Madden NFL 13 News Post

Madden 13: What Is Your Offensive Style?

04:56 PM - November 12, 2012 by RaychelSnr

Everyone plays Madden differently. Some people enjoy a good ground game, others like to air-it-out. Others (and you know who you are) run around with a QB like RGIII or Michael Vick and you chuck it long at much and as often as possible.

I still have nightmares of Michael Vick led Atlanta Falcons offenses from the 'Golden Age' of Madden on the PS2.

As for me, I enjoy running a very West Coast style of offense -- with a conservative passing game while relying upon the run to grind a game out as much as possible. I value a QB with a good short and medium passing game moreso than a QB who has the arm to really stretch a defense. I'm definitely a 50/50 guy when it comes to run/pass ratio.

Sound off: So what about you? What is your offensive style in Madden NFL 13? Is anyone trying something truly unique?

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# 41 KingV2k3 @ 11/16/12 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMP


	What playbook or playbooks best mimic the Jimmy Johnson era Cowboys? I remember lots of lead iso plays, powers, and off tackles, but not much gun (if any). Any recommendations? I'm thinking of trying to rebuild the team to that era's specifications.

Food for thought:

Norv Turner
The man who steered Jimmy Johnson's offense around the corner, through the parking lot, and into the champions lounge, Turner was a protege of Ernie Zampese, who in turn was a protege of Don Coryell (Coryell passed on in the Summer 2010). The Coryell offense is predicated on two main principles; power running and fast receivers threatening the defense in the mid and long range passing game. The quarterback generally remains in the pocket to throw the pigskin, which requires a strong arm. With that as his base discipline, can you imagine how ecstatic Turner must have been getting the call to teach it to Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and Alvin Harper?

From Wikipedia:

It is a very sound, QB friendly scheme that favors taking controlled chances, like quicker midrange post passes to WRs off play action rather than slower developing passes that leave QBs exposed. It is almost exclusively run out of the pro set. Turner favors a more limited palette of plays than Coryell and most other Coryell disciples, instead insisting on precise execution. His offenses are usually towards the top of the league standings, but are often labeled predictable.

His offenses tend to include a strong running game, a #1 WR who can stretch the field and catch jump balls in the end-zone, a good receiving TE to attack the space the WRs create in the middle of the field and a FB who fills the role of a lead blocker and a final option as an outlet receiver. In Dallas, Turner made RB Emmitt Smith & WR Michael Irvin Hall of Famers, and TE Jay Novacek a five time pro bowler.

I kind of think the Gibbs book might meet these specs...

He was also in the Gilman / Coryell coaching tree and implemented a variation on that O philosophy...

2 TEs / Small Quick WRs / Power Run / No Gun

# 42 RogueHominid @ 11/16/12 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingV2k3


	Food for thought: Norv Turner The man who steered Jimmy Johnson's offense around the corner, through the parking lot, and into the champions lounge, Turner was a protege of Ernie Zampese, who in turn was a protege of Don Coryell (Coryell passed on in the Summer 2010). The Coryell offense is predicated on two main principles; power running and fast receivers threatening the defense in the mid and long range passing game. The quarterback generally remains in the pocket to throw the pigskin, which requires a strong arm. With that as his base discipline, can you imagine how ecstatic Turner must have been getting the call to teach it to Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and Alvin Harper? From Wikipedia: It is a very sound, QB friendly scheme that favors taking controlled chances, like quicker midrange post passes to WRs off play action rather than slower developing passes that leave QBs exposed. It is almost exclusively run out of the pro set. Turner favors a more limited palette of plays than Coryell and most other Coryell disciples, instead insisting on precise execution. His offenses are usually towards the top of the league standings, but are often labeled predictable. His offenses tend to include a strong running game, a #1 WR who can stretch the field and catch jump balls in the end-zone, a good receiving TE to attack the space the WRs create in the middle of the field and a FB who fills the role of a lead blocker and a final option as an outlet receiver. In Dallas, Turner made RB Emmitt Smith & WR Michael Irvin Hall of Famers, and TE Jay Novacek a five time pro bowler. I kind of think the Gibbs book might meet these specs... He was also in the Gilman / Coryell coaching tree and implemented a variation on that O philosophy... 2 TEs / Small Quick WRs / Power Run / No Gun

I love you for this, in a strictly platonic way. We need more discussion like this.

I recall the DAL offense then as driven by lead ISO plays with Moose paving the way, Irvin running his trademark 12-yard skinny post, and Alvin Harper stretching the field while Novaceck lurked in the middle.

Gibbs's book is dominated by single back formations, which would lessen the Moose role, but I like the other principles.

I'd also like to change the defensive philosophy to match his SB era one. I remember the Haley-esque rush guy (Ware's perfect), the Prototype DTs (like Leon Lett and Russell Maryland), the Run Stopper MLB (Ken Norton), and then pure speed, Prototype OLBs whose job was mostly just to cover ground.

In the backfield, I felt like they were a zone team until Deion came around, but I don't recall much about how their backfield operated schematically. What do you know about that King? And what kind of personnel/scheme would you suggest?

Once again, this is great!

# 43 RogueHominid @ 11/16/12 02:17 PM

As a followup, Vermeil's playbook actually looks really useful for replicating that kind of offense. There are 11 I Form sets and 10 Single Back sets to go with just 3 Gun sets. The passes have a nice range of short, medium, and some deep shots, they involve the TE, and they have the signature leads, powers, and off tackle's that I recall being part of that offense.

# 44 KingV2k3 @ 11/16/12 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMP


	I love you for this, in a strictly platonic way. We need more discussion like this. I recall the DAL offense then as driven by lead ISO plays with Moose paving the way, Irvin running his trademark 12-yard skinny post, and Alvin Harper stretching the field while Novaceck lurked in the middle. Gibbs's book is dominated by single back formations, which would lessen the Moose role, but I like the other principles. I'd also like to change the defensive philosophy to match his SB era one. I remember the Haley-esque rush guy (Ware's perfect), the Prototype DTs (like Leon Lett and Russell Maryland), the Run Stopper MLB (Ken Norton), and then pure speed, Prototype OLBs whose job was mostly just to cover ground. In the backfield, I felt like they were a zone team until Deion came around, but I don't recall much about how their backfield operated schematically. What do you know about that King? And what kind of personnel/scheme would you suggest? Once again, this is great!

Thanks for the props, sir!

Here's an article about their defense at that time:

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/...ensive-schemes

It's a 4-3 Over, so I'd scheme it as Attacking 4-3 (morso than simple "Base")...

You might also want to look at the Flores O Book...

He's also WCO / No Gun and might have more FB forms...

I did a breakdown of the Legend books in post #161 in this thread:

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...ne-ccm-10.html

Other than Landry and (of course) Lombardi, all the Legend books have roots in Gilman / Air Coryell / WCO...

They all just have their "variations"...

My take (for your purposes re: DAL in the Johnson era) are that Gibbs and possibly Flores would make the closet approximation...

Flores is going to be a little more "Vertical" and Gibbs is going to be more "Zone Run"...

Let me know what you decide...

Cool concept...

I personally am trying to go "Air Coryell / Vert / Spread / Power Run" out of the Vermeil Book with a Spread Scheme and have the perfect young "triplets" for that in CLE with the strong armed Weeden / Power Back T. Rich / and Gibbs like "Smurfs" in Benjamin and Norwood, with a Vert TE (Watson) and a beast in the slot (Gordon)...

Yeah, this is the kind of crap that makes me a happy football gamer...

# 45 RogueHominid @ 11/16/12 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingV2k3


	Thanks for the props, sir! Here's an article about their defense at that time: http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/...ensive-schemes It's a 4-3 Over, so I'd scheme it as Attacking 4-3 (morso than simple "Base")... You might also want to look at the Flores O Book... He's also WCO / No Gun and might have more FB forms... I did a breakdown of the Legend books in post #161 in this thread: http://www.operationsports.com/forum...ne-ccm-10.html Other than Landry and (of course) Lombardi, all the Legend books have roots in Gilman / Air Coryell / WCO... They all just have their "variations"... My take (for your purposes re: DAL in the Johnson era) are that Gibbs and possibly Flores would make the closet approximation... Flores is going to be a little more "Vertical" and Gibbs is going to be more "Zone Run"... Let me know what you decide... Cool concept... I personally am trying to go "Air Coryell / Vert / Spread / Power Run" out of the Vermeil Book with a Spread Scheme and have the perfect young "triplets" for that in CLE with the strong armed Weeden / Power Back T. Rich / and Gibbs like "Smurfs" in Benjamin and Norwood, with a Vert TE (Watson) and a beast in the slot (Gordon)... Yeah, this is the kind of crap that makes me a happy football gamer...

Very nice. Yeah, it's going to be a tough decision on offense. I love the Gibbs I sets, but I like the overall versatility of Flores's set. Did DAL run much split, near and far in those days? All I remember is I formations.

The Over 43 looks like it's limited as a base defense in the attacking 43 books. There are lots of zone blitzes and man blitzes, but not a lot of in-between straight man or straight zone concepts. I don't remember them being a blitzing team, but it's been a while.

Oh how the mind slips with age.

# 46 HadlerT @ 11/16/12 04:16 PM

I definitely go about 50/50 with some games where I pass a little bit more. But I definitely use West Coast play style when passing. I look for a QB with 70-79 SPD and 80+ SAC & MAC

# 47 KingV2k3 @ 11/16/12 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMP


	Very nice. Yeah, it's going to be a tough decision on offense. I love the Gibbs I sets, but I like the overall versatility of Flores's set. Did DAL run much split, near and far in those days? All I remember is I formations. The Over 43 looks like it's limited as a base defense in the attacking 43 books. There are lots of zone blitzes and man blitzes, but not a lot of in-between straight man or straight zone concepts. I don't remember them being a blitzing team, but it's been a while. Oh how the mind slips with age.

I don't recall exactly how much non I Form 2 Back sets were used, but Split / Near / Far are all WC concepts, so it serves two purposes for you...

Gets "Moose 2.0" on the field (you can prob motion into I for some plays) and secondly (prob) has more to offer for your "Irvin"...

On the other hand, one of the two TEs in the Twin Sets of Gibbs world was more of an H Back, which could be fun to motion around...

I'd have to take a closer look, but I think you're going to see more Vertical concepts in Flores and more Horizontal Crossing Routes in Flores...

I find when you compare the two in practice mode, you find the books that suits YOU pretty quick...

I think the 4-3 Over is more of a Man D where the Over Linebacker is the most likely to blitz...

All the available options are pretty "vanilla", so I think it's more what you call / who you use / how you shift / in various situations, etc...

Here's an article where Chip Kelly talks about how Johnson used undersized players and played them out of position, yet had a stellar run D:

http://igglesblitz.com/philadelphia-...lk-chip-kelly/

# 48 KingV2k3 @ 11/20/12 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingleberryfinn


	I try to run the Victory Formation as often as possible. >> <<

Off topic, but:

I actually got "Schiano'd" the other day, when a CPU controlled DT broke through and decked my QB who was taking a knee...

Never saw that before...

# 49 nolan887 @ 11/20/12 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingV2k3


	Off topic, but: I actually got "Schiano'd" the other day, when a CPU controlled DT broke through and decked my QB who was taking a knee... Never saw that before...

I've had it happen almost a couple of times, but it triggered the "run out of tackle" animation from my qb who promptly runs into his own linemen and sprawls out on the ground, much more entertainment value to cap off a win haha

# 50 moveitsjosh @ 11/20/12 11:24 PM

Texans Offense
I prefer running the ball at least 25 times a game. Im not that good at shootouts, which is why I hate playing online now.
I run on first and second, depending on the situation, and I hardly get 3rd downs, Ill run something from a power formation.
I just recently had a nice game where my defense did most of the work, but it really was my gameplan.
I ran just 13 times for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns (Foster also had 77 yards receiving off 2 passes, one went for 60 yards on a designed PA boot, HB wheel.) Schaub was 8 of 9 for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns, 158.3 passer rating.

Basically, Run to set the PA, that is it, My 2 lone touchdowns with Schaub were deep PA passes because he was run blitzing, and Johnson easily beat the press and was wide open.

Im usually conservative, if I have a 21 point lead, Ill run, and run, and run some more.

# 51 RogueHominid @ 11/20/12 11:45 PM

I've been practicing more with the Gibbs playbook, and I'm finding that there's LOTS of explosive potential in an otherwise run-heavy book. All those one-back sets and multiple TEs can fool you. There are great PA shots downfield as well as a bevy of deep comebacks, good clear-out routes for deep shots on the post as well as the corner, and numerous options for backs.

I think there's lots of fun personnel wise in that book. I have a #1 TE who is a good blocker and decent receiver, a #2 TE who is a monster blocker, a FB who is a blocker, 1 power HB, 2 speed HB, 2 possession receivers, and 2 speed receivers. The right formation subs on a given down can give you an almost goal line feel or a vertical feel.

I found a great gem in the Gibbs WR reverse, which actually works so you don't have to cut it inside like you do most other books, and for the first time ever, I found that reverse guy wide open across the field on a PA reverse--I mean like Moses parted the Red Sea. It was pretty great.

I'd highly encourage folks to check that book out. Very versatile, and lots of cool motion possibilities. You can pretty much rock any style of back you want in that offense so long as the OL can pull and the TE can seal. I have KC running it right now and its lots of fun.

# 52 redbird294 @ 11/23/12 11:19 PM

Pass-happy, 4 and 5 wide packages. A mixture of Air Raid and R&S. At worst, I'm about 80 pass/20 run, but I'm usually as high as 90% pass. I don't even pretend to be balanced; I'll have drives where I won't even run the ball at all. I'll throw it 50-60+ times a game. WR and HB screens take up a big chunk of my running game. When I do run, it's normally a straight-ahead dive or a draw as a change of pace. I don't call runs in the huddle unless I'm inside the 5 or something; I call a pass every down and audible to a run if the defense looks good.

# 53 LowerWolf @ 11/23/12 11:23 PM

I'm restarting my 49ers dynasty with the Walsh playbook. Love it.

# 54 Guru03 @ 03/29/13 07:45 AM

I run the air raid, which is never used in the nfl, but a few college teams use it

# 55 I3raiNfreezE @ 03/29/13 01:50 PM

I also run a west coast offense. Works well in my Bengals CCM with Dalton.

# 56 Stafford2Johnson @ 03/29/13 03:06 PM

I usually run a Power run scheme with a short passing attack to go along with it. I just can't pass deep, it never works for me.

# 57 andeftw @ 03/30/13 11:58 AM

Vertical offense, I want WRs and HBs with 95+ speed, preferably 6 foot or taller. I use a lot of 3/4 WR sets, usually going for streak routes or curls. Screen passes are also big part of my passing game. Once I get to 1st&Goal situations, my go-to route is a flat route by the TE off of play action.
I like my QB to have 75+ speed, so I can break out some 10-15 yard runs when the CPU plays man to man on streak routes and also have the ability to scramble if needed.
My running game is fairly one dimensional. I mostly use tosses, stretch plays and a few draws up the middle.
I'm more of a high turnover / high scoring / big play guy rather than the guy who eats up clock driving down the field.

I really like corner routes, but can't figure out for the life of me how to throw them. I always try lob passes, but my QBs always seem to underthrow them. I'm no football expert, but my understanding of the corner route is that you throw the ball to a spot where only the receiver can catch it by lobbing it over the DB. In Madden, whenever I try that, the DB intercepts it (my receiver has to reach backward to try and catch it).

# 58 PopularStranger @ 03/30/13 03:43 PM

Pass first, run out of shotgun more often than behind center

# 59 JL791998 @ 03/31/13 09:50 PM

Ground and pound all day. 30+ carries a game unless my defense isn't holding the score low.

# 60 Trick13 @ 04/05/13 12:13 AM

I like to vary my offensive play style from game to game depending on the team I am facing. Now within HUM vs HUM games I tend to go run heavy (singleback vs 3-4 and I-form and variants vs 4-3) and then PA deep.

When I play VS the CPU I "scout" their depth chart and tend to attack specific players. For instance I look for weak LBs in terms of coverage and try to get them matched with a TE or slot WR. or will run at their weakest DL player.

Always use a team that has a QB that is mobile but not a runner. A quick QB like Romo or Alex Smith. I will occasionally scramble for yardage but mostly I like to move within the pocket to buy time for the receivers.

Defensively I prefer multiple front playbooks and use a heavy rotation of players up front. Using fast nimwits on 3rd and very long for outside pass rush and mixing in different fronts with different sub packages to keep the opposing OFF from getting comfortable.

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