Madden 11

[thewarden86]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1297487742' post='638511']
He should just post them on here as I would love to hear them as well. I know Wardy puts in a lot of time in getting the sliders to match real play. I'm sick and tired of playing with the defaults.
[/quote]

I get frustrated though with the predictability.

First drive is awesome until I can't get into the end zone.

Second drive starts out promising, but then my WR's forget how to catch. You could have Jerry Rice wide open, but he will drop it.

CPU scores once or twice before the half.

You get some redemption in the second half.

Still needs tweeking, but I"m close. Sliders and Maddens CPU level of competitiveness are two different things it seems

[AwakenTheDemon]

I decided to do a fantasy draft for a new Ravens season, and I must say I'm happy with how it turned out.

QB - Sam Bradford, John Skelton
HB - Jahvid Best, Brandon Jacobs, Andre Brown
FB - John Connor
WR - DeSean Jackson, Mike Sims-Walker, James Jones, Robert Meachem
TE - Owen Daniels, Shawn Nelson, Ed Dickson
LT - Jonathan Scott, King Dunlap
LG - Kyle DeVan, Daniel Loper
C - Alex Mack, Travis Bright
RG - Nick Cole, Pat McQuistan
RT - Eric Winston, Michael Otto

LE - Kroy Biermann, Isaac Sopoaga
DT - Ndamukong Suh, Terrence Cody, Torell Troup
RE - Derrick Morgan, Connor Barwin
LOLB - Clay Matthews, Lorenzo Alexander
MLB - David Harris, Brandon Spikes, Daryl Sharpton
ROLB - Tamba Hali, Jermaine Cunningham
CB - Aqib Talib, Josh Wilson, Zachary Bowman, Captin Munnerlyn, Domonique Franks
FS - Louis Delmas, Kendrick Lewis
SS - Eric Berry, Chris Horton

P - Adam Podlesh
K - Leigh Tiffin

Beastly, beastly linebacker corps.

*ahem*

Anyways, I've been using the "Actual Franchise Experience" sliders off Operation Sports. Not perfect, but still a little more competitive. Although I figured it'd be a bit more harder with most of the CPU's defensive sliders set to 100 or close to.

[thewarden86]

[u][b]Game Options:[/b][/u]

qtr length: 8 mins

Game speed: slow

Acc clock: 20 seconds

Injuries: 23

Fatigue: 45
[u][b]
Player Skill:[/b][/u]

[b]Pass - [/b]

QB Acc: 40

PBK: 34

WR CTH: 33

[b]Run - [/b]

Broken Tck: 37

RBK:37

FUM: 33

[b]Pass D - [/b]

Reaction:30

INT's: 33

Pass Rush: 36
[b]
Run D -[/b]

Reaction Time: 35

BLK Shed: 32

Tackling: 35

I struggle to run the ball and accelerate in passing, so these are still a work in progress (may reduce passing success and pass blocking for accuracy). The Steelers try to run first, but can pass if necessary. That's pretty much how my games play out. Mendy is not doing great but these numbers are new. I'm trying to improve the o-line through the draft.

On defense, the Steelers do not give up the run, but struggle against the pass (except for pass rush) In reality. So, I've given the CPU better pass accuracy and WR Catch, but I have a better pass rush capabilities. I'm hoping to get better in pass defense via better secondary players (ex. giving William Gay the axe).

[u][b]CPU Skill:[/b][/u]

[b]Pass - [/b]

QB Acc: 81

PBK: 79

WR CTH:79

[b]Run - [/b]

Broken TCK: 28

RBK: 80

FUM: 65

[b]Pass D - [/b]

Reaction Time:55

INT's: 5

Pass Rush: 74
[b]
Run D -[/b]

Reaction Time: 51

Block Shed: 42

Tack: 65

I just played a pretty good Cowboy team with these numbers and won in OT 27 -24. I had about 75 yard rushing and over 200 yard passing. I ran a Punt back so the game was close.


Maybe start with these CPU numbers and go 33 across the board on Player skill and adjust to yourself. I'm about where I need to be for my style.

Let me know what you think.

[PuRock]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1297624308' post='639039']
[u][b]Game Options:[/b][/u]


Maybe start with these CPU numbers and go 33 across the board on Player skill and adjust to yourself. I'm about where I need to be for my style.

Let me know what you think.
[/quote]

Fantastic. I'll try these out and see if I enjoy the game better.

[thewarden86]

BTW - Speed threshold is zero.

[PuRock]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1297630482' post='639118']
BTW - Speed threshold is zero.
[/quote]

What the hell is a Speed threshold?

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1297636640' post='639180']
What the hell is a Speed threshold?
[/quote]

It affects how much the speed differential between players matters. At, say 70, there wouldn't be [i]too[/i] much of a difference between a player with 70 Speed and 90 speed. But if you set it at 0, players with 99 speed can burn nearly anyone.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1297636640' post='639180']
What the hell is a Speed threshold?
[/quote]


[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1297638624' post='639207']
It affects how much the speed differential between players matters. At, say 70, there wouldn't be [i]too[/i] much of a difference between a player with 70 Speed and 90 speed. But if you set it at 0, players with 99 speed can burn nearly anyone.
[/quote]

It's key to making it interesting.

Speaking of interesting, I've found that with these settings the CPU will cause back-to-back turnovers in order the keep it close at the end if necessary. Kind of lame.

[JonM229]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1297694433' post='639477']
It's key to making it interesting.

Speaking of interesting, I've found that with these settings the CPU will cause back-to-back turnovers in order the keep it close at the end if necessary. Kind of lame.
[/quote]
Just take three knees and punt instead

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JonM229' timestamp='1297710168' post='639600']
Just take three knees and punt instead
[/quote]

I could do that against you and STILL win. haha

[JonM229]

Not when you're the Giants and I'm the Vikings

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JonM229' timestamp='1297717342' post='639714']
Not when you're the Giants and I'm the Vikings
[/quote]

Right, and that will never happen again.

Actually, taking a knee would have avoided all those bogus fumble and picks so it might have been a closer game.

[thewarden86]

Any critiques?

I still struggle to run the ball

However, last night I played an EPIC game against the Packers. It was nearly identical to last years regular season matchup. I ended up winning 39-38 with 24 seconds left. Ben had 484 yards, 4 TD's and 1 pick. Aaron Rodgers had over 300 yards, 3 TD's and a pick and Ryan Grant got 100 yards on me.

I was down by 11 with 3:00 to go. Scored at 1:59 and got the ball back with 42 seconds left. 2 incomplete passes then I threw a screen to my rookie RB who broke 2 tackles and outran everyone (all I wanted was a first down to take a few more shots). It was INTENSE!

[XxSizzleXx]

incorporate a lot of power o, best run play in the game.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1297824030' post='640476']
incorporate a lot of power o, best run play in the game.
[/quote]

I got my butt handed to me by the 0-5 Bengals 31-6). Came back and put up 54 on the Vikes (1-5), but gave up 31 points.

I changed RB's and my rookie seems quicker to the hole than Mendy (Madden's version of him anyway).

[Clutch Ravens]

I noticed this the other day: Why the hell is Carl Nicks 27 in Madden, when he's 25 in real life?

Surely they CAN'T get someone's age wrong?

Doesn't even allow you to correct their rediculous mistake.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1297933209' post='641090']
I noticed this the other day: Why the hell is Carl Nicks 27 in Madden, when he's 25 in real life?

Surely they CAN'T get someone's age wrong?

Doesn't even allow you to correct their rediculous mistake.
[/quote]

Who's Carl Nicks?

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1297964607' post='641204']
Who's Carl Nicks?
[/quote]

The "other" Saints guard who was exceptional this year.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1297975267' post='641308']
The "other" Saints guard who was exceptional this year.
[/quote]

Ahh.

So has anyone tried those sliders yet? I'm still adjusting because:

1). I STILL can't run efficiently

2). My defense is a little too good (slightly better than normal against the run and a little better than normal against the pass). I still give up passing yards and get sacks but I need to fine tune a little here to make it more realistic.

3). Ben's stats are right in line with reality except for INT's so I've jacked that up for the CPU a bit.

I'm dying to know what you folks think and what you've altered from what I posted.

[PuRock]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1297976006' post='641316']

So has anyone tried those sliders yet? I'm still adjusting because:
[/quote]

Nope. I'm still playing AC Brotherhood.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1297980172' post='641366']
Nope. I'm still playing AC Brotherhood.
[/quote]

Oh. Well, knock it off!

[JonM229]

I had been playing Fable III, but I just beat it and have no desire to keep playing now that the story is over.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JonM229' timestamp='1297990548' post='641447']
I had been playing Fable III, but I just beat it and have no desire to keep playing now that the story is over.
[/quote]

Well??? Play Madden you fool!

[JonM229]

I did play more Madden, but I'm advancing my Superstar. Chris Johnson ran all over the defense I wasn't controlling and the offensive playcalling was head-scratching at best.

[JO_75]

So with the off-season here I decided to try to make the AI "smart" and realistic to the real off-season going on. It seems no matter what the AI always re-signs the big time players and never lets them go. So I'm going to do that for them. Based upon the releases that have happened, I have gone into the Player Management screen, lowered the OVR of people who got released where I go into FA and they sign a 1 year deal and keep them under 80 OVR so that in Franchise the AI wouldn't re-sign them. It's stupid but hey I have spent hours going through all the teams to create my own Restricted/Unrestricted Free Agency so doing this won't be a hassle for me.

[bauer77]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1298068314' post='641868']
So with the off-season here I decided to try to make the AI "smart" and realistic to the real off-season going on. It seems no matter what the AI always re-signs the big time players and never lets them go. So I'm going to do that for them. Based upon the releases that have happened, I have gone into the Player Management screen, lowered the OVR of people who got released where I go into FA and they sign a 1 year deal and keep them under 80 OVR so that in Franchise the AI wouldn't re-sign them. It's stupid [b]but hey I have spent hours[/b] going through all the teams to create my own Restricted/Unrestricted Free Agency so doing this won't be a hassle for me.
[/quote]


jeez with all you say you do, going back in and fixing stuff and all, it seems like you spend DAYS

[RayRiceFan27]

well its a sad day in my madden franchise. Ray Lewis has retired at the age of 38 after playing for 17 seasons in the NFL. Thankfully I drafted a young Ray Lewis esce linebacker the year before. Hes got like 93 speed and 80 some awareness, with 99 hit power and 90 some tackling, but hes only 5'-11" so that may hinder him some.

Had a good draft though. Drafted a Ed Reed replacement, a CB who could start in a year, a RT (Gaither wanted way way to much money to resign him so I let hom go), another starting WR, and some Dline depth and oline depth. So all in all I have maybe 4-5 out of 7 guys who could be starters in a year or two. 2-3 are starters now.

Oh and Flacco just got a monster pay check. I signed him for 7 years at 112 million with 45 or 46 million guaranteed.

[JO_75]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1298231436' post='642500']
jeez with all you say you do, going back in and fixing stuff and all, it seems like you spend DAYS
[/quote]

Well somewhat, it took me like 4 hours to go through all 32 teams to get the RFA/URFA correct with players who didn't have 4 years of playing in the NFL, and that was before hand when I would make sure it was correct for guys who didn't have 6 years in the beginning of the year. Plus the Madden doesn't have a good smart AI so basically you have to go through and fix things to save it from its own stupidity. I have noticed that players Under 80 the AI doesn't re-sign so the guys who got released I'm just putting them on 1 year deals and under 80 OVR so they are released in the off-season and I have tested it and everything works fine.

While I'm at I'm also changing up things like getting Denver's players ready for a 4-3, moved Dumervil to DE already and I read Robert Ayers will be the other DE so I'll move him in a bit, but does anyone have a idea on how I can properly fix the Texans to the 3-4 defense and who would play where.

[JonM229]

I just had a crazy game against the Houston Texans. Everytime I would score, they would answer right back with their own. I had no running game and their lineman were constantly in Flacco's face. Flacco actually sat out a few plays before halftime after getting shaken up. I scored to go up a TD with just under two minutes left. Arian Foster catches a pass that had been batted down by JJ and takes it 84 yds to tie the game up. I march down the field and Ray Rice bursts a 25 yd run to take the lead with one minute to go. Schaub takes the Texans down the field to score with about 20 seconds left. There's no way I'm going to play in overtime, so I bomb it to Housh, who drops a diving catch that would've put me in field goal range. Now there's less than 10 seconds to go. I run a Four Verticals play, with my rookie WR in the slot running a deep post. My rookie gets open so I throw it to him. He catches it at the sideline. The clock is at zero, so I turn it upfield and he scores the TD with a safety right behind him.

Final Score: 34 - 27 Ravens

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JonM229' timestamp='1298578918' post='644906']
I just had a crazy game against the Houston Texans. Everytime I would score, they would answer right back with their own. I had no running game and their lineman were constantly in Flacco's face. Flacco actually sat out a few plays before halftime after getting shaken up. I scored to go up a TD with just under two minutes left. Arian Foster catches a pass that had been batted down by JJ and takes it 84 yds to tie the game up. I march down the field and Ray Rice bursts a 25 yd run to take the lead with one minute to go. Schaub takes the Texans down the field to score with about 20 seconds left. There's no way I'm going to play in overtime, [b]so I bomb it to Housh, who drops a diving catch[/b] that would've put me in field goal range. Now there's less than 10 seconds to go. I run a Four Verticals play, with my rookie WR in the slot running a deep post. My rookie gets open so I throw it to him. He catches it at the sideline. The clock is at zero, so I turn it upfield and he scores the TD with a safety right behind him.

Final Score: 34 - 27 Ravens
[/quote]


So, Housh dropped it eh? Stupid Houshmandroppa.