What Matters More: Ratings or Actual Performance

[aholbert]

I wanted to get your thoughts on what is the determining factor for you when deciding to bid on a FA. I got to thinking about this when looking at Ben Ellard's ratings and stats and realized that this guy is going to make alot of money this FA period while basically doing nothing. in his 4 yrs with the Reapers.

I catch myself bidding on players based on ratings and not factoring in stats enough. For example, I was about to bid on a LB who had great ratings until I realized he was a starter form his old team and never had more than 45 tackles in his career. How much do you guys factor in actual performance when deciding to bid on a player?

[Clay]

I look at both. But I try to use ratings as #1 because stats can be influenced greatly by the system they are playing in and, since I don't really know how other owners gameplan, I feel like my best shot is to try to take guys with solid ratings in the area I need.

For example... if I'm shopping for a WLB, since I don't tend to Blitz off the weak-side very often, Pass Rushing Ratings are not nearly as important to me as others.

Or... because I tend to run between the tackles more... speed to the outside is less of a consideration for me in RBs.

Stuff like that.

[Lintyfresh85]

I think it really has a lot to do with the system they are in, and the ratins that pertain to the system... just as Clay said. Great example, my starting RCB John Crabb, is a 38/38. But I play a cover-2 type scheme. Crabb put up huge numbers for a guy with his ratings. 10 picks in two years, and last year he had a 84.6 PDpct. which was top 8 in the league at the CB position because he is above average at playing bump and run coverage...

The guy is an undrafted FA, and by all acounts should not be very good... yet I'm thinking about sticking with him next year even after signing guys nearly 15 points higher than him in actual ratings.

[Andrew]

I look mostly at ratings but if a guy is unsuccessful for a couple different teams, I might stay away from him.

[Jistic]

Ellard's been on a great D line and still not produced. For that kind of money? Good riddance.

I've moved more and more away from ratings and more towards performance.

[Acid]

I look at ratings mostly.

Maybe that's why my team blows.

[Delandis]

I used to base it solely on ratings, but now I'm thinking about using production more, espec iallysince I don't have the money to splurge on top rated FA anymore. Gotta look to the future and be able to resign the scrubs I already have.

[aholbert]

My WR Harvey Inoue is the reason why I look at ratings and stats equally. Inoue is a 41/41 and has been around that his entire career but he's given me 2 thousand yard seasons (1500 yd season) and never had a year below 800 yds. His ratings make him seem like an average player but his onfield production has been above average.

[Eaglesfan27]

In previous versions, you could look at just ratings, but people complained that was too easy or too predictable. As a result, I think this version (realistically) has the greatest scout error of any version in the series. As a result, I look at both ratings and production equally.

[GridironGamer]

My WR Harvey Inoue is the reason why I look at ratings and stats equally. Inoue is a 41/41 and has been around that his entire career but he's given me 2 thousand yard seasons (1500 yd season) and never had a year below 800 yds. His ratings make him seem like an average player but his onfield production has been above average.

This just adds to the fun factor for me and gives realism. These types of players you grow fond of. I see "41" and say I need to improve at this position. Then you look at production and say 'no way I'm holding on to this bad boy!'