Madden NFL 10 - Defending the Mobile QB

Defending mobile quarterbacks has been a challenge for Madden players dating back to the ’04 season. Having players like Donovan McNabb and Vince Young rolling out of the pocket and throwing on-point passes 30–40 yards downfield was always a problem.

For the last few years this hasn’t been as big of a problem, but you still have to deal with mobile passers such as Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, and David Garrard.

In the NFL, defensive coordinators have to put defenders in spy coverage and keep containment so the quarterback does not get out of the pocket. In Madden we need to apply similar concepts, but speed and personnel have become even more key.

In our first example we are going to use Nickel 3–3–5—2 Man Under. We are going to sub Mathias Kiwanuka into the defensive tackle position.

Whichever team you use, make sure you have a fast lineman at defensive tackle for this setup.

The offense comes out in a play action play. Most people who like to play with mobile quarterbacks tend to roll out of the pocket.

Our setup for this play is to pinch our line, then use the spread rush. We put our defensive tackle in containment.

Once the ball is hiked, we have a defender waiting for the quarterback in case he tries to get out of the pocket. Also notice how our other lineman is coming off his block as well.

In this four-down-lineman defense we are going to sub in our defensive end at the right defensive tackle spot. You want him on the right because most quarterbacks are right-handed. When you go up against a lefty, put him on the left side. You always want to keep your defense playing to the quarterback’s strong side.