Special D help

[thejimmy]

So a buddy and I play madden (we both play the Panthers). He has come up with an innovative D that I have yet to beat; in fact haven't scored a TD on it yet through 5 games. He goes through the depth chart, picks the fastest players at every position, then, when I'm going to pass, will use the fast D-linemen as extra men to cover my recievers. As a result, my best receivers are all double covered and can't get open. You would think that running the ball would beat this--however, I've tried that out of the shotgun and I can't consistently get the yards to get first downs.

Any ideas on how to defeat this? If I go to a single back set, he runs that nutty 1-5-5 D and it's almost impossible to run on and if you pass, somebody always gets in to sack Cam, even if I set up my blocks. If I run screens, that worked for a few plays until he figured it out and playmakered a d-lineman to bury the screen. That forces me into I, strong and weak formations but those have limited receiver options when he goes to the man D. The man D has a weak pass rush, as you might expect, so are there routes that might work against this? Or formations? I've tried hiking the ball quick but the game is set up to where you can't hike it right away and it gives him enough time to set up his D.

[grimmagician87]

what Offensive playbook do you use... you need some man beaters.. prefferably a play with two of the in it so he cannot user both with his D lineman, angle routes, shake routes, curls, drags, slants, streaks.. also try running draws.. If you tell me your play book I will try to break down a couple of simple things to try.

[thejimmy]

what Offensive playbook do you use... you need some man beaters.. prefferably a play with two of the in it so he cannot user both with his D lineman, angle routes, shake routes, curls, drags, slants, streaks.. also try running draws.. If you tell me your play book I will try to break down a couple of simple things to try.

Sure no problem. I have been fluctuating between Green Bay and NE simply because they have more shotgun formations but I am certainly willing to try any playbook. I was thinking of switching to Miami's because that more of a running offense. I guess a better question is, what do you think? I'm happy to use whatever you suggest.

[daphillydon]

Slant outs from the Gun Snugs have given some people that run a lot of man D fits. From the Packers book, use Singleback Tight Flex Bench and make sure Steve Smith (Panthers) and your next fastest receiver are on the outside & Olsen and somebody else are inside slots. Put the inside slots on Streaks and outside receivers on slant outs. I've also seen if you motion the Flanker (far right receiver lined up behind the line of scrimmage) to the other side of the formation and put him on a slant out it will sometimes work. Usually if guys have their D-lineman trying to cover they are not fast enough to stop the receiver from catching the ball to the outside. Mix this in with putting the inside receivers on crossing routes and streaking the outside receivers, then mix in with the Off-Tackle play and see if it helps. YOu may also want to go into Practice Mode with two controllers & try to mimick what you see your friend doing on defense and try to come up with ways to beat it. Good luck man.

[grimmagician87]

I dont want to direct you to a playbook just for a mini scheme to beat one specific D. What I would rather do is find a scheme in a playbook that you are already comfortable in.
Greenbay Playbook
Singleback : Bunch
Y-Trail.
You are looking to beat man coverage so Im just going to cover that.
Adjustments: Hotroute X ( square PS3 ) to a curl.
Reads. The trail route will beat man coverage 99.8% of the time. Watch you for the Dlinemen dropping into zones but the slant should help spread them out. Also look to the slant over the middle and the curl on the left. Practice this before you run it in a game to get the timing down. The Hb Draw from this formation is a good run against Max Coverage D. Dont run it too much though as your opponent will try to blow it up after a couple of good runs. Also the quick audible run is a good up the middle run.. try using motion to get extra blockers.

Gun : Bunch weak
PA Post
Adjustments. Hot route Y ( triangle PS3 ) to block and X on a curl.
Reads. The right outside reciever runs a sorta shake in route that will beat most man coverage. Once again read the D lineman and make the throw with a inside pass lead ( to the left ). If they are pressing you try motioning him out a step and then snap so he does not get pressed. Also the curl with the right timing will get you solid yards.
This play is the PA audible so practice coming out in the hb mid draw or some other play you like and audibling to this.

[thejimmy]

Thanks for the help! I will give these a shot and hopefully bust this D in half. It's driving me nuts. Especially when I've pretty much owned my friend for the last year and a half and now he's getting the better of me. I hate eating crow.