Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

See subject line. Where is the pass rush lacking in this game, and how can VC make it better and more realistic in (possible) future iterations of the game?

I know blitzing has been discussed to death, and there are many problems with risk-reward
and overall effectiveness. Let's put that aside and just stick to basic front four pressure, particularly from star DLs.

What I see in the game:

The CPU's pass rush in offline games seems fairly realistic. Generic CPU-controlled D-linemen will get to the QB in 1-3 seconds after the completion of your QB dropback, which is pretty true to real life football. And CPU-controlled star DL's that are not double-teamed get there even quicker -- especially Deacon Jones and LeRoy Selmon. I like this, you actually have to fear these guys and scheme accordingly, especially on third-and-long, or when running play action.

However ...

All of the above does NOT seem to hold true for CPU-controlled D-linemen on your team, nor does it seem to hold true for player-vs-player games. Unless you control a DL yourself and get good at the moves, pfffft ... very little pass rush to speak of. It's like every team has the Patriots' OL -- no wonder everyone runs a spread offense, there's no real penalty for not keeping extra guys in to block.

Another issue: the pass rush doesn't deal well or realistically with Madden-style super dropbacks.

Also, is it just me or do the O-linemen in this game hold all the time after they've given up an angle? Maybe that's just suction blocking, I don't know.

Thoughts?

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

Masked Marvel, I agree with you that there is a massive discrepancy between how the CPU legends rush the passer and how CPU controlled human rushers do. It seems that to have any degree of effectiveness, you have to manually control your guy, and that guy really needs to have a charge up move. Otherwise, it's too easy just to get stuck to blockers.

One thing that I have been experimenting with is speed of approach. If you don't run full tilt into the OL, but instead move the stick easily, you often get a better, more efficient approach to your move, allowing you to really execute one as opposed to just running right into the guy and getting stymied. That said, it's pretty tough to get there with guys like Harvey Martin, who don't have chargeup moves but are nevertheless pass rush specialists.

There's also the issue of takeoff speed and angle. I have a terrible time figuring out the most efficient angle to take with my rushers manually, and the CPU does a flat out terrible job with its angles, even with guys who have a pass rush bonus. Perhaps I need to be more patient and sit and wait a second for a rush lane to develop, but I think plays should have lineman hit specific gaps so that LBs and DBs can shoot specific gaps right at the snap with the confidence that those gaps will be vacated by design. As it stands, that's not really how the game works. Consequently, I feel like most blitzes are a huge gamble, especially given the prevalence of Randall and Bartkowski online. Those two can drop back far enough to nullify the rush (this drives me nuts), and then use the rocket arm to still get the ball out to the WR on the deep out or the corner route. Now I know that some guys (Favre, for example) can throw ropes while stepping backwards, but it seems to me that the way it can be done on this game is a bit excessive and approaching the level of an exploit.

So what can be done? As LBZ has suggested, make the defensive assignments more precise (i.e. gap oriented) and the takeoff speed more efficient. The angles the CPU takes need to be adjusted, and I suppose users just need to give tips on how to approach the OL, when to turn the shoulder, etc. I personally think that offenses that go 4-wide (see this ALL the time online) and offenses that go without legends on the line (who uses gold OL? except me, lol) should pay unless they make adjustments for the pass rush. No one wants to see un-counterable nano-blitzes, but making the blitz an effective part of the game plan that has to be accounted for by the opponent and can be countered by game planning and personnel would be a step in the right direction.

That said, I get sacked, so it may just be me who sucks at rushing the passer.

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

i adjusted my pass block sliders.
i experimented with them maxed out for me and 40 for the cpu and i got some pretty good results....

i also moved my my coverage slider up. this appears to pertain to awareness and has a large effect on lb's and their play read/making abilities.

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

angles,speed,etc doesn't really matter

there isn't a physics engine for it to matter. All you have to do is engage the Oline and do a move. It just compares the rating to decide what animation you get. Of course being charged helps with the rating game.

pass rush = weak in every single football game
It's just another glaring flaw to help offense in this game.

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

why don't we put this in the wish list?

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

To coincide with this they need to force QB's to take an accuracy hit. You can get some decent pressure at times, but people just run backwards. I had this happen several times last night. Just run backwards and throw it to the Maynard on the post or out route. I don't know how a QB that is moving backwards, is moving faster than defenders that are going forward downhill but whatever.

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

I have mixed reviews with this topic Gentleman....I do feel your pain with the lack of pressure with Bronze DL. I finished one season with Jack Youngblood having 14.5 sacks and Dexter on the opposite end with 7.5.......So I created a team with two Bronze DL and got no pressure and another with One Gold(Reggie White) and One Silver(Chris Doleman) and got the pressure that I was very happy with.......But I did a lot of mismatch as well,I would rotate Reggie White to DT on a generic OL to watch him give that OL nightmares....and just like Trojan man I too at time snag a Gold OL....So in all do think that the DL play can be improved in the area of getting off the ball and angles,but the challage of finding was to gain an advantage over you opponent is fun to me in itself.....

Re: Let's talk about improving the pass rush
 

Hey Trojan. I will show you how to blitz manually in custom later tonight if you are interested (smile). You have to wait until the OL engages the DL, and then blitz. Like someone else stated, you have to wait for the lane to open up. But the most important thing that I have learned is calling the right blitz with the right dl assignment. Also, I have learned that if you time your blitz, it is a little more effective.

If you have certain LB's, you can control the game with the blitz. I have learned with the blitz that you have to time it in this game. If you show it too soon, the OL will adjust easily. I am still trying to find a way to get my dl, to get more pressure. I will try what you suggested.