The End is Near

A lack of interest and a lack of focus result in poor game play. My motivation is gone. Last time we spoke I said I was a having a super bowl hang over of sorts. Well that hang over never really wore off. With my talented team in simulation they were able to go 6-2, but when I played the other 8 games my normal energy was simply not there as I went 2-6 combining to an 8-8 record and a disappointing season of epic proportions. I attribute this lack luster performance to a variety of things. As I mentioned before after achieving a goal of winning a super bowl last season I just cannot push myself to fight on like I used to. Secondly, the game that was once so great to me has now become boring. Football season is over in real life and I am over football. I was motivated because I love managing the game of football and building teams, but my mind is no longer on football these days hence the game is less exciting. Lastly, with final exams and a variety of other tasks at hand I simply am not putting in the focus and efforts I once did. It seems as if I was a one hit wonder as my time frame to win another championship is coming to and end.

Super Bowl Hangover

The super bowl hangover it happens in real life and it’s happening to me. Teams that win one year seem to struggle the next. I am currently 1-3 at the start of the next season. I think about my struggles, and I say no way I am playing worse just because I won last season; I am simply getting unlucky. However, then I think about it again is it really luck that is making me loose or is there some lack of motivation. I think subconsciously I am playing at a lower level than normal because I am not as motivated to win anymore after already achieving the ultimate goal of a championship. Yes, I want to win again, but nothing is like that first title. I gave it my all-last season to compete in tough games against stiff competition and it was a true battle. After coming out on top at the moment I just don’t have that same fight in me. I am playing cocky and lackluster football. I must turn things around quickly or it will be a long season. Go get em Broncos!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

It happened baby! We did it, the Broncos won the whole damn thing. After years of seasons that were defined with teams who just could not win the big one, this season was a different story. How did I do it? Last time we spoke I explained my advancements in coaching strategy and recent coaching hirings. The change in staff and experimenting of strategies brought a team together in the regular season that was able to reach their maximum potential. Besides the simulations, I was able to raise my playing abilities to new heights. My iq went up to 720. The game became more difficult, but this time I was ready for it. I learned how to play safe ball. I realized during playoff time I had to play this game with no distractions. Some people view video games as a time to relax and chill with friends and listen to music. However, what I realized is as much as I loved playing and chilling when I played madden, I had a goal to win. In order to complete this goal the game required me to bring it my all. In school we are taught to bring our A game for our hardest exams. Playoff time was essentially my toughest exam, and in no way was I going to take it lightly. Having a bye in the first round due to our 13-3 record was definitely a help. Then in the post season home field advantage made the game a bit easier as well. I felt it was my game to lose and if I played like I know I could no team was stopping me. In my first game I took on the division rival Chargers. This game was a breeze for me considering I have played this team almost 10 times total in the last 5 seasons. In the AFC title I took on the Patriots, a team that was getting older and always beat me in previous years by the pass. This time I defended the pass brilliantly causing turn over after turn over., and on offense I slowed the game down and ran all over the Patriots. The Super Bowl feature my Broncos versus the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners were essentially a poorer version of me. They played slow ball and ran it effectively, but I was better at it. This game was low scoring both teams defenses held serve for a while creating a first half that ended tied at a staggering low scoring 3-3 game. Then, the second half belonged to my Broncos. My defense continued to dominate as the Niners could do nothing on offense. However, on offense I figured I needed to air it out and start picking up some yards. Kris-Steven Baker playing in his first Super Bowl at age 26 torched the Niners through the air. As the 4^th quarter came to an end my Broncos were a top of the NFL world winning the game 17-3. This was bliss baby, we did it!

Cheating

As I was beginning season 5 of my Denver Broncos Franchise I was sick of not seeing my superb team reach its ultimate potential in the games I simulated. My belief was that this was do to an internal flaw in my coaching scheme and my coaching staff. During the offseason I completely revamped the staff and changed the coaching scheme so my team would use its strengths to its maximum potential. I came up with an idea, but I wondered if it was considered cheating. I decided to simulate a season without saving by experimenting with different coaching schemes to see which one would produce the most success. My theory was hey there is no way I can see my team practice with different scehemes considering this a video game, but I can adjust schemes and see how my team would perform in live action had that scheme been implemented. I did not consider this cheating because I was not saving whatever record my team recorded it was solely for experiemental purposes. Eventually I found a scheme that gave me a stunning record of a 14-2 season. I did not save that season, but of course decided to use the chosen scheme in the season I actually saved. I have no played 14 of 16 games in the real season 5. The result: I have played 2 games and won both, and the other 12 I simulated and went a stunning 9-3 which amounts to a record of 11-3 and currently has my Broncos sitting where they belong at first place in the NFL standings. Did I cheat or did I find an edge? I don’t really have a good answer, but I am content with my decision and I adjusted strategies to find the best one and that is what a coach is supposed to do. This may lead to my eventual championship. Go Broncos!

Close But No Cigar

The season was ours. We finished 12-4 and as I last said received the 2 seed in the AFC for the post season. We won handedly in our first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-13. The running game was keyed by Knowshon Moreno who ran for 95 yards and a td. Kris Steven-Baker also had an effective game behind center throwing for 270 yards and a td, but most importantly not throwing an interception. I learned a lot from this game because in the past I had been unsuccessful time and time again in the post season. This game seemed to be a model for how to win a tough game. More importantly than all the previous individual offensive stats I mentioned was that I won two important battles: the turnover battle and the battle of time possession. My defensive forced one fumble and picked off quarterback Ben Roethlesberger 3 times. In a 40 min game I had the ball for a total of 27 minutes compared to the Steelers 13 minutes. These stats are the true reason for my victory. I played lock down defensive and I took my time when I had the ball because the fact of the matter is when you have the ball the other team cannot hurt you. The next game was a different story. I took on the top seed Patriots for a spot in the Super Bowl. These Patriots have won 4 of 6 super bowls during the span of my franchise. Like I said before defense is key in big games, and against the Patriots I never seem to have what it takes to stop their passing attack. Year after year I build my team with talent but mostly focused on stopping the run, and year after year I am sucessful, but the Patriots defy the odds they do not run! It as if I am helpless. I competed for 3 quarters with the game tied at 24, but eventually reality settled in and the Pats took me down. When I rebuild for next year I think its going to be important to not only build a team for the regular season, but build a team that can match up with the league's best such as the Pats. My ability in playing is rising, and hence so is my game iq, currently at a all time high 685. However, as the iq rises the game gets harder. So, I will adapt and step up to my challenges as this game is proving to definitely require adaptive learning. The Broncos championship may be in the near future if I play my cards right!

Making a Run

4 game winning streak since last time we spoke. My Broncos finished the season 12-4 and received the number 2 seed in the playoffs and a buy in round one. Definitely our best season yet and we are steam rolling into the post season. Knowshon Moreno finished with a 1300 yard season and my young safety David Burgess won defensive back of the year. Our defense was top rated in the NFL, but our offensive is still missing some explosiveness. My iq has raised to 700 meaning I ve been playing good football, but the game will become more challenging. I'm going to need to find away to pass the ball effectively when playing, and that may mean bringing different blitz packages against explosive teams such as the Patriots (the one seed in the AFC). We are rolling on all cylinders, but the post season is a different game. The teams play tougher, intensity rises, and competition stiffens. I have to game plan to rise to the challenge. I will execute! I will bring a championship to Denver!

Coming into Our Own

My Broncos finished last season 9-7, but snuck in with a 6 seed into the post season. We were able to upset the 3 seeded Steelers and moved on to play the most dominant team in football: the New England Patriots. The Patriots were 14-2 and by far the best team in the league. After going down 21-0 early on, I battled back to cut the game to 21-14. I had a final drive with 2 minutes to go in an attempt to tie the game. I was moving and grooving down the field at will. Then, a tragic event occured. I had a wide open reciever down the field, but got hit as I threw it. The ball floated right into the defenses hand and my fate was sealed. I began to retool for season 5. I did not have money to sign big time free agents, but my young guys progressed and I was able to keep our unit intact. My team overall was a very respectable 90. I started the season 8-1, but then lost 3 in a row, and currently stand at 8-4 and tied for the lead of the AFC West. This could be our year! I have finally mastered the coaching scheme that I set every week before I simulate games. When I play I do not worry about the scheme, but when simming I have found it essential. I have made my defense focus on the pass and pass rush, and I have made my offensive line focus on the run. My team has benefited from the scheme, but in simulations my passing game still struggles a bit. I will have to work on that it has been a true learning experience involving a lot of trial and error with different schemes.