Madden 12

First topic message reminder :

Hey guys, I don't post in this section too often (generally lurking...), but I'd like some of your feedback and tips for Madden 12.

I got this game over Christmas and basically haven't stopped playing it. It was the first I'd had since 2009 and I thought it was excellent.

But one thing that was bothering me, and still is, is the difficulty of passing the ball. The defense swarms all over my receivers taking them out of the game, and then any time I have someone open it seems to be overthrown or picked off by some marauding safety/corner/linebacker.

I play on all-pro at the moment, but I get the feeling I need to bump down to pro to work on my passing. Defense and rushing is pretty good, and I don't really have issues with them, it's just my poor QB has just about the worst stats in the league each year...

I'm on a franchise with the Raiders at the moment and I won the superbowl in the first year on pro difficulty, but since going all-pro have gone 6-10 in back to back years, with barely any passing TD's. If Darren McFadden goes down I think I'm stuffed.

Is anyone else finding these problems, or is it just me? Are there any tips you have to improve my passing game?

Its better than years before and I like the extended pre-season rosters, especially if someone goes down in pre-season.

I still think the AI is lacking, but that's not just in franchise. Too often it abandons the teams strengths or makes dumb defensive calls. I also think the draw plays and some of the PA plays are still pretty much redundant as the blocking and defensive behaviors are still unrealistic.

PS am I the only one that finds the CPU often stays competitive for a half and then just wilts? I was playing against the Panthers last night and came back from 6-0 down to 7-6 with 2 minutes left and then scored a TD either side of the half and it was then effectively over. It ended up something like 49-12.

One thing that annoyed me was after the pre season cuts if you go to free agents you find players like Paea (Bears) Muhammed Wilkerson (Jets), Luiget (Chargers) etc. These guys were 1st round picks with 'A' potential, why did the computer cut them?

On the plus side i now have a pretty nasty d-line with Quinn, Wilkerson, Luiget and Long....

Not quite like that skins, but one thing I do get is if I score a few without reply, generally they fold and I can get it up to 44-0 or 48-0 to give two examples of results in my last season. And that was against good teams with good records, too.

But then against other sides, sometimes poor ones, you're scrapping all the way! I like the unpredictability to be honest.

One glitch that gets me is they go on about the new era of overtime, and not winning it with a FG on the first drive...well they still do win with a FG on the first drive!

I don't know if there is an option I'm supposed to enable or something, but it isn't the new rules on my version!

Sodhat - the new OT rules only apply in the playoffs this year. In the regular season OT is still sudden death. Not sure about next year and onwards.

Yeah, what I found strange though was that the commentators go on about us playing under new OT rules...and then they are the same.

But you're right, it was a regular season game, and I've not been in OT in the playoffs yet so maybe it's my misunderstanding.

You mean you actually believe the commentary?

I had a pick six last night and Collinsworth said the usual "He gambled on the pick and missed now they have a long gain" spiel. Almost as bad was the RB fumbling and the commentary referring to it 2 drives later! It may just be me, but were it not for the marginal addition tot he atmosphere and the total comedic value, I'd turn it off!

skins4ever wrote:You mean you actually believe the commentary?

I had a pick six last night and Collinsworth said the usual "He gambled on the pick and missed now they have a long gain" spiel. Almost as bad was the RB fumbling and the commentary referring to it 2 drives later! It may just be me, but were it not for the marginal addition tot he atmosphere and the total comedic value, I'd turn it off!

Haha, yeah, I notice a lot of nonsensical commentaries too, that one you mentioned is one that I've often scratched my head on.

My favourite is when getting a touchdown in the 1st quarter to go 7-3 up, the commentators will say "and they've added to their early huge lead!", and I always think, hold on, I've only just taken the lead!

Nope, just remembered the best one. When the camera shows one of the QB's and their stats and says 'He's been the impact player today'. Its OK when the guy is having a good game, but when he's at 30% completion, 50 yards passing and 2 INT's he's not what I'd call an impact player!

Ha, yeah that's another one I get. I always used to rationalise it as them saying "well, we didn't say it was a good impact..."

Sometimes just crowd noise alone gets me into a game. The commentary has gotten worse over the years. Jerrell Jernigan always gets a mention but then players who actually start like Ballard get called "Number 85".

EA need to make the comms on Madden how they are in NHL 12 and MLB 2k11. I couldn't believe how close to the real thing the comms on those two games are, it's excellent and unbelievable when held up against a big competitor like Madden.

A lot of draft picks just get called by number, but then some are called by name if they're familiar.

The one thing that irritated me (almost to the point where I was glad he retired...almost) was when they give the defensive starters, they would always have the same spiel about Nnamdi Asomugha being a cerebral football player... I can hear it in my head even now. Every damn time!

sodhat wrote:A lot of draft picks just get called by number, but then some are called by name if they're familiar.

The one thing that irritated me (almost to the point where I was glad he retired...almost) was when they give the defensive starters, they would always have the same spiel about Nnamdi Asomugha being a cerebral football player... I can hear it in my head even now. Every damn time!

How about this off the top of my head for the Giants D

"And here's the defense, lead by excellent defensive end Justin Tuck out of Notre Dame. A 2 time pro bowler, a player who has always been overshadowed by someone else on the defensive unit", and then Cris gives some speech about how he's always loved Justin Tuck and this is his big year.

Anybody on PS3 want to post their gamer tags and ill add you, play a game sometime....

I've found a cheat sheet for the draft on franchise mode! You have to put in the position of the player eg QB, then the height like 61 no spaces and the weight 215 for example and the first letter of the school they go to. Then it gives you all the players rated at potentials A and B in the draft! Works a treat.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/sampora/M12/CheatSheet.html

There is an easier way to do it ollyrules. In the scouting part, just select to show the potential from highest to lowest. If you dont know which way round it is, there are more likely to be 1st rounders with A potential....you can find bargain players in the 3-7 rounds with potential.

Its the square button the ps3 to change field order....

That is easier but I like the cheat sheet cos it makes me feel as if I've got my own draft board!!!!!

Best tip ever!

If only I hadn't just gone past the draft!

how long is evryones franchise
games last?

I play 10 minute games cherries

15 min FTW

I usually play playoff games and hard looking regular season games ie. Away games

with this game ive found problem with the difficulty,
if u have defense on easy, i tend to get tons of picks, but if i put it harders i get torched. there isnt an inbeetween

The step up from pro to all-pro was very marked for me this year cherries. I played a season on pro, found it too easy, won the SB and so thought that I'd be fine on all-pro... I went 4-12 in my first season

It came around though and now I'm consistent and I haven't had a losing record since season three and rarely losing. Point being I had to take a looong time practicing the game before I became any good at it.

Defensively I'm actually finding it pretty good.

if i play all-pro, i torch teh offence and cainof defence,but on all ,maddem, i still torch on O but get torchedd on D. im very good v teh run but QB average 400+yard v me in teh air, 2nd season i gave up only 3 100+ yrd rushers
so ive made my custome D which works half teh time and not the other half.

anyway half way thru season 3 15 min Q
QB Dakota Riley 88 EXP1 PotA
HB Marshawn Lynch 91 EXP6 PotA
FB Robinson 78 EXP7 PotB
WR1 Baldwin 86 EXP2 PotB
WR2 Jefferson 82 EXPR PotB
WR3 Tate 76 EXP3 PotC
TE Miller 82 EXP6 PotA
LT Okung 84 EXP3 PotB
LG Gallery 81 EXP9 PotB
C Dixon 69 EXPR PotB(undrafted)
RG Moffit 78 EXP2 PotB
RT Carpenter 83 EXP2 PotB


Defense
LE Clemons 91 EXP9 PotA
RE Bryant 86 EXP5 PotA
DT1 Branch 86 EXP6 PotB
DT2 Mebane 85 EXP6 PotA
LOLB Wright 90 EXP2 PotA
MLB Hawthorne 88 EXP5 PotB
ROLB Bolton 91 EXP1 PotA
CB1 Browner 88 EXP3 PotA(Age29)
CB2 Sherman 85 EXP2 PotB
CB3 Dickerson 83 EXP1 PotA( 7th round )
SS Chancellor 95 EXP3 PotA
FS Thomas 95 EXP3 PotA

Special
K Haushka 77 EXP5 PotB
P Ryan 87 EXP7 PotB

sodhat wrote:I think you're probably right skins, it's the only way I could explain it, because I certainly never cut them! But then I look in FA before my first pre-season game and I don't see them there either, so I've not a clue.

How is everyone finding franchise in general? I'm really enjoying it to be honest, I'm 9 years in as the Raiders already. I think I have addiction problems. I still can't throw the ball very well though

Its got to be one of the CPU auto functions.
May be to fit your roster into the necessary limits (especially considering injuries lowering your "active" players) before the season. Theoretically the CPU would get rid of the worst players on the roster, however it will only do so if that doesn't invalidate the roster further so may end up releasing others.

Linebacker is an obvious place for the CPU to blindly make cuts because the "active" limit for MLBs is only 2 despite the fact that it seems sensible to have say 4 (thats how many I have on my Texans franchise because it's a 3-4).

Does seem strange if your talking about before 1st preseason game though because your roster is much bigger by default then so it would be very hard to break a roster size rule.

MockingJay33 wrote:

sodhat wrote:A lot of draft picks just get called by number, but then some are called by name if they're familiar.

The one thing that irritated me (almost to the point where I was glad he retired...almost) was when they give the defensive starters, they would always have the same spiel about Nnamdi Asomugha being a cerebral football player... I can hear it in my head even now. Every damn time!

How about this off the top of my head for the Giants D

"And here's the defense, lead by excellent defensive end Justin Tuck out of Notre Dame. A 2 time pro bowler, a player who has always been overshadowed by someone else on the defensive unit", and then Cris gives some speech about how he's always loved Justin Tuck and this is his big year.

I think I have those practically ingrained in my memory from my Houston franchise.
Gus: "Now time for the offence, which is lead by the SENSATIONAL Andre Johnson out of the University of Miami who just may be the best WR in football"
Cris: "Well Gus I have to totally agree..." etc

Gus "Now for the defense, which is a group that is steadily improving and let by defensive end Mario Williams out of NC State..."

when it does teh thing with the top 5 efensive players it always says they have something to prove even tho there are 2 95 safteys, a 91 LE a 91ROLB and a 90LOLB. the ROLB broke all kinda record in his rookie year

Well at least Joe Buck ain't commentating

cherriesfan wrote:how long is evryones franchise
games last?

I originally played 12 minute quarters with accelerated clock @ 20 seconds. Lowered to 11 mins after 1st season because I was getting too many plays despite trying to be totally realistic in my play-calling.

My difficulty is based on an All-Madden slider set, adjusted slightly which I think makes it All-Pro (I heavily lowered INTs on my side and raised them on the CPU because otherwise they literally throw none and I throw millions which are totally undeserved. Also increased my defensive reactions a bit else you get totally burned by long runs).
Haven't got the completely up to date ones because its on the PS3, but the benchmark I got off the net was as follows and makes for a pretty competitive game if a little high on "big plays" for the CPU to keep it in the game...

Game Options
Injuries 50, Fatigue 53, Game Speed: Slow, Speed Threshold 50
Penalties
55, 48, 50, 53, 99, 99, 99, 51, 99, 52, 99
Player Skill
Passing: 20, 0, 40
Rushing: 5, 40, 25
Pass Defence: 5, 25, 35
Rush Defence: 40, 0, 35
Computer Skill
Passing: 20, 0, 40
Rushing: 5, 40, 25
Pass Defence: 5, 25, 35
Rush Defence: 40, 0, 35
Special Teams
45, 70, 50, 70, 49

------------

Generally I enjoy franchise though I don't play tonnes of PS3 games in general. Went 13-3 in year one whilst adjusting sliders etc and won the AFC South on the back of Arian Foster. Got thumped in the playoffs by San Diego at the first hurdle.
Year two i'm currently 4-2.
Still never beaten the Tennessee Titans... its ridiculous... they have the potent combination (for these sliders) of a speedy running back and a tall dominant number one receiver who just rack up the yardage.

I have numerous gripes about franchise still. I hate the UDFA system because of how the CPU uses it. Its not intelligent and gets fooled by the "fake" ratings put over the top of players and thus cuts players who are quite obviously better and leaves teams with backup O-Lineman who are in there 40s despite numerous better players being in free agency.
Another example is the Browns drafted a QB in the 2nd round, but he was listed as a 4th stringer all through pre season because it decided to give two UDFAs a go (over even Colt McCoy) in preseason because they had 99? ratings... I promptly sorted this my making them Punters which is a tactic I have had to use far to often to force the CPU to cut horrendous players from skill positions where I would notice them in the stats.

Also don't like the rotation in preseason. It does a horrendous job at certain positions, notably WR, TE, P and CB. I don't want backup tackles in as TEs, I don't want Arian Foster as my #1 receiver, Andre Johnson is not a Corner, I don't want my punter kicking or visa versa.
Yet in the one game I sort of want rotation (the Pro Bowl) it leaves out the starters all game.

And if you look at things on a game by game basis you'll note how the CPU frequently plays 3 QBs in simulated games... even when it only has two on the roster... Say hello to Dave Zastudill throwing 3 INTs on a 1/16 passing performance despite the fact the other two QBs were absolutely fine. It frequently decided to pull Tom Brady out in the 1st quarter of a close Divisional game with Pittsburgh as well

crazy_dave23 wrote:

sodhat wrote:I think you're probably right skins, it's the only way I could explain it, because I certainly never cut them! But then I look in FA before my first pre-season game and I don't see them there either, so I've not a clue.

How is everyone finding franchise in general? I'm really enjoying it to be honest, I'm 9 years in as the Raiders already. I think I have addiction problems. I still can't throw the ball very well though

Its got to be one of the CPU auto functions.
May be to fit your roster into the necessary limits (especially considering injuries lowering your "active" players) before the season. Theoretically the CPU would get rid of the worst players on the roster, however it will only do so if that doesn't invalidate the roster further so may end up releasing others.

Linebacker is an obvious place for the CPU to blindly make cuts because the "active" limit for MLBs is only 2 despite the fact that it seems sensible to have say 4 (thats how many I have on my Texans franchise because it's a 3-4).

Does seem strange if your talking about before 1st preseason game though because your roster is much bigger by default then so it would be very hard to break a roster size rule.

Best suggestion I have is try to handle as much offseason activity for your team as you can. i.e. don't auto sign FA's or draft picks etc. You may have enabled something to be handled by the CPU and its screwed up. I tend to deal with everything even the stadium enhancements!

I remember someone mentioning a trick on the scouting screen, where sorting by potential even when the attribute is masked will show you who is A.

Does it work with overall rating too?

I tried sorting last night, and although it sorted by position, in each position it seemed to sort them in some sort of order - was that who was best at each position?

Beware about relying too much on potential. Its always dependent on their starting rating. If they have high POT but low OVR in year one, you could take years to get them improved and still be in the 80's/low 90's. Sometimes you are better off with a player that scouts in the 80's with low POT.

what evryone best draft pick

got an 85 rated HB in round 5
A potential of course

Haven't got his ratings to hand, but QB picked at around #14 in the draft. 2 seasons leading league, league MVP and Pro Bowl, plus 1 SB win.

cherriesfan wrote:what evryone best draft pick

got an 85 rated HB in round 5
A potential of course

I picked a wide receiver with #4 pick, and he has gone on to a 98 rating after 7 seasons and was 91 after his first.

I can't seem to pick a decent QB! I always end up with a dual threat but I want someone to just stand tall and make all the passes. That's why I asked about the draft thing really, there is a 7th round pick at QB that looks like he has A potential, and he was top of the list when I sorted by OVR, so I wanted to check if it meant anything. Think I'll draft him anyway, I need depth at QB...

Yeah that works as well. You can select any category, overall, potential, strength or whatever and it will put the players in order even if its masked.

Sodhat - if your QB was at the top of the overall then he will have the highest rating too, with A potential.

Skins4ever - thats true mostly with free agent pickups, ie. real players. I find most of the draftees with high potential also have high ratings, so they become excellent in the first few years of their career. I got a FS with A potential in the 7th round rated at about 83.

If you want a good QB, arm strength is useful but accuracy is key. Madden has QB's with mid to low accuracy occasionally throw ridiculously wayward passes that push your INT levels up.

Sam_Bradford_8 wrote:Yeah that works as well. You can select any category, overall, potential, strength or whatever and it will put the players in order even if its masked.

Sodhat - if your QB was at the top of the overall then he will have the highest rating too, with A potential.

Skins4ever - thats true mostly with free agent pickups, ie. real players. I find most of the draftees with high potential also have high ratings, so they become excellent in the first few years of their career. I got a FS with A potential in the 7th round rated at about 83.

Thanks, I'm now excited to go and pick him once I get the playoffs out of the way!

He's projected as 7th round, but I assume I won't pick till at best #27 so I think I might have to take him 5th round.

Do you play with a salary cap sodhat?

I usually just draw up a list of who i want in the draft then pick them the round before they are projected. I dont worry too much about drafting a projected 7th rounder in the 4th round etc...

I do have the cap, yes. I've missed out before on targets that have gone before projections so I'm a bit hesitant to miss out on this one, so who knows, I'll see what else I need and what I can get and maybe I'll just pick him high up to ensure he doesn't go elsewhere!

Yeah thats happened to me before too...annoying.

you could probably get him in the 5th easy enough, just incase. his money wouldnt be that much anyway, especially for a potential franchise QB....

[quote="Sam_Bradford_8"]Yeah thats happened to me before too...annoying.

you could probably get him in the 5th easy enough, just incase. his money wouldnt be that much anyway, especially for a potential franchise QB....[/quote]

He'll be my third attempt at that

I feel a bit bad for potentially dumping my starting QB, because we have won the SuperBowl both seasons he has been with us, but he has a very low passer rating, and gives far too many picks. He is 89 overall, but that seems mostly to be based on arm strength, and speed/agility, because his accuracy is low on all three counts.

I do have a sneaking suspicion that I am just rubbish at throwing the ball though!

I think madden throws a fit sometimes, i could go a run of games of not throwing an INT then suddenly throw 3 in 1 game.

I like to use a real life qb, suppose im lucky we have Bradford, who developes nicely in the game.

ha whn i t a jm such as mr HB, i always sign thm to 7 yars dals on tiny salarys

cherriesfan wrote:ha whn i t a jm such as mr HB, i always sign thm to 7 yars dals on tiny salarys

And in English?

my e thing dont work
when i get a jem such as my HB i always sign them to 7 year deals on tiny salarys

cherriesfan wrote:my e thing dont work
when i get a jem such as my HB i always sign them to 7 year deals on tiny salarys

You'll be a GM in no time

sodhat wrote:

cherriesfan wrote:my e thing dont work
when i get a jem such as my HB i always sign them to 7 year deals on tiny salarys

You'll be a GM in no time

Not at teh Skins or Cowboys he won't...