How do you handle players with slow development?

[markjsn]

On my niners franchise I have a running back that is a decent 78 ovr great speed 96. But he has slow development. I usually trade these guys away but I'm trying to use a lot of house rules for a more challenging rebuild on this one and don't want to do that.
How do you ha handle them? Should I save his xp and buy the normal trait or just improve his skills?

Also he won NFC player of the week and didn't go up to normal.

Thoughts?

[Birdman18]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Just improve his skills.. if he can make the pro bowl, his dev trait will go up in the offseason


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[Datninja619]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Since he's a RB is should he easier to focus on upgrading skills during season, which would help him get yearly/weekly awards. Then I'd upgrade his dev trait.

DBs I do the opposite. Save up then do the dev trait.

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[ParaAut]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Do it like in real life

Honestly, I treat these players in a similar way the would be treated in the NFL. They are drafted so they will get their chance, as a starter or backup. Give him 1-2 or more years and see how he develops. If he is able to win some awards he will go up to Normal/Quick development. See where he is with his skills and then decide, if you want to trade him, just let him go or re-sign him.

Two examples in my franchise:
- Drafted a pass rusher (OLB) at the end of the first round. Good thing he was 79 OVR with 80+ in both pass rush skills if I remember correctly, but he had Slow development. For a full 2 years he has been only backup to Bruce Irvin until he had become just too old. Now the guy with slow development got his chance, played great and developed his skill and won some awards. Now he is 99 OVR with Superstar development...

- Gave 3 high draft picks to jump to No. 1 overall to draft my future franchise quarterback (he looked great after scouting). Then he was 76 OVR with normal development and I was a bit disappointed. However Carr was old and I gave him the chance to start a few games - I don't know why, but he was absolutely brilliant. He never looked back and finished the season with 40+ TD's and 4500+ Yards and won nearly every award I can remember of at age 21 (Best QB, OPOY, OROY, NFL MVP, Pro Bowl, Leader in passer rating,...). He jumped to 85 OVR, Quick Dev. and has now about 85.000 XP to spend (I let the CPU develop players, so he will get Superstar dev). Carr is rated better in nearly every category, but has never won such an award...

[markjsn]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Thanks for the input everyone.

[onetonmartin]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

I hear you, Para.

A month ago I drafted a QB at 1.02 and planned to start him right away. Came out around 80 ovr. He threw 35TD/25INTs his first season, then began his second season the same way, but got hurt and was out for the year.

So I sub'd in Connor Cook and the guy went bananas. 41TD/8INTs. Made far fewer mistakes for some reason. My team whole just seemed to run better with him at QB. I can't explain it.

[ajra21]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

TBH, i've pretty much learnt to ignore the dev trait. you can get most players into the 90s before their rookie contracts run regardless of their dev trait.

[Niner_Souljah]

How do you handle players with slow development?

I just drafted a cb with slow dev he was a 78 overall out the gate I'll post his photo at the bottom... but he had barely any attributes that played into him being a playmaker so I've focused on getting him high motor, aggressive, and clutch which should translate into great play gaining more point and awards so in other words focus on the traits/ or specific position attributes and use awards and season goals to up his trait dev I also have the cbXP boost so lookin to getting the HB XP boost


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[Dcourtne]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

I find these players to be pretty useful because the have decent skill ratings. They can be a stop gap for a season or provide solid and inexpensive depth. Also cheaper to acquire in trade. However, if I have a choice to develop a slow player vs normal or better, I'll lean toward the latter (unless there is a big gap in the skill traits.) reason being is you'll earn more xp and you'll save the 10-15k of xp needed to bump up development.

I do see the point of others that you can overcome the slow trait if you focus on these players to earn xp and awards.

[SilverBullet19]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

It depends on the player, his other traits, and my needs. If they're useful, I'll keep them.

I drafted a 73 WR who has 93 speed, 94 acc, 93 agility. He was 21, but had slow development.

I use him as my #3 (slot) receiver. He is a 77 now in year 3 of his contract. The benefit is, I can re-sign him to a pretty low cost contract after next year, since he isn't all that great overall. He will be 25, so I will likely hang on to him till 28 or so before letting him go or trading him.

If there is a strong draft class at WR (there isn't this year), maybe I'll trade him.

[ebdaal21]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Do it like in real life

Honestly, I treat these players in a similar way the would be treated in the NFL. They are drafted so they will get their chance, as a starter or backup. Give him 1-2 or more years and see how he develops. If he is able to win some awards he will go up to Normal/Quick development. See where he is with his skills and then decide, if you want to trade him, just let him go or re-sign him.

Two examples in my franchise:
- Drafted a pass rusher (OLB) at the end of the first round. Good thing he was 79 OVR with 80+ in both pass rush skills if I remember correctly, but he had Slow development. For a full 2 years he has been only backup to Bruce Irvin until he had become just too old. Now the guy with slow development got his chance, played great and developed his skill and won some awards. Now he is 99 OVR with Superstar development...

- Gave 3 high draft picks to jump to No. 1 overall to draft my future franchise quarterback (he looked great after scouting). Then he was 76 OVR with normal development and I was a bit disappointed. However Carr was old and I gave him the chance to start a few games - I don't know why, but he was absolutely brilliant. He never looked back and finished the season with 40+ TD's and 4500+ Yards and won nearly every award I can remember of at age 21 (Best QB, OPOY, OROY, NFL MVP, Pro Bowl, Leader in passer rating,...). He jumped to 85 OVR, Quick Dev. and has now about 85.000 XP to spend (I let the CPU develop players, so he will get Superstar dev). Carr is rated better in nearly every category, but has never won such an award...

Maybe you should try changing it from rookie mode to something a tad more challenging

[kwpit79]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

TBH, i've pretty much learnt to ignore the dev trait. you can get most players into the 90s before their rookie contracts run regardless of their dev trait.

I agree with this, and it's why I hate the XP system. Drafting is meaningless, for the most part. Whoever you draft can be turned into a star by their third year.

[ajra21]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

I agree with this, and it's why I hate the XP system. Drafting is meaningless, for the most part. Whoever you draft can be turned into a star by their third year.

yeah, it certainly is a problem. that and there just being too many good players in every draft. especially QB. my god, every year there are five QB who could be legit top five QB. way too easy.

[ParaAut]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Maybe you should try changing it from rookie mode to something a tad more challenging

I wouldn't say that. I play on All-Pro with Flazko's True Realism Slider and TDawg's XP sliders AND what is the most important aspect here: I played exactly 1 game this season - rest was simmed.

So - no, my Madden skill or the difficulty are no reasons for that. You have to complain about something else.

[TjJunior]

Re: How do you handle players with slow development?

Go into edit player and tune it to the desired option, or we can pretend like that's not a thing.