when should you use redshirts?

[silkysully]

In dynasty mode, what method do you use to go about redshirting players in order to get the most out of your players every season?

[ObeyReubenJay]

If I have an abundance of players at one position and there are upperclassmen with higher ratings than a freshman that I know that I will not get much use out of for that season, I often tag him with the redshirt that year.

[CrackinBacks]

I don't have a strategy really. When I recruit I try to fill needs first, then draft for talent. If I can pick up a good player whether I'm stacked or not I will and redshirt him. I also make sure I don't promise too many players they won't redshirt their first season.

I'd love to see EA add greyshirting to dynasty. I can't count the number of times I've lost a quality player early in the season for 8 or more weeks and then still not have them when they get of the DL due to being in a doubtful status. At least if we could greyshirt players, we wouldn't lose a whole years eligibility which would be great.

[justlikepudge]

I usually redshirt freshmen but the other time I will is if I say have 2 OLBers at say 99 overall and then I have a junior 97 at MLB and then a senior rs at 95. I'll redshirt the junior to give myself an extra year of talent.

[K0ZZ]

Usually what I do is

- Freshman

But for example, if I have a

73 OVR JR
65 OVR FR
61 OVR FR

I'd redshirt the 65, I can handle the slight drop off in talent for a year, and the lower rating will probably be capable of getting redshirted the following year. Looking at the big picture is key, if a player isn't going to be getting much PT and he can be redshirted, you might as well. I try to start high to low, when it comes to reserves because the lower will take longer to progress and may not be a capable starter for a few years where as the higher could end up being a potential three or four year starter.

Gray shirting would be great too. I just lost my starting QB to a 9 week injury and he missed the whole season, losing his whole sophomore year.

Just be careful not to spread to thin.

Rule of thumb for me is keeping

2 Active QB
3 Active HB
1 Active FB
5 Active WR (if you use a decent amount of passing)
2 Active TE (1 or none if you barely use them)
2 Active every OL position

2 Active every DL position
2-3 active OLB
2 Active MLB (3 or 4 for seperate formations)
5 Active CB (6 is more ideal but 5 is good enough)
2 FS and 2 SS

1 K or 1 P (you can have one do both)

That's for running a basic offense and a basic 4-3 defense. If you use different defenses your personel will vary. Just make sure to have at least one deep.

[BaylorBearBryant]

Cornerbacks:

78 SR
78 SR
76 JR
74 FR
72 SR
70 JR

Go ahead and redshirt the freshman because there's a very small drop-off and you're very experienced at the position. Use your upperclassmen if you can. Be sure not too take to much of a ratings hit if your going for a title in a specific season.

[playguitar90]

I look at my roster, and look for non red-shirted players and ask myself "will this player have a significant impact this year?" If it's no, I redshirt.

I was playing with Baylor, my new coaching job, and they had Robert Griffin as a Sr(RS) and their backup as a Sr. Griffin is great, and the backup is pretty good, but afterwards there is a dropoff. So, I redshirted the Sr because I needed it.

I usually don't redshirt players that could get into my RB rotation, be a 3rd or 4th WR or CB, or could make an impact on ST like KR's

[N51_rob]

If they aren't in the top 3 of the depth chart and are a FR I put the shirt on them.

If they are a sophomore and could be the starter next year, but are 3rd on the depth chart I put a shirt on them.
Ex. Running Backs
89 OVR SR
85 OVR JR
84 OVR So (He would get a redshirt)
78 OVR So