HERE - The Xbox Football League

Issue
3
in this issue >>>
Future of Madden in The XBFL
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
Wes Welker vs. Wes Welker
Madden Fantasy Football Update
Meet Kaptain Krunch
or better for catching the ball can be an
effective weapon on the field.
A Monthly Insight into The XBFL (Xbox Football League)
on
Rule reminder >>>
Take Your Flintstones
Vitamins
As of December 21, the NFL had
approximately 51 players who were on the
injury report that were either doubtful, out,
or on the Injured reserve list. This report
was published just prior to Week 16.
Going into Week 15 of the XBFL, well over
100 players have been affected by a
catastrophic injury that either significantly
limited their playing time, or has them out
for the season. The most common injury
among them? A broken collar bone.
If your opponent is showing numerous
zones during a game, identify the depth
of the zones at the snap. Always have
your wide receivers running routes at
various “tiers” - short, medium, and
deep. Try to spot holes in the defensive
coverage and send your WRs there.
Future of Madden With The XBFL
As we approach the final leg of our regular season, and look forward to the
playoffs, The XBFL is already in a planning stage for the upcoming Fantasy
Football season as well as next season.
The rumor mill has been pumping out information that 2K Sports is
supposedly in talks with the NFL about re-acquiring a license to continue the
franchise that prematurely ended with NFL 2K5. As expected, EA Sports is
also negotiating a renewal deal with the NFL. As a staunch supporter of fair
competition in the marketplace, the Commissioner of the XBFL is hoping
that exclusivity deals with the NFL will end in 2011—and that more NFL
games can populate store shelves once again.
Should 2K Sports and the NFL agree to a deal which enables the
development of an NFL 2K12, The XBFL will support that game for the 2011
Fall Season.
While it is understood that many current gamers remain faithful to Madden,
no one can deny the problems it presents to league administrators with
dropped connections, limited admin controls to re-set games, modify scores,
correct statistical errors, and allow schedules to advance when a previous
week’s schedule may not be entirely completed. These issues, in addition to
game altering glitches (i.e. erroneous referee calls, collision detection
problems, inconsistent player A.I., etc.) and the propensity for players to be
injured - it makes for a less than enjoyable experience when relatively
serious competition is taking place.
EA Sports has had plenty of time to polish up their flagship title over the past
six years, and has failed to do so. Should 2K Sports secure the NFL license in
2011 for a 2K12 game, The XBFL will once again be behind them 100%.
Often times, gamers find a favorite
receiver and stick with them throughout a game regardless of defensive
coverages. Having such narrow vision
can lead to an increase in incomplete
passes or worse, turnovers.
Regardless of a wide receivers’ overall
Madden rating, any player with a ‘70’
Another thing you can do to take advantage of zone defenses is to flood
them with more than two WRs on the
same side. By flooding zones, defenses
can’t account for being out-manned on a
particular side of the field.
If your opponent plays-man-coverage,
don’t feel required to go vertical all of
the time. Exclusively vertical passing
games may work a few times, but can be
shut down without too much effort.
Simply call posts, flags and drags, but be
wary of linebackers who may be in zone
while the DBs are in man coverage.
ask the experts >>>
Q:
A:
Did You Know?
For six years now, The XBFL has
considered expanding to other sports
such as basketball, baseball, or
hockey. It did experiment with tennis
years ago using Top Spin 2, however
too many in-game glitches made it
short-lived. That said, The XBFL is
currently looking into a possible PS3
Gran Turismo 5 league for Spring ‘11.
XBFL Fantasy Football
Contrary to what was reported in the last
newsletter, the XBFL’s Fantasy Draft will
not occur until the completion of the
current regular season.
The tentative draft date will take place at
the start of the post-season, most likely
around the start of round two of our
playoffs. This will allow time for the final
Madden roster update to take place.
How do I stop the deep ball?
XBFL Spring Season
Update
Man coverage with double-teaming
and using the strategy pad.
There will be no spring season or
continuation of the current XBFL regular
NFL season.
In Madden Football, not much is more frustrating than playing teams who have one go-to
wide receiver who runs streaks on every play. To discourage this sort of game play, you can
do one of two things: 1) use “Double X” (left) or “Double Z” (right) to assign the safety to
assist the covering CB (or ‘Double Slot ‘if the WR is a slot receiver), 2) use the strategy pad to
back off coverage which will provide your CB more time to react to the WR’s initial
movements and hopefully keep pace with him when the ball is in the air.
Part of the reason is due to the nature
of Madden 11—that is, it being
essentially “broken” with player injuries,
game-altering glitches, etc.
Furthermore, the Fantasy League will
essentially become the ‘Spring Season.”
virtual vs. reality >>> >>>
Pro Bowl Announcement
Wes Welker vs. Wes Welker
Wes Welker is a focal point in
Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
In what may be surprising news to many of you, it is being announced here for the
first time that the XBFL will be hosting it’s first ever Pro Bowl competition at the
completion of our current NFL season!
Coach Kaptain Krunch
the New England Patriot’s
offense. Known for his
effectiveness running WR
screens and being a master of
short routes; he is easily a
favorite target for Tom Brady.
Until last year, Welker’s durability was never
questioned, however any new critics were
quickly silenced as Wes returned far ahead
of schedule from having reconstructive knee
surgery, playing in the first game of the
season and scoring two touchdowns.
Under coach Kaptain Krunch,
Wes Welker was off to a terrific
start where he had 22
receptions and two scores n his
first three games of the season.
However, in Week 7 against the
San Diego Chargers, #83 suffered an injury
that kept him on the sidelines until Week
14. His return to the playing field couldn’t
have come at a better time as New England
is trying to preserve their position as the
second Wild Card holder with three weeks
remaining in the season.
Statistics Through Week 12
Coach Kaptain Krunch
Rec: 30 Yards: 580 TDs: 7
Coach Belichick
Rec. 66 Yards: 592 TDs: 6
Had it not been for “Virtual Wes Welker’s”
injury in Week 8, he would likely have similar
reception numbers, however, despite missing
four games in the XBFL this year, Wes’ yardage and touchdown production is very similar.
xbfl member spotlight >>>
The Pro Bowl will feature the three coaches in each conference with the best
records in a 3-on-3 matchup. Since individual players cannot be selected based on
their performances this season, each group of 3 coaches will determine which
single team will represent their respective conference. At the conclusion of Week
17, three coaches from the NFC and three from the AFC will be contacted with an
invitation to participate, and to help facilitate scheduling amongst them.
Merry Christmas!
The Commissioner would like to extend warm wishes to
everyone in the XBFL as well as their families to have a
Merry Christmas, a safe and happy holiday season, and
a very Happy New Year.
“Twenty-five years ago my parents bought me the Atari 2600 along with “Jungle
Hunt” and “Pac-Man.” My spare time was forever lost to video games. Over the years I’ve
dedicated most of that time to RPG’s, various baseball franchises and first person shooters,
however it was NFL 2K for the Dreamcast that finally turned me on to video game football.
Before then, Tecmo Bowl and Joe Montana Sports Talk Football were ok, but the camera
angles and realistic 3D models that Sega inserted into their game finally brought the NFL to
the 19 inch color TV in my bedroom. A couple years later I received an Xbox Live beta kit
and realized that NFL 2K3 prematurely worked online. After my first offensive series I was
hooked for good.
punted on 4th down and ran a variety of plays without trying to take advantage of glitches in the never perfect, but fondly loved 2K3.
Since joining the league all those years ago I graduated with a BA in Computer Science and relocated 3,000 miles away from my hometown
and now I produce a TV show for G4TV in Los Angeles. I turned 30 a couple months ago, I’m recently engaged to be married and I finally
started writing a novel I’ve been kicking around in my head for the past couple years. But despite this threat of growing up I still thoroughly
enjoy taking part in my weekly XBFL games. I can honestly say that this league is the greatest collection of players I’ve ever gamed with over
the last 25 years. The competition is always fierce, the games are always fun and we have the best virtual commissioner on the Internet!
Thanks go out to everyone who’s played me over the years and all my future opponents who have to deal with my west coast time zone. Go
Patriots!”
In The Next Issue
League Update Though Week 17
Improving Your Pass Rush
Ask the Experts
Ray Lewis vs. Ray Lewis
XBFL Madden Fantasy League Update
XBFL Member Spotlight
Meet Kaptain Krunch
I played A LOT of NFL 2K3. Back then I was going to Northeastern University for Computer
Science and whenever I wasn’t in class, or drunk, I was online, wearing a headset and
running Antowain Smith up the middle in the I Formation for a modest 2-3 yards. There
were nights when the sun would come up and I’d think, “Dammit I better get to class” or
“holy s#!t I didn’t write that paper yet” but I consistently stayed in the top 100 of the leaderboard rankings, mostly because I excelled at exposing “cheesers” who would play as the
Oakland Raiders and run the same plays over and over. It wasn’t until I joined the XBFL’s
first season as a replacement coach for the Kansas City Chiefs that I found real competition.
The games became infinitely more satisfying (and tougher) when I would play someone who
coming soon >>>
ask the experts >>>
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