Special Teams in Depth Chart

[WingedLion14]

I was just wondering - ST is a key, albeit underrated, area of football, and although it doesn't get a lot of love in Madden as far as UI and ease of setup goes, I was wondering if anyone happened to know what parts in the regular depth chart correlate to which special teams players.

[Hooe]

Currently, there is no dedicated special teams depth chart in Madden. The most you can do is set your kicker, punter, kick and punt returners, long snapper, and kickoff specialist.

You might be able to change kickoff coverage players in-game using the in-game formation substitution interface, though I've honestly never thought to try doing that and don't know if that is in fact possible.

Hopefully as Madden continues to move in the direction of teaching the user real-world football concepts they allow more special teams specialization in the future.

[WelshWizard]

These were the case on Madden 12. I would expect they are the same or are pretty close.

-Punt Return: PR, #2/3/4 CBs, #2FS, #1/2 SSs, #1 ROLB, #2 OLBs, #2 MLB


-Punt Block: PR, #2/3 CBs, #1 ROLB, #1/2 FSs, #2 SS, #2 OLBs, #1/2 MLBs


-Punt Return Safe: PR, #2/3/4 CBs, #1 ROLB, #2 OLBs, #2 MLB, #1/2 SSs, #2 FS


-Punt: P, #3/4 CBs, #1 FB, #2 FS, #2 SS, LS, #2 OLBs, #1/2 MLBs


-Punt Protect: P, LS, #1/2 FBs, #1 OLBs, #1 MLB, #2 SS, #2 OLBs, #2 MLB


-Kickoff Coverage: K, #4/5 WRs, #3/4 CBs, #2 SS, #2 FS, #2 OLBs, #2 MLB, #2 TE


-Kick Return/KR2: #1/2 KR, #1 FB, #1/2/3 TE, #2 CB, #2 MLB, #2 OLBs, #2 SS


-Onside: K, #2/3/4 CBs, #2 FS, #2 SS, #3/4/5 WRs, #2 TE, #2 OLB(Not Sure R/L)


-Onside Recover: #1/2KR, #1/2/3 HBs, #1/2/3 WRs, #1 FB, #1/2 TE


-FG Block: #1/2 DTs, #1 LE, #1 RE, #1 SS, #3/4 CBs, #1 ROLB, #1MLB, #2 OLB(Not Sure R/L), PR


-FG/Extra Point: K, #2QB, LS, #1Gs/Ts, #2 HB, #1/2/3 TEs

I feel the whole depth chart needs to be updated to allow you to chose or at least show you somewhere who is involved.

I would also like the number system such as WR #1 #2 #3 in the depth chart to change to terms like Split End or Flanker with their own numbers to define exactly who lines up where and who is the first to be subbed in to those positions. This could be done for a few positions and even more with multiple fronts such as who you want as NT.

Like the different types of concepts they have done I would like to see positions explained more and could be tied in to the players style rather than a short sentence of explanation which should help newcomers to American Football and expand the meanings of the style to experienced players.

[4thQtrStre5S]

There should be a means to manually set all your team's base line ups; including special teams...We almost have something like that in MUT for the base line ups..Just transfer that system to the other parts of the game, PLay now and CFM..

Should also be able to set up who covers the opponent as they had in the best, but just better implemented, as I believe there was some base issues with the original manual system for setting up matchups..

[4thQtrStre5S]

I am curious how much freedom EA/Tiburon has in implementing certain aspects to the game..I recall an article which identified parts of Madden that were removed because the NFL itself did not want them in game...I recall one thing that was removed were the hits that caused a player to lose their helmet.

Maybe EA/Tiburon has its hands tied...Though they should still be able to implement a simple special teams depth chart and allow for the fundamentals of football to be represented..

[Hooe]

I'll repeat my desire that Tiburon move away from a one-size-fits-all depth chart and move towards a personnel groupings to fill any formation concept.

I think the biggest obstacle is they need to be able to teach the average person how to use such a system. The current depth chart system is simple and easy to understand. Even if it doesn't provide for the specialization everyone here (myself included) wants allowed, it works for the majority of Madden's audience right now; they understand what a wide receiver is, what a running back is, what a linebacker is, but likely little if anything beyond that. I imagine if you start throwing things beyond "slot receiver" and "nickel back" at the average Madden player, they will start throwing fits, lol.

[SpyPirates]

It's just another example of a feature that was in previous gen that has been taken out.

For some reason, this particular issue is a huge pet peeve of mine. I always liked recruiting guys for special teams (speed, str, hit power, impact blocking prioritized, AWR etc. not considered), but it's sometimes difficult to fill the given roster spots like that because the special teamers have to take the 2nd string slot, but you would prefer to give the playing time on defensive downs to the young LB, S, etc. you are developing. It must drive those who run a 3-4 crazy, since I assume MLB2 is on special teams for all formations...

The best thing you can do is just setup the special teams the way you like it using LB2s, etc, and manually substitute in your real backup as needed.