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 former MPL Champ Ethan.

Houtz: Please everyone welcome my next guest, he once again started off to a great start and is in 1st place on top of his division. In Week 4 he lost in a controversial game against Hawkins’ Lions. He won the MPL Championship back in Season 8 and was a runner up in Season 9, let’s welcome IareEthan back to the HotSeat!!!!!!

Ethan:: Thanks for having me man.

Houtz: You’ve been around the MPL for years but never had the opportunity to use your favorite team. What is it like finally getting your favorite team and what kind of advantages do you think it gives you?

Ethan:: Nice research bub. I had the Eagles my first FULL season in the MPL; it was the year they were hit with all those injuries. So I had Mike McMahon at QB and yes, Ryan Moats at HB...Todd Pinkston and Greg Lewis at WR, I think. I had a good season that year, losing only like 3 games. No matter if your team's good or bad...you just know them inside and out, and can take advantage of strengths and try to mask weaknesses. It's a blast.

Houtz: Every year you seem to be in the mix for the MPL Championship, what is it about your game that separates you from the rest of the MPL?

Ethan:: I think it's my ability to keep my head clear and stay focused on the task at hand. My goal, every game, is a simple one; win all three phases of the game. I know: DUHR! Nothing groundbreaking there...but it's easier said than done. There comes a point in Madden where, unless you really commit yourself to relentless practice, you're not going to get any better at the game itself. At that point it becomes a mind game. On offense, for example, people might go to the well too often and end up being predictable. On defense, they might get frustrated and take foolish risks. On special teams they might try to return a punt with gunners bearing down on them. Those are things I stay away from, and I think that has a lot to do with my success, especially come playoff time.

Houtz: In week 4 you faced off against Hawkins. Hawkins shocked the world and gave you, the #1 player in the MPL, his first loss. On the record, tell us your thoughts and feelings on such a crushing loss.

Ethan:: Oh brother. Most frustrating. Game. Ever. We've all had games where, hey, the ball just doesn't go your way and there's not much you can do about it. But how many of us have games where the ball just doesn't go your way....time, and time...and time again? To make matters worse, everytime but once 'the Madden gods' initiated a turnover, a Lions defender was running right down the sidelines, untouched for a TD. That's how they got 21 of their 24 points. I was just whooping them boys up and down the field, through all three phases of the game. I only had one offensive drive that I punted; all the rest that didn't end in scores were cut short by fumbles or interceptions that were ENTIRELY out of my control. People can read the game recap and judge for themselves, but even with everything that happened i was in position to win the game TWICE at the end of the fourth quarter, and again...circumstances beyond my control took those opportunities away. Extremely frustrating. But again, like I said in the recap, all you can do is take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, so you can't take EVERYTHING away from that Lions victory.

Houtz: You've only lost a handful of games since MPL made the leap to PS3, but each of those games you talk about some Madden flaws that cost you the game. Some might say you're making excuses. What would you say to those people?

Ethan:: hahaha...are you sure you want a long rant?

Houtz: Go for it

Ethan:: I would say to them that there is a marked difference between creating excuses and stating facts. There is only one game where I have said or even inferred that "madden flaws" cost me the game, and that was my most recent loss to the Lions. Like I said, you have to give Hawkins SOME credit because he did wint the game, but I mean...come on. Again, just read the recap. Those other losses though...you never know what would have happened if 'Madden flaws' hadn't intervened so it would be unfair to suggest that they cost me those games. Maybe the opposition would have beaten me by more. You never know. And it's not about wins or losses. "excuses" only come after failure. I speak of these flaws after wins as well. And I know I'm not the only one these things happen to...I even know that I benefit from them from time to time...and I support my opponents when they vent about them. Case in point; superpunk. He spoke about an INT at the end of our game a few weeks back, and I gave it to him, it was ridiculous. The bottom line is this: I have lost 5 league games now in next-gen Madden and the game's flaws have had an obvious impact on all of them. That's got nothing to do with excuses. That's also taking nothing away from those who have beaten me because, again, you never know what would have happened if those problems weren't prevelant. That's just a fact that is BEYOND extremely frustrating. When (if) I take a loss and the game isn't heavily influenced by a bunch of shoddy, sloppy programming, I'll say good game and give whoever that individual is a virtual handshake and a big thank you for ending a long string of frustrating losses. Until then, all I can do is pray to the infamous Madden gods before each game, requesting that they mind their own *curses* business and stay out of mine and the opponent's

Houtz: Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. What would you consider one of your strengths?

Ethan:: Biggest strength is composure. I've been down early in all of my games this season and have stayed in them and won them (except the last one). The game against Superpunk's Cowboys I was trailing late in the fourth and came away with that 1 point win. That was a nailbiter. Against Hawkins this past week, I dropped down 21-0 VERY quickly, but was ALMOST able to take that one as well.

Houtz: One of your weaknesses?

Ethan: Biggest weakness? Ah...at this point...in this Madden...probably that I just don't play enough. Two things happened in that last game that cost me 14 points which I had never seen before. Maybe if I played the game more, I'd know not to bullet a pass to a receiver so close, and would know the trick to challenging a fumble after an injury timeout. That was basically me in Gibbs' shoes calling two straight timeouts. You have to be familiar with the game and I, admitidly, am not.

Houtz: After a devastating loss to Wade in last year’s MPL Bowl is anything less than the MPL Championship a failure to you?

Ethan: Of course. Anything less than a championship was a failure to me before that. You've been in leagues with me before. I haven't been in many because, frankly, I don't know where to look to find the good ones (although I DO know you found a great one here in the MPL)...but you remember that other league we were in. Seven straight superbowl appearances...5 superbowl titles. I've got two straight appearances here, but only one title, and that game still irks me. Wade's the champ and deservedly so. He's a baller. But that game in particular was whack. Fumbles, overthrows, interceptions every other play it seemed, for both teams. There was no way to establish any sort of rhythm. That was more like a crappy game of NFL Blitz than anything closely resembling a simulation of football.

Houtz: This has been called the strongest rookie class ever in the MPL. What do you think of this season's rooks?

Ethan: Well, I haven't played many of them and I may forget some (if that's the case, I appologize), but here we go. Hawkins must be Irish. Favrefan looks like he's struggling with a fantastic Packers squad. Upsetcity, if what you say is true, is having a lot of success because of his Bly/Bailey/Lynch monster of a secondary. OutofLuck beat up on three lackluster squads, then got pounded by Trusion's Cards, so I see him as an owner who will make the playoffs season-to-season, only to get bounced early. SportzFanatic is on a roll but, looking at recaps/stats, it seems if you make him pass...well...he can't. Chnkr is a good guy it seems...just a shame he's a Dallas fan. He's in trouble week four. Jmgrath...he's winning, but he's played some losing teams. Let's see what he can do when he plays a top baller. He's got some heavy modesty going on, so then we'll see if it's warranted or if he was one of those kids in highschool who would be like "dude I failed that test so hard" only to get a perfect score. Then there's Trusion, I only played him once but he left a favorable impression on me. Definitely already established as one of the top ballers in the league, and I'm definitely looking forward to our matchup later in the season.

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

Ethan: HAHAHAHAHAHA. Not this one again.

Nah, if I HAD to pick someone, I'd probably target one of the rookies. Now, I've never played either of them so take it with a grain of salt. But it seems to me that, judging by recaps, if you make sportzfanatic pass he's extremely beatable. Also, JmcGrath. He's had a powderpuff schedule so far and is also quickly being mentioned among the league's elite. Last time I called two guys overrated though...the one had an undefeated regular season, and the other won the MPL bowl...over me. Haha...poetic justice. We'll see how their seasons go.

Houtz: Who do you think is the most underrated?

Ethan: Ummm...no one. I really think that, at this point, everyone is pretty much viewed where they should be.

Houtz: We are now going to do the newest feature of the HotSeat. You will now be answering questions from fellow MPLers. Our first question is from Trusion.

Trusion: Despite the circumstances, with a huge shocking loss to Hawkins and his Lions, do you think taking out the #1 ranked team in the MPL will catapult him into the playoffs? Why or why not?

Ethan: No, it won't. It was a BIG win for him, no question about that, and will probably be his claim to fame around here for a while. But you really can't say 'despite the circumstances' because they have do be considered when considering a potential playoff berth. All I can do is evaluate what I saw when those 'flukish' things weren't happening. You can move the ball at will against his defense. On offense, he's an OK runner but, he uses Kevin Jones so he's only going to get you some chunks here and there. No threat for the long run. Passing, he didn't get many shots but he threw right into coverage a few times; one which was picked and returned for a TD. One thing I will give him is he's good at switching to the defender nearest the ball and laying the wood. He caused the last fumble of the game by doing that on one of the most sure-handed ballcarriers in the game (Westbrook). But is a nasty hitstick enough to make the playoffs? I don't think so.

Trusion:: Does it make you a better man if you cry for your quarterback after a playoff loss?

Ethan:: You gonna say things about mah qwataback...and that's what the media does...it isn't fair man.

Nvrquit: Where’s “Around the Horn” at?

Ethan:: MAN! That's cool that someone remembers it. I'd love to do it again, it really was a fun time just kicking back and, basically, throwing down whatever's on my mind. I just started my first semester, junior year, in an English degree at Penn State though, and I'm working full time, so it's a serious drain. I have to read, like, 500 pages of 'literary classics' every week. Take this to heart: There's nothing classic about Shakespeare. Anyone ever see the South Park episode, where there's a serious issue with all the "smug" in the air? That's all I can think about when I hear professors and my classmates try to tout the dude's writing as a work of art.

JMcGrathsince82: After reading your recaps to start the season it seems that as Westbrook and Curtis go, so go the Eagles offense. How do you maintain their presence in the offense as people start to key in on them?

Ethan:: It's interesting because, going into the season, I thought Westbrook was going to be the MVP of the league. Hands down. Obviously, he's the go-to guy in the backfield, but I've also been moving him around alot at receiver as well...but it just hasn't been there. The same with Curtis. I move him all around the formation but, when it comes down to it, the ball goes to whoever's open. No question people are going to start keying in on the two, especially some deep help for Curtis. But, then that opens up other things...the run game...short passes underneath. You just have to adjust to whatever the opponents doing.

Houtz: We are now going to play a little word association. I will give you a word and you tell me the first word or phrase that comes to mind. Sound good?

Ethan:: Sure

Houtz : Hawkins

Ethan:: Irish

Houtz: Trusion

Ethan:: Best of the rookie class.

Houtz: Superpunk

Ethan:: 0-2 in bets made with IareEthan

Houtz: Readywhenever

Ethan:: Taking a step back in his sophomore season.

Houtz: MPL

Ethan:: Best Madden league out there.

Houtz: MPLprez

Ethan:: The man who started it all.

Houtz: Sully

Ethan:: Faithfully devoted to Madden and its creators, for good or bad.

Houtz: Jim

Ethan:: Doing a *curses* good job running the show.

Houtz: Upsetcity

Ethan:: Why don't you handle that one?

Houtz: Scrub

Ethan:: HAHA

Houtz: MPL Season 10 Champ

Ethan:: IareEthan

Houtz: Who is going to be in the MPL Bowl this season and give me a final score?

Ethan:: Jim's Texans vs. IareEthan's Eagles....Final Score: 9-0, Eagles

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

Ethan:: If you want sure money the rest of the way in the golden palace, bet the house on the Eagles week to week. No more 'lions' games from here on out.

Houtz: Ethan, you are officially off the HotSeat!!