Punters scared stupid?

[jello1717]

Quote: Originally Posted by KingV2k3

Unfortunately, when you call ANY kind of punt block play, there's a pretty good chance the punter will shank one... That being said, it is the only way to get a decent return... I have a "house rule" where I only call it once per game (it evens out the return average for my returner)...

This isn't true. I always call punt return middle and I had a guy return 6 for TDs in 2 years.

YR				Returns	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
2014 Season				49	345	7.04	18	0
2015 Season				45	515	11.44	88	2
2016 Season				54	701	12.98	79	4
2017 Season				4	28	7.0	14	0
Career				152	1589	10.45	88	6

[MrBlonde21]

I've used Punt Block Man the last few years and had pretty good success in the return game, until this year. I'm still sticking with it as it gets me the best yardage per return (Which is significantly less than in previous years)and it defends the fake punts very well.

[TimLawNYC]

How sad is it that we have to figure out stuff like this? In these "next-gen" games, we should be getting closer and closer to a real approximation of actual football, but instead we're still stuck with a game that's more about finding ways to get around the CPU's unrealistic tendencies than it is about planning and executing real football strategies.

I'm really getting sick of it!

[Cornwallus]

Raise the CPU Punt Accuracy slider. I have mine at 80 and have considered going higher.

[KingV2k3]

Quote: Originally Posted by jello1717

This isn't true. I always call punt return middle and I had a guy return 6 for TDs in 2 years. YR Returns YDS AVG LONG TD 2014 Season 49 345 7.04 18 0 2015 Season 45 515 11.44 88 2 2016 Season 54 701 12.98 79 4 2017 Season 4 28 7.0 14 0 Career 152 1589 10.45 88 6

I stand corrected...

No matter what I call, my guys don't seem to be able to execute a block for more than a nono second, and my returner gets little to nothing...

I even formation subbed in the best blockers available (run block, impct block, AWR, etc.) and they don't help much...

Same for kickoffs...

Any tips?

Thanks!

[jello1717]

Quote: Originally Posted by KingV2k3

I stand corrected... No matter what I call, my guys don't seem to be able to execute a block for more than a nono second, and my returner gets little to nothing... I even formation subbed in the best blockers available (run block, impct block, AWR, etc.) and they don't help much... Same for kickoffs... Any tips? Thanks!

My first suggestion may not be very achievable, but this guy had 97-99 SPD/AGI/ACC and that helped a lot, so get a guy like that. My new returner only has 94/92/90 SPD/AGI/ACC (the 99ish ACC is the most important imo) and he hasn't returned one in his very few 13 PRs but he can still get 20+ yarders.

I call return middle and I'll control the left most guy on the line in the box. When it's snapped (not before or the punter will punt it out of bounds) I run him back to my return guy so I have 3 blockers around the kicker. The 2 original blockers usually do a good job of blocking long enough for me to run to the outside of him. Then I read the lanes. If the middle is clogged, I'll just keep running upfield on the outside and take my 10ish yards. If there's a seam in the middle, I'll cut back to the inside, usually going all the way across the field and run it up the opposite sideline.

All of my returns for TDs have been when I've cut it back to the opposite side. I've saved highlights of all of my PRs for TDs (I think) but I'm always too forgetful to upload them. I'll try to remember tonight.

Also, I should note that he doesn't do this against crappy teams (except Navy) as he's done it against big name schools for the most part.

YR	WK	Result	Opponent	Returns	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
2016	8	W 51-3	Nebraska	5	157	31.4	71	2
2015	4	W 23-0	Navy	2	89	44.5	79	1
2015	17	W 37-34 OT	Pittsburgh	4	109	27.25	88	1
2016	3	W 33-7	Oklahoma	5	109	21.8	75	1
2016	9	W 23-7	Penn State	4	113	28.25	79	1

[KingV2k3]

^^^

Very clever move with the 3rd blocker...

Do you formation sub better blockers into your return formations?

Any tips / tricks for Kickoffs?

I'll also look into the ACC attribute...I usually favor returners with good catch and carry ratings to limit fumbles / muffs, as well as AWR and breaking tackles (because the CPU gunners are right on him, so if the first two guys don't miss the tackle, it's over)...

Thanks!

[ftball11]

I just use the normal punt returns in the direction of the wide-side of the field. I only use the block punt in situations were it is called for. I just like the realistic feel I get with the normal punt returns. Not to say it is not frustrating because it is - I want to break one everytime I return a punt. But realistically, returning punts is a "win some/lose some" situation - the average gains are not that high, which is why taking it to the house is so exciting.

Currently, as of 10/9/10, in the FBS, out of 76 players listed only 4 players average over 20 yards a return - 3 out of the 4 have 2 TDs, while Cliff Harris (Oregon) has 3 TDs. Get past those 4 guys and only 6 average 15+ yards a return, while 42 average less than 10 yrds a return.

While playing this game over the years, I had one stud for a punt returner on the '09 Edition. I played two season with him, he averaged over 20+ yrds a return and took 6 back for TDs (a school career record) - which made playing with him even more exciting.

I'm not saying punt returns couldn't use a good tuning because they could, the down field blocking is just horrible. I just don't mind the low numbers because that is typically what you see in real football.