Newbie to Madden question

[kstevens]

Does anyone know what defense formations are the best ones to use. I'm going out to buy Madden 2004, just haven't yet. From what I have ever seen in previous Football games, there are different formations to use at the begining of every play (Dime, Nickel, etc.). Well, I always get burned by the pass no matter what defense I play. Can anyone tell me what these different formations are used for? What is everyone's favorite defense formation to use? I plan on playing the Bucs when I do get the game. Thanks :)

[DUTCH IS BACK]

I really like to play the dime formations and play them with man-to-man coverage. Zone coverage often get's me nailed for a really long TD pass.

[TrueSteelerFan]

If they have 3 WRs I go nickel. 4 is dime. If its third and long go quarter. If you have a fast DE in passing situations, just run around the tackle and get behind the QB. It will pressure him into throwing quick and with that many DBs you will probably get an interception or at least knock it down.

Other than that I blitz just about every down. :D

So on first they usually have 2 WRs and 1 TE. So I will go 4-3, move corners up to bump and blitz all linebackers. If you stop them for a loss, they usually go 3 WRs and thats when I go nickel (usually cover 2). If you can get them to 3rd and long its rather easy to stop them because they will surely pass.

[orionstarr]

yea the dime and nickel and man coverage defenses are good to use. thats just from my expereince though.

[J Bonez]

Originally posted by kstevens
Does anyone know what defense formations are the best ones to use. I'm going out to buy Madden 2004, just haven't yet. From what I have ever seen in previous Football games, there are different formations to use at the begining of every play (Dime, Nickel, etc.). Well, I always get burned by the pass no matter what defense I play. Can anyone tell me what these different formations are used for? What is everyone's favorite defense formation to use? I plan on playing the Bucs when I do get the game. Thanks :)

I know what you mean by getting burned on pass plays, it really used to **** me off because I could stop the run with a vengeance but I would get beat deep. I had my best defensive game I've ever had the other day. Against the Eagles I won 35-0. I allowed 26 passing yards 13 rushing yards and 68 total yards on the All-Madden difficulty. I couldn't believe I had done that well, I was astonished. I think it had something to do with the fact I sacked McNabb for a 13 yard loss on the Eagles first play of the game, they didn't play well after that.

EDIT: I'm really good at stopping the run (I'm sure most people are but I don't personally know anybody that has Madden) so I always run nickel, dime, or quarter.

[TrueSteelerFan]

Originally posted by J Bonez
I know what you mean by getting burned on pass plays, it really used to **** me off because I could stop the run with a vengeance but I would get beat deep. I had my best defensive game I've ever had the other day. Against the Eagles I won 35-0. I allowed 26 passing yards 13 rushing yards and 68 total yards on the All-Madden difficulty. I couldn't believe I had done that well, I was astonished. I think it had something to do with the fact I sacked McNabb for a 13 yard loss on the Eagles first play of the game, they didn't play well after that.

EDIT: I'm really good at stopping the run (I'm sure most people are but I don't personally know anybody that has Madden) so I always run nickel, dime, or quarter.

I actually have problems stopping the run on higher difficulties. I think its because I use my own playbook that is mainly designed to stop the pass. I have it filled with confusing zone coverages to give the QB bad looks. I also have a weaker defensive line and so so linebackers (in franchise mode) so I can afford very good 3rd and 4th corners and a high powered offense. So I may give up about 100 yards per game rushing but I usually come away with at least 4 INTs. If I start off the game scoring offensively and get a good INT and go up by 14, I pretty much take the running game out of it early for them.

[gipctech]

Madden stinks !!!!

[DUTCH IS BACK]

Originally posted by gipctech
Madden stinks !!!!

:eek:

[Terminator_95]

yea...he really should go wash himself....dirty old man

[DUTCH IS BACK]

Originally posted by Terminator_95
yea...he really should go wash himself....dirty old man


LOL :D

[SPQRBucs]

If your using the Bucs... which you should be :) try using the 4-3 formation in man coverage. The linebackers can cover well and Kelly and Barber will take the two outside recievers. A LB will cover the slot receiver if there is one and the other LB's will cover the FB and RB.

Depending on the team your playing, they usually don't do anything with the FB so try blitzing with the LB covering the FB. I
m not sure if Madden shows defensive assignment but ESPN NFL does. Just my two cents. Works for me.

[DKWEST]

I go with a 4-3 on first down,...I like to blitz Derrick Brooks off the right side of the defense.

Then I switch to a Nickel on second.

Then depending on the distance I either go with the "Dime" or the "Quarters" set in Man coverage on 3rd down. With the quarters set you only have 3 Lineman,..I like to control Derrick Brooks,...find a gap,...and send him after the quarterback.

On anything more than 7 yards on third down,...I drop the corners and safties back into coverage.

[Powell04]

i use cover 2 nikel most of the time but late when im winning i switch 2 dime man cover