Too Easy

[luqman]

I play the Cowboys. The game is just too easy with this team. What kind of "house rules" are people using to keep things from getting out of hand?

When I faced the Colts in the Super Bowl, Greg Ellis (85 LOLB) had just gone down for the season with an injury. So I go to the waiver wire and, lo and behold, Brian Urlacher is just sitting there. Obviously, the Bears cut him for salary cap reasons... but that's just making the game way too easy. I didn't even really need to use him during the game, but he was in on a few plays. Mainly, I just franchised him, knowing full well that I could deal him for SOMETHING in the draft. The result? Another first round draft pick.

By the way, if your GM is an insider at all the schools, scouting is too easy. My last draft I ended up with five guys with potential of 90+; three of them are starters. And, thanks to the Urlacher trade, one of those guys is a linebacker who replaces him perfectly for about 1/5th the cost. The team that took Urlacher off of my hands was not "a player away" either. so it makes no sense why they would want him and his huge salary instead of taking a strong rookie at a hard to miss position. So much for clever AI.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Too Easy

I play the Cowboys. The game is just too easy with this team. What kind of "house rules" are people using to keep things from getting out of hand?

When I faced the Colts in the Super Bowl, Greg Ellis (85 LOLB) had just gone down for the season with an injury. So I go to the waiver wire and, lo and behold, Brian Urlacher is just sitting there. Obviously, the Bears cut him for salary cap reasons... but that's just making the game way too easy. I didn't even really need to use him during the game, but he was in on a few plays. Mainly, I just franchised him, knowing full well that I could deal him for SOMETHING in the draft. The result? Another first round draft pick.

By the way, if your GM is an insider at all the schools, scouting is too easy. My last draft I ended up with five guys with potential of 90+; three of them are starters. And, thanks to the Urlacher trade, one of those guys is a linebacker who replaces him perfectly for about 1/5th the cost. The team that took Urlacher off of my hands was not "a player away" either. so it makes no sense why they would want him and his huge salary instead of taking a strong rookie at a hard to miss position. So much for clever AI.

I've never seen great players in free agency during the season.

If you want a challenge, play a tougher team. If you play with a great team, it won't be fun, because winning will be easy. Try taking a bad team in salary cap hell over, it's tough.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Too Easy

yeah really, when u start the game it says right there for the cowboys that its easy or very easy. what did u expect? it's no different than using the cowboys in madden. they're a good team. lol

[swatter555]

Re: Too Easy

yeah really, when u start the game it says right there for the cowboys that its easy or very easy. what did u expect? it's no different than using the cowboys in madden. they're a good team. lol

I think he was more commenting on how the AI made things even easier than they should be. I can see his point, but I think the AI does a decent job. Your are going to scratch your head sometimes, but don't take advantage of things you know are wrong.

[Step2001]

Re: Too Easy

In any Sport video game my rules are not to take advantage of the a.i. logic when it comes to trading.

To get something you have to give up something. I know the going rate on a aging (30's) player. Most likely your looking at 4th rd pick or lower.

As for taking a good team and rolling with them. Your doing what your supposed to do, "Win"!
The challenge comes when you re-sign your guys. Who do you let walk & who do you re-sign?
You can't re-sign everyone.

The draft, yeah I understand when the G.M. has scouted every player.
I guess every player even though rated highly does not turn out. I base this on the system you run.

I'll see after a couple of seasons.

[luqman]

Re: Too Easy

yeah really, when u start the game it says right there for the cowboys that its easy or very easy. what did u expect? it's no different than using the cowboys in madden. they're a good team. lol

Actually, when I changed to using my own created coach over Wade Phillips it was supposed to be harder. Yes, I understand that the Cowboys are a good team. I'm 39-0 since taking over... I should not be unbeatable, but I'll accept that all games are over the top with the "good" teams.

The AI is generally good, but there are some weaknesses. My assistant coaches should all have resigned for higher ranking jobs by now. No one held out of camp. Even if I passed on Urlacher, I would have still been able to draft a ton of guys with 90+ potential.

If I start over from scratch with a harder team, the draft will be easy for the first few years, right? I mean, I already scouted the classes and know the potentials of many players. How does the game mask that?

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Too Easy

If I start over from scratch with a harder team, the draft will be easy for the first few years, right? I mean, I already scouted the classes and know the potentials of many players. How does the game mask that?

Not necessarily. I believe it's been said that there is four distinct draft paths, if you get a different one you get completely different players.

[kbomb1upc]

Re: Too Easy

If you want a harder game, play with the Raiders or the Chiefs or a team with no cap room.

[luqman]

Re: Too Easy

Not necessarily. I believe it's been said that there is four distinct draft paths, if you get a different one you get completely different players.

Thanks, I didn't realize that. I am put off by the whole idea of having a linear story line in a sports sim, but its nice to see they accounted for having different paths to go.

[havlen]

Re: Too Easy

Honestly, I've played starting with the Dolphins for 3 seasons, started over with the Texans for 3 seasons and am now just a couple of games into a new career with the Cowboys and I don't expect it to be any easier with the Cowboys than the other teams.

I was 13-3 with the Dolphins the first year and 12-4 with the Texans the first year. It's not that difficult to make some moves and build a good enough team quickly -- and you don't need to be all that great to beat up on the computer.

[kwpit79]

Re: Too Easy

Honestly, I've played starting with the Dolphins for 3 seasons, started over with the Texans for 3 seasons and am now just a couple of games into a new career with the Cowboys and I don't expect it to be any easier with the Cowboys than the other teams.

I was 13-3 with the Dolphins the first year and 12-4 with the Texans the first year. It's not that difficult to make some moves and build a good enough team quickly -- and you don't need to be all that great to beat up on the computer.

You definitely can teach me some things! With good teams I have good records, but with the Dolphins (halfway through my first season), my record is 2-7. Now this is after trading J. Porter and J. Taylor and not having C. Pennington, but still. A lot of times I get blown out (almost always due to an overwhelming amount of turnovers!).

[Step2001]

Re: Too Easy

I'm undefeated with my Cowboys going into the last game of the season.
I have had a couple of close games.

Beating the Giants in the first meeting of the season by one point on a last second TD on 4th down.

The Steelers were up 21-7 at halftime. I came back to win 31-21!

I know if I had injuries to key personnel. I would be in a heap of trouble.
That's not to say I have not had my share. 3-4 guys on I.R. and other guys missing time here and there.
------------------

When taking a team follow some of the house rules others have made when it comes to trading and signing free agents.

The salary cap will tighten. You can't sign everyone.

[Step2001]

Re: Too Easy

I finished the season 16-0! Beat the Eagles 16-7 to close the Reg. Season out.
--------------

Divisional Game against the Eagles again!!!!

I'm ahead 27-21! Eagles QB Kevin Kolb hits Reggie Brown in the endzone on 3rd down with .06 seconds to go.
Kick is good!!! Eagles up 28-27!

I'm just sitting there with a blank look on my face!
-------------
.06 seonds on the clock!

They kickoff! I have Felix Jones and Miles Austin back to receive.

The Kick is going to Jones. (I say to myself, the guy I want to have the ball in his hands is going to have a chance, that's all I can ask)

Jones comes up the field makes a couple of moves. Splits two defenders and he's off to the races.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to kick the EP to end the game! But what a game!!!!!!!!!!

[steelraccoon]

Re: Too Easy

I don't know about the game being too easy but it sure ain't boring!

Season 3, Game 2 of my Dolphins Career is against the Pats... in NE.... in the rain. Sigh

It's one of those shoot out kinds games... I am down 56 to 28 at the end of the 3rd. (My QB had 3 Pick Six)

I manage to tie the game up with 3 seconds on the clock in the 4th.

I win the coin toss for OT.... and in 2:34 in the OT there is 4 turnovers (3 Fum/1 INT) and I win in OT by a field goal. LOL

Easy... no way... fun... yes... stressful, Oh god yes!

[luqman]

Re: Too Easy

I finished the season 16-0! Beat the Eagles 16-7 to close the Reg. Season out.
--------------

Divisional Game against the Eagles again!!!!

I'm ahead 27-21! Eagles QB Kevin Kolb hits Reggie Brown in the endzone on 3rd down with .06 seconds to go.
Kick is good!!! Eagles up 28-27!

I'm just sitting there with a blank look on my face!
-------------
.06 seonds on the clock!

They kickoff! I have Felix Jones and Miles Austin back to receive.

The Kick is going to Jones. (I say to myself, the guy I want to have the ball in his hands is going to have a chance, that's all I can ask)

Jones comes up the field makes a couple of moves. Splits two defenders and he's off to the races.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to kick the EP to end the game! But what a game!!!!!!!!!!

This is exactly what I am talking about. I'm not trying to offend you, but you know you should have lost that game. However, because the game is too easy, you get an arcade-style ending. I've been "rewarded" with that a few times as well.

Still haven't lost... I have won 43 "counted" games (plus all 12 preseason games). No T.O. since the first season, either. The only challenge I have now is trying to establish some sort of run game (for my own preference), and trying to lead the league in total defense. I guess there are some roster challenges as well; I really want my rookies to develop into superstars. Eventually, I'll choose another team. But, I'm a die hard Cowboys fan... the thought of trying to win with another team is just unsettling