I remember a prior thread like this, and unfortunately, it went away...SO!
I just completed the first regular season of my Connected Careers last night, and I'm fairly happy, so I figured I'd take the time to go through a breakdown of some things and what I loved, and what I didn't.
I used a Gameface coach, and because I was basically starting just after launch and had heard I needed to play Online CC at that point, its an online, solo CC. So, Jay Jackson took over for Jim Schwartz, and away we went.
Now, even though pre-existing injuries don't work correctly, I was able to just keep Jahvid Best rostered all year without him getting into a game -- but it wasn't ideal as at one point I needed to sign players to actually PLAY because of injuries, so it did hurt. This is one of the biggest things to me for at least minor editing, or the ability to edit before starting a CC. No one in Detroit thinks Jahvid will ever play again. I also didn't play Leshoure until Week 3 to simulate his suspension.
Other than my gaudy 15-1 record, I had some really competitive games that I definitely could have lost. I barely won in OT against the Texans on Thanksgiving, and I did drop that one contest to the Packers at Lambeau. Completely default All-Pro, except CPU interceptions were toned down to 25. (EDIT: FG Power is at 65. I've got Hanson hitting the crossbar at 56 yards, this seems about right now. It was pretty gross early in the year but he finished above 75% on FG at worst.) (ANOTHER EDIT: I should mention, about ten games were at 12 minutes, accelerated to 20 seconds, and then I went to 13. It fit my pace and I'm going to do an in-depth look at the first season stats to see if I need to tweak any further, but it felt nice on both accounts.)
Stafford threw for around 4,800 yards, 31 TD/18 INT, and he and Calvin and the O-Line were some of the only ones to avoid the injury bug at some point. Calvin nearly broke the yardage record, and was close on the TD record as well to win Receiver of the Year. Rodgers was again the MVP, and I was Coach of the Year.
In "average young guy who is now going to develop" news -- rookie Bill Bentley played himself into a Pro Bowl year, I believe he had 5 picks and 2 returned for TD's. He started the year as my nickel corner, but did have quite a few starts due to injuries to Chris Houston and Alphonso Smith at different points.
I hate that this guy is wearing #20, but I was forced to pick up a SS after Sean Jones got broken... I could have had him back for the playoffs, maybe, but I wanted to get a starter on his level -- so I picked up Josh Barrett. The man has been an absolute stud since I picked him up in for week 12. Four interceptions, forcing fumbles, just a rock against the run and amazing in safety help -- he was by far the best performing free agent I've just scoured off the wire in a LONG time in a video game.
The Lions going 15-1 is doubtful, but surely not impossible after a 10-6 year. I did NOT have a great year rushing the ball, as can be expected. I had 600 yard goals for both Leshoure and Kevin Smith, and they did both meet their goals. I'm not at my PS3, obviously -- but Leshoure had around 130 yards in the final game against the Bears to MAYBE give him 800 for the year, and I essentially had to make sure I got Smith a few carries in the finale to get him above his 600 yard Level 4 goal.
As far as that RB platoon with, Smith was the starter and backed up by Harrison and Logan while Leshoure "served his suspension" (He may have got in on Special Teams, but he did NOT have a touch until Week 3.) Even though he was a lesser rating, I wanted Balanced HB's so I changed my scheme and went with Mikel. The starting job went back and forth as both backs did deal with minor, lingering injuries all year long. Harrison didn't have many touches out of the backfield, but if his contract is up I'd definitely consider keeping him around.
I'll look up my receiving and defensive stats later, but other than tackles being low because of assisted tackles not registering, nothing really was making me go "wow, that's horrible." Not a huge number of takeaways, but I did do well with interceptions. The balls I picked I felt I should have in almost every occurrence.
I got the first-round bye, and I've advanced through to where I'm ready to practice for my Divisional Round Matchup. We're hosting the defending Champs. Dallas/Green Bay is the other NFC Matchup. I know the Patriots murdered the Jets in the Wildcard round, but I am currently drawing a blank on their opponent and the other AFC Divisional Matchup right now. I am thinking that the Pats play the Titans, but don't quote me.
I *LOVE* the scouting and the draft storylines, but I must say that I thought there were more in each draft, unless maybe my first class is a "lesser" draft. Please don't release any future draft class spoilers, but here are the storyline players (in spoiler tags) that I am seeing in my Class #1:
Please, if you are having a negative impression or experience with Connected Careers in Coach Mode, save your flames for another thread. I am strictly going over what I have seen, and will continue to update throughout my playoffs, and offseason to really give a solid look at the mode. I am well aware of the longstanding issues, I am a person who plays around them and do not wish to dwell on them here. Thank you.
I just completed the first regular season of my Connected Careers last night, and I'm fairly happy, so I figured I'd take the time to go through a breakdown of some things and what I loved, and what I didn't.
I used a Gameface coach, and because I was basically starting just after launch and had heard I needed to play Online CC at that point, its an online, solo CC. So, Jay Jackson took over for Jim Schwartz, and away we went.
Now, even though pre-existing injuries don't work correctly, I was able to just keep Jahvid Best rostered all year without him getting into a game -- but it wasn't ideal as at one point I needed to sign players to actually PLAY because of injuries, so it did hurt. This is one of the biggest things to me for at least minor editing, or the ability to edit before starting a CC. No one in Detroit thinks Jahvid will ever play again. I also didn't play Leshoure until Week 3 to simulate his suspension.
Other than my gaudy 15-1 record, I had some really competitive games that I definitely could have lost. I barely won in OT against the Texans on Thanksgiving, and I did drop that one contest to the Packers at Lambeau. Completely default All-Pro, except CPU interceptions were toned down to 25. (EDIT: FG Power is at 65. I've got Hanson hitting the crossbar at 56 yards, this seems about right now. It was pretty gross early in the year but he finished above 75% on FG at worst.) (ANOTHER EDIT: I should mention, about ten games were at 12 minutes, accelerated to 20 seconds, and then I went to 13. It fit my pace and I'm going to do an in-depth look at the first season stats to see if I need to tweak any further, but it felt nice on both accounts.)
Stafford threw for around 4,800 yards, 31 TD/18 INT, and he and Calvin and the O-Line were some of the only ones to avoid the injury bug at some point. Calvin nearly broke the yardage record, and was close on the TD record as well to win Receiver of the Year. Rodgers was again the MVP, and I was Coach of the Year.
In "average young guy who is now going to develop" news -- rookie Bill Bentley played himself into a Pro Bowl year, I believe he had 5 picks and 2 returned for TD's. He started the year as my nickel corner, but did have quite a few starts due to injuries to Chris Houston and Alphonso Smith at different points.
I hate that this guy is wearing #20, but I was forced to pick up a SS after Sean Jones got broken... I could have had him back for the playoffs, maybe, but I wanted to get a starter on his level -- so I picked up Josh Barrett. The man has been an absolute stud since I picked him up in for week 12. Four interceptions, forcing fumbles, just a rock against the run and amazing in safety help -- he was by far the best performing free agent I've just scoured off the wire in a LONG time in a video game.
The Lions going 15-1 is doubtful, but surely not impossible after a 10-6 year. I did NOT have a great year rushing the ball, as can be expected. I had 600 yard goals for both Leshoure and Kevin Smith, and they did both meet their goals. I'm not at my PS3, obviously -- but Leshoure had around 130 yards in the final game against the Bears to MAYBE give him 800 for the year, and I essentially had to make sure I got Smith a few carries in the finale to get him above his 600 yard Level 4 goal.
As far as that RB platoon with, Smith was the starter and backed up by Harrison and Logan while Leshoure "served his suspension" (He may have got in on Special Teams, but he did NOT have a touch until Week 3.) Even though he was a lesser rating, I wanted Balanced HB's so I changed my scheme and went with Mikel. The starting job went back and forth as both backs did deal with minor, lingering injuries all year long. Harrison didn't have many touches out of the backfield, but if his contract is up I'd definitely consider keeping him around.
I'll look up my receiving and defensive stats later, but other than tackles being low because of assisted tackles not registering, nothing really was making me go "wow, that's horrible." Not a huge number of takeaways, but I did do well with interceptions. The balls I picked I felt I should have in almost every occurrence.
I got the first-round bye, and I've advanced through to where I'm ready to practice for my Divisional Round Matchup. We're hosting the defending Champs. Dallas/Green Bay is the other NFC Matchup. I know the Patriots murdered the Jets in the Wildcard round, but I am currently drawing a blank on their opponent and the other AFC Divisional Matchup right now. I am thinking that the Pats play the Titans, but don't quote me.
I *LOVE* the scouting and the draft storylines, but I must say that I thought there were more in each draft, unless maybe my first class is a "lesser" draft. Please don't release any future draft class spoilers, but here are the storyline players (in spoiler tags) that I am seeing in my Class #1:
Spoiler
Please, if you are having a negative impression or experience with Connected Careers in Coach Mode, save your flames for another thread. I am strictly going over what I have seen, and will continue to update throughout my playoffs, and offseason to really give a solid look at the mode. I am well aware of the longstanding issues, I am a person who plays around them and do not wish to dwell on them here. Thank you.
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