2-DL plays and EDGE players

[Mitch-Dolphins]

A good discussion was had on friday night lights. It is a topic that has come up several times before but I believe is relevant to bring up again.

As we try to balance NFL realism with the limitations of our game engine, one thing I believe we should reconsider is the limit of 2 defensive line plays in pass medium and pass short defensive categories in game plans. I've thought about it and discussed it with others. As the NFL evolves to edge players versus true defensive ends, it makes sense for our league to mimic that evolution while allowing more 2-DL plays in the pass medium and pass short categories for all Downs and distances. The key to those 2 defensive line plays will be having a minimum number of players attacking the line of scrimmage, which we have put in place. However, in order to better align with the current NFL, it is easier to have more 2 defensive line plays available to use in game plans versus changing player attributes to adjust to more hybrid edge players.This is something I believe we should reconsider and put in place in next year's new season.

[Dean-Atlanta]

Does it make sense to expand what you suggest to PL and PRD as well?

[Jerry-Redskins]

Mitch,

You talking 50% across the board in pass D's rather than the 33% in PS and PM currently?

[Mitch-Dolphins]

Mitch,

You talking 50% across the board in pass D's rather than the 33% in PS and PM currently?

At this point, id be fine with all plays in pass categories using 2-DL plays. If that's too drastic, maybe move PRD and PL to unlimited usage and PM/PS 50%

[Dean-Atlanta]

I would vote for allowing 100 percent usage of 2-DL plays in PS, PM, PL, and PRD.

Maybe we should try it in the PCFL.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

So effectively, we are talking a full repeal of the 2-DL play rules we went to years ago? I’d be in favor of that.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

We aren't the NFL. DEs still exist in our league as a position with specific logic and ratings. If we are going to treat them as EDGE players or basically OLBs, then allowing more 2-DL plays per category isn't the answer.

I think what we should do is alter the play design rules slightly to allow more flexibility for DEs to be like OLBs on 3 DL and 4 DL plays. For example, as EDGE players, DEs shouldn't be required to be in a 3-point stance meaning they can be further away from the LOS or closer to the field numbers. BUT if we allow DEs more flexibility to be like OLBs then we should also REQUIRE DTs to always DEFEND THE LOS. They can't have the same flexibility as DEs get.

Currently, 2-DL plays require "In 2DL formations, at least one of the two DLs must defend the LOS." That player would always be the DT. This 2-DL rule then gets edited to say, "In 2DL formations, at least one of the two DLs must be a DT defending the LOS."

For DEs, we make a new EDGE focused rule that simply states,

"DEs can be anywhere between the field numbers and have no limits on dropping back into pass coverage. DTs must always defend the LOS and are not allowed to drop into pass coverage."

This lets us use DEs as pseudo-OLBs/EDGE players. It also makes sure DTs are primarily LOS defenders. This would mean the current restriction saying no more than 50% of DLs can drop into pass coverage would be replaced by the above rule because only DEs would be allowed to do that. And yes, this means we would start allowing 3-DL plays where the 2 DEs can drop into pass coverage and the DT defends the LOS.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

My ideal version of the rule I proposed would be:

DEs can be anywhere between or on the field numbers and have no limits on dropping back into pass coverage. Before the snap, they cannot be further than 5 yards from the LOS. DE1 must always be the furthest DL to the left.

DTs must always defend the LOS and are not allowed to drop into pass coverage. Before the snap, DTs must always be in a 3-point stance between or on the hashmarks.

[Charlie-49ers]

How many players MUST defend the LOS, if DEs are allowed to drop into pass coverage?

The general concept is worth discussing, but we need the details, similar to what the Bills posted.

[Mitch-Dolphins]

How many players MUST defend the LOS, if DEs are allowed to drop into pass coverage?

The general concept is worth discussing, but we need the details, similar to what the Bills posted.

Isn't the current rule for a minimum of 3 players to defend the LOS? If so, keep that in place, just allow more 2-DL plays to be used in gameplans since the NFL is using more hybrid/edge players vs traditional DEs.