I must suck at Madden

[NZrichy]

After reading all the stuff you guys have been posting re; Madden, I realised I must suck!

I'm not too bad and can beat the computer 99% of the time on Pro but being from New Zealand the interest in the game isnt very high so finding real life opponents is hard, and as you know, playing against people is the way to go.

I dont have internet or computer at home, only at work so online is out of the question.

Another thing is my knowledge of the game and tactics is very limited, reading a thread about covering Heap and Lewis when playing Baltimore I was like , wow! what are they talking about???

I know everyone will say 'practice makes perfect' etc... but is there anything I can read that will help my knowledge of formations, coverage etc?

Bit of a pointless thread but I love playing Madden and watching NFL and I read NFL.com, sportingnews, SI, ESPN everyday, its just frustrating being the only person I know into it...

[Snk16]

Well, beating the computer on Pro isn't really isn't an accomplishment first off. 2nd Off, the computer isn't really a good opponent. Human opponents are the hard ones. The computer is stupid. If you don't play good human opponents, you won't get any better. :duh:

[The Dark Knight]

After reading all the stuff you guys have been posting re; Madden, I realised I must suck!

I'm not too bad and can beat the computer 99% of the time on Pro but being from New Zealand the interest in the game isnt very high so finding real life opponents is hard, and as you know, playing against people is the way to go.

I dont have internet or computer at home, only at work so online is out of the question.

Another thing is my knowledge of the game and tactics is very limited, reading a thread about covering Heap and Lewis when playing Baltimore I was like , wow! what are they talking about???

I know everyone will say 'practice makes perfect' etc... but is there anything I can read that will help my knowledge of formations, coverage etc?

Bit of a pointless thread but I love playing Madden and watching NFL and I read NFL.com, sportingnews, SI, ESPN everyday, its just frustrating being the only person I know into it...


I would do the football 101 and all the practice session stuff if you haven't done that already. Madden talking about the basic offensive formations like "I formation" can be a great help to those who know little about the game. Try playing in practice mode with out a defense to see how the offense sets up and then put a defense in to see how it changes.

Analyze individual matchups: Offensive line vs Defensive Line, Wide Reciever vs Defensive Backs, Running Backs vs Line Backers ect ect.

Know the differences between MAN and ZONE defenses, Getting these is the first step into understanding the defense.

MAN is when a defense player shadows an offensive player, where ever the offensive guy go, he follows. Linebackers play this commonly against runningbacks.

ZONE is when a player stays in a certain part of the field and trys to control that area. It's good when playing against the QB and receivers. The defensive man can read the offense and make his play anticpating on what they will do.

Defensive line really has 2 basic jobs: Get to the QB before he gets rid of the ball and stop the run.


That's all I really have for now. NFL offenses and Defenses are infinitly more complicated than that but first you got to take baby steps before you can draw up your own playbook.

[Snk16]

Also, Madden's like the most complicated football game out in the market.

[The Dark Knight]

Well, beating the computer on Pro isn't really isn't an accomplishment first off. 2nd Off, the computer isn't really a good opponent. Human opponents are the hard ones. The computer is stupid. If you don't play good human opponents, you won't get any better. :duh:


He can't play any humans. No one else plays there.

Plus he isn't surrounded by the football culture like we are. Give him a break.

[Snk16]

He can't play any humans. No one else plays there.

Plus he isn't surrounded by the football culture like we are. Give him a break.

I know I know, just stating the facts. I'm just saying that could be a reason why. I think he wants to know why.

[The Dark Knight]

I know I know, just stating the facts. I'm just saying that could be a reason why. I think he wants to know why.

Originally Posted by Snk16
Well, beating the computer on Pro isn't really isn't an accomplishment first off. 2nd Off, the computer isn't really a good opponent. Human opponents are the hard ones. The computer is stupid. If you don't play good human opponents, you won't get any better. :duh:


Yeah, whatever.

:rolleyes:

It sure looks like you berating him to me.

[Snk16]

Yeah, whatever.

:rolleyes:

It sure looks like you berating him to me.


Some things aren't as they sound.

[Alastor]

I know everyone will say 'practice makes perfect' etc... but is there anything I can read that will help my knowledge of formations, coverage etc?

Honestly, in that regard Madden really is the best teacher I've found. Since forcing my nephews to play this with me, they can now identify the OLBs, CBs, Safeties and basic formations when they see them on TV.

Most of the sports stuff is really crap. What you're after would be more the play-analysis, and frankly I don't see enough of that on TV - and it's never shown consistently. I mean there are things like NFL Total Access, but they aren't showing you WHY the 46 defense is even deemed viable or anything. They're not showing you why one team chooses to run a single-back formation while others run from an off-set I.

One of the best examples of this I can think of is that in the recap of the Super Bowl the Broncos won over the Packers, they show how us using a slot formation WR and a TE was able to free Terrel Davis up to run rough-shod all over the Green Bay defense.

But those types of things are few and far between. Not many shows actually will do that for you.

There's really not much I can think of that would be along the lines of what you're after, except perhaps looking back at the instant replays on Madden. Seriously, I can pick out a zone defense at the line before the snap, and because I know it's a zone I know where to stand and what to do to buy myself time once the ball is snapped so that I can identify the specific zone defense and know - rather than look and find - but just know where the open receiver is.

I usually don't even LOOK at my WRs to throw the ball any more. I watch the LBs and the SS, or the frount four and the FS to see which way they crash, blitz, zone dog or contain. That in itself tells me everything I need to know. Based on that, I know the coverage, and I then know who the open man is.

In fact, I only every use ONE pass play in Madden, and I play on All-Madden level. It has five potential receivers in it, one that works on a delay release. It's the only pass play I ever need to use, because no matter what defense is called someone is open - and since I can identify the defenses that fast, I know right off who is going to be open where - and when. Now, I still get sacked of course... I'm in week 9 of my franchise now, and been sacked 7 times. I still get picked - three times this year in fact. But I'm satisfied with my 70+ (yes, I kid ye not) passing TDs.

So... watch the replays a lot. Seriously. There are patterns in the defense's behavior, and you CAN pick them out over time.

I hope that helps.

[mattos]

is there anything I can read that will help my knowledge of formations, coverage etc?

well this isn't exactly what you're asking. but if you want to get better pretty quickly; play as atlanta and run w/ vick whenever they don't leave someone in the flat. this will make you a lot better pretty quick and its why about 40% of the players online choose atlanta (at least in my exp).

[Snk16]

Honestly, in that regard Madden really is the best teacher I've found. Since forcing my nephews to play this with me, they can now identify the OLBs, CBs, Safeties and basic formations when they see them on TV.

Most of the sports stuff is really crap. What you're after would be more the play-analysis, and frankly I don't see enough of that on TV - and it's never shown consistently. I mean there are things like NFL Total Access, but they aren't showing you WHY the 46 defense is even deemed viable or anything. They're not showing you why one team chooses to run a single-back formation while others run from an off-set I.

One of the best examples of this I can think of is that in the recap of the Super Bowl the Broncos won over the Packers, they show how us using a slot formation WR and a TE was able to free Terrel Davis up to run rough-shod all over the Green Bay defense.

But those types of things are few and far between. Not many shows actually will do that for you.

There's really not much I can think of that would be along the lines of what you're after, except perhaps looking back at the instant replays on Madden. Seriously, I can pick out a zone defense at the line before the snap, and because I know it's a zone I know where to stand and what to do to buy myself time once the ball is snapped so that I can identify the specific zone defense and know - rather than look and find - but just know where the open receiver is.

I usually don't even LOOK at my WRs to throw the ball any more. I watch the LBs and the SS, or the frount four and the FS to see which way they crash, blitz, zone dog or contain. That in itself tells me everything I need to know. Based on that, I know the coverage, and I then know who the open man is.

In fact, I only every use ONE pass play in Madden, and I play on All-Madden level. It has five potential receivers in it, one that works on a delay release. It's the only pass play I ever need to use, because no matter what defense is called someone is open - and since I can identify the defenses that fast, I know right off who is going to be open where - and when. Now, I still get sacked of course... I'm in week 9 of my franchise now, and been sacked 7 times. I still get picked - three times this year in fact. But I'm satisfied with my 70+ (yes, I kid ye not) passing TDs.

So... watch the replays a lot. Seriously. There are patterns in the defense's behavior, and you CAN pick them out over time.

I hope that helps.


That's awesome Alastor. I'm doing pretty good in my franchise. You could dominate online in Madden me thinks.

[JoRo]

That's awesome Alastor. I'm doing pretty good in my franchise. You could dominate online in Madden me thinks.

Easily he could.............

[Alastor]

I dunno. I don't play on-line. I do play with my little brother's dork friends, because they bring me beer if I let them hang out. They sort of suck though. I've been trying to find other serious Madden guys to get together with (especially after football is over this season) on the weekends, but so far I have no takers.

I sure can tear up the CPU though.

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. I hope to find out if that's true at some stage.

[NZrichy]

The Dark Knight, cheers mate, you obviously can see where I'm coming from...

I have put the skill to all pro and I've started a franchise with the Lions as I like to do franchise mode with losing teams and make them winners, I find you get more satisfaction that way.

I beat the Bears 27-24 and Texans 27-3, I've got a game saved against Philly and its 7-7 at half time.

I can stop the run no problem and I can identify a zone or man coverage by sending a guy in motion, I guess what I was getting at is I just dont understand all the stuff you guys talk about.

Oh well, I'll get there...

[NZrichy]

Right, a couple of questions on offense;

TE - Whats the best way to get favourable match ups with your TE?.

WR Options - This may be in the manual, I'm not sure... in the Lions playbook you have plays like Rogers Option, he will run a route but at the top of the route he will have two directions highlighted with - - - - - - each way, if ya know what I mean?

How do I get him to select one of those and continue the route?

defense;

I can play the run, its easy but stopping the pass is fairly hard, against Texas I sacked Carr and he left with concussion but Quinn came on and was about 12/17 220 yards and 2 TD's, in the 4th quater! up till that point they had about 70 pass yards. is this a glitch?

Because of the fact stopping the run is easy I usually line up with a cover two or a prevent D, are these any good for covering the pass?

Thanks.

[Alastor]

TE - Whats the best way to get favourable match ups with your TE?.

Figure out which LB/CB/Safety you want him to be covered by, and then line him up near that person and run plays that go towards that person. It won't always work, so be careful.

WR Options - This may be in the manual, I'm not sure... in the Lions playbook you have plays like Rogers Option, he will run a route but at the top of the route he will have two directions highlighted with - - - - - - each way, if ya know what I mean?

The CPU will decide from those three routes, which one the player takes. It decides that based on the defense it sees as the play developes.

How do I get him to select one of those and continue the route?

You don't. The CPU does.

I can play the run, its easy but stopping the pass is fairly hard, against Texas I sacked Carr and he left with concussion but Quinn came on and was about 12/17 220 yards and 2 TD's, in the 4th quater! up till that point they had about 70 pass yards. is this a glitch?

Sure is.

I play on All-Madden, 15 minute quarters, and each and every year no less than five, sometimes as many as 8 or 9, teams will give up fewer than 100 passing yards per game. The Redskins this year in my franchise are giving up fewer than 30 pass yards per game.

It's a glitch in the sim program.

Because of the fact stopping the run is easy I usually line up with a cover two or a prevent D, are these any good for covering the pass?

Depends on your players.

[vicious2500]

well this isn't exactly what you're asking. but if you want to get better pretty quickly; play as atlanta and run w/ vick whenever they don't leave someone in the flat. this will make you a lot better pretty quick and its why about 40% of the players online choose atlanta (at least in my exp).

The Michael Vick game the scrubs use online is sickening. If they don't see there checked down hot WR open they'll generally just take off. If you play somebody who actaully knows how to use the falcons you'll wish Vick was never put in the game. His speed is insane if you compare him to the elite RB's in speed he's marginal slow, but he has a cannon and can air the ball out there. You should see the average joes when Vick gets hurt. Their back to square one an immobile QB and they can't read defenses so they just get ate alive.

I use the falcons when I play for big bucks, but other then that I tend to keep them in the closest. Vick makes the falcons godly he's like the randy moss of last year. To keep a falcons user on his toes keep your coverages mixed don't stick to one defense or they'll just keep running vick. Sending CB's from various spots is a good way to keep them from scambling when they can't read the D, but if your playing any halfway decent ball you'll stay away from zone coverage. Finneran who I've dubbed "finna bum" has a godly rocket catch and once again he's the best WR on the game ... even better then moss hard to believe such a slow dude is, but once again Madden has turned a bum to a great.

[vicious2500]

Right, a couple of questions on offense;

TE - Whats the best way to get favourable match ups with your TE?.

WR Options - This may be in the manual, I'm not sure... in the Lions playbook you have plays like Rogers Option, he will run a route but at the top of the route he will have two directions highlighted with - - - - - - each way, if ya know what I mean?

How do I get him to select one of those and continue the route?

defense;

I can play the run, its easy but stopping the pass is fairly hard, against Texas I sacked Carr and he left with concussion but Quinn came on and was about 12/17 220 yards and 2 TD's, in the 4th quater! up till that point they had about 70 pass yards. is this a glitch?

Because of the fact stopping the run is easy I usually line up with a cover two or a prevent D, are these any good for covering the pass?

Thanks.

The TE is your best friend when somebody is blitzing you. They'll generally break off of the line quicker then the WR's since they are bigger and stronger. Just try and throw to where the blitz is coming from. On option routes the WRAI makes the decision on the route according to what they read vs cover 1 they run a streak, cover 2 they run a corenr, cover 3 is a corner and cover 4 is a streak or curl. Towards the end of the game the comp goes on a last ditch every play usually in the final 5 minutes of the game.

[kenshin303]

NZrichy... look at the bright side, u cant be any worse the Vicious over there

[Snk16]

NZrichy... look at the bright side, u cant be any worse the Vicious over there


Get over your victory.

[kenshin303]

nah its not about the victory, he had to cheat and disconnect glitch.
at least this guy would take his loss like a man...
i have 500 wins, u think i really care about 1 so much?
i have 100 loses also, no biggie,
but i take my loses, my quit is 0%

http://img240.exs.cx/img240/7216/noname00299jw.jpg

^some random person talking about vicious' DC ability

[vicious2500]

Err last I checked connections did drop and why would I DC glitch you when the game was tied up at 7-7 *******. Never played anybody named tip bryan either. Who the hell is he? If you gonna flame me what about that DC glitch u pulled on me on the unranked game, lmao. Get a studder step and dunn's running down the sideline next thing Isee is end game... the connection to your opponent has been lost. Apparently your connection dropped if it let me finish the game buddy.

[NZrichy]

hahaha...

I've been playing heaps the last week on All Pro, I think I've got my D down now, I've been giving up less then 30 rushing yards and about 130 passing yards a game. The passing yards are coming late in the 4th quater when I've got a big lead so I can handle that.

I beat the Jets last night 41-14, Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman are beasts in my current franchise. Sacks, FF, Int theyre doing everything.

I've simplified it by playing only a couple of formations and using coverage audibles a lot more, I play a lot of Cover 1 and also Blitz my OLB's on a large majority of plays and leave my MLB in a spy on quite a lot of plays, against the Vikings I double teamed Moss every play and he had 3 catches for 14 yards and 1 TD.

I'm really enjoying playing D right now.

[The Dark Knight]

hahaha...

I've been playing heaps the last week on All Pro, I think I've got my D down now, I've been giving up less then 30 rushing yards and about 130 passing yards a game. The passing yards are coming late in the 4th quater when I've got a big lead so I can handle that.

I beat the Jets last night 41-14, Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman are beasts in my current franchise. Sacks, FF, Int theyre doing everything.

I've simplified it by playing only a couple of formations and using coverage audibles a lot more, I play a lot of Cover 1 and also Blitz my OLB's on a large majority of plays and leave my MLB in a spy on quite a lot of plays, against the Vikings I double teamed Moss every play and he had 3 catches for 14 yards and 1 TD.

I'm really enjoying playing D right now.

That's cool. :beer:

That made the D alot more fun to play in 2005.

[EMCF]

hahaha...

I've been playing heaps the last week on All Pro, I think I've got my D down now, I've been giving up less then 30 rushing yards and about 130 passing yards a game. The passing yards are coming late in the 4th quater when I've got a big lead so I can handle that.

I beat the Jets last night 41-14, Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman are beasts in my current franchise. Sacks, FF, Int theyre doing everything.

I've simplified it by playing only a couple of formations and using coverage audibles a lot more, I play a lot of Cover 1 and also Blitz my OLB's on a large majority of plays and leave my MLB in a spy on quite a lot of plays, against the Vikings I double teamed Moss every play and he had 3 catches for 14 yards and 1 TD.

I'm really enjoying playing D right now.

D is a lot of fun, up it to All-Madden. Sometimes it seems ridiculous how good they are on all madden, so I turned up my defence's awareness and knockdowns on the AI menu, now it is about perfect. Games end up with scores of 24-20, or 28-21. Close games are a lot more fun than blowouts.

[NZrichy]

I think I'll finish this season on All Pro and if I win the SB I'll go AM next season.

If I dont get a ring this year I'll be angry, Porcher will retire after this one and he said he badly wants to help win the SB so I've gota get it done.

I picked up Ben Troupe in a trade, the guys a beast, had 12 catches for 188 yards in his 1st game.

[kenshin303]

Err last I checked connections did drop and why would I DC glitch you when the game was tied up at 7-7 *******. Never played anybody named tip bryan either. Who the hell is he? If you gonna flame me what about that DC glitch u pulled on me on the unranked game, lmao. Get a studder step and dunn's running down the sideline next thing Isee is end game... the connection to your opponent has been lost. Apparently your connection dropped if it let me finish the game buddy.


what goes around, comes around. LOL...
i COULD have finished vs the computer, but i dont need a win like that...
my wins are vs PPL .. ones like you. you better continue vs the comp and take a weak ass Win LOL... ur wack, i shoulda known this when u picked the falcons...
n00bs can only win with the falcons, and the vikings... is this ur #2 team? LOL
yeah thought so... LOL....

have fun down at ur 5,000 rank... sucker.......

[vicious2500]

what goes around, comes around. LOL...
i COULD have finished vs the computer, but i dont need a win like that...
my wins are vs PPL .. ones like you. you better continue vs the comp and take a weak ass Win LOL... ur wack, i shoulda known this when u picked the falcons...
n00bs can only win with the falcons, and the vikings... is this ur #2 team? LOL
yeah thought so... LOL....

have fun down at ur 5,000 rank... sucker.......

Right and I'm supposed to play the broncos on the panthers so I can watch plummer get smashed by a bullrushing julius peppers all game long ... Do I look like a damn idiot to you? Its called matching up teams and I only play with 4 teams on the game: Denver, ATL, Vikings and Saints. And you didn't have an option to continue the game vs me because you ran the gay ass DC glitch on me buddy. If I didn't have to stare at the panthers maybe I would've used denver, but no I had to play carolina and I class them in the same books as I do with the eagles. Look for them to loop their line open their line and bull rush you all game long. So I'm sorry because I'm matching up against the 2nd best defensive team on the game with a team I feel comfortable with?

I'm the whack one, but you DC glitched me right buddy. I also don't recall telling anybody I was a straight baller. If you had read the forums instead of trying to flaunt your inflated rank. You would've seen that I'm a tournament baller something you'll never be. He'll I bet if I made a new account and challenged you. You'd probably play me and when I'm whipping that ass u'd DC glitch me again.

[kenshin303]

I also don't recall telling anybody I was a straight baller.

LOL ... I Know your not a "Straight Baller" LOL
ive won more tourneys then you anyways LOL
man ur wack, u get more and more wack every single ****in day... LOL
i picked the panthers cuz ur running with the ****** ass falcons, and either way

YOU pulled the DC Glitch LOL..... you better try and turn it around on me LOL
it aint working..... so stay on the defensive and keep just defending everything LOL

[Snk16]

LOL ... I Know your not a "Straight Baller" LOL
ive won more tourneys then you anyways LOL
man ur wack, u get more and more wack every single ****in day... LOL
i picked the panthers cuz ur running with the ****** ass falcons, and either way

YOU pulled the DC Glitch LOL..... you better try and turn it around on me LOL
it aint working..... so stay on the defensive and keep just defending everything LOL

Nope, you're getting more and more wack every single day. You are still gloating over the win. Well, SHUT UP. It's only one win.

[Keldawg]

Yea no ****, every thread I go in your in here bragging....

[vicious2500]

LOL ... I Know your not a "Straight Baller" LOL
ive won more tourneys then you anyways LOL
man ur wack, u get more and more wack every single ****in day... LOL
i picked the panthers cuz ur running with the ****** ass falcons, and either way

YOU pulled the DC Glitch LOL..... you better try and turn it around on me LOL
it aint working..... so stay on the defensive and keep just defending everything LOL

Right so that's why when I let my team hover over denver for 10 seconds I was still staring at the panthers. Be for real online tournaments don't even count. I just won a 4 player quick tournament and the two dudes I had to play weren't even ****ing ranked. I play real people you play bums, you can't even agrue about it because its a proven fact and your still hunting down the bums. At your current rank you should be playing people in the top 2,000, but your flying around playing people with less then 10 wins, lmao.

[kenshin303]

:D :D :D
just get ur rank up, then we'll talk more

[kenshin303]

^ 4,449 spots to fall, to reach BUM HUNTED Vicious305