Help me build a defense

[maskedmarvel]

Howdy. Looking to build a 6 bronze, 1 silver defense. I'm not a great playcaller, nor am I great with the sticks (in fact, I've neglected the defensive side of my game).

I guess I'm looking to run a 4-3, but mostly, I'm looking to build a defense that is FUN to play with, even if it isn't the absolute best value for the picks I have.

I'm currently using Butz and Manley on the DL, Brazille and Van Pelt at LB, Lewis and Barney at CB, and Cromwell at FS.

I like the CPU controlled production I get out of Brazille and Van Pelt -- they are surprisingly good at getting to runners, and even when they get beat on passes, they make tackles after the catch. Big, sturdy, rangy guys.

Lewis is like Brazille and Van Pelt , but at CB.

Cromwell, I hardly notice. I usually use him with Lewis to double gold receivers. Barney is a good returner, and I like that he can cover one-on-one, which lets me do more with my generic SS.

Butz is really destructive on the CPU Indians team, but he makes NO impact for me. Bummer. Manley is great running down ballcarriers, but never gets to the QB, and I can't get the hang of his swim move to do it myself.

I've used Greg Lloyd at LB in the past and loved him. I tried Bethea at DE and had the same problems as Manley.

Suggestions?

[Valdarez]

Silver CB - Lem Barney
Bronze CB - Terry McDaniel
Bronze FS - Eugene Robinson
Bronze SS - Charlie Waters
Bronze ILB - Peppar Johnson
Bronze DE - Dexter Manley
Bronze DT - Dan Saleaumua or William Perry

If you play to play a line man, then just get Manley and get another LB, my preference would be one with Quick Feet, such as OLB - Otis Wilson (though many folks on here will probably tell you to get Brad Van Pelt for the pass coverage). Personally, I like having Otis as he's a better pass rusher.

[CreatineKasey]

Just an idea:

3-4 D

Silver OLB- Greg Lloyd
Bronze DT - Dan Saleaumua/Butz/Perry - or whoever you want to eat space!
Bronze ILB -Ken Norton JR, Offerdahl, Pepper (BALL STRIP!) or Spielman (in my opinion)
Bronze CB - Terry McDaniel
Bronze FS - Fred Marion
Bronze OLB - Otis Wilson/Lamar Lathon/Bryce Paup
Bronze SS - Charlie Waters OR CB Brookshier (Don't need Lewis- you have Lloyd's leadership!)

- Lloyd plays strong side OLB - he can do everything - rush, stop run, be cool
- You have a bronze pass rusher OLB
- You want a strong, good tackler at ILB because he WILL be taking on blocks.
- Run coverage is big for your NG in the 3-4..especially with the bronze ILB.

Your playcalling will revolve around soft zones and smart blitzes. Rush 4 and 5 often.. with twists and clever overloads. Sub your OLB's into DE's in nickel and dime to make use of those legends! You will need to call successful blitzes because a comfortable passer will pick you apart in time. Pick your spots as to when to play pressure D. People will try to pick on your generic CB, but if you give him help and then leave him alone sporadically you can easily get away with him doing fine. It comes down to pressure with this D.

The reason I put this together is because you wanted a D that's FUN! This is fun... not calling 4-3 cover 3 the whole game... especially if you are playing a pass rusher. This way you can control a OLB and mix in your blitzing with maybe some coverage. It's fun!!!

[bakesalee]

I got help for you on having your D-lineman actually get to the QB, and maybe this is obvious but someone had to tell me this recently or otherwise I'd have no lineman as they were useless otherwise.

Hold the A-button when the ball snaps, as soon as the player is "charged" - hit the Swim (RT button) button. As long as you're not facing off directly with another legend line player from the O-line, you should break right through nearly every time.

[MORElandBROS]

Here is 1 silver 6 bronze defense I'm running right now

S-Greg Lloyd-OLB
B-Brad Van Pelt-OLB
B-Albert Lewis-CB
B-Terry McDaniel-CB
B-Nolan Cromwell-SS
B-Eugene Robinson-FS
B-Charlie Waters-Nickle back

Predominately Nickle Defense
It works good for me

[Valdarez]

Hope you play the ILB yourself, otherwise you're going to have a lot of trouble with anything up over the middle in the passing game, at least in a 4-3, which is what I typically run. ILB, SS, and CBs are the positions on defense that I personally consider the most important.

[NFLHITMAN]

If it was my team this is how I would do it...

S- Greg Lloyd and put him as ILB, Set your generic LB's as Coverage since Lloyd's run leadership will help them against the run.
B- Dexter Manley
B- Clyde Simmons Use both of these guys to help stop the toss runs and off tackle runs along with QB pressure when they pass.
B- Fred Marion and put him at SS since Waters doesn't have any coverage attributes he is also great against the run and hits hard so he is a good fit at SS
B- Eugene Robinson
B- Albert Lewis
B- Tom Brookshier I like these CB's more than McDaniel simply because of the height and there play against the run.

[ANDROMADA 1]

I would go Albert Lewis moved to SS (set to pass coverage)
Mel Renfro Corner (set to Run coverage)
Carl banks OLB Otis wilson Olb (set to balanced)
Dave Butz DT William Perry DT (set to Pass Rush or Balanced)You could also move one od the De's to DT
Use Charlie Watters in nickle.