Games PS2 ESPN NFL 2K5 User Manual

ENHANCED ONLINE MANUAL

Playstation 2™ Version

”The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”

--Vince Lombardi

Table of Contents

CONTROL SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 6

MENU NAVIGATION................................................................................................... 6

IN THE HUDDLE................................................................................................................ 6

OFFENSE ........................................................................................................................10

AFTER THE SNAP............................................................................................................ 11

DEFENSE........................................................................................................................ 12

SPECIAL TEAMS ............................................................................................................. 16

QUICK GAME................................................................................................................ 17

COACH MATCHUP.......................................................................................................... 17

IN-GAME PAUSE MENU............................................................................................. 19

THE CRIB™................................................................................................................... 24

CRIB MENU.................................................................................................................... 24

JUKEBOX........................................................................................................................ 25

TROPHY ROOM .............................................................................................................. 26

FRANCHISE................................................................................................................... 27

COACH’S DESK MENU............................................................................................. 28

FRONT OFFICE ............................................................................................................... 31

THE CRIB™...................................................................................................................37

OFF-SEASON TASKS................................................................................................. 37

NFL COMBINE............................................................................................................... 39

NFL DRAFT ...................................................................................................................41

FIRST PERSON FOOTBALL™ .................................................................................. 44

ESPN 25TH ANNIVERSARY......................................................................................... 45

PRACTICE...................................................................................................................... 46

SCRIMMAGE................................................................................................................... 46

SITUATION................................................................................................................. 46

TOURNAMENT............................................................................................................. 48

TOURNAMENT MENU..................................................................................................... 48

FEATURES.....................................................................................................................50

VIP................................................................................................................................ 50

ROSTER MANAGER ........................................................................................................50

HISTORIC TEAMS ...........................................................................................................52

TEAM CREATE ............................................................................................................... 52

PLAYER CREATE ............................................................................................................ 53

STADIUM MUSIC ............................................................................................................ 54

OPTIONS......................................................................................................................... 56

EXTRAS .......................................................................................................................... 59

ONLINE........................................................................................................................... 60

Football at its Best

Welcome to ESPN NFL 2K5’s in-game instruction manual. This year the game of Football is taken to new heights with greatly enhanced gameplay, including an all new V.I.P. System™, the raw hits of Maximum Tackling™, and the exclusive ESPN 25 Anniversary Mode. Look forward to managing your team using the Innovative Franchise Weekly Prep™, fully customizing your Stadium Music, and answering the call of a celebrity challenger in The Crib™!

CONTROL SUMMARY

MENU NAVIGATION

Left analog stick or directional button Highlight an Option, LEFT/RIGHT: Increase

or Decrease a selected Option

X button Advance / Increase selected Option Circle button Decrease selected Option / Bring up Team

Options

Triangle button Return to Previous Screen R2 button Cycle forward through Options L2 button Cycle backward through Options R1 button Cycle forward through Options L1 button Cycle backward through Options START button Advance SELECT button Maximum Passing / Player Card Right analog stick Shortcut to VIP Profiles screen Left analog stick UP/DOWN: Change VIP Name

In the Huddle

Choose Formation Screen

left analog stick or directional button UP/DOWN: Scroll formation groups,

LEFT/RIGHT: Change receiver alignment

X button Choose formation Circle button Sub Receivers (offense only) Square button Sub Running Backs (offense only) Triangle button Switch between Formation and Package

Select Screens (offense only)

R2 button Flip Formation

L2 button Help Menu L1 button Coach’s Pick SELECT button Timeout

Choose Package Screen

left analog stick or directional button UP/DOWN: Scroll Package Page X button Select Package in X button slot Circle button Select Package in Circle button slot Square button Select Package in Square button slot Triangle button Return to Formation Select Screen SELECT button Timeout L2 button Help Menu L1 button Coach’s Pick

Play Call Screen

left analog stick or directional button UP/DOWN: Scroll Play Page X button Select Play in X button slot Circle button Select Play in Circle button slot Square button Select Play in Square button slot Triangle button Switch to choose formation screen SELECT button Timeout L2 button Help Menu R2 button Flip Formation R1 + X, Square, or Circle buttons On-the-Fly Audibles (play call only) L1 Coach’s Pick Click R3 (Click) Toggle play stats

ESPN Tip – Understanding Play Names

When throwing the ball on offense, it’s helpful to know how the play is designed to work.

The numbers or letters at the beginning of each play indicate the type of pass drop the quarterback will perform.

The second part of the route refers to the primary receiver and his route (X or Y = receiver, TE = Tight End, Z = Slot Receiver, F = Fullback, H = Halfback).

Here is a quick rundown:

• 50 – The QB will take a 5-step drop. (Example: “50 F Speed Out”)

• 90 – The QB will take a 3-step drop. (Example: “90 X Lob Corner”)

• PA – A “play action” play. The QB will fake a handoff to the running back before

passing. (Example: “PA Z Post-Corner”)

• RO -- The QB will “roll out” to one side before passing. (Example: “RO Y Corner”)

• PA-RO – The QB will fake a handoff and then roll out to one side before passing.

(Example: “PA-RO X/Z Flow”)

ESPN Tip – Bluffing Technique

In multiplayer games, keep the other player guessing by disguising which play you call. On the Play Call screen, once you’ve found the play you want, hold down the button

corresponding to that play. Then press up or down on the left analog stick or the directional button to flip though other pages within the same formation (and to throw off

your opponent).

When you release the play button, your team will break the huddle with your original play selection. If you decide that, for some reason, you don’t want to keep that play after all,

roll your thumb over to Triangle button to back out to the choose formation screen. You

can then release the play button without calling the play.

ESPN Tip – Setting On-the-Fly Audibles

If you’d like to reconfigure your audibles for an offensive formation, it’s easy to do so. On

the Play Call screen, pull and hold the R1 button. Press the Square, X, or Circle button to select the audible button “slot”. Release the R1 button. Find the play that you wish to

assign to the audible slot and press its corresponding button. The play will now be

available from your Offensive Audible Menu.

ESPN Tip – Multiplayer Offense

When you play on the same team with a friend the user who chooses the play will

control the quarterback. The other user can press the X or Circle button to switch

players. When the player controlling the quarterback passes or hands the ball off, the

other player will gain control of the player who receives the ball.

ESPN Tip – Throwing the Ball Away

If none of the receivers are open, and you have no holes to scramble through, it’s a good idea to throw the ball away to avoid getting sacked. Just make sure you’re outside your

offensive tackles when you press the R2 button or you may be called for Intentional

Grounding.

ESPN Tip – Advanced Passing Techniques

If you want to get the ball to the receiver in a hurry, hold down the pass button for a bullet pass. If you need to throw the ball over a defender, or you want to make the ball easy to catch, tap the pass button for a lob pass. To pump fake to a specific receiver, double tap the button corresponding to that receiver.

ESPN Tip – Maximum Passing

With Maximum Passing enabled (Press the SELECT button on the Team Select or Choose Sides screens), you can lead your receiver in any direction using the left analog stick or the directional button. For example, if you want to throw the ball in front of a

receiver running toward the left side of the screen, simply hold left while passing.

Be careful, Maximum Passing is pressure sensitive, and takes a little bit of getting used to. Try using Practice Mode to get more comfortable with it before jumping into a regular game situation, and experiment with switching control to the receiver immediately after the pass is released, then using speed burst to catch up to the ball.

ESPN Tip – Charging Up Special Moves

To unleash an especially powerful move (like a bulldozing shoulder charge or a powerful

hit), hold down the X button. When your player’s control circle fills and flashes red, you can release the X button and press any special move button to perform an ultra-effective

move.

Since tapping charge up involves a tradeoff. You’re momentarily sacrificing foot speed to prepare a dominating move for your oncoming adversary.

the X button causes your player to run faster, holding down the X button to

Offense

Prior to the Snap

Left analog stick or directional button UP/DOWN: Select player

LEFT/RIGHT: Put player in motion

X button Hurry to the line/Snap the football Circle button Hard count Triangle button Bring up/Dismiss Audible Menu R1 button (Hold) View players’ fatigue levels L1 button (Hold) View players’ routes SELECT button Timeout Right analog stick + L1, X, Sq, Tri, or Crc Call a Hot Route for a receiver

ESPN Tip – Offensive Hot Routes

If you want to switch a receiver’s route at the line of scrimmage, you can call a Hot

Route for that receiver. Move the right analog stick in the direction of the route you

desire and press the button corresponding to the receiver to assign the route to that

receiver. By moving the right analog stick in the following directions, you can assign

the following routes: Up = Go, Down = Stop, Out = Out, In = In, Up/Out = Quick Corner,

Up/In = Slant, Down/Out = Speed Out, Down/In = Speed Under. Click and hold the R3

button and press the button corresponding to that receiver to instruct the receiver to pass block.

Offensive Audible Menu

Left analog stick or directional button LEFT/RIGHT: Cycle available audibles

X button Select Audible X button Circle button Select Audible Circle button Square button Select Audible Square button Triangle button Dismiss Audible Menu R2 button Flip play L2 button Return to original play SELECT button Timeout Right analog stick (Click) Flip routes

After the Snap

Passing Plays / Quarterback Controls

Left analog stick or directional button Move the QB X button Throw to receiver X button Circle button Throw to receiver Circle button Square button Throw to receiver Square button Triangle button Throw to receiver Triangle button R2 button Throw ball away L2 button Pump fake R1 button (Hold) Scramble with QB. You can perform

the Charge or any special moves while scrambling.

L1 button Throw to receiver L1 button Note: On running plays, the handoff or toss to the running back is performed

automatically.

Rushing Plays / Ballcarrier Controls

Left analog stick or directional button Move the runner X button Tap for speed burst/Hold to charge up

power for a move

Circle button Spin move Square button Dive/QB Hook Slide Triangle button Shoulder charge R2 button Juke right L2 button Juke left R1 button Stiff-arm right L1 button Stiff-arm left L1 + R1 buttons Lateral Right analog stick UP: Stutter-step, DOWN: Stop short, LEFT:

Juke left, RIGHT: Juke right

Right analog stick (QB behind LOS) UP: Duck and rush forward, DOWN: Duck

and drop back, LEFT: Duck and spin left, RIGHT: Duck and spin right

R1 + X button Pitch Ball (Option Play only)

Offensive Player Control (Non-Ballcarrier)

Left analog stick or directional button Move player X button Tap for speed burst/Hold to charge up

power for a move

Circle button Switch player Square button Dive/Chop block Triangle button Wave for the pass R1 or R2 button Juke right L1 or L2 button Juke left

After the play is over

Triangle Hurry up offense (defaults to last play and

automatically displays the audible menu)

Square Hurry to spike the ball

Defense

Prior to the Snap

Left analog stick or directional button Move player X button Switch player Circle button Switch back to previous player Triangle button Bring up/Dismiss Audible Menu R1 button (Hold) View players’ fatigue levels L1 button (Hold) View defensive assignments SELECT button Timeout Right analog stick RIGHT: Shift defensive linemen to the right,

LEFT: Shift defensive linemen to the left,

UP: Spread defensive linemen out, DOWN: Pinch in defensive linemen in

Hold L2 + right analog stick RIGHT: Shift linebackers to the right, LEFT:

Shift linebackers to the left, UP: Spread linebackers to the outside, DOWN: Bring linebackers inside

Hold L2 Linebacker Adjustment (see below) Hold R2 Defensive Back Adjustment (see below) Hold R2 + right analog stick RIGHT: Shift defensive linemen to the right

LEFT: Shift defensive linemen to the left UP: Spread defensive linemen out DOWN: Pinch defensive linemen in

ESPN Tip – Individual Defensive Back and Linebacker Adjustments

This year, you can individually command any of your defensive backs or

linebackers at the line of scrimmage. Prior to the snap, press and hold the L2 button for linebackers or the R2 button for defensive backs. Then, press the

button corresponding to the icon over the player you wish to adjust.

Release both buttons- the icon for the selected player will still be over his head and icons will appear over the heads of the five offensive receivers.

Press up on the right analog stick to shift the player back to play off coverage Press down on the right analog stick to move the player closer to the line to

play tight coverage

Press left on the right analog stick to shift the linebacker left or assign the DB to

play inside coverage

Press right on the right analog stick to shift the linebacker right or to assign the

DB to play outside coverage technique

Press the X button to double team the X receiver Press the Circle button to double team the Circle receiver Press the Square button to double team the Square receiver Press the Triangle button to double team the Triangle receiver Press the L1 button to double team the L1 receiver Press the R1 button to spy the quarterback Press the L2 button to assign a blitz Press the R2 button to assign a delayed blitz Press the R3 button (click) to reset the commands

Note: When you have 5 or 6 Defensive backs on the field, the Nickel and Dime back will

have their individual Button Icons under the Linebacker L1 button.

ESPN Tip – Switching Defenders

To quickly switch to a defensive player before the snap, hold the X or Circle button

and press the left analog stick or the directional button in the direction of the player

you wish to control.

ESPN Tip – Hot Blitz

You can also assign a “Hot Blitz” to any of your defenders by pressing the Square

button when you are control of him before the snap of the ball. When you give a player the “Hot Blitz” command, he will blitz the nearest gap ahead of him.

Defensive Audible Menu

Left analog stick or directional button LEFT/RIGHT: Cycle available audibles X button Select Audible X button Circle button Select Audible Circle button Square button Select Audible Square button Triangle button Dismiss Audible Menu R2 button Flip defensive assignments L2 button Return to original play R1 button Select Audible R1 button L1 button Select Audible L1 button SELECT button Timeout Right analog stick (Click) Flip defensive assignments

ESPN Tip – Maximum Tackling

This year, when a player is wrapped up by a defender he can break free of the tackle to gain extra yards or he can be dropped like a sack of potatoes. When the defender wraps his hands around you, the cursor underneath you will turn red. This is your chance!

Both the ballcarrier and the defender can press X rapidly to rip free or to rip the other player down. Depending on who presses X faster determines which side wins.

After the Snap

Left analog stick or directional button Move player X button Tap for speed burst/Hold to charge up

power for a move

Circle button Switch player Square button Diving tackle Triangle button Jump and raise hands R2 button Spin off of blocker L2 button Rip (uppercut under blocker’s arm) R1 button Swim move to get around blocker (when

facing a blocker). Intercept pass (when in the path of a pass)

L1 button Club move to get around blocker (when

facing a blocker). Block pass (when in the path of a pass)

Defensive Lineman Moves

R1 button Swim move L1 button Club move

ESPN Tip – Know Your Defense

When choosing a defensive play, it’s extremely important to understand the situation and know which players and which coverages are appropriate for that play. There are three choices that need to be made before your team sets up on the field. Here’s a quick breakdown:

#1 - Personnel

Your first choice will be selecting what types of players to put out on the field. Here’s a quick rundown of your basic packages:

• Goalline – 5 Linemen, 3 Linebackers, and 3 Defensive Backs. The Goalline defense is

best used in stopping short yardage running plays. However, the linebackers may be too slow to keep up if they have to cover a receiver on a pass.

• 4-3 – 4 Linemen, 3 Linebackers, and 4 Defensive Backs. This is a balanced defense

and is a good selection in situations where the offense may run or pass.

• Nickel – 4 Linemen, 2 Linebackers, and 5 Defensive Backs. More DB’s means this

formation is a good selection when the offense is likely to pass.

• Dime – 4 Linemen, 1 Linebacker, and 6 Defensive Backs. This defense is best used in

long yardage situations where the offense is almost certain to pass.

• Prevent – 3 Linemen, 1 Linebacker, and 7 Defensive Backs. The Prevent defense is

generally reserved for extremely long yardage situations, as it essentially concedes the short gain to keep the other team from breaking off a huge play.

Note: Some teams may have slightly different initial defensive packages such as the 3-

4, the 46, or the Bear. Take your favorite team into Practice Mode to see what their defensive scheme includes.

#2 – Fronts

Once you’ve selected who will be out on in the field, it’s time to figure out what they’ll be doing, beginning with the defensive line. Scroll through the various fronts to see your options. Think the other team will be running it up the middle? Try “All In”, which brings all the linemen in and clogs up the middle. Want one of your linebackers to blitz? Use “Fan” to open up the line a little bit and give him some space to get through. There are several more available. It’s up to you to decide what to do based on the situation.

#3 – Coverages

Now that the linemen have jobs, it’s time to decide what everyone else will be doing. There are four basic assignments you’ll see given to the linebackers and defensive backs, which are as follows:

• Bump ‘n’ Run – Designated in the play diagram by a T or upside-down T. The

defender will play close to the receiver coming off the line and give him a little bump to try and throw off his timing.

• Man – Designated in the play diagram by a short line. The defender will stick with his

man regardless of where he goes. Man coverages give your defense a little more

freedom to be aggressive, but make sure your backs are talented enough to cover their man one-on-one.

• Zone – Designated in the play diagram by an orange circle. The defender will stay in

his general zone rather than stick with a specific man. Zone coverages are a bit safer than man coverages, as you’ve typically got someone else to pick up the slack if one man gets beat.

• Blitz – Designated in the play diagram by a longer line extending through the line of

scrimmage. Blitz a player or two if you think you know which hole the offense will run through or you want to put pressure on the QB. Just remember that you may weaken your pass coverage or your run containment.

Learn which types of plays are best suited for which types of situations. The better you know your defense, the better your chance of shutting the other team down when it counts most.

Special Teams

Kicking Team

Left analog stick or directional button Aim Kick Arrow X button Press once to activate the Kick Meter. Press

a second time to set the Kick Meter and kick the ball

Triangle button Bring up/Dismiss Audible Menu

Receiving Team

Circle button Down the ball in the endzone (press

immediately after catching the ball).

Triangle button (Punt return) Call fair catch (press before

you catch the ball)

Note: If you receive the ball deep in the endzone, the CPU will automatically down the

ball if you do not take control of the player and run it out. If you are near the goal line, the CPU will automatically run it out, so make sure to take control and down it yourself if you don’t want to make a return.

You can find some more in-depth information on the specifics of defensive plays in the game’s Reference Guide that can be found in Practice Mode.

QUICK GAME

Choose from more than 100 teams including all 32 NFL teams, college alumni squads, NFL historic teams, and NFL all-stars. If you created any custom ESPN NFL 2K5 teams, they’re here too.

Team Select

• Use the left analog stick or directional button to move your Control Icon to the side

you wish to control during the game.

• Press the L1 or R1 button to cycle through the teams.

• Press the L2 or R2 button to toggle through each team’s available uniforms.

• To assign a VIP name to your control pad, press the left analog stick or directional

button up or down to toggle through those available.

• To toggle Maximum Passing On or Off, press the SELECT button.

• Press the START button or the X button to advance.

Coach Matchup

The Opponent Matchup screen allows you to change the coach whom you play against, scramble all of the starters throughout the NFL, perform a Fantasy Draft to pick the best players for you team, or set your gameplay options.

Start Game

Starts the game with your current settings.

VIP Coaches

Choose to play against another VIP profile, or even yourself!

NFL Coaches

Allows you to change the coach whom you play against.

Lineup

This option takes you to the Player Lineup screen. Here, you can view the players on your team, scramble all of the starters throughout the NFL, or perform a Fantasy Draft to

pick the best players for you team. Use the L1 or R1 button to toggle between Key

Players, Backfield, Receivers, D-Line, Linebackers, Secondary, and Special Teams.

⇒ Play Game

Starts the game with your current lineup.

⇒ Scramble Starters

Every starter in the NFL is assigned to a random team. After the game, your rosters will

be reset to their previous state. Press the X button to scramble the starters. Repeat if

desired.

⇒ ESPN Fantasy Football

Draft your starting lineup. Each pick replaces your team’s regular starter.

• Use the left analog stick or directional button to highlight an offensive player

position slot or the defense slot.

• Press the X button to select the slot.

• Use the left analog stick or directional button to highlight a replacement player or

the replacement defense.

• Press the X button to select the player or defense.

Options

Change the stadium, playbook, difficulty, as well as some miscellaneous game options before you play.

• Stadium: Special : Choose the stadium you wish to play your game in. If you play in a

dome stadium, changing the Time Of Day and Weather option will have no effect on gameplay.

• AWAY Playbook: Special : Set the playbook for the Away team.

• HOME Playbook: Special : Set the playbook for the Home team.

• Difficulty: Rookie / Pro

computer players to one of four different levels: This setting will switch to Custom if you alter any of the following difficulty sliders.

• Quarter Length: 1-15 (15

• Time Of Day: Day / Afternoon / Night / Random : Adjust the time of day for your game.

• Weather: Clear

the weather for your game.

/ Light Rain / Heavy Rain / Flurries / Heavy Snow / Random : Adjust

/ All Pro / Legend / Custom : Set the skill level and intensity of

) : Adjust the quarter length of a regular game.

VIP

Allows you to manage your VIP profiles. (See page 152 under Features)

When you’re done picking players, press the START button to load the game. ESPN’s

Chris Berman will introduce the game, then turn it over to Dan Stevens and Peter O’Keefe to set things up before the team captains gather at midfield for

In-Game Pause Menu

You can pause the game at any time to access the Pause Menu, or to just take a break

from the action. To pause the game, press the START button during gameplay, and the

Pause Menu will appear. To return to the game from the Pause Menu, simply highlight

the Resume option and press either the START or X button.

Replay

Step into the broadcast booth for a few moments to run the film on the last play.

• To call up the Replay Help Menu press the Triangle button.

• To Play and Pause, press the X button.

• To Rewind and Fast-Forward, press the L1 or R1 button.

• To pan the camera, push the left analog stick in any direction.

• To move the Camera Aiming Reticule, press the directional button.

• To Zoom In and Out, press the Square and Circle buttons.

• To return to the Pause Menu from the Replay screen, press the START button.

• To save a replay to your memory card (8 MB) (for PlayStation

(click the left analog stick) while viewing a replay to bring up the Save Replay screen.

Timeout

Both teams begin each half of the game with three timeouts. Take a timeout when you need to stop the game clock, whether it is needed to change up your strategy or to intelligently manage the time remaining.

®2), simply press L3

Challenge

Not happy with the referee’s ruling? Select Challenge to send him to the replay booth.

• Select the aspect of the play you’d like to challenge and press the X button to select it.

• Warning! Once you view a play in replay mode, you will be unable to challenge that

play.

GameCast Stats

View the Play By Play, Team Stats, and Player Stats here.

• Press the L1 or R1 button to toggle between Play By Play, Team Stats, and Player

Stats.

• On the Play By Play Page, press the L2 or R2 button to change the Quarter.

• On the Player Stats Page, press the L2 or R2 button to change the category: Passing,

Rushing, Receiving, Defense, Kicking, Punting, or Special Teams.

• New to ESPN NFL 2K5! You can view any down or kickoff provided there was no

penalty. Moving the highlight to the desired play and press the X button. You must have

internal hard disk drive (for PlayStation

®2) capabilities.

+ 43 hidden pages