ESPN Sam Madison Mystery Revealed
I finally figured out why the Phins keep cutting Sam Madison each time I start a franchise. The rosters that I use are not default. I have placed players where they should be (the highest rated FA on my rosters is a 69) so the Dolphins now have Boooker, I created Fred Russell, etc. I started a franchise and manually selected the Dolphins and it said I couldn’t play week 1 because there were either too many players or they were over the cap. Aha. That’s why the CPU guts Sam Madison each time I do this–they need to and for some reason Madison is the chosen one. After tweaking my rosters, the Dolphins refrain from releasing ol’ Sam. Woo.
I played some ESPN today for the first time in a while after spending the past few days hammering away on Madden and doing franchise tests. Man, ESPN is such a fun game to play. Never before have I been this torn over which game I prefer. I just don’t have the time to play both but both games offer different goodies and have different problems. I better get my ass in gear or I’ll sound like a wishy washy critic for that GameSpy article. Nothing sucks more than to read a comparison piece and the guy at the end says, “Buy Both!”
In order to fully test the games for my GameSpy article, I need to go online so I’ll be playing a few games with Dan over the next couple of days and if all goes well I may even do a league or join Dan’s after the current league season is over.
I did go online today to check out the menus, etc. The ESPN and Madden leaderboards are hilarious. I just think I’m a hardcore football gamer. There are dudes with hundreds of online games logged and one guy is 131-0 in ESPN. Now, how is that possible? Most players average 25 yards per completion AND complete 50% of the passes. Does that say something bad about Madden and ESPN or are these players just that good?
To me, it solidifies my stance that you MUST know the people you are playing. If I’m playing a random guy that throws deep every play, I shut off the console. But that’s just me. I’m a dick like that.
August 27th, 2004 at 2:25 pm
Bill,
I started several Franchises with the rosters that shipped with the game (It took me a while to learn how to save. D’oh!) and each time, ol’ Sammy was cut. Maybe we’re talking about the same thing, but I’m not sure. What I’m also not sure about is why, as a ‘Skins fan, I didn’t pick up Sammy once Rashad Bauman ruptured his Achilles in training camp. Oh wait. It’s because I have no money. Thanks Danny!
On another note, I think you, Dan, and Bill Harris should do an ESPN vs Madden round table. Between the three of you it’d be a) very interesting and b) very funny. Tell Bill to get Stephanie Assham on the case and it’ll be a done deal.
-Brandon
August 27th, 2004 at 2:28 pm
One more thing. For the top-ranked ESPN guy, check out the scores of his past 4 games, they’re all 0-0 and al against the same person. Plus, a few weeks ago, he was like 120 - 0 having only played something like 28 hours. Them’s some short quarters!
August 27th, 2004 at 6:13 pm
Bill,
What’s your gamertag? Mine is pb4201.
I play as your favorite enemy the Baltimore Ravens.
Let me know if you wanna play sometime.
pb4201
August 27th, 2004 at 7:17 pm
my tag is: The Abner