Madden NFL 11 Blog: Run Blocking Improvements

[rooney8]

It's most noticable on the counter video that your O-Line really run downfield to block. In M10 they went so slowly you couldn't follow them.

[adembroski]

Quote: Originally Posted by backbreaker

I wonder how many takes did it take to make these videos....LOL, No it looks good. Again with my mantra on Madden, Show me these things with the games goes beta and when it ships. I have a hard time accepting anything in their blogs.

No, that's actual a valid question. They wanted successful plays in order to show off the blocking as best as possible. I wanted to see how good it was a CD, so I put it on rookie, just to see everyone executing their assignments. I'm willing to bet that's what they did as well.

[PGaither84]

I can only speak for myself, but I loved the run blocking on CD. It wasn't perfect, but it was really, really nice. When it comes to football video games, I pride myself on my rushing attack and stoping the run. Against the computer, the other CD guys and those at EA, I was doing well on both sides and felt a good combination of play calling and "stick skillz" in the ground game were why I was doing well. I remember playing against Scantlebury [who beat me by the way in a great game] where I was shutting down his run game and moving the ball with force on offense. I forced him to go to the air where he was able to tear me up in the 4th [I am average in pass defense to be perfectly honest] and took the lead.

I loved reading the blocks and trusting my players to do their jobs unlike Madden 10 where they had the problems talked about in the blog. I loved being able to use Frank Gore's agility to take advantage of cut back lanes. I loved not feeling like I had to kcik it outside al lthe time to gain yards like other Madden games. I liked defending the run more as well because you had to actually defend the run instead of shooting gaps made by the poor AI. I just loved running the ball at CD.

[BezO]

Quote: Originally Posted by rooney8

In all the vids the linebackers are very slow to react. Probably all just in zone but I would like to see how they block the blitz. Do they still try and double linemen and let some linebackers through? I hope not.

I can't see the vids, but this was my initial concern. If DTs & NGs are getting double teamed and LBs are still slow to react...

Quote: Originally Posted by LBzrule

That's a concern I have. If the principles on D have not been hashed out, we could be looking at a running game in comparison to ESPN NFL 2k4.

Right! Unless we have some major surprises in store, there are still not gap assignments or contain AI. Stunt and blitz aiming/AI need major work as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by LBzrule

I also would like to know what happens when you have two guys like Ngata and Cody up there on that line. If one blocker releases to the second level those guys should be able to throw the single blocker off and make the tackle. They should be very hard to move.

Agreed! Every mention of double team had someone peeling off for a backside LB. Why no true double teams?

Quote: Originally Posted by at23steelers

It looked good. My concern was it sounds like these are the only runs they fixed. So, will the draw play, fb dive, and toss runs all be unchanged?

I don't recall the FB dives or tosses, but draws looked good on day 2 of CD.

[adembroski]

Quote: Originally Posted by PGaither84

I can only speak for myself, but I loved the run blocking on CD. It wasn't perfect, but it was really, really nice. When it comes to football video games, I pride myself on my rushing attack and stoping the run. Against the computer, the other CD guys and those at EA, I was doing well on both sides and felt a good combination of play calling and "stick skillz" in the ground game were why I was doing well. I remember playing against Scantlebury [who beat me by the way in a great game] where I was shutting down his run game and moving the ball with force on offense. I forced him to go to the air where he was able to tear me up in the 4th [I am average in pass defense to be perfectly honest] and took the lead. I loved reading the blocks and trusting my players to do their jobs unlike Madden 10 where they had the problems talked about in the blog. I loved being able to use Frank Gore's agility to take advantage of cut back lanes. I loved not feeling like I had to kcik it outside al lthe time to gain yards like other Madden games. I liked defending the run more as well because you had to actually defend the run instead of shooting gaps made by the poor AI. I just loved running the ball at CD.

+1... this is one area of the game I didn't have a ton of feedback for. Some small issues, but overall it felt game... especially for the inside game.

In other words, they did it right. If you are looking for a reason to be excited for the future of Madden, this is a good place to start. Add in locomotion, and the running game is as fun as it's ever been. This is the improvement that makes M10 obsolete.

[Joeyland]

Maddens' biggest gameplay problems are on the defensive side of the ball, this should make that worse.

[khaliib]

I'm think some type of aggressiveness attribute is needed, expecially for the defensive side. Maybe it's the level that vid's are captured on, but the defense is reacting too much after the Off-player(s) have initiated contact. Maybe the Run Support Attribute will play a role in how fast/agressive Def-player's attack their responsibilities.

I'm not really an NFL guy, but progress is looking good.

[J Masta J]

Why can't they put these vids on YouTube so I at least have the option of letting them load and then watching them?