Help with slants -especially USC Williams

[cyborg05]

I have experienced in several games played online that it is nearly impossible for me to stop the quick slants to Williams. Two different on-line gamers ran the same play almost every play - Quick slant to Mike Williams. I tried 3-4 spy, 3-4 spy man, cover 2 man w/bump and run. It seemed 80% of the time he could drive down the field on me for a touch down. The game became a track meet and not fun. What is the best defense for this? Doubling him leaves other vulnerabilities with other quicker receivers.

[seanmac]

I would think the best thing would be to run a zone coverage where there was a defender in the way of the throw. I've found it nearly impossible to throw the slants into zone coverage this year, as the windows are very small and gunning the ball in is a guaranteed drop.

[kbell97]

use a spy coverage the linebacker takes away a route underneath

[Ryan Sanders]

Nickel Spy 2 Robber (I think that is the full name).

I use that a lot and those short passes become INT a lot.

[volniner]

I had the same problem against a guy using WEST VIRGINIA! Not knocking them, they are pretty solid. What I did was pick a defense in 4-3, nickel or dime where at least 2 LB's were blitzing. Take the LB that is on the side of Williams or the receiver of choice and manually drop him back into coverage where the slant seems to be going. He may complete a few on you at first but take notes at where he is getting him the ball on the field (is it 5 yds off the line or 10). Once you figure out where he is getting him the ball it will seriously shut it down. Too bad I figured it out too late. WV's WR had 9 receptions for 239 yds and 2 TD's. Hope this helps!

[WolverineFreak]

Try running out of the 4-3 and use spy 2. Play as the middle LB and after the snap play Williams man to man with the MLB stay underneath him you plus the zone coverage should hopefully slow down how many slants they catch.
Or try running Gold Double X play as your LOLB who is on a blitz and drop him into coverage where they like to catch the slant that gives you 3 guys to try and deflect/int the pass. If your not too good at deflecting the pass let the other 2 defenders do that and you just try to time the hit maybe you can make him drop a few.