With only training XP to be had these next several days, now is the time to make some adjustments to your training routine to add some valuable few points to your player's build before next season. Below are some observations I've made of the benefits of adding points via training to some of the more "forgotten" attributes of your player's build.
In training these skills, you will most likely you still see large gains even from relaxed trainings at their current levels. In some cases, applying SP might be beneficial as well.
QB - Agility
Regardless of whether GLB ever makes rushing QBs viable, agility is a very valuable attribute for a QB. Agility will increase his mobility in the pocket, helping to avoid sacks, buy extra time, or reposition himself for a better throw.
FB - Vision
Because STR, SPD and AGL always seems to be a priority for FBs (and CAR as well for rushers), VIS tends to get overlooked. VIS is important so the FB can know who to block when leading the RB.
RB - Confidence
Aside from helping the ball carrier not to give up that second fumble, CNF will also make sure a few tackles behind the line don't turn into 10. I'm not exactly sure the effect of CNF, but I will say that backs with higher CNF tend to run more "authoritatively", making quicker cuts and hitting the hole harder.
WR - Carrying
Did you know that WRs get .5 automatic advancement in CAR on level up? There is definitely something to that. Bort has said before that CAR helps WR YAC and running with the ball. It's great that your super fast, agile WR can get open, and with high CTH make the grab, but often he's tackled on the spot, or the first defender makes the play. Increasing CAR will help your player utilize that SPD and AGL AFTER the catch and gain additional yards, or break free for a big gain.
TE - Strength
Many, if not most, TEs in GLB are receiving TEs. But even receiving TEs can benefit from high STR, as they play a role in the running game, and high STR can mean that pass caught underneath is a broken tackle and a big gain.
OT - Agility
Many OTs slam STR and BLK and ignore the key skill of AGL. I would argue that AGL to an OT is even more important than VIS is. As more and more DEs figure out that AGL, and not SPD is the key to quality pass rusher, OTs will need to counter. Remember, an OT that is a super strong statue that can't move can still be gone around by an agile DE if the OT can't make the pancake or otherwise keep him engaged.
OG - Speed and Agility
It's tempting to rock out STR and BLK, but a statuesque guard will not help you. A guard that can't get out from under the line of scrimmage won't be able to cover the blitzing LB or take out the DE/LB on a sweep or outside run. Even your LG should have decently high SPD/AGL to give him some mobility.
OC - Blocking
I can't tell you how many 85-90 STR C builds I see, and they have relatively few pancakes. What happens is they softcap BLK and then just pump up STR. That's a mistake. I've seen 75-80 STR builds with 60-65 BLK ratings that get many more pancakes. I'm sure sometimes the SAs come into play, but it appears to be the BLK factor that really helps. Even getting this up to 60 will pay dividends.
DE - Blocking
It seems counter intuitive, but BLK *definitely* helps your DE get around blocks. Bort himself has said that "knowing how to block will help the DE get around the OT". I've seen for myself, the higher BLK goes for a DE, the more hurries and sacks he gets. I would never put any SP into it, but training it up to 30 or so here and there would be beneficial for your player.
DT - Vision
While you were maxing out STR, AGL, SPD and TCK, you forgot about VIS. I have seen several high level DT builds with softcapped all of the above...and 14 vision. And of course, they have very few tackles and almost no sacks. Now, it can definitely be argued that the best NTs won't have alot of stats, because they are doing their jobs and keeping the C/G off of your LBs, or occupied on a LB blitz. And that's true. But the NT needs to be smart, and I have a suspicion that the DGEN SA is related to VIS, so a low VIS won't make up for even +8 in DGEN.
LB - Jumping
For one reason alone - the diving tackle. The game saving, drive stopping diving tackle. It's important for your LBs to be able to make this play well and often or a 2 yard gain turns into a 20 yard one. Jumping helps increase DT frequency and success.
CB - Jumping
Simply put, if you increase jumping on a CB, he will make more INTs and PDs. I've seen it in my developmental players and others have as well.
FS - Strength
Because so many of the attributes are important to a FS (SPD, AGL, VIS, CTH), STR and TCK, often get ignored. Since the FS has to be able to take down a RB in the open field, or a TE getting in the clear, or even fight the WR for the ball, STR is very important.
SS - Vision
I've seen many SS builds with high SPD, AGL, STR and TCK but with very low VIS. Vision is important for the SS to recognize the play, and more importantly, make the play. Higher vision means the SS is in better position as the play develops and gives him a chance and preventing a big gain.
PK - Stamina
Probably the strangest one of the bunch, but if your team is scoring, your PK has to not only convert the play, but then kick off, and run down the field. That sapps in-game breath and makes missed FGs and XPs more likely. Getting STM up will help counter balance this, and make even help your PK not become winded chasing a returner in the open field, and prevent a return for a score.
PT - Vision
Your big legged PT always kicking the ball straight through the end zone? Vision will help him place the ball better, with more punts landing within the 20 yard line instead of out of the end zone.
In training these skills, you will most likely you still see large gains even from relaxed trainings at their current levels. In some cases, applying SP might be beneficial as well.
QB - Agility
Regardless of whether GLB ever makes rushing QBs viable, agility is a very valuable attribute for a QB. Agility will increase his mobility in the pocket, helping to avoid sacks, buy extra time, or reposition himself for a better throw.
FB - Vision
Because STR, SPD and AGL always seems to be a priority for FBs (and CAR as well for rushers), VIS tends to get overlooked. VIS is important so the FB can know who to block when leading the RB.
RB - Confidence
Aside from helping the ball carrier not to give up that second fumble, CNF will also make sure a few tackles behind the line don't turn into 10. I'm not exactly sure the effect of CNF, but I will say that backs with higher CNF tend to run more "authoritatively", making quicker cuts and hitting the hole harder.
WR - Carrying
Did you know that WRs get .5 automatic advancement in CAR on level up? There is definitely something to that. Bort has said before that CAR helps WR YAC and running with the ball. It's great that your super fast, agile WR can get open, and with high CTH make the grab, but often he's tackled on the spot, or the first defender makes the play. Increasing CAR will help your player utilize that SPD and AGL AFTER the catch and gain additional yards, or break free for a big gain.
TE - Strength
Many, if not most, TEs in GLB are receiving TEs. But even receiving TEs can benefit from high STR, as they play a role in the running game, and high STR can mean that pass caught underneath is a broken tackle and a big gain.
OT - Agility
Many OTs slam STR and BLK and ignore the key skill of AGL. I would argue that AGL to an OT is even more important than VIS is. As more and more DEs figure out that AGL, and not SPD is the key to quality pass rusher, OTs will need to counter. Remember, an OT that is a super strong statue that can't move can still be gone around by an agile DE if the OT can't make the pancake or otherwise keep him engaged.
OG - Speed and Agility
It's tempting to rock out STR and BLK, but a statuesque guard will not help you. A guard that can't get out from under the line of scrimmage won't be able to cover the blitzing LB or take out the DE/LB on a sweep or outside run. Even your LG should have decently high SPD/AGL to give him some mobility.
OC - Blocking
I can't tell you how many 85-90 STR C builds I see, and they have relatively few pancakes. What happens is they softcap BLK and then just pump up STR. That's a mistake. I've seen 75-80 STR builds with 60-65 BLK ratings that get many more pancakes. I'm sure sometimes the SAs come into play, but it appears to be the BLK factor that really helps. Even getting this up to 60 will pay dividends.
DE - Blocking
It seems counter intuitive, but BLK *definitely* helps your DE get around blocks. Bort himself has said that "knowing how to block will help the DE get around the OT". I've seen for myself, the higher BLK goes for a DE, the more hurries and sacks he gets. I would never put any SP into it, but training it up to 30 or so here and there would be beneficial for your player.
DT - Vision
While you were maxing out STR, AGL, SPD and TCK, you forgot about VIS. I have seen several high level DT builds with softcapped all of the above...and 14 vision. And of course, they have very few tackles and almost no sacks. Now, it can definitely be argued that the best NTs won't have alot of stats, because they are doing their jobs and keeping the C/G off of your LBs, or occupied on a LB blitz. And that's true. But the NT needs to be smart, and I have a suspicion that the DGEN SA is related to VIS, so a low VIS won't make up for even +8 in DGEN.
LB - Jumping
For one reason alone - the diving tackle. The game saving, drive stopping diving tackle. It's important for your LBs to be able to make this play well and often or a 2 yard gain turns into a 20 yard one. Jumping helps increase DT frequency and success.
CB - Jumping
Simply put, if you increase jumping on a CB, he will make more INTs and PDs. I've seen it in my developmental players and others have as well.
FS - Strength
Because so many of the attributes are important to a FS (SPD, AGL, VIS, CTH), STR and TCK, often get ignored. Since the FS has to be able to take down a RB in the open field, or a TE getting in the clear, or even fight the WR for the ball, STR is very important.
SS - Vision
I've seen many SS builds with high SPD, AGL, STR and TCK but with very low VIS. Vision is important for the SS to recognize the play, and more importantly, make the play. Higher vision means the SS is in better position as the play develops and gives him a chance and preventing a big gain.
PK - Stamina
Probably the strangest one of the bunch, but if your team is scoring, your PK has to not only convert the play, but then kick off, and run down the field. That sapps in-game breath and makes missed FGs and XPs more likely. Getting STM up will help counter balance this, and make even help your PK not become winded chasing a returner in the open field, and prevent a return for a score.
PT - Vision
Your big legged PT always kicking the ball straight through the end zone? Vision will help him place the ball better, with more punts landing within the 20 yard line instead of out of the end zone.
Last edited Sep 3, 2008 15:04:31