The Cincinatti Playbook Revisited: Presented by PREZ

[PREZ]

Welcome to The Cincinatti Playbook Revisited. I am PREZ, and I will be guiding you along this wonderful journey through the Cincinatti Bengals playbook. I chose to call this writeup The Cincinatti Playbook Revisited because in the past, I did a short writeup on it, then moved on to the Indianapolis playbook. In my mind, I thought that I didn't do a good job on the Cincy writeup, so I said to myself that I would do a better one. That I did. In this writeup, you will learn more about the game of football, the basics of playcalling, and much, much more. Before I start, I'd like to give a quick overview of what you will see.

Overview

Motioning, and it's effect on your offense.

How the Bunch formation can kill a defense.

Running the ball is a lost art in Madden? Not with me.

Also, a very important note: IF YOU SEND ME A MESSAGE ASKING TO LAB, I WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. YOU CAN SEND A FR ON XBOX LIVE, AND WE CAN PLAY A GAME. I WILL NOT LAB WITH JUST ANYONE. I NEED TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF YOU BEFORE I GET INTO LABBING WITH YOU. THANKS.

So, without further ado, I give to you The Cincinatti Playbook Revisited.

[PREZ]

Well, it is time to get the ball rolling with the Singleback formation. I want to start with the Bunch section of Singleback. During this writeup, I will go over mismatches created by motion and audibles, practicing your audibles, and all-new hybrid formations.

Singleback Bunch

PA Boot Over
1. Motion deep post to the right.
2. Hot route TE to an out.

Now, what I did in this play was set up a reverse post-cross combo. In a regular post-cross combo, the cross would be on the side of the field opposite the post. This time, it is on the same side as the post. The rules for a regular post-cross combo still apply. Look to the post first, if he is open between the zone throw it to him. If the safety is backing up to cover the post, look to the cross. Since this play involves play action, you may want to hold out on using it until the run is established. Also, since the play has a roloout in it, you want to make the pass on the move 9 times out of ten, or you could end up with a pick on your hands. Practice is required.

Reads

Note: The number 2 and 3 reads can be switched according to your preference.

1. Deep Post
2. Out
3. Cross
4. Streak

Corner Strike
1. Motion corner route to the right.
2. Hot route TE to an outside slant.

Reads
1. Slant & Slam
2. Corner
3. Slant
4. Cross

Bunch Fade
1. Motion stutter post to the left.

Reads
1.Stutter post
2. Fade
3. Out
4. Curl

In these 3 plays, I used motion a lot. This creates what I like to call "Hybrid Formations". Hybrid formations are a combination of two different styled formation. For Corner Strike, we motioned into a compressed-load-spread hybrid. It has the look of a bunch formation, with the recievers spread out and 3 recievers loading the right side. This forces the defense to cover one side of the field, while also worrying about the deep threat, and leaving the middle vulnerable. The reciever running the stutter post fakes as if he is going to go outside the zone, then cuts back inside. As he cuts inside, his route meshes with the fade, causing confusion. The out route is underneath the zone, causing the D to also focus in on the short pass, as the stutter post squeezes in between the zone for a quick low bullet across the middle, for a first down. I will continue to give out Hybrid formations, and hopefully you will start to form some on your own.

Next, I want to talk about using motion and audibles to create mismatches. I know that you're probably thinking, "I know how to create mismatches with my audibles and motion." Well a little help couldn't hurt. What you need to do, is practice your audibles. It may sound weird, but it helps. If your opponent comes out looking for a pass, quick audible to a run up the gut. BAM! 5-8 yards guaranteed. If they stack the line, go with a quick audible to a quick pass play. Take the Singleback Snugs formation for example. I come out with HB Draw, and the D has 8 guys in the box. Quick audible to a quick pass play with slams and flares. I motion my running back to the right, hot route him to a smart inside slant. If the D blitzes, I'm throwing to the smart slant who is being covered by a slower linebacker. If they drop back, I'm looking for the dump off underneath. Audibles and motion to create mismatches on the field. Don't forget it. More to come from Singleback later. Peace.

[Kurser]

Great post.

[PREZ]

Great post.

Thanks. (10 chars)

[Iamonebigmofo]

I hope you don't mind me throwing one play out there. I don't typically give away my gems, but I'm not really feeling this years game so i'm done with it for now. Here you go, the best play/route in the playbook :

Gun Wing Trio Wk - "Curl TE Wheel"

The TE route is open all day for a quick hitter. Seriously. There isn't much that covers it that won't leave the FL or slot open. Streak the slot and put the FL on an in, drag, slant, or curl. This is the only playbook that has the TE running this exact route. holla.

[PREZ]

I hope you don't mind me throwing one play out there. I don't typically give away my gems, but I'm not really feeling this years game so i'm done with it for now. Here you go, the best play/route in the playbook :

Gun Wing Trio Wk - "Curl TE Wheel"

The TE route is open all day for a quick hitter. Seriously. There isn't much that covers it that won't leave the FL or slot open. Streak the slot and put the FL on an in, drag, slant, or curl. This is the only playbook that has the TE running this exact route. holla.

Cool. Why are you done with the game? I took a break for about a month, played some 2K5, came back, and it feels good. You just need some time to chill, it'll be good when you come back.

[Iamonebigmofo]

Cool. Why are you done with the game? I took a break for about a month, played some 2K5, came back, and it feels good. You just need some time to chill, it'll be good when you come back.

I tried that, believe me. The playbooks are too bleh for me, and no formation shifts adds to the bleh factor of the mediocre playbooks. Feel me? It's a combination of things, but i'm just not feeling the game. It sucks because I think I logged about 500 games a year online playing random dudes, in addition to playing franchise leagues, as well as money games on the side...

Anyways, sorry to hijack, continue on... :p

Also, a GREAT run play in this book : Weak H slot - "F motion lead". Just thought I'd also throw that out there.

[D_Stamp]

I tried that, believe me. The playbooks are too bleh for me, and no formation shifts adds to the bleh factor of the mediocre playbooks. Feel me? It's a combination of things, but i'm just not feeling the game. It sucks because I think I logged about 500 games a year online playing random dudes, in addition to playing franchise leagues, as well as money games on the side...

Anyways, sorry to hijack, continue on... :p

Also, a GREAT run play in this book : Weak H slot - "F motion lead". Just thought I'd also throw that out there.

the only thing i dont like about that play is after you run it once the other team knows when its coming cus i dont see another play in the book with motion like that:(

nvm i guess there is a playaction pass off of it hmm i may use this play more now

[PREZ]

Sorry for the delay, folks. I'm going to continue with the Singleback formation, primarily 3 plays from Singleback Snugs, all of them involving motioning into a 5 - wide set.

Singleback Snugs

Safety Bait
1. Hot route post to in.
2. Motion runningback to the left, hot route to an out.

Reads
1. Circle route on the left
2. Out
3. In

X Option
1. Motion runningback to the left, hot route to outside smart slant.
2. Hot route out to inside smart slant.

Reads
1. Inside smart slant
2. Curl
3. Outside smart slant

Flat Corner
1. Motion runningback to the left, hot route to an in.
2. Hot route swing route to smart inside slant.

Reads
1. In
2. Smart inside slant
3. Circle route

In all of these plays, I motioned my runningback out of the backfield to create a 5-wide set. This obviously creates mismatches, and forces the D to defend an extra reciever. It also gives you an extra option. These plays successfully attack a zone, and destroys man. Motioning into a 5-wide set has its advantages as well as its setbacks. It isn't wise to motion from singleback into a 5-wide set if you haven't successfully set up the run, or if your O-Line isn't that good at picking up blocks. With this playbook, I am working on short passes going for long gains. I want to set up a deep background behind the short route that I am going to throw to eventually. By this, I mean that I send the majority of my recievers deep, and throw short. This way, my blocks are in front of me before I even catch the ball, and with certain route combos, it can lead to big gains and wide open space. In my next post, I'm going to be giving you some POUND CAKE! Yep, an assortment of run plays from I-Form, Weak- I, and Strong-I. Peace.

[PREZ]

Okay, now for the I-Form, Strong-I, and Weak-I sets. I am going to give you some runs, and some passes that will help you maximize you game out of these sets.

I-Form Tight Pro

Power O

1. Shift protetction aggresive.
2. Lead block w/TE

On this play, you should get an average of 5-8 yards. This is basically the only run play I call, but it isn't out of this one formation. It can be found in the other I formations, and the same steps can be applied. Flipping the formation gives it a different look, and may result in a larger gain.

Now for the passing.

I-Form Pro Twins

FB Flare

1. Motion runningback to the left. hot route to fade.
2. Smart route the deep post.

Reads

1.Corner
2. Smart route
3. In
4. Fade

I Form Close

Cross In

1. Hot route TE to smart outside slant.
2. Hot route runningback to curl, motion to the right, snap as he gets between the TE and WR.

Reads

1. Curl
2. Smart slant
3. Dig
4. Post

Weak-H Slot

RB Outs

1. Motion runningback to right

Reads

1. Deep Curl on the right
2. Out
3. Option route
4. Deep post on left

This is all I have for these formations. I've used most of them around the endzone, so that's why there isn't a lot of plays. I'll try to find some more schemes in them, and get back to ya'll. Next up, is the Shotgun.