OLB as DE’s

I’ve been playing MUT for years. A concept I never grasped is if DE’s are necessary if you run nickel sets all the time. I generally spend for good Sub lb’s. ATM I have Hit Man and Kyle Hamilton. With This being said, I lack in the LB department coming out in a 3-4 , 4-4. 
 

is there a general need for the above mentioned formations? I know they’re good for run stopping, but should I be util this more? Of course if I do, that means I have to spend on D’ends as well. 

More of a general question than lineup help. But I’ve quite often lacked on defense as I don’t like running the meta (mid Blitz, etc.. 🤢) 

let me know what you guys run. It’d be interesting to see if people actually run 3-4, 4-4. For reference my current OLB’s are 89 Brian Burns and Thibs (giants TT).

I'm in the same boat to an extent. I've got a few BND OLBs that I run at DE in Nickel/Dime sets and then use the Garrett Alumni and Fiske RP cards at DE in non pass rushing scenarios. I sub the ends at RDTs in those sets. This leaves me with a sub par MLB 2 in those rushing downs. I havent noticed it's a big deal though as the front 5 get a good enough push.

I’m not good enough for the Mets to matter so I’m just running 30 Vikes TT with 20 Eagles to supplement, both Vikes playbooks. 
 

Defensively, I’m most often in 3-3/2-4 nickel. Occasionally 2-3 dime and 3-4. First year not running a 4-3/46 so it’s been a learning curve. 
 

Also the first year the Vikes have had a viable LB corps. Currently running AVG and Greenard outside with Greenard at LOLB/RushRE so he’s the one that puts his hand in the ground in those packages. AVG at ROLB/RushLE and that seems to keep him standing. Inside I have Pace/Lewis with Kendricks incoming. My RE is only ever on the field in base packages and LE plays in the 3-3 packages.  I’ve kept Pace/Lewis at SubLB because it wasn’t pulling Hitman down correctly and backfilling with his backup so Lewis was in on those packages anyway. I was expecting to say screw it and keep Hitman deep so he’s always on the field but Kendricks zone is surprisingly lower than Pace’s so I’m not sure what I’ll do there.

I started with Double Mug last year. I've added 4-3 Even 6-1 so have two sets to figure out positions for. With the subs it's difficult to use more than two.

doncoyleone said:

I'm in the same boat to an extent. I've got a few BND OLBs that I run at DE in Nickel/Dime sets and then use the Garrett Alumni and Fiske RP cards at DE in non pass rushing scenarios. I sub the ends at RDTs in those sets. This leaves me with a sub par MLB 2 in those rushing downs. I havent noticed it's a big deal though as the front 5 get a good enough push.

makes sense to sub them. Speaking of, it’s too late to get Alumni cards?

WinterSoldier said:

I’m not good enough for the Mets to matter so I’m just running 30 Vikes TT with 20 Eagles to supplement, both Vikes playbooks. 
 

Defensively, I’m most often in 3-3/2-4 nickel. Occasionally 2-3 dime and 3-4. First year not running a 4-3/46 so it’s been a learning curve. 
 

Also the first year the Vikes have had a viable LB corps. Currently running AVG and Greenard outside with Greenard at LOLB/RushRE so he’s the one that puts his hand in the ground in those packages. AVG at ROLB/RushLE and that seems to keep him standing. Inside I have Pace/Lewis with Kendricks incoming. My RE is only ever on the field in base packages and LE plays in the 3-3 packages.  I’ve kept Pace/Lewis at SubLB because it wasn’t pulling Hitman down correctly and backfilling with his backup so Lewis was in on those packages anyway. I was expecting to say screw it and keep Hitman deep so he’s always on the field but Kendricks zone is surprisingly lower than Pace’s so I’m not sure what I’ll do there.

That setup is elite. What defense playbook you use? I’ve been using the giants for as long as I can remember, I always thought they were one of the best. Am I wrong?

BillGardiner20 said:

I started with Double Mug last year. I've added 4-3 Even 6-1 so have two sets to figure out positions for. With the subs it's difficult to use more than two.

Playbook?

I use 49ers but Bears has both too.

alax1103 said:

That setup is elite. What defense playbook you use? I’ve been using the giants for as long as I can remember, I always thought they were one of the best. Am I wrong?

I don’t know what the best is. I use the Vikes because I’m a rube. 

Secondary is Krause/Hitman deep. DeJean/Douglas at corner with Bynum at CB 3 and DeJean kicking to the slot in those sets. Hargrave/Davis are my DT’s. I’d thought about putting Krause/Bynum at corner with DeJean in the slot and Hitman/Dawkins (when he comes) deep but idk if I can keep the 30/20 if I do that much doubling up/shifting around. Probably just end up with Dawkins or Hitman at sublb depending how the stats shake out. 
 

Levan Kirkland could make Kendricks an afterthought/ST’er too if he’s got comparable movement and better coverage. Otherwise without 32 team chems I might find myself only building Dawk and stacking tickets for the next. Plans are always fluid-ish though.