For those who have been around this web site for a while, you might remember something from last spring called "Weekly Gaming" also known as A**hole Free Gaming (or "AFG" ... for short).

What is this? Well, run and organized by gamertags ebstone and RedRumSkippy (which is one in the same person), "weekly gaming", or "AFG", is a group of gamers that gathered each week to play a variety of online console games (on the Xbox 360 platform, for the most part). The group, numbering more than 100 at times, was made up of gamers who enjoyed an atmosphere of fun, yet competitive gaming, all the while making friends to add to their ever growing list on Xbox Live friends. To this day, many of the friends that were made through those sessions remain playing with one another.

So whatever happened to the weekly sessions? How come they seemingly disappeared and this web site went stale? The question has been asked alot over the past several months, and now we have the answer. Its pretty simple ...

Life got busy, which sometimes happens, as it did for ebstone / RedRumSkippy. We have all been there. The sessions and its organizations seemed to fall to the wayside. Gaming had to take a back seat to several other, more important things in life. I know, like what could they have been more important? ... LOL ... Never the less, we are happy to say that Weekly Gaming is back my friends!

Starting after the labor day holiday, we will be returning to a schedule of your favorite games on a regular and more organized basis. We will start slow, perhaps one or two sessions a week. As always, you'll be able to drop either, ebstone or RedRumSkippy an Xbox Live message and suggest a game, or simply make a suggestion of any kind to improve the experience in general we all share and enjoy.

Also, as in the past, there will be the usual reminders sent before each gaming session so you'll know what games are being played on what nights. Also be sure and keep an eye on the web site here for advanced notice (right hand column under "Gaming Schedule") on upcoming and special events. If your not on ebstone's or RedRumSkippy's friends list, be sure and send a Xbox Live friends request.

To get things rolling, we are going to be playing Unreal Tournament 3, this coming Tuesday September 3rd at 8:30pm est with your host ebstone. Now, this game is one of the latest releases that has been overlooked during the summer months. Do yourself a favor, and on the way home from work on Tuesday, if you don't already have it, go and rent it for the night and join us for some quality fragging in some great arenas in futuristic worlds!

Until Tuesday, here is hoping you all had a great summer, its good to be back gaming full time, be sure and visit this site often, and I hope to see you in many of the upcoming weekly sessions!

Peace

This morning gamer ApRiL pAiN claimed the Seattle Seahawks for the upcoming Madden 09 league. There are now just 4 teams remaining to be "adopted" by someone out there. Will we get a full league of all 32 teams? With exactly a week left till the actual opening of the NFL season, time is ticking away. How great would it be for the first time since most of us have played online football to have all 32 teams participate in a league?

The following 4 teams are available :

Houston Texans
Detroit Lions
Atlanta Falcons
St Louis Rams

If you know anyone that would want to part take in our league, have them send gamertag ebstone an Xbox live message with their team selection.

Preseason Game #3 Announced
We will be having our 3rd preseason game next Weds, September 3rd at 9PM est. All those registered league members wishing to participate in the game, please send a TEXT MESSAGE to gamertag ebstone stating "I want in on Madden Preseason Game #3 on Weds 9.3 at 9PM est" ... You'll receive info back on your opponent the day prior or day of the game.

Peace

With less then 2 weeks left before the opening of the season, we only need 5 more team owners to have a complete league! I'm in hopes that registered league members are looking over their Xbox Live friends list, and are out there pushing the the league to get those remaining league spots filled! Lets go people, have your friends "adopt a team" and join us this season in Madden!

The following 5 teams remain & need owners :

Houston Texans
Detroit Lions
Atlanta Falcons
St Louis Rams
Seattle Seahawks

Does Someone Have The Rocks?
Now, when making the list of remaining teams, and looking over those that were already taken, I got to thinking why people pick the team they do when entering the league?

Some might pick the team they do because its their home town (example, myself and being from New York. I've been a Jet fan since the day I was born -- screw them there Giants! LOL). Others may simply pick a team in Madden because its serves them the best chance to win in the game. Kind of like the person who grabs the grenade in Gears of War for the "No Skill Kill" and you all know who you are! ... LOL ... Still, when looking over the remaining teams, one cant help but notice, 3 of the 5 are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to league talent. Although I am a bit surprised that the Rams and the Seahawks are still available.

No doubt everyone plays to win to some extent. Most play for fun. But how many play to impress? Many when it comes to league play "claim" to be good in Madden, but how many really are? How many can back up the talk and walk the walk? Once the league starts, so does the trash talk. Game one, its put up or shut up. In the end only one can stand. Being someone who has run many an online sports league with the Xbox, I have yet to see someone have the rocks to take the Houston Texans and win a league I run with them. Now that would be impressive, would it not? Is it impossible? Certainly not. Could it be done without cheating? It certainly could. Will it happen this year? Not sure. Someone has to take them first.

I don't recall saying anywhere someone couldn't have a second gamertag and take another team, did I? ... LOL .. You all love Madden as much as you say you do?

Who has the rocks? Anyone? We shall see ...  

Peace

Tonight we continue with our preseason game schedule at 9PM est with game #2. The first games, played last Friday night, were a huge success (results posted to the left column here on the site), and we were please to announce over the weekend the schedule for the second game -- schedule posted to the left column. The teams have been notified via Xbox Live message. Good luck to all.

Madden Preseason Game Settings:
All home teams (hosts) are REQUIRED to set up the games as followings and all opponents are required to check the settings BEFORE the game begins. Home teams are then required to invite the visiting team to play.

Game Type : Unranked
Quarters : 5 Minutes
Game Skill Level : All Pro
Injuries : ON
Fatigue : ON
Skill Level : ANY
Invitation Only : YES
DNF% : ANY
Location : ANY
My Team : Place your team here
Preferred Opponents Team : Any

Playing Your Preseason  Game
You were all sent your opponents information in an Xbox Live message. Please send your opponent a friend request, prior to the scheduled time, if they are not currently on your friends list. This will make it easier to find and invite the person when the time comes to play the game. All games are scheduled for 9PM eastern time.

After the preseason game is over, if one or both of the teams could send gamertag ebstone the results of the game, Ill post them here to the site.

26 Teams Owners & Counting
Last night the upcoming Madden 09 league added its 26th member! Stunning people! Our goal at this point is to get every team in the game taken and have a full and complete league! Is it possible? We are asking for your help. Talk to your friends who you know that play the game and get them to join the league, and take one of the remaining teams. Have them come here to the site and look over the list of team owners and chose one of the remaining teams. Registration will remain open for an additional week to allow these last few teams to be taken so we can get a full league. We can do this and think of how awesome it would indeed be.

More Preseason Games Announced
Last night we had our preseason opener. It was a bit of test to see if the idea of a preseason game would actually work. I'm happy to report that 80% of the games were indeed played, and the results were posted here on the site. Thanks to all those who played.

Today, we are announcing more preseason games. The next preseason game will be this coming Monday night at 9pm est. For those registered league members who wish to play, please send an Xbox Live message to gamertag ebstone, with the contents "I want to play in the Monday nights Madden preseason game at 9pm est" (please do NOT send me a message simply saying "I'm in". I get about 50 to 75 messages a day, and I scratch my head saying your in for what? Madden preseason? COD4? The UT3 game Weds night? Halo 3? Gears of War Tournament that's up and coming? As you know, I'm not that smart of a guy and I might get confused ... LOL). Ill post the schedule and send all those who wish to play the information on Monday about noon. Thanks.

Peace

Madden Preseason Game Settings:
All home teams (hosts) are REQUIRED to set up the games as followings and all opponents are required to check the settings BEFORE the game begins. Home teams are then required to invite the visiting team to play.

Game Type : Unranked
Quarters : 5 Minutes
Game Skill Level : All Pro
Injuries : ON
Fatigue : ON
Skill Level : ANY
Invitation Only : YES
DNF% : ANY
Location : ANY
My Team : Place your team here
Preferred Opponents Team : Any

Playing Your Preseason  Game
You were all sent your opponents information in an Xbox Live message. Please send your opponent a friend request, prior to the scheduled time, if they are not currently on your friends list. This will make it easier to find and invite the person when the time comes to play the game. All games are scheduled for 9PM eastern time.

After the preseason game is over, if one or both of the teams could send gamertag ebstone the results of the game, Ill post them here to the site.

Switching Teams?
A question that has been sent to me, and part of the reason I came up with the preseason idea was if you play in a live game scenario, and your team plays absolutely horrible, can you switch your team? The answer to that question is YES, you can. You may, at any time, BEFORE registration closes next week, throw your current team back in the pile of available teams and chose another. Once registration closes, you will no longer be able to do this. Yet another reason it is probly in ones best interest to play and participate in the preseason.

Any questions, please send them to gamertag ebstone.

Best of luck to all!

Call Of Duty 4 To Follow Madden Preseason Opener!

Following the Madden preseason opening games at 9PM est, we are going to continue with a 10PM session of Call Of Duty 4!

Madden league players, as well as anyone else who happens to be around at the time, look for gamertag ebstone to host, what is always a very action packed session of one of the hottest Xbox Live games since its release last fall.

Those wanting to join the session be sure and have the COD4 DLC. We will be playing matches with the new maps in them and if you do not have the DLC, you wont be able to participate in the session.

So, if at 10PM est, if you find yourself, like us, without anything to do on a Friday night, pop that COD4 disk in your 360 and head on over to our session and see if you can stand toe to toe with some of the best in COD4 ... cya there

Many of you have written me and asked for an updated list of people who have registered for the upcoming Madden league and the teams they have chosen. Here is the most recent list as of this morning :

Currently 27 teams have registered to play in this years Madden 09 league 

ebstone : New York Jets
Vilehook : Dallas Cowboys
Gamebreaker81: New England Patriots
mambonuts : Green Bay Packers
yankeepa : Miami Dolphins
Hell Monkey : Philadelphia Eagles
Trippl3 : New York Giants
Sir Ottis : Tennessee Titans
Joe Da Fan : Washington Redskins
Spaceba11s : San Diego Chargers
ITEN355 : Jacksonville Jaguars
Loki75 : Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zito9420: Kansas City Chiefs
ae5730119 : Minnesota Vikings
kcoyle : Oakland Raiders
MFCorleone TFK : Indianapolis Colts
Rogue Barron : Pittsburgh Steelers
Illmatica247 : New Orleans Saints
BuzZzrD : Chicago Bears
Eatcha Beeva : Denver Broncos
Reyule Reborn : Buffalo Bills
Greenone :Arizona Cardinals
GRUBBS62 : Baltimore Ravens
gosensgo2008 : Cincinnati Bengals
Arriba la rasa : Carolina Panthers
NO12CAMP : San Francisco 49ers
SICKSIX6 : Cleveland Browns

There Is Still Time To Join The League!
If you still wish to join the league there is time. Please choose a team and send a message to gamertag ebstone on Xbox Live with your team selection. Registration will be closing soon. More then likely sometime within the next week.

Preseason Opener This Friday Night!
For those who already are registered, don't forget if you want in on this weeks pre season opener, its Friday night at 9PM est To register to play, please send gamertag ebstone a message stating you want in and Ill send you the information along with who your opponent will be. Ill need to know if you want to participate in the pre season game Friday night, no later then Thursday so I can post the matchups to the site here and notify the teams.

Thanks to all

Peace

Ok, so you have all had Madden 09 for a little over a week. You have joined the league here (and if you haven't, registration is closing soon, so you better get your team picked form the ones remaining - and send a Xbox Live message to gamertag ebstone).

Unknown. That might be the vibe for this season, and we aren't talking about the new  features in the game either. The competition. Unfamiliar gamertags, mean unfamiliar opponents people.

Yes, the unknown. Its what is going to make this league, if nothing else, interesting. We have a mixed bag this season. They have come from all over (literally) to join the league. If you think you know how to approach this leagues participants, think again my friends. There are no scouting reports as in the past. Look over the list of gamers in this league. In the past you may have known 75 - 80% of the competition. Now your lucky if you know 30%. The unknown is certainly your biggest hurdle this season. Beware of the unknown. Be smart. Never underestimate what you don't know.

How does one study the unknown? Madden 09 Pre Season games that's how my friends! This is your chance to get some quality practice in, and at the same time, scout and study the competition that you'll be playing against all season long. It might be in your best interest to part take in these pre season outings, as he (or she -- this year for the first time) who underestimates the competition, might just get their arse kicked from one end of the field to the other when it really counts a couple of weeks from now when the season begins.

The first pre season game night is this Friday at 9pm est. To be a part of it, all you have to do is be a registered member of the league, send ebstone an Xbox Live message stating that you want to play in the Friday night 9pm Madden preseason session and he will send you back the information, along with who your opponent is. Its that simple.

Best of luck to all ...

For those who are unfamiliar with the series, Far Cry has been around for a bunch of years -- ever since the original Xbox as a matter of fact. You probly didn't know that it won a slew of awards for game design as well. Also among the little know facts that the game has quite a huge following, and also, its one of the few games on the 360 platform, if not the only one (besides those that are back compatible) that have a map editor. Its been some time since the last game -- Far Cry : Instincts Predator

Now, this fall, enter Far Cry 2. Its a total departure as far as the storyline from the old series, and basically its a whole new game. The Far Cry community has to be more then a little amped up about this thing. They finally get their next gen game on their next gen platform.

From the looks of it, Ubisoft has done an unbelievable job with the game and its redesign as well as its open world technology. That's to say nothing of the brand new map editor, that allows the user to make his / her own maps in the game. Then upload them to the Ubisoft server and let others rate them.

You can see a preview of the map editor in action over in a feature article at IGN. I would highly recommend taking a look at this video to see just what is in store and the future of user created content. Pretty awesome stuff. Sure, we saw alot with the Halo 3 editor, but by the looks of this video, and what your going to be able to do with literally thousands of pieces of pre-fab buildings and items that come with the editor, it ought to be real interesting to see what people can come up with. 

For those who haven't heard of the Far Cry series in the past, I think that might all change come this fall. It will be interesting to see where it places among this years fall releases and among the heavy hitters that will be released.

Also, for additional coverage on Far Cry 2, a site about map building, and an all around informative web site that is pretty awesome, visit www.genesisdevice.org

Peace

We couldn't get enough after last nights brutal match, so we have decided to go back into the land of chainsaws once again tonight. Yes, its Gears Of War ... yet again. It starts at 8:30PM est (note : time is a half hour earlier tonight).

Once again, your host is : RedRumSkippy

Does it seem like we play alot of Gears Of War around here? Well, it should, because we do. And why not. Its an awesome game. We have had many a player who have gone and either rented it after trading it in (yeah, we ourselves wonder why anyone would trade in Gears to be honest with ya, then again we have run across a crazy gamer or two in our time as well LOL), and in some cases, some have told us they bought it again after seeing us play it so much, and they remember just how awesome it is.

A couple of rounds and a few chainsaws or shotty's against your opponent later, and its like the skill never left ... Give it a try and you'll see we aren't wrong ... At the very least, go rent it at your local store, get the DLC ... Its now FREE and join us. You wont regret it.

See ya @ 8:30PM est

Peace

In the event we have an overflow of people and you can't get into the room, because its full, send RedRumSkippy an XBL message & he will direct you to the host of the 2nd room

Hate being back after the weekend? Long Day at work? Yeah, us too. What better way to kick back and relax then to pop in that game that never gets old, and take your buddies down with a chainsaw or a shotty ... Gears Of War people!

Join us tonight in the arena that never seem to stop giving. Be sure and get there early. Spots are limited. Your host this evening : RedRumSkippy

In the event we have an overflow of people and you can't get into the room, because its full, send RedRumSkippy an XBL message & he will direct you to the host of the 2nd room

OK, so yesterday, I finally got some time to sit down and dig deep into Madden 09. Specifically the league setup in the game. I discovered several things. What is listed below, for those who may have not yet gone into that portion of the game, is what you would see if you went to create a league. I've listed it here, so that all league members  can look it over and get a feel for the settings, as well as the options available, and how I am anticipating on setting it up. NOTHING is set here, and we can make it anything we want. Majority will rule, as it always does in the leagues I organize.

So, what I would suggest, is that you read over what is listed as far as options and settings, in the league, and then play one another online or find a way to discuss it with others in the league and come up with what you think are good settings for the league. Send your feedback to me.

One rule that IS always maintained here in this league is this. You don't open ya mouth when asked for your opinion, you cant complain  later when something is apparently not the way you want it or don't like it. We are all about getting the best league going we can. This is one of those opportunities, BEFORE the league starts that you have to express your opinions.

League Name (suggestions welcome)
Abbreviation (suggestions welcome)
Select Logo (Ill pick a random one that fits)
Select Trophy (Ill pick a random one that fits)
Select Team (My team goes here - Jets)
Description (Based on what we name the league)
Password (Ill make a unique password and send it to you)
Max users (This currently stands at 25)
Games (each team must play each other at least once during the season, so currently we are looking at a 25 game season)
Max DNF% (set if you want to limit a % a player has of DNF %)
Reputation (set if you want to limit a certain rep of players joining your league)
Unique Rosters (this needs to be ON if trades are allowed)
Enable Draft (We can actually have a draft, I'm thinking this is set to OFF)
Trades (set to ON ... it can get more complicated, but we will keep it simple. Trades can exsist between 2 teams. More than that I need to get involved and its a little unclear higher then that. Simple seems best)
Playoffs (Set to Yes)
Quarter Length (5 Minutes)
Game Skill Level (All Pro)
Fatigue (Set To ON)
Injuries (Set To ON)
Random Weather (Set To ON)

Again, you can send your feedback to me on any of the settings. From running previous leagues, these settings I have listed above seem to be pretty standard. Again, nothing is set here and majority will win out. Its your league, so feedback is welcome. Several of the settings are a little weird. The trades area is really odd, so leaving it simple seems best and least confusing to be honest. If anyone can find info on explaining it, please send it to me and Ill post it for all to see.

The other area of importance that you may want to CAREFLLY consider is this. Currently we have 25 members in this league. EA requires in their league structure that you play each team once. That means if we started the league today, as it stands you would be playing a 25 game season, before the playoffs even start. You are committing to quite a few games people. Not a problem for those who love the game. But for those who are reading this and not quite sure of that commitment, as discussed in yesterdays post, please have respect for your fellow gamers and do not join the league if you cannot have the level of commitment required to participate as you should. Its greatly appreciated by all.

So look all this over. Take a day or two, and then if you have any questions of feedback, let me or others in the league know.

Peace 

Tonight 8:30PM est Lost Planet!

It might be the middle of the summer, but tonight we are going north into the frozen battlefield that is Lost Planet. Many also might be asking, "Why are you playing such an old game?" The fact is, great games never go out and never get tired. Lost Planet is indeed a great game! It also recently dropped down to a $29.99 game, and it's map packs on the Xbox Live marketplace became FREE to all!

So do yourself a favor this afternoon. Go out to your local gaming store, buy Lost Planet for 29.99, get all the FREE map packs off the marketplace, practice a bit and join us TONIGHT at 8:30pm est for a great gaming experience.

Host gamertag : ebstone OR RedRumSkippy

See ya there!

Registration Will Be Closing Soon
Please be advised that registration for the league will be closing soon and we will be locking down the final teams that people have chosen. If you have any friends that would like to take one of the remaining teams, please have them contact me ASAP via Xbox Live and chose the team they would like. There are currently 25 people who have joined the league. Please see their gamertags and teams they have chosen in the post below from the other day.

Be Absolutely Sure You Want To Play Please
For those of you who have been in online league before, I don't have to tell you how it goes as far as time and commitment, but for those who are new to online leagues, you should understand just how BIG of a commitment it is.

Everyone has work and busy lives and sometimes we can all forget just how busy it can get. For many, video games are a source of enjoyment, but are not a top priority (while for others they are the only priority LOL), so we tend to over extend our commitments, which leads to joining online leagues and then not playing our scheduled games as we should. This causes everyone in the league to have a bad experience and ruin it for all involved. Is there anything worse then a bunch of pissed off gamers? Yeah, you get my point ... LOL ...

We simply ask, as a courtesy, BEFORE the league starts, that you take a moment now and think if you can truly commit to playing in this league and from start to finish commit to and be dedicated to participating in it as you should, playing all opponents and games that you need to. We have many gamers that come to league wanting and expecting, as they should, a high level of commitment from each and every league member. There isn't and shouldn't be anything wrong with that. If they are willing to commit and give of their time to make it a great league, you should be willing to give that same level of your time. The same approach and commitment is given by myself as the person who runs this league. If I'm willing to do all the grunt work day in and day out for it, the least everyone can do is show up for their games and play them.

So, at this point, if you can't commit and play in the league, we totally understand, just drop me a note and Ill put your team back in the pool of availability and no harm no foul. Your moment of consideration is greatly appreciated by myself and all those participating in this years Madden 09 league.

Please Make Room On Your Friends List
In the next couple of weeks, before the season starts, please make room on your friends list for league participants. Your more then likely going to need to place league members on your friends list in order to be able to tell when they are online and send invites to play league games with them. The league supposedly runs a "flexible" schedule. This means that you'll be able to play your games at any time, and that you don't have to play them in order. Just find someone who is in our league and online, and play your game against them. I haven't confirmed this feature yet but have read about it. If this is the case, you could literally play your entire league schedule and be done with it in a week if you wanted and all league members were available. Make it easy on yourself and everyone and avoid it being difficult. The final list of people in the league will be available within the next week or so. 

Pre Season Games & Mini Tournaments
One of the unique ideas I came up with the other day is that perhaps from now until when the league actually gets under way is maybe what we will do is run several mini tournaments and pre season game nights. These events will serve as great practice against live opponents and also a chance to get to know some of the league participants who's gamertags you may not be familiar with.

What this will be, for all those interested, is several nights a week, when announced is we will have those wishing to participate, their names tossed in a virtual hat, picked out and they will play one another in pre season games and the results posted here on the site. If one of the people participating in the game wants to keep a box score Ill post that as well.

As for the mini tournaments, they will take place on a Sunday afternoon starting in the next several weeks. More then likely beginning at about 12 noon est and running until they are completed depending on how many people we have participating in them.

Stay tuned to this site, as well as watch your messages on Xbox live for details of how these events will run and be organized.

* The pre season games will more then likely start running later this week.  

The wait is over. Brett Favre is FINALLY a New York Jet! ... LOL ...

No, really, August 12th has come and gone. We all have our copy Madden 09, and if your like me, you are looking it over. I'm sure if your also like me you see a vastly improved game in front of you. I for one, am glad to see that EA has done, from what I can see so far, a stellar job with this years product.

The feature I'm perhaps most excited about is online leagues in Madden 09. Hey, its about time EA! Did it take long enough? Its been several years since we have had the opportunity to play in an online football league. Its once again possible. Thank God!

With that all being said, I'm pleased to announce today that I will once again be running an online football league for the Xbox 360! The response has been unbelievable. In fact, so much so, this year we have had our biggest response EVER. Currently, there are 24 people that have signed up in the first 3 days alone! We have never had that many people join a league ... period. It give you an idea about how excited people are to play this game and to play once again in online leagues. Another first in the league this year is we have, for the first time, a chick / babe / hottie in the league. Yes, she is willing to brave the brutal atmosphere that can sometimes be an online sports league.  She has already told me that she "doesn't want any special treatment and just wants to play some football" ... I told her, don't worry .... you wont get it from these guys ... No mercy! LOL ...

So, for those of you that have signed up already, you probly have a couple of questions that wont fit within the Xbox Live message, and I will answer them here as best I can. Please continue to send them as they come up. There will be some I can answer, and then there will be some that we will have to answer collectively as a league as I discover more how EA has the league set up.

Who has joined the league thus far and what team do they own?
The following people are currently in the league and have chosen their teams. Please take note of who they are. You will more then likely receive a friend request from them at some point in the near future. Please accept it so you can see when they are online and can setup and play your games with them. Also you may want to look for these people to practice with in the coming weeks to get to know your opponents and size up the league competition.

Please watch for this list to increase and perhaps in some cases, decrease as we get closer to opening day.

ebstone : New York Jets
Vilehook : Dallas Cowboys
Gamebreaker81: New England Patriots
mambonuts : Green Bay Packers
yankeepa : Miami Dolphins
Hell Monkey : Philadelphia Eagles
Trippl3 : New York Giants
Sir Ottis : Tennessee Titans
Joe Da Fan : Washington Redskins
Spaceba11s : San Diego Chargers
ITEN355 : Jacksonville Jaguars
Loki75 : Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zito9420: Kansas City Chiefs
ae5730119 : Minnesota Vikings
kcoyle : Oakland Raiders
MFCorleone TFK : Indianapolis Colts
Rogue Barron : Pittsburgh Steelers
Illmatica247 : New Orleans Saints
BuzZzrD : Chicago Bears
Eatcha Beeva : Denver Broncos
Reyule Reborn : Buffalo Bills
GRUBBS62 : Baltimore Ravens
gosensgo2008 : Cincinnati Bengals
GreenOne : Arizona Cardinals

When will the league start?
This question is up in the air. Originally I had stated that it was going to be 2 weeks from the release of the game. Due to there being some reported bugs in the league structure and EA having various problems with the servers and the leagues, this poses an initial problem with the 2 week window. Also, several people have expressed that they do not wish to start the league without opening day rosters in place. Once a league is generated, to my knowledge, the rosters will NOT be updated. This would put many of the teams at a disadvantage when it comes to their personal on their team, therefore the league will not be generated until after opening day of the season. So the season will NOT start, nor will the schedule be generated until the first week of the actual NFL season when the roster is updated and downloadable.

Suggestions, League Site & League News
For those who are new to the leagues I have run in the past there are several things to know. I'm just the poor slob that does all the manual labor for the league and puts up with peoples crap ... LOL ... Its not my league, its our league. Please make suggestions and send your questions and comments to me. Ill post them and pass on feedback from those who send it to me. Also feel free to discuss things online within pre season games with other league members you play. I whole heartedly encourage you playing against one another until the season officially begins, and see what others opinions are about league matters and lets get the league the best it can be.

Since it appears that Madden 09 does not have any kind of web interface thus far, for its online leagues, we will be using this site as a hub for the league. Please be advised to visit here often for league news and updates. Answers to questions as well as any and all important info will be posted here. I'm not your keeper so be sure and visit here often to be in the know about the league. I'm not gonna chase you around and wipe your nose and make sure you know about things ... LOL ...

Its All About The Fun
In closing for today, I need state this ONCE, and once only. Madden 09 is a video game. Its meant for entertainment purposes. The league your going to be in is meant to be fun. The players here come to have a good time. No one needs to be harassed, abused, or have a bad experience. Anyone who comes to the league to cause disruption, cheat, glitch, abuse etc will be tossed without hesitation. I've run leagues long enough to know every trick there is. If you think your dealing with a bunch of morons, you are apparently one yourself. Play straight and have fun. Take it lightly and laugh. Competition good. Being an ass, bad. Get it? Got it? Good.

Have a great season folks! 

EB