Question for Xbox/PS2 Football players...

[Dave2112]

Ok, here's the deal...and I need some advice. (Geez, only here would I ask this...😀 )

I've been playing Sega's ESPN football game NFL2K5. I love the game and it's unbelievable depth and realism. I have always played the Madden games, but they've gotten so complicated that I don't have as much fun with them.

Ok, I'm in franchise mode, where you can play the same team for multiple seasons. The off-season is pretty much a game-within-a-game...resignings, retirements, salary cap, a full 7-round rookie draft...those who've played these games know what I'm talking about.

I'm in my fifth season with Buffalo. The salary cap is kicking my ass. So here's my question....

Would you resign your star tight-end that you got as a rookie, although he is demanding a huge salary, because he's a phenomenal run-blocker (which is integral to my game-plan) AND the best pass-catching TE in the league AND was instrumental in your two Super Bowl titles...

OR....

Would you save that money and resign your star wide reciever (Lee Evans...I let Eric Moulds go last season due to salary-cap issues) AND your best defensive tackle AND your hot-shot second-year cornerback AND your only really good free safety?

I could probably keep the TE and ONE of the others. But, one of my division foes has a great bid on the TE should I not resign him.

Save the money and hope for a good free-agent tight end, or resign him, let most of the others go and try to rebuild through the draft?

Just curious what you guys would do.

 

[BlackmoonDoll]

I don't have Espn 2k5 ( all though i have played it great game ) 😀


i got Madden 2005 for my xbox.

Personally myself though i would go with opinion A. and sign the rookie tight-end because if he is having a great rookie season for you this year right now in your franchise mode. There is no question that he will be more then likely a big time star and player further down the road for your Team and a really huge key part in super bowl rings. 😀

And besides in the off season you can always go for the top free agents and trades to improve your team over all even more to go for another playoff birth or super bowl title shot.



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i was gonna pick up Espn 2k5. but i choose Madden 2005 this year the biggest factor was the $20 price. but over all i didn't have no real reasons as to why i choose maddens game this year really

but i'm still happy with my choice over all. thier both great games in there own right and ways. Espn 2k5 in basketball is a awesome game you might want to check that one out Dave

 

[Dave2112]

Good point. I should mention one thing...he's not a rookie, I GOT him as a game-created rookie, he's now in his third season....going to the fourth. Like I said, he was instrumental in my two Super Bowl wins since I got him.

It's cool to see your rookies come along. In my first season, I had Drew Bledsoe, who I released after a 5-11 season. I got Drew Brees in the off-season that year (who was going to be my starter), but this rookie (Josh Page) I signed in the fourth round turned out to be better and then I win two Super Bowls in the next four seasons. A true sleeper pick. That's what I love about 2K5...there are sleeper picks floating in the later draft rounds if you can find them.

I'll probably go with keeping my TE, but now I have to figure out who to keep. My defense is killer, mostly because I play good defense in this game and have a good grasp of it. My running game is my offensive strength, and my passing game is suspect. That's mostly because of me as a player. I have a tendency to throw a lot of interceptions. I'll make 300 yard games...but with four INT's or so. It's gotten better as I've grasped the fundementals of this particular game. So, I'm thinking of hanging on to my WR to help out.

Any other thoughts?

 

[primetime]

Madden 2005 is a MUCH better game, but that's my opinion....

anyway, i am playing franchise mode as well. my game plan is to keep my stars as long as possible. i even try restructuring others contracts, just so i can make salary cap room. i also release backups to make room as well. for your scenario i have to ask a question. is the TE the most critical guy in your offense? if he isnt the #1 guy that you HAVE to have, let him go. if you can sign all the others with the money that you would pay him, then cry and throw a farewell party for him when he departs. why cripple your defense for the TE?

 

[Dave2112]

Well, the TE isn't THE most important guy on my offense, but he's in the top three. I could probably operate my style of offense with any half-way decent QB, but he's still locked into a contract until next season, and the cap penalty is too much to let him go early.

My RB (McGahee), WR (Evans) and the TE are the cornerstones. Not only is the TE a great reciever (which keeps double-coverage off of Evans), he basically gives me a six-man offensive line. He's not as big or strong, but his skills at blocking are actually higher than the tackles. McGahee's an outside runner, and this guy can practically eliminate the safeties.

Before I get fully into my off-season, I'm gonna see what I can do about restructuring. I hate letting too many back-ups go, as 2K5 is pretty realistic with the injuries, and I like having some depth.

 

[dman68]

salary cap problems

One way to ease the blow of the salary cap (although not by too much) is to sign your guys to long-term deals. If you do this with your tight end and restrcture a few other deals that might free up some space to sign maybe another guy. This is risky though if he gets a nagging injury or flops but if that is an issue you can always attempt to trade him for draft picks. I also agree with primetime in that madden is a very good game however i can't really bad mouth espn 2k series having never played them I am just speaking out of my happiness with Madden. Hope I helped, if not, sorry.

 

[Dave2112]

Hey guys, thanks for the insight! All of it helped a bit. Like I said, I loved the Madden games, but when it got to "Ownership Mode" and setting concession prices and such...that was too much, I like plain old "Coach Mode", all I gotta do is coach and play.

Anyhooo....

I wound up sticking with my TE. Funny story...I sat down with a twelve-pack and I was determined not to give up until I had my team figured out...hey, with two Super Bowl wins in three years, I'm going for post-parity-era "dynasty" tag here...

So, I kept him and dumped almost half of my back-ups. I was looking for guys with "0" on the salary-cap penalty. Then I had just enough money to resign the five big-time starters I had AND a little left over to sign rookies. I didn't pick up anyone of note off the free-agency wire, although I did manage to at least fill my roster with somewhat-competant back-ups.

I ran into some good luck in the draft, as there was a pretty decent middle linebacker still available in the third round, who didn't demand too much money and I locked him into a six-year deal. Middle linebacker was one of the positions I did have to let go.

The only weakness I now have is at the safety positions. I had to let my third-year SS go, as he wanted WAY too much money, so I'm starting his back-up. Plus, I have a rookie starting at FS. However, my front seven is solid, so I'll do the best I can. That's basically how I play defense anyway...shut down the run, force the opposition to start throwing deep and hope the power of my offense can put up enough points to make them desperate and pick off a few. Plus, my corners are pretty damn good.

A side note about the conversation regarding Madden vs. Sega's 2K series...

Funny thing...on Madden, I always mastered the offense and did the best I could on defense. With 2K, I dominate on defense, and have a bit of trouble mastering the offense...the passing game is VERY touchy. Weird, but a nice change of pace, as I've always been more defense-minded anyway. 😎