The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

[Gotmadskillzson]

There has always been a problem with the punt return game in the NCAA series. Here is the picture proof explaining why.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72776925@N03/6567884269/" title="2_standing by gotmadskillzson2011, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6567884269_5aef5ae588.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="2_standing"></a>

First problem is on every punt, you always have the guy next to the last guy on the line not ever attempting to block anybody or help block anybody. He just stands and after a couple seconds he takes off running down the middle of the field UNTOUCHED.

Then the FB extra blocker behind the line, don't block anybody either and after a few seconds he takes off too running down the middle of the field UNTOUCHED.

So right at the beginning you have 2 people UNTOUCHED coming right down the middle of the field and you ALWAYS have 1 of the gunners from the sidelines come FREE down the sideline as well. For some reason one of the blockers of the gunners ALWAYS give up on the play and let the gunner run right passed him WITHOUT giving chase.

So really you end up with 3 defenders going up against 2 punt return blockers. MISMATCH


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72776925@N03/6567884293/" title="3_On_2 by gotmadskillzson2011, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6567884293_a582930228.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="3_On_2"></a>

As you can see those 3 are down the field ALREADY

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72776925@N03/6567884313/" title="6_on_2 by gotmadskillzson2011, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6567884313_4fee94ebe2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="6_on_2"></a>

Lastly.....after 7 seconds or so, you ALWAYS see this going on. You have 6 defenders running up the middle going up against 3 punt return blockers. Needless to say the Punt Returner don't ever stand a chance with those odds against him.

And it is made even worse with the fact CPU Punt Returners ALWAYS run in a straight line directly at them. This needs to be fixed in NCAA 13 by having the defensive line actual penetrating the line and FORCING the 2 people who don't ever block anybody to block somebody. That way they won't just run freely off the line ALL THE TIME.

Also if you noticed in the first picture, nobody even came close to blocking that punt. He had all the time in the world to kick. Highly unrealistic.

Now the reason why I labeled this thread Punt Return specifically, is because this is the only part of special teams that can't be fixed by rosters or sliders. At least with kick off returns you can fix that by increasing the blocking ratings of everybody on special teams.

But with punting, you can't over come that many people running off the line FREELY.

[Isura]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

Less tha 10% chance this is fixed next year.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

They better fix it, it is in their best interest to fix it. Special teams is 1/3 of the game of football. How many times have you heard coaches and tv commentators say the following:

"The team that wins the battle of field position, usually ends up winning the game."

Hell special teams is the reason why Devin Hester, Rocket Ismail and the like even had a job in the NFL. It is the reason why punters punt away from dangerous returners.

I mean heck, no punter EVER would have to practice the art of corner kicks or the art of getting good hang time on their punts if punt returns wasn't so dangerous.

It can be a game changer. So it definitely needs to be fixed. Special teams working CORRECTLY and more REALISTICALLY is far more important then team entrances, mascots or what type of shoe somebody is wearing.

Punting is so boring and dull in the NCAA and Madden series that you could punt the ball with your eyes closed because you know full well they won't ever get more then 3 to 12 yards on you and never ever is a threat to return it for a TD on you.

You also know full well your punt won't ever get blocked, the punter will never drop the snap or miss the kick either. It is too automatic and too scripted. Almost like watching a cut scene.

You might as well but a damn linebacker back their to field punt returns because he is going to get just as many yards.

[TDenverFan]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

The biggest problem for me is guys don't block the right defender, and go downfield for the block when there is someone trying to tackle me 3 yards away.

[Jarodd21]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

Yeah the punt return game for the CPU definitely needs to be fixed. They haven't came close to running one back on me. Like skillz said before they need to fix the open field running ability for the CPU so they can become dangerous in these situations..

I like how it is for the USER. Its not as easy to run punts back as it is to run back kickoffs.. I've only ran a few back in my current dynasty I'm playing right now and it takes alot of stick skills to pull it off.

[TheShizNo1]

GMSS, I fear all your great contributions and findings will be overlooked. The time that should be going into that, will go into team specific cheers and cheer leaders.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

The biggest problem for me is guys don't block the right defender, and go downfield for the block when there is someone trying to tackle me 3 yards away.

Another problem and the over all bigger problem is the return team on the line, always bunch up in the middle, instead of staying in their own gap assignment. Everybody on the line would spread out, you wouldn't have 2 blockers standing there with nobody to block.

Then there is the problem of for some reason the kicking team line seems to always get a speed burst and out runs the return team when they are running towards the Punt Returner.

Don't matter what the speed of that line is, they all run down the field like they have 99 speed and 99 acceleration. And they all take the perfect angle to the Punt Returner.

Been emailing EA community manager all last year and this year that they run down the field way too fast. In real life, the line don't be the first ones down the field, it be the gunners. But in the game they always have the line members down there first along with one of the gunners.

Also I don't know if you noticed but majority of the CPU PR runs PASSED his 2 blockers in front of him. That in itself is wrong and needs to be fixed. You don't run passed your blockers, let them block somebody FIRST before you go passed them.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

Ok those of you who have Madden 10 or NCAA 10, play that game and punt the ball to the CPU. I just replayed both games and in both game I noticed the following:

1. Defenders were way more aggressive in going for the block of the punt.

2. The 2 people on the ends of the line for the PR team, went back to block.

3. The people who runs free on NCAA 11 and NCAA 12 on the kicking team don't.

4. More importantly, the PR himself have way better field vision. He doesn't run in a straight line up the middle, he cuts towards the sidelines where there is SPACE and when he sees that lane closing up, he CUTS BACK ACROSS THE FIELD to where there is space.

So tell me, how is they had it pretty good in NCAA 10 and Madden 10, but for the past 2 years have had it wrong when it comes to punt returns ????

Unfortunately EA Servers no longer accepts pictures or highlight videos from Madden 10 or NCAA 10. But those who still have those games can see for yourself.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

For users returning punts, it is worse. Not only do all the same problems exist, but EVERY time when you get past the initial wave, there is one player (usually one of the interior players who is engaged at the start of the play) who FLIES down the field and overtakes you, no matter what his angle is. Punt returns are so dangerous at the second level because you HAVE to break down in punt coverage. You can't just fly down the field like a maniac because it takes one lateral step by the return man and you're out of the play.

The gunner play in this game on punts is ridiculous. You either get jammed at the line for 10 seconds or the guy goes completely unblocked.

Special teams hasn't been touched in about a decade. I have blocked a handful of punts this year, but it feels so cheap because it is out of punt return and just putting a 97+ speed/accel guy at that safety spot on the edge. The wing blocked never touches him so its a clear path, you just need a good jump. I have deadly special teams in a dynasty where I have Sammy Watkins running back punts/kicks and Mike Bellamy (98 speed) blocking them. I have returned 4 kicks and a punt for a TD, blocked two punts, one for a safety and one for a TD.

I'd love to see some spread punt formations, unique block/return combinations, an emphasis on finding quality personnel there (and perhaps a deeper roster limit so I don't necessarily need to play top WR's or CB's out there). But I doubt it gets touched.

[Isura]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

They better fix it, it is in their best interest to fix it. Special teams is 1/3 of the game of football. How many times have you heard coaches and tv commentators say the following:

"The team that wins the battle of field position, usually ends up winning the game."

Hell special teams is the reason why Devin Hester, Rocket Ismail and the like even had a job in the NFL. It is the reason why punters punt away from dangerous returners.

I mean heck, no punter EVER would have to practice the art of corner kicks or the art of getting good hang time on their punts if punt returns wasn't so dangerous.

It can be a game changer. So it definitely needs to be fixed. Special teams working CORRECTLY and more REALISTICALLY is far more important then team entrances, mascots or what type of shoe somebody is wearing.

Punting is so boring and dull in the NCAA and Madden series that you could punt the ball with your eyes closed because you know full well they won't ever get more then 3 to 12 yards on you and never ever is a threat to return it for a TD on you.

You also know full well your punt won't ever get blocked, the punter will never drop the snap or miss the kick either. It is too automatic and too scripted. Almost like watching a cut scene.

You might as well but a damn linebacker back their to field punt returns because he is going to get just as many yards.

I don't disagree with you. However they can't even get offense and defense right. I'm not optimistic about special teams. EA makes more sales by focusing on new back of box features like coach carousel or custom conferences. So I don't think it's in their best interest to improve basic gameplay like special teams, recruiting, player progresion, player ratings

[lsuandduke]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

On punt returns, i audible to a prevent defense play and the computer recognizes this as a punt block attempt, and audibles to punt block safety type formation. After this I audible to back to my normal punt return play. I then control one of the two players on either side who are assigned to gunner, and I bring him back to the return man, so I end up having three blockers and no gunner. Sot it's three blockers against two. For the most part, it works well.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

On punt returns, i audible to a prevent defense play and the computer recognizes this as a punt block attempt, and audibles to punt block safety type formation. After this I audible to back to my normal punt return play. I then control one of the two players on either side who are assigned to gunner, and I bring him back to the return man, so I end up having three blockers and no gunner. Sot it's three blockers against two. For the most part, it works well.

That is all find and dandy for a USER. But the CPU won't do this when they are trying to return punts. And that is what this whole thread is about, the CPU having problems returning punts.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: The Problem with the Punt Return Game with Pics

That is all find and dandy for a USER. But the CPU won't do this when they are trying to return punts. And that is what this whole thread is about, the CPU having problems returning punts.

The CPU plays incompetently in all 3 aspects of the game, I'd rather them be able to throw a HB Slip Screen without getting sacked 8 times a game than be able to run a punt back.

Special teams for both user and CPU needs to be completely revamped. Defense and special teams both actually.