Good news! Version 0.4.4 has been officially released. This update improves the passing game, both on offense and defense. Updates have been made to pass timing, QB pass decision making, secondary coverage, and QB pocket awareness, among other small tweaks.

As leagues conclude their current season they will roll into 0.4.4. You can identify which engine your league is currently using by looking in the footer of the league page.

We jumped the line and are now on 0.4.4!

HERE IS WHAT THAT MEANS

* Downfield coverage is now fixed. No more watching your good M2M DBs watch WRs blow right past them. The trade off is that passing yards may appear to go down, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. (Just look at the silly numbers I'm putting up in 19.)

* Catch algorithms are updated. No more of the 0.4.3 nerfs. I haven't noticed any meaningful difference in high catch WRs and low catch WRs, so keep an eye open for it.

* The throw the pitch 15 yards behind the LOS on a pitch play is fixed. 'Nuff said.

* Edge rushing is more dangerous. Watch this one closely. OTs will sometimes block inside. I'm almost certain this is a play knowledge thing, but if it gets to be egregious let me know. I've been tracking it in beta. It's not a game breaker, but you can get more sacks.

Part of the reason for the increased sacks is better coverage down the field. On long passing plays the QB can't just pick the defense apart anymore.

* QBs make faster decisions. They will check down on passing plays if no one is open downfield faster. The bonus is that hook and curl routes WORK probably for the first time ever! If you want to know all about the algorithm behind this, let me know and I'll explain it in as much excruciating detail as I understand it. IT'S A RIPPING TALE!

* QBs don't wander around as much as they used to. They will also back straight up out of pressure as opposed to always moving sideways or into it.

* QBs throw the ball away.

* Hook routes work. Did I mention that?

Any league that wishes to move ahead of schedule, please start a forum poll - a vote will be considered passing at 25% participation. PM me when you have the required votes.

If you own a user-created league, PM me if you want to move ahead of schedule.