Here's a few things to help you get a good idea of how to manage your team:
The following items are taken from the game manual and may help you
understand how the game works...
Ratings abbreviations: SP = Speed HA = Hands
AC = Acceleration EN = Endurance
AG = Agility IN = Intelligence
ST = Strength DI = Discipline
EXAMPLES OF USE OF RATINGS:
Quarterbacks: ST - Determines how far they can throw the ball.
DI - Affects completion percentage and interception rate.
HA - Used for checking for a fumble on snap from center.
Running backs: HA - Affects catching passes and fumbling.
ST - Used when blocking and trying to break tackles.
Receivers: HA - Checked when catching the ball.
AG - Used when trying a fake.
Offensive line: ST - Important use when run blocking.
AG - Crucial use in pass blocking
Defensive line: AG - Used in various types of rushing.
ST - Used in various types of rushing and key in tackling.
Linebackers: HA - Affects the chance of interceptions.
IN - Checked when calling audibles.
ST - Used in tackling.
Defensive backs: AG and
SP - Important elements in staying with a receiver.
IN - Checked when a receiver tries a fake.
HA - Affects the chance of interceptions.
Kickers &
Punters: ST - Helps determine how far the ball is kicked.
DI - Affects the accuracy of the kick.
The following are KEY RATINGS (used by computer when evaluating players for
trades, drafts, and when setting up a team's
depth chart.)
QB - ST, IN C - HA, ST DE - AC, ST
HB - SP, HA G - ST, AG DT - AG, ST
FB - ST, SP T - ST, AC LB - SP, ST
WR - HA, SP K - ST, DI CB - SP, AG
TE - HA, ST P - ST, DI S - SP, HA
NOTE: A rating for one position cannot necessarily be compared to the same
rating for another position. For example: A linebacker with a speed
rating of 85 is not necessarily as fast or faster than a wide receiver
with a speed rating of 70.
Please remember that while the above mentioned ratings are important
to the named positions, almost every rating category is important to
each position in one way or another.
What you see referenced above is all the game manual addresses
regarding player ratings. How most ratings affect each position can
usually be figured out using logic and common sense. You may get a
better idea of how some ratings are used by watching the games when
they are played.
The following is a chart showing how the game itself weights ratings by
position. This is used when it lists players in the order it deems best to
worst by their given position, as in a team depth chart or a draft list.
The higher the number, the more important the skill rating. Please note
that I do not agree with all the weightings from what I've seen in my
experiences with this game, but it is something to help you get an idea of
what to expect from the computer if you let it create your depth chart.
POS SP AC AG ST HA EN IN DI
QB 2 1 1 4 3 2 5 2
HB 5 3 2 2 4 2 1 1
FB 4 3 2 5 2 2 1 1
WR 4 3 2 1 5 3 1 1
TE 2 3 2 5 4 2 1 1
C 2 3 2 5 3 2 1 2
G 3 2 3 5 2 2 1 2
T 2 5 1 5 2 2 1 2
DE 4 3 3 4 1 2 1 2
DT 2 5 2 5 1 2 1 2
LB 4 2 2 4 3 2 2 1
CB 4 3 4 1 2 3 2 1
S 4 2 2 2 4 3 2 1
K 1 1 1 7 2 1 1 6
P 1 1 1 7 2 1 1 6
NOTE: Many players, both 1st string and backups, are used on special teams.
One very important thing to know... the punt returner on any given
team is almost always the WR2 on your depth chart and the kickoff
return men are usually WR3 & WR4. Speed and other physical attributes
are good to have at these positions.
Linebacker #1 on your depth chart is usually the one calling defensive
audibles. Playing someone with high intelligence, as well as other
high ratings at this position is a good idea.
Other tips: Some players seem to play better or worse than their ratings
show. If a player seems to play consistently bad, even if he
has good ratings, it might be a good idea to change his status
on your team's depth chart, or even trade him. There's no use
keeping a player if he is hurting your team.
The following is a chart which shows what percentage of time is allotted,
per position, to each rating category in each season's training camp:
SP AC AG ST HA EN IN DI
Quarterbacks 10% 10% 10% 15% 10% 10% 20% 15%
Running Backs 15% 10% 15% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10%
Receivers 15% 10% 10% 15% 15% 10% 10% 15%
Offensive Line 10% 15% 15% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10%
Defensive Line 10% 15% 15% 15% 10% 10% 10% 15%
Linebackers 20% 10% 10% 20% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Defensive Backs 15% 10% 15% 10% 15% 10% 15% 10%
Punters/Kickers 10% 10% 10% 20% 10% 10% 10% 20%
Players That Contribute Heavily To Special Teams:
WR2 - Returns bulk of punt returns
WR3 - Returns some kickoffs and is important in punt coverage
WR4 - Returns bulk of kickoffs
LB4 - Plays important role in kickoff coverage
LB5 - Plays important role in kickoff coverage
S3 - Important blocker on punt returns
HB2 - If active, covers kickoffs and blocks on kickoff returns
(The better the above players are at their given positions,
the better they should be when playing special teams.)
This page is availavle, courtesy of the ONAFA League.