Blitz: The League (Formerly "Blitz: Playmakers") is a football game by Midway as an unlicensed extention of their NFL Blitz series and released after the NFL signed an exclusive licensing deal with Electronic Arts. It was released in October 2005 and is currently available for purchase for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
| Blitz: The League | |
|---|---|
| File:Blitz The League.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Midway Games |
| Publisher(s) | Midway Games |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | October 17, 2005 (NA) |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Since they can no longer use the NFL license, Blitz: The League (which is also a play on words, Blitz: The League = attacking the NFL) focuses on a fictional league (known simply as "The League") of 18 teams [1]. The game also brings back the hard-hitting and "violent" gameplay of former Blitz games in a ramped-up manner. Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor is in the game as Quentin Sands, captain of the New York Nightmare.
Game developers have been able to take the game to an entirely different level. For example, players now engage in troublesome off-the-field activities, such as partying and sending prostitutes to visit opposing teams before a game to affect their performance during their next game. Players are able to take performance-enhancing drugs. The game is also excessively violent, with gamers able to perform "dirty hits" on their opponents. The NFL would never allow its players to be portrayed in this manner, but now that the game is made up of fictional players and teams, Midway can make a game of this nature. A website has been created for Blitz: The League (http://www.blitzleague.com) that acts as if The League is real.
At the center of the game is "Campaign Mode," where gamers create their own League team and try to advance the team through the 3 different divisions in the League.
The game is criticized by some for its controversial features and by players of the game because of something called "catchup A.I." Most gamers simply refer to it as "the computer cheating." This means that if a gamer builds up a large lead, even against a much weaker team, the computer-controlled team usually finds a way to come back and win the game or at the very least make it close. This usually happens through repeated, unrealistic turnovers (a player is touched and he fumbles the ball or the ball is tipped several times and is intercepted) or the injury of a key player of the gamer. Other times a gamer can drive all the way down the field at will and the computer will somehow come up with a big play to stop the scoring drive. According to the game's developers, this is a result of the A.I. receiving a bonus to their stats if the gamer repeatedly runs the same play; however, the A.I. seems to catch up no matter the playcalling by the gamer.
Featured Teams in "The League" (and Their Strengths)
Division 1
- New York Nightmare (Blitzing)
- Dallas Aztecs (Running QB)
- Denver Grizzlies (Hard Hits)
- Detroit Devils (Deep Pass)
- New England Regulars (Secondary)
- Seattle Reign (Pass Rush)
Division 2
- Carolina Copperheads (Pass Blocking)
- Kansas City Crossfire (Run Defense)
- Las Vegas Aces (Rushing)
- Minnesota Reapers (Run Blocking)
- Orlando Hammerheads (Tight Ends)
- San Diego Cyclones (Secondary)
Division 3
- Chicago Marauders (Special Teams)
- Baltimore Bearcats (Run Defense)
- Arizona Outlaws (Fast WR's)
- Cincinnati Crusaders (Rushing)
- Washington Redhawks (Running QB)
- In Campaign Mode, the player-created team begins here
Past Teams in "The League"
- 1916 This league exixted for only 1 season because WW1 Drafted alot of the players. NY won the league championship.
- Boston Spirit
- Chicago Scouts
- Hartford Cougars
- New York Shamrocks
- 1923
- Atlanta Golden Knights
- Boston Spirit
- Chicago Scouts
- Milwaukee Bottlers
- New York Shamrocks
- Trenton Cougars
- 1942 The League consolidated from 12 teams to 6 because of players getting drafted to fight in World War II.
- Baltimore Bearcats
- Chicago Scouts (Renamed the Marauders in 1945)
- Detroit Mechanics (Renamed the Devils in 1950 because of their dirty hits in the 1950 "Devil Season")
- Minnesota Bottlers (Renamed the Reapers in 1952 after two straight disappointing 0-10 seasons)
- New York Shamrocks (Entire staff and active roster killed in a 1967 plane crash)
- Washington Redhawks
- 1953
- Dallas Aztecs
- 1956 Teams from the Western League plus Dallas, until 1975 when the Eastern & Western Leagues merged to form "The League" once again for the 1976 season.
- 1978
- New York Nightmare (Name chosen in honor of a newspaper article which declared the plane crash that killed the Shamrocks a "NY NIGHTMARE!")
- Cincinnati Crusaders (Crusaders was the name originally awarded to the New York franchise, but the city rejected it)
Superstars in "The League"
Player Created Team
'Choice for your top Rookie'
- Clayton Wescott QB #11
A good young QB with a great arm. His weakness is his major lack of mobility.
- Tyrone Kilgore HB #20
Put up some great rushing numbers in college, but his 5 fumbles last season make his hands suspect. His face resembles O.J. Simpson.
- Justin Jonas WR #86
Somewhat undersized for a pro, he has a lot of "down the field" speed.
'Choice for team veteran'
- Ted Lawless LB #52
Has slowed down due to his age, but is always willing to lay the big hit.
- Kurt Shock DE #92
A relentless pass rusher who never gives up.
- Daryl Kinsman S #30
Has lost a few steps, but is always in the right spot to make an INT.
Division 3
Arizona Outlaws
- Tito "Mighty" Maas WR #80: A short, tough, and very speedy Hispanic receiver for the pass-happy Arizona Outlaws. Name sounds like "T.O. Moss," possible references to Randy Moss and Terrell "T.O." Owens.
- Sam Tidwell WR #89: Takes a lot of pressue off of Tito Maas, and he is the team's best kick returner. He is also well-known for his frosty hair.
Baltimore Bearcats
- Bruno "Brutal" Battaglia LB #51: Hard-playing, hard-partying linebacker who once threw teammate Eric Vaughn into a locker room door for failing to meet his standards of toughness. Was also in a public feud with his squad's starting QB, Marcus Riggs. During a game against Cincinnati, stepped on the throat of RB Kwazi Mbutabe. Battaglia's comment after the incident: "My only regret is that he is still breathing." Hated League-wide for rubbing it in after hard hits and is rumored to frame death threats he receives and hang them on the wall. Drafted second overall in '98 by the Arizona Outlaws, but fell out of favor with Arizona, so Bruno signed with Baltimore in 2001.
Cincinnati Crusaders
- Kwazi Mbutabe HB #30: An American-born player who takes his African roots seriously. Treats every play like it's a battle, and every game like a war. He is one hardcore dude and a warrior.
Chicago Marauders
- Shane Spain QB #9: Very durable two-time MVP who has set several League records. Obviously Shane is a winner. Possibly a reference to Brett Favre.
Washington Redhawks
- Jacob Williams DE #94: A relentless pass-rusher and a true ladies' man. Dating teammate Mike Mexico's "significant other." Also the brother of Dallas's star player, Julius Williams. They bought a citrus farm in Dade County, Florida in September.
- Mike Mexico QB #9: Fast, left-handed passer like the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick, who allegedly once used Ron Mexico as an alias.
Division 2
Carolina Copperheads
- Grant Tanner QB #12: A cocky, but talented rookie who supposedly never missed a receiver during the pre-draft combine. Gets happy feet when pressured. Last season's College Player of the Year and led his team to a National Title, convincing Carolina to take him #1 overall in the draft. The player-created team's rookie's competition for Rookie of the Year.
- Judd "The Stud" Crenshaw DT #92: In his prime, he was the best player in Carolina, but he doesn't have the skills that he used to and might retire after this season. Best remembered for his fratenizing with 2 Copperheads cheerleaders back in '97.
Kansas City Crossfire
- Tyrell Price DE #90: Hard-hitting defensive end with an anger management problem, and has difficulty keeping his anger on the field. Has a long rap sheet of assault and battery charges, but has never served time in prison due to a series of settlements. Equal to Quentin Sands in terms of meanness.
Las Vegas Aces
- Kelvin Diggs HB #34: A very selfish player who will go insane if he doesn't get his 25+ carries per game. Also, he will call the opposing teams' moms from the end zone when he scores a touchdown, a likely reference to Joe Horn's cell phone stunt in 2003.
- Germaine Miles QB #7: The Aces 2002 first-round pick. Shortly after his selection, he used a cell phone to set up a drug deal that landed him in prison for six months. Just completed the sentence, as well as two months in a New York halfway house that caused him to miss pre-season workouts. Miles looks forward to returning to the field and throwing the rock again, but Kelvin Diggs' selfishness may limit his opportunities to do so.
- Henry Wallace TE #86: Not the best TE on the team, but really opens holes in the running game for Kelvin Diggs. Cousin of Detroit WR Cookie Wallace.
Minnesota Reapers
- Tony Forbes HB #42: A tailback who has a death wish when he's on the field. Never been injured despite the pounding he takes each week. The best back in The League.
Orlando Hammerheads
- Chris James FS #36: Considered one of football's best at the safety position. May not be playing to full potential due to the massive contract bestowed upon him by Orlando.
- Willie Rhodes HB #33: Another underachieving player for the Hammerheads. Took part in a controversial sketch with a NY Nightmare cheerleader that was to air before his game against Cincinnati. The ad was pulled when League censors deemed it indecent, reminiscent of a 2004 Monday Night Football teaser featuring Terrell Owens and Desperate Housewives' Nicollette Sheridan.
San Diego Cyclones
- Ezekial Freeman CB #23: Ultra-religious corner who imposes his values on the field. Talks smack like he's preaching a sermon, but a normal guy the rest of the week.
Division 1
Dallas Aztecs
- Julius Williams QB #7: The super-mobile superstar quarterback of the two-time defending League champs. He also has shoes that he endorses called J-Jetts. Might be the only player who can outrun Quentin Sands. Last season's MVP, and the only QB ever to rush for 1,000 yards, which he's done for the last two years. Brother of Washington DE Jacob Williams. Possible Donovan McNabb reference.
Detroit Devils
- Cookie Wallace WR #80: Pyrotechnic wideout who can score any time he has the ball. Great kick returner, too. Known as the "Game Breaker" for his ability to dominate, but he makes excuses when things don't break right. Does speed drills in the off-season, and it shows. During summer training camp, the coach held a contest at the end of two-a-days that challenged the quarterbacks to overthrow Cookie on long routes, with the prize being a day off from the next day's practice. None of them could pull it off.
- Ned Isaac Melville Rod ("Nimrod" to his fans) OL #72: The League's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2002 and two-time Devils' MVP. Also the flamboyant, egotistical face of ChemiAde, The League's official sports drink. Has a clause in his contract, the highest paying in team history, that allows him to enter and leave the game at his discretion after the first quarter. He has very bizarre taste in carpeting, placing Astroturf in his home's entertainment room and real grass in the bedroom.
Denver Grizzlies
- Kevin "Dozer" Donaldson DE #91: 25-year-old rookie who spent time in the military before college. Has displayed outstanding physical conditioning in practice, beating offensive linemen with almost no effort. Quick to accelerate, hammering running backs at full force, and he could be a terror to opposing backfields. A gamble at his age, though.
New England Regulars
- Vonnie Treonday CB #24: Loudmouth defensive back who trash talks to intimidate his opponents. His smack works most of the time. Led The League in interceptions last year, but he works out with the team's receivers to improve his hands. His on-field antics and loose lips are reminiscent of a young Deion Sanders.
New York Nightmare
- Quentin Sands LB #56: A vicious linebacker who ended the career of the player-created team's star QB in Campaign Mode, not unlike Lawrence Taylor's infamous hit on Joe Theismann in 1985. Also has released a rap album called "Served by San Quentin," and endorses League-used Crash athletic apparel. The Face of The League. Leads the League in endorsement money ahead of Dallas QB Julius Williams. Possibly the only player who can catch up to Julius Williams. Voiced by Lawrence Taylor.
Seattle Reign
- Chad Longstreet DE #92: Slightly overconfident D-lineman who boasts outstanding speed. Can be beaten with size and strength. He resembles the NFL's Seattle Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom, but with long hair instead of an afro.
- Bartholomew "Bubba" Stapleton DT #99: Popular, kind-hearted veteran who endorses Pedis NV shoes and the Tear It Rare steakhouse chain. Also founded "Bubba's Gang," which provides tutoring and extracurricular activities for underprivileged children.
- Dallas Quinn LB #59: Calls a lot of Seattle's complex blitzing schemes. With all of the attention on Chad Longstreet and the rest of the "Reign of Terror" D-Line, Quinn makes much of the noise.
Legends of "The League"
- Eric "The Red" Jorgenson HB Chicago Scouts/Marauders 1940's-1955
First player in League history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, reaching the milestone in 1945. He also ran for 4 TD's in that season's League Championship game, making way for a new stadium. The team also changed their name from the Scouts to the Marauders in honor of "The Red's" alleged Viking heritage. During a 1955 game against the Baltimore Bearcats, Jorgenson collapses from a rare heart disorder. He dies 6 days later, and the team performs a nationally broadcast Viking funeral at the stadium for him.
- Cody Larrimore LB Detroit Mechanics 1940s-1950
In his final season, the Mechanics, a.k.a the "Devils from Detroit," gave serious injuries to an average of three players per game, still a League record, and steamrolled their way to the League title. In a game against the Minnesota Bottlers, Larrimore injured the first and second string QBs on consecutive sacks in an 11 second span. After the 1950 season, the Mechanics were renamed the Devils. Cited by both Bruno Battaglia and Quentin Sands as their inspirations.
- Wes Coates QB Dallas Aztecs 1950's & 60's
First quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards in a season, doing so in 1957. The pass-oriented style of offense he pioneered is named after him.
- Chuck "Skullcrusher" Koswolski LB New York Shamrocks 1950s-1965; Head Coach Chicago Mauraders 1983-1987
As Player: Showed defenders the advantages of playing with a helmet. In 1962, he fractured five players' skulls and delivered seven concussions by using his helmet to spear them. The following year, 70% of players don helmets.
As Coach: Replaced the previous coach, Larry Simms, after an unknown gunman killed him. Tough, defensive-minded leader. Quit the post after squabbles with management.
- Chris DeAngelo LB Detroit Devils 1980s-1985
In 1984, hit two players, Dallas RB Pete Washington and Las Vegas QB Kyle Foster, hard enough to kill them. Convicted of manslaughter on both counts, but the Supreme Court overturns the verdict. DeAngelo retires after the following season.
- Deacon Taylor CB Las Vegas Aces 1980s-1989
Famed for his recklessly brutal hits, including clothesline and face mask tackles, followed by frenzied celebrations that lasted nearly a minute. During a game, he collapses and dies on the field while walking to the huddle. The cause of Taylor's death is determined to be heart failure brought on by steroid use. The players go on strike a year later to protest the Commissioner's efforts to ban steroids.
- Judd "The Stud" Crenshaw DT Carolina Copperheads 1990's-Present
Became popular after incidents about his personal life were leaked to the public. One instance in particular occurred in 1997 when he was identified as the father of two children borne by Copperheads cheerleaders. His T-Shirts & jerseys become top sellers. After the revelation, Commissioner Percival Truman initiated a rule banning fraternization between players & cheerleaders.
- "The Texas Bulls" Offensive Line Dallas Aztecs 1990s-1998
The massive offensive line that bulldozed the Dallas Aztecs' path to the 1998 League title. They weighed in at an average of 375 lbs each.
After a college career that made him a legend, he led the Regulars to their first two Scrub League championships and took New England from the Scrub League to the Elite Division 1 in just two seasons. Also, he was left in a vegitative state after being blindsided. The League immediately makes helmets manditory, except for 5 year veterans known as the "Grandfather Clause."
- Quentin Sands LB New York Nightmare 2002-Present
The League's first rookie to be voted Defensive Player of the Year. After his rookie campaign, he re-negotiated his contract between his salary & endorsement deals. Also, because of his fierce play, the Nightmare were able to make the jump from Division 2 to Division 1 last season.
Other Notable People in "The League"
- Lyman Strang: Owner of the player-created team
After being embarrassed again by his team's poor play, losing his star QB at the hands of the New York Nightmare's Quentin Sands in the closing seconds of last season's finale to secure a finish in the basement of Division 2—earning them a trip down to the "Scrub League," Division 3—Strang fires the whole coaching staff, GM, and most of the roster. He returns the following season with a new logo, new uniforms, a squad of castoffs, and a personal guarantee to the city mayor that his revamped roster will win the League title; if they don't he will make a very large donation to her re-election fund. If they do manage to go all the way, the mayor will pass a bond paying for the team's new stadium through the legislature. This bond will fleece city taxpayers and line the pockets of both Strang and the mayor.
- Chip Golman: VP for "The League" Player Relations.
- Rodney Bendbinder: League Waterboy
League Sponsored Products
Real life products
- FHM Magazine
- jriver
- Playgroung Kings
Spoof Products
- Chemicade
- J-Jetts
- PedisNV