3-3-5 or 4-2-5?

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by SeaOfRed75

Give me the 4-3 or 3-4 in real life. Both of these are run by dominating D's at the college and pro level. 3-3-5 in real life? Cant think of any D's that run this that have been really good on a consistent basis.

Quote: Originally Posted by patsfan1993

3-3-5 in real life? Cant think of any D's that run this that have been really good on a consistent basis. WVU Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel would like to have a word with you.

Yep...The 3-3-5 is Casteel's design.....and he's had pretty decent success with it....

[patsfan1993]

For the 4-2-5 here is typically what I look for in game:

Speed DE. Guys who can really get around the edge

Strength DT Guys who can plug the middle when going against the power running teams

Balanced MLB Just what it says all around balance

OLB I look for speed here. I usually find a big FS with speed and convert him like a 6ft3 216 guy I just converted

CB Have to high man to man since they are manned up the majority of time

SS1 A balanced safety who will be in coverage and playing like a hybrid LB (if I can find a CB that can tackle and pursue but may be a bit slow for a CB I would convert them to this spot)
SS2 the faster of the 2 SS he will be doing the most blitzing of the 2 SS

That's how I play it, but it also depends on how you play the game too..

[pj_28]

3-3-5

This is how I run it, and I have had decent success with it.

DE Run stoppers- Very similar to a 3-4 end you see in the NFL, basically a glorified tackle.

DT Giant run stopper- I know size doesn't really matter in the game but I still go for the biggest run stopper I can recruit for this spot.

MLB Balanced- This player will have to have the ability to play a good zone and stop the run.

OLB Speed- Lots of blitzes and every once in a while they will be lined up over a WR and have to hold their own.

CB Man coverage- With little over the top help they need to be able to lock down when you call man.

SS - I prefer guys with great tackling and some speed. The way I run it these are my most important defenders. This position has to be able to do everything for the D. If you can somehow recruit two really good SS you will be set.

FS Speed- Seriously that is all I look for at FS, this guy has to cover a ton of ground and quickly. I mean a 4star would get the nod over a slightly faster 2 star but speed is crucial.

Anyway thats what I try and do, but thats just me.

[Soarindude02]

This is why I like the 4-3. You get guys, and they play there. You don't need too nit pick. The 4-3 is so versitale. One year you could have a hard hitting 4-3, next couple years you can have a speed one. It just seems like the 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 requires a very precise amount of guys.

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Soarindude02

This is why I like the 4-3. You get guys, and they play there. You don't need too nit pick. The 4-3 is so versitale. One year you could have a hard hitting 4-3, next couple years you can have a speed one. It just seems like the 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 requires a very precise amount of guys.

But planning around the 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 is far more difficult than with a standard 43. So the time and effort getting people to fit the scheme is well worth it not to mention having more flexibility and "out of the box" defensive tactics.
They are fun schemes to run with.
What you call "nit picking" I call fun.

[sportyguyfl31]

neither is better or worse then the other.

if you do not know what you are doing, neither one will work.

It just comes down to personnel preference.

[pj_28]

Quote: Originally Posted by Soarindude02

This is why I like the 4-3. You get guys, and they play there. You don't need too nit pick. The 4-3 is so versitale. One year you could have a hard hitting 4-3, next couple years you can have a speed one. It just seems like the 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 requires a very precise amount of guys.

When I run a 4-3 I still look for specific guys, I was just listing what my ideal players would be. And like Skyboxer said it gives you so much versatility and out of the box playcalls that are fun to run with. Besides with insane amount of teams running spread now who ever runs a base 4-3 more then 30% of the time, with a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5 you can stay base in more situations.

[Bolt957]

I've used both, but I like using the 3-3-5 just a bit more.