Team Specific Def Playbooks are a farce

[hellblazer]

The "custom" defensive playbooks are the same as the base playbooks except for some creative, convoluted naming conventions and some missing formations LOL. i.e. wham lurk is named wham lurk stag, over storm becomes over storm brave, etc.

In some cases the "custom" playbooks leave out some content that is included in the base playbooks. For example neither the 49ers book nor the steelers book (which are exactly the same except for the extra verbosity) contain the Nickel 1-5 and 1-5 prowl formations that are included in the generic 3-4 playbook. The NE playbook contains the two 1-5 formations but excludes the 3-3-5 formation.

I compared the Ravens to the balanced defense and they are the same. All the plays are the same. No super aggressive blitzes or any content that isnt in the balanced defensive playbook. That is of course unless there is a formation removed from the raven playbook that is contained in the balanced D book that i missed. lol

I suppose the developers did this so that the AI wouldn't use formations that are poorly suited for their existing personnel but for human players it appears that you are better of with the vanilla generic playbooks.

[zerowley]

Yeah, I expected different plays/formations that reflected each teams philosophy but quickly figured out that wasn't the case.

It does allow for more variety than last year and is a small step in the right direction, but it's not nearly as team-specific as the offensive playbooks are.

[dwmoss]

I changed from the Pit 3-4 to the standard 3-4 to get the 1-5-5 formations..

dm

[Brutal Attack]

It seemed like to me that the Cowboys D playbook has some proprietary plays in it. I don't know for sure though.

It doesn't seem right since most of their 3-4 plays have the SS dropping back into coverage rather than the FS and we all know that would never happen in real life.

[benasty2em]

There is only a play or two difference when using a specific playbook, verses a generic. So unless that 2-3 play difference is something that you desire, then you will probably fair a lot better with generic. Now as far as the strong safety dropping back in coverage, that depends on the team. Ever heard of ED READ? Well up until this year, he was a strong safety, and he still was the one that dropped in coverage. Why??? Bcuz he is a beast, and covered the field better. Roy is more of a run support type safety, but he does cover.

[blueblood]

I just use the 3-4 or 46 playbook mostly. I noticed how Balanced D and BAL are VERY similar PBs.

[ICreate]

I use the Ravens book right now, but am looking for a book that has great blitzes and blitz potential. Any Suggestions?

[blueblood]

I use the Ravens book right now, but am looking for a book that has great blitzes and blitz potential. Any Suggestions?

What do you use? 3-4 or 4-3? I use 3-4 so what I would suggest is the 3-4 playbook or PIT's playbook. I used 46 before but I was playing the 46 also and I doubt that's what you play lol.