DSP Madden Online Franchise 360 Sign Up / Discussion

[XXXIV]

The Vikings? Thats the one team I didnt want. (well I didnt want any human team ) ...ummm... Lest see... Positive spin. Positive spin.

The Rams are looking to avenge the 31-6 crushing defeat the Vikes handed them earlier in the season.

I see the Jags made it so we did manage a win against a human playoff team. So it is possible. Hear that Vikings? You are in some deep s***.

[tmdba37]

Seems they scheduled a Monster Truck Rally and a Country Musical Festival at LP Field on Sunday as such the Titans-Jags game will need to be played on Friday or Saturday Night. . .

The Jags and Titans Front Offices are currently discussing the matter with the league office. . .fans are looking forward to a swift resolution. . .

Per the game itself, the Titans are motivated looking to take this third game from the Jacksonville team that gave them fits in a 31-24 win in week 8.

Word out of Titans camp is that the Titans Offense has been working on a few new wrinkles in the running game. . .can anyone say Wildcat?

Certainly, Vince Young has gotten more and more playtime lately, it will be interesting to see if he gets even more snaps as he gradually pushes Kerry Collins closer to retirement. . .

Some have even speculated that the Titans will go with a VY led spread option. . .certainly, Young has run and passed the ball well vs. recent CPU opponents. . .can he do the same against a much tougher human opponent?

For the Jags, they beat the Titans with a fine combination of Maurice-Jones Drew and four turnovers in week 8. . .the Titans Defense will do everything it can to shut down MJD and make David Garrard try to win this game with his arm. . .

This should be a close game but the Titans are 8-1 since they last played the Jaguars. . .with that in mind, you have to give the edge to the Titans at home to advance to the next round.

Prediction: Titans win a close one 21-17.

[Slumberland]

Very interesting to face a team that I haven't played yet in the playoffs. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

[Badger_Fan]

The Vikings? Thats the one team I didnt want. (well I didnt want any human team ) ...ummm... Lest see... Positive spin. Positive spin.

The Rams are looking to avenge the 31-6 crushing defeat the Vikes handed them earlier in the season.

I see the Jags made it so we did manage a win against a human playoff team. So it is possible. Hear that Vikings? You are in some deep s***.

The Vikings are humbled to be a part of the playoffs this year. I'm not sure how we can expect to stay on the field with this juggernaut of a Rams squad. I can tell you that I'm going to try to figure out a way to sneak a 12th guy on the field on defense to try to slow down Steven Jackson. That guy is a beast.

I know that we have a lot of guys with flu-like symptoms right now, so hopefully we can heal in time for the game. That said, when would the Rams like to play this one? The Vikings have obligations on Friday and Saturday night this week, so Sunday morning or evening would probably be the best bet.

[Danimal]

Ignore the previous message about not starting to Friday, play as soon as you want. I won't rush you guys but I'd like the wild card round out of the way by Monday night if possible.

[Nozzleman_216]

Very interesting to face a team that I haven't played yet in the playoffs. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

Very interesting indeed. I have to work nights tonight and tomorrow, so if you want to play in the evening it would have to be Sat or Sun. Just let me know what works for you and we will go from there.

[Slumberland]

Sunday evening is perfect for me, any time really.

[wayne23]

Seems they scheduled a Monster Truck Rally and a Country Musical Festival at LP Field on Sunday as such the Titans-Jags game will need to be played on Friday or Saturday Night. . .

The Jags and Titans Front Offices are currently discussing the matter with the league office. . .fans are looking forward to a swift resolution. . .

Per the game itself, the Titans are motivated looking to take this third game from the Jacksonville team that gave them fits in a 31-24 win in week 8.

Word out of Titans camp is that the Titans Offense has been working on a few new wrinkles in the running game. . .can anyone say Wildcat?

Certainly, Vince Young has gotten more and more playtime lately, it will be interesting to see if he gets even more snaps as he gradually pushes Kerry Collins closer to retirement. . .

Some have even speculated that the Titans will go with a VY led spread option. . .certainly, Young has run and passed the ball well vs. recent CPU opponents. . .can he do the same against a much tougher human opponent?

For the Jags, they beat the Titans with a fine combination of Maurice-Jones Drew and four turnovers in week 8. . .the Titans Defense will do everything it can to shut down MJD and make David Garrard try to win this game with his arm. . .

This should be a close game but the Titans are 8-1 since they last played the Jaguars. . .with that in mind, you have to give the edge to the Titans at home to advance to the next round.

Prediction: Titans win a close one 21-17.

Todd that's some awesome stuff right there Thanks for the heads up on the "Wildcat" although in the Jaquars case it might not matter..just ask Jared (Dolphins) as he gave me fits with it. Anyway i'm just glad to have made the play-offs and i'm looking forward to a great game. Good luck my friend.

[TCrouch]

Seems they scheduled a Monster Truck Rally and a Country Musical Festival at LP Field on Sunday as such the Titans-Jags game will need to be played on Friday or Saturday Night. . .

The Jags and Titans Front Offices are currently discussing the matter with the league office. . .fans are looking forward to a swift resolution. . .

Per the game itself, the Titans are motivated looking to take this third game from the Jacksonville team that gave them fits in a 31-24 win in week 8.

Word out of Titans camp is that the Titans Offense has been working on a few new wrinkles in the running game. . .can anyone say Wildcat?

Certainly, Vince Young has gotten more and more playtime lately, it will be interesting to see if he gets even more snaps as he gradually pushes Kerry Collins closer to retirement. . .

Some have even speculated that the Titans will go with a VY led spread option. . .certainly, Young has run and passed the ball well vs. recent CPU opponents. . .can he do the same against a much tougher human opponent?

For the Jags, they beat the Titans with a fine combination of Maurice-Jones Drew and four turnovers in week 8. . .the Titans Defense will do everything it can to shut down MJD and make David Garrard try to win this game with his arm. . .

This should be a close game but the Titans are 8-1 since they last played the Jaguars. . .with that in mind, you have to give the edge to the Titans at home to advance to the next round.

Prediction: Titans win a close one 21-17.

Stuff like this makes it really fun to be a part of this league. You da man.

[XXXIV]

The Vikings? Thats the one team I didnt want. (well I didnt want any human team ) ...ummm... Lest see... Positive spin. Positive spin.

The Rams are looking to avenge the 31-6 crushing defeat the Vikes handed them earlier in the season.

I see the Jags made it so we did manage a win against a human playoff team. So it is possible. Hear that Vikings? You are in some deep s***.

The Vikings are humbled to be a part of the playoffs this year. I'm not sure how we can expect to stay on the field with this juggernaut of a Rams squad. I can tell you that I'm going to try to figure out a way to sneak a 12th guy on the field on defense to try to slow down Steven Jackson. That guy is a beast.

I know that we have a lot of guys with flu-like symptoms right now, so hopefully we can heal in time for the game. That said, when would the Rams like to play this one? The Vikings have obligations on Friday and Saturday night this week, so Sunday morning or evening would probably be the best bet.

Tonight? works for me...or you can tell me when on sunday.

[Danimal]

Ok not wanting to spoil the playoff buzz around here, but I want to get the new rules out there now. This way playoff teams and non-playoff teams can decided if they want to continue next year. This will allow me to do some housekeeping while the games are played.

Game Time
This might cause us to lose some people but I am hoping with the slower pace (see below) it won't. We'll be extending the time of games to 12 minute quarters with 20 second run off.

12 Min
20 second run off.

I've tested this and unless both you and your opponent are pass happy (ie 85% of your plays are passes) most games take around an hour. I've played games with this setting in 45 minutes and ones that last 65-70 minutes.

Sim Advancement
We're slowing this down to every 5 days. If the games get played sooner then we'll advance sooner, typically this is never the case. But again:

Sim advance every 5 days

Head Sets
Probably the toughest decision and what I am about to say is going to sound harsh but there are more owners who would rather leave then play a headset less opponent I want to stay in the league then the other way around.

With that said here are the rules:
1. Must have a headset
2. Must wear the headset
3. Must acknowledge your opponent in the pregame

I'm not saying you have to become a chatter box but this league is suppose to be about fun and (virtual) friends. If you want to lay the headset down then please leave. Badgun i am sorry to use your example specifically but I think you should know if it was up to a number of people I would of booted you for those comments.

I thought that too harsh at the time, but if you really want to approach this league as random madden ranked matches you should consider packing it in.

My last word on this issue is I know of at least one owner who said they would leave because of this, I got the feeling this was more then not wanting to talk to people, it was something else they weren't comfortable sharing. So if you have a good reason why you CAN'T use a headset then please send it to me privately.

House Rules
These are very hard to enforce, I am hoping that the spirit of them will make all owners just use them,

1. Delay of Game: This was actually a house rule by Zep, but we've all gotten hit with the short play clock issue after a change of possession etc. I decline 2 of these in my last game against Philly and he was kicking my ass. If anyone is unclear of what I speak of then just ask, but this is a house rule that should be used.

2. Quick Snaps: Unless you are specifically running hurry up, you should allow the defense around 5 seconds on the play clock to adjust. Bottom line is use judgment, Madden doesn't always line guys up where they are suppose to go. Give the person a chance, obviously game situations will dictate quicker snaps, but just don't take advantage of the game being bad sometimes.

3. Communicate 4th down decisions: Every opponent I played I or they communicated if they were going on 4th down. I also had a situation one game where i was choosing punt but the game was showing i choose field goal to my opponent so just communicate. Another reason for the headset rule.

These are the rules for next season, if you no longer wish to participate then we all thank you for a stellar first season. If you could convey that to me via PM that would be appreciate.

More to come to prepare for off-season.

[TCrouch]

Game Time
This might cause us to lose some people but I am hoping with the slower pace (see below) it won't. We'll be extending the time of games to 12 minute quarters with 20 second run off.

12 Min
20 second run off.

*CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP*

Every other league I'm in uses these settings, and they're about perfect for human vs. human play. The games take around an hour.

Head Sets
Probably the toughest decision and what I am about to say is going to sound harsh but there are more owners who would rather leave then play a headset less opponent I want to stay in the league then the other way around.

I was honestly thinking of leaving after season one for this reason. It sounds trivial (especially to the guys who don't want to use a headset), but so many things can be avoided by simply being able to communicate. To me it feels like an empty and lifeless game against a "better" CPU team without one. It's the whole reason I play in DSP online games in the first place--the community and competition. Taking out one half of that really lessens the experience for me.

House Rules
These are very hard to enforce, I am hoping that the spirit of them will make all owners just use them,

1. Delay of Game: This was actually a house rule by Zep, but we've all gotten hit with the short play clock issue after a change of possession etc. I decline 2 of these in my last game against Philly and he was kicking my ass. If anyone is unclear of what I speak of then just ask, but this is a house rule that should be used.

2. Quick Snaps: Unless you are specifically running hurry up, you should allow the defense around 5 seconds on the play clock to adjust. Bottom line is use judgment, Madden doesn't always line guys up where they are suppose to go. Give the person a chance, obviously game situations will dictate quicker snaps, but just don't take advantage of the game being bad sometimes.

3. Communicate 4th down decisions: Every opponent I played I or they communicated if they were going on 4th down. I also had a situation one game where i was choosing punt but the game was showing i choose field goal to my opponent so just communicate. Another reason for the headset rule.

1. I don't necessarily agree on the whole 'change of possession' rule, but I understand it. Typically when I get the ball back I have a play in mind that I want to run. I've never taken a delay of game on change of possession. I just don't audible or flip or do anything crazy. When you start trying to pick a play and then adjust, it'll happen. But I can obviously adhere to it.

2. This is a tough one for me. I will not "quick snap" if a defense comes out and looks out of whack. I'll give the player a few seconds, even sometimes going as far as to fake an audible to make him look around at what I may or may not see. But when I come to the line, get ready, and then see the entire defense shift around like they're flipping the play or doing something strange--you bet your ass I'm going to snap it. It's a fine line between abusing a bad game or just taking advantage of an overzealous coach. People would call Peyton's "snap for 12 men on the field" crap cheese, too.

The only thing that causes some weird issues like that are with a Nickel coming out backwards from the opposing offense--they stack left and the defense is stacked right, etc. But the way to avoid that is knowing their receiver names. As soon as a team breaks the huddle, especially if I'm running zone, I'll pull the triggers to see which names are lining up on which side. If I see 2 receivers right and my D was set to left, I can use an Audible and Flip to line them up on their way out of the huddle instead of waiting until they're at the line and good to go.

3. Should be common sense.

[Zeppo]

House Rules
These are very hard to enforce, I am hoping that the spirit of them will make all owners just use them,

1. Delay of Game: This was actually a house rule by Zep, but we've all gotten hit with the short play clock issue after a change of possession etc. I decline 2 of these in my last game against Philly and he was kicking my ass. If anyone is unclear of what I speak of then just ask, but this is a house rule that should be used.

1. I don't necessarily agree on the whole 'change of possession' rule, but I understand it. Typically when I get the ball back I have a play in mind that I want to run. I've never taken a delay of game on change of possession. I just don't audible or flip or do anything crazy. When you start trying to pick a play and then adjust, it'll happen. But I can obviously adhere to it.

To be clear, the only reason I have felt it necessary to make this a house rule is because the game gets it wrong, plain and simple. In the real NFL, change of possessions do indeed result in a 0:25 play clock; however, the game referee will ALWAYS deal with change of possession as a Time Out. That is, no play clock is running, but the teams get 0:30 MINIMUM before the Ref chops the ball into play and thus the play clock starts to tick down. In most cases there is also an official time out (= TV time out) and so the teams are standing in the huddle for between 60 and 90 seconds before the ref restarts the ball into play.

I don't believe I have ever seen the ref chop the ball into play before the offense breaks its huddle, at least not since the league got rid of the old, 0:30 universal play clock rules (a long time ago, if you're wondering). Invariably, the ref chops the ball into play, and the Offense breaks its huddle immediately. So the fact is, in real life football, offenses actually have much more time at the LOS on their first play of a possession than at any other time, unlike Madden.

To me the Madden game should treat these situations the way it does with times out; give the gamers a :60 countdown, and at 0:25 the playclock itself starts counting down; or once the offense has chosen a play, the countdown snaps to 0:25 and starts from there. That's the way it's handled in the real NFL. And for the record, since I've been paying attention to it this season, it does seem that in general offenses have between 15-13 seconds once they get to the line in most cases, so Madden is not too shabby with the accel. clock run off.

[Danimal]

2. This is a tough one for me. I will not "quick snap" if a defense comes out and looks out of whack. I'll give the player a few seconds, even sometimes going as far as to fake an audible to make him look around at what I may or may not see. But when I come to the line, get ready, and then see the entire defense shift around like they're flipping the play or doing something strange--you bet your ass I'm going to snap it. It's a fine line between abusing a bad game or just taking advantage of an overzealous coach. People would call Peyton's "snap for 12 men on the field" crap cheese, too.

The only thing that causes some weird issues like that are with a Nickel coming out backwards from the opposing offense--they stack left and the defense is stacked right, etc. But the way to avoid that is knowing their receiver names. As soon as a team breaks the huddle, especially if I'm running zone, I'll pull the triggers to see which names are lining up on which side. If I see 2 receivers right and my D was set to left, I can use an Audible and Flip to line them up on their way out of the huddle instead of waiting until they're at the line and good to go.

I guess i didn't explain this correctly if you see someone changing and shifting I am not asking you not to snap. What i am trying to avoid is the person calls a play, holds A to rush to the line and snaps immediately.

Maybe it doesn't occur in the league at all and the rule is moot. I was just throwing it out there because I perceived this as an issue from things I heard.

Again these are more common sense rules then anything. Maybe they should just be labeled tips.

[Zeppo]

Also, let's be clear about 4th downs. No one should ever have to say 'I am going for it,' or 'I am kicking it.' One should only have to say 'Kick team (or punt team) is coming on the field,' or 'the offense is staying on the field.'

It's a very subtle difference, I know, but the fact is fake punts and FGs are in the game and we have no rules prohibiting their use. I could foresee someone getting a little miffed if his opponent said 'I'm punting' only to then run a punt fake. Saying 'Punt team is coming onto the field,' or such, is clearer to me.

EDIT: Personally I see this as a courtesy more than anything, because a patient defensive player will always be able to wait to see if Kick Team or 3 WR or whatever has been selected by the offense.

So I don't think it needs to be a house rule, but I'm certainly fine with it being so.

[Brando70]

I also like when people give a quick heads up on why they are going for it on fourth down. I'm not entitled to an explanation, but it clears up any thoughts of cheesing ("I can't kick field goals very well and don't want to punt from the 33, so I'm going for it").

Regarding the delay of game, does that mean if you're opponent gets a DoG call after a change of possession, we should decline, since Madden has some clock issues?

[Zeppo]

Regarding the delay of game, does that mean if you're opponent gets a DoG call after a change of possession, we should decline, since Madden has some clock issues?

Yes, that's the house rule. On the first First Down of any possession, a delay of game penalty must be declined by the defense. Only on that first First Down of a new possession, though; no other times. So, after a turnover, after a turnover on downs, or after a punt or a kickoff.

[Brando70]

As a non-playoff team with nothing to do, I checked the tiebreakers to see if they came out okay. I have no idea if this is what EA used or if it's coincidental the alphabetically-advantaged team made it, but as far as the wildcard teams go, it appears the correct teams advanced.

With no head-to-head between Jacksonville and Baltimore, the Jags advanced correctly on their 8-4 AFC record, one win better than the Ravens 7-5 record.

With the Eagles and Redskins, their identical head-to-head, division, and conference records threw it to common opponents, where the Eagles held a 7-1 advantage over the Redskins 6-2 record. Washington's loss to CPU Carolina may have cost them the postseason, while the Eagles playing Oakland in the B.C. (Before Crouch) era may have saved theirs.

[XXXIV]

I've never taken a delay of game on change of possession. I just don't audible or flip or do anything crazy. When you start trying to pick a play and then adjust, it'll happen. But I can obviously adhere to it.

I dont think I have ever avoided one. ...the sad part is I dont even get to the adjust a play part...I get about two a game during the non change of possesion plays. This is why I think we should ban head sets during games..

[Badger_Fan]

The Vikings? Thats the one team I didnt want. (well I didnt want any human team ) ...ummm... Lest see... Positive spin. Positive spin.

The Rams are looking to avenge the 31-6 crushing defeat the Vikes handed them earlier in the season.

I see the Jags made it so we did manage a win against a human playoff team. So it is possible. Hear that Vikings? You are in some deep s***.

The Vikings are humbled to be a part of the playoffs this year. I'm not sure how we can expect to stay on the field with this juggernaut of a Rams squad. I can tell you that I'm going to try to figure out a way to sneak a 12th guy on the field on defense to try to slow down Steven Jackson. That guy is a beast.

I know that we have a lot of guys with flu-like symptoms right now, so hopefully we can heal in time for the game. That said, when would the Rams like to play this one? The Vikings have obligations on Friday and Saturday night this week, so Sunday morning or evening would probably be the best bet.

Tonight? works for me...or you can tell me when on sunday.

I can't do tonight, we're having my wife's grandparents over for dinner. I'll let you know about Sunday. My guess is that 9:30 or 10pm CDT will work for me, but I'll let you know for sure.

[XXXIV]

I can't do tonight, we're having my wife's grandparents over for dinner. I'll let you know about Sunday. My guess is that 9:30 or 10pm CDT will work for me, but I'll let you know for sure.

Cool. Anytime sunday night will work for Me.

[Slumberland]

Anyone want to play a tune-up exhibition some time this weekend? Obviously the rosters wouldn't be quite right, but I don't like the idea of playing a playoff game coming off a game against the CPU... the CPU instills some bad habits in me. PM me.

[TCrouch]

Sure, I wouldn't mind.

[TheTruth]

Eman,
what time is good for you? Obviously Sat nite is out for me. So most likely Sunday night starting around 9 central.

[eman]

Eman,
what time is good for you? Obviously Sat nite is out for me. So most likely Sunday night starting around 9 central.

Wow, that's cutting it close, but works for me.

Sunday night 10pm est - see you then.