The Madden league has been created!

The wait is over people. Tonight I created the league, and its ready for all members who registered and picked a team to join.

I (along with your fellow gamers) would ask that you all join as soon as possible. Please be sure and check your inbox on Xbox Live for the league info and how to join. Please also be sure to join with the team you registered. Do NOT choose a team you did not reserve.

So, upon creation of the league -- I noticed several things. As much as the online leagues have been talked down about in the EA forums I have read, and the Madden community being downright brutal at times about what the online league system this year lacks, I have to say, in all honesty it doesn't *look* that bad (of course once we get into it, that opinion may change LOL). Its actually quite nice for a first time around for EA. It's pretty well organized and easy to navigate through.

If anyone is going into this season expecting it to be as deep, and as detailed as the 2K online leagues were, forget about it. Its not even close, but it does appear to have all the basics, which when you come right down to it, might actually be better in the long run. After all, with everyone being so busy with other things in life, the straight forward, simplistic approach I think actually might work out better, especially if your me ... LOL ...

Important Note : It appears that as soon as you join the league you can start to play games against others who have joined. Which is GREAT. No waiting for everyone to join. I will say this. Those who fail to play their league games at a steady pace, will be excused from the league. What's "steady" mean? If we are three weeks into this thing and you have played one game in your schedule or you haven't played a single game at all. It isn't fair to the rest of the league members to have to wait come playoff time for you to try and play 22 games in 2 days ... :). I'm hoping for a relatively smooth schedule and everyone will play their games in a timely manner.

That being said, I'm looking forward to having alot of fun with this league, and I hope everyone in the league is as well. My expectations are in check though. The league in its approach technically may be simple, but the running of the actual league I'm under no delusions will be that simple. I expect to have gamers "trying" to glitch the hell out of it. Do us all a favor and save yourself the boot and a one way ticket out of the league and simply don't do it.

Let me take one moment, and one moment only this season to explain to everyone what is a glitch and what is not. This will save you sending me messages to my flooded inbox about people cheating, because such messages are usually deleted if not valid, which in my experience of running these things, in most cases aren't of those people cheating, it comes to down someone whining and being pow'ed by their opponent.

Someone auto snapping the ball to the wide receiver? A known glitch, by EA, and everyone else, that will get you a loss, and if I cant do that (because I haven't seen the ability to reset a game as of yet, as none have been played, but I'm hoping there is a way to actually do this?), you'll be thrown out of the league. I, along with many of you returning for online leagues have expressed over the years zero tolerance for glitchers. Its not needed, it ruins everyone's enjoyment of a friendly league and nothing should ever be taken that seriously where you have to cheat to win at a video game. Grow up and play fair. 

Someone snapping the ball to their QB and running around the backfield till a receiver is open. NOT A GLITCH. You might call it cheese play or crap, but this is not a glitch. Some might even call it a QB scramble? Spend your time learning to defend against it, and less time complaining to someone about your opponent doing it, especially when that someone is me :).

We all see the difference here right?  Just play the game straight up. We have all been at this way to long to spend endless amounts of time with glitchers and people who will do anything to win at a video game. Don't ever think your that great at this (or any other) game that you aren't going to be beat. Your going to lose, face it and deal with it. If two adults cant get together for an hour and play a friendly game of toss the ball around the field, then both of you get out of the league. If your that concerned about your online stats and impressing people, this league isn't for you. None of us are impressed with anything your doing, especially if that's cheating.

Ok, that's one moment we will all never get back, but something that needed to be said.

So ... game on people! Join and start to play now!. The best of luck to everyone. There are 28 league members. How awesome is that! The league is set so that you must play each league member once. This means each of us must play 27 games. Its going to be a long season, but a really fun one too. I look forward to seeing each of you on the field and playing against you. Try not to beat me down too much. I said I would admin the league, I never said I was any good at the game ... LOL ...

As always, any questions or suggestions you have, don't hesitate to drop me a note. Have some mercy on me though, and be reasonable in your questioning, suggestions and requests.

Welcome to the league! Play fair, play hard and have a great time!

Peace