Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

[josefrees]

Answer what you can? Franchise, sim regular season play playoffs is my style.

I want to have a 3-4 defense where I can primarily rush the DL alone and have basically an extra linebacker to increase versatility. To have a completely versatile second level. It stinks having a converted de in coverage on either edge.

1) I am curious about how I should go about scheme. What exactly is the difference and implications of the different 3-4 schemes. Do they even do anything? I have been using hybrid multiple front but is a switch to base 3-4 going to actually change anything? If I change the play book is the sim actually using that book? This applies to offense as well because this strategy would be most effective when ones offense is putting points off and marginalizing the other teams run game...
2) any tips on players to get whether real or generated? It'd be a lot easier if the UI wasn't so annoying (where is my big spreadsheet where I can look at everybody! Outside of fantasy draft you don't get that wtf!!!) ideally I'm looking for 280+ pound lineman that are fast and strong lol. And very fast and strong linebackers who are good in man coverage (because it is so expensive for LBs haha). I'm worried that mr 230 pound lb is going to be FB mince meat I wish Navarro Bowman wasn't untouchable =\. as for the secondary... There are a few that fit the bill. Speed and strength... Could someone explain wtf run support Safeties exist for? You'd think they'd be perfect for this style but how is a slow as molasses guy in a lot of space supposed to not get burnt? Are there any fast run supporters?

I know I'm probably asking a lot

[ajra21]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Move 4-3 DTs with good speed to 3-4 DE. Good pass rush if you're looking to drop all your LBs into coverage.

[MagsMetrics101]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Using the 3-4 versatile scheme might help, if im comprehending your question correctly

[Herbn]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

You won't get much pressure or sacks if you're only rushing your DL alone in a 3-4. Your best DLineman will get doubled every time, and the QB will have all day to throw. IMO you're better off using a 4-3 if you don't plan on taking advantage of all the creative blitzes you can do in a 3-4.

Everyone on your DLine should be 300+. Ideally your NT will be 330+. You can also convert some DTs into DEs for a 3-4. For instance, I did a fantasy draft and selected Michael Brockers, and I turned him into my RE since I had Marcel Dareus as my NT.

[Ueauvan]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

the way i play 3-4 is a 320-350 6ft 2 plus strong NT, 6 7+ 300+ DEs. they are there for me to stop the run, my lbers are qb pressure unless the DL gets a break

[roll2tide]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

My tips for the 3-4:

• Up every player's PRC
• OLB's-Up BSH and Finesse Moves
• DT's-BSH and Finesse Moves
• Get the "Clutch" attribute for as many as possible on defense
• Get consistency to at least 2, preferrably 3, and ideally 4
• Get CB's to "Play Ball Conservative"
• Enable Big Hitter for everyone
• Enable Bull Rush and Spin Moves for all front 7
• Never draft or trade based on skills unless they are a verteran stud and you have a big time immediate need. Instead draft based on physical height/weight combined with their speed, agility, acceleration, and strength. Skills are cheap, physical traits are expensive.
• Slant the line in more. In past Maddens doing the "fan" or slanting them out got pressure from the ends. This year you can get could interior pressure (thus, avoiding DE/OLB double teams on the outside) by slanting them in. Don't physically pinch them....just slant them.
• Try not to extend player contracts past their 31st year except maybe OL. Otherwise, cut and replace your 30+ guys with rookies.

If you do practices then in 2 full seasons you can have an entire defense full of play makers. My philosophy is to spend XP on the cheapest thing that will help them earn more XP. MCV, ZCV, TKL, PUR, etc.....I'll upgrade them if they cost 1,000 or less but then I leave them alone until I do these other things.

[roll2tide]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Once you have the players with the right tool set, you CAN get pressure with just 4 from the 3-4. OLB's with high BSH and FMV can and will beat OT's and FB's like a drum if you slide the DT over in front of the OG. This works on BOTH sides, not just vs the RT. I've watched my OLB Bull Rush many a LT.

Next up, for me, would be pushing AWR and ZCV/MCV for all LB's. Just at least to the 75-80 range for both. After that things can get expensive and you can increase attributes based on what you like.

[Herbn]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Once you have the players with the right tool set, you CAN get pressure with just 4 from the 3-4. OLB's with high BSH and FMV can and will beat OT's and FB's like a drum if you slide the DT over in front of the OG. This works on BOTH sides, not just vs the RT. I've watched my OLB Bull Rush many a LT.

With 4 you can get pressure, but with 3 that's going to be very difficult. He said he mainly only wants to rush his DLine. A 5 man front will double team two of them, which more or less neutralizes them. Then you'll be counting on 1 to break free, and you can't always count on that lone Dlineman to get pressure.

[roll2tide]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

You can get sacks even with 3 if you develop the right tools for them. Vs CPU I play a lot of the Cover 4 (4 deep, 2 purple, 2 yellow) and I pinch the safety coverage and manually play a S in a 3rd yellow. I get a lot of coverage sacks that way.

Same with 2 deep man with a MLB in yellow. I manually the FS and get a lot of coverage sacks. If you get all the DL high BSH and FMV with the consistency up, bull rush, and spin move traits they'll consistently beat most Centers.

[Herbn]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Didn't say it was impossible, just that it would be difficult. Especially for the OP, who seems very inexperienced with a 3-4 defense and this game in general.

[josefrees]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Nah I have a pretty good grasp of the 3-4 the zone blitzes are just pretty ineffective because half your defenders aren't comfortable in space (p much every great pass rushing OLB), and man on man hardly works because you have pass rushers on TEs. I want coverage LBs on TEs and RBs and MLBs fast enough to run a good spy on the QB.

When I have a pass rushing OLB they have to do something in passing situations. They either take the place of a DL and rush or get taken off the field. If the DL is good you take talent off the field. In a 4-3 the plays are boring, obvious and often ill equipped for the situation In a 3-4 the personnel doesn't match the situations required.

And yes, as someone stated, I am looking for coverage sacks. In sim partially but in game as well. The way I see it is that if all my DL are good enough, the one DL that gets one on one can beat their man even 25% of the time would be a success--as long as the coverage holds up.



As for how the game works, I have some concept just not the actual guts. Nobody has answered whether scheme, player type or playbook have on sim. Which is really the most important aspect. If it is unknown I guess I can experiment? In the old days I could just adjust coach sliders and see a tangible effect these days I can't tell whether my inputs are having an effect? Does scheme and player type adjust goals? If so which are the best???

[roll2tide]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

Nah I have a pretty good grasp of the 3-4 the zone blitzes are just pretty ineffective because half your defenders aren't comfortable in space (p much every great pass rushing OLB), and man on man hardly works because you have pass rushers on TEs. I want coverage LBs on TEs and RBs and MLBs fast enough to run a good spy on the QB.

When I have a pass rushing OLB they have to do something in passing situations. They either take the place of a DL and rush or get taken off the field. If the DL is good you take talent off the field. In a 4-3 the plays are boring, obvious and often ill equipped for the situation In a 3-4 the personnel doesn't match the situations required.

And yes, as someone stated, I am looking for coverage sacks. In sim partially but in game as well. The way I see it is that if all my DL are good enough, the one DL that gets one on one can beat their man even 25% of the time would be a success--as long as the coverage holds up.



As for how the game works, I have some concept just not the actual guts. Nobody has answered whether scheme, player type or playbook have on sim. Which is really the most important aspect. If it is unknown I guess I can experiment? In the old days I could just adjust coach sliders and see a tangible effect these days I can't tell whether my inputs are having an effect? Does scheme and player type adjust goals? If so which are the best???

Scheme and Player Type affect only the OVR of the player which will affect trade negotiations and resign contracts. It can also effect a players desire to resign.

Setting the PB on the team tab under strategy will, I believe, dictate which PB is used in simmed games. I can't confirm that, though.

[timhere1970]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

I tried playing 3-4 with speed rushers at defensive end and a nose tackle at DT with mixed results. The problem with the 3-4 pass rushing under normal circumstances is that the lineman's job is to take up blockers and allowing the fourth person, usually an outside linebacker to preassure the QB. Therefore, in the 3-4, when you send four you are only sending one true pass rusher. It works because the defense doesn't know who that fourth person is. Of course you can send more than four. In madden, I have found preassure very hard to create when sending four out of the 3-4. Although, getting speed rushers at DE helps. Hurts your run defense though. I play the 4-3 with speed rushers on the end and prototype DT's that I develop pass rushing skills for. I find they have a bigger upside than pass rushing DT's because their speed, acceleration and agility are usually higher. This gives me four people who can preassure the QB when I bring four. Remember the most important attribute for pass rushing is acceleration, not speed. If they do not have at least 85 acceleration they are never going to be great at rushing the passer. When it comes to linebackers I use MLB's period. Change their position to OLB. There just is so few OLB's in the draft classes that can match what a MLB can do when you switch them to the outside.

[gjneff]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

I almost exclusively play a 3 man line in pass situations. Most using dollar cover 3 or 4. My ends are converted pass rushing DTs and both ends get double digit sacks each year. My sliders are the downloaded OS sliders. For simmed games, the defensive scheme will affect stats, but not sure about the actual playbook if it matters or not. Versatile will get more DE sacks then base 3-4 from my experience.

[MattUM]

Re: Would you guys like to give me some input on this defensive strategy I'm trying?

I have a 3-4 dline of Shariff Floyd-Dareus-Paea. They don't get many sacks but they do stop the run. I usually need at least one OLB blitzing to get good pressure. I have Dion Jordan and Donta'a Hightower at OLB, who are sack machines. I can put Bobby Wagner and Daryl Washington into coverage and they lock down the middle of the field.

My favorite defense is nickel with 2 DTs and 2 OLBs on the line.