What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

[Matt54987]

To give you an idea of my style, I run a 3-4 defense and that is the side of the ball I am the most effective. I enjoy playing defense much more than I do offense. On offense I love to run the ball moreso than pass and a solid RB is a must.

As I look at possible teams for Madden 11, I am really interested in a team with a good start on defense. Below are the teams I am looking at that are still available. I have pick #17 (based on seniority) and there are still 2 picks left before mine.

New York Jets:

<b>Pros</b>: Great offensive line, fast TE, Revis and Cromartie, 3 solid linebackers in Harris, Scott & Taylor. Kris Jenkins and Shaun Ellis on the line.

<b>Cons</b>: Tomlinson and Greene aren't rated all that hot for my style, and neither is quick (87 and 83 spd I believe). Lacking at safety. Could probably trade Holmes and Tomlinson for a Safety or HB.

Indianapolis Colts:

<b>Pros</b>: 2 of the top 3 defensive ends in Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney. I run a 3-4 so their lack of size is a problem, but it's Madden and a 97 and 95 (i think) at both DE's is huge. Great safeties in Bob Sanders (89 ovr) and Bathea (95 ovr). Manning and Reggie Wayne both provide awesome trade bait. Dallas Clark's speed will be nice as I love passing to TEs.

<b>Cons</b>: Old. Questions at linebacker and corner (only because I don't know the team that well. Colts team ratings are not out). Questionable line with the exception of Saturday, and they really don't have a running back.

Chicago Bears:

<b>Pros:</b> Matt Forte, Julius Peppers, Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Greg Olsen, Hester.

<b>Cons:</b> Secondary and O-line. Not much trade bait with the exception of Hester and Cutler.

Minnesota Vikings:

<b>Pros:</b> Adrian Peterson (duh), solid & fast receivers, Jared Allen (99 ovr) Kevin Williams (97 ovr), pretty good o-line

<b>Cons:</b> No backup if Peterson goes down, secondary is lacking.


I'm really leaning towards the Jets since they seem best setup for my type of play but 1) I was in the AFC East for Madden 10. 2) I like the Colts safeties. 3) I like the idea of running with Peterson.

Teams I had interest in but were taken:

Cardinals
Ravens
Cowboys
Bengals

[LLDirty30]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

Given those criteria I'd suggest the Bills. Don't laugh! They're transitioning to a 3-4 this year and have some decent pieces in place along the DL. Plus they have a pretty solid secondary. On offense you have the makings of a great ground game with 3 good backs, including Spiller who should be electric.

I know they're a team I'm looking forward to taking in a franchise to see if I can build them into a powerhouse.

[Matt54987]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

I was slightly interested in the Bills but they were taken already.

[Dos Peninsulas]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

A bit of a homer pick here, but if the Packers are still available, I would take them. 3-4 defense, Ryan Grant is pretty decent, and the passing game is always open if you have to go to it.

If they aren't, I would probably go with the Jets, they seem like a perfect alternative to the Pack for what you are describing. Although, if you are already sick of the AFC East, that might not be the best pick because you really don't want to get bored when you're supposed to have fun in an OD.

Just remember, if you take the Bears or Vikings you have an automatic two wins a year against the Liedowns.

[Docile Joint]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

My team is going to be the Browns. They run a 3-4 defense, which I like, and it's pretty versatile.

Pros: Jerome Harrison, the Offense line, Josh Cribbs, and the Defensive Line, and the depth of the linebackers.

Cons: Mediocre or Average Quarterback in Delhomme, Below Average Wide Receiver.

[Maelstrom-XIII]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

My team is going to be the Browns. They run a 3-4 defense, which I like, and it's pretty versatile.

Pros: Jerome Harrison, the Offense line, Josh Cribbs, and the Defensive Line, and the depth of the linebackers.

Cons: Mediocre or Average Quarterback in Delhomme, Below Average Wide Receiver.

...let's be honest here, shall we? A backup at best, at this point...

With that said, if you want a 3-4, you might look into the 49ers...Gore is a solid RB, they've got a serviceable offense otherwise (and a great TE in Vernon Davis), and the defense is pretty good...secondary might be seen as a weak spot, but they could definitely be a good team...

[CaliDude916]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

You can't go wrong with the Niners! A great, young team!

[DaCarver13]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

DOLPHINS all the way!
They have everything you need on offense except a receiving TE.
Great O-Line, Stud WR, up and coming QB Henne "A" potential, scrambling QB in Pat White, Power RB in Ricky, Elusive RB in Brown, Sheets good change of pace back, Dynamite Polite at FB, and the defense is young with good potentials. Sean Smith and Vontae will be one of the nastiest CB tandems. Cameron Wake is a sack monster. Only missing piece on Dolphins Defense will be a FS and a SS to replace Bell when as he continues to age.

[Matt54987]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

These teams are available:

Pats - No interest. D sucks
Jets - Top of my board right now
Colts - Top 3 due to Mathis, Freeney and their safeties. Linebacking core probably sucks.
Texans - No thanks
Seahawks - No thanks
Giants - Thought about it but the guy who picks after me is a HUGE fan. I'll be nice.
Green Bay - Thinking about it, but one of the best guys in the league has Detroit
Minnesota - Same as GB
Chicago - Same as GB
San Diego - Wish they had a better secondary. Really like the team and division.

I'm really leaning towards the Colts and Jets. Not because they are so highly rated, but they both have solid defenses. The Jets will probably have the better corners and linebackers, but the Colts will have the better safeties and lineman, with the exception of defensive tackle.

[The Gravy Train]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

Well I'd go Jets or Packers based on what you like. Probably the two best defenses in the league. I'd go with Green Bay because the running game is slightly better, even though Grant isn't that fast. And you can't go wrong with Aaron Rodgers. Dude is a beast, and then you have Jennings and Driver to throw to.

[Matt54987]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

I like the jets passing game. I would probably look to trade holmes since Edwards, cotchery, clowney and Keller are good enough for my horrible passing game.

How is the o line and d line in green bay? Who plays opposite Woodson?

It's nice having cromartie opposite revis

[Dos Peninsulas]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

O-Line wasn't very good last year. A lot of young guys and the couple veterans were injured for part of the year. I believe it was against the Bengals that Aaron Rodgers was sacked 8 times. They will be much improved this year however, and hopefully the ratings show that.

The D-line was pretty solid. Across from Woodson is Al Harris. Linebackers are great too, with Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk, Clay Matthews and Brady Poppinga.

[pac51526]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

Well, the packers first pick is a really solid linemen Bulaga, and they picked up longstanding Tauscher, which, after that they were a solid o-line. also give lineman Lang another year and he'll be in his prime. here's a breakdown of the packers for you

Offense:
QB: nothing to worry about here, 3rd or 4th best in league in madden
HB: Grant is solid, great in short yardage, above average in other situations, they just drafted a real speed demon in stark.
FB: solid in quinn johnson. he'll be a franchise guy
WR: EXTREMELY good core
TE: a soon to be elite TE in Finley, and great depth here
O-line: will be good for the season, expect to lose both tackles after this season, but there are two guys who could start already for them.

Defense3-4..very solid)
DE: great depth and versatility here.
NT: see DE. Raji looks to be an extremely solid NT after one more year
LBs: all 4 starters are good. however, they lack depth Clay Matthews looks to be a great sophmore as does Brad Jones looks to be a solid sophmore
CB: Defensive MVP Woodson will shut anybody down as long as he's not covering speedsters deep (safety help needed on streaks ) Al Harris and Tramon Williams are much better than your average #2 CB although Tramon doesnt get the credit deserved. they have lots of CBs that are slightly below average, but young
FS: Collins is an elite safety
SS: Bigby and rookie Burnett are both viable choices to use


Here are the Jets:
See the packers above and change the names

edit: sorry for the poor grammar guys, been a long day, I may come back and fix it when I wake up

[The Gravy Train]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

Well, the packers first pick is a really solid linemen Bulaga, and they picked up longstanding Tauscher, which, after that they were a solid o-line. also give lineman Lang another year and he'll be in his prime. here's a breakdown of the packers for you

Offense:
QB: nothing to worry about here, 3rd or 4th best in league in madden
HB: Grant is solid, great in short yardage, above average in other situations, they just drafted a real speed demon in stark.
FB: solid in quinn johnson. he'll be a franchise guy
WR: EXTREMELY good core
TE: a soon to be elite TE in Finley, and great depth here
O-line: will be good for the season, expect to lose both tackles after this season, but there are two guys who could start already for them.

Defense3-4..very solid)
DE: great depth and versatility here.
NT: see DE. Raji looks to be an extremely solid NT after one more year
LBs: all 4 starters are good. however, they lack depth Clay Matthews looks to be a great sophmore as does Brad Jones looks to be a solid sophmore
CB: Defensive MVP Woodson will shut anybody down as long as he's not covering speedsters deep (safety help needed on streaks ) Al Harris and Tramon Williams are much better than your average #2 CB although Tramon doesnt get the credit deserved. they have lots of CBs that are slightly below average, but young
FS: Collins is an elite safety
SS: Bigby and rookie Burnett are both viable choices to use


Here are the Jets:
See the packers above and change the names

edit: sorry for the poor grammar guys, been a long day, I may come back and fix it when I wake up

I second this entire post.

[Matt54987]

Re: What team to be in Madden 11 online franchise

Well, after seeing Winfield and Griffin's ratings (87 and 82), I decided to go with the Minnesota Vikings due to that amazing D-line and of course, Adrian Peterson.

Being that I am not a passer I will look to deal any of my wideouts not named Harvin. I just hope Berrian has speed like he did in 10.

Favre will probably retire after the first season, which is bad for trading him but good since I don't need a 92 overall QB eating up cap space. I'm not much of a passer anyway so Peyton Manning couldn't solve my problems.

Thanks for the advice all. Hopefully the LBs and safeties on the Vikings aren't horrid when their ratings come out.