46 Defense

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

A good alternative to high STA ratings is having good depth. For example, when Mercilus or Barwin gets tired, the Texans can put in Brooks Reed. Having a rotation like that also helps cushion against injuries. Back to the 46 - I used azdawgpound's rosters to try out the 46 with the Texans' new defense, and it's not anywhere near as successful as it was last year. I mean, don't get me wrong, it still works, but Mercilus is no Super Mario. I was pleasantly surprised by the serviceability of Bradie James at OLB and Darryl Sharpton at MLB, though.

Yeah, I hear you about depth - got whacked by injuries last season, so that came into play.

Anyway, I have a very athletic OLB - 90 SPD, high AGI/ACC, okay coverage ratings. I wonder if I could put him in at SS in the 46 - or maybe in the 46 Bear.

I wonder if that wouldn't be too terrible. I have a lot of good LBs so if this makes sense, it would help get them on the field.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBLover

Yeah, I hear you about depth - got whacked by injuries last season, so that came into play. Anyway, I have a very athletic OLB - 90 SPD, high AGI/ACC, okay coverage ratings. I wonder if I could put him in at SS in the 46 - or maybe in the 46 Bear. I wonder if that wouldn't be too terrible. I have a lot of good LBs so if this makes sense, it would help get them on the field.

I can't tell you how to use your team. It seems like something that might work, but the only way to know for sure is to try it out.

[JMP]

Okay, so peep this. In three games running the 46, I am 2-1. I held the Colts with Manning to 6 points and the Saints with Bree's to 10 points. Somehow the Dolphins scored 30, but I think that was due to some poor matchups. I'll post notable defensive stats after week four. And all I'm doing is base play calls with at most a line shift and slant here and there.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

Okay, so peep this. In three games running the 46, I am 2-1. I held the Colts with Manning to 6 points and the Saints with Bree's to 10 points. Somehow the Dolphins scored 30, but I think that was due to some poor matchups. I'll post notable defensive stats after week four. And all I'm doing is base play calls with at most a line shift and slant here and there.

Yeah, when you run it in Franchise, the 46 can put up some ungodly numbers. In my franchise, I have the Texans at 8-0, and I've only allowed a total of 97 points all season. The closest game I've had so far was a 41-13 win over the Jaguars, and the most points I've allowed has been 20 against the Cardinals when Fitz burned me. I haven't gotten my first shutout yet, though. I think my defensive stats may be a product of an easy schedule, too. The only "hard" matchup I've had was against the 49ers, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

I can't tell you how to use your team. It seems like something that might work, but the only way to know for sure is to try it out.

I didn't do it, wanted to test my SS in man coverage.

Won 63-10 in first preseason game, but when I looked at the opponent - they...suck. Horrid ratings across the board.

Still, was impressive to see even the backups go to work.

[JMP]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-Moar

Yeah, when you run it in Franchise, the 46 can put up some ungodly numbers. In my franchise, I have the Texans at 8-0, and I've only allowed a total of 97 points all season. The closest game I've had so far was a 41-13 win over the Jaguars, and the most points I've allowed has been 20 against the Cardinals when Fitz burned me. I haven't gotten my first shutout yet, though. I think my defensive stats may be a product of an easy schedule, too. The only "hard" matchup I've had was against the 49ers, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

I think this defense, with the combination of scheme and personnel, will give me my best chance yet at a shutout. Despite the lack of superstar OVR ratings behind Joseph, my corners are monsters. Their closing speed is sick. I can't tell you how many times Jackson has been trailing and I'be been able to switch, sprint and swat a potential TD or 1st down.

I am finding for sure that this defense requires extremely specific personnel types. I'm going to have to trade Reed next year. This year he's almost exclusively a special teams player. If I could let go of Keo, I would too. He's gong to be a special teamer exclusively for as long as he's on my team.

[T-Moar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

I think this defense, with the combination of scheme and personnel, will give me my best chance yet at a shutout. Despite the lack of superstar OVR ratings behind Joseph, my corners are monsters. Their closing speed is sick. I can't tell you how many times Jackson has been trailing and I'be been able to switch, sprint and swat a potential TD or 1st down. I am finding for sure that this defense requires extremely specific personnel types. I'm going to have to trade Reed next year. This year he's almost exclusively a special teams player. If I could let go of Keo, I would too. He's gong to be a special teamer exclusively for as long as he's on my team.

I wouldn't be so quick to trade Reed away. I just switched him to DE in year 4 of my franchise, and he's a 99 Overall. Admittedly, I've had him at OLB for the last 3 years in the 3-4, so that might have something to do with it. But still, he's at least usable.

[JMP]

I may try that just to keep him around.

I'm through 5 games and my PPG isn't what I want it to be, but I did get a good game from PIT, and OAK hit me with some classic deep passes to put a few points on the board. Still, I have the following from this D:

97 points allowed
14 sacks
7 picks

I think the pressure has definitely caused quick throws into coverage. Joseph has 4 picks. It's fun to see because lower awareness QBs can actually be tricked by bringing and then withholding pressure from the same looks at different points in the game.

I'm very happy with the results I've gotten from the RDE position. Super Mario has 4 sacks.

I'm not sure how important the OLBs are in Madden's version of the 46. Cushing has 20 tackles and Bulluck has 24. Each has one sack. Ryans is far more active with 40 tackles and a sack. I need to figure out what's going on there.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

I'm not sure how important the OLBs are in Madden's version of the 46. Cushing has 20 tackles and Bulluck has 24. Each has one sack. Ryans is far more active with 40 tackles and a sack. I need to figure out what's going on there.

I think OLBs can do damage in the 46. Murray the "LOLB" had 5 tackles in 6 minutes of the first quarter. My other OLB, Smith, had 9 tackles, leading the team.

It's one game - and preseason - but at least that tells me it's possible.

[JMP]

Quote: Originally Posted by KBLover

I think OLBs can do damage in the 46. Murray the "LOLB" had 5 tackles in 6 minutes of the first quarter. My other OLB, Smith, had 9 tackles, leading the team. It's one game - and preseason - but at least that tells me it's possible.

Yeah, I'm only through 5 games. Bulluck has 34 or so and Cushing has 25 or so, so they're on pace for a reasonable amount of tackles. Ryans has 45 or so, so he's really going to dominate.

I found a really interesting play for pressure. It's called "Wall Stunt"--I can't remember whether it's from the Bear or the Normal set, but something about that play just as it is can give the RDE a free run at a fairly high percentage. It's not money, but it's a very good rush play. Given that it's a cover three look with no obvious difference in rush lanes, I would never have guessed that it would be a pass rush powerhouse, but it is indeed. Check it out. Totally sim, and very effective.