Need a lot of help

Hey there everyone! Been a while since I have been here, but I am still trying to just break into this hobby and well, with time restraints (work, girlfriend, work, life) EF has been pushed aside again.
Alas, I am back and I am as jazzed as ever. I am not sure exactly makes me so drawn to this hobby, but I am completely obsessed!
I have ordered some figures from footballfigures.com and wow...they are truly amazing. I had never seen anything but the Miggle versions before. I am super new to this...like I had a game when I was a kid, but never really figured it out and my brother and I really just had 40 yard dash races, one-on-one lineman fights, etc.
I got back interested last year when I decided to paint some high school teams for my buddies. Didn't turn out as good as planned, but sparked my interest.
Now, I am trying to learn the customization side. And I still want to learn to play. I have a ton of football knowledge (played 14 seasons including college, and covered the NFL as a reporter for three seasons) and I love uniforms and color schemes (not sure why, just always have).
I am trying to make myself a team, 1986-87 Cleveland Browns. and I want to make the Broncos so I can have grudge matches against myself and replay the drive (but with a happier ending!). Eventually I want to make an OSU vs. Michigan game too.
I guess what I am asking for is some help. First, in making my team, I have Reggie Rutledge's customization DVD (amazing) and I have begun to tinker. Any ideas would be great though. Another thing that interests me is making the coaches. Anyone with ideas on making Marty or Dan Reeves would help a lot. Also, referees.
As for painting, anyone know the colors for the Browns (like the actual ones) and Broncos (1987 style). Also, I need decals. Should I just use the fff.com ones? Or are any of you (Maybe Decal Master) making ones for the FF.com figures?
Lastly, I truly want to learn to play this game. So I will some advice on learning the game, bases, etc. Most stuff I read seems aimed at guys that already know the jargon. I am super raw....never played an actual game. So, I need that kind of help.
I guess that is it. I need a lot of help. But I am comitted to the hobby. I am going to learn the game,. customization, etc...and with a little help from you guys...hopefully I can find myself playing in some of your tournaments in the future.
Anyone can respond (please do)...or e-mail me directly at:
arturobinewski30@hotmail.com
Hope to hear from you guys...and eventually see you on the field.
Brian King

Welcome back.

Go to www.mpflfootball.com. There you will find tons of information and a contact email. The most intricate and realistic system of playing EF is right here.

Be patient as the community will swoop down quickly to answer your other questions.

[Michigan Joe]

Brian,

I've noticed that there isn't a lot of "getting started" advice on this site lately so since I've recently been thru it and here is my take.

1) I would start by ordering some Pro Line strong rookies and watch those FF figures perform very well as is. From my experience, these bases are probably the best out of box bases. They are great for running backs and they are easy to tweak for directional running by incrementally clipping the length of the front prongs. You gotta have some skill players to take it to the house! Also get some TTCs for lineman, and for some versatile players on defense. Those are a great beginning foundation and you can tinker with other bases as you move along.

2) Creating your team: I recommend documenting names, number of players, uniform colors, and custom poses so that you have a clear vision of what you are making. Buy some decals and good acrylic paint. Hopefully you can get some advice on paint matching from this site, but if not then go to a hobby store and compare the available colors to pictures from SI or something. Decals- I like how Beenut's decals have both home and away uniform colors which FF decals don't, then again FF decals have the matching leg stripes which make it easier for your figures. I use delta ceramcoat for a clear coat as recommended to me and it is VERY durable and looks good.

3) Customizing FF figures. Go to NFL.com/photos and copy pictures of your favorite poses into one place on your computor for reference. Don't be afraid to cut these figures. Cut them at the waist, at the upper elbows, at the upper or lower knee, decapitate him, split the legs at the crotch, etc. Reconfigure the torso to the leg that will be stationed to the platform and build the rest of the player from there. Get a good super glue and just use your imagination. For my first team I started slow (realistic to complete in a good time frame). Therefore I have only about 5 customs each for offense and defense. Now that I got the feel for doing this figures, I have about 50 customs waiting to be detailed for my next teams.

4) make sure you have a board that runs good so that you have a high quality of play. After all the work on teams, they gotta play good too. I had a new 620 that was terrible and I went to a tournament and saw how great the Wattz boards ran. I've now got a 308 board now and I'm very happy with it. The other custom board makers on this forum are great too- just search custom boards to find them. I've seen older 620s that run real good too so you could check ebay for those.

5) Read thru the rules of some leagues like the Great Lakes, MPFL, Texas shootout, Seaway brawl, etc, etc. to get a feel for style of play.

6) Find a league around you if possible

7) have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions!

Joe

[WEIRDWOLF]

Hey Brian, What part of the country are you from?

Hey Brian I would start out by buying Coaches DVD one! It really answers just about every question that you could have, and it really helped me out with tweaking and offensive line movement. I defiently would say it brings you up to speed quickly!

Kevin

Originally Posted by WEIRDWOLF

Hey Brian, What part of the country are you from?

I am from Cleveland, but currently I live in Baltimore (hence the clever screen name....)

[Reginald Rutledge]

Brian,

I just read your passionate email that you sent me and wanted to respond in kind. As you know by now, I am very busy. However, when it comes to a guy having a genuine interest in the game and wanting to learn all that he can about the game, I am always willing to offer what knowledge I have.

If you believe that your spirits and emotions about the game can be rejuvernated just by the writings of individuals or speaking with them on that topic, I can certainly help.

Judging from your email, you want to know as much about the game as I am willing to offer. I have no problems with that. I think getting quality information is important. I can only give you information about Footballfigures.com products and the many things we do. I have no expertise in other areas and would not even admit to being one.

What I can tell you is all the secrets of the athletes we have. I can tell you about our line of products ranging from gameboards to sound effects. I can tell you about what I think are the most intense rules around, the Texas Shootout Rules. I can tell you and show you marketing strategies and ways to create excitement in your area. If you have no desire to travel, I can show you the easy way to establish a league and get about 10-20 coaches in a matter of a couple of years.

So we will talk. I will email you with brochures on how to establish leagues, rules and other useful tips. Cleveland has potential to be a great EFL town. All it needs is the right type of marketing approach. I may can be of assistance.

Reginald Rutledge