Warrior General Games

I've been trying out new plays to play around with ideas, as you do. Todays play of choice was Man DE Flats.
http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/images/tactics/defense_plays/84.jpg

The questions I have are:
1. Does anybody really use flats?
2. Who in the world is the MLB covering?
3. Is this just a bad play matchup?

http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay/218796/394273

1. On rare occasion I use flats plays against teams who run outside a lot.

2. The MLB is just in an immediate zone. Not a pass defending play (outside run is even the tag). Though it should be considered by Corndog to change the MLB's and SS's coverages there so the coverage makes honest sense.

3. Against a pass? Ya.

historically I've been very disappointed with the flats plays. The few times I ran them (at rookie) I was pretty disappointed with the result (even on outside runs). They weren't as effective as I had hoped they would be (I had hoped it would be a 'sell out' to stop that outside run / QB run type play) and cost me the game. For me - they are on my 'don't run' list.

Originally posted by TxSteve
historically I've been very disappointed with the flats plays. The few times I ran them (at rookie) I was pretty disappointed with the result (even on outside runs). They weren't as effective as I had hoped they would be (I had hoped it would be a 'sell out' to stop that outside run / QB run type play) and cost me the game. For me - they are on my 'don't run' list.

Ironically enough Nickel Man DE Flats actually works to stop TE Post spammers.

Agreed though. Not generally a fan of the Flats plays. I did see it a few times in Vet against pure rushing teams and whatnot historically - but there are alternative plays that in my opinion work just as well if not better.

Originally posted by TxSteve
historically I've been very disappointed with the flats plays. The few times I ran them (at rookie) I was pretty disappointed with the result (even on outside runs). They weren't as effective as I had hoped they would be (I had hoped it would be a 'sell out' to stop that outside run / QB run type play) and cost me the game. For me - they are on my 'don't run' list.

Didn't you quit before the change?

- DEs on the DE contain defenses will now sidestep slide out into containment instead of smashing into the line

I know I was shut down pretty well by Salty last season using flats plays.

not sure - but I just looked at some plays from this season in stobies play analyzer...and sure - I see the DE take a step or two outside...but then he just engages the OT there. Doesn't really seem to change anything. Certainly don't see any consistent examples where the DE impacts the play (except for the usual rare DE pancakes the OT or something).

Well I think you really just need to make DE's that are useful at it. Early on in the Salty game, our TE was working the DE over but over time the DE started overtaking the TE and eventually stopped a lot of plays like this.

http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay/212944/2607963
http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay/212944/2608057
http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay/212944/2608067
http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay/212944/2608139

You get the idea. But Omaha scores probably 50 without Salty deploying that play into their mix in that game. Instead despite jumping out to a 14-0 lead we end up getting shut down after that and getting our ass kicked.

I tried a play today close to flats. This one was pure man coverage though.

Zero Double Man
http://glb2.warriorgeneral.com/images/tactics/defense_plays/146.jpg

Wasn't terrible outside, but depending on how many are in the backfield it ruins it. Still has the same problem with the TE though as flats.

Just testing out the lesser run plays to see if people have forgotten anything.

They are designed to stop screens, but screens stop themselves on this game. Until around Pro at least.