Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

[REDRZA]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

This is a huge concern for me as well.. by the looks of most of the video clips of Madden 11, it just looks like the offense is overpowering the defense.. I realty hope that's not the case. A good football game is well balanced on both sides, and knowing EA sports history of Madden games it leaves you wondering and a bit concerned. Also I do hope that superstars and huge DT's like LBzrules mentioned do have an effect on how running game plays out. Meaning that you see a difference with such players and how they affect the running game. Balance is key..

Exactly what i was thinking. The double teams look beautiful, and anyone that knows me knows im a ground and pound player, but i get a weird feeling that the running game might be a bit overpowered from watching those videos.

Like the above poster stated, i really hope great defensive players and teams can disrupt and push into the backfield. No way the great NT's get pushed around like that. Also, above and beyond the great defensive linemen, i hope the great run stopping LB's can shed blocks and make plays appropriately. EA has shown in the past that they somehow can't find BALANCE. Either things are overdone, or don't work at all.

I REALLY hope they tested these double teams against EVERY front, including all manual slants and stunts. Even the great running teams (Like my Jets) can be FORCED to have to throw. Defenses put guys up in the box and force the pass. Hope this holds true in Madden.

[ttmatt]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Just read the blog. Everything looks awesome. The videos look great. I love running the ball, so this is something I've been waiting for. This type of stuff is what gets me excited again. This is actual core gameplay improvement. I'm a little concerned about the defense. The defense has been getting the short end of the stick recently. I just hope its balanced well.

[Allyn Wake]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Jesus ppl before looking for something to complain about .. read pages 4 and 5 an listen to wat PGaither84 was saying about the game ...

[BigZell20]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

I'd like to know what difficulty the videos were shot on. I play on All-madden and watching lineman completely wiff, or not even attempt to block a guy directly in my path is quite frankly...maddening.

[HolyCrap]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Seems like the Linebackers and Safeties were LOAFing out there. tsk tsk tsk.

The Linebackers need the engage the blocks or do something to get around them they are just sitting there and then get blocked.

[J Masta J]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

This better be on rookie, because those LB reactions were TERRIBLE. They were more on par for how LBs would read and react in HS, NOT the pro's. In the NFL, reads are made in less than a second...thinking is the enemy. The LB's in these videos react horribly slow. In fact, they don't even begin to fill gaps until the FB is 1 yard past the LOS! Plus, the interior linemen are double teaming DT's DOWNFIELD! Even as a high schooler, i would've diagnosed this play far quicker than these virtual pro's did. This better be on an easy setting or sliders better be consequential or else...

(this is all from the Jets v Chargers vid)

[J Masta J]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

I have to say...the kick out block on the counter looked FANTASTIC. and it was great seeing linemen get down field.

even so, reaction time by LBs WAY to slow. the misdirection on this play isn't even that much...the FB does go right, yes, but TWO guards pull left. LB's would be moving at that point.

Same with the stretch...i like the blocking mechs, the double team and go to second level, but those LB reactions are GOSH DARN AWFUL. Honestly, a double team block could not possibly be sustained for 2+ seconds if the OL hopes to also pick a backer up. They're chip blocks at most, and we aren't seeing that right now.

As for the Power-O, the reactions are still bad, so I won't harp on that. But watch 69, the pulling guard...a little bit of suction blocking there???? I watched it from every angle and 2/3 of the time it looked like yes, but the last angle looked like it was natural... and that pancake animation at the end was a thing of beauty.

all in all, they put in some great blocking mechs, but it will just be a matter of finding the right difficulty level and sliders to make LB reactions realistic, b/cuz they aren't even close in these videos.

[backbreaker]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Jesus ppl before looking for something to complain about .. read pages 4 and 5 an listen to wat PGaither84 was saying about the game ...

I stated this in another thread in response to PGaither84. Every year CD guys come back with glowing things to say and more specifically in commented on the blocking and run game and I chimed in and told him LBzrules said the same thing last year, boasting of changes made on the fly. So forgive me if I don't really get goose pimples when someone at CD tries to re assure us. We get this every year and I've been in these forums since the 90's, Couple that with blog debacle last year.

For the most part CD guys are playing the alpha version of the game. When features are added bugs arise code re-writes features change.

This is why I say show me this stuff in beta form or when the game is complete.

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

I stated this in another thread in response to PGaither84. Every year CD guys come back with glowing things to say and more specifically in commented on the blocking and run game and I chimed in and told him LBzrules said the same thing last year, boasting of changes made on the fly. So forgive me if I don't really get goose pimples when someone at CD tries to re assure us. We get this every year and I've been in these forums since the 90's, Couple that with blog debacle last year.

For the most part CD guys are playing the alpha version of the game. When features are added bugs arise code re-writes features change.

This is why I say show me this stuff in beta form or when the game is complete.

I agree with most of this BB, but you know as well as I do, that it appears this year , the CD folks are more low key than last year, at least that the way it appears to me.

Quite frankly, I like that approach better.

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

This game needs balance. EA should adopt a both-sides philosophy. For every addition/fix, there needs to be equal attention paid to it's opposite.

This. It's been sorely lacking for years

[LBzrule]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

I agree with most of this BB, but you know as well as I do, that it appears this year , the CD folks are more low key than last year, at least that the way it appears to me.

Quite frankly, I like that approach better.

I'll be honest too. I thought the game we would get this year would be what we played at CD with improvements. Last year a lot of notes were made as to what was bad with the game. One issue that would have been a game killer was defensive pursuit. Couldn't anticipate the game being scaled back.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Videos and blogs look good and all. But my big concern is the suction and all that with the new oline blocking scheme. I don't want to see my front 4 get pushed around like ragdolls and all. I'm just afraid suction for the D might be worser this year because of this new run blocking scheme and all. I have to agree with some people on here the D does look to be some what slow at reacting to the play and all. I just hope in the end they have balanced all this out when the game goes gold. Because if the oline is tuned to good then the Oline is going to be way to over power. They really need to make sure both the D and the run blocking is balaced out to make it fun for both sides of the ball.

[seriousluboy83]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

My only question is "why is every play a 10+ yard gain???" I understand showing blocking improvements but hopefully every run won't be a "BIG" run now

[canes21]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

My only question is "why is every play a 10+ yard gain???" I understand showing blocking improvements but hopefully every run won't be a "BIG" run now

Its not smart showing a running back getting 2 yards or losing yards when trying to show off your new blocking.

[g2thecore]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

Its not smart showing a running back getting 2 yards or losing yards when trying to show off your new blocking.

This.