Strong Safety - Florida.

With the 19th pick in the 2009 Draft, the Detroit Lions select Mack Jackson (OR 89), Middle Linebacker - New Mexico.

With the 40th pick of the 2009 Draft, the Detroit Lions select Jon Duncan (OR 78), Halfback - North Carolina

With the 51st pick in the 2009 Draft, the Detroit Lions select Kalen Small (OR 78), Left End - Florida

Round 3, Pick 68: FB Casey Barone (OR 76) - SMU
Round 3, Pick 83: TE Drew Goldman (OR72) - Delaware
Round 5, Pick 136: CB Courtney Kramer (OR 65) - Robert Morris

[Taur]

Is there really that big of a difference in you calling the plays and the computer simming?

I think you were at 7-1 with the best record in the NFL, and then you turn it over to the computer and finish 8-8 out of the Playoffs? Is it really that much harder?

[sabotai]

I'll have to wait and see what it's like in season #2. Like I said, I think there's something going on in season one that makes the game easy so that you hold onto your job for at least the first season.

Also, I have ignored all of my (and all of my coaches') Play Calling and Strat skills since I don't need them (I am personally doing it so I don't need to the AI to). So that may have been a factor in simming.

[sabotai]

2009 Preseason

Two of my rookies, FB Casey Barone and TE Drew Goldman have potentials of 90 or over (90 and 91 respectively). Nice!

I simmed all but one half of a preseason game. My running backs are pretty bad, and Barone is 85 OR. Jon Duncan will progress to a decent back, but he's behind Derrick Ward right now (Duncan's OR dropped to 65 post-draft, but has a potential of 82). I experimented with putting Barone in at RB at times, usually in the singleback formation, and it turned out well. He'll be getting a lot of carries.

Drew Goldman is OR 79, and with Tony Gonzalez (93), I'll be running a lot of 2 TE formation plays. Singleback Big with Barone as the RB will be common.

We finished the preseason 1-3. (We lost the game that I half coached)

I told the owner that we'd probably finish below .500. I feel my team is coming together. For defense, the DBs are set, MLB and ROLB are set (Mack Jackson and Ernie Sims). I have a good DT in Guion. I really need a top DE, but other than that, my defense is good, just really young.

On offense, I have a 2nd year Andre Woodson running the show. A rookie 2nd TE, two still young WRs in Johnson and Williams, a rookie FB who will get a lot of playing time, and other than C Jeff Faine, a solid and still young OL.

I wonder if there's anywhere in the game to check, but I think I probably have the youngest team. It's going to take some time for them to develop.


2009 Detroit Lions

QB: Andre Woodson (75), Jamie Martin (69), Brooks Bollinger (65)
HB: Jon Duncan (66), Derrick Ward (71), Dominick Rhodes (64)
FB: Casey Barone (85), Payton Hillis (72)
TE: Tony Gonzalez (93), Drew Goldman (79), Jacob Tamme (67)
WR: Calvin Johnson (88), Roy Williams (87), Mike Furry (73), Bam Childress (71), Eddie Drummond (61 - 97 KR, PR)
LT: Javon Tate (86), Alvin Ransom (76)
LG: Manuel Ramirez (83), Tre Stallings (82)
C: Jeff Faine (89), Roger Cody (82)
RG: Chilo Rachel (83), Oneil Cousins (78)
RT: Jerome Clary (85), Rob Petitti (78)

LE: Chris Clemons (78), Kalen Small (78)
RE: Dewayne White (80)
DT: Letroy Guion (82), Cory Redding (78), Shaun Cody (74)
LOLB: Antwan Peek (80), Alex Lewis (75)
MLB: Mack Jackson (83), Paris Lenon (76), Randolph Jackson (68)
ROLB: Ernie Sims (82), Landon Johnson (75)
CB: Marcus Trufant (90), Leigh Bodden (87), Dwight Smith (75), Durrand Reese (72), Terrell Thomas (73)
FS: Ken Hamlin (87), Gerald Alexander (78), Ryan Clark (71)
SS: Will Barkely (81), Bo Wilson (69)

[sabotai]

Week 1: Arizona (0-0) at Detroit (0-0)

First Half

The first half was filled with turnovers. Woodson threw two picks, Arizona had 2 fumbles and a Rosenfel pick in the endzone (Trufant). Both teams got rushing scores in the 1st quarter. Serna missed a 31 yard FG. An ugly, ugly game of football so far.

Halftime: Arizona 7, Detroit 7

Second Half

Something very weird with this game...

First off, the rest of the game. Woodson fumbles on our first possession and they get a FG out of it. Near the end of the 3rd, Woodson fumbles it again after a long drive and it gets taken back for a TD. That made it 17-7, and we never got back into it. The final score was 34-13.

Final Score: Arizona 34, Detroit 13


Now the weird part. For the entire 2nd half, the AI kept subbing out the QB. Woodson would be on one play, Martin the next, then Woodson again, Martin next...for the entire half. I didn't notice it until late in the 3rd, and by then I was more curious to see if the AI would keep doing this than I was interested in trying to win the game. And it did. Very strange.

Also, in season 2, the game feels as though it has reverted to pre-patch ways. It's just one game, so it may be nothing, but neither team could run that ball at all, and both teams were able to complete each and every long pass they threw. I'm hoping it's a one game anomaly, but to honest, my patience with this game is starting to run thin. (That may have something to do with me having the game for quite awhile before the patch came out)