I think I hate TO more than Parcells

[VikingDave]

My friend uses the Cowboys (He says they are his favorite team, but hasn't watched them since their last super bowl). He is absolutely killing me with Owens. I'm what I would call an average player, but I know I'm better than this. I get him to 3rd down almost every drive and then he hits T.O. for a first. Doesn't matter if he's double or triple covered, he always comes down with it. I've tried manual control - although admittedly I'm not that good yet and sometimes make it worse. Even when I'm in good position though, I've tried the swat and intercepting - he still comes away with it 90% of the time.
Anyone have any advice or good 3rd and long coverages that might work?

[oouie433]

if you know where he's going, blitz the CRAP outta him and manually cover TO with a safety while leaving a corner on him....

If he can't get the ball of, you force him to punt, if he does get it off then chances are it'll be a wobbly throw because you hit Bledsoe and that gives you a better chance to make a play on the ball....

sometimes though, you just gotta curse the game and try again.

What's he doing on 1st and 2nd? If you can win those battles, it makes 3rd down much easier to contend with...

[VikingDave]

Thanks. I'll have to lab up some decent blitz schemes. I tried the "Engage Eight" and it tends to leave Owens and Glenn both wide open for a quick lob. Have you had any luck with particular blitzes? He mainly operates out of singleback or I-form.

BTW - I get a steady dose of Julius Jones on 1st and 2nd. While I am getting the hang of stopping him on the run, it gets annoying that he seems to fall forward for 3 more yards every tackle. Curse that highlight stick!

[oouie433]

what defensive playbook are you using?

[VikingDave]

Vikings playbook. I live mainly in the 4-3 because that is all I have been successful at stopping the run with (the contains do seem to work). On the passing defenses (3rd and >6), I have mainly tried quarter cover defenses that worked in years past, but don't this year vs. TOwens. Any help on good coverages or blitzes that aren't cheese-like nanos would be great.

[foxman]

Don't engage 8. You'll get smoked. Send like 6 or so.

[oouie433]

Vikings playbook. I live mainly in the 4-3 because that is all I have been successful at stopping the run with (the contains do seem to work). On the passing defenses (3rd and >6), I have mainly tried quarter cover defenses that worked in years past, but don't this year vs. TOwens. Any help on good coverages or blitzes that aren't cheese-like nanos would be great.

I don't use that playbook, but my defensive scheme is to send a safety (I play with philly so b.dawk is definitely coming) and the Middle linebacker out of the dime (MLB comes automatically and I playmaker fs to blitz.) I never really go quarter because it only has 3 down lineman. I'd rather have 4 with two blitzers, and then I'd sit on TO with the strong safety. force him to look somewhere else quickly because if he's in a SB and he leaves the back to block, if I can get the OT to engage my fs or mlb then that leaves the end to engage the hb which he should win by trucking that guy.....

Or, look at something that overloads one side while pulling a lineman off the line. (I.E. zone blitz). control the lineman and then at the snap, hustle to TO's side and double him.....

Hope this helps...

[mynameisvictory]

46 bear 2 man deep..........blitz all linebackers and bump his receiverz,since you say hes a below average player,it should get to him before he passes

[GAV]

Cowboys fans that are only fans when they are good are cockroaches.