Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

[TeamBuilder]

The Dolphins drafted Pat White to add a new dimension to the Wildcat... the ability to pass and run. But what is the point of putting him in the Wildcat if you're locked into a shuffle and can't scramble out of a pass play? If I want my Wildcat player to be stuck in the pocket then why wouldn't I use a better passer like Chad Pennington or Chad Henne?

Not being able to scramble completely destroys the whole reason to put Pat White in there. As a Dolphins fan I would love to be able to play in my franchise and use Pat White as a weapon... you know, kinda the whole reason the Dolphins drafted him.

The big question is, how come you can scramble on any other play but you can't scramble from the Wildcat? Until this is patched I really see no point in having the Wildcat in the game.

Edit: Also, I hate how I can't audible within the Wildcat formation. I would at least like the ability to switch my running directions before the play. Sometimes I'll pick a run to the right... only to see all the CPU players shifted to the right. In this situation I would love to be able to audible or change my run direction to the left.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

The only problem with is the blocking up front for the human controlled offense. The reason it;s hard to run are throw on the AI the blocking and play the Ai with it's extra boost on pass rush.

[FootballDetails]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

If Pat White is the QB in the Wildcat, it isn't the Wildcat. It's the spread. Sparano took the time to make that distinction.

That said, I understand what you're saying.

[Steelerfan2k1]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

I see your point about Pat White, but when you think about it, EA probably did this intentionally, since having a guy who can pass out of the Wildcat would become the new unstoppable "money play" on-line.

Do you remember a few years ago when people used to roll out on every play with Vick and McNabb? If you could pass out of the Wildcat, people would be abusing this left and right.

I would like to see them do something where the risk of a poor throw would rise or a total breakdown for your OL on plays run from the Wildcat would happen if you ran the Wildcat more than 5 times per game.

[RaiderKtulu]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

Uh... shotgun formation play-action? If it's Vick or White, it's not actually a wildcat anyway. Plus, with the game telling you the offense is in the wildcat, you'll be much more likely to actually surprise someone this way. Of course, it'll be called cheese by most... but, it is what it is...

[emacfenian]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

I'm sure EA did this to prevent cheesing in online play. It would be very difficult for defenses to stop this. The defensive AI is just not smart enough.

[Cryolemon]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

I'm sure EA did this to prevent cheesing in online play. It would be very difficult for defenses to stop this. The defensive AI is just not smart enough.

Then they should improve the defensive AI.

[CW McGraw]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

If EA is committed to making an actual football simulation and not some bastardized attempt at videogame football, the Wildcat needs to work like how it does in real life. If EA couldn't make an accurate Wildcat without destroying the balance of the game, then I'd prefer they not even try.

[Architekto]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

There is no need to patch, if you want to run out of the wildcat then call a choice play simple as that

[Ironic]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

The Wild Cat does run like it does in "Real life"..if u call a pass play you better pass the ball that seems to be the only diff. I dont have a problem with Pat White not being able to "scramble" in the pocket if U want him to run call a run play and if you want him to pass call a pass play.

[MonteCarloFresh]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

If EA is committed to making an actual football simulation and not some bastardized attempt at videogame football, the Wildcat needs to work like how it does in real life. If EA couldn't make an accurate Wildcat without destroying the balance of the game, then I'd prefer they not even try.

No offense, but the Wildcat appears to be a passing fad in the NFL anyways. It worked great for the first half of the season, but just look at tape near the end of the season. The Wildcat was getting shut down. Simply I'm not convinced it is something that is going to work in the NFL. Of course White, Tebow, and Vick could make it interesting; but remember when Atlanta used to run the speed option w/ Vick? That lasted all of one season and was ineffective. I think the Wildcat is something that would be good in goaline situations; but other than that I think the majority of NFL teams will abandon it, because the NFL defenses are just too good.

[CW McGraw]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

No offense, but the Wildcat appears to be a passing fad in the NFL anyways. It worked great for the first half of the season, but just look at tape near the end of the season. The Wildcat was getting shut down. Simply I'm not convinced it is something that is going to work in the NFL. Of course White, Tebow, and Vick could make it interesting; but remember when Atlanta used to run the speed option w/ Vick? That lasted all of one season and was ineffective. I think the Wildcat is something that would be good in goaline situations; but other than that I think the majority of NFL teams will abandon it, because the NFL defenses are just too good.

My point is that because the passing plays in it are so horrendously broken, Madden's Wildcat is just a glorified goal line formation. There is zero threat of an actual pass even with a capable thrower like Vick or White running the offense, so it can be shut down incredibly easy. I don't get why Ian was bragging about giving certain RBs some throwing skills to using the Wildcat when there is no way to throw realistically and effectively from it.

[Cryolemon]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

No offense, but the Wildcat appears to be a passing fad in the NFL anyways. It worked great for the first half of the season, but just look at tape near the end of the season. The Wildcat was getting shut down. Simply I'm not convinced it is something that is going to work in the NFL. Of course White, Tebow, and Vick could make it interesting; but remember when Atlanta used to run the speed option w/ Vick? That lasted all of one season and was ineffective. I think the Wildcat is something that would be good in goaline situations; but other than that I think the majority of NFL teams will abandon it, because the NFL defenses are just too good.

I disagree, and not just because I'm a Dolphins fan. Dunn, Vick and Duckett could have run a triple option offence in ATL, which may not have worked as well as it does in college, but I think would have worked pretty well. I just don't buy this "defences are too good" argument for why NFL teams don't run the option. The reason NFL teams don't run the option is because they don't want their QBs getting killed. Someone like Tebow may change that, since he seems tougher than most QBs. Vick and White are backups, so coaches may be a little less worried about them getting hurt. I'm not saying the NFL will go back to the option, but there may well be a long lasting inclusion of Wildcat / Spread option plays in next few years.

Also, the only teams that really stopped the wildcat were Baltimore and Pittsburgh,two of the best defences in the league.

[bsubenvis]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

....I'm a huge Phins fan, looked forward to using the wildcat...and some 'cat plays the qb/rb has the option of running or passing. So telling someone "pick a running play if you want to run and a passing play if you want to pass" isn't fair. I don't play online so this formation being so whacked was a huge dissapointment. Besides the plays being trash you can't sub the right guys in and out..it may work for one or 2 plays but then it goes back and you can't change ur subs!

[Methlab]

Re: Patch the Wildcat (save Pat White)

The wildcat with the Fins to me is not that great. I was thrown by not being able to scramble with White the first night I got it too. I thought my controller was broken to be honest.

I have run out of the WC and crushed people with Carolina though. Their Wildcat is basically just a run formation, but if you work on your right and left stick skills, you can follow your blockers and get through some big holes.