Help me to recreate the Greatest show on Turf!

[ajejebrazof]

Hi guys!
I've really abused the demo of this game and finally decided to buy an NTSC xbox 360 only to play it (I live in europe) :D
I can't wait to get my hands on it and I yet know the first thing I'll do will be trying to create the awesome rams team from season 1999 to 2001, often labelled as The Greatest Show on Turf, due to its explosive attack that is still rated among the best in the history of the league.
That was a very special team to me cause it was the main reason that got me sucked into following the NFL (thank god :D)

So let's get to the point, I'd like some advices from you guys who yet have the game on how to recreate that team. That's what I've thought so far.

GOLD
Torry Holt - WR (Route God, Soft Hands, Speed Burner)
Toss up between Bruce and Holt here, they were both awesome, 1a and 1b

Marshall Faulk - HB (Soft Hands, Speed Burner, Finesse)
Da man


SILVER
Kurt Warner - QB (Laser Arm, Leadership Bonus)
Came out of nowhere when Trent Green injuried in training camp, and took the NFL by storm. Had some of the best seasons for a Qb in league history, and quickly emerged as the emotional leader of the team

Isaac Bruce - WR (Route God, Soft Hands)
When he was in his prime he was unstoppable

London Fletcher-Baker - ILB (Wrap up Tackler, Run Coverage)
Came in as UDFA and started from 1999 to 2001, collecting over 340 tackles, 13 sack and 6 ints. Too bad we let him go, didn't have another good ILB for years -_-

BRONZE
Orlando Pace - LT (Brick Wall)
I know I know, should have been gold or at least silver. But there are so many good players, and bronze should be enough in the game

Gran Winstrom - DE (Leadership Bonus)
Not exactly a sack master, but a high motor guy good against the run and pass. True leader of a defense which ranked among the best in the league, but was overshadowed by the explosive attack

Kevin Carter - DE (Sack Master)
Recorded 39.5 sacks in 3 years. I know, I couldn't believe it too when i realized it :lol:

Az-Zair Hakim - WR (Speed burner)
An often undervalued piece of mad mike's attack, as the Rams used a ton of 3+ WR sets.

Dre Bly - CB (Ball Hawk)
Great CB with man to man skills

Aeneas Williams - CB/FS? (Coverage Bonus)
He came in only in 2001, and probably his best days had already passed. Still, he was awesome for us playing both at CB and FS. He was decisive for the second run at the superbowl, stepping up big time in the playoffs.
Should I put him at CB or FS? :confused:


Honorable mentions: Adam Timmermam, Andy McCollum, Leonard Little, Ricky Proehl, Jeff Wilkins


What do you think? Any suggestions? Thx :)

[soonersam]

Issac was better then Torry in that time period. I'll always have a soft spot for the 99 team, (won 400 dollars when I was 9 years old woot).

[nyknicks33]

Ive done it..they are a heck of a team to play with.

Gold: Marshall Faulk: breakaway speed, cutback, possession reciever
Aeneas Williams: Leadership Bonus, Coverage Bonus, Ball Hawk (I may change this..I think I made him a little over powered)

Silver:

Kurt Warner: Quick Release, Laser Arm
Torry Holt: Deep Threat, Bump Buster
Isaac Bruce: Possession Reciever, Route God


Bronze: Az Hakim-speed burner
London Fletcher: run reader

I'm kinda torn on how to classify Aeneas Williams..he was one of the great underrated players of his generation...gold may be a stretch....he's at worst silver, but the only way to do it is if I make Kurt Warner one..for those 3 yrs he was as good as anyone, but I have a little bit of a hard time putting someone who was great for three yrs as a gold.

[the decider13]

Bruce was much better at the time than Holt. That was back when Bruce was freakin dominant. So make bruce a gold and drop holt down to silver.

[Numbski]

Williams wasn't with the Rams in 99. :)

Honestly, the Golds on that team should be Faulk and Bruce, Silver should be Warner, Holt, and Ricky Proehl.

Bronze would be Az-zahir Hakim, London Fletcher, Orlando Pace, a corner, and a safety (sorry, it's been long enough I've forgotten names!)

Make sure Hakim has return specialist. Fletcher should bave run read. I think that's about it.

[NYGiants]

Bruce was much better at the time than Holt. That was back when Bruce was freakin dominant. So make bruce a gold and drop holt down to silver.


That's a bit of a stretch. Bruce was easily better than Holt in 1999(Holt's rookie year), but Holt was a beast in 2000. Over 1600 yards on only 82 catches is rediculous. I'll give Bruce the benefit of the doubt though. Both he and Marshall really opened up things for Holt. Defenses didn't focus on Holt nearly as much which allowed him to roam free. His speed and precise route running was too much to deal with. By 2001, Holt was AT LEAST on par with Bruce.

The statistics are closer than you think during that time period. Holt was also just as important to the team.

1999-2001
Holt's stats - 215 catches, 3786 yards, and 19 TD's
Bruce - 228 catches, 3742 yards, and 27 TD's

Bruce was definitely the bigger threat to score TD's in the redzone, while Holt caught more deep balls and got more first downs.

Both players compliment(ed) each other perfectly. It's funny because now things are having a reverse effect. Holt is the primary focus, while Bruce doesn't recieve nearly as much attention. Bruce has been catching just as many balls of 20+ yards in recent years and seems to come up big on 3rd down all time. In a sense a bet I he loves being the #2 guy now. The attention defenses put on Holt make his day much easier.

It's almost awkward watching Rams games now. I remember watching "The Greatest Show on Turf", when he was the primary target and focus of the opposing teams secondary.

As far as APF is concered, I would still make Bruce a gold, but the comparison between Bruce and Holt isn't nearly as lopsided as some people think.

[the decider13]

I was talkin bout 99...and i didnt say that holt was bad. I just said that Bruce was a freakin beast at that time. If it was now, Holt is definately a gold.

[NYGiants]

I was talkin bout 99...and i didnt say that holt was bad. I just said that Bruce was a freakin beast at that time. If it was now, Holt is definately a gold.


My bad, I thought you were talking about the time period from 1999-2001. At least that's what ajejebrazof was wanting feedback for.

[ajejebrazof]

Ive done it..they are a heck of a team to play with.

Gold: Marshall Faulk: breakaway speed, cutback, possession reciever
Aeneas Williams: Leadership Bonus, Coverage Bonus, Ball Hawk (I may change this..I think I made him a little over powered)

Silver:

Kurt Warner: Quick Release, Laser Arm
Torry Holt: Deep Threat, Bump Buster
Isaac Bruce: Possession Reciever, Route God


Bronze: Az Hakim-speed burner
London Fletcher: run reader

I'm kinda torn on how to classify Aeneas Williams..he was one of the great underrated players of his generation...gold may be a stretch....he's at worst silver, but the only way to do it is if I make Kurt Warner one..for those 3 yrs he was as good as anyone, but I have a little bit of a hard time putting someone who was great for three yrs as a gold.


Nice one, I really like this team, I'm definitely copying it :D
I think Aeneas could be considered a legit gold in his prime. But in this team, I'd switch him with Ike.
What are your other bronzes?
Also, since I can't play the game yet, can you rename generic players too?

Thx,
bye! :)

[stl1fanman]

1999 was T Holts rookie season so naturally Ike Bruce in his prime was the better player then.

But in 2000 T Holt caught up to Ike and in 2001 T Holt eclipsed Bruce as the better player.

1999 T Holt : 52 rec - 788 yds - 6 TD
Ike Bruce : 77 rec - 1165 yds - 12 TD

2000 T Holt : 82 rec - 1635 yds (19.9 avg SICK!) 6 TDs
Ike Bruce : 87 rec - 1471 yds - 9 TDs

2001 T Holt : 81 rec - 1363 yds - 7 TDs
Ike Bruce : 64 rec - 1106 yds - 6 TDs

Heres how I am going to make this team

Gold

Faulk, Pace (he's definatly a gold player but I can understand why one would make him a bronze)

Silver

Holt, Bruce, Warner

Bronze

K Carter, G Wistrom, A Timmerman, A Williams (played CB on 01 Rams), D Bly, L Fletcher


other guys to consider - Az Hakim, Tony Horne, Ricky Proehl, Todd Lyght, Kieth Lyle, Jeff Wilkins, D Marco Farr, James Hodgins, Leanard Little, and Mike (The Tackle) Jones.

[NYGiants]

Williams wasn't with the Rams in 99. :)

Honestly, the Golds on that team should be Faulk and Bruce, Silver should be Warner, Holt, and Ricky Proehl.

Bronze would be Az-zahir Hakim, London Fletcher, Orlando Pace, a corner, and a safety (sorry, it's been long enough I've forgotten names!)

Make sure Hakim has return specialist. Fletcher should bave run read. I think that's about it.


Proehl was a crucial part of the Rams from 99-01, but you can't make him a silver. I would make him a bronze with either "Clutch" or "Soft Hands" ability.

Also, I don't know how fond you guys are of making an O-Line a silver, but I would probably add Pace as my final silver, along with Warner and Holt. He made the Pro-Bowl every year, and really never got the full respect he deserved. I can't argue with Fletcher being a silver though, mainly because I can see why some people would feel the need to have a defensive player in their top 2 tiers. Personally, I would go with Pace though.

Now that I think about it, I think I'm going to make my own version of the Rams.:lol:

[ajejebrazof]

My bad, I thought you were talking about the time period from 1999-2001. At least that's what ajejebrazof was wanting feedback for.

Yep I was talking about that period, not a specific year. Your analysis is perfect, you can't go wrong with either of em. They complemented perfectly and it's really impossible to say who was better.

[Darkheath]

Yeah... I might kill some time this coming weekend to do this.

It was a great run. I'd also chime in to make sure that Proehl would get a bronze. he was definitely "clutch" back then as most defenses were concentrating on Bruce/Holt in critical moments and that would be when Ricky would make an incredible grab. I'd give him "clutch" and "soft hands".

[ajejebrazof]

Proehl was a crucial part of the Rams from 99-01, but you can't make him a silver. I would make him a bronze with either "Clutch" or "Soft Hands" ability.

Also, I don't know how fond you guys are of making an O-Line a silver, but I would probably add Pace as my final silver, along with Warner and Holt. He made the Pro-Bowl every year, and really never got the full respect he deserved. I can't argue with Fletcher being a silver though, mainly because I can see why some people would feel the need to have a defensive player in their top 2 tiers. Personally, I would go with Pace though.

Now that I think about it, I think I'm going to make my own version of the Rams.:lol:

I agree about Proehl. He would definitely deserve clutch and/or Mr 3rd Down, but silver is a stretch IMHO.
Pace is definitely Gold IRL, but I think in the game it is not a good idea to use a gold or even silver spot on OL.
I'm really curious to see your version :)

[NYGiants]

I agree about Proehl. He would definitely deserve clutch and/or Mr 3rd Down, but silver is a stretch IMHO.
Pace is definitely Gold IRL, but I think in the game it is not a good idea to use a gold or even silver spot on OL.
I'm really curious to see your version :)


I'll probably work on it tonight. I'll make sure I post it in this thread. BTW, are you having any luck recreating faces? I'm going to try to make my players look realistic, but if you come up with something good would you mind posting your formula? I'll do the same with the players that I think I did a good job with.

[nyknicks33]

i might change az hakim from speed burner to return specialist..and add london fletcher as a bronze run reader..

[stl1fanman]

ok after some second thoughts heres how I'd make the 99-01 Rams

Gold

Kurt Warner - 2 time league MVP deserves to be a gold

Marshall Faulk

Silver

Ike Bruce

Torrey Big Game Holt

Orlando Pace (or London Fletcher or Aeneas Williams if you dont want a silver OL)


Bronze

Aeneas Williams CB (he played CB for the 01 Rams and I think was moved to free safety in 03)

Ricky Proehl WR - he cant be left off. Big catch in 00 NFC Champ game, game tying catch in 02 SB

London Fletcher MLB

Adam Timmerman RG - The Rams O-Line was just as big a part of the offense as Faulk, Warner, Bruce and Holt

Kevin Carter DE

Az Hakim WR - you gotta have all four of the Warner Brothers at WR

WOW this would be a fun offense to use.

Wistrom shouldnt even be a consideration.

If you dont want 2 O-Linemen I'd leave off Timmerman and add Jeff Wilkins or Dre Bly or maybe for sentimental value add Mike Jones who made the game saving tackle in SB XXXIV.

[ajejebrazof]

I'll probably work on it tonight. I'll make sure I post it in this thread. BTW, are you having any luck recreating faces? I'm going to try to make my players look realistic, but if you come up with something good would you mind posting your formula? I'll do the same with the players that I think I did a good job with.



As I wrote I don't have the game yet. I'm from Italy and I bought an NTSC 360 only to play this game, I hope it will be delivered by the end of the week :)
I'll definiely try, but usually I suck badly at these things :D
Actually somebody should pass me the code for the uniforms too :p

Bye!

[ajejebrazof]

ok after some second thoughts heres how I'd make the 99-01 Rams

Gold

Kurt Warner - 2 time league MVP deserves to be a gold

Marshall Faulk

Silver

Ike Bruce

Torrey Big Game Holt

Orlando Pace (or London Fletcher or Aeneas Williams if you dont want a silver OL)


Bronze

Aeneas Williams CB (he played CB for the 01 Rams and I think was moved to free safety in 03)

Ricky Proehl WR - he cant be left off. Big catch in 00 NFC Champ game, game tying catch in 02 SB

London Fletcher MLB

Adam Timmerman RG - The Rams O-Line was just as big a part of the offense as Faulk, Warner, Bruce and Holt

Kevin Carter DE

Az Hakim WR - you gotta have all four of the Warner Brothers at WR

WOW this would be a fun offense to use.

Wistrom shouldnt even be a consideration.

If you dont want 2 O-Linemen I'd leave off Timmerman and add Jeff Wilkins or Dre Bly or maybe for sentimental value add Mike Jones who made the game saving tackle in SB XXXIV.


Man Wistrom wasn't that bad. He had 26.5 sacks in those 3 years and was good vs the run. I really like the idea of going with all 4 WRs though... should be hella fun! :D

[nyknicks33]

Man..should this team have won multiple superbowls or what?

Im going to change my version when I get home lol

I currently have this:

Gold: Aeneas Williams: Leadership Bonus, Coverage Bonus, ball hawk
-I realize that this needs to be changed..Im viewing him for his entire career..he was a terrific player with the cardinals.

Marshall Faulk: Break away speed, 2nd level juke, mr 3rd down.
---i think that is perfect..I may change the mr 3rd down to either posession or soft hands

Silver: Kurt Warner-Laser arm, quick release
--I think I may make him a gold, for those 3 years he was as good as anyone who ever played the position

Tory Holt-Bump buster, deep threat
Isaac Bruce- Route God, Possession

Bronze
Az-Azir Hakim: Speed Burner
--may change this to return specialist.

Changes Im considering

Gold: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk

Silver: Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Aeneas Williams at FS-Leadership Bonus, Clutch

Bronze: Az Hakim-Return Specialist
Ricky Proehl- Mr. 3rd down
London Fletcher- Run Reader
Grant Wistrom- pass rush bonus
Dre Bly- Ball Hawk
Leonard Little-pass rush bonus

[speedkills]

I'm definitely going to try this. I remember playing as the Rams in NFL 2K1 and lighting up the scoreboard like some kind of pinball machine. They had all those crazy pre-snap motions and formations the Rams used at the time.

[NYGiants]

I'm undecided on whether I would use this team online or not. I love the idea of having a loaded offense, but I've been using my All-Time Giants team online which is full of great defensive players. I try to keep it simple online. Run the ball well and play great defense. I still pass the ball often, but I don't let myself stray away from my running attack. I notice that so many of my oppenents look to catch me off guard by constantly switching it up. That's great if you can do it effectively, but I'm not going to budge on my approach. Sure, I know how to adjust based on my oppenents approach, but I hate being reactive on defense. I'm worried that the Rams defense will force me to do that.

I'm currently on a 7 game winning streak online, so I'll probably use the Rams in unranked games.