Your philosophies to building a winning team in Franchise Mode

[wellred]

Quote: Originally Posted by tubaSimulator

Yes, this ^^ I run pretty much exactly this. Give me a nasty defense first, that's the cornerstone. Then I like to run a west coast offense with lots of movement and a QB that can run and take a hit. As for building a franchise I always set my scheme first, what types I want in each position and what attributes I want from each type. Then I see what I have on my roster already, try to get rid of players that don't fit with big contracts (I don't care about overall at all) and add as much as I can through free agency. My goal is always to have a team strong enough to win the Superbowl without having to rely on the draft. So, on draft day, I go with the 'best player available' philosophy and just add players that will (hopefully) fit my scheme and can be developed into starters in 2-4 years.

Good man. I especially like the part about not caring about a player's OVR. Im a frugal and miserly slumlord of my team. Most of my thoughts when looking at my roster is 'how can we do this cheaper?' or 'who am I going to screw out of several million today'. I shouldve owned a baseball team in the 1930's.


But nothing feels better than seeing a former star player of mine hobbling through his mid 30's being over payed by someone else. I guess that's kinda mean.

[DoubleZ_3]

No Fly Zone secondary most important having a great SS or FS. fast linebackers, with a big D-line.

on offense, preferably a QB who can run if need be. strong arm with nice touch.
HB has to be decently fast but strong, like a AP( doesnt have to be as good)

WR i need at least 1 6'4+ big threat, and a speed threat.
TE has to be able to run routes, catch, and block i ask a lot of him.
o line, quick on their feet, need good tackles.


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[Tonic]

Love this thread! I just picked up the game last night and am continuing Bob Quinn's rebuild of the Detroit Lions. I created myself as a coach and just played the first preseason game.

Obviously my goal is to win a Super Bowl. I don't plan on that happening anytime soon. For the most part, Super Bowl winners have either an outstanding defense or an elite QB. In my opinion, the best way to beat an outstanding defense is with patience, wearing them down, and taking your shots when they're there. The best way to beat an elite QB is to apply pressure and have shutdown corners who force you to beat them 1 on 1, taking some of the "eliteness" of the QB and putting that on the opposing receiving corps. Here's what I'm thinking for scheme:

Defense
Aggressive 3-4. Main goal is to get into the backfield whether that's to stop the run or put pressure on the QB. The 3-4 provides more variety and confusion so average to below average QBs should struggle. Lineman need to be big, strong and have good block shedding to take multiple blockers. OLB need to be fast and good pass rushers. MLB need to have good awareness and tackling ability to clean up the play. CB need to be able to play tight man coverage and be able to press. FS needs to be smart and have good zone coverage to help in the middle of the field. SS needs to be able to cover a WR3/TE and help with the run.

Offense
Haven't quite decided yet to be honest and I could definitely use some input. The Lions are somewhat flexible here. With Stafford they're more set up for a vertical attack but lack solid receivers for that scheme. They also lack a power back for a power run scheme. Honestly I'm leaning towards going with balanced for now while I mold my team. What do you guys think would be a good scheme for the future?

And this might be a dumb question, but I can't figure out how to view my own player's archetypes in CFM other than going to edit player. Any help? Thanks!

[rich8682]

What are the best playbooks for these schemes? I think I'm gonna use the Dolphins, wanna run a mostly shotgun offense, lots of vertical passing and power running. 4-3 defense with blitz variety.

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[NoleFan]

In my CLE CFM I'm working on defense. In the draft prior to the 2017 season, I drafted 4 guys who either started (SS Hitchens, FS Curtis & LE Dantzler) or saw significant playing time (OLB Bruce). All of those guys are primed to defensively take us to the next level in 2018. Heck, we went 10-6, won the AFC North, had a 1st round bye and made it to the AFCCG in 2017.


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[ggsimmonds]

Quote: Originally Posted by caseyj622

Curious what defensive playbook do you use? How do you get a single high safety look out of 4-3 under consistently besides cover 1 n 3 and which safety do you usually keep deep?

I use a custom playbook but seattle was my base.

I dont always stay in a single high look. You should never run your base look exclusively.

I try my best to keep my FS deep, but defensive auto flip leads to problems

[aima_guru]

Love this thread, my philosophy is relatively flexible with some key principles...

1. Defense first: I suck at defense and it seems to always be my limiting factor.

2. Offensive development varies by starting roster and draft position early in 'chise.

Defensively, I like being able to stay in base personnel as much as possible, and I like the use of specialists at D-line / one of my 3-4 OLB spots. i.e. I'm okay with using a mid 60s OVR guy with terrible quickness but great PMV and good ACC & SPD at OLB in my 3-4 and making sure I don't expose him in coverage too often.

I can also save money by finding a big dumb ugly at nose and one of my end positions, though I'd like to have at least one of my interior linemen be a threat to rush the passer and more of an elite player.

At the other 3 LB spots (being that I want to stay in base more often than not) I need speedy LBs that can be serviceable in coverage and that have great pursuit to stay competitive against 3 WR sets & faster TEs. Ideally I'll be able to spend for one elite MLB and an elite guy at my other OLB spot that's a threat rushing the passer but serviceable in coverage.

I'll keep one cheap but athletic SS or FS prospect I'll user control, and my other safety spot will need to be a faster cover guy. Sometimes a former corner.

I'll happily spend money on elite corners and tend to always be looking for elite talent here. I tend to get my *** kicked on big plays on D so if I have faster guys that can run things down it gives me a chance to bend and not break.

Offensively I can win with less.

I'll "moneyball" at RB, and, unless I get a franchise QB early, I'll go cheap for a guy with good SAC & MAC (even with noodle arms) and do just fine. I absolutely MUST have an accurate passer with the sliders I use or I'll throw every 3 yard drag route to a safety 30 yards downfield.

If I'm able to moneyball at QB I'll spend more at WR and try to have a greatly two headed monster here, if I can't (i.e. if I get a franchise guy at QB I know I'll have to pay big for) I'll try to keep one more explosive/borderline 90s guy at WR and build the rest of the unit around RTE and CIT. I tend to do well with hidden gems at WR and if I have a "Brady" at QB I can win with Deion Branch as my WR1, right?

TE is a moneymaker position for me--I need one cheap mauler with okay CIT and one deep threat (mmmm Darren Waller).

And last but not least I'll build oline around the system and talent I have. Basically, if I have more passing game talent, I go PBL first, if I'm **** at QB and need to pound, RBL. Spend here depends on well I've made value plays elsewhere.



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[NFCastle]

1. Look for/find a franchise QB
2. Find 1-2 defensive cornerstones to build around. Usually 1 secondary and one lb/lineman
3. Find a #1 target whether it's a big athletic TE or a WR
4. Fill in the roster with young talent. I prefer physical attributes > teachable skills

Those are the basic steps I take with pretty much help any team.