Mercutioh wrote: see I agree more with steve, I think that footwork is placement of your feet for O-linemen and the back pedal ability of safety's and corners. I also think it would be used for lateral movement for LB's. This is an interesting take on the skill sets. If you have an excel spreadsheet, I'd advise putting it up on Google docs and then putting a link up here for the rest of us to view.

I agree that the placement of feet is important and it would not surprise me if Footwork covers how a player sets his feet. Also on the lateral movement I would also include that in footwork. Nice point But I still would not like to rule out acceleration. Nothing has been said in here about acceleration and having quick foot speed will increase acceleration allowing you to reach your max speed faster. That is why I included that.

As for blocking...the reason I included defense in the category is because I read in one of the threads that blocking (is believed) is also targeted for DL. I would think that at least a small percentage of blocking would help a DL. That is why I included it as an important skill for the DL.

As for the excel sheet I will take a look at that. I will see what I have to do to get that up and running.

Mercutioh wrote: if you want to email me the excel sheet I'll pop it on to google docs tonight.

Yeah sure...message me your email and I will send it to you tonight.

Mercutioh wrote: it's up in the newbie sticky

The website is:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pfypTLUr0jngPereERVndJA

This is a very good post, thanks. I've been through a similar process and also have a spreadsheet. My comments:

Positioning- Agreed, most important for pass defense. Cornerbacks, safeties and to a lesser extent linebackers.

Footwork- Acceleration! Sorry don't agree. If this was the case why isn't just called acceleration?
When watching football on TV the commenators and coaches mostly discuss the footwork of an OL & TE when trying to block, DL when trying to shed a block, QB when setting himself before a pass or avoiding a sack, RB & WR & TE when avoiding a tackle.

Blocking- Agreed for offense only but not defense. Never heard of DLs blocking before playing this game and thats after watching football since 1975. Correct me if I'm wrong someone, but the forum discussions on here are about blocking being a defense training, are tending to think of it as a defensive action performed by the OL when defending the QB.

Agility- Agreed. Important for avoiding tackles. But also some of the most agile real footballers are defensive backs when pass defending, knocking down passes and making interceptions. Not sure if this factors in this game.

Agreed, with all the others.

to be fair it's an unproven theory on glb as much as it is here.