Defending the middle of the field from the pass

[SynShadowzz]

Hello -

I'm currently in year 6 of my UConn offline dynasty.

My custom sliders have been fantastic. Very true to sim, and a lot of fun.

However, I'm having a hell of a time defending passes over the middle of the field.

I'll start off by telling you my CB's and safeties aren't really a strong point for my team ( at the moment anyways).

My LB's are young, but developing decently.

I suppose it could be just ratings, but man.. those CPU IN routes are absolutely destroying me.

I'll drop my LB's into zone coverage, I'll rush my nickle and dimes to try and increase pressure on the QB, I've tried everything.

The QB seems to get just enough time to hit the wide open WR (or TE) running across the middle of the field.

How do you deal with this? Should I switch up to a 3-4 from a 4-3?

[fagatronics]

User control a DT/end and bust up the QB's grill before he can get the pass off.

[ipadblack11]

you dont, the cpu only throws to the outside on curls and wide open wr. you need to play safety or mlb and "patrol" the middle yourself taking that away because someone will run across almost every play.

[bgeno]

Quote: Originally Posted by ipadblack11

you dont, the cpu only throws to the outside on curls and wide open wr. you need to play safety or mlb and "patrol" the middle yourself taking that away because someone will run across almost every play.

I do this. I play every play as the safety on the left side of the field (EA needs to make it so that FS and SS flop when necessary). I started doing this in Madden just to add some difficulty to defense, but I actually like it now. It gives me some added freedom as a player.

I run almost strictly man-to-man defense, so I call a lot of cover 1 (or cover 1 Robber). Take the safety (or LB I guess) who is "robbing" the middle of the field and roam with him. You can add some support if it is a run and be there in the middle for when a slot receiver runs a drag or dig route.

Using a safety also gives you more freedom in run committing, I think. I'll often run commit to the side I think the ball is going but keep my safety on the backside in case I'm wrong or the CPU RB cuts back. Usually I'm overpowered by their O-line if I guessed wrong, but it helps to have the backside support nonetheless.

[fcboiler87]

I like Cover 2 for defending the middle. But in all honesty, if you are playing on Heisman, the CPU will know you are in CPU and they WILL complete a pass, likely to a corner on a smash concept or to a vertical between the two safeties in the middle of the field. Yes, those are the weak points of Cover 2, but it is amazing how the CPU always knows you're in the coverage and can complete it in those weak spots. It's worth a try to use Cover 2 to cover the middle of the field though.

[devinewon]

Yeah on Heisman an all conference cornerback will be 7 yards behind a 72 overall wide receiver when ever it suites the computer to do so. The computer cheats. there will always be someone wide open and it will rarely ever be the guy you are covering.

[wonderl33t]

I did a dynasty with UConn on Heisman and my D was pretty bad for the first couple of years. I was winning a lot, but there were a ton of 49-35 type of scores. This was on 7 minute quarters.

After a while, my D's started to get better through recruiting and scores became more normal