EA: Please fix Defining Moments in next Head Coach - DJ's Blog

DJ's Blog

EA: Please fix Defining Moments in next Head Coach

Posted on April 14, 2009 at 11:39 AM.

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Recently, I picked up a copy of NFL Head Coach for the 360. Having never played the previous version, I really didn't know what to fully expect, other than I knew that I would not be controlling the players on the field. Well, a week later and I'm very happy with the game. I love being in total control of the franchise. Everything from choosing playbooks, creating plays, deciding what to focus on in practice (although I think you should be allowed at least 2 things to focus on; one on each side of the ball), releasing players, making trades, signing free agents, re-ordering depth charts after injuries ... the list goes on and on.

The on-field action is actually quite a bit of fun as well. It's really neat to call a play and then see your players execute it to perfection. Sure, there are little annoying bugs like running backs running backwards after going a few yards and receivers dropping wide open passes, but all in all, it's a very solid and ultimately, rewarding experience.

There is, however, one big issue I've had with the game so far. That is the "Defining Moments." Now, in theory, the Defining Moments part of the game makes a lot of sense. Often, coaches are judges by the media, fans, players and management on how they handle certain in-game situations. In Head Coach, there will be times where you are asked to make a call that will affect your approval rating. Sounds harmless, right? Well, it's not, and that's all due to the faulty logic of said moments.

Take, for instance, a game I played last night. I'm coaching the Oakland Raiders and it's our regular season opener against Denver. It's 4th-and-goal from the 7. JaMarcus Russell had just been sacked, and fumbled, on the previous play. Time to kick the field goal, right? Nope, I get a Defining Moment instead where everyone wants to see me go for it, even though it doesn't make much sense. I choose the smart route, take the 3 points and my approval rating plummets 6 points!

Later in the game, in overtime, it's 4th-and-10 from MY OWN 40! Once again, the Defining Moment pops up suggesting I GO FOR THE FIRST DOWN!!! There's no way I can justify it, so I punt and guess what happens? Approval rating goes in the toilet.

I eventually lost the game (I got the ball back after that punt) but I wasn't upset about that. What ticked me off was the Defining Moments popping up at inopportune times and costing me more than 10 points in my approval rating, which as a new coach, was already low to begin with.

Again, let me state, Head Coach is a very good game. If you haven't tried it out yet, I recommend you give it a shot if you can look past not being able to control the players on the field.

So, EA, when you get ready to make the next edition of Head Coach (I really hope there is one in 2010), please look into tweaking the Defining Moments and making the logical more realistic. Thank you.