Just got done playing another ranked game and there are a ton of things I like about the gameplay. I love the feeling of finding the hole for a big run up the middle, following blocks, making a pass out to a bubble screening receiver and turning it up field for a TD with a few jukes and spins thrown in along the way. But here is what's not working, but could hopefully be fixed with tweaks that realistically should be able to be released in a patch.
1. Outside run pursuit. This is probably the biggest thing. If you've played a few games online, you've probably played a player who was Wisconsin who just cuts you up with the run. The runs up the middle establish it and then next thing you know they're going for a TD on a HB pitch. After analyzing the replays, the problem is that all the blitzers and after a slight delay, everyone else, comes straight in, without regard to where the ball is or more importantly, is going. I had a safety blitzing off the edge and hit the blocker. As the HB ran right by him on the outside, he fought past the block and turned inside. No run or pass commits were used. In real life the whole defense will attempt to shift and fill the holes and get outside if they see a pitch play going.
2. Scrambling QB recognition. A few times I have seen a LB sitting in a short zone in the middle, nary a WR or HB around him to guard. Next thing you know the QB decides to scramble right up the middle. Apparently thinking the QB running at him is no threat, the linebacker continues to dutifully guard his zone until someone important comes by. The QB is 5 yards past him when he decides, ah, maybe I should get that guy. 20 yard gain, or in my case, a TD (I scrambled with a very mediocre scrambler in Ryan Katz of OSU and went right past a linebacker without him so much turning to look at me until I was already by.)
3. PA fakes. I don't know how much this needs to be tweaked, however I have a balanced offense of pass and run, and after I've run 4 plays in a row (got stuffed for 2 yards total between the first two runs, then on 3rd and 8 ran again against an unsuspecting defense looking for the pass, then ran again on 1st down to boot) I run a playaction pass and sure enough, the blitzing linebackers and safety completely ignore the RB and come straight for the QB. I'm hitting pass as soon as I release from the PA fake, but I'm hit as I'm throwing. Luckily this one lands harmlessly on the turf. But it seems very rare that the defense bites on a PA, thus defeating the point, and getting you either sacked, or hit while throwing many times.
Feel free to add tweaks and changes you'd like to see to the gameplay.
1. Outside run pursuit. This is probably the biggest thing. If you've played a few games online, you've probably played a player who was Wisconsin who just cuts you up with the run. The runs up the middle establish it and then next thing you know they're going for a TD on a HB pitch. After analyzing the replays, the problem is that all the blitzers and after a slight delay, everyone else, comes straight in, without regard to where the ball is or more importantly, is going. I had a safety blitzing off the edge and hit the blocker. As the HB ran right by him on the outside, he fought past the block and turned inside. No run or pass commits were used. In real life the whole defense will attempt to shift and fill the holes and get outside if they see a pitch play going.
2. Scrambling QB recognition. A few times I have seen a LB sitting in a short zone in the middle, nary a WR or HB around him to guard. Next thing you know the QB decides to scramble right up the middle. Apparently thinking the QB running at him is no threat, the linebacker continues to dutifully guard his zone until someone important comes by. The QB is 5 yards past him when he decides, ah, maybe I should get that guy. 20 yard gain, or in my case, a TD (I scrambled with a very mediocre scrambler in Ryan Katz of OSU and went right past a linebacker without him so much turning to look at me until I was already by.)
3. PA fakes. I don't know how much this needs to be tweaked, however I have a balanced offense of pass and run, and after I've run 4 plays in a row (got stuffed for 2 yards total between the first two runs, then on 3rd and 8 ran again against an unsuspecting defense looking for the pass, then ran again on 1st down to boot) I run a playaction pass and sure enough, the blitzing linebackers and safety completely ignore the RB and come straight for the QB. I'm hitting pass as soon as I release from the PA fake, but I'm hit as I'm throwing. Luckily this one lands harmlessly on the turf. But it seems very rare that the defense bites on a PA, thus defeating the point, and getting you either sacked, or hit while throwing many times.
Feel free to add tweaks and changes you'd like to see to the gameplay.
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