Madden NFL 10 Impressions?

[thewarden86]

Disregard my idea. Can't swap LB's for DB's. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif[/img]

[Jamal]

Just bought Madden 10. Can't believe how bad the Ravens are in this game. They have a really low overall for a team that was 1 game short of the superbowl.

[thewarden86]

What do you guys think of the cap? This is the first time I've struggled to save space. Couldn't resign Casey Hampton or Ike Taylor. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif[/img]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='21 September 2009 - 05:35 PM' timestamp='1253576141' post='239595']
What do you guys think of the cap? This is the first time I've struggled to save space. Couldn't resign Casey Hampton or Ike Taylor. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif[/img]
[/quote]
I like it Madden 09 it was so easy to manipulate the cap, just signing everyone and their mothers to 7 year deals did the trick. Tried the same in this one and I was in cap hell i repeat HELL after 2 seasons. It really puts an emphasis on reloading your roster through the draft, unless im the worst GM ever(good possibility). Heres what happened to me for contracts.

start of franchise
Gaither- 7/93 mil
Ngata- 7/68
Gooden 7/12
Landry 5/28
McLain (FB) 7/45

Offseason 1
Mason-2/18
Barnes-5/25
Mcclain(LB)- 5/18
Heap-6/35
Clayton 5/18
Washington(DB) 5/28

As you can see I really have no choice but to sign Gaither and Ngata as Ngata is already dominant and Gaither jumps from an 81-89 after his first year. And they absolutely devastated me. I had to cut Pryce, Gregg, and Bannan and totally rebuild my D line. Lets just say the run D isnt exactly 3 bars lol. I traded up to #25 and took Sung at DT and then took Cory Wooten in the 2nd.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 09:59 PM' timestamp='1253584755' post='239649']
I like it Madden 09 it was so easy to manipulate the cap, just signing everyone and their mothers to 7 year deals did the trick. Tried the same in this one and I was in cap hell i repeat HELL after 2 seasons. It really puts an emphasis on reloading your roster through the draft, unless im the worst GM ever(good possibility). Heres what happened to me for contracts.

start of franchise
Gaither- 7/93 mil
Ngata- 7/68
Gooden 7/12
Landry 5/28
McLain (FB) 7/45

Offseason 1
Mason-2/18
Barnes-5/25
Mcclain(LB)- 5/18
Heap-6/35
Clayton 5/18
Washington(DB) 5/28

As you can see I really have no choice but to sign Gaither and Ngata as Ngata is already dominant and Gaither jumps from an 81-89 after his first year. And they absolutely devastated me. I had to cut Pryce, Gregg, and Bannan and totally rebuild my D line. Lets just say the run D isnt exactly 3 bars lol. I traded up to #25 and took Sung at DT and then took Cory Wooten in the 2nd.
[/quote]

This second off-season was like a cap-hell for me. I am about 175k over the cap and I'm using Timmons as a utility LB (#2 on the outside where he's actually rated higher and #3 inside behind Farrior and a #1 draft pick). If I get any key injuries, I'm screwed....well except for WR.

I actually Traded Mendenhall (kept fumbling). I have about $2.5 million in penalties.

I need to take a closer look, but depending on retirements and expired contracts I could either be in really good shape, or have to say goodbye to key players. I wish I'd known: Year one I was in a hurry to sign everyone and never bothered actually negotiating any contracts.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 09:59 PM' timestamp='1253584755' post='239649']
I like it Madden 09 it was so easy to manipulate the cap, just signing everyone and their mothers to 7 year deals did the trick. Tried the same in this one and I was in cap hell i repeat HELL after 2 seasons. It really puts an emphasis on reloading your roster through the draft, unless im the worst GM ever(good possibility).
[/quote]
I love it and hate it at the same time. I mean, at least it's not making Franchise Mode TOO EASY for me by re-signing everyone to 7-year deals EVERY YEAR, but there's just too much talent I'm building up that I can't stand to see go. (at least when I did my first franchise in Madden 10 before starting over with the updated rosters)

[thewarden86]

So no tricks or tips yet?

I mean, I can't let Ben, Troy or Hines retire any where else. But.....

The real pisser was how I found out who signed Hampton: Run up the gut for no gain, tackled by Casey Hampton of the Cleveland Browns. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif[/img]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='21 September 2009 - 08:07 PM' timestamp='1253585272' post='239653']
This second off-season was like a cap-hell for me. I am about 175k over the cap and I'm using Timmons as a utility LB (#2 on the outside where he's actually rated higher and #3 inside behind Farrior and a #1 draft pick). If I get any key injuries, I'm screwed....well except for WR.

I actually Traded Mendenhall (kept fumbling). I have about $2.5 million in penalties.

I need to take a closer look, but depending on retirements and expired contracts I could either be in really good shape, or have to say goodbye to key players. I wish I'd known: Year one I was in a hurry to sign everyone and never bothered actually negotiating any contracts.
[/quote]

I dont even think its possible to actually negotiate contracts in Madden, I can rarely talk a player down from what they want for money for length of contract. I also had to watch Chester and Yanda leave both years cuz they wanted 30 mil over 5 years, I was like pft like hell im paying you as much as Lewis is getting paid. Can kiss my ****** cyber Yanda/Chester lol.

[Bltravens]

Actually since you guys are the only people I seem to come across who talk about Madden, what are your guys' blitz and sacking tips? I have a team total of 36 right (Suggs 10, Lewis 8, Kruger 5, Gooden 3, Ngata 3, Pryce 3, Gregg 1, Landry 2, Barnes 1). And truth be told I blitz every damn play, now I dont just blitz for the sake of blitzing I do overloads, zone blitz, man blitz, A gap overloads the whole rex ryan playbook. I have the 2nd worst pass defense in the league, yet I lead the league in INTs, and im 5 in the league in points against and first against the run. So it has its ups and downs. Anyway i rambled bigtime there, what are your guys blitzing tips/schemes you use that work?

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:27 PM' timestamp='1253586433' post='239659']
I dont even think its possible to actually negotiate contracts in Madden, I can rarely talk a player down from what they want for money for length of contract. I also had to watch Chester and Yanda leave both years cuz they wanted 30 mil over 5 years, I was like pft like hell im paying you as much as Lewis is getting paid. Can kiss my ****** cyber Yanda/Chester lol.
[/quote]


[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif[/img]

Yep, that's why Hampton had to go. Ike Taylor too.
I think I have my future OL already on the roster from the last two drafts. I'm hoping Farrior and Aaron Smith retire within the next two years. James Harrison and Hines shouldn't be too long after that.

Sweed has not been able to hold the number 3 WR spot, so unless he's on the cheap, he'll be gone.

The ONLY FA I would sign if I got the chance is D. Revis. ...depending on how old he was at that point.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='21 September 2009 - 10:24 PM' timestamp='1253586272' post='239657']
So no tricks or tips yet?
[/quote]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:27 PM' timestamp='1253586433' post='239659']
I dont even think its possible to actually negotiate contracts in Madden, I can rarely talk a player down from what they want for money for length of contract. I also had to watch Chester and Yanda leave both years cuz they wanted 30 mil over 5 years, I was like pft like hell im paying you as much as Lewis is getting paid. Can kiss my ****** cyber Yanda/Chester lol.
[/quote]
The only negotiation tactics/"tricks" that I've seen in Franchise Mode thus far is to basically play well. The better the team performs, the more likely a player is to re-sign with the team. Most players in the game are motivated by the W/L record, and if you're a medicore team, they're less likely to re-sign with you no matter what amount you throw at them.

As for the ridiculous amounts some players ask for, the easiest thing is to let them go in free agency and then re-sign them again. A lot of players just try to test the free agent market, and for the most part, players will be more receptive to signing a new contract with you during the open free agency period than the initial period in the offseason. I think the reason is, the players (virtually) want to test the market and see the best offers they can get, and if you can throw the best offer out there, they'll re-sign with you in a heartbeat.

As for cap management, the whole thing about re-signing players for 7 years, I'd only recommend on the players whose cap hit for that season is most expensive; usually, those deals will hurt you much less than immediately trying to lock up a guy who's a key cog. However, I'd only do that for 2 or 3 players to provide some cap relief before you put yourself in uncomfortable cap situations in the following seasons.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='21 September 2009 - 08:34 PM' timestamp='1253586860' post='239663']
[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif[/img]

Yep, that's why Hampton had to go. Ike Taylor too.
I think I have my future OL already on the roster from the last two drafts. I'm hoping Farrior and Aaron Smith retire within the next two years. James Harrison and Hines shouldn't be too long after that.

Sweed has not been able to hold the number 3 WR spot, so unless he's on the cheap, he'll be gone.

The ONLY FA I would sign if I got the chance is D. Revis. ...depending on how old he was at that point.
[/quote]

Ya for the Ravens you really only need to retool your defense, and sprinkle in 1 young gun receiver. Im torn on defense, how do you say bye to Ray (especially after I won DPOY with him after a 100TK, 8 sck, 2 int, 5FF campaign) but in pure Madden terms using Gooden would be ridiculous. Then ontop of that you need to find another ilb, revamp 2/3 of the Dline, and I get all kinds of pressure but im tired of fox/wash being pansy asses inthe secondary so its time to go find a new CMac.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:34 PM' timestamp='1253586848' post='239662']
Actually since you guys are the only people I seem to come across who talk about Madden, what are your guys' blitz and sacking tips? I have a team total of 36 right (Suggs 10, Lewis 8, Kruger 5, Gooden 3, Ngata 3, Pryce 3, Gregg 1, Landry 2, Barnes 1). And truth be told I blitz every damn play, now I dont just blitz for the sake of blitzing I do overloads, zone blitz, man blitz, A gap overloads the whole rex ryan playbook. I have the 2nd worst pass defense in the league, yet I lead the league in INTs, and im 5 in the league in points against and first against the run. So it has its ups and downs. Anyway i rambled bigtime there, what are your guys blitzing tips/schemes you use that work?
[/quote]


I use a base Man under on first down usually, just to see what they're going to do. If they gain less than 2 or throw an incomplete pass I'll use cover 2 zone and hopefully pressure with three. No gain? Then I'll blitz (zone) and cram everyone up on the line. That's the basic way I approach it.

I've recently learned to mix in the corner blitz in every so often (blitz the corner from the side of the hash we're on). I've had great success with it.

Let's see..., Coverage is really what get's you the sack unless it's one of those rare occasions that your DL-man just gets off the ball in a flash.

If they're throwing all over you and you can't seem to get to the QB, try going to cover 2 zone for a few plays. It should settle it down.

I always scout the team I'm about to play: Do they run more or pass more? If it's pass, who's catching the majority of them and/or who's catching TD's.
On the o-line who's giving up more sacks and getting less pancakes (attack the weak-link).

I used to see what their defensive rankings were, but it always seemed the opposite in the game.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:34 PM' timestamp='1253586848' post='239662']
Actually since you guys are the only people I seem to come across who talk about Madden, what are your guys' blitz and sacking tips?
[/quote]
Generally, I rarely blitz, reason being that I feel as if I can apply enough pressure with three-or four-man rushes most of the time. With that said, when I do blitz, it's almost always with a guy coming off the edge since a middle linebacker will rarely shoot the gap properly and will leave a HUGE space over the middle for the CPU to take advantage of.

I've found that blitzing out of the nickel has worked surprisingly well, mainly because the two linebackers in coverage will generally do a decent enough job of holding their own in zone coverage long enough for the nickelback to get in the backfield and cause problems. For added insurance, I might have a DE on the strong-side drop back into coverage while the nickel comes in from the QB's blindside/weak-side and cause confusion. Also, when I blitz, I make sure that I take control of the DE on either side FIRST to occupy the left or right tackle before I control the blitzer to go after the QB; reason being, the split-second where the blitzer gets blocked is a second wasted that the CPU could easily exploit and recognize.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='21 September 2009 - 10:39 PM' timestamp='1253587170' post='239665']
The only negotiation tactics/"tricks" that I've seen in Franchise Mode thus far is to basically play well. The better the team performs, the more likely a player is to re-sign with the team. Most players in the game are motivated by the W/L record, and if you're a medicore team, they're less likely to re-sign with you no matter what amount you throw at them.

[b]As for the ridiculous amounts some players ask for, the easiest thing is to let them go in free agency and then re-sign them again[/b]. A lot of players just try to test the free agent market, and for the most part, players will be more receptive to signing a new contract with you during the open free agency period than the initial period in the offseason. I think the reason is, the players (virtually) want to test the market and see the best offers they can get, and if you can throw the best offer out there, they'll re-sign with you in a heartbeat.

As for cap management, the whole thing about re-signing players for 7 years, I'd only recommend on the players whose cap hit for that season is most expensive; usually, those deals will hurt you much less than immediately trying to lock up a guy who's a key cog. However, I'd only do that for 2 or 3 players to provide some cap relief before you put yourself in uncomfortable cap situations in the following seasons.
[/quote]

Hmmm. I hadn't even thought about that. Good idea.

In F/A, I usually look for the most talent in the youngest player -OR- a marquee player at a position of need. But usually, I use the draft and then after the preseason I check the FA for the former again.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='21 September 2009 - 08:43 PM' timestamp='1253587425' post='239667']
I use a base Man under on first down usually, just to see what they're going to do. If they gain less than 2 or throw an incomplete pass I'll use cover 2 zone and hopefully pressure with three. No gain? Then I'll blitz (zone) and cram everyone up on the line. That's the basic way I approach it.

I've recently learned to mix in the corner blitz in every so often (blitz the corner from the side of the hash we're on). I've had great success with it.

Let's see..., Coverage is really what get's you the sack unless it's one of those rare occasions that your DL-man just gets off the ball in a flash.

If they're throwing all over you and you can't seem to get to the QB, try going to cover 2 zone for a few plays. It should settle it down.

I always scout the team I'm about to play: Do they run more or pass more? If it's pass, who's catching the majority of them and/or who's catching TD's.
On the o-line who's giving up more sacks and getting less pancakes (attack the weak-link).

I used to see what their defensive rankings were, but it always seemed the opposite in the game.
[/quote]

You use cov 2 with the steelers really? The only cov 2 ive ever liked is sink and buc normal cov 2 i just got destroyed with in 09 and have shied away ever since, my base zone is usually cov 3 now. It really comes down to my fetish with the sack in madden lol as sick as that sounds i love getting a sack for the players stats and just the way it fizzles a drive.

[Bltravens]

i dont know why thats there twice, i tried to edit it before i re-posted it so if a mod can get rid of the first one that would be lovely.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1253588205' post='239676']
i dont know why thats there twice, i tried to edit it before i re-posted it so if a mod can get rid of the first one that would be lovely.
[/quote]
Ask, and you shall receive.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='21 September 2009 - 09:00 PM' timestamp='1253588426' post='239678']
Ask, and you shall receive.
[/quote]
Whaaaaaaaaa, have u always been a Mod? Or did you get a Field Promotion lol.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 11:04 PM' timestamp='1253588651' post='239681']
Whaaaaaaaaa, have u always been a Mod? Or did you get a Field Promotion lol.
[/quote]
Promotion. Y'know. Making it do what it do.

ANYWAYS...let's get back on topic before I'm accused of not doing my job.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='21 September 2009 - 09:11 PM' timestamp='1253589065' post='239686']
Promotion. Y'know. Making it do what it do.

ANYWAYS...let's get back on topic before I'm accused of not doing my job.
[/quote]
lol thats OG right there.

So does anyone (and by anyone I mean Warden and Franchise lol) feel like the speed ration of a WR's route and the time it takes a blitzer to get to the QB is off? I swear sometimes im like 2 yards away from a clean shot and he throws like a 15 yard pass and i look at the replay and the WR runs 10 yards before ive even ran 4.

OOOOO another question, do u guys know how to drop your safeties closer to the line of scrimmage ( i dont mean the show blitz audible) but to just have them close to the LOS?

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 11:13 PM' timestamp='1253589221' post='239688']
So does anyone (and by anyone I mean Warden and Franchise lol) feel like the speed ration of a WR's route and the time it takes a blitzer to get to the QB is off? I swear sometimes im like 2 yards away from a clean shot and he throws like a 15 yard pass and i look at the replay and the WR runs 10 yards before ive even ran 4.

OOOOO another question, do u guys know how to drop your safeties closer to the line of scrimmage ( i dont mean the show blitz audible) but to just have them close to the LOS?
[/quote]
When it comes to speed, EA Sports attempted to balance it out, and while I think they've done a reasonably good job, I can see where there's problems. Honestly, you'll either have to wait for the next patch to come (probably next week) or you can adjust the game speed yourself in the settings menu.

Meanwhile, I have no idea how to drop the safeties closer to the LOS any way other than the show blitz audible. Sometimes, you can manually move them before the snap, but they won't always stay (plus, it could backfire if the QB snaps the ball before you can switch to the defender you wanted to control), and it happens sometimes at random depending on the play.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='21 September 2009 - 09:18 PM' timestamp='1253589513' post='239691']
When it comes to speed, EA Sports attempted to balance it out, and while I think they've done a reasonably good job, I can see where there's problems. Honestly, you'll either have to wait for the next patch to come (probably next week) or you can adjust the game speed yourself in the settings menu.

Meanwhile, I have no idea how to drop the safeties closer to the LOS any way other than the show blitz audible. Sometimes, you can manually move them before the snap, but they won't always stay (plus, it could backfire if the QB snaps the ball before you can switch to the defender you wanted to control), and it happens sometimes at random depending on the play.
[/quote]

Ya I mean when I play online (just came off a 12 game win streak, pumpin my own tires here before i lost 13-10 against chris johnson on a 3rd and 18 run after a sack with 2 min left....honestly who calls a 3rd and 18 run) and the safeties are close to the LOS I pretty much know its an OLB blitz cuz the safeties drop to pick up the TE's or the backs. I was just wondering if there was anyway to drop the safeties even tho you were in a zone.

[DopePope]

Good Luck!!!

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 September 2009 - 10:53 PM' timestamp='1253588018' post='239673']
You use cov 2 with the steelers really? The only cov 2 ive ever liked is sink and buc normal cov 2 i just got destroyed with in 09 and have shied away ever since, my base zone is usually cov 3 now. It really comes down to my fetish with the sack in madden lol as sick as that sounds i love getting a sack for the players stats and just the way it fizzles a drive.
[/quote]


Sure do. I used to use Cover 3 and avoid Cover 2 (unless it's on my own 20-15 yard line. Then I use quarters cover 2....but I'll get killed if they run). I seem to get beat in cover 3 in the open zone behind the LB and in front of the FS (or which ever safety goes deep).

On the other question: There are three ways to move up the safety: Manually, Show blitz and press. To my knowledge anyway.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='22 September 2009 - 02:15 PM' timestamp='1253650515' post='239965']
Sure do. I used to use Cover 3 and avoid Cover 2 (unless it's on my own 20-15 yard line. Then I use quarters cover 2....but I'll get killed if they run). I seem to get beat in cover 3 in the open zone behind the LB and in front of the FS (or which ever safety goes deep).

On the other question: There are three ways to move up the safety: Manually, Show blitz and press. To my knowledge anyway.
[/quote]
Word Im always hesitant to use Cov 2 for fear of the TE streak or post that goes to the house.

On another note is anybody else finding the CPUs 2 minute drill just ridiculous?

[Bltravens]

so i just noticed in my franchise the steelers picked up Matt Stover and hes missed 2 kicks in the snow in week 16 lol. how ironic is that whole situation.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='22 September 2009 - 04:23 PM' timestamp='1253651024' post='239971']
Word Im always hesitant to use Cov 2 for fear of the TE streak or post that goes to the house.

On another note is anybody else finding the CPUs 2 minute drill just ridiculous?
[/quote]


Yep. If the CPU wants to score, it will. Even if it means tipped passes caught by another WR who breaks 9 tackles, or a running back who breaks 11 tackles. I don't care too much. Makes it more competative. It's just a little obvious that it's .... BS.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='22 September 2009 - 04:48 PM' timestamp='1253652518' post='239993']
Yep. If the CPU wants to score, it will. Even if it means tipped passes caught by another WR who breaks 9 tackles, or a running back who breaks 11 tackles. I don't care too much. Makes it more competative. It's just a little obvious that it's .... BS.
[/quote]
Not for me. I stop them most of the time, and if I can't, I always end up scoring at will. I'm AMAZING at the 2-minute drill, even with 1 minute left and no timeouts. That's where your go-to, "money plays" come in handy.

[Bltravens]

damn just had a titanic clash with the 11-3 Steelers. Game went into overtime Steelers win the toss, go 3 and out, then I go 3 and out, then i stop them again and go down and win on a 43 yard FG in the snow by about an inch. Final score was 19-16. Some game stats I was 5-17 on 3rd downs and the Steelers were 1-12, Gooden saved the day with a pick in the redzone to save the tie and force it to OT. Polamalu had a pick 6 on a zone blitz lol. Game was just like real life in the way it was played unreal. Still get pissed when Dline come untouched into the backfield, LBs i can deal with but when Grubbs straight up misses the guy in front of him theres problems.