This is a pm I've sent this evening to jdavidbaker in an effort to resolve one of the games current issues - arguably THE biggest issue in the game.
As you may or maybe don't know I run 2 leagues. Both Leagues I am trying to enforce a rule to stop WR and DB's lining up in the punt block formation.
Can you please put some sort of patch to fix this. As I understand it you want the game to reflect the NFL. Punt blocks are rare in the NFL generally less than 1 per week. Getting multiple blocks in one game is super-rare.
It wouldn't be fair for me to come here without offering some potential solutions
1. Introduce roughing the kicker penalties, this gives a double jeopardy if people choose to line up the fastest players on the defensive line and inner wings. If a high percentage of blocks causes a team to lose the possession by virtue of penalty yards then there is a real risk/reward scenario involved.
2. Increase injuries to lightweight speedy types getting pancaked by 300lb+ linemen. Again risk/reward
3. Introduce a second option. One where you go all out for a punt return with big blockers up front. And one where you go all out for a punt block.
An AI coach would/should try to block if it's 4th and very long (15+) and return if it's 4th and medium/short.
4. Give people the option of a 'punt protect' formation. Put an extra couple of blockers on the edges to protect the punter and force players to have to go around the blocker and take longer to get to the Punter. And just have one gunner on each side chasing down the returner.
This would increase return yardage if a team punt protects all the time.
5. Address the speed problem by pushing the inner wings out about one yard on each side and put the punter a yard further back. This gives the speed guys further to travel allowing the punter an extra second to make the play. It could lead to a slight uptick in punters fumbling the catch. Especially if the long snapper is rated under 60
You could even have this as a third option for punting. 'Standard punt' or Safe punt.
6. Increase offside penalties for teams lining up speedy players as they try to anticipate the snap.
7. Introduce fake punts - a dump off screen pass flipped over the oncoming rush or a direct snap to the punt protector who runs up the middle for a first down. These would be random and reliant on the punters intelligence and/or the protectors rushing abilities. The pass play is a high percentage completion, especially if there is no-one in the vicinity of the receiver.
Injuries and penalties are not ideal solutions but would allow you some time to implement a better solution. At present this is a blight on an otherwise excellent game. Something that is pushing players away from the game.
Hope this has given you some inspiration on how to solve this both short term and long term.
Thanks for listening,
A stressed league admin,
Last edited at 4/13/2020 3:55 pm
