The Madden 2005 Thread

[kerouac9]

I've been hearing the All-Madden difficulty no longer feels "cheap". The CPU players do get a boost in ratings but their players are no longer faster than yours. That's good to hear, but I would rather play All-Pro because I don't like the CPU players doing things that my CPU players can't do. I need to adjust the sliders on All-Pro because the CPU can't run on me at all. The passing seems a bit too easy on All-Pro too, so maybe I should lower QB accuracy and raise awareness on defense.

Yeah, I was going to try All-Madden next, and see how it is. If it sucks, I might play with the sliders. I know that the Cards D was keeping Ladanian Tomlinson in check, though. That's not a good sign.

McCown was throwing for 50% and a TD, but that might just be because I'm so good.

In order to do roster updates on-line, do you have to buy something? I don't really want to go through the "Transactions" sheet again, but I don't want to shell out $40 or a monthly charge, either. Can I just plug the PS2 into the phone jack and get it done that way?

 

[schel]

Yeah, I was going to try All-Madden next, and see how it is. If it sucks, I might play with the sliders. I know that the Cards D was keeping Ladanian Tomlinson in check, though. That's not a good sign.

McCown was throwing for 50% and a TD, but that might just be because I'm so good.

In order to do roster updates on-line, do you have to buy something? I don't really want to go through the "Transactions" sheet again, but I don't want to shell out $40 or a monthly charge, either. Can I just plug the PS2 into the phone jack and get it done that way?

No, you need a network adapter. If you're not going to play online it's not worth the $40. I guess you could try to edit the rosters yourself. There is no monthly charge or anything like that for the PS2.

 

[kerouac9]

No, you need a network adapter. If you're not going to play online it's not worth the $40. I guess you could try to edit the rosters yourself. There is no monthly charge or anything like that for the PS2.

Then I guess I'll edit the roster myself. That's dumb, though. The least EA could do is allow you to plug and adjust their three-month-old rosters ahead of time. I wonder if there's any way to remove Ricky Williams from the game so that no team can sign him. Everything else is pretty easy. Kendall-->Jets, Eddie-->Cowboys, A. Smith-->Titans. I think that's it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if I wanted to interact with other people, I wouldn't be sitting at home playing video games.

 

[schel]

Then I guess I'll edit the roster myself. That's dumb, though. The least EA could do is allow you to plug and adjust their three-month-old rosters ahead of time. I wonder if there's any way to remove Ricky Williams from the game so that no team can sign him. Everything else is pretty easy. Kendall-->Jets, Eddie-->Cowboys, A. Smith-->Titans. I think that's it.

For Ricky, people just release him and edit his ratings to the lowest it can go so that nobody signs him.

 

[kerouac9]

For Ricky, people just release him and edit his ratings to the lowest it can go so that nobody signs him.

Mmm... I see. Oh, I have to delete Rod Woodson, too!

 

[NJYAJ09]

I wish I could keep Kendall...

 

[HeavyB3]

Well I've been having fun in my franchise mode. I've done fairly well thus far, going 3-3 and I'm actually tied with SanFran for the division lead. Its pretty cool that after 5 weeks players improve. McCown is up to an 85, Boldin 90, Fitsgerald is a 85 and Shipp is up to an 87. I didn't bother to upgrade the rosters because personally I wouldn't have dumped Kendell and didn't want to suffer any of the already felt injuries. But, during preseason Wilson and McKinnon went down for 6 and 8 weeks respectively. I signed Vincent Green (I think that was his first name) to a one year contract. He is an 83 overall and filled in nicely for Wilson and I had to use Darling to replace Ronnie Mac. So far, I really like McCown and am thinking of signing him to a long term contract worth alot of money. Secondly, Fred Wakefield is leading the defense in sacks with 4. I still could use some help on the Dline and it seems that Berry gets doubled on every play and only has 2 sacks this season. So far Dockett (0) and Bryant (1) have been fairly quiet. I decided to start Dansby in place of Fisher because he is faster and closely rated. So far, he has been an animal, intercepting 2 passes, forcing ac ouple fumbles and has a sack. He's up to an 82 overall.

In my last game, I beat the Seahawks 31-24 and McCown was named NFL Offensive Player of the Week completing 21-35 for 4 Touchdowns 0 interceptions and McCown and is tied in the league for towchdown passes with 13 with Brett Favre. This game is much better than ESPN.

 

[green machine]

I have it on Pro, and here are my observations:

I can't run the ball at all! Yet, I still score about 42 points a game. McCown is slow, but he has thrown a ton of TD's to Boldin, Fitz, Poole, Johnson, whoever. McCown has been awesome.

My defense started slow, but the last few games has started to turn it on.

My team is 6-0, and honestly, I don't know if I'll lose. I just beat the Niners 52-3, and then the Seahawks, 38-0. All this without a running game.

 

[Ryanwb]

I have it on Pro, and here are my observations:

I can't run the ball at all! Yet, I still score about 42 points a game. McCown is slow, but he has thrown a ton of TD's to Boldin, Fitz, Poole, Johnson, whoever. McCown has been awesome.

My defense started slow, but the last few games has started to turn it on.

My team is 6-0, and honestly, I don't know if I'll lose. I just beat the Niners 52-3, and then the Seahawks, 38-0. All this without a running game.

Hmmm... I run it on All-pro with very little change in the sliders and I can run it fine. McCown is actually very fast (Top 10 QB fast), if you want to see how fast, have him go out injured and sub in King.

The best advice I can give on running is go for outside runs, look at the LB's and if they cheat the way you are going to run use your right control stick and switch to run the opposite way. Forget about trying to run it up the gut or through a hole the O-line creates, it is nearly impossible. 3rd and inches is no longer a given in this game. In fact, I don't think I have advanced the ball on the run if the computer plays the run.

Adjust your sliders to ease out the run and now allow the pass as easily

 

[Pariah]

I can't run for beans, either. McCown is throwing for 4 TDs a game, though and almost always over 300 yards. I'm 5-2 in my first franchise season. Shipp got hurt early, so I traded Pace and next year's #1 for McGahee (didn't help my running game).

Boldin and Fitz are monsters on the come-back routes (in the "single back/normal" there are a few of them), and if you get single coverage on their deep routes it's better than a 50/50 proposition that they'll come down with it if you get enough air under it. Johnson is great on the slant routes. Poole is pretty consistent on his outs.

I've also been starting Dnsby on the right side and manually blitzing him from a cover 2 or cover 3. He's got somewhere around a dozen or so sacks for me so far. Thompson also has a few because I'll switch to him when it looks like the TE is lining up to pick up Dansby.

 

[Pariah]

Forget about trying to run it up the gut or through a hole the O-line creates, it is nearly impossible. 3rd and inches is no longer a given in this game. In fact, I don't think I have advanced the ball on the run if the computer plays the run.

All of the success I have had in runs up the middle or off-tackle. I can't get outside.

 

[KingofCards]

I am playing on all pro and haven't lost.

I love the defense.

I do my own zone blitzes, dropping Bryant into coverage and blitzing Dansby and he got an int.(Bryant)

I can't run real well but can pass very well.

Josh is leading the leading in passing.

 

[Pariah]

I just had McCown passing for over 750 yards against the Giants. Boldin had over 400 and then got hurt in the 3rd. The Giants were always bringing their safeties up to play the run, leaving Boldin 1-on-1. Not even fair.

 

[bratwurst]

Anyone have this for PC yet?

 

[kerouac9]

Anyone have this for PC yet?

No, but the 2005 Cardinals, without Pete Kendall, did win the Super Bowl by stomping the Tennesee Titans. All Madden, with sliders adjusted to help opponents ground game and passing game. Josh McCown was MVP of the league and Super Bowl MVP. Larry Fitzgerald was off. rookie of the year, Karlos Dansby was 2nd in the balloting for DROY, losing out to Carroll. I have to do my 2006 draft when I get home.

 

[Ryanwb]

I couldn't even get a 1rd round pick for Kendell straight up. In old madden I used to go through and sign all the high ranked FA and trade each one for a 1st round pick. Usually for a above 90 rated OL or DL you were guaranteed a #1 pick or more......I finally got a 3rd rounder from the Jets

 

[KingofCards]

I have all next week off. So that is when I will go on my Madden binge.

 

[Assface]

I couldn't even get a 1rd round pick for Kendell straight up. In old madden I used to go through and sign all the high ranked FA and trade each one for a 1st round pick. Usually for a above 90 rated OL or DL you were guaranteed a #1 pick or more......I finally got a 3rd rounder from the Jets

That's exactly what I used to do. It's a lot harder to stock up on high draft picks this year. I love the feature where you can edit a players position. I can't run worth a damn in this years game but I've never had any problem in the past. The player animations during the game are a lot better.

 

[Pariah]

Are you guys all on Xbox Live?

What're your handles? Mine's PairahX (appearantly, there's some guy running around out there claiming he's Pariah).

I ususally kick the computer's ass, but I've had a very difficult time beating a live person. I won my first last night, bringing my record to an impressive 1-14. I've lost a couple close ones, but I've been blown out badly more often than not.

 

[kerouac9]

I couldn't even get a 1rd round pick for Kendell straight up. In old madden I used to go through and sign all the high ranked FA and trade each one for a 1st round pick. Usually for a above 90 rated OL or DL you were guaranteed a #1 pick or more......I finally got a 3rd rounder from the Jets

I just moved him onto the Jets from the roster start-up. It was funny, though. In the draft after the 2004 season, Left Offensive Guards went #1 and #2 overall. I guess Mac was just ahead of the curve.

My #1 pick, 32nd overall, was a TE who ended up being rated an 80. Not too shabby.

 

[bratwurst]

UGH. Why is the PC game going to be released after the season starts? This sucks.

 

[Chaz]

UGH. Why is the PC game going to be released after the season starts? This sucks.

Time to get an XBOX.

 

[bratwurst]

Don't want to spend the money on a console.

 

[Ryanwb]

Don't want to spend the money on a console.

They are so cheap! Plus you never have to worry about your game freezing in the middle like the PC. I made the switch over.....

 

[bratwurst]

Can't spend the money, my wife just left her job to stay at home and I am out of work in about 3 months if I don't find a new job right away. So I don't want to spend any money that I don't need to right now.