*************
*Madden NFL 09*
*************


*************
Madden NFL 09 FAQ
For XBox 360, PS3
Version 1.2 (8/21/08)
Written by Brad Russell "TheGum"
Email: lunatic_252000@yahoo.com
Website: www.thechaosuniverse.com
*************


Version 1.0 - I could cover the modes and always go deeper into each team in
a later update.
(8/20/08)

Version 1.2 - Finished up the Madden Moments *gasps*, and added bits to other
places. I know there will be more than a few updates as the rosters settle.
(8/21/08)


*****************
Table Of Contents
*****************
Use Ctrl + F to quick find in this guide.

Section: Code:

1. A Brief Foreword
2. Controls ( CON2222 )
3. Starter Tips ( TIPS333 )
4. Teams:

4A. National Football Conference ( NFC123 )

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins


NFC North

Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions


NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons


NFC West

Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
St. Louis Rams
San Francisco 49ers


4B. American Football Conference ( AFC123 )

AFC East

New England Patriots
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins


AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens


AFC South

Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans
Houston Texans


AFC West

San Diego Chargers
Denver Broncos
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs


5. Football ( PLAY555 )

Offense OFF1234
Defense DEF5678
Special Teams SPT9012

6. Glossary ( GLOS666 )

Football FOB27

7. Madden Test ( TEST777 )
8. Game Modes ( MODE888 )
9. Power Rankings
10. Author Info / Copyright



*****************************************************************************
* 1. A Brief Foreword *
*****************************************************************************

**The following is a note I would write to EA if any of the following were
applicable: A) if EA listened, B) if anyone else cared, or C) if there were
somewhere to send it - don’t worry, I haven’t and don’t plan to look.**

Dear EA,

I appreciate the effort of this year’s Madden, but this game is
becoming more and more unlike football. I understand programming AI
that can play football must be hard, but scripting, rubberband AI,
sliders, hidden sliders, and animations are not the answer. I’m sure
it’s nice and easy to copy and paste last year’s tackle animations to
this year, but if you actually compare those to how NFL players
tackle, you’ll see that your animations don’t fly.

The main thing to fix is how you let the CPU quarterback throw off
his back foot on any play. I’m sure Madden himself would say, "Now he
should have never thrown that ball off his back foot, boom!"

Is it too much to ask for players to walk into a game with both
teams on an equal field and the players decide the game, rather than
sliders, scripting, and animations? I have been a loyal fan for many
years, but other than crazy games against other gamers, I’m starting
to understand why many people have long lost faith in the Madden
franchise for not offering enough innovation. Madden 09 is just NCAA 09
in new packaging and some glitter to make it look better. For next
year, please try to make a game that better reflects the NFL.

TheGum.



*****************************************************************************
* 2. Controls ( CON2222 ) *
*****************************************************************************

This is the most comprehensive controls section I’ve ever made, so you better
like it. I hope they all match up with NCAA controls, as they are the same
games, except for pump fakes and throwing away, which was TONS of fun to
adjust to by the way.


Key:

When you see X (A), it means PS3 (XBox 360)

PS3 = 360

X = A
SQU = X
O = B
TRI = Y
L1 = LB
R1 = RB
L2 = LT
R2 = RT
LS = LS
RS = RS
D-Pad = D-Pad
L3 = L3
R3 = R3
Start = Start
Select = Back


=======
General
=======

Move player - LS
Sprint - R2 (RT) (can be bad at times)
Switch player - tap O (B), hold and direction to scroll
Show routes (playart) - R2 (RT) + Up; bluff with R2 (RT) + left/right
Audible - SQU (X)
Preplay help - R3
Replay - L1 + R1 (LB + RB)
Timeout - Select (Back)
Pause - Start


=======
Offense
=======

Hurry-up
--------
*Hold these after a play is over

Hurry - X (A)
Hurry and call last play - TRI (Y)
Spike - SQU (X)
Fake spike - O (B)

*NOTE: It’s much faster to just call a play like normal instead of using
these.*


Pre-Play
--------
*While at the line of scrimmage

Timeout - Select (Back)
Snap - X (A)
Fake snap - R1 (RB)
Audible - SQU (X) and then one of the receiver buttons that corresponds to
the pre-set play. These are displayed for you in this game.
Motion - hold O (B) + left/right to select a player, then press left/right
to send him in motion
Flip run - RS left/right
Slide Protection - L2 (LT) + up/left/down/right

**L1/R1 (LB/RB) during play selection to change packages, such as Spell HB.


Hot Routes
----------
*These are pre-play

Select player - press TRI and then the receiver’s button
Hot Route - after you select a receiver, press one of the following routes

Straight up - LS up
Come back - LS down
In/Out route - LS left/right
Fade - RS up
Drag - RS down
Slant - RS left/right
Block - left/right = L2/R2 (LT/RT)
Smart route - R1 (RB)
Cancel - O (B)


Passing
-------
*Keep in mind you can move in the pocket, and run and pass so long as you
never cross the line of scrimmage

Pass the ball - X, O, SQU, TRI, L1 (A, B, X, Y, LB);
tap for a lob, hold for bullet pass
Throw away (out of pocket) - click RS
Pump fake - R1 (RB)
Run - R2 (RT) (same as sprint)


Option Plays
------------

Pitch/Lateral - L2 (LT)
Fake pitch - L1 (LB)
Fullback (triple option, hold at handoff) - X (A)


Running
-------
*This is when running to start, with the QB, or after a catch

Sprint - R2 (RT)
Spin - O (B); RS in a circle
Dive - SQU (X)
Hurdle - TRI (Y)
Stiff Arm - X (A)
Protect ball - R1 (RB)
Lateral - L2 (LT)
Juke - RS left/right/down
Highlight stick - RS up
High Step/celebrate - press/hold O (B) as you run to the endzone


Catching
--------

Switch to receiver - O (B)
Catch - TRI (Y)
Diving catch - SQU (X)


Blocking
--------
*I guess someone may want to do this, sadly

For a running play, switch to player like a hot route, then press L1 (LB) to
control that blocker after the snap. Press the RS up for an impact block, or
down for a cut block.


=======
Defense
=======
Of course after an INT or fumble, normal running moves apply.

Pre-Play
--------

Timeout - Select (Back)
Audible - SQU (X)
Jump Snap - L2 (LT)
Defensive line audibles - L1 (LB)
Linebacker audibles - R1 (RB)
Coverage audibles - TRI (Y)


D-Line Audibles
---------------
*L1 (LB) and then any of these buttons, or O (B) to cancel

Shift - LS left/right
Spread/Pinch - LS up/down
Crash - RS right/left/down
DE contain - RS up


Linebacker Audibles
-------------------
*R1 (RB) and then any of these buttons, or O (B) to cancel

Shift - LS left/right
Spread/Pinch - LS up/down
Blitz - right/left/all = RS left/right/down
LB Zone - RS up


Coverage Audibles
-----------------
*TRI (Y) and then any of these buttons, or O (B) to cancel

Show blitz/Show man - LS left/right
Soft/Press - LS up/down
Safety zone shade - RS left/right
Safety shade - RS up/down


Hot Routes
----------
*Tap O (B) to select player, then press X (A) and one of these buttons, cancel
with O (B)

Hook Zone - LS up
QB Contain - LS down
Man Coverage - LS left + receiver icon
Buzz zone - LS right
Blitz - RS down
Deep zone - RS up
QB spy - RS left
Flat zone - RS right


After Snap
----------

Sprint - R2 (RT)
Switch - O (B)
Dive - SQU (X)
Strip ball - X (A)
Strafe - hold L2 (LT)
Intercept - TRI (Y)
Diving INT - SQU (X)
Swat - X (A)
Hit stick - RS up for high; RS down for low

<while engaged with blocker>

Bull rush - R1 (RB)
Finesse move - L1 (LB)
Hands up - TRI (Y)


=============
Special Teams
=============

Kick - LS change height and direction of kick; RS down until in the red, then
up in the direction when in the red or close to it for power. Don’t
adjust kickoff height please.
Punt - same as kick, just know low punts will be returned easier.
Fair catch - TRI (Y)
Kneel in endzone before leaving - don’t move
All other moves apply when returning.



*****************************************************************************
* 3. Starter Tips ( TIPS333 ) *
*****************************************************************************

#1. Be sure to quick save (LS) when you’ve done something, especially after a
win in franchise, but also after just normal wins.

#2. When playing, I always kick the ball to start a game. That way, no matter
what happens in the first half, you can start the second half with the ball.

#3. Not much harm in going for it on 4th down when the ball is near the
40, especially on Heisman where kickoffs and returns usually put the CPU team
on the 40 anyway.

#4. A basic tip while passing is to look downfield. Of course if you have
routes that take a while to develop, maybe then you can watch the pocket
collapse and enter scramble mode. You should see where the blitz is coming
from right after the snap and either respond or see if it’s picked up.

#5. It’s best to learn all the shifts before a play. There are three on
defense and one on offense. Then learn all the motions and hot routes for
offense; in time you may want to learn about the defensive hot routes too.

#6. I never play the 2 pt conversion on odd scores. Great if you can score
everytime, but I would rather take my 1 pt and then worry about cruncing #’s
later.

#7. I hope your realize there is a way to see what the offense is running
when making defensive calls. It’s usually to the side of your play sheet.

#8. If you struggle with anything, whether it’s run, pass, run defense, or pass
defense, you can run the "Madden Tests", or just go to practice and actually
put those skills to a better test. It’s best to try out all the moves. Of
course for any defense you could just play games - practice is really just
to get timing of passing routes down and running.

#9. Please, know what your team is good at. If you don’t know, feel free to
poke around the internet, or here’s a thought, watch the games. Yeah, this is
more an arcade game than a simulation, but bad defense is bad defense no
matter what.

#10. Please turn off weapons, they are stupid and make this game even more
arcade-y than it needs to be. This is an arcade game by the way, in no way
resembling anything close to real football, but it’s a fun version of football.

#11. Refer to my NCAA 09 guide for maybe some additional insight, but the two
games are different in players and some formations. Keep in mind large portions
of this guide are copied from that guide, and fittingly since the two games are
basically the same.

#12. When in the closing seconds of the game and behind, you’re in hurry-up
mode, but don’t use the hurry-up controls post-play, just call a play like
normal as it’s much faster.



*****************************************************************************
* 4A. National Football Conference ( NFC123 ) *
*****************************************************************************

Here is a rundown of all the teams in what is called the "weaker" division in
the NFL. It’s due to the thought that only a handful of teams could beat
whoever wins the AFC, while the AFC has many top teams.

Key

Rating: offense + defense = overall**
Key Weapons: best offensive options minus the QB; best defensive options for
you to play
Strength: best thing on this team
Weakness: one thing far below the rest

*NOTE: All of this is partly subjective on my part, but I try to stay honest
about it all. See, I put my hated Cowboys first, then my Eagles.*

**These will change, and I know they are not right at the time of this posting,
but the ratings and players are mostly in the same ballpark. Teams will change
up until the trade deadline, around week 6 or so in real time.


========
< NFC East >
========

Dallas Cowboys
--------------

Rating: 96
Key Weapons: TO, Barber, Witten; Ware (OLB), Hamlin (FS)
Strength: offense
Weakness: defensive line

The Cowboys have one of the most talented teams in the NFL, and luckily for
you there is no choke factor in Madden. The only weakness on offense is the
fact that there is little behind Terrell Owens at WR. Romo has passing and
scrambling abilities, as well as the ability to evade some tackles. Couple
that with Jason Witten and Owens and you have short passing and play action
potential on every play.

The running backs are not gamebusters, but they offer speed and power. Marion
Barber is the work horse that gets you past 4th and 1 and goal line punches.
Felix Jones lets you run laterally, but he’s a rookie so don’t rely on him in
clutch downs.

The defense is solid all around. DeMarcus Ware is one of the best LB’s in the
game, and the rest of his LB corps is great too, and they need to be to cover
up the weakness in the d-line. Running offenses can find success up the middle,
but passing plays should look for zone coverage and pass through Roy Williams,
one of the worst zone defenders in the game.


Philadelphia Eagles
-------------------

Rating: 91
Key Weapons: Westbrook, Curtis/Brown, Jackson, Smith; Dawkins (FS)
Strength: secondary
Weakness: LB

The Iggles offer a team that is very close to being elite. Donovan McNabb is no
longer the scramble-first QB of old, but he can still move around. He’s one of
the stronger QB’s in the game and always leaves open the threat of a deep
bomb.

Brian Westbrook is quite possibly the best all around offensive weapon in the
NFL. He’s a great RB alone, but combine that with the fact that he can act as
a WR on every play and the offensive potential is there for every play. If the
defense is playing run-defense, audible to passing play and send B-West into
a hot route.

The Eagle receiving corps is not great, but it does provide depth. Reggie
Brown and Kevin Curtis take a Randy Moss and split him into two - Brown being
tall and Curtis being fast. Playing in the shotgun puts in the rest of the
WR’s, mainly fast-guy Jackson, onto the field. Jackson is way fast, FYI.

For defense you have talent all around, except in the linebacking corps. Where
you may find trouble stopping the run you will not find such stopping the pass.
This is the best secondary in the NFL, with only Quinten Mikell the "weak"
link at SS, and he isn’t horrible by any means. Heck, even the average LB’s
can make a few plays.


New York Giants
---------------

Rating: 94
Key Weapons: Burress; Pierce (MLB), try Phillips (FS)
Strength: offensive line
Weakness: defense

The Super Bowl Champs, or "the team that got hot at the right time to reach
the Super Bowl and then got REALLY lucky to win the Super Bowl" don’t offer
much talent at the key positions. Eli is kindly a better QB in this game than
in reality, but aside from Plaxico there aren’t many playmakers he can pass
to.

You’ll rely almost completely on the running game, which is bolstered by the
great offensive line. Jacobs and the other RB’s offer all kinds of running
styles, but aren’t spectacular at anything.

The defense isn’t terrible, but it too offers little. You have one of the best
pass rushing d-lines in the game with Osi and Tuck at defensive ends. Antonio
Pierce helps stopping the run. The rest of the defense is better than most, but
still not great.


Washington Redskins
-------------------

Rating: 88
Key Weapons: Portis, Moss, Randle El; Fletcher (MLB), Landry (SS)
Strength: defense
Weakness: passing

The Redskins really don’t do anything exceptionally well, but you have spots
of goodness. Jason Campbell could one day be a great QB, but at the moment
he offers the classic run-first talents of scrambling QB’s. His speedy WR’s
help in crossing routes, but these receivers are short and not reliable over
the middle.

Clinton Portis is an above-average elusive back. Offense goes through him
since defenders won’t worry too much about the pass. You’ll need to get a run
game going with Portis or you could see pass coverage every down until you
prove otherwise.

The defense does well enough, with great LB’s and a deep secondary. The d-line
doesn’t stand out, so rely on the other positions to bring pressure and stop
the run.


=========
< NFC North >
=========

Green Bay Packers
-----------------

Rating: 91
Key Weapons: Driver, Jennings, Grant; Hawk (OLB)
Strength: defense
Weakness: no Brett Favre (aka Aaron Rogers)

Brett Favre wasn’t gamebuster on the team, and Aaron Rogers doesn’t help this
team’s passing attack at all. You have two great WR’s in Jennings and Driver,
but it just depends on whether Rogers can get the ball to them.

Ryan Grant offers a bruising running game, but he’s not a gamebuster either.
Just like the Giants, you’ll need to establish a running attack with Grant to
open up the Rogers passing game.

The Packer defense is solid all around, with great CB’s, decent safeties,
two strong LB’s, and great DE’s. This is one of the better balanced defenses in
the game. You’ll need them too to cover up for the "rookie" QB.


Minnesota Vikings
-----------------

Rating: 90
Key Weapons: AD (Peterson), Rice; Henderson (MLB), Sharper (SS)
Strength: Adrian Peterson
Weakness: QB

Another team with all the pieces in place except for QB. Tarvaris Jackson has
potential to be the next Donovan McNabb, but the arm isn’t there. He’s the
classic run-first scrambling QB, and along with AD you can overkill your run
game and then allow passing.

Speaking of AD, which is All Day, Adrian Peterson is the man-child out of OU
that will be one of the legends of the game if he stays healthy. He combines
power with speed, and he can catch if needed. Seeing 8 in the box isn’t much
of a problem, but anything less and the defense has made a huge mistake.

The Viking defense has one glaring flaw, the backfield. Up front you have the
best defensive line in the game in Jared Allen and the two Williams. You have
Sharper at SS, Winfield at CB, and Henderson at MLB, but other than that the
rest of the backfield is average at best. Feel free to use 4-3 zones or nickels
to make sure all your bases are covered.


Chicago Bears
-------------

Rating: 80
Key Weapons: Hester; Urlacher(MLB)/Briggs(OLB), Brown (FS)
Strength: defense
Weakness: offense

A team in the Super Bowl a few years ago. You can only hope you have Rex in
at QB as he at least offers the deep ball. Sadly, that is the highlight of the
offense believe it or not. You better find ways to get Devin Hester on offense
because you’ll need him. No run game, no true WR’s, and all you have is Hester.

Speaking of him, your special teams may be your best bet at making offense.
Hester will go down as the best return man ever, so get good at reading returns
and making your moves. One score with him and you’ve made up for the bad
offense.

The Bear defense is always known for being the best part of this team. Strong
points are the LB’s and corners, but the safeties and linemen could use some
work. The corners help stop passes and the LB’s will stuff the run, the rest is
up to your playcalling.


Detroit Lions
-------------

Rating: 78
Key Weapons: Williams & Johnson; Sims (OLB), Smith (SS)
Strength: WR
Weakness: running

The lovable losers. You have Kitna as a decent QB, but it’s best he gets the
ball quickly to one of his tall WR’s. Williams and Johnson offer possession
and speed, Roy and Calvin respectively. McDonald is you slot guy with better
moves than the others, so don’t be afraid to give him the ball and let him make
a play.

There is no running game, so let’s move on. You’ll need to pass to set up the
run, FYI.

The Lion defense is pretty lame as well. You have a good LB in Sims and one
good DT in Redding, but that’s about it. Dodden is a good enough corner, but
he is the only highlight of the secondary.


=========
< NFC South >
=========

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
--------------------

Rating: 91
Key Weapons: Galloway; June(OLB)/Brooks(OLB)
Strength: defense
Weakness: offense

It may sound odd to say this offense is a weak point if you were to be around
the NFL a few years ago. Garcia, my boi, is getting old and he doesn’t have
stellar weapons around him. You could probably make some strange formations
using more than one of these 3 above-average RB’s. Dunn, Graham, and Williams
are toss-ups to which one is better, so it’s your call. Joey Galloway is
still a speed guy at WR, but the rest are possession guys at best.

The Buc defense is still the strength of this team. You have a strong LB corps
in Brooks and June, and Ronde Barber will keep his guy mostly quiet. The other
CB Buchanon is quite fast. The linemen are not bad, but not great.


New Orleans Saints
------------------

Rating: 87
Key Weapons: Colston, Bush, Shockey; Vilma (MLB)
Strength: offense
Weakness: defense

In a complete 180 of the Bucs, the Aints offer a pro offense, but a defense
that couldn’t stop USC. Drew Brees is an extremely good QB, and he has many
weapons to throw to in Colston and Shockey. Reggie Bush may not be a great
RB, but he is a solid receiver.

The running game is still solid, but not stellar. Bush is a better RB in this
game than in reality, but if you can get him in space he can do good. Deuce
is a power back good for short yardage. Keep in mind what RB you have on a
running play as the two are very different.

Defense is horrible for this team. You have Vilma and some good linemen, but
that’s it, and I mean it. Fujita may be the best other guy on the team, but
that’s not saying a whole lot. You’re giving up points, so deal with it.


Carolina Panthers
-----------------

Rating: 86
Key Weapons: Smith; Beason (MLB), Harris (SS)
Strength: Steve Smith
Weakness: running

Lucky for you, no suspensions will be served in this game. Steve Smith and Jake
Delhomme are you offense, so get that straight. There is really nothing else
on offense, I swear. You have to sit in the pocket and wait for Smith to be
open.

The two RB’s are average and very similar, so you could toss a coin as to
which one you want to use. They are pretty inexperienced, so keep that in
mind.

The defense has Peppers and Beason, but nothing spectacular anywhere else.
The defense isn’t bad, but not enough to win you games.


Atlanta Falcons
---------------

Rating: 67
Key Weapons: White?
Strength: none
Weakness: all

Come on, they had some players last year, but this is a fresh team with
nothing. You have a defensive end in Abraham, and maybe a burner in Michael
Turner, but that’s it. I could talk about this team if no other team had
superstars, but most teams do and this team has none.


========
< NFC West >
========

Seattle Seahawks
----------------

Rating: 87
Key Weapons: Tatupu (MLB)
Strength: defense
Weakness: running

A team that is on the decline, but still tops in the NFC. Hasselbeck is in
the upper tiers of QB’s, and he has decent weapons to throw to. Branch, Engram,
and Burleson are all #2 wide receivers, so they aren’t bad.

Shaun Alexander could have made the run game better since his stats would have
been better in this game than in real life. As it stands, you have Jones as a
decent small RB, but he’s not great by any means.

The defense will keep you in all your games. Tatupu and Peterson make for
one of the best LB corps in the game, and the secondary isn’t too bad either.
On the line you have Kerney, which is probably enough.


Arizona Cardinals
-----------------

Rating: 78
Key Weapons: Fitzgerald & Boldin, James; Wilson (SS)
Strength: WR
Weakness: defense

You have a great weapons, but not really a great gunslinger at QB. Warner is
a pocket passer, but Leinart isn’t much better. You’ll need to quickly get the
ball to your two great wideouts, Fitz and Bold. Fitz is your big, deep threat
while Boldin will make your catches over the middle.

Edge is a solid RB, and nothing to sneeze at. He’s not top-shelf material,
but he’s good enough as a runner.

The defense has a decent secondary, but that’s about it. Average LB’s, one
good DT, and the rest of the line is sub-par. Expect to see a few runs against
you.


St. Louis Rams
--------------

Rating: 77
Key Weapons: Holt, Jackson; Witherspoon (MLB), Atogwe (FS)
Strength: Steven Jackson
Weakness: defense

Good for you virtual Jackson doesn’t hold out. Bulger is was supposed to be
the next great QB, but he is still below the upper tiers. He’s good, but he
doesn’t have much to throw to. Holt is the solid veteran, and the rest are
there.

You’ll need to ram the ball up the middle with Jackson. The FB isn’t too bad
either, so I formations and play actions will work really well. You’ll see 8
in the box to start games, so pass to Holt and company to open up the
space for Jackson to truck forward.

The defense is not bad, but not great. A few guys at postions, Witherspoon at
MLB and Atogwe at FS, but not much else. Next year the Long guy could be better
than now, or maybe as the season progresses.


San Francisco 49ers
-------------------

Rating: 72
Key Weapons: Gore; Willis (MLB), Lewis (SS)
Strength: defense
Weakness: QB

Wow, you don’t have a QB, so don’t think otherwise. You really don’t have
much to throw to anyways. Davis at TE is good, but the rest of the wideouts
are #3’s at the best.

Luckily for the passing game, you have Frank Gore to lower that FS. Gore is
fast and strong, but not a gamebuster. Offense on the 49ers goes through him.

Defense is above average for this team. For the secondary, only the FS is the
weak point. At the LB corps you at least have Willis, one of the best in the
game, and he will have to control the run game by himself. The line isn’t
terrible, but not strong.