Some general reflections on 0.4.1. As was discussed before it was released, run blocking is way too overpowered now and run key does absolutely nothing. This is going to make blitzing even more important.
As an example, you can look at my most recent preseason game in 75. I keyed run on all 1-10s and ended up getting gouged badly on those plays because I wasn't blitzing anyone:
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/log/1018I specifically got gouged by the 113 HB Counter which is partially my fault for not calling a M2M All Out Blitz against the play since that was the only way to stop it before.
Play overuse does nothing. My opponent ran that effing 113 HB Counter 20 times for more than 10 yards a run AGAINST RUN KEY defense.
Zone remains worthless, so the only defense you can ever run is a M2M. And since you can't stop the run without blitzing, Blitz 2 will still win the day.
In short, nothing has changed. I'm done. I quit.
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Had a hunch, took a look, and I was right. All of these plays were the result of players NOT PROPERLY PLAYING THEIR ZONES. Instead of recognizing the run and pursuing the running back -- after all the defenders are IN RUN KEY -- the zone players all run away.
1)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191296a. Defense: Nickle 3-Deep Man Under - Run Key
b. The outside WRs get double covered on this play. On the snap, watch the CB2 running the zone on the weak side. He starts to drop back into his zone. Then he sprints to the middle of the field away from the play INSTEAD of coming up in run pursuit. WHY? The RB easily outruns the 100 SP DE to the corner and is gone.
2)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191298a. Defense: Nickle 3-Deep Man Under - Run Key
b. Same defensive call. Same stupid play by the CB2. Same result.
3)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191323a. Defense: Nickle Normal Man Zone
b. Watch the WLB who is running the hook zone. He starts to drop back into his zone. Recognizes the run. Starts to sprint AWAY from the play toward the center of the field. And then gets swallowed by the OL that gets to the second level. The CB and the Safety ALSO RUN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD AWAY FROM THE PLAY before deciding to turn around and pursue. Same result by the offense.
4)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191324a. Defense: Nickle Normal Man Zone (why does the matrix repeatedly call the same plays)
b. Same stupid defensive player logic as in #3. Same result.
5)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191327a. Defense: Nickle 3 Deep Man Under (I checked my game plan and there are SIX different nickle coverages that my team can call during this situation, but only two plays are being repeated call because the matrix doesn't work)
b. Same defensive player logic as #1 and #2. The only reason that this doesn't go for 10 is that the safety engaged with WR manages to peal the block and somehow make a tackle.
6)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191336a. Defense: Nickle Normal Man Zone -Run Key
b. This one. This one pisses me off the most. I rarely call a two deep on 1-10, but this seems to be the right call against this play. And then this happens. The CB3 who is playing the short zone sprints to the middle AS SOON AS HE RECOGNIZES THE RUN. Seriously, the CB3 sits on his mark until the RB gets the ball, and then he runs away. The safety who is playing the deep zone on that side of the field also turns and runs to the middle of the field as soon as the RB gets the ball. THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ZONE LOGIC is because the other safety playing deep hits his zone mark and immediately starts to pursue. So what it looks like is happen is that players playing zone MUST REACH the center of their zone BEFORE they do anything else. On this play, the CB3 should have recognized the play and pursued immediately. He's in Run Key so he should check the run before he drops regardless.
7)
https://private75.myfootballnow.com/gamecenter/view/1018#191337a. What's the point. It's not like this will be fixed for 0.4.1 anyway. Another release of all M2M, Blitz Heavy defenses...
Last edited at 4/27/2017 7:24 am
