EA Head Coach 09

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:12 am

McFadden has 2 fumbles in 2 games, but each of them came on really big hits.

I haven't seen an inordinate number of turnovers yet.

Post by **Jared** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:15 pm

I've only got to play a half, and saw three fumbles. However, two of them were the typical Madden clear not-fumble that was reversed.

I played quite a bit last night, taking the Dolphins from the off-season (to do the draft).

- I like the timed aspect of free agency...it really puts pressure on you to make a decision quickly. I signed quite a few free agents, since the Dolphins have tons of cap room. However, there wasn't a lot of variety...you basically wait for all the other teams to bid, and then once there's only one other team left, you make one bid. I've never seen the other team make a bid above that, and you always get the player.

A nice improvement would be having to decide whether you want to submit a bid without knowing if the other teams have bid. It would force you to be involved in bidding, instead of just watching and waiting for the price to stabilize and deciding whether you want to pay one bid more.

- I absolutely love the draft. It is extremely interactive, with lots of trade offers, player information, changes in approval ratings, the ability to trade up and trade down, etc. Playing with the Dolphins, I chose Jake Long with the #1 pick. One minor issue: my GM recommended I choose Long, but I wanted to look and see what teams were offering me to trade down, out of curiousity. In order to look at trade offers, you have to reject your GM's recommendation, which makes him angry. I ended up choosing Long anyway, so that was unnecessary.

With the first pick in the second round, I really wanted to take a cornerback, but there was a run on the position. This was great, because I kept getting tempted to trade up to pick a good corner, but never could make an offer that would make a team trade down. None of my slated corners were available, so I ended up choosing a wide receiver (Devin Thomas). My next pick was late in the second round, and I wanted Brian Brohm. With nearly every pick before my late second rounder, I had to decide whether to try and trade up or hope that they wouldn't pick my guy. (Something that would help: the ability to see the picking team's need in order to judge whether they would be more/less likely to pick a certain position in the next round.) Fortunately, he dropped and I chose Brohm, followed by the corner Godfrey a few picks later.

Finally, with the last pick in the second round, DeSean Jackson was still on the board, as well as a 75 rated corner. I really didn't need a wide receiver, but I wasn't happy with the corners available. So I looked to trade down and got a very good offer from the Ravens. However, there is one thing about Head Coach that isn't very intuitive: once you go into a negotiation screen (whether it be contract negotiations, trades, free agency), you can't back out to do any research. I tried, and lost <b>every</b> trade offer, and was forced to pick Jackson (a pick that the fans loved). You have to remember to do your research before going into any of these screens, or you won't be able to do anything.

More impressions on the actual gameplay later (once I play a few games).

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:35 pm

You didn't need a big play receiver? Have you looked at the Dolphins depth chart at receiver? Yikes. Ginn and that's it...and even he's unproven. Jackson is a great value pick that late.

Post by **Jared** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:51 pm

I had already signed Donte Stallworth as a free agent, and picked Devin Thomas from Michigan State with my 2nd pick. I ended up getting Jackson as he was great value at the end of the 2nd round, but it's a bit of receiver overload with Stallworth, Ginn, Thomas, and Jackson. Four good receivers, and my QBs are Brohm, Beck, and Matt Flynn. Eek.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:31 pm

TCrouch wrote:I punted on 4th and 33. How's that for horrible coaching.

Nah, that seems like the smart play

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:24 pm

I'm diggin head coach also, the 1-2 punch of this and Madden really have scratched my football itch (never thought I'd say that about Madden in recent years!) For the first time I think my 2K5 will be retired.

As my Seahawks I tried to pick up Shaun Alexander as a free agent, but it wouldn't even give me the option to negotiate, I could only decline an offer. Oh well, I guess he is gone for good!

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:56 pm

Loving this game!

It's amazing how time just flies when I'm playing- this is the true spiritual successor to Front Page Sports (at it's height, not the 99 version

). There are a few things that could be improved upon but overall this game is terrific. It's got the depth of a text sim with the graphics of an action arcade (or at least close enough).

Playing the Chargers and just beat the Rams 27-22 in the pre-season. I'm trying to get my first team prepared for the season while still giving the 2nd and 3rd squads enough playing time to allow them to backup the 1st team.

One thing though - I wish there was better documentation for the game. It's a deep game with a ton of screens and things to do and the flimsy instructions are totally inadequate. Poor documentation is hardly the exclusive domain of EA or even sports games these days. It afflicts the entire IT industry.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:09 pm

dougb wrote:Loving this game!

It's amazing how time just flies when I'm playing- this is the true spiritual successor to Front Page Sports (at it's height, not the 99 version ). There are a few things that could be improved upon but overall this game is terrific. It's got the depth of a text sim with the graphics of an action arcade (or at least close enough).

Playing the Chargers and just beat the Rams 27-22 in the pre-season. I'm trying to get my first team prepared for the season while still giving the 2nd and 3rd squads enough playing time to allow them to backup the 1st team.

One thing though - I wish there was better documentation for the game. It's a deep game with a ton of screens and things to do and the flimsy instructions are totally inadequate. Poor documentation is hardly the exclusive domain of EA or even sports games these days. It afflicts the entire IT industry.

I'm glad I got the CE version. I just wish they put this out for the PC like FIFA Manager.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:25 pm

Oh my goodness! I started my coaching career with the Rams at 8am this morning and it's now 1:15pm? Talk about having time fly.. I need to take a week off.

SAVE OFTEN SAVE OFTEN SAVE OFTEN!!!!

I cannot stress that enough.. I was in the 4th quarter of my first preseason game when I got the dirty disk read error..really pissed me off.. so SAVE OFTEN!!! Maybe my Xbox is about to die, who knows?

I absolutely love this game, sure it has some goofy issues, like me kicking a FG on a 4th and goal in a preseason game and my approval rating goes down from a 48 to a 40, WTF!

I'm starting to learn who I can show emotion too and who I can't.. yeah I'm talking to you Adam Carriker!

I signed Terry Glenn and John Lynch and they looked great in the first preseason game, in fact the owner wanted Lynch to get at least 50 plays from scrimmage.

Took me awhile to manage my time properly in-game as I now call the offensive plays and let Haslett call the defensive plays for the most part. Seems to be working thus far.

There is just so many cool things this game has to offer and I'm totally hooked. I made myself quit, but I wanted to play my next preseason game.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:50 pm

So what are you doing while Haslett is calling the plays? I've been too much of a control freak and usually only relax on special teams calls. This game is truly awesome.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:12 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:So what are you doing while Haslett is calling the plays? I've been too much of a control freak and usually only relax on special teams calls. This game is truly awesome.

Checking out my dept charts, looking at player fatigue, stats, etc..

He actually got pissed at me when I called a play and said something like it's my butt if it fails.. lol..

I'll call some when the game starts with the first squad and then let him do his thing with the 2nd and 3rd team.. but offense is my baby!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:53 pm

MizzouRah wrote: but offense is my baby!

Thank you mad mike

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:03 pm

XXXIV wrote:
MizzouRah wrote: but offense is my baby!
Thank you mad mike

I feel like Mad Mike let me tell you.. I have been ramping up my pass plays big time!!!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:14 pm

MizzouRah wrote:
XXXIV wrote:
MizzouRah wrote: but offense is my baby!
Thank you mad mike
I feel like Mad Mike let me tell you.. I have been ramping up my pass plays big time!!!

...yeah the game is a trip and Ill get to it soon...

BTW....Since you are the mad scientist...Dont forget to work in some TE reverses at the goaline.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 9:40 pm

XXXIV wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:
XXXIV wrote: Thank you mad mike
I feel like Mad Mike let me tell you.. I have been ramping up my pass plays big time!!!
...yeah the game is a trip and Ill get to it soon...

BTW....Since you are the mad scientist...Dont forget to work in some TE reverses at the goaline.

Allright, just for you.

I'll also make our new draftee WR Donnie Avery a safety.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:16 pm

I've played this game for hours and hours without a disk error, I think your Xbox is on the outs.

Post by **Jared** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:34 am

A lot of people (including myself) have noted the disc error, specifically in the second half of games. Clearing my cache worked to fix it, and others as well.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:00 am

A lot of people haven't noted the disk error as well, including myself.

Has anyone had it on a PS3?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:37 pm

The Steelers playbook is woefully inadequate and it really surprises me for a game of this nature and depth. There are no dime coverages at all and some of the offensive formations do not have any passing plays. Why couldn't they at least start with the Madden playbook? What is the fastest way to bring it up to an acceptable level? If I create or download plays, which I really don't want to spend much time doing (at least not for standard plays that *should* be there), do I need to have the team learn them? I'm afraid I won't have enough time to have my team learn the 20-30 plays that would be needed before the regular season. It kind of spoils the immersion factor when I take over the Steelers with the same coordinators and none of my players or coaches know how to run a dime defense or pass from two of the basic formations. Plus, I'm wondering what kind of ramifications having a 10 (out of a 100!) rated trainer will have in season one. If there is something I'm overlooking or a screen I missed in the playbook I will gladly call myself a dumbass for not seeing it..just tell me where my plays are!

Don't get me wrong...I'm still on board with the concept, having fun, and will work through the learning curve. I'm just kind of surprised at the WTF moments (playbooks, fumbles, two minute drill, insanely low rated trainers, etc.) for a game with SUCH depth. My first impression is that they should have scaled back the scope and nailed some of the basics.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:48 pm

Is there a demo planned for this game? I haven't played a game such as this since Super Sunday back on the Apple IIC. Obviously, this is FAR more in depth, but I'm not 100 percent I'll take to this game.

How long do games last?

Thanks.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:20 pm

I'm hoping that with 3-5 issues revealed EA lets the team patch this game. I'm getting the feeling they aren't going to. It's too bad because this is one fun game that could be a lot better with a patch.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:27 pm

Well it's funny because none of my other games freeze like this one has twice now.

I played NCAA all night last night, not 1 dirty disc issue.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:04 pm

Haven't had any disc errors (yet) but the game does run very slow for me. Seems to hang a bit between screen which is really frustrating because I'm already not liking the way they've got the mens set-up.

Creating playbooks and plays in this game is such a hassle. Real shame as this was probably the biggest part of the game for me.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:24 am

When I put this in tonight it downloaded an update, I was gone most of last week did they put out an update? If so any idea what it does?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:34 am

I am in playbook hell right now. I am going into my 3rd preseason game and the vast majority of my defensive plays have just disappeared! I thought it was very odd that the Steelers' playbook was so limited so I looked at the default ones (not sure why there is a 'Lebeau blitz' very strong playbook with the same amount of plays as a 'Lebeau's plays' playbook that is weak). There are lots of plays, including dime and quarter defenses, in that one that I can no longer select in my career. I'm so confused right now.

I'm only in the preseason and I don't mind restarting, but what is the best strategy regarding playbooks? Should I create one using the Steelers as a model and then use it when I start the career? When I create a playbook should I add all the possible plays into the playbook? Can I edit that one outside career with the changes reflected in my franchise or Play Now?

I skimmed some OS postings last night and now there is a known bug that is caused by autosaving or by saving on *certain days of the week*! It's great that EA is actively involved in the community, but these bugs that corrupt the injury logic or salary demands are *unacceptable.* Thank God for Internet "testers" or I'd be wondering why none of my players healed and my scrubs demand $10M a year salaries.