How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
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How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Just want some tips on how to build an elite defense in Madden 15.Tags: None -
Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
when building a defense, there are three parts: your line, your LBers, and your secondary. typically if you can have one of those three parts being "elite" while the other two are "average", you can get an elite defense.
I generally make sure my secondary is as good as possible, no matter what. Good coverage buys more team for your pass rush to get home, in addition to the more obvious interceptions. When I'm running a 4-3, I then focus on my D-Line; if I were running a 3-4, I'd focus on the LBers. I'll elaborate on how to create a solid 4-3, since that's what I usually run:
D-Line: typically, I get speed rushers on the outside and big guys on the inside. My best case scenario is actually getting two guys who can play nose tackle as my tackles - goes a long way towards stuffing the run. I focus on getting pressure, every play. The front four always blitz, and they usually have help from somebody.
Linebackers: I prefer run stuffers with decent coverage skills. Because I usually go into nickel when facing 3-wide sets, I don't focus two much on the coverage. I make sure they can blitz, because I'm almost always sending one - the key thing is, the offense doesn't know who's coming.
Secondary: here's where you have to make a choice: focus on man coverage, zone coverage, or a mix of both. I prefer man coverage b/c I'm always sending pressure, and zone blitzes just aren't my thing. SS should be good in both man and zone coverage, while FS should be "center fielders" (that is, good in zone, good play recognition, speed to get to the ball and make plays. they tend to get a lot of picks). I usually operate in Cover 1, Cover 2 Man, or a blitz with one safety over the top, so the FS is generally not covering anyone man.
Sorry if I ramble a bit. Hope this helps. -
Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Thanks! I usually just try to make my LBs really good, but it does not seem effective in user vs user games because it seems like that you have a huge amount of time to throw in these types of games. Im going to try to make my secondary as good as possible, i have never tried this approach so hopefully this change my fortunate against users.Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
So, here's how I built the Giants defense in my Connected Franchise, which is generally how I like to set it up anyway.
1. Get a really good secondary; I prefer guys who are elite on man coverage, and preferably guys who don't need double-teams often, so that I can run Cover 0s and blitz the Free Safety from time to time. In my franchise, that ended up being DRC, Amukamara, and Culliver (signed), with McBride as the dime CB.
2. Pass rushing DEs are a must. Here, I used JPP, Damontre Moore, Robert Ayers, and a guy I drafted, but any solid pass rushers work. Put the Auto-Sub on something ridiculous so they're always fresh, because you always want them fresh for NASCAR formations.
3. NASCAR formations. If your playbook doesn't have it, switch your Nickel (and maybe DIME) to the 4 DEs package. This is for third and longs, and a great chance to really bring the pressure. Overload and LB blitzes work wonders, as do zone blitzes - when you've got your pass rushers up front, nobody expects them to drop into coverage and blitzing DRC (just don't do it too often, only to surprise them).
4. Stuff the run so they have to pass. In my franchise I acquired DT Knighton and MLB Brandon Spikes, and they, along with Hankins, effectively stopped the running game. I also found using QB contain when they like to run outside also helps, and using 5-2 formations with man coverage as well. The key, however, is by stopping the run, you force them to pass, and if you can use it to force some 3-and-outs and get ahead early, you can force them to pass almost all the time....and let your nasty pass-rushers do the trick.
5. On the opposite side, control the clock by running the ball and using short-yardage, high-percentage passes. They can't score if they don't have the ball. In the first season of my franchise, I beat the #2 ranked offense and very good defense of the Patriots in the Super Bowl (Manning v. Brady III), simply by controlling the ball for almost 40 minutes. Brady had so little time to work with, he had to throw towards the end of the game, and JPP and Co. feasted.
So, yea, that's my defensive gameplan basically - man coverage + pass rush/elite line.Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Thats a smart move for ma pass rushers. Im going to give it a try. How do you afford that defense though? One thing that bites me is that there is 3 other users who go after the big name Def talent.Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
I don't play online, so I don't have to compete with other users, which does keep costs down a bit. well the Giants start with JPP, Ayers, and Moore at DE, Hankins at DT, and DRC, Amukamara, Walter Thurmond III, and McBride at CB. DRC is already signed long-term, and Moore and Hankins are on their rookie contracts. Resigned JPP and Prince during the year (like $6 million per year each, plus bonus, which is prorated.). cut Kiwanuka - it saves a LOT of cap room.
Was able to get Brandon Spikes for pretty cheap - nobody wanted him. same with culliver. Knighton cost a bit, but only like $5 million a year for 3 years, which is when Hankins and Moore get off their rookie contracts.
For online leagues with other players, I'd suggest spending some 1st-rounders on defense. Believe me - with a good defense and great o-line, you can go far with average skill position players (QB, RB, WR, etc). Unless I spot a can't-miss guy in the skill positions, I always use one of my first 2 picks on the defense, and usually use the other on the O-Line.
EDIT: Also, you don't need big-name guys either, especially for your #3 and #4 DEs; for those two in particular, you need pure pass rushers, so don't worry about block shedding, coverage, and probably even awareness. You don't need elite players everywhere, just role players...and those guys come plenty through the draft, and are fairly easy to develop as well.Last edited by WingedLion14; 01-25-2015, 11:43 PM.Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
when building a defense, there are three parts: your line, your LBers, and your secondary. typically if you can have one of those three parts being "elite" while the other two are "average", you can get an elite defense.
I generally make sure my secondary is as good as possible, no matter what. Good coverage buys more team for your pass rush to get home, in addition to the more obvious interceptions. When I'm running a 4-3, I then focus on my D-Line; if I were running a 3-4, I'd focus on the LBers. I'll elaborate on how to create a solid 4-3, since that's what I usually run:
D-Line: typically, I get speed rushers on the outside and big guys on the inside. My best case scenario is actually getting two guys who can play nose tackle as my tackles - goes a long way towards stuffing the run. I focus on getting pressure, every play. The front four always blitz, and they usually have help from somebody.
Linebackers: I prefer run stuffers with decent coverage skills. Because I usually go into nickel when facing 3-wide sets, I don't focus two much on the coverage. I make sure they can blitz, because I'm almost always sending one - the key thing is, the offense doesn't know who's coming.
Secondary: here's where you have to make a choice: focus on man coverage, zone coverage, or a mix of both. I prefer man coverage b/c I'm always sending pressure, and zone blitzes just aren't my thing. SS should be good in both man and zone coverage, while FS should be "center fielders" (that is, good in zone, good play recognition, speed to get to the ball and make plays. they tend to get a lot of picks). I usually operate in Cover 1, Cover 2 Man, or a blitz with one safety over the top, so the FS is generally not covering anyone man.
Sorry if I ramble a bit. Hope this helps.
Im like you, I prefer having a good secondary, and speed rushers on the ends 1st and foremost with big maulers at DT. I like my LB to have a good balance. I typically like having a aggressive D, and put pressure on the QB.Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted- Luke14-11
Favorite teams:
MLB- Reds/ and whoever is playing the Cubs
NBA- Pacers
NFL- Dolphins & ColtsComment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
I wanted to take a rookie cb and make him elite...As a rookie playing cb2 rated a 82 he had 10 interceptions. ..now year 2 he's progressed to a 92 switched him to cb1 and halfway thru season he has 0 !! I'm running same plays...any suggestions or insights ?Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Some other things - are you playing man or zone? In my experience, man gets you less picks than zone, b/c you play the ball in zone. Are other players picking up the slack on picks, or are you getting less turnovers overall?Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Don't worry about # of interceptions being down; it could be that opposing offenses know not to challenge your secondary, so they rely on higher-percentage throws (harder to intercept) and running plays (impossible to intercept). All that matters is how many points you give up.Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
My tested, tried and true way to get the potentially best D you can build go(out of the draft, look for 20/21 year olds for most upside):
RE, LE: Speed Rushers
DT, LBers, CBs, SS & FS: Prototypes(sometimes/not always will the best players be labeled "prototype", for example a "3-4 pass rusher" OLB can sometimes be better than your avg "prototype", but not always)Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
i tend to be top 3 vs the run and bottom 3 vs the pass, despite the fact that my defence is v good in skills like mcv, zcv, tackle etc
this is with the 49ers as a 3-4, since the last patch ive started playing more zone, zone blitzes.
as im vs wilson twice a year contain becomes important to me as does finding a true NT. thats harder than you think
i play offline franchise only and use coach mode.
if i draft cbs then mcv, zcv, prc, tkl assuming 86+ spd/acc/agi
safeties zcv, mcv and as above
dline is str/bsh/agi/acc/spd/tkl; des 6 4+ and 300+ lbs nt as youd expectComment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
Halfway through my first season of CFM (fantasy draft), 8-0 at the bye on All Madden playing as created coach (level 1).
My team is offensively stacked with Cam, Lynch, Julio, Gronk and a beast OL, I didn't start drafting defensive players until round 7 or something like that, the offense is rated 99 and defense 83, offense 1st in the league defense 32nd lol.
Part of that may be that I play 9 min quarters no accelerated clock so the CPU gets a lot of possessions.
Anyways even if I didn't have a lot of early picks on D I wanted to have a fun D to play with, a Ravens style mean D (I'm using the Bills because they signed Rex)
Since it's my first franchise with this years game wasn't sure which skills would be most expensive so I went with physical stats primarily.
Here's how I built the D
DL: Massive run stuffers
Edge rushers: Athletic pass rushers or big bodies who can also passrush nside or outside
MLB: Fast, big hitters and blitz ability
CB: Athletecism and ball skills
S: Speed, hit power, ball skills
Here's how it turned out after the draft
NT/DE Dan Williams, Brandon Williams, Terrence Cody, Carretheurs, K Ramsey
DE/DT/OLB D Easley, S Tuitt,
OLB/DE Q Coples, D Ford, S Attachou, K Ealy, Webster
MLB C Matthews, R Shazier, C Kirksey, Z Gooden
CB J Verrett, B Roby, R Alford, S J-Baptiste, R Cockrell
S E Berry, S Thomas, D Buchanon, S Williams, D McDonald
Initially I was running a 3-4 with a DL of the 2 Williams and Tuitt/Carrethers and then an OLB combo of Coples and Easley, giving me an absolutely massive 5 man line vs the run, with the speedy and big hitting Matthews, Shazier, Berry and Thomas behind them. This front was very good vs the run but I'd get burned on some pass plays with no pass rush. So I sacrifice some run D by subbing in the quicker pass rushers at different spots.
Anyways I saw in the depth chart when I moved a DT to DE like B Williams his BSH dropped.
So now I run a 46.
My 2 hog DTs inside, Coples and Ford/Attachou/Easley at DE, Shazier, Matthews and Attachou/Ford at OLB, can't run up the gut and lots of pressure coming.
Some general tips from what I've learned from this years franchise so far
1. Coverage skills are expensive to upgrade, if you want good cover corners draft guys who are already rated high in coverage skills
2. I created a coach who is level 1 and my players are gaining XP slow, haven't bought the XP package yet but I think my players are getting XP slower than if I had a high level coach (in last years game having a rookie coach made your players get xp fast, seems to be opposite now)
3. On run downs having big strong DL helps obviously but zone D is good because everyone is ookingg at the ball instead of turning around and running away from it. If you call a D like Cover 3 and move your safeties down to the line of scrimmage you can make it very hard to run, especially if you can clog up the middle. Of course this is where it helps to have fast safeties so they can run to where they need to be after the snap if its a pass.
4. When you want to stuff the run using run commit obviously helps, you may want to take a MLB and audible him to zone coverage after you call run commit then if its a pass you can jump the hot route and break it up or get a pick.
5. When playing MLB in general when you want to run stuff it's good to hide ride behind your NT instead of uncovered where a OL can block you at the snap. Then if there is a gap from a pulling guard or whatever you can shoot through it to get the RB or QB in the backfield.
6. If you find your defense is giving up slants and crossing routes over the middle you can drop a DT back and take it away, making the QB hold the ball vs the pass rush.
7. If zone coverage doesn't work and man blitzing is getting burned a good D to go to is 2 man under, especially if you have a good 4 man rush. The QB will try to go to crossers over the middle that you can rob with a zone dropping DL. If you want to crank up the pressure and you like your corners ability to match up vertically you can audible one of your 2 safeties to blitz and bring them both down to the line of scrimmage (one who isn't blitzing first so the OL assigns someone to block him) and you can get a sack pretty often.
8. Use manual subs (RB on the 360) and packages (RS) to get different personnel based on the situation. You can have a heavy base D for 2 WR sets and a different formation with pass rushers for 2 wr sets, a nickel defense with a safety in the nickel for run D vs 3 WR sets, a nickel D with 4 DEs on the line for pass rush etc...
9. If you make a custom D playbook (assume it' still in the game) you can have all manner of formations set up so you have one for every situation.
10. Using the default settings everyone wears down over the game so depth is good not just for custom situations but you can set up a formation with all backups so you can rest all your good players for 3rd down.
11. That's pretty much it of the top of my head, and in the draft elite corners and pass rushers go first so get them early if you want a beast defense, you can find run stopping DL and non-pass rushing LBs later.
And here's a question if anyone knows, how the F are you supposed to pass rush? Just mash the buttons? While moving the direction a certain way? Sprint into the OL or sprint after the pass rush? And why the hell is bull rush the same button as dive on the floor and be useless?Comment
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Re: How to build an elite Madden 15 Defense in Franchise mode
This is how I build my defenses in offline. Keep in mind the most stacked positions in the drafts are DT and CB/DB.
D line: Run stoppers and one pass rusher. preferably power move guys that can push the pocket.
Coverage line backers. Using the above type of d-line they will be forced to pass, thus making coverage LB's very effective.
Secondary: Press/Man CB's. Fast FS with high ZC. Hard hitting SS.⎛⎝DAWGS⎠⎞Comment
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