Getting to know: Cody

Gosh darn it let's go get to know Cody.

1. Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?

Cody “Bengals. Reds. FC Cincinnati. Cavs.”

2. Why did you choose the 49ers?

Cody “I chose the 49ers because they were the only team available. :joy: But I’m happy with how it turned out. They’ve got a lot of nice young talent I’ve been able to build around.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

Cody “Tough call. The reason I Love BL is the competition is really great. I would say at least 75% of the league could win on any given day. Notable understated teams though Saints, Giants, Potentially the new Cards user.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

Cody “Overrated. Maybe me? Lol. Cloud. (Sorry Cloud but I feel like you’ve only beat me from the luck of EA :smirk:) I think that might be it lol.”

5. Favorite movie?

Cody “Tommy Boy”


6. Favorite Video Game?

Cody “Growing up it was the God of War series and Kingdom Hearts series. Now it’s tough to call one game my favorite. I could probably make an argument for Madden being my favorite now because I would be very board without my BL and my CFM.”

7. Favorite food ?

 Cody “Anything Italian but BIG pizza guy right here.”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 Cody “Citizens and Saints. The Ballroom Thieves. Hoodie Allen.”

9. Thoughts on Anarchy?

 Cody “I will die before I let the anarchy dethrone our fearless leader.”

10. Anything you want your division to know?

 Cody “I think my division gets a bad wrap. I think all the guys are close to being contenders. Just with more practice and experience I think they could compete! That goes for you to Crooked16th”
 

11. In your heart do you truly believe B was open?
 

 Cody “I mean it’s hard not to say he was open when the proof is in the pudding. But my thoughts are that Pitts is my number one and he had one on one coverage in what looked to be a blitz. (I think it was a blitz) He was winning his one on ones all day so I think most guys would stare down their number 1 option in that scenario. Hard to make a quick read to the opposite side of the field in that scenario. But regardless B WAS OPEN. :cold_sweat:”

12. Do you see yourself trying to make streaming a career?
 

 Cody “I think being a full time streamer would be incredible. I don’t think it’s likely because I don’t really have the time to put towards it that you would want to if you were trying to make it big on twitch but if everything fell into place I would 100% stream full time. (If my wife was cool with it :joy::joy:. She knows I stream but who knows if she would let me do it as my job but if I was making fat stacks who could say no! :sunglasses:)”

13. What other games would you love to stream?
 

 Cody “I stream a little bit of everything that I’m playing. PUBG on Xbox and PC. Madden obviously. Rocket League on PC. COD WW2 for a bit but that games kind of broken lol. I have some other games I think I’ll hop into soon and when they release but those are the main ones right now. I think if I made it big I would lock into a handful of games but for now it’s fun to just broadcast everything I’m playing!”

14. How will Bananapod differ from better cast?

 Cody “I don’t think the Banana Pod will be too different from the better cast. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” I will try to find cool ways to make it my own but I think it’ll just be fun for the league to hear another guys perspective. I think I’ll try to get opportunities for guys to be guest hosts and stuff so it should be fun. I haven’t ever made podcasts before so I’m sure it’ll take some time for me to find my “personality” in it more or less but I’m excited for it!”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Cody “Had a great time thank you”

Getting to know: Connor

Let's get to know our humble host Connor.

1. Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?

Connor “My favorite NFL team has been the Seattle Seahawks since that magical 2005 Super Bowl run with Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, my 8-year-old self loved their jerseys and wanted to distinguish himself in an NYC school that was dominated by Giants fandom, and I've been with them ever since. I root for the Florida Gators in all college sports, but my sports dream is to see the Seattle Redhawks (my college) make the NCAA tourney in basketball.”

2. Why did you choose the Lions?

Connor “Because I wanted to be in the same division as Alex and Cloud, and FTP. I had no love for the Lions back when I chose them and I don't now.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

Connor “Right now I think Henry and Kook are the most underrated users, Henry had a very strong regular season but couldn't get over the Broncos hump and Kook has been solid his entire M18 career and reached the NFC championship in the 2018 season. I don't think either of them get the love they deserve.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

Connor “People tend to overreact to individual losses in this league so it's tough to truly be overrated, but I would say in my own mind I've consistently overrated Lub and Shawn in M18. Neither of them have shown anywhere near the level of success they found in M17, and yet I've been slow to recalibrate my expectations of them year-to-year.”

5. Favorite movie?

Connor “Godfather PT. II”


6. Favorite Video Game?

Connor “The Mass Effect and Batman Arkham series are 1A and 1B in my mind, when Joker showed up in the chemical plant in Arkham Knight... BRUH”

7. Favorite food ?

 Connor “Pasta of all kinds. I eat way too much of it :disappointed:”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 Connor “Love me some Linkin Park (RIP Chester Bennington). I'm currently listening to Crown the Empire, One OK Rock, Rise Against, Nas, The Roots... depends how I'm feeling”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Connor “About to see a band called From Ashes to New in concert with my friends, so I've been listening to them a lot recently. I don't love them but I'm told they're really good live... we'll see”

10. Thoughts on Anarchy?

 Connor “I kiss the paws of my bear overlord”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Connor “I can't talk too much having just finished 5-11. Alex and Cloud both know what I'm capable of when I'm grooving offensively, but right now I have to remain humble and put in the work in the offseason.”
 

12. Do you hold anything back from the chat because you feel like it would be better on the podcast?

 Connor “There have been times where I sit back and watch certain discussions and controversies so I can give my thoughts in the pod, now that I'm transitioning towards announcing I'll be more able to speak my mind in the chat but historically that's certainly been the case.”

13. How has the podcast shaped your experience in this league and with Madden in general?

 Connor “Honestly, the Bettercast took off in a way that I never thought it would within the culture of the league, and I'm extremely grateful to the rest of the league for listening to it and giving it a chance. I wouldn't consider myself an experienced Madden player by any stretch, I'm still learning from the better users in the league about mechanics, schemes, etc. but the podcast has forced me to take a more analytical approach to the league that has fueled my enjoyment in general. I've also gotten to know people through the process of interviewing them, Morty, Alex, others.”

14. Who have you wanted to be on the podcast with you but have never been able to get on?

 Connor “The obvious white whale is Cody, and I'm really excited to listen to his BananaPod. I've never had Phil on either, and that would be a really interesting interview in terms of learning about how he first got invested in football and his current perspectives as one of the league's elite users. I'd say Cody and Phil are 1 and 2 on my list currently.”

15. Do you believe the podcast kiss of death is real or just bad predictions by you?

Connor “I've never made a prediction that I didn't genuinely believe in at the time. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that 80% of my predictions historically have been wrong (I did say the Broncos would win the SB before the playoffs started this year), but the kiss of death is alive and well. Shoutout Max Lobato.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Connor “Thanks and it's always great to see content being made for the league, Good luck with the rest of your Interviews.”

    Getting to know: Shawn

Let's get to know the NFC East’s daddy from now till the end of the better league Shawn.

1. Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?

Shawn “Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Blackhawks, Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox (cousin played for them)”

2. Why did you choose the Titans?

Shawn  I chose the Titans because I like Mariota followed him through his college years thought he was better than Winston and I think I safe in saying I’m right.

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

Shawn “Matty beat me our first matchup off of pure madden and ea, but are second matchup it was like playing a different person I didn’t think he’d improve and made the mistake of playing like should’ve played our first game according to his skill back then. Wohzi has also improved greatly better all around. Other than that I think I view everyone in their respected zones.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

Shawn “Cloud, FTV. I’m 7-1 against Cloud that record isn’t going anywhere.
And Phil :new_moon_with_face: #USA
(I don’t think there are any overrated users just underrated)”

5. Favorite movie?

Shawn “I’m an avid movie and tv show connoisseur. My favorite movie would have to be Jurassic Park I watched that movie so much growing up I use to be able to quote it line for line.”


6. Favorite Video Game?

Shawn “My fav video game(s) would have to be Jack II/and III for PS2 the stories in those games are great and just fun gameplay that never gets old. I was actually playing them like 3 days ago.”

7. Favorite food ?

 Shawn “Nothing like biscuits and gravy w/ overeasy egg on top. I guess that’s more of a meal.”

8. Favorite Artist ?

I like a lot of music don’t really have a favorite but
Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) is one of my all time favorites.

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Shawn “I’ve been listening to more than one artist lately and a lot of diff genres but I guess Logic and J. Cole are some of my most played as of yesterday.”

10. Thoughts on Anarchy?

 Shawn “Alex is my nigga if anarchy tryna beef find me in the streets on some real shit :triumph::triumph::triumph: :hailalex:”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Shawn I’m not missing the playoffs ever again I’d bet my life savings on it.

12. What was going through your mind on
that 4th and 17 on your game tying drive in the super bowl?

 Shawn “I had faith in Long Johnson who came up clutch when papi Grande fell short which was the entirety of that playoff push. I called verts and audibled Long Johnson to an out route and smart routes for a firs I was looking for long that whole play Ik phil would over think and fall right into the trap of my patented out routes. Also fun fact I bought Possession catch and feet in bounds trait for Johnson right before that game.”

13. Were you always going to run it with Zeke?

 Shawn “I was always going to run it with zeke, I was never gonna pass my ol was elite and zeke was a beast I had faith in my abilities as a rb and the animations. I may call Hogan the Goat but Zeke was my team throughout the entirety of madden 17 BL.”

14. Has the NFC East been redeemed in your eyes?

 Shawn “The nfc east is how I wanted it to be when I was there I knew once I left @eagles_austin would own that division, then dan came along and well, dans the man.”

15. Since your stuck in the good old days what is your best moment other then the super bowl win?

 Shawn “I only get stuck in the good old days after the initial blow of a loss, but if I’m to pick a moment it’d have to be cloud flipping me off then proceeding to get dicked down as I win the game by a margin of 17. I always cheer up after thinking about that.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Shawn “Anytime”

Getting to know: Cloud

The sky is darkening because we're get to know Cloud this time.

 

1. What is your Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

 Cloud “Vikings”

2. Why did you choose the Vikings?

 Cloud “My favorite player out of college football was drafted to the Vikings and I just kept up with Vikings and I turned a Vikings fan because of it.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 Cloud “Lub and tcup”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 Cloud “Apparently me, but shawn and Alex are up there “

5. Favorite movie ?

 Cloud “TV show is it's always sunny. Movie, probably the big lebowski or black dynamite.”

6. Favorite Video Game ?

 Cloud “Mass effect series, assassin's creed series, Runscape and obviously Madden.”
 

7. Favorite food ?

 Cloud “All food?”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 Cloud “Dance Gavin dance, our last night and a day to remember”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Cloud “Fantasy footballers podcast, if not that then listen to random stuff in spotify. Mostly my favorite artist.”

10. Anarchy or Alex?

 Cloud “Burn everything”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Cloud “I've been a generous God and let them win the division, but it's not gonna happen anymore.”

12. Do you feel there will ever be a team as great as the Cardinals teams you had in 17?

  Cloud “Maybe, but that cards team was the tits”

13. How much was skill and how much luck was it that brought that team together?

 Cloud “All skill baby”

14. How do you feel about all these users who say your overrated?

 Cloud “They can suck my left one. Haters gonna hate.”

15. How are you going to build the Vikings into a team that is on the same level as the 17 cards?

Cloud “Yes I plan on doing that, Its getting there.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Cloud “No problem BB”

Getting to know: Alex

Some people say he is the best commissioner in the history of Madden and the others aren't in the league anymore, Let's get to know Alex.


1. Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

 Alex “Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, Illinois Football”

2. Why did you choose the Bears?

 Alex “Da Bears are my life”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 Alex “I feel like Kook never gets the respect he deserves in this league.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 Alex “Not really overrated, but the Browns need an offense before they can become a true contender. Something I know about all too well.”

5. Favorite movie?

 Alex “Empire Strikes Back”

6. Favorite Video Game?

 Alex “Battlefield 4 (put way too many hours into this)”

7. Favorite food?

 Alex “Shrimp n' Grits or Biscuits n' Gravy”

8. Favorite Artist?

 Alex “Chris Stapleton”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Alex “Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, both incredibly talented.”

10. Thoughts on Anarchy?

 Alex “My regime will last eons”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Alex “They all suck. :fire: :fire: :fire: :dab: :dab: :dab:”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Alex “ Thanks and FTV”

Getting to know: Mattyb

Love him or hate him he's always a character in chat let get to know the one and only Mattyb.


1. Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

 Mattyb “My favorite teams are the Cowboys and in nba the Timberwolves.”

2. Why did you choose the Bengals?

 Mattyb “I chose the bengals because it was between them or the 9ers and I wanted  Me speed himself John Ross.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 Mattyb “I would probably go with myself and I think the league is in agreement with me as they voted me most underrated user.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 Mattyb “Most overrated is probably my friend Justin (JT) I believe he sucks at Madden.”

5. Favorite movie?

 Mattyb “I can’t really think of a favorite movie but my favorite tv show is The Office.”

6. Favorite Video Game?

 Mattyb “Black ops lll or Infamous 2”

7. Favorite food?

 Mattyb “Chicken”

8. Favorite Artist?

 Mattyb “Lil pump atm”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Mattyb “Lil pump and Kendrick Lamar”

10. Anarchy or Alex?

 Mattyb “Alex”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Mattyb “ Yeah, they need to Git gud.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Mattyb “Anytime”

Getting to know: JT

Last time we got to know Crooked Kiing and this time we get to know the king of the bayou JT.

 

1. What is your Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

  JT “Packers, Bucks, Brewers, Wisconsin College Football, and Marquette College Basketball”

2. Why did you choose the Saints?

 JT “I chose the saints because I love that they have a group core young players you can build around and also their uniforms and stadium are nice. My time being in control of the Saints organization has turned me into a bit of a saints fan.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 JT “Kook because not many people predict him to do as good as he usually does.”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 JT “Cloud... also Matty because I found out he said me for overrated.”

5. Favorite movie ?

 JT “Captain America: Civil War but it’s probably about to be Avengers: Infinity War.”

6. Favorite Video Game ?

 JT “GTA V”

7. Favorite food ?

 JT “Tacos”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 JT “I like Rap and Metal so I’ll say 3, Lil Wayne/Linkin Park/Metallica”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 JT “Vic Mensa”

10. Anarchy or Alex?

 JT “Alex”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 JT “I’m gonna keep winning that bitch”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 JT “ No problem, Good luck with the rest of your interviews”

         Getting to know: Crooked Kiing

 Hello everyone over the next few weeks I'm going to be conducting interviews so we can get to know each other better. If you have a specific question about a user or user's feel free to DM me and I will include them in the interview. So with that out of the way first up is the self proclaimed king of the octagon Crooked Kiing

1. What is your Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

  Kiing “My favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Socks, TCU Football, And Duke Basketball.

2. Why did you choose the Jaguars?

 Kiing “I chose the Jags because of all the young tellent and Jalen Ramsey is a stud duck. Also Evan took the Cowboys from me.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 Kiing “Alex actually”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 Kiing “Morty hands down I can hang with him on any given day and I don’t feel that I’m one of the top users in this league. But yet he is treated as the GOAT and I feel he’s had had good teams to aid him in his success.”

5. Favorite movie ?

 Kiing “ Friday Night Lights”

6. Favorite Video Game ?

 Kiing “Madden”

7. Favorite food ?

 Kiing “Pizza”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 Kiing “Eminem”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Kiing “Chris Webby cuz of my boy Caiden.”

10. Anarchy or Alex?

 Kiing “Alex of course. He’s doing a great job but I don’t feel caiden should have been kicked and he deserves another shot if he wants in.”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Kiing “We have got to stop bowing down to Shawn. Also, Colts and Texans need to step up their game so we can become the best division in the league.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Kiing “Thanks”

I have a few interviews write ups I'm working on now so look out for them over the next few days they include Mattyb and JT.

         Getting to know: Crooked Kiing

 Hello everyone over the next few weeks I'm going to be conducting interviews so we can get to know each other better. If you have a specific question about a user or user's feel free to do me and I will include them in the interview. So with that out of the way first up is the self proclaimed king of the octagon Crooked Kiing

1. What is your Favorite NFL team and other sports teams?
 

  Kiing “My favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Socks, TCU Football, And Duke Basketball.

2. Why did you choose the Jaguars?

 Kiing “I chose the Jags because of all the young tellent and Jalen Ramsey is a stud duck. Also Evan took the Cowboys from me.”

3. Most underrated user or user's in the league?

 Kiing “Alex actually”

4. Most overrated user or user's?

 Kiing “Morty hands down I can hang with him on any given day and I don’t feel that I’m one of the top users in this league. But yet he is treated as the GOAT and I feel he’s had had good teams to aid him in his success.”

5. Favorite movie ?

 Kiing “ Friday Night Lights”

6. Favorite Video Game ?

 Kiing “Madden”

7. Favorite food ?

 Kiing “Pizza”

8. Favorite Artist ?

 Kiing “Eminem”

9. Who have you been listening to lately?

 Kiing “Chris Webby cuz of my boy Caiden.”

10. Anarchy or Alex?

 Kiing “Alex of course. He’s doing a great job but I don’t feel caiden should have been kicked and he deserves another shot if he wants in.”

11. Anything you want your division to know?

 Kiing “We have got to stop bowing down to Shawn. Also, Colts and Texans need to step up their game so we can become the best division in the league.”

Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk and good luck in the draft and the upcoming season.

 Kiing “Thanks”

I have a few interviews write ups I'm working on now so look out for them over the next few days they include Mattyb and JT.

A Year In Review:

Minnesota Vikings

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.”
 Taylor Swift
 

New Beginnings

  After the Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer had been fired early into the offseason many names came up like Jim Harbaugh, Tony Dungy, and Tom Coughlin as to who would coach the team. The Vikings did the unthinkable, They hired the former Colts head coach who led the Colts too only a 6-26 record over the last two seasons well he was head coach in Indianapolis. Leading to many fan writing off the season before it began.

A Fast Start

 Going into the preseason the many questions arose like would the aging defense hold its own? How will the offense perform? Is Adrian Peterson still a top 5 Running Back? The Vikings went 2-2 in the preseason with each of their losses only being by a few points. Teddy bridgewater was named the starter for the season and the defense looked like it could hold its own.

  In the first two weeks of the season two 2 point wins would led to a rocky start for the team but I hopefully one at that. Sam Bradford would see his first action in the season after Bridgewater threw 3 picks in the week two game vs the Packers. Bridgewater bounced back in week 3 throwing 5 tds with no ints in a win against the Panthers funny enough it would be Bradford who would throw a pick Late in the game. A nailbiter against the Giants would see the Vikings winning their fourth game in a row. A blowout in week 5 against the Texans would leave the Vikings going into the bye with the playoffs in sight.

Da Bears

 Another close game vs the eagles would have fans questioning the defence even more as they had given up 152 points in six games but nonetheless they were 6-0 heading into Chicago for a week 8 monday night game.The Bears who were 5-3 came out swinging with a great air attack and even more impressive red zone defense which would lead them to 2 goal line stands in the first half that lead to only 3 points. The Bears great play on both sides of the ball would lead to the Vikings first loss by the score of 30-11. The Vikings would bounce back winning the next two games. In a week 11 match up against the Cardinals would the vikings would see their second loss on the season after a pick late in the third. A win on thanksgiving vs the Lions would have the Vikings all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

The Cowboys = A total meltdown

The week 13 game against the Cowboys was a total blowout all around with 8 ints from Bridgwater two of which were pick sixes, only 10 yards rushing, and the defense giving up over 500 yards of total offense. It was a complete meltdown by the team and would see them fall from the first seed to the sixth. A late game winning drive vs the Jags looked like just the thing the Vikings needed to forget about the Cowboys game sadly though it wasn't. In what may be the most embarrassing lost of the season by any team in the league it came against the Colts in week 15. 34-3 with the offense making the colts defense look like the steel curtain of the 70s. A close loss vs the Packers and another loss to Bears at home would finish the season out.

The Vikings would finish the season with:

A 10-6 record and wildcard spot

2nd in Offense

22nd in Defensive

Bridgewater in the top ten for passing yards and  passing TDs

Peterson in the top ten for rushing yards

The Playoffs

 The wildcard would have the Vikings going against the Bears for the third time this season. The game started off better for the Vikings with Peterson gaining 50 yard on the first play of the game For the Vikings. The defense held the bears to only 14 points in the first half with the score 14-10 going into the second half. The second half started off great for the vikings with them marching down the field Peterson who was running the ball well on the drive would fumble the ball just outside the 30 yard line of the bears. Mcphee picked it up and ran it back for a bears touchdown to give the Bears 21-10 advantage. The Vikings would score on the next drive to bring them within 3. But on the next drive with a 3rd down and 3 the Bears called a pass that would gain them a first down which lead to TD to put the game out of reach.

The Future

With the offseason looming the Vikings are going to need to look for the draft for needs as many players are getting up there in age. They will also look to move a few pieces before the draft and hope free agency has a few things they need. Looking back the year was a building block for what they want to become and who they will become. The Future looks bright for the Vikings as they hope to be in the playoffs for the next few years.

Don't worry, darlin'
We're livin' in the future
And none of this has happened yet

- Bruce Springsteen