Tips For Scouting For Different Systems

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Im interested in what stats, weights, heights and +/-'s do you look at when deciding whether a player will fit a 4-3 or 3-4 system

[TheShizNo1]

3-4:
DLineman - size and strength
OLB's - great pass rush skills w/ at the least decent coverage
MLB's - great run stoppers, good in coverage, decent pass rush skills

I think your 4-3 can vary. you can be a 4-3 tampa 2 or a base 4-3 or a blitz 4-3(what i use) and you could use different personel for each one.

[TheDMG]

As theshizetno said, there are different potential scheme breakdowns within the 3-4 and 4-3. In my current franchise, I'm running a strictly traditional Tampa 2 with the Tampa 2 playbook. I mainly go with the philosophies Tampa Bay starts out with (although this isn't quite their playbook) as well as other potential choices and some choice stats I pay attention to if there are any for that position.

My Guide to the Tampa 2

DE - Prototype DE. Another possibility is Undersized Speed Rusher, which is more of a Colts approach. Because traditional Tampa 2s blitz as little as possible, you need to get your pass rush from your DL, which makes the Colts approach appealing. I go with the TB philosophy of Prototype right now, though, because Tampa 2 defenses tend to be undersized and can get pushed around in the running game, especially if you go to far in the pure speed rusher direction.

DT - One Gap Pass Rusher. Think Warren Sapp or John Randle. ACC is a key stat for a one-gap DT. Pair a high ACC with good SPD, PassRush Moves and decent STR and you have a demon. Draft comparisons to Sapp and Coleman are generally the types you're looking for. In my current franchise, I started in the regular season with a team whose players did not fit the system at all (that was part of the challenge.) But I saw LDE Tony Bake sitting in the undrafted free agent pool and thought - this guy has adequate strength, good pass rush and run defense moves and top-notch speed and acceleration. While he's better rated as DE, he's been a top five sack guy every year for me - he's been my Warren Sapp. He's especially been deadly on stunts where your athletic undertackle types can really turn up the heat.

Another option you can go for if your Tampa 2 is struggling at containing the run (some of mine have, but then again I SuperSim - if you're playing, its likely not an issue) is to pair a one gap undertackle DT with a Tampa 2 NT, ala Henry Thomas/Booger McFarland. Tampa 2 NT still need to be able to penetrate, they can't just be cloggers like a Casey Hampton, but they also have to clog the run a bit so teams can't just stuff the ball past your Sapp guy whose charging upfield blindly. They need to be more balanced with more STR and RunMoves, but can't be deficient at rushing the passer either because if all your passrush is coming from the DL you can't have someone not contributing. Your NT will probably be underrated in his OVR because you can't set two different DT philosophies, but that's OK. You know what they're there for.

LB
OLB - Cover 2/Coverage; MLB - Cover 2/Speed
Your linebackers don't have to have prototype size. They need to have high SPD and ZCV or teams will pick apart your zone. And they need to be able to tackle because chances are your front four aren't going to be making too many stops on the way to the quarterback. Derrick Brooks, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher are your prototypes. Gary Brackett's not a bad example either - he'd be a backup or nickle linebacker in most schemes but he's a crucial contributor for the Colts. Cato June was similar in his Colts run.

CB - Cover 2. I know, shocker. If you go with the Tampa 2 Playbook (not to be confused with the Tampa Bay playbook) like I have, then you'll notice something: there's not a single man coverage play in it. This can be a huge advantage for you - if you don't add any man plays then you can ignore the MCV rating altogether and focus on ZCV. Because they don't need to stay with recievers man-to-man, you can also slack a bit on SPD if you want, although I tend to try to keep that up cause I like my corners to grab picks and get turnovers for me, which are crucial for a cover 2 scheme. Tackle rating is more important for a Cover 2 corner because they're going to be closer to the line of scrimmage more often and a blown tackle can screw a lot up. Think of Ronde Barber as your ideal Cover 2 guy - opportunistic and aggressive tackler. Another good draft comparison is Nathan Vasher.

FS - Centerfielder. You need a ballhawk with CB skills more than a run stopper. Dwight Smith went from being the Bucs nickle back to their starting free safety - that's the type of player you want, although hopefully you can find someone better than Dwight Smith. As with the CBs, who cares about man coverage - stick to those ZCV ratings.

SS - Coverage. Here's where I differ the most from the philosophies of the teams in game. They're all Run Support/Big Hitter advocates. This makes sense as that is a traditional role - think Bob Sanders or John Lynch. This is another way that Tampa 2 teams can make up for the fact that their DLs rush full-steam and the LBs are undersized and can be manhandled. Adding someone in the deep secondary to lay the wood can keep things from getting out of hand.

Me, I think of it this way. On almost every play in my playbook, the SS's responsibilities are identical to the FS - usually deep, cover 2 zone coverage. So, why would I try to make him my key run defender? I'd prefer a speedy ballhawk who can get some more turnovers and provide over the top help for the CBs like they're supposed to. Ideally I could get someone who does that and hits like a freight train, but if I have to sacrifice, I'm sacrificing run support.

[Sanchez_Mareno]

Yeah these are the sorta answers im looking for thanks

[TheLoneCHARLES]

I'm not big on defense, and often let the CPU control that side of the ball. My focus is on offense, and I have created a juggernaut with the 49ers and I began a new franchise with the Dolphins. I've experimented with a Mike Martz style attack and an all our run attack. Here is the best setup I came up with:

QB-Mobile: By selecting a mobile QB, they will actually scramble rather than take a big hit in the pocket. Create a few boot plays and your QB with high speed will be menacing. I use Josh Johnson, and he never rushes for more than 400 yards in a season while topping 4,500 yards passing several times. Best season was 5,500 yards and 60 TDs with 12 picks. I didn't have a running game that season though

HB-Speed: I tried blends of speed, power, and receiving. Speed seems to be easiest since you can clearly scout speed and use the HB in the slot as another receiver. If you are building an all out rush attack, change the fatigue to moderate and put a few power backs in your lineup. They wear out the defense like no other, but as the game wears on. It's mostly about preference and who is available. Most drafts have either a great speed back or a great power back. Just be sure to use the right philosophy or you will have a bust on your hands. I accidently put Felix Jones as a power back and his potential was 83. Changed it to speed and he went up to a 98 potential.

FB-Blocking: I never use them in the running game. Think a Lorenzo Neal type....the guy that makes your HBs great.

WR-Speed: Fast receivers are so easy to find in late rounds/undrafted that you should always have 5-6 WRs with potential no lower than 88 if you choose speed. Once Josh Johnson gets them involved in the offense, their ratings skyrocket. If you really want to WRs make great trade bait, and they come cheap.

TE-Soft hands or playmaker: Blocking is my philosophy, but can never find a good blocking TE with decent stats. Having a TE with good hands makes a great underneath target, playmakers work too but end up being expensive when I'd rather spend on a more important position.

OL-Size/Strength/Mauler: I find the biggest guys I can find with strength in the 90s. Strong lineman are essential to run the ball and buy my mobile QB enough time to wreck havoc.

For my philosophy, I like to use vertical passing or the spread. The spread will get your HBs less than 8 carries a game, where vertical passing is similar to what the Cowboys do with their offensive attack.