while i can read lots of info on how to go about recruiting, where the F are the game play instructions on how to go about do it all.  how do i make a phone call, how do i make a recruiting trip, how do i send an email to a player etc etc etc.  I seem to have no link allowing me to do any of these things and can not find instuctions anywhere.  blah

On your search screen, click on the name of the player you're trying to recruit -- this will bring up his player card. On that card, there's a recruiting tab that you can click and which should bring up all the list of options as well as their cost. 

If the only option you're seeing is to place the player on your watch list, you'll need to clear the browser cache, clear cookies and restart your computer. Following these directions a second time should get you to the recruiting options. 

thanks.  just where u said it was.  god that was frustrating.  lots of advice on how to play the game, no list of how to actually go about finding where everything is .  thanks again,

No problem -- best of luck on the recruiting trail and welcome to the game!