Can you believe this???

[Paul-London]

Well i've said in quite a few emails to you i hope you dont want to quit

Hope other GM's also give you some encouragement.  I think this is the first season where all the playoff games were nailbiters, like you say if you lost 44-3 it wouldnt be so bad but this loss does hurt bad.

All the games could have easily gone either way.  For Ohio they played the perfect game, some teams seem to step up in the playoffs and Ohio did this week

[Niki]

14 seasons is enough "Comptonizing" for me, I've invited Paul to locate a new GM for the Monarchs.

this is shocking  the FWL without you would not be the same, maybe you do not know it but I think you are a part of the FWL both can not without eachother!

[jcompton-Orlando]

Clearly I'm frustrated, but when I sit down and look at it calmly, I can't escape the fact that the only people who have been playing this game as long as I have are Paul and Marco. And there's a pretty depressing gap between me and them.

Let's compare:

Marco's won 4 EFC titles, 3 league titles, and is well on his way to a 5th/4th.

Paul's won a league title despite never having access to "sleeper" draft picks, and usually ending up with teams that nobody else wanted to run which he had to build up from next to nothing.

I... yeah, well. And I don't see the situation changing, since after eight years it's readily apparent that I don't have the same talent for this game that Marco and Paul do, and I don't have Mario's trading mastery or Harwood's gameplan wizardry, and any time I do put together a halfway decent squad, Paul's computer's random number generator inevitably clubs me over the head. It's difficult to be really emotionally invested in a game I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt I suck at.

[Niki]

It would be a really pitty if you left now! You have a very talented team that will be even better next year.

When I joint the league all German teams dominated Europe, look it this way it is teh first time ever you won from Frankfurt, Rhein, Berlin and Amsterdam in a season!

[jcompton-Orlando]

It would be a really pitty if you left now! You have a very talented team that will be even better next year.

I expect the same will be true of everybody else's team.

When I joint the league all German teams dominated Europe, look it this way it is teh first time ever you won from Frankfurt, Rhein, Berlin and Amsterdam in a season!

True, and that was a nice accomplishment, but as usual, I couldn't beat a German team when it really counted.

What it boils down to is that I've done almost everything there is to do in this game. I've drafted positive sleepers and negative sleepers and a few Rookies of the Year. I've had a league MVP. I've made bad trades and good trades (really, I did make a good trade or two once!) and little trades and big trades. I've played QBs with ST, HA, IN, and DI all up around 90*. The pre-camp "protected list" was my suggestion. I've written game reports and game previews and playoff previews and draft reports and season previews and player profiles. I've retired first-ballot Hall of Famers, and I've watched the march of time wipe out their records. I've had the best overall offense, and the best overall defense (and the next-to-worst overall defense too, while we're on the subject.) I've had two kickers on my roster at least twice. I've signed rookie free agents and last-gasp veterans. I've forged a rivalry, seen my prayers answered to break up a dynasty, and tried to capitalize on it. (Which in retrospect was pretty much the damning proof that I was inexcusably bad at this. The breakup of the unbeatable Dark Knights netted me one divisional title, one playoff win, and nothing else.) I've resumed rivalries. I've been realigned, then been realigned back.

All of this was fun and nice and all, but there's a key component missing and after eight years of it, I'm starting to feel it pretty acutely.

It seems to me that the one thing left to do in this game that I really haven't done, is win. And whether that's because I suck or because Paul's computer conspires against me doesn't really matter, the fact is that none of the rest of what I've listed above sounds really appealing to keep repeating without the key ingredient of winning attached to it.

I feel a bit like I imagine Mario must have felt when he left the league the first time--except in his case he knew, rightly, that he had built an unstoppable killing machine of a team and there was really nowhere to go from "up." (He was quite right, that team autopiloted itself to 13-1 and a FWL Bowl win, and probably could have done so again if not for the Bridson Breakup.) In my case, I know I have achieved terminal mediocrity and there's nowhere to go, period.

I don't know. I know there's plenty of frustration to go around in this league. Amsterdam burned out how many GMs before Niki figured out how to get the team to win? Raleigh-Durham's never had a winning season. Paris has had only one playoff game, and Andrew's a pretty good sport about the troubles he's had. Adam's been bounced from the playoffs for the third year in a row by the Machine, and I know that can't feel good--I've had the unique privilege of suffering three playoff losses to two different teams! But, again, I'm one of the three guys who has never pulled out of the league at any point, and clearly longevity is not the key to wisdom and success.

I'm just trying to be honest in saying that hoping to go about 8-6 and maybe making the playoffs to exit in the first round has lost its appeal for me after 14 iterations. And while I'm open to suggestions for ways to freshen it up, nothing is really leaping to mind as an attractive option. I feel like I've met my match, plain and simple.

* - Did you know that Matt "Fumble" Lytle has the league's highest HA among starting quarterbacks?

[Mario ADK]

the nickname of "Lightning".. Thunder and Lightning for a backfield! How fun is that?"

Har, har.... They were Thunder and Lightning indeed..... in the regular season.... Funny explanation, though....

My guess is that Mario paid off Alexander to avoid an embarassing loss in the FWL Bowl.  Only reasonable explanation, really.

C´mon Jason!
I did not have enough money for that as i had to "convince" the entire Amsterdam-sqad taht an early off-season should be a valuable goal to reach..... Believe me, i did NOT have any more money left....

But you can read in several posts here that i always thought that Montreal could go all the way and that Ohio is underrated. Nevertheless: Your loss is a real shocker......

[Mario ADK]

Perhaps sharing a first name with the London owner is causing some residual "Comptonization" of my team, and causing it to become utterly hapless when the playoffs roll around 

VERY FUNNY stuff.....  har harhar....
"Loser by name" so to speak  

did not want to be offensive, but that was an obvious joke to be put in here 

[Mario ADK]

I feel a bit like I imagine Mario must have felt when he left the league the first time--except in his case he knew, rightly, that he had built an unstoppable killing machine of a team and there was really nowhere to go from "up."

infact it was a mixture of "exhaustion" and "frustration". I - BY FAR - had the best team in the league and (merely defensive) stats that even until now where not matched by any other team. but i lost in the playoff and never won another conf-title. Maybe the same feelings that you have now, but on another level..... but i got a new giant job as well, we got our first child and so on. Many things led to this timeout....

* - Did you know that Matt "Fumble" Lytle has the league's highest HA among starting quarterbacks?

Now THIS is really intersting and disturbing as i am always looking for good HA.....
But Jason: the fact taht you point out things like these show your passion fot this game. your heart will bleed if you stay and still have lack of PO-success. but your heart will bleed even more if you leave......

[Paul-London]

I must admit i dont understand why Matt Lytle just fumbles so much.

Looking at his career stats ( http://www.fwl.org.uk/alltime.htm#mlytle ) he doesnt throw many interceptions, his fumbles the last 5 years have been....

Season 9 AMS 1f (Low as he lost his starting job)
Season 10 LON 6f
Season 11 LON 6f
Season 12 LON 15f
Season 13 LON 6f (Low because he was benched)
Season 14 LON 26f !

Could any experts shed light on this ?  Eg David Harwood ?

I mean theres one thing fumbling 6-10 times a year but 26 ??  What is it ?  The snaps from centre ?  (But the C has good HA and INT) Spikes never being able to take the exchange from Lytle ?

I love the FWL as i love realistic stats, we dont have 30 punt blocks a year but 26 fumbles from a QB is ridiculous.  Any idea anyone ? Or just 'one of those things'

I thought maybe its just Lytle but then look at Payton who started last week, first start and then he has 4 fumbles !  Is it Lytle ?  Who since his breakdown in London the other year has got terrible at fumbling the ball ?

I would like to think its Lytle and would like to see Symons instead under centre and see how he fumbles but like i say look at Payton, shows its not just Spikes.  Do London just used greased footballs ?!

[Niki]

I don't know. I know there's plenty of frustration to go around in this league. Amsterdam burned out how many GMs before Niki figured out how to get the team to win? Raleigh-Durham's never had a winning season. Paris has had only one playoff game, and Andrew's a pretty good sport about the troubles he's had. * - Did you know that Matt "Fumble" Lytle has the league's highest HA among starting quarterbacks?

I took over a team of Ton, he did a great job, ofcourse I hate lossing just like everyone, but looking at the time I have spent in my team and the results it is still shocking i think. If you would be in the German division you would be most likely won the division

regarding the fumbles: I had the same problem last year with rylance, it was not him but more a combination of the Oliners + TE. But I am not sure it is only that points that have influence on the number of fumbles. it could be as well rain or any other influences that I still have to figure out

[Paul-London]

Well London is set to 'outdoor grass' which might not help.  Perhaps moving London to a domed stadium will help !

[Niki]

general question: can we make it public which team is playing ion what kind of grass.

I think a combination of kind of grass and rain or no rain has influence on the rushing game and the number of fumbles, injuries etc etc

[Mark-skyhawks]

Yes I would also like to know  if it makes a differance or not.

[Niki]

Mark, I think it does, since rain is not making it easier to play in but it would be handy to explain why you had fumbles, (injuries) and such a low compl %

[Mario ADK]

hey guys if you think indoor-conditions would solve the problem you are wrong. think about it:

if team A plays its homegames outdoors on grass, all visiting opponents of team A do obviously play the same conditions. so: Team B has no "advantage" at all over B.

In other words:
it "might" reduce Londons fumblitis BUT it sure would reduce the fumbling-rate of Londons opponents to the same extent thus resulting in a deadlock. do not forget: it is just a computer....

same with completions and so on.....

in my opinion conditions do not affect Team A more then Team B in other areas than season-stats......

[JH-SanAntonio]

Bah...

The playoffs are a "luck" thing.  Really.  One bad game and out you go... or just a good game by the other guy.  You can have a team with superior players, synergy, strategy, and home field advantage, and still lose because of a random number generator.  I'm sure you know the game creates seed numbers which govern the flow of the game?  In other words, if you run a given match-up enough times you'll get repeat results.

The measure of success/failure is overall performance (not W/L record, mind you) season to season.  Not playoff wins.

Is it frustrating not to have a title?  Sure.  Does it matter?  Not really.

Don't let annoying bad luck be the measure of your efforts.

If you really hate playing in the FWL, THEN quit.

If you think your team is bad luck, or your division sucks, or whatever, trade slots with someone else.  Hell, you can be SA if you want (though I'll warn you, appearently you'll still suck in the playoffs!) and I'll swap my roster to London.  It'd be fun to kick Mario around a couple times a season (before inexplicably losing at home to him in a wild-card game).

Don't bail because of bad luck, though.

And yes, it sucks that some guys get the breaks consistently (wanna piss off Dave or Mario? Ask them to explain how they manage to win... they won't be able to tell you why they do and other people don't).  But that's part of the fun.

"I see luck strikes again." *sigh*
"IT WASN'T LUCK!"
"Whatever, Mr.Lucky Bastard."
"IT WASN'T LUCK I'M A GENIUS!"
"I bet.  What did you do to win?"
"IT WASN'T LUCK!!!!"

It's like poking 'em with a stick.  Fun!


JH

[JH-SanAntonio]

I don't think he's suggesting grass/dome would help him win, Mario.

He's trying to figure out why his stats get borked.

JH

[Niki]

I don't think he's suggesting grass/dome would help him win, Mario.

He's trying to figure out why his stats get borked.

grass/dome will not help, but can reduce fumbles. it is nice to know for us all which team is playing on grass or in a dome!

His fumbles: I can not find a real reason for it (I had same year the same problem) but I think his most weak thing I could find is his TE, his ST is only 79 (if I am correct) a TE is sometimes used as extra blocker. it cal also help to switch from C, or in general it helps to swap the oliners in general.

My fumble problem has been solved this year but I have no idea how I did it

[Mario ADK]

And yes, it sucks that some guys get the breaks consistently (wanna piss off Dave or Mario? Ask them to explain how they manage to win... they won't be able to tell you why they do and other people don't).  But that's part of the fun.

To be honest:
i have no idea why i have so many last-drive-wins this season. Nobody has. in fact i always thought that "older" teams would have the break in crucial situations just because they are more "experienced" than others (always thought the PC would get something out of the "experience-factor" of a team....). But in fact it is not true because i got the youngest of all FWL-teams and i still manage to win the clostest games.

BTW:
i discovered the secret of secrets:
if you want to win a game, win the 3rd quarter.
Austria is 13/13 when winning the 3rd quarter but 0/2 when losing the third quarter.

You want an explanation, Jason H.? It is simple: Be a GENIUS like me     
you see: Explanations can be simple form time to time 

BTW:
provided we see an overtime game as "tie after 60min", all 4 games where decided by 5 points COMBINED. (Aus+1; Oh+3; Mon tie; Fra+1)

[JH-SanAntonio]

My point is:

There are things most of us do because we all know it helps.  Many players/positions in the league are somewhat "cookie cutter" because all of us realize they're important.

A handful of abilities or synergies aren't so clear, and people diverge from commonalities based on their own opinions and observations.  These CAN make a difference, but generally not a LARGE difference.  In other words, a tweak here and there compared to someone else's team wont make ME win 30 straight playoff games, nor make anyone else LOSE every time.

Strategies are important, but generally speaking you'll have a successful one if you're in the playoffs.  They help, certainly, but won't give you consistent WINS in a 1-loss-and-you're-out scenario.

Home field advantage is about the only constant, which depends on strength of schedule first, luck second, for the most part.  And it doesn't always help (2 home teams this round barely escaped, and 2 fell).

Getting to the playoffs consistently is measure of our skills as owners.

What I'm trying to say to Jason is that coming out of them the victor is just luck.  Don't worry about tanking in the playoffs, if you're there you did fine, have fun.