Contracts Questions

[Colly]

I guess these questions are directed at Brooks, but if anyone else can answer, then great!

1. Is there any documentation regarding RFA's contract mechanics? I've recently un-checked it because I could not understand how it was being implemented. Maybe it was just the makeup of my Brown's roster.

2. I play with Exceed Cap for Extensions selected. I also play with Force Strict Cap enabled. Can these be checked/unchecked during a season and remain functional?
I noticed that once the season starts, I'm forced to release players if I'm above the cap before I can play a game (as it should be), but there are AI teams still playing in week 5 that are way over the cap. Are AI teams not held to the Force Strict Cap rule?

3. The contracts are much improved over earlier versions (for example, beta signing bonuses), and I'm wondering whether there are any plans to strengthen the contracts further. Specifically, to include the dead cap aspects, etc. (Front Office 9 has contracts nailed).

I have to "game" the Browns cap situation in DDS because it is too easy to just release Watson without any consequences. In FOF9, you have to deal with DC issues for years.

Please don't take my FOF9 as a slight. While I love FOF9, DDS is my staple for long-term football gaming.

[brooks_piggott]

1. RFA Stage 1 is when you have an opportunity to sign restricted free agents with 3 years of experience. Their current team can match the offers or allow the player to sign the new contract and receive the tendered draft pick as compensation. RFA Stage 2 is when restricted free agents have been given offers and teams can match. If tenders are not matched the player will assume the new contract with draft pick compensation going to the previous team.

2. I'd have to check into this... I would think CPU would abide by it but I may have bypassed it to prevent issues with the CPU making poor drop decisions

3. We'll gather feedback on the contracts and I'm sure changes will come in the future. Dead cap is already in the game as "penalties" that the user can configure to get their finances close to NFL style or whatever they choose.

[brooks_piggott]

I think the issue is that the CPU is cutting players to get under cap but then signing them right back and due to the way minimum FA contracts work now it's pushing them back over the cap. I tried adjusting the strict cap but it causes the teams to only keep a minimum amount of players which will cause larger issues. This is going to be something I have to tweak in future versions.

[Colly]

I think the issue is that the CPU is cutting players to get under cap but then signing them right back and due to the way minimum FA contracts work now it's pushing them back over the cap. I tried adjusting the strict cap but it causes the teams to only keep a minimum amount of players which will cause larger issues. This is going to be something I have to tweak in future versions.

That's what I surmised from looking at their weekly transactions.

Looks like they keep releasing players but then sign other players right back. In my current save, the Ravens just won a championship carrying $31 million over the cap.
Seemed like they were constantly releasing and signing players every week. Ocassionally, they signed a player making less than they released a player for, often it exceeded it by a few million.

[Colly]

1. RFA Stage 1 is when you have an opportunity to sign restricted free agents with 3 years of experience. Their current team can match the offers or allow the player to sign the new contract and receive the tendered draft pick as compensation. RFA Stage 2 is when restricted free agents have been given offers and teams can match. If tenders are not matched the player will assume the new contract with draft pick compensation going to the previous team.

Yes, my mistake. I understand the rounds and bid values. What I mean is that whenever I've had the RFA option selected and I get to Mar 7th, when I go to the RFA screen, there are never any RFA's available.

[brooks_piggott]

The RFA are more of a multiplayer or sandbox feature. The CPU run teams don't make use of it.

[Colly]

The RFA are more of a multiplayer or sandbox feature. The CPU run teams don't make use of it.

Oh well, that's unchecked, then.