Building a winner and learning the program

[blaupanzer]

Yes on HOF, but at higher scores as I learn. Looking to top Joe Gibbs in Fan level, then get on the board at all at mogul level. Gave up on an earlier mogul level campaign as I seemed to be grinding at around 58, going up, then slipping back without breaking through. The methodology suggested by Nordbye takes a lot of work to process 50 or so rookies every year, so I gave up in frustration. However, with your tips, I will give it another shot.

[Rick Vicedo]

Okay, thats what I thought, if you want to beat Gibbs then you have to keep a winning program and make money at the same time. On Fan Level I have never scored lower than a 90 rating once I figured out how to keep a winning program...

[blaupanzer]

"90 rating?" What is this? I have no problem making money (and spending lots of it too). I usually have $100 million cash on hand (or more, often much more, up around $200 mil +). As to winning (except for mogul) I am in the playoffs every year, usually as the division champion. I win the super bowl at least once every three years and oten two in a row. On mogul, the methodology seems to break down, with a solid winning season followed by a mediocre season and occasionally an actual losing season (7-9)! So I will try a smaller roster, occasional resigns, and player conversions for fillers, and see if that's enough.

[Rick Vicedo]

Try these out too:

Use your cash on hand to pay down salary demands via signing bonuses try to keep salaries at certain ranges such as 900K for players asking for 1M to 1.9M, 1.5M for players 2M to 3M etc... For example - LB 28 yrs old rated 86/90 wants 6M+ I would sign him if I needed him to around 2M to 2.5M after paying out bonus money for 2-4 yrs or trade him for $ or picks... which brings me to the next one.

Dont' decline any contract demand (get something) - you would be surprised what the computer offers for that 32 yr old WR who wants all kinds of money. I just sign them to a 1 yr contracts and trade them for cash or picks.

[Rick Vicedo]

Just remembered these:

If a player (starter) sustains a season long injury or more just before the trading deadline trade him for whatever you can get within reason (its a wasted roster spot)

If your star QB or RB sustains a season ending injury before the deadline and your second/third players are not ready - try this (it works on Fan Level) I offer up some money or picks and see what players the computer will offer me (usually high salaried players it wants to dump) If I see one I want I accept the trade and immediately release him, then sign him to a more cap friendly 1 yr deal (sometimes the computer signs them - but no problem just do it again).

[blaupanzer]

For trades, you can use the 'find player' feature to search out the best rated QBs or RBs, then scout them for current terms (price and time remaining on contract). Go after the player with the best terms with one of your LB prospects plus money and/or picks. Any player is available at some price and the AI has a thing for LBs, CBs, and especially good LB prospects. As a rule, the AI will let me "seal a deal" with a draft pick, but generally undervalues the raw pick while overvaluing the resulting prospect.