Madden NFL 10: AskMadden Tip of the Week - Strategy Guide

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Madden NFL 10: AskMadden Tip of the Week

Submitted on: 12/03/2009 by AskMadden

This article is part of an ongoing Madden NFL 10 Strategy series provided to Operation Sports by Askmadden.com. Be sure to check them out for more great Madden Strategies!

Chris Johnson, in only his second season in the NFL, is leading the league in rushing by 200 yards, racking up 1,242 yards. He is averaging 6.2 YPC and has already surpassed last year's total of 1,228 yards. And remember, there are still six games left to be played, which means we could see a 2,000 yard season.

Chris Johnson has proven that he can make great reads, and he has also proven that he is not easy to take down. But the main reason Chris Johnson has been so successful: his spectacular speed in the open field. When he notices a hole, he hits it. And once he reaches the secondary, it's over.

One of the ways the Titans utilize CJ is by running him directly off tackle, which allows him to either break outside or cut back in against the D. This makes the defense pick its poison -- it's almost impossible to shut down Johnson completely. Since Johnson has such great cutback ability, if the defense heavily pursues to the outside, he will break back inside and get big yards. If the defense decides to play the middle, that is when it usually gets messy for opposing defenses.

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Member Comments

# 1 CreatineKasey @ 12/03/09 08:37 PM

I liked this tip. That run at the end was sick!

# 2 43Chargers4Now @ 12/03/09 09:57 PM

Wow this tip is great, it would probably also work with Reggie Bush. That's the only back that I can think of in madden with "Blazing Speed"

# 3 ANDROMADA 1 @ 12/03/09 10:03 PM

thats a cool run and all for illustration purposes but,Why did Jaques Reeves on the strong side all of a sudden do a 360 at the point of attack and run himself out of the play?Also why was the defense shifted to the weakside.I also noticed the Te was uncovered.This defense was doomed from the start.I'm just saying.

# 4 Glorious Arc @ 12/03/09 10:35 PM

To further the run with the Titans, I would suggest using an Olinemen in the TE spot and moving Alge Crumpler to 2nd string WR and Britt as your first string. Both of your WRs now have 50+ run blocking and will hold their blocks for more then eough time for Johnson to scamper past on outside runs.

# 5 droopizzle34 @ 12/04/09 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glorious Arc


	To further the run with the Titans, I would suggest using an Olinemen in the TE spot and moving Alge Crumpler to 2nd string WR and Britt as your first string. Both of your WRs now have 50+ run blocking and will hold their blocks for more then eough time for Johnson to scamper past on outside runs.

very excellent tip,i do this alot.with the titans they have 3 very good pass catching te's,so if you pa this formation there still is no drop off,especially if u sub in Jared Cook.

# 6 CreatineKasey @ 12/04/09 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glorious Arc


	To further the run with the Titans, I would suggest using an Olinemen in the TE spot and moving Alge Crumpler to 2nd string WR and Britt as your first string. Both of your WRs now have 50+ run blocking and will hold their blocks for more then eough time for Johnson to scamper past on outside runs.

The risk associated with this is that your opponent will see the big set and come out with a more physical defense to defend the run.

# 7 The Police @ 12/04/09 01:15 PM

I'm on my second year of my franchise with the Lions and Felix Jones, who I traded for at the first season's trade deadline, is a beast. He's so fast, no one can stop him. He recently totaled 181 yards on 18 carries and I'm already playing on all-madden.

# 8 Smoke316 @ 12/04/09 01:20 PM

I like this tip...thanks

# 9 fightinchicken26 @ 12/04/09 03:53 PM

I have used this strategy with such backs and find it most successful. Good explanation and use of CJ.

# 10 stlstudios189 @ 12/04/09 06:05 PM

that last rush was sweet. I play as the Browns no wonder I am averaging 2.6 yards a carry.

# 11 jyoung @ 12/04/09 06:17 PM

As a Nashville native and lifelong Titans fan, it pains me to see how Chris Johnson is basically the "Bo Jackson" of this year's Madden.

For many years, I have always used Tennessee in whatever football game I'm playing, but I don't use them anymore due to how cheap CJ is in Madden 10.

I understand he's a beast in real life, but in Madden, he doesn't just get 150 yards a game, he gets 250 or more (usually, on half as many carries), and the game just isn't fun when you play with him due to how easy it is to get into the open field and score.

Thanks Madden for making me ashamed to play as my home team.

# 12 GQman2121 @ 12/04/09 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	I understand he's a beast in real life, but in Madden, he doesn't just get 150 yards a game, he gets 250 or more (usually, on half as many carries), and the game just isn't fun when you play with him due to how easy it is to get into the open field and score.

And here's why......

By repeatedly pausing and playing this video in slow motion you can clearly see that CB Jacques Reeves reads the run and is unblocked as Johnson takes control of the ball. However, instead of attempting to break up the play in the backfield (7 second mark), Reeves turns his back to the ballcarrier and begins to take the perfect angle to make the tackle 33 yards downfield.

This is just another case of the game showing it's age and being exposed for having--what is in my opinion--unacceptable AI.

# 13 marcoyk @ 12/04/09 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GQman2121


	And here's why...... By repeatedly pausing and playing this video in slow motion you can clearly see that CB Jacques Reeves reads the run and is unblocked as Johnson takes control of the ball. However, instead of attempting to break up the play in the backfield (7 second mark), Reeves turns his back to the ballcarrier and begins to take the perfect angle to make the tackle 33 yards downfield. This is just another case of the game showing it's age and being exposed for having--what is in my opinion--unacceptable AI.

Completely agree with you. It's unacceptable.

# 14 Meast21Forever @ 12/05/09 02:40 AM

wait.. so the tip is 'use chris johnson'? hmm.. not really helpful for me.

# 15 Drike19 @ 12/05/09 02:46 AM

I had a combo set for my Franchise team: Adrian Petersen and Reggie Bush (did a fantasy draft with the 49ers, was 19th overall) with the 9er's version of the wildcat I was able to total 245 and 3 TDs with AP alone and 125 with 1 TD with Bush... without knowing I use the same run play with both players and seems to have the same effect. Difficulty is on all-madden btw too easy to play on anything less.

# 16 ANDROMADA 1 @ 12/05/09 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDROMADA 1


	thats a cool run and all for illustration purposes but,Why did Jaques Reeves on the strong side all of a sudden do a 360 at the point of attack and run himself out of the play?Also why was the defense shifted to the weakside.I also noticed the Te was uncovered.This defense was doomed from the start.I'm just saying.

Still haven't received an answer on this...

# 17 The Police @ 12/05/09 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	As a Nashville native and lifelong Titans fan, it pains me to see how Chris Johnson is basically the "Bo Jackson" of this year's Madden. For many years, I have always used Tennessee in whatever football game I'm playing, but I don't use them anymore due to how cheap CJ is in Madden 10. I understand he's a beast in real life, but in Madden, he doesn't just get 150 yards a game, he gets 250 or more (usually, on half as many carries), and the game just isn't fun when you play with him due to how easy it is to get into the open field and score. Thanks Madden for making me ashamed to play as my home team.

I agree with you on this and I don't know if it's the same case with you but when I'm not using a speed back, I only average about 2.5-3 YPC, which is even less fun.

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