If a team only runs to the outside, should I set my OLBs to 'line' or 'cover'?

any lbs you put on the line contribute to your defensive line on inside or outside runs. so even if they are your middle lbs they will contribute to the average of your ends.

to my knowledge corners and ends are the two groups who are rolled against first. if the run makes it past those two units then your coverage backers and safeties' averages get a chance to stop it. i can't tell if the coverage lbs and safeties are treated as one unit during that check, or if they are kept seperate. im sure thats not exactly how it works, but between what ive read in dev chats and what ive seen thats my 2 cents.

in order to consistently shutdown a good outside running team, the key is to have better corners and ends than his tackles. sad but true, a lot like real life. if there is a moderate to severe talent gap in his favor, you have to decide if its better to try for as many points as possible or possession of the ball to keep his offense on the sideline. if you're losing late, blitzes can increase the rate at which they fumble.

Wonder if coverage depth matters? In theory, short should help against the run better than middle and long.

Posted by rjohn0526 on 1/6/2024 12:09:00 PM (view original):
Wonder if coverage depth matters? In theory, short should help against the run better than middle and long.

yes it does. the coverage lbs and safeties get their check sooner if they are covering short. still hard to tell though if the lbs and safeties are part of one group or separate. im guessing they are separate, but i dont know how to be sure on that.

line

I play OLB on the line and cover with IL. Play short. This covers running outside. I held this seasons Stagg champion Villanova who played extensively run to 19 pts in our game. Just my two cents. Of course, you have to have great OLB's play 90-95% to keep them fresh. Again, just my two cents.

Good info in this thread

What about blitzing the DBs in combination with any of the above strategies? Interesting that nobody has mentioned using that approach.

For instance are CBs more effective defending outside runs by blitzing or staying put in cover short? Will blitzing the SS help?

Thanks for all the responses...so, this brings up a new question:

Let's say my collective OL ratings are STR 90 and BLK 90...let's also say my TE rating is STR 70 and BLK 70...am I better not leaving the TE to block as it brings down the collective average?

"For instance are CBs more effective defending outside runs by blitzing or staying put in cover short? Will blitzing the SS help? " CB's should stay put. No blitzing. As for the TE, that depends on what offense you're using.

I'm just gonna sit here and read the comments...... :)