Operation Sports:

Pass it Like Peyton

By Shawn Drotar

The crowd is roaring.

An avalanche of sound pours down upon you as the center brings the line into formation. Peering over your hulking bodyguards, you survey the field. The defense—they’re stacked differently than last time … now you see it … weak side blitz.

“Not this time,” you think, still feeling the pain in your shoulder, courtesy of a blind-side hit and AstroTurf. No, not this time—you’ve got a surprise planned.

The clock ticks down: 8 … 7 … 6 …

In your peripheral vision, you see your flanker in motion even as you can hear your raw voice barking out the audibles.

There … everyone’s in place. 5 … 4 … 3 …

You smirk as you watch the linebacker twitch. You can feel it; they’re going to bite.
2 … 1 …

Chaos erupts. Bodies fly left and right in a terrifying choreography of power and fury.

The sound is deafening; concentrate! Check one … covered …

Flashes of color and hot breath are countered by adrenaline-cooled blood as the blitzing ‘backer falls for your deft sidestep and scrapes across the turf behind you.

Check two … covered. It’s going to be there. If there’s time …

You pump fake the corner … only need a moment … but you sense the pocket’s collapse; this is going to hurt.

NOW!

Your arm strains as you air it out, sending it soaring down the far sideline. The world spins.

As you try to catch your breath, you see nothing but blue sky and clouds, but what you hear … It’s perfect.

Welcome to the life of an NFL quarterback. Still interested?

***

NFL Fever 2004 puts you into the role of quarterback like never before with “Read and Lead” passing. Simply put, you have to think and execute like a real NFL signal caller to have any hope of success. It’s for players who won’t settle for less than the real thing.

Are you game?

There are two varieties of “Read and Lead” passing in NFL Fever 2004: Locked and Unlocked. When you’re using Locked mode, your passing cursor will stick close to the selected receiver, allowing you the opportunity to lead him to the pass if you choose.

In Unlocked mode, you’re a digital Peyton Manning―the field is your canvas, and you decide where every throw will go.

Here’s how it works.

Press the green A button to snap the ball; then select the receiver of your choice by pressing his respective button. A cursor will appear at the receiver’s feet, and your passing cursor will be a set distance from him. Using the right analog stick, move the cursor to lead your receiver away from the defense. Pull the right trigger to pass. The harder you pull the trigger, the harder the pass will be thrown.

There’s even more control available to the “Read and Lead” user, however.

Sometimes, a play breaks down, and the savvy quarterback knows when to call his receivers off of his route. You can do this in NFL Fever 2004, as well. Snap the ball and select your receiver as before, but this time, pull the left trigger. Now, when you move the right analog stick, the selected receiver will follow your cursor around the field. This way, you can lead the receiver toward the open part of the field, and complete the pass.

In Unlocked mode, the passing cursor is not bound to any particular receiver. As the quarterback, you’re free to use the right analog stick to place your cursor anywhere on the field. The closest receiver to your cursor will pursue your throw and attempt to make the catch.

It’s also possible to adjust the height of the pass. After you pull the right trigger to pass, but before the quarterback releases the ball, press either up or down on the right analog stick. Press down, and the ball will be thrown low, making it difficult for the defense to intercept it. Press up, and the ball will be thrown high—perfect for those end-zone corner routes.

With “Read and Lead” passing, any combination of throws may be made to any receiver, at any time. With NFL Fever 2004, the power and control are entirely in your hands.

You are the field general. Now lead your troops on to victory!

Shawn Drotar pens the columns “Splinters From The Pine” and “Starting 5” for OperationSports.com and is proud to provide exclusive coverage for Xbox.com. Shawn’s e-mail address is shawn@operationsports.com.