The controls are a mixed bag on the DS. It's actually interesting to use the DS mic to call out audibles before the snap, adding a bit of extra realism to the game. Use of the touch screen, on the other hand, proves to be a major fumble. Players can opt to flick the stylus left or right to dodge tackles during a run or in the direction of a receiver to toss a pass. 

The problem is, the game doesn't usually read the input correctly - the DS stylus is too imprecise for this purpose - so you continually send runners diving to the turf instead of dodging tackles, or launch the ball soaring into heavy coverage instead of to the wide open receiver just slightly to one side. Why you have to draw a line to the receiver instead of just tapping him, we'll never know. Luckily, you can still use the face buttons if you so desire - though that won't save you from the broken kicking system. It's so convoluted that it's easier to just go for it on fourth and long than to punt the five yards you're likely to get from the kicker.