The beauty of sports videogames is...

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:22 pm

After watching your real-life team toss the Packers salad in yet another Lambeau loss, you can fire up ESPN NFL, where your Bears beat the Pack to improve to 5-0 in your third franchise season.
 
 Seriously, to quote Bill "Sports Guy" Simmons, the Bears game yesterday made me want to throw up in my mouth. Thank you Sega for providing me with a "calm blue ocean" for an hour afterward and prevent me from having to go to Best Buy to purchase a new TV.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:37 pm

While I´ve been enjoying my Rams "real life" season record of 9-3, I´ve been extremely frusturated in my franchise (ESPN). I´m now 2-3 and can´t seem to get my offense rolling in any capacity. I´ll move the ball to about midfield and then it seems the defense tightens up like a MoFo! Two Marshall Faulk fumbles in the second half.....that´s B f´n S!
 
 I don´t know if it´s just me, but it really seems that once I score, the AI just decides that´s it´s going to be pretty much unstoppable on one of their next two possessions. Another head scratcher!
 
 For the second time in my season, the AI has gone down the field with less than a minute remaining in a tie game only to let the time run out...forcing overtime. They could have easily called a timeout (they had two left) and won the game with a chip shot from the 15 yard line. They even showed the kicker warming up! I still lost the game in OT but there is something seriously wrong with the AIs playcalling at the end of the game.
 
 Last gripe. Bulger´s getting sacked an average of 5-6 times a game. While it realistic for this to happen, it just seems I´m not getting any protection. I feel as though I´m cheating by up the human protection. Anyone else been experiencing this problem. I should have at least 3-4 seconds once I drop back.
 
 I love this game...but I´m also really beginning to despise it. I might even splurge for ID2004 for a second time.

cocoman · Post by **cocoman** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:48 pm

Don´t take control of the QB, let the computer drop your QB back and then take control to pass. It sounds like you maybe dropping out of the pocket. Sometimes it´s best to step up in the pocket.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:53 pm

I think the fan line stunt is too effective sometimes in ESPN. You have these hulking tackles getting a lot more sacks than they should because they can basically run around the guards, going outside and then curling back into the QB in the pocket.
 
 I understand sacking was impossible in NFL 2K3 so it sounds like VC went a bit too far in the other direction.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:54 pm

Thanks for the tip. I´ll go that route this evening. Actually, I won´t be playing tonight seeing the Rams are playing the Browns. I guess what I´ve realized is that I´m just not that good. Therefore, I suppose I just need to go into practice mode. My biggest problem is the passing game. What I generally do is key on two of my receivers. Usually it´s one WR and then Faulk running a hot route. I just don´t seem to have the time to really scan the field and check off 2 or 3 wide receivers. Perhaps staying in the pocket and stepping up would help.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:23 pm

Sportdan,
 
 Definitely let the CPU control the drop, even on roll outs. ESPN kills you if you drop back even a yard or two too far, because the DEs actually speed rush in this game. I´d recommend trying this for about 10 minutes in practice to get used to it.
 
 Watch the rush, too. If you see a pressure point coming, don´t hesitate to move a bit. If you move, beaten blockers will do a decent job of trying to block. Especially watch it on 5-step drops. If you see an edge rush, chances are you´ll need to move up.
 
 Hot route an extra blocker A LOT. I keep a back or TE in quite a bit, especially if I sense blitz.
 
 I used to get killed with the Bears line. But now, thanks to these tips, on All Pro default I probably average 2.5 sacks per game. Oh, and I used to think the CPU kept games close, too, but in year 3 I´ve actually won 5 of my 7 games by double-digits.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:31 pm

Hmm ... I´ll play the contrarian here. I never let the CPU control my QB´s drop. I lose the "feel" for the game that way.
 
 Plus I actually count the number of steps in the drop that I should take for the type of pattern selected as the QB is backpedaling. My brother-in-law probably has caught me accidentally whispering "One, two, three" during our XBL games. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 I also think people rush through the offensive playcalling screens and don´t take the time to see in which direction the QB is supposed to drop back, setting themselves up for the sack. Some people drop straight back on a play that´s designed as a small rollout just because they don´t look at the play design. I´m guilty as charged at times.
 
 To the VC programmers´ credit, it´s uncanny how accurate the passes and patterns are when you take the proper number of steps in the drop, plant the rear foot and throw with a good QB.
 
 I just lose "feel" for the game when I don´t control my QB from snap to throw. And I don´t get sacked too often, either, because I´m not hanging in the pocket forever waiting to throw.
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 09-12-2003 08:34 ]

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:51 pm

Good points, PK. I suggested letting the CPU control the drop because ten years of Madden have hindered my ability to not drop back ten yards every play. I just found it easier. I still take control of my QB a lot depending on what happens with the rush.
 
 The point, either way, is to make sure your drops match the blocking on the play. Dropping back deep or hanging onto the ball on a 90 pass, for instance, is usually not a good idea.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:06 pm

"I also think people rush through the offensive playcalling screens and don´t take the time to see in which direction the QB is supposed to drop back..."
 
 I must say I´m definitely guilty of the above. Pk, you and Brando made some very fine points. I suppose now it´s up to me to determine what feels most comfortable. It might be helpful to let the CPU control my QB´s drop, therefore allowing me one less thing to think about. I´ll have to toy with both of these options.
 
 By the way, if anyone watched the Monday Night Football game, did anyone notice the "look back" on an old Browns game. Now, I´ve watched old classic games, but it was remarkable how times have changed. I swear the quarterbacks on both teams took at least 10 steps back. They must have easily dropped back about 10 yards. Pretty wild!