Corner matchups

[zpq12]

By default, why does the Madden engine match up a number one corner vs the number two receiver?

[Instant C1a55ic]

Quote: Originally Posted by zpq12

By default, why does the Madden engine match up a number one corner vs the number two receiver?

You mean to post this over in Madden?

Sent from my SM-F946U using Operation Sports mobile app

[DonkeyJote]

A very, very long time ago (I'm talking Madden 03 era, and even earlier), by default the #1 receiver lined up on the right, and the #2 on the left. That's because Madden, as is the case now, did left/right for all the positions, rather than strong side/weak side as most teams do irl.

When they do positions, EA assumes the formation will be strong right, with the TE to that side. So, in the old days that left the Z/Flanker on the right by default and X/Split End on the left. In the 90s, a lot of WRs primarily played the Z, such as Jerry Rice. So, EA made the WR1 go to the right, which would make them the Z in a strong right formation.

Starting in the late 90s, and then really in the 00s, what teams really wanted in a WR changed. Everyone wanted the really tall, powerful, jump ball receiver. Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress, etc. And those guys tended to play more X. Eventually (I don't remember what year, probably like 2010 or something) EA adapted and moved the WR1 to the left. But they didn't adjust the corners, so #1 corner still lines across from where EA put the #1 Receiver over 20 years ago.

I enjoy this game quite a bit, but my biggest disappointment is that they didn't take the time to fix these very basic level flaws. Would have been so nice to have Sam and Will Linebackers instead of Right and Left. Would have been nice to have NT, IDL, and Edge instead of DT, DE, and OLB, which mean very different things in odd fronts vs even. And in college especially, it'd have been nice to have a boundary and field corner, since that's how a lot of college teams do it with the wider hashes.

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[zpq12]

Quote: Originally Posted by Instant C1a55ic

You mean to post this over in Madden? Sent from my SM-F946U using Operation Sports mobile app

College Football 25 surely uses a version of the Madden engine, does it not?

[UtahUtes32]

Quote: Originally Posted by zpq12

By default, why does the Madden engine match up a number one corner vs the number two receiver?

I've heard that a larger percentage of passes go to the offenses right, which is a right-handed QB's natural passing direction. In Madden the #1CB lines up on the left (offenses right).

[TON1C]

Quote: Originally Posted by DonkeyJote

A very, very long time ago (I'm talking Madden 03 era, and even earlier), by default the #1 receiver lined up on the right, and the #2 on the left. That's because Madden, as is the case now, did left/right for all the positions, rather than strong side/weak side as most teams do irl. When they do positions, EA assumes the formation will be strong right, with the TE to that side. So, in the old days that left the Z/Flanker on the right by default and X/Split End on the left. In the 90s, a lot of WRs primarily played the Z, such as Jerry Rice. So, EA made the WR1 go to the right, which would make them the Z in a strong right formation. Starting in the late 90s, and then really in the 00s, what teams really wanted in a WR changed. Everyone wanted the really tall, powerful, jump ball receiver. Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress, etc. And those guys tended to play more X. Eventually (I don't remember what year, probably like 2010 or something) EA adapted and moved the WR1 to the left. But they didn't adjust the corners, so #1 corner still lines across from where EA put the #1 Receiver over 20 years ago. I enjoy this game quite a bit, but my biggest disappointment is that they didn't take the time to fix these very basic level flaws. Would have been so nice to have Sam and Will Linebackers instead of Right and Left. Would have been nice to have NT, IDL, and Edge instead of DT, DE, and OLB, which mean very different things in odd fronts vs even. And in college especially, it'd have been nice to have a boundary and field corner, since that's how a lot of college teams do it with the wider hashes. Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Having actual modern defensive positions, especially regarding DL/LB is my dream. I was actually able to do this via modding M24 by making MLBs an off-ball LB, DE was EDGE and DT was IDL. Then nobody was an OLB and I modified all of the playbooks too. Was super satisfying and a ton of fun seeing guys play in their proper positions, especially since these games unfortunately don’t flip the players on the field so they’re always in the same role, instead they just flip the roles. Maybe someday.

[pietasterp]

Quote: Originally Posted by UtahUtes32

I've heard that a larger percentage of passes go to the offenses right, which is a right-handed QB's natural passing direction. In Madden the #1CB lines up on the left (offenses right).

Quote: Originally Posted by DonkeyJote

A very, very long time ago (I'm talking Madden 03 era, and even earlier), by default the #1 receiver lined up on the right, and the #2 on the left. That's because Madden, as is the case now, did left/right for all the positions, rather than strong side/weak side as most teams do irl. When they do positions, EA assumes the formation will be strong right, with the TE to that side. So, in the old days that left the Z/Flanker on the right by default and X/Split End on the left. In the 90s, a lot of WRs primarily played the Z, such as Jerry Rice. So, EA made the WR1 go to the right, which would make them the Z in a strong right formation. Starting in the late 90s, and then really in the 00s, what teams really wanted in a WR changed. Everyone wanted the really tall, powerful, jump ball receiver. Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress, etc. And those guys tended to play more X. Eventually (I don't remember what year, probably like 2010 or something) EA adapted and moved the WR1 to the left. But they didn't adjust the corners, so #1 corner still lines across from where EA put the #1 Receiver over 20 years ago. I enjoy this game quite a bit, but my biggest disappointment is that they didn't take the time to fix these very basic level flaws. Would have been so nice to have Sam and Will Linebackers instead of Right and Left. Would have been nice to have NT, IDL, and Edge instead of DT, DE, and OLB, which mean very different things in odd fronts vs even. And in college especially, it'd have been nice to have a boundary and field corner, since that's how a lot of college teams do it with the wider hashes. Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Good post (and good read!). Appreciate the history lesson.

There is an option (I think in the "Coaching" sub-menu in the playcalling screen by clicking in the R stick) to put your #1 rated corner on the #1 rated WR always, or your top "Speed" rated CB on the offense's top "Speed" WR, etc. I haven't tested if it actually works or not to be honest, but I've seen the options in there and messed around with them.

Quote: Originally Posted by TON1C

Having actual modern defensive positions, especially regarding DL/LB is my dream. I was actually able to do this via modding M24 by making MLBs an off-ball LB, DE was EDGE and DT was IDL. Then nobody was an OLB and I modified all of the playbooks too. Was super satisfying and a ton of fun seeing guys play in their proper positions, especially since these games unfortunately don’t flip the players on the field so they’re always in the same role, instead they just flip the roles. Maybe someday.

Word. Madden/CFB just need to re-think how defense is played in the game altogether. I think there's too much holdover from the 20-year-old versions of the game and none of it worked particularly well at the time, but it definitely doesn't work well now. Even simple things like who/how you control on defense should be re-evaluated/re-vamped.

[Spartan Warrior]

I believe under coaching adjustments you can change the matchups, whether you want guys on one side or the other (default), your best corner on their best receiver, your tallest corner on their tallest, and I can't remember what the other option is.