Warrior General Games

Originally posted by Robbnva
Pardon my ignorance but wouldn’t this be a sign of something being broken?

They scored 2 today don't worry. Not terrible builds but they are odd.

Originally posted by Robbnva
Pardon my ignorance but wouldn’t this be a sign of something being broken?

Completely agree - there's a lot broken in the current version of the game. This kind of offense absolutely should work - but it doesn't. Watch what happens when people try to run at the highest levels. It works maybe 1 in 6 times, even behind great OLs. Unfortunately, things are what they are and they aren't changing so I guess we just have to adapt.

See also: the interception problem

Originally posted by melon27
They scored 2 today don't worry. Not terrible builds but they are odd.



Their builds are just fine. The idea absolutely should work, especially at the AAA level. Robbnva is totally correct - the fact that it doesn't is a sign that something is broken.

There is no way a 100% run based offense should work against a defense (assuming build quality is equal). If a defense can put 11 in the box on every play and know they don't have to cover a pass - ever, that offense should get shut down unless their builds are superior, which means you have to build beyond the templates (or differently than the templates outline.)

Originally posted by eastcoastbrian
There is no way a 100% run based offense should work against a defense (assuming build quality is equal). If a defense can put 11 in the box on every play and know they don't have to cover a pass - ever, that offense should get shut down unless their builds are superior, which means you have to build beyond the templates (or differently than the templates outline.)

I was hoping for an 80% power run solution, possession WRs and rTEs in the mix as well so if you did ignore the pass threat, you'll eat it. Example. You're pounding with RB1 but still have a 20% chance on 1st down to have BTE with rTE in the depth. You can switch sides he's on, maybe even have 2 rTEs in BIG I or SBB where you're Diving and Slamming vice going to C and D gaps where a blocking TE actually becomes a factor. On those Slams and Dives, the D could certainly pLB and 5 man front you but to their own demise when 20% of the time I'm hitting possession TEs instead using the exact same depth/archetypes.

There's a bunch of ways I can see doing it. Power running inside, rotating blocking and receiving TEs in there. Run to the side where bTE is, maybe even just run A and B gaps where neither TE matters but to the DC who thinks they've "caught" you ("oh he will run to whatever side the bTE is on")... just an example.

Or throwing in an rQB to hand off inside while keeping some plays for his outside edge runs available. When rQB and pHB are on the field at the same time, random archetype TEs on the field from the same formations (BIG I and/or SBB), the D just can't predict what's "definitely" going to happen. There's going to be some gambling. But lets say you were 90% run... you can still make the D gamble if your handoff guy is handing off inside while still viable outside edge runner himself, right? Teams do this all the time with rQBs yeah?.

If the rQB can't throw he'll be stopped because DC will have 11 in box focused on run - and screens are easy to defend. And if he only token throws that's easily covered as well.

If you have the O-Alignments as you mentioned (just SBB and Big I) think running against a 4-4 Big (Big I) or a 4-4. If the blocking TEs never catch a ball don't have to cover them - or at least not with anydot designed to cover, a strength based LB that "covers man" and then either blitzes/ plays zone accordingly will suffice. If your rTEs can't block then don't have to have power LBs on them, can have the Int/ Coverage LBs over them but doing the same. And those strength dots will cause fumbles once you get a couple of monster hits on you and morale starts to hit the 70s.

What you have to account for is that on average, a good run, gets you 2.5-3 yards, a bad one gets you -0.5 - 1.5 and a great one might go for 4 yards (on inside runs). Edge runs are either 40+ yards or -5. You're probably getting a 10/40/50 split on great/ good/ bad runs if build are equal. Math says you aren't getting 1st downs without passing and if you always run short routes those are getting stopped, if your targets are always the TEs those are just double covered and your strength-based WRs and non-catch HB/ FB draws little to no attention.

A run-focused team (75/25) can win, can control the clock and can grind a defense down but you're still going to have games where passing is how you win. As long as you can do that effectively when the defense you're up against calls for it the approach can work - but just running head-first into a D waiting for you, expect lots of 3 and outs.

Originally posted by eastcoastbrian
If the rQB can't throw he'll be stopped because DC will have 11 in box focused on run - and screens are easy to defend. And if he only token throws that's easily covered as well.

If you have the O-Alignments as you mentioned (just SBB and Big I) think running against a 4-4 Big (Big I) or a 4-4. If the blocking TEs never catch a ball don't have to cover them - or at least not with anydot designed to cover, a strength based LB that "covers man" and then either blitzes/ plays zone accordingly will suffice. If your rTEs can't block then don't have to have power LBs on them, can have the Int/ Coverage LBs over them but doing the same. And those strength dots will cause fumbles once you get a couple of monster hits on you and morale starts to hit the 70s.

What you have to account for is that on average, a good run, gets you 2.5-3 yards, a bad one gets you -0.5 - 1.5 and a great one might go for 4 yards (on inside runs). Edge runs are either 40+ yards or -5. You're probably getting a 10/40/50 split on great/ good/ bad runs if build are equal. Math says you aren't getting 1st downs without passing and if you always run short routes those are getting stopped, if your targets are always the TEs those are just double covered and your strength-based WRs and non-catch HB/ FB draws little to no attention.

A run-focused team (75/25) can win, can control the clock and can grind a defense down but you're still going to have games where passing is how you win. As long as you can do that effectively when the defense you're up against calls for it the approach can work - but just running head-first into a D waiting for you, expect lots of 3 and outs.

Very well written. Any top DC can stop the Offense you talk about very easily and already have.

man if only goalline was an available formation in the OPC... it's a damn shame there's no pass plays from that set

Originally posted by vjburnette
Their builds are just fine. The idea absolutely should work, especially at the AAA level. Robbnva is totally correct - the fact that it doesn't is a sign that something is broken.

My personal opinion is, level 40's to 60's is a more realistic version of RL football.