Strong Safeites should not be able to play DE

I notice a recent trend to put Safeties on the defensive line to provide more speed in the pass. This technique is actually quite effective. The problem is that in real life these 215 pound safeties would get owned in real life by the much bigger and stronger Offensive linemen. The offensive line needs to vertical pass set and engage the Safety, when contact occurs there needs to see a significant slow down and neutralization for the smaller defensive player.

How to Up Your Skill Level

A lot of people have been asking me how to get your skill level up. People think that your level goes up from getting picks, tugs, and sacks, but these "skill" points are for that stupid season showdown (read previous post about my thoughts on this). To get your skill level up you have to do one simple thing, play and win games. When you win, depending on who you play, and what teams were used, and where you play, depend on the amount of points you receive. For example if I am Florida playing Miami at home, and beat a crappy player like a level 2 or 3, I am not going to receive hardly any points that go towards increasing my skill level. If I am Miami and play away at Florida against a good level 20 player, I am going to receive a lot of skill points. Losing will screw over your quest for that high level. When you lose games it cancels out about 2, 3, or even 4 of your wins, for example, if you get 30 points for a win, you will get negative 90 points for a loss. To best get your skill level up play players similar to your level that you think you can beat, avoid playing really good players you will probably lose to (like me) and play people you think you can beat. To get extra points, try to always play away.

More Questions

People have been asking questions on other posts which is fine as long as that question is related to the post. If you have a question unrelated to a post place it here. Also a lot of people ask me questions I have previously discussed, become a regular and read all the blogs!

Player Levels

Player levels are another relatively unknown aspect of the game that can have a significant impact on the game. Check your player levels pre snap to see what players are. Cold(blue), neutral(white), warm(orange), or on fire(flashing orange). To see levels hold in RT and press down on the right joystick. Using your levels is an art and a science. On offense players get hot from making big plays, scoring touchdowns, etc. Players get cold from throwing picks, fumbling, and from being on the wrong end of the hit stick. On defense players get hot for making big plays, like picks, sacks, fumbles, and big hits. It is rare for defenders to get cold, but it is possible. In order to use these levels to your advantage look to build up your players confidence early. For example when using QB's with less than great passing ability such as Pryor or Chiles, I will look to run the ball with them a lot at first, and just try to hit some easy passes to the TE or RB in the flats. Their levels will slowly build up and I always try to get that first tug with a running TD from your QB. This will almost always raise their level to warm or on fire. This strategy of building up your players works with any position. Look to control your DE at first and get him a sack or two, his level will build and later he will be warm with the CPU control. Perhaps just as important as QB levels is the level of the WR's. WR's that are warm or on fire will get open and make that game changing catch for you.

WR Blocking

If you are running the ball inside, motion one of your WR's inside the box to act as another lead blocker. If you can get this WR to block a D lineman or LB, you should get a soild run play. Make sure you are using a good, big, WR when you do this. Posey, Shipley, Nelson, whoever, look at strength, awareness, run blocking ability, and size. WR blocking is an important aspect of the game even when you do not motion him inside the box. If you are running a play to the outside like a sweep, stretch, or option, don't be afraid to swap your best blocking WR to the play side. On run plays WR's are like extra lineman, they can be the difference in making that big run.