|
The Swammi Previews Madden 98
In this
issue of the Coach's cookbook we will focus on some general strategies
and approaches that you should take to the game.
Bye Bye
Bread N Butter
Everyone
that has played this game thus far has come to the consensus that Liquid
AI (artificial intelligence) is not artificial. Gone are the days
of going for it whenever you want to on fourth down. If you want to win,
you better learn how to punt and settle for three. Also gone are those
money plays. You know the ones you could count on over and over to work
for you whenever you got yourself in a jam. You know, those bread n butter
plays. They will still work for you, but not on every third and long,
and not on every fourth down either. This realistic approach comes welcomed
by experience players as well as the PFL because each opponent wants to
out coach the other. We don't want to be at the mercy of a game that has
unrealistic 75 yard bombs and a double hitch play that not even Deion
Sanders can defense. This is why Madden 98 is far superb to 97. Despite
the fact that 98 has yet to stand the test of the time and the PFL, for
that matter, we spoke highly of 97 when it first hit the market as well.
But soon, we had it figured out and was scoring in excess of 100 points
on the computer set in the Madden level mode. But not so fast on 98. The
defense it much better. They respond faster and cover better. Although
Jerome Bettis can still bulldoze over five or six tacklers, you must know
how to tackle good in order to stop him. Just like in real football.
Madden 98
brings a realistic approach to the running game as well. No longer will
Barry Sanders just go outside whenever he chooses against the computer
or a well skilled opponent. Now Barry can still get his 100 yards, but
you have to call your plays right and mix up your passes and runs to keep
the defense off guard. Just like in real football.
And how about
that double flag the Cowboys and 49ers ran to perfection last year that
no one could stop consistently. Or that 20 yard drop back by Jeff Blake
as he picked the defenses apart on the TE Slant play. Not so fast this
year fellows. Too many of those plays called back to back and you'll hear
Summerall saying"interception". And scoring......everyone I've talked
to is scoring on the average under 20 pts.. a game or less. Just like
in real football.
So how does
one beat the game? Well beating the game is not as challenging as it is
to win the Super Bowl on the Madden level. Because Liquid AI not only
adjust to you as the game goes, it makes season adjustments as well. Before
we discuss plays, lets discuss keys to winning.
Have
a game plan before you play a skilled opponent. Understand
how you plan to mix the run and the pass and what ways you want to keep
your opponent off guard.
When calling
plays, don't always use the same formations for the same plays. In other
words don't always throw screens from the three wide and run from big
or jumbo. You must mix it up from all formations so you don't tip a very
observant opponent to your plays.
Use your
audibles to your advantage. You should always have three checkoff plays
for blitzes, 8 man fronts/presses or zone coverages. Here is one instance
where it would be to your advantage to call all your audibles form the
same formation. This way the defense is not tipped by a formation shift.
Learn how
to run the ball to control possession and control the clock during the
game. Run from the I formation and use your lead blocker. And most importantly,
follow the play the way it is designed. The old Maddens let you break
to the outside easily if a hole is clogged. You better think again in
98!. Follow those blocks!!!. Quick runs up the middle like 3 wide/I/HB
Lead, can pick up consistent yards because sometimes they hit the defense
before they can adjust. Don't run outside without a blocker. If you are
going to run a HB toss or sweep, you best put a man in motion, preferably
the TE if you are running to the weak side to help with blocking.
In the next
issue we will discuss passing and how it complements the run.
| 