Defense - How To Play Better / More Consistent

[VitoStallion]

Defense - How To Play Better / More Consistent???


I'm not going to start this with some spiel about who I am and what I do. Most of ya'll know me as I've been in the community for over a decade now (yikes). Those that don't know me, good for you :P

I have no idea if what I do on offense or defense would be of interests to any of you but I'm willing to share any and everything provided you are open to do the same.

While I don't seem to be able to seal the deal on offense, I know what it takes to produce a high octane attack and I think I might be able to give a gm some pretty good insight there.

For me though, its defense that makes the game enjoyable and I'm starting to burn out trying to build the FOF version of a dominant unit. I've arch'd a scheme that gets to about 90% of where I want to be. So perhaps it's time to share some ideas and discuss FOF with my fellow gm on the matter to see what I'm missing


I run the 34 defense and I run way different than Rex suggests -- not to be a snot, but I think my take on the scheme is a truer representation of how you play a 3-4 defense.

For example:

My 2040 Baltimore Ravens



This team, like so many Stallions teams, missed the playoffs due to bad QB play (a hallmark of my teams it seems ) but check out the defense.

vs. Rushing




vs. Passing




These stats are similar to the SLC defense last season as I was just then working out this new scheme. I've somewhat nailed it BUT I'm I'm struggling to figure out some things:

1. Scoring, how to improve your defenses abilty to stop the score?
   
2. How does one improve his OpPDPct rating? The 49ers sported a 70.9 while I was only a 48.9. I know this is the number balls defensed but how do I defend better against the pass?

[VitoStallion]

74% vs short passing
41% vs short passing
22% vs long passing


...that interesting enough?

[BOSS]

Not sure how to improve that stat other than better players or maybe man to man bars.

[VitoStallion]

Thx Boss,

I thought the same, but was curious as my Bmore corners are primarily man defenders -- actually better than the 49ers.

I've cut way back on the man coverage based on what I saw in GPA with respect to my team but perhaps I need to play the recommended Rex values for man and evaluate.

[VitoStallion]

We're really that serious here that we can't openly discuss even a little strategy??? You guys are funny.

[VitoStallion]

Thx Boss,

I thought the same, but was curious as my Bmore receivers are primarily man defenders -- actually better than the 49ers.

I've cut way back on the man coverage based on what I saw in GPA with respect to my team but perhaps I need to play the recommended Rex values for man and evaluate.

Appears I got my answer here today. Had to let Rex handle one aspect of the coverage that I was being stubborn about, guess he showed me

[Kobeck]

We're really that serious here that we can't openly discuss even a little strategy??? You guys are funny.

you are talking about things I am not doing

Not saying you are wrong, its just I dont really know what you are doing so I cant comment.


Does anyone know if Jim finally took out those flipped colums in the D setups?

I cant remember what they were now, but it was proven they were flipped at FOFC

[markc]

Wish I had some insight to contribute. A while ago (before my Imperial Bowl season) I had a few years when VAN was close to the top in most defensive categories (including OpPDPct rating in the 70s one season). I was playing pass defense very heavily skewed toward BnR, basically rexing blitzes and adjusting coverages based on if the offense had a good TE. But I haven't repeated that success since, I think it was mainly because I had two studs, SS Warren and MLB Nitschke - and I came to believe that those were the 2 most important positions in the 4-3 (not sure if that was/is still the case).

I've hardly done any looking at the new version, but I've noticed that the old version always recommended I orient DB by side of formation, and the new one always recommends I orient by WR covered. Wish I knew what is getting thrown into that calculation - 'cause that seems like a big flip.

[VitoStallion]

cool, it's just discussing things to see if we all kinda see stuff the same per se.

Quality of players does seem to the 'go-to' answer here but I suspect we have some more factors at play in building top 10 units.

Don't discount what you might contribute -- Boss's comment yesterday was what led me to trying out something I thought would be bad for us and it might have damn well 'unlocked' that 10% improvement I was looking for

Like your turnaround on defense last year Mark, how did you pull off that turnaround? Did you have to change your plan or did you let them play through it?

I've suspected for about 3 seasons now that I fiddle with my plans too damn much but I have NO IDEA as no ones talks about that stuff.

[VitoStallion]

you are talking about things I am not doing

Not saying you are wrong, its just I dont really know what you are doing so I cant comment.

Does anyone know if Jim finally took out those flipped colums in the D setups?

I cant remember what they were now, but it was proven they were flipped at FOFC

Whoa not a matter or wrong/right Brother Kobeck -- just really looking for how guys approach the matter of defense.

I've settled into 34 because I think I understand how it's supposed to work but that doesn't mean I get the FOF angle.


Yes, D is still flipped -- LE is the pass rusher / RE is the run stuffer and it matters how you set it up when you play the 34.

[VitoStallion]

DOLA

remember my perspectives on offense and defense is but ONE of many; take everything I post as such. I'm nobody special here.

[BOSS]

I haven't played any single player with this new game so I'm curious on how this new game will affect me early on defense. I've fined tuned a little and so far pretty happy with the results so far but it's preseason.

[BOSS]

Tell you one thing I'm enjoying with this new version is the cap. What a great improvement in this game and way overdue. These guys no matter the skill set want to get paid. Sorry for going off topic...

[markc]

Like your turnaround on defense last year Mark, how did you pull off that turnaround? Did you have to change your plan or did you let them play through it?

I don't remember making much change to teh defensive GP. I did change a bunch on the offensive side when I went to Van Verth. It seemed to spark the offense which may in turn have helped the defense since we were able to play with the lead more often.

[ukpatfan]

Good to see some discussion on the forum.

London have done well on the defensive side of the ball recently, especially in points allowed...which to me is the only defensive stat that truly matters.

Generally speaking I prefer the 'bend don't break' philosophy.
If I can keep a team bottled up and taking small bites of yardage, the more opportunity to force an error, kill a drive with a sack or stuff a 3rd and 1 situation.

I've tried to keep my defense strong through the middle....DTs, MLB, SS....which to my mind means I don't need to worry about run D so much. A few studs in the centre takes care of the heart of my D and let's me scheme things with a focus on the opponent's pass attack.
I really think Tommy Bean was such a force roaming the middle that he allowed the rest of the D to cheat against the pass.
Worked for me under the old version but who knows with the new.