4th down special teams

[Jerry-Redskins]

We do not allow changes to the logic in special teams plays. This ensures we get no crazy designed blocks or returns. Considering we need to continue with that mindset. Is there any interest in allowing some customization of fake punt and fake FG plays with a strict limit on players attacking the LOS to provide a way to combat the large increase in 4th down attempts on offense. I have myself started to run standard defenses on 4th in many cases and am sacrificing the return. This is not realistic adn as a sim league we have no other way to react with something that has a decent chance to work.

I'm thinking the rules would limit fake FG to inside the defense 35 yard line only. The players attacking the LOS would be 5, which matches the current in stock plays. Same other rules apply like no zones into the box, etc.

[Mitch-Oilers]

Do you know what profile scenario plays are called from when a team has a PUNT return called against a regular offensive play on 4th down?

[Jerry-Redskins]

I will investigate and post

[Rich-League Officer]

This sounds like a Charlie area of expertise

[Dean-Atlanta]

I may be wrong but I think if someone goes for 4th down on 4th and 1 at their own 38 yard line (I've been seeing more of this too) my defensive profile reacts to that by calling from my 3rd and 1 defense...but if the other team punts on that same 4th and 1, my profile calls a punt return.

If this is correct, I'm not sure there is a problem here in need of a solution

[Rich-League Officer]

Do we know for sure it calls the defense you think?
What if it's 3rd-10 and your profile calls a medium or long.
They gain 9 yards, it's now 4th-1
How do you know the computer looks to your 3rd-1 defense instead of the last category called which was 3rd-10

[Mitch-Oilers]

I don't recall ever seeing a situation where I had a "regular" defense called against a PUNT or FG and the computer changing my play call to a PUNT return or FG block. I definitely see the reverse happening all the time which is why I want to figure out which profile scenario the cpu is using for the "audible".

[Steve-LA Chargers]

I think one way to solve is to simply submit RRD plays that have one player super deep. I'll create some that have that and also focus on shutting down pitch runs.

[Dean-Atlanta]

Do we know for sure it calls the defense you think?
What if it's 3rd-10 and your profile calls a medium or long.
They gain 9 yards, it's now 4th-1
How do you know the computer looks to your 3rd-1 defense instead of the last category called which was 3rd-10

That is a good question and here is what I found in reviewing 4th and 1 calls of my defense from recent sim data:

My profile is set for 3rd and 1:

Run Left 2
Run Mid 4
Run Right 4

Detroit's ball on their 38 yard line. Fourth and 1 to go. 8:57 left in the
fourth quarter. The score is Detroit 11, Kansas City 31.

Detroit's QB2 #4 James Morgan runs for a gain of just over 4 yards. Morgan
is tackled by Kansas City's LB4 #58 Matthew Adams. First down, Detroit!
First and 10 to go. That was GPE13dr3 (399) against BB3RM002 (393).

That is the only instance I found, but it seems it did call my 3rd and 1 defense, which was RM in that instance. All the times I remember seeing this in watching games, 4th and 1 defense calls 3rd and 1 when the other teams goes for 4th down, same wioth 3rd and 2-5 defense being called on 4th and 2-4 situations when the other team goes for first down.

[Jerry-Redskins]

Lets say it does convert to 3rd and 1. The opponent knows this and can call what ever it wants on 4th that is different than its 3 and 1 call. This is why I have been changing my 4th and 1 to a normal call. The question is even if I have a normal call in 4th and 1 does it revert to the 3rd down profile situation. If it does not, then I should be able to create a counter based on the offense being able to do different things.

As noted earlier, I will run some sims over the next week and see what the profile is doing for sure