If I Were Head Coach & GM of the San Francisco 49ers, I Would...

by Dylan DeSimone on Sep 22, 2011 8:00 AM PDT in 49ers Roster

Welcome back everyone. I am a long time Madden gamer and something I have always appreciated about the game more than most has been the management control in Franchise Mode. Every year, I start a new franchise with the 49ers and they usually have an unfavorable team rating which sends me directly to the Trade Players option before even my first game.

I'm behind the times, seeing as how I only have Madden '11 -- but it was by choice; the lockout made Madden '12 irrelevant to me and not worth the ridiculous amount they charge for games nowadays. I had to manifest a few things like creating Colin Kaepernick and Aldon Smith, and cheated a bit by making them their likely 2015 versions where they'll probably be rated in the 90's. This allowed me to cut Alex Smith because I didn't have to wait for Kaepernick's development.

After that, I walked in the footsteps of the Jim Harbaugh regime and made the decisions they made, but with my own twist. I brought in Donte Whitner and cut Taylor Mays first. I didn't disagree with that decision, even though I was high on Mays when he was coming out of USC. He basically hit a brick wall when he entered the NFL, so what's done is done.

Next to go was Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson. They got replaced by Ahmad Brooks and someone I thought the 49ers would make a play for but never did, in Steelers linebacker Lamaar Woodley. I gave NaVorro Bowman the go ahead to start, but kept Takeo Spikes as a substitute linebacker when my guys got fatigued. It was out of respect.

After a short but definitely failed experiment with Malcom Floyd, I traded him to the New York Jets for Braylon Edwards. I made Edwards the #1, Michael Crabtree the #2 and put Josh Morgan in the slot where he belongs. I also decided to have Ted Ginn as a full-time return man, so I brought in Jordy Nelson and Lance Moore to solidify the receiving core.

Since Glen Coffee is long gone, it made little sense for him to be on the team any longer so I decided to trade him. In 2011, Peyton Hillis is a fullback but his position can be edited. I traded Coffee to Denver for Hillis, converted him to a runningback, slapped a #40 on his back and now have one hell of a one-two punch between him and Frank Gore. This tandem also makes for a good time with the wildcat package.

The offensive line remains the same except for a coaching decision to bench Chilo Rachal and start Adam Snyder at right guard. The result of that was a major boost in my rushing attack on the right side of the line and power plays where the guard pulls left. I wonder if it would be the same in real life?

So the offense is set, linebackers look good and safeties are pretty solid but what's going on in the defensive line? Aubrayo Franklin was valuable but I know games can be won without him so after some careful deliberation, I decided to trade Franklin and some draft picks for cornerback help. I moved Isaac Sopoaga to the nose tackle position and gave Ray McDonald the start at left end. And their jobs have been remarkably simple with Darrelle Revis taking away half the field now.

So with all of that, and a Michael Vick-like Colin Kaepernick behind center, this team has been a freight train to say the least. Now of course a lot of this is just fantasy mumbo-jumbo to help me forget that the 49ers lost, but even though it is just a video game, it's nice to have some control over the organization every now and then.

How do you run your 49ers Madden team?

Follow me on Twitter: @DeSimone80

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This was a nice writeup, but...

I also decided to have Ted Ginn as a full-time return man, so I brought in Jordy Nelson and Lance Moore to solidify the receiving core.

I hope 2011 is Harbaugh-some!
Twitter me at twitter.com/grantmp1

by grantmp on Sep 22, 2011 8:08 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

rectum

Getting beat by making mistakes hurts the worst.
Follow @Tre9er

by Tre9er on Sep 22, 2011 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions

The only thing about Madden is that you can pretty much trade for anyone

in the NFL there are guys who are basically un-tradeable, Revis would qualify. Sure, if you offered two first rounders you might get him, but who has two first rounders AND thinks thats worth the future of the franchise?

Still, I do whatever I can in Madden too. Not my fault they make teams dumb enough to trade away key players.

Anyone done a GM job that is exactly like Harbaugh has done? I’d like to know the progression of players and a season sim result with the situation replicating what JH has done.

Getting beat by making mistakes hurts the worst.
Follow @Tre9er

by Tre9er on Sep 22, 2011 8:15 AM PDT reply actions

Two first rounders wouldn't fetch Revis.

The chances are too high that one of your two picks busts, in which case you’ve just traded Darelle Revis for one player.

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on Sep 22, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Thinking Madden makes one qualified for IRL NFL...

You can finish the joke yourself.

---
Revenge is ice cream.

by HaikenEdge on Sep 22, 2011 8:47 AM PDT reply actions

DDS

Madden 12 is actually worth considering this year, it’s franchise mode is finally different! You have expanded rosters in franchise and must make cuts each week. It’s pretty wicked.

by Andrew Davidson on Sep 22, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

cept you can hype up a rookie in preseason to 99

and trade him before his rating goes back to its true 52 rating.

Demarcus Dobbs is Our Future

by MRandolph on Sep 22, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

madden 12 is surprisingly good.

I get the new one every year (i just cant say no) and this is the year where iv seen madden have the most change especially to my favorite part, franchise play.

i started off the year by trading dixon and hunter for jahvid best, and pickign up tiki barber (i used to love his running style), then traded some really high draft picks for joe haden to shore up the DBs and traded for desean jackson.. and my biggest move was getting suh for franklin and some other stuff. so far undefeated.

gimba!

by Sippin'onGinn&Juice on Sep 22, 2011 9:19 AM PDT reply actions

I kept my franchise as is

Just changed player position. Moved Goldson to corner. Moved Parly to DE. Moved Gooden to olb. Moved McDonald inside. It dropped my team ratings a little but it improved my pass rush.

I got Aldon, Gooden, Parly, and McDonald Getting to the qb all day. My starting corners are Rodgers, and Brock with Culliver in on Nickel and Goldson in on Dime.

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on Sep 22, 2011 9:53 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Kept my as is too.

All you have to do is set the rosters the way you want before you start a franchise. You can cut and trade players all day on roster management and don’t have to trade draft picks away.

by ericalancanty on Sep 22, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Madden 12

I went into my franchise with the updated rosters, so my team began exactly how it started the real season. I like to keep it pretty realistic, so i sim around half of the games. 9-7 with a loss to the 9-7 Cardinals in the wild card playoffs. Aldon Smith 2nd in defensive rookie of the year(9 sacks). 22nd pick in draft Stephon Gilmore(80) CB from S. Carolina. 2nd Round Kellen Moore(75) to back up Kaepernick (77). Alex Smith gone to free agency. Justin Blackmon(73) and Jeffrey Demps(71, 98 speed) filled out the draft class. So far Second season team is looking pretty solid Gilmore, Rogers, Whitner, and Reggie Smith form a pretty good secondary(Goldson to free agency). Also picked up Amendola, and have Morgan and Dixon on the trade block for some defensive line help.

by SW42 on Sep 22, 2011 9:35 AM PDT reply actions

Justin Blackmon???

How’d you get him after the 2nd round?

by LPF on Sep 22, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Guess he had a bad year in NCAA 12

by SW42 on Sep 22, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

You took a backup QB in the 2nd round?

You gotta at least try for a starter that early.

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on Sep 22, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Yea

He was best available, I will probably end up trading one

by SW42 on Sep 22, 2011 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

A little off-topic

but when you mentioned you cut Alex Smith I was reminded of the two quarterback rating systems. In the old rating system Smith is doing well. He was around 99 against the Cowboys. But the new system counts in sacks against a quarterback so with six sacks that drives down Smith’s rating. I can’t say that I saw any of the sacks were on Smith. And I think back to that Seattle opener last year when Crabtree stopped running a pattern and the ball was intercepted. It seems that because everyone’s stats are based on all the people playing around him, receivers, running backs the O-line, it seems to be impossible calculate any one player’s performance accurately. Not just quarterbacks, but any receiver or running back. And it doesn’t take into consideration a coach’s playcalling.

Which leads me to this question: How exactly does Madden figure out ratings for players? Based on what?

but then I have a reading problem...

by Bob In Beaverton on Sep 22, 2011 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

I highly doubt it is very scientific

I’m sure various stats play a role, but most of it is perception. They have a team so, people’s individual biases are minimized, but it is still largely subjective.

by Virginia9er on Sep 22, 2011 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

it is crap.....

by ericalancanty on Sep 22, 2011 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I Left Out The..

Acquisition of Vontae Leach to replace Moran Norris and trading Shawntae Spencer for Tracy Porter. I also left Goldson at free safety so the d-backs look like (T. Porter, D. Revis, D. Goldson, D. Whitner).

Follow @DeSimone80

by Dylan DeSimone on Sep 22, 2011 9:52 AM PDT reply actions

I only have madden 11 too i’m just to poor right now for 12 but im already in my 7th season my favorite part is the draft and checking out my players progression every year and all i can say is we should have kept adams because after a few seasons his ratings jumped 83, mays 89, Bowman 87, anthony davis 89, iupati 96, and staley 92. I drafted my very own CK in the third round. I also traded goldson as my saftey i drafted had incredible stats currently 97 at FS but a 99 at SS. I’m currently working on my two rookie olb’s they where drafted 2nd and 3rd rounds respectably given a 77 and 75 ratings my key to drafting these players are scouting and checking speed agility and awareness. My frank gore is already in a decline at age 32 he is still a 93 rating but his speed and acceleration is already droping rapidly luckily running backs are so easy to draft. Also lastely i drafted my on version of dobbs that starts Re over justin now since he is starting a decline my RE was drafted a few seasons back and he beasted and is now a 92.

by Zintzun22niner on Sep 22, 2011 9:58 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

madden 11 . . .

madden 12 is 1000000 times better than 11

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on Sep 22, 2011 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

yes once you have the $$$ get madden 12

i kept my team as is except I signed T.O. as a FA. i know, i know. but hey he plays well with my playing style. with Gore and Hunter and Davis, T.O, Edwards, and Crabby my passing game and running game is quite good. (cant throw the deep ball to well thanks to the other Smith.) my defense thanks to Willis and J. Smith is pretty good too. 6-1 is my record (only lost was to the gasp bungles) LOL. my D is ranked 3rd and my offense is ranked 9th. not to bad.

by chris z on Sep 22, 2011 10:05 AM PDT reply actions

lead you WRs. when your Qb is set, push up on the left stick half way when you pass the ball to the WR. I like to lob the ball, but you have to throw it after he sets up and don't wait too long.

if you wait, you will under throw it and let the D catch up.

by ericalancanty on Sep 22, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

once in a while when it does work for me thats what i do

but to tell you the truth, my o-line doesnt give me enough time to throw the deep ball. i do a lot of short curls and slant patterns and let the WR/TE do the rest and pound the rock.

by chris z on Sep 23, 2011 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, in real life...

I would design the new stadium with a see-through field, and put premium seats under it. Might make the Gold Rush a little uncomfortable, but it would be a new way to watch the game and get more camera angles.

I also would put 12" monitors in the back of every seat so fans could watch replays better.

Then there would be the beverage and food ordering system at every seat. You would swipe your card, make your selections on the touchscreen. Beverages would be delivered by hose and tap (with a cleaning between each delivery), and food would be delivered by vacuum tube like the banks use in the drive-through.

I haven’t worked out a(n) (appropriate) plan for using the bathroom without leaving your seat, but I believe it could be done. Engineers?

Sorry, I suck at video games.

Niners Nation on the Reservation

by kinglouie33 on Sep 22, 2011 11:07 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Sigep_pac

thats my ps3 handle if anyone wants to have a go

gimba!

by Sippin'onGinn&Juice on Sep 22, 2011 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

Used the updated roster to start my team.

Signed Julian Peterson to play olb opposite Haralson and I use Aldon Smith as a DE in 4 down linemen formations. McDonald is getting love in the updates with 3 sacks already. I signed Tony Richardson to replace the pitiful Moran Norris and traded Goldson to the Bengals for Taylor Mays. I beast using Mays at SS so I moved Whitner to FS. I give up 23 rush yards per game and get about 4-5 sacks per game. with CK7 at QB I don’t have to use Alex anymore.

rookyballr15 if you want to play on ps3

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Sep 22, 2011 12:04 PM PDT reply actions

LOL Madden

on my 11th season and no where can Alex Smith be found anywhere!

I created my owned QB with a rating of 70, to be cheaper for 7 yrs contract … now after 11th season he’s on a rating of 99 and has thrown for over 60k yards nearing 600 TD and 300 INTs LOL, I usually play on hard so player rating goes up slower than if you play on easy season ..

by Aazoba Yuzuki on Sep 22, 2011 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

I would assess fines to every player on STs that push the other players in the back, killing the field position game.

They get caught almost every time and it just kills the drive before it gets started.

The guy who caught the ball in OT for the Boys….self glorifying himself to the point of stupid, i would tell him if he were on my team….“Great job, but act like a punk again, i will cut you.”

by ericalancanty on Sep 22, 2011 1:11 PM PDT reply actions

madden 12 rules

best part about it is future picks. in prior years there were only 10 picks allowed per year, this year 20 picks. they key is to stock up on picks and just have your choosing. already in year 4 of my franchise and last year I had 8 firsts and 12 seconds, ballin by the way. the computer generated rookies are awesome but I’m upset because there have not been any tall, fast, good receivers. B potential just doesn’t cut it for my franchise haha.

by texasniner06 on Sep 22, 2011 4:01 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Madden 12 Rookies are awesome

Signed Lofa Tatupu (who’s a free agent) and traded him for dominque rogers-cromartie, 2nd round pick, and 4th round pick. Traded my first round pick to the Bengals (who eventually was last place) for their 2012 1st round pick (1st pick of the draft!!!), 2013 1st round pick, and 2012 second round pick. Traded my second round pick to the Seahawks (who finished almost last) for their 2012 2nd round pick, 2013 2nd round pick, and 2012 3rd round pick. etc. etc. etc. Did individual workouts for all prospects to find all the gems of the draft. Kept trading down the first pick of the draft and acquired a lot of 2012 and 2013 picks. Drafted a 83A RG, 85B WR (95 speed!), 83A TE, 80A ROLB, 82 B WR (with 98 speed/accel!), 86A SS, 84A FS, 78A MLB, 78A CB, 78A LT, 78A C

2nd year:
QB: Kaepernick 82B
HB: Gore 91A
FB: Polite 87A
WR: Rookie 85B
WR: Edwards 84B
WR: Rookie 82B
TE: Davis 92A
TE: Rookie 83A
LT: Staley 88A
LG: Iupati 93A
C: Rookie 78A
RG: Rookie 83A
RT: Davis 88A

LE: McDonald 79B (who is really good for rushing the quarterback, 38 sacks in 1st season)
DT: Sopoaga 80B
RE: J. Smith 88A
LOLB: A. Smith 86A
MLB: Willis 99A
MLB: Rookie 78A
ROLB: Rookie 80A
CB: Rogers-Cromartie 88A
CB: Rogers 80B
CB: Rookie 78A (Gonna replace Rogers next year!)
SS: Rookie 86A
FS: Rookie 84A

KR/PR: Ginn 99
K: Akers 89
P: Lee 88

by Matthew Endo on Sep 22, 2011 5:51 PM PDT reply actions

Hope for next year's draft...

Need a whole new D-Line… DT, LE, RE
Frank Gore’s replacement… HB
Maybe Akers/Lee’s replacements… K, P

Then at every position I’ll have a young 85A+ starter.

by Matthew Endo on Sep 22, 2011 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Year 3...

2nd Year Overall: 85

3rd Year Overall: 90
QB: Kaepernick 92A (Rookie 82A)
HB: Gore 89A (Rookie 85A)
FB: Polite 84A (Rookie 84B)
WR: 2nd Year 88B (95SPD/78STR)
WR: 2nd Year 86B (99SPD/99STR)
WR: Rookie 85A
WR: Rookie 83A (99SPD)
WR: Edwards 82B
TE: Davis 94A (Second Year 91A)
LT: 2nd Year 86A (Rookie 80A)
LG: Iupati 94A (Rookie 86A)
C: Rookie 85A (2nd Year 80B)
RG: 2nd Year 88A
RT: Staley 84A (Davis 81A)

LE: Rookie 83A (McDonald 80B, from Defensive Player of the Year to backup)
DT: Rookie 86A (Rookie 82B)
RE: J. Smith 84A (Rookie 80A)
LOLB: 2nd Year 88A
MLB: Willis 99A
MLB: 2nd Year 83A
ROLB: A. Smith 94A (Rookie 86A)
CB: Rogers-Cromartie 88A
CB: Rookie 86A (2nd Year 83A)
SS: 2nd Year 95A (Rookie 85A)
FS: 2nd Year 93A (Rookie 86A)

KR/PR: Ginn 98
K: Rookie 86
P: Rookie 88

by Matthew Endo on Oct 1, 2011 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

i dont have online

So I cut and signed players myself before I started my franchise (I signed the free agents the niners got and cut the ones they lost) after signing whitner rogers goodwin and edwars the teams overall went from 77 to 83

by westxniner on Sep 22, 2011 8:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

@bobonthecoast

“Which leads me to this question: How exactly does Madden figure out ratings for players? Based on what?”

Based on whatever Donnie Moore decides their attributes should be at. No seriously….

by hendeeze on Sep 22, 2011 9:01 PM PDT reply actions

If I were head coach and GM

I’d have drafted Robert Quinn over Aldon Smith. Through 2 games Aldon has 0 sacks and 0 tackles. Robert Quinn in 1 game has 2 tackles and 1 sack.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2011 9:58 PM PDT reply actions

Its not his fault look at the difference in playing time

by Zintzun22niner on Sep 22, 2011 11:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

mine is as follows

QB, Kaepernick’
HB Gore
FB McClaine from BAL
WR Crabz
WR Edwards
WR Morgan
WR K. Williams
TE same
RT Starks
RG Leonard Davis 700+ lbs right side power running game
everything else same except
CB Vontae Davis MIA
CB J.Hayden CLE
SS I allow Taylor Mays time to develope

by STELF BOMBZ on Sep 23, 2011 12:45 AM PDT reply actions