Depth Charts: Why ever 'never'?

[tylertoo]

What's the point of "never" start when adding a player to a utility slot in the depth charts. If you want them to "never" start that position, why not just leave them off the depth chart entirely?

There's probably some obvious reason, so I hope this is the sub-forum where dumb questions are allowed.

[TribeFanInNC]

'Never' just means he will never start. But he could still be used in case of an injury or as a defensive sub.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by tylertoo

What's the point of "never" start when adding a player to a utility slot in the depth charts. If you want them to "never" start that position, why not just leave them off the depth chart entirely?

There's probably some obvious reason, so I hope this is the sub-forum where dumb questions are allowed.

Actually, it's a very good question. Frankly, I can only give you my best guess about it. Maybe we will both learn something.

My interpretation is that you never want this player to be in the starting lineup, but you are willing to have the AI use the player as a in-game sub due to injury, etc. The AI doesn't strictly obey the depth chart when making in-game substitutions (something of a controversial item, but we'll leave that aside). But the depth chart does have significant influence on what the AI does in those situations. So you are just expressing a preference for what you want for in-game substitutions if the first two guys are out for some reason.

There is a risk to using "never", however. For example, if your backup is injured and you are simming a lot of games at one time (perhaps in an online league). Your starter could end up very fatigued because you've said you don't want your 3rd guy to start.

Anyway, that's my take on it. Maybe someone else has a more authoritative answer.

[TribeFanInNC]

Also as an aside, I never use never.

[tylertoo]

Originally Posted by SteveP

... the depth chart does have significant influence on what the AI does in those situations. So you are just expressing a preference for what you want for in-game substitutions if the first two guys are out for some reason...

That makes sense, sort of. But here's where I'm confused. Let's say I have four guys who can play LF:

John is set as starter
Fred is at Utility 1, set to play when John is tired.
In Utility 2, I put Bob, and set him to 'Never.'
Not listed is the fourth guy, Tom.

So if the first two guys are out, is the AI gonna go with Bob -- even though he is listed as "never"? Because in my mind, never means not ever, and the AI should choose Tom.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by tylertoo

So if the first two guys are out, is the AI gonna go with Bob -- even though he is listed as "never"? Because in my mind, never means not ever, and the AI should choose Tom.

That would be my guess, but I've never tested it. The chances of it becoming a problem are small: you would have to sim a lot of games while at the same time preventing the AI from making roster moves.