fof preseason starters playtime ?

[dan_garlick]

In FOF 2k4 if you don't play the starters at all during the preseason exhibition games will their ratings drop.I would like to play only my second and third stringers exclusively 50%-50% to develop them.But I worry that if I don't give my starters some playing time there abilities will drop.I saw this somewhere on the board before but I can't remember what was the deal.Also, the play time numbers correlate to what in actual playtime?For example is 1 going to mean a 50% -50% split or would a 5 setting be appropriate.One more question has anyone noticed on third down the game won't put the third down back into the game sometimes.Thanks.

[JonInMiddleGA]

-- No drop that I've noticed, and my key players only play the final pre-season game of the year. On the other hand, I don't believe I've ever noticed any improvement in my reserves even if they play every snap of the pre-season.

-- re: 3rd down back: have you checked the settings for the 3rd down back in different formations? Sometimes the 3rd down back is overriden by another selection on a formation basis.

[corbes]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
-- No drop that I've noticed, and my key players only play the final pre-season game of the year. On the other hand, I don't believe I've ever noticed any improvement in my reserves even if they play every snap of the pre-season.

Jon-

I only play my key starters in one preseason game, too, but I play them in the first preseason game. That way, if they get dinged up, they can recover in time to start the season.

[Leonidas]

The only drawback I've seen to not using starters in preseason is you will have lower cohesion ratings. If my team manages to stay fairly healthy, I find it takes about week 8 for the cohesion to kick in and I notice the team play better. This especially applies to the O and D lines.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
On the other hand, I don't believe I've ever noticed any improvement in my reserves even if they play every snap of the pre-season.

Younger players definitely improve with pre-season playing time. Pretty much any player with any green left will benefit from playing time.

I'll be happy to post some screenshots supporting my claims tomorrow.

[cthomer5000]

Ok, some screenshots to prove it's at least worth playing the young guys in the pre-season. The first set of skills is before the preseason, the second set is immediately after.