Offensive Philosophy
My offensive playbook features a radical, attacking style intended to create confusion and matchup problems for the opposing defense. Passing plays in particular feature multiple receivers instead of strong protection, seeking to overwhelm the defensive backfield, while big house style formations are available for power running and protection-based passing attacks.
The multiple receiver sets are generally not intended for bombing away with deep passes; try this and a savvy defensive coordinator will maul your QB with blitzes. Rather, each play is designed with sequences of quick read progressions with the intent of hitting the first open receiver for quick 10-15 yard completions, with the possibility to break short catches into big plays. In a sense, this offense is the West Coast passing game taken to the extreme.
My original playbook designed for Madden NFL 2003 was fairly pass oriented, with lots of four wide receiver sets. With better inside running established in Madden 2004, combined with my desire for better balance overall, I've increased the number of big heavy formations and paid more attention to the running game. Whatever position you want to emphasize, whether it's receiver or halfback, or even tight end or fullback, chances are you can find at least a few formations and plays well suited to your preferences and the unique talents of your chosen team.
Despite improved balance, in general I still favor speed positions over power at most positions. Although the roles of fullbacks and tight ends are expanded, a lot of expectations are based on these positions contributing as receivers in the passing game. A blazing fast receiving corps is always nice, but good hands may be more important, because this offense is designed to move methodically down the field, controlling the clock by converting lots of first downs. You'll want a quarterback that is at least decent (of course, who doesn't?) but excellence may not required, because the emphasis is on creating openings through sophisticated plays to allow for easy throws. Good decision making trumps a cannon arm here. The most important position may be the running back. Speed and good hands are essential here, because the RB is asked to catch as much as run. Blocking is not too important because I favor having an outlet pass to draw linebacker coverage rather than have the back sit in the pocket and block in most plays.
Finally, this playbook requires practice. Against humans you can actually do a decent job just picking up the playbook and using it, as long as your opponent uses a traditional nickel or dime package to counter the multiple wide receiver sets. You'll get time to throw and receivers will always get open later if not sooner. However, once your opponent starts bringing heavy blitzes your offense may grind to a halt, resulting in sacks and interceptions, unless you know how to make safe reads and quick throws to counter the blitz. This requires practice, learning which routes get open the most and what the proper progressions are. Most of these details are described for each play, but practice is the only way to prepare for game speed.
Offensive Categories
- Balanced Offense
- All-purpose formations with two or three wide receivers.
- Power Offense
- Powerful running and goal line formations, heavy on tight ends and running backs with no more than one wide receiver.
- Speed Offense
- Pass oriented formations featuring four or five wide receivers.
Contact Arkaein with any comments or questions regarding the Monstrous Madden Playbook.