Here - The Xbox Football League

Issue
6
in this issue >>>
Commissioner’s Corner: Tolerance
Essential Tips for an Improved
Passing Game
Struggling with moving the ball in the air? Are you
looking to increase your quarterback’s completion
percentage and improve his overall passer rating? If
so, then read these tips that should improve your
overall passing attack.
Improving Your Pass Offense
Darren McFadden vs Darren McFadden
Madden Fantasy Football Update
Meet Meaker
to make a play on the ball. Below are a
few tips that might help you reduce the
number of picks your quarterback throws
for the duration of this season:
A Monthly Insight into The XBFL (Xbox Football League)
on
Rule reminder >>>
Can You Hear Me Now?
The Xbox Communicator Headset is not an
option, but a requirement of this league. This
come a time during a game where you need
to pause the action, or communicate with
your opponent. Most people understand that
some people don't like to talk and play at the
keep your mic on mute until it's necessary to
speak again.
- Use left analog stick to direct your
passes more accurately. If you have a
speedy receiver with good awareness
running a flag route, lead him with the
left analog stick and be sure not to press
down the pass button very hard. A pass
with moderate pace should find its way
into his hands and away from the
pursuing cornerback.
Commissioner's Corner: Tolerance
Here we are, a quarter way through our 19th season with the XBFL, and our
fourth consecutive year with Madden Football. As it is every year, I get a
handful of email complaints regarding the gameplay of Madden, sometimes
consisting of simple venting of frustrations and other times down-and-out
tirades of anger towards EA Sports. The one common thread from these
kinds of emails is the reminiscing of the days of 2K Sports’ NFL series.
This season, the number of turnovers
by interception are staggering; much
higher than in the previous years at
While I too at times reflect fondly upon our days with NFL 2K5, I no longer
compare it to Madden. I simply can’t. I can also no longer get angry with
EA and their predatory licensing practices. For me, the real blame lies with
the NFL for allowing a single company to dominate the videogame marketplace. While I hope this changes in the near future, I won’t be holding my
breath until it happens.
this point in the season.
This year, Madden 12 shipped with a number of gameplay flaws, and
reputable critics and Websites have taken notice and called out EA on them,
but in typical fashion, the criticism fell on deaf ears at Electronic Arts. They
claim to have “listened to the gamers” by adding a higher roster count
during the off-season of franchise mode, trades between gamers in Ultimate
Madden and updated video presentations during pre-and post-game
situations……...all essentially non-impactful elements to the game’s core
purpose: NFL Football. Despite the countless suggestions this league has
sent EA Sports, in addition to the hundreds of other leagues in the EA
forums (with threads specific to improving the game), EA has done NOTHING to improve their flagship title. In fact, some of us here in the XBFL have
already experienced game-breaking errors in rulings on the field and reality
flaws (ghostlike defensive backs anyone?).
Yes, we can all vent and complain—but it won’t change anything. What we
all need to do is just enjoy what we have, and the best that we can. We
need to be tolerant of Madden this year because it’s the only game in town.
- If you are trying to fire a pass over the
middle, but not quite through a gap, tap
the button (or apply a bit more pressure
than a tap) to loft the ball over the head
of eagle-eyed linebackers. If you have a
line to pass through, always fire the ball
in there with a hard button press.
fleeced the Vikings upon sending running
back Herschel Walker to Minnesota. The
truckload of picks and players (11 in total)
helped Dallas lay the foundation for three
Super Bowl wins.
NFL Blitz by EA Sports
EA Sports has released their first trailer for
NFL Blitz. Despite “late hits” no longer
being part of the game, the trailer clearly
shows some pretty vicious contact
between players.
In typical Madden fashion, linebackers
are able to leap in the air and snag
balls with their fingertips, and cornerbacks at times appear out of nowhere
same time. Simply stating this before the
match is probably the best way go - simply
This is the 22nd anniversary of the greatest
trade in football history when the Cowboys
doesn't mean members should feel obligated
to speak during a match, however, there may
Did You Know?
- On hooks against stud CBs, underthrowing the ball a bit will keep the pass low
and in front of your receiver, not the CB.
ask the experts >>>
Q: How do I stop shallow crossing routes?
A: Try using LB or DL Spies
One of the best defenses to call are plays that feature a spy, whether it be a lineman or a linebacker. If you are facing an opponent who runs two-to– three yard drags with his TE, a spying
linebacker may not be in position to deflect the ball, but will certainly pounce on the TE as
soon as the reception is made provided the catch is made near the assigned zone. Spy plays
(typically found in 4-3 formations) that feature lineman are great if you are expecting a quick
slant or a shallow TE drag. That said, receivers can run past spies making them less effective.
Additionally, having a DL spy can hurt you if your opponent calls a run play to that side.
One thing that looks pretty evident, EA
has taken some gaming aspects from last
year’s Madden Arcade and incorporated
them into this installment of Blitz. That
said, the new NFL Blitz appears to be
more robust than previous offerings, thus
creating wider appeal for those seeking
more of a run-and-gun arcade football
game.
Fantasy Football Announcement
virtual vs. reality >>> >>>
Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
Darren McFadden vs. Darren McFadden
Running back Darren
Unlike previous seasons where our fantasy seasons began in March after the completion of our standard format leagues, the XBFL Fantasy League III will draft next
month and commence activity the week of Thanksgiving. Please note the
following:
Coach II DYG II
McFadden is the heart and
soul of the Oakland Raiders.
Serving as both a runningback and receiving outlet,
Darren is a double threat any
time he touches the ball. The
only knock against McFadden has been his
durability in which injuries plagued the first
few years of his career. Last year was a
breakout year, and so far this year, his
production value continues to make him one
of the elite players in the backfield.
Under coach II DYG II, the
running game is currently by
committee, with no player being
the featured back. Both
Michael Bush and free agent
acquisition Clinton Portis share
the rock. This is due to McFadden suffering
a sprained PCL that has him out until
approximately Week 8. Prior to his injury
though, McFadden was putting up very
impressive numbers. It will be interesting
to see if #20 can retain that level of play
once he returns to the ball field.
Statistics Through Week 4
Coach II DYG II (XBFL)
Rush: 22 Yards: 221 TDs: 2
Coach Jackson (NFL)
Rush: 75 Yards: 468
TDs: 3
At four weeks into the season, Coach II DYG II
hasn’t been able to fully enjoy the talents of
Darren McFadden . A sprained PCL has had
him sidelined with the ball being distributed
to his two backups. #20’s 10+ yard per carry
under Coach II DYG II is astounding, and well
above NFL McFadden’s 6.4 yards per carry.
xbfl member spotlight >>>
Meet Meaker
“Believe it not Meaker is not only my Gamertag but its the name i go by. Its a childhood nickname that simply has stuck. No real meaning behind it, a friend one day
just blurted out Meaker and 20 some odd years later it's basically turned into my
name. I live in Miami and I'm obviously a die-hard Dolphins fan. I've owned season
tickets since 2002 and though my Fish haven't been all that great lately I will continue to renew my seats till I simply can't anymore. I've played sports pretty much all
my life, mainly baseball and football. Though a freak baseball accident in ‘05 has
really changed that. I now simply play pick up basketball games and some softball. I
also coach my nephews flag football team.
Gaming history. I've been a gamer since the Atari 2600 days followed by Nintendo,
good ole' Dreamcast and then of course Xbox. Oddly enough I've never owned a
PlayStation and don't really care for PC gaming. Sports games have always been my
games of choice, not to say I don't play other games but I just prefer SPORTS whether it be baseball, basketball, or football. You name the sports game and I've played
As for THE XBFL what can I say? Armand does a great job with the league there isn't a single thing I'd change. He actually made
the me the Commish for a season and that didn't turn out very well actually it was pretty much a disaster. But I will take credit for
bringing Trazzy88 into the league; that was pretty much the lone bright spot of that season. I also recommended dman20 who's
a very good friend of mine. We've been friends for well over 20 years. We might disagree on just about everything when it comes
to the Dolphins or football in general but he's a pretty good gamer (I taught him everything he knows), unless of course he's playing me. But then again, I am the all time winningest coach in XBFL history! “
- Because the league understands that everyone has commitments to family, jobs,
coaching, etc., the first 10 weeks of the XBFL Fantasy League will run a one-game
per TWO weeks minimum (i.e. each team is given 14 days to get the game in, but if
all are completed early, the schedule will advance). While there will be overlap
between the NFL and Fantasy formats for some time, the two-week window
should be more than sufficient for most members if they choose to participate.
This change is being tested for two reasons:
coming soon >>>
In The Next Issue
1) In the past two Fantasy Leagues, there was a significant decline in participation
from the regular season to the fantasy season. This was the result of “Madden
burn-out” as well as members’ desire to play non-football related games in the
spring.
2) Should any interest still remain for a continuation of the standard NFL-format
(i.e. a Season 19.5), there will be sufficient time to complete it by spring time with
an accelerated schedule.
An official invitation to the Fantasy Draft will be made during the week of
November 7th with a follow-up reminder to be made on the 14th. Team selections
will be made between November 15-17. The live draft is tentatively scheduled for
Sunday, November 20th at 9pm EDT.
ask the experts >>>
© 2011, The XBFL, All Rights Reserved
www.thexbfl.com
League Update Though Week 8
Stopping Pro-Bowl Tight Ends
Ask the Experts
Ndamukong Suh vs Ndamukong Suh
XBFL Madden Fantasy League Update
XBFL Member Spotlight