2014 RULES: Big Play Adjustments

[Goodell]

We take real game stats and adjust many of them based upon sim grades. Strong o-line against weaker defense and a RB's average carry will increase. There was some suggestion during the season of having grades also impact a player's big play update.

One argument is that if a skill position player breaks a huge gain that a lot of that has to do with his individual talent. Seattle has a great defense with highly graded players, but that doesn't mean they don't ever give up any big plays or TY Hilton wouldn't have had a 73 yard TD against them, Gore wouldn't have ripped a 51 yard run, etc. Josh Gordon goes for 80 yards against Patriots. Dez Bryant goes 79 against Denver. Fitzgerald gets 75 yard TD against 49ers. Big plays happen every week even against strong teams because players have individual talent and make things happen with their explosive speed and skill.

On the other hand, bad defenses probably do give up more big plays and maybe the same big play against a bad team wouldn't have been as big against a better defense.

It's never going to be all grades are all that matters here. We set things up for more of a 50/50 split where grades AND play on the field each week both matter. While I don't think high grades should mean no big plays can ever be scored against you, I could see us adjusting big plays similarly to as we adjust player averages with limitations to where the performance still matters but grade advantages will make a difference too.

For example, say a sim defense has a max advantage over sim offense. All skill position players for that weaker offense have their long play reduced by 15% (80 yard big play update reduced to 69) much like all RBs averages reduced against stronger opponent. On the other hand, max superior offense has it's big plays increased by 15% (so 80 yard big play turns to 92, 50 turns to 58). Making the big plays a little bigger or a little smaller depending upon the situation. May be other ways or ideas, but something like that would be consistent with how other stats adjusted from grades.