Week 4 Picks brought to you by: Pause

These are the week 4 picks brought to you by Pause. Pause for you skinny jean wearin motha ***** who need some change in ya' life.

Rams @ Ravens
LB, you lucky SOB. You’re lucky I’m not playing you now! LB, you’re lucky I have my favorite team, otherwise I’d switch teams to the AFC North and kill you twice a year. The Rams have no chance in this game. Ravens will steamroll the Rams and keep it moving.

Texans @ Jaguars.
Jaguars rebounded with a big (pause) win over BD and the Steelers. The Texans are coming off a bye week. As I said two write-ups ago, the Jags and Colts are the class of the AFC South, the Texans are just battling not to be last and get AJ into the pro bowl. Jaguars flex their muscles here against the Texans.

Broncos @ Jets
Do the Broncos have an owner? They have to have an owner, I mean, who doesn’t want to play with the holy child that is Tim Tebow featuring the Denver Broncos? Well, I’d imagine no one would want to play with them as they go up against the New York All Pro’s. No matter the Owner of the Tim Tebow’s, the Jet’s will finish this one 3-0. Chalk one up for the Pause Police.

Raiders @ Patriots
Raiders are coming off of a bye week after not looking all that impressive their previous two games even though they’re 1-1. The Patriots are coming off of what should be a huge win over the Chargers. I say should, because it seems the Chargers don’t wear the armor of invincibility that they used to. Even so, they’re still a good opponent, with that I see the Patriots taking step towards the top (pause) of the AFC with a win here.

Chiefs @ Bills
How many damn teams had a bye?!? The Chiefs want to get it together and may only be one player away from catapulting themselves into the mid-upper tier of the AFC. The AFC West is wide open (pause) and the Chiefs could make a huge move in getting in front (pause) of everyone with a win here. The Bills want to be famous, but being a “0”: in the win column will not get them there. Famous, change your damn GT! PAUSE!

Bengals @ Browns
Bengals finally get a win…….against the Seahawks, whoopte fuckin doo! I see the Seahawks are tanking as I’ve instructed them to do, good job. Don’t look too much into the Bengals win……except they are playing the Browns. This game…..I mean seriously…..who cares? They’re playing for 3rd place in their division. Winner? No one

Steelers @ Titans
…….BD, I picked you to win and you got taken to the woodshed (pause). Go kill yourself, come (pause) back and start over. Did you forget your plays or personnel or something? Get your shit together man. Titans……disappointment. The Titans seem to keep getting their feelings hurt, on and off the field. My dad used to tell me to suck it up and get back out there. You know what I use to say to him when he told me that? I used to say “Damnin, Dad, pause yo got damn self!” What does that have to do with this? Nothing, I just felt like telling a story. BD, you lose this time, I’m gonna find you, wrap a terrible towel around your Xbox and make sure that bitch overheats.

Colts @ Falcons
This will be a bitter sweet game for my colleague. While I’m sure he will mercilessly batter the Falcons in a well done Cornish hen, he will also hate to see his favorite team suffer. I feel sorry for the Falcons owner because this is no CPU he will be playing. Chalk another one up fore the Pause Popo.


Take it away Q-Truth Killings

Panthers Vs Saints
It's Emmy vs The pause popo. Shit is real. Tanner Talbert is on pace to break some records. Dubb is on pace to make Reggie Bush/Drew Breesus MVP candidates. It's gonna be a all out war. Will Storm Williams make an impact? My guess... Dubb stops Tanner and pause popo win's by 3.

Chargers Vs Bears
The Superbowl runner up against the Superbowl champ. The rematch of the year. And the winner.. The Bears. The chargers are off to an unimaginable sub .500 record. Due to his emotional issues, he probably won't be available. But even if so, Bears win.


Giants Vs Eagles
The Week 2 rematch is back. Back in Week 2. The giants were furious. But the question remains the same. Will DeSean jackson zig-zag his way to another victory. Or will I be subjected to that stupid-ass rendition of silk trying to sing super mario music.... (God, I hope not.) Giants will win this week. Shit is real. There will be no digital ---- this time..

Colts vs Falcons
Shiz is gonna write up this game. Colts are pissed. Falcons are in trouble. Look for Peyton Manning to power up to Super Super Manning 3. (Your bad, Basil).

Buccs Vs Packers
Shiz vs Reese. If Shiz is unbelievably high, then score another victory for the Pause Popo. If not, he'll still win. Packers are decimated by injuries. Pause Police go 3 for 3 by my standard. Am I biased? So what, nigga!

Seahawks vs Redskins
Last time... The Button faced a real corner (The Planet) he didn't put up button numbers. This week, look for him to sink Revis Island and laugh all the way. Internal Affiairs will win by 25. With or without a user for Seattle. Don, play the SVU intro before the game, my nigga.

Lions Vs Cardinals
Wow... I don't really care about this game. Cards will win. Lions won't show up. On the field, or with the user. Shit is really real. Cards owner won't join a chat when doing questionable shit.. Cause his mic is broken. But if the computer gets digitaled... He will get the all-time. Madden digital. So play it down the middle (pause that shit.)

Good stuff!

TheShizNo1 wrote:

Lions Vs Cardinals
Wow... I don't really care about this game. Cards will win. Lions won't show up. On the field, or with the user. Shit is really real. Cards owner won't join a chat when doing questionable shit.. Cause his mic is broken. But if the computer gets digitaled... He will get the all-time. Madden digital. So play it down the middle (pause that shit.)

Awesome you don't care about the game, because it's pretty evident that not many people care about the league at all and seriously it is getting tired and quickly for this "5 star owner" (no offense dubb, I've had quality interactions with you).

But evidently no one can post anything but sh!t talk on a msg board (well, except for the porn gifs on the old site) and I can't even get a gg from anyone after a game (until this time oddly enough from my accuser -- so thanks for that at least, shiz -- sincerely). But my "questionable shit" was evidently tragic enough to report to the commish mid-game who had no problem typing a msg, but evidently shiz's couldn't take the time to address it in writing respectfully.

My mic is not broken, it just doesn't exist. I play at night with 2 kids and a wife sleeping in the next room, so the volume's on 2 and a mic is not an option. It's not a requirement for the lg. I have no problem hitting (pause) and typing, or letting the D play and do it to keep the game going, as I did the entire final drive for you. I typically do it after an impressive drive, play and then at the end of the game. I have never once avoided a virtual "coach's handshake." It's called sportsmanship. Leave the trash talk for the "court."

Here's the "questionable" play where I "zig zag" -- I honestly had never heard that term before:

TIPPED TD PASS

That's a tipped pass -- which I (pause) and typed "srry abt that" to shiz bc he got EA'ed there (but that's the breaks sometimes I guess on ALL-PRO), but all my receiver did there was turn left then turn right when there was a defender in his path and then head to the sidelines. If that's "questionable shit" then I really have no idea what to say or how to play this game in a way that will be ok by you. I am by all regards not a great player, and was surprised that I took that one to the endzone -- I honestly attributed it to the surprise that the WR caught the ball making the defense slow to react -- because lord knows I didn't realize he had it right away!

I googled "madden 11 zig zag" and the only actual discussion I can find about it is on OS (which I am a member, played lots of unranked games against users last year and this and have never once had issues with MY play come up), and it actually looks like it's talking mostly about kick returns -- and I've been burned that way I think plenty, but I also think it's the only way you can influence the wedge of blockers ahead of you, otherwise they run straight ahead and don't react to the coverage team realistically. So there's arguments to defend both sides in my view. Also dubb is involved at some point in the discussion -- which is cool -- so I don't know if that's where this "rule" comes from or not.

My take is that the long and the short of it all is the idea that turning left or right using the analog stick disrupts locomotion on the CPU controlled D only. I think what is missing is a huge part of this argument (stick skills and All-Pro vs All-Madden arguments aside) is that this is M11, not M10. There is no sprint function anymore, so learning to use BOTH sticks effectively was the only adaptation gamers were expected to adopt (along with the D-Pad strategy thing). It's the whole premise of higher realism from EA: real-life de- and acc-celeration with the left stick, and leaning and shifting weight with the right stick. It's even the load screen 80% of the time calling it out as the improvement -- i know you've all seen it. Remember, you have to JAM the right stick hard left, right or forward to enlist the "highlight" function (as an adult I tend to not be heavy-handed with my "toys" so it's not really something I use a lot bc I don't want to break it).

There's only one play on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqPpF1IX5xI that shows what the user thinks is "zig zagging" I guess, and the infraction occurs when runner with the ball turns while the trailing defender is diving at him. Evidently it's sim to just be tackled but unsim to avoid a diving attempt?

That being said, I have Beanie Wells and Vincent Jackson on my team, so if we're adopting a "run straight and break tackles with stiff arm and truck only" league I can hang, no problem. But I think it's interesting that it was first brought to light to me by a team with a ranking (or high up or founding or whatever) owner starting LaGarrette Blount at HB, who, despite his 71 OVR, 34 AWR and 83 SPD (which would relegate him to short yardage duties in the game typically), his 94 TRK and 93 STF, have him become the ideal full-time back per the league's "run straight and shed tacklers" rules.

Well, that rings more questionable to me than turning left or right.

setstr8_Cardinals wrote:

TheShizNo1 wrote:

Lions Vs Cardinals
Wow... I don't really care about this game. Cards will win. Lions won't show up. On the field, or with the user. Shit is really real. Cards owner won't join a chat when doing questionable shit.. Cause his mic is broken. But if the computer gets digitaled... He will get the all-time. Madden digital. So play it down the middle (pause that shit.)

Awesome you don't care about the game, because it's pretty evident that not many people care about the league at all and seriously it is getting tired and quickly for this "5 star owner" (no offense dubb, I've had quality interactions with you).

But evidently no one can post anything but sh!t talk on a msg board (well, except for the porn gifs on the old site) and I can't even get a gg from anyone after a game (until this time oddly enough from my accuser -- so thanks for that at least, shiz -- sincerely). But my "questionable shit" was evidently tragic enough to report to the commish mid-game who had no problem typing a msg, but evidently shiz's couldn't take the time to address it in writing respectfully.

My mic is not broken, it just doesn't exist. I play at night with 2 kids and a wife sleeping in the next room, so the volume's on 2 and a mic is not an option. It's not a requirement for the lg. I have no problem hitting (pause) and typing, or letting the D play and do it to keep the game going, as I did the entire final drive for you. I typically do it after an impressive drive, play and then at the end of the game. I have never once avoided a virtual "coach's handshake." It's called sportsmanship. Leave the trash talk for the "court."

Here's the "questionable" play where I "zig zag" -- I honestly had never heard that term before:

TIPPED TD PASS

That's a tipped pass -- which I (pause) and typed "srry abt that" to shiz bc he got EA'ed there (but that's the breaks sometimes I guess on ALL-PRO), but all my receiver did there was turn left then turn right when there was a defender in his path and then head to the sidelines. If that's "questionable shit" then I really have no idea what to say or how to play this game in a way that will be ok by you. I am by all regards not a great player, and was surprised that I took that one to the endzone -- I honestly attributed it to the surprise that the WR caught the ball making the defense slow to react -- because lord knows I didn't realize he had it right away!

I googled "madden 11 zig zag" and the only actual discussion I can find about it is on OS (which I am a member, played lots of unranked games against users last year and this and have never once had issues with MY play come up), and it actually looks like it's talking mostly about kick returns -- and I've been burned that way I think plenty, but I also think it's the only way you can influence the wedge of blockers ahead of you, otherwise they run straight ahead and don't react to the coverage team realistically. So there's arguments to defend both sides in my view. Also dubb is involved at some point in the discussion -- which is cool -- so I don't know if that's where this "rule" comes from or not.

My take is that the long and the short of it all is the idea that turning left or right using the analog stick disrupts locomotion on the CPU controlled D only. I think what is missing is a huge part of this argument (stick skills and All-Pro vs All-Madden arguments aside) is that this is M11, not M10. There is no sprint function anymore, so learning to use BOTH sticks effectively was the only adaptation gamers were expected to adopt (along with the D-Pad strategy thing). It's the whole premise of higher realism from EA: real-life de- and acc-celeration with the left stick, and leaning and shifting weight with the right stick. It's even the load screen 80% of the time calling it out as the improvement -- i know you've all seen it. Remember, you have to JAM the right stick hard left, right or forward to enlist the "highlight" function (as an adult I tend to not be heavy-handed with my "toys" so it's not really something I use a lot bc I don't want to break it).

There's only one play on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqPpF1IX5xI that shows what the user thinks is "zig zagging" I guess, and the infraction occurs when runner with the ball turns while the trailing defender is diving at him. Evidently it's sim to just be tackled but unsim to avoid a diving attempt?

That being said, I have Beanie Wells and Vincent Jackson on my team, so if we're adopting a "run straight and break tackles with stiff arm and truck only" league I can hang, no problem. But I think it's interesting that it was first brought to light to me by a team with a ranking (or high up or founding or whatever) owner starting LaGarrette Blount at HB, who, despite his 71 OVR, 34 AWR and 83 SPD (which would relegate him to short yardage duties in the game typically), his 94 TRK and 93 STF, have him become the ideal full-time back per the league's "run straight and shed tacklers" rules.

Well, that rings more questionable to me than turning left or right.

Ok, someone has taken this way too personal. Funny even though I accused you in the party I even said to dubb and Truth, I don't this he realizes he's doing it. You also quick snapped which is another EA BS thing that wasn't fixed. Again I said I didn't think you realized you were doing it. It's way I didn't type out a message and why I still said GG to you afterward. The TD catch didn't bother me, it's something that happens in real life. You zig-zagged more when you were actually running the ball, not much, but when you did do it, it definitely counted. It was also about 1 AM and I had class the next morning, meaning I didn't have time to send messages back and forth. As far as the left stick, in NCAA 11, it works perfectly! In madden, left stick moves take advantage of the locomotion the defensive AI doesn't have that the ball carrier does. That's why it's outlawed in most sim Madden leagues. Quick snapping, ie as soon as ball is hiked you throw is somewhat of a glitch because the defenders don't react. Notice, unless I pressed you, you always completed those passes. There's ways to run w/o the zig zagging, but since you want to throw a jab at me and my team:

Blount, L. 9 17 0 46
Sproles, D. 7 15 0 53
Player rush att long TD yards

Hmmmm Sproles had more yards, a fast agile back, w/ no zig zagging, it can be done. I start Blount b/c I like a power running team, he is that...a power runner. With your logic Jerome Bettis should've been nothing more than a short yardage back. Also don't bring up awr w/ a RB. You control his awareness when carrying the ball. I don't care about overall either. I have low overall players staring over high overall players in my secondary and WR lineup. I look at individual ratings. Blount is also the starter for the Buccaneers in real life. I also happen to like his last name.

I have no problem taking you online and showing you the zig zag BS so you can see how it's impossible to stop. No jabs were thrown at you. If you can't tell, these picks are done in fun, we've made fun of people far more than the two lines dished out to you.

I can't answer why no else gave you a gg, but i can imagine why, but like i said, i gave you the benefit of the doubt.


Also furthermore, in my other Madden league, I started Reggie Bush whose overall is much lower than Pierre Thomas.

I bid you go day

Wow this is alot to see. The zig-zagging thing is non-negotiable due to the fact that it takes advantage of the defensive a.i. in madden 11. It's wack and I've never seen anyone in the NFL zig back and forth with deaccelaration in speed. In madden 11, it does. setstr8, it sucks that noone has typed out a gg at least after the game, but all you can do is type you gg's and move on IMO. Also, on the subject of guys saying noone care about the lg, you either can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. If you know guys that would be good fits, see if they would join. It just amazes me how guys can diss a league, but not have a solution. In the end, the league will still run, even if I have to cut it down to 16 guys and each has an AFC and a NFC team. I also believe there are a few guys who care to be here also.

TheShizNo1 wrote:

Ok, someone has taken this way too personal. Funny even though I accused you in the party I even said to dubb and Truth, I don't this he realizes he's doing it. You also quick snapped which is another EA BS thing that wasn't fixed. Again I said I didn't think you realized you were doing it. It's way I didn't type out a message and why I still said GG to you afterward. The TD catch didn't bother me, it's something that happens in real life. You zig-zagged more when you were actually running the ball, not much, but when you did do it, it definitely counted. It was also about 1 AM and I had class the next morning, meaning I didn't have time to send messages back and forth. As far as the left stick, in NCAA 11, it works perfectly! In madden, left stick moves take advantage of the locomotion the defensive AI doesn't have that the ball carrier does. That's why it's outlawed in most sim Madden leagues. Quick snapping, ie as soon as ball is hiked you throw is somewhat of a glitch because the defenders don't react. Notice, unless I pressed you, you always completed those passes. . .

Did you watch last night's game? Olsen in the slot and a quick throw to him from Cutler b/c he was uncovered to complete the first down and set up the second TD. Dunno if it's in here, but here's the film from the game: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81c3b139/Bears-vs-Dolphins-highlights

And besides that -- my "quick snap" was not quick at all -- I passed it quick, not snapped it quick. I lined up Jackson in the slot, and he was uncovered. I had the time to hot route his flag pattern to a streak so I could hit him accurately before he ran into your zone coverage. I had to do that b/c the QB doesn't react to the defense despite being user controlled and will throw to the pattern that's assigned no matter how open a guy is initially or how quick you try to get the ball off -- but I guess throwing a pick there would have been much more realistic to an uncovered man? And I had moved Jackson off of your CB1 to the slot b/c he wasn't beating the press coverage despite his 98 RLS (how's that for ratings not mattering?). Talib is quality and shut him down and held him to 2 Recs for about 10 yards. Guess I should've kept testing that matchup? My passing game is dink and dunk, my QB is like 70 OVR and that's just how you have to play in this game b/c everyone constantly blitzes and deep patterns do not have the time to develop.

You came out in the wrong defense, despite the notice that's in the play call screen (3WR, 1TE, 1 RB) that should tell you I'm in a passing down. And it's an easy adjustment on your part -- just don't call a full audible that you have to wait for the whole defense to stand up and re-adjust -- instead user that weak side OLB or the S who's over them when you see you're mismatched. I did that ONE TIME and ONE TIME is not an exploit. It is exposing the defensive play calling. I did not go back to it, as I try not to do if something is that wide open -- b/c I like to give my opponent the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn't let that happen again (like they wouldn't in real life) and chances are I'd throw a user-pick or it'd get knocked down by spy DE or a hot-routed OLB sent to a flat zone. (There's 2 more ways counter it off the top of my head).

And sorry I don't play very well with "just fun" or tone on the internets. Things turn into flame outs pretty quickly. As we can see. I had no issue with your playing style, and appreciated your patience in waiting up to play the other night and especially in allowing the Cardinals to wear red and grey on the road (I hate hate hate the modern uni templates and that's the only white top they offer for AZ).

But let me say this -- I am proud to play the game as closely as I see it played on Sundays (and Mondays and Thursdays) and have always considered myself a "sim gamer" and have for as long as that term has existed. I only use a team specific playbook, mix up play-calls, TRY to run/pass about 50-50 (unless I'm behind or the defense is playing one dimensional) and only call blitzes, screens, fades and PAs in situations where a team would in real life.

I have been a part of several well-run and long standing very sim leagues and have never once been called out for my game play before this. And I lose a lot more than I win typically because of my insistence to "play fair.". It's my hunch that you take that even further than I do, and I commend you for it but find it hard to imagine in all honesty -- I feel like the reaches of my game is so far off from the top "stick skill" gamers (who are still not lobby rats or cheesers) that it's almost comical. It sounds like you feel like you could "cheese" with the best of them. Oddly enough -- I know I couldn't. I've been beaten by 100 before in ranked matches in years past. By a 100.

Still, my opinion is that if you are exploiting the AI or a "glitch" it's not a nice thing and there's no place for it. But if you're exploiting your opponent's playcalls or mismatches or over-pursuit/angles then you're just playing the game. As you pointed out -- you control the AWR of the ball carrier, but on defense you only control 1 guy as well -- unfortunately the other 10 aren't as smart as you are (but remember you can switch at will to any of the other 10 on the field at any time).

One way to even the playing field is to switch to All-Madden, which improves reaction time, pursuit angles and play recognition of the CPU run defenders, but I believe that ship has sailed and . . . well, I was not part of that discussion either. But to try to handicap the user despite the game offering a solution is well, odd if you ask me. But I'm comfortable with that if that's the way we're continuing on.

Consider me compliant to whatever rules you tell me to adhere to and I'll go ahead and stop reading posts, lest I am easily offended again.

TheShizNo1 wrote:

I bid you go[od] day

You can have my gobstopper back, Mr Wonka.



Oh, and here's my running stats on the game for comparison to Blount and your other guy:

Player / Att / Long / TD / Yds
Wells, B. 11 14 0 42
Stephens-Howling, L. 3 13 0 12
Woods, E. 3 8 0 5

So don't know how "effective" my trickeration was if my longest run on the day was a 14 yarder with Wells (whom is my "find contact and make it" runner for the record). But honestly -- I admit, I'm not that good!

dubb40 wrote:

Wow this is alot to see. The zig-zagging thing is non-negotiable due to the fact that it takes advantage of the defensive a.i. in madden 11. It's wack and I've never seen anyone in the NFL zig back and forth with deaccelaration in speed. In madden 11, it does. setstr8, it sucks that noone has typed out a gg at least after the game, but all you can do is type you gg's and move on IMO. Also, on the subject of guys saying noone care about the lg, you either can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. If you know guys that would be good fits, see if they would join. It just amazes me how guys can diss a league, but not have a solution. In the end, the league will still run, even if I have to cut it down to 16 guys and each has an AFC and a NFC team. I also believe there are a few guys who care to be here also.

I check the site daily and participate when appropriate (post count represent), but the forum and site are quiet to say the least. I started one poll to try to start a discussion from the community and that failed miserably . . . But I am always the one scheduling my games and I tend to try to be the "lead by example" type PLUS have offered help repeatedly in the areas where I can, but unfortunately those do NOT involve recruiting.

I feel like there are a few who do care for sure about the lg -- you for sure, and until this direct "I don't care about this game" from shiz and truth I would have included both -- but I'm just not of the ilk where internet trash-talk is "good fun" and I just can't hang with the jokes and not defend where I'm coming from, I guess.

setstr8_Cardinals wrote:

dubb40 wrote:

Wow this is alot to see. The zig-zagging thing is non-negotiable due to the fact that it takes advantage of the defensive a.i. in madden 11. It's wack and I've never seen anyone in the NFL zig back and forth with deaccelaration in speed. In madden 11, it does. setstr8, it sucks that noone has typed out a gg at least after the game, but all you can do is type you gg's and move on IMO. Also, on the subject of guys saying noone care about the lg, you either can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution. If you know guys that would be good fits, see if they would join. It just amazes me how guys can diss a league, but not have a solution. In the end, the league will still run, even if I have to cut it down to 16 guys and each has an AFC and a NFC team. I also believe there are a few guys who care to be here also.

I check the site daily and participate when appropriate (post count represent), but the forum and site are quiet to say the least. I started one poll to try to start a discussion from the community and that failed miserably . . . But I am always the one scheduling my games and I tend to try to be the "lead by example" type PLUS have offered help repeatedly in the areas where I can, but unfortunately those do NOT involve recruiting.

I feel like there are a few who do care for sure about the lg -- you for sure, and until this direct "I don't care about this game" from shiz and truth I would have included both -- but I'm just not of the ilk where internet trash-talk is "good fun" and I just can't hang with the jokes and not defend where I'm coming from, I guess.

I can totally understand what you mean. I don't think it's that they don't care about the league as much as it's just jokes. I do also agree that you are one of the more active guys in the league and I wish I could find more like you. I'm always on the lookout for new guys to join the league and trying to find ways to better the league. Also, I know your sim as it gets and I didnt mean to imply that you played any other way.

how are you going to write the browns off as a team playing for 3rd place in the north? We're #1 right now.