Madden Newsletter Archive

Madden Tips Newsletter
January 26 — Issue #1

Hi,

This issue includes...

1) "Madden Roster Update for Xbox 360 & PS3"

2) "Running the 3-4 Engage 8"

3) "Free Content for Your Web Site"

4) "Visit Our Discussion Forums"

5) "Visit the VG Sports Blog!"

6) "Tell Us What You Think!"

1) "Madden Roster Update for Xbox 360 & PS3"

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, EA Sports has posted new downloadable rosters for Madden 07 on the Xbox 360 & PS3.

Some of the top movers include:

Top 10 Up (11 actually)
Frank Gore 86 to 92 OVR
Jammal Brown 86 to 92 OVR
Marcus McNeil 78 to 89 OVR
DeMeco Ryans 83 to 89 OVR
Vince Young 84 to 86 OVR
Steven Jackson 92 to 94 OVR
Brian Westbrook 91 to 93 OVR
Lito Sheppard 88 to 93 OVR
Asante Samuel 87 to 94 OVR
Nnamdi Asomugha 84 to 91 OVR
Bart Scott 88 to 91 OVR
Devin Hester 75 to 78 OVR

Top 10 Down
Jake Plummer 87 to 83 OVR
Trent Green 90 to 84 OVR
Terrell Owens 96 to 94 OVR
Eli Manning 87 to 85 OVR
Randy Moss 94 to 92 OVR
Samari Rolle 90 to 87 OVR
Santana Moss 91 to 89 OVR
Boss Bailey 87 to 81 OVR
Fred Smoot 88 to 83 OVR
Edgerrin James 94 to 92 OVR

You can view all of the roster changes in complete detail by going to:

http://madden-tips.blogspot.com/2007/01/fourth-roster-update.html

2) Running the 3-4 Engage 8

One of the first defenses most players will look at when setting up blitz schemes is the Engage 8 series. With 8 defenders blitzing the quarterback, this is a very intense defensive attack. The problem with Engage 8 defenses is the lack of pass coverage. Only the RCB, FS, and LCB drop back to defend the pass. In this month's featured play, we will show you how to set up the 3-4 Normal Engage 8 without exercising as much risk.

Version 1

By the default design of the play, the 3-4 Normal Engage 8 brings 3 down linemen, 4 linebackers, and the strong safety. The RCB, FS, and LCB drop back in deep zone coverage.

In this example, the offense comes out in the I Form Normal WR1 Option. All five eligible receivers go out for a pass.  With both backs going out on pass routes, there is only a 5 man pass protection scheme.  This makes it really easy to set up the 3-4 Normal Engage 8 to bring the heat on the QB.

First we pinch the defensive line.

Next we show blitz by calling the fake blitz audible. The FS rotates over to the middle of the field and the SS comes down in the box on the right side of the screen. His blitz angle now shoots straight at the RT.

We then press LB shift button (360 = RB, PS3 = R1) and up on the R3 Stick. The ROLB, RILB, and LOLB all drop back in hook zones.

The only LB who does not drop back in a hook zone is the LILB. Instead he still will blitz the QB.

We take control of the LILB and stack him behind the LE.

We then switch off of the LOLB and take control of another defender. In this case we take control of the FS.

Once the ball is snapped, the NT will engage the C. The RG will look to block the LE or the SS.

With the C and RG occupied by other defenders, the LILB will shoot through the A Gap and will have a clean shot at either sacking or forcing the QB to throw quicker than he wants.

The LILB sacks the QB for a loss.

Version 2

If your opponent decides to call a play that leaves the FB in to pass block, then you will want to make one more adjustment to be sure that the LILB gets that same clean shot at the QB.

We set up the 3-4 Normal Engage 8 the same way as we did in version 1. The ROLB, RILB, and LOLB all drop back in hook zones.

Instead of having the ROLB drop back in a hook zone, we want him to blitz the QB. Because there isn't an individual defensive playmaker feature in Madden 07 for the 360 or PS3, we have to be a little bit creative. By pressing the LB shift button (360 = RB, PS3 = R1) and left on the R3 stick, the ROLB will now have an outside blitz assignment. We are in control of the FS.

Once the ball is snapped, the ROLB will blitz from the blind side of the QB. The LILB will shoot through the A Gap between the RG and RT.

The FB looks to block the ROLB. This allows the LILB to put instant pressure on the QB.

The QB has no time in the pocket to find an open receiver and is dragged down into the grass.

Version 3

In the two versions above, we used the show blitz coverage audible to bring the SS down in the box. In this version of the 3-4 Normal Engage 8, we won’t bring the SS down in the box. Instead we will take control of him and fake blitz him from his default position on the field.

First we pinch the defensive line and linebackers.

Next we press LB shift button and up on the R3 stick (360 = RB, PS3 = R1). The ROLB, RILB, and LOLB all drop back in hook zones. The LILB remains blitzing the QB.

We then press the LB shift button (360 = RB, PS3 = R1) and press right on the R3 stick. The LOLB is now sent in on a blitz from the right side of the screen.

The whole time we are setting up the blitz, we are in control of the SS and we never move him.

Once the ball is snapped, the LILB and LOLB will blitz the QB.

The ROLB and RILB will drop back in hook zones.

We manually fake blitz the SS to make our opponent think the TE will be open.

Just as we get to the TE, we drop back in pass coverage while in control of the SS.

With the TE now covered, the QB is confused by the coverage.

He can't find an open receiver and is sacked for a loss.

The three versions we have shown you should be legal for most leagues because of the limited manual player movemet.

In the first two versions of the 3-4 Normal Renegde, we manually move and stack the LILB behind the LE. If your league doesn't allow you to move any defenders, you don’t have to do this.

We feel it just gives the LILB a better blitzing angle at the QB. In version 3, there is no manually movement, so there shouldn't be any problems with running this blitz in your league.

To get weekly Madden strategy tips delivered right to your computer, visit http://www.maddenfilmroom.com

3) "Free Content for Your Web Site"

You are welcome to reprint this article on your web site or in your email newsletters. We simply ask that you let us know where the article will be appearing, and include our byline & link as follows:

presented by VG Sports (http://www.maddentips.com)

4) "Visit Our Discussion Forums"

There is always a lot going down at the VG Sports forums. You'll find tons of great Madden strategy discussion as well as many off the wall topics in our Sports Bar.

Be sure to check it out at:

http://www.maddentips.com/forums

5) "Visit the VG Sports blog!"

Check out "Madden Tips Blog" blog with VG Sports at http://madden-tips.blogspot.com

Here the VG Team shares the latest Madden news, downloadable content, community happenings and strategies and tips to improve your game.

If you want to get to know VG better and see what is happening in the day-to-day workings of a Madden Community Leader, then this is the place to be!

Go to: http://madden-tips.blogspot.com

6) "Tell Us What You Think!"

We'd love to hear what you think of this issue!

Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming issues to us at:

newslettersuggestions@maddentips.com

Your feedback matters to us!

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