How's Your Franchise Going- Madden 12 Edition

[KBLover]

In Battle of Defenses and Run Games,
Bucs Fall by 3 Points

The Bucs suffered their first loss of the season, and it came at the hands of the arch-rival Panthers, which makes it even more foul-tasting.

"Man, I just hate losing to them. At least we beat 'em up pretty good. They got us, but we made it hurt," Gibson commented.

Bucs-Panthers games always seem to lead to hard-hitting play from the defenses and offenses that try to have a running back duel. Both HBs had a hard fight on their hands and both were held down below their usual expectations.

Panthers' Khary Thomas was contained for 3.3 yds per carry (22 carries, 85 yds) and held out of the end zone. Bucs' Easton Reed had 66 yds on 16 carries for a 4.1 yards per carry average. Reed was also the team's leading receiver with 5 catches for 29 yards.

The problem for the Bucs was Piper. He had a horrible game, 50% completion, 3 INTs vs just 1 TD. The relentless pass rush, led by Chris Johnson, was a part of it, and the receivers just didn't have anything to offer as well. Piper's fragile confidence is probably rock bottom, which doesn't bode well for an already inconsistent offense.

Defensively, the Bucs got to Tate, though. Tate is usually laser accurate with good pocket presence, but the blitz packages confused him this time and FA pick up Dennis Green finally showed why the team splurged on him in free agency. He was a force off the edge picking up a sack and many QB hits. Phillips came off the other edge with a sack and a forced fumble. Gibson and DE Austin, playing in rotation with Green, combined on a sack and Gibson had a couple QB hurries and hits as well when the team sent him on a blitz.

Barry Freeman grabbed 2 INTs (in the first quarter) before Tate stopped trying to challenge him. In fact, he didn't challenge either corner all that much, sticking to short passes and calling the number of his running backs.

The reliance on takeaways to generate offense bit the team. They team generated fumbles, but couldn't recover any of them, hurting the turnover ratio. This combined with four Bucs turnovers already put the team in an uphill situation.

Notes: The Bucs held the Panthers to 160 yds passing, one of the lowest of the season...but posted just 151 yds passing of their own...Piper has thrown 11 INTs in 8 games...DE Brown is cleared to play...Holliday, Smith, and Gibson combined for over 30 tackles again...no one else on the team had more than 6...

[zarmstead2]

Go Panthers?

Lol

[KBLover]

GAH

Can't wait for the rematch! Grr - gonna get 'em next time, even if I have to pull a Denver and use the "Tebow Tactic" - run all day and have the QB throw like 10 times lol.

They ALWAYS give me a hard time and the games are usually crazy and close.

[xblake16x]

week 2-5
We went 3-1 losing to the Steelers of Pittsburgh, defeating the Cards, GMen, and the DirtyBirds. The defense did not play well, and spent most of each game playing catch up. The Steelers defense gave TJax fits all day, as he only compiled a 54.6 quarterback rating. Final 16-27
Week 3 against the cards was better, but still not great. Being down 2 scores in the 4th didn't allow Marshawn to be effective in crunch time. Final 25-19
Week 4 was against the Falcons, who were undefeated at the time. TJax was injured on his second pass attempt, so Josh Portis saw his first action of the season. While he wasn't effective or accurate (9/26) he didn't give the ball away at all. Marshawn took advantage of a defense missing Curtis Lofton, William Moore, and Ray Edwards. He gained 186 yds on the ground with 2 TD's. Final 26-20
Week 5 was Josh Portis' first start, as TJax is out for 2 more weeks(bye week next week). Again no turnovers from Josh Portis... but he didn't start off very well, he was 6/19 in the first half as we couldn't get anything going on the ground. Breno Giacomini was benched this game after committing 4 holding penalties in the second quarter. Rookie Will Rackley took over duties at left tackle (Okung was hurt). Another workhorse day for marshawn, carrying the ball 30 times. Final 31-21

The Seahawks have started off the season hot! Compiling a 4-1 record. Pete Carrol needs to spell Marshawn a little more or he will be worn down by the end of the season. He is still on pace to carry the ball about 400 times... way too much!

[xblake16x]

I am not entirely happy with myself after this... but I had to sim the rest of the season. I've played these games before, and I really want to check out this sweet draft class.

We finished 10-6 with a birth in the wildcard round. In the last 5 losses, all but one of them were within one score. Our record could have been vastly different. Josh Portis, in his limited time, might have secured a roster spot for next season. He passed for 779 yds, 4 TD's with 0 interceptions and an 82.6 rating.

Marshawn needs a breather, 363 carries is way too much even for a feature back. I need to look to the draft or free agency for a viable backup. He finished with 1489 yds and 10 TD's.

Kris Durham lost his starting position to TO, once he was able to grasp the offense. Sidney Rice led all receivers with 61 catches for 762 yds and 6 TD's.

Lam Chancellor was this years leader on defense, finishing with 63 total tackles, 1 sack, and 7 interceptions. LeRoy Hill led the team in tackles, but didn't have anything else to show for the season. First year CB's Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman proved to be physical and shutdown corners for this defense.

Riccardo Lockette will be keeping his job as punt returner, because he can also block kicks. Leon, barring his return, will be returning kicks.

[xblake16x]

Playoffs
Wildcard Weekend
After word spread around players of a possible bounty system in the Saints locker room, the Seahawks players were furious. After just 7 passing attempts, Drew Breed was knocked out of the game; Chase Daniel is his replacement. Neither offense moved the ball very well, but the Seahawks were able to force 3 interceptions by Daniel. The final 13-3 Seattle.

Divisional round
The Seahawks are matched up with the surprising 10-6 Redskins, who came to play. You could see the workhorse running on fumes, as Marshawn has been held under 50 yards the last 4 games. TJax was worse than his usual self, finishing with only a 62.4 rating. The Seahawks #1 run defense showed up, allowing only 50 yards on the ground on 27 attempts. However, the pass defense of the Seachickens was nowhere to be found. Rex Grossman had a day, 315 yds, 2 TD's. We were not able to sack him nor force a turnover. FFinal7-21

Steelers v Falcons in the superbowl. Falcons win 24-3. The Seachickens can hold their head somewhat high, as they did defeat the superbowl champs in the regular season. On to the offseason.

[xblake16x]

First things first, I am going to release players that were able to hit free agency in real life.

Contract restructuring:
Both Robert Gallery and Zach Miller have agreed to accelerate their bonuses to the 2011 season and will be unrestricted free agents.

Plan:
The Seahawks main goal is to improve the talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I usually like to build through the draft, but I am not sure I will be able to do that. I am going to look towards free agency to find players for the right price. Another need, not as pressing will be the LB position... KM Wright might move back to MLB if I cannot find a suitable starter.
I will also look to find a back that can complement marshawn and take some of the team off of his back. Preferably a change of pace back, that can be an effective weapon in the passing game out of the backfield.

$42 million in cap space before resigning period.

[xblake16x]

What luck! Because not alot of quarterback needy teams were in the top 5 or top 10, Robert Griffin III has slipped to the 15th pick, where the Chargers offered me their 15th pick for my 25th and 2nd round pick.
After filling some holes on the defensive side of the ball, it only makes sense for Pete Carrol to get his QB of the future right now. Even with need for OL help (there was none left), one cannot pass this opportunity up as the vikings and titans are the next two teams to draft... and both might be in the market for a different direction at QB.

R1 Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
R2 Courtney Upshaw RE-->ROLB(Traded Red Bryant to the patriots who had the Bills 2nd round pick)
R3 LaMichael James, HB Oregon
R4 Ruben Handle, WR LSU
R4 Orson Charles, TE UGA
R5 Tony Bergstrom, RT Utah
R6 Emmanuel Acho, MLB Texas
R7 Bruce Figgins, FB UGA

A free agency to remember.
even though the Seahawks had to spend big money, they were able to add at least two starters, and much needed depth to the linebacker position. Red Bryant was franchise tagged (then traded).
David Hawthorne - Redskins
TJax - Dolphins
NewHawks
Mario Williams ROLB-->RE
Curtis Lofton MLB
Martez Wilson OLb
Antonio Dixon DT
Ladanian Tomlinson HB
Billy Cundiff K

Only one goal wasn't completed, and that was to shore up the offensive line. In fact, it might be even weaker than last year's. Onto the preseason.

[JHeyBraves]

AFC South Standings at mid-season point (YR 7)
Titans 5-3
Texans 4-4
Jaguars 3-4
Colts 3-4

Injury Update (Following Bengals game):
Last season's DROY, LB M Carrington, suffered partial PCL Tear and will miss six weeks following this game, one being a bye week. New free-agent signee Lawrence Timmons moves into the starting lineup alongside Colin McCarthy during his absence.

In the last 7 seasons, this rivalry vs Texans has taken it to the next level. I had to go back and look it up. Titans lead the series 9-8 in that span, with a 6-8 regular season record and 3-0 postseason record. There have been three overtime games, with one being in the playoffs (2-1 in OT). The Texans have swept the season series three times now, while the Titans have done it twice… They have become my nemesis.

I am probably going to cut back on these updates and do quarter-season updates instead. So the next one after Week 12. I'm a little behind with the pictures. I will put one up if there is a great game, picture, storyline or something like that.

[J.R.]

Quote: Originally Posted by xblake16x

What luck! Because not alot of quarterback needy teams were in the top 5 or top 10, Robert Griffin III has slipped to the 15th pick, where the Chargers offered me their 15th pick for my 25th and 2nd round pick. After filling some holes on the defensive side of the ball, it only makes sense for Pete Carrol to get his QB of the future right now. Even with need for OL help (there was none left), one cannot pass this opportunity up as the vikings and titans are the next two teams to draft... and both might be in the market for a different direction at QB. R1 Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor R2 Courtney Upshaw RE-->ROLB(Traded Red Bryant to the patriots who had the Bills 2nd round pick) R3 LaMichael James, HB Oregon R4 Ruben Handle, WR LSU R4 Orson Charles, TE UGA R5 Tony Bergstrom, RT Utah R6 Emmanuel Acho, MLB Texas R7 Bruce Figgins, FB UGA A free agency to remember. even though the Seahawks had to spend big money, they were able to add at least two starters, and much needed depth to the linebacker position. Red Bryant was franchise tagged (then traded). David Hawthorne - Redskins TJax - Dolphins NewHawks Mario Williams ROLB-->RE Curtis Lofton MLB Martez Wilson OLb Antonio Dixon DT Ladanian Tomlinson HB Billy Cundiff K Only one goal wasn't completed, and that was to shore up the offensive line. In fact, it might be even weaker than last year's. Onto the preseason.

Well that's great, but trust me, you had no worries about the Titans drafting a QB lol.