This will probably be one of those threads that goes without anybody bothering to reply. But I figured I'd give it a whirl anyway and I'd appreciate any feedback.
I've made another post a few months back about a player on my D3 team, Bob Welch:
www.whatifsports.com/hd/PlayerProfile/Ratings.aspx?tid=7834&pid=1606423. When I originally posted, it was because I was a bit disappointed by how slow the development was for a player with high work ethic that had high potential in a couple of categories that started with a rating of 1. It was my first recruit with the new engine and I was a bit disappointed that development starting at 1 hadn't been modified from the old engine.
Anyway, Bob Welch is finished with practice in his Junior campaign. It took two full seasons, but in his Junior campaign those high potential categories that started at 1 really began to grow. And before he begins his senior year, I have a few questions I'd ask the masses.
As a FYI, here is what the player thoughts email said preseason for the Junior season:
Bob Welch:
ball handling: big upside
defensive fundamentals: limited upside
durability: limited upside
low post moves: limited upside
perimeter shooting: big upside
rebounding: limited upside
shot blocking: limited upside
stamina: limited upside
ft shooting: limited upside
As things currently stand, everything with limited upside is now maxed out.
Speed has grown 9 points this season and has not changed in at least four practices. That might be maxed out. And I haven't yet received the max out message on passing, Welch's season growth of 7 hasn't changed in a few practices and is probably maxed out too.
Welch's big upside has led to good growth in perimeter and ball handling but he's still got at least a few points of growth remaining. Especially since both are increasing faster now than they did at the start of the season.
How's that for a long intro to a post? With all that said, here are my questions:
1. Would Welch be an asset for D3 at small forward or is that a waste of his talent? His best qualities are obvious that of a post player. But I also see passable ratings in the 30's (after full growth) for perimeter, ball handling, and passing and think those are being bit wasted as a post player.
2. Is having a do-everything small forward all that important for D3 anymore? I thought it was somewhat of a forum fact in the old engine that for D3 having a deadly small forward was probably the best weapon you can have at your disposal, primarily because they were so tough to get. I understand that Welch might be stretching that definition a bit. But ignoring him, is having a super-duper small forward still as beneficial as it used to be? With a bunch of 20 point per game players available now at all five positions, I'm not sure how important the SF position is at D3 anymore.
3. Somewhat related to #1, is having an awesome rebounding small forward something to strive to have? In the old engine I'd argue it most definitely was, even if you made yourself a bit weaker in the process. In the new engine, I'm not so sure. It seems like it's awfully difficult to have an amazing rebounding team in the new engine and I'm wondering if there would be as much benefit to having Welch at SF compared to the old engine.
4. Anybody knows what happens if I try to redshirt Welch? I know as a senior, there is maybe a 0.02% chance he takes it. But his work ethic is 91. Any idea how far it drops? I'm guessing I don't want to redshirt him, but I'd be curious if anybody knows what might happen. If it wouldn't sink to single digits, it might not be the worst thing in the world for me to consider doing since my classes are a bit unbalanced right now and my freshmen and sophomore classes are really hurting for small forward type players.
After making this post as long as I have, I really deserve a dismissive "OMG -- WAAAAAYYYYYYYY too long. WTF? I'm not reading that! LOL!" But in case somebody read all of this and have thought, I'd be appreciative for some insights.