MLB or SLB

[eckman]

I drafted a WLB rated high. I can move him to MLB (and gain a point in his pot. rating) or move him to SLB and remain the same. Question is in a 4-3 defense in FOF 2007 is it better to have a stud MLB or SLB or are they about the same?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Are his ratings all maxed out or is his run defense better than pass rush/strength. If he can go after the QB and has fairly good coverage, make him SLB. If he has max run defense and play diagnosis, make him MLB. Absent that, I lean towards the MLB switch.

[RedKingGold]

I think it really depends on the rest of your defensive personnel and the LB's skills. Which of your defensive lineman have better ratings against the run/pass? It all depends on your philsophy.

For example, in WOOF (http://fof-woof.com) I plan on running a 3-4. With my defensive scheme, I wanted to have big (above 6'3'' 290 lb) defensive ends with high ratings against the run. I wanted a "do-everything" defensive tackle who can attack the run and the pass. With that established, I have to have a set of outside linebackers who can rush the quarterback to compensate for my lack of pass rushing skill for my defensive ends. My inside linebackers have high ratings against the run and in the coverage I want to employ.

Thus, my goal in my front seven was to be able to stop the run up the middle and force teams to try to run on the outside against my cornerbacks (who are also usually rated high in run defense). My inside linebackers can either move up against the run or drop back into coverage and my outside linebackers can wreak havoc upon opposing quarterbacks.

[WebEwbank]

My experience is that in a 4-3, the MLB is the key LB, especially against the run. No OLB is going to be as valuable, unless they are a 15-sacks per year guy like L.T. or Andre Tippett.

[BrianD]

I think it really depends on the rest of your defensive personnel and the LB's skills. Which of your defensive lineman have better ratings against the run/pass? It all depends on your philsophy.

For example, in WOOF (http://fof-woof.com) I plan on running a 3-4. With my defensive scheme, I wanted to have big (above 6'3'' 290 lb) defensive ends with high ratings against the run. I wanted a "do-everything" defensive tackle who can attack the run and the pass. With that established, I have to have a set of outside linebackers who can rush the quarterback to compensate for my lack of pass rushing skill for my defensive ends. My inside linebackers have high ratings against the run and in the coverage I want to employ.

Thus, my goal in my front seven was to be able to stop the run up the middle and force teams to try to run on the outside against my cornerbacks (who are also usually rated high in run defense). My inside linebackers can either move up against the run or drop back into coverage and my outside linebackers can wreak havoc upon opposing quarterbacks.

This post is a good example of why I have never played multiplayer FOF. Teams with this kind of complex planning would so kick my ass.

[eckman]

The only thing the LB isn't maxed out or at least 75% in is zone defense.

[dj_morton]

I would go with a MLB, especially in a 4-3.

[RedKingGold]

This post is a good example of why I have never played multiplayer FOF. Teams with this kind of complex planning would so kick my ass.

My career record in MP is 22-39, so I guarantee you would be fine. You (and others who feel similarly) should not be intimidated into entering the world of FOF MP. There are several owners who spend so much time on their gameplans that your head would spin. While on the whole, gameplanning does give you a little bit of an edge, it doesn't mean you'll win every time and sometimes most of the time if you don't have the right personnel.

In FOF MP, I'm sure you'll see that 90% of the owners did minimal gameplanning in FOF2K4. Also, FOF2K7 has drastically decreased the gap between those who gameplan and those who do not. It's scary how good the AI is at gameplanning. Even hardcore gameplanners in the multiplayer leagues I am in have commented and been surprised how close the AI suggestions for their personnel were close to the system they like to run.

I spent two years outside of FOF MP, and I regret not doing it. No matter how good the AI of FOF gets, nothing beats having other human owners to play against. The difficulty factor is harder(b/c there is no need for house rules or exploits), but the fun factor and involvement is amazing.

In short, if this is your biggest fear about FOF MP, I assure you that this fear is very, very unfounded. There are plenty of leagues that have openings in the multiplayer forum of FOFC. Why don't you go by there and check them out and see if there is anything you might be interested.

You'll thank me when you get hooked into one of these leagues.

[BrianD]

My career record in MP is 22-39, so I guarantee you would be fine. You (and others who feel similarly) should not be intimidated into entering the world of FOF MP. There are several owners who spend so much time on their gameplans that your head would spin. While on the whole, gameplanning does give you a little bit of an edge, it doesn't mean you'll win every time and sometimes most of the time if you don't have the right personnel.

In FOF MP, I'm sure you'll see that 90% of the owners did minimal gameplanning in FOF2K4. Also, FOF2K7 has drastically decreased the gap between those who gameplan and those who do not. It's scary how good the AI is at gameplanning. Even hardcore gameplanners in the multiplayer leagues I am in have commented and been surprised how close the AI suggestions for their personnel were close to the system they like to run.

I spent two years outside of FOF MP, and I regret not doing it. No matter how good the AI of FOF gets, nothing beats having other human owners to play against. The difficulty factor is harder(b/c there is no need for house rules or exploits), but the fun factor and involvement is amazing.

In short, if this is your biggest fear about FOF MP, I assure you that this fear is very, very unfounded. There are plenty of leagues that have openings in the multiplayer forum of FOFC. Why don't you go by there and check them out and see if there is anything you might be interested.

You'll thank me when you get hooked into one of these leagues.

I do think about it from time to time, but I noticed for the first time in my team scouting report in a single player game that my LCB is Excellent at Man-to-Man while my RCB is excellent at Zone. I should really learn to pick a scheme at some point rather than just getting the best players at a position and figuring they would work together. MP would probably be a good way to learn though, so maybe I should give it a try.