I've been thinking about reordering my wide receiver list in the depth chart to help create mismatches. I could also probably also use different packages such as WR Swap (swaps the wide receivers) or WR spell which I believe just brings in the backup receivers but these don't seem to give as much flexibility as making minor changes to the depth chart. Below are three things to keep in mind when setting up your wide receivers in the depth chart.
1. Create mismatches - Put your best wide receiver in the slot which almost always will have a big advantage over your opponent's third string corner back or linebacker.
2. Take advantage of your good blocking receivers - Another thing to think about when reordering your depth chart is to find out who your best blocking wide receiver is. Michael Crabtree of the 49ers, for example, has good blocking attributes so have him lined up in a position to block for your HB. You could also use motion but with the accelerated clock in this year's Madden 10, you might not always have time for motion.
3. Let your best receiver run your favorite routes - If you have a set of formations that you regularly use, study the routes you tend to use more often and make sure your best wide receiver runs these routes.
Defensive Assignments
Madden 10 has a new feature called Defensive Assignments which allows the defense to assign their best defenders to cover your best receivers regardless of where they line up in a formation. If your opponent is using defensive assignments you can't really take advantage of mismatches but since 'Defensive assignments' is a relatively new feature I wonder how often players are using it. While playing online, if your opponent pauses the game before it starts he might be setting up his defensive assignments you never know. If your opponent hasn't paused the game, then he obviously hasn't made any defensive assignments.
Another thing about defensive assignments is that these assignments only seem to take effect when the defense is playing in man to man coverage. In zone coverage each defender will cover his zone.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Madden 10 top 5 teams used online
I went to easportsworld to view the leader board to get an idea what type of teams these players are using. Last year, I think most would agree that the Cowboys and Patriots were the most popular online teams. Here are the top 5 used online teams for Madden 10:
1 - Chargers
Chargers don't really have a weakness on offense, do they?. They have a good quarterback, two good half backs, and a good TE.
2 - Eagles
The Eagles are probably the most widely use team overall but according to the leader board they were 2nd. Vick is a very popoular weapon of choice.
3 - Cowboys
The Cowboys were one of the elite teams last year but with the ratings changes this year there really isn't a dominating team. The Cowboys are still a favorite, however. They still have a great running game and solid defense.
4 - Raiders
Surprisingly, the Raiders always seem to be a popular team. Jamarcus Russell could be the most inaccurate quarterback in the game yet there are still a lot of Raiders players online.
5 - Titans
Chris Johnson is the fastest back in the game and quite possibly the best player in Madden this year. The Titans secondary is probably the best.
1 - Chargers
Chargers don't really have a weakness on offense, do they?. They have a good quarterback, two good half backs, and a good TE.
2 - Eagles
The Eagles are probably the most widely use team overall but according to the leader board they were 2nd. Vick is a very popoular weapon of choice.
3 - Cowboys
The Cowboys were one of the elite teams last year but with the ratings changes this year there really isn't a dominating team. The Cowboys are still a favorite, however. They still have a great running game and solid defense.
4 - Raiders
Surprisingly, the Raiders always seem to be a popular team. Jamarcus Russell could be the most inaccurate quarterback in the game yet there are still a lot of Raiders players online.
5 - Titans
Chris Johnson is the fastest back in the game and quite possibly the best player in Madden this year. The Titans secondary is probably the best.
Friday, October 2, 2009
How to return kickoffs for TDs
I have been having quite a bit of success returning kickoffs for touchdowns in Madden 10 with the 49ers. Allen Rossum has good speed as a kick returner so this might be one of the factors. Because of his speed, I always use one kick returner as opposed to two returners. I always choose middle kick return. There are 4 men lined up in front of the return man. Before the kickoff, I control one of the middle blockers. While the ball is in the air, I sprint the blocker towards the side the ball is being kicked to. I follow my blockers and if I get lucky, I'll find a hole. This method is usually only effective if the ball lands near the side of the field and not in between the hash marks.On the kicking side, I've also been burned a few times with TD scoring kick returns. To help avoid TD returns I've been trying to kick the ball towards the middle of the field. While the ball is in the air, I'll maintain control of the kicker and just jog down the field so I don't interrupt the play.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Defensive Formations
Below is a list of defensive formations found in Madden 10 with some tips on when and when not to use them:
4-3 Normal
Advantages: A balanced run and pass defense. Good against inside runs and short to medium passing.
Disadvantages: Avoid using against four or more receiver sets. Blitzing Linebackers can leave slants and outside runs open.
4-3 Over/Under (Over and Under refers to having an extra LB on different sides of the line)
Advantages: Increased pass rush possibilities. Protect against inside and outside runs.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to the passing game and fewer Linebackers in the middle could mean fewer tacklers if the HB gets through.
3-4 Normal
Advantages: A balanced run and pass defense. Defends outside runs and flat passes.
Disadvantages: Softer pass rush, but more blitz variety with extra Linebackers. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Over/Under
Advantages: Increased pass rush with linebacker at the line.
Disadvantages: Fewer Linebackers defending the short passes. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Solid (Both outside Linebackers crowd the line.)
Advantages: Increased pass rush opportunities and disguised blitzing. Stuff the run with increased penetration.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to quick passes if outside Linebackers blitz. Avoid against multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Even (Outside Linebackers crowd the line and middle Linebackers tighten up.)
Advantages: Balanced run stoppage for inside and outside runs.
Disadvantages: Tighter formation could be vulnerable to the pass.
3-4 Stack (Resembles a 4-3 in alignment.)
Advantages: A 4-3 look for your excellent Linebackers. Variation in pass rushing for fast outside Linebackers.
Disadvantages: Avoid using against heavy passing situations.
3-4 Predator (Linebacker is lined up on the line of scrimmage in a three-point stance)
Advantages: Increased pass rush with linebacker at the line.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to quick passes if outside Linebackers blitz.
4-4
Advantages: Run stoppage with 8 men in the box (around line of scrimmage).
Disadvantages: Potential to give up the big play, both through the air and on the ground
46 Normal
Advantages: Similar to 4-3 but safety provides extra run stopping support. Pressuring defense.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to deep passes with just one safety back. Avoid using against heavy passing situations and multiple receiver sets.
46 Bear
Advantages: Combines the 46 Normal and 4-3 Over defenses. Increased pressure along the line for stronger run defense and pressure.
Disadvantages: Weak pass defense. Avoid using against multiple receiver sets.
Nickel Normal
Advantages: An additional defensive back helps protect against the pass. Be sure the "nickel back" is lined up against the slot receiver. Optimum against 3 WR sets.
Disadvantages: Losing a linebacker means losing a good tackler.
Nickel Strong
Advantages: Increased safety help on the strong side. Helps provide additional coverage on a formation where there are more receivers and/or tight ends are on one side.
Disadvantages: Similar to the standard nickel. Also the safety shifted over could leave the other side open, especially if there are backs on pass patterns.
Nickel 1-5-5/1-5-5 Prowl
Advantages: Five Linebackers help defend against a run and five defensive backs help defend the pass. Allows for some blitzing variation.
Disadvantages: Can be a weak run defense if your Linebackers focus on coverage.
Nickel 2-4-5
Advantages: Added Linebackers help defend against an unexpected run. In the 3-4 playbook because of the team’s typical linebacker skill.
Disadvantages: Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.
Nickel 3-3-5
Advantages: An added linebacker to defend the run or short passing.
Disadvantages: Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.
Nickel Odd Split
Advantages: Good against the pass and the extra DB provides speed from coverage and the pass rush
Disadvantages: Could be vulnerable against run.
Dime Normal
Advantages: Six defensive backs to counter the passing game. Use against four or more wide receiver sets.
Disadvantages: Weak against an unexpected run.
Dime Flat
Advantages: Defenders are tighter and closer to the line to protect against run or short passing. Good for end zone defense.
Disadvantages: Weaker against deep passing.
Quarters Normal
Advantages: Seven defensive backs as a pass prevent defense.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Quarters 3 Deep
Advantages: Three deep Safeties to protect against the deep ball. Use in long yardage situations.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Quarters Combo
Advantages: Protects against the deep ball with three deep Safeties.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Dollar Normal
Advantages: Eight players focused on stopping the pass. Use in certain passing situations (long yardage) or even in the red zone to crowd the end zone.
Disadvantages: You have a lot of bad tacklers on the field if your opponent runs the ball!
4-3 Normal
Advantages: A balanced run and pass defense. Good against inside runs and short to medium passing.
Disadvantages: Avoid using against four or more receiver sets. Blitzing Linebackers can leave slants and outside runs open.
4-3 Over/Under (Over and Under refers to having an extra LB on different sides of the line)
Advantages: Increased pass rush possibilities. Protect against inside and outside runs.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to the passing game and fewer Linebackers in the middle could mean fewer tacklers if the HB gets through.
3-4 Normal
Advantages: A balanced run and pass defense. Defends outside runs and flat passes.
Disadvantages: Softer pass rush, but more blitz variety with extra Linebackers. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Over/Under
Advantages: Increased pass rush with linebacker at the line.
Disadvantages: Fewer Linebackers defending the short passes. Vulnerable to multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Solid (Both outside Linebackers crowd the line.)
Advantages: Increased pass rush opportunities and disguised blitzing. Stuff the run with increased penetration.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to quick passes if outside Linebackers blitz. Avoid against multiple receiver sets.
3-4 Even (Outside Linebackers crowd the line and middle Linebackers tighten up.)
Advantages: Balanced run stoppage for inside and outside runs.
Disadvantages: Tighter formation could be vulnerable to the pass.
3-4 Stack (Resembles a 4-3 in alignment.)
Advantages: A 4-3 look for your excellent Linebackers. Variation in pass rushing for fast outside Linebackers.
Disadvantages: Avoid using against heavy passing situations.
3-4 Predator (Linebacker is lined up on the line of scrimmage in a three-point stance)
Advantages: Increased pass rush with linebacker at the line.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to quick passes if outside Linebackers blitz.
4-4
Advantages: Run stoppage with 8 men in the box (around line of scrimmage).
Disadvantages: Potential to give up the big play, both through the air and on the ground
46 Normal
Advantages: Similar to 4-3 but safety provides extra run stopping support. Pressuring defense.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to deep passes with just one safety back. Avoid using against heavy passing situations and multiple receiver sets.
46 Bear
Advantages: Combines the 46 Normal and 4-3 Over defenses. Increased pressure along the line for stronger run defense and pressure.
Disadvantages: Weak pass defense. Avoid using against multiple receiver sets.
Nickel Normal
Advantages: An additional defensive back helps protect against the pass. Be sure the "nickel back" is lined up against the slot receiver. Optimum against 3 WR sets.
Disadvantages: Losing a linebacker means losing a good tackler.
Nickel Strong
Advantages: Increased safety help on the strong side. Helps provide additional coverage on a formation where there are more receivers and/or tight ends are on one side.
Disadvantages: Similar to the standard nickel. Also the safety shifted over could leave the other side open, especially if there are backs on pass patterns.
Nickel 1-5-5/1-5-5 Prowl
Advantages: Five Linebackers help defend against a run and five defensive backs help defend the pass. Allows for some blitzing variation.
Disadvantages: Can be a weak run defense if your Linebackers focus on coverage.
Nickel 2-4-5
Advantages: Added Linebackers help defend against an unexpected run. In the 3-4 playbook because of the team’s typical linebacker skill.
Disadvantages: Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.
Nickel 3-3-5
Advantages: An added linebacker to defend the run or short passing.
Disadvantages: Need to increase pass rush with linebacker pressure.
Nickel Odd Split
Advantages: Good against the pass and the extra DB provides speed from coverage and the pass rush
Disadvantages: Could be vulnerable against run.
Dime Normal
Advantages: Six defensive backs to counter the passing game. Use against four or more wide receiver sets.
Disadvantages: Weak against an unexpected run.
Dime Flat
Advantages: Defenders are tighter and closer to the line to protect against run or short passing. Good for end zone defense.
Disadvantages: Weaker against deep passing.
Quarters Normal
Advantages: Seven defensive backs as a pass prevent defense.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Quarters 3 Deep
Advantages: Three deep Safeties to protect against the deep ball. Use in long yardage situations.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Quarters Combo
Advantages: Protects against the deep ball with three deep Safeties.
Disadvantages: Easy to run against.
Dollar Normal
Advantages: Eight players focused on stopping the pass. Use in certain passing situations (long yardage) or even in the red zone to crowd the end zone.
Disadvantages: You have a lot of bad tacklers on the field if your opponent runs the ball!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Madden 10 Slot Cross
The Slot Cross play seems to have a very good success rate. All you do is hit the slot receiver coming across the middle which will always results in a big gain if completed. The route will usually work in man coverage. In Cover 2 zone, you can hit the receiver between defenders. In cover 3 zone defense, you can throw the ball as soon as the receiver gets past the defender in the middle of the field. If a blitz is coming you can dump the ball off to your half back who is running a blue route.
Against the CPU this play seems to work just about every time. Against an online opponent, you may want to use it sparingly.
Against the CPU this play seems to work just about every time. Against an online opponent, you may want to use it sparingly.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Top 5 offensive lines in Madden 10
A good running game starts with a good offensive line that will open up holes for you. A lineman with good strength (STR), run block strength (RBS), and run block footwork (RBF) attributes are key to being able to move your opponents out of the way for your running back. Acceleration (ACC) is also important because this determines how quickly the linemen get off the line to block.
Last year, I used the Colts in online games and I'm doing the same this year but I'm having second thoughts because my running game stinks. Here are some results of my last two games:
Rushing attempts for 13
Rushing yards for 40
Average yards per carry 3.07
Rushing attempts for 5
Rushing yards for 9
Average yards per carry 1.8
If you combine the (STR, RBF, and RBS) attributes of the Colt's line and average them out you get a value of 86. This is quite low compared to the top five offensive lines:
1. Eagles 92
2. Giants 91
3. Cowboys 91
4. Vikings 90
5. Titans 90
Not surprisingly, all of these top teams have excellent running backs.
I tend to perform better online when I'm controlling a good quarterback. This is why I usually prefer to use the Colts. I played a couple games with the Cardinals and didn't fare too well. I passed for a lot of yardage but couldn't run the ball. The Cardinals offensive line also has a low rating of 85.
Maybe I should start using the Eagles or Titans like everyone else!
Last year, I used the Colts in online games and I'm doing the same this year but I'm having second thoughts because my running game stinks. Here are some results of my last two games:
Rushing attempts for 13
Rushing yards for 40
Average yards per carry 3.07
Rushing attempts for 5
Rushing yards for 9
Average yards per carry 1.8
If you combine the (STR, RBF, and RBS) attributes of the Colt's line and average them out you get a value of 86. This is quite low compared to the top five offensive lines:
1. Eagles 92
2. Giants 91
3. Cowboys 91
4. Vikings 90
5. Titans 90
Not surprisingly, all of these top teams have excellent running backs.
I tend to perform better online when I'm controlling a good quarterback. This is why I usually prefer to use the Colts. I played a couple games with the Cardinals and didn't fare too well. I passed for a lot of yardage but couldn't run the ball. The Cardinals offensive line also has a low rating of 85.
Maybe I should start using the Eagles or Titans like everyone else!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stopping Wildcat in Madden 10
When Madden 10 was first released I kept getting burned online with the Wildcat. I finally found a formation that does a good job at stopping the Wildcat every time...so far. Just use any base formation that says 'QB Contain'.
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