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QB'S
ARE FRANCHISE PLAYERS
 Quarterbacks are the
"elite" players in football. Thus they are spared much of the
dull routine and contact that their fellow teammates must endure. To play
this position you must come to the game with large amounts of desire. Hey,
even in sandlot competition, he bears the burden of responsibility. His
smarts, his skill, his execution on every play in the game. So if you do
not have a strong desire to accept these challenges, you should leave the
joystick alone and take up another hobby, because you have no hope of
succeeding. To succeed in Madden Millennia you must study, practice
and have self-discipline. There are no short cuts. Success will be
achieved through diligence and through patience. Most ballers starting out
in Madden (reference is made here to the 12 to 19 age group) are in a
hurry to excel.
These cats try to cramp years of experience into a single game. There are
some that never hit the practice mode. Then you have some that do but
quickly become bored with practice and with the fundamentals of football.
(Studying the play diagrams) As in their fast pace life, they want to move
ahead, to advance to the next stage.
 Don't
be in such a big hurry. Disciple yourself to learn all the basics,
joystick commands, football play diagrams, as many game play tips
available, (check my tips section in the rear of manual), what style of
football does the team your in control of execute, etc., knowing these
areas will give you a solid foundation. This can be done through study,
through practice, a lot of patience and with extra work. Most semi to
professional ballers are individuals that know all of the above and they
know their teams inside and out. The ballers that win the most often are
those, which emphasize the basics of fundamental football. Throw in a dash
of stick control because this is what Madden is all about. Now you are
ready for my "Playing as the Quarterback section".
Given
time, you should be able to recognize what your receivers and your running
backs do best. You will find that one of your receivers is exceptionally
strong and will catch the ball on those short routes over the middle where
the linebackers get pretty nasty and rough on pass receivers. He's your
man on third and short, when you "must" put it in the air but
when you don't want to go deep. (go to guy) Another receiver may have a
passion for the square-out pattern (Cris Carter is a great choice here),
while another may have the speed to run the deep routes (Randy Moss is
your answer here). Use these players only on patterns that they do best.
This will help your team effort, which is your first responsibility, and
it will make you a more successful baller. You should avoid playing the
favorites game. "Playing favorites" This means not to throw too
often to "one man" because he has high attributes or he may be
your best receiver. Use all of your personnel. Mix it up. Keep the defense
guessing. Always keep in mind that winning football is a team game, an
11-man game, and individual effort should only be part of the overall team
effort. In the beginning, the novice baller should rely mainly on the
advice of the "ask a coach" feature built within the Madden NFL
2001 game for the PS2. For the PS1 version turn your coaches mode on, for
game play tips to pop up while you're in game play mode. You should have
some sort of game plan laid out and go to it when in trouble. The ask the
coach feature gives you sound advice for the particular situation your in.
You should listen closely to his advice and consider it before breaking
the huddle. It is aware of the many problems facing the novice
quarterback, and his suggestions will prove helpful to you once the
whistle blows. Novice ballers fall into a trap of trying to do it all with
the pass. Don't get me wrong because it is good to have this confidence,
as it has been repeated time and time again, but it isn't sound football
when you ignore your other offensive weapons at your disposal.
Note: Seldom
is a passing attack highly successful if the running game has not also
been effective. This is not a rule but most college and professional teams
aim some where for a balance between running and passing. This is the
ideal strategy for a successful attack. Keep in mind that it doesn't
always work out this way. More than often a team is forced to put the ball
in the air more than it had planned to. This is a part of football I hate.
Rarely does everything work the way I want it. But at least give the game
plan a try. Use your running backs to soften up your opponent's defense.
Mix your passing and running plays. Keeping your opponent off balance. Run
when they expect you to throw sometimes and throw when they are set up to
stop the run. But do this all within the framework of your game plan. When
you get tripped up remember you have the "ask a coach" feature
to help you out.
Basic
Definitions & Strategy
1.Read - a
pre-snap look at the coverage on a Receiver (WR) or Running-Back (RB).
2.Strong side - the Tight End (TE) side of the formation.
3.Weak-side - NOT the Tight End (TE) side of the formation.
4.Man Coverage - the Defensive-Back (DB) is squatting up close OR at least
ONE or BOTH Safeties (the Strong-Safety (SS) and Free-Safety (FS) is/are
up close to the line of scrimmage.
5.Zone Coverage - the Defensive-Back (DB) is standing up, not squatting,
OR both Safeties (the Free-Safety and the Strong-Safety) are far away from
the line of scrimmage.
6.Flanker (FL)*Z - the Wide Receiver (WR) lined-up OFF of the line of
scrimmage.
7.Split-End (SE)*X - the Wide Receiver (WR) lined-up ON the line of
scrimmage.
8.Short Side - the side of the ball or formation that is closest to the
sideline.
9.Wide Side - the side of the ball or formation that is farthest from the
sideline.
10.Motion - the Running-Back (RB), Tight End (TE), Wide Receiver (WR) can
be motioned to either side of the formation.
1.SCREEN: Works excellent against man or zone coverage.
2.SLANT: Works good against zone coverage.
3.CORNER (motion): Works good against man or zone coverage.
4.DOUBLE FLAG (motion): Works good against man or zone coverage.
5.ALL GO: Works excellent against man or zone coverage.
6.CURL: Works good against man or zone coverage.
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