The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

True way to get into your dynasty by reading the indepth recruiting class summary. Great write up, and I usually don't read much - but this and Bdawg's is the one I'll actually spend time reading the words on the screen

I hear you there, it's a 2015 thing that I don't relate with that a lot of people don't read things, but moreso a reflection of how busy we all are. Nevertheless this is my escape, and how I want to do this, and for those people such as yourself that do read, I appreciate even more man. Thanks for that.

LOVED the offseason articles. The personalities, work ethics, and citzenship ratings just add so much to the story. I will be really excited to see what happens with Carstens and if he can keep his nose out of trouble...also the comments on the Nike Dome...nearly spit out my drink reading those.

Thanks. I'm always glad when someone catches my attempts at humour. I'm excited about Carstens too, I saw him sitting there with no interest and was just like ".... nah" - and then the damn CPU goes and signs him. So then I'm like, do I cut him, or work him into the story... sheesh. Glad I'm full of $#!T otherwise I'd have to have cut him.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Thank you for the very detailed response Helli! I'll have to look into trying something like this in the future.

To echo others' sentiments, very detailed recruiting report indeed and I think it's a solid class overall. Hidalgo is obviously the X factor, looks like he could be a potential gamebreaker.

Interesting you cut Linehan too....he's the starting QB for the Vandals IRL this season.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)






Position Battles
Depth Chart has not been determined yet

QB: The Eric Lawson rumors proved to be unfounded, and he improved a lot this offseason, so he's going to remain the starter. Chad Chalich has matured into a solid scrambling QB. We'll still put him into the game occasionally as a change of pace.

HB: Not only did Filoteo have some improvement, it was all in his key strength areas. He's going to be harder to tackle than ever. Richard Montgomery also improved, and also at most of his best attributes. He'll be a very solid #2 running back. Behind them are Andrew Williams, Mike Flynn, and both of the fullbacks who can also fill in at running back. It looks like Albert Hidalgo may sit the year out to get his grades on track.

FB: Mark Langford was the starter and still is the better receiver out of the backfield, but Alex Foremanimproved a lot and is clearly the better all around player at this point.

WR: We had the best all around improvement on the team at the receiving positions. Deon Watson is going to be a monster, and was already a good player, while Youmani Jones put himself into the mix to be a top 3 WR as well.

TE: Vincent Church improved a lot. Although he's still going to drop some passes, he is the obvious starter. However, Lemke improved a ton with his blocking and gives us a legitimate 2 TE set now.

LT:There's no position battle here; Mike Powell will likely step into the role he was put on this earth for, protecting the back side of the QB.

LG:Dan King moved over from center then had a very good ofseason, shoring up his pass blocking.

C: Pete Jones really fits the center role, and likely starts as a freshman.

RG: Brett Thompson moved over from center, then improved a ton.

RT: Both returning players who saw time here last offseason struggled mightily and regressed in the offseason. It looks like someone else on the line will have to fill in. Possibly Matt Harrison or Mata'ala Maulalo - Maulalo has the athleticism of a guard though.

DE: Two players stood out in the offseason, Brandon Thompson and Robert Williams. Williams still is not in the mix to be a starter but can be a backup now and gives us much needed depth. Brandon will likely be the primary backup at three positions, with JUCO transfer Damien Downing starting opposite Zach Cable. However, any time we're not getting production Thompson will be inserted into the lineup.

DT: Eric Mitchell is the clear #1, Hunter is the likely #2, not much has changed, but Brandon Thompson is going to be moving into the interior at times due to his size/STR combo.

OLB: Linebacker is where it gets ugly. Wilcox left, and Travis Parrish is the only quality returning player. He will play the "always on the field" role from his ROLB position, moving into the middle in Dime. It's unclear who will line up on the other side.

MLB: It was a mess and nobody stood out. Joshua James and Alex Stork are the likely starters, with James being more athletic but Stork having the better ovearll rating.

CB: Russell Ivey made a huge statement and guaranteed himself at least the role of nickel corner, but may line up opposite John Fenner if we decide to redshirt Bahari Rogers.

FS: Jordan Grabski was a 60 OVR freshman and will be a 79 OVR senior after having solid improvement just about every year. Duane Howe is talented but is obviously never going to improve much.

SS: Tommy Williams and Andre Christian both blew thier chance to seize a #1 spot, so Justin Martinez is likely the starter, although Tomy Williams has done good things for this team in the past and may play himself into that role.

P/K: Austin Rehkow, reliable and cannon-legged as ever, returns for his senior year.

Returners: Richard Montgomery will continue to fufill the role of PR. He's never been great at it, but his ability to make people miss in the open field as well as his overall athleticism improved after a great offseason. It looks as though Youmani Jones and freshman Terrance Carstens will be the returners, although not clear in what order.

[BDawg35]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

You actually have guys regress? Can you go in and edit their ratings? (I think the answer is "yes," but I've never tried it.)

It might be cool to do my own progression. If a guy plays a lot the previous year, he should improve. If he had a major injury (way too rare), maybe he regresses.

Hmmmmm ...

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

You actually have guys regress? Can you go in and edit their ratings? (I think the answer is "yes," but I've never tried it.)

It might be cool to do my own progression. If a guy plays a lot the previous year, he should improve. If he had a major injury (way too rare), maybe he regresses.

Hmmmmm ...

Yeah. I think that's what is great is we can do it upon whatever we want. I hate the idea that stats make improvement and am dissatisfied with the idea of PT equaling improvement although I may work injuries into the mix. I also didn't like the WAY players improved (uniform across their ratings). To answer your question yes I think you go into team edit or something like that and then you just hit the a button on any player and you can edit their writings along with their equipment etc.

The trick, of course, is to know what their ratings were previously so that you can edit them back to what they originally were and then improve them in a non uniform fashion if you prefer.

It takes me a couple hours (minimum) but The EA Sports effort in this particular area is so incredibly weak (like could you mail it in any more?) that I think it is worthwhile. Another very key thing is to never ever ever ever ever ever deviate from your method in order to help one player that you like or something like that I think that makes it suck.

[shipfb21]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

just started reading this dynasty. only getting into the start of the 2nd season, but I wanted 2 check in and tell u how much I am enjoying this dynasty. keep up the great work. love it.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

• MLB Joshua James has been suspended for the 2016 season after getting involved in a bar fight with two teammates in tow. Linebacker mates Norris Patterson - a high school teammate of James' - along with junior LB Jordan Edginton were at a local bar when James became irate with a fellow bar member and got into a fight. Cooler heads prevailed for Patterson and Edginton, who protected their teammate as much as possible by breaking up the fight.
  
  "It's disappointing to see someone like Joshua get into a situation like this. I'm not happy to have to stand up here and talk about it. That's one reason he's suspended for the season. I don't want to talk about this stuff more than once. He's either going to fix it, or he'll be off the team, it's pretty simple."
  
  
• Tight end Nick Tillman suffered a badly torn groin in practice yesterday and will miss much of the season. He's expected to be out approximately two months.

just started reading this dynasty. only getting into the start of the 2nd season, but I wanted 2 check in and tell u how much I am enjoying this dynasty. keep up the great work. love it.

Thanks man I'm honored you're taking the time to read.

I should mention here, that I just had something interesting happen. In simming out preseason injuries and suspensions a very interesting coincidence took place. LOL... WOW. I know everyone will be in suspense

[Matt10]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Aw man, bar fights. Not much else to do in Idaho I guess, huh. James progression wasn't that stellar though for you - so maybe he needed the extra hitting practice on a bar member's face.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)









The team once again has at least three home games in a row at one point. The University of New Mexico Lobos are on the schedule for the first time in Mountain West play. The toughest two games on the schedule are away games against highly ranked TCU and UCLA. The team has not yet played against Colorado State or Air Force within conference.

[Matt10]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Good night, that write up was probably the best I've ever seen, Helli. We're not worthy - but give us more. Layout is so fresh and so clean! #legend.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)



Maybe most of us don't care about each others' grandparents (or family tree in general) but I think most of us can relate to love and loss in a general sense. We remember the things about those we loved that made them special. My grandfather was cordial to all, but when it came right down to it was more of a family man than anything. He didn't spend a lot of time out and with friends, but when it came to his three sons and two daughters he would do anything for them, or his wife of 44 years, Janell. He had a friendly, even way with people but could never be taken for a fool.

One of my favorite stories involved my grandpa and his affinity to join others in the family, namely my uncle, fishing for deals at yard sales. One Saturday, he arrived at a particular yard sale early in the morning where a woman was asking $125 for a small couch that he wanted for his radio room. JD offered her $85. She declined, indicating that was way low. JD went about his business, and a few hours later decided to drive by once again. The couch was still sitting in the yard.

At his funeral, I reduced many in my family to tears remembering how he walked. I was 22, and I opened my comments by saying "JD never walked. He strolled."

Well, JD ambled over to the woman with a smile in the manner I remember, and said hi, and inquired about the couch once again. The woman confirmed that the couch was still available, then added, "and $85 will be fine."

With perfect timing, JD smiled and paused, then evenly drawled in his Oklahoma accent: "That was this morning's deal."

He paid $60 for the couch.

[mattrd39]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

I should mention here, that I just had something interesting happen. In simming out preseason injuries and suspensions a very interesting coincidence took place. LOL... WOW. I know everyone will be in suspense

I know I am in suspense.

As Matt10 said, love your roster preview. I'm guessing that Lawson-to-Watson connection might be extremely effective in play-action after pounding Bully Filoteo at the defense, I'm guessing around 1,300 yards and 15 TDs for Watson.

I have a feeling that you're going to have to win a couple shootouts this year with the five underclassmen as your primary corners. We shall see if they are an improvement or if their inexperience costs you a game or two because of a big pass play. Nice to have a center fielder like Grabski back there as an umbrella with that 93 ZCV though, hopefully he can help ease the kids in.

Lots of games on that schedule could go either way, which should keep it fun and interesting for you. Hopefully playing those last three games on the road aren't an issue when it comes to qualifying for a bowl or clinching a spot in the MWC title game.

Great story about your grandpa, I could definitely picture one of mine doing something very, very similar.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)


2016 Preseason Report

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Good night, that write up was probably the best I've ever seen, Helli. We're not worthy - but give us more. Layout is so fresh and so clean! #legend.

Haha - you're too kind, sometimes I think you're patronizing me, - Thanks for checking in.

I know I am in suspense.

As Matt10 said, love your roster preview. I'm guessing that Lawson-to-Watson connection might be extremely effective in play-action after pounding Bully Filoteo at the defense, I'm guessing around 1,300 yards and 15 TDs for Watson.

I have a feeling that you're going to have to win a couple shootouts this year with the five underclassmen as your primary corners. We shall see if they are an improvement or if their inexperience costs you a game or two because of a big pass play. Nice to have a center fielder like Grabski back there as an umbrella with that 93 ZCV though, hopefully he can help ease the kids in.

Lots of games on that schedule could go either way, which should keep it fun and interesting for you. Hopefully playing those last three games on the road aren't an issue when it comes to qualifying for a bowl or clinching a spot in the MWC title game.

Great story about your grandpa, I could definitely picture one of mine doing something very, very similar.

It's really nothing big, I will mention it so you can see it when it happens, but with random injury and suspension generation (using the existing INJ and created CSH ratings) I recruited a guy that will never play for my team, he got "hurt" through the first part of the season then suspended for his career. (kicked off team).

I agree, I think Watson will have a great season, what I love about this game more than anything else is how players who aren't fast can be pillars of your team. Watson is 85 speed, but he catches the damn ball, gets open - those things matter in 14! Same with Bully, he's 81 speed lol.

I agree that we may have to win some shootouts; I have gotten antsy and played 3 games and so far the defense is holding up o.k., but now the real season starts. We had a relatively easy early season, but I'll be posting reports shortly. Thanks man. Grandpas are the best aren't they? Wisdom and DGAF 'tudes.

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)