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Madden 10: How to use the Colts January 21, 2010

Posted by Trey in Madden 10.
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If you like to use the Colts in ranked games or you have them in a league, here is the guide for you on how to be successful with them.

Offense:

The main reason the Colts are one of the best teams in the game is obviously Peyton Manning. This guy is simply the best quarterback on the game and can make any throw you want him to. Feel free to use the directional passing system with him as he will put the ball wherever you tell him to.

In the Colts passing game you have some very good receivers to choose from, and some good running backs. The main weapon you should utilize is the tight end, Dallas Clark. This guy is simply unstoppable as he is too fast for a linebacker to cover and too big for a cornerback or safety to cover. Send him on drags, outs, quick slants, corner routes, even bring him in as the slot receiver when you can. Trust me this guy will make things happen.

The next guy you can look at in the passing game is obviously Reggie Wayne. Even though he isn’t one of the fastest WR’s, he catches just about everything that hits his hands. When you want to utilize him you should use routes that cater to a superb route runner. Wayne is very good at quick slants, comebacks, and deep posts.

You also can obviously use the running game which has a couple of very good runners in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. This team, however, is not exactly built to run. Yes, the line is good, but it’s mostly built for pass protection. Use the run game to set up play action. Addai and Brown are both around 90 speed so you can run them up the gut or off the edge and they’re just as effective either way. They also make very good receivers out of the back field. Use some stretch running plays and power runs, and don’t forget to mix in some tosses because the line is pretty athletic and can get out there with you.

Defense:

This defense is very versatile and capable of running any type of scheme you’d like. It does excel in zone coverage thanks to the pressure created off the edges by the defensive line. If you choose to run man defense you’ll also be fine as there is good speed all over the field at every position. This team can run 3-4 thanks to it’s depth at the linebacker position, but I’d suggest a 4-3 or 46 scheme.

The strength of this defense is the defensive line. This team has 2 of the fastest defensive ends in the game coming off of each edge in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. This helps you in a number of ways. For one thing, the quarterback usually cannot scramble left or right because these DE’s can catch any QB in the game. For two, even if he stays in the pocket, they have such good quick moves that they get pressure without you having to call any exotic blitzes. One weapon that comes off the bench for this line is Raheem Brock. I like to start him at one of the DT positions sometimes, you could check out his ratings and see if that’s something that you would want to do too.

The linebackers are pretty fast but they’re nothing spectacular. Brackett is the playmaker, the savvy veteran that runs the defense. You can pretty much let him do his thing and he usually recognizes the play and makes the right decisions. The OLB’s are fast and good tacklers, feel free to throw in some blitzes with these LB’s to create an insane amount of pressure for the opposing QB.

The defensive backs are extremely good for the Colts. You have some rookies who make plays in Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey, and you also have Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson who are the veteran CB’s that can sometimes completely shut down the guys they are covering. You can usually leave these guys on an island and trust them to not give up the big play. They aren’t the fastest guys in the world, however, so I wouldn’t press them up against guys like Randy Moss or anything. They also aren’t the best at cornerback blitzes, but I would definitely mix some of those in to keep your opponent guessing. Also, don’t forget about your safeties. You have Antoine Bethea who has really become an elite safety in this league, and Bob Sanders (when he’s healthy) is one of the best in the business. If Bob Sanders is out (he usually is) then you have a very capable backup in Melvin Bullitt who can also make some big plays. If you’re a safety user on defense, you’re going to love this team.

Break It All Down:

  • Use timing routes to take advantage of Peyton Manning’s superb accuracy
  • Use the running game to set up play action
  • Take advantage of Dallas Clark’s size and speed
  • Use Reggie Wayne as the possession receiver to pick up those tough third downs
  • Use Addai and Brown out of the backfield as receivers
  • When running, use mostly runs to the outside
  • Let the defensive ends create havoc and wait for the QB to make a mistake under pressure
  • Colts are good in zone defenses thanks to the line creating it’s own pressure

Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to leave a comment for any specific questions you have.

Fun Facts About The NFL January 20, 2010

Posted by Kason in NFL.
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Did You Know??

Randy Moss Owns A Fruit Smoothie Franchise and a Racing Team.

Rodney Harrison holds the record for all time personal foul penalties.

The Draft Class of 1983 consisted of Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly.

Steve Young has a law degree.

The Colts were the first NFL team to have Cheerleaders 🙂

Edgerrin James and Matt Leinart co-own one of the largest indoor go-cart facilities in Arizona.

In 1932, six of the Chicago Bears’ games ended in a tie.

Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has bowled a perfect game of 300.

Ray Lewis’ favorite song is “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins.

JUST A FEW FUN FACTS… THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME 🙂

NFL Playoffs: Wrap-up and Conference Championships January 18, 2010

Posted by Trey in NFL.
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So there were a couple of surprises for this past weekend of football, for me anyway. I did expect the Cardinals to beat the Saints (wow I was way off on that one) and I expected the Chargers to beat the Jets pretty easily. The Saints beating the Cardinals probably wasn’t a very big surprise to most people. However, the Chargers losing to the Jets was a surprise to nearly everyone.

I watched the Jets Chargers game, and I have to say “wow” to the Jets defense and running game. That defense is one of the best I’ve seen for a while, and Darrelle Revis is just unbelievable. They really had Philip Rivers rattled and making bad decisions, and their sure tackling was very impressive. It seemed like whoever made the first contact with the ball carrier was making the tackle. As a Colts fan, it did make me a little more nervous for the Conference Championship game.

One note I would like to mention on the Cardinals vs Saints game was the fact that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie went down with injury early in the game. I don’t believe him being in would have made the Cardinals win, but I do believe it would have made it a much closer contest. He is one of the up-and-coming cornerbacks in the league that is going to be shutting down receivers for years to come.

The Ravens Colts game went pretty much how I expected. The Ravens defense was able to slow down the Colts attack, but their offense gave them no help at all. It seemed like every time the Ravens made a big play, it was negated by a flag that took it away, or they messed it up by trying just a little too hard to make something happen. Ed Reed had 2 interceptions that were taken away, one by him fumbling it during the return, and the other by a pass interference call on his teammate.

The Vikings Cowboys game was pretty ugly. The Cowboys started out seeming like they were going to really give the Vikings a good game, but then the first big play from Favre to Sidney Rice was a morale killer for them. On that particular play Terrence Newman had great coverage on Rice but failed to locate the ball, it looked as if he didn’t even realize it had been thrown as he looked back towards the QB and then back to his man and watched him walk into the endzone.

Now, it’s time for some predictions for the Conference Championship games.

Game 1: New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts

Ok, so traditional football knowledge tells you that a strong defense and a strong run game will get you a championship. The Jets have that. However, with the rules implemented in today’s game, it makes it a little different. They really try to protect the quarterback and receiver to allow big passing plays (which keeps the casual fan coming back) and make the games more exciting. That really makes it tough when your team NEEDS the defense to stop the offense nearly every time in order for you to get a W.

Every team left in the playoffs are very, very good. Once you get to the championship round, the chances of you holding an opponent without a touchdown are slim to none. Especially when you face an offense like the Colts. I expect this game to be fairly close in the end, but I do expect the Colts to come out with a victory. The Colts rush defense has been playing good, and their pass defense is pretty dangerous thanks to Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis coming off the end. I do expect the Colts to force the Jets to throw more, and I expect the defense to rattle Sanchez a lot more than the Chargers did.

FINAL SCORE: Colts 28, Jets 17.

Game 2: Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Alright, I admit that I really underestimated the Saints in my last prediction article. They came out and showed just how dangerous that offense is. Marques Colston amazes me every time I watch him, the fact that he went in the seventh round of the draft is just sad. This guy is so tall and has such long arms that all Brees has to do is just throw the ball near him and he seems to always get in the right position to give only himself a chance to catch the ball. I’m not sure that the Vikings have anyone who can stop him.

The Vikings do, however, have a defensive line that is downright nasty. All 4 guys across that d-line are constantly making huge plays, and would probably be double teamed if they were to start for any other team. I believe this d-line is the only reason the Vikings defense is as strong as it is. Once you get past the d-line, their personnel isn’t that impressive.

I expect to see a rather high scoring game as I don’t see either defense being able to slow down the offenses very much. It is possible that the Vikings could stop the Saints a few times to get the victory, but for some reason I feel like the Saints are going to come out with the W in this one.

FINAL SCORE: Saints 34, Vikings 31.

Leave some comments to let me know what you think of my predictions, thanks for reading 🙂

Importance Of Pocket Presence and Fundamentals January 16, 2010

Posted by Kason in Madden 10.
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Knowing your quarterback and trusting the players rating is the very first step you should take in becoming an elite pocket passer. Once you understand and respect the ability of your quarterback, your ready to move the ball through the air confidently.  Some quarterbacks have the capability of a Peyton Manning while others a Vince Young, just make sure your comfortable with their attributes, trust me we can make it work either way.

The average time it takes from hiking the ball to releasing from the quarterbacks hand is 3 – 4 seconds. In those few seconds your asked to read the defense, evade the pass rush, avoid making the crucial mistake, and most importantly – maintain proper pocket posture to ensure the perfect throw. Madden this year has things right for the most part. No longer are we seeing the sprint left while throwing 50 yards downfield and to the right being completed with ease. If your wanting to drop that deep ball in over the defender your going to need the proper footwork and balance while stepping up into the pocket. If your using a quarterback with a higher deep ball accuracy rating your mechanics are still important but not as important as a lower quarterbacks should be.

This years madden has included the quick evasion from a rusher tool, also known as the playmaker. If you practice using this it will greatly help your wide recievers get open for the big play and avoid getting into long downs.  Simply tap the right analog stick in the direction you would like him to step up or aside from the pressure and you will notice your Quarterback step up or shake to the side trying to buy you time. Once you become more aware of the pocket and how it unfolds, you can manually avoid pressure without leaving the pocket by simply watching your blockers and knowing the defensive guy attempting to tear you apart and moving one step ahead of the defender.

To learn more about the importance of the pocket and how it can improve your passing game contact us or leave a message. We’re here to help YOU become one of the game’s most respected players while maintaining Sim-style play.

NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Predictions January 14, 2010

Posted by Trey in NFL.
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Here comes the divisional round! I know you guys are just as pumped as me, especially if your team is still in the running. This weekend we will see the following match-ups: Colts vs. Ravens, Cowboys vs. Vikings, Cardinals vs. Saints, Jets vs. Chargers.

Alright, so who is gonna win these games? Let’s break it down.

Game 1: Cardinals @ Saints

Throughout the regular season we watched the Saints dominate most teams. Their offense was simply too much to handle for every team they faced, until the end of the season. The Saints showed their weaknesses and let everybody know that they are, in fact, beatable. The Cardinals will surely be studying all the film they can to take advantage of what the Saints showed the rest of the league in their losses.

These two teams are very similar. They rely on their passing game to win each game for them. Which one has the stronger passing game? Sorry Saints fans. Larry Fitzgerald is an unbelievable receiver who simply cannot be covered. He has Kurt Warner throwing to him, who has showed that he still has one of the best arms in the league, and the Saints really don’t have a defensive back that can stop that duo. Darren Sharper is one of the best safeties around, but he can’t be everywhere on the field at once. And if they choose to double Fitzgerald, they will leave Doucet open who showed last week that he’s a more than capable receiver.

This game will be a shootout, just like the Cardinals first game. Brees and Warner will throw for over 300 yards each, but Warner will have the ball last and hit Fitzgerald for the game winning touchdown.

  • FINAL SCORE: Cardinals 42, Saints 35.

Game 2: Ravens @ Colts.

It’s always an interesting game when these teams meet up. The Ravens have arguably the smartest defensive player in the league in Ray Lewis, while the Colts have arguably the smartest offensive player in Peyton Manning.

The Colts offense should be able to move the ball against this defense through the air. The Ravens pass defense isn’t quite what it used to be, but it’s still very strong. The most important thing in this game will be how well the Colts starters perform after such a long resting period. If they can continue playing the way they did during their 14 game win streak in the regular season, this game shouldn’t be much of a contest.

With that being said, if the Colts do show rust, I believe the Ravens will take full advantage of it and possibly steal this game. The Ravens really would need a lot of production out of quarterback Joe Flacco in order to pull out a W. The run game won’t be as successful in this game as it was against the Patriots last week. If Joe Flacco makes good decisions and connects with his receivers, the Colts could be in trouble. But I just don’t see that happening.

  • FINAL SCORE: Colts 20, Ravens 10.

Game 3: Cowboys @ Vikings

So the Cowboys finally made it out of the first round of the playoffs after being stuck there for a very long time. Could this be the year they finally get back to the Superbowl? I highly doubt it.

In order for the Cowboys to get a victory against this very tough Vikings team, they will need a nearly flawless performance from Romo, and a huge effort from the run defense. The Vikings defense and run game are what makes them go, and those two aspects of a team are usually what translates into a Superbowl appearance.

This game will show everyone that the Vikings are the team to beat in the NFC. Peterson is going to get 100 yards and the defense is going to rattle Romo and make him turn the ball over a couple of times. It will really help the Cowboys if Barber is able to play in this game, but it still won’t translate into a victory for them. However, if the Cowboys are actually able to win this game, then they will be in the Superbowl.

  • FINAL SCORE: Vikings 28, Cowboys 14.

Game 4: Jets @ Chargers

The Jets were impressive in their opening playoff game as they cruised past the Bengals with relative ease. The most impressive player in that game had to be either the Jets rookie running back Shonn Greene who busted out for 135 yards, or Darrelle Revis who completely shut down Chad Ochocinco. Mark Sanchez also played very well in his first career playoff game as he connected on 12 of his 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.

The story will be different for this game. The Chargers have a very tough defense that WILL get pressure against the rookie quarterback, and I just don’t see him being able to keep his composure for the entirety of the game. The Jets also have a great defense that will stop the Chargers running game, but I just don’t see them being able to stop Antonio Gates in the passing game.

This game will be a close contest due to the strong defenses of each team, and I have a feeling it will come down to a big play by special teams. I predict Darren Sproles will return a punt for a touchdown and that will be the difference in the game.

  • FINAL SCORE: Jets 18, Chargers 24.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to discussing your thoughts on my predictions, please leave some comments!

Welcome to the official nGxx blog. January 13, 2010

Posted by Trey in General.
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This is THE blog for you if you have any interest at all in Basketball or American Football.

We plan to fill this blog up with loads of content about everything to do with these two sports. Who’s going to win the superbowl this year? Who’s going to win the NBA Championship? Who is getting drafted and when next season? We’ve got all the answers for you.

And that’s not all… we also are active members in the gaming community for the NBA 2k series and the Madden series on Xbox 360. Want to know how to dominate on these games? We will give you all the strategies, tips, and tricks you need to succeed. We can even offer 1on1 tutelage where we will play you in a scrimmage and give you all the instructions you need to improve the weak areas of your game.

I am glad you decided to check us out today and hope that you follow our blog as we plan to post new articles every day, and we look forward to interacting with all of you. Thanks and check back soon.