Bars or Stats?

I always evaluate but don't trust stats unless they are supported or contradicted by obvious evidence, like the guy had the talent around them to produce and didn't, he was catching passes from a stud QB, he was in a certain type of offense, he was over or under targeted, etc..

I prefer bars first and foremost, and if I can't get a well rounded set to use in most situations I have begun to favor specialists and meticulous planning as an alternative. As always I also think one of the most important ratings is intelligence, so there's that.. I think I look at intelligence like others look at cohesion or affinities.

One caveat, however - Former legends, guys that have been good forever.. They seem to perform a lot closer to their old selves than they seem like they should as they decline. I've experienced this with old studs at nearly every position, they are often good investments if you can secure them at a bargain after everyone else has passed them over for younger guys. RB Chamberlain was a good example for us here, as was perhaps the best WR in RZB history, Caden Sinclair. He had faded into the low 50's by the time he reached us in his final year but he started that season playing really well and pulling about 10 yards per target until he got hurt and never really got all the way back to full health.