2038 play design discussion

[Charlie-49ers]

Well, the last thing that I want to do is destroy everyone's game plans and spread hate and discontent among the League! As such, I am not going to decimate the defensive play pool and force everyone back to the drawing board, which should make a lot of people happy. Later today or tomorrow I will post in this thread my final play designs for NEW plays in the Pass Medium, Pass Long, and Pass Dazzle categories. The only play category that is truly NFL unrealistic is the two DL Pass Short defenses, and therefore that category is toast for the upcoming season. So those you can replace in your plans with three, four, and five DL plays. That should pretty much minimize the defensive plan changes for next season.

Regarding the existing Pass Medium, Long, and Dazzle plays, I plan to review as many as I can for apparent clones, dupes, and nearly identical plays and weed those out, maybe a half dozen at a time so there is a smooth transition over the next several seasons. I will probably do two Medium, two Long, and two Dazzle at a time so that an entire category is not impacted at one time in anyone's game plan.

[Charlie-49ers]

OK guys we need to move ahead. Here are the plans for the coming season regarding the 2-DL defenses.

For the purpose of definition, “Defend the LOS” means

1. A Defensive Lineman with the logic of Run Rush, Pass Rush, or Read;

2. A Linebacker with the logic of Key on Quarterback, Run Defense, or Blitz (not Read); and

3. A Defensive Back with the logic of Key on Quarterback, Run Defense, or Blitz (not Read).

Goal Line Pass: 2-DL defenses will not be allowed. At least three DLs must defend the LOS.

Pass Short: 2-DL defenses will not be allowed (R&S Pass Short folder to be deleted). New Short Pass plays will require a minimum of three DLs and two LBs. At least two of three or more DLs must defend the LOS. As such, one DL is permitted to drop into pass coverage, but in any event, at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) must defend the LOS.

Pass Medium: 2-DL defenses will not be allowed (R&S Pass Medium folder to be deleted). New Medium Pass plays will require a minimum of three DLs and one LB. At least two of three or more DLs must defend the LOS. As such, one DL is permitted to drop into pass coverage, but in any event, at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) must defend the LOS.

Pass Long: You must have at least 2-DLs and 1 LB in the play and at least three players covering the LOS. Both DLs can drop into pass coverage, but the execution of the play must have at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) defending the LOS. Pass Long cannot be called on first or second down unless it is greater than a 10-yard situation. This provision will not apply during the last five minutes of play in each half. No more than 50% of the Pass Long category can be 2-DL defenses.

Pass Dazzle: You must have at least two 2-DLs in the play and at least two players covering the LOS. Both DLs can drop into pass coverage, but the execution of the play must have at least two players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) defending the LOS. Pass Dazzle can only be called be during the last two minutes of either half.

If you want to comment, that is fine, but I have held a lot of discussions with several coaches on the topic and the above closely represents the use of 2-DL plays in the NFL today. If there is a movement in the NFL to use more 2-DL defenses in the future, we will find a way to reintroduce them to mirror their use in the NFL.

[Dean-Atlanta]

Are we going to limit the percentage of PM defenses that can be 2-DL to maybe 33 percent, 2 of the 6 plays in the game plan?

[Dean-Atlanta]

Disregard that I see the answer above, I had misread it.

[Charlie-49ers]

After much discussion and compromise with the other coaches that make plays, we have come to an agreement on how best to treat the 2-DL defenses for the upcoming season. After the season we will evaluate the statistics to see if we have improved any aspect of the game.

For a definition, “Defend the ('LOS') Line of Scrimmage" means

1. A Defensive Lineman with the logic of Run Rush, Pass Rush, or Read;

2. A Linebacker with the logic of Key on Quarterback, Run Defense, or Blitz (not Read); and

3. A Defensive Back with the logic of Key on Quarterback, Run Defense, or Blitz (not Read).

Goal Line Pass: Defenses must have a minimum of three DLs, all of which must defend the LOS.

Pass Short: New Pass Short plays will require a minimum of two DLs and three LBs. At least one of the two DLs must defend the LOS. As such, one DL is permitted to drop into pass coverage, but in any event, at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) must defend the LOS.

Plan Change: No more than 33% of the Pass Short category can be 2-DL defenses.

Pass Medium: New Pass Medium plays will require a minimum of two DLs and two LB. At least one of the two DLs must defend the LOS. As such, one DL is permitted to drop into pass coverage, but in any event, at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) must defend the LOS.

Plan Change: No more than 33% of the Pass Medium category can be 2-DL defenses.

Pass Long: New Pass Long plays will require a minimum of two DLs and one LB. Both DLs can drop into pass coverage, but the execution of the play must have at least three players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) defending the LOS.

Plan Change: No more than 50% of the Pass Long category can be 2-DL defenses.

Profile Change: Pass Long can be called on first or second down when it is greater than a 10+ yard situation. This provision will not apply during the last five minutes of play in each half.

Pass Dazzle: You must have at least two 2-DLs in the play and at least two players covering the LOS. Both DLs can drop into pass coverage, but the execution of the play must have at least two players (DLs, LBs, and/or DBs) defending the LOS.

Plan Change: No more than 50% of the Pass Dazzle category can be 2-DL defenses.

Profile Change: Pass Dazzle can be called on any 1st & 2nd situation where it is 10+ yards, and any 3rd down situation greater than 1 yard. Within the last 5 minutes of each half, Pass Dazzle can be called at anytime.

[Steve-LA Chargers]

Does these rules also still apply? Couldn't find them in the Custom Play rules, but I remember them being 'set' as rules.

Pass Razzle Dazzle
No more than 4 defenders can have Blitz, Pass Rush, or move to logic across the LOS

Run Razzle Dazzle
No Pass Rush or Blitz logic.
Only Run Rush, Read, Zone, or m2m logic allowed.
At least 2 DBs must be Safeties, as these are the hard-hitting, run-stopper DBs.

Goal Line Run
No Pass Rush or Blitz logic.

Goal Line Pass
No Run Rush logic. Players can Pass Rush, Blitz, Read, Zone, or m2m logic.

[Charlie-49ers]

Steve, I do not remember having these in the PNFL rules. Some I agree with, others I do not.

At least for the upcoming season, I think that we have enough rule changes.

During the season, or in the next off-season we can discuss the appropriate use of Goal Line Run and Pass defenses, their respective requirements, and when you can you them (e.g. only within five-yards of the defenses' goal line, which would be the appropriate way to go).

[Dean-Atlanta]

I think we should have a serious discussion in the next off-season about drastically simplifying our rules and...

* eliminating unnecessary rules
* eliminating rules that don't work or don't achieve their stated purpose
* eliminating rules designed to make the game more realistic that don't make the game more realistic
* eliminating rules put it because we over-reacted to things happening in the game where we made more rules rather than focused on answering those challenges with better coaching
* many others too

[Dean-Atlanta]

Play design rules need the most review. I think next of-season we should conduct a process where EVERY rule is subject to a review process where it is reviewed and either upheld if 12 or more of 18 GMs agree to retaining it, or otherwise it is removed.

[Charlie-49ers]

Well, if we want to review everything, it will take more than one off-season. I suggest two threads, one for the offense and one for the defense. Obviously, some of you have a priority list, so I would start with those. post one suggestion at a time and responses should stay on topic until that issue is resolved. I am willing to consider any changes that the majority of the coaches believe will enhance the game.