Random Ramsdom: 8/12/2010

by Eric Nagel on Aug 12, 2010 12:16 AM CDT in St. Louis Rams news

Well I don't know about anyone else, but I bit the bullet and purchased Madden 2011. The last Madden I bought was '09, considering I'm in the camp that says I don't feel like shelling out 59.99 for a roster update, and boy, it kinda feels like it. Sure the new age glam in the menu's is all there, but in essence, it's still the same game. I like the increased realism and fluidity of the animations, it looks more real. But it sure takes you out of the experience when you are bombarded by EA ad's for their games (seriously) and also 'boosters' which basically are cheats you pay for. With real money. Or the fact that, despite the 90 degree weather, everyone is wearing long jeans and sweatshirts. Are all the fans from Death Valley?

I lost to the Cardinals 38-28 in the first game of the season, mainly because of 3 INT's (All-Pro difficulty)...the receivers could barely get any separation from the CB's during the first half. Anyway, onto the links!

Don't look now, but more and more and more pieces of the GSOT have migrated to Chicago. Martz, Lovie Smith, Isaac Bruce. That team is definitely going all out this year.
This is an older article, but one that bears mentioning just for this fact: The projected starting offensive lineman have had barely any, if at all, time to play together. This is arguably the most important part of the offense (with Steven Jackson the centerpiece and Sam Bradford perilously needing to stay upright throughout the year). If they fall apart before the season begins, it's already over.
Ramsgab takes a look at the QB's on the team. Can Thad Lewis stick on the team? You'll just have to read Jeff's take to figure it out!
Ramsherd thinks the Rams should stop playing footsy and sign Danario Alexander already. It's not like it's a clear cut playing field for WR anyway. Throw them all in the fire and let them duke it out. May the best player win.

That's it for today. I'm looking to bounce back against the Raiders in Madden, and I just hope I don't get gouged on the ground...again.

Go RAMS!

(3k's updates)

- One of the more interesting position battles that the staff will need to figure out is the weakside linebacker position where Larry Grant and Bobby Carpenter are working to earn the starting gig. The P-D details some of Grant's motivation.

- The AP's got a piece up on Togs and his itchiness to get on the field when it counts. Let's hope it doesn't develop into a rash.

- Steven Jackson wants to hit the ground running. I apologize for ending this RR with a football pun, but hey, now your day has nowhere to go but up. Go Rams.

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I gave up on Madden a few years ago.

I prefer NCAA Football, those games are just made well. It’s almost like EA tries too hard on Madden.

"I turn around and I’ve got Cueto kicking me in the back with his spikes. It’s super unprofessional. I don’t know where he learned how to fight."
-Chris Carpenter commenting on a bench-clearing fight with the Reds, 8/10/10

by StopSpe on Aug 12, 2010 12:29 AM CDT reply actions

ouch

In my play franchise im 10-2 with the rams on all-madden with bradford struggling and jackson having a terrible year but somehow winning in OT bradford has 5 TDs and 16 INTs so far and jackson has 17 TDs but just 540 yards on 140 attempts

In my sim franchise the rams went 8-8 and made the playoffs (lost first round)

Bradford 16 TDs and 11 INTs and Jackson 1714 yards and 9 TDs

by zaviex on Aug 12, 2010 12:46 AM CDT reply actions

the madden rams fans are chanting buuuuust :(

let’s hope bradford’s performance is more like your sim franchise :)

Seriously, Dodgers... HELP WANTED

by douchiedude on Aug 12, 2010 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions

lol not very good at madden?

j/k

by rams3!!! on Aug 12, 2010 3:04 AM CDT up reply actions

It was close

I tried to play man defense at first, but got burned three times in a row (Matt Leinart was like, 3/3, 171 yards, 3TD’s to start the game). I couldn’t create any pass rush, but Chris Long does have a BITCHIN outside move.

But Steven Jackson got stuffed…13 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD with 4 catches for 28 yards…
Sam Bradford was 23/42 with 376 yards, 3TD’s, 3 INTs.
Laurent Robinson had 1 TD, 160 or so yards
Avery had 2 TD’s, 100 yards

But hey Kevin Payne, when I played the Vike’s pre-season game, I had you absolutely closeline Toby Gerheart or whatever his name is. It was one of those hits where the whole screen shakes. Beautiful.

Sam Bradford drops back, sees Laurent Robinson in the open, and he completes the pass for a gain of 28! Oh- Wait, looks like a holding penalty is going to call this one back...(Oh wait; Barron's gone, ignore that last sentence).

by Eric Nagel on Aug 12, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I resorted to bringing the short side corner or LB

because I couldn’t get a pass rush going either. So if the ball was spotted on the left hash, I’d blitz that corner or OLB and cover with a zone. I figured if they were going to abuse me through the air I didn’t have much to lose.

by CoachConnors on Aug 12, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I tried running a zone scheme

but for some reason the Rams corners and secondary aren’t rated very well with speed. Bradfley Fletcher Bradley got burned because he simply couldn’t keep up.

by Eric Nagel on Aug 12, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

On my PSP,

I brought the Rams to the super bowl (16-0) in all pro. I was depressed afterwards to say the least hah.

To be, or not to be, — that is the question: — Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer — The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, — Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, — And by opposing end them?

by AbsolutMoose on Aug 12, 2010 1:46 AM CDT reply actions

Madden

I really like the new Madden, for a start the run blocking is MILES better. Its all about picking out the LB or S who you’ll have to beat with S-Jax… Saying that, it’s even more fun playing co-op with a buddy and being a lead blocker. Especially on screens! And outside runs with the guard pulling out wide….

Follow my NFL-orientated Twitter Feed http://twitter.com/RossMiles

by YankeeDoodleBrit on Aug 12, 2010 1:49 AM CDT reply actions

you guys prefer xbox or ps3?

by rams3!!! on Aug 12, 2010 3:05 AM CDT reply actions

i have to wait an age to get my madden but damn when i start i will be kicking some ASS

i don’t know how you can lose
on the demo i play as colts and just had a 25 completion 381 yard 6 td game with manning lol
threw about 33 times, don’t know what the completion percentage is on that

i know there is a difference between passing to wayne and to avery and using peyton and sam but really i think it’s a practice/experience thing…

just keep on going and on obvious run situations run blitz and make sure they can’t bounce outside. when they pass use zone blitzes they really mess with the cpu lol

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Aug 12, 2010 8:34 AM CDT reply actions

I have heard a lot of people hating on the new madden but I like it

Sure it isn’t a huge upgrade from the last one but I still think it was money well spent.

Pros:

Running is so much more enjoyable in this one. You actually get blocks and your running back ACTUALLY BREAKS TACKLES. I just trucked through defenses on Pro difficulty so I upped the difficulty to all pro. Running isn’t quite as fun on that difficulty but at least it isn’t too easy.

The game just feels so much smoother than the last.

The receiver’s footwork on the sidelines was a much needed improvement.

Less time needed in the playbook, love it!

Got rid of the chain gang coming out on every single close call. As well as the refs coming together to decide whether or not it was a TD when it clearly was/wasnt.

Gus Johnson makes it more exciting.

Cons:
Pretty boring selection of music. I love classic rock as much as the nice guy but mix it up a little please.

Way too many replays.

Recycled chris collinsworth commentary, yawn.

Oh Jets why wont you give me revis for a 1st round pick, 2nd round pick and quincy butler?

by Buck Nasty87 on Aug 12, 2010 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

I'm with you on this one.

Although I didn’t buy the game, a friend of mine was at Time Square when Drew Brees was throwing games out. Since he is a die hard X-Box 360 guy, he gave the game to me. A free Madden game is so much sweeter.
I tried to do the Franchise as the Rams, but then realized I prefer to be the GM and drafted my own Rams team. Bradford to Calvin Johnson just feels so much better than to Avery (who is my number 3).
I wish I had more time to play, but with two puppies right now, it is a bit difficult.

by CaliRamMan on Aug 12, 2010 11:55 AM CDT reply actions