Phaldun wrote:
Ctiger77 is usually a formidable opponent. So I was pleasantly surprised on how the Phantoms floated into Coyote territory and was able to play such a solid game...............until I looked at the numbers that Grandpa and Garrok put up. My fracking God in heaven what can man do against such reckless power and speed?
I went from..... " Oh **** yea that is how you start the season!"
...to.............."***?" .... as I sank back deep into my couch with a long exasperated sigh.
Not as tough as you might think my friend, 28 points were gotten by the now infamous punt block exploit, and will no longer be an issue when playing the Dragons and any other team in the league that decides not to use it, not that it cant be countered, but its no fun when it goes beserk and did what it did in that game. Good defense, well thought-out rules, effective misc settings, play selection/gameplan, that's what it comes down to. I still think that the strength of the roster is good for 30-40 % of the game and the remaining 60-70% is what you have set up in your gameplan and the rest. There's also having an awareness of the matchups, especially for pass coverage, and the issue of high speed vs average or slow speed. This becomes even more of a concern when you also have a CB1 or 2 with low bump, less than 50. And, in 4.5, you have to have OLBs that can cover the flats, especially when the RBs or FB are WR weight with 90+ speed. Ive done quite a few roster reviews for others, including a few in this league, and for those of you that Ive done them for, you know I focus on lack of speed at positions where speed is very key attribute. There are always exceptions to the rule, but not very many of them, lol. You really dont want an OLB with 50-60 speed (regardless of cover skills) covering a 90 speed RB or WR heading to the flat on either side. You also dont want a 50-60 speed CB combined with average or lower bump covering a WR with 80+ speed, with good or better bump & rec skills. Here's one of the worst "beats" that happened in one of my LC games, basically the last play of the game with a few seconds left, you dont want to lose, especially an LC, to a heartbreaker like this ......
https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/1332#240488Was a good defensive play call, but the slower sub came in at CB2 and the FS could not get over to help in time or catch the WR, who had 90 speed.
When you play the top playoff teams, you have to look at how you can best cover the high speed receivers both at RB & WR positions. I probably did not look at that close enough plus I tend to use subs more than others, not only in the last LC vs the Talons, and if you look at their receiver group now, its all 80+ speed and fast TEs also. So, hope this is of use to others in this league and anyone who takes the time to look at the forums, threads, and posts.
PS ... I mentioned the %-s of roster vs the other aspects of the game. Its a big advantage when your receiver group is much faster than the opposing teams, to go along with good or high bump and rec skills, in that case the % for roster goes up.
And PSS ... The Phantoms have that receiver speed advantage goin for them too, with Mitzell & Rivera, but not as many as the Talons have, and the Talon TE advantage. Look at the play log from their blowout of the Sharks, and you will see why their avg yards per pass plays were huge. Look at the speed of the CB1-3 and outside LBs for the Sharks. That is a formula for a severe BBQ! especially when the play selection is strong. Here a part of the advice I gave Kirby back on 4/4, after seeing what happened in our pre-season game blowout.
" For the Sharks, I highly recommend that you start changing out any/all of your LBs & DBs with less than 70 speed. " Also advised about his receiver group, which is all sub 70 speed and the result was no offense vs a defense with superior speed in the secondary & LBs.
Last edited at 4/07/2020 11:48 pm
