Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

[ABCfan]

Well after getting sick of Madden 09s franchise mode, I came here to read up to see if Head coach was worth my money. Ive read a ton of these dynasty threads(49ers, vikings, raiders, lions, giants, chiefs) and for the most part this game seems realistic so i decided to buy it.

I played a few play now games and i think ive got the hang of coaching now. I started in the preseason for a greater challenge(more huge contracts, bad draft). I am using all of the "house rules" that claystone used in his lions thread. This is actually my first franchise in this game so feel free to drop tips as you read along.

My coach has a stoic personality. His skills are:
level 4 offensive line physical
level 4 dline physical
level 4 oline intangibles
level 4 dline intangibles
level 3 oline learning
level 2 dline learning.

I plan to get oline and dline learning up to level 4, and then ill focus on LBs and RBs. I believe in building a team inside-out, and the raiders have some talented skill position players but a crappy line in both sides of the ball.

I created both of my playbooks. My offensive playbook is a hard-nosed running one. my defensive playbook is a physical man cvg. one, with a few LB blitzes here and there.

Team Philosophies
QB-strong armed/tools
RB-power
FB-blocking
WR-strong/blocking
TE-blocking
OT-run blocking
OG-run blocking
C-run blocking
DE-undersized speed rusher
DT-one-gap penetrator
OLB-run stopping
MLB-coverage/speed
CB-man coverage/ballhawk
FS-centerfielder
SS-coverage
K-pinpoint/accurate
P-big leg

I plan to slowly rebuild through the draft-I dont plan to compete in the playoffs for at least anothe 2-3 years. Also, I wont tolerate players who have big egos(TO, ocho cinco etc) and, since from what ive read play knowlege is important, i dont want too many people with low learning ratings on my team.

BTW-ABCfan means that i support Anyone But the Cowboys. even though i really am a raiders fan

[kenp86]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

STAY AWAY FROM SPECIAL ABILITIES!!!!!!!!!!! They make the game so much easier and boring. Once u buy special abilities the game becomes waaaaay to easy. So stay clear if u want a challenge.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

STAY AWAY FROM SPECIAL ABILITIES!!!!!!!!!!! They make the game so much easier and boring. Once u buy special abilities the game becomes waaaaay to easy. So stay clear if u want a challenge.

I disagree. I've gotten them and have had plenty of fun, and I'm not blowing out everyone or anything.

[ABCfan]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

STAY AWAY FROM SPECIAL ABILITIES!!!!!!!!!!! They make the game so much easier and boring. Once u buy special abilities the game becomes waaaaay to easy. So stay clear if u want a challenge.

thanks for the tip. Ill stay away at first and see how it goes, and may buy them down the line.

So I gloriously led my team to an 0-8 start, coaching all the games. I am getting better at it, since at first i was getting blown out(42-3, etc) but the games were getting closer and closer. I decided to sim out, and Im currently in week 16, right before the Texans game. I am 2-13. I NEED to win either this week or next week vs. the bucs since i promised big al that I would win at least 3 games this season.
Also, if i resign shane lechler i get an approval boost. Im probably gonna franchise Aso again since he is asking for a 5/6yr 73m contract. Way too much. I might have to end up trading him for a 1st or 2nd rounder during the draft, which will be hard to do since i love the guy.

The draft I got, was with 4 out of 5 top 5 picks being dlinemen, and CB karl dixon and QBs alex hurst and joe kane. NO SPOILERS please. Right now my biggest needs are at OL and DL, then maybe a WR, backup RB, and an OLB. I might go OLB in the 1st to give me possibly the best lb corps with morrison and howard.

Ill post the season stats and stuff later tonight and see if i can also fit an offseason in it. I might fire rob ryan because of the special skills thing, as well as a few other coaches-knapp and deflippo of the top of my head.

[kenp86]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

ive played numerous chises with different teams and when i bought the special abilities, the game became waaay to easy. like i was blowing everyone out by at least 25. And thats with claystones sliders. But what i have been recently doing with my coaches is hiring coaches who have all lvl 1 abilities and coaching them and buying the regular skills. that way i know they dont have special skills and ive been having a better go at it.

Oh and from what ive read from other Raiders chses on here, you can get a 1st 2nd and another pick for Aso

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

ive played numerous chises with different teams and when i bought the special abilities, the game became waaay to easy. like i was blowing everyone out by at least 25. And thats with claystones sliders. But what i have been recently doing with my coaches is hiring coaches who have all lvl 1 abilities and coaching them and buying the regular skills. that way i know they dont have special skills and ive been having a better go at it.

Oh and from what ive read from other Raiders chses on here, you can get a 1st 2nd and another pick for Aso

Haven't had that problem at all.

[ABCfan]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

Sorry in advance for this LOOOONG post

First off, i resigned P shane lechler to a 2 year deal to fulfill an owners goal, this was the ONLY resigning i made all year.


Season Standings(X=Wild-Card, Y=Divison, Z=Home Field)

AFC North
Y-Steelers 11-5
X-Bengals 8-8
Browns 5-11
Ravens 3-13

AFC South
Y-Colts 14-2
Jaguars 8-8
Titans 8-8
Texans 4-12

AFC East
Z-Patriots 15-1
X-Bills 13-3
Jets 6-10
Dolphins 3-13

AFC West
Y-Broncos 12-4
Chargers 8-8
Chiefs 8-8
Raiders 3-13

NFC North
Y-Vikings 11-5
X-Lions 11-5
Packers 8-8
Bears 7-9

NFC South
Y-Buccaneers 10-6
Saints 9-7
Falcons 4-12
Panthers 4-12

NFC East
Z-Eagles 13-3
X-Cowboys 11-5
Giants 10-6
Redskins 2-14

NFC West
Y-49ers 9-7
Rams 7-9
Seahawks 6-10
Cardinals 5-11

Playoffs
WC Round
Broncos 28, Bengals 14
Bucs 20, Cowgirls 17
Bills 24, Steelers 21
Lions 21, 49ers 14

Divisional Round
Broncos 24, Pats 10
Eagles 20, Bucs 10
Colts 28, Bills 10
Vikings 21, Lions 17

Conference Championship
Colts 19, Broncos 7
Eagles 24, Vikings 17

Super Bowl
Eagles 24, Colts 16

Awards
MVP-49ers QB JT O'Sullivan
OPOTY-Broncos WR Brandon Marshall(31 TD!)
DPOTY-Bucs MLB Barret Ruud
OROTY-Bears RB Matt Forte
DROTY-Bengals OLB Keith Rivers
COTY-Pats HC Hal Ophamer(aka bill belicheck)

Around the League-Coaching Changes
Cardinals Fire Ken Wisenhunt, Hire Gary Hammermil
Falcons Fire Mike Smith, Hire Rob Ryan
Redskins Fire Jim Zorn, Hire Clancy Pendergast

Raiders Changes
Fire GM Allan David, Hire GM RC McGriggs
Fire OC Greg Knapp, Hire OC George Henshaw
Fire DC Rob Ryan, Hire DC Ray Hamilton
Fire QBC John DeFlippo, Hire QBC Butch Millwood
Fire STC Brian Schnieder, Hire STC Dick Curl

ALL-Pro Teams

1st Team

49ers QB JT O'Sullivan
Bills RB Marshawn Lynch
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall
Browns WR Braylon Edwards
Colts WR Reggie Wayne
Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez
Chargers OT Marcus McNeill
Pats OT Matt Light
Pats OG Logan Mankins
Vikings OG Steve Hutchinson
Pats C Dan Koppen
Vikings DE Jared Allen
Texans DE Mario Williams
Titans DT Albert Haynesworth
Vikings DT Kevin Williams
Broncos OLB DJ Williams
Browns OLB Kamerion Wimbley
Bucs MLB Barret Ruud
Raiders CB Nmamdi Asomugha
49ers CB Nate Clements
Eagles S Brian Dawkins
Jets S Kerry Rhodes


2nd team

Broncos QB Jay Cutler
Cowboys RB Marion Barber
49ers WR Isaac Bruce
Patriots WR Randy Moss
Cowboys WR Terrell Owens
Chargers TE Antonio Gates
49ers OT Joe Staley
Pats OT Nick Kazcur
Falcons OG Justin Blalock
Eagles OG Shawn Andrews
Seahawks C Chris Spencer
Bucs DE Gaines Adams
Saints DE Charles Grant
Saints DT Sedrick Ellis
Bears DT Tommie Harris
Chargers OLB Shaun Phillips
Redskins OLB Marcus Washington
Ravens MLB Ray Lewis
Broncos CB Dre Bly
Bills CB Leodis McKelvin
Saints S Josh Bullocks
Redskins S LaRon Landry


3rd team
Colts QB Peyton Manning
Bucs RB Earnest Graham
Saints WR Marcus Colston
Bengals WR Chad Ocho-Cinco
Jets WR Laverneous Coles
Patriots TE Benjamin Watson
Panthers OT Jordan Gross
Eagles OT Tra Thomas
Cowboys OG Kyle Kosier
Dolphins OG Justin Smiley
Dolphins C Samson Satele
Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil
Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch
Texans DT Amobi Okoye
Eagles DT Brodrick Bunkley
Bengals OLB Keith Rivers
Pats OLB Adalius Thomas
Cardinals MLB Karlos Dansby
Dolphins CB Will Allen
Vikings CB Antoine Winfield
Packers S Nick Collins, Seahawks S Brian Russell

Ill try to fit an offseason post later tonight

[kenp86]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

MY LIONS ACTUALLY WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND EVEN MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

Awards
MVP-49ers QB JT O'Sullivan
OPOTY-Broncos WR Brandon Marshall(31 TD!)

J.T. O'Turnover for MVP???

Brandon Marshall also puts godlike numbers up in mine. One year he had over 2,000 yards and 30 TD.

[ABCfan]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

Haha yea, O'Sullivan had some beastly stats. And both arnaz battle and isaac bruce also did amazing despite their low ratings

And the Lions signed Osi Umenyora in FA(got cut by giants) to a huge 5 yr 45ish million deal. but their *star*QB kitna retired.


So heading into the offseason, my draft picks were
1-4
2-36
3-68
4-100
5-132
6-164
7-196

I did not cut any dead weight. Only people gone from last years team are the ones whose contracts expired.

I franchised Aso, and then dealt him to the Rams for 1-13 and an 2010 4th. That was my only move of the offseason, as I sat out the FA period-I didnt sign a single free agent.

Draft
So now, I had
1-4
1-13
2-36
3-68
4-100
5-132
6-164
7-196

I traded 1-4 to the Titans for 1-15, 3-79, and a 2010 7th.

With 1-13, I took Pitt DE Doki Somanu. Somanu is 6'8" and 325 lbs, so I am gonna convert him to a DT and see how that goes.

With 1-15, I took Notre Dame DE Caraun Lawrence. Ive read in the other Raider blogs about him(basically the only spoiler i used lol) and he seems beastly. Hes a really fast guy and has all high ratings, but according to Shefter he is one dimensional-he cant play the run. So either he develops there, or he is just a 2 down player.

I traded 2-36 to the Bears for a 2010 2nd and a 2010 3rd.

With 3-68, I took Brown DE Twan Hollings. He had solid attributes throughout, and I think he can be a good depth DE.

With 3-79, I took Wyoming DT Ryan Conway. He seems like a decent enough run-plugger, so I hope he can provide good depth at DT.

With 4-100, I took Minnesota CB Reuben Moody. Since I traded Aso, I needed a 3rd CB to go along w/ Bowie and Hall. Ill get the 4th guy via training camp.

5-132, I took Deleware State TE Sleepy Miles. My TE philosophy is blocking, and he was the best blocker available. Needed a 2nd decent blocking TE next to Miller since i run a lot of 2 TE sets. Hopefully he can make the team.

6-164, I got New Mexico FB Trey Barney. This is just to provide some competition for justin griffith, and barney might even make the team as I might carry 2 FBs-lot of I-Form in my playbook.

7-196, was Deleware OLB Trey Kingston. He had some solid physical attributes but not sure about his intangibles. This is more of a distant future pick, since Thomas Howard's contract is up in a few years and he will most likely demand a HUGE payday(the guy is a total beast in real life, much more so in this game). So hopefully Kingston might be able to adequetly fill in for a year if i let howard go, before i find his replacement

I then traded both of my 2010 7ths to get 7-222 from Denver.
With 7-222, I took Oklahoma FS Anthony Riggs. I noticed how the draft class had an "A" rating for the safeties, so i figured why not, its only a 7th rounder.

UDFA
Texas QB Brandon Franklin-Just to fill out depth chart, as i signed no FAs

Texas C Dee McCamey-I moved mario henderson to C, so mccamey also fills out the depth chart if he makes it past TC

Harvard OT Julius Russell-Ditto

OleMiss OG Quincy Graham-Ditto

Rice WR Jimmy Pittman-Provide some competition for some of my bench warmer WRs in curry and schliens.


Now I realize that I spent a lot on the Dline, so hopefully this draft can solidify me in that position, and in the next 2 drafts I can focus on upgrading the offensive line, as well as getting a decent complement to McFadden(fargas is soooooo underrated in this game)

[kenp86]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

They should canned Kitnas arse..... And dont do the dead weight a lot if ever. BIG cap penalties for some of the players. What I do is when that part comes up, for what ever player they want me to cut i go to the roster screen and pick to release that player and just look at how much it would cost to cut that player and i decide of off that number.

[IanROX22]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

Caraun Lawrence is a MONSTER!!!

My favourite player in that draft is Notre Dame WR Dravannti Jordan. He may not be the best, and he may not have the most upside, but he's so freakishly talented and fits my scheme (Urban Meyer Spread-Option) perfectly!

Nice draft, especially with my Caraun Lawrence! btw, who ended up snagging Ozzie Jones?

Good luck with the Raiders bro, and make sure you ALWAYS check free agency come training camp! (like before the preseason) Sometimes teams will release some of their star players/rookies because of their cap situation. I know that's how I snagged DE Derrick Harvey. I also saw Gholston in FA!!! I just decided it'd be too unfair if I nabbed him, and I liked my LB core.

Hope you have a better year, but don't guarantee too much, or you'll be guaranteeing your firing come January

Nice stuff man

[ABCfan]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

Caraun Lawrence is a MONSTER!!!

My favourite player in that draft is Notre Dame WR Dravannti Jordan. He may not be the best, and he may not have the most upside, but he's so freakishly talented and fits my scheme (Urban Meyer Spread-Option) perfectly!

Nice draft, especially with my Caraun Lawrence! btw, who ended up snagging Ozzie Jones?

Good luck with the Raiders bro, and make sure you ALWAYS check free agency come training camp! (like before the preseason) Sometimes teams will release some of their star players/rookies because of their cap situation. I know that's how I snagged DE Derrick Harvey. I also saw Gholston in FA!!! I just decided it'd be too unfair if I nabbed him, and I liked my LB core.

Hope you have a better year, but don't guarantee too much, or you'll be guaranteeing your firing come January

Nice stuff man

i think that the giants scooped up ozzie jones and the cowboys got dravanti jordan. the WR who looked better than jordan to me was kammeon walker, and the eagles took him with their top 10 pick.


and im counting this as my "first" season since in the last one, none of the players were my guys, so ill be promising 3 wins again. I have a parcells like 3 year plan, so the year after my promise is under 500, then the 3rd year it will be over 500.

Ill post the 1st round and my preseason stuff and the final depth chart on friday.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

You can run a true spread option w/ this game?

[IanROX22]

Re: Finally Decided to buy this game-Raiders Dynasty

You can run a true spread option w/ this game?

Yep. Even in the Gator Heavy with the QB Blast (like Tebow) and the WR Jet Sweep (Percy Harvin). You can even do like a QB Sweep and a Jet Sweep Option.

I went into Play Creator and edited the QB Blast/Sweep and the Jet Sweep so I can

1. Get Dravannti Jordan (aka Percy Harvin) to be the QB on a QB Blast and QB Sweep (like what Harvin did at Florida). Nothing like having a Quick QB running those plays

2. Have a Wildcat formation. I have Dravannti Jordan as my QB and have Ozzie Jones take/fake the handoff. I love running the QB Choice Jet Sweep (it's called like QB Wrap or something in the Gator Heavy) with Dravannti Jordan and Ozzie Jones. The Wildcat and Urban Meyer's system at it's best!

Love it!!!