Blocking Logic Still Broken

[D0NTSH0OTME]

Even after watching the new videos, it is obvious the blocking issues are not solved. On run plays, blockers routinely push their opponents the wrong way, shoving them further into the backfield and into the face of the runner; that is if they even engage their opponent at all. All too often a blocker just runs past the player lined up opposite of him, allowing that player to get into the backfield untouched. Linemen also tend to move horizontally once engaged, instead of pushing vertically like their real-life counterparts. Combined with the fact that linemen never seem to break out of their engagements, pass plays often cause the linemen to move horizontally across the line, therefore deforming the pocket.

In order to solve these problems, EA needs to do two things:

1. The offensive line's AI needs to be improved. In the NFL (before the snap), linemen read the defense's alignment, interpret the number of rushers, and call an audible that creates blocking assignments. The offensive line in Madden needs to be able to do the same.

2. Defensive linemen need to have gap assignments. For those of you that don't know defensive gaps are labled like this:

Gaps: C B A A B C
Offensive line: LT LG C RG RT

At any level of football, a defensive linemen would be assigned to guard one of these gaps and would be expected to stay in it while rushing the quarterback or stopping the run (depending on the type of play). By staying in their gap assignment, defensive linemen minimize the number of lanes the opposing team can run through, thereby downplaying the effectiveness of a run play or a QB scramble.

In order for Madden to create realistic line interactions, all the factors that attribute to lineplay in the NFL need to be implemented, and the two things I mentioned above are extremely important to that.

[Jackdog]

Shot.

Play the game first,then post your thoughts in the Impressions thread.