Played my first 7 games now (4 preseason, 3 reg season)... and I thought I put in plenty of short pass plays (which get called a ton), some of them even have "FB" in the name...

Yet, so few passes to the FB... the QB prefers WRs in triple coverage.

I know in GLB I can set a "progression", and even on FoF it seems like dominant FBs catch plenty of passes... What gives in MFN? Am I just a loser for trying to force the issue?

Yeah it doesn't work the same way as that other game. Here its all about your coaches, particularly your HC.
I know what you're saying and we've all been there, but it is really just a matter of time imo. I find that if a team finds success with a particular play they are more likely to be called, also the more the team KNOW that play as well.
Also click on your FBs player page, there you will see all the plays he knows, it might give you some insight, like he might not know the play very well.
Hang in there, this is a much better game, well run with excellent players here.

Ohhh. It would be awesome if we could customize the progression on a play by play basis.

I got excited just thinking about the possibilities, even though I know it will never happen.

Oh well, it was a nice thought.

Actually I'd like to have this as well, not a high item on the priority list but not one of the low ones either.

Yeah, setting the progression in GLB1 was pretty aweseome.

FoF didn't have it.

I think middle ground can also be made with a "general strategy" like:
- Focus passes to the TEs
- Focus passes on the outside (WRs)
- Focus passes to the backs
... etc.

Maybe it's a viable stepping-stone to all-out play-by-play progressions.

I'm hanging in... been playing football sims since they were only text-based. I see the potential here.

I would like to be able to do a complete play editor or play making ability. Adding a couple palys to the play book would be nice to.

Complete play editor could be problematic if you mean drawing up your own plays. Doing so could break the AI for defense because your possibilities are limitless.

I thought each guy was his own entity. That should allow for plays within the rules of nfl. It might actually tighten the code.

This is something I'd like to add but it will be quite a ways down the road. You are right that the AI does treat each player independently in the sim, but it could still potentially be easy to outsmart the AI - it is just something that would need a lot of testing.

I'd also need to really think about how it would apply. It feels like it should be a premium feature, but the hard stance I have of no pay-to-win might make it difficult to apply. It also tips the importance of your Head Coach. This consideration weighs almost more heavily into it than my concern about outsmarting the AI.

Plus this game is a GM sim.