Hasn't Special Teams Been Neglected Long Enough?

[jbrew2411]

It is long over due for special teams to receive attention. On returns, especially punts, when you cut right or left the gunners will cut at the same time. They don't keep to their lanes they just follow the ball. IMO the kick/punt coverage is tuned to aggressive.

I don't how many times I have had a punt shoot into the end zone while trying to pin the opposing team deep. The way the ball always reacts the same regardless if you aim high on the punt. The ball would bounce different ways in real life.

[buickbeast]

Except for do or die situations, I think punts and kickoffs are the most exciting plays in football. Returns for TDs can break the other team's spirit.

For example:
pg2_g_howard_275.jpg

[boxtrev]

As others have already said, great post. Every year, I try to find a way to block punts and field goals as to add a more sim experience to my dynasty. I disagree with an earlier post which said that you cannot market NCAA on special teams. I think special teams is one of the most dynamic and exciting part of a game. Imagine if one of NCAA 15's selling points was this:

*New and Improved Special Teams: Several new schemes allow you to strategize for both blocking kicks and returning them. Load one side of the line and let your impact player break through to make a momentum-swinging play. Set up the perfect blocks for your electric return man. Also, new trick plays always keep your opponent guessing.

Also, contrary to popular belief, I know NCAA can make punt/field goal/xp blocks a part of the game without being cheap because they have done it before. In NCAA 2006 for the PS 2/X-Box (the best ever IMO), you could block kicks because you could take control of one player and the camera angle would switch. They brought that back on offense and defense but for some reason you cannot do it on special teams (it would help with timing). At any rate, you could block punts and field goals with some regularity if you had a good strategy. And I think that was the key. Blocking punts and blocking field goals was based on something effective that you as the player did rather than glitch or chance like it is now (Speaking of which, remember the days 04-06, when you felt like you had control at every position? Defensive lineman, mlb, corner, etc. So when you performed a good move it was very satisfying and based on player skill).

Also, on punt returns and kick offs (and blocking kicks for that matter too, it needs to vary depending upon impact players. If you have a Julio Jones, Percy Harvin, or a Desmond Howard back there, teams should have to strategize around them (kick the ball out of bounds, squib kick, kick away, etc.).

Also, blocking kicks/returning kicks would be even better if they brought back momentum swings (another thing I don't know why they took out). A blocked kick not only can result in points, but it also crushes another team's morale and gives your team momentum (what was it that Urban Meyer said? That the team that blocks a kick wins the game 98 % of the time).

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by JayD

When was the last time you have seen the CPU try and coffin corner the punt? Instead they just boot it in the end zone for a touch back. Not sure why this hasn't been worked on.

Actually, I just had the AI punt towards the coffin corner and nailed it putting the ball down on the 3 yd line.

Also, I think the coffin corner is becoming a thing of the past. Appears most punters are trying to pooch the ball inside the 10. Most returners are told to let everything go from the 10 yd line in.

I'm not saying coffin corners happen a lot in this game, but it did for me a few games ago and I was surprised.

[radiohead]

Keep dreaming guys. It's not going to happen.

On more than one occasion I've heard Ben say that even though fumbled snaps are realistic, if you lost a close game in the 4th quarter due to a botched snap you'd be screaming that the game wasn't realistic.

With "logic" like that permeating through Tiburon's headquarters, you can forget about things like blocked kicks in NCAA.

Again, it's not going to happen.

[indaclub]

I would like to see them fix the onside kick. Too often the receiving teams players will just stand there and let the ball hit them in the feet or run forward and have it hit them in the feet.

[Haze88]

Quote: Originally Posted by radiohead

Keep dreaming guys. It's not going to happen. On more than one occasion I've heard Ben say that even though fumbled snaps are realistic, if you lost a close game in the 4th quarter due to a botched snap you'd be screaming that the game wasn't realistic. With "logic" like that permeating through Tiburon's headquarters, you can forget about things like blocked kicks in NCAA. Again, it's not going to happen.

But a late regular fumble is fine...

[boxtrev]

Ben needs to go. He is standing the way of NCAA progressing. Maybe he will prove me wrong but if history is any indicator...

Anyway, I know it's a crazy thought, but what happens now that the NCAA is not licensing the game and the EA contract is up. Wouldn't it be great if there was a grassroots movement among hardcore NCAA players and there was a fan-made game? I know I'm dreaming...

However, since we're doing what if, if I was calling the shots, here is what I'd focus on for next year:

-Gameplay mechanics: Realistic QB throwing motion/accuracy, fumble piles (I know not everyone loves them, slider), stop of forward motion plays whistled dead, pass interference calls, personal fouls, realistic line interaction, make a great o-line make a big difference from a mediocre or bad one. Special teams (what I mentioned in an earlier post)

-Presentation: Everything from College Gameday (Kirk, Desmond, Chris Fowler), Pregame intro video, pregame entrances, pregame breakdown, halftime show, studio updates (with actual plays shown), postgame interview with head coach (if 2k could do it 8 years ago...) to College Football Final (Holtz, May, Davis): Final Verdict, Helmet Stickers. And I know people say, "Well that would get repetitious and I wouldn't want to sit through it." That's why I'd have press A or X to skip. Also, I'm not trying to bring 2K up over and over but it is a good example. That game had so many different lines and variation that it didn't get stale. Plus, with next generation capabilities, this is not out of the realm of capability (look at what developers are able to achieve with Mass Effect, Heavy Rain, Metal Gear 5, GTA, Watchdog, etc. As sports gamers, we need to start having higher expectations). Sorry, a bit of a rant there.

Dynasty: Playoff option. Realistic BCS ranking. Improve the coach carousel to where if LSU goes through a winless season in the SEC, Les Miles could be fired whereas Stoops in his first year at Kentucky, if he goes winless, he is safe because no one expects anything at first (problem I am noticing now). Bring back momentum swings and homefield advantage. Bring back the ESPN mag with your coach or player on it. Bring back player suspensions. Customize rivalries. FCS teams.

*Bonus: College classics. Does anybody remember these games? They were amazing!

Okay, now you can tell me to come back to reality.