Defensive Formation Issue

[Charlie-49ers]

Another issue that I have noticed during the season is the increasing use of the 2-DL Pass Medium defenses, and I am included in this group! Never wanting to stifle innovation, and always wanting to make sure that the PNFL allows what is taking place in the NFL (to the extent that the game would allow it) we introduced the 2-DL defense. After a couple of seasons we disallowed the use in all run categories, as 2-DL defenses were not realistic in the NFL (there are always rare exceptions, but we want something that resembles the norm). My research of late also indicates that the 2-DL formations are also not NFL realistic for what the PNFL considers Pass Medium, that is 10-yards or less for a 1st Down. The 2-DL formations in the NFL, for the vast majority of teams (yes, there are exceptions under certain circumstances) are primarily used for Hail Mary situations (PNFL Razzle Dazzle formations) and some 3rd and Long, greater than 10-yards in the PNFL.

Considering the anemic nature of our passing game, and the increase in the performance of our running games due to the success of the outside runs, I am seriously considering the reduction or elimination of the 2-DL Pass Medium plays, relegating them to Pass Long and Pass Razzle Dazzle. Never wanting to make dramatic changes season to season, I am thinking initially that no more than 50% of your Pass Medium and Pass Long defenses can be 2-DL defenses. Since the rules require six Pass Medium and six Pass Long plays in your game plans, no more than three can be 2-DL defenses. Obviously, if you increase the number of these plays, then your use of the 2-DL defenses go up (e.g. if you use eight Pass Medium defenses, four can be 2-DL defenses).

[Rich-League Officer]

Get ready for a flurry of coronavirus rule changes

[Mitch-Oilers]

If you move the 2DL PM plays to PL, the coaches will just use PL in their profiles for those situations they use PM for now. Unless there are more restrictions put on the type of play categories that are used in certain situations in the defensive profile, I believe this is a mute point.

[Charlie-49ers]

Mitch, you are correct, which is why I am looking at no more than 50% 2-DL in the Pass Medium and Pass Long categories. I am not trying to eliminate them, just restrict them. We could also go to no more than 33% in the Pass Medium category.

[Mitch-Oilers]

My proposal:

Defense must use 2 categories for each profile scenario. Here are the categories you can use for each down:

1st - RM, RL, RR (inside 5 GLP or GLR, 10+ any category)
2nd - RM, RL, RR (inside 5 GLP or GLR, 10+ any category)
3rd & 0-1 - any categories
3rd & 2-5 - any category with PS mandatory
3 & 6-10 - any category with PM mandatory
3 & 10+ - any category with PL mandatory
4th down - any category

[Steve-LA Chargers]

Mitch's proposal would certainly ensure no 2 DL plays are used on 1st and 2nd 0-10 situations.

If we also prohibit PM, PL and RZP on 3rd 0-5 situations, then 2 DL plays would only be used on long yardage plays and 3rd 6-10.

Wouldn't that solve the problem?

[Steve-LA Chargers]

Just trying to save you work, Charlie.

[Mitch-Oilers]

@Steve - the reason I proposed using any category on all 3rd down scenarios is because the offense can call nearly any category on 3rd down as well. On 1st and 2nd down, the offense has more restrictions.

[Charlie-49ers]

OK, let me think about this. I wish some more people would contribute!

[Steve-LA Chargers]

@Steve - the reason I proposed using any category on all 3rd down scenarios is because the offense can call nearly any category on 3rd down as well. On 1st and 2nd down, the offense has more restrictions.

The only way limiting 1st and 2nd to RR, RM, RL works is if we copy some of the current 3DL and 4DL PM plays into RL or make new ones that are better versus the pass. Several of the current RL plays can stop the pass quite well, but if we prohibit PM in those downs, it will definitely give the passing game a greater advantage than it has right now. Have to be careful about this. We could go a season without this influx of PM plays into RL to see if it results in too much passing success, then fix it accordingly the following season.