FenwayMac - I was exactly like you, I'd never played any DD mode games before this year. As I'm waiting for the final OSFM rosters, I decided to see what DD was like. I really enjoy playing the Conquest mode and suggest you try that. There is a tutorial and a thread devoted to that mode, so you can understand the strategy. It' pretty fun, but it can get tedious after you've conquered the map once. I'm going through it a 2nd time now, and I'm ready to start my franchise! But, try it, it's fun and easy to master.