[GiantBlue76]

Quote: Originally Posted by BezO

My answers to most issues seem to be the same as I feel most things are due to a few big issues. I'd like to see: Engaged player mobility - Engaged defenders need to be able to move laterally to close down the space on outside runs, contain, and allow for true cutbacks. Engaged players also need to be able to move forward/backward to allow for true edge rushing, contain, pocket collapses, etc. Run fits - Defenders should have assignments like they do irl. Run defense is based on gap/contain assignments. Without contain assignments, the success of outside runs is based too heavily on the OLB/OT fight. An OLB can do his job without disengaging, by maintaining outside leverage. An OT can do his job without pancaking or "holding", by staying engaged & rinding a defender and giving the RB a lane. Even on inside runs, it seems a d-lineman's 1st move is always towards the blocker assigned to them, even when they have to move away from the play. D-linemen have to be programmed to "read" the o-linemen, maintain their gap & flow towards the play. Realistic Footwork - Another one that affects the spacing of plays. Ball carriers are too twitchy & can cover too much ground in a short period of time. And it looks ugly. Defenders are also too twitchy, covering too much ground, very noticable on pass plays when they get to balls they shouldn't. Tiered Play Calling - One I don't expect for a while, but it's very necessary to even out the playing field. Madden's preconceived plays just don't give us enought ammo. I can't be the only one that has been getting beat by a play type, knew it was coming, but couldn't find a "play" to match the scheme in out head. D coordinators put schemes together in parts. They can combine fronts, stunts, blitzes, shells & coverages in a great number of ways. In Madden, I always feel I have to make a choice between stunt/blitz package & coverage. If I want to play Man Free, I'm stuck to the 2-3 plays from a particular front. If I want to blitz my WOLB, I'm again stuck to the few plays with that blitz. In either case, I can't put together a defensive scheme and often have my front 7 or DBs doing someting I don't want. Sure, we have audibles. Problem is I'm limited to the time my opponenet gives me before he snaps the ball and there are no stunt audibles. IMO, the only way around tiering the defense is to add many, many more preconceived plays to cover more of the stunt, blitz, shell & coverage combinations that exist. WR/DB Interaction - Shading is there, but it doesn't seem to work. Shading inside should take away inside routes more times than not, at a particular depth. Same for shading outside. We need more depth options for DBs. Press, off, at/near 1st down & way off for the desparation situations. DBs need more ability to bump & redirect WRs. Not so much interaction, but I'll put it here. DBs (& WRs) need separate jump & catch/swat buttons. Too often, I want to jump and the DB only puts his hands up. But this also needs to be connected to line of sight. Line of Sight - This will take away from the defense, but make it more realistic. Defenders should not be reacting to balls they can't see. If a DB is playing man & the ball is thrown in another direction, he should not be turning & chasing right away. DBs/LBs should also be limited in how they react to a ball. Most trailing defenders shouldn't be jumping at balls since they are focused on the WR. Few DBs have the awareness to turn & look in those situations. We should have to play the WR's hands in these cases. More double team animations and the ability & need to draw double teams. Some 3-4 NTs commandd double teams on inside runs. This is often what makes the 3-4 successful. Some DEs (& DTs) command double teams on passes.

Everything in this post!!!!

The thing that I DON'T like mentioned in that article is the "poor awareness by defenders". Really? I believe it's the exact OPPOSITE problem. You have guys that are running in the opposite direction with their back to the QB stopping the instant the ball is thrown, doing a weird circle animation then warping through the receiver to pick off the pass. Linebackers are running to their left only to warp 5 yards to their right to intercept the pass with one hand. It's a total mess in my opinion. Passing the ball should be challenging and I like that, but when you make a good read and you see the separation only to have the defender magically warp to a spot that he can't possibly get to, it's infuriating.

Player interaction in madden needs the overhaul, not just the defense. I don't want to see all 11 defenders reacting to the ball before it's left the QBs hand, yet that is EXACTLY what happens.