I’m surprised I never got to writing more stuff leading up to Madden Challenge, since I’ve been thinking about quite a bit. (I did write something over on thegonz.org about Should You Play? but I can’t reach the site right now.) I think it’s due to lack of intersting things to talk about.
I settled on the Eagles. Dovanon F. McNabb has been scarily accurate on passes where I don’t approach having my feet set, and forcing the defenses to keep an eye on him will help open up passing lanes. Owens is a pretty good WR in the game, though he seems to drop more balls on hits than I’d like. On defense, the front 7 is good and the safteys cover well enough that I can call all the CB blitzes I like. And I do like calling them.
The downsides are not having a 90+ HB, but that’s mitigated by 2 minute quarters. You’re only going to focus on the run as a surprise tactic or a clock killing tactic, so a star there is unneccsary. Westbrook does a good job catching the ball, which helps me out a bunch. The bigger problem is the tremendous drop off from CB #2 (mid 80s?) to the CB #3 (low 70s.) This is a passing format, and the nickel back is going to be in use and be inferior to most anyone lineup in the slot. There’s no quick fix except helping out with coverage and forcing throws early.
Despite playing online and playing friends in people, I don’t know if I’ve really gotten a feel for how I’m going to do. Haven’t been able to get a Madden Challenge rules game going on-line, and out of the three games I’ve played the last two days, two were Mercy Rule blowouts against clueless people, and one was tight only because luck was not on my side (two fluke fumbles in the red zone in the 4th, either touchdown would’ve ended it.) And people who play tank 3 straight games because a break didn’t go their way in game 1, then insist on playing a game 4 for real, and then tank that one after another tough call, they’re quite a waste of time.
General Rule: People going on tilt sucks when you don’t win any money off it.
Tactically, my defense is fairing pretty well and I’m sure I’ll be adquete there. Offense, I’m worried. I’ve got one play that I own more than Kenyans own marathons, but everything else is hit or miss and you can catch up to any one play if it’s coming 90% of the time.
I need work, and maybe I’ll get some tonight.
The nickelback thing – you can maybe double the slot receiver if you’re running man defense, but if he gets sent in motion you’re all kinds of screwed. I guess the best idea would be to run zone blitzes? I’ve played enough people that do nothing but throw to where I think I have somewhat of an understanding of the offense in a short game, and I’ve generally had success running good zone blitzes if the secondary is good enough, and Philly’s should be.
I assume the starting secondary is Sheppard and Brown at CB and Dawkins and Lewis at S? Who’s the nickelback, Hood? Matt Ware? I’d send Nate Wayne and Mark Simoneau on LB blitzes more than Dhani Jones because of the three he’s probably best in coverage on the game. Not that it matters since all LBs suck in coverage, but on a mistake pass he’s probably the best guy to have near the ball. I’d think.
The front four should be good enough to get pressure on its own too. Do you control on the line as a DT? ‘Cause I’m thinking it’d be best to leave Kearse and Kalu CPU-managed and to their own devices of being good pass rushers. It’s probably the team I’d use in this format since McNabb can run if a play breaks down and has better surroundings than Mike Vick, who I assume 90% of the competition will be using.
If you see anyone using the Bears or Lions, wish them the best of luck.