Calling all defensive coordinators

[nez5000]

Need advice.

I run the 3-4 defense with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their strongest defense is of course the nickel, because of the speed of the Steelers linebackers. But it causes problelms whenever you are faced with a 4 wr because the slot receiver is picked up by a linebacker which we all know is a mismatch. What I need is some help with the defense. I get hit a lot over the middle. I tried using the dime under man but if they motion the running back to the middle, he's always open. Need some advice.

[joetoronto]

mix in the dime cover one and make sure the safety that plays down is on the side of the t.e.

[Temo]

try a nickel qb spy with the steelers ... spread the lb's

[Madden Groupie]

Great advice from both guys ... I use a lot of dime man cover 1 and the qb spy packages .. also, think about fooling the defense and move your LB that is playing a middle zone over to the TE side or to one side of the field .... when the ball is snapped, he'll look as if he left the middle, but he is making his way back to the zone he is programmed to cover ... you'll catch some guys sleeping, trying the quick pass over the middle ..... "pick!"

[joetoronto]

good one groupie

[Str8A]

Good call Groupie on stopping the TE over the middle.

Just wondering if you have any advice on a way to stop the Quick Slant from the WR. It's like my DB will be right behind the WR, but I just can't find a way to stop him from catching the ball.

Thanks!
Str8A

[wdtcf]

If you use the Dime formation and use the "Under Man" formation the two safeties are in zone coverage over the top and the LB and the four CB's are in Man-to-man. 4WR's and one RB. The RB should be accounted for. That's the LB's man.

Unless I am missing something.

Another tip. Go with the Quarters Formation Cover2......

One Caveat though. I have no use for the Pittsburgh's DE's. I mo9ve Aaron Smith to the DT2 position, leave Casey Hampton where he is and move Bell to right DE and Gildon to left DE and keep Porter at ROLB. Then when you go to Quarters and Dime formations..you have Ends that run in the 80's to give the QB something other than open WR's to think about.

If you goto to Quarters, Man Cover 2, You rush three downlineman and drop eight men into pass coverage.

It's basically suicide to throw a pass longer than 3 yards.