Madden Players League - Houtz's Hotseat

Welcome to Houtz's HotSeat! This article is written by Houtz, a member of the Madden Players League. Each week, Houtz will be going around the league and interviewing members of the league. In Houtz's HotSeat, he will be interviewing MPL veteran Obmij76.

Houtz: Please everyone welcome my next guest. He is the heart and soul of the MPL. After a few disastrous seasons a couple of years ago he has emerged as a top contender for the MPL title. His defense was highly touted as the best in the MPL. Please everyone welcome, Jim to the hotseat!!!!

Jim:: Thanks for having me on the Hotseat Houtz...it's an honor

Houtz: First, the question that everyone wants to know. What is it like being the man who runs the show? What are some of the ups and downs?

Jim:: Well, there are are far more ups than there are downs despite the amount of time and dedication it takes to keep the league running. To me, as long as the vast majority of the league is happy and having fun, then Im happy. It's great when the forums are active and members are involved in doing the features. The only real drawback of being in charge is having to remove people. It's disheartening, especially when you really like someone, but it's just something that has to be done. It'd be nice to go through an entire season where people play sim Madden and meet the minimal expectations that are in place.

Houtz: We all know you’re a very busy man. Tell us what it’s like being in your shoes for an entire 24 hours.

Jim:: LOL...I don't want to bore anyone with details because I dont lead an exciting life. My life consists of work and school along with house and family obligations. I break up the monotonous studying and work with some Madden and COD4 :-)

Houtz: As we all know your defense seems to be the centerpiece of your game. Tell us why you think your defense is the best in the MPL and what you think makes it such a force to reckon with.

Jim:: Well I don't think my defense is the best in the league but I like to think that I've developed it into one of the top 15 in the league. My defense is really just reactionary. It takes me about a quarter to see what the opponent has in mind then I'll try to adjust my strategy according to what I see.

Houtz: Everyone has strengths to their game. What are some of your strengths? What are some of your weaknesses?

Jim:: LOL...well I won't divulge my weaknesses because I'd like to win as many games as possible haha. But really, my weaknesses are the same as many other people. I tend to force things, even when they aren't there. The other thing that I feel is a weakness is that I try to mix things up so much, that I often fail to convert in key situations. I think that in just about every game, I use 95% of the available formations in my playbook.

Houtz: Last season you made it to the playoffs but got sent home early by the eventual champion, Wade. If you were to meet Wade again do you think the outcome would be different?

Jim:: I don't think the outcome would be different. Wade is a great player and has been since he came to the MPL. It used to be that Wade would have great regular seasons but come up short in the postseason. I think he's turned the corner where now, he's content with having a very good regular season but turns up the heat when he gets into the playoffs.

Houtz: You are the favorite to win the AFC South and sit comfortably at the top with a 2-0 record. Is there anyone in that division that you believe can beat you?

Jim:: I believe that everyone in my division can beat me. Mark has my number...he has beaten me countless times in pickup games on 08. Underdog has always been a tough opponent and has a stellar team in the Jags. And you seem to have learned the strengths of the Titans and will do whatever you can to get wins. I think you (Houtz) have the best shot at winning the division but I won't dismiss Jeff or Mark because I know how talented they are and what they can do when they are firing on all cylinders.

Houtz: You come off as a very humble, modest kind of guy. Is this so people overlook you and don’t hype you up to much or do you truly feel that there are better players out there?

Jim: There's no strategy in the way that I respond to my abilities in Madden. Im a very average, middle of the pack Madden player. Sometimes I just match up well with certain types of players. There are some guys that I just can't because of matchup problems. And going 1-11 in my first MPL season certainly sticks in my mind...that really makes me realize that despite any improvments that I make in my game, Im nowhere near the caliber of player that many MPLers are.

Houtz: The MPL seems to be one of the most successful Madden leagues of all time. What do you think is the reason for it’s consistent success?

Jim: I'd like to think that the MPL is the best damn Madden league in existence. Not many, if any, leagues would be able to not only survive but come back to thrive, after losing so many key veteran members like we experience when we switched from the PS2 format to the PS3. Paul (MPLprez) laid a great foundation for how the league should run. On top of that foundation lies the real key to the success of the MPL...it's members. The members are what makes this league as great as it is. Members should be able to verify that by just looking at last season. Yes, we gained a few quality members when we transitioned to the PS3 but looking back...was Season IX as fun as every other season that we've had in the MPL? Granted, the deficiencies of Madden 08 were contributors to that lax in enthusiasm but still...there wasn't a lot of action or excitement. We carried on and made the best we could of it but what happened when Season X rolled around? We got new owners who are energetic, enthusiastic and care to make a difference in the MPL. The MPL will continue to be great as long as we have the best members of any Madden league in existence.

Houtz: There are a handful of great owners in this league. If you could beat anyone in the league who would it be and why?

Jim: I disagree with your statement that there are a handful of great owners in this league. I assume you mean talent wise but in my perception, I see someone as a great owner who does what is expected as a member and goes beyond that by contributing to the league and the community. We have far more than a handful of those people. As far as wanting to beat anyone in particular, I dont really have one...but if I had to say somebody, it would have to be Sully. Over the last few seasons, it seemed like we were always in the same division and regardless of how close I played him, he always came out on top. It'd be nice to beat him in a game that meant something and not just in a pickup game.

Houtz:: Who do you think is the most overrated player in the MPL?

Jim: I honestly do not view anyone in our league as being overrated. I think that the people that are estimated to be the best in the league, truly are the ones that have the best shot at winning the title.

Houtz: Who do you believe is the most underrated player in the MPL?

Jim: I think there are a ton of underrated people in the league...but not due to talent but to how much they really mean to the league. There have been a lot of members who have remained active and loyal to the MPL regardless of what direction the MPL has chosen. Those members who have remained active and dedicated to the league should be acknowledged for what they mean to the MPL. Winning and losing makes up such a small piece of what this league is really all about.

Houtz: Who do you think is the best player in the MPL?

Jim: Man, the best player in the MPL? That's a tough one. I don't want to name names simply because I don't want to disrespect anyone that I might leave out. But I truly think that there about 6 people who could stake claim at being the best in the MPL. On top of that, I think that with the way Madden works and how some people know some of the ins and outs of the game, there are probabably 3 additional people that have a shot at winning it all.

Houtz:: Now we are going to go to the newest part of the hotseat and have you answer questions around the league. Let’s start off with Ethan’s question.

Ethan: This season you're being touted as a contender for the MPL title. A few seasons back, it seemed as though you couldn't buy a win. What caused the change? Is it the PS3 format, a change in strategy, or something different?

Jim:: Well my first 2 seasons in the MPL were awful...but since my 2nd season, I've made steady improvements and have been at or near or above .500 each season. I dont consider myself a contender for the title so Im not sure where people would get an idea like that, lol. I can say that the improvements in my game have to do primarily with my willingness to ask for and accept help from other people. Back in the PS2 days, I got help from guys like Rashad, Ducati and Moneyball. While I could never be as good as them, I at least took what they gave me and made improvements so that I could at least be competetive, which is all I wanted. The PS3 format has helped me some on 08 though. It's been nice to play someone and not have them be able to do the same things all game long. On the PS2, there were certain things that worked no matter what. So in tight games, I was done because I didnt know what those plays were that worked all the time. I think that on 08, you don't see that nearly as much.

Trusion: Why have you been so successful so far with the Texans after stating your discomfort for the team in the preseason? What's changed?

Jim:: Part of my initial reaction came because the Texans were probably the one team that I hadn't played even 1 game with during the entire offseason. I was hoping to land a higher draft slot to get a good team but I even played with some lower rated teams just in case I got a low draft pick. I still struggle at times with them...especially against very good Madden ballers. Their defense has been the reason for my success after 2 games in the MPL regular season. They've shown quickness, good awareness and the ability to close in quickly on ballcarriers.

Superpunk: Jim, you're a longtime MPL vet - what would you say is your signature moment? Either in victory or defeat?

Jim:: I dont really have a signature moment in the league as far as playing the game goes...my impact on the league has come more in what is done outside of gameplaying. As far as gameplaying, I'd say I have a tendency to come up short in tight games so a signature moment would be a game against Sully...I think 2 seasons ago. I had a shot at making the playoffs with a win against him. It was a close game throughout, lead changing hands a few times. He had taken the lead late in the game and I needed a TD to win. I drove down the length of the field and had no timeouts left and was just outside his 20. He was controlling an LB and I initially looked him off but he read my play beautifully and user picked what would have been a game winning TD pass.

Superpunk: You always seem to be in the playoffs - but I don't believe ever in the championship game. What has kept you out, despite competing almost every year?

Jim:: Well I've only been in the playoffs twice during my MPL career though I have been on that doorstep in 2 or 3 other seasons. I've come up short because of instances like I gave with the game against Sully. When I had to come up with a big play, whether on offense or defense, I just didn't make it. My opponent has always been the better player when it mattered most.

Houtz : Were now going to do a little word association. I give you a word and you tell me the first word or phrase that comes to mind. Ok?

Jim:: Sounds good :-)

Houtz: MPL Prez

Jim:: A great guy and best league owner EVER! No one that Ive every come across who owns or runs a league compares to the person that Paul is. He's always been fair and has made the right decisions which have put MPL at the top of the Madden heap.

Houtz: MPL

Jim:: To steal the Bret Hart catchphrase: "The best there is, The best there was, The best there ever will be" -- How many leagues do you know that have such an active forum, features that are updated weekly by its members, the freedom to let it's members just play and not have requirement after requirement thrust upon them and straight gameplay by its members? You dont have any Joe Schmoe coming into the league...we have tryouts where people must earn their way into the league.

Houtz: Readywhenever

Jim:: A great guy who doesnt always get the respect that he deserves.

Houtz: IareEthan

Jim:: Classy guy who is a title contender year in and year out

Houtz: Sully

Jim:: A staple of the MPL and someone that is always willing to help out.

Houtz: Trusion

Jim:: An outgoing, active owner who is an MPL title contender

Houtz: OutofLuck

Jim:: Hell of a defense who also has a shot at the MPL Bowl crown

Houtz: BigBoss

Jim:: Class act and someone that Id have as a friend in real life -- not just in the MPL

Houtz: Superpunk

Jim:: A person that has really stepped up to become a great contributor to the league in many ways.

Houtz: Chnkr

Jim:: A funny guy that kicked the longest field goal Ive ever seen in a Madden game.

Houtz: Call Of Duty

Jim:: Electronic Crack -- the most addicting video game since Madden

Houtz: Eagles

Jim:: Disappointing

Houtz: MPL Champion

Jim:: To be determined

Houtz: At the end of the season what two teams do you believe will be in the MPL Bowl? And who do you see coming out as the Season X MPL Champion?

Jim:: It's really tough to say. I think there are about 8-10 guys that have a legit shot at making and/or winning the MPL bowl. If I HAD to pick people from each conference, I say either Wade or Sportzfanatic from the Atlantic and either Ethan or Trusion from the Pacific. I think Trusion wins it all...but for the record, in any of my predictions on who would win it all, that person has lost in the playoffs...sorry Trusion ;-)

Houtz: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Jim:: I'll have more to say at the end of the season but for now, I want to send out a sincere thank you to each and every owner in the league. It's been a pleasure thus far and I hope to see continued activity and straight gameplay throughout the entire season...regardless of your record.

Houtz: Jim, you are officially off the Hotseat.

Jim:: Thanks for having me and I apologize for my lengthy answers lol.