Warrior General Games

Opinions please?

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speed. But agility is still important. I'd much rather prefer a 90 speed, 60 agility MLB to a 75-75 one though.

Originally posted by Arles
speed. But agility is still important. I'd much rather prefer a 90 speed, 60 agility MLB to a 75-75 one though.

I wouldn't. Are you covering speedster WR's or HB's? Last I checked, MLB covers the latter more, but that's just me.

I guess it depends on what his role on the Defense is. But I have seen more Speed>Agility Builds for guys who post their builds.

Originally posted by wallysmith
Originally posted by Arles

speed. But agility is still important. I'd much rather prefer a 90 speed, 60 agility MLB to a 75-75 one though.

I wouldn't. Are you covering speedster WR's or HB's? Last I checked, MLB covers the latter more, but that's just me.
Most HBs who run routes have WR speed. Plus, I like knowing that any of my 3 LBs can get to the play ASAP. Helps when facing teams that pitch/sweep or guys that break a lot of tackles.

There isn't much "shifting" in HB routes as well. Most are either straight wheel routes or dumps. No real need for agility on a wheel route (not much different than a fly). If HBs start running crossing patterns and curls, maybe more agility will be needed

Originally posted by Arles
Originally posted by wallysmith

Originally posted by Arles


speed. But agility is still important. I'd much rather prefer a 90 speed, 60 agility MLB to a 75-75 one though.

I wouldn't. Are you covering speedster WR's or HB's? Last I checked, MLB covers the latter more, but that's just me.
Most HBs who run routes have WR speed. Plus, I like knowing that any of my 3 LBs can get to the play ASAP. Helps when facing teams that pitch/sweep or guys that break a lot of tackles.

There isn't much "shifting" in HB routes as well. Most are either straight wheel routes or dumps. No real need for agility on a wheel route (not much different than a fly). If HBs start running crossing patterns and curls, maybe more agility will be needed


Saying that "most" HB's who run routes have WR speed is a blanket statement that simply is not true.. especially this season with the controversy brewing over the effectiveness of power backs. And even if a HB does have that kind of speed, you're not trying to chase him downfield; all you're trying to cover is your own zone. You're not expected to cover sideline-to-sideline with your LB, nor are you trying to chase down WR's on go routes. The MLB/ILB is responsible for short crossing patterns from WR/TE, any runs up the middle, slot WR's on slants, etc. You're not racing up the sideline to prevent the big play; if you are, your safeties/CB's are terrible. Once the play is identified, the agility is needed to make the cut, accelerate out of the cut, and shed the blocks for whoever is in your way. All speed will do is make you run into the blocker faster, whereas agility will help you avoid the blocker, or shed his block faster if he does engage.

I'm sure we've all seen replays where the defender has too much speed but not enough agility to cut back and end up overpursuing the ballcarrier; this often happens with safeties or CB's trying to catch HB's going downfield. That's fine; those positions should have far more speed than agility. But not the MLB. His coverage doesn't span the same distance as those positions; that's why an MLB should have more agility than speed.

Agility should be Close to/Higher than the speed

Originally posted by Williamko92
Agility should be Close to/Higher than the speed


+ to this.

Originally posted by wallysmith
Saying that "most" HB's who run routes have WR speed is a blanket statement that simply is not true.. especially this season with the controversy brewing over the effectiveness of power backs. And even if a HB does have that kind of speed, you're not trying to chase him downfield; all you're trying to cover is your own zone. You're not expected to cover sideline-to-sideline with your LB, nor are you trying to chase down WR's on go routes. The MLB/ILB is responsible for short crossing patterns from WR/TE, any runs up the middle, slot WR's on slants, etc. You're not racing up the sideline to prevent the big play; if you are, your safeties/CB's are terrible. Once the play is identified, the agility is needed to make the cut, accelerate out of the cut, and shed the blocks for whoever is in your way. All speed will do is make you run into the blocker faster, whereas agility will help you avoid the blocker, or shed his block faster if he does engage.

I'm sure we've all seen replays where the defender has too much speed but not enough agility to cut back and end up overpursuing the ballcarrier; this often happens with safeties or CB's trying to catch HB's going downfield. That's fine; those positions should have far more speed than agility. But not the MLB. His coverage doesn't span the same distance as those positions; that's why an MLB should have more agility than speed.

One of the best posts I've ever seen on this site. Wallysmith is the man. Him and I see eye to eye on almost everything. Great post man. Right now I'm at 72 Speed and 75 Agility.

Originally posted by wallysmith

Saying that "most" HB's who run routes have WR speed is a blanket statement that simply is not true.. especially this season with the controversy brewing over the effectiveness of power backs.
I don't see too many power backs running routes. If they did, I'd be thrilled seeing them try and gather a catch instead of rumbling up the middle. So, let me rephrase, most of the HBs "you need to worry about covering" have high speed.

Originally posted by
And even if a HB does have that kind of speed, you're not trying to chase him downfield; all you're trying to cover is your own zone.
You play zone with your LBs? My MLB will cover the HB all through the wheel route. Allows me to double receivers or blitz safeties.

Originally posted by
You're not expected to cover sideline-to-sideline with your LB, nor are you trying to chase down WR's on go routes. The MLB/ILB is responsible for short crossing patterns from WR/TE, any runs up the middle, slot WR's on slants, etc.
I take you don't play any man underneath coverage? That's an interesting defense. Sure hope you have the best DL in GLB.

Originally posted by
You're not racing up the sideline to prevent the big play; if you are, your safeties/CB's are terrible.
No, but you may be covering HBs or TEs (esp in 2/1 LB sets) to free up your safeties/CBs to cover the receivers or blitz. Using your MLBs in just a 10 yard circle past the LOS is a mammoth waste in passing situations.

Originally posted by
Once the play is identified, the agility is needed to make the cut, accelerate out of the cut, and shed the blocks for whoever is in your way.
I disagree. If a level 40 FB or guard gets you, no amount of agility will shake his block consistently. The best way is to have 3 extremely fast LBs that blow up the blockers so that your other LBs, DL or S can make the play. I take it you haven't seen a LOLB or MLB blow up the guard/FB and allow the NT/DT to make a 1 yard loss tackle? You'd prefer the LB hang back and dance with the FB in hopes of stopping the gain at 3-4 yards.

Originally posted by
All speed will do is make you run into the blocker faster, whereas agility will help you avoid the blocker, or shed his block faster if he does engage.
The first part is exactly right. Speed allows you take out blockers quicker in the play to allow your other players free reign. If you play a good running team, one of your LBs will be blocked each play. Speed just determines whether he's blocked 1 yard behind the LOS or 3 yards past it.

Originally posted by
I'm sure we've all seen replays where the defender has too much speed but not enough agility to cut back and end up overpursuing the ballcarrier
About as often as I see a replay of a 75 agility LB dancing out of FB/guard blocks and making a tackle for loss. The problem you have is that you expect your LB to make every play while I expect my defense to make every play. Give me a LB and safety group of 90 speed and you will stand a great shot at shutting down any running game (provided you have a decent DL).

Originally posted by
But not the MLB. His coverage doesn't span the same distance as those positions; that's why an MLB should have more agility than speed.
Here's a play where a 90 speed MLB hit the center before he could pull and freed up the safety/DE to make the play:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=291897&pbp_id=1771036

Here's where the high speed MLB takes out the guard before the play starts and lets the DT/S make the play no gain:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=291897&pbp_id=1771187

Here's a play where the MLB hit the center before the center can engage the NT and the NT slides up for a loss on a play inside the 5:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=291897&pbp_id=1771391

Now, maybe the LB should have danced with the center or guard and tried to make the play himself, but I doubt that play is as successful. I want my MLB to be blocked by the center or guard as that means one of my DTs will be waiting for the RB. Oh, and don't forget the flexibility of having a high speed MLB in coverage to take out the TE:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=291897&pbp_id=1769422

or even a WR to give you flexibility on sets like single back (check the LILB):
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=291897&pbp_id=1774170

Hard to argue with a guy winning championships in the pros.