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 WR4 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%
All special teams player slots, IF the named players are active on your roster:
(In summary, the following players play special teams at some point,
if they are active: QB2, HB1, HB2, HB3, FB1, FB2, TE1, TE2, WR1, WR2,
WR3, WR4, C1, G1, G2, G3, T1, T2, T3, DE2, DT1, LB3, LB4, LB5, CB1,
CB2, CB3, S1, S2, S3, K1, P1)
Kick Off Team:
One line, left to right: HB2 S3 LB4 TE2 K1 WR3 WR4 HB1 LB5 CB3 FB1
Onside Kick Team:
One line, left to right: WR1 HB1 CB1 S1 WR2 K1 T2 CB2 S2 HB2 LB5
Free Kick Team (after giving up a safety):
One line, left to right: HB2 CB3 LB4 FB1 WR4 P1 WR3 TE2 LB5 HB1 S3
Squib Kick Team:
One line, left to right: WR3 CB3 HB1 TE1 K1 FB1 LB5 TE2 WR4 S3 HB2
Punt Team:
Front line, left to right: WR3 TE2 G3 LB5 C1 CB3 T3 FB1 HB2
Backfield: WR4
Deep Backfield: P1
Field Goal Team:
Front line, left to right: WR4 TE2 T2 T1 C1 G1 G2 FB1 CB3
Backfield: QB2
Deep Backfield: K1
Kick Off Return Team:
1st line, left to right: TE2 S3 LB5 CB3 FB1
2nd line, left to right: G3 T2 G2 T3
Return men, left to right: WR3 WR4
Onside Kick Return Team:
1st line, left to right: WR2 S2 HB3 FB1 S1 WR1
2nd line, left to right: CB2 TE1 HB1 CB1
Return man: HB2
Free Kick Return Team (after forcing a safety):
1st line, left to right: TE2 CB3 LB5 S3 FB1
2nd line, left to right: T3 G2 T2 G3
Return men, left to right: WR3 HB2
Squib Kick Return Team:
1st line, left to right: FB1 S3 LB5 CB3 TE2
2nd line, left to right: G3 T2 G2 T3
Return men, left to right: HB2 WR3
Punt Return Team:
Front line, left to right: FB1 DE2 T2 G2 DT1 TE2
2nd line, left to right: HB2 LB5 CB3
Deep blocker: S3
Punt returner: WR4
Field Goal Defense:
Front line, left to right: S3 LB4 T2 DE2 G2 DT1 LB3 CB3
2nd line, left to right: WR4 FB1 TE2
Check this page periodically as I may add other tips as I find them out.
Please contact me if you have questions or anything to add to this list.