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Main - Beta Chat

Sweeps

By Firefly
10/16/2014 11:41 am
I've tried using the rules to stop sweeps, but first of all it's very time-consuming, and secondly, it's not working. Sweeps are simply too powerful and I can't figure them out. Some teams stop them, some don't. Is there a logic to this?

Re: Sweeps

By Detroit Leo
10/16/2014 12:35 pm
Firefly wrote:
I've tried using the rules to stop sweeps, but first of all it's very time-consuming, and secondly, it's not working. Sweeps are simply too powerful and I can't figure them out. Some teams stop them, some don't. Is there a logic to this?


They can be stopped but it essentially boils down to RB speed and defensive player speeds from my experience. Takes speed to sweep well and takes speed and play selection to stop it. It is a sweep so fastest player to the edge has the advantage.

Re: Sweeps

By RLWJR
10/16/2014 3:16 pm
Yeah, and if the RB can break that first tackle, it's good for at least 10........ It's a tough play to stop, but it's why I readjusted player weights to increase speed on both my OL and DL.

Re: Sweeps

By jdavidbakr - Site Admin
10/16/2014 3:33 pm
That makes sense - either the DL or the LB has to outrun the RB to stop the sweep. The better the experience of the defense (position as well as play), the sooner they'll pursue the RB as well, so some of that could be helped with scouting, too. But defensive speed is probably the best way to stop it.

Re: Sweeps

By Firefly
10/16/2014 8:57 pm
It could be, because my OLBs are both 90-95, but speed is their weakest bar. Still, it doesn't seem right that a play should have so much power. It if were only 5-8 yards, good, but it's not strange for these runs to go 20-30 yards if they avoid going for a loss.

Re: Sweeps

By Wolfpack
10/16/2014 9:09 pm
Most outside runs are more risky, either you get dropped for a short loss or you go for 10+.

I think that matches up well as the defensive call tends to determine whether there is a defender to hit the edge or not. (not counting that the corner on that side should also be fighting off his block, especially if he has a zone coverage responsibility.)

My only grip is that I see defenders (mine and others) taking poor angles to the ball carrier. The LB's should scrap or flow to the edge not charge in on a pursuit path (this is worse if you have slow LBer's)….I think that pathing should be looked at but the play is ok otherwise.

Re: Sweeps

By Davesgang
10/17/2014 6:43 am
Early on I built a team to be good at this. Fast RB that can occasionally break a tackle is essential. OL that can move is harder to find, and should be supplemented with good blocking backs and TE's. Again speed and acceleration paramount for outside plays.

Defenses are just like in real life. Fast or quick responding LB's and FG's that attack the run blocks.

Re: Sweeps

By Davesgang
10/17/2014 7:04 am
That should read CB's that attack

Re: Sweeps

By Firefly
10/18/2014 10:09 am
I had my LBs switch places so I'd have the fastest one outside on the strong side. However... maybe I jumped the gun, because during today's game I paid attention to who made the stops when I called a sweep and I have to say they weren't that fast. 75/75 at best and one of them was slow as a turtle. My 78/100 (speed/acc) WLB (WLB?) made the tackle 22 yards downfield on a strongside sweep.

I feel like an Cancer researcher, lol. I've gone through the logs watched every sweep in so many games, and I still can't pinpoint what makes for good defense. Maybe it's not the defense at all, but the offense? NJY is unstoppable at it. But no, because my team is successful against some teams but not against others (on either side of the ball).

Re: Sweeps

By Tecra031
10/18/2014 10:22 am
For whatever it's worth, I didn't start running sweeps effectively until last season. I finally had a fast enough RB to make the corner, and built a strong o-line to block well. Prior to last season, I was more of a passing team or strictly inside runs since I would usually take a loss on an outside run.

It does make a difference based on your team's personnel. Teams with fast LBs can still stop or slow down my running game and get to the corner in time. I think it is all about playing to your team's strengths. I run more now, but if I didn't have a good RB I wouldn't call those plays and go back to higher passing or inside runs. Also, if you look at my last two game logs, my longest run plays were both inside runs, not sweeps.