If you were a coach...

[Manhattan Project]

What type of offense would you want to implement and what type of defense. For the sake of the argument lets pretend that you are an expansion team so you get to build it from scratch.

[NO-KG-AI]

4-3 defense, and try to get a strong running game.

I would look to build a strong offensive and defensive line, making things easier on the skill positions.

2 back system, with a blocking full back. I could get really detailed but that would be the simplified version.

(How long must you keep the sig?)

[FilthyRich]

do whatever it took to get champ bailey and ed reed on the defensive side of the ball and run a 4-6 normal like im playing madden. id at least have 8 in the box at all time to discourage the run and force them to try my elite secondary.

offensively i would probably run a run and gun offense like june jones at hawaii mixed with a lot of zone blocking schemes.

[JaxMagic]

I am a real big fan of the single back offense with two tightends. Get yourself an athletic tight end, who can put his hand on the ground or line up at receiver, and a blocking tightend/H-back.

FOr defense I haven't really decided what I would do. I'd probably run a 4-3, but I have thought about running a hybrid 3-4, with the fourth linebacker being someone who can paly safety or linebacker (like Troy P. or Darius). That way your team gets a bit quicker, better coverage, and someone who can still step up and stop the run.

[J.Kim]

Thought this one out so here it goes:

A Power Run game, with a passing game heavily predicated on Outs and Curls (8-10-12 yards). So therefore, a single back system with either side TE pulling for the Runner as a lead blocker (so the TE would act more as an H-Back, than a TE), instead of a two-back backfield. Occasionally, have the WRs pull, and lead block instead of the TE.

For positions:
QB - Impeccable Timing, and Accuracy, more so than a Power Arm
RB - Big back, with the ability to shed tacklers
TE - Predominantly blocking, pass receiving would be a plus, rather than a necessity
WR - Big WRs who can block, and catch over the middle, in the Hines Ward mold
OL - Focus more on Run blocking, and on passing downs, flushing the edge rushers and the over-the-middle rushers outwards.

As for the Defense...
A 3-4, no designated pass rushing LB, all LBs are speedy. Conservative playcalling and therefore, not too many blitzes, and if there are only 5-man blitzes (6-man blitz when taking a risk). Pass rushing LB rushes often using stunts and pauses. Fast Corners, and Safeties as well, Secondary and covering LBs are often in zone rather than man-on-man.

[nesta]

For offense i would build it around a good playmaking QB, like Vick, Young, Manning, Brady. I would take young over hasselbeck and palmer. The style I would use is milking the clock but not obvious milking, taking some occasional long shots down the field. This way, I can keep the game close if I have a crappy defense. My QB would take over the game when the game is on the line.

For defense, I would build my defense around a great DT. This way, I could pass rush with only 3 people and get a good rush. I would do a lot of stunting, like rushing only my DT's and blitzing 1 or 2 linebackers and or CB. I would also like my DE's to be a little faster than average, as I would drop them in to flats coverage. The defense base would be a 4-3

[JaxMagic]

Ok, I want to get a little more in depth with what I said earlier.

Quarterback- I want it to be a smart quarterback with a fairly good sized arm. Whoever it is needs to be very smart and have enough athleticism to be able to gain some yardage in case the pocket breaks down. Basically I want Mark Brunell from the 90s.

Rnning Back- Most would prefer to get a running back that can do it all like LT. Since they are harder to find I would probably break it down into two players. I would like to have a speedy guy who has enough bulk to run between tackles. Because I will be spreading the offense out, he should good looks up the middle. My running back also needs to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield. As for the other running back, he needs to primarily be a power back who can be a change of pace, goal line back, and lead blocker when rarely needed.

Tight ends- The main part of my offense. One needs to be an extremely athletic tight end who can play the normal role of tight end but who is also versatile enough to sift to wide reciever, so I can spread the defense out more. My second tight end needs to be mainly a blocker but I also want him to have enough athletic ability to be able to make a few catches for me here and there.

Wide Outs- I want one receiver to be huge, like 6'4" who has the speed to get seperation and someone who can battle for jump balls down field. My other receiver needs to be small, quick, and have really good hands. He needs to be someone who can go across the middle and is dependable enough to catch the ball. I want the rest of my guys here to be good athlete because I like trick plays.

O-Line- Nasty pass-blocking left tackle. Left guard and center need to be smart. Right guard needs to be an absolute monster because I like for my right guard to sweep out and be a lead blocker at times. Right tackle is another good run blocker and an above average pass blocker.

[Next Coming]

4-3 defense, and try to get a strong running game.

I would look to build a strong offensive and defensive line, making things easier on the skill positions.

2 back system, with a blocking full back. I could get really detailed but that would be the simplified version.

(How long must you keep the sig?)

That's pretty much what I would do. I love two back systems like I love Brazilian supermodels.

A lot.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Great thread. I want to be as elaborate as possible, so off I go:

Offense: primarily a two-back system with 3 WRs, although I'd do various schemes involving a TE, two TEs, or a TE in H-back. Receivers would run lots of crossing routes and button hooks mixed with deep routes and slants. The play-calling would be made in order to spread out the linebackers in a 3-4 and overload the safeties in a 4-3 in the passing game. The running game would be heavily predicated on north-south grind-it-out running, with the occasional counter routes. Reverses would be used infrequently to mix it up. Trick plays would also factor in.

QB: an intelligent, accurate passer who is able to make throws so that WRs are in the best position to catch it and gain YAC. Needs to be a quick but patient decision-maker with pocket presence. Not required to scramble, but must demonstrate a little mobility in case he's flushed out of the pocket. Doesn't need a cannon but must be able to make the deep throw to his WR. Also, must be competent in throwing backfield passes.

RB: north-south runner who knows when to juke and when to lower the shoulder. Must show good burst around corners to keep some plays going. Tremendous lower-body strength and leg drive would be integral, as he would be running between the tackles and within the pile quite a bit. Needs to show speed bursts in open-field situations. Willing blocker who can match up with OLBs. Ideally, I'd use a featured back with a complementary speed back to get outside the tackles and a third north-south between-tackles back to play a reserve role.

FB: an underrated, integral part of my offense. The FB will be used on between-tackles short-yardage gains, run- and pass-blocking, and some light pass-catching duties. Speed isn't a requirement, but shedding blockers is an ideal trait. Must have a leg drive comparable to my RB and the strength to block DEs. Must have good, quick hands.

WR: good hands and strength to fight and reach for balls and block is an absolute priority. Ideally, each receiver is taller than 6-0 and can run a 40 in 4.6 or better. Outside WRs would be fast but must be adept at changing direction for slants, hooks, and crossing routes. Slot WR must be intelligent, as he'll run many crossing routes in addition to playing off the WR on his side. Blocking will provide assistance to running game by sealing off a CB or LB from a play. Ideally, you have two talented WRs to act as first options, two physical WRs to alternate in the slot, and a barn-burner with ability to change direction for slants and deep routes.

TE: used for light run-blocking, pass-blocking (especially on backfield passes), and red zone play. May be asked to work at FB. Blocking-wise, should exhibit a low center of gravity and be able to physically block DTs. Will be sent on occasional routes to divert the attention of ILBs. Taller TEs would work well in my scheme. Ideally, you have one main TE who can both catch passes and block, and a TE for strictly blocking to be used in two-TE sets.

OL: must be flexible, have good lateral quickness, and quick hands. Low center of gravity and good leg drive a must. Tackles would be most important; center would follow. The ideal center would be an intelligent player who can assist the QB if necessary.

Defense: 4-3 scheme, with frequent use of 3-3-5, nickel, and dime packages.

DL: must, must, MUST be able to provide a pass rush. Tall, thick, space-eating DTs must be able to distract centers and guards while forcing them back incessantly. On running plays, they must be able to seal off the middle of the line at all costs. DEs should be tall with a low base and ability to change direction in order to evade offensive linemen. At least one of them should specialize in underneath rushing, while the other must distract a T and, potentially, his corresponding G.

LB: must possess good coverage ability from all three slots. Often, one LB (ideally the MLB) will provide an extra rush; blitzes will feature two. Must be able to at least beat out TEs to spots on the football field. Hands would be nice, quickness would be preferred.

CB: arguably, most important position on the defense. Must be extremely fast, physical, and intelligent. Corner blitzes will be used often, so pass-rushing skill would be welcomed. Must be physical enough to cover TEs and FBs and fast enough to cover WRs. Will primarily be used for man coverage.

S: tall, physical players used mostly in zone coverage. Must be intelligent enough to recognize deep threats and position themselves accordingly. May occasionally drop down and assist the LBs. Should be able to shadow, if not closely follow, a WR at full speed. Tackling ability is critical.

Special teams: kicker need with range out to 55 yards and consistent punter with average range of 40 yards. Designated return man who has enough skills to be an injury replacement at WR or RB.

[Basketball Jesus]

Assuming that I

[tclg]

Assuming that I

[Basketball Jesus]

Agreed. It'd be hard to keep pass-catching TEs under control with a 46 but I'd probably use the 46 as a base then shift into more conventional coverage schemes in the audible.

Where's Harry? In the 90s I'm pretty sure the Niners used a similar scheme. Of course I was only 12-13 at the time so my memory could be a bit fuzzy.

[J.Kim]

Agreed. It'd be hard to keep pass-catching TEs under control with a 46 but I'd probably use the 46 as a base then shift into more conventional coverage schemes in the audible.

Where's Harry? In the 90s I'm pretty sure the Niners used a similar scheme. Of course I was only 12-13 at the time so my memory could be a bit fuzzy.

I remember the Titans using a similar scheme in the late 90s/early 00s as their Base D, in a season or two, only to abandon it shortly after. I think a reason for that was we lost Blaine Bishop, who was a very good Safety, and highly underrated, IMO.

[Basketball Jesus]

Yeah, that

[tclg]

For my offense I would run a pro set and run a lot of motion sending the WR to seal the DE allowing the TE to block down field in the running game. I would run alot of intermediate passes. Long passes would be made after play action. My running back should ideally be a good runner to the outside and Have good recieving skills. I would want a road grater at FB to make holes for the RB. The TE I would prefer a faster TE. At wide receiver I would want speed in the Slot when When the TE was taken out. I would also like a nice big possession receiver n one side and a speed demon on the other.

On defense I would like to run 3 Linemen 4 linebackers and the SS playing relatively close behind the linebackers. They would fill all the gaps when the other team would try to run. I would run a lot of Zone Blitzes and zone in general. When running man I would Play Two deep saftey's and leave one of the middle linebackers in the middle of the field or on a blitz up the gut. I would like my corners and safety's to have good hands to catch balls thrown their way.

[UKF]

I would want my QB to have some pocket presence and be able to move outside and would rather have a accuarate arm then a strong arm.

Two RB system one quick one strong both have to know how to catch the ball. Running game more important than my pass, 60/40

WR with speed and my TE that is there to block mainly.

Defense hard hitting players. 4-3 defense. Defensive ends to be quick. One CB quick one CB better in the zone. Get a young safety or LB to lead everyone. Yea may be hard to get all that but then again maybe not, glad that its not my job....