APF2k8 - Legends League S1 - Week 2

Ok, the towel trick was only temporary. Turned on the Xbox tonight, and I get no video at all. Back to spare one. I will try to pick up a replacement this weekend.

DSGamer wrote:
Grumpicus wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

This is the week 2 thread. I think we can begin play, no? I'm available any time after 6pm pst, Grumpicus.

Tonight? 9:45c/7:45p?

Sounds great.

I bet your memory has twisted it around to be 9:45pst...

Grumpicus wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Grumpicus wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

This is the week 2 thread. I think we can begin play, no? I'm available any time after 6pm pst, Grumpicus.

Tonight? 9:45c/7:45p?

Sounds great.

I bet your memory has twisted it around to be 9:45pst...

No. Work happened. A good friend got fired yesterday. Someone quit today. The work is piling up. I just got done and might not be home until 9:30pst.

If you want to play then I can. Otherwise I'll be on Saturday.

Sorry to hear. I'm catching up on the backlog of downloaded demos. I'm dead tired so I'll probably be a bit quieter on the mic, but I'm up for the game since I don't play much on the weekends anyway. If you're interested, log in. If not, we've got a whole week...

Well, what is there to say. Grumpicus and I played tonight. He might have won no matter what, but we'll never really know. Randall Cunningham broke his arm for the next 13 weeks. My backup QB came in and proceeded to be absolutely atrocious. Those of you who are lucky enough to have me on your schedule will be guaranteed an easy win.

I turned off injuries so none of the rest of you have to suffer a whole season with generic backup QB.

DS -- Yikes. That's harsh. I'd trade you someone, but there're no trades...oh, and my back-ups suck, too.

That Grump, he's such a bully.

*Rant On*

I got thrashed by Bumpie last night 30-7 if I remember correctly. Either I really suck, my team really sucks or its a combination of both. I hate having Barry Sanders. If you breathe hard in this guy's direction he falls down. You say "Oh, Gumbie Barry is supposed to be fast and elusive" Yeah he's fast alright, but the other teams defensesive line is just as fast as he is 90% of the time. Meanwhile I'm going up against bronze RB's who break 3..4..5 tackles in a row, UP THE GUT. Wtf is that? I have a feeling this is going to be a long season for me.

*Rant off*

Hey, at least our game will be a barn-burner. Me throwing 2 yard slants and 4 yard outs the entire game. You with brittle Barry.

Honestly, I had the game two days (or was it 3?) when I signed up. If I were to start again, there are a number of things I'd do differently. As a matter of fact, my offline team is quite different, and that's not just for variety. What with DSGamer's broken quarterback and (personally, I think that, unless turning injuries off made Cunningham come back, we should finish the season as we started it but, that's irrelevant given what I'm about to say) the fact that at least a couple of us have learned a bit more since we started, I propose that, after all the week 2 games are played (or the week expires), we kill this league (consider it the pre-season) and start over. If anyone wants to bail (for Madden or other reasons), now is your chance.

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. I am not the commissioner nor speaking for anyone but myself. Personally, I am satisfied with the status quo but that doesn't mean there's not room for improvement. Most of all, I have no desire to make life anymore difficult for DSGamer who has done of great job of pulling and keeping this together through thick and thin.

I think Grump brings up a good point. Though I like my team, there are things I'd change knowing what I know now. And I also feel the pain for DS losing his QB so early in the season. Thats the problem without having trades in the game, or even the ability to replace injured players from the star pool.

That being said, Im on board with what everyone decides. Im just here to play, have fun and chat with some GWJ folk.

My $0.01 (not even worth $0.02):

Dudes this is part of the game. You make decisions and live with them. I see people assigning their star receivers to run back kickoffs and punts, which can help with great field position. But there's a reason you don't see "real life" coaches putting putting their superstars on the suicide squad. I feel for you, DS, I really do. But that's the kind of thing that coaches have to deal with. Of course, it's easy for me to say because Elway's healthy; maybe I'd change my tune if he got Theisman'd.

This may surprise you all, but my opinion is that we keep the momentum going and play this season. This was always called the "toe in the water" season. I did turn injuries off. The difference between backup and starter at QB is so ludicrous as to make this a necessity IMHO. I went from being up 14-7 and doing a relatively good job passing the ball (100+ yards and 2 tds) to being picked off like 3 consecutive passing plays. So it's fine for you to say that injuries are part of football. But we have a game where there is no backup quarterback that's like a 78 rating or something. There's no free agents. There's Randall gets hurt and you get the XFL reject who apparently thinks that a good pass is one where he leads the receiver by about five yards.

This isn't like taking a small step backwards. It's literally going from competitive to a non-factor. So I think injuries have to be off after seeing how unbalanced it is. And I turned them off.

That said, I'm taking this as a challenge, personally. And I like the games we've played so far. So my vote (and I only get 1) would be to stick with it. We only have 6 more season weeks to play (which could happen quicker than you think), then we'll probably know even more than we do now and it's on to season 2. I'd like to keep the momentum going.

We'll have next season to decide that maybe Fridge Perry wasn't worth it or maybe I need a punter, etc.

DSGamer wrote:

This isn't like taking a small step backwards. It's literally going from competitive to a non-factor. So I think injuries have to be off after seeing how unbalanced it is. And I turned them off.

After seeing it in action, I completely agree. Check out the recap to see the game completely change character before and after the injury. DS, I'm wondering if turning off maximum passing might make a difference now that you're using Jeff Blake's little brother. It might even help.

DSGamer wrote:

That said, I'm taking this as a challenge, personally. And I like the games we've played so far. So my vote (and I only get 1) would be to stick with it. We only have 6 more season weeks to play (which could happen quicker than you think), then we'll probably know even more than we do now and it's on to season 2. I'd like to keep the momentum going.

If I didn't say it last night, you've got a great attitude and were great to play with/against. Hopefully, we can keep banging out a week every couple days and get the new season started quickly. Good luck.

That's the pit's DS'. But if it happens to you, you should really let it happen to us (who knows, maybe the league name will change from 'Toe in the Water' to 'League of 'Unknowns' :>) Anyway, makes no dif for me either way. However I will put an enquiry out to the APF XBL forums and 2K Sports one to see if we are missing something about sub's or deals or something. I had read (and I think in an earlier thread on the game and league play someone actually mentioned turning off injuries here at GWJ. But maybe that was a forum post elsewhere), that injuries was a deal breaker in League play and really should be turned off. But surely 2K had to make some allowance for something so drastic. Anyway I'll check around.

That's the pit's DS'. But if it happens to you, you should really let it happen to us.

I sort of agree with this. I'm willing to take the hit if it comes. That being said, I wouldn't want this to ruin anyone's enthusiasm. So far we're doing well...let's keep those weeks rolling and have another league season so we can test our conclusions about strategies!

firesloth wrote:
That's the pit's DS'. But if it happens to you, you should really let it happen to us.

I sort of agree with this. I'm willing to take the hit if it comes. That being said, I wouldn't want this to ruin anyone's enthusiasm. So far we're doing well...let's keep those weeks rolling and have another league season so we can test our conclusions about strategies!

That's where I'm coming from. Judging from the posts we've had some good games, some interesting games, people are having fun. I don't want to disrupt that. And in a way it will be a fun challenge. I'll always be the underdog and if you lose to me...

So I think we roll on, injuries off so we don't dampen the mood amongst the rest of the players. I was bummed yesterday during the game. Grumpicus is much too kind I believe when he said I have a great attitude (although I appreciate the kind words), since I feel like I was kind of Female Doggoy last night. My backup QB went 0-8 with 3 picks, which I think is like a negative QB rating. So I wasn't in *that* good of a mood. Compliment accepted anyway.

Today, however I'm in a much better mood and I think we should roll on. I just think that as a general rule injuries throw the balance of the game way out of whack and destroy the spirit of the game, which is whose legends can beat whose legends.

Once again, I only get one vote, but that's my vote. Maybe this will be the season I run the option and totally take the APF league by storm and find out some innovative way to sneak into the playoffs and play the spoiler. You never know. It would be a good story.

Jesus that's harsh DS.

I must say, while I love 99% of what the game does, I must admit that the only thing that really irks me sometimes, is the very nature of the players themselves, re: All-Pros/Generics. I know they wanted to make them special, and i'm fine with it, but sometimes, the chasm seems so vast as to be utterly ridiculous. God help anyone who doesn't have a star at corner or safety if the other team has one at QB and WR.

I know they were talking about balance and all, but sometimes it seems a smidgen off, at least for me, in the sense that sometimes it just feels like the All-Pros are playing, and everyone else is there to fill screen space.

As far as the league goes, i'll do whatever the collective agrees on. Injuries to star players probably wouldn't be so bad if the generics weren't... well... useless. Whatever is decided, i'll roll with.

Also, i'll be on tonight Muffin, i'll try and find you for our game.

I've had some good play by generics on both offense and defense. They have really pitched in when I needed them on several occasions. But then on others...:>) Anyway, maybe it's just because I don't get much out of my star players that I'm so easily impressed *Chuckle*. But I do have to agree that some golds just out distance all other's, not only generics, but other star players. But again, could be me and my 'not so fine tuned defense'.

As a side note (and I think Polypusher was wondering about wether 'we' as oppossed to the AI, get more the 2 star teams. I've not seen, nor heard that 'we' can yet, but definitely the AI), I'm trying to get thru a SP League season. I went up against a 5 gold star AI team and thought I was sunk. But I managed to squeak a win even tho' I got 2 penalties and a couple interceptions. My folks did a good job and I 'focused' on a particular gold with a silver and he got lot's of help from my generics).

I've had great luck with generics as well. They block good enough that I don't feel the need to spend a star on a lineman. They've been known to catch a few receptions. The linebackers and defensive linemen hold their own. And my DBs are great. QB is just a really tough position to lose. As is, I imagine, running back.

I've gotten about a dozen replies from both forums I mentioned above and they unamiously favored injuries. Most say, ' ...hey it's part of the game...'. Why I agree with this for regular games, the 'star' aspect of APF, imho, makes it much more devastating. But again, I'm in the very small minority of one thus far.

On the subject of the league stopping/keeping on/whatever.. I'm not picky. I can do either one as long as we keep playing the game

Donan: my HT setup at home is in complete disarray. My dog brought a wonderful flea infestation into the house sometime in the last couple weeks and I had to put one of those damnable bug bomb fogger things in that room. All my stuff is currently up off the floor sitting on my desktop under newspapers and blankets. I may or may not be able to get it all back together in time to play today. Also... since I had to leave the closet door open I get to wash every piece of clothing I own all at once. Sweet.

It's gonna be a long night.

Thin_J wrote:

On the subject of the league stopping/keeping on/whatever.. I'm not picky. I can do either one as long as we keep playing the game

Donan: my HT setup at home is in complete disarray. My dog brought a wonderful flea infestation into the house sometime in the last couple weeks and I had to put one of those damnable bug bomb fogger things in that room. All my stuff is currently up off the floor sitting on my desktop under newspapers and blankets. I may or may not be able to get it all back together in time to play today. Also... since I had to leave the closet door open I get to wash every piece of clothing I own all at once. Sweet.

It's gonna be a long night.

Oh man, what a pain. Sorry to hear about the hassle. I'll just be around and if you show, you show. I'll try and keep a watch here too. I'm not sure about Sunday (day with the wife). There's a possibility of me be able to get home early on Monday to get into that window of 1pm-4pm my time, say 4pm PDT (7 you).

Thin_J hasn't been on for a couple day's, probably dealing with the mess at home and trying to get everything reconnected. But if you can read this from somewhere, I still can shoot for 4pm PDT (7 you) for our 2nd week game. Let me know if you might be able to. I'll try and be on at that time regardless. (but will have to break in about an hour or so to eat,exercise and such and get ready for GRAW later).

Kush, it's Sunday night 8 eastern and I'm around if you'd like to play. Let me know!

Posting from work here.

The whole thing with said insects has turned into what feels like an ongoing engagement. I've since dubbed the encounter "World War Flea". No one else seemed to think it was funny. I needed a goddamn laugh though or I was going to go nuts and break things.

I'd swear every Flea for a thousand miles was making a concerted effort to raid our house and destroy our ankles with a neverending mass of red welts.

I've now tried two different brands of those bug bomb things, fogging the room with my desk, pc, and 360 in it twice. It seems at this point that I might get the room put together again tonight. It's the only one in the house I've had any success in ridding of the persistent little bastards. I've treated the carpet twice now with this "home defense" stuff from Ortho that's supposed to work for thirty days.

The problem is that even after bug bombing the hallway twice over (with two seperate bombs both times) they still seem to show up out there. I treated half of the carpet in the hall last night so hopefully they won't show up in the room with my HT stuff in it anymore.

Donan.. insects willing, we should get to play tonight. I am, at this point, not super confident though since it seems as though the little hopping jerks are shrugging off almost everything we throw at them in all but the one room.

Thin_J wrote:

Posting from work here.

The whole thing with said insects has turned into what feels like an ongoing engagement. I've since dubbed the encounter "World War Flea". No one else seemed to think it was funny. I needed a goddamn laugh though or I was going to go nuts and break things.

I'd swear every Flea for a thousand miles was making a concerted effort to raid our house and destroy our ankles with a neverending mass of red welts.

I've now tried two different brands of those bug bomb things, fogging the room with my desk, pc, and 360 in it twice. It seems at this point that I might get the room put together again tonight. It's the only one in the house I've had any success in ridding of the persistent little bastards. I've treated the carpet twice now with this "home defense" stuff from Ortho that's supposed to work for thirty days.

The problem is that even after bug bombing the hallway twice over (with two seperate bombs both times) they still seem to show up out there. I treated half of the carpet in the hall last night so hopefully they won't show up in the room with my HT stuff in it anymore.

Donan.. insects willing, we should get to play tonight. I am, at this point, not super confident though since it seems as though the little hopping jerks are shrugging off almost everything we throw at them in all but the one room.

Sorry about the continual battle going on. Man, those things must of come from a 'hot zone' and be
super fleas. Anyway, I'll just keep a look out for you. I 'may' be able to get on around 3pm PDT(6 you). But I will be on later playing GRAW and if you come on I can bow out for awhile to get our game done. Good luck with the battle!

Slumber, sorry about that, last minute plans to see SuperBad contributed to a late Sunday night. I am pretty good today and tomorrow from 6pm EST - Whenever. Let me know

No problem, we didn't have any plans set in stone anyway. And Superbad was so, so funny.

Losing the battle.

I do not welcome my new insect overlords.

Exterminator inbound.

Slumber, won't be on until around 10pm tonight