Madden NFL Football 2005

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The Running Game

Managing an effective running game is similar to managing a passing attack: there are numerous variables to consider that turn a running play's loss into a running play's gain. This section will help you gain consistent positive yardage with your favorite running back.

Reading the Defense

The genesis of a strong running game begins with knowing when to run and when to audible out of the run. Achieving consistent run success against "eight in the box" (meaning eight defenders positioned along the line and linebacker spots) is difficult. It's certainly possible to break through these defenders and pick up an astoundingly long gain but often you'll be tackled after a short gain or even a loss.

Running against a nickel defense will often be more effective. This defense exchanges a linebacker, who typically excels at tackling the running back, for a cornerback, who typically doesn't excel at tackling the running back. Call three wide receiver sets and your opponent will often call nickel to protect against the pass. Run out of these sets to mix up your game. Continue to mix it up (passing out of run formations, running out of pass formations) to keep the advantage to your offense.

Shift your receivers along the line of scrimmage against man coverage. This moves defenders to the opposite side of the field. Run toward where the defenders were; now there are fewer defenders there. That's fewer defenders you need to dodge or break tackle to pick up a solid gain.

Playmaker Control

The most important playmaker control in the running game is before the ball is snapped. You can alter the direction of the run play by moving the right analog stick left or right (opposite of the original run play direction). This can make a huge different depending on defensive alignment. If you've picked a run play toward the left and the defense as stacked the left side of the field, use playmaker control to shift the running play to the right by moving the right analog stick to the right.

You can also use the right analog stick during a running play for further playmaker control. Moving the right analog stick can adjust the movements of nearby blockers. It's difficult to put into motion but can be effective when you need just one single block to break a big gain. Note that you can also use this playmaker control on kick returns.

Running Tips and Tricks

The following list offers some tips on managing an effective rushing attack in Madden 2005.

Examine your favorite running back's statistics. Faster runners (greater speed and acceleration) can excel in outside runs because they can outrun the pursuing ends and linebackers; slower runners may likely be better in churning out yardage in inside runs, especially if they have a strong break tackle rating.
Learn the special move buttons, such as spin, stiff arm, and juke. All of these should be used to pick up an extra couple yards or even create a big gain. Press left or right when hitting the spin button to spin in that direction; spin away from would be tacklers. Utilize stiff arm for running over defenders, particularly weak tackling defenders like cornerbacks. Perform a juke move to dodge an incoming defender. You should also use juke to pop through a hole. For instance, you sprint toward a hole in the line and it's collapsing along the left side. As you enter the hole, perform a juke to the right to squeeze through the hole.
It's often best to follow the running play as designed. Your blockers are opening a specific hole for your running back; your goal is to hit that hole and sprint through into the linebackers or secondary. Naturally the play could break down. Observe how the blocking is holding up and adjust to another direction if necessary. Keep your back moving north and south rather than east and west so you're gaining positive yardage.
Don't forget the "protect ball" button, especially when your opponent is lining up a defender to use the hit stick, a new feature in Madden 2005. It's not a bad idea to practice protecting the ball whenever a tackler approaches.
This is a general offensive tip but highly applicable to running plays. Monitor your players' fatigue levels. When you select a play, note the shade of your players' symbols' colors. The more yellow the symbol, the more fatigued the player. Running backs can get fatigued quickly from long runs or rough tackles. Use the spell HB package to send in a fresh body. Or if your whole team is fatigued after a lot of hurry up, you may want to burn a time out.

Top Ranked Running Backs

The following chart reveals the top rated running backs in Madden 2005.

PLAYER	TEAM	OVR	SPD	ACC	AGI	CTH	BTK	CAR
Priest Holmes	Kansas City Chiefs	98	92	96	95	79	92	95
LaDainian Tomlinson	San Diego Chargers	98	95	99	96	87	92	87
Jamal Lewis	Baltimore Ravens	97	91	97	90	69	99	82
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	95	97	99	96	70	88	87
Ahman Green	Green Bay Packers	95	97	98	92	77	91	77
Deuce McAllister	New Orleans Saints	94	93	96	89	77	94	86
Marshall Faulk	St. Louis Rams	93	94	94	95	83	82	85
Shaun Alexander	Seattle Seahawks	92	90	98	88	71	92	87
Stephen Davis	Carolina Panthers	92	87	93	86	65	95	91
Fred Taylor	Jacksonville Jaguars	92	92	94	90	67	91	88
Edgerrin James	Indianapolis Colts	92	89	92	87	78	91	90
Travis Henry	Buffalo Bills	90	90	94	87	67	95	77

Top Ranked Fullbacks

The following chart reveals the top rated fullbacks in Madden 2005.

PLAYER	TEAM	OVR	SPD	PBK	RBK	BTK	CTH	CAR
Fred Beasley	San Francisco 49ers	93	72	52	64	72	75	77
Mike Alstott	Tampa Bay Bucs	93	82	47	53	95	65	74
Jim Kleinsasser	Minnesota Vikings	92	74	54	68	66	74	68
Richie Anderson	Dallas Cowboys	92	80	50	53	71	82	71
Lorenzo Neal	San Diego Chargers	92	55	66	85	68	54	70
Matt Strong	Seattle Seahawks	91	76	60	68	67	68	68
Tony Richardson	Kansas City Chiefs	91	78	52	56	84	72	80
James Hodgins	Arizona Cardinals	91	67	64	78	60	65	60

Top Ranked Offensive Linemen

The following chart reveals the top rated offensive linemen in Madden 2005.

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION	OVR	ACC	AGI	PBK	RBK	STR	AWR
Jonathan Ogden	Baltimore Ravens	LT	99	92	54	95	98	98	95
Orlando Pace	St. Louis Rams	LT	98	90	54	98	93	96	95
Olin Kreutz	Chicago Bears	C	98	88	60	94	92	91	90
Will Shields	Kansas City Chiefs	RG	98	85	50	93	95	92	95
Alan Faneca	Pittsburgh Steelers	LG	97	79	45	91	98	94	92
Kevin Mawae	New York Jets	C	97	87	53	94	90	90	95
Walter Jones	Seattle Seahawks	LT	96	88	51	98	94	93	92
Matt Birk	Minnesota Vikings	C	96	85	55	93	90	91	95

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