Operation Sports Forums - View Single Post - Help! What do you think of this defensive strategy?

Cowboy_Bear · 11-03-2010, 04:15 PM

Hello Gentlemen:
I am playing in an OD with all my old high school buddies (alot whom I played football with). We each created a team and traded that team for the worse teams in the ACC, Big 12, and SEC. We just wrapped up our conference championship games in the second season and I lost last night on a 10 second left hail marry. I literally, was sick to my stomache!

Most of the guys run a a combination spread/pro style offense but the guy I went up against last night ran the run-and-shoot. I also know a couple of guys whom I haven't played yet, but they run the run-and-shoot and air-raid offenses quite often as well.

Last night was my first loss. Like I said, he ran the run-and-shoot and I kept my typlical 4-3 defense. It didn't matter if I blitzed or ran man coverage or zone coverage. His QB would take a quick 3 step drop, has a killer release, and consequently... I could never get pressure on him and he would find the open man everytime.

I'm already not the best at defense so this is what I was thinking...

Selecting the 4-2-5 defense and substituting one DE with a FS/SS (whom I would control the entire game... take him off the LOS and probably set him up behind the MLB and in front of my FS and SS). Now substitue the remaining DE with another DT (my goal would be to recruit huge/fat/strong DT's) thus giving me 3 big DT's on the front line. Now I am planning on shifting the line to compensate for moving my previous DE, now FS/SS, as well as shifting my backers if necessary (line and backer shift would also take into consideration the strong side of the field).

My thinking is if I can "clog up the line" with my big DT's, the speed of my FS/SS and the remaining two backers can mediate the run... I know doing this will make the run more difficult, but no one in our league runs the ball consistently either. I have the most difficult time with the pass.

Moreover, I was thinking about substituting both of my backers with the strongest SS's I have or can recruit. Thus, giving up strength and block shedding but gaining "coverage" while at the same time having 5 defensive backs.

In summary, I guess what I am trying to do is contain the run with 3 big d-lineman while having SPEED and COVERAGE guys take up the remaining 8 positions. I think that because most of the guys run spread offenses, I cannot stop the run-but I can contain it with my speed - also giving me 8 coverage guys which is by far my weakest link in the game.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

11-03-2010, 04:15 PM	#1
Cowboy_Bear Rookie OVR: 2 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas	Help! What do you think of this defensive strategy? Hello Gentlemen: I am playing in an OD with all my old high school buddies (alot whom I played football with). We each created a team and traded that team for the worse teams in the ACC, Big 12, and SEC. We just wrapped up our conference championship games in the second season and I lost last night on a 10 second left hail marry. I literally, was sick to my stomache! Most of the guys run a a combination spread/pro style offense but the guy I went up against last night ran the run-and-shoot. I also know a couple of guys whom I haven't played yet, but they run the run-and-shoot and air-raid offenses quite often as well. Last night was my first loss. Like I said, he ran the run-and-shoot and I kept my typlical 4-3 defense. It didn't matter if I blitzed or ran man coverage or zone coverage. His QB would take a quick 3 step drop, has a killer release, and consequently... I could never get pressure on him and he would find the open man everytime. I'm already not the best at defense so this is what I was thinking... Selecting the 4-2-5 defense and substituting one DE with a FS/SS (whom I would control the entire game... take him off the LOS and probably set him up behind the MLB and in front of my FS and SS). Now substitue the remaining DE with another DT (my goal would be to recruit huge/fat/strong DT's) thus giving me 3 big DT's on the front line. Now I am planning on shifting the line to compensate for moving my previous DE, now FS/SS, as well as shifting my backers if necessary (line and backer shift would also take into consideration the strong side of the field). My thinking is if I can "clog up the line" with my big DT's, the speed of my FS/SS and the remaining two backers can mediate the run... I know doing this will make the run more difficult, but no one in our league runs the ball consistently either. I have the most difficult time with the pass. Moreover, I was thinking about substituting both of my backers with the strongest SS's I have or can recruit. Thus, giving up strength and block shedding but gaining "coverage" while at the same time having 5 defensive backs. In summary, I guess what I am trying to do is contain the run with 3 big d-lineman while having SPEED and COVERAGE guys take up the remaining 8 positions. I think that because most of the guys run spread offenses, I cannot stop the run-but I can contain it with my speed - also giving me 8 coverage guys which is by far my weakest link in the game. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.