JSU Zack
How do I IT?
I've been experimenting on Madden 16 a lot lately. Went through a few iterations of what I consider an air raid offense through a west coast frame of mind.
I originally started with a core group of formations - Leach's dozen or so sets (10/11/20 personnel). I was able to go really fast with this and get good numbers in the air and on the ground. Dropping 40 with the Saints is pretty easy against the CPU - even on All-Madden with difficult sliders.
I made a second version of the playbook with a focus on 21/11 personnel. The results were... interesting. By going under center with a fullback, like Bill Walsh, I saw a larger variety of fronts, which made t more difficult to run the ball. Even with Jalston Fowler lead blocking (85 OVR), I could never get to the second level. The passing game was also more difficult thanks to different timing on the passes and slower backs and tight ends running the routes. Averaged sub-30 PPG.
The third version - as of last night - is an Air Raid/WCO using Dennis Erickson's one back sets plus bunch & empty. The run game is still not what I would like - 3.5 YPG compared to 6 or 7 from the gun.
This got me to thinking, as defenses transition from a wrecking crew mindset and move to finesse defenses, the need for a great nickel corner is important. A guy that can fly to the ball, shed blocks, and still cover intermediate passes is ideal, but many teams don't have that. Normally, a team is lucky to have three good guys in their secondary, but FIVE is a tall order. That's why I think the spread is wrecking people these days. Schemes can only carry you so far; you need great alley players.
I originally started with a core group of formations - Leach's dozen or so sets (10/11/20 personnel). I was able to go really fast with this and get good numbers in the air and on the ground. Dropping 40 with the Saints is pretty easy against the CPU - even on All-Madden with difficult sliders.
I made a second version of the playbook with a focus on 21/11 personnel. The results were... interesting. By going under center with a fullback, like Bill Walsh, I saw a larger variety of fronts, which made t more difficult to run the ball. Even with Jalston Fowler lead blocking (85 OVR), I could never get to the second level. The passing game was also more difficult thanks to different timing on the passes and slower backs and tight ends running the routes. Averaged sub-30 PPG.
The third version - as of last night - is an Air Raid/WCO using Dennis Erickson's one back sets plus bunch & empty. The run game is still not what I would like - 3.5 YPG compared to 6 or 7 from the gun.
This got me to thinking, as defenses transition from a wrecking crew mindset and move to finesse defenses, the need for a great nickel corner is important. A guy that can fly to the ball, shed blocks, and still cover intermediate passes is ideal, but many teams don't have that. Normally, a team is lucky to have three good guys in their secondary, but FIVE is a tall order. That's why I think the spread is wrecking people these days. Schemes can only carry you so far; you need great alley players.