Hard to run in Madden '05?
 

Anyone else notice this?

I've had a couple of big games with Portis, but only because I ripped off a long run to pad my stats. I've also had my share of 20-25 carries, 70-90 yards type games. The lineman really get off their blocks quick, I've been stuffed in the backfield more times than I can remember. And the LB's are very quick to the hole.

Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, I like the challenge. Just wondering how it's been for you guys running the ball. Any plays or formations working especially well for you?

I used to also kill the D with swing passes to the RB, but now the LB's are all over that stuff!

Yeah, it definitely has been harder to run the ball. Although I noticed something kind of cool. I played the bucs, and I had trouble running the ball. Then I played the Giants, and averaged about 7 or 8 yards a carry. It was cool to see the difference in defenses. I've found that its usually a lot easier to run it up the gut. Also, counters work pretty well.

Yeah I noticed that also. I remember in 04 Portis would always break a couple of tackles before going down. I did have a 200 yard game with Portis in Madden 05, but it was against the Browns and on All pro. Maybe I should move up to All madden.

it's just different than last year, not harder. I've had a couple 300 yard games with portis, just rushing. try the i formation, two tight ends lined up on one side and use the counter play. if the D loads up on the side that you're running, just use the playmaker mode and go the other way, works 95% of the time for a big gain.

300 yard game?

what level are you playing on?

a whole different one!

I've done some tweaking with the AI and running has been a little easier.

Still, it seems when you go up against a tough run D, they play you tough while in past Maddens you could run on just about anybody at will.

I definatly miss the "jump" feature, which helped me evade tackles from behind. Triangle now protects the ball. Also, i find it very difficult to spin effectively.

I also miss the jump, I can't stop from hitting it though. Well at least I'm protecting the ball, LOL.

I thought the spin button was getting out of control, you used to be able to cut on a dime, it was almost not fair. This year it's definitely not as effective.

It is harder because for 2005, they tweaked the AI to better defend against outside run and counter plays. I think it's a LOT harder to get a decent pass game going this year than any other year. Please share if you guys have some "go-to" plays. I've had some luck using Weak-I Twin WR (Cross Under). If I see man coverage, I would move Portis out to the flanker and hot-route him to a streak pattern and throw deep. If I see them in a zone, I would wing the ball to Coles for a quick 10+ yd gain.

you have to spin muh earlier this year

All in all, I've noticed you need to kind of anticipate the defenders moves this year, doing spins and jukes way earlier. I didn't mind the jump becoming automatic as I never used the damn thing anyway. I play on All-Madden and I average about 175 yds a game rushing.

I created a new tailback, named after me. He's 6'4" and weighs 260 pounds wih a mullett hanging out of his helmet and tatooed biceps. He's a monster and he's averaging me 150 yards a game with 3 TDs. I hold down 'speed burst' every time he gets the ball until the play is over. I use Portis on punt returns. I (my created namesake) was the Horse Trailer Player for tonights game!

on all madden i can rip 250 a game with only sprint and spin... same thing i use to rack up insane numbers on the running drill.

You want me to drive up to Springfield and shut down your 250 yard per game average?

250 ypg? How long are your quarters?

Anyway, using motion is really pretty effective when you can see that certain people will be breaking earlier on the ball (for example a linebacker blitz). The holes will open in different ways and I find that when you have a speedy running back like Portis that motioning the Fullback to the Tight End position is pretty effective and it allows the running back to hit the hole much faster, w/o having to wait for holes to open up as much.
The counter play is still my best one. I really like it because every once in a while it will spring you for that super long gain because the safeties get out of position and a super fast running back can exploit that and break to the end zone.

longer than 5 minutes usually, but not always ;)... you can fake defenses and blockers to one side if your a bit lucky and up for some barry sanders sh*t...

usually i get 4, 10, 1, 1, 3, 5, 2, 12, 2, 70 etc in the running game...

i don't do nearly as well against humans, the AI can still get caught doing stupid things over and over again on all madden.

I am late to the game here but the money play is the split belly off of Weak I Big formation. 7-8 consistently with Portis and absolutely no AI changes or tweaking of players or anything. Against a bad defense you could score 40 points simply running this play over and over again. Use motion to chaneg the line focus in need be.

I'm averaging 7.5 yards per pop with Portis on all-pro level using the Gibbs playbook.

The key seems to be I got his break tackle # up to 97 from training camp drills and alot of times once he breaks that first tackle he's gone. I've had a couple of games now where he's broken off multiple 70+ yard TD runs.

Yeah the break tackle is key since it seem like guys shed blocks from like 3 yards away and make tackles now. Sorta weird when a guy is stuck on your right tackle 4 yards away and next thing you know he's pulling you down.

Yeah the D is a little too jacked up this year. I think they need to continue to find a happy medium.

i noticed if you dance behind the line of scrimmage, ALL the defenders follow your east west movements perfectly while closing on you, but none of the offensive guys even try to throw blocks or anything... its unrealistic in both ways there...

i notice interesting AI movements all the time. often when running a wide play I can have portis running east-west with my left tackle on the end. the end will have a one step lead on the tackle to the outside and be in good position to tackle portis for no gain. but often the end will turn back to engage the tackle for no reason whatsoever and portis justs runs by them. weird.

[QUOTE=FRPLG]i notice interesting AI movements all the time. often when running a wide play I can have portis running east-west with my left tackle on the end. the end will have a one step lead on the tackle to the outside and be in good position to tackle portis for no gain. but often the end will turn back to engage the tackle for no reason whatsoever and portis justs runs by them. weird.[/QUOTE]
yeah I've noticed that alot in '05, you'll think a defender is closing in on you then all of a sudden he turns to engage someone, where's Illdefinded to tell us how much Madden stinks? LOL

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]yeah I've noticed that alot in '05, you'll think a defender is closing in on you then all of a sudden he turns to engage someone, where's Illdefinded to tell us how much Madden stinks? LOL[/QUOTE]

here i am. uh yeah, you shouldn't have to have 93 Break Tackle just to cross the line of schrimmage. save $30 and get ESPN2k5. heh.

I usually have Portis carry at about 3.8 ypc for a total of about 115 yards per game on All-Madden with 6 minute quarters. I use a lot of goal line formations for running plays and I run sweeps to the outside. I replace the TEs in this formation with O-linemen and shift the linemen at the line of scrimmage so I have a reserve OT working on a DB off one of the starting tackles.

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]I use a lot of goal line formations for running plays and I run sweeps to the outside. I replace the TEs in this formation with O-linemen and shift the linemen at the line of scrimmage so I have a reserve OT working on a DB off one of the starting tackles.[/QUOTE]

shouldnt have to do all that either ;)

then again. maybe Gibbs should try that RF, and just give up on the pass.

I bought 2k5 a while back but I really haven't played it much.

Maybe I'll throw it in this weekend and give it a go.

what gets me is the absolute impossibility of certain plays ever working in the running game. Any play where it is not a straight handoff directly to the rb and can get the rb to line quickly NEVER works. Several of the off tackle plays and such have the qb drop laterally to hand the ball off nearer to the proposed hole. Since Ramsey is so damn slow Portis ends up losing a step and either an OLB or the End ALWAYS make the tackle on those. I can't even use those. I have to have Cartwright lead directly in front of me and create some misdirection to have a chance.

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I bought 2k5 a while back but I really haven't played it much.

Maybe I'll throw it in this weekend and give it a go.[/QUOTE]

you should. try Pro difficulty, i think its just right.

I used to have that problem too. Not sure exactly what I did but more of my running plays seem to work now.

I always make it a point to have a top offensive line, and in double or triple TE sets I replace the TE on the strong side with one of my backup OL.

Also, I used to hold the turbo button right away once the back got the ball, now I wait until I have a hole to hit. When you're holding turbo you don't have the agility you need to cut and make that initial move that can sometime get you into the open field.

This is the first Madden where I really had to work on my running game. In past games you could always rely on being able to run the ball right from the first time you played. I kinda like '05 for that.

Thank goodness for you guys and this thread. I was looking for something in Portis' ratings (which are stellar) because I just cannot get the guy loose with any consistency. I've been going nuts trying to run the ball, I've even considered using Shanahan's offense since everyone every says its the system. I'll try that tonight.

The only money play I've found so far is I formation curls. But I hate using them because it's hard to get YAC because the corner is usually right there.

If you're consistently getting 300 yds a game on All Madden you're either playing against the Berlin Thunder or you have way too much free time on your hands.

Running has always been my strong point in madden. I have been getting over 200 a game on all pro, with five minute qtrs, everythign default. So ill probalby go to all madden now. i could dominante on all madden on 04, ive only had the time to play half a season on madden 05, so i started with all pro.

My disc went bad so i had to fraking order another copy, should be here next week,

which offense do you use skinsncanes?

I tried the run and gun for a season but I've actually had better luck running with Gibbs' playbook. Just missed 2k with Portis this season, ended up with 1900 and change.

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]which offense do you use skinsncanes?

I tried the run and gun for a season but I've actually had better luck running with Gibbs' playbook. Just missed 2k with Portis this season, ended up with 1900 and change.[/QUOTE]
I've been using New England's playbook, and loving it.

I've never had this much trouble running the ball. I can go about 80-100 yards a game on all-pro with default but thats with one or two big runs. Take away my big runs and I am averaging like 1.5 yard a carry. The defenders seem to make tackles easier and shed blocks very easily. That is of course when they actually get blocked. Often LBs penetrate almost immediately on the snap and running is impossible. EA has also seemed to negate the effect of spin moves and jukes. The jukes seem almost worthless accept to make it esier to get tackled and the spins are much too difficult to execute properly in traffic. Disappointed in the direction of the running AI I am! One other thing I notice is that there are numerous plays(like HB Lead) where the play may go off tackle or guard and basically the whole play is super slow because Ramsey's ass is slow as molasses on the hand off. I can't even consider using any type of play that isn't a quick handoff and hit the line right away.