Are there any guides for what player attributes work best for each position?

[Stonewall458]

I want to become a better player and not just rely on a player's overall when determining if he should start or not. Are there any guides out there to help determine which attributes work best for each position? For example, if you have a running back with X rating and O-Linemen with Y rating, you should use more inside runs (unless the D-Linemen have a Z rating).

I'm aware of PocketScout's breakdown of the player's overall rating but that's not really what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something that would translate across all football games (Madden, NCAA, 2K, etc.).

[GAMEBREAKER85]

Sliders have to be adjusted to get a realistic and challenging game for many that is the first priority.

As far as ratings Awareness is a huge rating. For the sim world Awareness is basically going to determine your TD/INT ratio. For the guys who actually play games with a low awareness rating you will have games where they just make awful throws. A lot of games with low awareness QBs you will start the game off very erratic, and if you don't throw some screen passes or simple throws you can struggle. I personally play with QB accuracy slider at I believe 5.

RB's same deal, a low awareness will make some RBs start at a slower speed and will take them time to "warm up" and achieve their speed/acceleration ratings. That one doesn't sound very realistic but RBs can be inconsistent in real life so it works out. Same with young WR's on the game, they usually come in w/ low awareness ratings and it causes them to drop to many balls; I usually raise the awareness of the better incoming WR recruits around the country.

So start with Awareness.

[MSTATE12]

I would love to find this out too. Not using sim.

Is it better for me to start my corner that has the highest awareness over a corner with better man coverage?

Or should a receiver that is slower and lower acc start because he has better route running and awr?

I remember a WR named Boyd from UNLV (from the named rosters, not a generated player) that was a beast when I would play using them. His speed wasnt great, but yet it was always open.

[GAMEBREAKER85]

Same call as a real life coach has to make... start the talented guy with track speed or start the guy who is always in the right spot?

At the end of the day though as a player you control the "sticks" so your going to make up a lot with your stick skills. A fast linebacker or free safety is going to be better than a smart and slower guy b/c your going to make more plays with the faster guy. That is why house rules are important when playing with QB's, I limit myself to one hot route per pass play; nothing more unrealistic than changing 5 guys' routes like Peyton Manning and your QB is a redshirt freshman.

Cornerback is tricky though, Awareness and Man Coverage very important b/c nothing more frustrating than to keep getting beat on the same routes. The AI will adjust to you and what the computer does quicker if its a better rated player.

[xboxxerx]

Something like this Stone...

Quarterback
Strong Arm QB : Elite Arm Strength
West Coast QB : Short Accuracy and Mobility
Field General QB : High Awareness,Throw on the Run, Play Action
Balanced QB : Decent Arm Strength, Speed and Acceleration
Pocket Passer QB : High Accuracy and Arm Strength

Halfback
Balanced HB : Decent Speed and Acceleration
Power Back HB : Strength and Trucking
Speed Back HB : Speed and Accleration
Receiving HB : Elusiveness and Catching
One Cut HB : Acceleration and Ball Carrier Vision

Fullback
Runner/Receiver FB : Catching, Speed, and Ball Carrier Vision
Blocking FB : Strength, Run and Impact Blocking
Balanced FB : Decent Speed, Agility, and Run Blocking

Wide Receiver
Possession Receiver : Catch in Traffic
Red Zone Threat : Spectacular Catch and Catch in Traffic
Route Runner : Agility and Route Running
Balanced WR : Decent Speed Acceleration and Agility
Speed WR : Speed and Acceleration

Tight End
Balanced TE : Decent Speed Acceleration and Agility
Blocking TE : Impact, Run and Pass Blocking
Vertical Threat : Speed, Agility, and Route Running
Receiver TE : Catching and Route Running

Offensive Linemen
Run Blocker O-Line : Run Blocking, Strength, and Acceleration
BIG Mauler O-Line : Run Blocking, Strength and Impact Blocking
Zone Blocking O-Line : Run Blocking, Agility, and Acceleration
Balanced O-Line : Decent Strength, Awareness, Pass and Run Blocking
Pass Blocker O-Line : Pass Blocking, Strength and Awareness

Defensive End
Balanced 4-3 DE : Decent Speed, Power, and Finesse Moves
4-3 Run Stopper : Strength, Block Shedding and Tackling
3-4 Run Stopper : Strength, Pursuit, and Tackiling
3-4 Versatile : Decent Physical and Intangible Ratings
Speed Rusher : Speed Acceleration and pass Rushing

Defensive Tackle
Pass Rusher DT : Acceleration and Pass Rushing
Prototype DT : Agility, Strength, and Acceleration
Nose Tackle DT : Strength and Tackling
Run Stopper DT : Strength, Block Shedding, and Tackling
Balanced DT : Decent Physical and Intangible Ratings
Inside/Outside Linebacker
3-4 Tackler LB : Block Shedding, Pursuit, and Tackling
3-4 Pass Rusher LB : Acceleration and Pass Rushing
Cover 2 LB : Zone Coverage, and Decent Speed and Agility
Run Stopper LB : Block Shedding, Pursuit and Tackling
Prototype LB : Speed, Agility, and Acceleration
Balanced LB : Decent Speed, Acceleration and Agility
Cornerback
Man 2 Man Coverage CB : Man Coverage, Speed, Acceleration and Agility
Run Support CB : Press Coverage, Tackling, Decent Speed and Agility
Balanced CB : Decent Speed, Agility, Man and Zone Coverage
Prototype CB : Speed Strength, and Acceleration
Zone CB : Zone Coverage, and Play Reconigtion

Safety
Zone Safety : Zone Coverage, and Play Reconigtion
Playmaker : Pursuit, Play Reconigtion, and Awareness
Balanced Safety : Speed, Agility, Coverage, and Tackling
Prototype Safety : Speed, Agility, and Acceleration
Run Support Safety : Block Shedding, Pursuit, and Tackling

[Stonewall458]

That's fantastic! That's very useful.

What about matchups though? What should I look at when scouting ahead of an upcoming game?

[king8838]

I think it all comes down to preference.
I just wrapped up a 50+ year dynasty and after so many years I realized it wasn't always the best OVR that made the best plays. Mostly noticeable when it comes to QB and HB, you want the best position player that matches your style of play.

Running a pistol offense I always skipped all the balanced and pocket passer QB recruits, and so on with WR's and defensive players.

[xboxxerx]

Stone, I would just say in regards to scouting, go off the attributes I posted above at those positions. If they are a high number, then you know what you are dealing with.