46 Defense

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

Heh heh heh...

The irony is delicious.

With some more experimentation, I definitely think guys like Keith Bullock, Julian Peterson, Thomas Howard, Brian Rolle (less so), Gerald McGrath, and one of the Panthers' OLBs (can't remember which one) are better suited to the second OLB spot than Barwin or Reed.

This is pretty drastic, but I rebuilt the defense specifically to create a speedy, pass rush oriented front and did some serious repositioning to do it.

Now I have:

RDE: Williams
LDE: Watt
DT: Barwin, Smith
MLB: Ryans
OLB: Cushing, Bulluck
FS: Manning
SS: Quinn
CB: Joseph, Jackson

Moving Barwin down to with Smith pairs well because it gives me tremendous athleticism on the interior with enough strength and block shedding to hold the point, although they're no Refrigerator Perry's. Now, every single player can win a 1-1 matchup in the passing game.

Bulluck provides much more versatility than Barwin did, hence the move, and the same for Reed, who I think will have to find a place as an end while I search for a younger backer who is capable of playing a more hybrid position.

Between the Bear and the Normal-Speed, you really can pin your ears back and rush whenever you want to given that the outside matchups will almost always be even and the TE+ Back matchups will always be either even or in your favor.

One major thing to look for: in the 3-3-5 that they have, the #2 or #3 SS is on the field on the outside in a coverage role. I have Keo, which I didn't notice till he got dusted so bad that I had to do a WTF and watch the replay. You gotta make sure you get a CB in that slot or a S/LB you really trust to run with someone.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

The irony is delicious. With some more experimentation, I definitely think guys like Keith Bullock, Julian Peterson, Thomas Howard, Brian Rolle (less so), Gerald McGrath, and one of the Panthers' OLBs (can't remember which one) are better suited to the second OLB spot than Barwin or Reed. This is pretty drastic, but I rebuilt the defense specifically to create a speedy, pass rush oriented front and did some serious repositioning to do it. Now I have: RDE: Williams LDE: Watt DT: Barwin, Smith MLB: Ryans OLB: Cushing, Bulluck FS: Manning SS: Quinn CB: Joseph, Jackson

I still find that the 46 seems to work better for me with Watt on the inside and Barwin at DE. Watt's bigger, and makes a good run stopper, while Barwin has pretty much always played a pass-rush role.

Assuming that I have to play with default rosters next year, who would you recommend to replace Ryans next year? I've got Mercilus at DE to replace Mario, but I have no clue who to put at the other OLB or at MLB. I was thinking about Braman at OLB, since the guy's a badass, and Bradie James at ILB, but I'm not sure that would work, since James has traditionally been a 3-4 guy.

[RogueHominid]

I'll have to think about that. I did a very extensive roster search for suitable players at all positions, so I know I have some material on good MLB candidates, but I have to re-check things when I get home.

For me, at least, Ryans doesn't get caught in the wash much due to the way he's sheltered by the DL and OLBs, so you don't need a big thud block shedder type, I don't think. Ryans gets his tackles from speed/range, and from nailing receivers on routes over the middle.

Cush would function very well at that spot if you chose to move him back, at which point you could find a backer in FA or the draft who can play the outside. If I were to do this, Frank Zombo is a guy that I really like for that purpose. He's a hidden gem in my mind.

I'll do more looking though.

I chose to ink Mario for life and one of my young corners who has 95 speed because you need such specialized pieces for that defense that you can't let good ones go.

More on this when I get home. Loving the discussion here--all real football concepts that can be and are implemented in Madden!

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

I'll have to think about that. I did a very extensive roster search for suitable players at all positions, so I know I have some material on good MLB candidates, but I have to re-check things when I get home. For me, at least, Ryans doesn't get caught in the wash much due to the way he's sheltered by the DL and OLBs, so you don't need a big thud block shedder type, I don't think. Ryans gets his tackles from speed/range, and from nailing receivers on routes over the middle. Cush would function very well at that spot if you chose to move him back, at which point you could find a backer in FA or the draft who can play the outside. If I were to do this, Frank Zombo is a guy that I really like for that purpose. He's a hidden gem in my mind. I'll do more looking though. I chose to ink Mario for life and one of my young corners who has 95 speed because you need such specialized pieces for that defense that you can't let good ones go. More on this when I get home. Loving the discussion here--all real football concepts that can be and are implemented in Madden!

Yeah, in my Franchise I'll probably trade Reed and Smith to try to get more pieces. Unfortunately, I have to find more Wide Receivers for the Run 'N' Shoot that I'm running, too.

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

Yeah, in my Franchise I'll probably trade Reed and Smith to try to get more pieces. Unfortunately, I have to find more Wide Receivers for the Run 'N' Shoot that I'm running, too.

I love that combination. I will ultimately have to trade Reed, though I'm not sure about Smith. Barwin is a maybe as well, depending on whether or not I land a true monster DT in the draft.

WR who can do Run N Shoot work are all over the place. There's a burner or two at the top of the FA list, and some mid-tier route-running specialists in FA too. Derrick Mason would be a good first-year or two year stopgap while you groom drafted players.

Give Zombo a look as you shape your LB corps. He's always cut in pre-season and has almost exactly the skill set you want.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

I love that combination. I will ultimately have to trade Reed, though I'm not sure about Smith. Barwin is a maybe as well, depending on whether or not I land a true monster DT in the draft. WR who can do Run N Shoot work are all over the place. There's a burner or two at the top of the FA list, and some mid-tier route-running specialists in FA too. Derrick Mason would be a good first-year or two year stopgap while you groom drafted players. Give Zombo a look as you shape your LB corps. He's always cut in pre-season and has almost exactly the skill set you want.

Alright, I'll probably at least try him out. It's not like I have anything to lose, since it's a position of need.

As for the Run 'N' Shoot, I've already got Kevin Walter for route-running, and I'm probably going to run a 2-RB, 3-WR variant so that all I really need other than that is a burner. My only problem is going to be working Owen Daniels into the rotation. I don't see how I'm going to be able to manage it, so I might have to trade him, too. I mean, I guess I could use a TE, but that's kind of against the nature of the RNS.

Also, if you're putting a custom 46 playbook together (I recommend it) there's a pretty good 46 guide I found online a while back.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?24hotirlz2ejwn8

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

Also, if you're putting a custom 46 playbook together (I recommend it) there's a pretty good 46 guide I found online a while back. http://www.mediafire.com/view/?24hotirlz2ejwn8

This was a great read. I love reading things like this. I want a "get up slow" button now

In the "things the game got right department" pass rushing definitely wears my guys down, especially blitzing. My corners tire fast too, alluding to the playing coverage part.

Gotta keep an eye on those STA ratings for sure. I'm also going to be less shy on timeouts while on defense in the final two minutes. "A team that handles itself without confusion or frustration prevents the score".

I'm going to have to print this.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBLover

This was a great read. I love reading things like this. I want a "get up slow" button now In the "things the game got right department" pass rushing definitely wears my guys down, especially blitzing. My corners tire fast too, alluding to the playing coverage part. Gotta keep an eye on those STA ratings for sure. I'm also going to be less shy on timeouts while on defense in the final two minutes. "A team that handles itself without confusion or frustration prevents the score". I'm going to have to print this.

Yeah, in my experience, the best way to learn how to play a system is to learn from the people that made it what it is. I have a whole collection of playbooks just for that purpose. I need to get ahold of a Bum Phillips 3-4, a Dom Capers 3-4, and a Gary Kubiak offense, though.

A good alternative to high STA ratings is having good depth. For example, when Mercilus or Barwin gets tired, the Texans can put in Brooks Reed. Having a rotation like that also helps cushion against injuries.

Back to the 46 - I used azdawgpound's rosters to try out the 46 with the Texans' new defense, and it's not anywhere near as successful as it was last year. I mean, don't get me wrong, it still works, but Mercilus is no Super Mario. I was pleasantly surprised by the serviceability of Bradie James at OLB and Darryl Sharpton at MLB, though.