| 02 September 2009
Fellow Addicts: Chris and company have done a great job keeping us up on the latest free agent addition Edgerrin James. But I wanted to take a minute and discuss how this new addition should change the way you play with the Seahawks in Madden 10.
When the game came out August 14, Seattle’s HB core (#1 and #2 running backs) were the lowest rated in the NFL. It was an average overall rating of 71.50 taking Jones 75 with Forsett’s 68. With the release of Duckett and his 66 overall rating and the pick up of Edge and his 84, Seattle now has a much improved HB core, at least according to overall rating. Let me begin by saying that I will miss Duckett and his short yardage ability. Every Madden player has to have a go to play for 4th and short. Duckett was my go to. You couldn’t ask for a better short yardage back short of Brandon Jacobs. Glass half full, this gives me a chance to work on short yardage pickup with a play other than FB dive. The move also increases our HB core average by 8 points to 79.5 which isn’t great, but it gets us out of the NFL cellar. We are not even in last in the NFCW. Arizona now has that honor with Wells 79 and Hightower 75 for an average of 77. [Read More]
What does this mean for your strategy and game plan when playing with the Hawks? Well, before this move, running the ball was more of an attempt to keep your opponent honest than anything else. Short quick controlled passes have been and still are the key to a great offense with the Seahawks. But now there is at least the option to use the running game as a bigger part of your attack. With Edge, you can run up the middle, bounce things outside, throw HB screens, or passes to James on a flat route. In real life James will not be given a chance to start for Seattle. In Madden he is an every down back and should be your starter over Jones because of his 9 point advantage in overall rating. The dynamics of the backfield have changed. Instead of having 2 or 3 role players, the Seahawks are now a one back team with James. With Duckett and Jones in the backfield, it was smart to give inside runs to Duckett while giving outside runs to Jones. First down Jones, third and short Duckett. Now everything runs through Edge. James and Jones are similar enough in size and running style that there is no need to split the carries.
The only time I recommend using a different HB than James, other than to spell him with Jones when he is tired, is to use Moore in the Wildcat as the second HB lined up outside at WR. Specifically the play called Jet where the HB in motion takes the handoff and starts running toward the sideline. Opposing D’s just do not expect a HB from the Seahawks to have 95 speed. By the time they figure out that Moore is a burner, it is too late. Like the wildcat in real life, this play is not supposed to be a base package but a change up to catch your opponent of guard. I have used this play multiple times for 60+ yard gains. If you get hit while running with Moore forget about it. Start holding RB so that he doesn’t fumble. Do not hit stick to try and evade more tacklers. He will loose the ball if you try for those extra yards.
Back to James. Having a better overall player at HB will help not only improve the running game, but set up those short passes even better, especially if you throw in the play action. Short yardage duty now falls on James and Schmitt. Neither is as good at it as Duckett. I am planning on running pass plays where the FB runs to the flat on short third and fourth down situations. Using the duel HB switch package that puts the starting HB in the FB position will put James at FB. The only thing that has a chance of stopping this is the cover 2 zone that has the starting CB’s cover the flats with light blue zones. Any other D call will most likely produce a first down. If cover 2 is called, check down or you may just be out of luck.
For me, the loss of Duckett means an increase in the amount of thought that needs to go into a short yardage situation. Every time I needed a first down I would call for a FB dive with Duckett at FB. Not only that, every time would be to the left behind Walter Jones. This play was money for at least one to three yards no matter what the defense did and it would work multiple times in one game. You could call it out to the guy your playing against and he still couldn’t stop it. I am not a fan of calling the same play over and over again (especially with the new Madden 10 feature where CPU controlled players get an increase in play recognition ratings on plays that are called multiple times in one game, meaning players recognize the repeated play faster and CB’s jump routes on plays they have seen before) but the FB dive with Duckett was my go to play when in need of a yard. It is still an option with Schmitt but no longer a no brainer play.
I am optimistic about the James pick up. Even though the Seahawks no longer have a short yardage back, James will help avoid such situations by picking up the first more often on first and second down. He has the stiff arm and trucking ratings to get tough yards up the middle and the speed to be effective running to the outside.
I have lost enough games that I probably should not be giving advice, BUT… I recommend using running plays that take advantage of our two best O line players, the power run to the left. First, replace the starting RG (Wrotto 66) with Unger who is rated much higher at 76 than Wrotto. Then run the power to the left with a formation you feel comfortable with. The key to this play is waiting to hit the turbo button. Unger will pull and head left to pick up a block. On most plays, instinct tells you to hit the turbo button immediately after the handoff. With this play, try to wait to hit the turbo button till Unger makes his block. This is not a long wait, probably only a second or so, but having the discipline to not hit turbo immediately with the defense bearing down on you is tough. When Unger makes his block, hit turbo while aiming Edge toward Unger. If all the blocks set up (not hitting turbo helps this) it is possible to break off big runs even with Jones as the HB. Plus hitting turbo as you hit the hole helps avoid contact through the hole and have turbo left over to break away from the secondary.
That’s all from the self proclaimed SA Madden expert. How will you Addicts be utilizing Edge’s talents? Who are your favorite substitutions to make? (Besides the Unger sub, Wilson for Russell is my favorite)
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