Madden 08 NG - Singleback Trips Bump N Run Beater

by: Kobra

When playing in the VG 360 league, one of the formations I really like in the Run-n-Gun playbook was the Shotgun Trips TE. I had few plays and routes where I knew I could destroy bump-n-run man coverage. Most of those same plays and routes still work in Madden 08. What I am about show for this write up is not so much of a play, but a route that I used to get the TE wide open.

The Shotgun Trips TE has three receivers lined up on the left side, ...

... while the TE lines up by himself on the right. We like the Shotgun Trips TE formation a lot because what we can do out of it. For this write up, we want to focus in on the TE. We use Chargers Antonio Gates, who is the best overall TE in the game.

VG Sports Filmroom Tip: When running this play, look for TE's with speed. The more speed the TE has, the better chance of success.

Since we are using Gates on the offensive side of the ball, we will match him up with the best CB in the game, Champ Bailey. The defensive called in the Quarter Normal Ram Buck 1. Bump-n-Man coverage has been called.

To get get our TE wide open, we first hot route him on a streak.

Next, we take control of the TE and ....

... motion out wide to the right side.

Now here comes the fun part. We motion the TE back towards the inside. As soon as he gets back on the screen we snap the ball.

Notice where LCB is once the ball is snapped. He looks to be some what in good position to defend the TE or at least one would think. Watch what happens next.

The TE is streaking down the field, while the LCB is still near the line of scrimmage.

By the time the LCB reacts, we are already throwing the ball to the TE who is wide open.

Can we say easy catch..

A Closer Look

In the screen shot above, we show the TE going back in motion to the right.

Once the ball is snapped, the LCB is close to the TE.

For some reason, he doesn't figure out he is still covering the TE. He more or less just stands and let's the TE down the field uncovered. Keep in mind this is Champ Bailey.

By the time the LCB decides he better go cover the TE, the pass has already been thrown.

The catch is made for a big pick up down the field.

Final Thoughts

If your opponent plays normal man coverage, then the TE won't get this same type of separation. Also if the defense is playing to 2 Man Under with bump-n-run coverage, you will want to manually take control of the TE use the Jet Pack to make the catch since the safety will be the one you have to beat.