Players Bowl IV Report - RECAP - (March 3-4, 2007)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in early March 2007 was the setting for Players Bowl IV, the ultimate Madden NFL 07 competition of the year.  With players coming from as far as California, the tournament kicked off with a bang as players with hopes of winning it all brought their schemes and stick skills into the last man standing tournament.  From school kids to state senators, everyone wanted in on the action and with $4000.00 on the line, they also wanted their claim to the cash.  

From the opening kickoff to the final gun, Players Bowl IV served up the best Madden players in the world fighting for supremacy. Three tournaments, three console systems, one room.  In the end two rising stars brought the fury as Problem Child asserted his claim as the best Madden player on earth by taking out Jet Steele and J.O. on PS2 and XBox respectively.  In the 360 tournament, KStyle met JRose in a high scoring blitz in which the Raiders came out on top.. 

Tournament organizers Kinslow from the BBFL and Storm from GameTimePhilly pulled off yet another slamming Madden event as close to 200 players packed into the meeting rooms of the Holiday Inn in center city Philadelphia.  Featuring the best Madden players in the world, Player Bowl IV did not disappoint as contestants ran and passed their way to either victory, or defeat. 

Some players stepped into the fray alone, others rolled deep as crews of ballers made entry into the meeting hall to represent.  Some contestants were warned that coming alone was a recipe for disaster.  Those without a crew may be in for a shock.  The environment of tournament play is brutal to the first timers.  BBFL, GTP, LABC, TML and others gathered to tackle the competition and step up to the ultimate call…  That of Player’s Bowl Champion.  As contestants fought their way to the finals, several players found themselves on the outside looking in.  Some favored to win it all were bounced out in the second and third rounds. 

Defense was hard to come by in the 360 finals as the Titans and Raiders matched up in a fierce scoring free for all.  The difference being a long bomb to Jerry Porter to make the score 21-14, followed by a Vince Young INT returned for a 49 yard score on the Titans ensuing possession.  The Titans scored quickly to get back into the game, only to give up a kickoff return that sealed the deal. 

In the XBox tournament, Problem defeated J.O. by the score of 23-15 in an epic battle between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.  A late 4th down stop that sealed the title for Problem Child.  J.O.'s Single Back Bunch attack dented Problem's defense early, but managed just two scores down the stretch. 

On the PS2, an Atlanta Falcons mirror match set off the closest final game of Player Bowl IV as Jet Steel and Problem Child scratched out a 23-30 finale.  The play of the game was a 4th down scramble for 4 yards by Mike Vick to maintain possession and seal the win for Problem Child. 

Contestants settled in early and bobbed their heads to the Notorious BIG while introductions were made over the PA system with And1 style commentary.  The first challenge went to anyone that wanted to take a shot at beating a senator.  As the tournament kicked off, a challenge was issued to anyone that could defeat the ‘distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania’ in a 4-minute fight.  No joy.  The senator prevailed.