By DaBilster
MWS Insider

NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 2, 2002) -- If you didn't get to come down for the Battle on da Bayou, you missed out on a hell of a tourney! We fielded 28 ballers and right at the start PC, Lou and I set some ground rules early to test the effects for Nationals:

Same-position subs
Some part of the DE's need to stay on the screen
No DL stacking
No moving of any special teams players before the snap (line shifting, widening rushers, etc.)
No "Diggly-Wop" plays allowed where guys purposely execute a combination of audibles to get a blown coverage.

The tourney went off smoothly and without a hitch! Gameplay lasted about 9 hours as we had 9 divisions (8 divisions of 3 and 1 division of 4). The round of 16 featured some heavy hitters, but it of course came down to the 2 favorites: Lou and Trap. To make a long story short, Lou was just too focused and on-point for Trap in this one, winning 21-0 in one of the best displays of defensive secondary play I have personally ever seen.

There were some fellas from both New Orleans and Texas that the Madden community will get to know because they made names for themselves today:

Elton (Texas) - blasted his way past Big Smoothe of the NOMB 56-7 and took out #10 PC by

a score of 49-22! Advanced to the round of 8 before falling to a young cat named Shean 56-31.

Professor "X" (Texas) - utilizes the mobility of McNabb to the Nth degree and will cause alot of cats to rethink their view on QB play. If you leave a hole, he will tuck-n-run, utilizing superior stick control to leave your defenders in the dust. Dangerous player ... made final 4.

Showtime (Texas) - another juggernaut that went to the final 8, eliminated by the eventual champ, Lou, in a defensive battle by a score of 25-14. Utilized excellent stick with the Rams on both sides of the ball. Smart, patient baller. Lives in Texas, but born and raised in DA Big Easy!

Shean (New Orleans) - youngest gun in the tourney may have made the most noise. Guided

The Raiders past his round robin foes by a combined score of 76-35. Pounded his opponents in the rounds of 16 & 8 before playing defending National Champ Lou Tillery. In the best game of the tourney, Shean took a 20-19 lead with around 1:45 remaining, forcing the champ to drive for a winning score. Shean held Lou and forced a 50 yard FG, which of course Lou hit to advance with a 22-20 win, but this young cat, which regularly spars with Lou, made his mark this weekend. Some sort of freakin' defensive genius!

For all of you "computer catchers" out there, let me warn you. These guys will eat yo' lunch if you ain't out there fighting for that football! Computer catchers took it on the chin, bay-bee! As it has always been the case, he who masters the stick, controls his own destiny. So if any of you fellas out there plan on bringing the "Swan Lake Ballet" receiving corps with you to Nationals, don't waste your time or money ... you won't get very far.

All-in-all, the rules implemented worked very well and gave a good feel to each and every game as field position became the buzz word of the day ... which is what real football is all about! PC tested those rules in LA, we tested them here, and so far the results are thumbs up!