The release date for Backbreaker appears to have been pushed back by a week to May 25th. Why this would be done remains a mystery but retailers including Gamestop, Amazon, and Gamefly along with gaming sites such as IGN and Gamespot all show the new date meaning 505 Games has informed them of the change. At this point a delay of a week would not seem to signify that there are issues at hand with the game as anything serious would not be solved in such a short period of time. Still this creates a problem for Backbreaker as it is now scheduled to release on the very same day as UFC Undisputed 2010.

UFC was the top selling sports game only behind Madden last year. It will likely see a sales surge even well above what UFC 2009 sold, as it faced an uncertain open being the first attempt in the franchise. Now that it has established itself, captured consumer confidence, and with the following of the sport continuing to grow it will have an even bigger opening. Essentially imagine a new attempt at an unlicensed sports game being released on the same day as Madden. That is a similar scenario to what Backbreaker has put itself in.

While UFC is obviously a completely different sport it is competition for dollars at the very same time and will be seen by many as a “first choice” purchase. For Backbreaker to come out on the same day it would mean asking many people to shell out $110 plus tax which could be too much for those outside of the small core of people who are highly anticipating Backbreaker.

This date could really damage the potential of Backbreaker sales initially. While first day/week sales are not going to be as heavy a percentage of final sales as a sequel would be, the less copies out early in its life cycle means the less likelihood of word of mouth making a significant difference. The long term performance, which could determine whether sequels are released, will be reliant on that word of mouth. An early demo will certainly be a critical element that could help to overcome issues faced with consumer confidence especially when competing for dollars with already established titles in the same time frame. An exceptional demo is a big reason why UFC 2009 exploded onto the scene and went on to become a huge success.

This mock draft version follows the early days of free agency which resulted in some signings and trades that are likely to have altered draft strategies for multiple teams. This also continues to include thoughts coming out of the combine, though most of those notes were cited in the previous mock. Continue on for the “early in free agency” mock draft and leave your thoughts in the comments!

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Ndamukong Suh
While Suh is seen as the most sure bet in this draft, the momentum has swung to Bradford being the guy for the Rams. After a few years of drafting on the lines the fan base is understandably anxious. Now, I don’t think it matters all that much whether they draft QB this year or next. They can pass this year but then they’ll absolutely have to get one next year. I won’t be surprised to see the Rams consider Brady Quinn, which would then allow them to draft Suh here.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Previous Selection: Gerald McCoy
The Lions are in a good position here since they are assured of getting either Suh or McCoy. Their defense needs a lot of help and establishing themselves in the trenches is the way to build. This is one of the times where team need and best available player match up perfectly. They would likely go with Suh if the Rams were to take Bradford. I don’t buy into the idea that the trade for Corey Williams is a sign they will go with Russell Okung as opposed to Suh.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Eric Berry
The board shakes up perfectly for the Bucs, who would be able to get the impact DT they desperately need. The defense would instantly be more effective with someone that can collapse the pocket. It remains that, if both DTs are gone, they will probably go with Berry.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Previous Selection: Sam Bradford
The Redskins are going either QB or OT at this pick. How they grade Bradford and Jimmy Clausen following their Pro Days will probably determine what they do here. I get the sense right now that if Bradford is gone, they will look to improve the o-line and go with Okung rather than Clausen but as of now it’s up in the air.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Previous Selection: Russell Okung
There is definite need on the offensive line to protect the big investment that was made in Matt Cassel and Okung would likely be the choice if the Redskins go QB. Instead here they could go for need with Brian Buluga or BPA in Eric Berry. Rolando McClain remains a darkhorse.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Previous Selection: Jimmy Clausen
The Seahawks shipped backup QB Seneca Wallace out of town, though I haven’t gotten a good read on whether this increases the chances of selecting a QB in the draft. At first glance it would seem to be the case, but it could also lead to Derek Anderson signing as the backup or be an indication of the team’s confidence in Mike Teel heading into his second season. Should the board shift with both Bradford and Clausen gone prior to this selection that would likely drop Eric Berry into the Seahawks lap which would be the pick.

7. Cleveland Browns – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Previous Selection: Dez Bryant
Clearly Mike Holmgren is reassessing the QB situation by trading for Seneca Wallace, dumping Derek Anderson, and shopping Brady Quinn. I would not be surprised to see the Browns trade up to #5 if Jimmy Clausen is there. The Chiefs could then take Brian Bulaga at this selection. Given the choices on the board right now I think they’d go one of two directions…CJ Spiller or Jason Pierre-Paul. A rotation at RB, a position where Holmgren drafted high twice in the four years as Seahawks GM, would make sense.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Previous Selection: Bruce Campbell
Everyone knows the Raiders draft more on athletic ability than anything else. That had me sitting comfortably with Bruce Campbell in the first two mocks. The excitement over the combine performance is more tempered now that teams are looking more at his film from last year which includes some glaringly bad plays. It is not a lock he goes in the first round. JPP is the athletic freak that has a ton of potential and will probably be intriguing to the Raiders.

9. Buffalo Bills – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Previous Selection: Bryan Bulaga
There are concerns about his relatively short arms but Buluga comes out of a system that has produced very good lineman at the next level and the Bills absolutely need to address their offensive line woes. QB and WR are other areas of need but the names at QB worthy of taking here are already off the board and impressions of Dez Bryant have been slipping.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Previous Selection: Derrick Morgan
The Jags have missed on some early draft picks in recent years that were meant to address their pass rush. Rather than take another risk in the draft they made a big signing of Aaron Kampman. That puts them in a spot here to take BPA at a position of less glaring need than they had before, or they trade down to try and position themselves for taking Tim Tebow.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Previous Selection: Dan Williams
The defense needs to bolster its front seven but the signing of Jamal Williams means they don’t necessarily need to grab a NT this draft, instead they could look to someone like McClain if he is available. However with it looking likely that Brandon Marshall will not be back next year they draft his replacement.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Previous Selection: Jason Pierre-Paul
The signing of Karlos Dansby means the main needs of the Dolphins are at OLB and DT. Williams would be a great selection here as a NT in the 3-4. Jason Pierre-Paul remains an interesting possibility if he is still around, but I believe that Bill Parcells would likely go Williams here regardless.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Previous Selection: CJ Spiller
The 49ers have a couple different ways to go. They are looking for a back to split time with Frank Gore, want to shore up the offense line at tackle, and could use an upgrade in the defensive backfield specifically at safety. Joe Haden is too much of a talent to pass up despite his disappointing performance at the combine. The team needs help on the offensive line but they should be able to grab that with their #17 pick.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Previous Selection: Joe Haden
The pick here seems likely to be either CJ Spiller, offensive line, or defensive end. It is probably too high to take Charles Brown but he may be the best fit in the draft for the zone blocking scheme. With Okung and Buluga gone I could see a trade down to take Brown later in the first. The more likely choice might be to grab the pass rusher the team needs. Derrick Morgan is a great talent and very balanced. He may not have the upside of a few other ends but he is ready to start and make an impact immediately.

15. New York Giants – Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Previous Selection: Rolando McClain
The team needs an ILB or could look to DE, but with McClain, Pierre-Paul and Morgan gone they they have to look elsewhere. The Giants rely on the defensive line to rattle the opposing QB and Price would be a great choice for another impact player on the interior.

16. Tennessee Titans – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Previous Selection: Brian Price
This pick would seem likely to go defensive line, whether it be a DE or DT, but the names that make sense are all gone. The Titans could also use an upgrade in the secondary. Wilson has been climbing boards after great performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. Some teams even have him ranked above Haden right now.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Trent Williams
There are questions about whether Williams will be best suited for right tackle or if he has left tackle potential. I thought he looked really good at the combine in the drills, and many haven’t talked about his very impressive 4.88 time in the 40 because Bruce Campbell ran .03 faster. Regardless what tackle he ends up playing the 49ers could most definitely use him and he would likely be penciled in on the right side to start the season.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Previous Selection: Mike Iupati
The Steelers offensive line has struggled pass protecting for a few years, and the usual strong running game was mediocre last season. Iupati is a versatile lineman that will be a top notch guard but also is being looked at with the potential of moving to tackle. Starting out at guard though he would definitely improve the run game.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
Previous Selection: Kyle Wilson
Having filled their need at corner by signing Dunta Robinson the Falcons will probably still be looking at defense and go with an OLB or DE. They have struggled to put pressure on QBs and Graham, though undersized, could provide the disruption they need. Sean Weatherspoon would appear to be the other most likely option at this pick.

20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Previous Selection: Earl Thomas
Houston has been looking for a playmaking safety for years and they could get the opportunity to choose one with Thomas. I really like his ability and he performed well at the combine. Taylor Mays could also be a consideration but is more of an enforcer than a playmaker. The Texans have drafted for the defensive line but it remains a weakness so they could look that direction also.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Taylor Mays, S, USC
Previous Selection: Taylor Mays
The Bengals needed another threat in the passing game, which is why strong thought was given to Jermaine Gresham, Arrelious Benn, and Golden Tate. They have addressed that in free agency though with the signing of Antonio Bryant. Safety is a big area of need and Mays would fit the defensive scheme. He ran a blazing 40 at the combine though he looked stiff in the drills.

22. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
Previous Selection: Jared Odrick
The Patriots clearly need to upgrade their defense, a pass rushing LB or or run stopping DE make the most sense. Bill Belichick tends not to draft pass rushers high though and Odrick would be a good fit as a 3-4 DE.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, LT, USC
Previous Selection: Brandon Graham
With Aaron Kampman gone the Packers have immediate need for a pass rusher in their 3-4 but they also have big time need at LT despite re-signing Chad Clifton. I keep going back and forth on what way to go here, and considered Anthony Davis, who some are higher on then I am. However yesterday he was a no-show for his Pro Day reinforcing his worrisome reputation. Charles Brown is very athletic lineman that would fit the team’s o-line scheme well.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Previous Selection: Carlos Dunlap
The Eagles could definitely use a high energy OLB or DE. The team let Will Witherspoon go, which was obviously done to avoid confusion with a possible Weatherspoon selection right? He would fit very well as an OLB in the Eagles defensive scheme and has seen his stock rising out of the Senior Bowl solidifying him as a first rounder.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Golden Tate
With the Ravens having traded for Anquan Boldin they no longer are considered to be a lock to take a WR. They can, however, still add an offensive weapon in Jermaine Gresham. Todd Heap is no longer the threat that he used to be. Gresham’s knee problems are still a concern but he seems like a good fit for the Ravens who would not need to overuse him early on.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
Previous Selection: Sean Weatherspoon
With the team losing Karlos Dansby there is need to replace him, while they have filled the hole at safety already with the trade for Kerry Rhodes. Washington or Sergio Kindle would make sense here, or the Cardinals could look to draft a new offensive tackle.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Anthony Davis, LT, Rutgers
Previous Selection: Anthony Davis
The Cowboys could definitely use a playmaking safety but with Earl Thomas off the board they would have to look elsewhere. The team could use help on the offensive line and Davis would add some athleticism which has been lacking. He has top 10 talent but too many concerns, in areas such as injuries and maturity, allow him to slip to the late first round. Dallas would be in a position to take a chance on that talent and infuse some athleticism in their stiff offensive line.

28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Previous Selection: Ryan Matthews
Though they chose to keep Darren Sproles the Chargers will still need to draft a RB. That doesn’t need to necessarily happen at this pick but Matthews is really well rounded and would make for a good duo with Sproles.

29. New York Jets – Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Previous Selection: Devin McCourty
Until they traded for Antonio Cromartie it was a safe bet that Rex Ryan would be looking defense, primarily at CB. Now, I won’t be shocked if they still draft a CB here, but it opens it up to be a DE or WR. Tate is the best talent on the board and would give Mark Sanchez another weapon. I could also see someone like Corey Wootton come in as a DE in the 3-4.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Previous Selection: Jahvid Best
The Vikings will likely look at corner or a complimentary back to Adrian Peterson given that Chester Taylor has departed. Talk of LaDainian Tomlinson makes me think they are going to fill that role in FA. McCourty had a fantastic combine which has shot his stock up to first round value. I also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Colt McCoy, though how he performs at his Pro Day will be a big factor in whether he has the potential to go this high. McCoy would fit well in a west coast offense that Brad Childress runs.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Marukice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Previous Selection: Charles Brown
The Colts could go defense here, with tackle and corner being the positions of most need. However the offensive line needs help as well especially after the recent cutting of guard Ryan Lilja. Charles Brown would fit great in the zone blocking scheme but I have him off the board and don’t see Bruce Campbell as a “Colts player”. Maurkice Pouncey would improve the interior of the line and is flexible enough to fit in well where needed.

32. New Orleans Saints – Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Previous Selection: Everson Griffen
Having lost Scott Fujita, it looks like the Saints could go OLB or DE at this spot. I would peg that to be between Kindle and Griffen and right now give the edge to Kindle. Both would fit in really well though and add an element to the defense that has been lacking.

Dropped out of first round from previous mock draft: Bruce Campbell, Jahvid Best, Everson Griffen, Carlos Dunlap.

Featured in Squidoo Mock Draft Database
Featured in SportsJabber Mock Draft Database
Featured in DC PSR NFL Mock Draft Database

Mock Draft #2 (3/4) – Mock Draft #1 (2/22)

While MLB 10: The Show gamers lament the fact that a patch won’t even start being worked on until the end of the month, 2K Sports has announced that they have completed a patch for MLB 2K10 and have submitted it to Microsoft for certification. That means it should be arriving within the next two weeks barring complications in the certification process.

Details on what the patch entails have not been provided. Hopefully it includes toned down fielder arm strength, will fix the issue preventing online ranked games from being played, and improves (or maybe better stated adds) manager AI in My Player mode. There are many other areas that could be enhanced through a patch but those have been the most frequently cited.

It is worth noting that the statement made was specific about it being a 360 patch and no information has been made public about the PS3. This could be an indication that 2K does not plan to patch the PS3 (they left NHL 2K10 gamers on the PS3 out in the cold) or that it just wasn’t as much of a priority to rush this initial feedback response patch out for that console due to the lower number of sales. I would have trouble imagining the MLB would allow their exclusive third party provider to favor one console over the other though so hopefully a patch for the PS3 will be announced as completed very soon.

Coming out of a media event held yesterday are some hints towards the focus for Madden 11. While we now know that NCAA Football 11 is centered on “core experience, authenticity, and innovation” Madden is being described as “simpler, quicker, and deeper”.

Citing different statistics collected through Madden 10, including one that put the average game length at 63 minutes, EA Sports is hoping to compact that or provide options to ease the strain on gamers. An hour long is understandably just too great of a commitment for many to take on. According to EA, of those 63 minutes, only 17 were spent during on-field action. The rest was in navigating plays and menus or through presentational elements.

Hopefully EA doesn’t take this to mean that quarter length needs to be shortened. All that does is pressure people to pass more, which results in more incompletions and clock stoppages. The limited number of possessions puts more pressure on the user to conserve time therefore defeating the whole purpose of shortening quarters. The accelerated clock with longer quarters seemed to provide a really nice balance in Madden 10.

What will hopefully be done is to provide different options such as in-game saves which has been on the to-do list but missed the cut for the past few years. A quick-play option to skip through the presentation that slows the pace down would also be beneficial, we’ve seen the baseball games go this route.

There is also discussion about the streamlining of playbooks, as the average gamer only used 13 plays out of the hundreds available. Ultimately people are going to get comfortable with a handful of plays especially when the playbooks are all relatively similar. I think a great addition, one that has been discussed before, would be custom playbooks. If people could construct their own playbooks from the wide array of plays included in the game (not necessarily create new plays) then it would be much more likely that person would mix up their play selection as well as know where to find each play when they are looking for it.

What do you think about EA laying out the plan for Madden 11 to be “simpler, quicker, and deeper”? What would you like to see done to accomplish that? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

When it was finally confirmed last week that the NHL 2K series would be halted on the 360/PS3 it was stated that NHL 2K11 would in fact be released on the Wii. At the time it made sense considering the lesser development costs and having no competition on the casual heavy console. Now though it looks like that competition has arrived as a Walmart blog posting has revealed that EA Sports will be bringing NHL 11 to the Wii.

EA is going to be bringing their NHL game to the Wii system this year for the 1^st time. They showed us a video last week and it really looks like it could be something special.

This is a significant blow to the potential of NHL 2K11 on the Wii and the future of the series on other consoles (which already appeared very bleak). The advantage that 2K11 has is the base of players that purchased last year. It will be a battle to keep those players though, let alone grow sales, when faced with another hockey offering on the market. EA NHL has become the hockey game of choice on the HD consoles with reach going far beyond just fans of the sport. That mainstream appeal will give it an edge on a console where purchases are made primarily off titles and reputations. Team sports games generally have not translated that well or sold well on the Wii. That being said the companies continue to try and tap into the large user base that the console offers.

With the numerous issues being found in MLB 10: The Show, the heavy concentration of which are seen in Franchise mode, it would stand to reason that a patch would be expedited. However it is now being realized that the next patch will be a long ways off as work on it won’t even begin until the end of the month. That could make its targeted arrival late April, but even that isn’t going to be assured and it could very well be longer.

As posted today on the MLB: The Show Community Forum by SCEA representative: “We will start working on the next patch when the team comes back from break at the end of the month.”

Last year the main patch for MLB 09 dropped in the final week of April and actually ruined existing Road to the Show and Franchises. No word yet if this upcoming patch will require restarting those modes. The timeline could be similar or, due to more problems to be addressed this year, take more time. The longer the wait stretches on the more unreasonable it would be to expect everyone to start over or hold off until then to begin.

EA Sports has released a new blog, one that outlines the general philosophy and areas that have been concentrated on for NCAA Football 11. Though it doesn’t include any new reveals it does provide the opportunity to get a feel for the goals that the NCAA team is hoping to hit on this year. Those are cited as the core experience, authenticity, and innovation. You can check out the full blog posting here.

At the end of the day we all know what ultimately matters in a football video game is what happens on the field.  Controller in hand, heart pounding, clock running down, season on the line.  That’s where it all counts.  Running, blocking, passing, it all has to perform and perform well.   It’s the foundation upon which all other major game modes are built; dynasty, career, etc.   As a long time fan of NCAA Football, it’s clear that great core gameplay is fundamental to a great game experience.

I’ve mentioned it before, and it may considered as something under the “authenticity” unbrella, but I’ve found the most glaring element of the game to be lacking is emotion. That is part presentation, part atmosphere, part drama…all that have been missing this generation and especially stood out to me in NCAA 10. I’m not sure NCAA needs more in the way of “innovation” this year, lately the series has been used to introduce new modes and features more so than refining the gameplay and overall experience. Leave your thoughts on the blog and direction NCAA Football 11 is headed in the comments!

EA Sports has posted a blog detailing many of the additions and enhancements coming to Tiger Woods 11. Tiger Woods shares the cover with Rory McIlroy, intended as a representation of how the game will allow players to choose to captain the Americans or Europeans in Ryder Cup play. Much of what else is discussed in the blog are changes made in an effort to produce a more sim experience.

It remains interesting considering the circumstances that for the first time ever the cover of the Tiger Woods franchise features more than just Tiger Woods. It would be remiss to pass this off as a coincidence just attributed to the Ryder Cup addition. This is one way to begin a transition, or prepare for the possibility of it, by gradually leaning away from reliance on a single entity as the face of a franchise. There is just too much risk involved by hitching a franchise to a single person these days. Even the idea of a cover athlete on a yearly basis is becoming more dangerous, let alone reliance on one individual over the course of their career as has been the case with Tiger Woods.

With many of the big names coming off the market on the opening day of free agency, and a few significant trades having been made, the movement the last few days hasn’t been as drastic. Still a couple impact players have moved and more role players have signed on. If you missed it click here for the first set and continue on for a look at the latest screenshots with the players in their new uniforms.

Kerry Rhodes
Traded to Arizona Cardinals
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 88

Aaron Kampman
Signs with Jacksonville Jaguars
4 Years $26 Million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 89 (99 at DE)

Seneca Wallace
Traded to Cleveland Browns
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 72

Tony Pashos
Signs with Cleveland Browns
3 Years $10 million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 72

Scott Fujita
Signs with Cleveland Browns
3 Years $14 Million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 75

Fred Robbins
Signs with St. Louis Rams
3 Years $12 Million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 83

David Carr
Signs with San Francisco 49ers
2 Years $6 Million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 65

Chris Houston
Traded to Detroit Lions
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 67

Antwaan Randle El
Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
3 Years XX Million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 73

Arnaz Battle
Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
3 years $4 million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 72

Will Allen
Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
3 years $4 million
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 70

Reggie Brown
Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final Madden 10 Overall Rating: 70

While mentioned around release time there are a bunch of problems in Franchise mode for MLB 10: The Show. SCEA has been actively tracking  these and responding with potential fixes to be implemented down the line. The roles seemingly have reversed this year as MLB 2K10 struggles with online play and The Show faces troubles in offline modes primarily Franchise.

The roster update that came out earlier today fixed the player “potential” grades however it left the inordinate number of “A” rated minor leaguers (which are primarily pitchers). In addition to that reports have come in of trades being randomly completed for user-controlled teams, freezing occurring in particular stadiums and during a franchise at certain points, CPU making too many trades involving big name players, game attendance being reported incorrectly, and other problems involving waivers, contracts, or trades. You can keep track of everything in the thread over at Operation Sports.

SCEA is communicating well about the issues but that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked. Though worded carefully to avoid promising a patch (extra cautious after the bungling of the still non-existent demo it seems) it would be hard to imagine them not providing one. There has been no mention made of a possible timeline for release of the patch but a reasonable expectation would be a minimum of two weeks but it could stretch much longer.