Overview
Fortress is my alternative to the standard goal line defense. It's actually a relatively new formation for me. In Madden 2003 I used my own defensive playbook but never had anything stouter than my 4-3 Stagger. I got away with this most of the time because I called heavy blitz or run stop plays near the goal line, and the CPU offense generally didn't call plays to exploit my lack of beef up front. This doesn't cut it in 2004, as runs up the middle are more successful and smaller players are more easily pushed around. Thus, Fortress was born.
   
      
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The most notable difference between Fortress and the base Goal Line formation is that the interior tackles are more spread out, making it well suited to handle sweeps and toss plays in addition to power runs up the middle. Part of the thinking behind this was that I wanted Fortress to be able to perform double-duty as a 3rd down and short formation away from the goal line, and spreading out along the line makes it less vulnerable to unexpected pass plays and outside runs. A defensive line shift audible can be used to draw the line in tight for maximum interior strength that equals the Goal Line formation.
In addition to the defensive line, which consists of three tackles and two ends, Fortress employs three linebackers and three defensive backs. The linebackers and a strong safety line up directly over the gaps in the defensive line. To prevent the strong safety side from being weaker than the middle linebacker side against the run I place my #2 defensive tackle on the SS side, with the #3 on the side with the MLB. The cornerbacks play on their usual sides, #1 on the right and #2 on the left (from the defense's perspective), up tight on the line of scrimmage.
Plays
Stuff
As its name implies, Stuff is a play you might want to call when you need to stuff a likely running play at the goal line. Eight defenders tight in the box play the run, with the safety dropping back in case of play action.
3 Deep
3 Deep is designed to stop runs on second or third and no more than a yard in the open field. The D-line plays the run, the linebackers play tight man, and the three DBs drop deep to defend against surprise passes.
Strong Man
A goal line defensive play that is well balanced against most running attacks you might expect to face. Five defenders in man coverage ensure that the defense flows to the ball carrier, as well as providing solid protection against straight up passing plays.
Contact Arkaein with any comments or questions regarding the Monstrous Madden Playbook.