OMG Finally had a 100 yard rushing game

[Murkurial]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

Shouldn't have to do what crap? Fundamental football? The things that teams do on Sunday's to have successful running game? Good lord. Look, I understand the point of this post. You needed something to serve as a launching pad for your rant, but come on man, complaining that you must use the O Line shift, or run counters, or stretch plays or mix up your running game is ridiculous. And suckered into buying the game again? Wow, you need some will power man. Seriously.

If the AI defense didn't already know what you were doing on every pass play then you'd have a point. Counter, stretch, O-line shift, no matter what you do if the CPU knows you're running and stacks the box you wont get very far. Especially if your line doesn't block (which they never do). The mere fact that someone has to answer his question about having running trouble with an "All you have to do is..." response, and then proceed to list about 3 things that guarantee good yardage everytime is a clear display of EA once again seeming to promote the money play, whether on the run or the pass. The AI is so cheap that you must find those 2 or three plays that work all the time. Which is what everyone has done. If you pass 3 times consecutively and then out of the same formation switch to a run, the defense normally shouldn't know what you're doing (at least that's how it usually happens in real life). Then the O-line shifts can be used and you can actually use your team's full arsenal of running plays. Since the AI knows when you're going to run and pass you just have to find those plays that you know they can never stop, regardless of what defense they pick.

I think there's a reason why so many people are having problems running and there are only a select few (who have to change the sliders to fix it; putting run blocking up seems like it'll fix things but it still doesn't really seem like a "fix"; it just makes it easier for you to run rather than having the CPU actually adapt in the way that EA has advertised) that are able to run well.

I have a friend who's a diehard football fan. Lives and breathes it. Plays the demo to death before the game comes out, tries his best to get it early and plays the sh*t out of every Madden each year. He's already traded it back in. This game, much like Live, seems to cater to the little kids and the casual (read: unaware of how the sport is really supposed to be played) gamer. Of course this has all been said before but it just kind of annoys when people seem to wanna make excuses for it all the time. Real football strategy cannot be applied to this game. Especially not with the running game.

[Vikes1]

I play Franchise mode with the Vikings.

Only fair that I mention that. [O-line pretty darn good, and of course AD.]

I do struggle to run quite a bit...but I have rushed for over 100 yards a number of times. I use a lot of I-formation and adjusted my blocking scheme. Myself, I'm happy it's difficult to run, or I wouldn't be using the balance I'm forced to use with my offense.

Overall for me, I'm happy with the difficulty of the running game this year.

[Brooklynnets24]

i would be happy too but the difficulty is too unrealistic

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Murkurial

If the AI defense didn't already know what you were doing on every pass play then you'd have a point. Counter, stretch, O-line shift, no matter what you do if the CPU knows you're running and stacks the box you wont get very far. Especially if your line doesn't block (which they never do). The mere fact that someone has to answer his question about having running trouble with an "All you have to do is..." response, and then proceed to list about 3 things that guarantee good yardage everytime is a clear display of EA once again seeming to promote the money play, whether on the run or the pass. The AI is so cheap that you must find those 2 or three plays that work all the time. Which is what everyone has done. If you pass 3 times consecutively and then out of the same formation switch to a run, the defense normally shouldn't know what you're doing (at least that's how it usually happens in real life). Then the O-line shifts can be used and you can actually use your team's full arsenal of running plays. Since the AI knows when you're going to run and pass you just have to find those plays that you know they can never stop, regardless of what defense they pick.

The thing is though, these plays that were mentioned aren't money plays. And your post suggests that same sentiment as well. You say that you can only have success by way of money plays, but go on to say that the defense knows exactly what is being called.

My suggestion is that you mix up the run, run inside, outside, counters, draws, and use play action pass. Some games you have to set up the run by throwing the ball. Sometimes its vice versa. I play with the Raiders who, at best, have an average offensive line and I can gain yardage on most plays. Sure I get knocked down in the back field occasionally, and sometimes I bust a 15+ yard run. Also, just because I call a stretch play, doesn't mean that I have to run outside. If I run a stretch play, and I see they are over pursuing to that side, then I look for a cutback lane. If I'm running up the middle and its clogged, I bounce outside, or at least try to. If I run 3 straight times to the right of my offensive line and then run a counter, usually its effective. Always? NO, but more often then not. Does it mean that I am going to rattle off a major gain? Again, no, but I usually can get 4+ yards which is a good average for any ball carrier.

Shifting the O-Line works as well. Also, I move TE's, FB's and WR's to try to either load up where I'm running, disguise where I'm running, or "unbalance" the defense to the side I'm running. Also, I am aware of who's who on defense. If there is run stopper or a good linebacker, I try to run away from them.

Honestly, its just doing whatever you can to keep the defense off balance.

Quote: Originally Posted by Murkurial

I think there's a reason why so many people are having problems running and there are only a select few (who have to change the sliders to fix it; putting run blocking up seems like it'll fix things but it still doesn't really seem like a "fix"; it just makes it easier for you to run rather than having the CPU actually adapt in the way that EA has advertised) that are able to run well.

I don't change sliders nor use the Madden IQ. I play on default All Madden, the same way I have for the last 10 years or so.

Quote: Originally Posted by Murkurial

I have a friend who's a diehard football fan. Lives and breathes it. Plays the demo to death before the game comes out, tries his best to get it early and plays the sh*t out of every Madden each year. He's already traded it back in. This game, much like Live, seems to cater to the little kids and the casual (read: unaware of how the sport is really supposed to be played) gamer. Of course this has all been said before but it just kind of annoys when people seem to wanna make excuses for it all the time. Real football strategy cannot be applied to this game. Especially not with the running game.

I am a diehard football fan as well. And I haven't traded it back in. And I'm not here to make excuses, just to offer advice. What enjoyment you get out of the game really makes no difference to me, because at the end of the day, I enjoy the game and thats priority number one. I am here to try and offer advice and insight as to how and why I have success running the ball or what have you. Either my advice/tips work for you or they don't. But I don't like being accused of making excuses for the game. I have no reason to. My account balance, enjoyment, nor fun factor changes or is influenced by what enjoyment others get out of the game. This site has offered me great tips and advice by way of variuous and numberous community members throughout my tenure here at OS. I am just trying to "arry on that tradition" and give something back.



-CB