John Madden Football

[Vanhalen]

Any tips for the sort of plays I should implement in John Madden series on the PS2, Im a pretty good player, but just cant get into the scoring opportunities, I can get good yardage, just those final few yards

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Best thing to do, imo, is to get used to a team and its players and playbook. You'll find some plays that work really well in certain situations and do that.

 

How far away from the end zone are you when you start having trouble?...

[the max]

I've found a lot that using plays that have some guys running short routes work well because then the defense starts coming up and you can go deep.

[kkktookmybabyaway]

I usually just have Alstott punch it in. Sometimes I'll get Tony Gonzalez on a slant (franchise mode) but I've usually had disasterous results when throwing from five yards out...

[starvenger]

As TMQ would note about the real game, if you've got 1st and Goal from under 5, then pound, pound, pound (and pound) it in. If you feel cheap, go no huddle with the same play.

 

1st and Goal from over 5, try for a play action, or go for short outs using a 4-receiver set. Don't try for too complicated a pass play, as you'll probably just get picked. Also, I've found that a counter run is effective, but then I use backs that are more agile than powerful.

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Ugh. Every time I use Play action my QB gets sacked.

 

Counters can be really effective if you get the defense on a blitz -- or they can be really bad if the D is blitzing in the "wrong" direction.

 

Another tactic I use sometimes is to go in 4-5 WR sets (not in shotgun formation though) and do a running play. If you have a WR or two with good blocking skills (I picked up T.J. Houszmandez-the-guy-from-Cincy for this reason alone) then you might be able to blow by the D's Nickel/Dime formation...

[starvenger]

Counters can be really effective if you get the defense on a blitz -- or they can be really bad if the D is blitzing in the "wrong" direction.

Very true. Normally I'll look for "tells" and switch it up if necessary. Same thing with play action - if it looks like a blitz, I'll call an audible.

 

Of course, sometimes the blitz is pretty well disguised, and I end up SOL. But what's a little video football without getting really pissed off at the AI?

[kkktookmybabyaway]

What pisses me off is the passing accuracy and pass blocking of the AI -- thank God for sliders. I moved up my slider a notch in CPU throwing accuracy for my last game because I felt I was at an advantage, and their rookie QB, with a 77 accuracy, lit me up for 150 yards in the first quarter. However, he came back down to earth and ended up throwing only 250 yards and 5 INTs. The hightlight of that game came when I threw an INT, the LB began running with it and fumbled. I recovered and got a first-and-10. I ended up punting, but at least I moved them back 40 yards.

 

Oh, and my !@#$ kick returner fumbled the first two kickoff returns in the second half...

[Guest Crazy Dan]

A play that I like to use within 5 yards of the goal line is to use playaction, while sending my TE out on a quick out. So the defense expects a run, giving me just enough time to dink a pass to the TE, who will get in more times than not.

 

Otherwise, I agree that pounding the ball in with a quality RB or FB. If you have a quick QB, then I recommend calling a passing play which sends your WR's out while running to one side or the other. Then you just tuck the ball and make a break towards the end zone.

[Red Baron]

If you have a QB that can run very well, use it. Its one more weapon they have to stop, and it can get you a few good yards if the defence doesn't expect it.