| | Operation Sports:Madden NFL 2005: Dominate on "D"
By Shawn Drotar, Managing Editor, OperationSports.com
Madden NFL 2005 brings defense to the forefront this season, and you'll need to use every tool at your disposal to play with the best of the best. Fortunately, Madden brings even more control and flexibility to your Xbox® controller with the additions of the "Hit Stick," "Defensive Playmaker," and a variety of new shifts and defensive adjustments to help you dominate on defense.
The Hit Stick
The first major addition is also the easiest to use. The Hit Stick allows you to go all-out in an attempt to make a bone-jarring tackle and knock the ball loose. When you close in on the ball carrier, simply flick the right thumbstick in any direction to go for the big hit. It's easy to use, but can be difficult to master. Timing is critical, as is the player involved. Using Ray Lewis to level a running back will work great, but that small corner back of yours isn't likely to even slow Jamal Lewis down. Make sure you have the player lined up well, and have teammates around to help in case you miss. Using the Hit Stick is a high-risk, high-reward gamble, but when it works, it's something to behold. Don't be surprised if you find yourself cringing at the television screen!
Dishing out the big hit.
The Defensive Playmaker
This new feature allows you to quickly change any single player's defensive assignment on the fly using the right thumbstick. Simply highlight any player before the snap, and pull the right thumbstick in one of four directions. Pulling down will order that player to immediately blitz, while pulling up will do the opposite—move him into zone coverage. Pulling right will order him to hold a zone in the flat, and pulling left will call a QB "spy"—perfect for stopping those scrambling quarterbacks. The Defensive Playmaker controls work for any player on the field, so you can mix and match to your heart's content while quickly and efficiently countering anything the offense chooses to do. A carefully-chosen Playmaker call at the right time can stop a potential touchdown, trigger a sack, or even cause a critical turnover. 
The beauty of a sweet interception.
Defensive Adjustments
While the first two new options are quick and easy to use, the last major defensive addition to Madden NFL 2005, defensive adjustments, requires a bit more care and planning. However, it has the potential to change the entire tone of a game.
An NFL defense has three different levels: The defensive line, the linebackers, and the defensive backs. Each of these levels and positions has different objectives and assignments on any given play. Defensive adjustments allow the smart coach to tailor each level separately so they can react better to what they see on the field. The right combination of tweaks can devastate the offense.
Pulling the left trigger will start an adjustment for the defensive line. Pressing the D-pad in one of four directions changes the way your linemen will rush after the snap. Left or right will order the linemen to rush to those sides, respectively—perfect for stopping a strong-side run. When the offense is in a short-yardage situation, press down on the D-pad. This orders the line to collapse the interior of the offensive line. Pressing up will make the defensive line rush to the outside. This surprising rush can be effective in stopping a run towards the sidelines, or as a pass rush against a mobile QB.
Linebacker adjustments work in much the same way. Pull the right trigger to start a linebacker adjustment. Pressing down on the D-pad will blitz all the linebackers at once. Pressing left or right will also call a blitz, but only for the left or right linebacker. Pressing up will cancel any QB blitzes, and drop any formerly blitzing 'backers into a QB spy assignment. By using these four adjustments judiciously, you can easily transform your defense into an aggressive, unpredictable unit. 
Tight coverage may well deny this pass.
Pressing the Y button will trigger an adjustment for the defensive backs. Pressing the D-pad left or right will shift the zone coverage over to that side of the field. You can also change individual match-ups for each defensive back. After you press Y, press the button of the receiver you want your player to cover. Then you'll use the D-pad in one of three ways to change the DB's coverage. Pressing up will tell him to give the receiver some room, so he won't get behind your defense. Pressing down will tell him to play bump-and-run coverage, and keep him close. Pressing to the right will order double coverage on the receiver if there's a safety (in zone coverage) available to do so.
As the saying goes, in the NFL, "defense wins championships." Now it does in Madden NFL 2005, as well. Are you ready?
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