3-Deep and 4-Deep defenses

[Yoda]

In my quest to better understand the defenses in FoF, I have a question about the 3 and 4 deep defenses.

Originally Posted by Help File

3-Deep Zone - This coverage places both safeties and a cornerback (often the nickel) in deep zones. It gives you a more effective pass defense, but leaves you vulnerable to the run.
4-Deep Zone - This coverage places both safeties and two extra defensive backs in deep zones. This is a prevent defense and should never be used when expecting a run. Even short passes are more likely completed against this defense, but it is very effective against deep passes.

Now, this says that the safties and extra DB is in zone coverage, but what about the LCB/RCB? Are they in m2m or zone as well?

[MalcPow]

Unfortunately, the next few lines in the help file following those entries are the best information we have:

We have received many questions about how a player's coverage ratings translate into these coverage options. The answer is complex. On each play, a defensive player is assigned a coverage rating based on the chosen coverage, the position he plays and the targetted receiver.

Cornerbacks, even when in zone coverage, need to have man-to-man and/or bump-and-run skills because they are almost always responsible for a wide receiver close to the line of scrimmage. And safeties, especially the free safety, even when in man coverage are often essentially playing a zone. The strong-side linebacker is often assigned to the tight end.

We recommend you try out different lineups, especially in the Nickel and Dime situations, and see which coverages work best for your players. There's a lot of flexibility in this system.

So we don't know really, the LCB/RCB will use some combination of their skills depending on the route run. Presumably, a short route will test their bump and run abilities, while a deeper route might test their man to man ratings. Both types of routes might draw on some measure of zone coverage skills. The short answer is that FOF2k7 does not really reward specialized coverages, from both a gameplanning and personnel standpoint. I know this is something Jim would like to address in a more interesting way some time in the future from comments he has made, but it's obviously going to be at least another year before anything like that happens.