We really appreciate IGN dropping the ratings for everybody, but their format leaves a bit to be desired.
We've cleaned things up a bit and put them in a format that is easier on the eyes. We've included only the most important attributes for each position, as well as our one-of-a-kind visual power ratings system so that you can tell at a glance where your team's strengths and weaknesses lie.
Also, with Run to Daylight and Lead Blocking being the big feature this year, we have put together something we call the Run Power Rating.
This is a VG Sports special. We've combined the most important run blocking ratings for each team's offensive line to give you a visual indicator of which teams you can pound the rock with best.
Anyway, you can view these all at http://www.maddentips.com/rosters
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Season behind the Season - Part IV
By Ron Jackson, VG Sports
Tournament Style player prep: Ten months and a few days since the release of the last Madden and I'm just starting to wind down. Things are crazy all year. From the first day I get the game until the next one comes out it’s a constant effort to get better, to keep labbing and trying to find something in the game that I can use to exploit my opponents defense. People have all sorts of names for this, but they rarely just give us the credit for developing the skill to consistently make some aspect of the game work....
Full Article
Tournament Style player prep: Ten months and a few days since the release of the last Madden and I'm just starting to wind down. Things are crazy all year. From the first day I get the game until the next one comes out it’s a constant effort to get better, to keep labbing and trying to find something in the game that I can use to exploit my opponents defense. People have all sorts of names for this, but they rarely just give us the credit for developing the skill to consistently make some aspect of the game work....
Full Article
Madden Challenge Schedule
Looks like we are still looking at Xbox 1 for Pros and Xbox 360 for Rookie challenge.
2006 EA SPORTS MADDEN CHALLENGE
Schedule
DAY DATE SCHEDULE VENUE
Friday 1-Sep 1 Denver Invesco Field
Sunday 3-Sep 2 Minneapolis MetroDome
Saturday 9-Sep 3 Indianapolis RCA Dome
Sunday 10-Sep 4 Chicago Solider Field
Saturday 16-Sep 5 Green Bay Lambeau Atrium
Sunday 17-Sep 6 Detroit Ford Field
Saturday 23-Sep 7 Atlanta Lenox Mall
Sunday 24-Sep 8 New Orleans Superdome
Saturday 30-Sep 9 Cincinnati Newport on the Levee
Sunday 1-Oct 10 Pittsburgh Heinz Field
Saturday 7-Oct 11 Boston Gillette Stadium
Sunday 8-Oct 12 New York Grand Central Station
Saturday 14-Oct 13 New Jersey Jersey City Mall
Sunday 15-Oct 14 Philadelphia King of Prussia Mall
Saturday 21-Oct 15 Baltimore M & T Bank Stadium
Sunday 22-Oct 16 Washington DC Fed Ex Field
Saturday 28-Oct 17 Charlotte Concord Mills
Sunday 29-Oct 18 Tampa Raymond James Stadium
Saturday 4-Nov 19 Houston Reliant Stadium Park
Sunday 5-Nov 20 Dallas Texas Stadium
Saturday 11-Nov 21 Phoenix Cardinal Stadium
Sunday 12-Nov 22 San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
Saturday 18-Nov 23 Los Angeles Hollywood & Highland
Sunday 19-Nov 24 Oakland McAfee Coliseum
Friday 24-Nov 25 Seattle Qwest Field
Sunday 26-Nov 26 San Francisco Metreon
International - TBD
27-Jan 27 Mexico city, Mexico TBD
13-Jan 28 Toronto, Canada TBD
4-Feb 29 UK, London TBD
4-Feb 30 Frankfurt,Germany TBD
Jan 31 ASIA TBD
Online tournament
Nov-feb 32 online
2006 EA SPORTS MADDEN CHALLENGE
Schedule
DAY DATE SCHEDULE VENUE
Friday 1-Sep 1 Denver Invesco Field
Sunday 3-Sep 2 Minneapolis MetroDome
Saturday 9-Sep 3 Indianapolis RCA Dome
Sunday 10-Sep 4 Chicago Solider Field
Saturday 16-Sep 5 Green Bay Lambeau Atrium
Sunday 17-Sep 6 Detroit Ford Field
Saturday 23-Sep 7 Atlanta Lenox Mall
Sunday 24-Sep 8 New Orleans Superdome
Saturday 30-Sep 9 Cincinnati Newport on the Levee
Sunday 1-Oct 10 Pittsburgh Heinz Field
Saturday 7-Oct 11 Boston Gillette Stadium
Sunday 8-Oct 12 New York Grand Central Station
Saturday 14-Oct 13 New Jersey Jersey City Mall
Sunday 15-Oct 14 Philadelphia King of Prussia Mall
Saturday 21-Oct 15 Baltimore M & T Bank Stadium
Sunday 22-Oct 16 Washington DC Fed Ex Field
Saturday 28-Oct 17 Charlotte Concord Mills
Sunday 29-Oct 18 Tampa Raymond James Stadium
Saturday 4-Nov 19 Houston Reliant Stadium Park
Sunday 5-Nov 20 Dallas Texas Stadium
Saturday 11-Nov 21 Phoenix Cardinal Stadium
Sunday 12-Nov 22 San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
Saturday 18-Nov 23 Los Angeles Hollywood & Highland
Sunday 19-Nov 24 Oakland McAfee Coliseum
Friday 24-Nov 25 Seattle Qwest Field
Sunday 26-Nov 26 San Francisco Metreon
International - TBD
27-Jan 27 Mexico city, Mexico TBD
13-Jan 28 Toronto, Canada TBD
4-Feb 29 UK, London TBD
4-Feb 30 Frankfurt,Germany TBD
Jan 31 ASIA TBD
Online tournament
Nov-feb 32 online
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Madden Challenge Announcement
From what we hear the official announcement will be made tomorrow. We'll have our ears open and our eyes peeled. We'll let you know asap what we find out. In any event, get those fingers warmed up and get ready to compete!
ESPN/EA Sports Madden PPV
Last week the first Madden related PPV hit televisions and
computers all over the world. If you are a fan of Madden it is
worth seeing just for the production value alone.
It is obvious that ESPN really put some effort into making this a
quality TV show. The set was excellent and the camera work was
gritty and kept your attention.
Content wise, the strategies weren't exceptionally deep for the
hardcore player, but there were some good nuggets to be found
there no matter what your skill level is.
You definitely got into the mind of the tournament player a bit
as you can see how they prepare to play the game. Their style
may not be your cup of tea as far as how to play the game, but
their approach is worth learning from.
As I mentioned above, there were some good sections involving how
the guys use bump-n-run with their linebackers as well as tips on
manually controlling your players. This is valuable stuff.
If you have ever wondered the thought process behind what the
producers do with the game and how they view the community, then
this show is a good fit for you as well.
All in all, I was impressed with the show for a first effort and
can recommend it to you if you love the game of Madden!
Madden 07 is only a few weeks away. If you haven't had a chance
to check out the Virtual Playbook for Madden, hit up our main
site at:
http://www.maddentips.com
computers all over the world. If you are a fan of Madden it is
worth seeing just for the production value alone.
It is obvious that ESPN really put some effort into making this a
quality TV show. The set was excellent and the camera work was
gritty and kept your attention.
Content wise, the strategies weren't exceptionally deep for the
hardcore player, but there were some good nuggets to be found
there no matter what your skill level is.
You definitely got into the mind of the tournament player a bit
as you can see how they prepare to play the game. Their style
may not be your cup of tea as far as how to play the game, but
their approach is worth learning from.
As I mentioned above, there were some good sections involving how
the guys use bump-n-run with their linebackers as well as tips on
manually controlling your players. This is valuable stuff.
If you have ever wondered the thought process behind what the
producers do with the game and how they view the community, then
this show is a good fit for you as well.
All in all, I was impressed with the show for a first effort and
can recommend it to you if you love the game of Madden!
Madden 07 is only a few weeks away. If you haven't had a chance
to check out the Virtual Playbook for Madden, hit up our main
site at:
http://www.maddentips.com
Madden 07 Q&A
Several members of the VG Team recently had the opportunity to
head down to EA Tiburon to check out Madden 07 for a couple of
days.
When we got back, Big B & Ron hosted a Q&A on the forums. We've
included some of these questions and answers here.
Q: How was the 360? Was it better than 06? Most people were
disappointed with last year, will we be happy this year with the
360?
Big B: Very good game. Once they get the other things from
current to next gen....it will no doubt be the best game ever.
Right now the game is off the chain. It felt like the old days.
No audibles, formation shifting.....just str8 work.
Think of the passing like 05 without the rocket. If you have a
player that is 6'5" vs. a DB at 5'11" the taller player will get
up. I also feel that the manual defending is easier. This game is
about pounding the rock, and running routes.
Big B: The high pass is toned down. Now if you have a big WR he
will get up. The thing is that you can defend it better. Zone
seems to help when you were a manual defender.
You can play they area that the CPU isn't playing. Like the LB in
a hook zone will play underneath. You would have to play over top
with the safety for the easy pick. If they're big they will get
up. One thing is that you can't depend on the cpu to catch for
you as much as before. Yes, guys you need some stick to get
things done to a degree this year.
They do what they do they do best. If they're a smaller back they
will do a series of moves to get free. If they're big they try to
truck the defender. If you're between the tackles and you need to
get past with a smaller back, he will get skinny.
Q: What about screens?
Big B: The screen is off the chain. Just replace the truck stick
with the highlight stick. Nothing changed all that much. You will
be better off using the analog to generate jukes and moves. This
allows you to get the most out of your player. Like when you had
Bush you hit up for the truck stick (highlight) and he will do a
swimming like spin to break the hit stick. Then if another
defender is coming you tap right and he will do a quick juke and
be out.
Q: Do defenders still get "sucked" into blocks?
Big B: No, they don't as bad as before. Line play has a much
better feel to it. Not as scripted.
Q: How did user controlled player's feel in contrast to last
year? (i.e., are they still sluggish with their movement, or have
they been polished up?)
Big B: Better my man. I was able to move around better. The
movement isn't as tight as current gen, but much improved from
last year.
Q: What's your take on the degrading field conditions?
Big B: The field was off the chain. When I was in practice mode
you can see the path of the routes I ran because the grass broke
down because of me running the play over and over again. Wet
weather conditions were crazy as well.
Q: How is the All-Madden AI, will I continue to see Chris Samuels
put on his back by Osi Umenyiora or Carlos Emmons cover S. Moss
on a post.
Big B: It's decent. Samuels was doing his thing when I was
playing with them. You will see that the LB's in the game are
getting faster. There has been a move to speed TEs and LBs in the
NFL. You will be surprised at who upgraded their teams.
Q: If I come out in I form big and the defense comes out in
quarters will I finally be able to pound the rock like I should
be able too?
Big B: Yes you can. The MLB gets in sometimes, but you can
control your own blocking now. So you can fix the problems now.
Run the ball and if you see someone get through, grab your guys
and plug that hole. Please everyone who doesn't lab the run, get
ready to spend some serious time in practice mode. Many people
will be here to beat our forums up for some good run defense. If
you lived just by the run commit feature, you are pretty much
done this year. Practice!
To view more of the Q&A, be sure to visit the VG Sports forums at
http://www.maddentips.com/forums
head down to EA Tiburon to check out Madden 07 for a couple of
days.
When we got back, Big B & Ron hosted a Q&A on the forums. We've
included some of these questions and answers here.
Q: How was the 360? Was it better than 06? Most people were
disappointed with last year, will we be happy this year with the
360?
Big B: Very good game. Once they get the other things from
current to next gen....it will no doubt be the best game ever.
Right now the game is off the chain. It felt like the old days.
No audibles, formation shifting.....just str8 work.
Think of the passing like 05 without the rocket. If you have a
player that is 6'5" vs. a DB at 5'11" the taller player will get
up. I also feel that the manual defending is easier. This game is
about pounding the rock, and running routes.
Big B: The high pass is toned down. Now if you have a big WR he
will get up. The thing is that you can defend it better. Zone
seems to help when you were a manual defender.
You can play they area that the CPU isn't playing. Like the LB in
a hook zone will play underneath. You would have to play over top
with the safety for the easy pick. If they're big they will get
up. One thing is that you can't depend on the cpu to catch for
you as much as before. Yes, guys you need some stick to get
things done to a degree this year.
They do what they do they do best. If they're a smaller back they
will do a series of moves to get free. If they're big they try to
truck the defender. If you're between the tackles and you need to
get past with a smaller back, he will get skinny.
Q: What about screens?
Big B: The screen is off the chain. Just replace the truck stick
with the highlight stick. Nothing changed all that much. You will
be better off using the analog to generate jukes and moves. This
allows you to get the most out of your player. Like when you had
Bush you hit up for the truck stick (highlight) and he will do a
swimming like spin to break the hit stick. Then if another
defender is coming you tap right and he will do a quick juke and
be out.
Q: Do defenders still get "sucked" into blocks?
Big B: No, they don't as bad as before. Line play has a much
better feel to it. Not as scripted.
Q: How did user controlled player's feel in contrast to last
year? (i.e., are they still sluggish with their movement, or have
they been polished up?)
Big B: Better my man. I was able to move around better. The
movement isn't as tight as current gen, but much improved from
last year.
Q: What's your take on the degrading field conditions?
Big B: The field was off the chain. When I was in practice mode
you can see the path of the routes I ran because the grass broke
down because of me running the play over and over again. Wet
weather conditions were crazy as well.
Q: How is the All-Madden AI, will I continue to see Chris Samuels
put on his back by Osi Umenyiora or Carlos Emmons cover S. Moss
on a post.
Big B: It's decent. Samuels was doing his thing when I was
playing with them. You will see that the LB's in the game are
getting faster. There has been a move to speed TEs and LBs in the
NFL. You will be surprised at who upgraded their teams.
Q: If I come out in I form big and the defense comes out in
quarters will I finally be able to pound the rock like I should
be able too?
Big B: Yes you can. The MLB gets in sometimes, but you can
control your own blocking now. So you can fix the problems now.
Run the ball and if you see someone get through, grab your guys
and plug that hole. Please everyone who doesn't lab the run, get
ready to spend some serious time in practice mode. Many people
will be here to beat our forums up for some good run defense. If
you lived just by the run commit feature, you are pretty much
done this year. Practice!
To view more of the Q&A, be sure to visit the VG Sports forums at
http://www.maddentips.com/forums
Friday, August 04, 2006
ESPN TEAMS UP WITH EA SPORTS TO OFFER AN INSIDE LOOK AT MADDEN NFL 07
I'll be tuning in tonight. Gotta catch the 11:00 show. Let me know what you thing about it.
PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT AVAILABLE ON TV AND ONLINE
Beginning August 4 at 8 p.m. ET., ESPN and ESPN.com will offer an exclusive pay-per-view event with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) - Inside Madden NFL 07 - produced by ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) and available to gamers through affiliates on television and also online.
In this special, available 18 days before the release of Madden NFL 07 from EA SPORTS(tm) on August 22, fans will get an early look inside one of this year's most anticipated video game releases. EA game designers and some of the best Madden players will lead gamers on a guided tour through new changes and advances in all aspects of the game. Included in the special are the exclusive release of player ratings and tips from top Madden gamers and behind-the-scenes details about the making of the next generation of Madden NFL games.
Intended to give the hardcore gamer and fan a leg up on playing the latest version in the popular Madden game series, ESPN and EA SPORTS invited some of the best gamers in the business to EA Sports Tiburon studios in Orlando. Before arriving, the five gamers were given a chance to try the new game and see a number of new features. Once at the EA studios, the players were given the opportunity to interview game producers, engineers, and further test and evaluate the latest edition of the game for the cameras.
The gamers that took part in the program are:
- Dwayne "D-Train Harrison" - winner of the 2002 Madden Challenge
- Jarvis Thomas - winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Justin Chow - Washington DC regional winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Will Kinsler - co-owner of MaddenNation.com, and writer for gaming strategy guides and EA Sports
- Rod "Reality" Winn - a former competitor on ESPN's Madden Nation
Throughout the 60-minute special, the gamers discuss how the new game features will impact their own play and provide insight into techniques and strategies that help make them among the best in the world.
Inside Madden NFL 07 also includes interviews with top athletes regarding their experience with the latest version of the game. Atlanta Falcons' Warrick Dunn, Tennessee Titans great Eddie George, Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson, and St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk were each given the opportunity to take an advance look at their OWN player ratings while cameras captured their feedback.
Fans can purchase Inside Madden NFL 07 for $19.95 at www.espn.com (search Madden), or by contacting their pay-per-view provider. For re-airs throughout the month of August, check www.espntv.com listings or contact your pay-per-view provider.
Leading up to the pay-per-view special on August 4, ESPN Classic will air episodes of EOE's Madden Nation from 2 - 6 p.m. ET as part of Generation Y Week on ESPN Classic.
PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT AVAILABLE ON TV AND ONLINE
Beginning August 4 at 8 p.m. ET., ESPN and ESPN.com will offer an exclusive pay-per-view event with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) - Inside Madden NFL 07 - produced by ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) and available to gamers through affiliates on television and also online.
In this special, available 18 days before the release of Madden NFL 07 from EA SPORTS(tm) on August 22, fans will get an early look inside one of this year's most anticipated video game releases. EA game designers and some of the best Madden players will lead gamers on a guided tour through new changes and advances in all aspects of the game. Included in the special are the exclusive release of player ratings and tips from top Madden gamers and behind-the-scenes details about the making of the next generation of Madden NFL games.
Intended to give the hardcore gamer and fan a leg up on playing the latest version in the popular Madden game series, ESPN and EA SPORTS invited some of the best gamers in the business to EA Sports Tiburon studios in Orlando. Before arriving, the five gamers were given a chance to try the new game and see a number of new features. Once at the EA studios, the players were given the opportunity to interview game producers, engineers, and further test and evaluate the latest edition of the game for the cameras.
The gamers that took part in the program are:
- Dwayne "D-Train Harrison" - winner of the 2002 Madden Challenge
- Jarvis Thomas - winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Justin Chow - Washington DC regional winner of the 2005 Madden Challenge
- Will Kinsler - co-owner of MaddenNation.com, and writer for gaming strategy guides and EA Sports
- Rod "Reality" Winn - a former competitor on ESPN's Madden Nation
Throughout the 60-minute special, the gamers discuss how the new game features will impact their own play and provide insight into techniques and strategies that help make them among the best in the world.
Inside Madden NFL 07 also includes interviews with top athletes regarding their experience with the latest version of the game. Atlanta Falcons' Warrick Dunn, Tennessee Titans great Eddie George, Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson, and St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk were each given the opportunity to take an advance look at their OWN player ratings while cameras captured their feedback.
Fans can purchase Inside Madden NFL 07 for $19.95 at www.espn.com (search Madden), or by contacting their pay-per-view provider. For re-airs throughout the month of August, check www.espntv.com listings or contact your pay-per-view provider.
Leading up to the pay-per-view special on August 4, ESPN Classic will air episodes of EOE's Madden Nation from 2 - 6 p.m. ET as part of Generation Y Week on ESPN Classic.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Virtual Playbook for Madden 07
We've posted a ton of information up about the Virtual Playbook for Madden 07. Get the inside scoop on what is inside the guide as well as view video feedback from some of the leaders in the Madden Community.
This year's guide is packed with content guaranteed to make you a better Madden baller!
Go check it out at http://www.maddentips.com
Xbox.com visits EA Sports Community Day
Major Nelson of Xbox.com came out to pay a visit to the Community at the EA Sports Madden Community Day. Check out this video for a behind the scenes peek at what the guys and myself got to experience.
Keep your eyes peeled as well for a couple of cameos with VG Sports own Philly Ron Jackson.
Click here for the video
Keep your eyes peeled as well for a couple of cameos with VG Sports own Philly Ron Jackson.
Click here for the video
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