CBs and abilities for hybrid scheme (zone/man)

I feel you cause I run mainly ZCV but I like having players that get the MCV abilities for free like osa or inside shade so that if I want to man them up I can. Deion is near impossible to replace with how well he plays and he's versatile with those 2 0ap abilities. The game is loaded with great players to choose from. I like Trey Lance alot also and he can be versatile with 0ap Tackle Supreme or MZKO. My cb's are Deion(pa & acro),Boldin(osa),Porter(unv),Lott(inside shade)and Diggs(pa). I'll probably replace Diggs cause I never use him but I'll get someone who I can sub in for certain situations.

After a bit of experimenting with lineup builder and all the abilities available to us, I'm noticing this...

If you run zone and zone KOs exclusively, you will have more AP available to run pick artists, It also allows you to be more unpredictable with who you are going to user imo.

If you run man 2 man exclusively you can prioritize shades to eliminate receivers route abilities like SIE/SOE/RT, and you'll need to use  DRKOs to avoid giving up big plays. In turn you miss out on having more pick artists on the field aside from the Parham because as of right now he's the only DB with DRKO and PA.

So when you try to combine the 2 you have to be selective and limited to which man coverages you want to mix in with which zone coverages. Obviously you'll need DRKO on at least the 2 high safeties to avoid getting bombed, but then you'll have to choose are you going to use shades, route kos, or pick artists on the DBs that you are going to play man with. If you have JPJ and Lester hayes it'll save some AP because UC is DRKO and DZKO. The setup that made the most sense to me would be to rotate between a Cover 2, and Cover 2 man under, and cover 0

FS/SS - DZKO, and DRKO (1 ap each) I'm using Thomas Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu GT.

CBs - FZKO, DRKO (1 ap each) I'm going to use Asante Samuel Jr, and Chris Mcalister Ultimate.

Slot CB - I'd use anquan boldin as the only card with OSA for 0 and DRKO (I'm not playing him in zone, slot cbs in zone are borderline useless anyways, even in zone concepts I'll man him up on the most dangerous threat every time). 1 ap

User LBs, Davante Adams, and Ronnie Lott both get Inside Shade for 0 AP, they will cover rbs and TEs always within the numbers. (pro tip denvers defense has a dime package you can put a CB at LB, if you don't want to use adams you can use any other 0 ap inside shade for this). You can also use the MB Van Ginkle, and Trey Lance for free DRKO if you want to run a lot of cover 0. In cover 0 I'd move Lott back to a safety spot and give myself a Lurker, or PA+Acro player

For dline, I'd recommend no outsiders and secure tacklers/tackle supremes to combat the x-factor RBs. My last AP goes to UF X-factor DE.

conversely for the man coverage you could consider giving up the KO's. Use Boldin/Mcalister on the outside with OSA and use 0 ap Inside Shade on Revis, Samari Rolle, or Aeneas Williams.   Fun Idea pick up MB Lajarius Sneed with Edge Threat Elite and blitz him off the edge, If he gets picked up by a TE or RB without secure protector he can still get home quickly.
 

Let me know if this setup works for you or how you are going to run it!

TheNickSix said:

After a bit of experimenting with lineup builder and all the abilities available to us, I'm noticing this...

If you run zone and zone KOs exclusively, you will have more AP available to run pick artists, It also allows you to be more unpredictable with who you are going to user imo.

If you run man 2 man exclusively you can prioritize shades to eliminate receivers route abilities like SIE/SOE/RT, and you'll need to use  DRKOs to avoid giving up big plays. In turn you miss out on having more pick artists on the field aside from the Parham because as of right now he's the only DB with DRKO and PA.

So when you try to combine the 2 you have to be selective and limited to which man coverages you want to mix in with which zone coverages. Obviously you'll need DRKO on at least the 2 high safeties to avoid getting bombed, but then you'll have to choose are you going to use shades, route kos, or pick artists on the DBs that you are going to play man with. If you have JPJ and Lester hayes it'll save some AP because UC is DRKO and DZKO. The setup that made the most sense to me would be to rotate between a Cover 2, and Cover 2 man under, and cover 0

FS/SS - DZKO, and DRKO (1 ap each) I'm using Thomas Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu GT.

CBs - FZKO, DRKO (1 ap each) I'm going to use Asante Samuel Jr, and Chris Mcalister Ultimate.

Slot CB - I'd use anquan boldin as the only card with OSA for 0 and DRKO (I'm not playing him in zone, slot cbs in zone are borderline useless anyways, even in zone concepts I'll man him up on the most dangerous threat every time). 1 ap

User LBs, Davante Adams, and Ronnie Lott both get Inside Shade for 0 AP, they will cover rbs and TEs always within the numbers. (pro tip denvers defense has a dime package you can put a CB at LB, if you don't want to use adams you can use any other 0 ap inside shade for this). You can also use the MB Van Ginkle, and Trey Lance for free DRKO if you want to run a lot of cover 0. In cover 0 I'd move Lott back to a safety spot and give myself a Lurker, or PA+Acro player

For dline, I'd recommend no outsiders and secure tacklers/tackle supremes to combat the x-factor RBs. My last AP goes to UF X-factor DE.

conversely for the man coverage you could consider giving up the KO's. Use Boldin/Mcalister on the outside with OSA and use 0 ap Inside Shade on Revis, Samari Rolle, or Aeneas Williams.   Fun Idea pick up MB Lajarius Sneed with Edge Threat Elite and blitz him off the edge, If he gets picked up by a TE or RB without secure protector he can still get home quickly.
 

Let me know if this setup works for you or how you are going to run it!

You really did your research and went into detail! Very helpful! For the time being I’m running CB1 Parham, CB2 Hayes and Slot Cb Deion. I’m still experimenting with Slot CB2 and SS. I have Chad at FS. I mostly run zone and incorporate some man blitzes into my scheme. I’m considering adding Boldin as so many have mentioned how useful he can be with that OSA. He would be my Slot CB2. I tried JP Jr at SS but he just doesn’t make plays for me. I think it’s between Calvin (size and IS), McAllister (maxed out stats, IS) or Boldin (OSA) for my next addition. Already got rid of Randy Moss who was not really helpful AP wise or on the outside always getting burned. Lott has been amazing for me as a SubLB. I always use him to man up the TE or slot WR and he’s constantly making plays. Also excellent vs run with his high blockshed, tackling and hit power.

Rhern26 said:

I usually love to run zone but seeing that man has become meta, and so annoying to play against… I was thinking of running some sort of hybrid scheme.

I just got the new Donald Parham and will slap on DOZKO along with the DRKO and PA he comes with for just 1AP. He’s my CB1 going forward. Need some advice on my other CBs and S and what abilities to run.

Currently have:

CBs: Hayes, Moss, Sherman, Deion, Parham, PorterJr (comp pass).
FS: Chad, Quin, Lott.

SS: Kam, Knight, Dexter, Pola Mao, Kearse, Bo, Lynch.

Will probably get rid of Lynch and Dexter (if I move out of 49ers TTR boosts). Thinking of adding SS Polamalu/Atwater, FS Honeybadger and CB Calvin. 
 

What combination of players would you guys run and what abilities would work best? I hate playing guys out of position but I’m open to it. Keep Kearse as user?

great topic. I mosly  run a zone  blitzing scheme out of big nickel, but I have one hybrid  play, I use it during end of half/game  out of dollar. it's a cover 3 base I sub in Lott 0 AP inside shade at sub lb and  Boldin 0 AP OSA at one slot cb the other slot is JPJ. I mostly man up Lott to cover RB and JPJ to cover slot. the play already has Boldin playing man mostly against TE.  I have a lot of different change-ups I do with this defense like blizing  both slots and hard flating both sub lbs.

TheNickSix said:

After a bit of experimenting with lineup builder and all the abilities available to us, I'm noticing this...

If you run zone and zone KOs exclusively, you will have more AP available to run pick artists, It also allows you to be more unpredictable with who you are going to user imo.

If you run man 2 man exclusively you can prioritize shades to eliminate receivers route abilities like SIE/SOE/RT, and you'll need to use  DRKOs to avoid giving up big plays. In turn you miss out on having more pick artists on the field aside from the Parham because as of right now he's the only DB with DRKO and PA.

So when you try to combine the 2 you have to be selective and limited to which man coverages you want to mix in with which zone coverages. Obviously you'll need DRKO on at least the 2 high safeties to avoid getting bombed, but then you'll have to choose are you going to use shades, route kos, or pick artists on the DBs that you are going to play man with. If you have JPJ and Lester hayes it'll save some AP because UC is DRKO and DZKO. The setup that made the most sense to me would be to rotate between a Cover 2, and Cover 2 man under, and cover 0

FS/SS - DZKO, and DRKO (1 ap each) I'm using Thomas Davis, and Tyrann Mathieu GT.

CBs - FZKO, DRKO (1 ap each) I'm going to use Asante Samuel Jr, and Chris Mcalister Ultimate.

Slot CB - I'd use anquan boldin as the only card with OSA for 0 and DRKO (I'm not playing him in zone, slot cbs in zone are borderline useless anyways, even in zone concepts I'll man him up on the most dangerous threat every time). 1 ap

User LBs, Davante Adams, and Ronnie Lott both get Inside Shade for 0 AP, they will cover rbs and TEs always within the numbers. (pro tip denvers defense has a dime package you can put a CB at LB, if you don't want to use adams you can use any other 0 ap inside shade for this). You can also use the MB Van Ginkle, and Trey Lance for free DRKO if you want to run a lot of cover 0. In cover 0 I'd move Lott back to a safety spot and give myself a Lurker, or PA+Acro player

For dline, I'd recommend no outsiders and secure tacklers/tackle supremes to combat the x-factor RBs. My last AP goes to UF X-factor DE.

conversely for the man coverage you could consider giving up the KO's. Use Boldin/Mcalister on the outside with OSA and use 0 ap Inside Shade on Revis, Samari Rolle, or Aeneas Williams.   Fun Idea pick up MB Lajarius Sneed with Edge Threat Elite and blitz him off the edge, If he gets picked up by a TE or RB without secure protector he can still get home quickly.
 

Let me know if this setup works for you or how you are going to run it!

this is why I run a mostly zone blitz scheme out of big nickel. the six players I'm most likely blitzing utilize 0 of my 6 AP

I have one hybrid  play, I use it during end of half/game  out of dollar. it's a cover 3 base I sub in Lott 0 AP inside shade at sub lb and  Boldin 0 AP OSA at one slot cb the other slot is JPJ. I mostly man up Lott to cover RB and JPJ to cover slot. the play already has Boldin playing man mostly against TE.  I have a lot of different change-ups I do with this defense like blizing  both slots and hard flating both sub lbs. or JPJ mans up outside WR and put that side db in a 25 yard drop.

Raydondee said:

this is why I run a mostly zone blitz scheme out of big nickel. the six players I'm most likely blitzing utilize 0 of my 6 AP

I have one hybrid  play, I use it during end of half/game  out of dollar. it's a cover 3 base I sub in Lott 0 AP inside shade at sub lb and  Boldin 0 AP OSA at one slot cb the other slot is JPJ. I mostly man up Lott to cover RB and JPJ to cover slot. the play already has Boldin playing man mostly against TE.  I have a lot of different change-ups I do with this defense like blizing  both slots and hard flating both sub lbs. or JPJ mans up outside WR and put that side db in a 25 yard drop.

Ya I run mostly zone too, having pick artists on all my dbs does wonders. I don’t think I’ll get as much turnovers with man but I like to change things up when I get bored with running the same schemes

Rhern26 said:

Joey Porter at SS actually makes sense. I’m going to test that out because I really don’t like him at corner. What playbook are you using? I love my defensive scheme but we’re at the end of madden 23 so good to try something new

I'm fairly basic, still using 49ers playbook on defense, as it's familiar -- also the one i started with, but i also have 46 playbook on defense in case i'm feeling sassy.  For offense, I've grown somewhat comfortable with the Saints playbook, has a nice mix of run and pass attack, some dual HB sets (so i can run both Flash & Deebo), etc.

My DBs are often (in Cover 0) on an island, when i go 4-3 Even 6-1 to generate a ton of pressure, but also to help fend off runners.  In obvious passing situations, i'll often revert to Dollar and only send three (or four) pass rushers.  Unstoppable Force isn't what it once was, so all 6AP are now going to my DBs.

Wish i could take any credit for running Joey Porter Jr. at SS, i just was trying to have four Universal Coverage X-factors, but didn't quite get there.  I'm close.  Anquan Boldin's Shutdown ability is pretty good, but i'm probably going back to 0AP OSA soon, but he's not as productive without the "catching" component of that 2AP investment, so it basically costs me the same to run OSA, PA & Deep Route KO, so figure it's basically a wash.

Lester Hayes swats/bats so many balls away, it's PAINFUL to not have Pick Artist on him.  Chad Johnson and Anquan Boldin do far better catching, Joey Porter Jr. is somewhere in between, but also Ronnie Lott without PA (in the Slot) is awful, but i've been through a bajillion options with 0AP Inside Shade.  None catch the ball without PA. OOF.

TheNickSix said:

Ya I run mostly zone too, having pick artists on all my dbs does wonders. I don’t think I’ll get as much turnovers with man but I like to change things up when I get bored with running the same schemes

big believer in PA. JPJ is the only member of my starting big nickel secondary that doesn't have PA. funny thing he's the only one that doesn't have PA and Acro. when Lott first came out I made a man base defense I chose osa or IS with PA over route KOs for my DBs who got man assignments and PA and Acro for the guys who play zone. to me having KOs without PA takes away the most beneficial part of kos the high probability of int after the knockout.

Removed by moderator

Raydondee said:

great topic. I mosly  run a zone  blitzing scheme out of big nickel, but I have one hybrid  play, I use it during end of half/game  out of dollar. it's a cover 3 base I sub in Lott 0 AP inside shade at sub lb and  Boldin 0 AP OSA at one slot cb the other slot is JPJ. I mostly man up Lott to cover RB and JPJ to cover slot. the play already has Boldin playing man mostly against TE.  I have a lot of different change-ups I do with this defense like blizing  both slots and hard flating both sub lbs.

Just got Boldin for the OSA. I love Lott as my SubLB2. Thinking of givi him MZKO along with IS so he can be Even more versatile. How you liking big nickel? I used it a lot last year but been running 3-3-5 and 3-3-5 Cub a lot now. Throw in some Dollar too.

peatrick said:

I'm fairly basic, still using 49ers playbook on defense, as it's familiar -- also the one i started with, but i also have 46 playbook on defense in case i'm feeling sassy.  For offense, I've grown somewhat comfortable with the Saints playbook, has a nice mix of run and pass attack, some dual HB sets (so i can run both Flash & Deebo), etc.

My DBs are often (in Cover 0) on an island, when i go 4-3 Even 6-1 to generate a ton of pressure, but also to help fend off runners.  In obvious passing situations, i'll often revert to Dollar and only send three (or four) pass rushers.  Unstoppable Force isn't what it once was, so all 6AP are now going to my DBs.

Wish i could take any credit for running Joey Porter Jr. at SS, i just was trying to have four Universal Coverage X-factors, but didn't quite get there.  I'm close.  Anquan Boldin's Shutdown ability is pretty good, but i'm probably going back to 0AP OSA soon, but he's not as productive without the "catching" component of that 2AP investment, so it basically costs me the same to run OSA, PA & Deep Route KO, so figure it's basically a wash.

Lester Hayes swats/bats so many balls away, it's PAINFUL to not have Pick Artist on him.  Chad Johnson and Anquan Boldin do far better catching, Joey Porter Jr. is somewhere in between, but also Ronnie Lott without PA (in the Slot) is awful, but i've been through a bajillion options with 0AP Inside Shade.  None catch the ball without PA. OOF.

I feel your pain. I tested out Joey Porter Jr yesterday the way you mentioned. Had him at SS but idk he was just very unnoticeable. Idk if that’s a good thing or not lol. I do know Chad plays so good with it tho. Im  now using Parham, Hayes, Deion as my top CBs and placed Sammy Knight at SS with Chad locking down at FS. just testing a bunch of stuff out. I also got Boldin and Calvin but I find it difficult to get them on the field with the other 3 guys balling. I’m still using Kearse as my user though I preferred Kam. i use Lott and Polamalu as my other Sub LBs. very good players.

Nxtup212 said:

Removed by moderator

That’s funny considering you took the time to look at different forums and comment on this one. Wrong website to look for bitches kid. Married with a son. Good job! B+ for trying.

Rhern26 said:

Just got Boldin for the OSA. I love Lott as my SubLB2. Thinking of givi him MZKO along with IS so he can be Even more versatile. How you liking big nickel? I used it a lot last year but been running 3-3-5 and 3-3-5 Cub a lot now. Throw in some Dollar too.

lovng  big Nickel been using it off and on since LBS stop jumping. I'm a believer in making people one  dimensional. players are more likely to run when they see 3-3-5 or dollar.

Raydondee said:

lovng  big Nickel been using it off and on since LBS stop jumping. I'm a believer in making people one  dimensional. players are more likely to run when they see 3-3-5 or dollar.

Ahh so you use it as a way to stop the run and force them to pass. More chances of errors and turnovers that way. Smart man