Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

[penacho]

Since EA upped the XP cost to upgrade coverage attributes to a ridiculous level, it's not really worth the XP. It's on the level with physical attributes such as speed and strength where you add a player to your squad who already has those attributes high so you don't waste gobs of XP on them. Now we'll have to target guys who also have coverage skills - or compromise on coverage skills vs speed vs strength etc - and focus on upgrading them with XP elsewhere.

The question is, where do we focus our XP to influence coverage without actually spending XP on coverage? Should we spend it on AWR and PRC? AWR seems obvious as coverage attributes are essentially AI attributes and AWR is AI. What about PRC? With better PRC will they recognize route concepts better, or do they only recognize fakes, pass vs run better? Is AWR better for coverage or is PRC?

[Manning2Harrison]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

With corners losing confidence for every game in which they do not have a pick, you're going to be spending more hours on restoring confidence than on development.

[penacho]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

If you win the game you still receive a + confidence boost. Any thoughts on the XP discussion?

[Greencollarbaseball]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

Put points into PRC and Pursuit. It seems like guys break on the ball better I'd they have a higher Pursuit rating. I personally have not seen a difference in guys with higher coverage ratings playing better than guys with average ratings, but I have seen guys with better coverage with higher Pursuit. I don't know why though.

[penacho]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

Interesting, I hadn't thought about pursuit - thought it was more for closing on tackles. Has anyone tested this? Any other thoughts?

[Firestarter333]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

From what I tested was that man & zone cover affected how closely a DB played the WR, PUR was how quickly they closed in on the ball carrier, and PRC how quickly they reacted to the ball once it left the QB's hand. So ideally IMO if you want to bait the QB to think a WR is open & have the DB jump the route you would want a high PRC, high acceleration corner with decently good cover skills

[penacho]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

Yeah, I've done a little research. These are for Madden 25 - but I don't think much has changed (except maybe Impact Blocking isn't pancakes anymore, instead now it may be block duration based on the upgrade screen). It seems upgrading AWR and PRC is the way to go, maybe sprinkling in some PRS - if just focused on coverage. If tackling skills, PUR is definitely useful.


Info

Awareness (AWR) - This rating has a huge effect on the players overall rating. There are multiple aspects of the game this rating improves: Blockers will set-up and react to blocking lanes better, wide receivers will look for the ball faster on routes, defenders react to the ball faster in the air for zone and man coverage, defensive lineman will react to the run and slip screens faster.

Pursuit (PUR) - If a player is unblocked or sheds a block, this rating determines the ability of the defender to catch up to the ball carrier. This rating is basically closing speed and is separate from regular speed rating, but a high speed, high pursuit player can bring the fast blitzes.

Play Recognition (PRC) - The rating determines how well a defender reacts to the run or pass as well as how well they defend specific routes. In addition, a lower PRC player will tend to bite on play action more often. High play recognition defensive lineman (80+) will react to the slip screen more consistently.

Man coverage (MCV) - How well the player will cover the offensive player when man to man coverage is called. Determines chance of fakeout, used vs. Route Run. Determines the time it takes to cover a cut, used vs. Route Run. Determines the reaction time when in man-coverage assignment. Determines tackle skill chance when in man-coverage assignment, used with AWR. Determines when a defender can break out of ‘play ball’ (when the ball is in the air). Determines the knockout chance of a tackle during the catch, used vs. Catch in Traffic.

Zone coverage (ZCV) - How well the player will cover the field in their respective zone, when zone coverage is called.Determines tackle skill chance when in zone, used AWR. Determines accuracy of leverage on receivers when in zone. Determines the time it takes for the DB to track the ball when in zone. Determines knockout chance on a tackle during a catch, used vs. Catch in Traffic.

Press (PRS) - How well the defender will "press" the WR at the line of scrimmage when press coverage is called. Higher PRS rating will cause the WR to have a longer delay when starting their routes. Higher RLS players will beat PRS attempts more often.

[Throne_Taker93]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

When did this update happen?

[penacho]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

Thanks CloudFuel, would you put PRC over AWR for a DB?

[lasto]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

For what it is worth, catching is relatively inexpensive and once you cross the 80 threshold, it makes a huge difference in how many picks your DBs drop


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[penacho]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

Great advice here guys, makes me really excited about progressing my DBs (Jason Verrett gonna beast on Feeva Island!).

My general strategy is going to be to get PRC up first. However, I'll sprinkle in catching, too. I've found in past Maddens - and it seems true in M15 - physical skills will become more expensive as a player ages, so I'd like to knock out catching early - to the low 80s - in case it falls into this category.

I'll get AWR up towards the end, and likely won't exceed 80.

Then once I start trusting the DB to make some INTs, I'll get him the Aggressive trait.

As far as targeted players to add to the team - I wonder how much of an impact Spectacular Catch and Catch in Traffic has on a player? I've always had the anecdotal impression it makes a difference.

[lasto]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

What has been your experience with safeties intercepting the ball? I almost always play as D line or LB because I find they can't get off blocks unless I control them and my corners will occasionally pick the ball but my safety tandem of Clinton Dix and Vaccaro almost never does.


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[timhere1970]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

I find safeties with good zone coverage, catching and jumping skills will get interceptions while playing zone coverage. Most safeties have low man coverage skills and don't get interceptions in man coverage.

[Greencollarbaseball]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

What has been your experience with safeties intercepting the ball? I almost always play as D line or LB because I find they can't get off blocks unless I control them and my corners will occasionally pick the ball but my safety tandem of Clinton Dix and Vaccaro almost never does.


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In our league, (me, cloudfuel, and another guy) Haha led the league in picks this season and Vaccaro has 15 in three seasons with 8 last season.

[lasto]

Re: Upgrading the Secondary in CFM

In our league, (me, cloudfuel, and another guy) Haha led the league in picks this season and Vaccaro has 15 in three seasons with 8 last season.

Haha well it's good to hear they have the ability. Are you putting them in certain coverages or anything? I will say on the rare occasion I sim games, Vaccarro always seems to get a pick


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