Use of Middle Linebackers

Im wondering if or how people are using their middle linebackers or if everyone just runs two safetys at sub linebackers and never uses the actual MLBs

cbrazy said:

Im wondering if or how people are using their middle linebackers or if everyone just runs two safetys at sub linebackers and never uses the actual MLBs

i used to have the same question till someone answered it for me, so basically what i do is

Yea I use MLBs over safeties 

1 to ensure higher block shed, taking up space and less broken tackles against heavier RBs 

2 to keep my good safeties up where they belong as pass defenders and occasional blitzers, I don't want to  sacrifice my good safeties being at the LB spot to have 2nd stringers in pass coverage or have to buy more safeties. 

Many of the LBs have good enough 94+ speed to not notice a difference in ground coverage times from sideline to sideline defending the run. Also they are usually taller which helps for grabbing passes over the middle of the field.

Kinngmp said:

i used to have the same question till someone answered it for me, so basically what i do is

Kingmp, You have no idea how much this has helped me. I was so lost on what the purpose of my two 99 ovr MLBs really were, and now I understand it.

darthjpeg said:

Yea I use MLBs over safeties 

1 to ensure higher block shed, taking up space and less broken tackles against heavier RBs 

2 to keep my good safeties up where they belong as pass defenders and occasional blitzers, I don't want to  sacrifice my good safeties being at the LB spot to have 2nd stringers in pass coverage or have to buy more safeties. 

Many of the LBs have good enough 94+ speed to not notice a difference in ground coverage times from sideline to sideline defending the run. Also they are usually taller which helps for grabbing passes over the middle of the field.

thanks, very helpful. my only counterpoint would be that I haven't had to buy extra safety's due to me pulling extras out of BND packs. I have had issues with my linebackers not being able to keep up with crossing routes and also them being able to jump or animate on the ball at all.

cbrazy said:

thanks, very helpful. my only counterpoint would be that I haven't had to buy extra safety's due to me pulling extras out of BND packs. I have had issues with my linebackers not being able to keep up with crossing routes and also them being able to jump or animate on the ball at all.

Yep, I like to run 3-3-5 to spread LBs out to defend against crossing routes. Nothing worse than a slow LB, makes the game unplayable when your guys just cant keep up. Sometimes I'd like to go to a certain single player on the field and change their coverage assignment pre-snap (hold down X or A when player is selected) when I had slow LBs, like shading down a safety or Cloud flat for corner or hook/curl area for OLB or a safety if they didn't already have that assignment.

cbrazy said:

thanks, very helpful. my only counterpoint would be that I haven't had to buy extra safety's due to me pulling extras out of BND packs. I have had issues with my linebackers not being able to keep up with crossing routes and also them being able to jump or animate on the ball at all.

And I agree safeties definitely get better animations for plays on the ball. My LBs and the people I play against get some stupid backwards catch animations sometimes like they have spidey senses lol. Definitely get more straight up interception drops from LBs.

cbrazy said:

Kingmp, You have no idea how much this has helped me. I was so lost on what the purpose of my two 99 ovr MLBs really were, and now I understand it.

W comms fr

i usually have Lawrence Taylor and Cody Simon in the game at the same time.  Each have 96 speed so they keep up and have much better block shed/tackling than any safety.

My couple years with MUT, and now this, I always play with LBs. I'm older, so it just doesn't sit right with me playing safeties in those spots, no matter what advantage(s) they're supposed to give.

Since switching from 3-3-5 to Multiple D (running Notre Dame PBs exclusively now), I actually mainly run 4-3 and 3-4, so LBs all over the field.

I keep my lbs there, I have Ant Hill, Malik Jefferson and Gbenda and they do fine. Silver robber on Ant

ZackyZombify said:

I keep my lbs there, I have Ant Hill, Malik Jefferson and Gbenda and they do fine. Silver robber on Ant

Hell yeah hook em

I have Cody Simon (Best budget rental in the game) and user him, he nasty, sometimes can’t get a crossing route but great in run game and short game

Run Robber and then your LBs will cover like safeties and hit like LBs. Aftershock literally kills people on the field, I suggest you put it on your leading tackler