Drag Routes Always Open?

[BenGerman]

So I've been messing with the game quite a bit just to see if there's anything that was over-powered and started to notice that drag routes are wide open 95% of the time.

It's weird, because I can't really find any other routes that are so open. I guess the good news is that it's a low yardage play, for the most part. And press coverage mixed with a little blitzing/pressure usually blows the play up. Just wish that the CPU CB's could defend it, given that it's one of the easier things to cover in football.

Anyone else seeing this, or am I crazy?

[redsfan4life]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

So I've been messing with the game quite a bit just to see if there's anything that was over-powered and started to notice that drag routes are wide open 95% of the time.

It's weird, because I can't really find any other routes that are so open. I guess the good news is that it's a low yardage play, for the most part. And press coverage mixed with a little blitzing/pressure usually blows the play up. Just wish that the CPU CB's could defend it, given that it's one of the easier things to cover in football.

Anyone else seeing this, or am I crazy?

Drag routes are not easy to cover for man to man anyway. If the WR gets the inside position its over.

[HozAndMoose]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Drags have always been open. At least as long as i can remember.

[ChaseB]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Drag routes are tough to handle in real life so it makes sense on that level against man defense. I think the issue is that on underneath routes receivers still are not bumped or rubbed enough to get them slowed down or off their routes on any sort of consistent basis -- either at the snap or when running across the field within the 5-yard area. So guys are mostly running free, and much like in real life, if that happens you're in trouble.

[GameBreaker35]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

So I've been messing with the game quite a bit just to see if there's anything that was over-powered and started to notice that drag routes are wide open 95% of the time.

It's weird, because I can't really find any other routes that are so open. I guess the good news is that it's a low yardage play, for the most part. And press coverage mixed with a little blitzing/pressure usually blows the play up. Just wish that the CPU CB's could defend it, given that it's one of the easier things to cover in football.

Anyone else seeing this, or am I crazy?

With the way that coverage works in this game, it isn't easily defendable. I played a game online against a guy that used a mesh concept exclusively out of many formations. I couldn't user cover both crosses, so he hit the one I wasn't able to cover and chipped away at me. One thing I've noticed is that the throw rarely allows for yards after catch so you just have to tackle the ball carrier and hope they throw an inaccurate pass or drop the ball eventually.

You can call Cover 2 and user the MLB to chuck one of the crosses using RB or R1. If you time it right it disrupts both of the crosses. This is highly risky as the deep middle is left vulnerable; however, if your opponet is predictably cheesy, it forces them into another play call eventually.

[Altimate]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

I wouldn't say always open, but probably 60% of my completions are to drag receivers. I can't throw deep, can't throw across the middle, can't throw to the sidelines, so drags are pretty much it. I encourage the CPU to throw short so drags aren't a problem defensively. It's the deep ball down the middle that my safeties don't react to AT ALL that is a problem.

[Twinkie12]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

I wouldn't say always open, but probably 60% of my completions are to drag receivers. I can't throw deep, can't throw across the middle, can't throw to the sidelines, so drags are pretty much it. I encourage the CPU to throw short so drags aren't a problem defensively. It's the deep ball down the middle that my safeties don't react to AT ALL that is a problem.

So you cant play actual football? Sounds rough...

[MSU ILLEST]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Use your coverage adjustments like "under" "inside" or shade "right" and "left". I get plenty of picks online when someone attempts to abuse these routes.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

If a user is going to repeatedly throw that route, I will often hot route the guy intended to cover the drag into a blitz and cover the route myself with the opposite site DE. In my case it's Jerry Hughes so he usually has the agility to do so.

[Find_the_Door]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Use your coverage adjustments like "under" "inside" or shade "right" and "left". I get plenty of picks online when someone attempts to abuse these routes.

Doesn't work, just a nonfunctional aspect of the game as is.

[BenGerman]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Thanks fellas. Sounds like it's just one of those routes that's hard to cover. I tested it more last night and it seems to have about a 65-75% success rate for 5-10 yards but it rarely gets more than that. Not the end of the world, though I do wish it was a tiny bit easier to cover.

[mjavon]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

If the person you're playing is abusing it, call a blitz and user cover it. You will either get a pick or get to the QB before they have the time to go to their second option.

[Hooe]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Doesn't work, just a nonfunctional aspect of the game as is.

Based on my personal experience and my experience watching others play the game, the coverage shading options are most definitely functional.

Let's not throw out the word "broken" at everything in passing, please.

[Find_the_Door]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Based on my personal experience and my experience watching others play the game, the coverage shading options are most definitely functional.

Let's not throw out the word "broken" at everything in passing, please.

I've been using them since their inception. In my experience even though I inside shade my guy is beat like a drum on the same drag repeatedly. Even when I do individual coverage assignments, shade left to a drag run left still smoked with 8 yards of separation.

Love the picture of Church btw

[Phobia]

Re: Drag Routes Always Open?

Based on my personal experience and my experience watching others play the game, the coverage shading options are most definitely functional.

Let's not throw out the word "broken" at everything in passing, please.

I tested the shading couple nights ago, its surely works. The problem lies in the animations for the bump, but I'd have to test more with strong corners vs weak wrs and strong wrs vs weak corners to have a better picture.

Play the pass
Bump
Inside Shade

You will get a pick at some point. Now depending on the coverage's you run and adjustments, they certainly can be stopped. I like blitzs from the linebackers which appear to have the short game open with D-lineman dropping into coverage of those short zones.