Stopping the elite TEs

[Blue58]

I played 2 guys today who threw to their TE (Shockey 1st game, Gonzalez 2nd Game) on 95% of thier offensive plays. The frustrating part was that there was literally nothing I could do to stop them. Id double cover them, manually cover them, try zones with over-the-top help, you name it, I tried it. Theyd just outjump the double coverage, make the catch, and plow through everyone else. It was just a nightmare.

Can we have a serious discussion on how to defend gameplans like this?

Thanks

[Titans 4 LIFE]

just play a 3-3-5 2 man under, bump the TE and manually cover him with the MLB in the hook zone.

[eprizzle14]

i had the same problems untill i finally figured it out Purple ZONES + man coverage on him the man will take the under and the purple zone will take the over its doesnt completly stop it but it will contain it

[GAV]

LB awareness is key for this. Hot-read your most aware LB
to cover the TE. Then, either cheat up on the TE - or have
a zoned defender help out underneath. If that doesn't work,
blitz heavily - and look to jump the throw with your tallest
defender. If you gotta switch, use the swat button. If you
switch and go for the pick every time, you're gonna keep
giving up first downs.

[BOOBOOSD]

Yeah, what GAV said.

Donnie Edwards usually does a pretty good job for me covering TEs since he's my best cover LB on my team, so if I'm looking to man up or zone a problematic TE, I usually have him do it. I also like to blitz hard off the edge from the same side the TE is being released that way the QB can expect some heat in his face, I find this tactic best to do out of the 3-4 because the heat can be easily setup and pin-pointed. The 3-4, 3-3-5, 2-4-5 can be nice period for heat or coverage. Like what Titans 4 LIFE said, that's another good coverage method, which can be done the same with the 3-4 and 2-4-5, just out of the 2-4-5 control a blitzing OLB or playmaker him to man or zone.

[pointblank41]

LB awareness is key for this. Hot-read your most aware LB
to cover the TE. Then, either cheat up on the TE - or have
a zoned defender help out underneath. If that doesn't work,
blitz heavily - and look to jump the throw with your tallest
defender. If you gotta switch, use the swat button. If you
switch and go for the pick every time, you're gonna keep
giving up first downs.

yah i learned that lessen the hard way... a couple times lol.

[moos3p]

I also learned to stop the post, hot route a hook zone where he would normally throw it. The player won't move very much, so he will be in better position to make the play on the ball. You can make him hold on to the ball a second longer so your blitz has a chance of working

[TitanUp]

good advice, thanks