Madden 2004 Need serious help,advice.

[Terminal23]

I've been playing online and I'm getting killed.Everything I try and do doesn't work.My record is 2-22..God I suck.I don't have a clue how to win at this game.Really starting to get the best of me now.Excuse while I scream for a few secounds.........................Ok,that didn't help.You know whats really bad is.I sucked at real sports as a kid and I guess I'm trying to relieve my childhood over by playing these games.Only thing is though that I suck at these too.MAn,I'm this close to throwing this computer out the window.Not really.
Update as of today I'm 5-28.Look out here I come.At this rate I should be at 500 by Dec.25 2050

[jkrohn]

Well, can you beat the computer?

One of the most important aspects of this game is to not get predictable. If all you do is pass, it is quite easy to defend. If all you do is run, then same here. You need to setup plays, not just run any play (ie the run sets up playction).

Where are you getting most defeated? Defense or Offense?
Make sure you do the drills, improve your passing, see the passing lanes, recognize defenses, where the safteys are going, etc....

As far as running goes, see the holes, don't sprint till you hit the hole. Make use of juke and stiff-arm to break tackles.

Jkrohn

[cunokyle]

Definitely practice! Set the single player mode to All Madden and practice for awhile. Definitely mix up your play calling...go for short easy passes more than the deep passes. You do not have to get a first down every play...you need to manage the clock.

If you can tell wether your opponent is playing man or zone coverage, the passing game will be alot easier.

[luwe]

I have the same problem.
All Madden? I can't beat any regular teams on Pro
I don't know why. I mix up the plays. Don't know much
about setting up plays but I know to run playaction after
a running play. I really don't understand it. I'm getting killed
by the browns while playing with dolphins. Any advice would be appreciated.

[jkrohn]

Well on Pro it shouldn't be *too* hard.

All you will need are two things.
1) A decent running game
2) A decent passing game.

On Pro throwing into coverage doesn't really matter too much. All that really matters on Pro is that you hit the routes at the correct time. Look at the routes in the playbook. The important things to learn are to not hit a reveiver on a comeback too late. Those get picked eaisly. Also hit receivers on outs as soon as the break out. Otherwise the DB's figure it out and will pick/deflect the pass.

Work on your run game in Minicamp. Learn to use the stiff-arm and juke as it greatly bolsters your running game. Also don't sprint all the time. You have to let the hole open up, wait for you blockers, THEN sprint. Sprinting all the time will lead to a seriously unsuccessful running game.

Work on your passing game in practice.

The other thing to work on is recognizing defeses and reacting appropriately. If you see them blitzing, setup an appropriate hot route. (Perhaps a slant or quick out). Utilize your backs in the flats as safety valves on passes.

Just work on not throwing into coverage, not rushing your running plays, and playing conservative defense.

On Pro you really don't need to worry about mixing the plays as much as you do on the higher levels.

Jkrohn

[UpYourz]

If you can win on Pro and don't lose by much on All-Star or w/e is higher then Pro then you can compete. With that record I feel bad for the teams that lost to you j/k