Defensive Packages

[d4mo]

Hey, I've been playing some Madden lately, and I need help with defensive plays. Correct me if I'm wrong but Nickel and 3-4 are pass defenses and 4-3 and dime are rush defenses? What about 46 Bear and stuff like that. What exactly is a cover 2. Some explanations would be great.

[Phantom2k4]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that 46 bear is a run-stopping D and the Cover 2 is a pass-stopping D

[d4mo]

Well the thing is, I will pick Nickel, and then cover 2, and they will still find a wide open reciever and get good yardage.

[Waterboy]

Dime is a pass defense, hence the reason why you have 1 linebacker and 6 DBs. If you are playing as the Bucs, play 4-3 and Nickel. Depending on how good your DBs are you can play dime.

Last year in Madden 2004 I did a Bucs franchise, picked up Phillip Buchanon and Marcus Trufant and played a lot of dime with Barber, Kelly, and those two.

Unbelievable pass defense.

[SACK99]

Hey, I've been playing some Madden lately, and I need help with defensive plays. Correct me if I'm wrong but Nickel and 3-4 are pass defenses and 4-3 and dime are rush defenses? What about 46 Bear and stuff like that. What exactly is a cover 2. Some explanations would be great.

4-3 means 4 lineman and 3 linebackers. a 3-4 is the opposite. Either can be effective against the run or pass. A nickle refers to taking out a linebacker and inserting a 5th defensive back to help out against offensive sets with more wrs. A 6th db would be a dime and a 7th db would be a quarter. You can play a nickle or dime and still get passed on if you don't get pressure and the QB has time to throw. Your best bet is to mix it up, blitz from different spots and when they are expecting the blitz and keeping in extra blockers to help, don't blitz. The 46bear was Buddy Ryans defense Named after a players uniform # on that particular defense. It is more effective in running situations. I think the cover 2 is a zone defense with the defensive backfield divided between 2 dbs. The cover 3 splits it 3 ways.

[TrueSteelerFan]

The 3-4 is not a passing defense. Its already been explained that it is 3 linemen and 4 linebackers. It could be good against the pass with great linebackers but even then, you are reaching. A 3-4 usually rushes at least one linebacker. You are trying to make the offense guess which linebacker(s) you are bringing. A 46 defense pretty much stacks the line. It can be very good against the run. The basic idea is to confuse the offense. They dont know who is blitzing and who is dropping back. This usually puts your corners in man coverage. The cover 2 is great against short passing routes. With a good pass rush and a solid MLB, it can be effective against longer passes also. It has both of your safetys cover their deep sides of the field. Your corners and LBs are also given a zone to cover. I find its best to have your corners bump the receivers at the line. Its also good to move your MLB back a little.

[CaptainCT]

Well the thing is, I will pick Nickel, and then cover 2, and they will still find a wide open reciever and get good yardage.

Cover 2 is a zone defense, The receivers are finding holes in the zone and sitting in them and the QB is hitting them. Try pressuring the QB. If that doesnt work, what i always do is play cover 3, press coverage on the outside, spread the Linebackers wide and rush hard with the 4 down lineman. With the Linebackers spread, they can get to thier zones quicker, and press coverage on the outside forces the WR to either change his route, or it forces the QB to wait for him to get open, and if you rush hard, you may just come up with a sack. If the QB manages to get the pass off, your LBs and DBs are in good position to pick it off or deflect. Watch for the draw play or Play action though

[CaptainCT]

one more thing, DONT ASK MADDEN!!!