Madden 06 Passing Frustrations

[gstelmack]

So having played another game of Madden last night and watching some football today, I've finally figured out what makes me hate the Madden passing game:

1) DBs react to ball MUCH better than WR. You throw a ball to a receiver, every DB on the field is turning and heading for it while all your receivers continue to run their routes. How the DB is keeping up with a non-targeted receiver sprinting down the sidelines while watching for the ball to be thrown to someone else is beyond me. Plus, I can't count how many times I throw the ball to a receiver only to have him stand there and let a DB or LB cut underneath him for the throw. I'm not talking about the defender reaching out at the last second to poke the ball away (which is fine), but how often a receiver won't come back to the ball at all and will instead yield position to the defender.

2) Ball takes FOREVER to reach the receiver, allowing 4 defenders to converge on it. You throw the ball to anyone in the middle of the field and it's guaranteed 3 or more guys will be there when it arrives. I'm watching these types of routes get thrown all day today in the NFL games and the ball is usually to the receiver before most defenders have a chance to react to it. And I'm talking in Madden about defenders racing 20 or more yards to converge on the ball (especially that guy chasing my other receiver on a fly pattern down the sidelines stopping, turning, and racing back to the middle of the field and 20 yards back to get in on the pass defense).

Basically, I think they need to put some zip on the football when thrown, give the receivers some of the AI upgrades they've given the DBs, and have a DB that isn't looking at the QB stop reacting to the ball the instant it is thrown.

I'm enjoying the rest of the games, but these bits are just making it maddening (pardon the pun) to try and get a passing game going. Most of my yards are coming on the deep bombs when the receiver outjumps the DBs (and I've had to up the accuracy / pass catching to allow these or I wouldn't have ANY passing game at all). Anything intermediate near the middle of the field is a waste of time.

Anyone notice these same problems and figure out how to adjust their passing attack to compensate? I'm working on more short patterns, but there just aren't many in the playbook, giving me few options.

[Maple Leafs]

Sure, they could do that. But then the 1% of Madden fans who play the game for 18 hours a day would complain about it being too easy, and you can't have that. Those guys are your target audiencec, not the other 99% of the audience who doesn't feel like taking a PhD course to figure out how to play a football game.

[kingfc22]

It's an EA game. What did you expect.

[Desnudo]

I have some problems with the passing game, but I find fast players can beat players on the cut over the middle or deep. As an example, I PA Bethel Johnson of NE into a streak, and a lot of times he burns the CB. I also use hooks a lot to create space. If you throw med-deep over the middle then 99% of the time it's getting knocked down or intercepted though.

[TroyF]

I'm having a great deal of success with passing on Madden '06.

Short routes aren't a problem. quick slants, outs, curls, all will work depending on the type of defense being used. The short passes will actually set up the deep route. Short crossing routes are money if you can get pass protection. Make sure you have an alternative pattern or you roll the QB out if there is a blitz.

[INDalltheway]

I have some problems with the passing game, but I find fast players can beat players on the cut over the middle or deep. As an example, I PA Bethel Johnson of NE into a streak, and a lot of times he burns the CB. I also use hooks a lot to create space. If you throw med-deep over the middle then 99% of the time it's getting knocked down or intercepted though.
Everyone online does that shit to Johnson.. I'm not bragging or anything, but I have played a lot of Madden the past two years, and I feel like I have gotten the passing game under control. I use the Colts, which helps, but I just have plays that work against almost any kind of defense... If you are gonna use a zone against me I will pressure one area of the zone and make the AI make a decision on who they are covering, and toss it to the other player.. I agree passing over the middle is near impossible against zones, but man-to-man it is very effective. The more you play the more comfortable you will get with the passing. Trust me!

[Philliesfan980]

Do you guys play PC or Xbox? I have both and am trying to decide which one to start a dynasty with.

[gstelmack]

I'm playing on Xbox.

[Northwood_DK]

Do you guys play PC or Xbox? I have both and am trying to decide which one to start a dynasty with.

I recommend FOF2004 for PC.

[TroyF]

I'm playing on the XBox.

You don't need the Colts or crazy skills with the controller to make the game work. It's a matter of pre snap reads and understanding if it's a zone or man to man coverage.

It's not that complicated. This is the best EA game in a long time.

[Philliesfan980]

I'm playing on the XBox.

You don't need the Colts or crazy skills with the controller to make the game work. It's a matter of pre snap reads and understanding if it's a zone or man to man coverage.

It's not that complicated. This is the best EA game in a long time.

Outside of MVP baseball, I'd have to agree. I've been playing for both systems (PC and Xbox). Xbox looks painful after you've been playing on the PC for awhile :). Was just wondering if there are any franchise issues that anyone has heard of for the PC that would really prevent me from starting a franchise on it.

Why, oh why can't EA release NCAA 2006 for the PC? Do you know how much fun we'd have with that!! They have every other product setup for it! (LIVE, MVP, MADDEN, NHL)

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm playing on the XBox.

You don't need the Colts or crazy skills with the controller to make the game work. It's a matter of pre snap reads and understanding if it's a zone or man to man coverage.

It's not that complicated. This is the best EA game in a long time.
Finally got to play this after 7 weeks away from it, and I have to agree. I'm enjoying playing Madden on my TV again :)

[Raiders Army]

Xbox:

Try using the vision cone. The DBs will definitely react to where you're looking. If you look off a receiver, chances are he'll be in single coverage, even in a cover 2.

Try using precision passing. If you're running a slant throw it to the inside of the receiver. If you run an out, throw to the outside. If your receivers are much taller than the DBs, throw it above them. I finally figured out in one of the passing drills on All-Madden, you need to use precision passing (the one with the rings).

Hope that helps.

[INDalltheway]

Just got done beating a few people's ass' online (including a top 2000 ranked player :D) and wanted to add a few things.. Being calm in the pocket is a key... The few times I made horrible passes I got jittery and was moving when I was throwing, which is something you CANT do! Also, stepping up in the pocket, moving outside, and throwing the ball away all need to be understood. I try to take a quick glimpse of the rush then immediately go down field to see who I believe is going to be open. If I feel a hard rush I always have my checkdown reciever figured out pre-snap..

Another BIG thing is uncovered recievers.. If you are in a 3-wide set and they leave your slot guy uncovered you have so many options.. You can just do a quick seam, swing route, or even a flat route and it will almost always be there.. Don't forget about your TE's either. They are probably the best guys to throw to in situations when they are on an undersized LB or maybe you have one of the top TE and their speed is so much better than the LB. So just look at matchups, they really are important. I am not sure about you guys but I really can't play this game against the computer. I play all of my games online...

[TroyF]

Just got done beating a few people's ass' online (including a top 2000 ranked player :D) and wanted to add a few things.. Being calm in the pocket is a key... The few times I made horrible passes I got jittery and was moving when I was throwing, which is something you CANT do! Also, stepping up in the pocket, moving outside, and throwing the ball away all need to be understood. I try to take a quick glimpse of the rush then immediately go down field to see who I believe is going to be open. If I feel a hard rush I always have my checkdown reciever figured out pre-snap..

Another BIG thing is uncovered recievers.. If you are in a 3-wide set and they leave your slot guy uncovered you have so many options.. You can just do a quick seam, swing route, or even a flat route and it will almost always be there.. Don't forget about your TE's either. They are probably the best guys to throw to in situations when they are on an undersized LB or maybe you have one of the top TE and their speed is so much better than the LB. So just look at matchups, they really are important. I am not sure about you guys but I really can't play this game against the computer. I play all of my games online...


I'm the opposite. I play all of my games against the computer AI. I don't want to have five hundred pre snap audibles on both sides to deal with. With just a couple of slider tweaks, I have a fun and challenging time against the computer AI.

[Ironhead]

If anyone has XBox Live and wants to hook up for a game my Gamertag is Leondegrance.

[gstelmack]

Xbox:

Try using the vision cone. The DBs will definitely react to where you're looking. If you look off a receiver, chances are he'll be in single coverage, even in a cover 2.
This is probably my biggest issue. I still have thumb-fumbl-itis every time I try to switch who the cone is pointing to (usually leading to me getting sacked trying to switch off my reads), so I need more work. Would not surprise me if my biggest problem is maintaining the vision cone too long on one receiver. I'll work on this, thanks for the suggestion.

Try using precision passing. If you're running a slant throw it to the inside of the receiver. If you run an out, throw to the outside. If your receivers are much taller than the DBs, throw it above them. I finally figured out in one of the passing drills on All-Madden, you need to use precision passing (the one with the rings).
Sometimes it works, but way too often I end up overthrowing a guy by trying to place the ball in front of him to avoid the trailing DB.

[Raiders Army]

If you end up overthrowing a guy, that's better than an INT. :) Also, who are you using as a QB? Brady?