It's always bothered me that RBs don't get blocking ratings. In NFL, it's pretty important, but not reflected in the game. In fact, if you're running a lot of WR sets, it's very important. But we don't see it. My question is if Jim has ever discussed this or not. Is there perhaps a hidden rating (I think maybe because you can play a RB in the FB position on the depth chart)? Or is it because the gameplay does not factor in RB blocking at all, so it doesn't matter (too bad if that's the case)? And then finally, if you are running a lot of formations with only 1 RB, should you try to stick in the FB there who has at least some ratings for it, or again would that not even be part of the AI calculations.

A lot of questions, I know, but I am just wondering if this has ever been looked at in depth before.

This is all the help file says, which seems to refer only to the ratings you actually see in game:

"Running backs and fullbacks are scouted for their power running the ball inside, their speed in getting to the outside, their third-down running, their ability to find an open hole in the defense, their elusiveness (ability to occasionally break long runs at the expense of sometimes getting caught begind the line of scrimmage), their pass-catching ability, their catch frequency, their ablility to catch third-down passes, their ability to avoid fumbling and their endurance. Running backs are rated for breakaway speed and fullbacks are rated for both run and pass blocking."

Everyone has a rating for everything, it's just hidden. But I agree that you should see a RB's pass blocking rating, but pass blocking for TE's and FB's are a mystery to me so I don't know if it would help any.

Everyone has a rating for everything, it's just hidden.
Proof?

Proof?
Don't question me, I have spoken.

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showpost.php?p=564152&postcount=24

Seriously though, nothing is for sure known in FOF, but I think that is pretty good evidence.

If we know one thing for sure it's that players are rated for everything.

Okay, fair enough. Doesn't really help answer the original question though. I did find this in the Player File Generator help file.

All players are rated for all categories, though these ratings are ignored if not relevant to the player's position.

Column Y: Completing Screen Passes.
Column Z: Completing Short Passes.
Column AA: Completing Medium Passes.
Column AB: Completing Long Passes.
Column AC: Completing Very Long Passes.
etc

Okay, fair enough. Doesn't really help answer the original question though.
I'm pretty sure it answers this question from the original post, but I could be misunderstanding:
Is there perhaps a hidden rating (I think maybe because you can play a RB in the FB position on the depth chart)?
;)

I'm pretty sure it answers this question from the original post, but I could be misunderstanding:

;)
I didn't read his post.

With the exception of the QB ratings (only QBs get the passes, read defense, etc.), everyone is rated in everything. Most of the time, what you don't see is 0/0, but in some cases (RB blocking and QB/FB rushing are two examples), there are positive values.

The question seems to be whether RB1 ever stays in to block, or whether he always goes into the pattern. If he is never assigned to pick up a rusher, then it does not matter if he has pass blocking ability or not.

And has anyone ever seen TE2 do anything?

And has anyone ever seen TE2 do anything?

Yeah, on a regular basis. Block, catch, drop passes, etc.... One thing I like doing is having a TE2 with good RR, and watching him take advantage of a coverage-challenged WLB. :)

Interesting - whenever I run 2-TE sets they seem to gave minimal impact at best.

Well, I wouldn't say they have a great impact, but it can be done. You do, however, have to invest a bit in the 2nd TE, which few people are willing to do (and perhaps rightly so).

Thanks for some of the info guys. A hidden rating makes sense, but I am guessing that if you are playing in the RB position, it doesn't figure in the calculations; but only when the RB plays at FB. Plus, if you have a great blocking FB, you may want him to be the sole RB in the 4 receiver set.