Madden 10 League-OFFICIAL CAG LEAGUE (Tournament)- LOTS OF TEAMS AVAILABLE!

I had a mostly good, close game with MasterAwesome. The only bad part was when he went for it on 4th down at midfield with the score tied 7-7 in the 2nd. I was preparing for a punt, and that threw me off completely for a while and I gave up a touchdown. I just didn't expect something like that in a CAG league.

It ended up costing me the game, as I dropped a couple key passes on my next drive and then struggled to kick a field goal on my next. It was scoreless from there on out, and I lost.

Bears 14, Packers 10
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I had a mostly good, close game with MasterAwesome. The only bad part was when he went for it on 4th down at midfield with the score tied 7-7 in the 2nd. I was preparing for a punt, and that threw me off completely for a while and I gave up a touchdown. I just didn't expect something like that in a CAG league.
[/QUOTE]

4th and what? And was it a straight up play or a fake? That's why I always wait to see the formation before selecting my play on 4th down.
 
It was 4th and 1 on the 45 yard line...I didn't think there was anything wrong with that at all. I'm sorry if that's considered a sneaky play or something. It's really easy to get one yard in this game and I usually need to jump ahead early in my games cause I always seem to struggle immensely in the second half in every game I play (I didn't score a single point in the second half that game). I figured you would wait to see what kind of formation I had before you picked your play, since that's what I thought most everyone does in 4th down situations. I didn't try to wait until the last second or anything like that...I just went straight to the play I wanted and picked it as soon as possible. I'm the kind of player who rarely likes to punt and a 4th and 1 for me is a no-brainer. This is my first time playing in a league, so if it's general knowledge that it's disrespectful to go for it on 4th down that early in the game then I'm sorry, I'm just getting used to this organized league stuff. If you ask the human players I've beaten so far, I try to be really respectful in this league. The last 2 human players I beat, I've had the ball within their 10-yard line with like a minute and a half to go and I've always just run out the clock instead of trying to run up the score even though my PF/PA is pretty bad and I could always use some more points. I honestly had no idea you would consider that a foul play.

But just to comment on the game in general, yeah I felt like you got screwed a lot of times. You dropped a few easy picks that could have easily changed the outcome and Finley seemed to drop an insane amount of passes that game. But for some reason, I feel like I was always right there with Urlacher on most of your passes but he would never put his hands up to intercept the ball...it was really frustrating. Close game though and I always feel bad running out the clock in games, I feel like that's a pretty cheap thing to do but I was just too scared to take a chance.
 
No, there's nothing cheap about running out the clock. That's the smart thing to do. I wasn't trying to whine or anything; I just thought we had a rule against going for it on 4th early. I guess if we did, you didn't know, anyway.
 
I'm not trying to be rude or start an argument or anything, but I just don't see what the big deal is with going for it on 4th down early. How is it any different than going for it late in the game? As long as the other person waits and is aware that their opponent is going for it on 4th down, there is the exact same chance of success early in the game as there is late in the game. There are obviously repercussions if you decide to go for it on 4th and don't make it. A 4th down conversion/failure early in the game can just as much win or lose the game for you as a 4th down conversion/failure late in the game. I guess I'm just missing something, but if someone could explain the fault in my reasoning I'd appreciate it. And if there are any more of these rules that you guys can think of that I should know, I'd like to hear them so I don't make any mistakes in the future.
 
Uhh lol sorry? I didn't realize I came off as being so worked up in my post...I was just curious as to what the big deal is, especially since you mentioned this was some kind of rule that people had agreed upon earlier so obviously a lot of people share your sentiment about the topic. Like I said in the first sentence, I'm not trying to start an argument either, so I'm glad we are on the same page on that at least. I don't know how you possibly mistook my tone as being any bit hostile but I'm sorry it came off that way. I realize I probably won't get any feedback from anyone else tonight since I guess it's just me and you awake right now, so I'll just leave it at that and check back tomorrow to see if anyone can clear up this rule for me. I hope this post came off as a bit more "relaxed". My only intention is to prevent myself from angering anyone else by my actions during Madden in the upcoming weeks.
 
Typically the thing I take most into consideration when deciding whether or not to go for it on 4th, aside from yards to go, is my field position.

For instance, I'll generally go for it on 4th and, say, 4 if I'm in the red zone-ish. The reasoning being, of course, that if I turn it over on downs, the other team still has 70 or 80 yards to go for a score.

This is just me. I don't like going for it on 4th down. I do punt when I have to. If it was early in a game and on the 45 yard line, I would probably try to pin you deep with a good punt. Of course, this all depends on score though, and etc.
 
Dear Scotts, I'm going to be on and off all day today. Had an early morning, gonna nap shortly. Can we shoot for lunch time-ish, or else late this afternoon? Hope to see you then.
 
I guess it depends WHICH 45 yard line it was. I think the objection to going for it on 4th early probably stems from wanting to adhere as closely as possible to how football is actually played. If the Bears were on their own 45 yard line, there's not a coach in the NFL who would go for it there, even on 4th and 1. On the opponent's 45 yard line, even though it's only a 10 yard distance, many would.

I agree that I would be pretty annoyed by a player who went for it on EVERY 4th down, even when the situation clearly called for a punt in real football. But 4th and 1 or 2 in your opponents territory is just being aggressive at any point in the game, and I don't have a problem with it. Going for it on 4th and 1 from your own 20 (for example) just because you KNOW you have a play that can gain a guaranteed yard, that would be uncool.
 
MasterAwesome: good questions all around. I don't really have a clear cut answer for them however, but BV did a pretty good job. As far as I know, in both leagues there's always been a mostly unwritten gentleman's agreement to play the game as true to life as possible. So yes, if it's 4th and anything on your own 30, you should punt it. Obviously some stuff falls into a bit of gray area. On your opponent's 45 yard line (if that was the case) with 1 yard to go is something I'd see as legit. Of course, not everyone would do it, but in the real NFL a more risk-taking coach would so I see no problem with a more risk-taking player doing it as well.

We have to also remember that everyone in the league is different. Where one of us may get mad that someone is running the ball with a minute to go in the game up by 14 instead of taking a knee, a different person would see it as a chance to cause a fumble, even if they don't successfully pull it off. So that is also a gray area, and also why we don't necessarily have set rules. Of course, if you're in a 5 wide set with a minute to ago that's more easily frowned upon. Though, for me, if you're up by 7-10 points and you want to try to put another one in by throwing the ball with a minute to go, make my day haha. I'd rather take the stopped clock and the chance to pick you.

I assume Azu will add in anything I missed. I'm not writing this to mediate any argument btw, so I hope that doesn't come off as it. It's clear that while Matt was taken by surprise he's not too upset about it and isn't calling for MasterAwesome to read amendment 27 of rule 4. But I just wanted to write this as a reminder to those newer people to the league so they have an idea where the 'vets' may be coming from and how we've been playing.
 
[quote name='CharCoal']Dear Scotts, I'm going to be on and off all day today. Had an early morning, gonna nap shortly. Can we shoot for lunch time-ish, or else late this afternoon? Hope to see you then.[/QUOTE]

Can we pick a set time? I'm home now waiting around.
 
[quote name='ubernes']I'm going to boot the Chiefs in about 20 mins and then give everyone an update on advancing.[/QUOTE]

Will he be back in for next week or should I plan to play against the CPU?
 
Rotten game. Gonna go beat 10 pubbies to make myself feel better.

Well played Scotts. I feel retarded after that game. So many mistakes and weird choices by me, the penalty at the end just put the icing on the cake.
 
Thanks for the update, ubernes. As you stated, I am not trying to make a big deal out of this or argue; I wasn't just caught off guard. Ah well... If I had converted that 4th and 1 inside the 3, I could have had a touchdown rather than a field goal and tied it at 14.

MasterAwesome, hopefully we can have another good game when we play again. I hope you have no hard feelings.
 
It was a weird game all around. I swear I thought I was done for after my first two possessions ended in fumbles and then Brees getting knocked out for the half.
 
[quote name='bvharris']Will he be back in for next week or should I plan to play against the CPU?[/QUOTE]

Play against the CPU. He's just super hard to reach when it comes to Madden so I'm just going to cut our losses there. I don't think he played more than 1 of his vs CPU games.

He is booted now btw. So Rames, go ahead and play your game.
 
[quote name='ubernes']MasterAwesome: good questions all around. I don't really have a clear cut answer for them however, but BV did a pretty good job. As far as I know, in both leagues there's always been a mostly unwritten gentleman's agreement to play the game as true to life as possible. So yes, if it's 4th and anything on your own 30, you should punt it. Obviously some stuff falls into a bit of gray area. On your opponent's 45 yard line (if that was the case) with 1 yard to go is something I'd see as legit. Of course, not everyone would do it, but in the real NFL a more risk-taking coach would so I see no problem with a more risk-taking player doing it as well.

We have to also remember that everyone in the league is different. Where one of us may get mad that someone is running the ball with a minute to go in the game up by 14 instead of taking a knee, a different person would see it as a chance to cause a fumble, even if they don't successfully pull it off. So that is also a gray area, and also why we don't necessarily have set rules. Of course, if you're in a 5 wide set with a minute to ago that's more easily frowned upon. Though, for me, if you're up by 7-10 points and you want to try to put another one in by throwing the ball with a minute to go, make my day haha. I'd rather take the stopped clock and the chance to pick you.

I assume Azu will add in anything I missed. I'm not writing this to mediate any argument btw, so I hope that doesn't come off as it. It's clear that while Matt was taken by surprise he's not too upset about it and isn't calling for MasterAwesome to read amendment 27 of rule 4. But I just wanted to write this as a reminder to those newer people to the league so they have an idea where the 'vets' may be coming from and how we've been playing.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, nothing to add. I'll do another Power Rankings when this week is simmed, some big games over the last 2 weeks should shake things up.
I IMed the Chargers, just waiting for a response.
 
Azu, what's the status on your game with the Chargers? I say we should be looking to advance late tomorrow night?

Eagles, Niners, and Lions still need vs CPU games done. But Bengals/Chargers is the last h2h, so let's get that setup and base the advancement on that, but Tues night is ideal, Wednesday night at the latest.

edit: haha nvm, Azu. I'll poke him now and have him get back to you when he's around again.
 
[quote name='ubernes']Play against the CPU. He's just super hard to reach when it comes to Madden so I'm just going to cut our losses there. I don't think he played more than 1 of his vs CPU games.

He is booted now btw. So Rames, go ahead and play your game.[/QUOTE]

People always seem to be dropping out or booted right before I have to play them, haha. Happened with the Steelers (first owner), the Texans, the Colts, and now the Chiefs. Guess I'm just intimidating like that. I should have had 7 human opponents at this point and I've had 2 instead (not that I'm complaining :D)
 
Alright I see, thanks for everyone's input. The whole "play the game like they would play it in the NFL" makes a lot of sense, that's pretty much all I need to know. To be honest, it was my own 45-yard line that I went for it, so I guess that was a little foul according to what you guys suggested. That was the only 4th-down I went for in the game though...although I go for it on 4th down all the time against the CPU, I typically play much more cautiously against humans.

And of course there are no hard feelings on my part Matt, you didn't do or say anything that would warrant that. I really just don't want to be known as "that sneaky player" in the league who plays dirty in games just to win or run up the score.
 
I'm sorry if I came across as implying or stating something like that, MasterAwesome. I do not think you are a sneaky or dirty player at all. You are good and played a fun, competitive game.
 
[quote name='ubernes']Well the Colts and Chiefs were probably easier than the CPU so.. haha.[/QUOTE]

That might be true, haha. The first time I played the CPU Colts it was a close game, though the second time I crushed them 63-3, which I wouldn't have been a jerk and done against a human opponent.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I have no idea how you're pulling out blowout wins on All-Madden. Crazy.[/QUOTE]

I've played a LOT of Madden over the years against the CPU. Typically each year when it comes out I play at least 10 seasons of an offline Franchise without simming, on All-Madden. I could decimate the CPU in my sleep. :D

Human opponents are entirely new for me though, other than the occasional game against a friend in person.
 
[quote name='Scotts85']It was a weird game all around. I swear I thought I was done for after my first two possessions ended in fumbles and then Brees getting knocked out for the half.[/QUOTE]

I lol'd when Vick came out as his replacement :)

Yeah I guess my strategy became "injure everyone"
 
[quote name='bvharris']I've played a LOT of Madden over the years against the CPU. Typically each year when it comes out I play at least 10 seasons of an offline Franchise without simming, on All-Madden. I could decimate the CPU in my sleep. :D

Human opponents are entirely new for me though, other than the occasional game against a friend in person.[/QUOTE]

God damn... I usually make it through one season on All-Pro. The rest is online leagues, with the occasional friendly matches against CAGs and people I know personally.
 
I was unable to play my game last night. I may not be able to play tonight as well UNLESS the Tigs/Yanks game is rained out(very possible). If it is R/O, then I will play immediately when I get home. Otherwise I will not be able to play until I get home at 11pmEST.
 
[quote name='itlnstln']I was unable to play my game last night. I may not be able to play tonight as well UNLESS the Tigs/Yanks game is rained out(very possible). If it is R/O, then I will play immediately when I get home. Otherwise I will not be able to play until I get home at 11pmEST.[/QUOTE]

Let's hope it's not and that the Tigers beat them again. :D

/Red Sox fan
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']I guess I'll never hear from the chargers :p[/QUOTE]

He's on AIM pretty often, but it seems late night he tends to be away more. He's on now, for example, though. I would try to stay logged on next time you message him with your availability if he's away, he's always good about getting back to me even if he's not at his computer right then.
 
[quote name='bvharris']How are we looking for advancing tonight?[/QUOTE]

I would say not good, no communication between Azu/Chargers yet.
 
[quote name='Azumangaman']Chargers are busy tonight/tomorrow, but we can play 5PM EST on Wednesday if that's alright.[/QUOTE]

Sure, we'll advance at 6pm EST.
 
I was unable to get my game in yesterday, but will play today at 5'ishPM as well.
 
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I've noticed we only have one h2h game next week so expect us to advance quickly. I would say Friday evening, so just a heads up.

edit: Week 11 schedule-

h2h
Bears vs Eagles (playing tonight)

vs CPU
Packers, Jets, Vikings, Cowboys, Bengals, Lions, Titans, Giants, Chargers, Ravens, Cards, Niners, Pats, Saints

update on advance time: looks like it'll be slightly after 6. Lions just started up a little bit ago, but I'll post in here again when we've advanced.
 
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