Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

[CreatineKasey]

Looks great! I think the reaction by the defense makes sense. I'm sure it was exaggerated, but the idea is still there. When defenders have zone responsibilities they'll read and react like shown. Players started to pursue once they saw the ball in the HB's hands. If they just fired into the gap on a run instantly and it was play action they'd leave that area wide open. Obviously that happens sometimes IRL, but it shouldn't be the norm.

When watching the replays I could already envision the power of run-blitzes and slanting your strong DL. In cases where OL are pulling, if you shoot those gaps with a blitz you can really blow up those plays. That should be a lot of fun to do now that the OL logic is legit and it no longer feels cheesy to do so.

I'm also excited about the possible end of dime defenses stopping power runs and power run formations. It's about damn time. This should be the end of someone coming out in dime, showing blitz, and playing a cover 2 zone behind it to stop 95% of my plays. Matchups should mean more now, ideally. Acceleration will limit LB's abilities to cover WR.

Lots of good things coming from this guys. Get pumped!

[RayAllen20]

First of all love the blocking, and have 2 things that pop into my minds from this.

1. The gameplay looks wide-open this year. You can cut up lanes, something you couldn't do in Madden 10. '10 felt a little scripted to me sometimes, as the best highlight play I got, was a pro-take animation. Now, I am hoping to pull of some Reggie Bush moves.

2. Also my big question is whether or not we will feel the presence of a great Nose Tackle with this. I would love it if Kris Jenkins was plugging up run holes with 2 defenders blocking him.

[NavigatorD83]

can any one youtube it?

[REDRZA]

Quote: Originally Posted by nygmen92

This is a huge concern for me as well.. by the looks of most of the video clips of Madden 11, it just looks like the offense is overpowering the defense.. I realty hope that's not the case. A good football game is well balanced on both sides, and knowing EA sports history of Madden games it leaves you wondering and a bit concerned. Also I do hope that superstars and huge DT's like LBzrules mentioned do have an effect on how running game plays out. Meaning that you see a difference with such players and how they affect the running game. Balance is key..

Exactly what i was thinking. The double teams look beautiful, and anyone that knows me knows im a ground and pound player, but i get a weird feeling that the running game might be a bit overpowered from watching those videos.

Like the above poster stated, i really hope great defensive players and teams can disrupt and push into the backfield. No way the great NT's get pushed around like that. Also, above and beyond the great defensive linemen, i hope the great run stopping LB's can shed blocks and make plays appropriately. EA has shown in the past that they somehow can't find BALANCE. Either things are overdone, or don't work at all.

I REALLY hope they tested these double teams against EVERY front, including all manual slants and stunts. Even the great running teams (Like my Jets) can be FORCED to have to throw. Defenses put guys up in the box and force the pass. Hope this holds true in Madden.

[ttmatt]

Just read the blog. Everything looks awesome. The videos look great. I love running the ball, so this is something I've been waiting for. This type of stuff is what gets me excited again. This is actual core gameplay improvement. I'm a little concerned about the defense. The defense has been getting the short end of the stick recently. I just hope its balanced well.

[Allyn Wake]

Jesus ppl before looking for something to complain about .. read pages 4 and 5 an listen to wat PGaither84 was saying about the game ...

[BigZell20]

I'd like to know what difficulty the videos were shot on. I play on All-madden and watching lineman completely wiff, or not even attempt to block a guy directly in my path is quite frankly...maddening.

[HolyCrap]

Seems like the Linebackers and Safeties were LOAFing out there. tsk tsk tsk.

The Linebackers need the engage the blocks or do something to get around them they are just sitting there and then get blocked.