Benching Starting QB's in 11

[Senator Palmer]

I remember a few seasons back Ian ran through a few games before release and posted the stats. I remember vividly him playing the Vikings and noting how Tavaris Jackson was benched after halftime after throwing something like 4 picks in the first half. I was pumped to see this level of detail, which I can't remember even being in the much heralded last-gen Maddens, but alas it never made it to release, and to my knowlege was never brought up again.

Since EA's focus has been to move the game more towards sim, I'm hoping this is one of the many surprises they've got up their sleeves because there are few more annoying a reminder that you're playing a game than being in the middle of a 25-plus point blowout and still seeing the computer with the starting quarterback playing late into the fourth quarter. I, for one, make a point to take out all of my starters when I know I've got a game safely wrapped up. I know that NCAA had a selection in the depth chart menu to sub in an entire second unit.

I don't know how impossible a task this is from a programming standpoint, but if you've got teams tuned to play closer to their real-life counterparts as far as playcalling, then the AIs logic should be able to handle situational subs like it does 3rd down backs and replacing starters after the first half of a pre-season game.

So, here's to hoping that this year the little things are there with the so-called improved AI.

[Blazelore]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

I remember a few seasons back Ian ran through a few games before release and posted the stats. I remember vividly him playing the Vikings and noting how Tavaris Jackson was benched after halftime after throwing something like 4 picks in the first half. I was pumped to see this level of detail, which I can't remember even being in the much heralded last-gen Maddens, but alas it never made it to release, and to my knowlege was never brought up again.

Since EA's focus has been to move the game more towards sim, I'm hoping this is one of the many surprises they've got up their sleeves because there are few more annoying a reminder that you're playing a game than being in the middle of a 25-plus point blowout and still seeing the computer with the starting quarterback playing late into the fourth quarter. I, for one, make a point to take out all of my starters when I know I've got a game safely wrapped up. I know that NCAA had a selection in the depth chart menu to sub in an entire second unit.

I don't know how impossible a task this is from a programming standpoint, but if you've got teams tuned to play closer to their real-life counterparts as far as playcalling, then the AIs logic should be able to handle situational subs like it does 3rd down backs and replacing starters after the first half of a pre-season game.

So, here's to hoping that this year the little things are there with the so-called improved AI.

I believe that was a preseason game.

[stux]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

I agree completely there needs to be GOOD LOGIC that takes players out of games or gives the next guy in line a chance to start.

I just started a season with the last roster update, which for some reason has Kurt Warner as a #3 QB, and the CPU left him there even after Leinart (who was having a bad year) was injured leaving some no name as the starter.

There needs to be some logic that looks at the roster and adjusts depth charts at the start of the season, the middle, and so forth. It needs to look at starts, records (potential to get into playoffs), and potential of younger players.

In HC10 I have seen star QB's (ones you know have the highest potential in the game) get drafted #1 and never even play before getting released into free agency.

[Tengo Juego]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Uh, I'm trying to remember any instances, last season, where a QB was yanked mid-way through the game NOT due to injury. Delhomme maybe? Russell? I cant think of anyone else who was pulled for poor play.

[Pringles]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

not only durring game play does this needed to be added but durring the season the depth chart should change for poor play

[swill43507]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

EXCELLENT POST!!.....You know I am not sure, but I think that NFL 2k5 had this feature.

[mestevo]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Should add a motivation stat that applies a multiplier to some stats when a team is doing well or poorly, allowing coaching hires to influence the effect of motivation, and starting skill position players also affecting the motivation for players on the same side of the ball.

Have motivation carry over from game to game, losing streaks bring players down a notch, upsets provide significant bumps or reset motivation, etc.

Have it all be optional, would end up being another thing to manage in Franchise mode, and would be the closest we'd get to having character issues introduced into Madden I think.

[SA1NT401]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Kyle Orton threw 6 picks in the 1st half while i was playing against the Broncos...Finished with 7 ints...3 of which went back for 6.

Should be some type of fix for that outside of switching sides and pulling them yourself...which i have done several times wth CPUQBs playing GOD AWFUL.

[PGaither84]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Uh, I'm trying to remember any instances, last season, where a QB was yanked mid-way through the game NOT due to injury. Delhomme maybe? Russell? I cant think of anyone else who was pulled for poor play.

49ers vs Texans

Shaun Hill was pulled at half time for Alex Smith. Smith almost won that game. Almost.

[Tengo Juego]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

49ers vs Texans

Shaun Hill was pulled at half time for Alex Smith. Smith almost won that game. Almost.

Did Hill get hurt? I forgot about those two.

[booker21]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

excellent post.

[Pringles]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Kyle Orton threw 6 picks in the 1st half while i was playing against the Broncos...Finished with 7 ints...3 of which went back for 6.

Should be some type of fix for that outside of switching sides and pulling them yourself...which i have done several times wth CPUQBs playing GOD AWFUL.

after throwing that many int there should be a animation of the head coach going ballistic lol

[TheWatcher]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

I remember a few seasons back Ian ran through a few games before release and posted the stats. I remember vividly him playing the Vikings and noting how Tavaris Jackson was benched after halftime after throwing something like 4 picks in the first half. I was pumped to see this level of detail, which I can't remember even being in the much heralded last-gen Maddens, but alas it never made it to release, and to my knowlege was never brought up again.

Since EA's focus has been to move the game more towards sim, I'm hoping this is one of the many surprises they've got up their sleeves because there are few more annoying a reminder that you're playing a game than being in the middle of a 25-plus point blowout and still seeing the computer with the starting quarterback playing late into the fourth quarter. I, for one, make a point to take out all of my starters when I know I've got a game safely wrapped up. I know that NCAA had a selection in the depth chart menu to sub in an entire second unit.

I don't know how impossible a task this is from a programming standpoint, but if you've got teams tuned to play closer to their real-life counterparts as far as playcalling, then the AIs logic should be able to handle situational subs like it does 3rd down backs and replacing starters after the first half of a pre-season game.

So, here's to hoping that this year the little things are there with the so-called improved AI.

I couldn't agree more with the benching code. In fact, I wishlisted this one:

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...bench-him.html

[cinders]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

Nice post. In my Broncos Franchise, I've cycled QBs like a revolving door trying to find someone who works for my system. Currently settled on Vince Young but looks like we're going to miss the playoffs again.

Anyways, my point is that I wish the CPU made changes like this too instead of just defaulting to the best player available...

It bring up the question, do we rely on ratings too much? How do we best measure/simulate the intangibles in sports?

[joejccva71]

Re: Benching Starting QB's in 11

NFL Head Coach 09 has this feature so Madden should have it as well. Maybe it does have it already since we don't know anything about franchise mode yet.