On the eve of RUTS 2's opening week, the San Diego Chargers and the New York Giants negotiated a trade to send their star RBs across the nation. In a trade that Coach Rob-A-Dob called "mind blowing for our franchise," the Chargers picked up RB Brandon Jacobs from New York, and long time Charger LaDanian Tomlinson packed his bags for the Big Apple. The move gives the Chargers their own version of "Thunder and Lightning," as Jacobs will be a perfect compliment to Chargers speedy Rb Darren Sproles.
Tomlinson said he was disappointed with the news, especially because he doesn't like the way the Meadowlands Stadium smells. But, he said as long as his sweet face mask makes it with him to NY, all will be well.
The full 3-person trade also gives the Chargers some punch on the O-Line, but they had to sacrifice their best LB to pull it off.
Chargers trade
RB L. Tomlinson 94
LB S. Phillips 89
OL K. Forney 77
to the Giants for
RB B. Jacobs 90
OL McKenzie 88
LB D. Hixon 72
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
RUTS Teams Play "Let's Make A Deal"
After long hours of negotiations and bargaining, a few trades have been approved by the RUTS competition committee.
The Arizona Cardinals hit the trading game hard, and have made some blockbuster moves that Coach Stu feels will give his team a chance to make its way back to the Super Bowl this season.
Here is a recap of Arizona's recent trades:
Arizona Cardinals gets / Philadelphia Eagles get
Vick QB (73) Lienart QB (69)
Bradley MLB (77) DansbyMLB (87)
Laws- DT (70) Okeifer OLB (76)
Arizona Cardinals gets / Jacksonville Jaguars get
RB M. Jones-Drew (91) / WR A. Boldin (94)
DE Harvey (70) / RB T. Hightower(76)
"These trades are exciting for our organization," said Coach Stu. "Although we had to give up some great players, I feel that we have strengthened our offense, and added great punch to our running game. And let's face it, we all know Vick looks better in red."
The Dallas Cowboys also made a trade to free up salary cap room by sending veteran kicker Nick Folk (87) to New Orleans for Kicker K.G. Hartley (68).
Remember, any trade requests must be submitted to me and be approved by the competition committee.
Week 1 games are set to begin starting this Sunday, August 29, so there are only a few days left to get your roster set for week 1.
The Arizona Cardinals hit the trading game hard, and have made some blockbuster moves that Coach Stu feels will give his team a chance to make its way back to the Super Bowl this season.
Here is a recap of Arizona's recent trades:
Arizona Cardinals gets / Philadelphia Eagles get
Vick QB (73) Lienart QB (69)
Bradley MLB (77) DansbyMLB (87)
Laws- DT (70) Okeifer OLB (76)
Arizona Cardinals gets / Jacksonville Jaguars get
RB M. Jones-Drew (91) / WR A. Boldin (94)
DE Harvey (70) / RB T. Hightower(76)
"These trades are exciting for our organization," said Coach Stu. "Although we had to give up some great players, I feel that we have strengthened our offense, and added great punch to our running game. And let's face it, we all know Vick looks better in red."
The Dallas Cowboys also made a trade to free up salary cap room by sending veteran kicker Nick Folk (87) to New Orleans for Kicker K.G. Hartley (68).
Remember, any trade requests must be submitted to me and be approved by the competition committee.
Week 1 games are set to begin starting this Sunday, August 29, so there are only a few days left to get your roster set for week 1.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
RUTS Free Agent Signings Headlined By Mystery Men, Makino and Walsh
The RUTS front office released the winning bids for the preseason Free Agent signings, and most teams came away pleased. Several RUTS teams picked up some solid NFL veterans who will jump right into the final week of preseason camp and make an immediate impact with Week 1 just days away.
The Arizona Cardinals picked up some much needed depth at CB with the addition of perennial Pro Bowler Chris McAlister. McAlister signed a deal with the Cardinals of 18 points, making him the highest paid player in the NFL. The Cards defense also will be boosted by the addition of LB Derrick Brooks, who Coach StuBucksman called "one bad mamma jamma." Rumors are circulating around the league that Arizona is trying to work on a trade deal that could send shock waves through the RUTS community.
Chris McAlister arrives at Cardinals team headquarters. A team manager looks on and says "dang that's a big truck!"
Future Hall of Famer and former Colt Marvin Harrison signed a deal with the rival Tennessee Titans for 15 points, and he is the second highest paid player in the league. Although Harrison has seen his better days in the NFL, the Titans are counting on his veteran leadership and productivity to lift its group of improved WRs. The Titans also added OL Mike Wahle, who will step into the starting LG position, giving the Titans arguable the best OL in football.
After Coach utvol27 announced his Cowboys would be switching to the 4-3 defense, Dallas made it a priority to sign a top DT, and they did so in signing John Thornton. Thornton will start from day 1 and give Dallas some girth and punch in the trenches. The Cowboys also added former VOL FS Jonathan Hefney, who coach utvol27 calls the "little engine that could."
The Minnesota Vikings went wild in free agency, signing a RUTS high of 10 players. The Vikings were extremely smart in their free agent bidding, adding depth and talent to its offensive line and at linebacker and DB. Coach ChrisHicks21, a RUTS rookie head coach, obviously showed no signs of being timid, and has the Vikings on pace to make a run at the Super Bowl in his inaugural campaign.
The Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to make any free agent bids. Coach zeejaydee said that "confidence and talent is not an issue with my team. We don't need no stinkin' has beens or nevers was players. I'll take my chances with with my long haired barbarian of a strong safety and my Terrible Towel waving fans."
___________
Every team hopes their free agent signings will make an immediate impact, but perhaps the craziest stories of all the signings occurred in Nashville and Foxboro. The Titans won the bid for free agent RB Shagg Makino and the Patriots won the bid for WR Joe Walsh...but that is where the story gets interesting.
Makino (RB rated 67) and Walsh (WR rated 68) are real people....but they're not football players. Here's a quote from an EA Sports source...
"Here's the deal with Joe Walsh and Makino on the free agent list. Each year our music team donates a free agent spot in the next Madden for the Grammy Foundation to auction off. We actually ended up with two winners, Makino and Walsh. Joe Walsh is 'the' Joe Walsh from the Eagles. He was one of the winners from the auction. Makino was was the other winner. Both submitted their desired skills and position and Donny fit them into the overall mix.We didn't think anyone would notice but boy were we wrong."
The storylines on these signings are limitless!! With his 95 speed rating, Makino will arrive in Nashville and step right in as the Titans' starting kick returner.
Joe Walsh may not make an immediate impact in New England on the football field, because of the Pats' loaded WR corps, but he'll undoubtedly be able to give the Pats a "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" while drinking "Tequila (at) Sunrise." Even as "The New Kid In Town," Walsh will hook the team up with some cheap rates at the "Hotel California" when they play in San Diego. Walsh was ecstatic upon deboarding his plane in Foxboro, saying that although he's been labeled a "Desperado," "One of these Nights" he's going to "Take It To the Limit" to help the Pats live "Life In the Fast Lane" on their way to the Super Bowl.
"One Of These Nights," Walsh said, "the Eagles in Philly will realize I'm 'Already Gone.' I'm ready to be a Patriot now, and although Coach cjohnchavis is a mean coach who cusses too much, and drinks tequila and smokes doobies at practice, "Love Will Keep Us Alive."
The Arizona Cardinals picked up some much needed depth at CB with the addition of perennial Pro Bowler Chris McAlister. McAlister signed a deal with the Cardinals of 18 points, making him the highest paid player in the NFL. The Cards defense also will be boosted by the addition of LB Derrick Brooks, who Coach StuBucksman called "one bad mamma jamma." Rumors are circulating around the league that Arizona is trying to work on a trade deal that could send shock waves through the RUTS community.
Chris McAlister arrives at Cardinals team headquarters. A team manager looks on and says "dang that's a big truck!"
Future Hall of Famer and former Colt Marvin Harrison signed a deal with the rival Tennessee Titans for 15 points, and he is the second highest paid player in the league. Although Harrison has seen his better days in the NFL, the Titans are counting on his veteran leadership and productivity to lift its group of improved WRs. The Titans also added OL Mike Wahle, who will step into the starting LG position, giving the Titans arguable the best OL in football.
New Titan Marvin Harrison is happy to be a Titan, although he says it "really really hurt my feelings" when he learned that he'd be required to shave his 1980s mustache
The New England Patriots added to an already stacked roster by scoring great deals on RBs Edgerrin James and JJ Arrington, while also signing former Patriot CB Ty Law, who Peyton Manning has called the "toughest CB he's ever faced."
Edge is bringing THE EDGE back to Foxboro. Coach CJohnChavis insisted he wouldn't sign the RB unless he brought back his good teeth and dreads. Done!
The San Diego (Super) Chargers added two top players to add depth on the OL and DL, and are awaiting word to see if they will obtain Safety Lawyer Milloy. Milloy is weighing his options and will decide tomorrow if he wants to play in "a whales vagina" or in freezing cold Minnesota. Could his options be any better?? I think not!
After Coach utvol27 announced his Cowboys would be switching to the 4-3 defense, Dallas made it a priority to sign a top DT, and they did so in signing John Thornton. Thornton will start from day 1 and give Dallas some girth and punch in the trenches. The Cowboys also added former VOL FS Jonathan Hefney, who coach utvol27 calls the "little engine that could."
The Minnesota Vikings went wild in free agency, signing a RUTS high of 10 players. The Vikings were extremely smart in their free agent bidding, adding depth and talent to its offensive line and at linebacker and DB. Coach ChrisHicks21, a RUTS rookie head coach, obviously showed no signs of being timid, and has the Vikings on pace to make a run at the Super Bowl in his inaugural campaign.
The Pittsburgh Steelers decided not to make any free agent bids. Coach zeejaydee said that "confidence and talent is not an issue with my team. We don't need no stinkin' has beens or nevers was players. I'll take my chances with with my long haired barbarian of a strong safety and my Terrible Towel waving fans."
___________
Every team hopes their free agent signings will make an immediate impact, but perhaps the craziest stories of all the signings occurred in Nashville and Foxboro. The Titans won the bid for free agent RB Shagg Makino and the Patriots won the bid for WR Joe Walsh...but that is where the story gets interesting.
Makino (RB rated 67) and Walsh (WR rated 68) are real people....but they're not football players. Here's a quote from an EA Sports source...
"Here's the deal with Joe Walsh and Makino on the free agent list. Each year our music team donates a free agent spot in the next Madden for the Grammy Foundation to auction off. We actually ended up with two winners, Makino and Walsh. Joe Walsh is 'the' Joe Walsh from the Eagles. He was one of the winners from the auction. Makino was was the other winner. Both submitted their desired skills and position and Donny fit them into the overall mix.We didn't think anyone would notice but boy were we wrong."
The storylines on these signings are limitless!! With his 95 speed rating, Makino will arrive in Nashville and step right in as the Titans' starting kick returner.
Joe Walsh may not make an immediate impact in New England on the football field, because of the Pats' loaded WR corps, but he'll undoubtedly be able to give the Pats a "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" while drinking "Tequila (at) Sunrise." Even as "The New Kid In Town," Walsh will hook the team up with some cheap rates at the "Hotel California" when they play in San Diego. Walsh was ecstatic upon deboarding his plane in Foxboro, saying that although he's been labeled a "Desperado," "One of these Nights" he's going to "Take It To the Limit" to help the Pats live "Life In the Fast Lane" on their way to the Super Bowl.
"One Of These Nights," Walsh said, "the Eagles in Philly will realize I'm 'Already Gone.' I'm ready to be a Patriot now, and although Coach cjohnchavis is a mean coach who cusses too much, and drinks tequila and smokes doobies at practice, "Love Will Keep Us Alive."
Monday, August 24, 2009
Almost Game Week
The free agent bidding deadline set for tonight at midnight, and starting tomorrow morning, RUTS coaches will be notified of which free agents will be joining their respective rosters. The final pieces of the puzzle will be coming together for the 7 RUTS teams, in hopes that each has what it takes to make a run at the Super Bowl.
Week 1 games start next Sunday, August 29, and you'll have until Wednesday night to play your Week 1 game. Each week's schedule will be posted on the right side of the blog. Week 1 is headlined with 1 user/user game, a huge opener between the Titans and the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The Terrible Towels will be waving in full force for this game, which kicks off the 2009 season. Two RUTS teams, the Pats and the San Deee-A-Go Super Chargers, are featured in the Monday Night Football double-header in week 1.
In related news, Chick Fil-A has won in a landslide and will be the official sponsor of the RUTS 2 Online Dynasty. This means that Coach StuBucksman will be given free "Chick-Fil-A Sauce Milkshakes" for a full year.
Friday, August 14, 2009
You are all going down!
I made this threatening video last night at 1:00am. I was very tired! I also one my first online game29-28! I was down 28-7 in the 4th quarter! Be afraid of the crazy Cardinals!
BOO-yeh
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Madden 10 Hits Shelves Tonight at Midnight - Online Franchise Website Goes Live
Here is the EA Sports link to the Online Franchise website... Click Here.
I will not be sending the invites out for the online franchise right away, so that we can make sure to have the most up-to-date rosters as possible.
One key thing...when I send you the invite to join the franchise, you will have to accept the invite on the PS3 and then enter a password. I will set the password to "RUTS2" (all caps!)....if for some reason the password is different than that, I will let you all know.
Here is a good piece of info....as of now, the Online games (regular online games and online franchise games) are set to "normal" game speed, which CANNOT be changed as of now online. The default game speed for all offline games (like 'play now' games against the cpu) are set to "Slow." I have no idea why they made them different, but that's the way it is. Offline game speed CAN be changed, so it may be a good idea to go ahead and set your offline game speed to "Normal" otherwise it will be a huge adjustment I would think once we start the season.
Another reminder or two....remember that ALL trades (both user/user and user/cpu trades) must be approved by the the RUTS competition committee which includes me, Chavo, Adam and Andrew. You can email any trade requests to me and we will all approve it or not. Also, I read that no trades can be made before week 1 for some reason, but I found a way to get around that issue, so no worries. Also, I failed to mention on the rules list that the trade deadline, just like in the NFL is week 8, so there are no trades after week 8.
Since the game is coming out, feel free to comment and post thoughts/impressions on the game. I'm fired up to get this going. And there's even an NFL preseason game on tonight - Super Bowl rematch b/t the Steelers and Cards!
I will not be sending the invites out for the online franchise right away, so that we can make sure to have the most up-to-date rosters as possible.
One key thing...when I send you the invite to join the franchise, you will have to accept the invite on the PS3 and then enter a password. I will set the password to "RUTS2" (all caps!)....if for some reason the password is different than that, I will let you all know.
Here is a good piece of info....as of now, the Online games (regular online games and online franchise games) are set to "normal" game speed, which CANNOT be changed as of now online. The default game speed for all offline games (like 'play now' games against the cpu) are set to "Slow." I have no idea why they made them different, but that's the way it is. Offline game speed CAN be changed, so it may be a good idea to go ahead and set your offline game speed to "Normal" otherwise it will be a huge adjustment I would think once we start the season.
Another reminder or two....remember that ALL trades (both user/user and user/cpu trades) must be approved by the the RUTS competition committee which includes me, Chavo, Adam and Andrew. You can email any trade requests to me and we will all approve it or not. Also, I read that no trades can be made before week 1 for some reason, but I found a way to get around that issue, so no worries. Also, I failed to mention on the rules list that the trade deadline, just like in the NFL is week 8, so there are no trades after week 8.
Since the game is coming out, feel free to comment and post thoughts/impressions on the game. I'm fired up to get this going. And there's even an NFL preseason game on tonight - Super Bowl rematch b/t the Steelers and Cards!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Team Draft Complete
Great job on the draft yesterday. It went smoothly, and I think all of us are pretty happy with the teams we chose. There is a possibility that we may be adding an 8th and final player to RUTS 2, and that person would be required to take a team in the AFC West (SD, KC, Oak, or Denv).
The main reason we went ahead and did the draft BEFORE the game came out was that all of the Overall Team & Player ratings had been released. Also, we now know, from the time we get the game, who our team will be. In RUTS 1, we waited a few waeeks after the game came out, and almost all of us ended up having to draft a team that we'd NEVER played with. Doing the draft early will allow us to get some good practice in with our teams and work on our gameplans.
In the meantime, check out the updated "Coaches Corner" section on the right side of the blog. It has a lot of helpful info about RUTS 2 and Madden 10. Our team salary cap numbers are updated as of this morning. Review your team's numbers and let me know if you see any mistakes. Also, you can go check out your team's schedule and see what road your team must venture to earn a spot in the Super Bowl.
As soon as available, I will post a list of the Free Agents available in the Coaches Corner section. Tony Dungy is predicting that Mike Vick will be picked up by a team this week, so cross your fingers that it's one of your teams...it would be like a "free" free agent for you!
The main reason we went ahead and did the draft BEFORE the game came out was that all of the Overall Team & Player ratings had been released. Also, we now know, from the time we get the game, who our team will be. In RUTS 1, we waited a few waeeks after the game came out, and almost all of us ended up having to draft a team that we'd NEVER played with. Doing the draft early will allow us to get some good practice in with our teams and work on our gameplans.
In the meantime, check out the updated "Coaches Corner" section on the right side of the blog. It has a lot of helpful info about RUTS 2 and Madden 10. Our team salary cap numbers are updated as of this morning. Review your team's numbers and let me know if you see any mistakes. Also, you can go check out your team's schedule and see what road your team must venture to earn a spot in the Super Bowl.
As soon as available, I will post a list of the Free Agents available in the Coaches Corner section. Tony Dungy is predicting that Mike Vick will be picked up by a team this week, so cross your fingers that it's one of your teams...it would be like a "free" free agent for you!
Monday, August 10, 2009
RUTS 2 Team Draft Order Video
Well, here's the draft order video...3 days ahead of schedule. I had some time this afternoon to work on it, so here it is....
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Madden 10's First Online Ranked Game
Click this link to check out Madden 10's first online ranked game, played between our boy Ian and another Madden producer. It would have been sweet to get Ian to join RUTS, but he's loyal to XBOX360...plus I think we would all be fighting for 2nd place had he joined in. :)
The highlights are in the 1st post of the thread:
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