NFL Head Coach Football

Well, I just got back from a whirwind trip down to EA Sports in Orlando to take a look at NFL Head Coach football. For those of you that are true fans of the game of football, I think you are really going to like this game.

I was a bit skeptical when they told me it would be a strategy simulation using the Madden engine. I had thoughts of coach mode in the regular Madden game with a touch of franchise.

I was wrong!

This game really has a ton to offer players that love football. There is plenty to do as you take control of the everyday aspects of coaching an NFL team. Not only are you the coach, but you are the GM as well. You'll handle the draft, assign your scouts with players to take a look at, prepare gamplans, and then call the game from the sidelines.

This month we've devoted our entire newsletter to previewing what we saw down at Tiburon. The newsletter is in Adobe PDF format, so if you don't already have the free reader, go to Adobe.com and download it.

You can find the newsletter at http://www.vgsinet.com/newsletter/Madden-Vol3.pdf

Enjoy!

P.S. - When you are done with the newsletter, surf on over to our Madden forums and let us know what you think about the game (http://www.vgsportsinc.com/forums)

Getting back to the basics

Here are some general tips you may already know, but for those who are new to Madden Franchise, they will help get you started:

• Learn to pre-read the defense. That is the one of the main keys to successfully moving the ball down the field. Use motion to see if the defense is playing man or zone coverage. Look to see if your opponent uses the Man Shift Cover Audible. If so, read to see what the linebacker and safeties do. They will generally tip off what type of pass coverage the defense is in (Cover 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4). Look for linebackers or safeties creeping up near the line of scrimmage; this almost always spells blitz.

• Using audibles are important on both sides of the ball. Be sure to know each one and what they are used for. We like to have a good mix of run and pass audibles on offense. Generally, two runs and 3 pass plays work well.

• Hot routes are one of our favorite tools on offense to take advantage of mismatches or to flood zones.

• Do not be bland while on offense. Do not get in the habit of always running on first down or throwing on third down. Be creative, and most of all keep the defense off-balance by running plays that your opponent would never predict. Players who are predictable on offense are shut down the quickest.

• Use motion to create mismatches or to confuse the defense. You can often get a fast receiver or a halfback matched up to a linebacker, simply by putting them in motion.

• Use a balanced attack unless your personnel dictates otherwise. What we mean by this is there are teams in Madden 2006 that just do not have the personnel to be a running team or, on the flip side, a passing team. Play to your team's strengths, not to your team’s weaknesses.

• Speed kills on the cyber football field. You can never have enough speed on both sides of the field. We like fast receivers and halfbacks on offense. On defense, fast defensive ends, linebackers, and defensive backs can make life a lot easier when playing Madden 2006.

Player's Bowl III - Legends Playground

‘The camaraderie’
‘The COMPETITIVENESS’
‘THE FRIENDSHIPS’
‘THE CREWS’
‘The Love of the Game’

BCA/MWS/KOTC ARE YOUR SKILLS READY???
ONCE AGAIN ITS ON!!! “PLAYERS BOWL III “THE LEGENDS PLAYGROUND”
APRIL 8TH, 2006
Original Players Bowl MC CURLY TOP returning to the stage
@ THE FAMOUS HOLIDAY INN (BALL ROOM)
4TH AND ARCH STREET in DOWN TOWN PHILADELHPHIA
WALK IN REGISTRATION BEGINS 10:30AM SHARP/ Tournament is On XBOX CONSOLE
For Rules and all Information about the tournament & to Pre-register Today goto www.gametimephilly.net

Come ball with the best of the Best Madden Ballers in the country at “THE LEGENDS PLAYGROUND” PLAYERSBOWL III
Lou Tillery, SandMan, Curly Top, ****y Lou, Young Gunnz, Big Gene, Tommy Gunnz, T-Roy, Big Game James all past winners of the famous Major GTP tournaments you hear about. All These Ballers have played here to go on to become Legends in our community. Will you be the next one? The Stage is set for WWA’s own Big Game James to defend his PLAYERSBOWL II title against the Best of the Best Madden Ballers in the country.

APRIL 8TH $3000 in Cash & Prizes (Payout Based on participants)
Gametime Philly Ballersclub Tournaments ARE NOW ON XBOX CONSOLE this season just like PLAYERSBOWL II back in October so (bring your own Xbox controller) Yes PS2 converters are welcome so you can use PS2 controllers and that link is below if you want to order one (PS2 CONVERTER LINK) http://store.videogamecentral.com/xbjoyboxcoco.html

10:30 am Walk In Registration Begins/ 12:00 SHARP TOURNAMENT START TIME after rules are read.
(Any that arrive at the tournament after we possibly eclipse 128 Ballers registered those
Remaining ballers will go into a Lottery selection tournament just to get into the PLAYERSBOWL, so be late at your own risk) If you’re late, we don’t want to hear it cause “THAT’S YA BIZZNESS”

We are going back to OLDSCHOOL TOURNAMENT FORMAT to see what the ballers are really made of!!!!!
HOB & BMB POOL HALL STYLE !!! 1ST round Best Two out of three vs the selected opponent then its Single elimination from 2nd round on. So All Ballers are guaranteed at least 2 games maybe 3 if you need that to finish him. (NO SWITCHING BRACKETS PERIOD)!! The later you arrive for registration the worse your bracket selection will be !! Its all on you. Pre-register then you definitely will be separated from the rest of your crew at least 3-4 brackets. Those crews traveling 8 or more need to arrive on time or pre-register their roster at least the night before or risk being placed near a bracket with your crew in the first 2 rounds. We are not holding up the tournament for 6 or 7 guys because you decided to come down stairs from your hotel room when you wake up 1-2 hours late. So if you arrive late then As Moni Luv from 100.3 the beat says “that’s ya bizzzness” !!!! Those that are requesting Bracket match ups for first round submit it to Commish Storm before the tournament and both ballers must be paid in full for us even to entertain the match up being selected to the bracket. Ask Top this is when you call your nemesis out !! This is where you see what veins are made of Ice or stone when its all on the line!!

SPONSORED BY GAME CRAZY, ARENA BASKETBALL LEAGUE & GTP SimsportsCenter

$60 Pre-registration up to March 24th (Pre-register online at www.gametimephilly.net) TODAY or mail in pre-registrations (call Commish Storm for address and detailed information) 484-904-7151

Regular registration is $80 after March 24th and that will be strictly enforced at the door just like last time.

I REPEAT GTP TOURNAMENTS ARE NOW ON XBOX CONSOLE just for this year so (bring your own controller)
PLAYERSBOWL II was on XBOX and we had a great turnout so don’t ask why its not on PS2.

Every year the who's who of Madden is always there at the GTP Finale Tournament.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP, PHILLY THROWBACK, PLAYERSBOWL I AND now PLAYERSBOWL III

ITS TIME TO MAKE HISTORY AGAIN !! The Leaders of the underground Tournament circle are back for another exciting Finale Tournament at the Holiday day Inn in Philadelphia at 4th and Arch streets in down town Philly. Last Years at Playersbowl I back in March Ronzillas Team The FIRM Debut their full team as they stood firm in front of a crowd of over 175 standing room Ballers and spectators as they rolled through the toughest killas some say ever assembled under one roof for a Major tournament. Will there be another new crew we introduce to the Legends Playground. Ballers from the Philly, Jersey, New York, DE, CAli, VA, Baltimore, DC, Boston, Detroit, Cleveland and even the Mississippi area. They come from all over for this one every year!!!

EBC,GTP,BBC, NYBC,WBC,,WWA,THE FIRM,VG SPORTS, MA, BMB,HOB,BBFL,KOTC,NCBC
VA,DC AND CONN AND MISSISSIPPI and the list goes on……

IF YOU WANT TO BE BIG A DOGG YOU GOT TO PLAY WITH THE BIG DOGGS “WHERE THE LEGENDS PLAY”
THIS IS WHERE THE BIG DOGGS PLAY!!!! All the best MADDEN BALLERS will be there
WILL YOU???

Some XBOX 360’s WILL BE available for a possible 360 consolation Tournament if we get enough interest after the 3rd and 4th rounds of the PlayersBowl single elimination when TVs free up. So 360 Ballers come support your community and you get to strut your Next Gen Skills too. The new Fight Night will be available as well so enough interest we can set something up there too.


GAMETIME PHILLY BALLERSCLUB presents “ PLAYERSBOWL III” – THE LEGENDS PLAYGROUND
APRIL 8TH, 2006
@ THE FAMOUS HOLIDAY INN (BALL ROOM)
4TH AND ARCH STREET
DOWN TOWN PHILADELHPHIA

(Food available just like last time from Cheese Steaks, Chicken Fingers, Fries, BBQ chicken and the list goes on)

(Hotel reservations link coming soon)

Pre-register online Today and save at www.gametimephilly.net

For more info email Commish Storm at Bobby@ballersclub.com or call at 484-904-7151

Madden Nation Mixtape

Madden Nation Mixtape now available for only $6.99!

The popular Madden Nation Mixtape is now available for just $6.99 only at CDbaby.com . Featuring exclusive Madden tracks by artists such as B Real, Minus P, & D Lo, this CD is perfect for not only fans or Hiphop music, but fans of Madden as well. Inspired by the John Madden Football video game series, Madden Nation Mixtape Volume 1 is a collection of songs that anyone who plays Madden can relate to. Get yours now at this low price while supplies last!

The Madden Nation Mixtape was also made recently available through several digital download services such as iTunes, Music Net, & Music Now. You can download tracks individually or pick up the whole album. Just search for Madden Nation Mixtape at any one of these online services and you'll have immediate access to the songs!

A retail copy of the Madden Nation Mixtape is available at the following online stores:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/maddennation

http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=CDB1120430012

Madden Filmroom Updates

March 13, 2006

46 Bear Gap Pressure - This week in the filmroom we take a look at two 46 Bear defenses that bring the heat on the QB with the FS. The first of the two 46 Bears defenses is the Gap Pressure. This Cover 0 man defense is designed to get heat on the QB from the right side of the offensive line with both the ROLB and LOLB blitzing. Instead of having the ROLB and LOLB blitz with their default pass rush assignments, we playmaker them to blitz straight down. We also add another blitzer to the mix by bringing the FS down in the box to add even more pressure on the QB. Here is how we set up the 46 Bear Gap Pressure.

46 Bear Sam Snake - The second 46 Bear defense we want to show this week that brings the heat from the FS is the Sam Snake. This blitz is set up almost the same way as the Gap Pressure, but instead of the LOLB blitzing, he drops back in man coverage. With the LOLB not blitzing, only the ROLB blitzes from the outside. He normally will be picked up by the RT, but the FS blitzing up the gut usually gets in.

I Close FB Flare - This is another sneak peek at plays you will see in the new guide (to be released end of March). I get PM’s everyday asking this question. What plays do you think I should run out of this playbook? The key to every playbook is not the money plays like many people try and look for and stuff down your throat. The reason why is that every top player that has any respect for his game will lab counters for them. Basic plays can set the table for the money. The series of plays I showed do this. Now let’s look at the FB Flare.

Split-Back Twins Flats - What I have been doing over the past few write-ups is going over some plays to give you an idea on how effective the Seattle and Detroit playbook can be. In this filmroom I’m going over very basic plays that can generate big yards and have simple reads. This play is on the same line of what I’m talking about. The Split-Back is a WCO formation that has lost favor over the years. In the Detroit playbook you will find some decent plays. You’re able to pound and pass well out of it. We will set-up the pass to set the table for the pound.

Evolution of Madden

The fun thing about Madden, is that it continues to evolve throughout the year. Like many games, it does not become stagnant. There is always something new to learn and implement into your game.

This is not unlike the NFL where coaches continually adjust their schemes and plays to create new looks. If you have a steady group of friends that you play with, after a while you will learn their tendencies and they will learn yours.

You've got to do something to shake them up. Throw them something that they haven't seen before. Implement a new tactic. Do something DIFFERENT!

That's where the Virtual Filmroom for Madden comes in. Each week the team at VG Sports develops FRESH new strategies that you can implement into your current game plan. New blitzes, new offensive plays and new techniques that will have your friends scratching their heads at your game.

PLUS, you get our full library of tips and strategies all the way back to August when Madden 2006 was released. This is a ton of content to pull from!

You can sprinkle these plays in with your current style, or better yet use what you have learned to develop and perfect your own game plan.

You get the best of both worlds. Money plays that you can use right away, plus the thought process behind them to inspire your own schemes.

To find out more about the Virtual Filmoom and view another great sample breakdown, visit:

http://www.maddenfilmroom.com

Madden Filmroom Updates

March 6, 2006

Pollard Option - This is a very basic play that allows you to move the ball well and still be in a running formation at the same time. Now we all know to protect our icons this late in the year. Now with those schemes we can run I formation without worrying about Icon Watchers. The point of this write-up is to see how certain routes work well that many over look.

Quarter Normal Prevent -This week we want to show a defense that some may not consider running because it's designed only to stop the deep pass. With a few adjustments, the Quarter Normal Prevent can be a solid defense to call against players who like to run corner, post, or go routes, plus it can get pressure. It also can be somewhat effective against curl routes.

Shotgun Trips Bunch Clearout FL In -One of the better pass routes in Madden 2006 to beat Cover 3 coverage is the Out-N-Up route. This route is deadly against Cover 3 coverage because the CB lined up across from the receiver running the Out-N-Up route will get out of position and won't be able to make a play on the ball. In this write up, we show how use this route to beat Dime Normal Cover 3.

TE Crosses - This play breakdown is to give you a sample of what kind of plays you will be seeing in the Detroit/Seattle Playbook Guide. The TE Crosses gives you the best route options to choose from when you’re in the pocket and it also gives you a different route look when people are playing against you. Since you are formation shifting to enhance the play, it will be harder to read and defend. It’s effective vs. man/zone, and can give you hot options vs. the blitz.

FREE Madden 2006 Bootcamp

Here's just some of the tips you will get in your FREE Madden bootcamp:

Master the art of the Pre-Snap Read. Man Lock on. Man Lock Off. Zone Lock on. Develop this skill and your QB rating will soar.

Destroy 8/9 In the Box defenses. We show you how you can light up the defense when they sell out for the run.

Bust up the Bump-N-Run. We'll show you how to break open your receivers and punish those corners.

Bring the Heat!! If you can put consistent pressure on the QB, then you can force bad throws and create turnovers.