NCAA 10: Blocking Logic Flaws Make for Big Defense

I saw this play in a user game and I came back to it afterward. It's a good example of something I saw last year and I thought I would share it with everyone. I want to first say that I am not complaining about the game or EA. However discouraged and frustrated I am with the situation represented in this example, I still thoroughly enjoy the game.

1. PRE SNAP I-form strong lined up against a 5-2 with at least one and possibly two blitzing LBs inside the A-gaps. From an offensive standpoint, there is no problem here. The play call (figure 2) is a strong side 6-gap run with a pulling weak-side G.

The Playcall This play is easily defended. In real life, the LT would know that the LG next to him is pulling and that he needs to cut the DT lined up in the B-gap. Knowing that the MLB is showing blitz, the C has to make a (logic based) choice. One of the cardinal rules of run blocking is to never, EVER let anyone come untouched through the A-gaps. Spoiler Alert! Someone comes free.

Right off the bat my RT and TE both decided to try and block the same guy (DE). The C crosses the gap in which the MLB is blitzing to block the DT. The RG crosses another gap with a blitz to block the NT.

As anticipated, the weak side MLB blitzes and comes through completely untouched with not even a banana peel in his way. My FB, seeing the MLB in the corner of his eye, completely stops in his tracks.

The pulling G does his job and engages the first free body he sees while my TE is out picking daises. The LEAD BLOCKING FB decides to reverse his run and block a defender that is behind the play AND the ball carrier.

And what do you know? A 7 yard loss.

Conclusion: I just don't understand the WR/TE interaction. It almost looks like the TE had ambitions of going behind the DE to block someone (which would be understanding if there were an OLB there to seal the edge). The FB changing direction to block someone who has little chance to make a tackle while staring down a free man on the play side is laughable at best. I would have zero problem with a defender shedding a block and making the tackle. Or perhaps the free blitzing MLB from the weak side grabbing the ball carriers ankles while the RB tries to find the hole.

This is just one example of many plays I see during the course of a game that makes me wonder what logic offensive blockers use to diffuse a defensive scheme. I only hope that errors in fundamental football can someday be addressed by someone on the developer side who knows something about the intricacies of the game. This is exactly why we have to create rules, and in some cases bans, on certain defensive formations in order to negate unrealistic advantages.

This article was orginally written by Drifterbub of Tradition Football. Tradition Football is the premier online dynasty destination for serious NCAA Football 10 gamers, with competitive and active leagues year around.